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Actually Jimmy you are proving the point, Russia can attack Ukraine now and possibly one day as you say, Finland, because they are NOT part of NATO. They are alone without allies.
I get it. Russia wants to be an independent Great Power. But if she keeps attacking and/or undermining her neighbors she cannot be shocked that they are going to want to ally themselves defensively.
Keep on eye on Taiwan . China is watching . They know the US will not do a damn thing if they take Taiwan . They will be making their move next . There’s nothing that can be done . China can cut off all our exports and the US is TOAST. The East is exposing all our weaknesses right now . Reliance on foreign imports and producing 0
Keep on eye on Taiwan . China is watching . They know the US will not do a damn thing if they take Taiwan . They will be making their move next . There’s nothing that can be done . China can cut off all our exports and the US is TOAST. The East is exposing all our weaknesses right now . Reliance on foreign imports and producing 0
Covid proved this .
US citizens are finding that the DNC and the oligarchs installing a weak, incompetent, corrupt "president" is having consequences that none of them foresaw.
Biden is the most dangerous president in US history. Not only does his dementia compromise any decisions, but his weakness invites our enemies to press their advantage and Biden's corruption prevents a legitimate response.
As little as two weeks ago, I suggested here on City-Data that the West should negotiate with Russia about Ukraine becoming a neutral state (similar to Finland during the Cold War) and even possible recognition of Crimea as part of Russia.
I now realize I was wrong.
If NATO did not exist, Putin would be invading Ukraine anyway. And if NATO did not exist he would invade the Baltic States, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Georgia etc. if he didn't invade them already.
It is not NATO that is the problem. It is not the European Union that is the problem. It is not the USA or Canada that is the problem. It is not Ukraine or Georgia or Moldova or Poland that is the problem. It is not neutral nations like Sweden, Finland, Ireland and now Switzerland that is the problem. And certainly not BS propaganda about Nazis running Ukraine that is the problem.
Precisely, my bold of your text.
Mearsheimer's arguments make theoretical sense, as did Kissinger's. The problem is that's not how Putin thinks.
NATO is only relevant here because Putin needed to invade prior to any possible Ukraine-accession - because he wanted Ukraine period. One way or another. Ukraine is an integral part of "mother Russia." In addition, he is deeply deeply deeply angered at its increasing rejection of a role within the Russian orbit. His February 21st speech makes that clear.
Not wanting a possible ww3, Putin simply did it before Ukraine could have joined NATO. In a bizarre way, he was trying to do the world a favor.
I've heard the Mearsheimer lecture before. HE ALSO SAID: Putin would never be foolish enough to invade the country, stating he could accomplish his goals by other means. That Putin was too shrewd to take that step.
His take was an invasion remained unlikely due to the enormous economic ramifications for Russia ... the difficulty in occupying Ukraine. More, Putin did not NEED to invade to accomplish his goal. Putting troops on the border is enough of a demonstration to make it "impossible" that Ukraine would ever become part of NATO. A "smart" Putin will "sit back and continue to pull the levers as he's been doing."
Clearly Mearsheimer was wrong. Putin's goals were not strategic for Putin appears driven more by blind emotion and anger. Frankly, I think he would have always have stopped at Ukraine, ignoring the Baltics (former USSR) or Bulgaria (egress from Black Sea). Want to understand Putin? Listen to Putin.
A Putin who is less shrewd and possibly even less stable than the world assumed.
Keep on eye on Taiwan . China is watching . They know the US will not do a damn thing if they take Taiwan . They will be making their move next . There’s nothing that can be done . China can cut off all our exports and the US is TOAST. The East is exposing all our weaknesses right now . Reliance on foreign imports and producing 0
Covid proved this .
Let China do that. We won't be toast. We may not be able to make toast since all the toasters are made in China. We just got fat and lazy with the cheap things coming over from China. I am getting tired of worrying about what China or Russia "might" do to us.
I've heard the Mearsheimer lecture before. HE ALSO SAID: Putin would never be foolish enough to invade the country, stating he could accomplish his goals by other means. That Putin was too shrewd to take that step.
His take was an invasion remained unlikely due to the enormous economic ramifications for Russia ... the difficulty in occupying Ukraine. More, Putin did not NEED to invade to accomplish his goal. Putting troops on the border is enough of a demonstration to make it "impossible" that Ukraine would ever become part of NATO. A "smart" Putin will "sit back and continue to pull the levers as he's been doing."
Clearly Mearsheimer was wrong. Putin's goals were not strategic for Putin appears driven more by blind emotion and anger. Frankly, I think he would have always have stopped at Ukraine, ignoring the Baltics (former USSR) or Bulgaria (egress from Black Sea). Want to understand Putin? Listen to Putin.
A Putin who is less shrewd and possibly even less stable than the world assumed.
Admiral William McRaven, who is one of my favorite people in the world, shares your assessment. His book, "Make Your Bed" is short, but it will light your fire!
Here, he is interviewed on CNN (just hold your nose and click) and asked the right questions. His response is direct and well thought out. He is not a "Chin Scratcher".
In addition to your points, Adm McRaven makes the observation that perhaps Putin surrounded himself with yes-men and made a colossal misjudgment. He opines that Putin will not survive the war and its outcome as leader.
I can't stand this pseudointellectual nonsense. Russia is waging a war of aggression, and anyone can see that and understand it. This is Russia's fault. This claptrap is no more than victim blaming - e.g., why a rape is actually the victim's fault.
snj, Ukraine has been arming Nazi war criminals. They are the rapists.
Watching the John Mearsheimer video now. So far, it's pretty informative. Thanks for sharing!
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