https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-implement-international-pact-access-shipping-straits-due-ukraine-war-2022-02-27/
NATO member Turkey changed its rhetoric to call Russia's assault on Ukraine a "war" on Sunday and pledged to implement parts of an international pact that would potentially limit the transit of Russian warships from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea.
Kyiv had appealed to Ankara to block any more Russian ships from entering the Black Sea, from which Moscow launched an incursion on Ukraine's southern coast. At least six Russian warships and a submarine transited Turkey's straits this month.
"It is not a couple of air strikes now, the situation in Ukraine is officially a war... We will implement the Montreux Convention," Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey's foreign minister, said in an interview with broadcaster CNN Turk.
And Russia is leaving their eastern flank bare of military. Would be fun for the rising sun to shine bright while Russia is fucking about. Any land that is in dispute by Japan/Russia? (obviously all in jest. That would definitely trigger ww3)
My read is that Russia cannot compete on the global stage anymore so their ethos is to bring the world down to them. Destabilize the world's governments, force mass refugees into your enemies lands (see Syria and now Ukraine into Europe), flood the world with misinformation, etc. I even think long term they could win in a climate changed world where their land becomes the new breadbasket of the world once it thaws. This feels like a loss for Russia in the short term but if he can empire build (with possible support with China), long term this could position Russia for some new Cold War that elevates Putin/Russia into real relevance.
I absolutely remember this much hand wringing about Crimea. We didn't get what we needed out of the executive branch, last time. I think this current executive branch remembers that and some of that hindsight is driving the policy of today.
Crimea was much more of a surprise attack than this slow and massive buildup.
Yes. And?
Thought exercise time: imagine a group of Mexicans on the Mexico side of the border blocking all traffic /commerce on IH35 in protest of immigration laws. You'd probably call them economic terrorists and want far more done to them than just shutting down their bank accounts.
Just picked this up today from Shaker (love that place). Been looking to get into pechuga and the guy totally geeked out on this one. This one is distilled with turkey, venison, rabbit and iguana so had to give it a try. It's so delicious and a major recommendation.