Paraphrasing - sanctions are designed to minimize the short-term impact on the US and allies while maximizing the long-term impact on Russia. Reconfirm no US troops on the ground in Ukraine. Offensive cyberattack (as some are reporting might be an option) is not in play now but defensive is (meaning if Russia attacks us first). Cyberattack risks bringing our economy to a standstill. No over-reaction.
You are not as dumb as your posts are you? https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielc...nt-more-oil-pump-it-yourself/?sh=dfc0c393efde
Yeah like the ways they have been calling Trump every derogatory names under the sun? Remember Obama when he was making fun of Romney for saying Russia is our biggest geopolitical foe? You can’t have it both ways, it makes you look like a CCP operative.
I keep seeing different things about this. I’m just surprised Ukraine is putting up this much of a fight. I thought it would get rolled up quick.
It took 3 weeks for the US Army to get to Baghdad when we invaded Iraq and we totally rolled up the actual Iraqi army very quickly. Big, complicated mass coordinated movements of troops take a long time, even when they are relatively quick.
Lot of spirited discussion here! What are folks POVs on the following? What is Putin's motivation? Push back NATO Return to Russian glory Ukraine is resource-rich (components for microchips) + huge swath of land He is sick and trying to cement his legacy (has been very strict about self isolation) Why now? Inflation weakens western world (further increase in oil/gas prices hurts their economies) China has given them assurances on buying up oil/gas stock, which allows them to weather sanctions Western world more dependent on Russian oil/gas (OPEC, US signaling move to renewables, EU shutting down nuclear plants + Nordstrom 3) Biden is "weaker" than Trump (I don't put much stock in this but go for it) What would you have done differently than previous presidents? Trump held back Ukrainian aid - why do this? Did this weaken Ukraine's position? Georgia and Crimea both saw Russian incursions - did we respond too weakly? What would you have done differently than Biden? Leaking intel on Russian aggression - I think this was a good move bc it shows that we are plugged in + helped build support across Europe Scaling up sanctions - I think this was a good move bc it leaves bullets in the chamber if Russia gets more aggressive (apply all sanctions at once and Putin has nothing to lose afterwards) Did not commit troops - I think this was a good move bc US troops in Ukraine would lead to massive escalation and pt. WWIII Energy policy - signaling move to renewables and not acqueising to MBS/Saudis left Western world more dependent on Russian resources Tell the world Ukraine will not be in NATO - should we have just done this? would it have changed anything? What happens next? Russia takes over Kyiv and installs pro-Russian government Massive Russian protests + soldier hesitate to kill + oligarchs abandon Putin (unlikely) West applies tougher sanctions and pulls Russia off of SWIFT US engages in proxy wars with Russia Russia engages in cyber-warfare with NATO nations With the West caught up, China goes after Taiwan WWIII?
NPR had a story a couple of weeks ago about what escalated sanctions can look like. They talked about SWIFT and brought up an interesting point. Basically, if you go SWIFT, you are playing the biggest sanction you have, so you're then left without a stick. I believe Iran has lost SWIFT access. I found that to be a bit odd but didn't think much of it. However, now you wonder if this doesn't call for the stick, then what does? China and a few countries know that SWIFT is a risk for them, so I believe the story said they are trying to work on a system to protect themselves if they get locked out.
