Russia-Ukraine War (continuing)

Well then

So called "renewable energy" wouldn't even be possible without oil.

A guarantee that America would help defend Taiwan…. maybe under any other president other than Trump. The Chinese would just buy him off.

I can't see a naval blockade working either. Once a Chinese flagged ship is sunk, it's a declaration of war from the US and/or it's allies.

I don't think anyone can predict how it would play out.

only someone who demonstrably has no problem with rape and targeting of schools would refer to a war of aggression as an ‘issue’. Says it all about you really and your posts should be read in that light

I think it was pretty clear when Stoltenberg said it… for NATO planes to operate in Ukraine they'd have to first take out air defence systems located in Belarus & Russia, and this would give Putin exactly what he wants a NATO attack on Russia, and an excuse to escalate/mobilise/go nuclear etc…

Nato simply won't send aircraft into airspace where the threat of AA from neighbouring borders is too high. Its uncontrollable airspace unless they take out AA in Belarus & Russia.

A number of things I would say.

• Belief there isn't enough public support for it.
• A fear of Russia and how they may react to this (resulting in getting sucked in futher + likely moving closer to open conflict).
• edit: Building stockpiles of weapons ready for future crises (some of them expecting Russia is almost inevitably going to start a war with them during next few years).
• The obvious disunity and weakness present in NATO, and how that interacts with and reinforces the other two three factors.

There's countries in NATO that want to do this IMO, but they really want the security blanket of it being a collective NATO decision (or at least a US-backed and approved decision - that would be enough) and they won't get that now. They probably will never get this unfortunately, and may have to make a decision on it themselves, or in a smaller group eventually, depending on how the war evolves.

We're catching a bit of flak for this.

there will be another 10 million ukrainian refugees if russia is allowed to destroy their heating/energy systems this winter

Are we still desperately trying to give Apple back their €13B (probably closer to €14B now)?

That could go a long way towards tooling up our defensive capabilities….

Embarrassing. But considering all the EU leaders will be at that summit, we had better protect it. The blowback if we don't and something like a drone attack happens with casualties will be severe. The publicity would also make it harder to attract conferences, which will be another nail in the coffin of the hospitality sector.

Drones have been flying over sensitive sites throughout Europe including Denmark, Germany and the UK. Some of them are being launched from ships

What's this about the hospitality sector being in a coffin? You can't move about the place for the number of tourists and good luck finding an affordable hotel room, despite every second development seeming to be a hotel.

Generally agree with all of your points. I'd just add that dropping birth rates seems to go hand-in-hand with increase in prosperity - it's a First World problem across the board, from Japan/ S. Korea to Ireland and everywhere rich in between. Which is another reason why inward migration is critical to the continued growth of First World nations. Much as all the Fleg Wavers may hate to hear it.

And we should be catching flak as regardless of us hosting as far as holding the EU presidency next year we are flat out refusing to pull our weight when it comes to defending the free, open and democratic societies we live in and believe in across the EU. We are freeloaders in this regard. Its got nothing to do with military neutrality. This has nothing to do with joining or not joining any military alliance. We are not a neutral control, only neutral in terms of military alliances. We are very much part of the free, open and democratic world and should do our part in defending such.

That guy really loves a bit of hyperbole doesn't he?!

Such a messed up country that can continue to throw people into the meat grinder and yet the general public continue to shrug it off and deny anything is happening.