Beyond that, Russia isn't Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, or Syria, or some other weak nation. They have all the toys! And, Russia has been training hard-core. Anyone that wants to provoke Russia into a war is fucking insane. Respect the treaties, respect their country, respect THEIR national security interests.
Peace can be maintained, but it requires America to acknowledge Russia as a partner, as an equal, and stop playing BS games and vilifying Russia like a bunch of third-graders.
Surely if we just let Putin invade the Ukraine, then he'll be appeased, and then peace will be maintained and he won't try anything more. That's how history works, right?
After all, our past leaders like JFK and Reagan have emphasized the importance of respecting Russia and treating them as a partner, rather than provoking them.
Seriously -
Pushing around weak countries like Syria and then kowtowing to China and/or Russia because they're strong is bullying and foolish. It promotes constant war and posturing. I've been opposed to most of our Middle East and other interventions, but I supported the Korean War and the Kuwait War because we cannot let "might makes right" be the rule of the world. Outright military invasion needs to be opposed by all countries of the world, and we should respect countries regardless of whether they are strong or weak. Who is our partner should be based on moral principles, not how strong they are.
Greetings!
That's all nice in theory, Jhkim, but the reality is that no one gives a fuck about morality. The rule of the day in the international sandbox is of course "Might Makes Right", just like it always has been. It has never been otherwise.
America operates by the same calculus, except we wear a furry glove and carry a cupcake. Underneath the soft, furry glove, however, has been a fist of steel. That fist of steel is everything in modern war, from Marines and Fleets, to airstrikes, cruise missiles, and full-scale war. It also includes "Colour Revolutions" and "Regime Changes". Sprinkle in economic sanctions, economic bribery with gold, technology, and weapons, as well as coups, assassinations, kidnappings, and the occasional group of death squads unleashed against political opponents in foreign countries, and the toy box is full and ready to go!
So, looking at reality, Ukraine belongs to Russia. Certainly moreso to Russia than to *us*. Ukraine is part of Russia's strategic national interests. Just like we would get hot if China allied with Mexico and started putting Chinese weapons and troops in Mexico. Well, Russia feels the same about Ukraine. You either accept that, or we are fucked. Russia is never going to tolerate us putting troops there. There is no negotiating. It's Russia's sphere of interest, and we need to shut the fuck up and mind our own business.
Disregarding these realities is likely to end very badly for us.
Contrary to US politicians bravado--it's all empty hot air, or like a tranny making a wet fart on the couch.
In recent years, US and NATO Generals have conducted exercises, studies, and wargames, projecting war against Russia.
NATO and the US get their asses blown out everytime by the Russians. So, who the fuck are we kidding? Unless you can unload 20 heavy Tank Divisions and 20 Infantry Divisions, backed up by 5,000 combat aircraft ready to go, it's all just a pathetic little game of a little dog yapping, thinking it can run with the Big Dogs. America is not in BIG DOG SHAPE, and neither is NATO.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK