How to deal with Pakistan has been the real failure. Or put it another way, Pakistan has outwitted the US. How to be an ally of both sides in a war has been quite amazing feat.Certainly not the West. And that's where the problem is and has been for a very long time. — Apollodorus
And Erdogan has had as an example Putin and Russia on how to "punch over one's weight limit".Exactly. That's his plan. This is why he got elected, to make the Turkish Empire great again. — Apollodorus
It's great that people notice this, as you have. This is truly the West's world order collapsing. Many people don't see it.The West's world order is falling apart and the Turkish and other vultures are circling in the sky .... — Apollodorus
So, Turkey didn't announce what you said they announced. — hairy belly
Pakistan, the old US ally which was both in CENTO and SEATO, then an important ally to the US when Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, is the most interesting case here. It has portrayed itself as an ally in the war on Terror and yet basically founded the Taliban. Yet it didn't fall into the category of a "Rogue Nation". Perhaps it's nuclear deterrent helped in this. — ssu
It was irrational of Britain in the 1850s not to stay neutral, let Russia try to fend off France while perhaps learning a small lesson about whatever that was about, not bolster Turkey (which would have genuinely benefitted from modernising then and not in the 1920s). Instead Russia got so weakened it had to sell off Alaska where Russians had been more humane than their successors became, receiving only enough money to pay landlords / nobility and nothing left over for the serfs, who fell to the agitators. Neglecting Germany and Austria into the bargain and look what happened there.America and Europe seem to be on a warpath with Russia whilst at the same time leaving many weak spots exposed and allowing China, Turkey, and Pakistan to exert too much influence to the point that the situation is becoming dangerous — Apollodorus
Record number of refugees fleeing to Afghanistan
Aug 17, 2021
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN—After the successful installation of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, their new offices and processing centers have received more refugees, VISA and citizen applications than they currently have capacity for.
"We have families with young children living in tents right outside", said Ahmad Qahar, an official of the Afghan immigration agency, pointing at the would-be shanty town outside.
The unprecedented situation has put a heavy strain on Afghan resources, and they have approached the UN for assistance.
"With the uncertain future and potential dangers, our family quickly decided to get on the first plane to Kabul", said Mei Cy, a Singaporean national. Similar sentiments have been expressed all around the globe, like Yael (from an unspecified Middle Eastern region) and Swedish Björn, who wished to otherwise remain anonymous.
With the US finally opening their borders for residents wanting to exit, the Taliban authorities could be faced with a larger influx still, and, without help from the international community, the fall could see humanitarian disasters.
Totally right.But you are right that the Russians are in a much better position in the region, first because it's their backyard and second because Russia's political situation makes long-term planning much easier than the US political system where short-term objectives tend to come first and presidents come and go every few years. — Apollodorus
It was irrational of Britain in the 1850s not to stay neutral, let Russia try to fend off France while perhaps learning a small lesson about whatever that was about, not bolster Turkey (which would have genuinely benefitted from modernising then and not in the 1920s). — Fine Doubter
Oh yes, war is a racket. Well known for ages.Here is a Crimethinc article written by a war veteran. — thewonder
But the Imperial glory of annexing Crimea back got to Putin, and this finally woke NATO from it's deep stupor. Before that NATO was all about international operations and nothing about deterrence and defence of it's member states. Now it's not. Crimea and the civil war in Ukraine made things worst. — ssu
Of course! In it's Military doctrine Russia sees NATO expansion as the most dangerous threat ever. International terrorism is on 11th place or lower. Remember that the siloviks view everything they do as a defensive measure. And being on the offense is the best defense.I agree with your statement to some extent. But I tend to see EU and NATO expansion as the primary cause of friction between the West and Russia. — Apollodorus
Unified Germany doesn't seem like this bully with imperialist aspirations, because it hasn't got them, — ssu
It's great that people notice this, as you have. This is truly the West's world order collapsing. Many people don't see it. — ssu
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