In China the game is ‘go’.I think that's the game China is playing, actually.
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In China the game is ‘go’.I think that's the game China is playing, actually.
I would discuss with anybody Biden’s missteps that increased the likelihood of Putin’s invasion and Biden’s conspicuous timidity that cost lives, ruined others, and led to a protracted conflict.Just curious: do you understand that everyone else thinks you're full of shit, or is it a mystery to you?
Wow.Ukraine has really exceeded my expectation and we should continue to support it. Biden has done a good job so far with Ukraine, keeping us from getting directly in the war and also building a good coalition with European countries. Maybe most importantly China is of course watching and so far, they haven't done what I feared they would do which is to attack Taiwan. If we looked weak on Ukraine, China would be in Taiwan already.
Some people just live in a fantasy land don't they? I just saw it will take 12 years to restock the javelins we sent to them. China is loving every minute of it and if Biden were not in office the war would not even being going on maybe more importantly Brittany Griner wouldnt be in prison.Wow.
I think it's worth noting that Putin took Crimea when Obama was President then invaded Ukraine when Biden was President. We'd be foolish to think Putin didn't factor in the likely U.S. response into his decisions. Yet he did nothing in Ukraine of this magnitude when Trump was there. Why? It's clearly not just "Trump strong, Obama/Biden weak" thinking. But what else went into that and do we really think it's just coincidence?I would discuss with anybody Biden’s missteps that increased the likelihood of Putin’s invasion and Biden’s conspicuous timidity that cost lives, ruined others, and led to a protracted conflict.
The funniest/saddest/most pathetic statements by any US President in recent memory is “America is Back!” and “Nobody F*cks with a Biden.” Putin saw weakness and indecision and Iran saw an open road to do what it wants.
The only thing Biden has done with his baby Ukrainian steps is to suck our treasury of needed funds, depleted our military if needed supplies and ammunition, and contributed to the misery of millions.
I dont think it was thinking Trump was unpredictable I think he knew he would have taken swift actions and not stood for it.I think it's worth noting that Putin took Crimea when Obama was President then invaded Ukraine when Biden was President. We'd be foolish to think Putin didn't factor in the likely U.S. response into his decisions. Yet he did nothing in Ukraine of this magnitude when Trump was there. Why? It's clearly not just "Trump strong, Obama/Biden weak" thinking. But what else went into that and do we really think it's just coincidence?
I submit that it's two things: (1) Putin thought Trump genuinely wasn't a threat to Russia or extending NATO; and (2) Trump was unpredictable enough it wasn't worth it to test him.
CoH, what specifically do you think that Biden's administration did, once taking office or in the campaign, to trigger Putin to think invading Ukraine would be met without severe U.S. response? (And let's remember: this isn't just Biden alone making decisions--he has a whole team of advisors at the State Dept. and in the military advising him).
I think it's worth noting that Putin took Crimea when Obama was President then invaded Ukraine when Biden was President. We'd be foolish to think Putin didn't factor in the likely U.S. response into his decisions. Yet he did nothing in Ukraine of this magnitude when Trump was there. Why? It's clearly not just "Trump strong, Obama/Biden weak" thinking. But what else went into that and do we really think it's just coincidence?
I submit that it's two things: (1) Putin thought Trump genuinely wasn't a threat to Russia or extending NATO; and (2) Trump was unpredictable enough it wasn't worth it to test him.
CoH, what specifically do you think that Biden's administration did, once taking office or in the campaign, to trigger Putin to think invading Ukraine would be met without severe U.S. response? (And let's remember: this isn't just Biden alone making decisions--he has a whole team of advisors at the State Dept. and in the military advising him).
Economically ready to weather sanctions, you mean?There is another factor, Russia had tried hard to become impervious to the western sanctions after Crimea showed their vulnerability. Some of the timing was due to when they felt they were ready.
Yes, there had to be a time they felt the west couldn't damage them as much.Economically ready to weather sanctions, you mean?
