American Politics

[shionoro]

Russia IS pretty much alone. It does not have any allies in this world except Belarus. It might have partners that would aid for their own gain, but certainly not any countries besides belarus that would have their back if times turn dark for them.

If you think Turkey, of all states, would help Putin without demanding more in return, i am not sure you paid attention to their relationship. You also gotta see that erdogan is close to losing power on his own.

 

[Jubei_Kibagami]

Even the EU isn't showing the backbone to really stand up to Russia economically.

Hell, the Poles are busy playing 'hot potato' with the US and Germany with a few Migs that wouldn't even last a few hours if they could ever even figure out how to get them into Ukraine.

Multiple countries are playing a long game here, and the West continually folds that it doesn't have the appetite to do anything about what's going on.

 

[DeadCosmos]

Then you can maybe see why Right-Left is lazy nomenclature, no? Putin could probably not be labeled universally Right wing, but he has more in common with the Right then he does the left. His biggest political opponents in Russia are Communists.

yes, you are right, especially internationally.

 

[Jubei_Kibagami]

Russia IS pretty much alone. It does not have any allies in this world except Belarus. It might have partners that would aid for their own gain, but certainly not any countries besides belarus that would have their back if times turn dark for them.

If you think Turkey, of all states, would help Putin without demanding more in return, i am not sure you paid attention to their relationship. You also gotta see that erdogan is close to losing power on his own.

As opposed to partners that don't work for their own gain?

 

[DeadCosmos]

We should just attack russia, especially since they're alone. If they are going to nuke us, then oh well, nothing we can do besides nuke them back!

 

[shionoro]

Even the EU isn't showing the backbone to really stand up to Russia economically.

Hell, the Poles are busy playing 'hot potato' with the US and Germany with a few Migs that wouldn't even last a few hours if they could ever even figure out how to get them into Ukraine.

Multiple countries are playing a long game here, and the West continually folds that it doesn't have the appetite to do anything about what's going on.

How are they not?
They sanctioned russia into the ground already and the EU resolved to cut 66% of russian energy imports by the end of the year. What is that to you if not serious sanctions?

Yes, the MiG thing is embarassing, but it isn't like there is not lots of money and anti air weapons travelling to ukraine that already had an effect.

Claiming it is not "showing a backbone" because not everything is perfect is wrong.

 

[Jubei_Kibagami]

How are they not?
They sanctioned russia into the ground already and the EU resolved to cut 66% of russian energy imports by the end of the year. What is that to you if not serious sanctions?

Yes, the MiG thing is embarassing, but it isn't like there is not lots of money and anti air weapons travelling to ukraine that already had an effect.

Claiming it is not "showing a backbone" because not everything is perfect is wrong.

OK, half a backbone.

 

[shionoro]

OK, half a backbone.

It is quite a relevant backbone to commit to several 180 turns, both military and when it comes to energy.

It also isnt everything said and done. The one holding back more severe Oil/Gas sanctions against russia is germany and that resistance might fall in the coming days, at least partially.
This also does not have a lot to do with 'backbone'. Backbone would mean you dont do it because you are afraid, but thinking about how to do things is a good thing to do.

Right now, Russia already has the lowest credit rating due to the sanctions it received and it has to resort to mindless shelling of civilians.

 

[xi0]

Saudi-Russia Collusion Is Driving Up Gas Prices — and Worsening Ukraine Crisis

A spat between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Biden is pushing gas prices ever higher. It started under Obama.

theintercept.com

Boy, I sure am glad we keep giving them weapons and keep sanctioning Yemen while they glass it on a daily basis!

 

[Sanity Check]

You can clearly see that this is not true. Ukraine played nice with Russia before Euromaidan, Russia still threatened them. Russia also openly thought about Kasachstan not being a real state before, even tho Kasachstan never took a hostile stance against Russia. Why would you want to be in that situation?
You don't. Whenever there is a chance, you will try to get out, just like Kasachstan binds itself more and more to china and Ukraine to the West. Because Russia is not a reliable ally. It will eat you.

If the united states has the #1 military in the world.

Russia's military is ranked #2.

Have you seen americans discussing civil war on social media.

Have you seen the price of oil / gasoline in the country.

The media pretends that everything in america is perfect, while economic conditions in russia are terrible.

But the sad truth is that the USA is not doing well. Russia's economy carries considerably less debt and is more self sufficient / energy independent, they could be in a better position to survive a global recession than america is, even with all the sanctions and financial measures being taken against them.

Not 'forming'... formed. Arabs and Sauds are ignoring Biden.

I say forming as additional nations may hop on russia's bandwagon later.

Arabs and saudis (big oil) are historically allied with the republican party.

Which is what led to Elon Musk's electric car tax credit being cut sometime after Trump assumed Presidency in 2016.

 

[shionoro]

If the united states has the #1 military in the world.

Russia's military is ranked #2.

Have you seen americans discussing civil war on social media.

Have you seen the price of oil / gasoline in the country.

The media pretends that everything in america is perfect, while economic conditions in russia are terrible.

