Earlier quoted context omitted.
While I disagree with your other comments, I totally agree with denuclearization. Expanding NATO (founded on nuclear deterrence paradigm) as a reaction to Russia is wrong.
As we can clearly see now, NATO does not need nuclear deterrence again Russia's conventional weapons. What protects, for example, the Baltic countries is not the threat that the US might take initiative to drop a nuclear bomb on Russia, no it is the vast conventional capabilities of the US. Just supplying a relatively small amount of weapons to Ukraine is enough to destroy most of the Russian army.
European natural gas imports and storage reserves
121–130 of 296 posts
Re: European natural gas imports and storage reserves
#122Earlier quoted context omitted.
So, once of a sudden, Europe is fine with shale gas as long as it's from another country. Europe seems fine with gas from Qatar as well, which also is waging a cruel war in Yemen with tons of deliberate civilian casulties!
And what's wrong with stop-gap measures to prevent an energy crisis?
Re: European natural gas imports and storage reserves
#123Earlier quoted context omitted.
Well, our values seem to differ, then. I don't mind Russian expansion unless there are dead people in its wake. I think saving the lives should always trump the national pride.
>I don't mind Russian expansion unless there are dead people in its wake. Well, you can't have one without the other, there's clear evidence of that going back decades.
In general, I am in favor of nonviolent resistance (which might include economic sanctions, sabotages etc.) rather than military action. In fact, it is often easier to gain moral support that way.
However, I understand that many humans naturally choose the latter, for tribal reasons, despite it being overall a worse choice.
Re: European natural gas imports and storage reserves
#124Earlier quoted context omitted.
What diplomatic off ramp does Russia need? There is a simple first step towards redemption and that is get out of Ukraine right now. Better yesterday. Western Europe just learned a painful lesson that you can't trust Russia. Eastern Europe tried to hammer that point into the brains of the other European politicians but it didn't work until now.
> What diplomatic off ramp does Russia need? One that saves face, to at least some degree. > There is a simple first step towards redemption and that is get out of Ukraine right now. Better yesterday. Simple for you, because you're not the one losing face For example, here's another "simple first step" for Europe "towards redemption" (in the eyes of the Russians): withdraw all military and financial support for Ukrai…
Russia is fighting a war of aggression in Ukraine. Do they have interests there? Sure, but that doesn’t give them the right to invade and topple the government.
Before you ask, yes the US is extremely guilty of this exact same behavior, it is also wrong.
This war started because Putin won’t accept anything less then complete fealty from the leaders of Ukraine/Belarus, and the 2014 revolution that threw out Yanikovich meant that they didn’t have a leader that was 100% on their side in Ukraine.
Re: European natural gas imports and storage reserves
#125Earlier quoted context omitted.
> What diplomatic off ramp does Russia need? One that saves face, to at least some degree. > There is a simple first step towards redemption and that is get out of Ukraine right now. Better yesterday. Simple for you, because you're not the one losing face For example, here's another "simple first step" for Europe "towards redemption" (in the eyes of the Russians): withdraw all military and financial support for Ukrai…
Your analysis is seemingly based in the notion that all viewpoints are equal valid, but an analysis of the war needs to be rooted in what’s right and what’s wrong. Russia is fighting a war of aggression in Ukraine. Do they have interests there? Sure, but that doesn’t give them the right to invade and topple the government. Before you ask, yes the US is extremely guilty of this exact same behavior, it is also wrong. T…
No, it's rooted in the notion that Russia has it's own POV, and it's that POV that will determine its actions. The GGP's "simple first step" is nonsense, because it didn't recognize that POV.
> but an analysis of the war needs to be rooted in what’s right and what’s wrong.
And if someone (like an adversary) doesn't share your views about what’s right and what’s wrong, they'll reject your analysis and any recommendations based on it.
Re: European natural gas imports and storage reserves
#126Earlier quoted context omitted.
What are other sources of pipeline gas? Where I live everything is LNG so I figured that all there is. What else can be transported and used in LNG lines?
Norway and the Netherlands are the largest provider of pipeline gas to Germany at the moment, for example.
Re: European natural gas imports and storage reserves
#127Earlier quoted context omitted.
As we can clearly see now, NATO does not need nuclear deterrence again Russia's conventional weapons. What protects, for example, the Baltic countries is not the threat that the US might take initiative to drop a nuclear bomb on Russia, no it is the vast conventional capabilities of the US. Just supplying a relatively small amount of weapons to Ukraine is enough to destroy most of the Russian army.
If NATO doesn't need nuclear weapons, one more reason to get rid of them. The truth is number of states that endorse nuclear weapons expands as NATO expands, and I see that as a security risk.
>NATO does not need nuclear deterrence again Russia's conventional weapons
NATO has more than enough capabilities to destroy Russia's conventional weaponry, but as Russia has nuclear weapons, NATO must also have them to keep parity.
Getting rid of nuclear weapons is impossible. Genie's out of the bottle.
Re: European natural gas imports and storage reserves
#128Earlier quoted context omitted.
Your analysis is seemingly based in the notion that all viewpoints are equal valid, but an analysis of the war needs to be rooted in what’s right and what’s wrong. Russia is fighting a war of aggression in Ukraine. Do they have interests there? Sure, but that doesn’t give them the right to invade and topple the government. Before you ask, yes the US is extremely guilty of this exact same behavior, it is also wrong. T…
> Your analysis is seemingly based in the notion that all viewpoints are equal valid, No, it's rooted in the notion that Russia has it's own POV, and it's that POV that will determine its actions. The GGP's "simple first step" is nonsense, because it didn't recognize that POV. > but an analysis of the war needs to be rooted in what’s right and what’s wrong. And if someone (like an adversary) doesn't share your views…
What are you talking about? I never said anything about a “simple first step”
> appeals to right and wrong are only persuasive for people who are aligned with you one that
Look, I’m all for understanding the other side, but don’t take empathy so far that morality has no meaning.
Re: European natural gas imports and storage reserves
#129Earlier quoted context omitted.
Your analysis is seemingly based in the notion that all viewpoints are equal valid, but an analysis of the war needs to be rooted in what’s right and what’s wrong. Russia is fighting a war of aggression in Ukraine. Do they have interests there? Sure, but that doesn’t give them the right to invade and topple the government. Before you ask, yes the US is extremely guilty of this exact same behavior, it is also wrong. T…
> Your analysis is seemingly based in the notion that all viewpoints are equal valid, No, it's rooted in the notion that Russia has it's own POV, and it's that POV that will determine its actions. The GGP's "simple first step" is nonsense, because it didn't recognize that POV. > but an analysis of the war needs to be rooted in what’s right and what’s wrong. And if someone (like an adversary) doesn't share your views…
Re: European natural gas imports and storage reserves
#130With a couple of FSRU terminals coming online during the next year, Europe might be OK, but it's going to be a problem. Storage is high for the season, and growing, but total gas delivered is very low. When the winter cold comes, storage will be depleted much faster than in the last years, and even if no gas shortages occur, storage will be very empty in spring - maybe too low to refill them till next winter.
So, once of a sudden, Europe is fine with shale gas as long as it's from another country. Europe seems fine with gas from Qatar as well, which also is waging a cruel war in Yemen with tons of deliberate civilian casulties!
If it was, you'd probably get a similar reaction.