I get that, but doesn't that mean he was predicting that Trump's administration would sanction him if he invaded Ukraine?Yes, there had to be a time they felt the west couldn't damage them as much.
I get that, but doesn't that mean he was predicting that Trump's administration would sanction him if he invaded Ukraine?
First, I'm not sure Trump would have done that.
Second, the very fact Putin was thinking that was a real possibility disproves the whole notion that Trump was compromised by the Russians, doesn't it?
I mean, if you're Putin and you just invaded Crimea in 2014, and now Trump is in office and you control him, aren't you taking the rest of Ukraine right then--in 2017-19--so that your puppet won't come down too hard on you and can help convince the European community of the same (by say, agreeing to continue to fund NATO or not make a big stink about it)?
My thinking was that it's probably related to #1. I thought he was always planning on invading Ukraine, but was waiting to gamble on the US election, because he felt that NATO's weakest point would be shortly after Trump's reelection. After Trump lost, he had reassess whether or not to do it, he said, "Eff it, let's go anyway."I think it's worth noting that Putin took Crimea when Obama was President then invaded Ukraine when Biden was President. We'd be foolish to think Putin didn't factor in the likely U.S. response into his decisions. Yet he did nothing in Ukraine of this magnitude when Trump was there. Why? It's clearly not just "Trump strong, Obama/Biden weak" thinking. But what else went into that and do we really think it's just coincidence?
I submit that it's two things: (1) Putin thought Trump genuinely wasn't a threat to Russia or extending NATO; and (2) Trump was unpredictable enough it wasn't worth it to test him.
CoH, what specifically do you think that Biden's administration did, once taking office or in the campaign, to trigger Putin to think invading Ukraine would be met without severe U.S. response? (And let's remember: this isn't just Biden alone making decisions--he has a whole team of advisors at the State Dept. and in the military advising him).
There is a panoply of big and small things. Among them:I think it's worth noting that Putin took Crimea when Obama was President then invaded Ukraine when Biden was President. We'd be foolish to think Putin didn't factor in the likely U.S. response into his decisions. Yet he did nothing in Ukraine of this magnitude when Trump was there. Why? It's clearly not just "Trump strong, Obama/Biden weak" thinking. But what else went into that and do we really think it's just coincidence?
I submit that it's two things: (1) Putin thought Trump genuinely wasn't a threat to Russia or extending NATO; and (2) Trump was unpredictable enough it wasn't worth it to test him.
CoH, what specifically do you think that Biden's administration did, once taking office or in the campaign, to trigger Putin to think invading Ukraine would be met without severe U.S. response? (And let's remember: this isn't just Biden alone making decisions--he has a whole team of advisors at the State Dept. and in the military advising him).
I think that’s a fair and accurate long term issue. But it does not address the question of why Putin’s sudden invasion preparations began almost upon Biden taking office. Putin then gaslighted the issue. I think the Biden administration got played. Part of the reason is Iran.But I do think that it's more likely Ukraine's relationship to the West than the leadership of the U.S. that bears directly on his thinking.
I'm really not educated in this. Can you connect the dots more?I think that’s a fair and accurate long term issue. But it does not address the question of why Putin’s sudden invasion preparations began almost upon Biden taking office. Putin then gaslighted the issue. I think the Biden administration got played. Part of the reason is Iran.
You have previously argued that Biden's actions precipitated Putin's response. That is inconsistent with the idea that Putin suddenly began preparations as soon as Biden took office, before he had time to, you know, act.I think that’s a fair and accurate long term issue. But it does not address the question of why Putin’s sudden invasion preparations began almost upon Biden taking office. Putin then gaslighted the issue. I think the Biden administration got played. Part of the reason is Iran.
Russia was our agent in Iranian negotiations. Biden signaled that the JCPOA was a high priority. If I’m Putin, I’m thinking Biden would be lenient with me.How do Iran/U.S. relations play into Russia's decision to invade Ukraine?
