Russia has now invaded Ukraine (Putin, Afghanistan, borders, independent)
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All you people accusing Putin and Russia, maybe you should listen to this US professor, he has very different views, and the knowledge and details to back them up:
Really worth the time. It's not left or right, it's telling the history and bringing up points to think about. Might help understand what is going on right now. This was 6 years ago, but is still relevant.
The first 2 minutes are just introduction, you can skip it.
Three Wolves scooped ya.
NATO screwed Georgia up by telling them and Ukraine they would join.
Putin had a rude way of saying, "No."
This guy assumed Putin was too smart to actually invade Ukraine, but would just smartly wreck it so the West couldn't take it.
In fact, he said, if you wanted to do Putin in, let him try something stupid, like invading Ukraine... ala Afghanistan.
So fast forward 7+ years and this is where we are... Putin destroying the Soviet Union again, all by his diabolical and insane self.
So sit back and watch evil implode on itself again!
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Originally Posted by JohnBoy64
Do you need a hug?
Sort of.
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Originally Posted by green_mariner
Putin views the USA as an enemy. That we have AMERICANS who are rooting for Putin is just sad.
Deflection Your Honor!
Which echo-chamber were you in when you picked up the notion those who do not think nor vote as you are on Putin's side? I can show you evidence and actions by a certain faucet of government in this country that is very in step with Putin and Russia and I'll translate in Ig Pay AtinLay... Bama Oay, LInton Cay, Iden Bay, Unter Hay, and Ernie Bay.
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Originally Posted by arctichomesteader
Ukraine has not meddled in the internal affairs of Russia. Georgia didn't either.
That's true but it also missed the point. EDIT:Actually, that's also not correct. Georgia did meddle with Russia, got uppity with them thinking NATO would back them, since they shot their mouth off, and Georgia got hammered by Putin.
NATO is what screwed up Georgia. Go back and rewatch that part... 15:35 mark, Bucharest Summit portion..." NATO welcomes Ukraine's and Georgia's Euro Atlantic Aspirations for membership in NATO. We agreed today that these countries will become members of NATO."
Anybody recall the Monroe Doctrine? Cuban Missile Crisis? If so, can you understand Putin's unrest?
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Originally Posted by ClaraC
So, here's John Mearsheimer in the written form, take you about 3 minutes to read.
Basically, Ukraine is a very strategic piece of land for Russia and holds no value in the US.
And you can sanction Russia all you want, if they fear for their existence they can withstand a lot of hardships before they feel backed against a wall, which is when they'll likely nuke us.
That's true to a point, but I would word it differently... Putin, if hanged over the ledge... will resort to throwing nukes around.
So, instead of grabbing him by the throat, let him attempt something stupid, like trying to take Ukraine and even if successful in form, then puts him against his now very ticked off and hostile NATO bordering countries.
Ole Johhny Boy there said a number of times, back there in 2014, that he didn't think Putin would ever be that stupid.
And here we are today.
Oh, and notice how cute old Pute is, starting all this exactly on "Presidents" Day.
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Originally Posted by Neuling
That professor is talking about that in the video.
He talks about the Monroe doctrine, which is supposed to keep any other countries out of the Western hemisphere. Why does the West think Russia has no right to such a zone to feel safe?
You don't understand this? Seriously? This is why we don't send in troops to Ukraine or Georgia for that matter. We fight in NATO countries ala WWII. Remember?
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Originally Posted by Joao
Hubris and exceptionalism. What the West wants is absolute rule, in a word, hegemony. No potential challenger. Russia is a stumbling block. Russia would be willing to exist in a multipolar world, the West is not.
Thank you for showing your America-Was-Never-Great-democrat- narrative and you are wrong.
America nor the West since its formation has been after absolute rule.
That's pure rubbish, but keep thinking that way and keep talking.
Putin is scared. Ukraine aspiring for NATO membership is something he wants to stop. Ukraine is not meddling in Russian affairs. Ukraine is just looking westward and Putin is afraid. Putin is an imperialist and Ukraine trying to join NATO stands in the way of that.
NATO is viewed as a threat to Putin. Putin is a threat to Ukraine, for obvious reasons.
