O/T:- Trump Presidency 2.0 [hic sunt dracones]

[Jampie]

Interesting and measured. I was waiting for the bit when somebody (in this case Turnbull) called out China as essentially, the potential victor in Trump's posturing. They've always struck me as having a long term plan, which contrasts with Putin's plan being no longer term than the opportunity to get his shirt off. And they're already looking to undercut the US in AI and it'll be interesting to see the reaction within the US if DJT tariffs US businesses out of getting good value (albeit at the expense of its own AI industry).

Interesting times and challenging.

Yeah he was always intelligent and thoughtful. Always liked that about him.

I think China's in his thoughts but he's unlikely to comment on them too much for diplomatic reasons. Being criticised (or seen to be criticised) is crazy insulting to them so the more thoughtful leaders here only do it behind closed doors.

[Jampie]

Sadly, the only end result I can see for this is Ukraine being shafted. Trump will claim he sorted the war, and Putin will save face.

Based on the deal Trump struck with the taliban without including Afghanistan in the negotiations, yeah. Seems likely.

[andy6025]

Personally I find them frightening times.

Perhaps Europe should kick the Yanks out of all the military bases and I hope they have been charged in full for the support provided in the USA's Iraq wars and backing for other wars that America seemed keen to involve themselves in since the end of WWII.

I doubt that Europe could do much to stop an American/Russian land grab but the rest of the Western world surely could make things uncomfortable for Trump if they got their act together. And it seems that even with good access to facts that the gullible can be led by propaganda and misinformation (well done Musk).

I recently read somewhere that a European official allegedly leaked that Trump threatened to pull all American troops out of Europe if Europe does not accept his peace plan for the Russo-Ukrainian war. No idea if it is true or not. If it is we can rest assured that Europe will do as it is told. It is the same for us in Canada. The Europeans are vassals, as are we. Europe has no cards to threaten Trump with anything. Look at how the yanks blew up the pipeline, just in case the Germans ever had any second thoughts. And the Germans did not say boo.

When I say spread, you say how wide.

[Jampie]

"The yanks blew up the pipeline" is a Kremlin narrative Andy, for which they (and you) have provided zero evidence.

[LaxtonLad]

I recently read somewhere that a European official allegedly leaked that Trump threatened to pull all American troops out of Europe if Europe does not accept his peace plan for the Russo-Ukrainian war. No idea if it is true or not. If it is we can rest assured that Europe will do as it is told. It is the same for us in Canada. The Europeans are vassals, as are we. Europe has no cards to threaten Trump with anything. Look at how the yanks blew up the pipeline, just in case the Germans ever had any second thoughts. And the Germans did not say boo.

When I say spread, you say how wide.

Do you seriously think we in Europe should be worried what Putin might do if we lose (get rid) of the American troops that Trump wants us to pay even more for? Russia can't even cope in Ukraine and the USA were the losers against Vietnam and Afghanistan, a great loss they would be.

[Old_pie]

Do you seriously think we in Europe should be worried what Putin might do if we lose (get rid) of the American troops that Trump wants us to pay even more for? Russia can't even cope in Ukraine and the USA were the losers against Vietnam and Afghanistan, a great loss they would be.

Is Europe really so weak that we can't strike the mineral deal that is being proposed and put troops in to protect commercial interest whilst saying "bye bye America"?

[andy6025]

Is Europe really so weak that we can't strike the mineral deal that is being proposed and put troops in to protect commercial interest whilst saying "bye bye America"?

In short, yes.

[andy6025]

Do you seriously think we in Europe should be worried what Putin might do if we lose (get rid) of the American troops that Trump wants us to pay even more for? Russia can't even cope in Ukraine and the USA were the losers against Vietnam and Afghanistan, a great loss they would be.

Do you seriously think we in Europe should be worried what Putin might do if we lose (get rid) of the American troops that Trump wants us to pay even more for? Russia can't even cope in Ukraine and the USA were the losers against Vietnam and Afghanistan, a great loss they would be.

No, I personally don?t think you should be worried at all. Europe would be a massive liability and bottomless money pit for Putin. He doesn?t want to have to pay your pensions. And I think he knows that.

But don?t forget that according to western politicians and the msm Putin?s Russia is simultaneously on the brink of swallowing up all of Europe (or at least the former Soviet Union) while so weak that Ukraine is winning. Still according to this narrative, despite the plucky Ukrainians, the good of the world (or Europe at least) is all actually dependent on America?s loving protection.

[andy6025]

"The yanks blew up the pipeline" is a Kremlin narrative Andy, for which they (and you) have provided zero evidence.

Oh right. I forget that it was a plucky band of Ukrainians that rented a yacht and swam down there with some sticky sock bombs like they used in Saving Private Ryan and blew big holes in 1.5? thick steel encased in 4 inches of concrete? underwater. Of course they did, my bad.

[Jampie]

Oh right. I forget that it was a plucky band of Ukrainians that rented a yacht and swam down there with some sticky sock bombs like they used in Saving Private Ryan and blew big holes in 1.5? thick steel encased in 4 inches of concrete? underwater. Of course they did, my bad.

Where did I even suggest it was a Ukrainian operation?

Who benefited from the pipeline's destruction? It was shut down.