Ace of Spades HQ

March 01, 2014

Crimea, and another stunning US Intelligence failure-[XBradTC]
— Open Blogger

Incredibly, US intelligence thought Russia wouldnÂ’t occupy (or make an unopposed arrival) Crimea.

U.S. intelligence estimates conclude that Russia has no intention of invading Ukraine. This, despite the launch of a massive, new Russian military exercise near UkraineÂ’s border and moves from armed men to seize two key airports in the country's Crimea region.

The latest developments led Ukraine's interior minister Arsen Avakov Friday to accuse Russia of invading the Russian majority province of Crimea after armed militias took control of the civilian airport in Simferopol, the region's capital and the military airport in Sevastopol, where Russia's Black Sea fleet is based. Russian authorities meanwhile have denied any responsibility for the seizure of the two airports in the region.

Really? When the Â“cease fireÂ” in Kiev between the Yanukovych regime and the protesters was announced, the first thing most people noticed was that it was due to expire the day the Winter Olympics ended. Smart money around the blogs was that as soon as the spotlight was off Sochi, Russian forces would intervene, in one manner or another.

Given the large ethnic Russian population in Crimea, and the critical Russian bases on the peninsula, the only question was (and still is) will the Russians be content with just Crimea, or will they attempt to retake all of Ukraine?

Actually, make no doubt, Russia will attempt to retake all of Ukraine. We doubt they will do so through military occupation (though a ginned up emergency is hardly out of the question), but though economic and political coercion. Russia (especially Putin, but a goodly percentage of the man-on-the-street population as well) simply cannot conceive of a Ukraine that falls outside the Russian sphere of influence.

How is it that our intelligence community has such an incredibly poor grasp of history and culture that they cannot see that which is plainly before them? What was to stop Russia from entering Crimea? The Russians knew that they would be, if not welcomed with open arms, almost certainly unopposed. Heck, the Russians already occupied Crimea, with military installations shared with the Ukrainians. What possible downside did Russia see? None.

WeÂ’ve been pretty unimpressed with the Obama administrationÂ’s response, but frankly, we see little that the US could do to prevent any such Russian response. Having said that, the inability of the US intelligence community to see the obvious is deeply troubling.

Crossposted at my place.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 07:23 AM | Comments (249)
Post contains 414 words, total size 3 kb.

1 It's a good thing our intel services aren't wasting time monitoring US phone calls.

Posted by: xbradtc at March 01, 2014 07:25 AM (vZdeq)

2 Well who is directing the intelligence assets? Guess.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 01, 2014 07:26 AM (T2V/1)

3 They knew, they just lied about knowing.

Posted by: Country Singer at March 01, 2014 07:26 AM (r/e1Q)

4 re-reset

Posted by: Dr. Varno at March 01, 2014 07:26 AM (V4CBV)

5 Since we have violated our "memorandum", then in all honesty we should give them back their nukes.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 01, 2014 07:27 AM (T2V/1)

6 I think it's important to remember that some Ukrainians don't want to be in the EU. We seem to be under the impression that all the Ukranians want to join the EU.

Posted by: Soothsayer at March 01, 2014 07:27 AM (PwIqH)

7 DOOM!

Posted by: Y-not at March 01, 2014 07:27 AM (zDsvJ)

8 Top men. Top. Oh, and we're so screwed... three more years of this assclown... but hey, we got ObamaphonesÂ™ and ObamacareÂ™, so relax and chill. The head of the choom gang has it *all* under control.

Posted by: GuyfromNH at March 01, 2014 07:28 AM (kbOju)

9 srsly it would be nice to be able to pull the intelligence services Hair and give a hard kick to the shins. perhaps their 'seeing' nothing is by design.

Posted by: willow at March 01, 2014 07:28 AM (nqBYe)

10 Didn't US "intelligence" see the 1980s movie, Red Dawn? They flew into the airport. Just like the movie.

Shart diplomacy!

Posted by: Dang at March 01, 2014 07:29 AM (MNq6o)

11 The State Dept. never should have let Ronan Farrow go. We keep losing our best and brightest to journalism...

Posted by: t-bird at March 01, 2014 07:29 AM (FcR7P)

12 Well, since US Intelligence agencies have been concentrating on the "REAL" enemies (those folks who believe in Constitutional limits on government and maximum personal freedoms, TEA Party members, et alia), it's not surprising they would miss something on the other side of the world...

Is it?

Posted by: Drumwaster at March 01, 2014 07:29 AM (K6BSx)

13 so if it goes barely reported , did it really happen?

Posted by: willow at March 01, 2014 07:30 AM (nqBYe)

14 Of course the Crimea, and it's strategic value is a foregone conclusion.

But I wonder whether Russia really wants the Western Ukraine?

It will be a constant pain in the ass, and for what?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 01, 2014 07:31 AM (QFxY5)

15 Look, Intelligence has more important shit to do. look at all the creepy tea party folks holding their handmade signs .

Posted by: willow at March 01, 2014 07:31 AM (nqBYe)

16 Extra paragraph spacing FOR ALL!!!

Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at March 01, 2014 07:31 AM (hn5v5)

17 14 and for what? hot chicks

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 07:31 AM (At8tV)

18 I promise I won't make an unopposed arrival in your mouth.

Posted by: Boss Moss at March 01, 2014 07:31 AM (6bMeY)

19 Top. Men.

Posted by: Adam at March 01, 2014 07:31 AM (Aif/5)

20 Uh, Hillary's state department couldn't even spell "reset" in Russian correctly. Doesn't surprise me the have no idea what's going on. They're busy with their own Cultural Revolution.

Posted by: Cat-Snatch-Beavaar at March 01, 2014 07:32 AM (0kZ19)

21 Charlie Brown , why take a piece of the pie when you can have the whole pie? breadbasket or route for oil lines or just grow the Soviet Union back up to its former glory

Posted by: willow at March 01, 2014 07:32 AM (nqBYe)

22 I am afraid the "Top" people in our Intelligence Apparatus are political and to that end, they first make their political calculations and figure what they want to happen according to their political outlook and then make the "facts" fit their analysis.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 01, 2014 07:33 AM (t3UFN)

23 What does the EU or Ukraine do if the Russians turn off their gas...again?

Posted by: BignJames at March 01, 2014 07:33 AM (j7iSn)

24 So, stuff a country with a non-native population.

Act to "defend" the non-native population at the expense of the original citizenry.

Now I understand DC immigration policy/

Posted by: Richard McEnroe at March 01, 2014 07:33 AM (XO6WW)

25 perhaps the intelligence communities also don't know anything until the Media reports it. not their fault.

Posted by: willow at March 01, 2014 07:33 AM (nqBYe)

26 >>>>>>>>It's a good thing our intel services aren't wasting time monitoring US phone calls. You are Enemy of the People #1

Posted by: Bigby's Waving Hands at March 01, 2014 07:33 AM (KgN8K)

27 Nice post Brad... Remember when POTUS was responsible fpr every feather from every sparrow's tail on Earth? Yeah that ended in aught nine

Posted by: sven10077 at March 01, 2014 07:33 AM (TE35l)

28 Bign, they say ok you want the Crimea? alright but nothing more! ok just the Ukraine , nothingmore ! Oh Poland, well ok that's it! and so on.

Posted by: willow at March 01, 2014 07:34 AM (nqBYe)

29 CBD, yeah, that's a pretty good question. Russia gets 80% of what it wants with just eastern Ukraine, the traditionally ethnic Russian parts, with little or no trouble. Frankly, there's not a whole lot the Ukrainians (or us!) can do about it.

My main heartburn is the the official US intel establishment honestly didn't think Russia would move in.

Posted by: xbradtc at March 01, 2014 07:34 AM (vZdeq)

30 Hey, at least they didn't blame YouTube this time.

Posted by: Cat-Snatch-Beavaar at March 01, 2014 07:35 AM (0kZ19)

31 Oh and look for the Chicoms to start some funny business of their own now that we are pre-occupied on the other side of the World. And since we are no longer interested in defending our interests anymore via our gutted Military. The Chicoms are good at reading tea leaves after all

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 01, 2014 07:35 AM (t3UFN)

Rocky and Bullwinkle had a more effective intel and diplomacy function, than does the Choomster in Chief, and his Ostrich 1.1 intel interpreters.

