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Europe
Putin's Crimea Aim Is To Make The West Look Weak
2014-03-02
"It is a textbook KGB-led operation: the agent provocateur, followed by a self-organized militia, then Russian military protection to defend 'theirÂ’ people. The tactic was used to good effect throughout the Soviet period in Communist coups. ItÂ’s what brought down the government of Afghanistan and caused 30 years of war. And again it is unlikely to be resisted."
Posted by:Uncle Phester

#10  Nation building could have been attempted after the decisive defeat of the respective enemy nations not before.

Furthermore an essential part of nation building would have been the imposition of minimal standards of decency, as defined by Western civilization on the defeated populace and their leadership.

Alas the West has ZERO civilizational self-confidence and is utterly unwilling to do any of the above.

Instead our political class is willing to import aspects of the enemy's alien tyranny into Western nations.

IMO the pivot point was reached by September/October of 2001. Bush apologized for using the word "crusade", Powell offered political power to "moderate Taliban" and "Infinite Justice" was demoted to "Enduring Freedom".

It should have been clear even back then that the political class would allow no serious reaction to even a mass fatality attack on the CONUS.
Posted by: Elmerert Hupens2660   2014-03-02 14:06  

#9  Actually, phil_b, several Paleocons did speak against "nation building" look at Jerry Pournelle's site.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2014-03-02 14:05  

#8  RE: Afghanistan, much like Iraq both were really two wars. Many supported the invasion/removal of government but didn't really support the nation building.

We took a chance aiming for Democracy. A historic gamble that would have been shaky even without the left within our own country and the Oil For Food corrupt folks outside the US nipping at our ankles every step of the way.
Posted by: rjschwarz   2014-03-02 10:51  

#7  I still marvel at how almost no one on the Right of politics speaks out against it.

It is called not stabbing your country in the back during time of war. We on the right are funny that way.

And as for making us look weak, well we are perfectly capable of doing that to ourselves with no external help.

Of course, one should not confuse restraint with weakness. The Mohammadeans did and still do, to their loss.
Posted by: Nguard   2014-03-02 10:36  

#6  gromgoru, I think Afghanistan was the start of the pivot point. Ten year's waste of blood and treasure, but I've been saying that for quite a few years.

Afghanistan was the Tranzi's 'good' war and an utter disaster. I still marvel at how almost no one on the Right of politics speaks out against it. Not that it matters anymore. Far too late.

The world will now pay heed to, and follow, those who can and will act quickly and decisively.

Twas always thus.
Posted by: phil_b   2014-03-02 08:12  

#5  If only we had Leadership who weren't blind rodents.

Of course the American people are all fruitbags and lining up for "free stuff" They elected the rodents, they actually chose to have a Biden as the best we could do...or Kerry..or a moral lizard like John Edwards...or who is that fat queer in Congress ? Or that paragon of ethical Leprosy Harry Reid. The democrats have the corner on cannibalistic bacteria. And the republicans are boneless quivering slugs.

And Obama rises to the top. America gets what it deserves.
Been to Church lately? No. Go lock your doors. Its YOU, America. You don't believe in decency anymore. If your son is a fag you won't HAVE any descendants. Pure and simple. The abortion has come home to roost.

We don't look weak, we ARE weak. The Leadership of the United States is a gutless Incompetent.
Tell me it isn't so. Go on, tell me.
Posted by: Spereting Tingle4064   2014-03-02 06:52  

#4  phil_b, IMO, you'd be surprised how quickly "Da West" will return to sanity once it has real opposition.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2014-03-02 05:44  

#3  I'm thinking this could be a pivot point in history, marking the end of Western dominance and the rise of a Russia-China axis.

China will note well how there will be no real consequences to Russia grabbing a big slice of Ukraine.
Posted by: phil_b   2014-03-02 01:45  

#2  Actually, the West doesn't need Russian help in this regard.
Posted by: gorb   2014-03-02 01:32  

#1  Seems to have worked.
Posted by: 3dc   2014-03-02 01:01  

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