Flashpoint Latvia

[Jacob]

I saw in a recent poll that only the LibDem voters would really support helping the Baltic countries against the Russians. All the other voters would be ambivalent or against.

Were I in charge of the Baltic countries, I'd invest a bit in PR to push a "we're like you" narrative in big NATO countries (i.e. Germany, France, US, UK).

[celedhring]

Next Russian presidential election is in 2018, and with their economy going down the gutter Putin is going to need some stunt, sadly.

[Grinning_Colossus]

Next Russian presidential election is in 2018, and with their economy going down the gutter Putin is going to need some stunt, sadly.

He might have to call a couple of his personally-appointed governors, for instance.

[Razgovory]

I saw in a recent poll that only the LibDem voters would really support helping the Baltic countries against the Russians. All the other voters would be ambivalent or against.

Were I in charge of the Baltic countries, I'd invest a bit in PR to push a "we're like you" narrative in big NATO countries (i.e. Germany, France, US, UK).

Were I in charge I would grant citizenship to the Russians living there.  The fact that ethnic Russians have genuine grievances really muddies the waters here.

[Eddie Teach]

But if the Alliance does invoke Article V, it will be tantamount to a declaration of war by the West against Russia.

If that were true, what's the point of Putin using deniable proxies?

Call his bluff.

[Razgovory]

But if the Alliance does invoke Article V, it will be tantamount to a declaration of war by the West against Russia.

If that were true, what's the point of Putin using deniable proxies?

Call his bluff.

Because nobody wants nuclear war.

[Eddie Teach]

Yes, nobody wants nuclear war, including Putin. So letting NATO fall apart because he *might* use nukes when he's not even using uniformed soldiers would be a mistake.

[CountDeMoney]

You know what, fuck you guys. 
The Baltic States had the balls to break from Moscow in the first place--on their own, no less--and they have the right to be defended BY THEIR TREATY-BOUND ALLIES if Moscow tries to fuck with them again.


Fucking assholes.  Moscow, too.

[Ed Anger]

[viper37]

You know what, fuck you guys. 
The Baltic States had the balls to break from Moscow in the first place--on their own, no less--and they have the right to be defended BY THEIR TREATY-BOUND ALLIES if Moscow tries to fuck with them again.


Fucking assholes.  Moscow, too.

I applaud you stand, and I stand with you.  that will make two of us

[grumbler]

I somehow doubt a world war will start in some country in Eastern Europe few have even heard of.

Sometimes you're really funny

Sometimes?

I always assume that, when he says something that I don't find funny, it is my fault.

[jimmy olsen]

Question, doesn't Russia have close ties to Iran? If Trump tears that deal up on the first day in office, won't they be pissed? The Trump-Putin fall out could begin sooner than expected. There's not enough room in the world for both egos.

[viper37]

Why would he be pissed?  He'll get even more closer to Iran than he is now.

[frunk]

Question, doesn't Russia have close ties to Iran? If Trump tears that deal up on the first day in office, won't they be pissed? The Trump-Putin fall out could begin sooner than expected. There's not enough room in the world for both egos.

I think Russia is fine with having an Iran dependent on them and pissed off at the west.

[Richard Hakluyt]

I think we have to support the Baltics, the alternative is waiting till Poland is invaded like last time.

There is a certain amount of realpolitick here, one can have sympathy for Ukraine and Georgia, but it is totally understandable why NATO did not jump in. Reneging on explicit treaty obligations is a very different matter.

Meanwhile, any NATO member spending less than the 2% needs to resolve that shortfall asap.