Biden pulled his punches on Russian sanctions. He provided an energy loophole thinking that high energy prices would be a political problem. He did the same for some other Russian finance and infrastructure regarding energy. Energy has become the currency of an effective foreign policy.Are you generally saying Putin read Biden as being weak given the way he's acted in other foreign policy issues to the extent Putin read (correctly) that the U.S. really wouldn't involve itself in the war? In response to Marvin, do you think he read Biden as not willing to sanction or that he had saved enough to weather any Biden sanctions?
You have previously argued that Biden's actions precipitated Putin's response. That is inconsistent with the idea that Putin suddenly began preparations as soon as Biden took office, before he had time to, you know, act.
You gave a list of things Biden did as President to enable Putin. Then you said Putin prepared to invade the moment Biden took office. Those thoughts are incompatible.I think I’ve always argued that Biden increased the odds of the Russian invasion. There is no way to know about how much of a cause. By the time Biden moved in, his ideas were pretty clear. Those ideas, I think taken together, gave Putin a measure confidence we would be fairly passive. Russia has their intelligence agencies and Biden analysts just like we have. Biden’s very first actions were to pull American energy out of the picture.
The build up of forces near Ukraine did not begin until March/April of 2021. The Russians set about making themselves more sanctions proof after the reaction to their annexation of Crimea.You gave a list of things Biden did as President to enable Putin. Then you said Putin prepared to invade the moment Biden took office. Those thoughts are incompatible.
The list of things included two he did or happened before he was POTUS.You gave a list of things Biden did as President to enable Putin. Then you said Putin prepared to invade the moment Biden took office. Those thoughts are incompatible.
Most likely there were several factors involved. We'd have to be inside Putin's head to really know for sure.The build up of forces near Ukraine did not begin until March/April of 2021. The Russians set about making themselves more sanctions proof after the reaction to their annexation of Crimea.
I don't think any of us can say with 100% certainty what the cause was for going when they did, but if we are using the build up of cash reserves as an example of an early preparation, it could just as easily be argued that was a contingency plan to be more sanction resistant to the West over anything in the future.
I think I could make a compelling argument that this was Biden screwing up, that is was a long term plan, and/or that Putin's health mixed with his ambitions to be a historical figure are what led to when the invasion occurred. In all likelihood, it is probably like baking a cake where all of the ingredients (and some I did not mention) went into the cake.
FFS. Go away.The list of things included two he did or happened before he was POTUS.
In any event, Biden was a well-known quantity. His promises made during the campaign made him also highly predictable. I didn’t mention and we don’t know much about the millions Russians paid to the Biden family. It would be nice if some smart investigative reporters would look at that.
*Note: You should edit "Biden family" to read "Biden crime family" to stay consistent with your brethren.The list of things included two he did or happened before he was POTUS.
In any event, Biden was a well-known quantity. His promises made during the campaign made him also highly predictable. I didn’t mention and we don’t know much about the millions Russians paid to the Biden family. It would be nice if some smart investigative reporters would look at that.
I read some about this. I always put it in the rumor category. Is there substance?One item minimally discussed that I believe has a much higher influence than you are probably giving credit to:
Putin is dying.
We know it. He knows it.
The difference is, he has probably known about it for over two years now. Heck, he might have even known about it for longer than that, but we also know that A) Covid and B) China giving a stern warning that nothing was to happen until after the Olympics, likely delayed things.
So it wouldn't have mattered if Biden or Trump was in office right now, Putin was going in. Because it is literally the last thing he is going to do.
