Russia-Ukraine War (continuing)

Most of the 5% wouldn't be able to point out Europe on a map!

Is the average American less well educated, have they a lower IQ?

I noticed that 50 years ago when I visited for the one and only time.

I decided then that their ignorance of the outside world was partly because their own country was so fantastic (and vast) that there was no need to broaden their horizons.

It really is a beautiful country-a shame that it is polluted by some of its inhabitants.

US stealth is anything but useless against integrated air defenses. Converted light planes have repeatedly penetrated Russian air space, you think 5th and 6th generation stealth aircraft would struggle in the slightest to do the same?

Agree with you with regards what our priority ought to be. Drones, cyber, and integrated fires. Ireland ought to offer itself as the outmost border for EU security, get them to front the bill to station assets here. We could also look to host a naval base along the west coast to help patrol the western flank.

Ireland really should prioritise a primary radar system, and an air defence system above anything else. Those two things alone would likely be enough of a deterrent to prevent hostile aircraft from entering our territory.

Exactly.

Remember that time a Russian Su-24 jet strayed into Turkish airspace…?

They requested it to Change course 10 times in the space of 5 minutes, and when it didn’t respond or change course, it was shot down (by an F16) after spending 17 seconds in Turkish airspace.

Have a clear set of rules, and enforce them.

So much democracy, don’t agree with us, your out

we need to be very careful that we do not see Trump as being 100% the problem and if/ when he ’ leaves’ the position that problem is solved- is we are back to true democratic behaviour again and will ‘kiss and make up ‘with our traditional allies. There is more than Trump involved in creating the current situation. Just look at statements made on Russia and its behaviour over the past year or so by Rubio, Vance, Hegeseth, etc, etc. they all have done a 180 degree turn. Back then they would ALL have been 100% behind the Ukr type situation Their stance now is the complete opposite. Not only that but they are 100% supportive of their boss who is a Russian asset - based on a number of his recent actions

You want the US and Russia to go head to head?

Something that.both countries spent nearly 60 years attempting not to do.

What do you expect the outcome of such a confrontation to be?

Besides, before Trump got back in, we were told that he was dangerous and was going to start world war 3.

And now you are pissed because that's not what he did?

Just look at statements made on Russia and its behaviour over the past year or so by Rubio, Vance, Hegeseth, etc, etc. they all have done a 180 degree turn.

Vance and Hegseth have routinely parroted Russian propaganda long before they were chosen for their roles.

Probably why they were chosen.

The battle in the US now seems to be over who can control or influence Trump, and how much he has to give way to various parties.

• Putin - desperate to conquer Ukraine before Russia implodes, seems to have massive influence - but how much?
• The GOP - terrified of public backlash in their town halls against Trump policies, may finally grow a vestigial spine, but maybe too little too late?
• Elon Musk - has his own agenda and is (IMO) another Russian asset, is out of control and a PR disaster for Trump, hard to know what he really wants.
• The Supreme court - mostly in his pocket but not completely, he can mostly ignore them
• The international community, punishing him with counter-tarriffs and calling him out in public, he can ignore to an extent but his ego is getting a hammering, and the US economy is cratering

Ukraine have no influence, Trump would happily genocide the whole country for Putin as he would genocide Gaza to keep Bibi happy.

Trump would happily hand the EU over to Russia if he could get away with it too.

Orban's control of Hungary is a bit more nuanced than that. The residents of Budapest, for example, despise him and his corruption. I've visited the capital there five times, most recently last February and talking to locals you hear endless stories of his scams, a lot focused on his son-in-laws dodgy development and construction deals.

His support is mainly in the rural parts of Hungary but what makes him so difficult to oust at elections is the million or so Hungarians living in Romania that Orban secured citizenship and voting rights for in 2012. This voting block have been incredibly loyal to him since, much to the chagrin of their domestic dwelling countrymen.

Were the EU to turn off the financial tap, I think you'd see the next elections run far closer if not a total collapse of the Fidesz vote (at least with domestic voters, with a 90% share of the emmigrant vote at the last election, it'd be very hard to see them ever losing there).

Except Ukrainian ones though?? They’re alright with you

@TokTik Ukrainians don’t threaten on a daily basis obliteration of everyone on this planet

They also exterminate Russian Nazis who do on a daily basis threathen nuclear apocalypse of everyone on this globe unless they are permitted to continue raping, slaving, murdering, looting and photoshopping fake propaganda

Edit: frustrated and annoyed post removed because I forgot to not let the b*stards grind me down.

Looks like the Intel blackout from the US was coordinated with Putin to give max cover for the Russian offensive in Kursk. They're not even trying to hide it, Putin must be desperate to strike while he still has control of Trump and before the European countries start taking real action.

Maxar has suspended Ukraine's access to its satellite imagery.