Ukraine: military (Aug '14 to mid-June '15) closed

[OUTLAW 09]

Outlaw09,

The indecision we have seen in Western Europe / NATO / EU over first the Crimea and now the Ukraine reminds me of the reluctance to face facts when the civil war started in Bosnia-Herzegovina. There was a lot of "look away", notably by Germany; then the sad antics of UNPROFOR which fed those about to die and did not provide protection.

I know the USA has claimed to have been decisive in advocating coercion of the Serbs to stop the civil war and related genocide. Others argue that the siege of Sarejevo was broken by the trilateral action taken on Mt. Igman by the British, Dutch & French - placing artillery overlooking Serbian positions and issuing an ultimatum to stop firing.

Europe, especially the UK, took an unbelievable stance during the civil war. Perhaps today it will be the Poles who are brave enough to say enough?

That there is a WAR in Europe, even far to the east, is so contrary to the idea and imagery of a peaceful Europe - seen very visibly in the EU - it cannot accept what Russia is doing.

David--you are totally correct.

What worries me as an American watching this at a distance from DC but actually close to the Ukraine and having a close Ukrainian SF friend now in the heavy fighting---is to listen to the Obama press conference from yesterday.

How can it be that the US civilian leadership of a superpower has "no stated strategy for the Iraq and or Syria and or both of them"?

How can it be that during a 20 minute press conference where there is a war going on in Central Europe---the first war in Europe as a whole since 1945 -Obama has about five minutes of time to say anything about it.

How an it be that the Obama has truly no strategy for the Ukraine that anyone can make out?

How can it be that the US/Obama and DoD does not fully understand the new Russian military doctrine nor understands exactly what UW is in support of political warfare.

How can it be that Obama and DoD do not fully understand what the ethno nationalist imperialism being practiced by Putin is?

How can it be that US media asks tons of questions about IS which the JCoS stated is not a direct threat at the moment to the US but is for it's neighbors BUT virtually nothing about events in the Ukraine?

How can it be that the Obama advisory teams did not anticipate exactly what Putin is doing now in the Ukraine.

Putin openly stated his intent during the Duma speech ESPECIALLY check the statements he has made today at the School.

Sometimes residing overseas sets a different perspective--maybe the White House should move to say Berlin for a couple of years to expand their world views.

Reference the Europeans--this came over the blogs today and it does make one really wonder if both Europe and the US are in an alternate state of reality when it comes to Russia?

Instead of the sectoral sanctions on energy, EU considering restrictions on vodka, caviar, diamonds. Seriously?

Europe and the US does have massive pressure points;
1. cut all 90 day lines of credit to any Russian company, bank or Gazprom
2. sanctions Putin's wealth as a war criminal
3. cut all banking ties to Russian individuals, companies and Gazprom from Europe and the US

Have actually been waiting for the Ukrainians to shut off the gas flows to deny Russian cash flow and to finally pressure the EU into waking up and smelling the coffee.