I wish that the Biden administration was a bit more creative and in a position to aim the American fossil fuel producers at Europe with some programs to incentivize Americans to attempt to make up for energy shortfalls in Europe with domestically-produced natural gas and the like.
I'm not sure whether a move like this wouldn't be extremely expensive, but it would be great to see Free Nations purchasing their energy from other Free Nations instead of autocrats. It would be the right thing to do from a global power politics perspective, and might go some ways in pulling away from Trump the allegiance of the American energy industry (especially all the folks working in the petrochemical sector, like some friends and family I have in the Southwest).
I noticed that you never mentioned that Trump authorized the aerial strike on 300 Russian "mercenaries" advancing on a US base in Syria. If he was so in cahoots with Putin, he would have ordered the US forces to withdraw and allow Russians to own that battlefield.
You should know better, Putin basically kept status quo in Ukraine during much of Trump's term. he did not mass troops at the border as he did last year leading up to today's situation, other than typical annual winter exercises. Of course, status quo doesn't mean things stay static, it simply means that the circumstances by large haven't drastically changed. He could have built up the troops in the border regions during Trump's term and ordered them to advance into Donbas region, he had plenty of time and choose not to do that.
I still don't think Biden is making all right moves in Ukraine. I would argue that Biden's chaotic handling of Afghanistan is what emboldened Putin to make aggressive moves on Ukraine.
I know you like Biden a lot and probably would vote for him again in 2024, that's your opinion, and I respect that. I guess we'll have to just agree to disagree on Biden and Trump's actions in Ukraine.
Ukraine IS an European problem. This is something the rest of Europe should decide for itself on whether to take up the arms against Russian aggression. If most of NATO countries are unwilling to do this even though Ukraine isn't a NATO member, then it doesn't bode very well for NATO's existence. For years, they relied on the US muscle to deter USSR and now Russia, they have not done much to improve their militaries, barely spending much on their defense budgets. If they're only limiting themselves to supplying Ukraine with supplies and weapons, then I'm sure the Baltic states will be wondering if they're better off leaving NATO and make peace with Russia. This is where Germany, France, and UK must step up to provide substantial defense to Ukraine, if they are unwilling to draw the red line in Ukraine, then where should they draw the line? Baltic states? If they won't do it, then I see no reason for US to do it either.
This crisis is the opportunity for Western Europe to get out of its slump and rise to the occasion by defending Ukraine as a free country with every right to maintain its territorial integrity from Russian aggression. It's time for USA to exit the left stage and leave it to Europe. It's a real test, let's see if the rest of Europe can push back against Russia. Otherwise, we'll be over there holding European hands perpetually. Do we really want that?
I’m aware of the battle, but I’m not sure it was Trump’s call at all. The clsim that it was Russian mercenaries seems overblown. The reports I’ve seen indicate that it was mostly local fighters with possible Russian contractors.
The Russian government has denied that Russian military forces were involved. That sheds a very different light on the event.
For SGman, I saw your reply to me in the email notification, but the comment seems is deleted now.
I am not a Trump supporter nor have I ever voted for him. However, on occasion, I will defend the policies pursued by Trump administration. I'm not so crazy on Trump, but I happen to think he got it right on some of the policies.
I'm sorry, but I refuse to hate any man passionately like some Trump haters or Obama haters for that matter. Feel free to hate Trump if you want, that's not my cup of tea.
On the other hand, I would be happy if Biden could do more to secure the border. Like it or not, illegal immigration has gotten out of control. The numbers are way up from Trump years. I'm squishy on immigration policy, I support streamlining the path to citizenship, to make it LESS expensive and EASIER to get. If it were easier to obtain citizenship, then there'd be less need for illegal immigration. I actually WANT MORE immigrants to come over. The only condition I have for them is to do it LEGALLY.
Trump said it inarticulately, however, from strategic perspective, what Putin has accomplished is cunning and masterful. Understand this, like Crimea, these two breakaway republics will never return to Ukraine. They are effectively lost forever to Russia. And unfortunately for Ukraine, the West has sort of acquiesced in Putin's blatant aggressive move. No amount of negotiations will drive the breakaway regions back toward Ukraine's arms. Sanctions aren't going to hurt Russia, and in fact, may drive her further into China's waiting arms.
If Russia and China decide to form a stable military and political alliance, watch out. They will probably build alternative financial institutions that may defray the stinging impact of any sanction imposed upon them.
I wish that the Biden administration was a bit more creative and in a position to aim the American fossil fuel producers at Europe with some programs to incentivize Americans to attempt to make up for energy shortfalls in Europe with domestically-produced natural gas and the like.
