News sources everywhere are expositing Ukraine's need for fighter jets, but NATO countries are reluctant to supply them. Why?

If I remember correctly, there used to be Fighter Plane mercenaries back in the 50's and 60's, or is that bullshit? Is there such a thing as a mercenary fighter squadron?

Furthermore, my wife was talking about how we're apparently "90 seconds to midnight", referring to the cold war threat system that represented how far away we are from Nuclear War or a Nuclear Strike. I can find no legitimate news source to confirm this, but is it true that Putin's that much of a little bitch to use a Nuke?

Because it would be detrimental for us to be seen as combatants.

Also, this does feel a bit like you offer a finger and they take the entire arm.

I get that- I also understand the cost of fighter jets, and maintaining them, are high. I'm guessing the Ukrainians are running low on MIGs, but last I heard, they had an anti-air campaign that was effective against Russian Sukhoi's. Portable Stingers, SAM implacements, and more were enough to establish a canopy of protection against hostile air-assets.

To hold the line against a threat like the Russian air force is amazing, but having a strong presence in the air could only assist in tipping the favor to such a degree that they can push them back and out of the country. Seems that the longer they stall on giving them fast-attackers, the more protracted the war will become.

To me it feels like they're being offered a finger when they need an entire hand. To see how hard the Ukrainians are fighting, taking into account how demoralized the Russians are, and how badly the Russian leadership infrastructure is crumbling (what with the Russians hiding the numbers of their dead, censoring their own warcrimes, and widespread misinformation)...the Russians are fucking up, but by a sheer numbers game, the Ukrainians need more help if they are going to survive this.

I don't think tanks are enough. Maybe they need an entire arm.

Maybe the only way out of this is for a Russian to assassinate Putin.

Just another day in Russia when you come across in the street the body of a high profile Russian, which are always ruled as either an accidental death, or suicide, by the government.

Top Russian Military Official Dead After Fall From 16th Floor

A Russian military official in charge of financial provisions for the military district blamed for the Kremlin’s worst losses in Ukraine has been found dead after a nasty fall from a St. Petersburg high-rise.

Marina Yankina, head of the department of financial provisions for the Western Military District, was found dead on a sidewalk on Wednesday morning, according to multiple local reports. She is just the latest in a growing list of Russian military officials, defense industry figures, war critics, and gas and oil execs to die suddenly and mysteriously since the start of the full-scale invasion last year.

If this keeps up we are going to cross into a kinetic war with Russia basically fully entering into WW3. I know people aren't going to like this but what truly needs to happen is the funding for this war needs to be cut off, both leaders need to go come to the table and negotiate REASONABLE peace terms.

Otherwise the Ukrainian and Russian people will be the real victims.

This was brought to you by those on the far right who highly admire the right-wing authoritarian Russian dictator, and wish the US was more like Russia.

And no, it won't lead us to WW3, as Russia is running out of young men as they send them off to die in suicide charges. Though, there may be a military coup in Russia's future.

A dignified surrender against impossible odds doesn't seem impermissible now.

Meh, the longer it goes on, it's just the sunken cost fallacy on display. "We can't lose cuz we're the good guys!" ....doesnt work in geo-politics, Captain Zel. You can't just use the infinity foreign aid to snap Putinmort out of Kyivwarts. And that is seriously how they think.

How on earth are we going to enter WW3? The only way this becomes a world war is if US or NATO soldiers start slinging bullets with Russian soldiers. And the last time I checked, both the US and NATO are doing the smart thing and just providing material and intel aid to Ukraine. Because the second WW3 starts, the nukes start to fly. And I don't want to see how many of Russia's nukes are still actually capable.

Here are the three "REAL" reasons why the US is working to Escalate this war instead of Deescalute it.

1) Massive money laundering

I remember you asking why DC is sending billions of dollars in aid over there well there is your answer. They are using the American people as their resource to line to pockets of these corrupt swamp creature's pockets. Little if any of that money at all is going over there to help the poor people of Ukraine.

