For a brief moment, Ukraine was beacon of freedom. Now, it is clear that for all our talk, no one in the West really thought they could beat Russia. Worse, it is clear that many never wanted them to.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing " - Edmund Burke
I expect nothing less from our PM, he's mostly all mouth, no substance. Besides, after decades of neglect our cupboard is pretty much empty.
Macron is a surrender monkey, so no surprise there either, nor with the Germans. They'll squeal like pigs though when/if Russia comes for them .
I'm disgusted at others too. India for kissing up to Pudolphs backside, for a start.
This article is so very true and depressing to contemplate. Thank God my dad, uncles and their generation had the balls to step up and stop evil 80 years ago. They must be rolling in the grave.
My goodness yes there was. It was going to be Canada's century and it was looking that way. Then we gave up for comfort and risk aversion, dressed up as equality (in mediocrity, IMHO) and social justice. Let the immigrants build up this country I suppose.
We used to punch way above our weight and were indeed leaders. Now, we're lost in a brain fog of some type. I think to all those Canadians who were demonstrating what was the right thing to do 78 years ago this very day.
The PM leads an organization tasked with a defined set of responsibilities within a defined terriotory. Government should never be seen as a defender of a culture, language or ethnicity.
Journos do this weird conflation of "journalistic interest" with "actual commitment". I don't believe the actual flows of either money or weapons have slackened yet. I don't think Andrew can point to any reduction in actual, material, measurable support. Joe Biden's personal age has no effect on his political powers, and nearly the ONLY area of politics where he and Boris can immediately get money and support from their legislatures, is Ukraine support.
Boris' one light in the darkness right now is talking Ukraine, his one Good Deed that even opponents will shut up for and even link arms.
The shocking thing about the 'perfidy' of central Europe is that it is population-deep, not just Macron; I'd expected big public marches and movements for "turn down the thermostat, and don't drive, don't fly" as patriotic campaigns, sustained by TV ads. Like WW2 and "don't travel, save all your metal" campaigns were.
The equivalent on this continent, of course, are all the right-wing pols and people that happily blame war inflation of energy costs on some mysterious, unexplained mismanagement by their opponents. Every right-winger that endlessly harps on "gas prices" and inflation in general, is helping weaken our resolve and empower Putin. They aren't just putting party over country, they're putting party over Democracy. (In the States, of course, that's not new; it's Canada that disappoints.)
The final long-scream about how we secretly hate Ukraine is over-the-top, of course. Fine article at The Atlantic about how we were much, much more cowardly when we first supported Hungary in 1956, then backed off completely when Russia moved in. We were just much, much more scared of nuclear war in 1956. Now we know that Russia is very scared of it, too, we are pushing the envelope much harder than in 1956. But, at the end of the day, World War 1 happened because defense of small nations dragged large nations into conflict with each other, and, well, Never Again. We know that Putin is more than a little crazy, and exactly how hard we should push him is not a judgement call I envy.
I voted for JT in 2015. I believed. I understood that the parties couldn't come together on voting reform....their need for the power of majorities overwhelmed their duty to the voters, and have moved on. SNC was unforgivable. He tried to break the law. JWR stopped him. JT changed his story multiple times, lying through his teeth as he did it. For me, that destroyed his brand and his credibility. The hearing that followed SNC was an utter disgrace in terms of transparency. He shut everything down to cover himself. At that point, I was done with him, and will not vote for him again.
My observation ( and it may well be that's when I started paying attention) is that with Chretien the PMO started running the government far more than the elected government was. Harper made it worse, and near as I can tell, Katie Telford is the real deputy PM. Trudeau has an impossible job....and terrible judgement. Tofino on the first Indigenous People's day; WE, gun control, the military, but at least he got most of COVID right. The more I read about the Emergencies Act, the less justified it seems to be, but was in fact, just an inept police response. But with another enquiry, he is doing everything in his power to not be transparent, or what I consider democratic.
The PM's job these days is impossible. The debt is out of control, businesses blackmail the gov't under threat of departure. he's supposed to know 1 million things and be able to comment on them. Again, it's impossible. But he's also supposed to have a vision for the country. There is supposed to be a plan. Near as I can tell, the only focus of this government( and most others) is how to win the next election and cling to power. So with Trudeau, I'm more disappointed than I was with harper because I believed him. I believed government would be different; would have some actual transparency. What I got was the Gerry and Katie show, and some terrible judgement.