That professor is talking about that in the video.
He talks about the Monroe doctrine, which is supposed to keep any other countries out of the Western hemisphere. Why does the West think Russia has no right to such a zone to feel safe?
The feared leader of the Chechen Republic, a constituent of the Russian Federation, say “he does not want to fight against Ukraine.” His forces were considered shock troops and meant to bread terror in Ukraine. He and his forces are out of Russia’s Ukraine war!
Why does the West think Russia has no right to such a zone to feel safe?
Hubris and exceptionalism. What the West wants is absolute rule, in a word, hegemony. No potential challenger. Russia is a stumbling block. Russia would be willing to exist in a multipolar world, the West is not.
All you people accusing Putin and Russia, maybe you should listen to this US professor, he has very different views, and the knowledge and details to back them up:
To put it very clearly, a decent person should support Putin/Russia, not the West.
I've so far watched half of that video, and all of the first one which was 1 hour 14 minutes long. But I'm not entirely convinced regarding this professor's arguments. For example, if the argument is that Russia cannot and should not be expected to tolerate NATO on its borders, why did Russia tolerate Estonia and Latvia joining NATO?
And why hasn't Putin worked harder to offer all these nations something better than NATO?
That professor is talking about that in the video.
He talks about the Monroe doctrine, which is supposed to keep any other countries out of the Western hemisphere. Why does the West think Russia has no right to such a zone to feel safe?
Because NATO is a DEFENSE organization, and Putin is an OFFENSE dictator.
NATO is SELF DEFENSE as a group.
Putin is a horses azz, and should be killed at the first opportunity by anyone able, and that person deemed a hero forever.
If at all, then not on purpose.
The NYT is a pure propaganda outlet when it comes for foreign policy. They also spread the lies on Iraq, Syria, the "missing" Chinese tennis player, etc. etc. etc.
I came across an interesting series of tweets by Riho Terras who has a verified Twitter account.
From Wikipedia: “Riho Terras is an Estonian politician and a former military officer who is serving as a member of the European Parliament since 1 February 2020. He was the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces from 2011 to 2018. He was promoted to general in 2017.”
THREAD 1/7 Intel from a Ukrainian officer about a meeting in Putin’s lair in Urals. Oligarchs convened there so no one would flee. Putin is furious, he thought that the whole war would be easy and everything would be done in 1-4 days.
@EPPGroup @general_ben @edwardlucas @politico
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2/7 Russians didn’t have a tactical plan. The war costs about $20 bln/day. There are rockets for 3-4 days at most, they use them sparingly. They lack weapons, the Tula and 2 Rotenberg plants can’t physically fulfil the orders for weapons. Rifles and ammo are the most they can do.
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3/7 The next Russian weapons can be produced in 3-4 months – if even that. They have no raw materials. What was previously supplied mainly from Slovenia, Finland and Germany is now cut off.
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4/7 If Ukraine manages to hold the Russians off for 10 days, then the Russians will have to enter negotiations. Because they have no money, weapons, or resources. Nevertheless, they are indifferent about the sanctions.
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5/7 Alpha Spec Ops have been near Kyiv since the 18th February. The goal was to take Kyiv and instal a puppet regime. They are preparing provocations against innocent civilians – women and children – to sow panic. This is their trump card.
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6/7 Russia’s whole plan relies on panic – that the civilians and armed forces surrender and Zelensky flees. They expect Kharkiv to surrender first so the other cities would follow suit to avoid bloodshed. The Russians are in shock of the fierce resistance they have encountered.
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7/7 The Ukrainians must avoid panic! The missile strikes are for intimidation, the Russians fire them at random to “accidentally” hit residential buildings to make the attack look larger than it really is. Ukraine must stay strong and we must provide assistance!
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8/7 Spread this information so the world would realise how important it is to assist Ukraine right now and without hesitation! It is difficult for Russia, but it is difficult for Ukraine as well if the West does not provide meaningul support!
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EDIT:Actually, that's also not correct. Georgia did meddle with Russia, got uppity with them thinking NATO would back them, since they shot their mouth off, and Georgia got hammered by Putin.