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Stopping Putin: The Military Option
Newsweek ^ | March 28, 2014 | By Max Strasser

Posted on 03/28/2014 1:12:55 PM PDT by Jim Robinson

President Barack Obama is getting anxious that Russian president Vladimir Putin is on the point of invading Ukraine.

“You've seen a range of troops massing along [the Russian/Ukraine] border under the guise of military exercises,” he told CBS News last night. “But these are not what Russia would normally be doing. And, you know, it may simply be an effort to intimidate Ukraine. Or it may be that they've got additional plans.”

So far, the West has deployed its economic and diplomatic might to punish and deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from those “additional plans” -- invading the rest of Ukraine.

Yet the West’s strongest option remains untouched: Military action.

While Russia rolled its forces into Crimea, the West clearly has kept its armies confined to barracks. So far the U.S. and its NATO allies have merely offered Ukraine limited military support and have flexed their military muscles in other ways.

Earlier this month, as the crisis in Ukraine escalated, the U.S. announced training exercises in Poland for F16 fighter planes and C130 transport planes. And generals in NATO headquarters in Brussels are planning for what could come next.

An estimated 30,000 Russian troops are currently positioned near Ukraine’s eastern border. Russia’s defense minister assured his American counterpart last week that the Russian Army will not move further into Ukraine. But Ukrainians – and many observers elsewhere – fear a Russian invasion is possible.

“The force that is at the Ukrainian border now to the east is very, very sizable and very, very ready,” said General Philip Breedlove, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander.

A Russian push further into Ukraine could leave the U.S. and NATO in a tight spot...

A Ukraine-Russia fight would be a rout...

(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: moroninchief; nato; obama; putin; russia; ukraine
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"But military strategists reject those options as profoundly unlikely.

No matter what Russia does in Ukraine – even in the case of a full-scale invasion – there is little chance NATO, or the U.S. acting independent of the alliance, will engage in a shooting war with Russian troops."


1 posted on 03/28/2014 1:12:55 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
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To: Jim Robinson

“the West has deployed its economic and diplomatic might”

obozo cutting off the marijuana trade and writing a stern letter to the NYT?


2 posted on 03/28/2014 1:15:15 PM PDT by dynachrome (Vertrou in God en die Mauser)
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To: Jim Robinson

We could send in some A-10s...

Which would be the perfect military deterrent.

But obama killed them.


3 posted on 03/28/2014 1:16:17 PM PDT by 2banana (My common ground with terrorists - they want to die for islam and we want to kill them)
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To: Jim Robinson
A Russian push further into Ukraine could leave the U.S. and NATO in a tight spot...

 

I can almost hear Mr. Putin asking; "How's that leverage thing working out for ya Barry? All right?"

4 posted on 03/28/2014 1:17:07 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd (NO LIBS. This Means Liberals and (L)libertarians! Same Thing. NO LIBS!!)
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To: 2banana

Obama’s gonna send in Meals on Wheels and clowns to serve them. Unfortunately, they’re due to arrive late for the rout.


5 posted on 03/28/2014 1:18:33 PM PDT by Jim Robinson (Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God!!)
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To: Jim Robinson

We have no leverage whatsoever. The “world community” wanted a planet where America isn’t powerful enough to interfere. Well folks, you got it. Enjoy.


6 posted on 03/28/2014 1:20:42 PM PDT by Bryanw92 (Sic semper tyrannis)
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To: Jim Robinson

Putin checkmated 0bama on this a long time ago. That’s the problem.

Actually, I take that back. It gives too much credit to 0bama’s ability on the world stage. The better term for 0bama’s foreign policy is called “Fool’s Mate.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fool%27s_Mate


7 posted on 03/28/2014 1:22:12 PM PDT by henkster (I don't like bossy women telling me what words I can't use.)
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To: Jim Robinson

... Unless they bring Wesley Clark out of retirement. Anybody remember him ordering Gen. Michael Jackson (UK) to block the runway at Pristina Airport to prevent supplies from reaching a Russian Airborne unit? Jackson told Clark, “I’m not going to start WW3 for you!” and refused the order.

