Ukraine invaded by the Russians...again Dec-Feb 2022

[Charlie_Jack]

@KHHville

Just read that link.

I went to your link (haven’t read it all yet), and right off the bat I encountered this:

During the recent Direct Line, when I was asked about Russian-Ukrainian relations, I said that Russians and Ukrainians were one people – a single whole.

. . .

. . . I would like to emphasize that the wall that has emerged in recent years between Russia and Ukraine, between the parts of what is essentially the same historical and spiritual space, to my mind is our great common misfortune and tragedy.

Article by Vladimir Putin ”On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians“ • President of Russia

That’s really enough for me–I get your point–but I may take a look at the rest.

Now, I’m pretty much neutral about the above, but I expressed my suspicions about that kind of thing on this board back in August of 2012, based on a familiar tune I’d heard on the radio some years before:

@Charlie_Jack

Years ago I occasionally caught the Voice of Russia (in English) on shortwave, and I noticed that their interval signal was “The Great Gate of Kiev.” It got me to wondering what might be on somebody’s mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS5MSICox2g

As is usual with my posts, nobody paid any attention .

Anyway, my main reason for wanting to leave the situation alone has very little to do with any of the quoted matter above, with all respect to all parties. I would add that I’m not a fan of irredentism- or revanchism-based aggression, nor am I a fan of dictators or dictatorships. My main reason for wanting to stay out of this mess is that generally, in a war, people–often a large number of people–are killed. I don’t want anyone to be killed over these matters. And I confess that, being a selfish American, I especially don’t want any Americans to be killed.

A little optional (very optional) reading:

The Weinberger doctrine:

The United States should not commit forces to combat unless the vital national interests of the United States or its allies are involved.
U.S. troops should only be committed wholeheartedly and with the clear intention of winning. Otherwise, troops should not be committed.
U.S. combat troops should be committed only with clearly defined political and military objectives and with the capacity to accomplish those objectives.
The relationship between the objectives and the size and composition of the forces committed should be continually reassessed and adjusted if necessary.
U.S. troops should not be committed to battle without a “reasonable assurance” of the support of U.S. public opinion and Congress.
The commitment of U.S. troops should be considered only as a last resort.

Weinberger Doctrine - Wikipedia

The Powell Doctrine states that a list of questions all have to be answered affirmatively before military action is taken by the United States:

Is a vital national security interest threatened?
Do we have a clear attainable objective?
Have the risks and costs been fully and frankly analyzed?
Have all other non-violent policy means been fully exhausted?
Is there a plausible exit strategy to avoid endless entanglement?
Have the consequences of our action been fully considered?
Is the action supported by the American people?
Do we have genuine broad international support?[2]

Powell Doctrine - Wikipedia