I'm not sure whether a move like this wouldn't be extremely expensive, but it would be great to see Free Nations purchasing their energy from other Free Nations instead of autocrats. It would be the right thing to do from a global power politics perspective, and might go some ways in pulling away from Trump the allegiance of the American energy industry (especially all the folks working in the petrochemical sector, like some friends and family I have in the Southwest).
I respectfully disagree with you.
I noticed that you never mentioned that Trump authorized the aerial strike on 300 Russian "mercenaries" advancing on a US base in Syria. If he was so in cahoots with Putin, he would have ordered the US forces to withdraw and allow Russians to own that battlefield.
You should know better, Putin basically kept status quo in Ukraine during much of Trump's term. he did not mass troops at the border as he did last year leading up to today's situation, other than typical annual winter exercises. Of course, status quo doesn't mean things stay static, it simply means that the circumstances by large haven't drastically changed. He could have built up the troops in the border regions during Trump's term and ordered them to advance into Donbas region, he had plenty of time and choose not to do that.
I still don't think Biden is making all right moves in Ukraine. I would argue that Biden's chaotic handling of Afghanistan is what emboldened Putin to make aggressive moves on Ukraine.
I know you like Biden a lot and probably would vote for him again in 2024, that's your opinion, and I respect that. I guess we'll have to just agree to disagree on Biden and Trump's actions in Ukraine.
Ukraine IS an European problem. This is something the rest of Europe should decide for itself on whether to take up the arms against Russian aggression. If most of NATO countries are unwilling to do this even though Ukraine isn't a NATO member, then it doesn't bode very well for NATO's existence. For years, they relied on the US muscle to deter USSR and now Russia, they have not done much to improve their militaries, barely spending much on their defense budgets. If they're only limiting themselves to supplying Ukraine with supplies and weapons, then I'm sure the Baltic states will be wondering if they're better off leaving NATO and make peace with Russia. This is where Germany, France, and UK must step up to provide substantial defense to Ukraine, if they are unwilling to draw the red line in Ukraine, then where should they draw the line? Baltic states? If they won't do it, then I see no reason for US to do it either.
This crisis is the opportunity for Western Europe to get out of its slump and rise to the occasion by defending Ukraine as a free country with every right to maintain its territorial integrity from Russian aggression. It's time for USA to exit the left stage and leave it to Europe. It's a real test, let's see if the rest of Europe can push back against Russia. Otherwise, we'll be over there holding European hands perpetually. Do we really want that?
I’m aware of the battle, but I’m not sure it was Trump’s call at all. The clsim that it was Russian mercenaries seems overblown. The reports I’ve seen indicate that it was mostly local fighters with possible Russian contractors.
The Russian government has denied that Russian military forces were involved. That sheds a very different light on the event.
https://www.rferl.org/a/syria-deir-zor-attack-pentagon-russians-involved/29058555.html
For SGman, I saw your reply to me in the email notification, but the comment seems is deleted now.
I am not a Trump supporter nor have I ever voted for him. However, on occasion, I will defend the policies pursued by Trump administration. I'm not so crazy on Trump, but I happen to think he got it right on some of the policies.
I'm sorry, but I refuse to hate any man passionately like some Trump haters or Obama haters for that matter. Feel free to hate Trump if you want, that's not my cup of tea.
On the other hand, I would be happy if Biden could do more to secure the border. Like it or not, illegal immigration has gotten out of control. The numbers are way up from Trump years. I'm squishy on immigration policy, I support streamlining the path to citizenship, to make it LESS expensive and EASIER to get. If it were easier to obtain citizenship, then there'd be less need for illegal immigration. I actually WANT MORE immigrants to come over. The only condition I have for them is to do it LEGALLY.
Trump said it inarticulately, however, from strategic perspective, what Putin has accomplished is cunning and masterful. Understand this, like Crimea, these two breakaway republics will never return to Ukraine. They are effectively lost forever to Russia. And unfortunately for Ukraine, the West has sort of acquiesced in Putin's blatant aggressive move. No amount of negotiations will drive the breakaway regions back toward Ukraine's arms. Sanctions aren't going to hurt Russia, and in fact, may drive her further into China's waiting arms.
If Russia and China decide to form a stable military and political alliance, watch out. They will probably build alternative financial institutions that may defray the stinging impact of any sanction imposed upon them.
To complement the title of your well written article David, here's the Edwin Starr classic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01-2pNCZiNk