Did world war 3 just start?

[OneShotFOGE]

Anybody else get the feeling that Al Assad's days are numbered, after that speech last night?

 

[T.Lex]

haha

While the thread title is a bit vague, I think this thread is technically about something different.

Having said that, I actually think Assad is relieved. If the rebel groups are attacking ISIS, they aren't attacking him.

 

[Henry]

An(other) escalation:
BBC News - Russia reduces gas exports to Poland

I'm shocked...shocked I tell you!

 

[copperhead-1911]

Anybody else get the feeling that Al Assad's days are numbered, after that speech last night?

Seems when we play that game we go from a bad guy to a worse guy and situation ( Iraq, Libya so far)

 

[OneShotFOGE]

Seems when we play that game we go from a bad guy to a worse guy and situation ( Iraq, Libya so far)

Agreed. Im not really thrilled about going after Assad, if thats what we are doing. Seems like we are trying to destabilize the region.

 

[mrjarrell]

They're not going after Assad and/or Syrian forces. They're planning on going after IS in Syria. Two totally different things.

 

[T.Lex]

They're not going after Assad and/or Syrian forces. They're planning on going after IS in Syria. Two totally different things.

I agree.

The only thing I would add is that a stable, allied Syria would provide a better partner in fighting ISIS than an unstable, hostile-on-a-good-day, Assad-led Syria. If this administration had a comprehensive strategy, they should have a plan to oust Assad.

In other words, like I said upthread, I think Assad is safe. He'll just watch us as we divert resource away from fighting him.

 

[OneShotFOGE]

They're not going after Assad and/or Syrian forces. They're planning on going after IS in Syria. Two totally different things.

Time will tell.

 

[T.Lex]

Hungary cuts off natural gas to Ukraine.
BBC News - Hungary suspends gas supplies to Ukraine

Hungary's gas pipeline operator, FGSZ, says it has suspended delivery of gas to neighbouring Ukraine "indefinitely".
Ukraine has been receiving gas from Hungary, Poland and Slovakia since Russia cut off supplies to Ukraine in June in a dispute over unpaid bills.
Ukrainian state gas firm Naftogaz confirmed the stoppage, saying it was "unexpected and unexplained".

This comes on the heels of reports that the "worst" of the Ukrainian crises was past.

Maybe not so much.

 

[BogWalker]

Heh, so Hungary has now joined the new Soviet Union?

 

[T.Lex]

Its all about the hegemony.

At this point, is it safer in the long run to side with the EU or Russia? EU is... unorganized, to put it mildly. Russia has a clear vision and is implementing it. Hungary, and others, are figuring to stay out of the way.

 

[RockofStrength]

Its all about the hegemony.

At this point, is it safer in the long run to side with the EU or Russia? EU is... unorganized, to put it mildly. Russia has a clear vision and is implementing it. Hungary, and others, are figuring to stay out of the way.

I imagine getting to keep the gas on is a pretty nice perk too. It requires a lot of fervor to freeze your butt off in those kinds of winters for the sake of someone elsewhere.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Garry Kasparov on the Putin situation:

EU gets 34% of oil & 32% of gas from Russia. EU accounts for 84% & 80% of RUS exports. Who has more leverage? But only EU afraid to use it. The CEOs who get their bonuses based on stock price & earnings hope to cash a few more big checks before Putin makes more progress.

Western politicians hope Putin doesn't kill too many more people before they can pass him on to the next administration. All short-term. 7 months after Putin annexed Crimea, 10 weeks after his forces shot down a passenger jet, EU "considering" replacing Russian gas. A joke.

 

[mrjarrell]

I really don't think they actually get the concept of "cease fire". Now an aid worker has been killed as the battle for Donestk airport rages on.

https://news.vice.com/article/inter...kraine-as-battle-for-donetsk-airport-heats-up

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Ukraine says its forces killed 12 rebels at Donetsk airport | Daily Mail Online

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Russian Tycoon: We Must Prepare For Putin?s Inevitable Downfall - The Daily Beast

 

[OneShotFOGE]

Russian Tycoon: We Must Prepare For Putin?s Inevitable Downfall - The Daily Beast

This sounds like a clickbait article.

 

[RandallX]

we shall see.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Dozens Of Tanks Enter Ukraine From Russia

 

[2ADMNLOVER]

Dozens Of Tanks Enter Ukraine From Russia

Their money is losing it's value , they're invading another country , flying bombers / fighters around neighboring coast lines and having nuclear readiness drills , nothing to see folks , move along .