tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post8782229627955864682..comments2024-01-05T06:18:18.086-05:00Comments on CommentaramaPolitics: Kit's Thoughts: The Ukraine and ISILAndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-35608947762297341232015-02-23T16:25:25.799-05:002015-02-23T16:25:25.799-05:00Bev, I suspect that Obama will offer to let the Po...Bev, I suspect that Obama will offer to let the Pope move to NYC, so long as he stops insulting gays.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-73446414029374830712015-02-22T21:20:28.892-05:002015-02-22T21:20:28.892-05:00So what do you think would happen if ISIS attacked...So what do you think would happen if ISIS attacked the Vatican?<br /><br />BTW, this question does not come out of nowhere. They have threatened the Vatican since Pope Francis spoke out against the beheadings of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians.BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-48141263012760549892015-02-22T19:49:04.805-05:002015-02-22T19:49:04.805-05:00What is disturbing is I never thought our reputati...What is disturbing is I never thought our reputation never really restoring as much as we just needed to bring aboard more "allies" to make the world a safer place...to cause the seas to recede and to cause the Earth to begin to heal. My bad...BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-86754133821952247462015-02-22T15:59:28.223-05:002015-02-22T15:59:28.223-05:00Andrew,
I think this comment by you above nails t...Andrew,<br /><br />I think this comment by you above nails things:<br />Isn't it interesting that Obama was supposed to restore our reputation in the world, but we've never been so alone.Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-58263228560984056922015-02-22T15:55:05.818-05:002015-02-22T15:55:05.818-05:00Andrew,
I agree on Poland. The US should be cozyi...Andrew,<br /><br />I agree on Poland. The US should be cozying up to them big time. Instead, Obama has pushed us farther away.Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-72380385285933989602015-02-22T15:29:37.307-05:002015-02-22T15:29:37.307-05:00Anthony, Kit and Bev, I've always felt that Po...Anthony, Kit and Bev, I've always felt that Poland was a squandered opportunity for us. The Poles have been big fans of ours for some time. Not only do I think we should be putting bases (with ground troops) in Poland to guarantee their protection from Russia, but we should be giving them a free trade agreement with the US to separate them from the EU. The Poles have repeatedly shown that they would be fantastic allies.<br /><br />In terms of stopping the Russians, anything short of placing ground troops in each country (Poland, the Baltics, etc.) won't be enough. The Russians will only worry about a knee-jerk counterattack, not a reasoned counterattack or agreement to defend.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-17846019658576072462015-02-22T14:43:10.687-05:002015-02-22T14:43:10.687-05:00Kit,
The Bush plan was to set up 10 interceptors,...Kit,<br /><br />The Bush plan was to set up 10 interceptors, and the target of the shield was Iran. It would take a lot more than 10 interceptors to even dent a nuclear attack from Russia (who has thousands of warheads). <br /><br />Despite not being the target and not being practically impacted, Russia objected strongly because they viewed it as the camel's nose under the tent. <br /><br />Its worth noting that Obama has promised Poland another missile defense system (Aegis) sometime after he leaves office. Funny how two two-term presidents in a row have forgone giving Poland missile defense systems but promised their successors will do so :) .Anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16124128949343301445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-83392692202697004062015-02-22T12:19:11.445-05:002015-02-22T12:19:11.445-05:00Also, a bit of an update the Ukraine situation
A ...Also, a bit of an update the Ukraine situation<br /><br />A bomb went off in Kharkiv at a pro-government rally killing 2 and injuring at least 10. Kharkiv is one of the towns that the leader of the Donetsk rebels has vowed to grab after taking Mariupol.<br /><br />The two groups did manage to maintain the pretense of a ceasefire with a prisoner exchange of 139 Ukrainian troops and 52 rebels.Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-43483709100513582602015-02-22T11:57:07.008-05:002015-02-22T11:57:07.008-05:00Bev,
