We're All Doomed!™ (the Conquest, War, Famine, and Death Thread)

[Megaterio Llamas]

This was the Syria regime change playbook btw. They hollowed out the country with sanctions, then the CIA went in and paid off the military.

The S300 air defence system was turned off as helicopters flew around at low levels unmolested.

and that is what hasn't been talked about. Maduro was nearly bankrupt. The petroleum industry was barely functioning and he forced to become a host for terrorists and a narco state to keep paying the military that kept him in power. He was desperate for cash.

I read today that Venezuelan officers are paid just 100 dollars a month, which is supposedly one-fifth of what is required to get by there.

Which achoes the Syrian situation.

Anyone wondering why this happened needs to read the recently published US national security strategy, a concise document that signals the end of the Collective West and the post-Soviet order, and a return to great power politics and spheres of influence. These changes might happen fast.

[Megaterio Llamas]

China has officially volunteered to step in as peacekeepers

Calling Trump's bluff about this being for the Venezuelen people, lol.

Also, China has invested tens of billions in Venezuela. You know they're not going to let that slide. Trump will have to give them their slice.

They've invested hugely, and they're about to lose their investment. They lack the strategic infrastructure to project power in America's backyard. They've been buying a huge portion of Venezuelan oil, and now they're out in the cold. This strengthens Russia's position substantially. Also, Cuba loses the free oil Venezuela has been gifting to their socialist comrades. Viceroy Rubio is eyeing Cuba.

[Megaterio Llamas]

Here it is:

National Security Strategy of the United States of America November 2025

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u ... rategy.pdf

[Tciso]

The way Trump went about this - just opens up the doors for other countries to do the same.

Goodbye Taiwan
End of any hope for Ukraine.

This only means bad things for Canada, Greenland and others.

Anyone who is happy about this, is missing the bigger picture.

The big picture wasn't changed. Russia and China have been violating international law on a daily basis for years and years. Everybody with an air force has bombed somebody in Africa in the last decade. I see some recently bias, and some moral superiority bias, but this is nothing different. It's just more recent.

[JelloPuddingPop]

The way Trump went about this - just opens up the doors for other countries to do the same.

Goodbye Taiwan
End of any hope for Ukraine.

This only means bad things for Canada, Greenland and others.

Anyone who is happy about this, is missing the bigger picture.

The big picture wasn't changed. Russia and China have been violating international law on a daily basis for years and years. Everybody with an air force has bombed somebody in Africa in the last decade. I see some recently bias, and some moral superiority bias, but this is nothing different. It's just more recent.

And that makes it OK?

In North America, we are supposed to be better than Russia and China.

Now they see NA doing it. It will embolden them considerably.

I was alive during a time where we'd support blue helmets and called people like Romeo Delaire hero.

For doing the right thing.

Not this.
That's my point.

[Megaterio Llamas]

The way Trump went about this - just opens up the doors for other countries to do the same.

Goodbye Taiwan
End of any hope for Ukraine.

This only means bad things for Canada, Greenland and others.

Anyone who is happy about this, is missing the bigger picture.

The big picture wasn't changed. Russia and China have been violating international law on a daily basis for years and years. Everybody with an air force has bombed somebody in Africa in the last decade. I see some recently bias, and some moral superiority bias, but this is nothing different. It's just more recent.

And that makes it OK?

In North America, we are supposed to be better than Russia and China.

Now they see NA doing it. It will embolden them considerably.

I was alive during a time where we'd support blue helmets and called people like Romeo Delaire hero.

For doing the right thing.

Not this.
That's my point.

Blue Helmets were affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. They were allied with Al-Nusra.

And today Trump is hugging it out with Al-Nusra's leader Al-Jolani in the Oval Office

*White Helmets ffs

[JelloPuddingPop]

What do UN peacekeepers have to do with the Muslim brotherhood?

[Megaterio Llamas]

What do UN peacekeepers have to do with the Muslim brotherhood?

Okay, I thought you were referring to the Syrian "White Helmets".

My bad JPP.

