NATO wouldn't exist without a violent, aggressive, imperial Russia. Do yourselves a favor and listen to Russia. Marching onward to Vilnius, Warsaw, and Berlin is taken for granted in Russia.

Russia is a backwater. Vulgar emperors and oligarchs. Illiterate serfs and peasants. It could have been Norway. They chose the Middle Ages instead. It's a pathetic country in 2023. Russia is effectively the antithesis of the Enlightenment and everything that is good and decent about the West. And it needs to be resisted.

Russia made a terrible mistake invading Ukraine. Ukrainians fought back hard. Those early months were heroic. But it also gave NATO and the rest of the world an opportunity to really wreck Russia. And to their credit, they were all in - the US, France, Germany, UK, Scandinavia, Canada, Holland, the Baltics. Even Australia.

That invasion was a gift.

I don't know if Ukraine is going to get back all of Donbas and Crimea. Think Crimea is easier. But what I do know is that Ukrainians stood on the fault line with Russia. And with Western support, they fought hard, preserved their country, and allowed the rest of Europe to enjoy their democracies and their freedoms. We owe Ukrainians a lot.

Russia is no longer a threat to anyone. They've lost more than half of their military capabilities in the past 18 months. Hundred of thousand of casualties. They are destroyed as a society for generations. No one in Poland or Germany is worried about Russia anymore.

Maybe Ukraine doesn't get everything back. But overall, it's been a wonderful thing for Civilization. And I hope Ukraine is fast tracked into NATO and the EU.

NATO has never had to fight in Europe. I believe that's a Victory in itself.

But let's pull on that thread a bit.

Russia claims it has 350K more troops coming online. However, it's force structure, force posture, elite units, are all broken toys. Even though places like Albania and Kosovo are potential targets, I don't think Russia would be able to actively support a second-front war, since it would distract them from Ukraine (let alone forever-war or war against NATO).

https://www.yahoo.com/news/unusual-military-build-southern-europe-202344757.html

Russia knows NATO is a defensive alliance so protects it's members. So what does Russia need to worry about?

China is in a delicate phase. It's rebounding from covid. There have been many internal shake-ups involving senior officials and military officers. China has also always had a less-than-love-fest relationship with Russia. There are tensions in who controls Kazakstan and Turkmenistan make it clear the Chinese influence is preferable. The Putin-as-a-crab (weak) meme was likely of chinese-inspiration. If they really loved Putin, they would've openly declared their love and sponsored Putin. But they didn't.

I don't think China has yet developed sufficient 'strategic lift' or 'strategic deployment' capability to really 'invade' anyone except Taiwan or someone relatively close to their borders. I think it's far more likely that, over time, the CCP will exert their cultural influence in the Far East on breakaway portions of Russian territories. On the surface, everything will look like Russia's still in charge. However, now that Russia has declared their intent to "rebuild" the Russian Empire, this represents a threat to China and both countries know it.

That leaves nukes. Russia has nukes.

Solovyov made an interesting comment the other day that Russia would be the most powerful army in the world if there was a war with the West (which wouldn't be true, it would be China). But why was Solovyov so confident? I think it's because if there ever was a nuclear exchange with "the west" it would include China. That would make sense since Russia has way too many oversized MIRV nukes (which aren't as strategically useful against the United States, since we're so geographically dispersed). However they would be a perfect configuration for the clustered population centers in China (as would the Poseidon).

Russia is fully aware that if there was a nuclear exchange with the "west" that China would be the ruling global power. China's hardliners also consider Putin relatively weak (with the exception of their nuclear weapons) but Russia has buffered any Chinese expansionist goals westward.

NATO is the least of Russia's worries, IMHO. But who knows, maybe NATO will be involved in Kosovo again?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NATO is the most successful alliance in history and the bedrock of international peace and security. This is why Ukraine was chosen to be in NATO.

Those seeking to undermine NATO = Putin + MAGA

Putin = MAGA

NATO hasn't promoted peace outside of its borders. It's actually quite the opposite. And for very significant chunks of the world, NATO is either a danger or a non-entity. Only in DCUM is the "world" limited to "NATO members".

Wow. You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, or are completely misled and wrapped up in some weird Russian propaganda or disinfo.

