[ron178]

Mazda and Honda will stop deliveries to Russia: AutoReview
(Honda already had a restructure in 2015 and has since been selling only the CR-V and Pilot)

[DIY410]

Originally Posted by dragonfire

I find it funny when people say that Russia attacked a NATO-backed Ukraine because it was afraid that NATO might deploy weapons there. Don't you see the irony there? It's like saying "I attacked the dog because I was afraid that it would attack me".

Now, I want to hear something more credible about why Russia attacked and annexed Crimea.

And then there are those who feel pity for Russia as post cold war it was broken up into too many small states. If you care to read history, all these countries were annexed by Russia post revolution. They annexed half of Europe, and they all got their independence back post Soviet collapse. So, no, Ukraine does not "belong" to Russia.

Putin wants to build back USSR - maybe minus communism.

US, British and France have annexed places all over the world and still govern them.

As far as why Crimea was annexed did you even go through this thread, the very first page of this thread has answers to begin with.

Did you watch what Putin said in video posted a page or so back, or did you watch the video of US senator Bernie sanders also a page or so back .

[akhil_007]

Originally Posted by dragonfire

I find it funny when people say that Russia attacked a NATO-backed Ukraine because it was afraid that NATO might deploy weapons there. Don't you see the irony there? It's like saying "I attacked the dog because I was afraid that it would attack me".

What kind of a silly analogy is that!!

On a different note, Pre-Emptive strikes are not new

Originally Posted by dragonfire

Now, I want to hear something more credible about why Russia attacked and annexed Crimea.

Credible according to who?

[DIY410]

India has asked Indians staying in Kharkiv(second largest city in Ukraine) to evacuate immediately. Russians have agreed for a 6hr ceasefire, Indians citizens are advised to enter specific Russian controlled areas from which point on wards they will be taken to Russia and then flown back to India.

Ceasefire window ends at 21:30IST, even after this if they don't evacuate, they need to go to Russian controlled area.

This is what the Indian government should have first asked, since unlike the Ukrainen armed forces and militia. We have better level of cooperation with Russia and Kharkiv is closer to Russia, then it is to Poland or Romania, Taxi rides to Poland or Romania costs more then $2000 vs going to Russian held territory which is hardly 15km or less.

[thanixravindran]

Originally Posted by Theyota

Well Iraq had a dictator who was detrimental to American allies. So America went all out on the dictator by hook or crook.

Ok, So if US decided that a country with a 'dictator' which is detrimental to its allies (not even to itself), it can go all out on the dictator as well ruin the country by hook or crook. So we should all clap our hands and say 'Job well done' and live happily ever after.

However, if Russia decides that a country with a person elected in questionable means which is detrimental to its own defense, it cannot even act and have to accept its fate.

This is exactly the way American politicians behave and the rationale behind every covert and overt operations all over the world.

[DIY410]

Restraint shown by Russian forces. Despite the fact the driver doesn't stop, he or she is not shot upon. Can't say the same to US forces in Iraq.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbtJBUiuMu8

[Poitive]

Originally Posted by DIY410

India has asked Indians staying in Kharkiv(second largest city in Ukraine) to evacuate immediately. Russians have agreed for a 6hr ceasefire, Indians citizens are advised to enter specific Russian controlled areas from which point on wards they will be taken to Russia and then flown back to India.
...
This is what the Indian government should have first asked, since unlike the Ukrainen armed forces and militia. We have better level of cooperation with Russia and Kharkiv is closer to Russia, then it is to Poland or Romania, Taxi rides to Poland or Romania costs more then $2000 vs going to Russian held territory which is hardly 15km or less.

This is amazing. Amazing that the Indian diplomatic machinery has managed to get support from both sides of a war for such to happen; for both sides to find it viable and favourable to their situation to do so.

Given the demonstrated ability of this machinery, I would imagine that the option of asking Russia for such help would not have slipped the minds of the ones in-charge. I really doubt most of us can imagine the immense complexity of the situation, give-and-take, behind the doors negotiations that would be working to make what we see happening. Diplomacy is way way more complex than asking a friend a favour.

[fhdowntheline]

Originally Posted by thanixravindran

Ok, So if US decided that a country with a 'dictator' which is detrimental to its allies (not even to itself), it can go all out on the dictator as well ruin the country by hook or crook. So we should all clap our hands and say 'Job well done' and live happily ever after.