Jim

Sunk New Dawn

Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at March 01, 2014 07:35 AM (vvk2F)

33 The word from Langley is that Obama used the same team for Ukraine that he used for Benghazi.

Nothing trumps seasoning in the field.

Posted by: Fritz at March 01, 2014 07:35 AM (PnMCP)

34 Putin? No, he's fine. That WalrusRex though, he's ordering way too much Hawaiian pizza.

Posted by: Agent Secret Squirrel at March 01, 2014 07:35 AM (E+uky)

35 >>>I think it's important to remember that some Ukrainians don't want to be in the EU. Understandable but they're still sovereign, making your point moot.

Posted by: Bigby's Waving Hands at March 01, 2014 07:36 AM (KgN8K)

36 Taiwan?

Posted by: Boss Moss at March 01, 2014 07:36 AM (6bMeY)

37 What, I'm supposed to be stunned that US intelligence (so-called) failed to do the job we pay them for ? Just like every other branch of FedGov. And anyway, the real enemy they are worrying about is, to be blunt, us. Foreigners, not so much.

Posted by: Moron Nursing a mild Knob Creek Hangover at March 01, 2014 07:37 AM (jNNWD)

38 Don't buy it. It's a dodge. It they "didn't know", they need't have prepared for it, nor done anything about it.

Posted by: nick at March 01, 2014 07:37 AM (EMQZg)

39 This "intelligence" fiasco doesnt surprise me at all. Democrat administrations always seem to be surprised by enemy moves and are mostly either incompetent or with Obama in the WH, they all have picked up the lazy attitude of their lazy boss. Look at the last few Democrat run wars run by Dem Presidents and they all had/have no clue what they are doing as Democrat politicians love, just LOVE, to interfere with how the run is being conducted. Thats why we havent, the USA, havent won a war since WWII. And even that the Democrats had to fiddle and insert themselves into, couldnt just let the generals do what they do best. And Obama is the worst of the worst. He acts like we are dealing with Tahiti here! This is the fuckin Russians and Putin isnt a fuckin imbecile like Obama and his entire administration is. This should get very very interesting.

Posted by: Cycomiko66 at March 01, 2014 07:37 AM (x/MmU)

40 The Border Patrol yells Ole as the illegal immigrants cross the border.

Posted by: Boss Moss at March 01, 2014 07:38 AM (6bMeY)

41 31 The Chicoms are good at reading tea leaves after all Taiwan must be getting scared 34 he's ordering way too much Hawaiian pizza. AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!! we don't eat pineapple on pizzas!!!!

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 07:38 AM (At8tV)

42 Look at the bright side. Now there'll be a whole new chapter in Bloodlands.

Posted by: WalrusRex at March 01, 2014 07:39 AM (E+uky)

43 I am sure this is Bush's fault

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Gruntled New Business Owner at March 01, 2014 07:39 AM (jucos)

44 2 Well who is directing the intelligence assets? Guess. Posted by: Vic at March 01, 2014 11:26 AM (T2V/1) And there you have it. Vic is right. They didn't see this coming because, frankly, they didn't want to see it. If the people in charge right now are experts at anything it is adamantly ignoring any information they don't like. Is it really that surprising that under their direction, the people running other government services do the same thing?

Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at March 01, 2014 07:39 AM (qFpRI)

45 It apparently was Happy Hour for the intel community, as well.

Posted by: That SOB van Owen at March 01, 2014 07:40 AM (GLmwR)

46 These guys would fuck up a wet dream.... if they had them.

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Gruntled New Business Owner at March 01, 2014 07:40 AM (jucos)

47 My main heartburn is the the official US intel establishment honestly didn't think Russia would move in.

Posted by: xbradtc at March 01, 2014 11:34 AM (vZdeq)

Given previous information about Russian behavior towards Georgia, I'm not sure that heartburn really covers it.

I would love to read the analysis.

"In spite of all evidence pointing to a Russian incursion into Eastern Ukraine to secure the strategically important military bases and logistical support for those bases, we believe that the unicorn that President Obama has dispatched to the border will effectively prevent any violation of Ukrainian territory."

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 01, 2014 07:40 AM (QFxY5)

48 We're gonna need more F-22s.

Posted by: mrp at March 01, 2014 07:41 AM (JBggj)

49 If the people in charge right now are experts at anything it is adamantly ignoring any information they don't like.

Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at March 01, 2014 11:39 AM (qFpRI)

This is exactly what happened.

Posted by: Country Singer at March 01, 2014 07:41 AM (r/e1Q)

50 It's all good. I am sure the New Soviet Bear will be a gentler kinder more benevolent Bear.

Posted by: willow at March 01, 2014 07:41 AM (nqBYe)

51 I am afraid the "Top" people in our Intelligence Apparatus are political and to that end, they first make their political calculations and figure what they want to happen according to their political outlook and then make the "facts" fit their analysis. Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 01, 2014 11:33 AM (t3UFN)

Bingo bango. Sarah Palin said Russia would invade Ukraine and she is an idiot therefore there's no possibility that Russia will invade Ukraine. It's. Science.

Posted by: alexthechick - come for the Global Warming stay for the SMOD at March 01, 2014 07:41 AM (Gk3SS)

52 At one point in my career I was asked to head intelligence but I told them I was over-qualified.

Posted by: Biden, Joe Biden at March 01, 2014 07:42 AM (/cUUk)

53 50 I am sure the New Soviet Bear will be a gentler kinder more benevolent Bear. like clark?

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 07:42 AM (At8tV)

54 My main heartburn is the the official US intel establishment honestly didn't think Russia would move in. I think they honestly knew and they spoke to give public cover to a President who wouldn't know a red line if it painted his finger nails for him ...

Posted by: Adriane... at March 01, 2014 07:42 AM (qoKTg)

55 Oh and look for the Chicoms to start some funny business - Also the Norks don't like to be out of the news too long.

Posted by: WalrusRex at March 01, 2014 07:42 AM (E+uky)

56 I, for one, am comforted in the knowledge that while the shit is going down throughout the world, the CIA has millions of nude selfies upon which to rely for intelligence.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 01, 2014 07:42 AM (DmNpO)

57 It will be a constant pain in the ass, and for what? Target practice. OK, Horde, the day awaits. Y'all have fun and try not to trash the place, 'k?

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit[/i][/u][/b][/s] at March 01, 2014 07:43 AM (0HooB)

58 55 Also the Norks don't like to be out of the news too long. and the Iranians

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 07:43 AM (At8tV)

59 Really, the most stunning thing about the situation is that "we didn't see it coming." How could we not after what happened in Georgia? Black Sea ports are of vital interest to Russia. Always have been. It's even more desirable for them to have access through Russian territory instead of having to negotiate pipeline routes.

Posted by: no good deed at March 01, 2014 07:43 AM (vBhbc)

60 Taiwan has already bowed down to Beijing. But if the ChiComs touch my Japan I'm going Simo Hayha.

Posted by: Cat-Snatch-Beavaar at March 01, 2014 07:43 AM (0kZ19)

61 Yeah there's no way Russia would ever invade Ukraine. Palin is a dum dum.

Posted by: Foreign Policy Mag at March 01, 2014 07:43 AM (Aif/5)

62 Colonel West comments on Obama's leadership re. foreign policy.

Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at March 01, 2014 07:43 AM (hn5v5)

63 We seem to be under the impression that all the Ukranians want to join the EU. Posted by: Soothsayer at March 01, 2014 11:27 AM (PwIqH) To them, the EU is a large group of countries that are not Russia. Unfortunately, the EU is a collection of impotent men who praise each other for their chastity.

Posted by: AmishDude at March 01, 2014 07:43 AM (xSegX)

64 #50 Just a big cuddly teddy bear.

Posted by: Putin on the Blitz at March 01, 2014 07:43 AM (/cUUk)

65 >>>>Democrat administrations always seem to be surprised by enemy moves and are mostly either incompetent or with Obama in the WH There's a point at which "Gosh wow gee whiz" wears thin. Ask any cop.

Posted by: Bigby's Waving Hands at March 01, 2014 07:44 AM (KgN8K)

66 39?

"...This is the fuckin Russians and Putin isn't a fuckin imbecile like Obama and his entire administration is. This should get very very interesting."

Yep. Duh!1 is a braying jackass. At best.

