China's Rare Earths Embargo

[Deekun]

http://blogs.forbes.com/greatspeculation...nnelforbes

Looks like more puzzle pieces for war are starting to spring up. This one is not surprising, since about last year I have read small snippets about this problem. In reality, most of the companies that make our cell phones, computers, stereos, etc. are all in China or surrounding countries anyhow, so they don't do direct damage to the country like it's being fed by the media. But I am sure they are just going to start piling up stories like this soon enough to make an argument for war.

[turtledude23]

I don't think there would be a war between the U.S. and China before the harvest, maybe in 10 - 15 years, but for now the technology China, Malaysia, etc. manufacture is still designed in the U.S. and Japan. China now has a CPU manufacturer, though much lower quality compared to Intel and AMD, and more and more software development companies but it won't be a threat to the U.S. until maybe 10 years from now in my opinion, but even then, if English remains the international language of computing and business and the biggest technology designers remain in Silicon Valley, China wouldn't be able to handle a war with the U.S. Also, China is getting gradually more democratic (free market fosters democracy) so by the time we reach that point, China might already be having elections and Tibet could be free.

[unity100]

there is no foreseeable chance for any kind of armed conflict in between any major country to happen. all of them are in too deep in each others' daily affairs.

[Ali Quadir]

China wouldn't be able to handle a war with the U.S.

A war on U.S. soil maybe, but considering a war in China I think it's more the other way around actually.

[Deekun]

My bad, I wasn't sure where to place this thread since it affects Science and technology's future. Rare earths make up most of the research being made right now in technology, specially with all the "going green" initiatives.