Russia-Ukraine War Politics Thread Mk. 2

[IndyFront]

As Putin levels Odesa, Biden dithers on giving Ukraine the missiles it needs

If the Biden administration wants Ukraine to win and survive this war, it cannot keep affording Russia a sanctuary from which to launch these assaults on civilian population centers.

thehill.com

 

[Zachowon]

There is a reason.
We have rules against our missiles being used against Russian territory

 

[Husky_Khan]

Moldova expelled a large number of Russian diplomatic/embassy staff over their spy and espionage networks based out of the Russian Embassy in Moldova.

The decision comes shortly after an investigation by The Insider and Moldovan television channel Jurnal TV earlier this week noted that the number of satellite dishes and communication devices on top of the Russian embassy in Chișinău has been growing. The report found that there are currently 28 dishes, masts, and transmitting and receiving devices installed on the embassy and on a neighboring building. Following the report, the Moldovan foreign ministry said it would summon the Russian ambassador for an explanation.

The number of diplomats and employees working at the Russian embassy in the country's capital will be limited to 10 diplomats and 15 administrative, technical and service positions, according to the ministry. Russia will have until August 15 to implement the decision. In total, 45 members of the embassy staff will be asked to leave, including 22 diplomats and 23 administrative staff, reported Moldovan news agency Deschide.MD.

Very subtle...

Moldova to expel Russian embassy staff

Recent investigation noted that the number of satellite dishes and communication devices on top of the Russian embassy in Chișinău has been growing.

www.politico.eu

 

[DarthOne]

You meant to use horde. The only ones with a Hoard in Russia are the 1000 people in Russia the CIA have identified with ownership of 98% of Russia's natural resources. And of those thousand the only ones who really matter are Putin and the 100 or so FSB and Intelligence Directorates ministers and officers on that list.

Thus, Hordeland always becomes Hoardland.

The masses starve and die, and the biggest brutes sit in their gaudy palaces enjoying the plundered riches.

Not that different from the Western nations then?

 

[Marduk]

Not that different from the Western nations then?

Ok, let's question your random anti-western equivocation.
Who are the western oligarchs (as in names), what natural resources do they own, and how did they become their owners?

 

[DarthOne]

Ok, let's question your random anti-western equivocation.
Who are the western oligarchs (as in names), what natural resources do they own, and how did they become their owners?

The World's Billionaires - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

In the West we hear a lot of talk about 'Russian oligarchs' because 'oligarch' is generally used as a term of derision, and it is an easy way for pundits to express their distaste with some Russian activity, and with any American opponents who might have dealt with these people.

We do not often hear about 'American oligarchs' because the people we would label as such — those whose behavior is more or less equivalent to their Russian counterparts — are in positions of power in this nation that make such labels tricky. Would any of Murdoch's or Bloomberg's news media be inclined to name their corporate owners as oligarchs? Would any politician (aside, perhaps, from Bernie Sanders) be willing to paste that label on a mega-donor whose money and influence might be critical in an upcoming election?

Set aside that this type of trepidation is precisely what we would expect in a system with oligarchs — that is how an oligarch of this sort throws his weight — it is unlikely that the label will come into common use for such people.

 

[AnimalNoodles]

The World's Billionaires - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

In the West we hear a lot of talk about 'Russian oligarchs' because 'oligarch' is generally used as a term of derision, and it is an easy way for pundits to express their distaste with some Russian activity, and with any American opponents who might have dealt with these people.

We do not often hear about 'American oligarchs' because the people we would label as such — those whose behavior is more or less equivalent to their Russian counterparts — are in positions of power in this nation that make such labels tricky. Would any of Murdoch's or Bloomberg's news media be inclined to name their corporate owners as oligarchs? Would any politician (aside, perhaps, from Bernie Sanders) be willing to paste that label on a mega-donor whose money and influence might be critical in an upcoming election?

Set aside that this type of trepidation is precisely what we would expect in a system with oligarchs — that is how an oligarch of this sort throws his weight — it is unlikely that the label will come into common use for such people.

