My family was just discussing this over dinner. Apparently some think that this might spark off World War III, especially if the U.S. gets involved. I think there's a low risk of that, but it's possible (based on what I know).
The "Evil Empire" has returned. The one 80's flashback nobody wanted. :/
Where were you in '77?
I doubt it will spark WWIII and you know why. Because we will not get involved. It's too risky, and Putin knows that Obama won't stand up to him (though backing down might be the right course of action).
Hosting the Olympics, then invading a neighboring country. Sounds familiar...
Where were you in '77?
If the U.S. got involved, it would probably happen the way it did in the other WWs. It only entered the war after all the European nations were in it. But I doubt it will go as far as another World War.
Usually I'm more up to speed on the goings on in world politics, but for the past several months I've been negligent. Here I give my synopsis and analysis of the situation.
First, the Ukrainian protests against president Yanukovych have been going on for months with around 77 deaths and several injuries attributed to the president and law enforcement. The president is pro-Russian and has been courting Russian assistance and distancing himself from the European Union, which is what triggered the protests. Most ethnic Ukrainians favor ties with Europe and the West and further distance between Russia and Ukraine. But the Crimean Region, which is filled far more with ethnic Russians, leans closer to their neighbor and former big brother republic in the USSR.
President Yanukovych, having angered his people and parliament, was removed by procedures that are illegal under the current constitution (which he recently altered, making it illegal), but was voted out by every single member. Currently a new president has been installed, one who favors European assimilation.
The divisiveness of this situation is quite evident, and is demonstrated when a Ukrainian Black Sea vessel recently refused orders from Kiev and raised a Russian flag per the ex-president's orders.
As a result, there are two men claiming to be president, and the legitimacy of one or the other is in question. The people are split, and protests continue.
So Russia is invading Ukraine under a pretense of protecting the autonomy of the pro-Russian region, though there is little evidence that this is in any danger. During the Russian invasion of Georgia, I can see an argument for Russian intervention, though I ultimately side with Georgia, as the whole situation has arisen as part of Russia's forced implementation of a supposedly independent country. But here I see no justification. Russia claims to be preserving autonomy, but the timing of such intervention is very questionable. With the departure of the last president and the popular support of ethnic Russians, I see Putin as attempting to guarantee a pro-Russian government, either reinstating Yanukovych or at a minimum, removing new president Turchynov, all under the auspices of protecting Russian brothers. I believe that the eastern Ukrainians would enjoy an independent nation, but I think Russia would much rather have the whole country under a loyal government. If they can at least intimidate the current government into resuming loyalty to the Kremlin, they will do so, again justifying their actions and trusting that such justification will create enough hesitation in Western powers not to interfere. And honestly, Russia scares me. I don't know that we should interfere. I'm kinda glad Ukraine is not a member of NATO.
besides, there is still the conisderation of mutually assured destruction. There are still plenty of nukes around the world.
I can't help thinking back to this moment of the debate between Romney and Obama.
Especially when I read something like this. I do think it silly that threaten consequences since we will end up doing little to nothing. But maybe that is why we're talking so big, since that's all we will be able to do. There won't be any war with Russia. If Russia asserts itself in Ukraine, the West will let it.
The blue elephant in the room.
^Truth. I had the exact same thought with regards to the debates. That article seems to come to similar conclusions as I do (though better informed and more thorough, for sure). Thanks for the link. I am convinced we will do nothing. In the end this crisis will blwo over with a Ukraine more firmly in line with the Kremlin's wishes: Putin yells, "Jump," whatever Ukrainian government says, "How high?" The protests will end when the new president is elected in May, and whichever way he claims to lean, he will always have a soft spot for Moscow, whether genuine or out of fear.
Mrebo said:
I can't help thinking back to this moment of the debate between Romney and Obama.
yeah, that now reflects bad on Obama, and very good on Romney.
What about spliting Ukraine into two countries? One for the Enthic Russians and one for the people that prefer ties with the west?
Or merging the East with Russia and leaving the rest as its own separate country. I wonder if that's what will end up happening.
That wasn't some keen insight on Mitt's part. Keeping the Cold War on life support helped justify spending huge amounts of money on stuff we didn't need anymore. I saw a story recently on how the Army has more tanks than it needs, and more are being cranked out to keep a factory open. (That way the politicians can crow they saved jobs.) Not to mention surplus aircraft that go from the factory straight to the boneyard.
Deep down, some politicians are grinning like a cheshire cat at all of this. Nobody will question defense budgets, or talk cutbacks for a long time. Because, the Russkies are back! ;)
Where were you in '77?
perhaps it was done for the wrong reasons, but with how Russia is actting right now I don't it wise to cut our military.
SilverWook said:
That wasn't some keen insight on Mitt's part. Keeping the Cold War on life support helped justify spending huge amounts of money on stuff we didn't need anymore. I saw a story recently on how the Army has more tanks than it needs, and more are being cranked out to keep a factory open. (That way the politicians can crow they saved jobs.) Not to mention surplus aircraft that go from the factory straight to the boneyard.
Deep down, some politicians are grinning like a cheshire cat at all of this. Nobody will question defense budgets, or talk cutbacks for a long time. Because, the Russkies are back! ;)
I completely agree it wasn't a terribly keen insight. It really should not have been a controversial statement at all...
Yet as you say about the legacy of military spending, it's about maintaining the jobs and political clout - not so much the Cold War!
Republicans historically have been reliably pro-military spending but were overtaken by crazy budget-cutting Tea Partiers who cheered sequestration (which Republicans were supposed to oppose because it cuts military spending). And the Defense Secretary is all in favor of cutting military spending too.
There are the politicians and defense contractors who will use any threat to push for additional military spending but there is no need for an arms race since Russia doesn't have the ability to engage in one.
The blue elephant in the room.
I love this building, I just applied to work there, the students love it, their degree work is probably destroyed.
Lets just hope this :
can be restored.
^ Yes, very sad to hear that on the news today.
As somebody who has studied Art & Design, I can imagine the huge amount of work those students must have had stored in the building. Whole years of their life and work gone forever, as they stood outside and watched. There could have been the early paintings of the next Picasso in there!... and now we'll never see it, not to mention the building itself.
I hope some of it can be salvaged.
VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.
I really feel weird about this.
Its the first place I take people to when they visit the city so it's kind of like in one of those disaster movies where the Eiffel Tower or Grand Central Station gets wrecked for me.
I feel like I've lost an old friend.
However it now seems that friend may be recoverable (with a few scars).
^ 90%? That sounds hopeful :-)
VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.
There was a super convoy attempted recently.
Dustin Hoffman too.
Where were you in '77?
I expected there to be something about Christmas in here.
I expected there to be something about Christmas in here.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-bad-moms-christmas-review-20171101-story.html
Orange chicken is 30 years old today!
Trump sure is weathered for a thirty-year-old.