Venezuela
Is Venezuela lost for decades? Is it going to become a full blown pariah state? The opposition leader Guido seems like a
it shows that Russia was absolutely correct to invade Ukraine. and it showed once again that I underestimated the evil and depravity of the Empire. Putin would have been getting assraped to death by Israeli trained good ole boys and Russia would have been asset stripped and split up if he hadnt. and for the record, yes I will admit that until now I was absolutely wrong in be
Do you now see why you're not regarded as smart victor?
When Victor is in full on tankie mode I find it best to just let him get it out of his system and not engage, as there is no coherent discussion to be had. But you guys do you.
Other posters smartsmartsmart, victor dumdumdumb!
Do you now see why you're not regarded as smart victor?
Other posters smartsmartsmart, victor dumdumdumb!
pretty obv you have no rebuttal and can only revert to weak personal attacks.
it shows that Russia was absolutely correct to invade Ukraine. and it showed once again that I underestimated the evil and depravity of the Empire. Putin would have been getting assraped to death by Israeli trained good ole boys and Russia would have been asset stripped and split up if he hadnt. and for the record, yes I will admit that until now I was absolutely wrong in be
Affining to an aggressive and probably deranged foreign dictator, kleptocrat and murderer (remember Litvinenko, Nemtsov, Politkovskaya, Navalny, Dawn Sturgess and all those Russians who mysteriously fall from high windows) merely because it suits your bourgeois contrarian recreational pose is not good.
In 1939-41, British Communists, mostly middle-class, were fanatically in favour of Adolf Hitler and his attacks on Poland, France, the Low Countries and Britain itself, because that was the Party line and they thought it made them big, clever and superior. This did not end well for them. In fact, on 22 June 1941, they were exposed as fools and dupes.
Positive or negative on the mission have to respect the fact no US troops killed and only two injured
Affining to an aggressive and probably deranged foreign dictator, kleptocrat and murderer (remember Litvinenko, Nemtsov, Politkovskaya, Navalny, Dawn Sturgess and all those Russians who mysteriously fall from high windows) merely because it suits your bourgeois contrarian recreational pose is not good.In 1939-41, British Communists, mostly middle-class, were fanatically in favo
cool, now do the same exercise with the Ameri-Israeli Empire.
Ameri-Israeli empire is crazy
they literally tried to assassinate Putin a few days ago. you think if the US had full control of Ukraine that they couldnt take down Russia? and the Biden admin put it at 50% that Russia would use nukes according to the recent Woodward book.
First, we don't know that Ukrainian forces tried to hill Putin two days ago. I'm certainly not going to take Russia's word for it. (I wouldn't take Ukraine's denial as gospel either.)
Second, if Ukrainian forces tried to kill Putin, that wouldn't be a unprovoked act of aggression against the head of state of a random country. Putin started a ground war against Ukraine.
Third, and most importantly, it is absurd to act as if the U.S. is directing, and therefore responsible for, every action of the Ukrainian military and Ukrainian government. That is a gross oversimplification of reality.
Third, and most importantly, it is absurd to act as if the U.S. is directing, and therefore responsible for, every action of the Ukrainian military and Ukrainian government. That is a gross oversimplification of reality.
right, apparently the Brits are running a lot of the ops too
Affining to an aggressive and probably deranged foreign dictator, kleptocrat and murderer (remember Litvinenko, Nemtsov, Politkovskaya, Navalny, Dawn Sturgess and all those Russians who mysteriously fall from high windows) merely because it suits your bourgeois contrarian recreational pose is not good.In 1939-41, British Communists, mostly middle-class, were fanatically in favo
Fast forward 80 years and 100 year old British WW2 veterans are getting spit on in the streets by Islamists on generational welfare chanting,"Whose streets, our streets," so whose to say who the real fools were after all.
Six months ago, I would have been surprised if Trump had taken this step re Maduro. He obviously never had any moral objection to using the military this way--indeed, he has no moral compass at all--but I thought he had decided this sort of military adventurism was unpopular with his base.That said, the run up to this specific action has been evident for several months now, so
I knew Venezuela was on trumps agenda when he backed the space force so enthusiastically
and yes I'm going to continue trying this joke until someone appreciates it.