Here's why: You've managed to completely miss the whole point of NATO. It doesn't exist to promote peace outside of its borders. It exists to promote peace WITHIN its borders by discouraging invasion - such as what Russia is currently doing to Ukraine. That is literally what it was designed to do. If one member state is attacked, all join to defend it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While our trolls talk about imaginings of "tapping out" Ukraine continues to advance, destroy Russian equipment, and reclaim their land from the Russian invaders.

Ignore the Russian trolls. Putin’s bloodthirsty invasion of Ukraine will never be accepted by Freedom loving people of the world. Ukraine is fighting for our values.

Slava Ukraine! Slava Biden! Slava Freedom!

Naaah. Ukraine is justly fighting to repel an invasion. NATO and European nations are quite capable of fighting for themselves, thank you very much. If it was as you said, no one would rely on Ukraine to defend them. They would do it themselves and it would be over in an instant.

You would make Neville Chamberlain proud. “Peace in our time” yes?

Do you think Putin will stop at Ukraine? Emboldened by MAGA and MAGA-adjacent allies in Europe, Putin is seeking to recreate the Russian Empire.

Ever hear of the Domino Effect?

Ukraine is the tip of the spear defending Democracy from tyranny.

Putin isn’t going to war with NATO. Stop the fear mongering.
We once used the phrase domino effect. Bit us in the ass.
Ukraine is the tip of its own spear, as it should be. They’ve done an admirable job too. But no one is trusting their security to Ukraine, otherwise we’d already be at war.
Your hyperbole is way over the top.

In point of fact, the immediate demand before attacking Ukraine was that NATO retreat from Eastern European countries and permanently block Ukraine from joining NATO. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/26/us/politics/russia-demands-us-ukraine.html

Yes this is 100% about NATO

Ridiculous. NATO was already existing on Russia's border (Norway, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, bordering Russia and Kaliningrad). And Russia annexing Ukraine would have placed even more existing NATO nations (Romania, Hungary, Slovakia) on its border. It was a bogus argument by Russia. And since when does Russia have the right to make demands of more than a half dozen sovereign nations as to who they may or may not align with? And the fact that their outrageous, illegal demand turned to military action only PROVES the need for NATO to exist. And finally, the greatest irony is that Russia's actions drove two ADDITIONAL nations (Sweden and Finland - which also borders Russia) to join NATO.



NATO wasn't threatening Russia. Russia is who made it about NATO.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NATO is the most successful alliance in history and the bedrock of international peace and security. This is why Ukraine was chosen to be in NATO.

Those seeking to undermine NATO = Putin + MAGA

Putin = MAGA

NATO hasn't promoted peace outside of its borders. It's actually quite the opposite. And for very significant chunks of the world, NATO is either a danger or a non-entity. Only in DCUM is the "world" limited to "NATO members".

NATO is finished. You should be very happy.

What happens when Ukraine is cleansed of people because of the republicans abandoning the fight? Which country will Russia take next?

Anonymous wrote:NATO is the most successful alliance in history and the bedrock of international peace and security. This is why Ukraine was chosen to be in NATO.

Those seeking to undermine NATO = Putin + MAGA

Putin = MAGA

NATO hasn't promoted peace outside of its borders. It's actually quite the opposite. And for very significant chunks of the world, NATO is either a danger or a non-entity. Only in DCUM is the "world" limited to "NATO members".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While our trolls talk about imaginings of "tapping out" Ukraine continues to advance, destroy Russian equipment, and reclaim their land from the Russian invaders.

Ignore the Russian trolls. Putin’s bloodthirsty invasion of Ukraine will never be accepted by Freedom loving people of the world. Ukraine is fighting for our values.

Slava Ukraine! Slava Biden! Slava Freedom!

Naaah. Ukraine is justly fighting to repel an invasion. NATO and European nations are quite capable of fighting for themselves, thank you very much. If it was as you said, no one would rely on Ukraine to defend them. They would do it themselves and it would be over in an instant.

You would make Neville Chamberlain proud. “Peace in our time” yes?

Do you think Putin will stop at Ukraine? Emboldened by MAGA and MAGA-adjacent allies in Europe, Putin is seeking to recreate the Russian Empire.

Ever hear of the Domino Effect?

Ukraine is the tip of the spear defending Democracy from tyranny.

