At this point with his own FSB undermining him by sending intelligence dispatches to the Ukraine. I'm beginning to have my doubts an order to launch the Nukes by Putin would be followed.
BaltACDPutin seems to think that the rest of the world existing is an act of war against Russia.
Trully the part to snicker over is he thinks China is his friend or ally to be relied on. Watch how quickly the Chinese throw him under the bus once their interests are threatened.
Casualties
https://news.yahoo.com/more-russian-troops-were-killed-072818677.html
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
CMStPnP BaltACD Putin seems to think that the rest of the world existing is an act of war against Russia. Trully the part to snicker over is he thinks China is his friend or ally to be relied on. Watch how quickly the Chinese throw him under the bus once their interests are threatened.
BaltACD Putin seems to think that the rest of the world existing is an act of war against Russia.
The only way this is going to end in anything less than a complete slaughter of millions is if somehow there is an agreement to partition the country in a similar manner to East Germany and West Germany.
Otherwise, Russia will keep constricting around the key cities like a python. It won't be long before rail and road transport is cut off to Kyiv- they will continue to encricle Kyiv and bomb bridges.
Starvation of the populace and a horrendous toll of millions of Ukrainians is what Putin is after to be able to coerce a surrender.
If there is no help coming, ultimately supply lines will be cut and the country will literally be starved and butchered to death.
Stingers and Javelins are just kabuki theater. The Chavez-inista behind The President has already determined that Ukraine democracy is going to be eliminated, because if not, the US would have stood up to the commitment to Ukraine signed by President Clinton.
Ultimately NATO would have established a defensive buffer zone inside at least a third of Ukraine.
But absent any further intervention the people of Ukraine will starved to death and the democracy will be strangled to death as the supply lines and escape routes are cut off.
Elites love to think that humanity has moved past the brutality of the lust for power and conquest, and they as the most intellectual and knowledgeable among us will build a global society of peace and kumbaya. It all sounds so erudite. But humanity has not changed.
Even the elites' quest to build a global society with themselves in charge is driven by the lust for power and conquest - they are just using different means to achieve that power and conquest and subjugation over the globe.
Ultimately the arrogance of the elites results in more of these hellish situations, not fewer, becuase they talk themselves into policies that are disconnected from reality.
Right now, Ukraine democracy is a "dead man walking" unless there is a change in posture of what a defense of Europe means.
Strategically this is only Putin's first move in the chess game to take over a significant chunk of Europe. He is already on the offensive against Europe.
Will NATO wake up and realize that the attack on NATO has started with the invasion of Ukraine?
Time will tell.
Before and after shots of a Ukrainian drone attack a Russian fuel train - no wonder there are reports of "logistics difficulties". Tanks without fuel are targets, says this former Armor officer
(2) Oryx on Twitter: "A Ukrainian Bayraktar TB2 struck a Russian military train carrying fuel to the front in Ukraine This is utter, utter humiliation. https://t.co/khbHswp5TU" / Twitter
Stingers and Javelins are not "kabuki theater". For lightly armed troops, they are the best anti-air and anti-armor weapons out there.
kgbw49Even the elites' quest to build a global society with themselves in charge is driven by the lust for power and conquest - they are just using different means to achieve that power and conquest and subjugation over the globe.
I don't disagree with anything you've written, but I'd just add a slight modifier to the quote.
I believe they're a lot more interested in MONEY than they are in POWER.
"Follow the money, it always leads to the truth!" as a wise man once said.
Backshop Stingers and Javelins are not "kabuki theater". For lightly armed troops, they are the best anti-air and anti-armor weapons out there.
Earlier versions of these weapons drove the Soviets out of Afghanistan.
NATO has started building up its forces in eastern Europe, officially as a deterrent to further Russian aggression but we'll see what happens.
I think that if Putin did not have nuclear weapons the west would currently be preparing to free Ukraine in a much larger version of Desert Storm. Right now everyone is treading a fine line to try and avoid the nuclear war that Putin has already threatened.
