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Nope wrong again. The war will end with Russia keeping what it has already occupied in Ukraine . Free Ukraine will be fast tracked into NATO. Putin will be in no position to argue. The Russian Army has proved to be a hollow man. He's all done invading neighbouring countries. The Russian economy has taken a beating and I very much doubt that Germany or the rest of Europe will start importing Russian gas and oil anytime soon or as long as he is at the helm He's now regarded as a pariah by most of the world with only China and North Korea as allies. He's been condemned by the ICC as a war criminal with warrants issued for his arrest
A virtual prisoner in his own country with very limited outside travel options, Finland and Sweden recently admitted to NATO and Ukraine to be added sooner than later, huge losses in soldiers and materiel. Was it all really worth it for a slice of eastern Ukraine ?
Sooner or later the Russian people will be asking the same question That's when his real worries will start
Claiming the war will end with Russia keeping what it has is extremely optimistic. The only reason Ukraine has been able to hold Russia back is with funding and arms from the west. What happens when that dries up which it already is? Also claiming Russia is a Pariah is absolutely not true. Russia is a major player in Bric which now accounts for around 30% of Global GDP and around 50% of the Global population. The rate at which Bric is growing increases drastically over a ten year period.
I also don't agree that Ukraine will be fast tracked into Nato given that is why Russia invaded in the first place as they wanted guarantee's this wouldn't happen. Zelensky is not going to accept the Eastern part of Ukraine staying as Russia, not even if the US tells him to expecting him to continue being their puppet. He won't. He wants to Push Russia out of Ukraine completely. Also i wouldn't worry about what the Russian people will do, the Russian people for the most part love Putin because of how Russia has risen over the last several decades, the American people on the other hand and Europeans are sick of pouring tens of billions into Ukraine for a war that can't be won while their own nations go through an economic and mass migration crisis. The recent Putin interview will cement this view even more as most will say it's not their concern
One thing is was VERY wrong about during the start of this war. I believed that Russia was essentially going to cripple Ukraine and invade pretty easily however due to the most sophisticated equipment and ferociousness of the Ukrainian army they have held their own. Calling the Russian army a hollow man however doesn't make sense. Do you honestly think the UK, France or Germany would have gotten as far as Russia did fighting an Ukrainian army that has some of the most advanced equipment in the world? Even the
US would of suffered heavy casualties. This war has actually exposed just how vulnerable aircraft and armourded vehicles are to infantry with the right equipment
Claiming the war will end with Russia keeping what it has is extremely optimistic. The only reason Ukraine has been able to hold Russia back is with funding and arms from the west. What happens when that dries up which it already is? Also claiming Russia is a Pariah is absolutely not true. Russia is a major player in Bric which now accounts for around 30% of Global GDP and around 50% of the Global population. The rate at which Bric is growing increases drastically over a ten year period.
I also don't agree that Ukraine will be fast tracked into Nato given that is why Russia invaded in the first place as they wanted guarantee's this wouldn't happen. Zelensky is not going to accept the Eastern part of Ukraine staying as Russia, not even if the US tells him to expecting him to continue being their puppet. He won't. He wants to Push Russia out of Ukraine completely. Also i wouldn't worry about what the Russian people will do, the Russian people for the most part love Putin because of how Russia has risen over the last several decades, the American people on the other hand and Europeans are sick of pouring tens of billions into Ukraine for a war that can't be won while their own nations go through an economic and mass migration crisis. The recent Putin interview will cement this view even more as most will say it's not their concern
It's perfectly logical that Ukraine will be admitted to NATO in light of Russia's invasion. Once the Ukraine is part of NATO that slams the door on any further attempts by Putin to wage war unless he wishes to directly confront NATO in an actual full blown out war which I think he wouldn't want.
I didn't say Russia was a pariah. Putin is the pariah and a war criminal wanted by the ICC for among other crimes kidnapping Ukrainian children and transporting them to Russia.
If the war continues as a stalemate it's obvious that Zelensky, whether he likes it or not is going to have to negotiate. Putin I'm sure isn't very enthusiastic over the possibility of a long drawn out war that seems to be going nowhere and even if he continues to be popular with the people sooner or later as the casualties continue to mount, and the body bags come home they will get tired of it and there are already signs that women are demanding that their husbands, sons, brothers come home. Long drawn out wars with high casualty rates have a habit of destroying leaders. Lyndon Johnson was the perfect example and the same could happen to Putin.
The US is not in an economic crisis. It's economy at present is doing very well in fact. Skye News Australia is no messenger of the truth. I've seen some of it's samples of news coverage on the internet. it spouts more crap and inaccuracies than Fox USA even to which it is loosely affiliated and Rupert Turdock holds shares in Skye also which speaks for itself
The halt in aid from the US is a result of squabbling in Congress. The Republicans want money for Trump's wall and a halt to illegal crossings from Mexico. They've made that request as a condition on approving any further aid for Ukraine. An agreement was reached between the Republicans and Democrats on a solution to the border crisis but Trump ordered his minions in Congress to change direction and throw the deal out which they did. Trump's reason for doing so was that the border problem was the only piece of ammunition he had if and when he and Biden meet for debates later this year although despite Biden's low ratings in the polls most pundits predict that he'll beat Trump anyway.
