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The politics thread.

lyb

lyb

Active Member
So to be clear, are you saying NATO should use force to defend it's position (Ukraine territory in this case) or that it should take the fight to Russia and advance into Russian territory?
(Obv the use of weapons and threats applies in both cases).

If it's the later then that's where I think we disagree, I don't think that's NATOs stance.
To be clear, I'm saying there should be a non-Ukrainian force at the eastern border of Ukraine, well-armed to deter a further invasion of Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement, because Putin's word is worthless.

In the absence of a peace agreement, personally I support continuing to arm Ukraine to burn out the Russian military, which will likely happen this year.
 
lyb

lyb

Active Member
Incidentally, Grok had this to say when I asked it how much longer Russia could sustain war with Ukraine.

Grok is Elon Musk's AI project. I'm surprised he hasn't shut it down yet as a lot of its analyses are very unhelpful to his political stance.

Geopolitically, Russia’s stamina depends on its ability to outlast Western support for Ukraine. Putin appears to bet on prolonging the war through 2025 to exploit potential fractures in NATO resolve or shifts in U.S. policy post-election. However, if Ukraine’s allies maintain or increase aid—military and financial—Russia’s advantage could erode sooner, possibly forcing a recalibration by mid-2025.

In summary, Russia could likely sustain the war at its current intensity for another 12 to 18 months (into mid-2026) under optimistic conditions—stable oil prices, continued foreign support, and no major escalation in losses. However, mounting economic pressures and equipment shortages may cap this at closer to 6 to 12 months (late 2025) if Ukraine sustains its defensive momentum and Western backing persists. Beyond that, Russia’s capacity could falter significantly without a major strategic shift, though its authoritarian system allows it to endure domestic hardship longer than a democracy might. The outcome hinges heavily on external factors, making precise timelines uncertain.
 
R

Rock The Boat

Member
Conscription, can you imagine? What a ridiculous idea. Labour are clueless.

And any idea of going to war with Russia is absolute nonsense.The fact that the current defence secretary has never served in the military and is a career politician speaks volumes.
I can't imagine any working class men signing up to fight for Keir Starmer and they would probably avoid conscription if necessary. These boys are Starmer's 'right-wing thugs' and they haven't forgotten what happened to their mates after the Southport riots. No one is going to put their life on the line for Ukraine. Besides, we have a nuclear capability which makes us safe from Russia. Let Germany, Poland and the Baltic countries take care of it. Not our fight.
 
lyb

lyb

Active Member
I prefer my own intelligence to the artificial kind ;)
No offense, but I'd defintely go with AI for metanalysis of a vast range of sources for a weighed up appraisal of a topic against your propaganda memes approach. ;-) Your sense of humour has its moments though, like this one.

I can't imagine any working class men signing up to fight for Keir Starmer and they would probably avoid conscription if necessary. These boys are Starmer's 'right-wing thugs' and they haven't forgotten what happened to their mates after the Southport riots. No one is going to put their life on the line for Ukraine. Besides, we have a nuclear capability which makes us safe from Russia. Let Germany, Poland and the Baltic countries take care of it. Not our fight.
It's ironic that Labour laid into the Conservatives not that long ago over national service.

I'll remind you again that the Western way of life dependent on resources from all around the world. Instability anywhere is a threat to our way of life in some way shape or form.

Also, Ukraine is watched with interest by China. If Russia takes Ukraine without Western pushback then that will likely embolden China re Taiwan, which we rely on for a huge proportion of our semiconductors.
 
lyb

lyb

Active Member
A former soviet intelligence operative has just alleged that Trump was recruited by the KGB.

It makes a lot of sense regarding his position over Ukraine re parroting Putin's talking points.

 
morty

morty

Moderator
Staff member
A former soviet intelligence operative has just alleged that Trump was recruited by the KGB.

It makes a lot of sense regarding his position over Ukraine re parroting Putin's talking points.
The Daily Mirror. Honestly how long are the idiot left going to bang this drum? Investigation after investigation and still no actual evidence.

Embarrassing.
 
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morty

morty

Moderator
Staff member
No offense, but I'd defintely go with AI for metanalysis of a vast range of sources for a weighed up appraisal of a topic against your propaganda memes approach. ;-) Your sense of humour has its moments though, like this one.


It's ironic that Labour laid into the Conservatives not that long ago over national service.

I'll remind you again that the Western way of life dependent on resources from all around the world. Instability anywhere is a threat to our way of life in some way shape or form.