Posted by: backhoe at March 01, 2014 07:44 AM (ULH4o)

67 51 Sarah Palin said Russia would invade Ukraine and she is an idiot President Palin is going to have some hard work ahead of her to fix our standing in the world

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 07:44 AM (At8tV)

68 I posted this last night but I think the thread was dying. There was a guy on FNC a few days ago who said that Putin will exploit Obama's weakness. He also said that he doesn't see Putin as rebuilding the Soviet Union, but building a czarist empire. It sounds crazy, but Putin IS crazy, and without anyone to stop him.... why not?

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 01, 2014 07:45 AM (DmNpO)

69 "This is the fuckin Russians and Putin isnt a fuckin imbecile like Obama"

To that point, I would love to play Poker against Obama. I'm pretty sure I'd beat his ass handily.

But against Putin? Not very likely. Probably lucky just to hold my own.

Posted by: HH at March 01, 2014 07:45 AM (XXwdv)

70 29 CBD, yeah, that's a pretty good question. Russia gets 80% of what it wants with just eastern Ukraine, the traditionally ethnic Russian parts, with little or no trouble. Frankly, there's not a whole lot the Ukrainians (or us!) can do about it. That's 100% of what Putin wants. He won't want to conquer Ukraine because that is an actual red line that the international community recognizes, even in the age of Obama. Of course if ethnic Russians in Ukraine want to take over the country...well Putin certainly won't object...

Posted by: AmishDude at March 01, 2014 07:45 AM (xSegX)

71 60 Taiwan has already bowed down to Beijing. But if the ChiComs touch my Japan I'm going Simo Hayha. Posted by: Cat-Snatch-Beavaar at March 01, 2014 11:43 AM (0kZ19) Taiwan has been pretty much screwed since Carter....now the Chicoms can make it official.

Posted by: BignJames at March 01, 2014 07:46 AM (j7iSn)

72 It's all good. I am sure the New Soviet Bear will be a gentler kinder more benevolent Bear. - With just a little tooth and claw.

Posted by: WalrusRex at March 01, 2014 07:46 AM (E+uky)

73 With just a little tooth and claw. ------- Just the tip.

Posted by: Comrade Vlad at March 01, 2014 07:47 AM (Aif/5)

74 And now let's listen to Vaddy Putin's No. 1 hit " I Just Met a Girl Named Crimea"

Posted by: eman at March 01, 2014 07:47 AM (AO9UG)

75 68 Putin IS crazy, and without anyone to stop him.... why not? putin isn't crazy, putin is power hungry and loves his country he wants vengeance for the fall of the USSR

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 07:47 AM (At8tV)

76 I posted this last night but I think the thread was dying.

There was a guy on FNC a few days ago who said that Putin will exploit Obama's weakness. He also said that he doesn't see Putin as rebuilding the Soviet Union, but building a czarist empire.

It sounds crazy, but Putin IS crazy, and without anyone to stop him.... why not? Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 01, 2014 11:45 AM (DmNpO)

That's not crazy at all. Putin wants to be czar and he will do anything, anything at all that he deems is in his best interest to becoming czar.

Posted by: alexthechick - come for the Global Warming stay for the SMOD at March 01, 2014 07:47 AM (Gk3SS)

77 The people of Poland have to be feeling pretty nervous. Putin's tanks could roll unopposed to the German border.

Posted by: Lucky Pierre at March 01, 2014 07:48 AM (5fSr7)

78 President Palin is going to have some hard work ahead of her to fix our standing in the world Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 11:44 AM
====
I have a feeling her appearance at CPAC this month will be an event.

Newsmax (2/26/14) excerpt:

"Fiorina, Martin, and Palin will have key speaking spots. Fiorina will present the conference's opening remarks on March 6. Martin will give opening remarks on March 8, and Palin will give the conference's final speech later that day."

Posted by: mrp at March 01, 2014 07:48 AM (JBggj)

79 77 Putin's tanks could roll unopposed to the SPANISH border. fify

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 07:49 AM (At8tV)

80 This just in: Harry Reid says all the stories about Russia invading Ukraine are lies.

Posted by: WalrusRex at March 01, 2014 07:49 AM (E+uky)

81 Sorry, bros. Your wife has nice tits though!

Posted by: NSA at March 01, 2014 07:50 AM (hFL/3)

82 Pedo Bear is on the march.

Posted by: Boss Moss at March 01, 2014 07:50 AM (6bMeY)

83 putin isn't crazy, putin is power hungry and loves his country he wants vengeance for the fall of the USSR *** Not crazy in the insane sense. Crazy in the all your countries belong to us power hungry type of crazy. He has nobody to stop him and he's mad with power.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 01, 2014 07:50 AM (DmNpO)

84 78 Palin will give the conference's final speech later that day." I hope its cold and she has to wear a sweater and yoga pants and stilettos

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 07:51 AM (At8tV)

85 Mark Steyn comments on American foreign policy. (8 minutes)

Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at March 01, 2014 07:52 AM (hn5v5)

86 I can't believe you people are blaming this on our intelligence services. They can't do everything. Right now, they have to be on the watch for people saying bad things about Obamacare. BTW, I LOVE Obamacare, NSA!

Posted by: Zombie John Gotti at March 01, 2014 07:52 AM (nj9sX)

87 The collapse of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical disaster of the 20th century.

Posted by: Shit Putin Said at March 01, 2014 07:52 AM (Aif/5)

88 83 Crazy in the all your countries belong to us power hungry type of crazy. I wouldn't call that crazy, i'd call that ambitious the roman blood in my veins tingles

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 07:52 AM (At8tV)

89 Not related to Crimea but absolutely terrific. Ben Shapiro and Alumnus of UCLA powerfully takes aim at a motion proposed by the Student Council to divest from Israel: http://tinyurl.com/kphw6ox

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 01, 2014 07:53 AM (XyM/Y)

90 Putin knows he can do whatever he wants with Ukraine and ain't nobody gonna do shit. He knows the West is just blowin' smoke.

Posted by: eman at March 01, 2014 07:53 AM (AO9UG)

91 I hope its cold and she has to wear a sweater
and yoga pants
and stilettos Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 11:51 AM
====
Or strictly business - jacket, pencil skirt, heels, and the cold, hard facts.

Posted by: mrp at March 01, 2014 07:54 AM (JBggj)

92 It is probably just as well that we ignore Ukraine. Should we find ourselves tangling with the Russians the Dems will elect someone named Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov president, who will then give Putin whatever he wants. We have a track record to look at now.....

Posted by: the guy that moves pianos for a living... at March 01, 2014 07:54 AM (P/gm7)

93 Thing are really hotting up. See Drudge.

Posted by: biancaneve at March 01, 2014 07:54 AM (2sR50)

94 Make that "an" alumnus

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 01, 2014 07:54 AM (XyM/Y)

95 84 78 Palin will give the conference's final speech later that day." I hope its cold and she has to wear a sweater and yoga pants and stilettos Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 11:51 AM (At8tV) And she drops her pencil.

Posted by: eman at March 01, 2014 07:55 AM (AO9UG)

96 Putin knows he can do whatever he wants with Ukraine and ain't nobody gonna do shit. He knows the West is just blowin' smoke. Posted by: eman at March 01, 2014 11:53 AM (AO9UG) That's just not true. Right now, the White House in consultation with the State Department, DOD, and the intelligence services is crafting a strongly-worded letter.

Posted by: Zombie John Gotti at March 01, 2014 07:55 AM (nj9sX)

97 When Europe spent the entire Bush presidency calling Americans bloodthirsty warmongers, they ensured that a US President would never go to war again. Who wants to lose a reelection campaign? So now that NATO is nothing more than a scrap of paper, it's time for Europe to choose: Germany or Russia? Because America doesn't want you anymore. We're just gonna put our feet up with a micro brew and watch the fireworks. Have fun, you bunch of ingrates!

Posted by: Oschisms at March 01, 2014 07:55 AM (y9dfJ)

98 I know what you are all wondering. How is CNN covering this? Well, http://tinyurl.com/lzyv3uk

Posted by: WalrusRex at March 01, 2014 07:55 AM (E+uky)

99 Invade Cuba and then Venezuela.

Posted by: Boss Moss at March 01, 2014 07:55 AM (6bMeY)

100 David Gergen says Obama is huddled with his advisors, feverishly going over options. Bwahahaha.

Posted by: Adam at March 01, 2014 07:56 AM (Aif/5)

101 91 Or strictly business - jacket, pencil skirt, heels, and the cold, hard facts. ummm, no its my fantasy....let me live it

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 07:56 AM (At8tV)

102 " but frankly, we see little that the US could do to prevent any such Russian response."

