Ryan said:
Russia knows the US is very weak right now. So the question if the US is deterring Russia in anyway? Absolutely not.
:shock: :idea:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuH3aYAr6NM[/youtube]
Clearly then... there is a problem. At least not with the United States exactly. What if I told you that Putin merely studied the international situation and then acted as soon as the United States found itself stretched out?
In a way... it's almost as if Putin himself has been playing our current state as leverage at this point.
Using the fact we are stretched too thin, he can attempt to use influence in places we are not focused massively in, like, until recently, Ukraine. How else has Ukraine suddenly been "torn in two?" He knew about Ukraine's desire to join the EU and NATO, so he provided his own influence, by means of Crimea.
In turn, Russian supporting sides in Ukraine quickly took charge. Yet abroad, we have ISIS.
The United States proceeds to "switch" it's attention, onto ISIS, and begins airstrikes. Yet what do we have Russia doing? Sending aid convoys into Ukraine, of which quite recently Ukraine has attacked an armored convoy. Yet Ukraine remains "divided."
I could be overthinking this... but if the United States is failing to deter Russia... Russia, at least internationally (domestically is another issue entirely) has the advantage over Ukraine.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5Vry9m1zZs[/youtube]
Conclusion: Note the current events. Russia, being the "powerhouse" it is, has some influence, especially with its large energy industry. Yet has that entirely stopped Ukraine from having a European side? No.
If we start from the beginning, perhaps it should be clear.
In November 2013, we have the Euromadian and Russian-leaning president Viktor Yanukovych finds himself out of power. Putin now has a crisis on his hands. With the United States overstretched, he gambles that no one will act militarily when he invades Crimea. He is proven right. Then he begins to support the People's Republic of Donetsk, "splitting" the country in two. Still, only sanctions. While I'm not a big fan of war, we've only given Putin confidence in his actions. Being a poker player, if one player keeps folding when I bet, I would be confident to just take him to the cleaners. That's what we've given him, at least internationally. :|
So now... we'll have to see what Putin's next move will be.
