"The 1980's are calling to ask for their foreign policy back."

Christ on a cracker.

"At least Hitler didn't slaughter his own kind" is an odd criticism that somehow manages to be simultaneously hyperbolic against Putin and weirdly exculpatory to Hitler.

I don't know if Putin will propel Europe into a World War (doubtful) or whether he will institute industrialized genocide (really doubtful), but until he does then, no, he isn't Hitler. He's just the latest in a long line of autocrats with grand ambitions willing to wage aggressive war to fulfill them.

Poland ups its defense spending to 3% of GDP.

Good thread on Russia’s problems advancing.

Cut off from food, Ukrainians recall Stalin’s famine, which killed 4 million of them

Calling bullshit. That chain looks like you could shoot it to break it. Or slice off the part of the boot it’s around, if it couldn’t just be taken off. Or climb the pole, or bash the lock with the grenade launcher.

Also, I would say limiting the mobility of a soldier, even one with an indirect fire weapon, is seriously impeding their ability to actually support anyone.

What's the range on a Russian grenade launcher?

How long does it take to load/fire?

This is old footage. But the joke is still good.

Amidst the ongoing atrocities, both sides today stated that talks are now going well and that they may reach a conclusion within a few days. This is good news which I feel isn't getting the coverage it deserves.

Holy fuck. Excellent work by Mother Jones for turning this gem up:

FOX - We report, вам решать

https://www.motherjones.com/politic...n-russia-ukraine-war-memo-tucker-carlson-fox/

Seems a very solid analysis. The article has been censored inside China, though, indicating it does not align with state policy.

That would seem to mean China is sticking it out with Putin. One can then hope that Hu Wei's predictions about a new Iron Curtain--separating the democratic and authoritarian countries--comes to pass.

And now Russia has asked China for military assistance. https://www.ft.com/content/30850470...d178a#myft:notification:instant-email:content

Long but excellent thread.

Putin is sending all of his military assets to Ukraine to be recycled.