USA news & politics

[dirty harry]

Yet you happily ignore the facts such as Trump constantly undermining NATO, allies and refusing to side squarely against Russia in Ukraine.

Simple question, if Trump's plan is to undermine Russia then why is he doing the opposite in Ukraine, where he could very easily undermine them for absolutely no political capital whatsoever. He'd get to strengthen the ties with allies, make Putin look weak internationally, tie up huge amounts of Russian military equipment for destruction and draw away their resources from pretty much all global events all the while looking like the good guy.

I'd be inclined to believe he was attempting to undermine Russia if it wasn't shown in the very obvious case where he should be that he isn't. Trump has spent vastly more time supporting Russias claims than opposing them, whilst he has been doing the opposite in Ukraine.

The UK mobilised to assist because of realpolitik. We're hoping to avoid negative consequences from a proven loose cannon and vindictive **** and the hope we can maintain a relationship with the USA when he's gone.

Say Trump did nothing, Syria still would have fallen, Iran still most likely would have been attacked.

Tell me, what does the USA gain by alienating itself internationally? All Trump has done is made it so America's allies are looking at contingency planning to separate themselves from the USA.

Funny how you talk about facts not caring about feelings when discussing Trump, a guy who clearly is driven by his feelings to an unhealthy extent for a world leader... You also frequently want to ignore the fact he's had more ex staffers publicly state how unfit he is for office mentally and emotionally than any president, and that includes Reagan who was senile...

1. Is Nato undermined? Article 5 is still enforced, the US are still involved, and if anything Trump has forced an increase in member spending. The only way in which Nato could be considered undermined is in confidence, and stressing of allied relationships. This idea boils down to not liking Trump putting America first.

2. Ukraine is a fascinating issue. What do you want, Trump to go balls deep and go to full on war with Russia? Drag Europe into full skirmishes on their border, for what, Ukranian regions that arent particularly valuable in the bigger picture. Trump desires a deal, or at least thats what he says. Pressure domestically against big spending in Ukraine is massive, it could prove to be a black hole of spending, and ultimately, doesnt serve US interests to do so.
As ive said over and over, a long term draining wsr, that keeps Russia engaged and spending for little gains is much more suitable for his wants. Infact you could make the claim EU leaders complaining about Trumps lack of investment there is pretty hypocritical, as Europe has no interest in doing the ssme thing.

3. What Russia claims has Trump spebt more time supporting? What is thisbrhetoric he has parroted 'verbatum'?

4. "You know what has most weakened Russia's influence globally? The war in Ukraine, the very thing that Trump is refusing to turn the screw on them for, the very thing you desperately ignore."

So you agree the war is negating Russias place on the world stage? Then why do you dissgree with my theory that Trump elongating it is part of strategy?!

5. How is the US alienating itself? Trump pops a tarrif and world lesders come scrambling over each other to get to him and lick his boots, he clicks his fingers and the UK board Russian vessels fornhim, he gives some side eye and NATO members conit to double their sprnding... i think you confuse EU members sitting around tutting at him, with global politics. Id say the US is more integrated, and this neo imperialistic stance has cast them to the forefront of most issues.

You seem to not understand the nature of Trumps America, it cares little for historical nicities, and is transactional and open for business. This is oppositional to Eurooe who seemingly only deal in nicities and harsh looks from a distancr, with no balls to step up. You cant create a bloc of countries, ornUnited States of Europe on one hand, and compkain when big brother US refuses to do all your dirty work when you vecome a competitior. The EUs growth is based on the idea of competition on the global stage, well that comes with responsibilities.

Trump is emotional, vindictive, petty... but im not discussing things with him on this forum.

