[mcv]

> Even if China sees this as an opportunity to jump to (that's a VERY big if), the US can easily handle all three of them.

They can, but will they? Trump has made it clear that he's not so eager to fulfill his NATO obligations when it comes to Russia. If Putin decides to move on Estonia, it's possible that the EU will have to defend Estonia without US help.

I'm less concerned about China; their expansion in the South China Sea is somewhat worrying, but their mostly interested in peace, economy and improving the lives of the common Chinese. In fact, China may be the only major power that I'm somewhat hopeful about. They may not be democratic, but they're giving increasing attention to fighting corruption and pollution, and their increased wealth has made the Chinese people a lot more informed and assertive.

But Putin worries me, and Trump's election could end up removing a major balancing factor to Russian aggression.

[blahi]

Why challenge the US? It's a gamble. Is Trump really serious about not backing NATO or was it just talk? Will he be pressured into fulfilling the obligation by the EU and his staff? That's a lot of unknowns and if Putin falls on the wrong side of them, that will be the undoing of him and probably Russia as it is today. It's all fun and games while it's just talk and signing currency swaps. Not so fun if you poked the bear one too many times.

Much better to try and negotiate backroom deals about withdrawing influence in Eastern Europe.

[blahi]

So this just in:

"Chinese state media has warned the U.S. president-elect against isolationism and interventionism, calling instead for the United States to actively work with China to maintain the international status quo."

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-china-media-i...?