WTF is going in in France Svarty?

[JimC]

It's a pity we're not closer to Bonobos...

[Scot Dutchy]

I'm certainly not going to paint NATO as saintly foes of the red menace - they too had a geopolitical incentive for expansion and containment of Russia...

It's all a game...

But this is what fuels Putin's unwavering popularity, the Russian people will always unite behind the power opposing NATO.

Scrap NATO and the problem will disappear.

As will autonomous Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland... It's just Realpolitik.

Why would they disappear?

[DRSB]

Gorbachov is still alive, why doesn't he speak up on whether the NATO expansion was agreed upon when he facilitated the unification of Germany?

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-b ... ldnt-23629

[Scot Dutchy]

I dont think Gorby is up for much these days. The USA has never had any regard for treaties as the present Orange Loon a shown. NATO should have been scrapped when the Warsaw Pact was. The trouble is it gives the USA a direct link and excuse to dabble in European politics. Not for the good of the Europeans but for its own aggressive politics.

[Hermit]

I'm certainly not going to paint NATO as saintly foes of the red menace - they too had a geopolitical incentive for expansion and containment of Russia...

It's all a game...

But this is what fuels Putin's unwavering popularity, the Russian people will always unite behind the power opposing NATO.

Scrap NATO and the problem will disappear.

As will autonomous Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland... It's just Realpolitik.

Why would they disappear?

I did not say Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland et cetera would disappear. I said autonomous Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland et cetera would disappear. Historically, that's just what happens when nations cannot defend their autonomy from neighbouring nations that are more powerful.

[Scot Dutchy]

Defending from whom?

[Hermit]

Defending from whom?

from neighbouring nations that are more powerful.

How did you miss that?

[Scot Dutchy]

Which ones are those and why would they attack?

That is the American assumption.

[Hermit]

Which ones are those and why would they attack?

I leave it to you to study some history. Should you decide to do so, you will discover an all too common pattern, namely that when nations cannot defend their autonomy from neighbouring nations that are more powerful, they lose it.

[Rum]

I think his dislike of America is clouding his judgement. Russia would not, I’m afraid, suddenly transform into a big cuddly bear if NATO disbanded tomorrow. International dynamics sadly don’t work that way. I wish they did.

[Scot Dutchy]

Your America propaganda is clouding your eyes. America needs conflict. It lives off it.
Russia is not a monster either. International cooperation and discussion does work.

America is unable to do either.

[rainbow]

Which ones are those and why would they attack?

I leave it to you to study some history. Should you decide to do so, you will discover an all too common pattern, namely that when nations cannot defend their autonomy from neighbouring nations that are more powerful, they lose it.

Europe is a very different place now. There is little motive to invade and hold territory, as the economies are not longer based on agriculture, mining and manufacture - so land is not as important.
Wars are now faught over ideology not territory, and the Europeans have a common middle-class value system. What would there be to fight for?

[DRSB]

For Russia‘s huge natural resources, gas and all that?

[Scot Dutchy]

Which ones are those and why would they attack?

I leave it to you to study some history. Should you decide to do so, you will discover an all too common pattern, namely that when nations cannot defend their autonomy from neighbouring nations that are more powerful, they lose it.

Europe is a very different place now. There is little motive to invade and hold territory, as the economies are not longer based on agriculture, mining and manufacture - so land is not as important.
Wars are now faught over ideology not territory, and the Europeans have a common middle-class value system. What would there be to fight for?

Exactly rainbow. The Cold War mentality is difficult to move sometimes. What is the purpose of NATO? Rationally it has none. In a world where we still have enough nuclear weapons to blow up the planet ten times over what purpose does it have. It is the toy of America. Just there to crank up fear when required.
The Americans need fear for their anxiety. Once again they have this illusion that the rest of the world thinks like them. Well we dont and sooner NATO is dissolved the better.
Our government is increasing defence spending (the good little country we are) and spending money where? Have a guess? Buying aircraft and tanks. WHAT THE FUCK FOR!!!!! Just to play war fucking games?

[Scot Dutchy]

For Russia‘s huge natural resources, gas and all that?

Plus the rest. It does not need Europe. It has enough to worry about China.