Trump has become the bogey man, leaders, especially in europe curry domestic favour by condemning him, because its popular, while behind closed doors they cheer on his actions and scramble to appease him.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-suspends-us-support-for-international-organizations-9.7037333

Trump calls for $1.5 trillion military budget in 2027, up from $901 bln in 2026

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the 2027 U.S. military budget should be $1.5 trillion, significantly higher than the $901 billion approved by Congress for 2026, boosting defense stocks, but sparking skepticism among budget experts.

www.reuters.com

What is actually going on in America?
I'm starting to believe the tinfoil conspiracies that he's had a terminal diagnosis so they're trying to fast track as much crazy **** as possible because they're unsure if they'll have the same level of rabid support without him at the helm

 

[TRF_Olyy]

1. Is Nato undermined?

What the hell are you on about? They're not so subtly threatening to use their military to invade a NATO nation, how is that not undermining NATO?

 

[dirty harry]

European nations have shown no balls, I won't argue with that and it's been a political gripe of mine for years, although likely for different reasons to you. I've long advocated for Europe to bolster it's defences and I'm a believer that European nations only survive in the future if they form a federal state. As they currently are, they are too divided to coherently tackle the big players as Russian, China and the USA have all demonstrated. A federal Europe with a suitable military and combined economy would not have been pushed around so easily. Unfortunately I feel the same divide and rule tactics European nations employed during the colonial era to great success are going to be applied back on Europe with similar success. I can't see Europe uniting and I think it is a continent in decay with delusions of their own importance and superiority. 20 years ago, the EU combined economies were larger than the USA. Now, they are about 75% the size. Even factoring in Brexit, they've still been outstripped by the USA. The USA has a can-do attitude to innovation, Europe has a can't-do attitude. It is staggering that with all the wealth and education, Europe lags so badly behind the USA and Asian nations like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in tech.

A particular example which sticks in my mind with this is in Britain we developed a technology called the Sabre engine with a company called Reaction Engines. This is a combined jet/rocket engine that had the potential to have drastically cut the cost of space travel by essentially allowing the creation of space-faring planes that could utilise standard runways and take up a fraction of the fuel costs whilst being reusable. The technology had been proven and the advance air cooling was truly revolutionary. What happened? The investors pulled the plug and the British government refused to support it so now it's dead. The chance for Britain to carve out a huge niche in the space industry just dropped, even as their concepts were being proven to work.

Nobody is saying Ukraine is perfect by any stretch of the imagination but it is still the case of an autocratic regime with a history of violence against it's neighbours attempting a land grab against a neighbour (again). Bear in mind Russia played a pretty big role in creating the corruption in Ukraine as it had it's fingers all through it's political system prior to the Euromaidan. In fact it was Russia attempting to corruptly exert more control over Ukraine which kicked off the Euromaidan in the first place, as they got their puppet president to unilaterally declare Ukraine was not going to look for closer integration with the EU and instead would integrate with Russia, flying in the face of what he had campaigned on.

In addition, western nations and Russia had signed an agreement that, in exchange for Ukraine giving up it's nuclear arsenal, it's security would be guaranteed by both sides. Russian tore that up twice and the west refused to honour it. They got completely screwed over.

The issue of corruption in Ukraine and the issue of their territorial integrity and sovereignty are not linked. Russia isn't invading Ukraine to fix issues with corruption. As part of attempting to join the EU, Ukraine would have been pressured to deal with the corruption. That has been blown apart quite literally now.

Indeed Russia is nowhere near as strong as people thought, which is why it's crazy that Europe are so powerless to stand up to them. Russia's economy is smaller than Italy's and the combined armies of the UK, France and Germany could most likely pummel the Russians at this stage, yet Europe is too feeble and cowardly to take the necessary action. However the point stands, if Trump is attempting to undermine Russia, THIS is the key battleground to do it. It's had more impact on Russia than any other world event and yet at no point has the USA really turned the screw on Russia, yet they have turned the screw on Ukraine repeatedly. This flies in the face of the claim Trump's actions are calculated to bring Russia down.

See now i agree with nearly every word of this, except Trump jumping in to a ground war.

Why not keep it going for another 3 years, form a peace deal everyone is happy with, take the credit AND anhialate Russian interests globally?

If the US get dirrcrly involved in the Ukraine war, China starts to make moves elswhere while US are comitted.

