On the back of the absolutely ridiculous concept that Russia would invade Poland, Germany, Italy, France etc. - what on earth would Russia want to do? What would it do, once it sits in the Elysée? What benefit would Russia derive? Is Europe worth invading?
It hasn't enough population to run the extensive territories of Russia today! Most of the place is EMPTY! Have you ever flown from St. Petersburg to St. Vladimir of the East (Vladivostok)? Did you spot a road, a railroad, a house, even just a cow in Siberia looking down from the window out of the Tupolev?
The current war is sort of a civil war, which is essential for Russia, for its own internal cohesion, for the integrity of its own federal system of oblasts and autonomous republics, and for the development of its Western economy: St. Petersburg (Leningrad) over Moscow to Volgograd (Stalingrad) with import and export capabilities over the Baltic Sea, North Sea and Atlantic Ocean as well as the Black Sea (Ukraine), the Bosporus & Mediterranean, Suez and the Gulf and the Indian Ocean.
Connecting those two is a bit like the USA which is perfectly able to connect an economic territory from Boston to Los Angeles, Miami to Seattle, with the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans on either side: export, import, resources and clients splattered across the world.
Achieving that, Russia hasn't got the population to connect Moscow to Vladivostok as an effective economic unit. So, achieving that, Putin will turn to birth rates, first and foremost. He has neither the time nor the resources to consider what it would be like to organise a fashion catwalk in Paris. Louis Vuitton can wait!
Amateur question here: Who does Pete corroborate with before making such a significant declaration? Because it actually feels like he did read The Last Best Hope!
Hey Terri, its very much not a rookie question; its an essential one. Without giving away too much, lets just say that Pete would run this by Under-Secretary of Defense (the number 3 there) for policy, Elbridge Colby, who is in charge of geostrategic thinking for the Pentagon. Bridge is a personal friend and has read the book. So yes, its very gratifying our ideas are getting such access after years in the wilderness
INDEED John, YES "Hallelujah", I repeat your words hallelujah!
I am a bit sleep deprived at the moment, so I will keep it brief. Pete H, is a win!
"Roosevelt Rule". Pete was totally correct Indo Pacific is are critical at this point in time . I hope Europe is awake and aware of this, as it may not be popular, but it will will matter.
Hi Dianne, Europe is very much not awake; that’s what decades of Wilsonians lying to Europeans at cocktail parties has done. Hegseth’s speech is so very important because it clearly laid out for (yes horrified) Europeans that the party is over—that America will no longer subsidise their safety net indirectly through paying for their defense, that an alliance cannot continue on such unequal terms. Better, he delineated the Roosevelt rule, that we are pivoting to the Asia-Pacific as China is the only peer superpower threat and Asia meets FDR’s test. Clarity and honesty are called for; Hegseth delivered in spades
Looks like Reality on the Rocks is the only thing being served at this cocktail party. Will initially be tough to swallow, but I believe it is ultimately a good thing for Europe.
On the back of the absolutely ridiculous concept that Russia would invade Poland, Germany, Italy, France etc. - what on earth would Russia want to do? What would it do, once it sits in the Elysée? What benefit would Russia derive? Is Europe worth invading?
It hasn't enough population to run the extensive territories of Russia today! Most of the place is EMPTY! Have you ever flown from St. Petersburg to St. Vladimir of the East (Vladivostok)? Did you spot a road, a railroad, a house, even just a cow in Siberia looking down from the window out of the Tupolev?
The current war is sort of a civil war, which is essential for Russia, for its own internal cohesion, for the integrity of its own federal system of oblasts and autonomous republics, and for the development of its Western economy: St. Petersburg (Leningrad) over Moscow to Volgograd (Stalingrad) with import and export capabilities over the Baltic Sea, North Sea and Atlantic Ocean as well as the Black Sea (Ukraine), the Bosporus & Mediterranean, Suez and the Gulf and the Indian Ocean.
Connecting those two is a bit like the USA which is perfectly able to connect an economic territory from Boston to Los Angeles, Miami to Seattle, with the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans on either side: export, import, resources and clients splattered across the world.
Achieving that, Russia hasn't got the population to connect Moscow to Vladivostok as an effective economic unit. So, achieving that, Putin will turn to birth rates, first and foremost. He has neither the time nor the resources to consider what it would be like to organise a fashion catwalk in Paris. Louis Vuitton can wait!
Amateur question here: Who does Pete corroborate with before making such a significant declaration? Because it actually feels like he did read The Last Best Hope!
Hey Terri, its very much not a rookie question; its an essential one. Without giving away too much, lets just say that Pete would run this by Under-Secretary of Defense (the number 3 there) for policy, Elbridge Colby, who is in charge of geostrategic thinking for the Pentagon. Bridge is a personal friend and has read the book. So yes, its very gratifying our ideas are getting such access after years in the wilderness
John, this is amazing! I feel like we have the inside story on what is happening in the world….and it’s because we do!
INDEED John, YES "Hallelujah", I repeat your words hallelujah!
I am a bit sleep deprived at the moment, so I will keep it brief. Pete H, is a win!
"Roosevelt Rule". Pete was totally correct Indo Pacific is are critical at this point in time . I hope Europe is awake and aware of this, as it may not be popular, but it will will matter.
Hi Dianne, Europe is very much not awake; that’s what decades of Wilsonians lying to Europeans at cocktail parties has done. Hegseth’s speech is so very important because it clearly laid out for (yes horrified) Europeans that the party is over—that America will no longer subsidise their safety net indirectly through paying for their defense, that an alliance cannot continue on such unequal terms. Better, he delineated the Roosevelt rule, that we are pivoting to the Asia-Pacific as China is the only peer superpower threat and Asia meets FDR’s test. Clarity and honesty are called for; Hegseth delivered in spades
Looks like Reality on the Rocks is the only thing being served at this cocktail party. Will initially be tough to swallow, but I believe it is ultimately a good thing for Europe.
And what a cocktail party it is!