We all understand MAGA is a cult.

[CC27]

Duncanpup
We all understand MAGA is a cult.

And they want to burn it all down yet they cannot comprehend.
That they live here as well and they will feel the same pain as us.
This morning over coffee i grieve for Ukraine and the death of N.A.T.O.
I fear now more than trumpigs last administration in that we will not have a bloodless transfer of power why because these people will not leave peacefully.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220089864

I wonder what Duncan idiot puts in that coffee of his..

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

If Russia can't conquer Ukraine, what threat does it pose to western Europe and the US?

[Old n Grumpy]

If Russia can't conquer Ukraine, what threat does it pose to western Europe and the US?

The Russians have nukes and I think if the Ukrainians were to start winning they might use them as a last resort.

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

The Russians have nukes and I think if the Ukrainians were to start winning they might use them as a last resort.

Only if Russians were to suddenly become suicidal or perceive some sort of existential threat. I don't see either of those scenarios. Maybe the latter if the US/NATO/EU joined the war and there was a general collapse of the front leaving Moscow exposed; but that would also be predicated on Russia assuming the US/NATO/EU actually wanted to drive past the 2022 borders...which I don't see. As for the former, Putin wants a proud, dominant Russia, not an ash heap. His supposed nuclear red lines have been crossed repeatedly. He doesn't want a nuclear war.

[SVPete]

This morning over coffee ...

Thunderbird makes coffee liqueur? Who knew?

[SVPete]

If Russia can't conquer Ukraine, what threat does it pose to western Europe and the US?

I went into more detail in the Shoutbox, but basically Ukraine has in three years set back Putin's plans for rebuilding Stalin's and the Czars' empire at least 10 or 20 years. Putin may not live that long, even if not defenestrated. Moldova and the Baltic countries were probably his next targets, but after those Poland was probably next on his target list.

Those clamoring for Ukraine to pay back what it has received are ignoring the service to Europe and the US that Ukraine has done by gutting the Russian military.

[SVPete]

Only if Russians were to suddenly become suicidal or perceive some sort of existential threat. ...

Simply looking at a map would easily show that Ukraine could not be an existential threat to Russia. And with Belarus being a Putin puppet, Ukraine could not be a suitable springboard for invasion were the US and EuroLand foolish enough to move even hundreds of thousands of NATO troops into Ukraine.

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

I went into more detail in the Shoutbox, but basically Ukraine has in three years set back Putin's plans for rebuilding Stalin's and the Czars' empire at least 10 or 20 years. Putin may not live that long, even if not defenestrated. Moldova and the Baltic countries were probably his next targets, but after those Poland was probably next on his target list.

My assumption as well.

Those clamoring for Ukraine to pay back what it has received are ignoring the service to Europe and the US that Ukraine has done by gutting the Russian military.

Unless something changes, we have a war with China in the next 1 to 5 years and/or a war with Iran within the next 1 to 2 years. Ukrainian mineral wealth won't be realized for at least a decade after the cessation of hostilities, but it would be nice to have to offset the costs of these impending conflicts.

[BannedFromDU]

My assumption as well.
Unless something changes, we have a war with China in the next 1 to 5 years and/or a war with Iran within the next 1 to 2 years. Ukrainian mineral wealth won't be realized for at least a decade after the cessation of hostilities, but it would be nice to have to offset the costs of these impending conflicts.

     Iran can be handled in a week if we don't seek a ground war. I don't think a war with China is coming anymore, mostly because I think the Chinese will seek a deal rather than conflict. Of course, I know nothing, so I could be full of shit. It just seems more Chinese to get (and then violate) a deal rather than actually fight.

[jukin]

Unless something changes, we have a war with China in the next 1 to 5 years and/or a war with Iran within the next 1 to 2 years. Ukrainian mineral wealth won't be realized for at least a decade after the cessation of hostilities, but it would be nice to have to offset the costs of these impending conflicts.

All the more reason to redeploy out of western europe to the SE Asia sphere. Besides the euros have this totally handled.

[Old n Grumpy]

  Iran can be handled in a week if we don't seek a ground war. I don't think a war with China is coming anymore, mostly because I think the Chinese will seek a deal rat

For Iran all we need to do is give Israel the munitions and let them turn the country back to a pre stone age desert

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

For Iran all we need to do is give Israel the munitions and let them turn the country back to a pre stone age desert

I'd like to see some strikes on regime security and propaganda assets. Not long. Maybe just a couple of weeks, but the Iranian people need an opening to take back their county.