Doug, Wretchard,

I know to some people this sounds farfetched, but pieces of the pattern suggest it. I’ve been following for several years now the discussions and debates about the anti-ballistic missile defense system. I have a keen interest in this, not just because of the fact that I have a brother-in-law who is high up in the program. I see this evolving and successful (but Obama lies about its success, by telling people it’s a failure)program as essential to our national defense and to the stability of the world order in a time of rampant proliferation.

Moscow, Tehran, and Beijing desperately want this program GONE. We have a candidate for office who has often repeated his promise that he will end it. Well, anything that sabotages our economy, like very, very high oil prices, can be an important wild card in the upcoming election. Cause enough pain and Obama seems a tempting alternative. And when he takes office, and when he beats down the congressional and defense opposition to it, he ends the missile defense program. This means that the three most aggressive, totalitarian nations have the ability to bully their way to domination of their respective regions. Russia and China are betting that the Mullahs will not turn on them, and it would seem for now a safe bet on their part. But all three of us want us boxed in a corner with little ability to get out.

Europe has virtually no ability to deal with any sizeable threat.

Putin thinks he has planned more moves ahead of the Mullahs. The Mullahs probably know this and have a deeper game. The Chinese just might want to watch Iran and Russia class for domination.