Putin isn’t going to war with NATO. Stop the fear mongering.
We once used the phrase domino effect. Bit us in the ass.
Ukraine is the tip of its own spear, as it should be. They’ve done an admirable job too. But no one is trusting their security to Ukraine, otherwise we’d already be at war.
Your hyperbole is way over the top.

In point of fact, the immediate demand before attacking Ukraine was that NATO retreat from Eastern European countries and permanently block Ukraine from joining NATO. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/26/us/politics/russia-demands-us-ukraine.html

Yes this is 100% about NATO

Perhaps you should ask if NATO is actually beneficial at this point. If the whole purpose of NATO is to oppose Russia, and NATO expands to Russia's borders, then we create a recipe for conflict. NATO's existence after the end of the Cold War has been a mistake.

The worst part is that NATO is fundamentally unfit for fighting Russia. Too many decades playing in the desert and shipping off its industrial base will do that. NATO is careening towards a conflict that could end the American Empire and NATO in one collosal blunder.

NATO exists to collectively defend its members. It’s done this well. There’s no reason to question the organization because it refuses to involve itself in a war outside of its treaty requirements.

I struggle to think of an example when NATO has collectively defended its member. Not a fake threat across the ocean for its own political gains, but an actual threat to its member.

Okay. The best defense is one where you never have to use it. But continue being anti-NATO if you wish. NATO isn’t going anywhere and I guarantee you every NATO country sleeps safe and secure at night.

I'm neither pro nor anti-NATO, I'm simply pointing out that NATO's commitment to defend its members has never yet been tested in real life. You may choose to believe that it's a sign of effective deterrence or happenstance, that's up to you. The only facts in front of us is that NATO's never had to defend its members yet.

Yes, a significant % of US population believes that Russia = Trump.

NATO is the most successful alliance in history and the bedrock of international peace and security. This is why Ukraine was chosen to be in NATO.

Those seeking to undermine NATO = Putin + MAGA

Putin = MAGA

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While our trolls talk about imaginings of "tapping out" Ukraine continues to advance, destroy Russian equipment, and reclaim their land from the Russian invaders.

Ignore the Russian trolls. Putin’s bloodthirsty invasion of Ukraine will never be accepted by Freedom loving people of the world. Ukraine is fighting for our values.

Slava Ukraine! Slava Biden! Slava Freedom!

Naaah. Ukraine is justly fighting to repel an invasion. NATO and European nations are quite capable of fighting for themselves, thank you very much. If it was as you said, no one would rely on Ukraine to defend them. They would do it themselves and it would be over in an instant.

You would make Neville Chamberlain proud. “Peace in our time” yes?

Do you think Putin will stop at Ukraine? Emboldened by MAGA and MAGA-adjacent allies in Europe, Putin is seeking to recreate the Russian Empire.

Ever hear of the Domino Effect?

Ukraine is the tip of the spear defending Democracy from tyranny.

Putin isn’t going to war with NATO. Stop the fear mongering.
We once used the phrase domino effect. Bit us in the ass.
Ukraine is the tip of its own spear, as it should be. They’ve done an admirable job too. But no one is trusting their security to Ukraine, otherwise we’d already be at war.
Your hyperbole is way over the top.

In point of fact, the immediate demand before attacking Ukraine was that NATO retreat from Eastern European countries and permanently block Ukraine from joining NATO. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/26/us/politics/russia-demands-us-ukraine.html

Yes this is 100% about NATO

Perhaps you should ask if NATO is actually beneficial at this point. If the whole purpose of NATO is to oppose Russia, and NATO expands to Russia's borders, then we create a recipe for conflict. NATO's existence after the end of the Cold War has been a mistake.

The worst part is that NATO is fundamentally unfit for fighting Russia. Too many decades playing in the desert and shipping off its industrial base will do that. NATO is careening towards a conflict that could end the American Empire and NATO in one collosal blunder.

NATO exists to collectively defend its members. It’s done this well. There’s no reason to question the organization because it refuses to involve itself in a war outside of its treaty requirements.

I struggle to think of an example when NATO has collectively defended its member. Not a fake threat across the ocean for its own political gains, but an actual threat to its member.

They haven't had to. That is the whole point.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While our trolls talk about imaginings of "tapping out" Ukraine continues to advance, destroy Russian equipment, and reclaim their land from the Russian invaders.

