WOT is putin up to?

[fifthcolumn]

Looks to me like he is trying to "get invited into" Iraq. Then he can basically control the flow of oil out of the gulf. Exactly what Iran has promised to do. That will kill birds with one stone. Oil prices go up, he can buy more guns and bombs and stuff and also he gets to stick it to the west, cause by spiking oil prices he can hold Europe to ransom, maybe crash the banks and give a bloody nose via the financial system to the US.

What say ye?

[Little John]

Looks to me like he is trying to "get invited into" Iraq. Then he can basically control the flow of oil out of the gulf. Exactly what Iran has promised to do. That will kill birds with one stone. Oil prices go up, he can buy more guns and bombs and stuff and also he gets to stick it to the west, cause by spiking oil prices he can hold Europe to ransom, maybe crash the banks and give a bloody nose via the financial system to the US.

What say ye?

I'd say the use of terms such as "methinks" or "what say ye" do not elevate the gravitas or intellectual veracity of one's writing. But, instead, produce precisely the opposite reaction in, at least, this reader.

I'd say you have read and are regurgitating all of that having first consumed it in (insert your MSM propaganda device of choice here). I'd say that our MSM have tried to ridicule and then to demonise Putin and Russia, with only very limited success, and so now it is seeking to attempt to paint him as some kind of dark, strategic genius that certainly commands respect, but who we should still fear. The operative word here being "fear". Because, the goal of such propaganda is and always has been to create a bogyman. You see, that's how Western governments (in particular, the USA and UK) always prepare us for something they wish to commit us to that they know, in and of itself, would induce horror, disgust and dissent in us. But, which we will tolerate if we think it is for some higher good and in order to get the bad guy.

Russia is merely doing what Russia has always done since the end of WW2. Seeking to defend itself, both reactively and pro-actively, from rapacious and militarily aggressive Western capitalist imperialism.

Or, at least, that's what methinks. What say ye?

[emordnilap]

I've found that the demonisation of Putin is to all intents and purposes 100% successful (and in a very sad way, it's impressive). Go on, ask anyone what they think about Putin. Not on this board.

[fifthcolumn]

[quote="Little John"]

You sound like a righteous comrade.

[kenneal - lagger]

He can only control the flow of Iraqi oil from Iraq. Only Iran, Oman or the UAE can control the Straights of Hormuz, the entrance to the Gulf. The US could probably control is as well but that would entail subduing Iran. Having said that they can "control" it that would mean blocking it to stop all traffic. To control it as in regulating it would only really be possible with the consent of Iran.

[biffvernon]

I suppose it would be too simple that Putin just believes in keeping to the international law. Only bomb another country if invited to do so by that country's legitimately constituted government or with a UN Security Council mandate.

The USA doesn't usually bother with such details.

[kenneal - lagger]

Ukraine?

[Little John]

Ukraine?

What about Ukraine? Are you referring to the USA orchestrated neo-facist coup in Kiev? Or, perhaps, are you referring to an entirely democratic response in Crimea to that coup and the fact that, three days following the coup, the fascist junta in Kiev immediately outlawed the use of the Russian language in public life in Crimea. A region that, ethnically, is predominantly Russian?

And then, of course, there is the larger geopolitical story of how the West has persistently breached agreements over a period of several decades made with Russia about that entire region.

I could go on....and on

What, exactly, is your argument vis a vis Ukraine, Ken?

[kenneal - lagger]

As far as I know we haven't got troops in the Ukraine or even any volunteers!

And neither have we sent any secret service people out with polonium to kill off objectors to the regime, like yourself! Yet!!

[biffvernon]

You don't have to think that Putin is an angel to accept that what LJ just wrote is true.

[kenneal - lagger]

And on that basis I wouldn't believe much of what he says or put any trust in what he does.

[RenewableCandy]

The fact that he and trump seem to be having a bit of a love-in speaks volumes

[Little John]

The fact that he and trump seem to be having a bit of a love-in speaks volumes

About what?