The cold war, take 2.

[Wideboy]

Who actually believed the Soviet mindset had died?

I can see it turning into occupation, if Russia gave a crap about being in the G8 ect then they wouldn't have moved their troops in, they have enough natural resources to stay wealthy if economic sanctions are put in place.

Discuss!

This is not a cold war, it could be actual war.

[Luckypants]

I'm with Runako, I think Putin is actually daft enough to want a shooting war. Without a politburo style committee to reign him in I think there is a real risk of war between the West and East, as there is no voice of reason in his ear. Putin seems to have almost absolute power and certainly paints himself as the 'just strong leader'.

If Russia was in danger of losing such a war I think he might press the button. I'm genuinely worried about this one.

Anyone here think America wouldn't have boots on the ground if Mexico went the same way Ukraine is?

[Red Herring]

I'm not a great one for world politics but it doesn't seem to have occurred to anyone that Russia might actually be acting to protect both itself and us. The Russian base at Sevastopol contains a fairly significant number of military assets and it would be unfortunate if they were to fall into the hands of a fairly new and untested Ukrainian government.

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by Spank86

Anyone here think America wouldn't have boots on the ground if Mexico went the same way Ukraine is?

Maybe a better comparison would be if Cuba suddenly decided it wanted Guantanamo Bay back? I don't suppose the Americans would sit on their butts and watch whatever assets they have there fall into the wrong hands....

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

I'm not a great one for world politics but it doesn't seem to have occurred to anyone that Russia might actually be acting to protect both itself and us. The Russian base at Sevastopol contains a fairly significant number of military assets and it would be unfortunate if they were to fall into the hands of a fairly new and untested Ukrainian government.

I agree, Sevastapol is also a key strategic port, which is why the Black Sea fleet is based there.

The sames for us Gibraltar is a key position.

But I also agree with LP, Putin is a nut case, without anyone to control him.

[Biker Biggles]

The best thing the Russians could do would be to bury the hatchet with Europe and the USA and concentrate on the real threats to themselves and the West.Nostrodamus said that threat would come from the East and I think he was probably right.

I agree that the recent Russian maneuvers have escalated the situation. WW3 is definitely a worst case scenario now, but that is worst case scenario and I think still unlikely.

I am pretty sure Obama does not want a war, certainly not of that scale, I am really not so sure about Putin. He is still currently an elected politician and he is being hammered by the urban intelligencia (or bourgeoisie if you like). A war would make him more popular with the Backwoods Population his main support, and give him a chance to gain absolute power in the interest of national interests.

There are also economic considerations that make war a possible outocome, like they are a big wheat producer, someone somewhere will be thinking about this.

Originally Posted by Red Herring

Maybe a better comparison would be if Cuba suddenly decided it wanted Guantanamo Bay back? I don't suppose the Americans would sit on their butts and watch whatever assets they have there fall into the wrong hands....

Either way I think America would be reacting exactly like or worse than Russia.