351–360 of 428 posts
For anyone who thinks Europe can challenge Russia on the battle field ...... https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/nato-runs-short-on-some... This doesn't mean things can't change but currently Russia could roll over Europe in a week unless the USA intervenes.
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Is this some sort of weird hint that Russia is not violating anything? Or some weird hint that the US is not violating its commitment? "The memorandum included security assurances against threats or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan."
I was wondering where you getting these quotes from, but I managed to find some of them in the Budapest Memorandum Wikipedia page. The provide a helpful list of the obligations as well: -- 1) Respect Belarusian, Kazakh and Ukrainian independence and sovereignty in the existing borders.[16] 2) Refrain from the threat or the use of force against Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. 3) Refrain from using economic pressure o…
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> I hate to say it but the Afghanistan withdrawal really showed what happens when Americans stop giving a shit, and they probably don't give that much of a shit about Latvia. The US is facing severe internal crises. It's weakening the country's ability to conduct a consistent foreign policy. (I'm deliberately not saying what the crises are, because there is pitched disagreement about that. The point is that no matter…
And when the cause of that internal crisis is the rise of far-right populism (either actively funded or at least tacitly supported by Putin), then it really doesn't take much effort to put two and two together. There are no mysteries here, only evil working in plain sight.
One side is having Open calls to remove the police. Let men take over woman’s sports. Decriminalize theft. Oh and attempting to bring back segregation. Disagree with any of that and you get labeled a far right lunatic.
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And how do you enforce this? Another Cuba, 1960s style stand off?
Cuba is not cut off from "everything", though their massive media campaign has made it appear so. There's flights from the US to Cuba now. You could say, ban any airline that flights to Russia from flying into EU/US, heck, do it on an airplane basis to avoid shell companies and such. Any airplane that touches Russian soil, banned from ever entering any US/EU airspace/soil ever again.
And, with China being blocked off, talk about pushing two allies even closer together. Who needs 'the west'?
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And when the cause of that internal crisis is the rise of far-right populism (either actively funded or at least tacitly supported by Putin), then it really doesn't take much effort to put two and two together. There are no mysteries here, only evil working in plain sight.
That is one perspective. As an exercise, could you articulate a sympathetic reading of a different perspective, to the extent that someone who holds that perspective would approve of your rendering? Think of it as following Sun Tzu's advice to know your adversary. Again, the point in this context is that no matter what the crises are, the foreign influence of the US is in decline because of severe domestic distractio…
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And when the cause of that internal crisis is the rise of far-right populism (either actively funded or at least tacitly supported by Putin), then it really doesn't take much effort to put two and two together. There are no mysteries here, only evil working in plain sight.
Someone is drinking the koolaid. One side is having Open calls to remove the police. Let men take over woman’s sports. Decriminalize theft. Oh and attempting to bring back segregation. Disagree with any of that and you get labeled a far right lunatic.
> As an exercise, could you articulate a sympathetic reading of a different perspective, to the extent that someone who holds that perspective would approve of your rendering? Think of it as following Sun Tzu's advice to know your adversary.
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Western Europeans are generally ambivalent towards the threat from comfortable complacency. Have you met Ukrainians or Georgians? They're not NATO states. They understand full well the threat and seizures they're under and will tell you so. The closer the proximity to the Russian state, the more the people are concerned. Places like Poland and Slovakia are similar only somewhat less so.
Here in Austria, I know a lot of Ukraine and Georgian expats who don't have the issue with Russia that they do with the USA. These are just not vocal enough to warrant attention in Western media, nor does it serve the purpose of giving the American-led NATO powers a new purpose for existence.
I know a lot of Ukrainians. They absolutely hate Russia.
Russia tries to invade their country, US isn't. Don't you think that makes a difference?
My family in law is from Slovakia. Needless to say, especially the older generation really hates Russia.
Do you have any idea what Russia did to Ukraine, or Slovakia or any of the other ex soviets satellite states? Don't you think that would leave any marks?
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Russian budgeted costs are far higher in 'cross border equalisation' terms than 60 billion - Russia probably get 2-3 times as much purchasing power. If Ukraine is attacked they will fight to the death - they know what life under Russia was like and the killings. In addition, almost all cross border shipments of all kinds to Russia will stop, as the USA/EU will go to maximum embargo state. China will supply stuff by r…
>`And what if rumors are true and Ukraine secretly hid enough nukes to wipe out over 20 Russian cities by truck bombs` I don't think it is possible to keep such secret from Russia for 30 years. Ukrainian president deflected to Russia in 2014, and that means that any secret that he might've known is available to Russia.
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20K troops or thereabouts. No tanks, no planes, just some artillery.
20K troops are people's sons and daughters. Those are real people with personal stories that can credibly threaten to move votes and enlistments.