I'm sorry to say there will be no insults. I respect your opinion far too much for that and find that I generally agree with most opinions you have. Matt also asked to be civil, but I'm not holding my tongue here at all. That we don't agree on Trudeau won't be the end of the world. I long for a leader; there aren't any currently, and Pierre would be a step backwards, but Canada needs leadership. It is massively complicated, and huge, but it needs a vision of who we are and where we're going. I think the anger that is out there is because so many people want the same thing and aren't getting it. Sorry for being long -winded....I'm working on that too. Cheers
I think World War 2 happened because the victors in World War 1 were far too stupid in their surrender punishments putting Germany in a position where a psychopath who gave them hope became the best option. World War 2 is the only war in history that really needed to be fought.
No, Ukraine was never a beacon of freedom. Zelensky ran on a platform in 2015 to seek peace in the Donbass, winning with over 70% of the votes. The fascist elements within the army and ukrainian society undermined (he was threaten to be killed if he did so) his efforts. Instead the Russian language was banned, and the eastern provinces began to be bombed. NATO's intention was never that Ukraine could win this war but to engage Russia in a war. It was absurd to pretend that Ukraine could defend against the huge Russian army. The motto was "we'll fight Russia until the last Ukrainian". That has not changed. And as far as from 2014 on, there were many reports in western media of the influence of pro nazi and fascist groups within the country. And overnight, Ukraine transformed itself into a "beacon of freedom"?
Give me a break!
Profile: Ukraine's ultra-nationalist Right Sector - Apr 28 2014 - BBC
The Neo-Nazi Question in Ukraine - May 11 2014 - Huffpost
Fascism returns to the continent it once destroyed - May 12 2014 - TNR
Ukraine conflict: 'White power' warrior from Sweden - Jul 16 2014 - BBC
Preparing for War With Ukraine’s Fascist Defenders of Freedom - Aug 30 2014 - Foreign Policy
German TV Shows Nazi Symbols on Helmets of Ukraine Soldiers - Sep 9 2014 - NBCnews
Azov fighters are Ukraine's greatest weapon and may be its greatest threat - Sep 10 2014 - Guardian
Volunteer Ukrainian unit includes Nazis - Mar 10 2015 - USA Today
US House Admits Nazi Role in Ukraine - Jun 14 2015 - Consortium News
Why Ukraine’s New Ultranationalist Party Will Not Last - Oct 19 2016 - Atlantic Council
Ukraine's Hyper-Nationalist Military Summer Camp for Kids | NBC Left Field (vid) - Jul 13 2017 - NBCnews
The reality of neo-Nazis in Ukraine is far from Kremlin propaganda - Nov 9 2017 - The Hill
The US is Arming and Assisting Neo-Nazis in Ukraine, While Congress Debates Prohibition - Jan 18 2018 - The RealNews Network
In Ukraine, Ultranationalist Militia Strikes Fear In Some Quarters - Jan 30 2018 - RFERL
Commentary: Ukraine’s neo-Nazi problem - Mar 19 2018 - Reuters
America’s Collusion With Neo-Nazis - May 2 2018 - The Nation
Ukraine’s Got a Real Problem with Far-Right Violence (And No, RT Didn’t Write This Headline) - Jun 20 2018 - Atlantic Council
Ukraine, Anti-Semitism, Racism, and the Far Right - Oct 16 2018 - Atlantic Council
Azov, Ukraine's Most Prominent Ultranationalist Group, Sets Its Sights On U.S., Europe - Nov 14 2018 - RFERL
Neo-Nazis and the Far Right Are On the March in Ukraine - Feb 22 2019 - The Nation
Ultranationalism in Ukraine – a photo essay - Apr 11 2019 - Guardian
There’s One Far-Right Movement That Hates the Kremlin - Apr 17 2019 - Foreign Policy
Is America Training Neonazis in Ukraine? - Dec 8 2019 - DailyBeast
The Azov Regiment has not depoliticized - Mar 19 2020 - Atlantic Council
Like, Share, Recruit: How a White-Supremacist Militia Uses Facebook to Radicalize and Train New Members - Jan 7 2021 - Time
Profile: Who are Ukraine’s far-right Azov regiment? - Mar 1 2022 - Aljazeerah
How Ukraine’s Jewish president Zelensky made peace with neo-Nazi paramilitaries on front lines of war with Russia - Mar 4 2022 - Grayzone
Ukraine's Nazi problem is real, even if Putin's 'denazification' claim isn't - Mar 6 2022 - NBCnews
Right-wing Azov Battalion emerges as a controversial defender of Ukraine - Apr 6 2022 - Washington Post
Your evaluation of the military situation could be right, although it's contrary to what I'm reading elsewhere, ie that some long range artillery has been received and that early stages of a Ukrainian counteroffensive are evident now. The facts on the ground will settle this. The rest of this article I find a bit baffling: Who are these Western leaders who simultaneously desire the humiliation of Russia and its military but also feel threatened by or hostile to the idea of an independent Ukraine? If such people exists, what is their unspoken rationale? Losing interest is one (very human) thing. Actively wishing for the failure of the Ukrainian cause is another. Not sure how you're going from one to the other.