2) They want Regime change.

We already heard members of both parties in the past say they want Regime change (Joe Biden on the democrats side and Lindsey Graham on the GOP side) and they are willing to go to any length to do it.

3) Get a new forever war

Thanks to Mr. 45 starting the process to end the last forever war in Afgantastan and Joe biden being unable to stop it, the Warmongers need a new forever war so they War industrial complex can continue making billions in war contracts. Escalating this conflict which was in reality originally a border dispute into a new war will get the business as usual thing for the WIC going.

Here is the real sad part. While I feel bad for what is happening to the people in Ukraine Ukraine isn't our ally. The other Nato allies that are close to Ukraine should if anything be helping them not the US.

No if anything we should be looking after Taiwan seeing as unlike Ukraine not only are they our ally but we have a vested interest in doing so. Because if the CCP takes over Taiwan the US will truly be in trouble seeing as Taiwan makes the mass majority of our semi-conductor chips.

A few recent articles:

Trump’s Shell Spending Scheme Comes Under DOJ Scrutiny

Trump and Kushner's Saudi ties are an ethical minefield — and Hunter Biden's a distraction, DC watchdog says

And these are just recent examples of Trump's swamp, which you rather gouge out your eyes than admit. So, this is rather a moot point of yours.

That's better than actually ass kissing Putin's ass (and his cyber warfare on our country and others), who has for decades been nibbling away at other countries to expand Russian borders. That type of shit from pre-2000 is no longer acceptable in today's world. It's the same position that the US has over China, but I doubt you will hold the same position over - it's all selective outrage, just like your swamp shit.

Except Trump increased US defense spending under his 1st term, and you can't justify that level of spending without actual wars and military conflicts in the world. It's why Trump amped up US conflicts in certain parts of the world - despite him saying otherwise. Trump also constantly gave out similar military aid to Saudi Arabia, and Israel - even to Ukraine, though he did try to blackmail them with it to go after his political opponent.

I have heard these points before but feel like you can combine 1 and 3 together. We pulled out of Afghanistan and needed a new place to pool hard-to-trace funds to, so we picked Ukraine because that border has always been raucous. Just like our southern border. Just like everybody’s border, really. That’s the history of humanity.

All of the innuendo surrounding muh Russia/Ukraine certainly helped as well.

#2 I disagree with though. I feel like there’s no need for regime change when the current regime, and all of its allies, are reaping a tooooon of money.

”Hey! Where is all of this wired money going??”

”hush bigot it is going to the brave and strong Ukrainian people we now suddenly are aware of and love 😭 “

”My mistake, go on….”

I wouldn't trust any deal made with Putin. He only seems to understand the language of military power.

I'm hearing concerns about China moving towards providing military support for Russia.

I have consistently held a pessimistic view of what will happen to Ukraine, and if China supports the Russian military, I have no doubt Russia will be victorious in this war.

I already see Russia as having the upper hand, and not "desperate" as many are saying. It's Russia who is advancing, albeit slowly, and Putin is likely just impatient in restoring the Soviet Union.

Any consequences for Chinese support for the Russian military will be minimal.

America lives to serve the CCP, whether we like it or not. Look at the trade deficits over the years. We're giving away over $300 billion each year to them!

Not helping is the fact that Americans are embracing the Chinese shopping app Temu, which got an ad during the Super Bowl. That's in addition to TikTok.

I even heard about prescription ingredients being mostly made in China, though I would like to find a better source than this.

I'm not sure we are capable of punishing China if they support Russia's military.

Lol entering WWIII with Russia that's the funniest thing I've seen all week, Russia is getting its ass curbed stomped into attrition by Ukranian farmers armed with NATO weaponry, what the fuck do you think is going to happen when it's a conventional warfare of a 30 v 1 match with russia being swarmed from Europe from the west and south with NATO bases covering the length of its borders?

You know it's a good day when you and I agree on policy. I'm all on board on the FUCK RUSSIA train those fuckers need a humbling and stop shitting up my online games.

