2 ms·

At this point is there anything substantive any country could do at all that wouldn't irritate Russia? It seems as if the powers that be have become so utterly

by usrme 5y ago

At this point is there anything substantive any country could do at all that wouldn't irritate Russia? It seems as if the powers that be have become so utterly delicate that even something as innocuous as Sweden joining NATO is deemed to be advancing far beyond the "proper" limits.

ceejayoz 5y ago
Abusive partners are rarely satisfied, and giving in to their demands rarely appeases for long. The same is true in international politics. If NATO's response isn't "we do what we want, fuck off" they've lost the next war already.
wanda 5y ago
> the powers that be I think the powers that be are the ones who are resisting intervening or even bearing their teeth ~ because in reality, they'd rather just go back to trading with or at least ignoring Russia. So much so that they'd far sooner appear indecisive and capricious, avoid direct involvement, and have scope to return to the status quo (regardless of the blood being spilled) as quickly as possible, never mind what happens to Ukraine.
FrenchAmerican 5y ago
Consider Sweden's geography along coast of the Baltic Sea ; joining NATO would basically close this path to the Atlantic Ocean for the Russian Navy. Well, at least if enough missiles and/or fighter jets are placed on its soil by NATO countries to effectively close the Baltic Sea in case of war.
- CRConrad 5y ago
  > Consider Sweden's geography along coast of the Baltic Sea ; joining NATO would basically close this path to the Atlantic Ocean for the Russian Navy. Given how narrow Öresund is, I'm fairly sure conventional artillery (not to mention missiles...) could cover the entire strait from the coast of NATO member Denmark. I doubt Sweden would protest too loudly about this incursion on her territorial waters, if she lets the Russian navy do the same first... And even if she does, so what?

2 ms·

At this point is there anything substantive any country could do at all that wouldn't irritate Russia? It seems as if the powers that be have become so utterly

by usrme 5y ago

ceejayoz 5y ago
Abusive partners are rarely satisfied, and giving in to their demands rarely appeases for long. The same is true in international politics. If NATO's response isn't "we do what we want, fuck off" they've lost the next war already.
wanda 5y ago
> the powers that be I think the powers that be are the ones who are resisting intervening or even bearing their teeth ~ because in reality, they'd rather just go back to trading with or at least ignoring Russia. So much so that they'd far sooner appear indecisive and capricious, avoid direct involvement, and have scope to return to the status quo (regardless of the blood being spilled) as quickly as possible, never mind what happens to Ukraine.
FrenchAmerican 5y ago
Consider Sweden's geography along coast of the Baltic Sea ; joining NATO would basically close this path to the Atlantic Ocean for the Russian Navy. Well, at least if enough missiles and/or fighter jets are placed on its soil by NATO countries to effectively close the Baltic Sea in case of war.
- CRConrad 5y ago
  > Consider Sweden's geography along coast of the Baltic Sea ; joining NATO would basically close this path to the Atlantic Ocean for the Russian Navy. Given how narrow Öresund is, I'm fairly sure conventional artillery (not to mention missiles...) could cover the entire strait from the coast of NATO member Denmark. I doubt Sweden would protest too loudly about this incursion on her territorial waters, if she lets the Russian navy do the same first... And even if she does, so what?