Phil1111

Bigun's frustrations with this war is equal to many who understand what war means. SC deals mainly with politics and "War is the continuation of politics by other means.". Is likely the most famous concept of the link between Realpolitik and naked aggression. I abhor the idea of sending young people in harms way for useless political ideals. I'd agree you're on point for the anti-Americanism voiced by SkyDekker on occasion. I could point out that "On December 5, 1994 the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Britain and the United States signed a memorandum to provide Ukraine with security assurances in connection with its accession to the NPT as a non-nuclear weapon state" Whereby Ukraine gave up about 1700 nuclear weapons together with the delivery systems to place those weapons in every capital of the world. But that's moot. With the exceptions of the Baltic states. Nobody has done more to defend Ukraine in the latest aggression from Russia than the US. By supplying it with lethal aid. Needless to say Russia would never have invaded Ukraine in 2014 had they possessed those 1700 warheads. Furthermore the UK has been noticeably absent from its signing obligations attached to the Budapest Memorandum.

With you of course its difficult to ascertain how deep the thinking is. Confronting Russia’s Role in Transnational White Supremacist Extremism How Russia surpassed Germany to become the racist ideal for Trump-loving white supremacists White Nationalism in the United States and Russia: Transnational Ties, Domestic Impact

Don't forget Russian misinformation, trolls, etc. over the last 15 years. Together with white racists and white nationalists. Yes and events like this certainly put them in the spotlight.

"In the 20 years since September 11, 2001, the United States has spent more than $2 trillion on the war in Afghanistan. That’s $300 million dollars per day, every day, for two decades. Or $50,000 for each of Afghanistan's 40 million people."

They have an aggressive war like mentality incomparable with Canadian social norms. While Canadians play hockey to vent aggressive tendencies. They love guns and like to shoot each other. Although France(language) or the UK(founding heritage) both have nuclear weapons. Thus they could be our nuclear shield. They go to war so seldom as to be lacking in training and discipline. What about a wall? Either that or just sell them more Manitoba hydro and bank the money. Within 20 years Canada would have them as dependent as Germany is to Russia for nat gas.With all the Teslas they are buying. Soon Canada could just buy America.

Why the US needs Saudi Arabia to help put pressure on Russia and the answer from the same story "MbS seems to take a different view. He is said to be resentful that President Biden is not prepared to have a one-on-one meeting with him, either in person or by phone...Currently, the odds do not look favorable on any concession by the Saudi side." To increase oil supply. The answer from the Saudi side is already on the table. But more than that is the lesson for all the petty dictators. Kim, the Iranian Ayatollahs, MbS himself who had a deal with trump to buy nuclear weapons technology under the table. Even the powerful west shows deference when nukes are ready.

China likes a dependent supplier of energy, minerals, etc. That is in a weaker bargaining position given that the west avoids Russian sales. Thats why China "lends" to all the "shithole" countries in Africa. Countries that nobody else wants to lend to.

Yes Joe, you're right. The west doesn't even to spend more on weapons. Energy independence. Help the Ukrainian people in every way. It seems as if some have already forgot that some illiterate tribesmen forced the mighty Soviet Union into a humiliating defeat. Build a picket fence around Putin, pressure,pressure,pressure and time will boil away his aggressive attitudes. Thats if a Tokarev in a dark basement hallway in the Kremlin doesn't set things right. Putin is smarter than some tyrants. He spreads his favors and money far and wide. But Russians and Ukrainians are both proud and intelligent people. They know that a cancer is not cured by ivermectin .

IMO all Communist regimes become very corrupt over time. Especially so if the inside elements of their regimes have their base of power under threat. When President Gorbachev opened up the Soviet union to the vote. Insiders began to establish their kleptocracy and Putin rose to the top. NATO extended an olive branch to Russia about 20 years ago with "observer status". But Putin's need for power, money and domination of the weak. Put an end to that about five years later. President XI is currently going all in as far as power and corruption goes. He recently amended its constitution to allow his personal power to expand.

Putin enjoys every tactical advantage right now. -$600 billion in cash reserves. - He controls the current battlefield. -He has complete control over Russian news and Russia including its nuclear forces. - He can turn off the gas to the EU in ten minutes and over 90% of Finland's gas and over 50% of the EU's gas comes from Russia. Europeans would be freezing in the dark within four days. They currently only have about a three days reserve in storage. If you're surrounded by the enemy, on his territory, tactically disadvantaged. You smile walk away and come back when you know you'll win.With general Mattis right behind you.

Ordinary Russians have little idea as to whats going on. Imagine 10 supercharged FOX news organizations with a hundred Tucker Carlsons non-stop propaganda. Give credit to the couple hundred Russians arrested in the 50 or so cities in the last two days. Arrested for protesting the war. They are the real heroes.

There is an old concept in martial arts that goes something like. If you're in doubt about what technique to use. Its always best to start with Atemi-waza to the face.i.e. punch in the face. Of course you immediately follow up with another attack. The punch is intended to disable and distract. You're completely correct.

Patience my young Achilles. In a year or ten, with luck. President Putin will end up like this other dictator. Gaddafi caught like "rat" in a drain, humiliated and shot

I'm sure that Sun Tzu has an appropriate thought. But in my opinion you keep the powder dry. Make the best of an disadvantageous position. Plan and as some US general so eloquently put it “If you f--- with me, I’ll kill you all.”

