23 minutes ago, Wentz_Era said:

I was in Syria when the referendum or whatever came out essentially turning him into the dictator.  Tough day of meetings with the Kurds we worked with, who were already getting all their positions bombed by the Turks.  I will say that it was shocking to see Turkey in the initial group of countries to support and supply Ukraine.

Yeah I'm not sure what Erdogan's angle is here unless it's as simple as backing what he thinks is the winning side. 

The Turkish drones have seemed to be one of Ukraine's most effective weapons.

19 minutes ago, Outlaw said:

I’ve seen some great reviews. 

Same. It's actually supposed to be quite good.

 

 

8 hours ago, SNOORDA said:

I’m talking about us.  Not Putin.  Would would The Godfather do if he was calling the shots strategically against Putin?

putin would already be dead 

This ain't a movie, dude. This is real life. You can't just waive a magic wand and kill someone. 

 

 

4 minutes ago, JohnSnowsHair said:

 

 

How in the world? Seriously how can Russia allow inbounding missiles?

EDIT: Looks like it was possibly intercepted.

 

Just now, we_gotta_believe said:

This ain't a movie, dude. This is real life. You can't just waive a magic wand and kill someone. 

Yeah, I didn't really have any response to that. Putin has bunkered himself off even from internal threats. Virtually nobody has direct access to the guy. Even when he sits down with someone they're dozens of feet away, probably out of fear of poisoning. 

I'd say he's mad paranoid, but he's probably being appropriately cautious given how many people would love to see him killed. (Personally I think that would be too kind. Poison him leaving him alive but disfigured and in pain.)

6 hours ago, Bill said:

Their comms channels are changing every day, so it’s moot to post them. 
 

Someone over there has the full spectrum broadcasting online so whenever you figure out their comms you can just dial it in. 

I have a really hard time believing they aren't using encrypted comms. Of all the fake stuff being posted on Twitter, that's one I'd put my money down on.

12 minutes ago, Thrive said:

How in the world? Seriously how can Russia allow inbounding missiles?

EDIT: Looks like it was possibly intercepted.

 

Damn. Hopefully that's Russian propaganda and the airfield is damaged, but probably too much hopium there.

28 minutes ago, JohnSnowsHair said:

Yeah I'm not sure what Erdogan's angle is here unless it's as simple as backing what he thinks is the winning side. 

The Turkish drones have seemed to be one of Ukraine's most effective weapons.

Same. It's actually supposed to be quite good.

Well there isn't much of any 'direct' involvement from the international community.  He was quick to jump into the Joint Coalition in Syria against ISIS, but then openly played both sides.  Here it's a lot muddier and I'm not sure he gains anything politically from either side in the conflict.  Putting on the look at me, I'm a good guy facade allows him to continue his starving of the Kurds out of Turkey I'm sure.

Buddy was asking why the hell we haven't stopped buying Russian oil to stop "funding Putin's conquest." I didn't really have a good answer for him, other than that I think the sanctions will have effectively frozen oil monies, so even if we're still buying the oil, they can't get the dollars. I'm not totally sure if that's accurate, but it was a good question. We need to totally stick them in a corner financially.

 

1 hour ago, JohnSnowsHair said:

 

 

Jesus, doesn't Russia have GPS systems for their troops?  

16 minutes ago, EaglesRocker97 said:

Buddy was asking why the hell we haven't stopped buying Russian oil to stop "funding Putin's conquest." I didn't really have a good answer for him, other than that I think the sanctions will have effectively frozen oil monies, so even if we're still buying the oil, they can't get the dollars. I'm not totally sure if that's accurate, but it was a good question. We need to totally stick them in a corner financially.

I believe oil money was exempt from some of the sanctions last I read a few days ago. 

I had mentioned earlier when it was commented on investment companies owning so much of Russian sovereign bonds and securities. Looks like MSCI and JPM getting a ton of pressure to drop Russia from indices which will lead to companies dropping the securities and debt or valuing intrinsically at essentially worthless. 

3 minutes ago, Outlaw said:

I believe oil money was exempt from some of the sanctions last I read a few days ago. 

I think it's more complicated. I believe oil money can still be exchanged but in a limited way. They're trying to balance keeping the oil flowing so gas markers aren't crushed while deeply cutting and limiting the profits Russian oil can make.

I'm not a fan. I understand the political costs to the west on this, but we either need to ramp up our production and pressure OPEC to open theirs, accept some pain at the pump, or more likely some combination.

3 minutes ago, homerpat said:

I had mentioned earlier when it was commented on investment companies owning so much of Russian sovereign bonds and securities. Looks like MSCI and JPM getting a ton of pressure to drop Russia from indices which will lead to companies dropping the securities and debt or valuing intrinsically at essentially worthless. 

I agree this needs to happen, but might also be hard to drop those securities if the Russian market is closed. Not sure.

Why are we not attacking Belarus?

As I watch this devastation, I start wondering…what would need to happen for YOU to be okay with the US stepping in?

1 minute ago, Outlaw said:

As I watch this devastation, I start wondering…what would need to happen for YOU to be okay with the US stepping in?

Very good question.

1 minute ago, Outlaw said:

As I watch this devastation, I start wondering…what would need to happen for YOU to be okay with the US stepping in?

I'm already there but I understand it's not that simple.

4 minutes ago, JohnSnowsHair said:

I agree this needs to happen, but might also be hard to drop those securities if the Russian market is closed. Not sure.

The issue is that rebalances happen quarterly and it’s so out of norm for index providers. Totally doable, they’re just dragging feet. It’s a real kick in balls for major investors of Emerging Markets, but is what it is. 

1 minute ago, Paul852 said:

I'm already there but I understand it's not that simple.

Agreed on both parts. I’m there too, but I know the ramifications are world-changing. 

4 minutes ago, Outlaw said:

As I watch this devastation, I start wondering…what would need to happen for YOU to be okay with the US stepping in?

I'm there.  We should be hitting them where we can already.  Bombing the sheet out of Belarus would be a good start.

It's a real shame. Some of the countries that can least afford to be having their current infrastructure destroyed are Belarus, Ukraine and Russia. What an absolute waste.

3 minutes ago, VanHammersly said:

I'm there.  We should be hitting them where we can already.  Bombing the sheet out of Belarus would be a good start.

I mean, the first step would be a NATO no fly zone over Ukraine, before attacking either Belarus or Russian targets.  Not sure anyone at NATO would agree with that, so I think its a forgone conclusion that Ukraine will fall.  What happens afterwards is what will matter most.  The world will need to keep all sanctions on Russia beyond the conflict, further destroying their economy.