Thumpalumpacus
Major
Spot-on. If y'all will pardon my language, it's a shit-sandwich and there's no way around eating it, bite-by-bite, at this point ... unless we want to see a general and perhaps a nuclear war.
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Closely followed by "The West should do something!" Do what, exactly?
I understand the frustration many feel but the available options are limited and to do anything militarily would risk significant escalation. Is that REALLY what people want to see? A war that's relatively contained for now spreading throughout Europe and the world? Not sure that's the right answer to this thorny problem.
NATO's fundamental problem is that it CANNOT be seen as stretching beyond its self-defensive mandate. Doing that would give Putin all the evidence he needs to say "See? I told you so. NATO is an aggressive threat." Nor can NATO member nations act unilaterally because, again, it gifts Putin a propaganda coup.
It's an ugly, gnarly problem with few good options for defusing the situation.
Problem is, while you are rational, Vlad the Impaler isn't.I hope you're wrong. In any case, he will have to act before sanctions cripple Russia's ability to conduct war, which is the most-expensive human endeavor outside of perhaps space exploration/operations.
Putin - Rasputin.
There are very close similarities .................
Problem is, while you are rational, Vlad the Impaler isn't.
But Rasputin was a lover...of the Russian queen. YOU ASKED FOR THIS>>>
There must be something in the forum's rules against a post like this!
I think the first step there is ALWAYS understand your opponent. Hitler didn't bother to confirm how many tanks, planes and men the Soviets had before invading. Tojo didn't bother to understand how American might personally and industrially react to Pearl Harbour. Putin didn't bother to check the potential staying power and will of Ukraine's people.One thing I keep remembering is NEVER underestimate your opponent.
Don't be so sure. I know that recruiting and retention is always a problem, and the US military has really loosened the physical and mental standards of late, but, we don't need any mouth-breathing basement-dwellers. Present company excluded, of course.I always get a kick on social media when people are so quick to scream for war. It's like "there is a recruiting office down the street guys. I'm sure the Marines or Army would love to have you."
Indeed, my keriorrhea and ozostomia would keep me out of the forces.....we don't need any mouth-breathing basement-dwellers. Present company excluded, of course.
Hey....at least I'm "entertaining"!
I think the first step there is ALWAYS understand your opponent. Hitler didn't bother to confirm how many tanks, planes and men the Soviets had before invading. Tojo didn't bother to understand how American might personally and industrially react to Pearl Harbour. Putin didn't bother to check the potential staying power and will of Ukraine's people.
It's not that hard to understand your opponent, but first you must park your own hubris, ego and especially confirmation bias. This requires you to listen to others with an open mind, trust the expertise of others, but first your advisors must feel free to speak without fear.
Sun-Tzu said:Know the enemy and know yourself in a hundred battles you will never be in peril. When you are ignorant of the enemy but know yourself, your chances of winning or losing are equal. If ignorant both of your enemy and of yourself, you are certain in every battle to be in peril.
Big difference between Vlad Putin and Vlad Tepis.Problem is, while you are rational, Vlad the Impaler isn't.
With Putin implementing laws that imprison anyone for spreading "fake news" (oh, how I HATE that term!), here are some first-hand experiences that demonstrate the power of Russian propaganda:
Ukraine war: 'My city's being shelled, but mum won’t believe me'
These Ukrainians say their Russian relatives only trust the narratives they see on TV at home.www.bbc.com
Closely followed by "The West should do something!" Do what, exactly?
I understand the frustration many feel but the available options are limited and to do anything militarily would risk significant escalation. Is that REALLY what people want to see? A war that's relatively contained for now spreading throughout Europe and the world? Not sure that's the right answer to this thorny problem.
NATO's fundamental problem is that it CANNOT be seen as stretching beyond its self-defensive mandate. Doing that would give Putin all the evidence he needs to say "See? I told you so. NATO is an aggressive threat." Nor can NATO member nations act unilaterally because, again, it gifts Putin a propaganda coup.
It's an ugly, gnarly problem with few good options for defusing the situation.
I hope you're wrong. In any case, he will have to act before sanctions cripple Russia's ability to conduct war, which is the most-expensive human endeavor outside of perhaps space exploration/operations.