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White House warns Russia over troops in Venezuela; threatens sanctions

54 Comments
By Roberta Rampton and Lesley Wroughton

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54 Comments
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The American war on Iraq and Afghanistan cost $6 trillion. America is still spending billions with no target of stopping.

Tell me something new!

That's our money. Maybe it's our weakness but (a) we had to bring Bin Laden to justice, (b) unlike other nations, we couldn't just stand around while the Taliban slaughtered its own people.

As for being the world's policeman, this President, whom far leftists like you despise, is doing exactly what you may be advocating to do: Taking steps to end it in Syria, in Iraq, in Afghanistan! End it!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

American has an option to want to defend or not, Europe against Russia but the European countries don't have that. They must defend with or without the help of America.

With what? German soldiers training with broomsticks? Should we wait for another D-Day to rescue NATO from the Russians?

You're a Brit posting in the Brexit thread. We have our hands off Ms May and your country and wish you luck.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

We are charged for hosting the American military bases just as are other countries like Japan.

Trump would like to close down those foreign US bases or at least get the host countries to pay even more for them.

I think Trump simply reminded NATO countries to pony up their commitment to the threshold of 2% of GDP.

“We agreed to do more, to step up – and now we see the results. By the end of next year, NATO allies will add $100 billion extra toward defense,” Stoltenberg.

As for the payment for bases, i.e. Japan, SoKor, sure. But none of the "base hosts" are paying for any sea or air assets, for example, committed to the defense of allies. How much would a single sub cost, or a single B-2 bomber, do you think?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Not sure where you're from, but we did liberate Europe and held the ground against Stalin, leaving assets in place to contain the Bear. First, thank America for that.

I love the narrative that Europe was liberated by the US, forgetting the allies and Russia.

And the US only moved away from its isolationist stance after Pearl Harbour.

Late to both world wars, the US assuages its guilt by overplaying it's importance and denigrating others involvement in the conflict.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Coming from a country with more than 800 overseas military bases, more than any other country in the world. Many American troops on all of Russia's borders.

Indeed, why is that?

Not sure where you're from, but we did liberate Europe and held the ground against Stalin, leaving assets in place to contain the Bear. First, thank America for that. 

Second, the world can rest assured America will contain but never overtly attack Russia. Not sure about the other side, overtly or covertly.

When we see the Ruskies deploy military assets in our hemisphere, a responsible Administration will take action and issue strong caution warnings, taking whatever initiative to ensure no misunderstanding.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

so please explain just what your American policy is about rattling the Russians with your B52 bombers.

For this reason alone. A stern warning.

"We strongly caution actors external to the Western Hemisphere against deploying military assets to Venezuela, or elsewhere in the Hemisphere, with the intent of establishing or expanding military operations," Bolton said.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

oh! but we do because you tell us every single day.

No, you really don’t.

oh! but he does because you introduced the topic when you state things like,

They don’t, they haven't, if their idea is to what they did with Iran then we’re all screwed.

You view of the world is clouded by your countries two party state.

Actually, that’s exactly what liberals and why they can never move forward on any policies.

Always liberal or conservative. Leftwing or rightwing, and so on and so on.*

Sadly, but pretty much.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

But flying B52's on the Russian border is much more dangerous than a few hundred Russian military advisers in Venezuela.

Good.

You lack real world perspective about the real issues.

Sorry, but you don’t know what I know.

You mean like the republic president Bush and his weapons of mass destruction which turned out to be a lie.

Bush has nothing to do with this

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

On the Venezuela matter, you can count on the usual suspects to be on the wrong side of history, one in lock step with Putin and his ilk. No surprise here.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This week, America flew nuclear B52's bombers along the Polish Russian border

Great!

"Exactly" - good I'm glad we agree reality and liberal go together - Liberals never have any solutions to these vexing geopolitical problems

You’re welcome

and that Trump and fantasy equally go together...

But his come to reality, the Democrats can’t even get theirs through Congress or others like the new Green Deal are just totally fantasy embarrassments.