*This isn't an area of knowledge for me, but people much smarter than me are speculating using Venezuelan oil to stabilize the US petrodollar would actually be a big deal.
I've always been a petrodollar believer but heard an interesting point recently that it's US financial markets that is the biggest factor for the dollar being the world's reserve currency.
100mil barrels of oil a day x $50 a barrel = $5 billion a day. A lot but still dwarfed by US markets that see 100's of billions of dollars change hands per day.
I'm sure the petrodollar is still important but thought that perspective was interesting.
Two thoughts.
First, unless Maduro is incredibly reckless, the U.S. must have had help on the inside from people reasonably close to him.
Second, it's entirely reasonable to worry that this operation went too well for comfort. Trump feeling super heady about the ability of the U.S. military to execute this sort of operation is more than a little concerning.
Second, it's entirely reasonable to worry that this operation went too well for comfort. Trump feeling super heady about the ability of the U.S. military to execute this sort of operation is more than a little concerning.
I don't think it is too worrying from a US strength perspective and other fascist regimes around the world getting into line or they could be next.
Two thoughts.
First, unless Maduro is incredibly reckless, the U.S. must have had help on the inside from people reasonably close to him.
It is pretty much guaranteed that there was extensive help, likely both from military, law enforcement, intelligence and political groups / assets. Maduro was unpopular enough that he could not trust local people for most of his security, which in addition to all other disadvantages also makes you blind to internal treachery.
The problem now is three-fold. Firstly, the successor to Maduro will struggle with legitimacy, regardless of how unpopular Maduro was. Secondly, the US does not have a good track record of allowing nations they invade independent leadership, so you still run the risk of just replacing one despot with another. Thirdly, any failings of government in Venezuela in the foreseeable future will also reflect on US foreign policy... and since it is Venezuela, there will be plenty of failings.
Of course, the third point is likely moot since we largely live in a post-truth world anyway, so anybody can just claim whatever and celebrate victory.
As for your broader point on foreign policy in general for countries in similar positions, the lesson is pretty clear: Pay up. Trump is for sale, plenty of people in his circle are also for sale and by extension so is the US government. Airplanes,yachts, business "deals", permits, land, favorable loans... cough it up and remain safe.
Two thoughts.
First, unless Maduro is incredibly reckless, the U.S. must have had help on the inside from people reasonably close to him.
Second, it's entirely reasonable to worry that this operation went too well for comfort. Trump feeling super heady about the ability of the U.S. military to execute this sort of operation is more than a little concerning.
Thirdly. Other countries adjust.
Not sure that's true but it's much easier to deny or cry whataboutism when it's other countries reacting.
Some of us bleated on about the global consequences of the 2nd Iraq war. Some still don't see it.
Two thoughts.
First, unless Maduro is incredibly reckless, the U.S. must have had help on the inside from people reasonably close to him.
Second, it's entirely reasonable to worry that this operation went too well for comfort. Trump feeling super heady about the ability of the U.S. military to execute this sort of operation is more than a little concerning.
This is behind a paywall but they said they did have someone on the inside very close to Maduro giving updates: https://thehighside.substack.com/p/bold-...
the agency managed to recruit a key source close to Maduro who was able to report Maduro’s movements in almost real time. Several key defections in recent years also helped the agency gain additional insight into Maduro’s regime, including one of his intelligence chiefs and the head of a state-run oil company. These defections also played a key role in enabling the CIA to work with local source networks on the ground, according to an individual familiar with the operation
What the military pulled off here is pretty nuts. Wouldn't be surprised at all if it induced Trump to overreach.
How does Cuba adjust they relied greatly on Maduro
I am not sure how this may effect Canada longer term as they currently only have the heavy crude that the US refineries rely on . The other country that has the similar oil is Venezuela
China will be watching closely. The urgency for closer ties in 'unholy alliances' to combat the 'evil empire' increases. NATO alliance is coming under more stress. Very right wing political groups in western democracies are strengthened and emboldened etc etc
That's all on top of what usa will do.
