Recent posts

#11

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by Tonitrus - November 23, 2025, 08:18:03 PM

"Clutching their pearls" has become the latest overused phrase that I've come to hate every time I hear it.

[creating a pretext is laughably easy]

#12

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Tonitrus - November 23, 2025, 08:12:59 PM

But you are still basing your argument on taking the Russian offer at face value. The DMZ thing is irrelevant. First of all that's still Russian territory. Second of all, as evidenced during their 2022 preparation, in the age of satellites it's not like they could manage a strategic or even a tactical surprise if they had the ability to legally move troops right next to the border. And if they wanted to, creating a pretext is laughably easy as they showed in 2014 and 2015 with the Donbas "civilians" getting their SPG out of the shed to fight Ukrainian oppression.

Shoot, they've written/predicted the pretext right into the agreement.  The "if they lob a missile at Moscow or St Petersburg..." item.  They'll just lob one themselves and call it Ukrainian.

#13

Off the Record / Re: [Canada] Canadian Politics...

Last post by Bauer - November 23, 2025, 08:12:21 PM

I see what you mean, seems like unnecessary fearmongering.  If only politicians could focus on their job and avoid all the noise, but that's wishful thinking.

#14

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Josquius - November 23, 2025, 06:57:57 PM

I really hope Ukraine comes back to the demands on army size limitations with an offer to do this if Russia dies the same.
Really have to highlight Ukraine is in no position to surrender and it's a even peace we are going for.

#15

Off the Record / Re: [Canada] Canadian Politics...

Last post by viper37 - November 23, 2025, 05:59:20 PM

Can you link the news stories where it is reported Joly and a Liberal MP said those things?

Original text

Translation


Federal Liberal MP fears an American invasion (original French)

Translation

#16

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Sheilbh - November 23, 2025, 05:49:49 PM

Well I mean - any security guarantee is only worth the deterrence power (including credibility) of the parties involved.

I very much doubt it'll include the US and I suspect Russia will probe the credibility of their security guarantees elsewhere in Europe. As for the rest of us, that is in our control but depends on the decsions we make.

#17

Off the Record / Re: [Canada] Canadian Politics...

Last post by Grey Fox - November 23, 2025, 05:42:31 PM

It really didn't make it on your side, eh? I'll look for a link.


https://montrealgazette.com/news/provincial_politics/pq-leader-wants-to-hand-quebec-over-to-donald-trump-says-melanie-joly

Our Federalist political class reacted with please stfu.


Couldn't find any articles in English about what Iacono(the liberal mp) said.

Here's the La Presse link. https://lp.ca/1ZP1zO?sharing=true

#18

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by mongers - November 23, 2025, 04:53:20 PM

You can add any security guarantees you like, but for the next three years those aren't worth the paper they're written on.

Since the US has switched sides and is attempting a 'dictated peace'* ,Europe has to pass the $150 billion arms package being finalised for the 19th December, otherwise Ukraine has no significant long term support. 


*something much loved by dictators and wannabe ones; central casting has trump pencilled in for the El Duc role.

#19

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Sheilbh - November 23, 2025, 04:50:17 PM

That's why I flagged that how it would be enforced or monitored is undefined and that's the essential bit - again tied to security guarantees.

#20

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Tamas - November 23, 2025, 04:47:51 PM

But you are still basing your argument on taking the Russian offer at face value. The DMZ thing is irrelevant. First of all that's still Russian territory. Second of all, as evidenced during their 2022 preparation, in the age of satellites it's not like they could manage a strategic or even a tactical surprise if they had the ability to legally move troops right next to the border. And if they wanted to, creating a pretext is laughably easy as they showed in 2014 and 2015 with the Donbas "civilians" getting their SPG out of the shed to fight Ukrainian oppression.