What Bush was offering was to set up a missi...Bev,<br /><br />What Bush was offering was to set up a missile defense shield protecting Poland -that Obama a cuddled as part of his "reset" with Russia.Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-49523599491543186932015-02-22T08:15:30.848-05:002015-02-22T08:15:30.848-05:00Kit and Anthony - If you think about it, strategi...Kit and Anthony - If you think about it, strategically that was the plan. With moving our bases we were moving troops to man them. With unification of Germany, the bases in Germany were no longer "strategic" and they were expensive. And the Germans were no longer that interested in hosting the U.S. military in perpetuity. The Eastern Front had (has) moved ...well...east and Poland was a more than willing . host. Read the history of Poland and you will understand why. They have unwillingly been the "host" of the Austrian Empire, Germany and Russia. If Russia is allowed to take Ukraine, their next target will be Poland and the Baltics. They are already preparing as is Finland btw. Because with the backup of the U.S. military with them as a trusted and willing "ally" (there's that word again), they are left flapping in the wind. Now imagine what Israel is doing right nowBevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-73337258756272135332015-02-22T05:17:54.593-05:002015-02-22T05:17:54.593-05:00Bev,
Bush had wanted to some close bases in Germa...Bev,<br /><br />Bush had wanted to some close bases in Germany because they were expensive and pointless, he never proposed moving troops to Poland. That is clearly the sort of move that needs to be made though.Anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16124128949343301445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-31677867088996527882015-02-22T03:13:46.642-05:002015-02-22T03:13:46.642-05:00))Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-5066335095642966512015-02-22T03:13:29.439-05:002015-02-22T03:13:29.439-05:00Also, I propose a motion that from now on we refer...Also, I propose a motion that from now on we refer to ISIS/ISIL/IS/Islamic State by its Arabic a acronym, Daesh.<br /><br />Because Archer is a good show, dammit! (That I need to catch up onKithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-88760729049634767012015-02-22T03:11:38.070-05:002015-02-22T03:11:38.070-05:00Bev,
You are rights. That and his dithering durin...Bev,<br /><br />You are rights. That and his dithering during Iran's Green Revolution and his smack down against Honduras for trying to defend its constitutional laws were but the first signs of his incompetence in the realm of foreign affairs.<br /><br />Lyndon Johnson was more competent than this!Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-16770018905790462732015-02-21T19:14:03.449-05:002015-02-21T19:14:03.449-05:00What, like a US missile defense complex with the b...What, like a US missile defense complex with the blessings of Poland from the Bush years? Like that?? Yeah, Bush was going to move our strategic military bases from Germany to Poland...first thing that Obama did was scrap those in 2009 because Russia was offended.BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-80269214599054521012015-02-21T17:35:37.862-05:002015-02-21T17:35:37.862-05:00Andrew,
Increase U.S. Military presence in Poland...Andrew,<br /><br />Increase U.S. Military presence in Poland, maybe a base. Or at least threaten one if Russia doesn't improve its behavior.<br /><br />We already have Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty still going.<br /><br />We should start sending guns to Ukraine. Now.Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-52339363831266682302015-02-21T13:10:19.754-05:002015-02-21T13:10:19.754-05:00Anthony, In the past, this is where mercenaries co...Anthony, In the past, this is where mercenaries come in. You send in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Outcomes" rel="nofollow">Executive Outcomes</a> and they turn the Russian invasion into a mess without any direct fingerprints pointing to us.<br /><br />In terms of the long term, I think the solution to Russia is to beef up the neighbors we care about and put US bases in those countries to limit their options for future adventures. I would also restart Radio Free America. As for Ukraine, I'm not sure there's much we can do other than send weapons.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-1986843864126953092015-02-21T03:47:47.564-05:002015-02-21T03:47:47.564-05:00Russian has demonstrated a willingness to pay a he...Russian has demonstrated a willingness to pay a heavy economic price for its Ukraine invasion despite the fact military expenditures, sanctions and cheap oil is kicking it in the teeth. I doubt the Ukraine annexation getting bloodier for the Russian side will dampen enthusiasm for the invasion. A Russia that isn't flexing its muscles on the international stage is a Russia that has to face its own weakness. <br /><br />The question is do we want to stop Russia or do we want to just make their adventure more painful (more painful is unlikely to change their calculations) by giving Ukraine better weapons? <br /><br />Putting troops on the ground would is probably the only thing that prompt a strategic rethink on Russia's part. Of course, that risks a shooting war between two nuclear powers (though its worth noting Pakistan and India have resisted the temptation to go out in a blaze of nuclear glory despite trading casualties for decades).