I am glad I am not the only one who is seeing this happening in the BBS. What is even worse is I worry that if this continues that we won't be able to defend Taiwan which unlike Ukraine is not only our ally but also have a vested interest in protecting.

If China invades Taiwan and gains control over those semi-conductor chips our economy will really go into the pits of Tartarus seeing as Taiwan controls over 90% of the semi-conductor chips in the world.

Thank God you two mouth breathers aren't elected officials with zero understanding of how geopolitics and modern conventional warfare works.

Russia is screwed they can keep meat grinding personnel and equipment they have no real war coffers since they've been seized the efforts they did to shore up the Ruble are starting to fail against the Dollar and Euro, I have a good feeling thar either Ukraine will grind this out until Russia rage quits or loses like the US did Vietnam, the NATO equipment that Ukraine has is 30 years ahead of Russia who are rocking old Soviet garbage that barely works, if anything Ukraine just needs more hands to hold all of those weapons being provided and its a sure win they have already recovered 2/3rds of the territory or illegaly invaded by Russia and hope to bring Crimea back into the fold.

As for Taiwan they are very well armed and due to the geographical location and geological topography of Taiwan which is a big and very cliffy island makes amphibious sea based attacks for landing troops for any sort of invasion force not to mention the home team advantage for the defenders.

A invasion of Taiwan would be a literal bloodbath similar to the Marines in the Pacific Theater in WWII you are going to have to play the numbers game in quantity for any sort of forward advancement where the cost to benefit ratios are so disproportionate it would be comparable to the Imperial Guard in Warhammer 40k or Stormship troopers or a more mainstream comparison for you normals Stormtroopers in Star Wars, where you are just throwing scores of your own forces into killzones to overwhelm the defenders and their defense advantage just to advance 100ft.

And Taiwan and the US may not have a mutual defense agreement but guess who does? SOUTH KOREA, you know those guys who we have a mutual defense agreement with as well on top of a huge US/NATO Military base? that's the crazy thing about mutual defense treaties you don't need to be directly treated to the first party or part of an alliance like NATO you just need 1 link and everyone else on the chain (NATO) come with it.

As for the microchips the tech companies are currently in the process of building factories domestically in the US and in Japan again to offset foreign dependence.

Maybe do some more research before you concern troll with dumb talking points.

And thank god I am not a moron who can't see what is really happening and is blindly waving the Pom Pom's while our own countries leaders are robbing the very people they are supposed to be working for blind.

Yet Ukraine and that wolf in sheep's clothing Zelenskyy had to come to DC not only to beg Us for more money seeing as the rest of NATO refused to give up anymore, but not are at the point where they are running out of AMMO and using the most outdated weapons where as Russia isn't in this situation.

Also if you look up the history of Russia and how they fought when they went to war, as well as their Leader you will know that Putin would sooner go to nuclear war than surrender to Nato and Ukraine. It doesn't help either that Heels up headboard Harris is pulling out of her rotten behind that Russia has committed War crimes which will make it even more difficult for Ukraine and Russia to come to the table and negotiate a peaceful solution.

Ever here of a naval blockade? While I will give the points that Taiwan has all this a lot and I mean a lot of their supplies come from the boat by the sea which is something Xi JinPing knows. The moment China does this and blocks the supplies they get Taiwan will be in big trouble.

Not if as I mentioned before Taiwan is softened up by blocking their supplies from getting in.

Where did you get from my words that I said the US and Taiwan weren't Allies? I was talking about Ukraine and the US not being allies.

Currently and actually being here are two different things. Until the chips are brought back to the US we are still in danger of this happening and we both know this.

But on another note if I was in the house or senate of the US congress and any spending bills for sending money to the Ukraine came I would give the same response as woman in the gif below.

You can't even explain details, or show true understanding, on many of your own talking points that you got from hyper partisan sources, which are oversimplified into simple terms of corruption, and the left being mean to the right, while you turn a blind eye when your far right heroes egregiously fuck right in front of your face by doing the very same shit. Yes, you are probably one of the most blind morons around here.

