File this as non-Rove, but important. Today's
LA Times has a major story on China's growing diplomatic, economic, military and effective effort to capture the energy it needs. Of course this is a surpise to the Bushies:
Before the Unocal bid, Beijing's activities had attracted relatively little attention from a U.S. administration focused on Iraq, Washington's war on terrorism and other foreign policy priorities.
"We're still trying to get a handle on what's happened on our watch," said a senior State Department official who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to speak on the record. "More work needs to be done on this."
Other analysts say the U.S. and other nations must adjust to China's new role as a major global energy player. "The bottom line is, the U.S. will have to make room for China," said Youssef M. Ibrahim, an oil analyst with Strategic Energy Investment Group of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. "If it doesn't make room for China, China will take the room."
China's reach is increasing and the policies of the Bush team are actively helping them gain influence across the globe. It is a long article with maps, sidebars and a related article that focuses on China and Canada. It is the LA Times at its best. Go and read as a break from all Rove all the time...