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I think the political situation in many of those countries speaks volumes. There are very few countries or peoples which have a genuinely positive view of Weste

I think the political situation in many of those countries speaks volumes. There are very few countries or peoples which have a genuinely positive view of Western occupation. Most countries that have a positive view of "Western" nations above Russia are the ones that are bribed (weapon contracts, free defense, release of political pressure) or bullied (application of political pressure) to have it. If you spend some time looking at the divisive, genocidal campaigns of the Americans, British and French across Western, Southern and South-Eastern Asia it's not hard to see why.

RhysU 8y ago
> There are very few countries or peoples which have a genuinely positive view of Western occupation. On the other hand, let's consider how popular inter-Asian occupation was.
- stevenjohns 8y ago
  Or let's not, because this discussion doesn't have anything to do with how they view each other as neighbors - it's about perceptions towards "Western" occupation vs. Russian occupation.
  - RhysU 8y ago
    Well, it felt like a complaint about Western vs non-Western occupation. Let's restrict non-Western to Russian as you suggest. You go first. How about you opine on Russian vs Western occupation?
- villedepommes 8y ago
  It depends. If you are comparing it to the one that nearly wiped out the native population on two continents and plundered two more, even the occupation of Korea and China by Japan suddenly starts looking rather attractive, which is a very scary thought, btw
celrod 8y ago
While Germany isn't an Asian country, my Grandpa was German. As you can imagine, he had a far more positive view of Western occupation than Russian occupation. He was not a member of the Nazi party, but was in the military. The story, as best as I can recall: After they ran out of gas, the soldiers were given bicycles and panzerfaust, and told to head East, because the Russians were invading. He hid in a hole as Russian tanks drove past. He deserted, and went West as fast as he could, deliberately getting himself captured by the invading US forces. He said he was treated better by the Americans as a prisoner of war than he was by the Nazis as a soldier. I don't think any soldiers captured by the Russians would say the same. Not long thereafter, the war in Germany ended. While the soviets plundered East Germany, the Americans with the Marshall plan helped rebuild West Germany. My grandfather, having not been a member of the Nazi party, was also treated very well during this period. Even though allied bombs destroyed 80% of his home city, this earned the US enough goodwill in his eyes (and probably many of his generation) that throughout the rest of his life, he supported the US (even while he didn't agree with everything they did). His daughter ended up marrying an American. If enemy soldiers thought you'd treat them better after they surrender than they're being treated now, they're not likely to fight very hard. Unfortunately, I think we have an instinctual urge to punish enemies. We like negative sum games.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]

RhysU 8y ago

> There are very few countries or peoples which have a genuinely positive view of Western occupation. On the other hand, let's consider how popular inter-Asian occupation was.

stevenjohns 8y ago
Or let's not, because this discussion doesn't have anything to do with how they view each other as neighbors - it's about perceptions towards "Western" occupation vs. Russian occupation.
- RhysU 8y ago
  Well, it felt like a complaint about Western vs non-Western occupation. Let's restrict non-Western to Russian as you suggest. You go first. How about you opine on Russian vs Western occupation?
villedepommes 8y ago
It depends. If you are comparing it to the one that nearly wiped out the native population on two continents and plundered two more, even the occupation of Korea and China by Japan suddenly starts looking rather attractive, which is a very scary thought, btw

celrod 8y ago

While Germany isn't an Asian country, my Grandpa was German. As you can imagine, he had a far more positive view of Western occupation than Russian occupation. He was not a member of the Nazi party, but was in the military. The story, as best as I can recall: After they ran out of gas, the soldiers were given bicycles and panzerfaust, and told to head East, because the Russians were invading. He hid in a hole as Russian tanks drove past. He deserted, and went West as fast as he could, deliberately getting himself captured by the invading US forces. He said he was treated better by the Americans as a prisoner of war than he was by the Nazis as a soldier. I don't think any soldiers captured by the Russians would say the same. Not long thereafter, the war in Germany ended. While the soviets plundered East Germany, the Americans with the Marshall plan helped rebuild West Germany. My grandfather, having not been a member of the Nazi party, was also treated very well during this period. Even though allied bombs destroyed 80% of his home city, this earned the US enough goodwill in his eyes (and probably many of his generation) that throughout the rest of his life, he supported the US (even while he didn't agree with everything they did). His daughter ended up marrying an American. If enemy soldiers thought you'd treat them better after they surrender than they're being treated now, they're not likely to fight very hard. Unfortunately, I think we have an instinctual urge to punish enemies. We like negative sum games.

deleted 8y ago
[deleted]