Dude not even that just look at her reply there are so many other examples that just disproves everyone of her dumbass talking points or she doesn't know what she's talking about, don't even waste your time where she sources it. I'm chomping at the bit to get to my computer or laptop just to demolish that fucking response, At this point I think you and I have zero tolerance for Russian misinformation and we should be honestly slapping that shit down.

Well, this person also believes politicians who say they are fighting the swamp - even the ones who are knee deep in it and are swamp monsters. We are dealing with a low hanging fruit here. All ego, no substance.

You know when Tom thought about closing politics board but didn't but instead implement a method to gatekeep and vet so we can keep the IQ of the politics board above room temperature with users like this.

I bet most don't even know the Denocratic party is actually right wing and not actually Left by politically ideological standards that have been set they are actually right- leaning moderate or moderate.

But what can you do? People are allowed to be slack jawed morons who actually buy into the two party circus because they don't have enough brain cells for basic critical thinking.

Democrats tend to be socially to the left, while economical to the right, while not really appeasing anyone - even though they can be the most transformative progressive wise. But they can also go to far, which is why I have often voted for Republicans to counter balance them. For me, it's a matter of priorities, and going with what I want and believe in, without having high expectations for those I vote for.

I think there are a lot of misunderstandings about politics out there, but I agree that there are those who really go out of their way not to understand it, along with world affairs, to the point that they suffer from self inflected ignorance. I find them exhausting.

obviously you are one because you fail to understand basic global geopolitics and looking through this only at a domestic policy level, in essence your playing checkers when the rest of the real adults in this thread are playing chess because the pieces we're playing with are countries and regional economies and military alliances.

getting Russia out of Ukraine benefits the US, just like the Marshall Plan with West Germany after WWII, and rebuilding Japan during its occupation, you know what happened? we dumped fucking BILLIONS of old timey dollars into them to rebuild their economies and modernize them and the investment pays itself off, back then people made the same dumb arguments about money staying here and not out when in fact by doing that it helps strengthen the dollar exchange and the influence of our foreign policy.

Ukraine overthrew their strong man leader in the 2014 Euromaiden protest because the Ukrainian people wanted to join the European Union and NATO, and that would wreck the Russian economy for a few reasons:

1: Ukraine would have to give up the Ukrainian for the Euro which is very strong against the Russian Ruble which has less purchasing power and one less foreign currency on the FOREX market and consolidates power for the Euro, it also creates a parallel currency market where Russians will have more access to Euros which will have more value than Rubles which means they will exchange more Rubles for Euros due to the Euro being far more stable, there are examples of this in Argentina with the Dollar due to inflation

2: Ukraine would get the benefits of all EU deals made with Russia when it comes to trade

3: Ukraine is in the process of changing its rail system from Russian tracks to the standard EU track system and with that happening it would mean a complete rework of the Russian system to go into continental Europe and give them a disadvantage see pictures below

4: Ukraine being in NATO, gives NATO more access to the Black Sea and restricts Russian air and naval travel in the cardinal direction west, southwest Russia and access to the Caucus regions and into it would solve its problem with Turkey being a member.

5: Expanding the EU with Ukraine would be a economic boon it would bring in millions more in population and another whole economy, being in the Schengen and Eurozone would bolster the EU economy that could stifle anything in Asia or the BRICs nations for quite a while especially now that Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia have all submitted applications for EU membership, if Turkey got its shit together the EU will be able to maintain its global economic dominance over the world alongside the US indefinitely.

what the US wants is a EU/NATO expansion to increase global influence of the US-EU hegemony, you got to look above that and see the next level up: economic, international, military, because that's where the real benefits for the American people come from.