Also, equating the current Biden administration to a Venezuelan dictator makes one lose a lot of credibility. I expect that sort of crap from propaganda mouthpieces like Tucker Carlson, but not on here.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
kgbw49 The only way this is going to end in anything less than a complete slaughter of millions is if somehow there is an agreement to partition the country in a similar manner to East Germany and West Germany. Otherwise, Russia will keep constricting around the key cities like a python. It won't be long before rail and road transport is cut off to Kyiv- they will continue to encricle Kyiv and bomb bridges. Starvation of the populace and a horrendous toll of millions of Ukrainians is what Putin is after to be able to coerce a surrender. If there is no help coming, ultimately supply lines will be cut and the country will literally be starved and butchered to death. Stingers and Javelins are just kabuki theater. The Chavez-inista behind The President has already determined that Ukraine democracy is going to be eliminated, because if not, the US would have stood up to the commitment to Ukraine signed by President Clinton. Ultimately NATO would have established a defensive buffer zone inside at least a third of Ukraine. But absent any further intervention the people of Ukraine will starved to death and the democracy will be strangled to death as the supply lines and escape routes are cut off. Elites love to think that humanity has moved past the brutality of the lust for power and conquest, and they as the most intellectual and knowledgeable among us will build a global society of peace and kumbaya. It all sounds so erudite. But humanity has not changed. Even the elites' quest to build a global society with themselves in charge is driven by the lust for power and conquest - they are just using different means to achieve that power and conquest and subjugation over the globe. Ultimately the arrogance of the elites results in more of these hellish situations, not fewer, becuase they talk themselves into policies that are disconnected from reality. Right now, Ukraine democracy is a "dead man walking" unless there is a change in posture of what a defense of Europe means. Strategically this is only Putin's first move in the chess game to take over a significant chunk of Europe. He is already on the offensive against Europe. Will NATO wake up and realize that the attack on NATO has started with the invasion of Ukraine? Time will tell.
Elites? Enough of this paranoid delusion.
For some entertainment, from the motion picture "The Death of Stalin"
Putin's fate, we devoutly hope.
(278) The Death of Stalin - The Coup - YouTube
(278) The Death of Stalin - Beria Trial and Execution - YouTube
charlie hebdoElites? Enough of this paranoid delusion.
Another conspiracy theory, to be sure.
Of course, a lot of conspiracy theories have been proven to be fact lately. Never say never.
I wonder how our friend Soros is making out these days...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Convicted One Euclid It seems to me that the only way the war escalates is if Putin escalates it. But providing the jets in the first place is not "escalation"? Point being, we can sit in our armchairs and thump our chests all we want. For some obviously, there is a feel-good associated with that behavior. But for those actually in the front row, they have to be mindful of real world consequences.
Euclid It seems to me that the only way the war escalates is if Putin escalates it.
But providing the jets in the first place is not "escalation"?
Point being, we can sit in our armchairs and thump our chests all we want. For some obviously, there is a feel-good associated with that behavior. But for those actually in the front row, they have to be mindful of real world consequences.
I think the issue here is not about escalation of war per se. It is about escalation to the point of going nuclear. There would be no dread of escalation if not for that point. If it were not for the nuclear threat, we would not care about escalation. We would just know we would win, and we would help Ukraine.
In this whole situation, watch what China does, not what it says.
China is about to become the biggest trading partner of Russia, buying its oil, natural gas, and coal to underwrite the Ukraine invasion.
China will do this because it can. It knows that the current US dependency on China is a relationship that is "too big to fail" for the US. US balance-of-trade-deficit dollars are funding the expansion of the Chinese military. Those balance-of-trade-deficit dollars will also fund the purchase of energy from Russia. And Chinese businesses will step in where US business pull out - Amazon leaves Russia, Alibaba moves in, for example.
Russia and their invasion of Ukraine is a valuable stalking horse for China, occupying America and Europe while they continue their strategic moves for more Chinese hegemony in Eastern Asia and the Western Pacific.
Net result - the Russion war machine will slowly grind on to grind down Ukraine.
There is a line from an old Patrick Swayze movie titled "Next of Kin" that applies to this Ukraine conflict if the status quo continues:
"You ain't seen bad yet, but it's coming." It has been awful so far and it is going to get much worse. The senseless loss of life and the devastation so far are horrendous, and it is going to get much worse with each passing day.
Elites? Who are they? The Eastern bankers and cosmopolitan one-worlders that populists like to point the finger at? Those all seem like code worlds for the world's oldest hatred. I'm not accusing anyone here of that but it always seems like a case of round up the usual suspects.
54light15 Elites? Who are they? The Eastern bankers and cosmopolitan one-worlders that populists like to point the finger at? Those all seem like code worlds for the world's oldest hatred. I'm not accusing anyone here of that but it always seems like a case of round up the usual suspects.
Between K and his "elites" and T (his reference to Soros is pretty clear) it's no secret that anti something paranoia lurks derp in the hearts of some on here. Don't like it? Tough. The US fought a war against a regime that was based on that insanity.
Yes, the US and Canada and many others fought a war against that insanity yet that insanity never ever goes away, does it? If it did, then who would be the easily indentified enemy of the "real people" that is so easy to bring up when times are difficult? It's a case of the same old sh**, different century.
kgbw49In this whole situation, watch what China does, not what it says. China is about to become the biggest trading partner of Russia, buying its oil, natural gas, and coal to underwrite the Ukraine invasion. China will do this because it can. It knows that the current US dependency on China is a relationship that is "too big to fail" for the US. US balance-of-trade-deficit dollars are funding the expansion of the Chinese military. Those balance-of-trade-deficit dollars will also fund the purchase of energy from Russia. And Chinese businesses will step in where US business pull out - Amazon leaves Russia, Alibaba moves in, for example. Russia and their invasion of Ukraine is a valuable stalking horse for China, occupying America and Europe while they continue their strategic moves for more Chinese hegemony in Eastern Asia and the Western Pacific. Net result - the Russion war machine will slowly grind on to grind down Ukraine. There is a line from an old Patrick Swayze movie titled "Next of Kin" that applies to this Ukraine conflict if the status quo continues: "You ain't seen bad yet, but it's coming." It has been awful so far and it is going to get much worse. The senseless loss of life and the devastation so far are horrendous, and it is going to get much worse with each passing day.
Putin may end up putting a puppet regime in Kyiv and occupying Ukraine - however, I get the feeling that in comparison the Germans had it easy in dealing with French Resistance as opposed to what the Ukrainians will do over the period of occupancy.
tree68I wonder how our friend Soros is making out these days...
I'm not one of those people who looks under the bed to make sure George Soros is hiding there, as far as I'm concerned all he's after is the money as well. He'll pull strings and use influence to get more of it however he can.
He didn't get as rich as he is by being stupid. Or anti-capitalist.
54light15 Yes, the US and Canada and many others fought a war against that insanity yet that insanity never ever goes away, does it? If it did, then who would be the easily indentified enemy of the "real people" that is so easy to bring up when times are difficult? It's a case of the same old sh**, different century.
What I find humorous and ironic is how so many American right wingers who had no problem with neo-nazis here are now supporting Putin against the "nazis" in Ukraine, because they are "bad" all of a sudden.
Euclid If Ukraine is vastly overmatched by Russia, is it escalation to increase Ukraine’s advantage by giving them more weapons? Is NATO/U.S. 100% neutral in this conflict?
That, IMO, is a convenient rationalization.
We are too much accustomed, IMO, to cutting ourselves slack in service to our own agenda, while denying our opponents the same sense of legitimacy.
I always try to at least understand the POV of an opponent. Some insist that very willingness to be a weakness.
If you are Russia, NATO forces on your doorstep ARE a threat. All the people who insist that Russia has no legitimate skin in the game are, IMO, being either unrealistic, or worse.
That doesn't mean that I'm cheering for Putin to succeed, I just believe that I understand why he feels the way he does.
But it does irk me the way some insist upon forgiving in ourselves that which we condemn in our opponents, That's why your "escalation" comment got my attention.
In the back of my mind, I suspect that Putin thinks he's gonna uncover covert NATO weaponry inside Ukraine, and have a "Francis Gary Powers" moment.
Just a pet crack pot theory.
Convicted One Euclid If Ukraine is vastly overmatched by Russia, is it escalation to increase Ukraine’s advantage by giving them more weapons? Is NATO/U.S. 100% neutral in this conflict? That, IMO, is a convenient rationalization. We are too much accustomed, IMO, to cutting ourselves slack in service to our own agenda, while denying our opponents the same sense of legitimacy. I always try to at least understand the POV of an opponent. Some insist that very willingness to be a weakness. If you are Russia, NATO forces on your doorstep ARE a threat. All the people who insist that Russia has no legitimate skin in the game are, IMO, being either unrealistic, or worse. That doesn't mean that I'm cheering for Putin to succeed, I just believe that I understand why he feels the way he does. But it does irk me the way some insist upon forgiving in ourselves that which we condemn in our opponents, That's why your "escalation" comment got my attention.