IMO thats somewhat correct. But Putin isn't afraid of anyone. Oligarchs have had every penny seized and been locked up in the gulags. The press conference with his military leaders and generals this week. Showed generals completely cowered by Putins position. His generals and appointees-oligarchs. Know Putin can order them killed just as quick as KIm of N.Korea can. Thats not to say he's not afraid of a rogue Russian patriot who might pull a Tokarev from his back pocket.

Completely agree. Putin is a bear and a bully. He put down the Chechen rebellion with heavy artillery. By ordering the killings of entire families including children when resistance fighters were identified.Today his representative routinely uses torture to maintain an iron grip on its population. Putin’s Dragon A story from the New Yorker on how the leader of Chechen republic is Putin's protege. ‘We can find you anywhere’: the Chechen death squads stalking Europe If Putin has his way every surrounding republic would go the way of Chechnya. He would install a puppet government in Ukraine. Who would use the same tactics to control its population. But the blood o not one US marine, not one Polish troop need not soak the soil of Europe. Instead it takes politicians to lead populations in the face of financial discomfort. The biggest bear in Alaska need not feel the power of a .460 Weatherby. It only needs to realize that perhaps an easier meal is over the next hill and next week.So it lives to see another day. Bears don't get big by being stupid and Putin isn't stupid.

Well yes and no. After a bit consumers start to complain because it costs a bit more for a liter of gas. Then politicians start to waiver and say "its a Ukrainian problem". Issues like this require leadership and the only country that has the political power. Not specifically military power. Is the US. With leadership not a drop of "western" blood need be shed. But it will cost consumers in the pocket book. For some thats more painful, more horrific.

No he is not. He is willing to threaten major war. But he knows NATO, the west and how to play democracies. He got away with invading smaller countries before. With invading Ukraine and playing the game of division. What about Turkey? It was allowed NATO membership and then blackmailed the EU re. Syrian refugees."While its NATO allies impose sanctions on Russia, analysts say Turkey is not expected to follow suit, similar to the situation in 2014 when it did not sanction Moscow over its annexation of Crimea even though it condemned the seizure of the peninsula, which is internationally recognised as Ukrainian soil." All NATO members have to approve new members and Germany has always been the objector. All well it increased its dependence on Russian gas. While the UK has freely allowed rich Russians to pour money into UK assets. Feigning ignorance as to where that money came from.i.e. Russian/Putin corruption. Putin is a master of brinkmanship diplomacy. He has never in his life received real push-back. Perhaps thats changed.

I'm surprised at this idea. It sounds a bit reactionary from you. Whatever Putin is he is a master of brinkmanship. Of the carrot and the stick diplomacy. He specifically and deliberately "tested" his nuclear forces in Belarus barely a week ago for a reason. NATO is an alliance and in that alliance is Germany and France. The EU is dependent upon Russian gas for about 50% of its needs. IMO The western alliance should immediately begin construction of three natural gas (LNG) terminals to supply the EU and other western allies. With the energy independence from Russia within a year. Institute laws to seize the monies from oligarchs and other Russians that have plundered Russia. Then moved those ill gotten gains to the west. Use those monies to fund reparations for Ukraine. Russia announced today that its ready to "hold talks" about a peace. Thats typical Russian/Putin conduct to wiggle a carrot to distract and divide.

Or a mix of Tokyo Rose, Donald trump and Neville Chamberlain. Its astonishing that their is a TV network willing to air Tucker Carlson. But Murdoch is as close a Putin ally as is trump.

If you had an intermix of neurons in a soup bowl. A combination of Ted Cruz and Rand Paul. You'd have it nailed. Overreach in conclusions and a mishmash of unrelated, biased, predicated historical events. Is his MO. The historical context to feign intelligence to further a illusory superiority.

Kudos's to President Biden. IMO he has handled the western response to Putin and his madness more or less perfectly. Contrary to Winsor's incessant criticisms of President Biden's intelligence and conduct. He has single handily brought NATO and the west together. IMO liberals and the nature of democracies has given license to Putin's conduct over the last two decades. He has invaded countries before. Killed opposition leaders, journalists and critics. Both in Russia and outside. All w/o real response. But then again so has the Saudi leadership. To some extent there is a realpolitik of the EU dependence upon Russian gas. But as I've said here before Nord Stream 2 should never have been built. Oh well, its but one miscalculation in this entire mess. President Biden is entirely correct as is NATO. This is not "our" war. But Ukraine is but a canary in a coal mine. Putin has unlimited ambition to do and take whatever he wants. Its really up to Russians to remove him. But until then US leadership is needed and thankfully trump isn't in the equation.

Wrong Mistaken Misplaced SC is so fortunate to have a contributor far more intelligent than any US President. More learned and scholarly than any tenured professor in any college. Who is so willing to share his unbiased views on every subject. Especially race relations and equality. As Wendy would suggest debate the message.....oh hell.... Professor John may be right again.

Hence the appeal to its target market.

You'd be surprised how many of the illiterate class in Canada believe that. They get FOX, they know the gun laws are different. But beyond that it gets fuzzy. The names of donators to the cause has been made public and there is some pushback to the donators. About 1/2 of the money came from Canada and the rest from the US. Something that these protests have done is better define the Alex Jones types. The hard core anti-establishment, anti-government foot soldiers. It has isolated the conservative opposition party further from the center of Canadian politics, unfortunately.