[Megaterio Llamas]

The way Trump went about this - just opens up the doors for other countries to do the same.

Goodbye Taiwan
End of any hope for Ukraine.

This only means bad things for Canada, Greenland and others.

Anyone who is happy about this, is missing the bigger picture.

The big picture wasn't changed. Russia and China have been violating international law on a daily basis for years and years. Everybody with an air force has bombed somebody in Africa in the last decade. I see some recently bias, and some moral superiority bias, but this is nothing different. It's just more recent.

And that makes it OK?

In North America, we are supposed to be better than Russia and China.

Now they see NA doing it. It will embolden them considerably.

I was alive during a time where we'd support blue helmets and called people like Romeo Delaire hero.

For doing the right thing.

Not this.
That's my point.

We're not players, so no need to feel embarrassed JPP.

[Meds]

Donny, I believe those celebrations are largely outside of Venezuela. Inside the country people are more worried about what is going to happen next. They're staying inside and stocking up on groceries like it's covid.

Trump is obviously only after the oil and doesn't care at all about restoring democracy, given that he said Machado doesn't have the support of the people.

You have sources in Venezuela? Or are you just regurgitating the leftist media that you gobble up.

[Meds]

I'm serious Topper. I'd rather do nothing, watch people suffer than risk making their lives better.

Ukraine

Yeah. The UN and EU are all over that one.

[Tciso]

But JPP, that was all bullshit and optics. Hell, we have been so successful in Cypres, the UN mission is still going strong 60 years later with no end in sight. Africa. The Golan heights. We have had troops on UN missions for ever, yet, have we really made a difference? And, our foreign aid has never made any long term differences. It just feeds the people that the 3rd world dictators can't or won't feed, and the root problems are maintained.

Maduro was an illegitimate dictator that ruined his country, and killed his own people. Given the option of the status quo vs the devil you don't know, I'd pick Trump's option.

I have always supported getting rid of Maduro, as he a brutal dictator. I guess the question is have for people is if you believe it was morally right to leave Maduro in power, or was it morally right to replace him. I believe it was morally right to replace him. But, as there is no legal way to do it, if you agree he should have been removed, but not Trump's way, the question is how?

[Megaterio Llamas]

It's the Donroe Doctrine Cisco.

Morality don't come into it. China sent packin'.

[5thhorseman]

Donny, I believe those celebrations are largely outside of Venezuela. Inside the country people are more worried about what is going to happen next. They're staying inside and stocking up on groceries like it's covid.

Trump is obviously only after the oil and doesn't care at all about restoring democracy, given that he said Machado doesn't have the support of the people.

You have sources in Venezuela? Or are you just regurgitating the leftist media that you gobble up.

Mëds, why don't you actually contribute something instead of ranting leftist this and leftist that? Are there celebrations in Venezuela? Do you have any sources?

[JelloPuddingPop]

But JPP, that was all bullshit and optics. Hell, we have been so successful in Cypres, the UN mission is still going strong 60 years later with no end in sight. Africa. The Golan heights. We have had troops on UN missions for ever, yet, have we really made a difference? And, our foreign aid has never made any long term differences. It just feeds the people that the 3rd world dictators can't or won't feed, and the root problems are maintained.

Maduro was an illegitimate dictator that ruined his country, and killed his own people. Given the option of the status quo vs the devil you don't know, I'd pick Trump's option.

I have always supported getting rid of Maduro, as he a brutal dictator. I guess the question is have for people is if you believe it was morally right to leave Maduro in power, or was it morally right to replace him. I believe it was morally right to replace him. But, as there is no legal way to do it, if you agree he should have been removed, but not Trump's way, the question is how?

I'll disagree fully about the UN not making a difference. Even if a small difference, lives were saved. Any life saved is a win.

I'm not arguing that Maduro needed to go.

I'm saying the way Trump went about it was wrong. Timing is all wrong. He has no plan for what comes next. Reactionary.

If this is such a big win. Why not do the same for Putin? Lukashenko, Jingping, Khamenei?

Its about resources. Greed. And idiocy.