Global economic connectedness means that countries are as vulnerable to economic isolation as they are to physical attack. Energy dependencies, food supply dependencies, and so on may well move to center stage. It's worth recalling how nations react to economic isolation; as we learned from Japan's entry into the Second World War, when the economic threat becomes an existential threat, the reaction can be hard to contain.
occupying a country with a heavily armed citizenry is not something you want to do. Just ask any Russian old enough to have served in Afghanistan (and it’s even worse in an urban environment - think ambush and sniper everywhere)
@sn, I agree, stop him now. I have a feeling the Ukraine people won't go down easily. It's easy to go in and fuck shit up. It's a different story to take over successfully.
I wonder what makes those solders wanting to kill people just like they are, and were not a threat until they invaded, people are becoming mad dogs..
It's certainly clear that Putin WOULD invade one of the former Soviet Bloc countries if he could, particularly the small ones. That's why they were so eager to join NATO. Of course, I'm sure he already does do whatever he can to undermine them, by infiltrating their social media, ransomware, trying to influence elections, etc. Based on what he has said recently, I suspect he's insane and willing to use Nukes and blow up the world in order to reset it. In the chaos, death, and destruction afterwards, maybe he thinks Russia can come out ahead. So honestly, I'm not sure he won't pick a fight with NATO.
Honestly, I think we need to stop him NOW in UKRAINE. He needs to learn that he's not in charge of the world, that FREE people will fight to the death for that FREEDOM.
“ So far, the Russians have stopped short of borders of NATO countries. The question arises whether the West has decided that its defense of democracy and of self-determination end at NATO's borders.”
As of right now. It appears that the line has been drawn at NATO’s borders. This line very well may be tested in the weeks and months to come.
An attack on the infrastructures (natural gas, water, electric) of Ukraine may spill over into Poland. An attack one one NATO country is an attack on all of NATO.
Given the events in Ukraine, it seems time to move the conversation about the Russian invasion to its own thread.
Mr Putin repeatedly stated his intent to recapture Ukraine, and he has not acted on that intent. Since Ukraine did not join NATO, the response of the Western nations may be limited to economic sanctions. Meanwhile, China is trying to assign blame to the USA for Russia's actions.
So far, the Russians have stopped short of borders of NATO countries. The question arises whether the West has decided that its defense of democracy and of self-determination end at NATO's borders.