That's giving Obama an out. My problem with this administration is they don't attempt to stop the shit before it happens. This is their failure when it comes to foreign policy. Their idea of of prevention is empty rhetoric.

Posted by: lowandslow at March 01, 2014 07:56 AM (IV4od)

103 There was a guy on FNC a few days ago who said that Putin will exploit Obama's weakness. He also said that he doesn't see Putin as rebuilding the Soviet Union, but building a czarist empire. It sounds crazy, but Putin IS crazy, and without anyone to stop him.... why not? Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 01, 2014 11:45 AM (DmNpO) Putin is not crazy. He's ruthless. He's also a fascist and he's brilliant at it. He plays national pride, resentment and socialism like an orchestra conductor and does passive-aggression on the international stage better than anyone else. Everyone knows exactly what he's doing and nobody can stop him.

Posted by: AmishDude at March 01, 2014 07:56 AM (xSegX)

104 I think I just heard Juan Williams say it's Dick Cheney's fault that Joe Biden is an idiot. Might have misheard, though.

Posted by: Assault Citizen Anachronda at March 01, 2014 07:57 AM (U82Km)

105 David Gergen says Obama is huddled with his advisors, feverishly going over options.
Just on the front-nine though. The back-nine it's all business i.e. golf.

Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at March 01, 2014 07:58 AM (hn5v5)

106 Right now, the White House in consultation with the State Department, DOD, and the intelligence services is crafting a strongly-worded letter. Break out the good crayons!

Posted by: t-bird at March 01, 2014 07:58 AM (FcR7P)

107 "David Gergen says Obama is huddled with his advisors, feverishly going over options."

A little fuck'n late now ain't it.

Posted by: lowandslow at March 01, 2014 07:58 AM (IV4od)

108 104 The guy who used to work for Ernie and Burt? The goto foreign policy guy.

Posted by: Boss Moss at March 01, 2014 07:58 AM (6bMeY)

109 Because America doesn't want you anymore. We're just gonna put our feet up with a micro brew and watch the fireworks. Have fun, you bunch of ingrates! Posted by: Oschisms
======
First things first: On Election Day, November, 2014, the American people will have a decision to make - ObamaCare and the Welfare State, or a strong national defense?. One or the other.

Posted by: mrp at March 01, 2014 07:58 AM (JBggj)

110 you know, now that I think of it... nck acts like she's putin and i'm Obama i'm going have to type up a sternly worded letter

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 07:59 AM (At8tV)

111 David Gergen says Obama is huddled with his advisors, feverishly going over options. "Abort, Ignore, or Retry?"

Posted by: t-bird at March 01, 2014 07:59 AM (FcR7P)

112 This would be a good time to have Dick Cheney on the job.

Posted by: Boss Moss at March 01, 2014 07:59 AM (6bMeY)

113 Break out the good crayons! Posted by: t-bird at March 01, 2014 11:58 AM
===
Don't let Joey get near the crayons!

Posted by: mrp at March 01, 2014 08:00 AM (JBggj)

114 111 "Abort, Ignore, or Retry?" i'll take "FORE!!!" for $200 Alex

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 08:00 AM (At8tV)

115 Putin may be crazy, but worst of all is that he is smart. Crazy and smart combined are a dangerous enemy to face. Putin knows Obama is weak and limp wristed and he is going to rape Obama over a barrel of vodka right in Red Square. Russians are by legend and probally in fact, a very paranoid, cautious and untrustworthy people. If they are your allies, its only that they need you for the time being and once done with you and in a place of strength they are going to do some damage to you. Honestly i dont blame Putin for doing this, he took Obozos measure during the Syria fiasco and knew for certian himself that Obama is a flim flam man and will do nothing but throw some meaningless words around. Im sure that will make Putin shake in his shoes.

Posted by: Cycomiko66 at March 01, 2014 08:00 AM (x/MmU)

116 Yeah I was going to say CNN international is the channel to watch. But then they start simulcasting regular CNN.

Posted by: Adam at March 01, 2014 08:00 AM (Aif/5)

117 Posted by: WalrusRex at March 01, 2014 11:55 AM (E+uky) So, Putin is rayciss, too.

Posted by: BignJames at March 01, 2014 08:01 AM (j7iSn)

118 Crayons are a tool of the white hegemony. "Flesh" color, my ass!

Posted by: moochelle o. at March 01, 2014 08:01 AM (hn5v5)

119 That's "An album cover", Mr President, not "anal bum cover".

Posted by: alex trebek at March 01, 2014 08:02 AM (hn5v5)

120 One other thing, Europe: You WANTED a pussy POTUS. Now grab your cheeks and spread 'em.

Posted by: Oschisms at March 01, 2014 08:02 AM (y9dfJ)

121 "Watch, weÂ’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy." Nailed it, Joey! For, what, the tenth time?

Posted by: t-bird at March 01, 2014 08:03 AM (FcR7P)

122

Palin? She didn't have the guts to run in 12 and doesn't have them to run in 16.

Gutless wonders give great interviews.

Posted by: Dick Nixon at March 01, 2014 08:04 AM (VrVBw)

123 Hmm. I've heard several Fox News folks occasionally refer to "Ukraine" as "Ukrainia". I suspect that, since the airport in Simferopol has been closed by The Vanguard For ~~Putin's Thugs~~ Self-Defense of the Russian-Speaking ~~Volk~~ Residents of the Crimea, that they might be flying into Peruvia, bicycling across the border into Ukrainia, then getting a taxi into Ukraine.

Posted by: Assault Citizen Anachronda at March 01, 2014 08:04 AM (U82Km)

124 David Gergen says Obama is huddled with his advisors, feverishly going over options. Obama, Alright you can have Poland too. but that's it.

Posted by: willow at March 01, 2014 08:05 AM (nqBYe)

125 Don't let Joey get near the crayons! Posted by: mrp at March 01, 2014 12:00 PM (JBggj) I'm a paste guy. Besides, I can only get one crayon in each nostril and ear.

Posted by: Joe Biden at March 01, 2014 08:05 AM (mETGQ)

126 The US/EU stage a coup in Ukraine and thought that Putin would roll over and take it? Didn't any of the idiots running the country ever get into a fight as a kid? You don't throw a punch unless your prepared for your opponent to counter with a punch of his own.

Posted by: Mr hobbit at March 01, 2014 08:05 AM (sbaXF)

127 Let's not become disheartened. Obama is playing thirteen dimensional chess. Before this is over, Putin will be in the corner curled into the fetal position.

Posted by: WalrusRex at March 01, 2014 08:06 AM (E+uky)

128 "David Gergen says Obama is huddled with his advisors, feverishly going over options."
--

Well it's nice to know O's advisors are considerate and didn't interrupt his happy hour last night.

Posted by: Mayday at March 01, 2014 08:06 AM (eHc+1)

129 Why do we even bother to have an intelligence agency.... oh yeah, that's right, to spy on the domestic political opposition. Silly me.

We are five years into Obama's presidency and I swear to God we haven't found a single thing the man understands at more than a 6th grade level. It is one thing to not be able to counter the Russians in the Crimea. It is another to be blindsided by it or to stumble about making completely impotent threats.

I think our foreign policy would be in better shape had the presidency just been vacant these last five years. Other than supporting the occasional dictator it more or less has been. The same goes for our intelligence agencies. We could zero their funding and not really be able to tell the difference.

Posted by: Thatch at March 01, 2014 08:07 AM (qYvEa)

130 There was something we could have done to prevent this:

Lure Bill Clinton away from Russia with a room full of donuts and whores, before he had a chance to promise the Ukrainians the US would protect them ... if they handed their nukes over to Yeltsin.

Posted by: Kristophr at March 01, 2014 08:07 AM (c6N69)

131 Putin will get the Crimea/Black Sea facilities this time, and be left with a reasonably free hand to go back for another bite later. Nothing can be permitted to interfere with cutting forces to pay for millenials' birth control.

