The FT is interesting. It has to present more or less tolerable view of the world to the people who own it, they can't be like CNN, almost never having dissident voices on. — Manuel
↪Wayfarer Well called in advance from you. — ssu
The Russian foreign policy objectives and it's agenda are totally logical. Going against NATO, against the Transatlantic connection and the EU is obvious as these supranational organizations make it possible for smaller countries in the zone of influence of Russia, like the Baltic States, to go against Russia. If relations in Europe were done on a one-to-one basis, Russia would have a very influential position. But if it has to negotiate with the EU, it is in a disadvantage. Hence the anti-EU stance of Russia. And the anti-NATO stance of Russia ought to be obvious to everybody.
Yet with supporting clandestinely Trump, giving loans to the French National Front and having connections to far-right and anti-immigration / anti-EU parties, Russia now has hit a populist streak that likely it didn't think would be possible. Above all, it's de facto enemy, is in total dissarray.
[ ... ]
Russia and it's intelligence services are winning.
I think things are getting worse, not better... — ssu
As Putin is obviously trying to reconstitute and reconquer the Russian (Soviet) Empire, he truly is the modern imperialist... — ssu
Covid laws and free mass testing are to be swept away across England after Rishi Sunak won a cabinet battle on cutting the cost of the pandemic, prompting fears that the poor and vulnerable will pay the price.
Boris Johnson announced plans to end free testing for the general public from 1 April, saying it was time for people to “get our confidence back”.
People who test positive for Covid will no longer have to isolate by law from this Thursday – and from April will not even be advised to stay at home if infected, the prime minister said. — Guardian article
Do note that Putin also actively encouraged Scottish independence. When you think of it, the Scottish Independence Party and UKIP/Brexit crowd are quite in opposite camps. But that doesn't matter. For Russia, there is no other logic than to a) break up Atlanticism and NATO, b) break up the EU and c) break up Western countries, if possible. I think the only case where Putin wasn't active (or didn't care) was with the possible secession of Catalonia from Spain. Spain I guess isn't so important for Russia.Putin and Trump both backed Brexit. — Amity
If one is against imperialism, it is logical to be against all imperialism no matter who or which side has these imperial aspirations. — ssu
As Putin is obviously trying to reconstitute and reconquer the Russian (Soviet) Empire, he truly is the modern imperialist in the genuine sense. — ssu
As Putin is obviously trying to reconstitute and reconquer the Russian (Soviet) Empire, he truly is the modern imperialist in the genuine sense. — ssu
Though it may be different with people from the Finnish outback where imagination apparently serves as substitute for knowledge .... :grin: — Apollodorus
I remember well those who defended on the previous site the invasion of Iraq and deemed me anti-american. — ssu
Delusional nonsense and lies, as you haven't been long in this forum. — ssu
Germany on Tuesday halted the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea gas pipeline project, designed to double the flow of Russian gas direct to Germany, after Russia formally recognized two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.
Europe's most divisive energy project, worth $11 billion, was finished in September, but has stood idle pending certification by Germany and the European Union.
(Global News) Russian President Vladimir Putin asked the country’s parliament on Tuesday for a permission to use military force outside the country.
Putin’s letter to the upper house of parliament would formalize a Russian military deployment to rebel regions in eastern Ukraine, a day after the Russian leader recognized their independence.
It may also herald Putin’s intention to launch a broader attack on Ukraine. Western leaders earlier said Russian troops had moved into the country’s east – and the U.S. called it an “invasion.”
Lawmakers are expected to quickly rubber-stamp Putin’s request during a session Tuesday. Putin signed friendship treaties earlier in the day with the two rebel regions that envisage the deployment of the Russian military there.
Well, giving the benefit of the doubt to someone that has different views from yours is important in a forum like this, but up to a point. Ad hominems are just a sign of there's not much the other side has to argue.If I was getting responses this stupid (especially see above), I would just give up. — Baden
So what are their alternatives? — frank
It should be absolutely clear how dangerous Trump and the republican apathy towards a war crisis like this is. — Christoffer
would — Christoffer
if — Christoffer
could — Christoffer
If — Christoffer
could — Christoffer
could — Christoffer
The US and European nations have long opposed Russian territorial aggression on Ukraine. The US has been screaming blue murder for the last six weeks, which a lot of people say is simply scare-mongering, although it's obviously not.