American Oligarchs make Russian oligarchs look like beggars. There is not a single russian who can hold a candle to the likes of Fink or Bezos.

 

[Marduk]

The World's Billionaires - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

In the West we hear a lot of talk about 'Russian oligarchs' because 'oligarch' is generally used as a term of derision, and it is an easy way for pundits to express their distaste with some Russian activity, and with any American opponents who might have dealt with these people.

We do not often hear about 'American oligarchs' because the people we would label as such — those whose behavior is more or less equivalent to their Russian counterparts — are in positions of power in this nation that make such labels tricky. Would any of Murdoch's or Bloomberg's news media be inclined to name their corporate owners as oligarchs? Would any politician (aside, perhaps, from Bernie Sanders) be willing to paste that label on a mega-donor whose money and influence might be critical in an upcoming election?

Set aside that this type of trepidation is precisely what we would expect in a system with oligarchs — that is how an oligarch of this sort throws his weight — it is unlikely that the label will come into common use for such people.

Ah, so it's not the same, you are just being a cheeky shitposter who equates all billionaires to oligarchs because you can't support your assertion with any argument, got it.
So, if you think all billionaires, regardless of how they came to be rich, are equal to people who are rich because state gave them natural resource monopolies in corrupt deals...
I have only one question i need to ask.
Are you a socialist or communist?

Also, yes, since the beginnings of civilization, rich people were always influential in politics to some degree or another. But that's not what we're talking about, and it's generally something conservatives would find unacceptable considering how normal that is historically.

 

[Husky_Khan]

I don't think you understand the nepotism involved that made Jeff Bezos the militarist oligarch he is today. The tendrils of corruption and power that the unicycle entertainment industry has had in the halls of American power is well documented.

 

[Bigking321]

The west ABSOLUTELY has corrupt oligarchs.

What is the point in debating which sides corrupt elites are worse? On this one issue at least can't we agree that they are all bad?

 

[DarthOne]

BREAKING: Pentagon authorizes hazard pay for troops deployed to Ukraine

BREAKING: Pentagon authorizes hazard pay for troops deployed to Ukraine

Yes, there are US troops in Ukraine.

humanevents.com

A defense official confirmed to the Military Times on Thursday that US soldiers in Ukraine would be earning hazard pay, per a new authorization from the Pentagon. This despite the fact that President Joe Biden, Commander-in-chief of the US Armed Forces, has said that there would be no troops fighting on the ground in Ukraine.

In a 2022 speech, Biden said that deploying US troops to fight in Ukraine would be akin to launching World War III, as that would bring the nation into direct conflict with Russia. Biden gave a speech in March 2022 in which he promised that "our forces are not engaged and will not engage in conflict with Russian forces in Ukraine."

"Our forces are not going to Europe to fight in Ukraine, but to defend our NATO Allies – in the event that Putin decides to keep moving west," he said.

Imminent danger pay is meant for troops who are deployed to areas where there is a high risk of injury or death, where they "could be harmed by hostile fire or mines, insurrection, civil war or terrorism," the Military Times reports.

In practice, this means that US troops in Ukraine are able to earn an extra $7.50 per day, though that sum is not to exceed $225 per month, but it will be back dated to April. An additional sum of $100 will also be made available, meaning that troops will see an extra $325 per month.

A memo that was confirmed to be official by Military Times, which was uploaded to Facebook on an unofficial armed services page, offers that personnel "who are on duty in the designated land area or airspace above Ukraine during any month or portion of a month in which this designation is in effect, and are qualified in all other respects, may be paid IDP at a rate of $225 for the entire month..."

US troops are currently stationed at the US embassy in Kyiv. This became known when a series of documents leaked by National Guard Airman Jack Teixeira showed that the US and our UK allies already have special forces teams on the ground in Ukraine.

At the time, the Pentagon was asked about the implications of there being US troops on the ground in Ukraine, and it was reported that there were special forces operating out of the embassy. The US has a great deal of equipment in country as well, and must look after that equipment.

