Russia-Ukraine War

[BOBB]

Being reported now that even though our president has allowed us to buy Russian oil going forward, large producers in the United States have already stopped buying their oil. In fact, the United States has not purchased a thimble full of oil from Russia in the past 7 days. If true, that makes me proud!

Now, how can we open the spickets without the blessing of our president?

My understanding is that the threat of being stuck with a tanker full of oil/fuel/etc... that couldn't be sold in the event of further sanctions has been deemed too risky by the private companies.

If we were serious about really limiting oil prices we would be working overtime to make a deal with the Ayatollah in Iran. Our Sunni/Israeli friends in the Gulf won't like it though. Not one bit. Oh for the days when the middle east was run by strongmen that could be bribed and blackmailed.

[wichshock65]

Being reported now that even though our president has allowed us to buy Russian oil going forward, large producers in the United States have already stopped buying their oil. In fact, the United States has not purchased a thimble full of oil from Russia in the past 7 days. If true, that makes me proud!

Now, how can we open the spickets without the blessing of our president?

[SB Shock]

At some point the U.S. needs to have equipment in place to respond when the line is determined and crossed.

U.S. has a armored brigade of propositioned equipment in Europe. This equipment is in addition to units already stationed in Europe. Units traveling from the U.S. right now are drawing that equipment.

There is also a supply of equipment for Africa (stored in Italy) that could be used in addition.

The U.S. used to do REFORGER (return of forces germany) exercises every year where they practice the drawing of equipment.

[SB Shock]

There is nobody on Shockernet even remotely as informed as you are on these topics. You've earned the street cred over the years. Keep the info and your thoughts coming in, they are appreciated.

Actually, Shockernet as the whole is pretty well informed with a wide range of thoughtful and informative posts (and with diverse opinions/positions) - no group thinks here on this topic. DUShock hit almost perfect the invasion date.

We are in a new territory. There is a lot of opportunities here, but also extreme danger.

[SB Shock]

No limit, unfortunately. Nukes are the ultimate trump card. Shy of a full fledged invasion of a NATO country or "Lusitania/Pearl Harbor" type moment we are not getting into a shooting war with Russia.

The Lusitania moment could come at any time. USA has KC135s on the border with Ukraine constantly (refueling recon and CAP). Fighters are patroling. Reconnaissance flights are patrolling in the Black Sea and along with Belarus and Ukraine (was previously along the Ukraine/Russia border pre-invasion). Russia is known for making "mistakes".

Russian just violated Swedish airspace - in response to their statement they were considering joining NATO.

Estonia and Latvia are in Putin's crosshairs after Ukraine. Ukraine could fall at any time if Russians get serious.

[ShockerPrez]

I think it is obvious that from a logistics standpoint, Russia is lacking there. So any more incursions seem unlikely at this point. Putin may have an army that can throw a haymaker, but no ground and pound capabilities.

[BOBB]

The number one thing we can do is to decouple ourselves from any critical items we are getting from any strategic competitors, or areas that could easily be under our thumb.

I would expect the Monroe Doctrine to also come back with a vengeance.

Edit: I imagine the CIA is hiring.

[SubGod22]

See how convenient it is to have these U.S. bases scattered all around the globe? This is why we "pay to defend" other countries. They are deterrents for many more reasons than just the protection of the country they reside in. Imagine if Russia had these bases scattered about? Well... they tried to establish such a network during the USSR era.

It's been Checkmate U.S. for decades now.

I still absolutely disagree with it. The EU should be responsible for the EU and their neighbors. They should be spending the money to defend themselves instead of wasting American taxpayer money on this.

Also, us being all over the place has caused a lot of tensions and conflicts because of our meddling.

Being located where we are, we could keep our troops home and still be able to swiftly respond and transport somewhere we may need to go for some reason. Countries that would want are help in such a scenario would open up their borders and facilities to help, and we'd still save tons of money over the years in the process. Being in everyone's business isn't a good thing and obviously hasn't deterred Russia for the past decade or so in Georgia and Ukraine.

[Kung Wu]

That is a good question. Countries in Europe are concerned. Several countries beyond Ukraine have no applied for EU membership. Sweden and Finland may join NATO. It does seem that if Russia is not stopped in Ukraine this has the potential to grow in to a new European war.

