But they also have thousands of russians soldiers inside their borders
Shades of the 2006 war in Lebanon, where the Israelis were surprised by the effectiveness of the resistance they faced from infantry with modern anti-armor weapons.
You love to see it
9 billion a year would be the defence bill if we were in NATO. It would be ludicrous
Of course I know that.
We are in the European minority not being in NATO
Wouldn't that be considered gentrification? 😜
Only 7 days in this one.
We are effectively in NATO anyway for geographical reasons. If any country invaded Ireland and set up military bases here the UK would be completely vulnerable and the US would lose a lot of its ability to project force in Europe as the Russians for instance could deploy boats and planes from here to intercept anything coming to Europe, remember the treaty ports were wanted to help keep control of the Atlantic. Well a hostile power could use it to keep the US/Brits out of the Atlantic or at least turn it into dangerous waters.
Then you just have the awkwardness of waging war on the other side of Europe for Russia and getting men and supplies here across Europe without violating a load of airspace of people who don't want them to have a military base in Ireland.
I mean we probably should join to make it official but we would gain nothing and add nothing since our military isn't of much value. In fact not having much of a military here is our best gift to NATO. The RAF doesn't help out with our air space for the good of their health, it is important for the UK as well.
Is that Moldovan, Panamanian, Turkish and Japanese ships they've accidentally hit now?
We do actually, under Article 42 of the Lisbon Treaty! Go back a few posts.
We are in the EU, there is also a defence alliance of EU states. NATO really just offers the might of the US military. Putin isn't going invading the EU, don't worry.
No one is conducting a massive air and seaborne invasion of Ireland, certainly not Russia.
SWIFT given it's core importance can potentially be a weapon of financial destruction i.e. the permanent exclusion from the system. In the situation here with an aggressor, if the intermediary or beneficiary BIC is a code in the aggressors country then payments, transfers etc can be rejected via confirmation message permanently.
Yeah, been a long week. Sorry!
The US convinced Sweden to abandon its own nuclear weapons program. Presumably it gave guarantees to Sweden to include it under their "nuclear umbrella" (?) but I don't know that - can't find any confirmation.
American missiles are pointed directly at St. Petersburg from the Baltic States.
If we joined NATO we would have the protection of NATO.
We have no protection at the moment.
We have very limited defence forces.
Because it's best to be neutral it seems.
Sorry that armoured car. Thought that was clear from "occupants".
Ukraine are actually looking for people to travel from abroad to help them fight, so the option is there for the have a go heroes.
NATO offers no value to us and we would add nothing to them. The furthest island west of Russia is useless to NATO. 2% GDP spend on defense would be so reckless for a country desperate for far better public services and has no credible national security threat.
The car or tank?
https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/801951.html
Yep, seems they're claiming the entire Black Sea and are now bombing vessels to prevent resupplies. Getting messy.
Its proving for many to see that Russia still are pretty behind technology wise even the paltry amounts of advanced weapons supplied by NATO countries is helping Ukraine seriously even the odds. Also as you say the determination and anger among Ukrainian armed forces and civilians is a big game changer compared to Russias young unmotivated armed forces.
and the Kinahans
We are probably the most exposed country in Europe at the moment.
Except maybe Moldova but I imagine they at least have radar.
Nato beefing up troops in the east
Oh look what the rat dragged in
We have the ira
They don't listen to anyone's view anyway so what difference does it make. They also still have phones.
They deserve diplomatic, sporting, cultural, political and financial isolation.
Considering the huge imbalance in amed forces and power, the Russians are seriously **** this up.
The Ukrainians are fighting with some determination, energy and spirit.
I agree with you on this point seamus regarding SWIFT. A lot of people on here spit out knee-jerk recommendations without taking a second to contemplate the possible side-effects or even direct consequences. Ejecting Russia from SWIFT isn't as easy or as favourable as these people think. Also if the US are so quick to boot someone off the SWIFT network it will only hasten the desire by many countries for an alternative. Many countries on the SWIFT network would see such a move with a degree of trepidation. Despite being loyal servants of the US controlled banking system it would only be prudent for them to investigate alternatives to cover their asses in future.
Same question if putin decides to lob one at us!!
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://we.vanillicon.com/v2/e050b53be62f0ae2404c620976170938.svg)
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://we.vanillicon.com/v2/eaabbaf8a16773590ee22dd6c15f1d68.svg)
