Ladies and gentlemen, let’s not confuse international political relationships with individual romances. Countries may envy each other’s relationships, but in international relations no one gives in to sentiment. Those who analyze diplomacy in terms of “tussles” and feuds forget that the only important factor in this field is power.

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The Current Discussion:Protests over the Olympic torch relay have led to a crackdown in Tibet. Is Tibetan independence a lost cause? If not, what should its supporters do to win it?

I think the protests related to the Olympic torch are false and superfluous. Two Olympic games in my lifetime have been boycotted because of political rivalries. The results were poor—almost ridiculous. Sporting events should be left alone as apolitical games. Let everyone attend and let some win, regardless of the political judgments of the host country.

No country’s independence is a lost cause nowadays. But in every country, it's the people who live there who must fight for that independence. There is not much other people around the globe can do, and nothing for superpowers to do, especially not with their military force.

Call me an incorrigible optimist, but I am sure that sooner or later China will accept it if Tibet wants to be free. China is so big, and has so many inhabitants… They do not really need Tibet. China's politicians consider this a case of prestige. But for the next generation of Chinese politicians it will be more of a practical problem.

Tibetans should strongly unite, protest and fight - who knows for how long. I am sure that’s the only way that might lead towards independence for their country.

The Current Discussion: In his recent PostGlobal blog post, "The Ugly Chinese," commentator John Pomfret says the world's perception of China isn't as rosy as it used to be. Do you see China as a threat? Why? Why not?

Europeans and “ugly” Americans really do not need more threats from other parts of the world. We already threaten our own countries and continents. We act against ourselves all the time, starting with pollution and ending with aggression.

The real question goes like this: is it possible that in the span of a decade, or an even shorter period, China might become the world’s leader in terms of economic potential? My answer is a strong yes. Could China become the world’s leader in terms of political and military potential? My answer is a weak yes.

But let’s take that question further: Would that be such a bad thing for us? I don’t know, but I don’t think so. Previous policemen of the world weren’t any better: let’s not mention the late Soviet Union, or the Tartar hordes or the Wehrmacht. So, let us not worry.

It wouldn’t hurt to start to study Chinese, though. I have heard it is an extremely difficult language, and it is also an extremely beautiful one.