Ukraine / Russia

[noharleyyet]

Quick read...

Inside Putin’s circle — the real Russian elite

As the west focuses on oligarchs, a far smaller group has its grip on true power in Moscow. Who are the siloviki — and what motivates them?

www.ft.com

 

[Sytes]

"Above all, for deep historical, cultural, professional and personal reasons, the siloviki and the Russian official elite in general are utterly, irrevocably committed to the idea of Russia as a great power and one pole of a multipolar world. If you do not believe in that, you are not part of the Russian establishment, just as if you do not believe in US global primacy you are not part of the US foreign and security establishment."

Agree.

Interesting article, Ken.

 

[VikingsGuy]

Fairly decent current state assessment:

US view of Putin: Angry, frustrated, likely to escalate war

More than two weeks into a war he expected to dominate in two days, Vladimir Putin is projecting anger, frustration at his military's failures and a willingness to cause even more violence and destruction in Ukraine, in the assessment of U.S. intelligence officials.

www.startribune.com

 

[TOGIE]

Fairly decent current state assessment:

US view of Putin: Angry, frustrated, likely to escalate war

More than two weeks into a war he expected to dominate in two days, Vladimir Putin is projecting anger, frustration at his military's failures and a willingness to cause even more violence and destruction in Ukraine, in the assessment of U.S. intelligence officials.

www.startribune.com

"He has no sustainable political end-game in the face of what is going to continue to be fierce resistance from Ukrainians," (CIA Director) Burns said.

this right here is either what should scare Ukraine and the whole world the most or what should give us the most hope. my gut tells me the former though.

 

[Irrelevant]

It's only a matter of time before others join in. Putin won't back down and at some point he'll push things beyond what others will tolerate.

 

[JT88]

Elon Musk challenged Putin to "single combat". I like the way he's thinking

 

[Irrelevant]

Elon Musk challenged Putin to "single combat". I like the way he's thinking

He may have 20+ years on Putin, but when you name your kid this:

I just think you're asking to have you @ss beat.

 

[Ben Lamb]

I just think you're asking to have you @ss beat.

Ex KGB officer & renowned shirtless horse rider versus the dude to invented paypal & sends up satellites in low orbit trajectory to make other nerds angry.

My money's on Putin.

 

[Nameless Range]

Musk would just have to whisper, “I have covid”, in Vlad’s ear at the weigh-ins and the Ruski would fold like a cheap tent.

 

[JT88]

Musk would probably pull out some kind of crazy futuristic ray gun type invention and blast him

 

[JT88]

5'7" vs 6'2", Musk might pull it off.. Putin is 64 69 years old...

 

[Irrelevant]

Putin is 64 years old...

Also, circling back on a prior theory...


Find the man a girlfriend.

 

[JT88]

64 must have been Russian propaganda

 

[Irrelevant]

64 must have been Russian propaganda

I swear I'd read 74 last week... f if anyone knows!

 

[Southern Elk]

Of all of the people that I would pick to fight Putin, Musk would be at the very bottom of the list.

 

[brymoore]

Ex KGB officer & renowned shirtless horse rider versus the dude to invented paypal & sends up satellites in low orbit trajectory to make other nerds angry.

My money's on Putin.

I’ll place a $100 on Vlad.

 

[longbow51]

Musk probably just get Rogan to do it.

 

[Sytes]

"He has no sustainable political end-game in the face of what is going to continue to be fierce resistance from Ukrainians," (CIA Director) Burns said.

this right here is either what should scare Ukraine and the whole world the most or what should give us the most hope. my gut tells me the former though.

CIA quality propaganda.

Need someone to sack that guy and watch all the wealthy line up to get their yachts back... An internal hit would do just fine.

 

[Sytes]

I see a Rocky movie in the making...

 

[hank4elk]

China is shaking its head and saying fool, you never kill them in broad daylight. Just weld them in or round them up for camps like old days.

Putin may have overstepped Chinas commitment to him, the world market and what is acceptable for viewing.