@bradenslen I am not a fan of having more weapons in the world, but I guess this plan is better than Putin taking over Russia’s neighbors with no resistance.
@fgtech @bradenslen Agreeing with you on that, although a third alternative; a peace proposal might save more lives. I just don’t know how it would possibly be implemented.
@odd well if one of the U.S.A. allies over in that neck of the woods pays no attention to even a ceasefire - then I would say all bets are off when it coms to peace treaties. I mean you guys definitely worked hard with the Oslo Accords .. but that was thirty years ago now.
@bradenslen not read the link - but part of the back story will be Trump. Should he get in - we know Europe will be on its own.
@fgtech @odd @JohnPhilpin The war in Ukraine has been a big reality check for NATO countries. The Ukrainian forces were/are using more artillery shells in one day than the USA can manufacture in a month so we relied on our insufficient stockpiles which are now depleted. We've off-shored, consolidated, just in timed our manufacturing capability to the bare minimum required for peacetime procurement and we are just now realizing that those numbers are totally insufficient in a real shooting war.
@bradenslen Yes. It’s tragic in so many ways. I read today that ⅔ of the NATO countries are now spending 2% of their GDP on the military, (it has increased). There’s a lot to be said about Trump, but he was right, (or rather, well informed), about that all NATO members should spend at least 2% on the military. I see this as a minimum of commitment. It remains to be seen exactly how those 2% are spent though.
In my naïve moments, I think we should try to find a peaceful solution to this “special operation”/war, but it seems unlikely now. 🇷🇺🕊️🇺🇦
@odd I have always considered myself a pacifist so I should not have excluded a negotiated peaceful solution, true. I am also a pragmatist and don’t see any peaceful way out of this with Putin around.
@bradenslen Also very important perspective about manufacturing capacity. Globalization means interdependence and a greater incentive for peace, but only as long as the economic gains work in your favor.
@fgtech True. Globalization is about maximizing profits for big corporations. National security, workers, countries all get thrown under the bus.