[Psalm 144]

Here it comes.

[MarMema]

This after Putin just said he was adding the Tatar language to the official languages of Russia and promised they would be treated fairly.

Even apologized for past treatment of them.

Turkey needs to calm down.

[gleeaikin]

Apparently Putin has already said Crimea will have 3 official languages, Russian, Ukranian, and Tartar language.

[Army Air Corps]

Ping.

[dfwgator]

If Turkey fights the Russians, then we’ll see you next year in Constantinople.

[Colonel Kangaroo]

Crimean War Two!!! Obama, Kerry, McCain and the warhawks lead the Light Brigade into the valley of Death!

[Sacajaweau]

sure....cut off Russian oil shipments to Europe...smart move....not

[thorvaldr]

Sorry Turkey, “international law” isn’t big on people closing down straits. Russia would be allowed and expected to thump you.

[tcrlaf]

Why do I have the feeling that this “Threat” originated in the White House?

Closing the straights to Russian ships would be a Causus Beli for war, as well as mean the shutdown of inexpensive Russian Oil for Turkey’s economy.

There aren’t enough railcars in the ‘stans to move enough oil to keep Turkey going on Georgian or Iranian Oil, either. Someone is trying to up the ante on Russia, and they are sitting on a full house right now.

[SkyDancer]

I guess Putin didn’t think through his clever plan, did he?

[Always A Marine]

Enacting a blockade is an act of war, and justifies armed response. Once started, wars tend to take very unexpected turns, so all parties should be certain that they're willing to fight to the finish before opening the gates of Hell.

It is a truism that "no battle plan survives the first contact" because the enemy is fighting for his life and will do anything he can to kill you before you kill him. Anything. If you blockade a nation's ports and deny its free trade with the rest of the world, do not cry foul when he sabotages your ports, drops your bridges or ignites suitcase nukes in your cities. There is no "fair" in war, nor any war crimes prosecuted against the winners. If you aren't willing to do whatever it takes and to endure whatever it takes, for as long as it takes to win, put the war drums away.

Much of the world is waiting for the opportunity to gang up on America, which was once equipped and determined to simultaneously fight and win "two and a half Major Regional Contingencies" around the globe. That day is past; our military is worn out and our treasury is bankrupt after two decades of futile, far-flung wars against weak opponents. For us to stumble into a major war with Russia on its own doorstep would present the golden opportunity for all of Chaostan to erupt against the great infidel.

Whatever might happen to Crimea or Ukraine is not vital to the defense of the USA or even it's NATO allies. Put the drums away.

[kvanbrunt2]

i love taters

[kvanbrunt2]

Turkey and taters i’m getting hungry (no ukraine)