OT: Russia-Ukraine War

[HarthorneWingo]

This will be Putin’s downfall. I believe he horribly miscalculated here. He’s surrounded only by “Yes” men who are afraid to offer their honest opinions of this war for fear of “repercussions”.

I think this is wishful thinking. Yeah, he's a madman, but also cunning. You have to accept that.

The west has been hoping Putin would defeat himself for years and he still hasn't. He grew his power. He's been in power for over 20 years. And now there are rumors of US Intel expecting Belarus wanting to be absorbed by Russia. Remember that fugazi election they just had? You see what's going on?

This could be "his downfall". But how long will that last and how many will die? You could say Hitler's downfall was Dunkirk. But the WW2 didn't end until 5 years later.

He’s a lone wolf here. Many of Putin’s statesmen weren’t kept in the loop about the invasion. The Russian people are not on-board with this. Many have families in Ukraine and visa versa. Putin is arresting his own people who are protesting against war. If Putin takes this all the way to Poland, then Russia will suffer greatly. That’s just my judgement. I’ve certainly been wrong before.

[poeman]

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[poeman]

Straight respect to these Ukrainians on the island. Incredible audio before they all died

Read on Twitter

[Stannis]

He’s a lone wolf here. Many of Putin’s statesmen weren’t kept in the loop about the invasion. The Russian people are not on-board with thin. Many have families in Ukraine and visa versa. Putin is arresting his own people who are protesting against war. If Putin takes this all the way to Poland, then Russia will suffer greatly. That’s just my judgement. I’ve certainly been wrong before.

He's definitely not a lone wolf. Call it fear or whatever you want. But he has support and influence.

Side note, when I was in Albania, I was actually surprised at some native morons who liked Putin.

[8516knicks]

This will be Putin’s downfall. I believe he horribly miscalculated here. He’s surrounded only by “Yes” men who are afraid to offer their honest opinions of this war for fear of “repercussions”.

I think this is wishful thinking. Yeah, he's a madman, but also cunning. You have to accept that.

The west has been hoping Putin would defeat himself for years and he still hasn't. He grew his power. He's been in power for over 20 years. And now there are rumors of US Intel expecting Belarus wanting to be absorbed by Russia. Remember that fugazi election they just had? You see what's going on?

This could be "his downfall". But how long will that last and how many will die? You could say Hitler's downfall was Dunkirk. But the WW2 didn't end until 5 years later.

He’s a lone wolf here. Many of Putin’s statesmen weren’t kept in the loop about the invasion. The Russian people are not on-board with thin. Many have families in Ukraine and visa versa. Putin is arresting his own people who are protesting against war. If Putin takes this all the way to Poland, then Russia will suffer greatly. That’s just my judgement. I’ve certainly been wrong before.

Putin better have a taster!

[HarthorneWingo]

He’s a lone wolf here. Many of Putin’s statesmen weren’t kept in the loop about the invasion. The Russian people are not on-board with thin. Many have families in Ukraine and visa versa. Putin is arresting his own people who are protesting against war. If Putin takes this all the way to Poland, then Russia will suffer greatly. That’s just my judgement. I’ve certainly been wrong before.

He's definitely not a lone wolf. Call it fear or whatever you want. But he has support and influence.

Side note, when I was in Albania, I was actually surprised at some native morons who liked Putin.

Did you see the video of Putin grilling one of his spies who was clearly uncomfortable telling Putin what he wasn’t happy with. The spy stammered and stumbled until he agreed with Putin. It was incredible to watch. I’m sure it’s online.

Albanians like “viral” men. Do Albanians still out a gun under the pillow of newborn males? It used to be ceremonial

[KnicksGadfly]

That's what I'm wondering as well.

Afghanistan.
Ukraine.

Xi has to be eyeing Tawain here and probably Japan as well.

Read some analysis recently (or saw it on youtube ) which indicated the PRC going after Taiwan is not the slam dunk you'd initially think. Unless they elect Thibs!

My sauces tell me that Xi wants to avoid problems with the US. China is more concerned with its own economic well-being

Yes and no. China does want less problems in general because they’re pretty confident that given time, they’ll overtake the US as world leader, not that it wants all the responsibility that entails. If you look at thinkers like Sun Tzu, there are ideas about how the best generals can win without fighting. I think Lithuania is an example (hope I didn’t get the country wrong). They recognized Taiwan so China just boycotted their goods. They’ve been trying to do that in Taiwan itself but it’s not working…the population in Taiwan has its own identity by now.

