It seems he’s doing pretty well. The substance of events is largely behind the scenes, with small but telltale glimpses in public statements. The bottom line is that Putin appears to be making significant progress in reshaping the global security environment in so far as they affect Russian interests. That means, above all, on Russia’s western borders.
Putin is causing uncertainty, which is very effective economic warfare on the Ukraine. Why invade when just the threat is effective, at a much lower cost.
Ray, count on this--the US did Ukraine and its people no favor at all when we overthrew their elected government and installed a corrupt kleptocracy that would antagonize Russia in exchange for money.
What has happened thus far that is not in Putin's favor? He has played it very well. The ineptitude and wrongheadedness of the Biden admin is laughable, pitiful, and lamentable for the U.S. The only thing I wonder is who is really now controlling those forces in the Donbas. That would be a good place from which to start a war.
He has exposed himself numerous times over the years but people forget. I wrote him off before the 2016 election because of his citizenship issue and also his ties to the CFR. He CAN make and has made positive contributions but I never forget he is doing it for selfish reasons and never forget he cannot be depended on as a conservative when "the rubber hits the road."
The only proper response for the USA in regard to other nations being devoured by totalitarian dictatorships is to offer US passports -- to those who are tested to have valuable skills and a commitment to freedom and the US Constitution. Britain should have done it in Hong Kong (and did to some extent with those Hong Kongers who worked for the British government there). We should do it for Taiwan, Hong Kong, Ukraine, etc. The only real capital that those countries have are its people. Why not get them and let the dictators have the pavement and bricks.
Cruz's "echoing" was preceded by attempts to drum up support for more sanctions for Zhou. Ted Cruz is a smart and talented guy. He's also a shill for people with money who do not have America's best interests at heart. Who can seriously say that there isn't money behind any GOP politician's decision to line up with Zhou on virtually anything--especially something that makes the US look feckless and foolish abroad?
Ukraine is weaker than I thought.
Putin is causing uncertainty, which is very effective economic warfare on the Ukraine. Why invade when just the threat is effective, at a much lower cost.
https://pjmedia.com/spengler/2022/01/27/what-if-they-had-a-war-but-there-was-no-one-there-to-begin-with-n1553825
Ray, count on this--the US did Ukraine and its people no favor at all when we overthrew their elected government and installed a corrupt kleptocracy that would antagonize Russia in exchange for money.
What has happened thus far that is not in Putin's favor? He has played it very well. The ineptitude and wrongheadedness of the Biden admin is laughable, pitiful, and lamentable for the U.S. The only thing I wonder is who is really now controlling those forces in the Donbas. That would be a good place from which to start a war.
Rand Paul, Tucker Carlson and many others I follow on Twitter have made the same assessment. Dumb GOP congressman.
Cruz exposed himself with his J6 comments. Voted for him in the 16 primary. Won’t do it again
He has exposed himself numerous times over the years but people forget. I wrote him off before the 2016 election because of his citizenship issue and also his ties to the CFR. He CAN make and has made positive contributions but I never forget he is doing it for selfish reasons and never forget he cannot be depended on as a conservative when "the rubber hits the road."
Yes, that was a major mistake--or reveal.
Agree, Putin is doing amazingly well with a weak hand with lots of bluffs and provocations.
And the increases in oil and natural gas helps Russia. And Russia seems to have adapted to the sanctions.
I don't think his hand is so weak at all.
Putin has a strong hand because the West has allowed it:
- gdp size of Italy
- large amount of economy is resource based
- lots of corruption, which retards private industry
- Biden Admin caused increase in oil and gas benefitting Russia
- Decommissioning of nuke power plants in Germany
- green energy policies that increased need for Russian Gas
- Military that is a joke in Germany
- Covid policies that have been economic insanity.
The only proper response for the USA in regard to other nations being devoured by totalitarian dictatorships is to offer US passports -- to those who are tested to have valuable skills and a commitment to freedom and the US Constitution. Britain should have done it in Hong Kong (and did to some extent with those Hong Kongers who worked for the British government there). We should do it for Taiwan, Hong Kong, Ukraine, etc. The only real capital that those countries have are its people. Why not get them and let the dictators have the pavement and bricks.
Cruz's "echoing" was preceded by attempts to drum up support for more sanctions for Zhou. Ted Cruz is a smart and talented guy. He's also a shill for people with money who do not have America's best interests at heart. Who can seriously say that there isn't money behind any GOP politician's decision to line up with Zhou on virtually anything--especially something that makes the US look feckless and foolish abroad?
Or suck it up, support Trump, and shove orangemanbad right up DC's collective ass. Again. This time with gusto