Posted by: JEM at March 01, 2014 08:07 AM (o+SC1)

132 "Taiwan" I know a gal from Taiwan. She said the present government is so pro-China they could take over Taiwan without firing a shot. Japan, Philippines, Vietnam (& several others) should be concerned as well.

Posted by: Beagle at March 01, 2014 08:07 AM (sOtz/)

133 @130- I thought they used donuts and whores to get him there in the first place?

Posted by: JEM at March 01, 2014 08:08 AM (o+SC1)

134 Does anyone really believe Obama, and his Democrat brethren, would be upset if the olde Soviet Union got back together?

Posted by: Dr Spank at March 01, 2014 08:08 AM (P1WNR)

135 126 You don't throw a punch unless your prepared for your opponent to counter with a punch of his own. this wasn't a punch putin is throwing a straight up backhanded pimp slap

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 08:08 AM (At8tV)

136 Maybe if we renamed the invasion of Ukraine as The Osczars we might get some LIVs to notice.

Posted by: Gem at March 01, 2014 08:08 AM (zw+pb)

137 First things first: On Election Day, November, 2014, the American people will have a decision to make - ObamaCare and the Welfare State, or a strong national defense?. One or the other. Posted by: mrp at March 01, 2014 11:58 AM (JBggj) Yeah, I'm thinking neither, actually.

Posted by: MATH at March 01, 2014 08:10 AM (xSegX)

138 Seriously if it wasn't scary it would be funny. Fox is saying that The European media is shocked at Obama's weak statements. I guess you finally start paying attention when the sleeping bear next door starts grumbling.

Posted by: Adam at March 01, 2014 08:10 AM (Aif/5)

139 Looked at Drudge. Yep, things are heating up....

And we have two Maroons as "top men."

Well, Ã˜-Merica put 'em office.

Twice. Fools and dupes....

Posted by: backhoe at March 01, 2014 08:10 AM (ULH4o)

140 The US/EU stage a coup in Ukraine and thought that Putin would roll over and take it?

The US and EU didn't stage a coup. They may have supported the Euromaidans, but it was an organic movement.

Having said that, yeah, there was never any doubt in MY mind that Russia would react.

Posted by: xbradtc at March 01, 2014 08:10 AM (vZdeq)

141 Move the Missile Shield into Poland tomorrow!

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 01, 2014 08:11 AM (t3UFN)

142 "David Gergen says Obama is huddled with his advisors, feverishly going over options."
--
Meanwhile, Harry Reid is huddled with his staffers, and Dingey's asking the important question: "Hey! Who the heck is our go-to Hollywood star for Ukraine stuff?"

Posted by: mrp at March 01, 2014 08:11 AM (JBggj)

143 OIt sounds crazy, but Putin IS crazy, and without anyone to stop him.... why not? What's crazy about it? His only problem is the Russian birth rate.

Posted by: Jean at March 01, 2014 08:11 AM (4JkHl)

144 129?

Thatch?

I'd set it at 5th grade level. Duh!1 is dumb as a rock. At best....

Posted by: backhoe at March 01, 2014 08:13 AM (ULH4o)

145 "frankly, we see little that the US could do to prevent any such Russian response." Sink the Black Sea Fleet from the air.

Posted by: Chris_Balsz at March 01, 2014 08:13 AM (5xmd7)

146 @134 - I don't think the average Democrat voter could even find Poland on a map and wouldn't know or care if Putin took it, and as long as Obama's President the press would go out of its way to make sure they didn't know. They might start to notice something about the time Russian tanks get to Frankfurt.

Posted by: JEM at March 01, 2014 08:14 AM (o+SC1)

147 What's crazy about it? His only problem is the Russian birth rate. --------- He's already following my lead on annexing new territory. He should look into how I fixed the birth rate problem.

Posted by: Adolph H. at March 01, 2014 08:14 AM (Aif/5)

148 Wait until Putin finds out we're going to raise the minimum wage. That'll scare him.

Posted by: WalrusRex at March 01, 2014 08:14 AM (E+uky)

149 145 Sink the Black Sea Fleet from the air. then the Russians will vaporize our west coast using subs

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 08:15 AM (At8tV)

150 #69

No. Obama would just cheat and if confronted Holder would step in to publicly brand you a racist for giving any objection.

It doesn't matter how inept your opponent is if the game is fixed.

Posted by: Epobirs at March 01, 2014 08:16 AM (bPxS6)

151 134 Does anyone really believe Obama, and his Democrat brethren, would be upset if the olde Soviet Union got back together?

Posted by: Dr Spank at March 01, 2014 12:08 PM (P1WNR)

They would love it. They're probably still upset it collapsed under Reagan and Bush's watch. And that is the reason it collapsed. Because if Carter were still in charge or another Democrat flunky we'd have probably wound up sending aid to help support the poor struggling Soviets

Posted by: buzzion at March 01, 2014 08:16 AM (LI48c)

152 146 They might start to notice something about the time Russian tanks get to Frankfurt Germany has Merkel she won't play fuckfuck like the JEF

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 08:16 AM (At8tV)

153 145 Sink the Black Sea Fleet from the air.

then the Russians will vaporize our west coast using subs Posted by: navycopjoe

Boy, that escalated quickly.

Posted by: Dr Spank at March 01, 2014 08:16 AM (P1WNR)

154 @143 - Putin is not crazy. Putin's an exceptional judge of character, or lack of it.

Posted by: JEM at March 01, 2014 08:17 AM (o+SC1)

155 The Russian Black Sea Fleet is not worth sinking

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 01, 2014 08:17 AM (t3UFN)

156 1. I doubt they would. 2. I live on the West Coast. It's expendable.

Posted by: Chris_Balsz at March 01, 2014 08:17 AM (5xmd7)

157 Putin goes to his parliament for permission to invade, after he's all ready in control. So we go from an "unopposed arrival" to a parade. Maybe we will send a delegation of gays over to scare him express our angst.

Posted by: Jean at March 01, 2014 08:17 AM (4JkHl)

158 then the Russians will vaporize our west coast using subs

Posted by: navycopjoe
====
Well, that would put a big bite in the Dems' electoral college totals.

Posted by: mrp at March 01, 2014 08:17 AM (JBggj)

159 Now in some real news: John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe Â‘three-way sex tapeÂ’ set to hit auction block The film of JFK, RFK and Monroe has never been seen, says owner William Castleberry, because of his respect for Joe DiMaggio. Kerry Kennedy Cuomo says: "I'll drink to that"

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 01, 2014 08:18 AM (t3UFN)

160 @140 The US and EU didn't stage a coup. They may have supported the Euromaidans, but it was an organic movement.

Oh please. There was nothing organic about the coup in Ukraine.

Just like any government the US likes to meddle into other peoples business. Meddling in other peoples affairs is every governments favorite hobby. It's what they all do. The bigger the government then the more it meddles.

Posted by: Mr hobbit at March 01, 2014 08:18 AM (sbaXF)

161 "Maybe we will send a delegation of gays over to scare him express our angst. Posted by: Jean at March 01, 2014 12:17 PM (4JkHl) " Nah, President Obama will declare he has to defer to the legislative branch that voted for invasion.

Posted by: Chris_Balsz at March 01, 2014 08:19 AM (5xmd7)

162 David Gergen says Obama is huddled with his advisors, feverishly going over options. ok we've done gay marriage, free BC and abortions . Let's give everyone a free house and shiny car !

Posted by: willow at March 01, 2014 08:19 AM (nqBYe)

163 My points are not moot! Ever!

Posted by: Soothsayer at March 01, 2014 08:19 AM (PwIqH)

164 Malignant narcissist may not respond well to having his nose rubbed in his impotence. Luckily he is largely disinterested in doing the job of president.

Posted by: Beagle at March 01, 2014 08:20 AM (sOtz/)

165 The bigger the government then the more it meddles.
Posted by: Mr hobbit at March 01, 2014 12:18 PM
=====
I'm getting a River Tam flashback.

Posted by: mrp at March 01, 2014 08:20 AM (JBggj)

166 >>>Sink the Black Sea Fleet from the air. <<<<

We couldn't come up with enough air power to break up a "riot" in Benghazi, what makes you think we can come up with enough to smite the Russians?

