[Foxbat]

TIME Magazine called AZOV White Supremacist less than two years ago. Now that they are part of the Ukrainian armed forces all Western New Sources praise them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy910FG46C4&t=293s

I guess they forgot to take down this video.

Recent News:

Facebook is reversing its ban on posts praising Ukraine's far-right Azov Battalion, report says

Facebook is backtracking on a ban it placed on users praising the Azov Battalion, a far-right paramilitary force within the Ukrainian National Guard.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/...w/89833854.cms

[SnS_12]

OIL and US$ friendship is developing cracks...

Saudi/China and now Iran/India... India did well to point at European countries importing Oil from Russia when the US pointed a finger at us for doing the same..

[iTNerd]

Originally Posted by navrddy

Interesting observation this conflict brings about.
Role of multinational companies, during conflict will not stay neutral. It is very concerning that these companies are towing the line of a single narrative, it is high time we start the process of de-globalizing the economy and business aspect.
I,am more concerned if by any chance india is involved in any conflict, What will narrative and repercussions of Google, YouTube, Amazon, Hyundai, whats-app, Facebook or even Shell. Will they still operate irrespective of conflicts between nations. It is high time, as one of the important learning from current conflicts never rely on something which is not native to our land. It is high time we trigger the process of developing our own social media companies, mobile os which serve the interests of our country, that cannot be dictated by any external agenda or propaganda.

My friend, war and economic growth and prosperity don't go hand in hand. It is my core belief that any aggressor should be penalized economically by any means available. When out of 192 or so countries in the UN general Assembly, only 5 of them (that too all with dictatorial governments) give their backings to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, what do you expect MNCs especially from western democracies would do? The least they can do is pack up their business so as not to contribute to the war chest fund of the invading force.

[Poitive]

Video Title:
Ukraine's far-right children's camp: 'I want to bring up a warrior'

Description as on YouTube:
In Ukraine, the far-right Azov militia is fighting on the frontline – and running a summer camp for children. The Guardian visited the camp and followed 16-year-old Anton through his experiences. Is Azov really a modern Hitler Youth organisation, or is it trying to prepare young Ukrainians for the tough reality that awaits them?

Further, attaching screenshots instead of describing. (They are selective, not representative)




