Russia Surrounded

[germaphobian]

Also, the previous back-and-forth regarding bigger time frames of history, the structural relationships between Europe and Russia, which way the long arch of history will bend and so on, that is just so much hot air, because, as I said, we're all gonna be nuked at some point along the line anyway so none of that matters much.
I'm perplexed why, considering human history, considering the destructive force of WW2 when world was still somewhat technologically backwards compared to today, people regard nuclear holocaust as such an impossible idea. We have the means, it's just a tautology to think they won't be unleashed at some point if it goes one like it does.

 

[Mr. Tea]

Carroll Quigley had this theory that strenght of empires eventually moves from centre to periphery where it has more vital resources to draw upon, so the periphery becomes the new centre.
I remember couple of years ago someone sent me document with US State Department projections for future of Europe or something like that, where it was already noted that US will withdraw from European affairs and leave it on its own devices, more or less. So that's not exactly a new development.
And it also said that Germany is a declining power with not much relevance for the future and that new centre of Europe - with which America will maintain close ties - will be Poland. Ok, I thought that it's a meme, since Poland has had all sorts of disastrous hiccups all through its history, but at this point, of course, it starts to make a lot of sense (also interesting to note that it was the first foreign country Trump visited).
So let's see how that pans out. It sorts of sounds funny at this point, but Polish economy is projected to overtake UK's by 2030 and Germany's soon after.
Also you should consider the character of peoples themselves; Germany is a country of hippy pensioners and utter dorks - people still have some historic movies playing in their head about the crazy kraut conquerors or whatever, but that's gone not to return. So that idea that Germany will make some pact with Russia and lord over Europe - that wouldn't happen even if they could pull if off. They pretty much Saint Francis of Assisi among nations - laying down and waiting for death.
But even if you do look at some of the old Western European countries to take a lead then France is in much stronger position than Germany in every sense.
Anyway, point being that security architecture that centres in Poland (most likely in possession of nuclear arms) including Baltics and Nordic countries (with Finland also possibly having nukes) with some backing from US would be much better setup than the comatose NATO lead by all the old museum countries.
Related:

I'm not saying I think it's likely, exactly, but the idea of Poland taking over from Niemcy as the linchpin of Europe has a certain appeal, I have to say.

 

[vimothy]

This is a very partial and parched view of the world and what happens in it.

It seems to me you started to reeducate yourself 20 years ago by taking conservative thinkers seriously and studying economics. Both of these things are admirable and worthwhile endeavours. It's a shame that all that work has left you with such a narrow perspective on human affairs.

maybe, its certainly not something that I'm trying to do - I want to understand how the world works, at its base. perhaps I'm completely misregardeded in that respect

 

[vimothy]

This is a very partial and parched view of the world and what happens in it.

It seems to me you started to reeducate yourself 20 years ago by taking conservative thinkers seriously and studying economics. Both of these things are admirable and worthwhile endeavours. It's a shame that all that work has left you with such a narrow perspective on human affairs.

cant you also see the validity of this perspective

 

[luka]

I'm completely misregardeded

 

[mixed_biscuits]

misregardeded

It's because of all the negative covfefe

 

[DannyL]

maybe, its certainly not something that I'm trying to do - I want to understand how the world works, at its base. perhaps I'm completely misregardeded in that respect

I think the problem with the economic or structural approach is it of its nature excludes issues of choice, agency and chance. And identity to a large degree - this war is forging a national identity for Ukrainians in a new way, and Russia is trying to force an old identity upon the state. This doesn't come under the umbrella of structural concerns but is a huge driver.

It also excludes moral issues as well, which is a huge driver here - in our defence of Ukraine, and sense of what Russia "should be allowed to do"

 

[Mr. Tea]

Well as of yesterday, Russia is now completely 'surrounded' (or at least barricaded to the west) by NATO countries in Scandinavia, the Baltic, most of central Europe and the Balkans, and Turkey.

If only Putin could have done something to prevent this!

 

[WashYourHands]

Spoiler: grim

Drones taking out individual troops, no age warning

Destruction of drones means no gore factor but the point remains redundant when the last few frames are troops desperately trying to manoeuvre out of drone paths, compounded by drone manoeuvrability delivering grim payloads

 

[version]

MOSCOW, March 22 (Reuters) - At least 40 people were killed and over 100 hurt when gunmen in camouflage clothing opened fire with automatic weapons on people at a concert in the Crocus City Hall near Moscow on Friday, Russia's FSB security service said.

 

[version]

ISIS have claimed responsibility, but Putin claims it's Ukraine.

 

[Mr. Tea]

ISIS have claimed responsibility, but Putin claims it's Ukraine.

He's no doubt wondering what kind of total bastard would do something as despicable as deliberately kill civilians.

 

[version]

They've been torturing four blokes they claim are responsible and have said they were arrested attempting to flee to Ukraine, but who knows if they're even the guys. Supposedly there are clips circulating of one of them being electrocuted and another having his ear cut off and fed to him. Another was photographed in a wheelchair and with an eye missing. They'd probably say anything after that kind of treatment.

Meanwhile ISIS have released bodycam footage of the attack to prove it was them, and Putin still makes no mention of them and tries to blame it all on Ukraine. Also at least one of the attackers claims he was offered money to carry out the attack, but hasn't said by whom.

 

[mixed_biscuits]

He's no doubt wondering what kind of total bastard would do something as despicable as deliberately kill civilians.

The location of this gig reveals it quite clearly to be a Hamas rather than Israel cover, with Isis hoping to capitalise on Western progressives' dislike of Putin, just as Hamas played into a disdain for BN. I don't think it will get quite as far up the shit parade on this occasion though, it's all played out.

 

[Mr. Tea]

They've been torturing four blokes they claim are responsible and have said they were arrested attempting to flee to Ukraine, but who knows if they're even the guys. Supposedly there are clips circulating of one of them being electrocuted and another having his ear cut off and fed to him. Another was photographed in a wheelchair and with an eye missing. They'd probably say anything after that kind of treatment.

They're not exactly going out of their way to try and stop people calling them 'orcs', are they?

 

[Mr. Tea]

Any day now Putin is going to release a televised speech imploring the American people to stop being sheeple and WAKE UP to the cold, hard truth that Ukraine dun 9/11.