DNI Clapper: Russia, China Pose ‘Greatest Mortal Threat’ to U.S.

As a Chinese, I would like to point out that China’s historical threats that were considered on the order of ‘mortal enemies’ where the Mongols (Genghis Khan and company, for which, the Chinese built the Great Wall for protection), Manchurians (Sun Yat Sen, father of modern China, absolutely despised these barbarian invaders), and the Japanese.
China’s mortal enemies are Mongols, Manchus, and Japanese in China’s vast 5000 year history.
You do not want to be considered a mortal enemy of China.
Mortal enemy is not something you use lightly….

China’s enemies have historically been countries bordering it. The wars of the PRC were Korea (1950-53), India (1962), and Vietnam (1979) all border wars. Since 1979 China has not been in any military conflict with any nation, while the US has attacked/invaded Grenada, Lebanon, Panama, Libya, Iraq, Somalia, Bosnia, Sudan, Afghanistan, Serbia, etc. etc. etc. Unlike Imperial Germany or Japan, or Britain or the US, China does not have a history of overseas expansionism.

Yes. I agree. Those are the two countries with the means to destroy the USA. Russia first and China second. However, it is not likely to happen soon. In the long term, who knows.

We need to stop worrying about international threats and start focusing on what will ultimately destroy the United States. Clearly the greatest mortal enemy we have is us. We also need to stop blaming our leaders – we have a system that allows us to pick those who govern us. We the people, collectively, are complete and utter fools for continuing to get it wrong and elect clowns from both major parties that are systematically destroying the country. With our foolish, uneducated votes we keep swinging the pendulum of misguided power and fiscal irresponsibility back and forth between bad Democrats and bad Republicans. Want to see your greatest mortal threat America – look in the mirror.

I can’t believe we are allowing fear to dictate our behavior. Fear should definitely keep us aware and supremely cautious. It should motivate us and prepare us. But never dictate our behavior or doubt. We must amplify our American Pride by doing things with distinguished effort. The same way my great grandfather did. We need to believe that The U.S. can and will compete in the global arena without military force but uncanny networking ability. Remember this, no country has the people backing their government to the point we will leave our lives to fight for our freedom. Every single one of us. If you won’t your welcome to leave as soon as possible. We must elect leaders who are seasoned and ready for the responsibility. The young must be quiet and continue to learn and the seniors need to lead our nation.

I was surprised that the member of the Obama’s team could be so narrow-minded.
“Clapper said he based his assessment strictly on the strategic nuclear capabilities of nation-states that have the potential to be mortal dangers to the U.S. and, “the two that come to mind because of their capabilities are Russia and China.”
To assess the threat on the basis of the strategic capabilities of the countries alone is such a stupid statesmen! Worthy a 12 years old boy, not the leading specialist advising the Administration on the global threats.
Russia is not a threat to the US, even though Russian is presenting a htreat to the various American interests in its own region. But Mr.Clapper was asked about the MORTAL treats, not the regional disagreements. Shane on him!

This is ridiculous. Russia is a threat? Does Pentagon need new reasons to boost their budget?
Russia is offering cooperation to US, even visa-free travel, wants more Americans to come to Russia for tourism, business and studies.
If you follow Wikileaks, you will see how much cooperation really exists between the Russian and the US military.
I don’t think China is a threat either, if you want to stop Chinese growing economic expansion, do it honestly, without scaring all countries around China.
Stop inspiring hatred, think economy, not politics! Cold War is long over, why do some people still have this mentality?

Jim Clapper is a career military man and a public servant. He speaks from the heart and says what he believes. He is not a “politician” who tries to sugar coat everything and dance around topics. I worked for him in the 1980′s when he was a one-star general in Korea and I have the utmost confidence in him. He is the Director of National Intelligence and is therefore, very far removed from concerning himself with the nation’s deficit. If he were to decide to become a politician and run for President of the U. S., he would get my vote!!!!!!!!