Memo to those who use the expression "Cold Warriors" (or with extra disdain, "ageing Cold Warriors") while discussing Russia/Ukraine: The only people in this conflict who want the Cold War back are in Moscow.
@simchaonn @anneapplebaum Romanian here. Did we need to join the USA in operations in both Iraq and Afganisthan and pay with blood for the privilege? Of course we did. So that we shelter from the Russians by joining NATO. Throwing Eastern European countries to the Russian won't buy you any comfort.
@simchaonn @GabrielaBota2 @anneapplebaum What would be NATO’s motive for a first strike? Putin wants more, more Power. You believe NATO also wants more power? I think they want to end conflicts not cause them
@simchaonn @GabrielaBota2 @anneapplebaum Iskander-M missiles located in Kaliningrad I would consider “clearly a legitimate cause of concern” for Europe/NATO.
@simchaonn @anneapplebaum Those systems are defensive. And what do you suggest? They should be removed because Putin has been striken by the imperial syndrome? And both countries experienced Russian invasions in the past so their concerns regarding their own defense are legit.
@simchaonn @GabrielaBota2 @anneapplebaum The Russian ICBM arsenal is not capable of being intercepted by them (wrong place!), would overwhelm the handful of interceptors, and they have alternate delivery mechanisms anyway.