The quiet part may have to be said outloud to Putin and his propagandists

[Model35mech]

Putin's media is again suggesting that Russia should sieze Alaska and California (along with Finland, Poland, and the Baltic States).

Some think-tankers believe that Russia is trapped in its traditional mindset toward other nations... for them Russia -and its successful leaders -must- look like a territory grabbing conquerors to meet the demands of the Russian mindset. Certainly, Russia seems more interested in the imperial Ponzi scheme than in developing trade relations, which are not only cheaper than war, but also hold opportunities for intellectual alliances that produce new products and trade.

And, personally I'm tired of their bullying going without an outloud answer. It looks like Putin and his minions are playing the West, except for France, to be cowards, frozen by fear in their response to Russia's aggressions. We know, or at least think we know, that Russia is quite wrong on this. The West, if not the U.S. alone, has extraordinary military power, and it actually WORKS. It's not made up of 'hyper' or 'super' weapons that don't work (like their supposed unstoppable hypersonic missile Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (NATO designated 'Killjoy'. That missile couldn't reach its claimed maximum range without cutting its explosive load by 90%. One hundred pounds of high explosive is a SMALL tactical warhead, a weight carried by US figher aircraft early in WWII).

But Putin and Co. won't STFU. It seems it's time to adopt a more Macron like position... As Putin talks about the using his (dubiously fully capable) nuclear force against anyone who threatens (in his self-determined super genius mind) the existence of Russia, we should say the part that has remained quiet outloud: The US will defend US territorial integrity, even to the use of nuclear weapons against a transgressor.

This is no secret certainly not a secret to Putin and his military. So, it is not really an escalation. It's a demonstration to Russia and our Allies, of our resolve. And it's Fair Notice for him to begin to curb his attempt to propagandize his own people into popular support of greater Russian imperial-style aggression.

This is a link to the recent example of Russian propagandizing their population to believe they should own Alaska and parts of California.

https://www.bing.com/news/search?q=Russian+Media+Again+Suggests+Russia+Should+Take+Alaska&qpvt=Russian+media+again+suggests+Russia+should+take+alaska&FORM=EWRE

[Irish_Dem]

1. China and Russia do not want just intellectual and trade alliances.

Which of course would be more lucrative for them as opposed to their threats and aggressive behavior.

They want to be the sole global 21st century superpowers.
To damage and weaken western democracies.

So they must first obtain regional power, Russia gets Europe and China the Pacific.

Neither Russia nor China has a need or interest in gaining more territory.
They both have huge countries.

They want power, wealth and to terrorize and bully the world into compliance.
They want power and control.

And yes the only thing they respect is power.
So we are going to have to stand up to them.
Playing nice will get us no where fast.

[Model35mech]

2. Yes, empires depend on extracting wealth from colonial and vassal states

The only way to do that becomes the application of power and threats.

At first, the value extracted comes cheap, and hence is profitable... until it isn't. Governing unruly provinces and vassal states seeking independence becomes expensive, requires more application of force (thereby increasing cost for the empire to remain in charge). The need to include evermore vassal states to cover costs ultimately requires evermore costs that in the end can't be met.

[Irish_Dem]

6. Yes.

Yes interesting to think that Putin has identified Alaska and California as belonging to him.
Alaska of course is rich in natural resources. California has a huge prosperous economy.
Putin would love to get his hands on those two locations.

But yes, it is difficult maintaining an occupation.
China took Hong Kong, a prosperous city.
And now China is ruining Hong Kong, the Chinese imposing
draconian rule is causing foreign investors and wealthy Hong Kong residents to flee.

Both China and Russia use ham fisted iron control over their people.
And think this is a sound strategy to become a superpower.
Build up the arm's race, make everyone else devote more and more money
to their military. Bully and terrorize the world.

In the meantime both China and Russia domestic economies are tanking
and their people not happy with the government. Sinking more money into their
military than they can afford right now.

[Igel]

8. Dreams of empire.

These were territories formerly controlled or claimed by imperial Russia.

"Seward's folly" (my 8th grade history teacher taught us it was called at the time) involved buying Alaska. The Spanish drove off the Russians, and decades later we drove off the Spanish. (Of course, Mexico still has dreams of revanchism, reclaiming the empire they inherited from their Spanish overlords--just look at how Venezuela, respected by the DSA, thinks claims based on Western imperialism should apply to its benefit and profit).

We bemoan Western imperialism. And tend to justify all others because, well, we're the worst. Welcome to the cog diss. We're the same. (That can be sung to "Welcome to the jungle," with later lyrics adjustments, because "welcome to cognitive dissonance" just won't work.)

[Irish_Dem]

11. Human nature is human nature.

And yes, an inconvenient truth.
The US has done almost all of the evils we don't like in others.

Russia and Chinese intelligence agencies are operating like the CIA.
We don't like those apples either.

I really do not know if the human race will evolve.
Or self destruct.

[617Blue]

3. Putin is emboldened by his traitorous GOP allies.

They are a major pillar in his plans and actions.

[Rebl2]

4. Well California

That’s new to me. I knew about the others.

[maxrandb]

10. Same for me, but there is a beautiful Russian River

in Northern California.

[Rebl2]

13. Where in

Northern CA? I have a sister that lives close to Murphy’s CA.

[maxrandb]

14. From Mendocina all the way to the Pacific Ocean

Through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_River_(California)

[ProudMNDemocrat]

5. I have to assume Elmendorf AFB outside Anchorage remains on high alert.

It is a HUGE base with the Denalis in the background. I mean, it takes an outside Taxi company to go from one end of the base to the other. Crazy, but true.

[BannonsLiver]

7. I remember a few pro Putin goobers around here now long gone saying Russia would bring the west to its knees

With hypersonic missiles. Fun times.

[Igel]

12. Those ridiculing the idea that Russia is a geopolitical foe have also gone to silent running.

I doubt they're reformed, if they weren't served pizza. Perhaps some have seen the truth instead of the Truth (tm). But many still believe that when a Russian or Russia-based source is pro-Trump it's the truth, and if they're anti-Biden obviously they're pro-Trump.

Here's the thing about "nothing is true, but everything is possible" thinking: Truth is not relevant (proposition A). Achieving the goal is all (proposition B). If telling the absolute truth gets to B, you do so; if mixed truth/falsehood does so, you do so; if absolute lies does so, you do so. "Everything out of their mouth is a lie" is false. Why? Because the true/false dichotomy is irrelevant. Utterly. Sometimes they speak truth, sometimes utter pap, sometimes a smarmy mix. Approach with wits drawn and small-c critical-thinking apparatus fully charged and running. ("Big-c" critical thinking is just another truth-neutral but Truth-positive ideology.)

The only time the truth matters to the acolytes of the Great Putain is when it rears its inevitable head--in which case you turn your head as you bury it with all haste and pretend it never was seen. Pamyat' comes to mind. Naval'nyi probably gets 0 hits for the last month were there a Russian-only NexisLexis.

[tanyev]

9. Let's start by giving them Sarah Palin.

They’ll probably change their mind after that.