> I'm not blaming Trump for the invasion - I wasn't suggesting that! I was suggesting you were blaming him for the failure of the US supported Ukrainian counte

> I'm not blaming Trump for the invasion - I wasn't suggesting that! I was suggesting you were blaming him for the failure of the US supported Ukrainian counter offensive - sure he hasn't helped - but in my view it was already failing. On the wider point I agree Trump has an affinity to 'strong' leaders ( particularly for stop-at-nothing ethno-nationalists ). I'd argue that's because that's what he is, rather than some weird mind control. He shares views with them in the sense that saying Canada should be part of the US is quite similar to saying Ukraine should be Russian, or Netanyahu blatant disregard for the lives of Palestians because they are 'other' is reflected in Trumps views on ( non-white ) immigrants in the US ( legal or not ). ie they are very similar people with similar views. One of the odd things about nationalists ( defining us versus them ) is they are quite happy to work with the 'them' if they are also nationalists....