<br /><br />As for ISIS, I'd take American willingness to use troops with a grain of salt. As I said some years ago, I think any competent Democrat (John Edwards would have exploded) would have won in 2008 because at the time the American public was unhappy with Bush's foreign policy (including the stream of bodies coming home the media gave heavy play to) and wanted to give the Democrats a shot.<br /><br />Fighting guerilla wars (which is where reinsertion to Iraq would inevitably end up) is not a move any politician whose foremost concern is polls is going to make.<br /><br />Also, the Authorization of force wouldn't hold back the next president any. There is nothing stopping Congress and the next President from seeking a broader authorization before the old one expires. <br /><br />Anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16124128949343301445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-40776555486318616772015-02-20T23:17:32.864-05:002015-02-20T23:17:32.864-05:00@jcwalsh06: @iowahawkblog I think he does love Ame...@jcwalsh06: @iowahawkblog I think he does love America, but in like a "50 Shades of Grey" kind of way.<br /><br />This tweet sums it up nicely...BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-71371774018682082052015-02-20T19:42:55.636-05:002015-02-20T19:42:55.636-05:00Obama's not anti-American, he's just eliti...Obama's not anti-American, he's just elitist!Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-49564027230083812015-02-20T18:24:05.147-05:002015-02-20T18:24:05.147-05:00Bev, What is this "allies" thing of whic...Bev, What is this "allies" thing of which you speak? Actually, that's a great point. Isn't it interesting that Obama was supposed to restore our reputation in the world, but we've never been so alone.<br /><br />On America, this is a subtle distinction, but I don't think Obama hates America so much as he doesn't trust (or like or respect) Americans. He only likes his elitist friends.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-35971737316496961602015-02-20T17:15:17.366-05:002015-02-20T17:15:17.366-05:00Andrew - I have NO doubt that Obama hates America ...Andrew - I have NO doubt that Obama hates America and has utter contempt for any American who dares to disagree with him. It is obvious in everything he does and says. I have never in my life thought that about any other President or politician in my entire life. And what's even worse, he surrounds himself with like-minded counselors. I BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-48473138452021362512015-02-20T17:11:39.916-05:002015-02-20T17:11:39.916-05:00"It's just not possible to focus on that ..."It's just not possible to focus on that many problems in the level of detail that is needed to manage these issues to prevent them from becoming crises."<br /><br />Yeah, that's why we have a long history of working with these things called "allies". Many of our former Presidents were really good forming really good relationships with these "allies" and at working with them like say...I don't know...for instance...Britain, Canada, France, Poland, and Israel to manage all these details and formalize a plan for managing the details that could range from a strong scolding, monitoring, or bombing the living shitte out of the offending detail. <br /><br />And then there's UN. You remember them, don't you? Yeah, they were supposed to lead us all. But apparently they are too wrapped up that human rights violation investigation of Israel to notice all those mass beheadings, burnings, kidnappings of little girls, and deaths from the global Islamic terrorists organization. Not to mention the actual war perpetrated by one of the leading members of the UN - Russia against the Ukraine (they've already annexed Crimea without much from the UN)BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-60987887905712009582015-02-20T15:48:49.119-05:002015-02-20T15:48:49.119-05:00Let me also echo Critch to a degree by saying that...Let me also echo Critch to a degree by saying that the world is simply too large and too active for one country to police." It's just not possible to focus on that many problems in the level of detail that is needed to manage these issues to prevent them from becoming crises.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-55069645327054698892015-02-20T15:47:10.435-05:002015-02-20T15:47:10.435-05:00I personally doubt that Obama loves America. But ...I personally doubt that Obama loves America. But even more importantly, I don't think he trusts America to solve problems... even with his leadership. Interesting idea, no?AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.com