I'm really curious what Putin's end game is here. A complete takeover of Ukraine would result in crippling sanctions that would basically collapse the Russian economy. Their stock market and financial system are already taking massive hits. Being cut off from technology and western finance is devastating this day in age.
If he decides to occupy and annex the "breakaway regions" but stops there and lets things quiet back down, I could see the west easing sanctions wanting Russian oil and gas to flow freely. But what damage will the Russian economy take before it gets to that point? Even this, which is probably the best case scenario for Putin, is a massive gamble. If the Russian oligarchs get their pocket books squeezed too hard they might decide there's a better leader to back than Putin. That wont end well for Putin.
The rhetoric by Putin has me concerned. The nonsense about cleansing Nazism from Ukraine hints at a takeover and either regime change or else annexation of the entirety of Ukraine. That's a concerning development from a guy who has said the fall of the Berlin Wall was the most traumatic event of his life.
Have you seen Ben Shapiros point on what little sanctions will actually do?
When I want in depth analysis on global economic issues, I don't turn to Ben Shapiro.
The bigger question is whether the west will have the stomach for sanctions that would work. Targeted, narrow sanctions will hurt Russia but not enough. Sanctions will need to be draconian for them to work.
There's a decent chance that Putin has literally gone insane. People inside Russia are (quietly) voicing that concern.
it really has been a failure of epic proportions...
Russia's currency is strengthened... and are raking in money hand over fist with the increased oil prices thanks to the sanctions lol
Europe is getting killed in the energy and food space
Americans are getting killed in the energy and food space and $$$$ aid space
And Russia is going to win the war
What a disaster
Even smart people are susceptible to propaganda.
I more and more think Putin is suffering from a form of mental illness. He's not hearing voices or anything. It's the same mental illness that you see in North Korean dictators. It's something you can see in despots throughout history. It's the sickness that comes from wielding absolute power for too long.
I think Putin has for so long had such complete control, been surrounded by yes men, and done whatever he wants with so few consequences that he now has started to believe his own mythos. He sees himself as untouchable and unstoppable. It's a feeling that you have been chosen by almost divine decree. Let's hope his more down to earth cronies will see what he's costing them and remove him from power.
he's currently in line for his 5th covid shot
Don't forget we completely destroyed the dollars dominance in global markets. Not to mention we just handed Russia and India to the CCP in terms of an alliance.
This will be the worst geopolitical decision in the last fifty years. Maybe longer.
BUT PUTIN IS CRAZY!!!
A really smart person once said that Putin is a rationale guy. Who was that?
I could have known nothing about the situation and knew it would a complete disaster the minute the buffoon started lecturing us about how necessary it was
the best contrarian indicator of all time
This Ukrainian president is something else. I don't think we've had a president with half his stones since Eisenhower.
I'd follow that man into battle. If he was the US president I'd probably take a bullet for him.
Lots of fog of war stuff going on right now.
Beware of news flowing through MSM. This is the propaganda arm of the party of Davos.
Just remember what the public sentiment was prior to going to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Be very careful what you believe right now.
History does not speak well to the western elites.