Gen. Jackson’s refusal was later endorsed by London. Clark looked like the idiot he was.


8 posted on 03/28/2014 1:22:39 PM PDT by Tallguy
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To: Jim Robinson

Ukraine has to butch up and defend their Southern border. Let’s see if Russians will slaughter fellow Slavs.


9 posted on 03/28/2014 1:25:07 PM PDT by Mike Darancette (Do The Math)
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To: Jim Robinson

Someone who isn’t an arm chair general and has some military experience please explain to this old Marine what the hell the US can do militarily in this situation. Because for the life of me I see no military option here. We are coming out of 13 years of constant combat operations. Our troops are tired, our equipment is beat up with zero prospect of replacement anytime soon. Ask yourself this; Is this fight worth the death of just one more soldier, sailor, airman or Marine? I don’t think it is.


10 posted on 03/28/2014 1:26:20 PM PDT by sean327 (God created all men equal, then some become Marines!)
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To: sean327

Sorry, America blew that option when they elected Obama.


11 posted on 03/28/2014 1:27:39 PM PDT by Jim Robinson (Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God!!)
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To: Jim Robinson

Our feckless leadership opened a vacuum, Putin filled it.

Now, it’s Europe’s problem.

Ukraine is directly in their sphere of influence and they did nothing.

Heck, they won’t do nothing....til next winter, when their gas bills skyrocket and then what are the panzied pacifists gonna do?

I’ll tell yuh:
“They’ll simply shrug their shoulders, give an audible sigh and order another latte”.

Fk Europe.

They won’t lift a finger to end this and we don’t need to blow up everything anyway....


12 posted on 03/28/2014 1:28:51 PM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
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To: Jim Robinson


The author.
13 posted on 03/28/2014 1:31:05 PM PDT by jimbo123
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To: Jim Robinson

Oh please.


14 posted on 03/28/2014 1:32:12 PM PDT by SoFloFreeper
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To: Jim Robinson

Obama and Putin are racing into action.

We all know how talented each man is with weapons and leading an organized armed force. It's a showdown - KGB v. Community Organizer. I think we all know how this ends.

15 posted on 03/28/2014 1:34:08 PM PDT by Pollster1 ("Shall not be infringed" is unambiguous.)
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To: Jim Robinson

This author should not be taken seriously.

Flashback: Top Twelve Most Homophobic Nations

By: Max Strasser/Newsweek.com

http://sacratomatovillepost.com/2014/03/14/top-twelve-most-homophobic-nations/


16 posted on 03/28/2014 1:39:59 PM PDT by jimbo123
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To: Jim Robinson

Probable date of Russian action: April 8 @ approx 2 am local time. That would make Obama unreachable, since it would occur during the middle of the NCAA basketball championship.


17 posted on 03/28/2014 1:40:50 PM PDT by edpc (Wilby 2016)
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To: sean327

You know this tough-talk by the Obama kids is all about domestic consumption. The Media know he’s looking like Jimmy Carter when the Russians rolled into Kabul in ‘79 and they’re nervous — the one’s that aren’t already flacking for Hillary that is... Those Mediots are happy to scuff-up Obama’s perception of being weak.

Look for Hillary to dust off her State Department pants suit and make a very serious pronouncement. It won’t mean squat, but it’ll sound good!


18 posted on 03/28/2014 1:41:51 PM PDT by Tallguy
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To: dynachrome

How would ‘bammers respond if Russia just decided to re-annex Alaska?


19 posted on 03/28/2014 1:42:27 PM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
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To: Jim Robinson
The over-reigning point is that with this clown in charge, we haven't the ability or the balls to do anything.

Sure, somebody might write a strongly worded letter, or draw a pink line on a map..

20 posted on 03/28/2014 1:43:26 PM PDT by humblegunner
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