The frustration in this, as in so many things Canadian, is the inability to do anything remotely constructive (or, in the case of Russia and Russians... destructive.)
On a military level, interesting to watch the war progress. Russia stumbles at the beginning, but is now reverting to old-school artillery. Tens (hundreds?) of thousands of shells per day. Talk about your logistics. Russia started out with dodgy tires on their vehicles, yet they also have hypersonic missiles. We send Ukraine the very promising Javelin missiles, and they burn through a year's worth of production in a few weeks, and I'm told their effectiveness (old batteries, etc.) has been shall we say, mixed. This isn't a war against goat herders with AKs and RPGs. This is army with satellites, standoff weapons, helicopters, jets, subs, missiles. I'm told the Pentagon is the moderate voice in the halls of power these days; THAT is something.
On a financial/economic level, holy shit the west has no clue. Energy is EVERYTHING, and Russia has the EU by the throat. Quite a beta test of green policies. Talk about your "Great Reset". We'll see if they freeze in the dark come next fall. The only reset has been to globalization and the dominance of the US dollar. Sanctions, shmanctions, the ruble is as good as can be.
On a political level, it's been an eye opener. Poorest country in Europe is the biggest donor to the Clinton foundation? Hmmm. Nothing-to-see-hear on the Azovs? Hmmm. Propaganda? Hmmm, this has been quite a case study in modern propaganda. The worst is this war didn't have to happen. The leaders in charge are corrupt and naive and stupid and evil.
Same comment. Hope you are dead wrong but suspect that with current “woke” state of the western part of the “West” you are likely correct. The woke folks see this war as a sideshow in the larger changes that must be visited upon western society. I feel for Ukraine and all the other Eastern European nations who know what Putin is and what he could do to them as well.
Isn't humiliating Russia one of the primary objectives? Obviously, the over-riding goal is a Russian withdrawl with as few civilian casualities as possible.
A humiliation would send the right messages to other other authoritarian, nationalist, kelptocratic and expansionist governments:
-authoritarianism discourages transparency. The military capabilities of authoritarian regimes may be less than that they appear to be due to military coommanders failing to disclose troop deficiences and looting of equipment
-governments rule over geographies, not cultures. Putin has no authority or obligation to protect the alleged interests of Russian speakers or ethnic Russians outsides the borders of Russia. Ukranians did not welcome Russian forces despite cultural ties, much as Taiwanese would be unlikely to welcome Chinese advances
-Putin is one of the world's wealthiest individuals. The invasion is at least paritally motivated by Eastern Ukraine's natural gas reserves. Dedicating wealth seized from Putin and his oligarchs to rebuilding Ukriane will make other kleptocrats think twice about pushing thier luck
-borders can only be changed after substantial majorities in the subject territory express the desire to do so through a clear and open referendum
Only Canadians think that Canada still matters at the big boy table. Canadians don't have the work ethic or willpower to punch at its weight. As long as we get our free cradle to grave welfare state we don't care.
Especially a man leading a contry with a smaller GDP than Canada, 1970's technology and a population with an average life expectancy 10 years less than that enjoyed by western nations.
Are you serious? Not only are there six corrupt partisans on the Supreme Court and voter suppression measures being added in all kinds of republican-led states there's the little matter of January 6th. A substantial number of Republicans are denying the results of the last election which they know is not true. Sedition is not a sign of a healthy democracy.
I am. Are you accusing Supreme Court judges of receving payoffs? Judges delivering decisions that you find disagreeable does not make them corrupt.
