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Politics Russia - the Bear has become the world's bully again

Discussion in 'Tilted Philosophy, Politics, and Economics' started by rogue49, Mar 3, 2018.

  1. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    • Like Like x 1
    • Optimistic Optimistic x 1
  2. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2022
    • Like Like x 1
  3. Chris Noyb

    Chris Noyb Get in, buckle up, hang on, & be quiet.

    Location:
    Large City, TX
    Petraeus is being extremely optimistic. I'm pretty sure Russia could, if Putin made the tough decision to risk it, assembly enough weapons & troops to successfully invade Ukraine.

    IMO Russia is held back by two very real problems. Pulling troops from strategic locations, such as the Chinese border, would leave them extremely vulnerable. The cost in bodies & weapons would be painfully high, which would further add to their vulnerability.

    Of course it could be Putin is already putting everything he can into the Ukraine invasion.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  4. redravin

    redravin Cynical Optimist Donor

    Location:
    North
    It's getting bad in Russia where mothers of teenage boys are saying, "Son? I don't have a son?"
    They are recruiting felons out of prisons and draft dodgers are taking boats across the Bering Strait to ask for refuge in America.


    "Two Russian draft dodgers are now seeking asylum in the United States after landing on the shore of a remote Alaskan island, Alaskan officials said Thursday.

    The Russian nationals arrived at a beach near Gambell, situated on a remote island less than 40 miles from the Russian mainland, the Anchorage Daily News reported. Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski called the federal response “lacking,” noting the Customs and Border Patrol’s dispatched the Coast Guard from over 750 miles away, according to her office’s press release."

    Russians Flee On Boat To Alaska To Avoid Putin’s Draft
     
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  5. Chris Noyb

    Chris Noyb Get in, buckle up, hang on, & be quiet.

    Location:
    Large City, TX
    Unfortunately this could lead to huge problems for the US & Russia, starting in Alaska.
     
  6. ASU2003

    ASU2003 Very Tilted

    Location:
    Where ever I roam
    I don't think there are too many Russians that would be able to make it to the Pacific Ocean to attempt the crossing there. The ocean is cold and rough for most of the year.

    I would think that they would try to take a boat to Japan if they were going anywhere.
     
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  7. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    • Like Like x 2
  8. Chris Noyb

    Chris Noyb Get in, buckle up, hang on, & be quiet.

    Location:
    Large City, TX
    Mentioning memes, generally speaking, I sometimes wonder if they backfire. Powerful organizations (Islam, the Taliban, for example) and megalomaniac leaders (Putin, Kim Jung-un, for example) don't like being made fun of. Does seeing memes sometimes drive certain people to be even more determined, crueler, etc.?

    Obviously limiting internet access is possible, but completely stopping memes is impossible, even in N. Korea.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  9. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    Opinion | The Best Way to Respond to Saudi Arabia’s Embrace of Putin — POLITICO

    Unfortunately, it seems that Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (aka MBS) smacks of the ruthlessness and megalomania of Putin & Xi…

    Willing to do anything for power, including murder and so on.

    I agree we have to pull back, for multiple reasons…

    1. The crap OPEC just did…again, in the middle of a crisis situation.

    2. Oil IS going away slowly, AND the US now an exporting country. (While EU is being hustled during a crisis and face down with Russia) For the US, there’s no need to tie further to SA other than geopolitical and semi-ally stability. But if MBSAS is going to play games and sleep with the enemy…screw him.

    3. Resolve ourselves of dealings made by Trump and his wheedling Son In Law, which was mostly for access and $$$
    Who needs that anchor attached???
    Plus it’s potential criminal, seriously.

    4. MBS is becoming an evil SOB.
    Again, who needs to be attached to that?

    If we can detach ourselves from Big Oil, it will undermine the cash haul SA and OPEC are trying for.
    Hurt Russia & Putin more.
    Get us off foreign oil more.
    AND finally get us away from the continuous clusterfuck that is the Middle East.

    I’m not saying drop them like a hot potato.
    But it gives a LOT more discretion & leverage, rather than catering to assholes. :rolleyes:
     
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2022
    • Agree Agree x 1
  10. Chris Noyb

    Chris Noyb Get in, buckle up, hang on, & be quiet.

    Location:
    Large City, TX
    The big issue in the US is economic. There are many things we could do to lessen our dependence on foreign countries (think China), but nobody wants to pay the price increases those moves would bring.

    Greed in the USA will continue to influence our foreign policy.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  11. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    • Funny Funny x 1
  12. Chris Noyb

    Chris Noyb Get in, buckle up, hang on, & be quiet.

    Location:
    Large City, TX
    • Agree Agree x 1
  13. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    Kremlin scolds West for 'provocative' nuclear rhetoric — Reuters

    No shame.
    The pot calling the kettle black. :rolleyes:

    They better get going on an exit plan.
    Putin and his boys are getting their asses handed to them.

