So lets game out Trump's imperial ambitions (Panama, Greenland, Canada)

[mongers]

Of course all of it, Greenland/Pananma/Canada, could just be this president/presidency's raison d'être, trolling to be the centre of attention.


Oh and the rating, otherwise there'd be plenty of considered network coverage of Carter's funeral, Trump ain't letting anyone else steal the limelight.

[Barrister]

Of course all of it, Greenland/Pananma/Canada, could just be this president/presidency's raison d'être, trolling to be the centre of attention.

So just to be clear - all of this I think has a low probability of happening.

It's just not zero.

It's still worthwhile to game it all out though - see what you think might happen.

Ukraine/Zelenskyy were apparently convinced Russia would not launch a full-scale invasion - until they did.

[Admiral Yi]

No idea.  I'm not a military lawyer.

More just looking practical.  I could see someone who is more established going "I'm not invading fucking Canada" more so than a junior officer.

I think it's part of the institutional culture of the of the officer corps to a) not participate in coups and b) obey every single order that comes down the chain of command.  I personally can't think of examples of disobeying orders that were considered illegal.

[Barrister]

No idea.  I'm not a military lawyer.

More just looking practical.  I could see someone who is more established going "I'm not invading fucking Canada" more so than a junior officer.

I think it's part of the institutional culture of the of the officer corps to a) not participate in coups and b) obey every single order that comes down the chain of command.  I personally can't think of examples of disobeying orders that were considered illegal.

I think it's well beyond "not participate in coups".  They're trained to respect the Constitution and the rule of law.

I can't think of such examples either, but after situations like Kent State and My Lai it's been emphasized.

[mongers]

No idea.  I'm not a military lawyer.

More just looking practical.  I could see someone who is more established going "I'm not invading fucking Canada" more so than a junior officer.

I think it's part of the institutional culture of the of the officer corps to a) not participate in coups and b) obey every single order that comes down the chain of command.  I personally can't think of examples of disobeying orders that were considered illegal.

I think it's well beyond "not participate in coups".  They're trained to respect the Constitution and the rule of law.

I can't think of such examples either, but after situations like Kent State and My Lai it's been emphasized.

I feel I should read up on these two, but off the top of my head, wasn't Kent state a national guard unit deployed by the governor/state authorities and did anyone of them do time for the crimes?

My Lai took a good couple of years to come out, Colin Powell not withstanding, it needed some good journalism to push it into the public arena, even then after the trials what was the net effect, one day in prison followed by some house arrest and a few others with wrapped knuckles ??

Incidentally IIRC one of the helicopter pilots did intervene, to save some villagers from being massacred, but that was the most notable example of 'not following orders', most went along with the institutional/battalion plan for pinkville, some hung back and didn't take part. I don't know if that helicopter pilot faced any disciplinary action.

[The Minsky Moment]

I don't think any US general would defy the order to invade Canada, but a bunch of them would probably resign rather than participate.

That said there is zero chance Trump would order an invasion of Canada.  Even under the most favorable circumstances it would require a massive military garrison to be effective.

Also little chance re Panama because it could easily create an Afghan-like situation with US troops at permanent risk of terrorist and hit-and-run attacks, not to mention seriously elevating risks to sabotage attacks on the canal itself.

The generals will talk him of those because they can show it is bad for business.

Greenland OTOH may be a risk because it could be easily done for not much dollar and cent cost. It would be catastrophic to US standing and transform the EU into a military alliance hostile to both the US and Russia; it would mean the end of Taiwan and many other awful consequences. But Trump doesn't give a crap about that stuff. Greenland is really really big and Trump likes big.  It has stuff like "rare earth metals" which aren't particularly rare but it sounds really cool and impressive. It's just stupid enough for Trump to do t.

[Oexmelin]

Although corrupted, the American political regime still has to render accounts to the population. The President may have considerable military powers, but such a decisions would still trigger a political crisis. Americans may be somewhat fine bombing countries they see as backwards or hostile. Canada would be different. Whether or not this would stop the insanity, I am less sure now.

[mongers]

I don't think any US general would defy the order to invade Canada, but a bunch of them would probably resign rather than participate.

That said there is zero chance Trump would order an invasion of Canada.  Even under the most favorable circumstances it would require a massive military garrison to be effective.

Also little chance re Panama because it could easily create an Afghan-like situation with US troops at permanent risk of terrorist and hit-and-run attacks, not to mention seriously elevating risks to sabotage attacks on the canal itself.

The generals will talk him of those because they can show it is bad for business.

Greenland OTOH may be a risk because it could be easily done for not much dollar and cent cost. It would be catastrophic to US standing and transform the EU into a military alliance hostile to both the US and Russia; it would mean the end of Taiwan and many other awful consequences. But Trump doesn't give a crap about that stuff. Greenland is really really big and Trump likes big.  It has stuff like "rare earth metals" which aren't particularly rare but it sounds really cool and impressive. It's just stupid enough for Trump to do t.

Yes, a grim prospect, if so France and the UK really should work together to build a joint EU nuclear deterrent.

[Razgovory]

Although corrupted, the American political regime still has to render accounts to the population. The President may have considerable military powers, but such a decisions would still trigger a political crisis. Americans may be somewhat fine bombing countries they see as backwards or hostile. Canada would be different. Whether or not this would stop the insanity, I am less sure now.

Why would we need to bomb Canada?  You don't even have an army, not really.  New York City has more police then you do active duty soldiers.  Hell, they're probably better armed.

[mongers]

Although corrupted, the American political regime still has to render accounts to the population. The President may have considerable military powers, but such a decisions would still trigger a political crisis. Americans may be somewhat fine bombing countries they see as backwards or hostile. Canada would be different. Whether or not this would stop the insanity, I am less sure now.

Why would need to bomb Canada?  You don't even have an army, not really.  New York City has more police then you do active duty soldiers.  Hell, they're probably better armed.

And the SS also had pretty neat uniform. 

[Razgovory]

You don't need to bomb if there is no resistance.

[Valmy]

You don't need to bomb if there is no resistance.

Well sign up for the invasion then dumbass.

You should be ashamed even talking about this garbage. Especially bragging about how easy it is going to be.

[Grey Fox]

All I want is to not be lumped in with the RoC into, again, the same state.

[mongers]

You don't need to bomb if there is no resistance.

Well sign up for the invasion then dumbass.

You should be ashamed even talking about this garbage. Especially bragging about how easy it is going to be.

[Razgovory]

You don't need to bomb if there is no resistance.

Well sign up for the invasion then dumbass.

You should be ashamed even talking about this garbage. Especially bragging about how easy it is going to be.

I'm not bragging, I'm admonishing the Canadians for not having a military.