The people involved in the Jan 6th insurrection all received due process. Republicans or whomever can deny whatever they want to their meaningless social media audiences. Twitter led sedition may be good entertainment, but it will never be anything else.
As per my original post, the even matching and constant churn of the two parties is sign of a healthy democracy. It may not be conducive to getting much done.
I don't know that those justices are taking money personally but somebody spent about ten million bucks each trying to get them confirmed... And they want a return on that investment. I would accuse them of lying under oath in their confirmation hearings
ie. perjury.
The ringleaders of the January 6th attempted coup are being investigated still. This wasn't just a bunch of nitwits but a lot of people on Trump's team try to overthrow the election. I would say that American democracy has never been in as much trouble since the Civil War.
For military and political strategists, Ukraine is a break from norms and into untested territory. We are back to political brinksmanship with a nuclear power which is also providing a great deal of the EUs energy needs. Suddenly the whole climate change strategy is caught with its pants down. It is also the first of the drone wars. Tanks and helicopters are proving highly vulnerable to more sophisticated hand held weapons. Unfortunately, both sides are falling back on artillery and rockets which are not particularly accurate and therefore take heavy toll on infrastructure and the population as a whole.
The news seems to have the west falling into a reactive strategy. Given the Russian takeover of Crimea and their activities in Syria, this should have been predicable. Canada had been doing some training of military personnel before this and Trump had visited Ukraine ( although the whole visit was overshadowed by the Hunter Biden thing ). Somewhere in the classified files there is likely a plan that was never followed and therefore we are doing an ad hoc job now.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing " - Edmund Burke
I expect nothing less from our PM, he's mostly all mouth, no substance. Besides, after decades of neglect our cupboard is pretty much empty.
Macron is a surrender monkey, so no surprise there either, nor with the Germans. They'll squeal like pigs though when/if Russia comes for them .
I'm disgusted at others too. India for kissing up to Pudolphs backside, for a start.
This article is so very true and depressing to contemplate. Thank God my dad, uncles and their generation had the balls to step up and stop evil 80 years ago. They must be rolling in the grave.
Trudeau doesn't exist in a vacuum, he represents the culture and people of a critical mass of Canadians.
Doesn't say much for us then does it?
It does not. We are an underachieving people and nation.
There was a time although.
My goodness yes there was. It was going to be Canada's century and it was looking that way. Then we gave up for comfort and risk aversion, dressed up as equality (in mediocrity, IMHO) and social justice. Let the immigrants build up this country I suppose.
We used to punch way above our weight and were indeed leaders. Now, we're lost in a brain fog of some type. I think to all those Canadians who were demonstrating what was the right thing to do 78 years ago this very day.
The PM leads an organization tasked with a defined set of responsibilities within a defined terriotory. Government should never be seen as a defender of a culture, language or ethnicity.
The vast majority of the world, and Canadians, disagree with you.
Ugh. I want you to be wrong but very much fear that you are right.
Journos do this weird conflation of "journalistic interest" with "actual commitment". I don't believe the actual flows of either money or weapons have slackened yet. I don't think Andrew can point to any reduction in actual, material, measurable support. Joe Biden's personal age has no effect on his political powers, and nearly the ONLY area of politics where he and Boris can immediately get money and support from their legislatures, is Ukraine support.
Boris' one light in the darkness right now is talking Ukraine, his one Good Deed that even opponents will shut up for and even link arms.
The shocking thing about the 'perfidy' of central Europe is that it is population-deep, not just Macron; I'd expected big public marches and movements for "turn down the thermostat, and don't drive, don't fly" as patriotic campaigns, sustained by TV ads. Like WW2 and "don't travel, save all your metal" campaigns were.
The equivalent on this continent, of course, are all the right-wing pols and people that happily blame war inflation of energy costs on some mysterious, unexplained mismanagement by their opponents. Every right-winger that endlessly harps on "gas prices" and inflation in general, is helping weaken our resolve and empower Putin. They aren't just putting party over country, they're putting party over Democracy. (In the States, of course, that's not new; it's Canada that disappoints.)
The final long-scream about how we secretly hate Ukraine is over-the-top, of course. Fine article at The Atlantic about how we were much, much more cowardly when we first supported Hungary in 1956, then backed off completely when Russia moved in. We were just much, much more scared of nuclear war in 1956. Now we know that Russia is very scared of it, too, we are pushing the envelope much harder than in 1956. But, at the end of the day, World War 1 happened because defense of small nations dragged large nations into conflict with each other, and, well, Never Again. We know that Putin is more than a little crazy, and exactly how hard we should push him is not a judgement call I envy.
