Russia-Ukraine War

[wufan]

The US foreign policy should be to be energy independent, set up manufacturing and trade in north and South America, and align our military with our neighbors.

Let Europe and Asia continue their 1000 year war without us.

[ABC]

Ukraine voted 90% to separate from Russia in the early 1990s. They want to be independent.

I was an election observer in Dnipropetrovsk (Ukraine) in 2014. Ukrainians are very patriotic and DO NOT like Russia.

[Shockm]

I don't completely disagree. But Europe needs to do a better job of taking care of themselves.

Russia is constantly challenging America in many ways. You only focus on the Ukraine but Putin challenges America in many ways tha5 you may not know about about.

I doubt that you realize how close Russia is to America and America’s oil, and gas resources, and fishing lanes (these are some of America’s most productive fishing waters). The boundaries are 1700 miles long from the over the Bering Sea ( in the Arctic-which is the equivalent of from Maine To Miami). The closest point between Russia, and America is 3 miles between two small islands ( one Russian and one American) in the Bering Sea. The conditions are extreme and Russia has been aggressive sending nuclear subs and building Russian bases in the area. Commercial fishermen feel like they are going to war, with Russian military air force, and ships “buzzing” American fishing companies with Coast Guard being their only protection.

[Shockm]

The follow-on question is if Russian goes forward, will China use the diversion of the world attention to make a move on Taiwan.

This is an embarrassing situation for Biden and the U.S. government. Taiwan is a successful democracy who has a flourishing economy. The Biden Administration continually appeases China who has their eye on obtaining Taiwan as part of their Pacific Empire. The U.S. government was worried about how China would accept Taiwan’s summit presentation on their status of maintaining their independence from China, so the U.S. tech experts cut the feed, and interrupted Taiwan’s presentation.

https://nypost.com/2021/12/13/wh-cut-video-feed-of-taiwanese-minister-at-biden-summit-report/

Who wouldn’t expect China to annex Taiwan by military force. For those of you who think that’s ok, just know that Australia isn’t far behind, and surely in China’s sites. That would be a huge development, but within years, China will try.

[SB Shock]

This is an embarrassing situation for Biden and the U.S. government.

Biden only building on the legacy of Trump. Trump refused to do a free trade pact with Taiwan. Biden administration has actually been tougher than Trump on the Taiwan issue.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/taiwan-feared-biden-would-be-softer-trump-china-so-far-n1261274

Taiwan is a successful democracy who has a flourishing economy.

Taiwan's success is really intertwined with China. Taiwan have a lot of its factories in China.

Who wouldn’t expect China to annex Taiwan by military force.

I really think China will do another Hong Kong on Taiwan. Military annexation carries a lot of risk for China. But China is keeping the pressure up, if they see any weakness in the world resolve, they might make the move.

For those of you who think that’s ok, just know that Australia isn’t far behind, and surely in China’s sites. That would be a huge development, but within years, China will try.

China to annex Australia? China might try and hurt Australia economically, but they are not going to attempt to "annex" them.

[pinstripers]

https://babylonbee.com/news/biden-wa...weapons-behind

Biden Warns Russia That If They Invade Ukraine, America Will Evacuate Haphazardly And Leave $86 Billion In Weapons Behind

[SB Shock]

https://babylonbee.com/news/biden-wa...weapons-behind

Biden Warns Russia That If They Invade Ukraine, America Will Evacuate Haphazardly And Leave $86 Billion In Weapons Behind

Right after we sell and deliver F35's to Ukraine...

[N Crestway]

Germany is the NATO country that I worry about the most. It is the Central European country that is critical for any NATO intervention in the Ukraine. Politically I doubt if it now has the resolve to do it. Putin just waiting for a little more political weakness both here and in Germany before he acts. Putin will move when he believes his objectives can be achieved quickly as they were in the Crimea. Western sanctions don't matter to him when weighed against the possibility of restoring Russian territory.

[1972Shocker]

NATO? If Russia Conquered Europe, It Would (be) an Improvement

https://www.americanthinker.com/arti...provement.html

Not sure about that but the author does makes some interesting observations.

But whatever the reason, G.K. Chesterton’s 1926 prediction that the “madness of tomorrow” would lie “not in Moscow, but much more in Manhattan” has come to pass.

[N Crestway]

Good "devil's advocate" article...think the Polish officer had it about right, "NATO stands for No Action, Talk Only". I would not like to live in Putin's Russia, however, but things here aren't so great either and there is always the potential that given our trendy shallow culture, we eventually do a nose dive as well.

[DUShock]

If they fight, they will kick-off the fight February/March 2022.

[N Crestway]

About the same time frame as the Crimea invasion...

A Ukrainian military official stated that there are somewhat less than 100,000 Russian troops on the border. He believed that the Russians will need about a half million men to truly threaten the Ukraine. It will take a while to get that number in place but sounds from the interview like it can be done in a couple of weeks or less. In the meantime the Russians continue to preposition equipment.

Without help, I don't see how the Ukrainian air force can stand up to the Russian air force. That is probably where NATO will have to come in if the Ukraine is going to survive.

[SB Shock]

Russia state-controlled Gazprom has slashed their gas supplies to Europe this weekend (Europe is about to go through a cold spell this next week). Gas prices are surging. European gas is expected to be 50% of capacity by New Years. This is real low since Europe coldest days are ahead in January and February.

State Department has issued travel warning 4 (do not travel) for Ukraine - "Reports that Russia is planning for significant military action against Ukraine. Conditions are unpredictable.

[Kung Wu]

Definitely, posturing.

...

1. Russian media starts preparing the country for conflict (meaning rationalizing why they can't back down)
2. Watch for a false provocation.
3. The build-up will accelerate instead of start reversing. They will need to deploy their logistical units, field hospitals, go to war ammo stocks.
4. Watch for a massive cyber campaign against Ukraine (and maybe even NATO).

Is this stuff happening now?

[SB Shock]

Is this stuff happening now?

The buildup is continuing.

Russian deputy foreign minister just put out a message

“We need [answers] urgently since the situation is very serious and may get more complicated,”

“Otherwise the alternative is a military-technical and military response from Russia,” Gavrilov added without elaborating.