Ignore the Russian trolls. Putin’s bloodthirsty invasion of Ukraine will never be accepted by Freedom loving people of the world. Ukraine is fighting for our values.

Slava Ukraine! Slava Biden! Slava Freedom!

Naaah. Ukraine is justly fighting to repel an invasion. NATO and European nations are quite capable of fighting for themselves, thank you very much. If it was as you said, no one would rely on Ukraine to defend them. They would do it themselves and it would be over in an instant.

You would make Neville Chamberlain proud. “Peace in our time” yes?

Do you think Putin will stop at Ukraine? Emboldened by MAGA and MAGA-adjacent allies in Europe, Putin is seeking to recreate the Russian Empire.

Ever hear of the Domino Effect?

Ukraine is the tip of the spear defending Democracy from tyranny.

Putin isn’t going to war with NATO. Stop the fear mongering.
We once used the phrase domino effect. Bit us in the ass.
Ukraine is the tip of its own spear, as it should be. They’ve done an admirable job too. But no one is trusting their security to Ukraine, otherwise we’d already be at war.
Your hyperbole is way over the top.

In point of fact, the immediate demand before attacking Ukraine was that NATO retreat from Eastern European countries and permanently block Ukraine from joining NATO. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/26/us/politics/russia-demands-us-ukraine.html

Yes this is 100% about NATO

Perhaps you should ask if NATO is actually beneficial at this point. If the whole purpose of NATO is to oppose Russia, and NATO expands to Russia's borders, then we create a recipe for conflict. NATO's existence after the end of the Cold War has been a mistake.

The worst part is that NATO is fundamentally unfit for fighting Russia. Too many decades playing in the desert and shipping off its industrial base will do that. NATO is careening towards a conflict that could end the American Empire and NATO in one collosal blunder.

NATO exists to collectively defend its members. It’s done this well. There’s no reason to question the organization because it refuses to involve itself in a war outside of its treaty requirements.

I struggle to think of an example when NATO has collectively defended its member. Not a fake threat across the ocean for its own political gains, but an actual threat to its member.

Okay. The best defense is one where you never have to use it. But continue being anti-NATO if you wish. NATO isn’t going anywhere and I guarantee you every NATO country sleeps safe and secure at night.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While our trolls talk about imaginings of "tapping out" Ukraine continues to advance, destroy Russian equipment, and reclaim their land from the Russian invaders.

Ignore the Russian trolls. Putin’s bloodthirsty invasion of Ukraine will never be accepted by Freedom loving people of the world. Ukraine is fighting for our values.

Slava Ukraine! Slava Biden! Slava Freedom!

Naaah. Ukraine is justly fighting to repel an invasion. NATO and European nations are quite capable of fighting for themselves, thank you very much. If it was as you said, no one would rely on Ukraine to defend them. They would do it themselves and it would be over in an instant.

You would make Neville Chamberlain proud. “Peace in our time” yes?

Do you think Putin will stop at Ukraine? Emboldened by MAGA and MAGA-adjacent allies in Europe, Putin is seeking to recreate the Russian Empire.

Ever hear of the Domino Effect?

Ukraine is the tip of the spear defending Democracy from tyranny.

Putin isn’t going to war with NATO. Stop the fear mongering.
We once used the phrase domino effect. Bit us in the ass.
Ukraine is the tip of its own spear, as it should be. They’ve done an admirable job too. But no one is trusting their security to Ukraine, otherwise we’d already be at war.
Your hyperbole is way over the top.

In point of fact, the immediate demand before attacking Ukraine was that NATO retreat from Eastern European countries and permanently block Ukraine from joining NATO. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/26/us/politics/russia-demands-us-ukraine.html

Yes this is 100% about NATO

Perhaps you should ask if NATO is actually beneficial at this point. If the whole purpose of NATO is to oppose Russia, and NATO expands to Russia's borders, then we create a recipe for conflict. NATO's existence after the end of the Cold War has been a mistake.

The worst part is that NATO is fundamentally unfit for fighting Russia. Too many decades playing in the desert and shipping off its industrial base will do that. NATO is careening towards a conflict that could end the American Empire and NATO in one collosal blunder.