Posted by: the guy that moves pianos for a living... at March 01, 2014 08:20 AM (P/gm7)

167 156 1. I doubt they would. I have absolutely zero doubt at all they would the JEF has shown he is weak hell, he had to be pushed to go after OBL if the NORKs nuked Hawaii today, Obama wouldn't do shit about it but cry

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 08:21 AM (At8tV)

168

Putin is NOT crazy. He is the opposite of crazy, in fact. As Iowahawk put it a while back over Syria, Putin is doing donuts in O's front yard. He knows O is weak and worthless and is going to make the most of it, and the American decline that O has accelerated. He wants the old Evil Empire back, and Barky O is just the chump to let him do it.

Posted by: publius(NotBreitbartPublius) at March 01, 2014 08:21 AM (ClQSA)

169 How is it that our intelligence community has such an incredibly poor grasp of history and culture that they cannot see that which is plainly before them?

I proudly claim responsibility.

Posted by: Post-Modern Public Edumacation at March 01, 2014 08:21 AM (Dwehj)

170 No way will we go to war over Ukraine. Sink the Black Sea Fleet? Seriously? Insanity.

Posted by: eman at March 01, 2014 08:21 AM (AO9UG)

171 @162 Oh noes! Go play some golf Bronco!

Posted by: Beagle at March 01, 2014 08:21 AM (sOtz/)

172 Here's the thing: obama is a natural born dickhead. obama makes me want to see the Ukraine stay under Putin.

Posted by: Soothsayer at March 01, 2014 08:21 AM (PwIqH)

173 @164 Don't forget Putin can always hold a summit and then give Obama a firm deadline for Russian withdrawal. Obama gets praised for obtaining such a tough concession and Putin will get praise for breaking it when the time comes.

Posted by: Chris_Balsz at March 01, 2014 08:21 AM (5xmd7)

174 I would bet that they saw it coming fine but they could not get Jugearsmcfkstick to do anything before it was too late. And that was once the news got it and all he can do is blabber.

But truthfully, I don't want to do anything except jail that lawless bastard Clinton for making a treaty, calling it something else, and not going through the Senate as the Constitution requires.

This is not about interstate commerce and some damn wheat quotas. This could be a major war, which thanks to the SOB in office now we are not prepared for and are getting further behind every day.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 01, 2014 08:21 AM (T2V/1)

175 what makes you think we can come up with enough to smite the Russians? Posted by: the guy that moves pianos for a living... at March 01, 2014 12:20 PM (P/gm7) Bombing, Marching, Shooting that's what you do, just leave the smiting to me OK. OR ELSE

Posted by: G-D at March 01, 2014 08:22 AM (t3UFN)

176 170 Typical. "There's nothing we can DO! There's NOTHING we can DO!" *something* "ARE YOU INSANE??!"

Posted by: Chris_Balsz at March 01, 2014 08:22 AM (5xmd7)

177 obama makes me want to see the Ukraine stay under Putin. Posted by: Soothsayer at March 01, 2014 12:21 PM (PwIqH) Then I think your going to be very happy

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 01, 2014 08:22 AM (t3UFN)

178 If we can get enough Hollywood elites and MSM elites to call Putin a racist, we just might be able to shame Putin into Obama's way of thinking.

Posted by: Fritz at March 01, 2014 08:23 AM (PnMCP)

179 167 if the NORKs nuked Hawaii today, and for the record, that would really screw up my weekend but if they DO, pls target Waianae, no one gives a shit about Waianae

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 08:23 AM (At8tV)

180 Sam Powers and Susan Rice. Have either one been in front of a mic recently?

Posted by: mrp at March 01, 2014 08:23 AM (JBggj)

181 I told you all in 2008 that Obama's pussy antics would invite Putin to invade Ukraine. But would anybody listen?

Posted by: Sarah Palin's Brain at March 01, 2014 08:23 AM (XSCRx)

182 If we can get enough Hollywood elites and MSM elites to call Putin a racist, we just might be able to shame Putin into Obama's way of thinking. Posted by: Fritz at March 01, 2014 12:23 PM (PnMCP) Hey how about a group song?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 01, 2014 08:24 AM (t3UFN)

183 "Oh please. There was nothing organic about the coup in Ukraine."

I don't know if it was organic but I do know that this administration wasn't behind it. If they were you think they would have some strategy beyond chasing their leadership out of town.

Posted by: lowandslow at March 01, 2014 08:24 AM (IV4od)

184 At this point alienating every ally we once had is looking suboptimal.

Posted by: Beagle at March 01, 2014 08:24 AM (sOtz/)

185 The REASON we can do nothing is that we aren't respected or feared anymore by anyone. The complete humiliation of Obama by Putin over Syria was the final straw in a decline which began with Obama's oath of office in 2009, the fumbled "reset," the "leading from behind" in Libya, the botched Green Revolution, the botched Arab Spring, and will end with a mushroom cloud in a place of the Mad Mullahs of Iran's choosing.

Posted by: Adjoran at March 01, 2014 08:24 AM (QIQ6j)

186 Susan Rice was on Meet The Press recently claiming she didn't mislead anyone about Benghazi. She totes promises.

Posted by: Adam at March 01, 2014 08:24 AM (Aif/5)

187 Best way to hurt Putin would be to unshackle our domestic gas producers, driving the price for gas down. Of course, this would reduce unemployment and stimulate the US economy, so Obama won't do it.

Posted by: Jean at March 01, 2014 08:25 AM (4JkHl)

188 The REASON we can do nothing is that we aren't respected or feared anymore by anyone. The complete humiliation of Obama by Putin over Syria was the final straw in a decline which began with Obama's oath of office in 2009, the fumbled "reset," the "leading from behind" in Libya, the botched Green Revolution, the botched Arab Spring, and will end with a mushroom cloud in a place of the Mad Mullahs of Iran's choosing. Posted by: Adjoran at March 01, 2014 12:24 PM (QIQ6j) Sounds about right to me

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 01, 2014 08:25 AM (t3UFN)

189 Nobody needs to learn about a bunch of old and long-dead raciss white guys.

Posted by: Post-Modern Public Edumacation at March 01, 2014 08:25 AM (Dwehj)

190 DrewM has a new Ukraine thread.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 01, 2014 08:25 AM (T2V/1)

191 Throw some youtube-maker in jail and call it a day, Barky!

Posted by: t-bird at March 01, 2014 08:25 AM (FcR7P)

192 Best way to hurt Putin would be to unshackle our domestic gas producers, driving the price for gas down. Of course, this would reduce unemployment and stimulate the US economy, so Obama won't do it. Posted by: Jean at March 01, 2014 12:25 PM (4JkHl) Outstanding.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 01, 2014 08:25 AM (t3UFN)

193 We don't have to crush Russia, just beat on it, and Putin will be thrown over. Just as the UK didn't have to conquer Argentina, just beat its invasion down. When it becomes clear that he has nothing conventional left to throw against the US, and starts talking about nukes, or a war in NATO Europe, his own people will take him out for some other anti-American jackball who promises to cut short Putin's mistakes and rebuild.

Posted by: Chris_Balsz at March 01, 2014 08:26 AM (5xmd7)

194 At least Barry could get Vlad's attention by approving the Keystone project en toto, opening up federal lands for energy development, and signing major natural gas deals with Ukraine and the EU. Jean's idea of a couple of PAC-3 battalions in Poland would be a good idea, too.

Posted by: mrp at March 01, 2014 08:26 AM (JBggj)

195 165?

"The bigger the government,
the smaller the citizen...."

Read that somewhere on the InterToobs.

Posted by: backhoe at March 01, 2014 08:26 AM (ULH4o)

196

True "smart power(tm)" wouldn't have let it get to this point. It's what you get with a bunch of leftist academics and community organizers running American foreign policy.

And don't forget we're broke. Putin and the Chicoms know all this. This is just the first moves to establish the "New World Order", the real one, that will have Putin's new Evil Empire and the Chicoms as top dogs.

Sit back and the enjoy the decline. Thank you feckless leftist progs.

Posted by: publius(NotBreitbartPublius) at March 01, 2014 08:26 AM (ClQSA)

197 187 Best way to hurt Putin would be to unshackle our domestic gas producers, driving the price for gas down look at the big brain on Jean!!! 100% right

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 08:27 AM (At8tV)

198 >>>>If we can get enough Hollywood elites and MSM elites to call Putin a racist, we just might be able to shame Putin into Obama's way of thinking.<<<<

What you would get is the lone black dude in Russia flogged in the street by Cossacks. Once again, we have a track record to look at.

