Quote:
Originally Posted by swaghauler
I never saw an "end" to the Cold War. It just shifted into an Economic and Political war in the mid 90's. Once Russia amassed enough "Petrodollars;" they simply picked up right where they left off. Their behavior in Yugoslavia in the 90's demonstrated this. Putin is NOT to be trusted, and I see NATO being drawn into WW3 through a series of "brushfire wars" (probably in the Balkans).
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It's interesting you bring up the idea of the Balkans. Perhaps Putin tries something in Moldova and Romania, while simultaneously stirring up s**t in Poland and the Baltics as a feint to make everyone think he might go there next? Possible. I still think the Baltics is his next stop though. Or at least, Estonia along with Latvia and Lithuania seem to think so....
IMO, if Putin can have his trolls work effectively enough? Convince enough of the public and politicians in both Europe and the U.S. that "Is it really worth it to start WW3 with Russia over three small Baltic enclaves that probably belong in the Russian sphere of influence anyway?" Yes, I know, NATO policy says one thing, but it may not mean much if overall public opinion says another. I think that's Putin's rationale anyway. Then all he has to do is have his T-80's roll down the main street of the Baltic capitals, and claim another piece from there.
Or, not worry about NATO at all....and roll into Finland and Sweden instead while they're effectively neutral while their military has been reduced. NATO can't really say much about a country when it's "officially" neutral to begin with.
I like the comment one Pole who was interviewed made when the U.S. military convoy rolled through Poland after visiting the Baltic countries. "Why are they leaving? They should be staying here, not going back to Germany."