[WWO]Rumors of war (response)
I really hope that http://fooworks.com/us-troops-seen-around-alberta-oil-fields/ is the Qubecois separatists attempting a fast one. If US forces have attempted to forcibly annex a portion of Canada then we might as well push that great shiny red candy-like button - it'll be cleaner and quicker than what is about to follow.
From - http://ottawa.usembassy.gov/content/can_usa/didyouknow.pdf
In 2005, Canada supplied about 13% of the United States imports of oil, 85% of its imports of natural gas [jwiv - roughly 20% of the US total demand], and virtual all of its imports of electric power . . . [jwiv: ~43Million Megawatt hours http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/epat6p3.html].
What does that mean in real terms? Remember that east coast blackout a few years back that lasted a few days? Imagine a longer term and more permanent version of that.
Politically, NATO relations - already strained by Afghanistan and Iraq will more than likely be tipped into a downward death spiral ending in either the complete dissolution of the organization of the removal of the US from it.
Going without saying, the UN will attempt to inflict immediate trade embargos and sanctions against the US, but those will be stymied for a time by the the US blocking them with its veto on the security council. Ultimately, the US would have to be forced off of the security council in order for the resolutions to go through. Individual countries however will seek to apply pressure on their own initiative.
More speculative
Probable, but not definitive
- Institution of the draft to bolster troop force levels that are currently depleted by Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Large scale riots of the US population
Less Likely, but probable at some point
- Seizure of US owned, European based assets (financial and military)
A bit further down the line
- With the US/Europe fully distracted by a three front war and significant internal strife, SOMEBODY is going to invade Israel.