Your worried about billions of dollars going to Ukraine why? you know we can just create and delete money out of the system at will and we've done it before, we've printed off money used for huge projects (like the Interstate system) to just go ahead and tax it out or write it off to keep the status quo while keeping those shiny new roads, its the same thing here but we're doing it for a foreign country to get a huge advantage for a economic and foreign policy boost with a return of investment in the literal TRILLIONS.

man that sounds like some bullshit propaganda brought out of the Kremlin, where did the mean Ukranian comedian touch you on this doll Comrade? oh wait Poland is sending their Mig29s, Germany finally nutted up and is sending 88 Leopards and relaxing licensing so they can be made faster and spare parts, 80% of Denmark wants their surplus military supplies sent to Ukraine, France sent a dozen howitzers to Ukraine. and all of those examples are in a calendar month of this post. Ukraine is getting old and new NATO equipment which is still better than what Russia currently has which is Soviet era garbage.

try harder.

we're starting to doubt those nuclear missiles even work, besides the current NORAD missile defense network for North America and the European NATO Integrated Air Defense System can mitigate any missiles launched by Russia, he will not use nukes against conventional military warfare you know why? becuase he who casts the first stone becomes the pariah any support or indifferently neutral country that ignored calls to sanction Russia will turn on it, its also counterproductive he doesn't believe Ukraine should exist and is part of Russia so why would he nuke what he wants.

Try harder.

Naval Blockades don't work the US did it to Cuba during the Missile Crisis and it didn't last long and Cuba is bigger than Taiwan and China's Navy is about the same size of the US's when that happened, also you need to have air superiority to do something like that which the Chinese don't have because Taiwan has hard anti-aircraft counters thanks to NATO equipment.

Plus there are rules on how blockades are done by international laws of war and a naval blockade as its a logistical fucking nightmare, so spoiler alert it's more of a hindrance than a benefit to conduct naval blockade which is why you don't see the US do it even though we have the largest naval fleet in the world.

see above dumb-dumb.

they are allies but we do not have a mutual defense treaty with them so we can't help them willy nilly if the real stuff goes down we need a politically legal workaround which is what I posted above because you are obviously not educated in international politics or diplomacy as you are bleating the dog and pony show that is domestic American politics.

The US Federal Government already has something in place for this anything government related using technology must have chips manufactured in the US or Federally approved country, submit said chip to federal government for inspection and said company must give its product name with a G in which stands for Government use only, meaning all government departments must use products with that designation for official government use from server CPUs to chips on replacement printer ink.

there is also a top to bottom initiative to remove and replace any blatant chinese company products from government use from Federal down to Local and if you want to do business with any level of government YOU CAN'T HAVE CHINESE PRODUCTS IN YOUR COMPANIES INVENTORY, it has to be all purged and replaced with either American or a pre-approved list of foreign companies.

Source: I'm in the business talk to me about security practices, government contract bidding, and product acquisition, and if your feeling spicy look up DFARS and other government compliance laws, and you people now know why my blood pressure is so fucking high and my posts sound cranky.

and that's a great way an elected official should present themselves on the floor of our country's Legislature, very adult I can see why it approves to the everyday troglodyte that is a average American.

You're not so different, then.

The difference is we're better and to be honest we're the only one's that are keeping aallll of this crap together. I mean really what do you think would happen if the US and EU fell apart tomorrow give it a week every upstart on every other contient would be starting horrible because the only real foundation keeping shit in check is gone and now it's a unholy game of RISK and Monopoly.

Because I know every regional power in Africa would start shit, Pakistan and India would start crap, Iran, Lebanon and Syria would be starting crap with Israel, China would go on a eastern crusade conquering everything between India and the Sea of Japan and to the Indian Ocean, Russia would go for Finland, the Baltics and Ukraine.

It's kind of necessary at this point and better to start slowly absorbing it all piece by piece to keep the peace because we're the only responsible ones.

honestly it's nice to be able to sit out for once and let other better informed folk handle the garbage

*salutes*

fuck you guy, you know you get a bit of a chub when I multi-post pushing these idiots shit in and you want a piece of that action.

Anyone who says that should not be taken seriously.