At the same time, they’re supporting Russia, and have been moving more towards wolf warrior diplomacy for a while. Oh and they also feel disrespected on the world stage and have grievances that date back to the opium war. Xi is very different than Deng…he’s more aggressive. The population in China has also become more anti-American over time - state media plays a role there.

Finally, they’re also fighting an ideological battle. Yes, China cares about economics but that’s because they’re trying to steer the country well and show the people the CCP should be in power. The West, with its ideas about democracy and human rights and whatnot, still represents a danger. Their end goal is economic, but it’s mostly, “everyone focus on making money together, and stfu about human rights and stuff.” Sometimes that’s fair, with the US being hypocritical, but sometimes I imagine a much scarier world than we have today.

[gavran]

Any business meetings planned for Krakow in the near future?

Our offices are in Warsaw and Wroclaw; personally, I'm refusing to even go on the subway if I have a choice, so there's no way I'm heading to Eastern Europe any time soon!

Yeah, stay off those subway platforms. Yikes.

The subway platform in CEU were designed to act as shelter against bombardment. Bad advice.

[HarthorneWingo]

Fill your gas tanks up

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?s=21

[HarthorneWingo]

Our offices are in Warsaw and Wroclaw; personally, I'm refusing to even go on the subway if I have a choice, so there's no way I'm heading to Eastern Europe any time soon!

Yeah, stay off those subway platforms. Yikes.

The subway platform in CEU were designed to act as shelter against bombardment. Bad advice.

You haven't been to the subways in NYC apparently.

[gavran]

Yeah, stay off those subway platforms. Yikes.

The subway platform in CEU were designed to act as shelter against bombardment. Bad advice.

You haven't been to the subways in NYC apparently.

I have, but I also haven't read duetta's post carefully. I thought he was in Warsaw

[HarthorneWingo]

Read some analysis recently (or saw it on youtube ) which indicated the PRC going after Taiwan is not the slam dunk you'd initially think. Unless they elect Thibs!

My sauces tell me that Xi wants to avoid problems with the US. China is more concerned with its own economic well-being

Yes and no. China does want less problems in general because they’re pretty confident that given time, they’ll overtake the US as world leader, not that it wants all the responsibility that entails. If you look at thinkers like Sun Tzu, there are ideas about how the best generals can win without fighting. I think Lithuania is an example (hope I didn’t get the country wrong). They recognized Taiwan so China just boycotted their goods. They’ve been trying to do that in Taiwan itself but it’s not working…the population in Taiwan has its own identity by now.

At the same time, they’re supporting Russia, and have been moving more towards wolf warrior diplomacy for a while. Oh and they also feel disrespected on the world stage and have grievances that date back to the opium war. Xi is very different than Deng…he’s more aggressive. The population in China has also become more anti-American over time - state media plays a role there.

Finally, they’re also fighting an ideological battle. Yes, China cares about economics but that’s because they’re trying to steer the country well and show the people the CCP should be in power. The West, with its ideas about democracy and human rights and whatnot, still represents a danger. Their end goal is economic, but it’s mostly, “everyone focus on making money together, and stfu about human rights and stuff.” Sometimes that’s fair, with the US being hypocritical, but sometimes I imagine a much scarier world than we have today.

You can't oppress people and succeed in the long run. At least I hope that's the way it is. I have faith in the Ukraine people and the rest of Europe to coalesce against a common enemy. If countries are going to start choosing sides over Putin's ego, then I pity them.

[gavran]

On the other hand, let's not paint Ukraine as good guys, just because they are now the victims of an invasion. The abhorrent language law they passed a couple of years ago is them oppressing their minorities. One of the many many reason Putin decided to attack.

[KnicksGadfly]

On the other hand, let's not paint Ukraine as good guys, just because they are now the victims of an invasion. The abhorrent language law they passed a couple of years ago is them oppressing their minorities. One of the many many reason Putin decided to attack.

You mean, other than the fact that Ukraine is led by Nazis and a Jewish president?

[Zenzibar]

He’s a lone wolf here. Many of Putin’s statesmen weren’t kept in the loop about the invasion. The Russian people are not on-board with thin. Many have families in Ukraine and visa versa. Putin is arresting his own people who are protesting against war. If Putin takes this all the way to Poland, then Russia will suffer greatly. That’s just my judgement. I’ve certainly been wrong before.

He's definitely not a lone wolf. Call it fear or whatever you want. But he has support and influence.

Side note, when I was in Albania, I was actually surprised at some native morons who liked Putin.

