Quote:
Originally Posted by Raellus
Times have really changed. Back in the mid-to-late 1980s, it seemed like the only way that the Cold War would end was in nuclear Armageddon (worst case) or, in the best case, a Red Storm Rising type conventional war scenario that would see NATO triumphant. As it turned out, the end was a lot less spectacular (thank heaven). Subsequently, for a little over a decade, it seemed like the West no longer had anything to fear from Russia.
And now here were are, in the midst of a new, even more complicated Cold War. Several former SSRs are now NATO members. Several former SSRs, and former Warsaw Pact members, now belong to NATO. Poland, the original setting of T2k, is a full NATO member that has just concluded a deal to purchase one of the USA's most advanced conventional weapons systems, the F-35 (check out the cool promo pics in the linked article).
https://www.twz.com/air/polands-firs...ter-rolled-out
Even perennially neutral Sweden is now a NATO member.
Today Russia, rather than the USSR, plays the role of NATO's major antagonist. Its government is yet again a one-party state led by an anti-democratic dictator. During the Cold War, a Soviet attack on Free Europe was a major fear, one that the USA's government and military-industrial complex were dedicated to preventing (or stopping, should deterrence fail). Two-and-a-half years ago, Russia launched an unprovoked invasion of its democratic neighbor, former SSR, Ukraine.
In the USA, the once markedly more hawkish-on-Russia political party is now more sympathetic to the oppressive, imperialistic Russian government than to its fellow democracies, so much so that many American office-holders (and candidates) wish to stop aiding Ukraine, thereby appeasing the Russian dictator. In 1984, this would have been unthinkable, except perhaps in a Superfriends episode featuring Bizzarro World. It's still hard to believe that this is the way things are now.
What else would the inhabitants of 1984 be shocked to learn about the present day?
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Well, I know in 1983/84 I was 17, turned 18 in 1984. I remember having a discussion with me fellow friends who were interested in the geopolitics at the time. We knew the USSR was going to fall but ou4r predictions were a generation off, we figured it would go on until the early 2020s and then collapse or change as the case may be. I remember a decade later talking to my old German teacher where he felt optimistic about the end of the Cold War. He told us stories about taking the class over to the DDR in 1979 and lectured us on end about the differences between both sides.
I did ask this question in Social Studies in 1983 after the school year began because the time period was from 1900 to 1983 (then present). Just for "shats ang giggles" I asked, "what if the US became like the USSR (or Evil Empire) and the USSR became like the US?" Well, in some what's that's true, in some ways Russia's economy is more market based but not all the way with the oligarchs but from 1983, it is more of a better system by comparison but the embargo is hurting them now. Politically, just a wee better, but basically you replaced one dictator with an other.
On our side, I'm trying hard not to sound too political but we have poor leadership in almost all Western nations. In a way like an Evil Empire, well maybe Evil is a bit strong, more like Stupid Empire, it seems like we are pushing Russia possible into a corner.
Backing up, it started in the 1990's where we got involved with the Balkans. We should have stayed out, we, I'm talking about the United States as "we," have little or no interest there.If Europe or any other nation wants to go in, it is their decision. It started there, the pressure on Russia and it snowballed from there. Maybe if we did not put the pressure on them then, Putin might not be in power today as a response. I admit playing "what if" is tough but I think we share part of the blame here.
Putin is the power in Russia, like it or not, we have to deal with him. We cannot back him into a corner. OK, I'm more of a Libertarian/Conservative/America and Western World First, South Park Republican, whatever. I'm not for appeasement or sympathetic to the Russians, they are wrong. I just believe we need to work more to get both/all sides to the peace table after working a cease fire and talk this out and make deals. As much as I hate to say it, we might have to give something to Putin if he will give something to us, we need some some of negotiated compromise settling the problem. A compromise sometimes is where all sides may not get 100% of what they want but perhaps 80% ov erall but are welling to accept the deal and call it quits. What that will be, I don't know, but we need a cease fire to stop the bloodshed and then we can play Monty Hall, Let's Make a Deal.
I know on my side there are the Putinistas, a pro Russian faction. I can explain it this way. A lot of people on that group see or have seen Russia as a saviour for traditional family values as a result of the Orthodox faith. A lot of people do not like the direction where the West is going ethically and morally so they turn their eyes to Russia or did. If I may be candid, honestly, I felt that way myself for a little while. We need to tolerate others who are different, i'm willing to bend and accept and even support but the pendulum swung so far with the wokeness out there, I can understand this faction even though I'd never throw in with them.
Does Putin believe in family values of the Orthodox faith? I can't say. Some say he opportunistic and willing to use them to get his way, certainly possible. Only God and Putin knows what's in their heart.
We need to find a way to get all sides to talk and work out a peace deal. Already a lot of nations are cutting back aid, maybe it is the right thing to do, that is if we take this opportunity to get all sides to the table. Still at the very least, we might have to work on containment like we did in the 1980's.