That 4th paragraph is genius.
I voted for JT in 2015. I believed. I understood that the parties couldn't come together on voting reform....their need for the power of majorities overwhelmed their duty to the voters, and have moved on. SNC was unforgivable. He tried to break the law. JWR stopped him. JT changed his story multiple times, lying through his teeth as he did it. For me, that destroyed his brand and his credibility. The hearing that followed SNC was an utter disgrace in terms of transparency. He shut everything down to cover himself. At that point, I was done with him, and will not vote for him again.
My observation ( and it may well be that's when I started paying attention) is that with Chretien the PMO started running the government far more than the elected government was. Harper made it worse, and near as I can tell, Katie Telford is the real deputy PM. Trudeau has an impossible job....and terrible judgement. Tofino on the first Indigenous People's day; WE, gun control, the military, but at least he got most of COVID right. The more I read about the Emergencies Act, the less justified it seems to be, but was in fact, just an inept police response. But with another enquiry, he is doing everything in his power to not be transparent, or what I consider democratic.
The PM's job these days is impossible. The debt is out of control, businesses blackmail the gov't under threat of departure. he's supposed to know 1 million things and be able to comment on them. Again, it's impossible. But he's also supposed to have a vision for the country. There is supposed to be a plan. Near as I can tell, the only focus of this government( and most others) is how to win the next election and cling to power. So with Trudeau, I'm more disappointed than I was with harper because I believed him. I believed government would be different; would have some actual transparency. What I got was the Gerry and Katie show, and some terrible judgement.
I'm sorry to say there will be no insults. I respect your opinion far too much for that and find that I generally agree with most opinions you have. Matt also asked to be civil, but I'm not holding my tongue here at all. That we don't agree on Trudeau won't be the end of the world. I long for a leader; there aren't any currently, and Pierre would be a step backwards, but Canada needs leadership. It is massively complicated, and huge, but it needs a vision of who we are and where we're going. I think the anger that is out there is because so many people want the same thing and aren't getting it. Sorry for being long -winded....I'm working on that too. Cheers
Well said
But, at the end of the day, World War 2 happened because large nations failed to defend small nations. Never Again.
I think World War 2 happened because the victors in World War 1 were far too stupid in their surrender punishments putting Germany in a position where a psychopath who gave them hope became the best option. World War 2 is the only war in history that really needed to be fought.
No, Ukraine was never a beacon of freedom. Zelensky ran on a platform in 2015 to seek peace in the Donbass, winning with over 70% of the votes. The fascist elements within the army and ukrainian society undermined (he was threaten to be killed if he did so) his efforts. Instead the Russian language was banned, and the eastern provinces began to be bombed. NATO's intention was never that Ukraine could win this war but to engage Russia in a war. It was absurd to pretend that Ukraine could defend against the huge Russian army. The motto was "we'll fight Russia until the last Ukrainian". That has not changed. And as far as from 2014 on, there were many reports in western media of the influence of pro nazi and fascist groups within the country. And overnight, Ukraine transformed itself into a "beacon of freedom"?
Give me a break!
