In the case of both WW1 and WW2 the USA tried not to get involved but was still eventually sucked in.
No-one wants a world war, but I am worried about the possibility of another one if Putin makes any more grabs in Europe.
Until now, I thought that the existence of NATO would act as a deterrent, but now Trump has been elected and appears to threaten NATO, it all looks more dangerous.
What are our chances?
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World wars
[quote=""DMB""]In the case of both WW1 and WW2 the USA tried not to get involved but was still eventually sucked in.
No-one wants a world war, but I am worried about the possibility of another one if Putin makes any more grabs in Europe.
Until now, I thought that the existence of NATO would act as a deterrent, but now Trump has been elected and appears to threaten NATO, it all looks more dangerous.
What are our chances?[/quote]
Chance of a world war? Minor. Chance of the Russians doing something like reconquering the Baltics while Trump watches and applauds his role model? High.
No-one wants a world war, but I am worried about the possibility of another one if Putin makes any more grabs in Europe.
Until now, I thought that the existence of NATO would act as a deterrent, but now Trump has been elected and appears to threaten NATO, it all looks more dangerous.
What are our chances?[/quote]
Chance of a world war? Minor. Chance of the Russians doing something like reconquering the Baltics while Trump watches and applauds his role model? High.
I have a blog about nineteenth century America. It's theoretically educational!
[quote=""Samnell""]Chance of a world war? Minor. Chance of the Russians doing something like reconquering the Baltics while Trump watches and applauds his role model? High.[/quote]Trump may not be interested in participating when a conflict erupts over the Baltic states, but Europe will certainly oppose it with any means at its disposal, military force being the last resort. And once the shooting starts, the US will eventually get dragged into participating once again. China will take advantage of the situation by nibbling away at Russia's rear. Then everyone will get alarmed at the Chinese expansion and gang up on it. Then one of the allies becomes too dominant and alliances will change again. Orwell's prediction of perpetual war between Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia may yet become reality.
Russia at this point in time, is economically quite weak due to the sanctions imposed on it by the west, and I don't think it will venture into any new hegemonistic conquests now.
However I would say that the west failed to capitalise on its opportunity to build a stable democracy, free media, human and civil rights institutions in Russia after 1990 when it had the chance and when Russia under Yeltsin was highly receptive to such.
The money spent in maintaining NATO could have been spent on the above objectives,and Russia would have ceased to be a sort of imperialist nation antagonistic to the west, and become an another champion of democracy, free media, human and civil rights in the east. This could have had a domino effect in China as well.
Unfortunately, the opportunity was squandered by the west trying to look like a domineering and victorious champion, and the democratic institutions and culture failed to attain critical mass levels in Russia. This resulted in the rise of the likes of anti-western leaders like Zhirinovsky and Putin at the moment.
However I would say that the west failed to capitalise on its opportunity to build a stable democracy, free media, human and civil rights institutions in Russia after 1990 when it had the chance and when Russia under Yeltsin was highly receptive to such.
The money spent in maintaining NATO could have been spent on the above objectives,and Russia would have ceased to be a sort of imperialist nation antagonistic to the west, and become an another champion of democracy, free media, human and civil rights in the east. This could have had a domino effect in China as well.
Unfortunately, the opportunity was squandered by the west trying to look like a domineering and victorious champion, and the democratic institutions and culture failed to attain critical mass levels in Russia. This resulted in the rise of the likes of anti-western leaders like Zhirinovsky and Putin at the moment.
Self-awareness is yoga. - Nisargadatta Maharaj
Evil is an extreme manifestation of human unconsciousness. - Eckhart Tolle
Evil is an extreme manifestation of human unconsciousness. - Eckhart Tolle