I fear it is time for Biden to show resolve.

[sarisataka]

Wars have started in the past because dictators misunderstood US intentions about "regional issues". (I'm looking at you GHWB)

I believe he should immediately strengthen US forces in Europe. Deploy the 1st Armoured Division to Poland, 4th Infantry to the Baltic States, 101st Airborne to Germany and the 1st Marine Division to Turkey, or if they won't allow it, to Norway. Forward deploy a couple fighter wings to central Europe and B-52s to England. Also send warning orders to Reservists and NG members of potential call-up.

Send a very clear message to Putin what "Russia will pay a heavy price" could potentially mean.

There are three possibilities. If it is all a bluff, it will keep Putin negotiating and maybe more willing to deal. If he isn't bluffing and an invasion is planned he may change his mind and back off. If he isn't bluffing and the invasion is a go regardless of the price, we will have our initial troops already where they need to be.

[secondwind]

1. Something tells me he has the right people around him, and he is doing what needs to be done.

He has plenty of resolve, am surprised you posted this remark.

[sarisataka]

3. If Russia invades

Sanctions won't stop them. Putin will flip us off and keep what he wants.

The statements about "minor incursion" however intended are critical. If Putin believes we would pull a Chamberlain on Ukraine no words or sanctions will determine him from whatever course of action he wishes to follow. The threat of action is what will influence him. We can either deploy enough troops to show we will stand against aggression or we could tell him Ukraine in under our nuclear umbrella if we want to go all in. IMO the troops are a safer statement.

I have no doubt Biden has excellent people around him. I simply have my opinion, which however includes some first hand experience in a war that happened and one that did not.

[Quakerfriend]

2. I tend to agree with you.

And, it seems utterly fruitless to continue to meet
Or attempt to negotiate with Putin.

Can we strengthen the Magnitsky Act??
Can we coordinate an international freeze on the accounts of Putin’s oligarchs??

And, I wonder what became of the raid on Deripaska’s properties??

[sarisataka]

5. It is always time to negotiate

Even if there seems no road forward but sometimes showing you are prepared if talks fail will lead to negotiated success

[dameatball]

4. Since I really don't know what is going on through channels, I say we just invade Grenada.

Sorry for the sarcasm, but I look at this as Putin simply playing his cards against us while we have a bunch of loons and traitors sapping our strength from within. What else did we expect?

[marie999]

15. Do you know why we invaded Grenada?

I'll give you a hint, it did not have anything to do with American students there.

[dameatball]

20. Russia expanding influence and building infrastructure?

[marie999]

22. Correct the infrastructure was lengthening the runways.

Russian officers and Cuban workers were making the runways long enough so Russian TU-95 bombers with nuclear capabilities could use them. Plus they were also bringing in weapons.

[dameatball]

23. It seems like Putin is probing everywhere these days, using whatever weapons are available. As

long as we are a seriously divided nation he will exploit it in any way he can.

[Mr.Bill]

6. If Putin invades Ukraine

whatever action we take against him, whether it is sanctions, embargos, or an all out shooting war, we better be prepared to do the same to China if they invade Taiwan, because it would be a great time for China to do just that.

[sarisataka]

7. Conversely

What we do in Ukraine signals to China what we may do to stand by Taiwan...

We may have two wars at the same time or we may prevent two wars. The stakes are high.

[Mr.Bill]

14. Absolutely correct. n/t

[sarisataka]

10. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.

U.S Ambassador Glaspie to Saddam Hussein July 25, 1991:

We have no opinion on your Arab-Arab conflicts, such as your dispute with Kuwait. Secretary Baker has directed me to emphasize the instruction, first given to Iraq in the 1960s, that the Kuwait issue is not associated with America.

[Mad_Machine76]

9. Why/what do you fear?

[sarisataka]

13. A land war in Europe...

If Putin thinks he can get away with taking Ukraine he may try it.

The Baltic States were part of the USSR. Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia were all in the Warsaw Pact. They are all NATO members now and don't want to be under the Russian thumb again. By sending troops to Europe it also reassures them of our commitment sso they will be less inclined to step into Ukraine on their own.

European wars have often crossed borders into countries not initially involved.

[PortTack]

11. Here's an excellent perspective from someone with a a lot of well healed sources

[Act_of_Reparation]

16. lolwut

[marie999]

17. Really, assassinate the leader of a sovereign government?

I know the U.S. and other nations have done it but this would start WWIII. Remember WWI.

[sarisataka]

18. I would rather rattle sabers at each other

And avoid a war than engage in assassination and guarantee one. The world without Purin is only better if we are still in it.

[former9thward]

19. I guess you have not listened to Biden.

He has said there will be no military response to a Russian invasion of Ukraine. That is pretty straight forward.

[sarisataka]

21. I have not listened to/read everything

And if we are declaring absolutely there would be no military response to an invasion then if Russia wants the Ukraine they will take the Ukraine.

If that happens let's hope it is Putin's last territorial demand

[sarisataka]

24. Sometimes I hate being right

Would a US build-up have deterred Putin? We will never know. However it is very likely we will be sending more troops to the NATO borders with Russia/ Belarus/ Ukraine. (I currently fear the debate over "the" will soon become moot)