EuclidWhat I don't understand is why you seem to believe that I disagree with those points. I have gone to the end of the earth to understand Putin and our reaction to him
Well, I'm only human. Perhaps I've misjudged the intent of some of your comments that appeared strident on their surface. If that's the case, you have my sincere apology.
There just seems to be such an overwhelminging pro-west spin on the news crafted for our consumption, that I thought I recognized similar patterns in your rhetoric. (we can send jets and that is just "balancing the inequity", but anything Putin did in response would be escalation) just as a simple illustration
It is interesting the arguments over the war in Ukraine.
Personally our family do not trust Russia at all.
Since 2018 Civilians here have been targetted with the Russian nerve agent 'Novichok'. My wife is one (of a large number) who has been struck down with the 'agent'.
She has been battling against it for over five years now; and will continue to do so for the rest of her life.
So whilst the world worries over the use of nuclear weapons, Russia attacks silently.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
I will confess, however, that it has ocurred to me more than once, how the Union Pacific container theft issue might have been handled differently in Putin's Russia.
NorthBritSo whilst the world worries over the use of nuclear weapons, Russia attacks silently.
Just my opinion, but if Russia attacks with a nerve or any other chemical weapon then the world changes, and not for Russia's betterment.
The opprobrium they're getting now will be as nothing if they go the chemical warfare route, and there's no way they can hide the fact they've done it. There'll be no "deniability" option as there was over "Yellow Rain" back in the 80's.
I doubt chemical weapons will be used. If Russia's troops are as poorly trained as they seem to be chemical weapons could be just as deadly to THEM as they would be to anyone else.
Convicted One I will confess, however, that it has ocurred to me more than once, how the Union Pacific container theft issue might have been handled differently in Putin's Russia.
Interesting to speculate. No country anywhere is immune to crime, but if I lived in Vlad the Impaler's Russia I wouldn't want to try what the container thieves in LA are up to!
I might find myself drafted and on the front line in Ukraine!
kgbw49 In this whole situation, watch what China does, not what it says. China is about to become the biggest trading partner of Russia, buying its oil, natural gas, and coal to underwrite the Ukraine invasion.
Maybe, China will not breach its commercial deals with Middle Eastern countries for oil. But when it comes time for new contracts sure. However even if that happens, China will have to built fleets of new ships to carry the oil and coal to China. Alternatively they could build pipelines and railways, but you are then talking about something on the order of ten to fifteen years before they are ready due to the vast distances to be covered.
China will do this because it can. It knows that the current US dependency on China is a relationship that is "too big to fail" for the US.
Just like Energy is to Europe. They have turned 180 degrees around and have realized that their survival depends upon weaning themselves off Russian energy. The Green party in Germany who have been stridently against nuclear energy and defense spending announced their support for increased defense spending and will accept the need for some nuclear power until renewables can be increased to cover all Germany's needs.
US balance-of-trade-deficit dollars are funding the expansion of the Chinese military. Those balance-of-trade-deficit dollars will also fund the purchase of energy from Russia. And Chinese businesses will step in where US business pull out - Amazon leaves Russia, Alibaba moves in, for example.
Russia is a very small market for most western companies, and will become even more so as the pull out will devestate the middle class in Russia. It is estimated that eight to ten million Russians will lose their jobs. Also the collapse of the Ruble will reduce the purchasing power of all but the Oligarchs and those few people high in the party. The Russian Central Bank has raised their interest rates to twenty percent which will choke off most bank lending.
Russia and their invasion of Ukraine is a valuable stalking horse for China, occupying America and Europe while they continue their strategic moves for more Chinese hegemony in Eastern Asia and the Western Pacific. Net result - the Russion war machine will slowly grind on to grind down Ukraine. There is a line from an old Patrick Swayze movie titled "Next of Kin" that applies to this Ukraine conflict if the status quo continues: "You ain't seen bad yet, but it's coming." It has been awful so far and it is going to get much worse. The senseless loss of life and the devastation so far are horrendous, and it is going to get much worse with each passing day.
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