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Examples of racism/euro-centrism during the Russia-Ukraine conflict

Add to the above list if you can, thank you.

Resources For Understanding The War Beyond The Bulletins

Defense Politics Asia's youtube channel and their map, who is an independent youtuber with a mostly neutral viewpoint.

Moon of Alabama, which tends to have good analysis (though also a couple bad takes here and there)

Understanding War and the Saker: neo-conservative sources but their reporting of the war (so far) seems to line up with reality better than most liberal sources.

Alexander Mercouris, who does daily videos on the conflict and, unlike most western analysts, has some degree of understanding on how war works. He is a reactionary, however.

On the ground: Patrick Lancaster, an independent journalist reporting in the Ukrainian warzones.

Unedited videos of Russian/Ukrainian press conferences and speeches.

Yesterday's discussion post.

  • SeventyTwoTrillion [he/him]
    ·
    3 years ago

    Russia was probably a few years from Crimea’s referendum joining the Russian federation being recognized internationally.

    ???

    There was incessant Cheney-level “we will be greeted as liberators” political propaganda being pushed out before the Feb invasion began. Either way, we all know that most of Ukraine has not in fact welcomed Russians with open arms. A massive miscalculation by Putin and a historical intelligence blunder by Russian military intelligence for telling Putin just what he wanted to hear.

    Ah yes, I can see the situation you're describing now, in my mind's eye...

    DATE: 20th of February, 2022. Vladimir Putler is sitting at the end of the very long table. His hands are in an arch, tapping his fingers against one another as he grins malevolently.

    ENTER: terrified advisor.

    Advisor: "S-sir, I have the latest opinion polling from Ukraine. I don't need to remind you that the, uh, the hostilities between west and east Ukraine since the coup in 2014 have deteriorated due to their differences in which country they want to be part of. Well, uh, I have g-great news, sir! The opinion polling has, uh, fixed itself, like you said it should in that evi-- I mean, very bold tone you were speaking in, just yesterday."

    Putler: His grin gets even wider. "Yes, yes, out with it boy, before I take out your the next generation of your family!"

    Advisor: "Sir, yes, sir, uh, I have great news! The western half of Ukraine, and the south as well as Kiev, they actually uh, want to be part of Russia now! They say that they are yearning for freedom, and will fight for you if only you give them military support!"

    Putler: "Yes... very good... what are the exact figures?"

    Advisor: "Well, sir, in 2014 it was, well, very polarised, and has remained so ever since. But, well, in the last few weeks, it's gone up to 90% support across the whole country! They strongly desire your rule! You must only march in there with soldiers and then all will join your banner!"

    Putler: "Fantastic. This intelligence is reliable, I assume. Tell my generals to draw up a plan to immediately go for Kiev, because, as I'm sure you know, taking a capital city grants a Domination Victory and you get a big golden trophy icon. I've been playing lots of those Civilization games, as you know."

    Advisor: "Yes, sir, I've noticed. I will tell the generals immediately. Is my family safe, sir?"

    Putler: "For now, young man... for now..."

    END SCENE

    • cawsby [he/him]
      ·
      3 years ago

      Germany and France were pushing for Ukraine to sue for peace with Russia pre-invasion. With offers of 100's of billions in future loans/aid being tantalized behind the scenes it seems Zelensky kept holding out for more goodies as the security situation in the East continued to deteriorate. Zelensky chose not to even negotiate the de facto reality of the new Russian territory of Crimea which created a massive security problem for the Russian military. Ukraine's Neptun anti-ship missiles are one booster stage from being able to take out most ships in the Black Sea.

      Macron pre-invasion on NATO and Russia:

      What Mr. Macron wants is less clear, but it includes the development of a strong European defense capacity and a new “stability order” that involves Russia. As the French president said of this innovative arrangement in a speech before the European Parliament this month: “We need to build it between Europeans, then share it with our allies in the NATO framework. And then, we need to propose it to Russia for negotiation.”

      BTW: Macron's "stability order" envisions a Russia that does not exist. Macron's willingness to work with Russia comes from French version of the Anglo neoconservative mindset that once those evil Stalinists evil Putinists are gone the liberal West will have Russia as a security/economic partner which they can bully/bribe or puppet into being a buffer between Europe and China.

      So many fucked-up agendas colliding at once. The world will definitely be different geopolitically forever because of this invasion. In ways we have yet to even fathom I'd bet.

      • LeninWeave [none/use name]
        ·
        3 years ago

        Macron’s willingness to work with Russia comes from French version of the Anglo neoconservative mindset that once those evil Stalinists evil Putinists are gone the liberal West will have Russia as a security/economic partner which they can bully/bribe or puppet into being a buffer between Europe and China.

        The literally did this shit in the 90s, succeeded, and proceeded to spit on the Russians and drive them away.