How close are we to WWIII?

[TLS Guy]

The West faces war with Russia on a scale not seen since the days of “our grandparents and great-grandparents”, the head of Nato warned on Thursday.

Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary-general, said Vladimir Putin had chosen the alliance as his “next target”, in some of his strongest warnings yet on the prospect of war spreading across Europe.

“Conflict is at our door. Russia has brought war back to Europe, and we must be prepared for the scale of war our grandparents or great-grandparents endured,” Mr Rutte said in Berlin.

“We need to be crystal clear about the threat. We are Russia’s next target, and we are already in harm’s way.”

The assessment came towards the end of a frantic week of diplomacy, as Ukraine and its European allies submitted a new peace proposal to the Trump administration that will be discussed in Paris this weekend.

Donald Trump accused European leaders of being “weak” earlier this week and has outlined plans to pivot away from traditional security alliances on the Continent.

I think Putin senses that Trump, like all bullies is a coward.

I grew up in the UK under Munich's long shadow. So it is reasonable for them to fear Putin's refusal for cast iron security guarantees for Ukraine. I think it is reasonable to draw the parallel to Hitler's invasion of Poland. It is also correct in my view to compare Chamberlain's disgraceful response at Munich to Trump's negotiations with Putin.

Then, as now, Europe's readiness for war is as pity fully, if not worse than in 1939. The biggest threat is that Europe have not had, and do not have sufficient men under arms, which they are belatedly realizing.

So, if Russia under Putin does not follow an agreement then war will follow in Europe. I don't think Trump understands this, or intends to follow America's example at the start of WWII until Pearl Harbor.

My biggest fear is that if there is an inadequate American response to further Russian military action, then the war will turn nuclear fast, at least in Europe and quickly further afield.

There Royal Navy are being kept busy in the English Channel and the North Sea off the British coast, by Russian vessels and especially submarines of late.

My nephew Peter Apps has been warning me of this for some time. He had just published his second book on NATO: - " The Next World War." This is a follow up to his widely acclaimed "Detering Armageddon." Despite being a high Quadriplegic, due to an injury in sustained in Sri Lanka during their civil war, he is still a serving Army officer, as part of intelligence and he is also on Reuter's staff.

Royal Navy shadowing a Russian submarine in the English Channel today.

I have to say, I have never been more concerned about another global conflict than I am now.

 

[mtrycrafts]

And then this:
Trump ‘to persuade four countries to leave EU’, leaked document shows

 

[everettT]

China is the biggest threat alongside Russia. Leaked war game scenarios has China wiping out our entire carrier fleet within in minutes.

 

[lovinthehd]

And then this:
Trump ‘to persuade four countries to leave EU’, leaked document shows

Paving the way for his pal Putin. Maybe we plan on invading them after Venezuela, Canada and Greenland?

 

[GO-NAD!]

I'm not sure how much credence should be granted to Putin's threats. He hasn't been able to beat Ukraine after almost 3 years of war. If he does intend to strike, it'll have to be sooner, rather than later, as European NATO countries ramp up military spending. I think it's more likely that he'll continue the harassment and sabotage campaigns.

 

[lovinthehd]

Gotta love those who voted these folk into power here in the US. Such an embarassment to our standing in the world this current administration is.....

 

[GO-NAD!]

I suspect that Putin is rattling his sabre towards European NATO countries, because they aren't prepared to throw Ukraine under the bus. He's trying to intimidate the Allies into backing down. The Russians are barely able to make progress against Ukraine, so how can they hope to improve their situation by opening a two-front war?

Should Russia attack a NATO member, or members, and the US fail to honour its commitment to Article 5 of the NATO treaty, China would probably be emboldened to invade Taiwan.

 

[Jeepers]

The European NATO countries have for decades ignored spending enough money on defence and are now confronted with reality. What a bunch of idiots.

 

[Steve81]

China is the biggest threat alongside Russia. Leaked war game scenarios has China wiping out our entire carrier fleet within in minutes.

FWIW, the carrier fleet was never about deterring China or Russia; nukes (you’re not killing that many servicemen and women without risking that kind of response), a fleet of subs equipped with dozens or in the case of Ohio class refits, 150+ cruise missiles, and other assorted toys like the forthcoming B21 Raider are made for them.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...He hasn't been able to beat Ukraine after almost 3 years of war. ...

Almost 4 years.
Feb 26, just around the corner is 4 years and start of the 5th.

What would happen if some of those 4 countries in trumpdicks target does manage to leave EU.

 

[Teetertotter?]

Why hasn't China invaded Taiwan? What is taking them so long? Or just Chinese continued threat. I worry about Trump, with his continued out of control statements and convincing himself, to do it. Pretty scary human being along with the rest of the GOP.

 

[everettT]

FWIW, the carrier fleet was never about deterring China or Russia; nukes (you’re not killing that many servicemen and women without risking that kind of response), a fleet of subs equipped with dozens or in the case of Ohio class refits, 150+ cruise missiles, and other assorted toys like the forthcoming B21 Raider are made for them.

I agree, just was noted as crippling our air fleet except for long range aircraft. In defense of Taiwan (or our other regional partners) this would be an issue.