4 ms·

What is the appropriate thing to say when a country kills 38 of your citizens?

• flashman 10y ago
  Abbott's mistake was giving Putin a warning of his feelings, which allowed Putin time to plan a response. If Abbott wanted to embarrass Putin (because presumably Putin is beyond feeling shame over the mere deaths of foreign civilians due to his geopolitical maneuverings), he should have been non-specific in his condemnation of Russian involvement, then set up a meeting with Putin at G20, made sure the media was present at a photo opportunity, then ambushed him with members of the victims' families. Anything Putin did in response would look like petty revenge for being called out.
  • grizzles 10y ago
    This would have been a great response. It doesn't challenge the dictator's precious ego. It's human, and generates sympathy from allies & other countries. It embarrasses Putin without looking like tit for tat.
• grizzles 10y ago
  Something that doesn't increase the chance of an order of magnitude more of your citizens dying, like threatening to assault a dictator. Abbott's words served no goal. It was just a bit of tough guy posturing and he got kicked in the ass for it. Wars has been started over a lot less than 38 deaths. The catalyst for World War I was the death of a single individual, the heir to the Austrian crown. It's been a long time since the last World War. People have lost their fear of war, and that sucks, because today's weapons are alot better at killing tons of people.
  • emmelaich 10y ago
    I thought it effectively communicated the anger that the Prime Minister felt in having Australian citizens murdered. Putin came off looking stupid and petty responding to words with nuclear submarines.