European "conservatives" are so cvcked. Their countries aren't strong, so they actually think that Russia may set their sights on them next (even though they're in NATO).
If America cut all aid to Ukraine, the war would end in a week. Or, if Ukraine surrendered immediately, many lives would be spared.
Many lives would also be spared if Russia accepted that they’re an inconsequential has-been and marched back to Moscow.
European "conservatives" are so cvcked. Their countries aren't strong, so they actually think that Russia may set their sights on them next (even though they're in NATO).
If America cut all aid to Ukraine, the war would end in a week. Or, if Ukraine surrendered immediately, many lives would be spared.
You poor benighted child. Even a capitulated Ukraine would see a brutal guerrilla war that would not end until the Russians left, even if it takes ten years like Afghanistan. Plus the start of WWIII would be no farther away with Russians on the doorstep of Eastern Europe. One misstep by anybody and Article Five goes off like a phosphorous grenade in a gunpowder factory.
TD Richard Boyd Barrett adresses the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, over what he perceives as a lack of consistency over the inv...
Obviously, Russia has lost far more than it has gained. Has it gained anything?
I would like to hear someone try refute that directly.
It has proven a disaster for Russia — militarily, economically, and geopolitically. The war has badly damaged Russia’s military and tarnished its reputation, disrupted the economy, and profoundly altered the geopolitical picture facing Moscow in Europe.
Obviously, Russia has lost far more than it has gained. Has it gained anything?
I would like to hear someone try refute that directly.
It has proven a disaster for Russia — militarily, economically, and geopolitically. The war has badly damaged Russia’s military and tarnished its reputation, disrupted the economy, and profoundly altered the geopolitical picture facing Moscow in Europe.
Putin has
1/ consolidated support internally. Note all the Russians falling from windows recently.
2/ taken another step to place himself on a level with other great Russian emperors
Sure there have been downsides, but this is how Putin looks at it. And it ain't over - RU could still win this thing.
This is the problem with dictatorships and kings...they use their country to accomplish their personal goals.
I'm looking at you, Trump and the Republican Party. Trump did the same thing with all his profiteering off the presidency.
Obviously, Russia has lost far more than it has gained. Has it gained anything?
I would like to hear someone try refute that directly.
It has proven a disaster for Russia — militarily, economically, and geopolitically. The war has badly damaged Russia’s military and tarnished its reputation, disrupted the economy, and profoundly altered the geopolitical picture facing Moscow in Europe.
Just to offer a different perspective, it is not obvious to me that Russia's military is worse off overall.
Yes, they have lost many men and a lot of equipment. But this setback may result in a stronger Russian military. It all depends, of course, on how the people in current and future leadership positions within Russia react.
Getting your ass kicked, gaining real world experience against western weapons systems, having massive holes in your own design, production, strategic and operational military affairs exposed MAY result in a large-scale increase in Russian military capabilities a few years down the road.
///
Also, this may all lead to large numbers of Russians having to learn Chinese - so look for massive IQ gains in the next few decades. ;-)
So you think the best thing Russia has gained from this war is a severe ass kicking which might result in a better military in the future?
The squeeze has not been worth the juice for Russia.
Also, Putin has weakened Russia and will likely make Russia smaller. That will not put him on a short list of great Russian leaders. He will be more likely assassinated because of his reckless, failed invasion.
Yes, they have lost many men and a lot of equipment. But this setback may result in a stronger Russian military. It all depends, of course, on how the people in current and future leadership positions within Russia react.
Getting your ass kicked, gaining real world experience against western weapons systems, having massive holes in your own design, production, strategic and operational military affairs exposed MAY result in a large-scale increase in Russian military capabilities a few years down the road.
Many things are possible, but it's hard to see how current Russian leadership turns this around.
I've said from the beginning, and still believe, that the war is a distraction from the utter failure of leadership to capitalize on the economic hand they've been dealt including abundant resources and a well educated populace. The leadership is the top of a rotting kleptocracy just trying to hang on to power with little regard for the citizenry.
Western weapons systems, while they've been a problem, aren't "the problem". The initial Russian invasion fiasco was largely against Ukrainian defenders using Soviet era weapons systems.
Even if their were leadership that could turn the country around, they don't, by themselves have the economic power to build a formidable conventional military.
KYIV, Ukraine — American and European hypocrisy rained missiles and exploding drones on Ukraine’s capital and other cities on Saturday in a deadly New Year’s Eve assault, punctuating The West's Christmas offensive.
Exactly! When compiling a list of gains and losses for Russia, it’s impossible to argue that what they have gained (seemingly nothing so far) has been worth what they have lost (a whole damn lot).
Also, I noticed you never included a list of what Russia has lost, to contrast what you claim it has gained.
Let’s make a list of what Russia has lost. I’ll start
1. The right to participate in the Olympic Games, World Cup, etc.
They may not be able to participate in the Olympics or World Cup, but it looks like Russia is still starting 2023 with a world record attempt.
An epic Javelin hit not only destroyed a Russian T-90M but also caused the turret to fly full 7 seconds into the air. Could be contender of the newest world record. #Ukrainepic.twitter.com/PDc0d2KkSL
Yes, they have lost many men and a lot of equipment. But this setback may result in a stronger Russian military. It all depends, of course, on how the people in current and future leadership positions within Russia react.
Getting your ass kicked, gaining real world experience against western weapons systems, having massive holes in your own design, production, strategic and operational military affairs exposed MAY result in a large-scale increase in Russian military capabilities a few years down the road.
Many things are possible, but it's hard to see how current Russian leadership turns this around.
I've said from the beginning, and still believe, that the war is a distraction from the utter failure of leadership to capitalize on the economic hand they've been dealt including abundant resources and a well educated populace. The leadership is the top of a rotting kleptocracy just trying to hang on to power with little regard for the citizenry.
Western weapons systems, while they've been a problem, aren't "the problem". The initial Russian invasion fiasco was largely against Ukrainian defenders using Soviet era weapons systems.
Even if their were leadership that could turn the country around, they don't, by themselves have the economic power to build a formidable conventional military.
QFE
A completely rational overall take. Anyone who downvotes it has a sadly stunted view of world affairs.
You realize that Russia will be forced to pay reparations and restrict their military. Also, their military leaders and thousands of soldiers will be tried and convicted of war crimes. Russia will be neutered and surrounded by NATO nations.
So you think the best thing Russia has gained from this war is a severe ass kicking which might result in a better military in the future?
The squeeze has not been worth the juice for Russia.
Also, Putin has weakened Russia and will likely make Russia smaller. That will not put him on a short list of great Russian leaders. He will be more likely assassinated because of his reckless, failed invasion.
Geez, he clearly wasn’t doing a weighted analysis. He was throwing out one possible upside. And yes, in a bad situation (like this), of course the best silver lining could still be quite modest.
But on the off chance that Russia has the leadership and economy to enable some military lessons learned, it’s potentially a great point. If you’re a future US or NATO soldier facing a substantively improved Russian military, its of little or no consolation that the net overall effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was highly negative.
You realize that Russia will be forced to pay reparations and restrict their military. Also, their military leaders and thousands of soldiers will be tried and convicted of war crimes. Russia will be neutered and surrounded by NATO nations.
A whipped dog does not bark.
Wow, you give the world of international accountability a LOT of credit !!!
For example, I’ve heard that there are only a few members of this “UN Security Council” thingy. AND, I heard that one of the members is Russia. But nah, MUST have gotten that wrong. I’ll keep Googling…
