Originally posted by Imperial_Samura
Yes, and the problem would be that their influence permiates the polictical, economic and social strata of most nations. The modern would is quite interlated, global markets, global work forces and all that.
A wise man once stated..
"A divided enemy..is much easier to defeat than a united one.."
I believe you're over emphasizing the importance of the "western" world. Many great civilizations have fallen, and the world has continued to operate in a normal fashion. Civilizations such as Rome, Babylon, Greece, etc. Humanity has always picked up the pieces and continued to flourish after such dramatic changes.
Generally most great civilizations are broken down from within..before they're broken down from without. Culture wars and bickering over silly social issues are among the defining things that one can use to identify a great civilizations decline from power and influence.
These behaviors are usually followed by pointless wars, failing economies, and unequal distribution of "wealth" by the "upper crust" within the society.
Originally posted by Imperial_Samura
Would Asia, at least the upper crust, want to tumble the great western consumer powers? When that's where so much money comes from? Would the Arab rulers be happy in the oil consumers got into trouble and couldn't pay as well? Probably not.
The Arabs most definitely would..they would probably want to do something similar to what the United states is doing in Iraq. Conquer and re-assimilate. I believe the Asians would do the same thing, possibly with less of a religious bent to their attack.