US Foreign Policy 3.0: We're The Mets of International Diplomacy

[Kepler]

Going back a few pages, I'd like to revisit the India idea... Y'all are more educated on these kinds of matters so feel free to correct things as needed:

Could this be the thing that awakes India as a "Sleeping Giant" so to speak.

If they are truly tied to Russia financially, could the be dragged into this? China has the power to remain financially independent. But can India really do that?

With over a billion people themselves, it seems as if they are gonna be asked to step into the ring with the big boys whether they like it or not here....

I have some friends from India who feel the country is a bit of a British experiment, and the southeast and the northwest don't really belong with the rest of the nation. I don't know if this coughing fit of Hindu nationalism has the power to shatter the country, but the southeast is much closer to Sri Lanka, and the Northwest is its own thing -- a sort of Kurdistan for Sikhs.

Like China and Russia (and the US?), it may be so big because it has been artificially stitched together. Maybe we will see a period of fragmentation of the remainders of the imperial states, with local rule leading to more homogenous countries less prone to civil disorder.

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

South Korea joining economic sanctions

 

[Handyman]

Going back a few pages, I'd like to revisit the India idea... Y'all are more educated on these kinds of matters so feel free to correct things as needed:

Could this be the thing that awakes India as a "Sleeping Giant" so to speak.

If they are truly tied to Russia financially, could the be dragged into this? China has the power to remain financially independent. But can India really do that?

With over a billion people themselves, it seems as if they are gonna be asked to step into the ring with the big boys whether they like it or not here....

Outside of bodies I am not sure they have a ton of value. I can't imagine their military is on par with NATO...I don't see it unless for some reason Pakistan gets involved.

 

[BassAle]

I would love to go Milan, Krakow, Prague, Budapest, and Bratislava.

then go

 

[RaceBoarder]

I have some friends from India who feel the country is a bit of a British experiment, and the southeast and the northwest don't really belong with the rest of the nation. I don't know if this coughing fit of Hindu nationalism has the power to shatter the country, but the southeast is much closer to Sri Lanka, and the Northwest is its own thing -- a sort of Kurdistan for Sikhs.

Interesting to know. So despite Modi being the prominent speaker of India's thoughts and ambitions, he doesn't necessarily represent what a good portion of what the country is striving for. I guess that also brings up the idea that India moving a certain way here could possibly fracture them.

Sorry, I'm thinking of some really big picture things regarding Russia/Ukraine here... Just given that the past 3 years have been one giant "Hold my beer..." challenge, I feel that it's an apt application, lol....

 

[dxmnkd316]

Kicking them out of SWIFT is going to have some pretty severe consequences to most Western Economies. We will feel the pinch here for sure. This has to be a killshot because if not it could get ugly.

As for NATO...if more nations join Vlad will take it as an act of aggression and declare war. It is a bad strategic move unless Vlad shows he has plans that go beyond Ukraine.

It will. We will. It won't, it probably will.

THe governments know these sanctions aren't going to do much even by the end of March. Six to 12 months from now? Yeah, that's when the reserve banks start running out of money and they start getting into trouble.

I don't think NATO is going to admit anyone until there's a clearer picture of how this conflict ends. If Russia moves on Finland, NATO will treat it as an attack on NATO I suspect.

 

[Kepler]

Interesting to know. So despite Modi being the prominent speaker of India's thoughts and ambitions, he doesn't necessarily represent what a good portion of what the country is striving for. I guess that also brings up the idea that India moving a certain way here could possibly fracture them.

Sorry, I'm thinking of some really big picture things regarding Russia/Ukraine here... Just given that the past 3 years have been one giant "Hold my beer..." challenge, I feel that it's an apt application, lol....

I think Putin, Modi, Bolsanaro, and Dump are all pretty similar. That "shut up, he explained" apeness appeals to the cowards and failures, just as with Hitler and Mussolini. But populations also include intelligent, curious, brave, skilled people who are repulsed by it. So there is always a seesaw of influence between the ape and human factions within a country. The apes have learned to help each other, so we humans need to band together, be united, and not give them an inch.

 

[dxmnkd316]

So that headline I posted earlier, yes, it is an actual story on Bloomberg. China's two largest state banks are restricting financing on Russian commodities.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Interesting to know. So despite Modi being the prominent speaker of India's thoughts and ambitions, he doesn't necessarily represent what a good portion of what the country is striving for. I guess that also brings up the idea that India moving a certain way here could possibly fracture them.

Sorry, I'm thinking of some really big picture things regarding Russia/Ukraine here... Just given that the past 3 years have been one giant "Hold my beer..." challenge, I feel that it's an apt application, lol....

