The liberal wing of the Senate has in recent years embraced alternative forms of mediation as a result of the 10,000 lives lost during the US intervention in Bosnia in the late 1990s. The declining strength of the United States in the global economy has led to numerous free trade agreements, polarizing the world into an East vs. West money battle. You recall fondly your days as a graduate student at American University and wonder perhaps if there are other ways to solve this dilemma. You know that even the perception of weakness will put severely damage the International Women's Alliance movement, which has made great strides during the past 10 years in creating public support for women in policymaking positions. China is the last country to not have a women in a position of power in government and you realize this could result in the classic gender showdown. You are a politician, however, and you realize China's action demand an immediate response, but you do not want to respond militarily, for fear of provoking a conventional or nuclear exchange that could jeopardize your re-election bid.

One option is to pursue one or a variety of economic pressures against China. Unfortunately, economic sanctions are viewed by some countries as a sign of weakness and an inability to take a stand.

So, what to you do? Your options at this phase are: