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The Ukraine war is small stakes compared to what the U.S. and USSR did during the Cold War. The U.S. accepted stalemate in Korea and defeat in Vietnam rather th

The Ukraine war is small stakes compared to what the U.S. and USSR did during the Cold War. The U.S. accepted stalemate in Korea and defeat in Vietnam rather than go nuclear. They will not do it over Ukraine. It is not “must-win” for the U.S. Supporting Ukraine is not even significantly risking U.S. influence or standing in the EU. Getting Finland and Sweden into NATO is a benefit to the U.S. that will endure even if Ukraine completely falls (which it won’t). I guess there is a chance that Russia could initiate a nuclear exchange if Putin is 100% suicidally insane. I don’t believe that he is.

TrapLord_Rhodo 4y ago
I think you are underestimating a few facts in the conflict of Ukraine which downplays it's significance. The EU and the US have drawn the lines very explicitly, which before they were able to whist away any pressing questions on relations by claiming 'allies'. Russia has been cut off from the IMF dominated financial system. No FX, No Swift, no IMF support. This is the financial equivilent of going nuclear. This has led Russia and China to announce they are goiing to directly compete with the IMF and start their own federal reserve. My point is not that nuclear war is imminent, but quite the opposite. We have new tools to declare total war without a single bullet being fired. Cyber, destabilization and financial war might prove deadlier than nuclear could ever be.
- whimsicalism 4y ago
  Russia hasn't used IMF support in decades. Not all Russian banks are banned from SWIFT. > Cyber, destabilization and financial war might prove deadlier than nuclear could ever be. Nuclear could plausibly result in the extinction of our species. Suggesting that financial warfare could "prove deadlier than nuclear could ever be" seems patently false. > far closer to nuclear war than we've ever been. This is the statement that is being disagreed with.
whimsicalism 4y ago
Surprised I had to scroll down so far to find a reasonable comment. It is in human nature to exceptionalize the time period you happen to be living in. It is worth guarding against these cognitive biases.

TrapLord_Rhodo 4y ago

I think you are underestimating a few facts in the conflict of Ukraine which downplays it's significance. The EU and the US have drawn the lines very explicitly, which before they were able to whist away any pressing questions on relations by claiming 'allies'. Russia has been cut off from the IMF dominated financial system. No FX, No Swift, no IMF support. This is the financial equivilent of going nuclear. This has led Russia and China to announce they are goiing to directly compete with the IMF and start their own federal reserve. My point is not that nuclear war is imminent, but quite the opposite. We have new tools to declare total war without a single bullet being fired. Cyber, destabilization and financial war might prove deadlier than nuclear could ever be.

whimsicalism 4y ago
Russia hasn't used IMF support in decades. Not all Russian banks are banned from SWIFT. > Cyber, destabilization and financial war might prove deadlier than nuclear could ever be. Nuclear could plausibly result in the extinction of our species. Suggesting that financial warfare could "prove deadlier than nuclear could ever be" seems patently false. > far closer to nuclear war than we've ever been. This is the statement that is being disagreed with.

whimsicalism 4y ago

Surprised I had to scroll down so far to find a reasonable comment. It is in human nature to exceptionalize the time period you happen to be living in. It is worth guarding against these cognitive biases.