[QUOTE=kebosabi;11900394]Says who? Both ST and *A already has two US carriers (technically the former will merge into one giant though), and *A is actively courting 9W into their alliance even though they already have Air India.[/QUOTE

about FM/MU merger it's not difficult to see politic play at the maximum possible level, and both * and ST have heavily played connection, especially the former through the German government. I am expecting the new merged airline will fold in no time to *A, in conformance to Cologne desires to hamper ST expansion.
for 9W/*A negotiations it doesn't hurt that 9W CEO is a former LH stooge, and as usual such types always tend to congregate around the old mothership.