I know, living in a binary, far right, Russian-influenced world can do that to you...

That joke played out a week ago.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Yes, reality and liberal do go together these days...

Exactly! Liberals never have any solutions to these vexing geopolitical problems.

"Exactly" - good I'm glad we agree reality and liberal go together - and that Trump and fantasy equally go together...

Wrong. I despise Trump, but not all Conservatives.

Gee, Lincoln, I would have never guessed both those things.

I know, living in a binary, far right, Russian-influenced world can do that to you...

And there are quite a few Democrats I don't care for. I'm an Independent. 

What I don't do is use Lib or Conservative in every post - know anyone that does that?

But you do love attacking conservatives and Republicans....even if you’re independent

And?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Yes, reality and liberal do go together these days...

Exactly! Liberals never have any solutions to these vexing geopolitical problems.

Wrong. I despise Trump, but not all Conservatives.

Gee, Lincoln, I would have never guessed both those things.

And there are quite a few Democrats I don't care for. I'm an Independent. 

What I don't do is use Lib or Conservative in every post - know anyone that does that?

But you do love attacking conservatives and Republicans....even if you’re independent

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The reality version...

...of the liberal mind

Yes, reality and liberal do go together these days...

Always Libs and Cons....so sad this poster lives in such a small, binary, restricted world...

Coming from the person that despised Trump and conservatives, small, binary...

Wrong. I despise Trump, but not all Conservatives. And there are quite a few Democrats I don't care for. I'm an Independent.

What I don't do is use Lib or Conservative in every post - know anyone that does that?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The reality version...

...of the liberal mind

Always Libs and Cons....so sad this poster lives in such a small, binary, restricted world...

Coming from the person that despised Trump and conservatives, small, binary...

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The liberal version...

The reality version...

Always Libs and Cons....so sad this poster lives in such a small, binary, restricted world...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Good idea, subtracting Trump and adding AOC would increase the US team's IQ by 100 points...

Like her Green New Deal? ROFL

Yup, smart as a $3 bill.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

You're welcome. It's called truth in humor..

The liberal version

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Good idea, subtracting Trump and adding AOC would increase the US team's IQ by 100 points....

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, omg, lincoln, your funniest post yet! Thanks!

You're welcome. It's called truth in humor....

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Don't worry. Trump is not actually going to go in there. He just has to give the occasional comment to keep the peace.

Duh - you think we believed he'd actually go there? That's work - this President doesn't do work - he does golf (and porn stars and Playboy Bunnies....).

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Don't worry. Trump is not actually going to go in there. He just has to give the occasional comment to keep the peace.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Sad to say... this discussion has gone way off base and lack serious consideration of the issues and events relating to Venezuela and the rest of the world.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

We should send AOC down there to negotiate a peace deal.

Good idea, subtracting Trump and adding AOC would increase the US team's IQ by 100 points....

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, omg, lincoln, your funniest post yet! Thanks!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

We should send AOC down there to negotiate a peace deal.

Good idea, subtracting Trump and adding AOC would increase the US team's IQ by 100 points....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

We should send AOC down there to negotiate a peace deal.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

And.., if any of you have been reading my comments, you would know that I constantly reminded you that we are all physical beings and animals living on physical Earth. All conflicts are based upon that fact. The Venezuelan crisis is just that... survival of those people depend on water and food and medicine for the ill. But we must all lay, sit and stand on Earth... the ground... a place, a territory where it is safe, secure and capable of supporting life.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Mark my thoughts and words... the "threat" to the US is greater and much more imminent than what you all imagine.

The "internal" political strife within the US, as with the border issues are "related" to what is happening in Venezuela and the unwarranted influence and participation by Russia and China.

All economic strategy is related to military strategy and all military strategy is related to political strategy. That is because economics is directly related to resources and resources are directly related to possession and control of territory.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well, Russia sanctions will likely go the way of the nK sanctions....his neo-con staff will make a list if policy recommendations, and Donnie, with a Svengali wave, will say "I'm not going to do those"....

