I am not a fan of having more weapons in the world, but I guess this plan is better than Putin taking over Russia’s neighbors with no resistance.

@fgtech Agreeing with you on that, although a third alternative; a peace proposal might save more lives. I just don’t know how it would possibly be implemented.

@odd well if one of the U.S.A. allies over in that neck of the woods pays no attention to even a ceasefire - then I would say all bets are off when it coms to peace treaties. I mean you guys definitely worked hard with the Oslo Accords .. but that was thirty years ago now.

not read the link - but part of the back story will be Trump. Should he get in - we know Europe will be on its own.

@JohnPhilpin Yes, and it didn’t even work out that well either. 😔

@fgtech @odd @JohnPhilpin The war in Ukraine has been a big reality check for NATO countries. The Ukrainian forces were/are using more artillery shells in one day than the USA can manufacture in a month so we relied on our insufficient stockpiles which are now depleted. We've off-shored, consolidated, just in timed our manufacturing capability to the bare minimum required for peacetime procurement and we are just now realizing that those numbers are totally insufficient in a real shooting war.

Yes. It’s tragic in so many ways. I read today that ⅔ of the NATO countries are now spending 2% of their GDP on the military, (it has increased). There’s a lot to be said about Trump, but he was right, (or rather, well informed), about that all NATO members should spend at least 2% on the military. I see this as a minimum of commitment. It remains to be seen exactly how those 2% are spent though.

In my naïve moments, I think we should try to find a peaceful solution to this “special operation”/war, but it seems unlikely now. 🇷🇺🕊️🇺🇦

@odd I have always considered myself a pacifist so I should not have excluded a negotiated peaceful solution, true. I am also a pragmatist and don’t see any peaceful way out of this with Putin around.

Also very important perspective about manufacturing capacity. Globalization means interdependence and a greater incentive for peace, but only as long as the economic gains work in your favor.

@fgtech I agree. Putin is not onboard with peace or even keeping treaties.

@odd

@fgtech True. Globalization is about maximizing profits for big corporations. National security, workers, countries all get thrown under the bus.

@fgtech Yes, that may be the case, I’m afraid. Now, if there is an asteroid heading towards us, please let it land benevolently on Putin’s head. ☄️