Quote from: s3779m on January 16, 2020, 07:26:05 AM
I wonder how the russian people will take this?

Most not so well, but some love Putin enough to turn a blind eye, while the rest want to keep their eyes, so they'll look away.
Many see Putin as the leader who is returning Russia to its old glory, others see him for what he is, a simple dictator. I give Putin some credit in keeping Russia relevant in the big scheme of things considering Trump is completely restructuring the way power has been distributed in the latter 20th Century, and Putin is the horse fly buzzing around and biting everyone in hopes of remaining relevant.

I think Trump appreciates Putin and his grasp of the world geopolitical structure and his ability to keep some form of relevance in the game, but Trump also knows he can erase Putin if he likes, but Trump also wants to make Russia our ally in his battle with leftist Europeans.
I love watching this game played out on the world stage, these people are true chess masters and Trump is running the table. He has the entire world in check and could easily Mate the game, but Trump wants to first finish picking the winners and losers before making the final move.

This is how I see it, anyway.

While over in Israel...

In response to the IED balloons earlier today launched from #Gaza into #Israel the #IDF have targeted a site in northern #Gaza via helicopter 5 times.
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ELINT News Retweeted
parallel_universe
@ignis_fatum
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2h
Update : a Hamas position was stuck in the northern part of the strip , probably the burning balloon launchers were using it as a base of its operations
#Israel #Gaza

ELINT News Retweeted
manniefabian
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2h
IDF confirms it struck an underground Hamas site in Northern Gaza in response to the IED balloons

By the way, Israel love our new F-35 Stealth Fighter Bomber...

ELINT News Retweeted
Israel Defense Forces
@IDF
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2h
Today, the IDF opened a new F-35i fighter jet squadron. Here's a bit about just how mighty this fighter jet is:

Video below...

https://twitter.com/i/status/1217907440177598465

Quote from: s3779m on January 16, 2020, 07:26:05 AM
I wonder how the russian people will take this?

Russians went from Communism to total corruption to a dictatorship disguised as a socialist government.
The favor-ability ratings are high for Putin but the Russian people don't know what it is like to live a good life so stability works for them.  Average singles and households live at incomes equivalent to 40% BELOW our USA poverty levels. 60% live in apartments of less than 650 sq ft.

Quote from: carolina73 on January 18, 2020, 09:25:14 AM
Russians went from Communism to total corruption to a dictatorship disguised as a socialist government.
The favor-ability ratings are high for Putin but the Russian people don't know what it is like to live a good life so stability works for them.  Average singles and households live at incomes equivalent to 40% BELOW our USA poverty levels. 60% live in apartments of less than 650 sq ft.

All true! The Russian people like Putin, but they hate much of his policies. Problem is, he keeps killing off his opponents so no one wants to challenge him.
No doubt a full blown dictatorship...