    And doesn’t help them NATO & G7 have decided to double-down and supply an “air shield” for the Ukraine.

    Bad bets on the Russians against the global pot.
    Even China is has folded.
     
  14. ASU2003

    ASU2003 Very Tilted

    Location:
    Where ever I roam
    I am kind of surprised that the US doesn't sell Iron Dome systems, along with the phalanx guns. Maybe they are worried that if conventional rockets aren't effective, then the nuclear ones will be necessary.

    https://www.raytheonmissilesanddefe...efense-weapons/phalanx-close-in-weapon-system

    I would think that both sides want this war to be over before the winter. I just don't see how it ends without a new country forming and both countries losing something, but also not losing the entire war.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  15. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    I think they're inclined...but Russia is saber rattling and threatening nukes if they did.
    It's one thing if NATO and multiple nations setup an informal and temporary "air shield" , it's another for a perm Iron Drome system.
    It would basically be the Cuban Missile Crisis scenario again. (US history forgets to mention that we put a missile system in Turkey first...before Russia did the same for Cuba :oops:)
    Russia would freak.
    As they're doing with neighbors going into NATO. (they're instigating with their bullying and attacks, but they don't see it that way)
     
  16. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    West makes plans to avoid panic if Russia uses nuclear bomb in Ukraine — Guardian US

    When the shit gets REAL!!! :eek:

    But it’s wise to plan & prepare.
    Ya don’t wanna be like Kevin Bacon’s character at the end of Animal House, during the riot.
    “Remain calm! All is well!!!”

    Just don’t tell us to hide under desks.
    Or to “Stop, drop and roll” :rolleyes:

    Most of us have seen The Day After or Terminator
    Or any of the other Armageddon-type movies.
    We ain’t that foolish anymore. :confused:

    Just be transparent
    Quick about it
    Know WTF you’re doing
    And stop the looting & violence

    Ain’t much after that.
    Armageddon or not. (Try NOT first, btw)
     
  17. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    Saudi Arabia announces $400 million humanitarian aid to Ukraine — Reuters

    Uhhh, you cannot just buy your way out of a goof. :rolleyes:

    I’m sure the Ukraine will take your $$$ and use it.
    Their backs are up against a wall.
    They’re being the ultimate scrappy fighters.

    But MBS cozied up to Putin
    Then raised prices to assist themselves AND Russia
    In a middle of a crisis (unprecedented)
    Instigated by Russia
    Giving money effectively to the enemy most are scared of now.
    (Rightly so, they are aggressors and threatening NUKES!)

    Then when the US, NATO and the rest start bitching
    And reconsidering and looking into ALL contracts and business
    Including military and weapons
    Ya turn and think a little cash will make up for it???
    Even a billion is a drop in the bucket for the fiasco you MBS triggered with OPEC, complicit with Putin.

    Ya fucked up. Mr wannabe smooth dude.
    Take your medicine.

    You probably lost a BIG ally (allies) too.
    Have fun in the Middle East grind
    Uranus probably your next dance partner
    (With minor nukes themselves, IF their program has moved on while “underground” )
    Good luck with that.

    US don’t need ya anymore
    Oil is becoming passé
     
    • Like Like x 1
  18. Chris Noyb

    Chris Noyb Get in, buckle up, hang on, & be quiet.

    Location:
    Large City, TX
    ^^^
    Not to mention $400M is nothing to SA.

    Gates giving a panhandler a $1.00 would be more generous.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  19. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    Winter Is Coming... :eek:
    Putin better get the winter gear on, because Nature is a bitch.
    Even Russia shouldn't do a land war in Asia...any Risk player knows that...much less military historians.
    The Ukrainians are going to cozy up at home (or home ground at least)
    And the Russian military won't have much to prevent freezing...AND getting supplies.
    The Ukrainians are going to whittle away...

    There's no dragons, undead or Night King
    But Russian military are going to fear what's coming at them. EACH night (and day...) :confused:

    Meanwhile, global strategists and tacticians are having a field day and taking tons of notes.
    Writing down what the Russians have done wrong...and the Ukrainians done right.
    "How to fight a bully toe to toe...despite the size difference" :rolleyes:
     
    • Like Like x 2
  20. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    Fiona Hill: ‘Elon Musk Is Transmitting a Message for Putin’ — POLITICO

    Excellent article but long - fyi

    She makes some gear points
    Nice to get the perspective of a true SME.

    In the end, it comes down to one man, Putin.
    Do or die, by now.

    Part of his M.O. is just keep going.
    And he will manipulate to the end.

    Russia has started using drone extensively
    Ukraine hopefully will get tons from NATO to strike back
    Including into Russian territory.

    IMHO, because of Putin’s attitude.
    He’s going to have to be pressured into Russia itself
    Not just Ukrainian territory.

    That’s a risk…nuclear stakes too.

    Unless the Russians take him out themselves
    He’s just going to keep coming…again and again.

    He’s an obsessive man.

    And will use ANYONE as a pawn.