Russian War Crimes (Part 1)

[Kopstar]

Ukraine-Russia crisis: West condemns Putin after televised speech - BBC News

[RedOverTheWater]

@Limiescouse

@RedOverTheWater

That’s about how I see it too… so not all that much of a deterrent for Russia, unfortunately.

Depends on what you mean by “Russia”. Putin does govern with an iron hand but even with dictators like that there is always a tipping point. One of the theories of how to rein in Putin is to get the major Oligarchs to turn on him due to the placement of international restrictions on their funds. The institution of the Magnitski Act was allegedly one of his most delicate times since he came back to power. Some form of combination of removing Russian Bank from the SWIFT system plus impounding internationally held money of those they can claim are government connected could be enough to put enough pressure on Putin at home to change course.

My understanding (think it may have been an article in The Atlantic?) was that since the last sanctions from Crimea, Russia set up two offshore zones in its own territory, so Oligarchs could shelter their money there and not be hit hard by international systems shutting them down?

[gasband]

I am not an expert in such but if the West eventually does not respond militarily to a Russian invasion by giving reasons like Ukraine is not in Nato blah blah… Do you all think it might encourage China in terms of invading Taiwan?

[PeachesEnRegalia]

@gasband

I am not an expert in such but if the West eventually does not respond militarily to a Russian invasion by giving reasons like Ukraine is not in Nato blah blah… Do you all think it might encourage China in terms of invading Taiwan?

Friend of mine at work posed this exact question to me not 15 minutes ago. And to be honest, I don’t know. This is why I feel appeasement is a really bad idea, especially here. Nobody wants a war, but swift and decisive action is needed to send a message here.

[tesh]

Like what exactly?

[Kopstar]

[PeachesEnRegalia]

@tesh

Like what exactly?

I dunno. Flash mob?

[tesh]

Lets go!

[PeachesEnRegalia]

[WooltonRed]

@gasband

Do you all think it might encourage China in terms of invading Taiwan?

I think the answer to that, is probably yes and I’ve no doubt that subject was mentioned when Putin was in Beijing recently.

[redfanman]

@gasband

Do you all think it might encourage China in terms of invading Taiwan?

Not really. I think they will be confident enough to invade Taiwan when they think they are ready and it is necessary. They don’t need to witness Russia doing anything for that.

[jgw_geneseo]

If Russia somehow gets the US involved militarily, China will go for it (my opinion).

[redfanman]

@jgw_geneseo

If Russia somehow gets the US involved militarily, China will go for it (my opinion).

I don’t see the US military getting directly involved against Russia. I also don’t see China rushing into Taiwan even if they did. There is little evidence that China has the ability to successfully mobilise for war and invade Taiwan at the moment.

[RedOverTheWater]

Taiwan should get themselves some nukes.

The lesson here is that without them, you will be bullied.

[tesh]

I think everyone - every single person - should have one.

[Kopstar]

Problem is, I’m so incredibly disarming mine wouldn’t work.

[RedOverTheWater]

If Ukraine had them, Putin would not be invading.

It’s the ultimate deterrent.

As it stands, he will get a slap on the wrist and no more G8 for a while, just as before.

[tesh]

I’d dither so much over when/how to use it… there’s no point me having one! I’d probably post it to someone I liked or disliked(?)… or not…

[RedOverTheWater]

The lesson (since Hiroshima and Nagasaki at least) is if you have it, you won’t have to use it.

I know I sound like a cave man here, but Ukraine has been badly let down and who knows how many of them will be dead after this is finished? And will they have a country left?

[tesh]

Most commentators would disagree (I hope they are wrong) but could Putin stop at the two territories he has moved for? The US have not gone full out (yet) and there is a (very, very) small hope that Putin stops, gets some (unofficial) concessions off the US and he can walk off being seen as the hero/victor…