When any situation becomes a chronic problem resisting all solutions, it seems wise to back up and re-examine some of the assumptions we’re taking for granted.
We tell ourselves we’re talking to and about Putin in the attempt to end the war in Ukraine. Sounds good at first, in theory. But in reality, Putin doesn’t listen to talk. He listens to tanks.
Imho, Putin sees our wish to talk to and about him as a sign of weakness which he should attempt to further exploit. What did he do in Alaska in response to the invitation to talk? He paraded around on stage, in exchange for nothing.
What if all the yackety yack about a ceasefire and peace treaty etc is just another way of putting off that which we already know will sooner or later have to be done?
Saw you on this interview yesterday. Great conversation and many details that people at State and the White House should know and pay attention to. Whey are they so subservient to Putin? What does he have on them?
Biden, Trump and EU leaders are all being very cautious because they’re afraid of Putin’s nukes. That sounds sensible on the surface, but…
What could Putin actually do with his nukes?
If he nukes Ukraine he’d lose China as an ally, and India as a customer. The West would then be united like it hasn’t been since WWII. Trump would have no choice but to turn against Putin. Global media would feast on the disaster in a way that would make 9/11 look like a trial run. Sanctions against Russia would go through the roof. Any country that did business with Putin would become a pariah. The Russian economy would tank, and his military might turn against him. The whole world would then see Putin for what he is, the Hitler of our time.
If Putin were to nuke any NATO country he would then die within a few minutes, perhaps with the rest of us soon to follow.
If Putin was a religious fanatic, this would be a different calculation, as we’d then have to take seriously the possibility that Putin would go down with the ship to make a point. But Putin is not religious, nor is he a fanatic. What he is instead is a coldly calculating mob boss psychopath. And mob bosses NEVER volunteer to die for the cause, and psychopaths don’t commit suicide.
What if the solution to the Ukraine war is to simply ignore Putin’s nukes?
The EU is way richer than Russia, and if the US participated the economic difference between West and East would be dramatic. Who wins a war of attrition then?
Why are we talking to Putin? Talking to Putin is a sign of weakness, and psychopaths thrive on signs of weakness.
Why don’t we just ignore Putin, and his nukes, and send Western forces in to Ukraine to back up the Ukrainian front lines without further delay.
The goal here would be to remove any possibility that Russia could ever take any more of Ukraine than what it’s already got. That undermines Putin’s rationale for the war, and may cause his military to begin to seriously wonder what they are doing in Ukraine. How does being there benefit them, or Russia?
Once the free part of Ukraine is secure, the occupied territory can be won back through economic warfare. Sooner or later some Russian regime will see the collapse of the Russian economy as a bigger threat than NATO, and then they will be willing trade occupied Ukraine for sanctions relief.
Western leaders are failing Ukraine, and the security of Europe. They’ve had their chance, it’s time now for some thinking outside of the same old box.
Great interview. Didn't agree with all of what you said, but it was great to hear your experienced views on a very difficult situation.
Couldn't believe Katie Couric couldn't pronounce Georgia [Meloni]'s name. Almost as bad as Trump looking around for Alexander Stubb, when he was sitting right in front of him. LOL!
Heard you and Katie Couric yesterday. It was terrific.
YES, more would be appreciated. Thanks. 🙏
got it
I enjoyed it and wouldn't have seen it without your including it. Lots of nuanced info.
Ill post more of these then
I'll be watching more then. 🙏
Why are we discussing negotiations? Please explain. Thank you.
Why are we talking to or about Putin?
When any situation becomes a chronic problem resisting all solutions, it seems wise to back up and re-examine some of the assumptions we’re taking for granted.
We tell ourselves we’re talking to and about Putin in the attempt to end the war in Ukraine. Sounds good at first, in theory. But in reality, Putin doesn’t listen to talk. He listens to tanks.
Imho, Putin sees our wish to talk to and about him as a sign of weakness which he should attempt to further exploit. What did he do in Alaska in response to the invitation to talk? He paraded around on stage, in exchange for nothing.
What if all the yackety yack about a ceasefire and peace treaty etc is just another way of putting off that which we already know will sooner or later have to be done?
Putin will keep coming until somebody stops him.
Excellent interview. More videos please.
Saw you on this interview yesterday. Great conversation and many details that people at State and the White House should know and pay attention to. Whey are they so subservient to Putin? What does he have on them?
Here’s one thing I’d hope to see addressed.
Biden, Trump and EU leaders are all being very cautious because they’re afraid of Putin’s nukes. That sounds sensible on the surface, but…
What could Putin actually do with his nukes?
If he nukes Ukraine he’d lose China as an ally, and India as a customer. The West would then be united like it hasn’t been since WWII. Trump would have no choice but to turn against Putin. Global media would feast on the disaster in a way that would make 9/11 look like a trial run. Sanctions against Russia would go through the roof. Any country that did business with Putin would become a pariah. The Russian economy would tank, and his military might turn against him. The whole world would then see Putin for what he is, the Hitler of our time.
If Putin were to nuke any NATO country he would then die within a few minutes, perhaps with the rest of us soon to follow.
If Putin was a religious fanatic, this would be a different calculation, as we’d then have to take seriously the possibility that Putin would go down with the ship to make a point. But Putin is not religious, nor is he a fanatic. What he is instead is a coldly calculating mob boss psychopath. And mob bosses NEVER volunteer to die for the cause, and psychopaths don’t commit suicide.
What if the solution to the Ukraine war is to simply ignore Putin’s nukes?
The EU is way richer than Russia, and if the US participated the economic difference between West and East would be dramatic. Who wins a war of attrition then?
Why are we talking to Putin? Talking to Putin is a sign of weakness, and psychopaths thrive on signs of weakness.
Why don’t we just ignore Putin, and his nukes, and send Western forces in to Ukraine to back up the Ukrainian front lines without further delay.
The goal here would be to remove any possibility that Russia could ever take any more of Ukraine than what it’s already got. That undermines Putin’s rationale for the war, and may cause his military to begin to seriously wonder what they are doing in Ukraine. How does being there benefit them, or Russia?
Once the free part of Ukraine is secure, the occupied territory can be won back through economic warfare. Sooner or later some Russian regime will see the collapse of the Russian economy as a bigger threat than NATO, and then they will be willing trade occupied Ukraine for sanctions relief.
Western leaders are failing Ukraine, and the security of Europe. They’ve had their chance, it’s time now for some thinking outside of the same old box.
Great interview. Didn't agree with all of what you said, but it was great to hear your experienced views on a very difficult situation.
Couldn't believe Katie Couric couldn't pronounce Georgia [Meloni]'s name. Almost as bad as Trump looking around for Alexander Stubb, when he was sitting right in front of him. LOL!