And a lot of egg on Putin's face. Even if we stopped now and drew the lines where they stand now, he lost and there is no getting over that. Even if what remains of Ukraine pledges not to "join" NATO, it's a moot point. After this, they will be inextricably connected with NATO. Then you have Sweden and Finland eventually joining NATO. There simply is no spinning the fact that Putin royally f-d up here. The fact the "peaceniks" (who were probably cheering on GWB in Iraq) can't acknowledge this is what ruins any shred of credibility they have. If I were in the FSB, I'd go with the "Russia always does bad in the beginning" angle rather than trying to ignore the obvious.
The numbers don't lie. They and their pals in China are doomed. And it's all the fault of their stupid leaders.
After 20 years of guiding Russia to ascendant GDP growth, Putin just woke up one morning and said, “Ah, f it. I’m just going to risk it all and invade a country.”
Not even close. Ours are the best in the world. We've got about 30-50 years before we have to start worrying about this (GenZ's low birthrates are the issue right now). US, France, India, Turkey, Argentina, Mexico are all in good shape. China is the fastest aging population in human history.
What about that oil? As for those nations that are rerouting oil to the west one has to wonder about kickbacks to Russia on the prevailing price. EU reveals exemptions for sanctioned Russian oil products The European Union has issued exceptions to its embargo on Russian petroleum products which came into force on February 5. According to guidance published on the website of the European Commission on Tuesday, if a Russian petroleum product is processed by being blended in a third country with a product from another third country, it will no longer be considered of Russia origin and the price cap will not apply. “The price cap will no longer apply after the crude oil or petroleum products have been released for free circulation in a jurisdiction outside Russia and are consigned to the landed purchaser,” the report stated. The exemption will allow EU countries to continue buying Russian petroleum products such as diesel from third countries since Moscow has prohibited any sales under the price cap scheme. EU no longer dictates price for Russian oil – Rosneft CEO The EU will no longer set prices for Russia’s flagship Urals oil blend, now that Asia is the largest consumer of western-sanctioned Russian crude, the head of the country’s oil major Rosneft, Igor Sechin, said on Monday. An EU embargo on seaborne exports of crude accompanied by price caps on oil and petroleum products originating from Russia has triggered a reshuffle in global oil supply. In a matter of months, Moscow rerouted most of its oil flows that used to go to Europe, to Asian markets. The country has ramped up its seaborne oil shipments to China, India and Türkiye at the expense of Western nations. Oil exports to India alone jumped 33 times in December, with Russia now the country’s largest supplier, replacing Iraq. About 70% of Urals cargoes loaded last month went to New Delhi, according to Reuters calculations. ........ Meanwhile, Asian buyers have ramped up imports of a wide variety of Russian crude oil, including lesser-known Arctic grades. Two other popular blends, ESPO and Sokol, have been trading above the Western price ceiling of $60 a barrel. ESPO stood at $66 per barrel, while Sokol traded at $71 per barrel as of Tuesday.
And it's still better than anything else out there. China is a joke. Russia is a joke. Who's going to create this grand new system that will take over the current one? Answer: Nobody. If anybody, it will be a coalition involving the US. We aren't perfect, but our system beats the shit out of anything the Chinese or Russians have to offer. That's going to be self evident as this realignment takes place.
Actually, it’s increasing, by millions, as it adds Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, Zaporozhye and whatever the rest of Ukraine it feels the need to take, the latter which depends on how many more tens of thousands of troops it intends to sacrifice for a Biden.
Who said anything about a grand new system. I’m good with a multi-polar system and the US learning to get along in the world.
Nothing to crow about here ... COVID-19, Declining Birth Rates and International Migration Resulted in Historically Small Population Gains
It's already moving in that direction. Just look at Ukraine? No troops. Get used to that too. As evidenced by your and others attitudes, American's aren't going there again anytime soon. If you look closely, you can see it happening already. Team Rule of Law (that us and our friends) vs. Team Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, handful of Central African countries (maybe). India will end up on our side due to already being integrated with the west. Saudi? I'd personally love to see them in team douchbag. Perfect fit. Look closer and you can see the shakeout happening. Manufacturing already coming back to the US and Western Hemisphere. We have tons of cheap energy and labor rates in places like Mexico are already cheaper than China with better value add. Based on cheap energy, close and secure supply lines and a nice mix of labor, it's already cheaper to make things here.
You are in a headlong rush to overstretch my position on Russia. Having noted that Russia has weathered the worst the West could throw at it, in terms of sanctions, I’m watching Russia grind to dust America’s great proxy while, at the same time, forging closer economic ties with the larger world.
By what measure do you base that last statement on? We haven't thrown anything at them other than some outdated weapons systems we gave to Ukraine. That's the scary part. Not that they're good. That they're THAT bad. If they went toe to toe with NATO it would be over in days and Putin probably would freak out and launch a nuke.
Oh, please. Never mind NATO. There’s a reason why the US military isn’t in Ukraine right now. It would likely tarnish its reputation as an overwhelming force.
Even though I can only read your half of the conversation, it’s pretty obvious you’re wrestling with a pig here. Most of us in this thread figured that out six or more months ago. There’s only so many times you can hear excuses about why great Russia still doesn’t have air superiority, hasn’t met its major ground objectives, got knocked back on its ass by two unexpected Ukrainian counteroffensives, can’t put its fleet to sea without losing it, is scared to employ its top-tier armor, has to lie to its own people about its catastrophic casualty rate, and so on. I think at one point I compared it to self-abuse with bar soap: amusing for the briefest of moments, then mostly painful, and you never get to the end of it.
“Russia still doesn’t have air superiority.” All aircraft are vulnerable. And that includes the mighty US Air Force. Drones and missiles are more cost-effective. “Russia got knocked back on its ass by two unexpected Ukrainian counter-offensives.” Kharkov entailed Ukraine punching through a lightly manned vector and pushing into cow pastures before out-running its artillery cover and suffering horrendous losses. Kherson entailed Ukrainian troops moving into an indefensible area that Russia previously vacated without losses. Ukraine quickly learned why Russia left as it was unable to supply the remaining citizenry and exposed itself to withering artillery fire and air strikes. These are Ukraine’s two “great victories.” There were not unexpected. They came at great cost. And they were a result of Ukraine waging a PR war for a Western audience. “Russia can’t put its fleet to sea without losing it.” All surface ships are vulnerable. See: why the US Navy would dare not enter the Black Sea. “Russia has to lie to its people about its catastrophic casualty rate.” As of Jan 23, the BBC, working in conjunction with the dissident website Mesuza, is dismayed to report that it can only confirm 12,200 Russian losses. This rings accurate as Russia is fighting cautiously and enjoys an immense firepower advantage. Pig says hi.
I've been trying for a hot minute to figure out which poster you are arguing with. I think I have it figured out, finally.
