Great behind the scenes piece, but again runs the risk of being at such stratospheric levels of geopolitical foreign policy that these guys fail to see what is happening at ground level. They should get out and talk to people who lived under Soviet rule. The vast majority didn't like it very much. And they don't want to go back. No doubt the US played the cards they had without any coherent strategy, due to changing governments and personalities. And no doubt there was a bit of winner-rub-the-loser's-nose-in-the-dirt mixed in there too. And no doubt Putin feels pushed into a corner. But think about that existential threat they continually talk about... the only existence at stake here is Putin's autocratic rule. not the sovereignty of Russia. Nor its culture, and not its people.
None of what the US policymakers did, as discussed here, appears very honourable. But to only consider this side of the story risks ignoring what the people on the ground think.
If you doubt me, look at how the Ukrainians are fighting. Do you think they are doing that because some neocon deputy head of state exerted as much influence she could to get the outcome she wanted? Or that the "west" whoever that is exactly, promised the Urkrainians something illusory, like affiliation with the EU? No. They are fighting like hell, because they don't want to be under autocratic rule. This is not about Russia, the country, but its current leadership.
He hasn't succeeded very well though. Even the Russian military doesn't appear very convinced. Were they behind this special operation with heart and soul, this war would have been over five days ago.
Location: On the edge of tomorrow looking back at yesterday. Gender:
Posted:
Feb 7, 2022 - 3:11pm
NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
GeneP59 wrote:
This is how I see it going down. Putin and Xi signed a pact. after Olympics is over, Putin invades Ukraine draws the West and US into war. Xi then makes China’s move to annex Taiwan Iran sees the US stretched thinly and Nukes Israel And the same goes for Little Rocket-man sets off a nuke in Japan and invades South Korea And there you have it friends, the start of WWIII and the demise of modern mankind. Smok’em if you got’em and watch these events unfold. Too many egomaniacs searching for world domination. If you thing the supply chain is messed up now, just watch. So is it too late to buy a fallout shelter?
ok, you might be stretching it, but my neighbours are seriously expecting Putin to shut down gas supplies to Germany as soon as he invades Ukraine. I don't think NATO will go to war for Ukraine, but in response they will be forced to draw a line between the Baltic states, Poland, Hungary etc. beyond which the NATO umbrella kicks in. China taking Taiwan only seems to be matter of time. You could be right. They might seize the moment now. Iran, North Korea... nah.. but supply chains.. yep. ballsed up big time.
I didn’t think the new Russian gas pipeline was operational.
Location: On the edge of tomorrow looking back at yesterday. Gender:
Posted:
Feb 7, 2022 - 3:08pm
Ohmsen wrote:
GeneP59 wrote:
This is how I see it going down. Putin and Xi signed a pact. after Olympics is over, Putin invades Ukraine draws the West and US into war. Xi then makes China’s move to annex Taiwan Iran sees the US stretched thinly and Nukes Israel And the same goes for Little Rocket-man sets off a nuke in Japan and invades South Korea And there you have it friends, the start of WWIII and the demise of modern mankind. Smok’em if you got’em and watch these events unfold. Too many egomaniacs searching for world domination. If you thing the supply chain is messed up now, just watch. So is it too late to buy a fallout shelter?
Yer with CNN, or the State Department? Or, nay... Raytheon? Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
My dad worked for them for 39 years when you could actually have a lifetime secure job career.
Roughly 18% of population in Ukraine are Russian, mainly living in the east. Crimea has belonged to Russia (and USSR in between) since centuries. Their only navy port that doesn't freeze over during winter time is in and around Sevastopol (Crimea).
Their troop build-up reflects NATO maneuvers on it's newly 'created' (and framed as) eastern flank.
Let's face it: Dialog is off, cold war is on, and the usual suspects (US) are defining the play.
My dad worked for them for 39 years when you could actually have a lifetime secure job career.