- 23 Jan 2022 17:34
#15208569
For Putin sure, it is a pawn but in reality it is an independent actor and a state of its own. The problem with Putins actions is that he inherently misjudges the risk I think that he believes that Ukranian army can be steamrolled and there will be no resistance. It might be the case of his own propaganda getting to his head. I am not sure on that one.
I am still inclined to believe that he is not that far in to the loony bin and is a rational actor within the limitations of his crony corrupt regime. But once again, he is desperate and if he doesn't get a win from NATO then perhaps a massive invasion is only thing that he has left if he doesn't want to loose power in Russia. Alternative are NK style crackdowns and camps i suppose and that is a rout that even he won't be able to go I think since his corrupt cronies still need to spend their money somewhere and send their children to Europe and US for living and education.
I do not think that any nation is hopeless to change; however, I think that some nations do require a lot more effort than others to become changed. - Verv
Beren wrote:So I inherently misunderstood you, although you seem to only have semantic problems with what I said.
Anyway, Putin was on the offensive during the populist wave in the Trump-Brexit era, but the tide has turned since then. He's on the defensive now, even though he's posturing and flexing muscles, and roaring as loud as he can, as a lion does to warn and intimidate (possible) intruders. He may be aggressive towards Ukraine, but Ukraine's only a pawn in this game.
For Putin sure, it is a pawn but in reality it is an independent actor and a state of its own. The problem with Putins actions is that he inherently misjudges the risk I think that he believes that Ukranian army can be steamrolled and there will be no resistance. It might be the case of his own propaganda getting to his head. I am not sure on that one.
I am still inclined to believe that he is not that far in to the loony bin and is a rational actor within the limitations of his crony corrupt regime. But once again, he is desperate and if he doesn't get a win from NATO then perhaps a massive invasion is only thing that he has left if he doesn't want to loose power in Russia. Alternative are NK style crackdowns and camps i suppose and that is a rout that even he won't be able to go I think since his corrupt cronies still need to spend their money somewhere and send their children to Europe and US for living and education.
I do not think that any nation is hopeless to change; however, I think that some nations do require a lot more effort than others to become changed. - Verv