Last edited by James Austen; 02-10-2024 at 11:55 PM..
Australia is increasingly concerned over Chinese expansion of it's military and it's aggressive policy towards Taiwan. You could also say that Australia and China are in the same global hemisphere more or less.
Canada and UK are of course too far away to worry about a bloody great war breaking out in their neighborhoods.
The special relationship between US and UK is still functioning. PM Sunak isn't stupid enough to to go along with some crackpot idea that the UK can go it alone militarily, nor for that matter is the rest of Europe It's just the resident whinger who keeps on about "the end of the special relationship" and the withdrawal from Afghanistan in endless never ending posts
There is NO special relationship between the US and the UK, thats bollox Politicians come out with when either country bombs somewhere! The UK is a nuclear power, it does not need ANYBODY to 'protect' it, Europe does NOT need the US for protection, that is just bollox Americans like to come out with along with other rubbish like 'if it wasn't for us you'd be speaking German'. NATO is the alliance, NATO is why troops from NATO countries have bases across the globe (Yes that's right its not just Americans that have military bases overseas) its supposed to be a partnership but the US is becoming the isolated outlier that, lets be frank is starting to p*ss off many of its allies.
I think the US and UK are drifting further apart Politically and I think its probably a good thing.
Also to clarify, just because the UK and US are moving apart Politically doesn't mean that the people of each place are as well, there is still (I believe) a mutual liking and respect between the general populations of both countries.
Former President Donald Trump on Saturday said he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to any NATO member country that doesn’t meet spending guidelines on defense in a stunning admission he would not abide by the collective-defense clause at the heart of the alliance if reelected.
When US leaders openly question the US continued membership of NATO, as well as questioning NATO commitments in relation to helping defend countries if they are attacked including questioning the very cornerstone of NATO which is Article 5 then it's fairly clear that they can not be relied upon.
It also should be noted that the US presence in the UK and Europe is only a tiny fraction of what it was during the Cold War, with the vast majority US bases closing along with on-going US base re-alignment programs.
These statements are just facts, and the fact is Europe must look at being less reliant on the US and look at increasingly becoming more self reliant in terms of defence and security, and this is just common sense when faced with such circumstances and realities.
Britain and Europe therefore can not afford to just rely on the US in terms of defence and security, and must make alternative plans given the rhetoric coming from recent US administrations over the last decade and given the increasing isolationism and protectionist trade policies which are now a central theme of US mainstream politics.
In reality NATO should have been wound up following the end of the Cold War however it was the US itself that pushed for NATO to remain and indeed for it's expansion Eastward despite Russian concerns and this was coupled with US interference in both Russia and Ukraine, that inevitable led to the situation in Europe that we find ourselves in today.
It was also the US that started to see NATO as an extension of it's own foreign policy in conflicts such as Afghanistan, although this did not stop the Biden administration from failing to even consult NATO allies in relation to the US withdraw from Afghanistan, thereby leaving NATO allies high and dry.
As for the Special Relationship is just a load of utter nonsense, which is why it is now derided even in traditionally centre right and Conservative UK media outlets and which is why only a mere 19% of Britons actually believe in the so called 'Special Relationship'.
Finally, many people on this side of the Atlantic are sick and tired of toxic US politics and interference in Europe as well as US threats and increasing underhand US protectionist measures in terms of trade, so a future based on more self reliance and a move away from any remaining US reliance, interference and influence may actually be a positive step in the right direction for both the UK and Europe as a whole.
Last edited by Brave New World; 02-11-2024 at 09:01 AM..
I don't think Trump's rhetoric was particularly wise, and tbh it is looking like the current NATO alliance may be finished if the credibility of Article 5 and mutual defence is eroded by constant attacks from US politicians and leaders.
In this respect Europe needs to increasingly look to alternatives to the current US led alliance and self reliance, and this is now becoming ever more clear, and the future of remaining US forces in Europe and future US participation in NATO is now in doubt, along with the future of the current organisation and future US and European relations.
There is NO special relationship between the US and the UK, thats bollox Politicians come out with when either country bombs somewhere! The UK is a nuclear power, it does not need ANYBODY to 'protect' it, Europe does NOT need the US for protection, that is just bollox Americans like to come out with along with other rubbish like 'if it wasn't for us you'd be speaking German'. NATO is the alliance, NATO is why troops from NATO countries have bases across the globe (Yes that's right its not just Americans that have military bases overseas) its supposed to be a partnership but the US is becoming the isolated outlier that, lets be frank is starting to p*ss off many of its allies.
I think the US and UK are drifting further apart Politically and I think its probably a good thing.