 

[dirty harry]

Rubbish. It’s really not complicated. Putin is a grade A ****. Ukraine did noting to warrant being invaded. Russia had no justification and is 100% in the wrong and I’m sad to say what you’re saying is just BS apologetic nonsense.

This is nonsense! There are no such thing as 100% in life, especially in such complex situations.

Lets say we all agree there is a corruption issue in Ukraine, and a Nartsee problem, wrll thats on Russias doorstep and at least provides Russia with a 1% legitimacy to act. Even ignoring the other reasons given by Putin and analysed by others.

 

[dirty harry]

Regarding corruption,it is not. If you'd ever lived in both and seen/known things from inside,you'd be really surprised

I would only caveat this with that both Russian and western interferance has helped cause the mess that is Ukraine.

 

[dirty harry]

What the hell are you on about? They're not so subtly threatening to use their military to invade a NATO nation, how is that not undermining NATO?

Just because the Guardian told you Trump has threatened to invade, dorsnt mean thats whats happened. Trump always refuses to restrict options, and always negotiates from s position of strength... the same way he did about Mexico, Canada, the Panama Canal, even the Gaza strip. Journalists might enjoy quoting Trumps rhetoric, but thats just to scare the great unwashed, they dont believe the hyperbole they publish, and you shouldnt either.

US already have military presence inland, Greenland is autonomous and and has been increasingly leading to secetion from Drnmark, to the point referendum talk is a key issue politically.

Denmarks colonial hold over Greenland has only lasted this long because Greenland wasnt accessible or useful, with Greenland wanting sovereignty, and US wanting carte blanche, there is certainly a deal to be done... especiallly when you consider Nielsens words that Greenland is open for discussion and negotiation within formal international norms.

if Trump wanted to undermine Nato, why would he push for members increasing their funding comtiments? Why would he put excess US personel in Poland and the Baltics, pushed for Nato modernisation, and arguably unified Nato members by pushing responsibility on to them?

Surely if the accussyiins of alienating the US, weakening Nato, proting Russian interests all had a scrap of truth, then Trump would have just withdrawn from the off, left eastern europe to its own devices, pulled out of Ukraine, and watched as Europe scrambled around trying to figure out what to do. I mean it would have allowed Greenlands invasion before Xmas lol

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

See now i agree with nearly every word of this, except Trump jumping in to a ground war.

Why not keep it going for another 3 years, form a peace deal everyone is happy with, take the credit AND anhialate Russian interests globally?

If the US get dirrcrly involved in the Ukraine war, China starts to make moves elswhere while US are comitted.

Except Trump isn't trying to drag it out another 3 years, he's trying to end it now. The USA also doesn't need to commit much at all, it simply needs to not undermine Ukraine constantly and not parrot Kremlin demands every 2 months.

Trump has spent vastly more time attacking NATO allies and Ukraine then he has Russia. You have yet to justify that if his goal is to actually undermine Russia.

It costs the USA absolutely nothing to constantly side with Ukraine, to not ambush Zelenskyy in the Whitehouse, to but cut off intelligence sharing, to not demand Ukraine accept or suggest the loss of American support and yet he's done an of those for no reason.

You also failed to address why pretty much every member of his last administration statee he is wholly unfit to hold office. Going to just palm off that inconvenient facts? Can you fund anything even remotely comparable?

Interesting as well how you unequivocally are with all my European criticisms and unequivocally oppose all my Trump ones whilst claiming not to be Maga. Sure, claiming Trump is a deranged, vindictive megalomaniac is over the top but claiming the European continent is dying, well that's fine. It's so transparent.

 

[dirty harry]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-suspends-us-support-for-international-organizations-9.7037333

Trump calls for $1.5 trillion military budget in 2027, up from $901 bln in 2026

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the 2027 U.S. military budget should be $1.5 trillion, significantly higher than the $901 billion approved by Congress for 2026, boosting defense stocks, but sparking skepticism among budget experts.

www.reuters.com

What is actually going on in America?
I'm starting to believe the tinfoil conspiracies that he's had a terminal diagnosis so they're trying to fast track as much crazy **** as possible because they're unsure if they'll have the same level of rabid support without him at the helm

OI... ive worked hard on that theory hahahaha

I think this is just a typical Trump hyoerbolic negotiation thing! Last years budget was 960 or something, even with the base budget of 900 this years will probably top 1 trillion.

