Search results

I think this is the interesting part of your post. It speaks of NATO as if it is one sentient being, who CHOSE to go towards Russia. That is very much the Russian narrative, this paranoia about a faceless giant force that is poised to invade them at any moment. I don't see it that way. I see...

So he doesn’t have a very easy way out.

How is that in any way easy? If he did that, he'd be dead within 48 hours. Completely signing his own death warrant, and would be insane to do it.

It's the classic combo.

Unless he convinces them that Nato is going to kill them soon anyways? He's pushed paranoia re: NATO massively in Russia, if we then do something that appears aggressive then it will all appear to be true and justified. They're going to kill us anyway? Might as well take them with us! Etc.

Hence why I mentioned anything perceived as an attack by NATO would also galvanise his followers, and those in the chain of command with re: pressing the button.

I agree, but if he's going out, why wouldn't he choose to go out with a bang? Leave him with nothing to lose, and there's no reason for him not to press the button. All of his paranoia would appear justified, potentially galvanising his followers. Suddenly the big red button becomes much more...

If we called his bluff and he backed down, he would be ousted from power and probably dead within weeks if not days. It would be one of the most cowardly moves from a Russian leader in centuries. He's in a position now with no off ramp. Any escalation he is absolutely forced to match. What do...

Navalny was 47 years old. No doubt "natural causes" and that'll be that...

Surely you cannot run an economy on a war footing forever?

I'm sure someone will be along at some point to patronisingly tell me that this actually proves that Russia is winning, and I'm triggered (and probably woke as well, that usually gets thrown in) for thinking otherwise.

I don't know if it's just me drifting in and out of following, but it seems like these sorts of insurgent attacks are increasing in frequency?

That's definitely something you say when your three-day military operation is going as planned.

Agreed - I'm struggling to see any reason why he'd be MORE popular now than 3/4 years ago.

“We were able to find the right approach to the man,” he told the news outlet. “We were able to create conditions to get his whole family out undetected, and eventually create the conditions so that he could take over this aircraft with a crew that did not know what was happening. “Two more...

This feels a good turn of events - Russians need to understand it is the majority of the world that is against this.

Yeah pretty sure he'd be dead by his own people within a week. Not happening is it? He needs this war to continue forever, for his own survival.

How does this whole thing end without Putin being in a desperate situation at some point?

Thanks for notifying, will bear in mind in future.