Russia has invaded Ukraine

I think this has been 10 years - 15 years even - in the making. Iraq seems to have destroyed America's confidence on the world stage and each subsequent President after Bush has been increasingly isolationist as has the American public. Even now the sentiment in America seems to be 'why is this anything to do with us?'. There is even a ******* on Fox News having a go at what actions the American Government is taking because Putin is not their problem.

People have long had a go at America being the 'world police' but in the absence of any police then thugs and gangsters seize the opportunity.

As for Britain we, and other European NATO nations, need to wake up and take more of this responsibility on for ourselves rather than look to America.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Hugh

They’ll probably keep quiet about it, as critics of the regime seem to accidentally fall out of windows…

If Putin is successful with the invasion of Ukraine, it will be Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Georgia next…

Didn't Russia invade Georgia when the World was distracted by the Global Financial Crisis to dissuade it from becoming a NATO member and too friendly to the West?

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are all NATO members so I can't see them being next.

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Originally Posted by Damien

I think this has been 10 years - 15 years even - in the making. Iraq seems to have destroyed America's confidence on the world stage and each subsequent President after Bush has been increasingly isolationist as has the American public. Even now the sentiment in America seems to be 'why is this anything to do with us?'. There is even a ******* on Fox News having a go at what actions the American Government is taking because Putin is not their problem.

People have long had a go at America being the 'world police' but in the absence of any police then thugs and gangsters seize the opportunity.

As for Britain we, and other European NATO nations, need to wake up and take more of this responsibility on for ourselves rather than look to America.

Yes, the US is damned if it does and damned if it doesn't intervene!

[mrmistoffelees]

Originally Posted by Damien

I think this has been 10 years - 15 years even - in the making. Iraq seems to have destroyed America's confidence on the world stage and each subsequent President after Bush has been increasingly isolationist as has the American public. Even now the sentiment in America seems to be 'why is this anything to do with us?'. There is even a ******* on Fox News having a go at what actions the American Government is taking because Putin is not their problem.

People have long had a go at America being the 'world police' but in the absence of any police then thugs and gangsters seize the opportunity.

As for Britain we, and other European NATO nations, need to wake up and take more of this responsibility on for ourselves rather than look to America.

America relies on other NATO members to quite an extent.....

[1andrew1]

I wonder what the Lebdevs think of the situation?

https://bylinetimes.com/2021/10/21/b...ar-friendship/

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Hugh

They’ll probably keep quiet about it, as critics of the regime seem to accidentally fall out of windows…

If Putin is successful with the invasion of Ukraine, it will be Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Georgia next…

Just Georgia, I suggest - see Stalin place of birth for details.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Didn't Russia invade Georgia when the World was distracted by the Global Financial Crisis to dissuade it from becoming a NATO member and too friendly to the West?

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are all NATO members so I can't see them being next.

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Yes, the US is damned if it does and damned if it doesn't intervene!

Apparently, it was to "coerce Georgia into peace"…

https://academic.oup.com/ia/article-...xt&login=false

Some interesting foresight in the article of nearly 14 years ago…

Some Russian goals may be inferred: the creation of military protectorates in South Ossetia and Abkhazia; inducing Georgian compliance, especially to block its path towards NATO; and creating a climate of uncertainty over energy routes in the South Caucasus. Moscow's warning that it will defend its ‘citizens’ (nationals) at all costs broadens the scope of concerns to Russia's other neighbour states, especially Ukraine

Whether we like it or not, we’re now plunged in to the early stages of World War III

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Mick

Whether we like it or not, we’re now plunged in to the early stages of World War III

Time to hoard the toilet paper and baked beans.

[jonbxx]

Originally Posted by Mick

Whether we like it or not, we’re now plunged in to the early stages of World War III

Heh, I live not too far from Northwood Headquarters. It was nice knowing you all!

[Jaymoss]

Originally Posted by Mick

Whether we like it or not, we’re now plunged in to the early stages of World War III

I do not think it will come to that. Putin will end up getting what he wants and the rest of the world will blow hard make noises but end realising they are powerless to stop him. As long as he stops with the Ukraine of course. If he does decide to go further then yes we could well end up there

Putin will go there, the Baltic states are next, he is absolutely determined to build back Soviet Union as it was.

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BREAKING: Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to address nation at 12 Noon and will update MPs at 5pm in the House of Commons.

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Meanwhile:
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announces the activation of defence plans in response to Russia invading Ukraine. NATO held an emergency meeting at the request of neighbouring countries to Ukraine, who feel their territory is under threat.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Mick

Putin will go there, the Baltic states are next, he is absolutely determined to build back Soviet Union as it was.

I just don't know how sane he is.

If by Baltic states, we mean Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia then they're all in NATO so fellow NATO members like the UK will be obliged to defend their territorial integrity.

A sane Russian leader would not attack a NATO member.

[Blackshep]

Putin's sanity is in question right now his televised speeches have become more and more delusional and his deployment of forces to the border with China now makes more sense.

Brussels: Russia facing complete shut off from World trade Markets in a allied and massive targeted response to this act of aggression.

Current view on Flightradar24.