Video:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jiBXmbkwiSw

~~~~~

Originally Posted by Foxbat

I guess they forgot to take down this video.

Interestingly I too came across and saw the same video a few hours before your post. Incidentally, found many videos on YouTube on the Azov Batallion etc. (Type "Ukraine Militia" and interesting results are thrown up.)

[nandrive]

Originally Posted by iTNerd

My friend, war and economic growth and prosperity don't go hand in hand. It is my core belief that any aggressor should be penalized economically by any means available. When out of 192 or so countries in the UN general Assembly, only 5 of them (that too all with dictatorial governments) give their backings to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, what do you expect MNCs especially from western democracies would do? The least they can do is pack up their business so as not to contribute to the war chest fund of the invading force.

This is just the beginning, the reason given is war and aggressor. It will not stop here. The reason would change, may be the law enacted in the country, political ideology of elected party, color of skin, etc... but actions will remain same.

Google threatened Democratically elected government in Australia not so long ago, Facebook stopped its news for few days , not sure about the back door negotiations, finally they backed off.

These private enterprises are acting as rogue non state actors, not a good sign at all to any one.

[vishnurp99]

Originally Posted by iTNerd

When out of 192 or so countries in the UN general Assembly, only 5 of them (that too all with dictatorial governments) give their backings to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, what do you expect MNCs especially from western democracies would do? The least they can do is pack up their business so as not to contribute to the war chest fund of the invading force.

Well, when 140 countries supported the resolution in UNGA, you also have to acknowledge that more than 50%(35 countries) of humanity actually abstained and didn't condemn Russia. While everybody acknowledges that Russia was the aggressor, there seems to be an appreciation for Russia's position and security concerns across a lot of national capitals. Quite a few large countries like China , South africa have called out NATO as one of the key causes of this war. While India has kept silent , it's act of buying Russian oil proves that they are really 'neutral' on this issue.

I think countries will start thinking of suitable safeguards so that their populations are not penalized at some point because of their political or economical stand. This may involve encouraging local social media companies/payment companies or putting laws which insist that IP & data have to be hosted locally. I hope it happens in a productive manner and doesn't throw the child out with the bath water.

China's leadership & their society would feel vindicated today because of all that has happened.

[SnS_12]

This is what many members are pointing out on this thread, which the world collectively needs to stand up and ask the US to clarify...

https://youtu.be/SNAjFYzRoZg

[shashanka]

Originally Posted by Samurai

For those of us who follow US politics closely, Zelenskiyy is not a new name. When Trump made that perfect phone call back in 2019, it was to Zelenskiyy and we all pitied Zelenskiyy because he was in real fix.

When the President of the most powerful country calls him and makes demands, it is very hard to offer any resistance. Through out that phone call Zelenskiyy was agreeable to everything Trump was suggesting and demanding. He could not have afforded to be heroic in that phone call. We all understood that. Trump held back military support to pressure Zelenskiyy, and Zelenskiyy easily capitulated. No one could really blame him, he had to do what was best for his country. He left heroism to movies then. If you read the full transcript, you'll notice he was ready to accept any demands to keep Trump happy.

With Putin he was up against one more very powerful country right next his border with much higher stakes. Why did he choose defiance vs appeasement with Putin is something historians will argue for years.

And possibly that 'perfect call' also included arm-twisting Zelensky into accepting the six (or 16 or19, whatever) bio-research labs which the US has apparently installed in various parts of Ukraine. And which Russia today is bringing up in the UNSC. The scenario begins to look more and more like the inevitability of the proverbial Greek tragedy.

[nandadevieast]

Look at how US talks to other parties:

Before Xi Biden meeting they issue warnings to China. Media takes a threatening posture.

Net net they make sure that talks don’t go down well with China.

What is reason for this kind of posturing, mis-placed self belief and self-righteousness?

This comes from years of training into kind of cold war diplomacy that is out of place today.

[aim120]

We hear from western media that russia targets school and what not.
Any country would attack them if the enemy is using that.

In a war zone city. No schools will be open nor will parents send their children to school.

There are multiple videos of Ukraine armed forces which include Azov battalion using schools and hospitals. With gun positions, sandbags, using them for sleeping, ammo storing or distribution.

Hospitals cannot refuse to treat Russian soldiers. In fact we have videos of Russian medic trucks going to hospitals in cities to treat their injured.

Russians know if a hospital is without power and generator fuel. It will be empty and if its used by the Azov battalion. Russia can engage them.

But unless the enemy combatants are their in those buildings and firing at the Russians, they will not be attacked.

Sadly the ukraine armed forces only use those kind of buildings schools, hospitals and residential buildings.

[Poitive]

Please see the 23 sedond video before going to the next section.

Video Description:

"It's one thing for sarin gas to be used on people in faraway Syria, who are Muslim and who are of a different culture. What is Europe gonna do when it's on European soil done to Europeans?"

Julia Ioffe for CNN

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4ydyoOZFcwk

Absolutely outrageous, racist, and unacceptable; isn't it?

Now read the transcript for context:

KEILAR: And I think part of the reason -- look, Wesley Clark was on and he said, doing the curfew is an indication that there are already some Russian forces that have gotten in. And maybe not that many, but it's a way of saying, stay off the streets because we don't want you caught up in anything.

So, if that is where this is headed in this week, before this potential NATO meeting, how does that ramp up the pressure on NATO countries to do something? Does it change the equation?

IOFFE: I fear that just right now it doesn't yet. I think NATO is still going to stay on the sidelines of this, precisely because they don't want a direct military confrontation with Russia. It's the thing that everybody's been trying assiduously to avoid.

But what happens, for example, if Vladimir Putin uses chemical weapons in Kyiv or in Mariupol. We've seen him and his allies in Syria do the same. They're clearly preparing something, because they've been making a lot of noise at the U.N. and in the media that -- Kremlin-controlled media that the Ukrainians are -- have all these biological, chemical weapons, and that they're going to use them, which seems like fertile ground for a false flag operation.

So, what is NATO going to do if -- you know, it's one thing for sarin gas to be used on people in faraway Syria who are Muslim and who are of a different culture. What is Europe going to do when it's on European soil done to Europeans? Are they going to intervene? Are they going to keep standing back? And if they do intervene, how far are they willing to go? And are they willing to have a direct confrontation with Vladimir Putin, which is what he seems to want.

Source

Perhaps less unacceptable to many after the context.
(Not saying her statement is justified or otherwise.)

Originally Posted by Poitive

PS: Would like to see a longer version before making more firm opinions, as clips often mislead.

[Samurai]

Zelenskyy suspends 11 opposition parties

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...w/90334898.cms

I didn't know one could do that in a real democracy. Joe Biden must learn from the democratic leader of Ukraine, and suspend just one party in USA, the republican party whose real leader is Trump. In one shot, USA will be in much better shape, at least domestically.

[ashokabs]

The Russians had no justification to attack Ukraine. Their security was never under threat. However, it is in their history to subdue or subjugate people and countries to bring them under their umbrella. All security issues (sic) could have been resolved through discussion and negotiation. No one is forced to join NATO. Yes if they feel threatened by Russia like the Lithuanians, Estonians etc do then they would join NATO. Same goes for Ukraine.

Most people would rather live in a country which has freedom of expression. Russia has completely eliminated all political parties and dissent to Putin. That doesn't augur well for the Russian people in the long run. It is a pity that ultimately the people who will pay for Putin's attack are the Russian people.

At the end of the day whatever the faults democracy & free speech is the way to go. At least if leaders make faults they can be criticized and even brought down.

I am a bit confused that people call NATO cowardly for not doing more for Ukraine. They are doing what they can without triggering a much wider conflict, maybe even nuclear. If people are worried about Ukranians dying then I suggest they should think how many would die if there is a wider conflict!

The Ukranian people are clear that will not live under the Russian boot. They have fully supported their President and they believe this is a fight for their freedom to choose - Russia or the West. Unfortunately, in history, we learn that the only way to get rid of dictators, tyrants etc is to fight them even if it means death.

[Poitive]

The US will go to great lengths to 'save democracy' in far off lands, it seems.

Full article: CIA-trained Ukrainian paramilitaries may take central role if Russia invades

Date: January 14, 2022

[saikarthik]

Well, now there is a level zero!

US wants Turkey to send it's S-400 system to Ukraine, like Turkey is going to even hear it.

US wanted to discuss with China to improve the situation but threatens them before the call. Such a cold war mentality.

What are these guys smoking?

https://youtu.be/-B21D6CAxGk