Did you see the video of Putin grilling one of his spies who was clearly uncomfortable telling Putin what he wasn’t happy with. The spy stammered and stumbled until he agreed with Putin. It was incredible to watch. I’m sure it’s online.

Albanians like “viral” men. Do Albanians still out a gun under the pillow of newborn males? It used to be ceremonial

The dude is shook

Watch on YouTube

[E-Balla]

This will be Putin’s downfall. I believe he horribly miscalculated here. He’s surrounded only by “Yes” men who are afraid to offer their honest opinions of this war for fear of “repercussions”.

I think this is wishful thinking. Yeah, he's a madman, but also cunning. You have to accept that.

The west has been hoping Putin would defeat himself for years and he still hasn't. He grew his power. He's been in power for over 20 years. And now there are rumors of US Intel expecting Belarus wanting to be absorbed by Russia. Remember that fugazi election they just had? You see what's going on?

This could be "his downfall". But how long will that last and how many will die? You could say Hitler's downfall was Dunkirk. But the WW2 didn't end until 5 years later.

He’s a lone wolf here. Many of Putin’s statesmen weren’t kept in the loop about the invasion. The Russian people are not on-board with thin. Many have families in Ukraine and visa versa. Putin is arresting his own people who are protesting against war. If Putin takes this all the way to Poland, then Russia will suffer greatly. That’s just my judgement. I’ve certainly been wrong before.

I think you're right here. Russia had the full support of its citizens before a ground invasion. If they have a large amount of deaths because of this, especially deaths in eastern Ukraine, Russian citizens are going to look at him crazy. Too many people assume Russia is just some backwards ass country where none of the citizens have power. They're closer to America than North Korea.

[Zenzibar]

Read on Twitter

What no thread on this? Some of you guys are a bunch of fkn hypocrites.

[E-Balla]

My sauces tell me that Xi wants to avoid problems with the US. China is more concerned with its own economic well-being

Yes and no. China does want less problems in general because they’re pretty confident that given time, they’ll overtake the US as world leader, not that it wants all the responsibility that entails. If you look at thinkers like Sun Tzu, there are ideas about how the best generals can win without fighting. I think Lithuania is an example (hope I didn’t get the country wrong). They recognized Taiwan so China just boycotted their goods. They’ve been trying to do that in Taiwan itself but it’s not working…the population in Taiwan has its own identity by now.

At the same time, they’re supporting Russia, and have been moving more towards wolf warrior diplomacy for a while. Oh and they also feel disrespected on the world stage and have grievances that date back to the opium war. Xi is very different than Deng…he’s more aggressive. The population in China has also become more anti-American over time - state media plays a role there.

Finally, they’re also fighting an ideological battle. Yes, China cares about economics but that’s because they’re trying to steer the country well and show the people the CCP should be in power. The West, with its ideas about democracy and human rights and whatnot, still represents a danger. Their end goal is economic, but it’s mostly, “everyone focus on making money together, and stfu about human rights and stuff.” Sometimes that’s fair, with the US being hypocritical, but sometimes I imagine a much scarier world than we have today.

You can't oppress people and succeed in the long run. At least I hope that's the way it is. I have faith in the Ukraine people and the rest of Europe to coalesce against a common enemy. If countries are going to start choosing sides over Putin's ego, then I pity them.

Remind me again of who the most successful countries in the world are? This is a nonsense opinion. Just world fallacy if I've ever seen it. When it comes to oppression you don't get worse than NATO.

We bombed Somalia Wednesday and Israel bombed Damascus yesterday. Let's not do this...

[Zenzibar]

On the other hand, let's not paint Ukraine as good guys, just because they are now the victims of an invasion. The abhorrent language law they passed a couple of years ago is them oppressing their minorities. One of the many many reason Putin decided to attack.

This is another:

https://www.vox.com/22900113/nato-ukraine-russia-crisis-clinton-expansion

How America’s NATO expansion obsession plays into the Ukraine crisis

When tens of thousands of Russian troops started moving toward the Ukrainian border late last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin effectively issued an ultimatum: They won’t go home until he had “concrete agreements prohibiting any further eastward expansion of NATO.”

[gavran]

On the other hand, let's not paint Ukraine as good guys, just because they are now the victims of an invasion. The abhorrent language law they passed a couple of years ago is them oppressing their minorities. One of the many many reason Putin decided to attack.

You mean, other than the fact that Ukraine is led by Nazis and a Jewish president?

Don't quote me again, please.