Posted on 03/19/2014 12:12:29 PM PDT by No One Special
Well stated.
You know we don’t have to go to war with Russia, right? We can make Putin’s decision to annex the Ukraine hurt quite a bit without sending armored divisions across the plains of Russia.
I recognize your point about how the Crimea became part of Ukraine. It’s a valid point too. But there is lots of territory that could change hands if we start down that road. All sorts of justifications for why country A should have this part of country B. You know the Ukranians gave up a lot of nuke warheads with a general understanding that this would not happen, right. And partly thanks to Obama, they also destroyed a large portion of their conventional weapons that they’d need to arm the real military they will now have to build.
How do you think our allies in Taipei, Tokyo, etc, etc are feeling watching America embarrassed repeatedly on the world stage. Think maybe they are hedging their bets thinking maybe America can’t be relied on? I know if I’m running a country in Russia or China’s sphere of influence I’m thinking real hard about building my own nuke program.
This type of weakness and isolationism effects everything. Think countries in Asia can sign deals with us China doesn’t like if they feel China is the greater power in the region? Same thing applies in Europe and elsewhere.
No, I don’t think many are arguing for war. But we sure as heck should be making this significantly painful for Russia economically. As is, they are giggling at our impotent President and gleeful at the isolationism creeping through the Republican party that for years stood strong against those who threaten our interests.
Name one person on FR who has suggested war over Ukraine, other than you and people like you.
And Crimea had the choice whether to stay in Ukraine and the USSR. They had two referendums in 1991 to exercise that choice.
We’re unable to edit replies. I’ll go ahead and remove post #1 and let you repost with correct link. Our apologies.
OK. Thank you.
A month has passed since the video was made. knowing what we know now, it makes it even sadder.
Putin does not take Barry seriously. If you were Putin, would you? If Barry gets serious, how will Putin know to stop pushing the situation until he has lost control himself?
The only thing we can expect to happen that will give Putin pause is a regime change HERE. Unfortunately, that won't happen until 2016. That is plenty of time for Europe to get out of control.
The train has already jumped the track. You can't put it right until it's stopped and you've cleaned up the mess.
What effective measures would you have us take?
This is definitely a thought provoking video-Particularly where she points out how her people's ignoring their politician's corruption helped lead to their current crisis.
That could just as easily be said of us. And this also makes me appreciate our Constitution all the more.
Prayers for the people of Ukraine.
Hmm, I’ll take that question seriously.
Peace through strength, deescalation through deterrence. Putin has to genuinely think that his economy and his inner circle is going to be in real danger if he thinks he can just invade a country and get away with it.
A few things that might have been effective:
1) As soon as Ukraine was aware that Russian troops were in Crimea, immediately promise economic support for Ukraine until the Crimean/coup crisis was over. Then push for Ukrainian troops to flood into Crimea as well, accompanied with whatever journalists they could rummage up, with strict orders not to shoot (as the Russians did) and to surround the invaders and maintain supply lines to military bases and key infrastructure.
2)Immediately block all those we know to be connected to Putin’s thievery from entering the country. Block their capital and assets from leaving the country, but not within. Push for EU to do the same. Publicly push for a bill in Congress that would freeze their assets should Putin make any further moves in Crimea. Publicly push for another bill that would block key Russian companies from doing business with us should he annex Crimea. And also push for EU to diversify from Russian dependency. That should send their stock market plunging even more than it actually did (-13% in one day.)
3)Send state officials to make overtures to key friendly OPEC nations for them to rapidly increase production of oil in the case that Russia continues to think they can invade sovereign territories (and fund ‘bloodthirsty dictators’ *cough*) without consequences. Offer them contingent guarantees on Syria, and military aid. (both issues that are important to them) Ask for a report from Congress about the viability of releasing parts of the Strategic Reserve for national security purposes.
4)Reassure our NATO allies in Eastern Europe that they will be protected. Ask Turkey for permission to send warships through the Dardanelles without the intent to use. Make preparations to return to more expensive routes of supplying our remaining troops in Afghanistan should Russia shut down the northern distribution network.
5)Should Russia respond with real retaliatory sanctions and/or selling of US/Ukraine bonds, ask Congress to retaliate accordingly. (unlikely, as their economy is much more brittle than even today’s America, and both options would hurt both of us, but themselves much more.)
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