Putin suggests this is a long term objective of unification of Ukraine and Russia. I think it is more mercenary in that Russia needs better access to the Black Sea. That seemingly has not worked out as planned. The invasion buildup in the first weeks of Biden’s term is not a coincidence. One thing I neglected to mention above was that Biden said a “minor incursion“ would not be a big deal. There are lots of factors suggesting an opportunistic Putin took advantage of demonstrable Biden indecision and timidity. The Biden Administration (as did many) thought Putin would finish off the war in weeks. IIRC the US talked about helping Zelenskyy escape. Only when Russian incompetence became clear did we get aggressive. Now the Iranians are involved. Ugh.The build up of forces near Ukraine did not begin until March/April of 2021. The Russians set about making themselves more sanctions proof after the reaction to their annexation of Crimea.
I don't think any of us can say with 100% certainty what the cause was for going when they did, but if we are using the build up of cash reserves as an example of an early preparation, it could just as easily be argued that was a contingency plan to be more sanction resistant to the West over anything in the future.
I think I could make a compelling argument that this was Biden screwing up, that is was a long term plan, and/or that Putin's health mixed with his ambitions to be a historical figure are what led to when the invasion occurred. In all likelihood, it is probably like baking a cake where all of the ingredients (and some I did not mention) went into the cake.
There's ALOT of signs. Put it this way, there is at least as much out there as Biden suffering dementia. Take that for what you will.I read some about this. I always put it in the rumor category. Is there substance?
A pinhead would say.FFS. Go away.
Wow. Deadman walking.There's ALOT of signs. Put it this way, there is at least as much out there as Biden suffering dementia. Take that for what you will.
So he very well might be pro-Putin.I see Representative Gosar has decided to tell the progressive caucus, "Hold my beer". He has invited Putin and Zelensky to Arizona for peace negotiations with him, Gosar, as moderator.
Gosar wants Arizona to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine
A U.S. congressman thinks Russia and Ukraine can agree to peace if their presidents come talk things over in Arizona.An advocacy group started by former Republicans says Paul Gosar is among conservatives who are pro-Vladimir Putin.Gosar sent a letter this week to the Russian and Ukrainian...kjzz.org
So he very well might be pro-Putin.
I am not.
I think the notion of Russia and Ukraine talking about peace is a good idea. Not that they are going to do it with this guy.
Yeah, and there were, and are, plenty of Americans who admired Mao and Castro.Unfortunately, there are a number of people in the US that greatly admire and like Putin. They see him as being able to control his country with no crime and no social dissent and a clear state religion, which he does as a classic fascist, if you disagree with him, you will fall out of a 10th story window, while he and his cronies steal the state blind.
We could drown Putin in his own oil if we'd just turn our energy companies loose.We shouldn’t offer any off ramp. We need to do more to instigate taking him out. Iran’s active and apparently very effective drone support should never have happened. I think that’s 100% on Biden.
We need to:
1. Shitcan the JCPOA ASAP.
2. Reestablish our maximum economic pressure on Iran. Do the same for Russia
3. Gather world support for Iranian and Russian dissidents and be very public about supporting both.
4. Reassert and expand our dominance in fossil fuel production. Become the world leader in nuclear energy design and construction. Energy will be the currency of future world influence, we must step up our efforts and not allow Putin expand his influence.
It was Biden's weakness that got us into this situation. After Putin saw the non-response from the US under Obama/Biden, he figured he could invade Ukraine in its entirety under Biden.Ukraine has really exceeded my expectation and we should continue to support it. Biden has done a good job so far with Ukraine, keeping us from getting directly in the war and also building a good coalition with European countries. Maybe most importantly China is of course watching and so far, they haven't done what I feared they would do which is to attack Taiwan. If we looked weak on Ukraine, China would be in Taiwan already.
There are? Name one beyond Barbara Walters who was screwing Castro.Yeah, and there were, and are, plenty of Americans who admired Mao and Castro.
So what?
Due entirely to their own ineptness - certainly not Biden.You mean Russia losing?
Biden is just following what his generals tell him. Biden knows not to make his own decisions and so far it's working out for everybody but Russia and Putin.Due entirely to their own ineptness - certainly not Biden.