Also, Ukraine is watched with interest by China. If Russia takes Ukraine without Western pushback then that will likely embolden China re Taiwan, which we rely on for a huge proportion of our semiconductors.
Only because it agrees with the point you are trying to make...
 
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lyb

lyb

Active Member
Yeah, I do. But you carry on developing your 'informed opinions' based on memes from Putin's trolls.
 
lyb

lyb

Active Member
Three different sources claim Trump is a Russian asset, all with bona fide links to Soviet intelligence in 1987.
I don't expect you to accept it Morty as you're clearly captured by the BS, but for anyone who isn't, here you go.

musseyev.jpg
 
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morty

morty

Moderator
Staff member
I know, right? I mean why would Russians want to weaken the US, why would they lie?

That would just be crazy...

Hilarious that you now trust the word of the KGB :D
 
lyb

lyb

Active Member
I know, right? I mean why would Russians want to weaken the US, why would they lie?

That would just be crazy...

Hilarious that you now trust the word of the KGB :D
They're not KGB; they're three ex-KGB agents making a claim that makes sense of why Trump is parroting Kremlin talking points regarding Ukraine. In fact, it's the only explanation that can explain Trump saying 'Ukraine started the war', which is the most absurd lie imaginable.
 
morty

morty

Moderator
Staff member
So just to sum up.

Putin Ex KGB - bad

Other Ex KGB that tell you what you want to hear - good.

Got it.
 
lyb

lyb

Active Member
So just to sum up.

Putin Ex KGB - bad

Other Ex KGB that tell you what you want to hear - good.

Got it.
Nope
Putin Ex KGB and kleptocratic ruler of Russia -bad

Other multiple ex KGB that make claims that fit with the observed facts of decisions being made by Trump - credible.

Hope that helps.
 
lyb

lyb

Active Member
I know, right? I mean why would Russians want to weaken the US, why would they lie?

That would just be crazy...

Hilarious that you now trust the word of the KGB :D
Why do you like Trump so much? Why do you like Putin so much?
 
S

Sonyc

Well-Known Member
Nope
Putin Ex KGB and kleptocratic ruler of Russia -bad

Other multiple ex KGB that make claims that fit with the observed facts of decisions being made by Trump - credible.

Hope that helps.
What's really worth listening to is the Rest is Politics podcast (US) with Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci. A lot of information and a hint of this subject from last night (but don't think AS will ever say...could be wrong).
Whatever the truth in all this, it's clear that Trump is 'held' by Russian politics. He never criticises Putin, has Netanyahu over early on and attacks Europe and Zelenskyy. It's clear where the influence (and interest) lies....simply by hearing his words. And his interest certainly isn't over here or with Europe..... golf aside maybe? :)

Think Trump is actually right in pushing Europe to fend for itself more. He has had an influence there.

In terms of views here in the UK we may hear more after Starmer's visit. I read that 10% of the Reform Party want Russia to win....(yet Farage himself was quick to point out that Zelenskyy isn't a dictator). Unsure what Farage's position is on the conflict - possibly different to Labour, Libs and Tories? Or maybe just to support whatever Trump is saying of late. Weird too that Musk jumped on Farage a few weeks ago....what the hell was that all about?

Anyway LYB ...The Rest is Politics US. It's a decent regular podcast.
 
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F

Fen Canary

Active Member
In an ideal world there would be a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, as anybody with half a bran knows that Russia can’t be trusted to keep its word (or adhere to a signed treaty).
However the reality of the situation is that Britain is in no fit state to provide one. Our military is so run down we simply can’t provide the numbers needed to alter the situation on the ground, and unfortunately our priorities have to be our own defence first and the Baltic states in NATO second, with Ukraine after that. It’s right we’ve provided arms and intelligence to Ukraine with us being signatories to the Budapest Memorandum, but unfortunately thats about all were able to provide at present.
As for Trump being a KGB agent, I just can’t see it. That would require a level of intelligence that he simply doesn’t possess. The bloke is a simpleton, who would have struggled to get a job on the bins if he hadn’t been born a billionaire. He opposes Ukraine simply because his predecessor supported them. He gives Israel loads of weapons to attack Gaza simply because the previous government was critical of its conduct. That’s the totality of his foreign policy.
I also believe his conduct will hasten the demise of America as the dominant power. America is as powerful as it is simply because of the status of the dollar as the reserve currency, which allows it to run tremendously large deficits, run a large army and pump billions into R&D and subsidies it otherwise would never be able to afford. If his conduct causes him to lose Americas traditional allies then the status of the dollar would be weakened and America unable to function as it currently does.
 
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