But the sad truth is that the USA is not doing well and russia's economy carries less debt and could be in a better position to survive a global recession.

Well that ranking was seemingly off the mark, looking at it right now. Compared to the US, Russia is an economic dwarf with less economic power than the state of california.
Russian economy is a joke and with the sanctions, it is dead for years to come.

Saudi-Russia Collusion Is Driving Up Gas Prices — and Worsening Ukraine Crisis

A spat between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Biden is pushing gas prices ever higher. It started under Obama.

theintercept.com

Boy, I sure am glad we keep giving them weapons and keep sanctioning Yemen while they glass it on a daily basis!

There will have to be a debate about war in general after this, including wars that the West commits to. Not only america is guilty, there is also involvement of european states, for example in Mali.

The best idea would be to push for a thorough reform of the UN so any kind of intervention needs a clear mandate that cannot be blocked by some veto.
Another step would be the US adhering to the international court of justice.

Interventions need to only be acceptable on a firm judical foundation and the Nato should commit to that after it pushed to change UN rules to an acceptable (transparent+hard to buse) system of deciding these things.

 

[Jubei_Kibagami]

Saudi-Russia Collusion Is Driving Up Gas Prices — and Worsening Ukraine Crisis

A spat between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Biden is pushing gas prices ever higher. It started under Obama.

theintercept.com

Boy, I sure am glad we keep giving them weapons and keep sanctioning Yemen while they glass it on a daily basis!

What's going on in Yemen? Did you misspell 'Ukraine'?

 

[Sanity Check]

We should just attack russia, especially since they're alone. If they are going to nuke us, then oh well, nothing we can do besides nuke them back!

Gotta nuke em all

--- Double Post Merged, Mar 9, 2022, Original Post Date: Mar 9, 2022 ---

Well that ranking was seemingly off the mark, looking at it right now. Compared to the US, Russia is an economic dwarf with less economic power than the state of california.

“Tiny hands,” the insult that’s been driving Donald Trump bonkers since 1988, explained

Vox is a general interest news site for the 21st century. Its mission: to help everyone understand our complicated world, so that we can all help shape it. In text, video and audio, our reporters explain politics, policy, world affairs, technology, culture, science, the climate crisis, money...

www.vox.com

...

"Russia is an economic dwarf."

"Donald Trump has small hands."

The media is downplaying the threat russia poses IMO.

The way they downplayed the threat Trump posed in 2016.

 

[shionoro]

"Russia is an economic dwarf."

"Donald Trump has small hands."

The media is downplaying the threat russia poses IMO.

The way they downplayed the threat Trump posed in 2016.

How so? Russia's military embarassed itself in Ukraine. Western media all claimed Ukraine has no chance and would probably fall after 2 days.

 

[Jubei_Kibagami]

How so? Russia's military embarassed itself in Ukraine. Western media all claimed Ukraine has no chance and would probably fall after 2 days.

You have proven you have no idea of the capability of Russia's army if you are basing what's happening in Ukraine.

 

[xi0]

The Russian military definitely was embarrassed to some degree, but they also deployed young conscripts at first in a clear strategical move.

 

[Jubei_Kibagami]

The Russian military definitely was embarrassed to some degree, but they also deployed young conscripts at first in a clear strategical move.

What's embarrassing about using d-rated enlistees and old equipment and still setting up cauldrons around the only major cities worth taking? While of course retaining the good stuff and vast bulk of your reserves?

 

[xi0]

What's embarrassing about using d-rated enlistees and old equipment and still setting up cauldrons around the only major cities worth taking? While of course retaining the good stuff and vast bulk of your reserves?

There's still the issue that they decided to do this instead of full bombardment. I don't think Putin was playing 5D chess or anything, he just wanted to minimize initial losses. If that's something you have to consider when committing to a full-scale land invasion, then there still have to be questions about your capability.

 

[Sanity Check]

How so? Russia's military embarassed itself in Ukraine. Western media all claimed Ukraine has no chance and would probably fall after 2 days.

If the united states couldn't invade and conquer iraq in 2 days.

I don't see why russia would expect to take ukraine so quickly.

Some things might be deduced simply by looking at past history.

 

[Jubei_Kibagami]

There's still the issue that they decided to do this instead of full bombardment. I don't think Putin was playing 5D chess or anything, he just wanted to minimize initial losses. If that's something you have to consider when committing to a full-scale land invasion, then there still have to be questions about your capability.

That's because people are in denial he's actually trying to minimize losses to *enemy* forces and civilians.

Do you suggest Putin isn't aware that his military is ballistics-based? Forgot the 4th and 5th gen airfighters?

--- Double Post Merged, Mar 9, 2022, Original Post Date: Mar 9, 2022 ---

If the united states couldn't invade and conquer iraq in 2 days.

I don't see why russia would expect to take ukraine so quickly.

Some things might be deduced simply by looking at past history.

In before a military policy expert appears to tell you about the terrain, probably imagining a bunch of sand dunes in Iraq, was a mitigating factor therefore that's incomparable.

We also sent more, on less, and sent our best.