Its like when you want to go to golf with friends, so you tell the missus your going to the pub all night, and negotiate down to the afternoon 18.

It cant be for Greenland, 20 good men could walk scross and take it.

 

[dirty harry]

Except Trump isn't trying to drag it out another 3 years, he's trying to end it now. The USA also doesn't need to commit much at all, it simply needs to not undermine Ukraine constantly and not parrot Kremlin demands every 2 months.

Trump has spent vastly more time attacking NATO allies and Ukraine then he has Russia. You have yet to justify that if his goal is to actually undermine Russia.

It costs the USA absolutely nothing to constantly side with Ukraine, to not ambush Zelenskyy in the Whitehouse, to but cut off intelligence sharing, to not demand Ukraine accept or suggest the loss of American support and yet he's done an of those for no reason.

You also failed to address why pretty much every member of his last administration statee he is wholly unfit to hold office. Going to just palm off that inconvenient facts? Can you fund anything even remotely comparable?

Hes trying to end it now? If he wsnted to endnit, he would end it. He would just give Russia what they want, i mean from a global standpoint the US just doesnt have any interest, or appetite in the region. I would agree with you if this was pre Nobel Peace prize, and he was desperate for it lol.

You keep saying he parrots Kremlin talking points, but youve provided 0 evidence.
Let me have a crack at what i think your talking about though, are you talking about Russian assertion that NATO is weak and disproportionately US driven? This is absolutely echoed by Trump, Obama, most of congrrss, Boris Johnson, most anslysts and posters on this thread lol, including yourself. Please provide more though.

I have provided, in detail, and even listed every action that has absolutely negated Russian interests. You can disagree with them, but at least make an effort to explain why. Lets take a sprcific, Venezuela.
Your not suggesting this wasnt a humiliation and big net loss to Russia? That the 40 to 50 billion Russia has invested over the last decades, not including the pennys on the dollar oil and resources this allowed them, has gone up the swanny? That the loss of a loyal customer and political ally isnt a net negative?

I cant get dragged into why former employees criticise their former employer, ifnyou dont understand why that happens by now you never will accept any exllrnation. Youve been rattling that bell since before you were defending Bidens cognition.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Just because the Guardian told you Trump has threatened to invade

Not sure I've ever read The Guardian, the veiled threats are direct from the administration

 

[dirty harry]

Not sure I've ever read The Guardian, the veiled threats are direct from the administration

Veiled threats to invade a NATO nation?

A Nation not a NATO member state, only covered by article 5 via its Danish owner, a nation very much pushing awsy from Denmark and looking to become fully autonomous, a nation whos largest military bases are American, and a host of other smaller bases (some functioning some non) and whos leader said it was open to negotiation reagrding collaberation...

Also, these 'veiled threats' have come from administration and Trjmps mouth regarding 'aqcuiring' Greenland, or purchasing it. Every quote ive seen regarding any mention of military has come from a reporters question asking about military, of course Trump wont confirm or deny usage of any means necesary to get what he wants. That would be idiotic to say, yes i want Greenland, but im notnwilling to you know, use my military might, my economic might, or my position as leader ofbthe free wirld to get it, what is the incentive for Denmark and Greenland to come to the table if there is no possibility of benefit or loss?

It would be as stupid as you know, a country miving away from a trading bloc by demovratic vote, and before negotiations agreeing not to use things like a hard border, or legal rights of the bloc superceding theor own, before then trying to figure out why lives are being negotiated with in bad faith from the blocs side, and losing all leverage.

But Trump does say a lot of inflamatory things, like wanting Canada, taking the Panama canal, and owning the Gaza strip... i get why poeple whonhave been radicalised are scared, i just dont share the same fear.