Profile: Ukraine's ultra-nationalist Right Sector - Apr 28 2014 - BBC
The Neo-Nazi Question in Ukraine - May 11 2014 - Huffpost
Fascism returns to the continent it once destroyed - May 12 2014 - TNR
Ukraine conflict: 'White power' warrior from Sweden - Jul 16 2014 - BBC
Preparing for War With Ukraine’s Fascist Defenders of Freedom - Aug 30 2014 - Foreign Policy
German TV Shows Nazi Symbols on Helmets of Ukraine Soldiers - Sep 9 2014 - NBCnews
Azov fighters are Ukraine's greatest weapon and may be its greatest threat - Sep 10 2014 - Guardian
Volunteer Ukrainian unit includes Nazis - Mar 10 2015 - USA Today
US House Admits Nazi Role in Ukraine - Jun 14 2015 - Consortium News
Why Ukraine’s New Ultranationalist Party Will Not Last - Oct 19 2016 - Atlantic Council
Ukraine's Hyper-Nationalist Military Summer Camp for Kids | NBC Left Field (vid) - Jul 13 2017 - NBCnews
The reality of neo-Nazis in Ukraine is far from Kremlin propaganda - Nov 9 2017 - The Hill
The US is Arming and Assisting Neo-Nazis in Ukraine, While Congress Debates Prohibition - Jan 18 2018 - The RealNews Network
In Ukraine, Ultranationalist Militia Strikes Fear In Some Quarters - Jan 30 2018 - RFERL
Commentary: Ukraine’s neo-Nazi problem - Mar 19 2018 - Reuters
America’s Collusion With Neo-Nazis - May 2 2018 - The Nation
Ukraine’s Got a Real Problem with Far-Right Violence (And No, RT Didn’t Write This Headline) - Jun 20 2018 - Atlantic Council
Ukraine, Anti-Semitism, Racism, and the Far Right - Oct 16 2018 - Atlantic Council
Azov, Ukraine's Most Prominent Ultranationalist Group, Sets Its Sights On U.S., Europe - Nov 14 2018 - RFERL
Neo-Nazis and the Far Right Are On the March in Ukraine - Feb 22 2019 - The Nation
Ultranationalism in Ukraine – a photo essay - Apr 11 2019 - Guardian
There’s One Far-Right Movement That Hates the Kremlin - Apr 17 2019 - Foreign Policy
Is America Training Neonazis in Ukraine? - Dec 8 2019 - DailyBeast
The Azov Regiment has not depoliticized - Mar 19 2020 - Atlantic Council
Like, Share, Recruit: How a White-Supremacist Militia Uses Facebook to Radicalize and Train New Members - Jan 7 2021 - Time
Profile: Who are Ukraine’s far-right Azov regiment? - Mar 1 2022 - Aljazeerah
How Ukraine’s Jewish president Zelensky made peace with neo-Nazi paramilitaries on front lines of war with Russia - Mar 4 2022 - Grayzone
Ukraine's Nazi problem is real, even if Putin's 'denazification' claim isn't - Mar 6 2022 - NBCnews
Right-wing Azov Battalion emerges as a controversial defender of Ukraine - Apr 6 2022 - Washington Post
So many "nazi/neo-nazi/Azov/far-right/ultranationalist/fascist" headlines. You must be a fan.
Your evaluation of the military situation could be right, although it's contrary to what I'm reading elsewhere, ie that some long range artillery has been received and that early stages of a Ukrainian counteroffensive are evident now. The facts on the ground will settle this. The rest of this article I find a bit baffling: Who are these Western leaders who simultaneously desire the humiliation of Russia and its military but also feel threatened by or hostile to the idea of an independent Ukraine? If such people exists, what is their unspoken rationale? Losing interest is one (very human) thing. Actively wishing for the failure of the Ukrainian cause is another. Not sure how you're going from one to the other.
Considering the facts to determine the strategy leaves me thinking that the West is purposely prolonging this conflict to keep Russia involved.
Ultimately, it’s all a business decision. The loss and misery is a write off in the grand scale of things. So sad that this is the state of affairs.
The frustration in this, as in so many things Canadian, is the inability to do anything remotely constructive (or, in the case of Russia and Russians... destructive.)
On a human level, it's awful. Those poor people.
On a military level, interesting to watch the war progress. Russia stumbles at the beginning, but is now reverting to old-school artillery. Tens (hundreds?) of thousands of shells per day. Talk about your logistics. Russia started out with dodgy tires on their vehicles, yet they also have hypersonic missiles. We send Ukraine the very promising Javelin missiles, and they burn through a year's worth of production in a few weeks, and I'm told their effectiveness (old batteries, etc.) has been shall we say, mixed. This isn't a war against goat herders with AKs and RPGs. This is army with satellites, standoff weapons, helicopters, jets, subs, missiles. I'm told the Pentagon is the moderate voice in the halls of power these days; THAT is something.
On a financial/economic level, holy shit the west has no clue. Energy is EVERYTHING, and Russia has the EU by the throat. Quite a beta test of green policies. Talk about your "Great Reset". We'll see if they freeze in the dark come next fall. The only reset has been to globalization and the dominance of the US dollar. Sanctions, shmanctions, the ruble is as good as can be.
On a political level, it's been an eye opener. Poorest country in Europe is the biggest donor to the Clinton foundation? Hmmm. Nothing-to-see-hear on the Azovs? Hmmm. Propaganda? Hmmm, this has been quite a case study in modern propaganda. The worst is this war didn't have to happen. The leaders in charge are corrupt and naive and stupid and evil.
