Did I say they didn’t? Iraq was a joke, so was Libya. But using that as excuse for Russia is crapWe live in a world where the US and her allies invade sovereign states with apparent impunity.
Did I say they didn’t? Iraq was a joke, so was Libya. But using that as excuse for Russia is crapWe live in a world where the US and her allies invade sovereign states with apparent impunity.
Two countries on Russia’s doorstep? I don’t think they have. US led alliances have not got into any country bordering Russia or any that has ever been considered in the old soviet sphere of influence …
Russia is close to anywhere in the northern hemisphere. Alaska is close to Russia too!Iraq and Afghanistan; consult a map and see how close they are to Russia.
Russia is close to anywhere in the northern hemisphere. Alaska is close to Russia too!
Wondering about something that would never happen?I wonder how the US would respond if Alaska declared itself an independent Republic, and started cosying up to Russia?
Be similar to Scotland doing the same…. Although I would drive the ****ers to MoscowThat's a remarkably realpolitik perspective, though. You're effectively suggesting that Russia has a natural sphere of influence in which it should have a free hand, even if -- for instance -- countries in that sphere of influence have been brutally repressed by Russia in the past. Those countries wanted to join NATO for a very good reason, whatever flaws NATO might have.
Also, while I'm hardly a supporter of US military adventures, do you know who also has invaded multiple countries on Russia's doorstep this century? Russia!
Wondering about something that would never happen?Be similar to Scotland doing the same…. Although I would drive the ****ers to Moscow
Life is all about perspectives. If you want to understand your neighnour, start by trying to see the world through his eyes, and through his cultural and historic paradigm. Unfortunately, western exceptionalism means our politicians never do this, they only ever analyse the rest of the world through western eyes. And by end large our media plays along.
None of this excuses Putin's actions, of course.
So much waffle of your assumptions.I think this post is very true and think is needs amplifying.
I find it discomforting that there is a tendency in countries like the UK, America and even France where the inhabitants assume that their governments might do in political crises abroad has the moral high-ground. This is a very good editorial which sums of a more balanced persepctive of what is going on in both the Uk and in Russia itself. This morning we wake p to the news that Starmer has suspended the Twitter account of Young Labour due to statements about the government's war-mongering rhetoric. Yesterday we heard that 11 Labour MPs had the threat of the whip being withdrawn from them. This is appalling and totally undemocratic. It seems Starmer has abandoned Laobur's socialist agenda completely and now faces as being complicit as calling for War as Johnson. I feel that this article hits the nail firmly on the head.....
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/art...leashed-carnival-reaction-britain-well-russia
With regard to NATO standing up to Russia's military might, the shear stupidity of this idea has previously thwarted both Hitler and Napoleon in the past. I appreciate the argument that western military equipment is superior but am less convinced that there is much difference between the calibre of the respecgive armies. It would be a war NATO would be unable to win and which the West would suffer far more than the East.
This issue of sanctions has been mooted as a move that will make Putin think again . However, I hear that countries like Italy and Germany are now wavering insofar as how extensive these measures will go. Italy is alarmed at the potential damage to Gucci whereas the ability of Russia ti switch off the gas supply to Germany means the boot is clearly on the other foot. No one seems to have mentioned the fact that Russia produces a good proportion of the world's wheat (hence the EUs interest in neighbouring Ukraine farm lands) and any conflict will have a catesrophic effect on it's supply to the West.
A number of people posting in here yesterday seemed to be advocating some sort of aggression towards Russia and that Putin needed to be taught a lesson. This is extremely naive simply because the West is so reliant upon Russia, I totally agree that Putin's actions are reprehensible but the fact remains , in real terms, there is nothing we can do about it. Russia cannot be defeated by military force and sanctions are likely to have a greater detrimental effect to the Wests' economies. We might not like what Russia is doing but the world order is changing and there is nothing we can do about it. A "best case" scenario for the West would be to ensure that there is no warming of the relatioship between China and Russia. For me, of we can keep these countries separate or even get China to condemn Russia's action, this will be a good result.
Life is all about perspectives. If you want to understand your neighnour, start by trying to see the world through his eyes, and through his cultural and historic paradigm. Unfortunately, western exceptionalism means our politicians never do this, they only ever analyse the rest of the world through western eyes. And by and large our media plays along.
None of this excuses Putin's actions, of course.
Agree with most of the 2nd section Ian. Putins been planning this for a long time & knows all our cards. I think your final comments ref Chins are spot on.I think this post is very true and think is needs amplifying.
I find it discomforting that there is a tendency in countries like the UK, America and even France where the inhabitants assume that their governments might do in political crises abroad has the moral high-ground. This is a very good editorial which sums of a more balanced persepctive of what is going on in both the Uk and in Russia itself. This morning we wake p to the news that Starmer has suspended the Twitter account of Young Labour due to statements about the government's war-mongering rhetoric. Yesterday we heard that 11 Labour MPs had the threat of the whip being withdrawn from them. This is appalling and totally undemocratic. It seems Starmer has abandoned Laobur's socialist agenda completely and now faces as being complicit as calling for War as Johnson. I feel that this article hits the nail firmly on the head.....
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/art...leashed-carnival-reaction-britain-well-russia
With regard to NATO standing up to Russia's military might, the shear stupidity of this idea has previously thwarted both Hitler and Napoleon in the past. I appreciate the argument that western military equipment is superior but am less convinced that there is much difference between the calibre of the respecgive armies. It would be a war NATO would be unable to win and which the West would suffer far more than the East.
This issue of sanctions has been mooted as a move that will make Putin think again . However, I hear that countries like Italy and Germany are now wavering insofar as how extensive these measures will go. Italy is alarmed at the potential damage to Gucci whereas the ability of Russia ti switch off the gas supply to Germany means the boot is clearly on the other foot. No one seems to have mentioned the fact that Russia produces a good proportion of the world's wheat (hence the EUs interest in neighbouring Ukraine farm lands) and any conflict will have a catesrophic effect on it's supply to the West.
A number of people posting in here yesterday seemed to be advocating some sort of aggression towards Russia and that Putin needed to be taught a lesson. This is extremely naive simply because the West is so reliant upon Russia, I totally agree that Putin's actions are reprehensible but the fact remains , in real terms, there is nothing we can do about it. Russia cannot be defeated by military force and sanctions are likely to have a greater detrimental effect to the Wests' economies. We might not like what Russia is doing but the world order is changing and there is nothing we can do about it. A "best case" scenario for the West would be to ensure that there is no warming of the relatioship between China and Russia. For me, of we can keep these countries separate or even get China to condemn Russia's action, this will be a good result.
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I measured and Afghanistan is futher away from Russia than England is (~1200km to 1300km) according to Googles measuring tool, and similar to Ukraine. There's an entire NATO country between Iraq and Russia. I think you might be getting influenced by the distortion of size on the standard map systems.Iraq and Afghanistan; consult a map and see how close they are to Russia.
Using a globe gives a better perspective. No excuse for Putin's invasion. I hope this ends swiftly but fear a protracted war.I measured and Afghanistan is futher away from Russia than England is (~1200km to 1300km) according to Googles measuring tool, and similar to Ukraine. There's an entire NATO country between Iraq and Russia. I think you might be getting influenced by the distortion of size on the standard map systems.
It's worth reading the replies there's a lot of goodwill and offers of support for Ukrainians fleeing the war.You must log in or register to see media
Using a globe gives a better perspective. No excuse for Putin's invasion. I hope this ends swiftly but fear a protracted war.