Russia-Ukraine war and related tensions Megathread

[afleitch]

As someone who voted to Remain, the absolute inertia by the EU against countries like Hungary for it's democratic backsliding is a a disgrace, particularly given the pressure (and reciprocation) exerted against Balkan members. Hungary (and to some extent Poland) have been given preferential treatment on account of them being perceived to be... more 'western.'

[afleitch]

As I don't want to go off topic...

Has the EU been 'inert'? Yes. Of course there is delay and internal politics at play. That there is now targeted movement does not erase that. There were fast sanctions against Austria, five years after entry for Haider entering government. There were restrictions to even Slovakia entering until Meciar was gone.

Is Hungary backsliding? Yes. Has it been able to do so under EU oversight? Yes.

Are Romania and Bulgaria under continued targeted scrutiny 15 years after entry for judicial reform and corruption linked to organised crime (whistle)? Yes. Orban has fattened his supporters wallets with EU funds, and it's only now that targeted action is being taken against Hungary, it's corruption and it's judicial independence.

You could have just asked me to elaborate.

[afleitch]

"We lost 6,000 men, the other side lost 60,000 men. Yet, for some reason, we still haven't managed to win the war special military operation six months after it began and we now need to initiate a partial mobilization of our reserves."

Yeah, sure, whatever.

The 60k could, ghoulishly, be counting civilians.

Their own 6k in losses is clearly bs.

[afleitch]

I think anecdotally (and we've seen this coming out of pre 2022 occupied Ukraine) is that there is a generational divide in how willing people are to send 'Russian sons' off to die this winter.

Even though the optics of this will be really bad and would be for any country that wasn't at heel, Putin is counting on it not breaking Russian civilian resolve and I fear he's correct.

As for the nuclear threat, it's a clear bluff. He's cornered and it's clear there's been some genuine criticism from his allies as well as the obvious military retreats.

[afleitch]

This is more of a general observation than anything special going on right now, but the obsessively homophobic cast to current Russian anti-NATO rhetoric is really something. At least in the bad old days the CAPITALIST SWINE terms of abuse had a vestigial legitimate point smothered deep within them.

Given what we know about homophobic rhetoric, bots, paid grifters and disinformation campaigns in recent years across the west, Russia is currently high on it's own supply.

It's why you got such an unfiltered 'online' speech from Putin during his pretendy annexation speech.

[afleitch]

https://english.almanar.com.lb/1704408

"Cold Weather Warning Adds to Europe’s Gloom as It Battles Energy Crisis"

Europe may experience a colder winter with less wind and rain than usual, according to the European Weather Forecast Agency, adding to the challenges facing governments trying to solve the continent’s energy crisis.

Perhaps just like in 1812 and 1941 General Winter comes to help Russia? Of course, this would be totally different way than in those two years.

Please, less hyperbole in your posts here.

[afleitch]

Was “freedom fries” a “cultural revolution?”

For me, yes.  When I heard of it I thought it was one of the stupidest things I have ever heard.  If a political movement is reduced to renaming things and tearing down monuments/statues usually it is a sign that it's tapped out and is running out of meaningful progress that it can make.

Russia literally renamed every brand that exited the market.

[afleitch]

Plus 'Ucranium' is a based name.