Also to clarify, just because the UK and US are moving apart Politically doesn't mean that the people of each place are as well, there is still (I believe) a mutual liking and respect between the general populations of both countries.
You're talking to someone who never believed there was a special relationship in the first place. World War Two was more a marriage of convenience with two countries sharing the same language and the ideals of democracy and continued into the Cold War for 50 years following.
"Special Relationship" was probably some Churchillian phrase which managed to stick around for decades later.
The US and UK continue to have a "special relationship" in the world of the arts and entertainment and will more than likely continue well past our day and age. There are by far more British imports currently on American TV than those from Australia and Canada combined.
The world of Trumpism seems to have taken hold of the misguided in Europe as well as in the US. Trump is NOT the President of this country and his ignorant misinformed utterings are best taken as the thoughts of someone whose mouth works at warp speed faster than his brain. Unfortunately due to the technology of our modern society his "words of wisdom" are the news on every TV station across the US and rest of world in the matter of half an hour. Never in history did such a circus clown manage to mesmerize the human race. It's just laughable and in fact even insane.
As far as military alliances are concerned and whatever the British or European people think of the US I very much doubt that European leaders will see a necessity to end American participation. Already the sudden freeze in military aid to Ukraine has begun to have negative consequences for the Ukrainian military and it's obvious from that, that NATO Europe cannot fill the gap. Speaks for itself.
When US leaders openly question the US continued membership of NATO, as well as questioning NATO commitments in relation to helping defend countries if they are attacked including questioning the very cornerstone of NATO which is Article 5 then it's fairly clear that they can not be relied upon.
It also should be noted that the US presence in the UK and Europe is only a tiny fraction of what it was during the Cold War, with the vast majority US bases closing along with on-going US base re-alignment programs.
These statements are just facts, and the fact is Europe must look at being less reliant on the US and look at increasingly becoming more self reliant in terms of defence and security, and this is just common sense when faced with such circumstances and realities.
Britain and Europe therefore can not afford to just rely on the US in terms of defence and security, and must make alternative plans given the rhetoric coming from recent US administrations over the last decade and given the increasing isolationism and protectionist trade policies which are now a central theme of US mainstream politics.
In reality NATO should have been wound up following the end of the Cold War however it was the US itself that pushed for NATO to remain and indeed for it's expansion Eastward despite Russian concerns and this was coupled with US interference in both Russia and Ukraine, that inevitable led to the situation in Europe that we find ourselves in today.
It was also the US that started to see NATO as an extension of it's own foreign policy in conflicts such as Afghanistan, although this did not stop the Biden administration from failing to even consult NATO allies in relation to the US withdraw from Afghanistan, thereby leaving NATO allies high and dry.
As for the Special Relationship is just a load of utter nonsense, which is why it is now derided even in traditionally centre right and Conservative UK media outlets and which is why only a mere 19% of Britons actually believe in the so called 'Special Relationship'.
Finally, many people on this side of the Atlantic are sick and tired of toxic US politics and interference in Europe as well as US threats and increasing underhand US protectionist measures in terms of trade, so a future based on more self reliance and a move away from any remaining US reliance, interference and influence may actually be a positive step in the right direction for both the UK and Europe as a whole.
In the words of Yogi Berra" It's deja vu all over again" (sigh followed by a yawn)
It's worth noting that NATO allies supported the US in Afghanistan, and this included a number of casualties, as well as significant expenditure.
In terms of Afghanistan here's break down of the dead and wounded.
Afghanistan War Dead (2001 - 2021): 3,579 -
United States: 2,420
United Kingdom: 457
Canada: 159
France: 90
Germany: 62
Italy: 53
Others: 338
Afghanistan War - Wounded: 23,536 -
United States: 20,713
United Kingdom: 2,188
Canada: 635
In all Britain lost 768 lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, with over 4,000 wounded (including a further 2,000 in Iraq) requiring emergency treatment, and due to the use of IED's many were left with life changing injuries.
The UK/US relationship only becomes special when the US is looking for allies to fight by it's side, and it's worth noting that towards the end of 2023 Biden announced quietly that there would be no trade deal with the UK during his time in office, however a few weeks later in early 2024, US Ambassador in London Jane Hartley suddenly stated that “In light of inflection points we face in the coming year, I’m certain the world needs the special relationship now more than ever.”
In terms of all the threats and rhetoric regarding trade deals, which now stand no chance of ever happening, we also have to put up with threats regarding European security and NATO, and recent British sacrifice seems to have been quickly forgotten about.
To be perfectly honest Britain is now far better off just collaborating more closely with our European allies when it comes to defence and security, than relying on so called allies like the US, and it's also time to just say good riddance to the US and all this manipulative Special Relationship crap, and Britain also need to look towards the relationship some of our European neighbours have with the US, and not just in relation to Defence and Foreign policy but also in relation to extradition and numerous other areas.
I am sick and tired of the UK being taken for a ride and US interference as are many other people in the UK.
Last edited by Brave New World; 02-11-2024 at 06:48 PM..
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