NATO exists to collectively defend its members. It’s done this well. There’s no reason to question the organization because it refuses to involve itself in a war outside of its treaty requirements.

I struggle to think of an example when NATO has collectively defended its member. Not a fake threat across the ocean for its own political gains, but an actual threat to its member.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While our trolls talk about imaginings of "tapping out" Ukraine continues to advance, destroy Russian equipment, and reclaim their land from the Russian invaders.

Ignore the Russian trolls. Putin’s bloodthirsty invasion of Ukraine will never be accepted by Freedom loving people of the world. Ukraine is fighting for our values.

Slava Ukraine! Slava Biden! Slava Freedom!

Naaah. Ukraine is justly fighting to repel an invasion. NATO and European nations are quite capable of fighting for themselves, thank you very much. If it was as you said, no one would rely on Ukraine to defend them. They would do it themselves and it would be over in an instant.

You would make Neville Chamberlain proud. “Peace in our time” yes?

Do you think Putin will stop at Ukraine? Emboldened by MAGA and MAGA-adjacent allies in Europe, Putin is seeking to recreate the Russian Empire.

Ever hear of the Domino Effect?

Ukraine is the tip of the spear defending Democracy from tyranny.

Putin isn’t going to war with NATO. Stop the fear mongering.
We once used the phrase domino effect. Bit us in the ass.
Ukraine is the tip of its own spear, as it should be. They’ve done an admirable job too. But no one is trusting their security to Ukraine, otherwise we’d already be at war.
Your hyperbole is way over the top.

In point of fact, the immediate demand before attacking Ukraine was that NATO retreat from Eastern European countries and permanently block Ukraine from joining NATO. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/26/us/politics/russia-demands-us-ukraine.html

Yes this is 100% about NATO

Perhaps you should ask if NATO is actually beneficial at this point. If the whole purpose of NATO is to oppose Russia, and NATO expands to Russia's borders, then we create a recipe for conflict. NATO's existence after the end of the Cold War has been a mistake.

The worst part is that NATO is fundamentally unfit for fighting Russia. Too many decades playing in the desert and shipping off its industrial base will do that. NATO is careening towards a conflict that could end the American Empire and NATO in one collosal blunder.

NATO exists to collectively defend its members. It’s done this well. There’s no reason to question the organization because it refuses to involve itself in a war outside of its treaty requirements.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While our trolls talk about imaginings of "tapping out" Ukraine continues to advance, destroy Russian equipment, and reclaim their land from the Russian invaders.

Ignore the Russian trolls. Putin’s bloodthirsty invasion of Ukraine will never be accepted by Freedom loving people of the world. Ukraine is fighting for our values.

Slava Ukraine! Slava Biden! Slava Freedom!

Naaah. Ukraine is justly fighting to repel an invasion. NATO and European nations are quite capable of fighting for themselves, thank you very much. If it was as you said, no one would rely on Ukraine to defend them. They would do it themselves and it would be over in an instant.

You would make Neville Chamberlain proud. “Peace in our time” yes?

Do you think Putin will stop at Ukraine? Emboldened by MAGA and MAGA-adjacent allies in Europe, Putin is seeking to recreate the Russian Empire.

Ever hear of the Domino Effect?

Ukraine is the tip of the spear defending Democracy from tyranny.

Putin isn’t going to war with NATO. Stop the fear mongering.
We once used the phrase domino effect. Bit us in the ass.
Ukraine is the tip of its own spear, as it should be. They’ve done an admirable job too. But no one is trusting their security to Ukraine, otherwise we’d already be at war.
Your hyperbole is way over the top.

In point of fact, the immediate demand before attacking Ukraine was that NATO retreat from Eastern European countries and permanently block Ukraine from joining NATO. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/26/us/politics/russia-demands-us-ukraine.html

Yes this is 100% about NATO

Perhaps you should ask if NATO is actually beneficial at this point. If the whole purpose of NATO is to oppose Russia, and NATO expands to Russia's borders, then we create a recipe for conflict. NATO's existence after the end of the Cold War has been a mistake.

The worst part is that NATO is fundamentally unfit for fighting Russia. Too many decades playing in the desert and shipping off its industrial base will do that. NATO is careening towards a conflict that could end the American Empire and NATO in one collosal blunder.