Posted by: the guy that moves pianos for a living... at March 01, 2014 08:27 AM (P/gm7)

199 We didn't have anything to do with the coup in Ukraine. There don't appear to be any hardcore muslims there doing it so no support from us. This administration only supports the side that hates America the most. Compare Iran to Egypt for all the proof you need.

Posted by: buzzion at March 01, 2014 08:27 AM (LI48c)

200 I'll tell you one thing, Putin doesn't like being treated by obams and Kerry as if he's the equivalent to Bashir Assad. Putin will get back at obama fo this...and we'll suffer for it.

Posted by: Soothsayer at March 01, 2014 08:27 AM (PwIqH)

201 179 167 if the NORKs nuked Hawaii today, and for the record, that would really screw up my weekend but if they DO, pls target Waianae, no one gives a shit about Waianae Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 12:23 PM (At8tV) Actually, you want them to target Oahu, then they'll hit Waianae.

Posted by: Jean at March 01, 2014 08:27 AM (4JkHl)

202 My guess is Russia was, somehow, feeding our SIGINT with chatter indicating Putin was bluffing. So US intel was super confident Putin was bluffing because their spying was telling them he was. Question then is how was Putin able to secure his true comms while filling our SIGINT with false intel. I'm guessing Snowden had something to do with that. Russia had data on US intel methods and capabilities that they previously did not have.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 01, 2014 08:28 AM (ZPrif)

203 Perhaps U.S. intelligence is not so intelligent.

Posted by: Titanium at March 01, 2014 08:28 AM (IgOQg)

204 It's what you get with a bunch of leftist academics and community organizers running American foreign policy. Do you suppose China, Russia, and the Muslim Brotherhood are sensing an end to Democrat rule in three years and are hoping to consolidate gains by then?

Posted by: t-bird at March 01, 2014 08:28 AM (FcR7P)

205 Honestly, can't you men do anything?

Posted by: Sarah Palin at March 01, 2014 08:29 AM (l3vZN)

206 What's this I'm hearing about the Russians moving to recall their ambassador to the U.S.? That doesn't sound good.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at March 01, 2014 08:29 AM (oFCZn)

207 201 Actually, you want them to target Oahu noooooo I live in Waikiki and will be by kohohead later a smallish nuke on the far westside won't screw me up too bad

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 08:29 AM (At8tV)

208 Germany has Merkel she won't play fuckfuck like the JEF Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 12:16 PM (At8tV) You're right, except...she doesn't really have a military. She's not stupid or cowardly, but she doesn't have the resources to do anything, either.

Posted by: AmishDude at March 01, 2014 08:31 AM (xSegX)

209 "US/EU stage a coup" Johnny Blue Jeans, is that you?

Posted by: Beagle at March 01, 2014 08:31 AM (sOtz/)

210 The open source data strongly suggested Putin was going to intervene in the Crimea -- yet US intel was super-confident he wouldn't. They behaved as if they had some secret info that contradicted the open source data.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 01, 2014 08:31 AM (ZPrif)

211 >>Oh please. There was nothing organic about the coup in Ukraine.

Well there you go, case closed that we, and others, were involved. It's that kind of hard core scientific evidence that informs all my decisions.

Posted by: Dr Spank at March 01, 2014 08:31 AM (P1WNR)

212 @183 I don't know if it was organic but I do know that this administration wasn't behind it. If they were you think they would have some strategy beyond chasing their leadership out of town.

I don't know why you have such confidence in the Obama administration. If all these years of seeing how it's been nothing but a failure in the US seems to make you think they have a clue what to do overseas then I don't know how to convince you.

Posted by: Mr hobbit at March 01, 2014 08:33 AM (sbaXF)

213

204: You know any current Republican elite types who would be much better? Just look at the leadership, now. It's too late. I'd bet you the dollar will be toast before Jan, 2017.

Being a superpower and maintain PaxAmericana (in the sense of no world wars) takes economic muscle first and foremost. That has been squandered.

And when our decline has become evident, you'll be amazed at how fast Europe ditches us and throws in with the new bosses. And falls apart back into its old ways.

Posted by: publius(NotBreitbartPublius) at March 01, 2014 08:35 AM (ClQSA)

214 193 We don't have to crush Russia, just beat on it, and Putin will be thrown over. Just as the UK didn't have to conquer Argentina, just beat its invasion down. When it becomes clear that he has nothing conventional left to throw against the US, and starts talking about nukes, or a war in NATO Europe, his own people will take him out for some other anti-American jackball who promises to cut short Putin's mistakes and rebuild. Posted by: Chris_Balsz at March 01, 2014 12:26 PM (5xmd7) Then you woke up.

Posted by: eman at March 01, 2014 08:35 AM (AO9UG)

215 214 ummm, I think the poster forgot it was putin in charge putin, the guy who hunts fucking bear with a fucking bow and arrow

Posted by: navycopjoe at March 01, 2014 08:37 AM (At8tV)

216 Guardian bullet:

"Ukrainian groups are calling for mobilisation in response to PutinÂ’s proposal to send Russian troops to the Ukraine."

zerohedge has a post that includes:

"And while military escalation is now an official reality instead of merely YouTube clips of unidentified crap troops , Russia just sent another major warning shot across the bow when it issued several warnings on Saturday that Ukraine may lose a discount to the gas price it now pays to Gazprom due to Kiev's outstanding gas debt."

LINK: http://preview.tinyurl.com/kc8cu8z

Posted by: mrp at March 01, 2014 08:41 AM (JBggj)

217 Here's a scenario: Putin probably had high-ranking members of his govt communicate over "secure" lines that they learned from Snowden had been compromised, and had them talk about how Putin was just bluffing and obviously Russia wasn't going to invade the Crimea. So all the open source data said, sure looks like Russia is gonna do something -- but US intel had tapped these "secure" lines telling them it was a bluff. So they can't say how they "just know" it's a bluff, but they ignore the open source data and act super-confident as if they know what's really going on. Except that they were being played the whole time. ... Just trying to figure out how US intel fucked this up so badly -- and why they would so confidently dismiss all the open source data.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 01, 2014 08:41 AM (ZPrif)

218 214 What, Russia's unstoppable? They lose 4000 guys, so what? They lose a fleet, so what? You think they believe that? You think they'll continue to abide the criminal enterprise of the present clique when it costs them $100 billion and a couple of divisions?

Posted by: Chris_Balsz at March 01, 2014 08:41 AM (5xmd7)

219 Pritchett is a top naval analyst. Well connected. Just a rumor at this stage. Raymond Pritchett ‏@Galrahn Based on the scramble by Western governments over last hour, Russian Army must of crossed into mainland Ukraine as rumors suggest.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 01, 2014 08:43 AM (ZPrif)

220 218 214 What, Russia's unstoppable? They lose 4000 guys, so what? They lose a fleet, so what? You think they believe that? You think they'll continue to abide the criminal enterprise of the present clique when it costs them $100 billion and a couple of divisions? Posted by: Chris_Balsz at March 01, 2014 12:41 PM (5xmd7) I see. We will use war to provoke them into being more rational. Excellent plan.

Posted by: eman at March 01, 2014 08:44 AM (AO9UG)

221 According to this the upper house of the Russian parliament wants Putin to recall the Russian ambassador to the U.S.: http://tinyurl.com/ntao4ao Could be a bunch of bluster but that's almost always a bad sign.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at March 01, 2014 08:46 AM (oFCZn)

222 Bullying is the worst thing ever! John Nolte ‏@NolteNC CNN Accuses Putin of 'Bullying' Obama http://shar.es/FU2xU via @BreitbartNews

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 01, 2014 08:46 AM (ZPrif)

223 The CIA isn't the super-duper action hero or brilliant genius (for some reason with a British accent) that Hollywood presents

Most are paper pushing hacks, spreadsheet producers, map readers, and navel gazers like Valerie Plame. They're also staffed with political appointees and unionized stiffs who's main purpose is the leaking of secrets to the NY Slimes to damage their, not our, enemies

Outside our borders, the CIA can't seem to find their asses with a map and a flashlight even when the Russians gave them both when it came to Joker and Speedbump

Posted by: kbdabear at March 01, 2014 08:46 AM (aTXUx)

224 Putin only did this under Obama cause he's racist!

Posted by: Progtard 2000 at March 01, 2014 08:47 AM (ZPrif)

225 When Putin saw Obama with an umbrella, he knew this would be easy.

Posted by: dantesed at March 01, 2014 08:47 AM (88xKn)

226 48 -- mrp -- ...and more A-10's.