However, if Russia decides that a country with a person elected in questionable means which is detrimental to its own defense, it cannot even act and have to accept its fate.

This is exactly the way American politicians behave and the rationale behind every covert and overt operations all over the world.

Somehow I am reminded of the Salman Khan song "Character dheela" from Ready. But on a more serious note, I am really keen to see how India toes the neutral line here onwards. If the stakes get higher, there may be some economic pressure on India too, even if symbolic. How do we deal with that ? If some strategically important Western industrial conglomerates decide to "go-slow" on India business even symbolically, that would test our policy severely.

[lapis_lazuli]

Not that I have a great comprehension of the political developments, but, while reading up on technical aspects of a nuke and its aftermath, here's what I came across: a Bhangmeter!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhangmeter

Serious business that!

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Like Cuba deciding to allow USSR to place missiles in their country?

US has their Monroe Doctrine, Russia expects the same in their sphere of influence.

I think the word would be domination, not influence. Yes, America wants, Russia wants, China wants. That doesn't make it right that they should get.

OK, so what about the next bit...

It might have been easier to take a different course, but, if it was us making concessions to China, how would you feel?

[TurboOnTarmac]

Originally Posted by Poitive

This is amazing. Amazing that the Indian diplomatic machinery has managed to get support from both sides of a war for such to happen; for both sides to find it viable and favourable to their situation to do so.

Given the demonstrated ability of this machinery, I would imagine that the option of asking Russia for such help would not have slipped the minds of the ones in-charge. I really doubt most of us can imagine the immense complexity of the situation, give-and-take, behind the doors negotiations that would be working to make what we see happening. Diplomacy is way way more complex than asking a friend a favour.

Just saw the heartwarming message that Russian troops indeed escorting some Indian students out from Kharkiv to safer places for onward journey to India. This is posted in my alumni network tying to a student from their family currently stuck in Kharkiv, so felt reliable info.

Hoping for all to be back home safe.

[DIY410]

PM Modi and Putin spoke again. Unfortunately there is a Neo Nazi group called Azov (sanctioned even by US) in Ukraine which the current Ukraine president has absorbed them into the Ukraine military. There are multiple graphic videos in Ukraine where they shoot at civilians.
Kremlin statement below

[digitalnirvana]

Originally Posted by aaggoswami

Libya, what was the objective of USA ? If I am not wrong, either Libya or Lebanon had French jets bomb them. Why so ?

Because Gaddafi wanted to sell oil using gold. Also because Gaddafi wanted a pan African block for oil somewhat like OPEC. Do you know who Nigeria sell most of their oil to?

The same dictator Gaddafi who did the Lockerbie bombings and was still not a pariah.

But finally who had to go because he wanted to sell oil on his own terms.

Remember Benghazi? The last vestiges of the resistance were cooped up there and Gaddafis convoy was on the way to roll them over.

They were bombed to smithereens on the way.
"The planes came" was the article in a reputed UK newspaper. I remember it clear as yesterday.

[digitalnirvana]

Originally Posted by Theyota

I agree WMDs turned out to be false. For it to be called a lie, it has to be proven that Bush knew there were no WMDs all along. It has not been proven so far.

The beauty of the Internet is that all voices are amplified. Anyone can write anything without the slightest knowledge, and yet come across as an expert. Only when we are countered by an actual expert in the field (and I'd hitch my coat tails to V Narayan's without the slightest hesitation on geopolitical topics) is when we eat humble pie.

Please read up on these links which took me all of 5 minutes to find.

No, really, George W. Bush lied about WMDs


Ex-Cheney Aide Testified Leak Was Ordered, Prosecutor Says


Cheney: WMD or not, Iraq invasion was correct
The United States would have invaded of Iraq even if the CIA had reported that Saddam Hussein had no weapons of mass destruction, Vice President Dick Cheney said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” [!]

A guy who sat on Halliburton's board and profited directly from a fake war boasts that he would do it again. And you call the opposition a "dictator"?

[DIY410]

On French TV, a Ukrainian woman who fled Kyiv days ago. This is not the news western media wants to hear but since it is Live, they have no choice but to air it.

https://twitter.com/futurebrain1/status/1498738347518353410?s=20&t=VM1OBVzTt1fOLYDDKeEVF
https://twitter.com/futurebrain1/sta...t1fOLYDDKeEVFw
https://twitter.com/futurebrain1/sta...KWmRSgTklGaonQ