The documents showed that there were, at the time, 14 special operations forces from the US in Ukraine by February 2023, and that there were 97 special operations forces from five allied NATO countries, including the UK.

You don't seriously believe our benevolent government would embed our BRAVE HEROES with concentrated Ukrainian military presence in range of indirect fire now, do you? What's next? That they're hoping Americans cry for blood when they get shelled?

Silly conspiracy theorist.

 

[Zachowon]

Uh...
The embassy guard in Kyiv and the inspector general troops we have making sure all the equipment get there.

Nice try, but do actually remember what has been said

 

[DarthOne]

Uh...
The embassy guard in Kyiv and the inspector general troops we have making sure all the equipment get there.

Nice try, but do actually remember what has been said

Now show the rest of the sentance.

US troops are currently stationed at the US embassy in Kyiv. This became known when a series of documents leaked by National Guard Airman Jack Teixeira showed that the US and our UK allies already have special forces teams on the ground in Ukraine.

At the time, the Pentagon was asked about the implications of there being US troops on the ground in Ukraine, and it was reported that there were special forces operating out of the embassy. The US has a great deal of equipment in country as well, and must look after that equipment.

The documents showed that there were, at the time, 14 special operations forces from the US in Ukraine by February 2023, and that there were 97 special operations forces from five allied NATO countries, including the UK.

We need special forces to keep track of equipment now?

 

[Zachowon]

And zero of them are actively engaged in combat.....
Add in that training is a huge factor

If American SF or NATO SF were active in combat we would know.
Because supposedly the superior Russian military would have posted not only thier faces, but every single piece of identification they have.

So again, nice try.

 

[DarthOne]

And zero of them are actively engaged in combat.....
Add in that training is a huge factor

If American SF or NATO SF were active in combat we would know.
Because supposedly the superior Russian military would have posted not only thier faces, but every single piece of identification they have.

So again, nice try.

That we know of. And also, why on earth would you assume we'd know unless it was leaked by a whistleblower?

 

[Zachowon]

Because what else could they be there for?

 

[Marduk]

We need special forces to keep track of equipment now?

Who else is going to do it and be less likely to get hurt while doing it?

You don't seriously believe our benevolent government would embed our BRAVE HEROES with concentrated Ukrainian military presence in range of indirect fire now, do you? What's next? That they're hoping Americans cry for blood when they get shelled?

Silly conspiracy theorist.

You do realize whole of Ukraine, including embassies, is in range of indirect fire from Russia?

 

[Megadeath]

BREAKING: Pentagon authorizes hazard pay for troops deployed to Ukraine

BREAKING: Pentagon authorizes hazard pay for troops deployed to Ukraine

Yes, there are US troops in Ukraine.

humanevents.com

You don't seriously believe our benevolent government would embed our BRAVE HEROES with concentrated Ukrainian military presence in range of indirect fire now, do you? What's next? That they're hoping Americans cry for blood when they get shelled?

Silly conspiracy theorist.

Oh look, it's the "We're already fighting!" lie. I think that's the third time that one's been tried? Literally no change in who's there since the last time it was, or in what they're doing, but thanks to an eventual change in the glacial bureaucracy the idiots can have another go at vague allusions and rhetorical questions implying there must be some grand conspiracy to it all.

 

[Zachowon]

Oh look, it's the "We're already fighting!" lie. I think that's the third time that one's been tried? Literally no change in who's there since the last time it was, or in what they're doing, but thanks to an eventual change in the glacial bureaucracy the idiots can have another go at vague allusions and rhetorical questions implying there must be some grand conspiracy to it all.

Totally it is truly a NATO conflict

 

[AmosTrask]

Yikes. He's speaking as though Russia is paying him to obfuscate the facts by any means necessary. Aren't you American? WTH are you spouting shit I've seen bandied about in Russian Social Media? Fucking Soviet sleepers everywhere.