Depressing accuracy, and a reminder; again, of how little leadership there is in the west, and that power unchecked, corrupts absolutely.
Same comment. Hope you are dead wrong but suspect that with current “woke” state of the western part of the “West” you are likely correct. The woke folks see this war as a sideshow in the larger changes that must be visited upon western society. I feel for Ukraine and all the other Eastern European nations who know what Putin is and what he could do to them as well.
Isn't humiliating Russia one of the primary objectives? Obviously, the over-riding goal is a Russian withdrawl with as few civilian casualities as possible.
A humiliation would send the right messages to other other authoritarian, nationalist, kelptocratic and expansionist governments:
-authoritarianism discourages transparency. The military capabilities of authoritarian regimes may be less than that they appear to be due to military coommanders failing to disclose troop deficiences and looting of equipment
-governments rule over geographies, not cultures. Putin has no authority or obligation to protect the alleged interests of Russian speakers or ethnic Russians outsides the borders of Russia. Ukranians did not welcome Russian forces despite cultural ties, much as Taiwanese would be unlikely to welcome Chinese advances
-Putin is one of the world's wealthiest individuals. The invasion is at least paritally motivated by Eastern Ukraine's natural gas reserves. Dedicating wealth seized from Putin and his oligarchs to rebuilding Ukriane will make other kleptocrats think twice about pushing thier luck
-borders can only be changed after substantial majorities in the subject territory express the desire to do so through a clear and open referendum
Only Canadians think that Canada still matters at the big boy table. Canadians don't have the work ethic or willpower to punch at its weight. As long as we get our free cradle to grave welfare state we don't care.
I don't think we are. We're too risk-averse.
The situation is heartbreaking for Ukraine. I'll never forgive France and Germany for taking this position. India has disappointed me too.
If Britain, Europe, The US, Canada through assisting Ukraine cannot defeat one man’s ruthless desire for conquest, democracy has lost.
Especially a man leading a contry with a smaller GDP than Canada, 1970's technology and a population with an average life expectancy 10 years less than that enjoyed by western nations.
Democracy is losing inside the USA as we speak. Democracy is threatened by anyone who lusts for power.
Despite the popular narritive, American democracy has never been stronger. The Democrats and Republicans are at stalemate.
Are you serious? Not only are there six corrupt partisans on the Supreme Court and voter suppression measures being added in all kinds of republican-led states there's the little matter of January 6th. A substantial number of Republicans are denying the results of the last election which they know is not true. Sedition is not a sign of a healthy democracy.
I am. Are you accusing Supreme Court judges of receving payoffs? Judges delivering decisions that you find disagreeable does not make them corrupt.
The people involved in the Jan 6th insurrection all received due process. Republicans or whomever can deny whatever they want to their meaningless social media audiences. Twitter led sedition may be good entertainment, but it will never be anything else.
As per my original post, the even matching and constant churn of the two parties is sign of a healthy democracy. It may not be conducive to getting much done.
I don't know that those justices are taking money personally but somebody spent about ten million bucks each trying to get them confirmed... And they want a return on that investment. I would accuse them of lying under oath in their confirmation hearings
ie. perjury.
The ringleaders of the January 6th attempted coup are being investigated still. This wasn't just a bunch of nitwits but a lot of people on Trump's team try to overthrow the election. I would say that American democracy has never been in as much trouble since the Civil War.
Good summation of the unfolding situation, Andrew.
Glory to Ukraine, Disgrace and Shame to the Hypocritical West. As a Canadian, I feel the shame.
For military and political strategists, Ukraine is a break from norms and into untested territory. We are back to political brinksmanship with a nuclear power which is also providing a great deal of the EUs energy needs. Suddenly the whole climate change strategy is caught with its pants down. It is also the first of the drone wars. Tanks and helicopters are proving highly vulnerable to more sophisticated hand held weapons. Unfortunately, both sides are falling back on artillery and rockets which are not particularly accurate and therefore take heavy toll on infrastructure and the population as a whole.
The news seems to have the west falling into a reactive strategy. Given the Russian takeover of Crimea and their activities in Syria, this should have been predicable. Canada had been doing some training of military personnel before this and Trump had visited Ukraine ( although the whole visit was overshadowed by the Hunter Biden thing ). Somewhere in the classified files there is likely a plan that was never followed and therefore we are doing an ad hoc job now.