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Many countries, including Canada, are sending military equipment or financial support to Ukraine. Its not an either / or proposition. If however by direct mili

Many countries, including Canada, are sending military equipment or financial support to Ukraine. Its not an either / or proposition. If however by direct military aid you mean soldiers on the ground fighting Russians, then a) I agree that would be more effective and b) I think it's unlikely to happen because c) if we engage in second order thinking, I don't see how it ends well for anyone in the short term. That's the problem with a Bully, they don't care about their own pain as much as other guys care about theirs. Once they start hitting, there are no great options. All options from here on suck.

int_19h 5y ago
Once the bully starts hitting, the only option that actually solves the problem long term is everybody hitting back. Because you'll end up fighting the bully anyway sooner or later. But if it's later, there will be fewer left standing by your side.
- NikolaNovak 5y ago
  I don't disagree. The problem is 1. This Bully has nuclear weapons 2. This Bully has historically shown they are willing and able to take more pain for their cause.
  - int_19h 5y ago
    Indeed. But the bully also knows that using nukes would be the end of him, even if he gets to take everybody else along. Russia would absolutely use nukes if it's actually invaded, but a conventional military confrontation on foreign territory is a very different matter. As for being willing to take more pain - you're right, that's a big part of the problem for the West. But it needs to understand that, just like in 1938, avoiding the bully only delays the inevitable, and the pain will still come eventually.
    - NikolaNovak 5y ago
      I worry that it's not about one big red button but gradual escalation. Somebody decides that using tactical kiloton Nukes is the way to go and other side would not dare escalate further. A lot of people think if they do the big fearsome escalation, then the other side will back off. Everything up to this point indicates this is Putin's logic. He may be over committed now - what option other than finishing invasion does he realistically have that preserves any goals or prerogatives? In some ways the rational thing, from his perspective, is to keep escalating until other side acts "rationally" and backs off. It's all a giant game of chicken, and I am not convinced that all state leaders anywhere let alone everywhere are rational and fearful enough.
reitanqild 5y ago
Norwegian authorities, when questioned directly, confirmed yesterday that it is legal for Norwegians to travel Ukraine and participate. I know some went to Kurdistan on their own expense to help hunt down Daesh war criminals and further back I think some well known resistance fighters from second world war had experience from defending Finland before going back to Norway to fight the Nazis.

int_19h 5y ago

Once the bully starts hitting, the only option that actually solves the problem long term is everybody hitting back. Because you'll end up fighting the bully anyway sooner or later. But if it's later, there will be fewer left standing by your side.

NikolaNovak 5y ago
I don't disagree. The problem is 1. This Bully has nuclear weapons 2. This Bully has historically shown they are willing and able to take more pain for their cause.
- int_19h 5y ago
  Indeed. But the bully also knows that using nukes would be the end of him, even if he gets to take everybody else along. Russia would absolutely use nukes if it's actually invaded, but a conventional military confrontation on foreign territory is a very different matter. As for being willing to take more pain - you're right, that's a big part of the problem for the West. But it needs to understand that, just like in 1938, avoiding the bully only delays the inevitable, and the pain will still come eventually.
  - NikolaNovak 5y ago
    I worry that it's not about one big red button but gradual escalation. Somebody decides that using tactical kiloton Nukes is the way to go and other side would not dare escalate further. A lot of people think if they do the big fearsome escalation, then the other side will back off. Everything up to this point indicates this is Putin's logic. He may be over committed now - what option other than finishing invasion does he realistically have that preserves any goals or prerogatives? In some ways the rational thing, from his perspective, is to keep escalating until other side acts "rationally" and backs off. It's all a giant game of chicken, and I am not convinced that all state leaders anywhere let alone everywhere are rational and fearful enough.

reitanqild 5y ago

Norwegian authorities, when questioned directly, confirmed yesterday that it is legal for Norwegians to travel Ukraine and participate. I know some went to Kurdistan on their own expense to help hunt down Daesh war criminals and further back I think some well known resistance fighters from second world war had experience from defending Finland before going back to Norway to fight the Nazis.