There is nobody on Shockernet even remotely as informed as you are on these topics. You've earned the street cred over the years. Keep the info and your thoughts coming in, they are appreciated.

[C0|dB|00ded]

There are around 100k American's stationed in Europe and I'm pretty sure we have some serious air power stationed there because of the Russian threat to NATO. There are also another 50k or so still in the Middle East that could be tapped into if necessary and we have the ability to transport personnel and equipment fairly quickly if that's what comes to be.

I also believe we have over 130k in Asia and the South Pacific regions that would be mobilized quickly if the US decided to take action against any Chinese moves.

See how convenient it is to have these U.S. bases scattered all around the globe? This is why we "pay to defend" other countries. They are deterrents for many more reasons than just the protection of the country they reside in. Imagine if Russia had these bases scattered about? Well... they tried to establish such a network during the USSR era.

It's been Checkmate U.S. for decades now.

[C0|dB|00ded]

I'm fairly confident that we aren't tipping our hand on purpose in regards to nuclear threats. I believe we have the capacity to destroy and render harmless, any intercontinental missile regardless of whether or not it leaves the atmosphere. This may have helped to fuel Trump's confidence in levying such threats at N. Korea. Hypersonic missiles though... I'm not sure. That would require laser defense, in the right place, at the right time. If they leave the atmosphere, I would think we can burn 'em down with satellites.

I believe we want the rest of the world to think that nukes are still the ticket to the big boy's table. Keep them occupied. Today's U.S. weapon's technology is so advanced I don't even think Hollywood can keep up.

[SubGod22]

There are around 100k American's stationed in Europe and I'm pretty sure we have some serious air power stationed there because of the Russian threat to NATO. There are also another 50k or so still in the Middle East that could be tapped into if necessary and we have the ability to transport personnel and equipment fairly quickly if that's what comes to be.

I also believe we have over 130k in Asia and the South Pacific regions that would be mobilized quickly if the US decided to take action against any Chinese moves.

[ShockerPrez]

At some point the U.S. needs to have equipment in place to respond when the line is determined and crossed.

For instance, if Putin decides to enter one of the small Baltic states, how fast can we respond? Could NATO do it themselves in the short term? That is a definite line, and would be WW3.

I'm sure we are able to tell if Russia is getting ready to, like we did with Ukraine. We knew they were up to something. But carrier groups take time to assemple and get to theater. Maybe we are mobilizing and deploying and just not saying so (which is smart to a certain extent). I don't know why we wouldn't try to keep our movements somewhat secret. But shows of strength deter as well.

Are we ready to respond to China? We should be yesterday. Who knows.

Just think that determining lines means nothing unless you are able to repel any incursion you deem as crossing that line and we aren't at that point. But maybe we are.

The beauty of our navy is it can do a lot of damage from a distance, but they need to be in the Baltic and Black Sea and ready for business.

[C0|dB|00ded]

There is a possibility of a tipping point soon, in my opinion, that will cause the US, NATO and maybe others to engage in a more forceful way than delivering weapons and economic sanctions.

Kuwait wasn't a NATO country. And what were the reasons for NATO involvement in the Balkans when Yugoslavia blew apart in the 1990s?

Enormous wealth and VIP influence with the States. PLUS, we wanted an excuse to tangle with Saddam. What an unholy mistake that was. Well... liberating Kuwait wasn't a mistake, coming back to "finish the job" was.

[C0|dB|00ded]

No limit, unfortunately. Nukes are the ultimate trump card. Shy of a full fledged invasion of a NATO country or "Lusitania/Pearl Harbor" type moment we are not getting into a shooting war with Russia.

We're in the beginnings of a proxy war with Russia right now a la Afghanistan. Once we satisfy the nuke-pene measuring prelims, the future direction of the conflict should be much more clear.

I still think this is just a Pootin' tantrum. He wants respect. He wants NATO to back away from his borders. Here's a thought: membership to NATO is open to everybody. Just don't act like a demented Communist fool.

What does it take to become a member of the alliance?

1. New members must uphold democracy, including tolerating diversity.
2. New members must be making progress toward a market economy.
3. Their military forces must be under firm civilian control.
4. They must be good neighbors and respect sovereignty outside their borders.