Russia in the Crimea

1. 96

   JKennyposted 11 years ago

   Apparently, Russia has demanded the surrender of Ukrainian forces in the Crimea by 03:00 GMT. If they don't comply, then there will be an all out assault. Will this conflict escalate into something bigger?
   
   http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26424738

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      rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This needs a political solution. It is crazy for them to fight a principle so vastly outnumbered.

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2. 60

   tirelesstravelerposted 11 years ago

   Don't even want to think about this.  POTUS didn't have time to attend NSA meeting concerning this.

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3. 96

   JKennyposted 11 years ago

   Well, apparently the US State Dept. are preparing to impose sanctions on Russia. At present there is no clear indication of what the sanctions are, but I don't think somebody like Vladimir Putin will be deterred regardless of what the West do.

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      rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is none of our business and should be brought before the UN Security Council before any actions of sanctions should be taken. I guess McCain is going to put on his angry little man tantrum again.

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4. 67

   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   I hope Russia backs off.  Because otherwise we have a Western block/Russia conflict that could get very bad.

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      JKennyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I hope so too, because this could really be just the beginning. It's not the same as previously when Putin invaded Chechnya and South Ossetia. Ukraine is a large fully independent democratic country that borders the EU. It seems clear that Putin is determined to establish a Russian presence in Eastern Ukraine. But will he stop there?
      
      They say history always repeats itself, and this has echos of Hitler's policy of reunifying German speaking peoples.

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5. 67

   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   I think Putin sees it as being the same.  But from the US point of view this is not the case.  Having armed forced of thousands just meters apart is pretty damned scary.  Even if neither intends to start the fight--it only take one freak event or misfire.

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6. 67

   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   That is the same position the US took when Germany invaded the Sudetenland.  Taking it a little more seriously might have saved us from going through WW2.

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      rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This not the same thing and it is too early to tell what is really happening. Maybe we can throw some WMD's in there to give it some legs. We are not the worlds police and we should keep to our own business.

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         psycheskinnerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         A larger country seizes adjoining territory where people speak their language but belong to a different multi-ethnic sovereign state. The larger country was recently had it's historic empire fall apart and desires to regain some of that authority and territory.  Other than that empire being USSR rather than Austro-Hungary what are the big differences?

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            rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Whatever parallels you wish to draw does not give us the right or duty to interfere. This must be worked out in a political and democratic way for it to have any longevity. We are not in the position to dictate to others how they should work out their differences. The President in their country was dully elected and they should have the opportunity to elect someone different to replace him when the time comes. If we turn it into a military based operation the whole process stops.

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               psycheskinnerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               So you think the US was right to leave Hitler to commit genocide up until Pearl Harbor? I don't.  I don't think any nation should support nations that invade other nations--and ignoring the issue and continuing trade is support.
               
               I think the prevention of large scale human suffering and the support of international law are two very good reason to take an interest in the problems of other nations. The way the unrest could directly affect one's own nation is also a reason.

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                  rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Who said anything about supporting it? What I said is to let them figure it out for themselves. If the UN and the rest of Europe who also (as you said) ignored the genocide want to do something about it then lets get to it. As I understand Kerry is already enlisting support from other countries to lend a hand in censuring Russia with embargos as well as sanctions. But commit US troops to a very unsettling affair is entirely premature.

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7. 66

   maxoxam41posted 11 years ago

   If we can overthrow an elected president in Ukraine so can Russia (help the majority). So far people from Crimea are pro-Russian.

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8. 60

   sannyasinmanposted 11 years ago

   Dont believe the CNN propaganda ., . if you want to see the other side of the story, including proof that CNN deliberately misleads you, watch this  . . .
   www.rt.com

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      rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      If you want real insight into what mainstream media does with the news read Bernnie Goldberg's book "Bias" It is an eye opening look into how and what is reported.
      
      "I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts." Abraham Lincoln

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         tirelesstravelerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         You are so correct.  Give the people the correct information and they will often make a good decision. It just takes a lot more digging these days to get the correct information. 
         History has a way of repeating itself.  Cremia is a perfect example. I feel like I am living the 60;s all over again

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9. 77

   Wesman Todd Shawposted 11 years ago

   CNN = pro obama garbage.

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10. 0

    RTalloniposted 11 years ago

    Communication in the Crimean region is being cut off and the people may soon only be permitted to hear from Russia unless Putin is stopped. Pro Russia agents are posing as Ukrainians to promote support for him and he is systematically going forward even if his tactics have to be reordered along the way.
    
    Watching someone say, "I/we are not doing 'such and such'" while they are determindly continuing to do it is always stunning because that particular kind of bully behavior is well thought-out, premeditated, and accomplished through any demoralizing means required to meet the goal.  Sadly, it is usually very effective. 
    
    Thankfully, our news media has its feet to the fire about truth and can only go so far with manipulation because some news companies in other countries are looking for and reporting facts. Ukranians know what is at stake for them in this battle for truth.  Does the rest of the world and what each country's response will be are huge questions waiting to be answered. 
    
    Hopefully, diplomacy will win the day, but when dealing with a bully, push comes to shove too often.

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11. 0

    Onusonusposted 11 years ago

    It must sting a little for the president to get a big I told you so from Sarah.
    

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12. 84

    GA Andersonposted 11 years ago

    It looks like there is very little Pres. Obama can do to stop Putin in Crimea - after the fact. As it would be for any President, I think.
    
    It is an obvious forced annexation of an area he covets.
    
    And calls for sanctions to "punish" him until he reconsiders are just political blustering. It seems that Europe's dependance on Russian-supplied energy forestalls any serious EU sanctions.
    
    So, what to do? In this instance I agree with Pres. Obama's declaration that Putin's actions will not be without "costs." (if he follows through) The U.S. should treat Russia as the rogue state it is.
    
    This supposed "reset of U.S./Russia relations proclaimed by the Obama administration looks like just so much blather now.
    
    It also looks like Mitt Romney was right in the debate too...
    "... Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney called Russia "without question our number one geopolitical foe"
    
    And do you suppose Pres. Obama would like to "take back" his response....?
    ..."Gov. Romney, I'm glad that you recognize that al-Qaida is a threat, because a few months ago when you were asked what's the biggest geopolitical threat facing America, you said Russia, not al-Qaida. You said Russia ... the 1980s, they're now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because, you know, the Cold War's been over for 20 years," Obama said.
    ...
    
    The now infamous debate exchange on youtube
    
    But stay tuned, there is still plenty of airspace available for Republican Obama-bashing. (hey, maybe they do get it right once in a while)
    
    GA

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