Left unsaid will be the reason - because he can't offend his Master...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Consider this, there are fewer 'Russian troops' in Venezuela than there are innocent civilians murdered by Israeli regime troops, yet somehow we are supposed to believe that the presence of those troop is a threat to peace, while the murders by the other troops are, we are told, securing peace.

One set of troops are helping a democratically elected government get through a crisis caused by the theft of their resources by foreigners, the other are helping a regime that has to deny voting rights to half its legal population to have any chance of 'winning' keep people from going to their homes and voting, yet it is not those raining terror and misery on a captive population that the US chooses to 'sanction'.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Hahahaha!! A trump sanction against Russia! If Russia says jump and defend Russian troops in Venezuela, the Trumpers and Sarges of the world would say, "How high?", then post YouTube videos of scared white people in mom's basement (ie. themselves) crying.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

My prediction is that Trump will be ineffective

One thing is for sure, Super. You hope he will be ineffective.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

More sanctions. The US already has sanction on half the globe. Russia and the rest of the globe should tell Washington to go to hell and let it know its days of bullying, domination and dictatorship are coming to an end. The US is part of the globe, not its master. When will Europe also get a backbone and regain its sovereignty from the US?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Interestingly all this is happening all over the world, "dividing" US military and other assets. In essence it reduces US capability to defend itself. That also means US cannot defend Europe or Asia effectively.

Looking more like a worldwide "conspiracy" when one considers N Korea and Iran's roles and how mass migration has effectively disabled the EU and starting to do so at the US Southern border. It "thins" US capability against any "joint" and coordinated effort by countries like China, Russia, the Islamist countries and the S American countries. In effect this will be the first time that the US has to consider "proximity" defense since the Cuban crisis should China or Russia decide to arm Venezuela.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

It is sounding like the "Cuban Crisis" during Kennedy, except that this will be a 100 times worse scenario.

USA has near hundred of other nations and organizations wanting to "penetrate" the US and even do harm. All they want is an "excuse" to take physical action. And it is happening right at a physically accessible border unlike in Cuban situation where a naval blockade could at least "deter" some access. Here US is open to both land, river and sea access.

It is also a distraction from the critical border situation at Mexico. The line of so called migrants run all the way to S America. And any nation can send their people to "join" and rush to the US while they keep the US forces engaged in Venezuela.

In essence it is a "coordinated" effort.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

The Russians are entrenching a large military presence on the doorstep of the United States and your President is not going to do a thing about it. Within the next 5 years Russia will control the northern half of South America and most of Central America.  

Welcome to the new reality, America. You empire is crumbling.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Let Russia have it. They can add to their collection of failed states, such as Syria. And Russia doesn't present a danger to neighboring states as the only who accept Russian assistance do so only after all other options.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Someone asked how to get democracy back to Venezuelan.

The banning from public office for 15 years of a 'politician' who has refused to accept the legitimacy of every internationally monitored and judged to be free and fair election for the past 15ish years is a start.

'Sanctions' against the folks cheering the US theft of funds from Venezuela could be a good next step (with the 'sanctioned' assets to be restored when the stolen funds are eventually paid by the US to meet its ICJ duties)

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@joe. But Russia has won every single war (Cold War is a grey area) and America has lost every since WW2. It proves that size doesn’t matter.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

How does any of this get democracy back to Venezuelans?

It doesn't.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

My prediction is that Trump will be ineffective. He's mostly useless on the world stage with negotiations at this level.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

"We will consider such provocative actions as a direct threat to international peace and security in the region. We will continue to defend and protect the interests of the United States, and those of our partners in the Western Hemisphere,"

Euphemism for protect the US interests of oil corporations, their financial backers and other .01%ers around the globe benefiting from the Trump regime.

Russia has said it sent "specialists" to Venezuela 

Of course as 'invited guests'. Venezuela's a long way from Russia's Eurasian Economic Union. Something perhaps about Putin wanting even greater control of global oil and gas resources?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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