| Something we all knew was happening 22:19 - Apr 11 with 1262 views | Coastalblue |
but I can imagine Putin is going to use the information that special forces are operating in Ukraine to justify his actions more.
There is a worry that this is slowly creeping into a Russia/Nato conflict rather than the proxy war currently being fought.
I wonder if NATO allies are kept in the loop as to what forces we have operating in Ukraine or it's something that is kept internal?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65245065 |  |
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| Something we all knew was happening on 22:29 - Apr 11 with 1186 views | pointofblue |
If Ukraine have invited the special forces to help defend the country then so be it. Putin will use it as another excuse but if it wasn't this it'd be something else. |  |
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| Something we all knew was happening on 22:41 - Apr 11 with 1154 views | Lord_Lucan |
| Something we all knew was happening on 22:29 - Apr 11 by pointofblue |
If Ukraine have invited the special forces to help defend the country then so be it. Putin will use it as another excuse but if it wasn't this it'd be something else. |
Western Special Forces are probably in most countries anyway and would have certainly been in Ukraine long before Mad Vlad invaded.
I sometimes wonder as I sit in my armchair at what point I will be hit by a blinding white light.
Although the real problem will come when China hits Taiwan as we have rather set a precedent with Ukraine, amongst others - although I guess our governments will already have a pre scripted explanation why that invasion will be different. |  |
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| Something we all knew was happening on 23:03 - Apr 11 with 1106 views | WicklowBlue |
| Something we all knew was happening on 22:41 - Apr 11 by Lord_Lucan |
Western Special Forces are probably in most countries anyway and would have certainly been in Ukraine long before Mad Vlad invaded.
I sometimes wonder as I sit in my armchair at what point I will be hit by a blinding white light.
Although the real problem will come when China hits Taiwan as we have rather set a precedent with Ukraine, amongst others - although I guess our governments will already have a pre scripted explanation why that invasion will be different. |
I'd hope all of such will be dealt with via diplomatic channels as really Russia doesn't have the proverbial leg to stand on in terms of infiltration.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/russia-still-plans-to-extend-
Aside from this, Russia seem very interested in the deep sea cables running from Ireland to the US which constitute a high % (30% I've seen quoted??) of Internet connectivity from the EU to US. Which in turn is sparking a discussion around our neutral status.
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/russian-ships-being-monitored-by-defence-f |  | | |
| Something we all knew was happening on 00:13 - Apr 12 with 982 views | Guthrum |
Some or all of those people could be for the protection of embassies and diplomatic staff in a war zone. I very much doubt they are on the front line. |  |
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| Something we all knew was happening on 08:41 - Apr 12 with 735 views | Guthrum |
| Something we all knew was happening on 22:41 - Apr 11 by Lord_Lucan |
Western Special Forces are probably in most countries anyway and would have certainly been in Ukraine long before Mad Vlad invaded.
I sometimes wonder as I sit in my armchair at what point I will be hit by a blinding white light.
Although the real problem will come when China hits Taiwan as we have rather set a precedent with Ukraine, amongst others - although I guess our governments will already have a pre scripted explanation why that invasion will be different. |
I really don't think Taiwan would be 'different', certainly in the near future. Even down to the fact it would be a bloody mess with Beijing failing to sieze more than outlying areas (in this case islands close to the mainland).
Seaborne landings are notoriously difficult and, while I'm sure the Chinese military is better trained and prepared than Russia's was, Taiwan's armed forces are stronger than Ukraine's and have been getting ready for such an eventuality for decades. The US industrial capacity may not be what it once was, but is perfectly capable of supplying weaponry to both Ukraine and Taiwan if required.
Xi is far better off reaping the benefits of the situation Putin has got himself into, turning Russia into a Chinese economic and diplomatic vassal state, taking over spheres of influence in Africa and Central Asia. All that would change if Taipei ever formalised its separation from China, of course.
Things might change towards the end of the decade, by which time some commentators think China might be in a position to win a war with the USA (in the Western Pacific/China Sea). That is when the balance of calculated risk tips in their favour. But a lot can happen in that time. | |
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| Something we all knew was happening on 09:04 - Apr 12 with 674 views | DJR |
| Something we all knew was happening on 22:41 - Apr 11 by Lord_Lucan |
Western Special Forces are probably in most countries anyway and would have certainly been in Ukraine long before Mad Vlad invaded.
I sometimes wonder as I sit in my armchair at what point I will be hit by a blinding white light.
Although the real problem will come when China hits Taiwan as we have rather set a precedent with Ukraine, amongst others - although I guess our governments will already have a pre scripted explanation why that invasion will be different. |
I am no expert but it seems to be that recent problems with regard to China (eg. Tik Tok) and Taiwan are in part the result of the power struggle going on between China and the US with regard to hegemony, both political and economic. Indeed, the Chinese shows of military strength against Taiwan have followed visits by or to US political figures.
It must not be forgotten that only 13 countries recognise Taiwan as a sovereign country (none of them members of NATO), a fall of nine countries since 2016 (none of them members of NATO either).
China's main aim appears to be to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, and with this direction of travel, I can't really see them actually invading Taiwan, particularly given they have not done so in over 70 years.
But as they say, "famous last words". [Post edited 12 Apr 2023 9:42]
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| Something we all knew was happening on 12:10 - Apr 12 with 563 views | Darth_Koont |
Yes, this blurring of the lines in proxy wars just underlines that this is a real war we’re in.
As we’ve seen from Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria there’s never really a specific line where it goes from a proxy war into a real war.
And of course it’s always a real war for civilians on the ground whoever is pulling the trigger. In fact these pretend/proxy wars are no less savage and have tended to drag on because at least one or more of the combatants is comfortably insulated against the daily reality of death and destruction. |  |
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