Even if I don't like what he says, he's usually right.
In this case, it's almost obvious, but there are folks that want to pretend like the cause is something else.
Usually they start rambling about some Soviet Empire, call anyone disagreeing with them a communist, discard any fact that goes against them as “propaganda,” and make claims about some Russian conquest of Europe or their former republics which are not even remotely feasible/possible given Russia's military and economic capabilities.
But, when it's “reason vs. emotions,” guess what usually wins?
Trump is right, of course, but he needs to be careful not to alienate folks which are generally on his side.
Ukraine is literally a “stupid war.”
An incredible loss of wealth and life, that was entirely unnecessary, predictable, and avoidable.
—The average Ukrainian has not benefited from this war.
—The average American has not benefited from this war. Tell me how I am more wealthy, free or safe now? In fact, things are more dangerous, and this war is burning up our wealth.
—No one can really provide a viable national security argument for why we had to expand NATO into Ukraine as we did.
Insane!!!
This war is either the Biden administration making another gross policy mistake and causing a war accidentally out of bad judgment (bet big on a weak hand in a gamble), or being outright evil and doing it intentionally.
I truly hope that I am wrong and that we didn't do this intentionally to weaken Russia. If that is the case, we made a real scumbag move by playing Ukraine and all those lives as expendable pawns in a Geo-political chess game.
But whatever the case may be, we need to end this lunacy.
I can understand putins paranoia about Ukraine joining NATO, but I still stand by the idea that the invasion of Ukraine was more about the last opportunity to expand Russia and show that Russia is relevant as a world power
NATO has been on Russias border for years with Poland, Lithuania ,Latvia, and Estonia and there was no war. Russia was trading and getting richer(at least some were) during that period. There was no chance that Finland or Sweden would join NATO. Then PUTIN invades(again). Where was the “viable national security argument “ for Putin?
As to threat to Europe, the argument that Russia was not militarily or economically capable did not exist until after the 2022 invasion and the performance of Russian military was displayed, and economically? I still see multiple threads about how “well” Russian economy is doing. GDP is up, look at how well Moscow abs St. Petersburg are doing….
How has the “average “ Russian benefited from this earth modify you question?
I can see how Putin may have thought Russia was going to be invaded once the “big dog” of Ukraine was admitted into NATO, but show meany indication that was in the cards
Europe was demilitarizing, MIC was declining, Europe was trading and becoming ever more dependent on Russia for energy, Russia was getting richer and was a leading exporter of military goods. Finland and Sweden were neutral
This war is stupid and is a terrible waste of live, resources, and property, but it could all have been avoided if Putin had not invaded.$