I think the one big that has changed is that a lot of European countries have zero trust in Russia and are looking to bolster their defense against them. This is evident in Sweden and Finland looking at NATO membership and I know there was a discussion on DW English about the inadequacies of the Bundeswehr.

 

[RaceBoarder]

Outside of bodies I am not sure they have a ton of value. I can't imagine their military is on par with NATO...I don't see it unless for some reason Pakistan gets involved.

That's what I wasn't sure on. I know in big business, India is seen as the next frontier that they need to get into and monetize. But I also know that a solid portion of the country is dirt poor and has very little influence (this may be a massive, incorrect stereotype, but currently I believe there are still parts of India where indoor plumbing ISN'T a thing)... I'm just trying to figure out their place in the world....

 

[dxmnkd316]

I think Putin, Modi, Bolsanaro, and Dump are all pretty similar. That "shut up, he explained" apeness appeals to the cowards and failures, just as with Hitler and Mussolini. But populations also include intelligent, curious, brave, skilled people who are repulsed by it. So there is always a seesaw of influence between the ape and human factions within a country. The apes have learned to help each other, so we humans need to band together, be united, and not give them an inch.

The thing is, China and India aren't exactly allies here as I understand it. In fact, quite the opposite. Can't imagine India or China want the other to have undue influence. Then again, maybe that means they join the party as you alluded to. At least then you have a seat at the table. I just don't think that's the route they go, especially if Pakistan is cozying up to Putin.

 

[dxmnkd316]

The EU has approved the proposed sanctions against Putin and Lavrov.

Take the boats, properties, and jets and auction them off on CNN and BBC.

 

[Kepler]

I think the one big that has changed is that a lot of European countries have zero trust in Russia and are looking to bolster their defense against them. This is evident in Sweden and Finland looking at NATO membership and I know there was a discussion on DW English about the inadequacies of the Bundeswehr.

I think Brexit and Dump really put the wind up the EU about the dependability of the Anglosphere. They know if the wind is blowing the wrong way we will get distracted by some infantile gewgaw and they are on their own against the Bear. I fully expect France and Germany to have strong militaries again in the next 20 years, but this time as fast friends at least on the order of the US/UK. They realize Europe is just a vulnerable appendage to Eurasia, about the size of Vietnam/Cambodia/Burma/Laos/Thailand/Indonesia/Malaysia:

 

[rufus]

Kicking them out of SWIFT is going to have some pretty severe consequences to most Western Economies. We will feel the pinch here for sure. This has to be a killshot because if not it could get ugly.

As for NATO...if more nations join Vlad will take it as an act of aggression and declare war. It is a bad strategic move unless Vlad shows he has plans that go beyond Ukraine.

Jesus Christ, you've got these states near Russia who are seeing just what Russia might do if they don't take steps to ensure their own security, and you're saying they shouldn't do it because it'll look bad?

Handwringing much, Mr. Chamberlain?

 

[dxmnkd316]

Stoltenberg says NATO is going to provide air defense systems to Ukraine

 

[rufus]

This is a Russian military warship,” a voice on the clip said, according to CNN. “I suggest you lay down your weapons and surrender to avoid bloodshed and needless casualties. Otherwise you will be bombed.”
“Russian warship,” the Ukrainian group replied, “go fuck yourself.”


With a land area of less than one-tenth of a square mile, Zmiinyi Island, otherwise known as Snake Island, is little more than a rock in the Black Sea, according to the Atlantic Council, an international affairs think tank. It lies less than 30 miles off the coast of Ukraine.

They were all killed in the subsequent shelling.

God, the bravery of these people. Kyiv has opened up their arsenals and is passing out automatic weapons to anyone willing to fight off the Russian invaders. So far say they've handed out over 18,000.

Reading these stories just makes me feel small and insipid. I'm in awe of their bravery. Makes me despise all these whiny fucks complainging about wearing masks all the more. Grow up.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Italy now on board with SWIFT expulsion

 

[French Rage]

Stoltenberg says NATO is going to provide air defense systems to Ukraine

What? Just giving it out? Not requiring someone else's son to be investigated first?

 

[French Rage]

To be fair, it's difficult to come up with a good song when you have beady lifeless eyes and no soul: https://twitter.com/Eurovision/status/1497243799889711104

 

[state of hockey]

They were all killed in the subsequent shelling.

God, the bravery of these people. Kyiv has opened up their arsenals and is passing out automatic weapons to anyone willing to fight off the Russian invaders. So far say they've handed out over 18,000.

Reading these stories just makes me feel small and insipid. I'm in awe of their bravery. Makes me despise all these whiny fucks complainging about wearing masks all the more. Grow up.

The Klitschkos are taking up arms. This could go south for Russia real quick.