Posted by: CPT. Charles at March 01, 2014 08:48 AM (lJaja)

227 CNN Accuses Putin of 'Bullying' Obama http://shar.es/FU2xU via @BreitbartNews Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 01, 2014 12:46 PM (ZPrif) Maybe Donny Lemon and Anderson Cooper can go over there and hit Putin with some pillows!

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at March 01, 2014 08:48 AM (oFCZn)

228 Just trying to figure out how US intel fucked this up so badly -- and why they would so confidently dismiss all the open source data.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 01, 2014 12:41 PM (ZPrif)

They had no fucking clue the Soviet Union was going to disintegrate. What makes you think they've improved anything since then?

Posted by: buzzion at March 01, 2014 08:49 AM (LI48c)

229 The Interpreter ‏@Interpreter_Mag Ukraine Liveblog: Right Sector announces "full mobilization" to defend new gov't http://bit.ly/1pKrjer

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 01, 2014 08:51 AM (ZPrif)

230 27 dead, over hundred injured. No idea what this is. Mass knife attack? SW China -- the muslim Uighurs? No idea. BBC Breaking News ‏@BBCBreaking 31m 27 dead in attack by knife-wielding men at train station in Kunming in south-west China, state news agency says http://bbc.in/NgymwM

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 01, 2014 08:55 AM (ZPrif)

231 220 We'd use military force to degrade Russia's military forces, create political pressure for a change of Russian leadership, and at the least, get them out of Ukraine. You find that crazy? Where you been for the Cold War?

Posted by: Chris_Balsz at March 01, 2014 08:56 AM (5xmd7)

232 Just trying to figure out how US intel fucked this up so badly -- and why they would so confidently dismiss all the open source data.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 01, 2014 12:41 PM (ZPrif)

They didn't. The administration chose to ignore it and imposed its own reality.

Posted by: Country Singer at March 01, 2014 08:58 AM (r/e1Q)

233 @231, I see absolutely zero chance the US will intervene militarily in the region. There's zero public support for it, Ukraine has been traditionally outside our sphere of influence and oh, yeah, we've got jack shit in the region with which to undertake any military measures.

Posted by: xbradtc at March 01, 2014 08:58 AM (vZdeq)

234 "President Palin is going to have some hard work ahead of her to fix our standing in the world" Actually, I think that just the existence of President Palin would cause many bad actors to straighten up their behavior quite promptly, sort of like what happened when Reagan or Bush took office.

Posted by: Moron Nursing a mild Knob Creek Hangover at March 01, 2014 09:01 AM (jNNWD)

235 Should I be feeling guilty and traitor-ish because I am watching Russia Today off the Roku? I don't have cable so RT is pretty much it for live news.

I'm getting the other side of the story but I am simultaneously repulsed and attracted to Abbie Martin (who is a paid Russkie shill, utter progtard and infinitely bangable).

Posted by: CozMark at March 01, 2014 09:08 AM (BjOkm)

236 Killed another thread ! Woohoo ! I'm on a roll !

Posted by: Moron Nursing a mild Knob Creek Hangover at March 01, 2014 09:08 AM (jNNWD)

237 233 Everything and anything that can be flown into Inalcik airbase in Turkey is available for use. Turkey is in NATO for the purpose of exerting military force in the Black Sea. NATO is most certainly our sphere.

Posted by: Chris_Balsz at March 01, 2014 09:10 AM (5xmd7)

238 You think Turkey wants to dive into war with Russia? Are you high?

They wouldn't let us stage 4ID out of there for the invasion of Iraq.

And you might notice, while Turkey is a part of NATO, Ukraine isn't. That's a non-starter.

Posted by: xbradtc at March 01, 2014 09:16 AM (vZdeq)

239 237 Really? We can't even handle jackals and you want to go kick a bear in the nuts?

Posted by: the guy that moves pianos for a living... at March 01, 2014 09:20 AM (P/gm7)

240 To whoever was kind enough to edit the breaks out of #216: Many thanks.

Posted by: mrp at March 01, 2014 09:24 AM (JBggj)

241 Yes, really. "I don't want to fight Russia" I can understand, but "We can't fight Russia, don't even THINK of fighting Russia" is just slow poison that is going to destroy a great deal we take for granted. "We can't even handle jackals and you want to go kick a bear in the nuts? " And what will the bear do? Commit suicide by tossing nukes? If not, then what? We do not have to occupy Russia, just smash enough of its toys, and its government goes kaput.

Posted by: Chris_Balsz at March 01, 2014 09:28 AM (5xmd7)

242 *Could* we fight Russia? Sure. Probably even win. But you're certainty of how that would play out is disturbing. There's any number of things Russia could do in response that you haven't considered. There's any number of asymmetric economic, political, and military options available to the Russians, far more than I or anyone else would likely think of. Given our intel services didn't think Russia would occupy Crimea, I sure doubt they've thought of all possible courses of action open to the Russians.

But off the top of my head, shutting off ALL gas to Europe, rounding up and imprisoning a ton of Western European/North American citizens and holding them hostage are just first steps.

Posted by: xbradtc at March 01, 2014 09:48 AM (vZdeq)

243 >>>>We do not have to occupy Russia, just smash enough of its toys, and its government goes kaput.<<<<

Or they smash enough of our toys and our government goes kaput.

You sound like the ante bellum fire eaters--"We whip those Yankees at Manassas and they will give up! They will never fight over this!"

Posted by: the guy that moves pianos for a living... at March 01, 2014 09:49 AM (P/gm7)

244 30 Hey, at least they didn't blame YouTube this time.

Yet. The Sunday talk shows haven't happened yet.

Posted by: Anachronda at March 01, 2014 10:14 AM (U82Km)

245 Did the intelligence community fail to see what was before them, or did they "fail" in light of what the narrative "instructed" them to see? Pretty hard to be correct when you're not actually allowed to look by management, for fear it will make them look bad.

Posted by: Fringe at March 01, 2014 10:51 AM (oWl4T)

246 How many times doe Obama need to be whacked upside the head until he learns if you intend to do nothing, don't make the threat to do something. Stupid.

Posted by: Big Ol Fat Guy at March 01, 2014 11:41 AM (BpQmM)

247 (193) 1. Vaporize the Russian Black Fleet. 2. We don't have to crush Russia, just beat on it, and Putin will be thrown over. Just as the UK didn't have to conquer Argentina, just beat its invasion down. When it becomes clear that he has nothing conventional left to throw against the US, and starts talking about nukes, or a war in NATO Europe, his own people will take him out for some other anti-American jackball who promises to cut short Putin's mistakes and rebuild. Posted by: Chris_Balsz at March 01, 2014 12:26 PM (5xmd7) Q. Is it just me, but does Chris_B sound like he staggered onto the scene from a rubber room????

Posted by: alwyr at March 01, 2014 12:54 PM (V0j3u)

248 "Q. Is it just me, but does Chris_B sound like he staggered onto the scene from a rubber room???? " I'm from the 20th century. You're a weenie. "But off the top of my head, shutting off ALL gas to Europe, rounding up and imprisoning a ton of Western European/North American citizens and holding them hostage are just first steps. " That would be a mistake, because it would align many European countries who would rather sit it out. Also, Russia couldn't hold off refusing to sell natural gas very long. It costs them real money, and new sources can be exploited within a couple of years. Also, it wouldn't hamper the military strength of the United States relative to Russia, or really impact the American economy. "Or they smash enough of our toys and our government goes kaput." Only if we bring them within range and then screw up. Possible but unlikely.

Posted by: Chris_Balsz at March 01, 2014 01:14 PM (5xmd7)

249

When the Soviets took over parts of Finland the Fins packed up and left. Are the Ukraines going to be allowed to leave? Or, do we end up with a wall as in Berlin?

Posted by: burt at March 03, 2014 03:44 AM (1+kJ5)

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