Politics and Religion
Don't expect me to make a habit out of this, but this question deserves an answer
GaGambler
posted
Let's not celebrate too soon. Most wars are started because a country feels desperate to improve it's economic condition.
"I wonder what the GOP and Russian President Vladimir Putin lovers will say now?"
You did say in regards to what.
"It was showing how the US led sanctions and especially President Obama was not weak in dealing with Russia."
Guess you needed to make that clearer. However, my point is just as valid as yours, and I'm certain Obama is, at most cautiously optimistic, yet vigilante regarding Russia's next move.
P.S. Where did I say, or even suggest that a war is needed to make a point? It's Russia who has been a military aggressor.
You did say in regards to what.
"It was showing how the US led sanctions and especially President Obama was not weak in dealing with Russia."
Guess you needed to make that clearer. However, my point is just as valid as yours, and I'm certain Obama is, at most cautiously optimistic, yet vigilante regarding Russia's next move.
P.S. Where did I say, or even suggest that a war is needed to make a point? It's Russia who has been a military aggressor.
Three issues.
1. Matt, you are correct that SOME wars are started over economic issues. But in the last 100 years while that was a cause of WWI, subsequent wars including WWII and the "modern" era wars were not started over economics. Power and control, yes, religious issues (Shiite vs Sunni) Yes, but because one country was desperate, not so much. Of course that could change with the N Korean problem. I know some think we meddled in the Mideast because of oil but we know in hindsight that theory was wrong. The US could have taken the Iraq oil (I wish we had to pay for the war effort) but the reality is that we left the oil for the Iraqis and now ISIS has a lot of it. The case could be made that the depression and post WWI years made Germany ripe for Hitler, but Hitler's drive was not primarily economic as he himself wrote.
2. Despite what BigGuy posted, Russia is not acting desperately at all. In fact, quite the opposite. Putin has become a dominant player on the world stage. The link is to a analysis published today by the AP (hardly a righty source) of Putin's aggressive military buildup which he will accomplish no matter what condition his economy is.
The sanctions which BG seems to offer as Obama being "tough" on Russia have not worked to curtail Putin one iota.
Russia is now the main player in Syria...think Aleppo in the news today.
Has Russia given the Crimea and land they annexed (stole) from Ukraine back? Nope
Is Russia threatening NATO? Yes
Our own Defense Secretary says that Putin and Russia are a top US concern. Russia is not getting weaker, but stronger.
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/bbd6193c26f74d05bd4c3685d34ee05f/carter-says-russia-china-potentially-threaten-global-order
Any argument that Putin is now desperate and that Obama has dealt with Russia in an effective manner is just a fantasy. A dangerous one!
1. Matt, you are correct that SOME wars are started over economic issues. But in the last 100 years while that was a cause of WWI, subsequent wars including WWII and the "modern" era wars were not started over economics. Power and control, yes, religious issues (Shiite vs Sunni) Yes, but because one country was desperate, not so much. Of course that could change with the N Korean problem. I know some think we meddled in the Mideast because of oil but we know in hindsight that theory was wrong. The US could have taken the Iraq oil (I wish we had to pay for the war effort) but the reality is that we left the oil for the Iraqis and now ISIS has a lot of it. The case could be made that the depression and post WWI years made Germany ripe for Hitler, but Hitler's drive was not primarily economic as he himself wrote.
2. Despite what BigGuy posted, Russia is not acting desperately at all. In fact, quite the opposite. Putin has become a dominant player on the world stage. The link is to a analysis published today by the AP (hardly a righty source) of Putin's aggressive military buildup which he will accomplish no matter what condition his economy is.
The sanctions which BG seems to offer as Obama being "tough" on Russia have not worked to curtail Putin one iota.
Russia is now the main player in Syria...think Aleppo in the news today.
Has Russia given the Crimea and land they annexed (stole) from Ukraine back? Nope
Is Russia threatening NATO? Yes
Our own Defense Secretary says that Putin and Russia are a top US concern. Russia is not getting weaker, but stronger.
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/bbd6193c26f74d05bd4c3685d34ee05f/carter-says-russia-china-potentially-threaten-global-order
Any argument that Putin is now desperate and that Obama has dealt with Russia in an effective manner is just a fantasy. A dangerous one!
Putin always seems strong enough to bitch-slap the pussy-in-chief Obama.