— Wayfarer
Yes. Words come easy. Some are genuine.
Putin has been a dangerous, now totally paranoid, dictator for how long?
How many leaders have shaken his hand and been showered upon... — Amity
The ennoblement of Mr Lebedev, son of a former KGB agent, who owns the Evening Standard and The Independent, comes days after the intelligence and security committee warned of the growing influence of a “Russian elite” in British life. — The Times - Evgeny Lebedev son of KGB agent handed a seat in the House of Lords
Do note that Putin also actively encouraged Scottish independence. When you think of it, the Scottish Independence Party and UKIP/Brexit crowd are quite in opposite camps. But that doesn't matter. For Russia, there is no other logic than to a) break up Atlanticism and NATO, b) break up the EU and c) break up Western countries, if possible. — ssu
Then there is of course option f) Act surprised when you have power outages and blame them on something, the weather, climate change, Putin's cyberwarfare or whatever you can invent that would seem acceptable to the ignorant voters. — ssu
Empire and socialism
The British empire and imperialism also make an appearance. While the document says the reformation and renaissance are unlikely to be an issue:
For more recent historical events including those which are particularly contentious and disputed, political issues may be presented to pupils. This includes many topics relating to empire and imperialism, on which there are differing partisan political views, and which should be taught in a balanced manner.
The framing hundreds of years of exploitation and occupation simply as a ‘partisan’ issue, surely downplays the continuing impacts of imperialism around the world.
[ ... ]
The Tory choice of topics is telling. Why Israel/Palestine, BLM and empire? Of all issues, why are these being treated as if two equally legitimate sides deserve to be heard. Also significant, is the government decision to reinforce with guidance what already appears to be law.We need to question why they are doing this. — The Canary - Tory Guidance on teaching politics
Boris Johnson yesterday unveiled “the first barrage” of sanctions against Russian business interests in response to the country’s movement of troops into Ukraine.
Yet the measures scarcely scratch the surface of the extensive business links between Moscow and Britain. From the dozens of Russian companies listed in London, to BP’s 20 per cent stake in Kremlin-backed Rosneft and the flow of commodities to the UK, Anglo-Russian commerce is under intense scrutiny as the prime minister and his counterparts in the EU and America mull further sanctions. — The Times - Unpicking Russia's Web of UK Interests
“If it comes to an invasion, it will be total war like in 1939. The whole country will be fighting back, there will be a massive resistance. The west should know there will be a large number of refugees too, maybe 5 to 10 million.”
Those determined to fight include Oleg Sentsov, a film director from Crimea who became a national hero after he was detained in his home city in 2014 and convicted of terrorism in a Russian military court. Human rights groups denounced it as a show trial.
He spent five years in Russian jails, including in Siberia where the cold severely damaged his health, before he was released in a prisoner swap in 2019. He says he is ready to fight, even as his latest film, Rhino, is feted at festivals.
“I will be in uniform. I have some military training and I know how to act in war,” he said in an interview at a central Kyiv cafe, hours before Putin announced his plans to recognise breakaway regions of Ukraine. “The main thing I learned in this life is not to be afraid. In such a difficult time, I will not be the person running from my country.” — The Guardian - Ukrainians ready for resistance
Brave citizens fighting for their lives. — Amity
*Pre-WWIII conditions occur under president Biden*
Liberals: How could Trump do this??? — StreetlightX
Putin is a major threat because he's a fucking lunatic. To have a former president and someone who might take office again, call Putin a genius is serious.
A lot of people will die and there will be a major hit to the security of the world if Putin invades Ukraine. So who can defend such a statement from Trump? How can the blatant pro-Putin and apathy of the republican party be something the US people would support? What the fuck is wrong with people? — Christoffer
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