Reddit Posts
Mentions
Understanding the dollar: Here in the US, the government can objectively no longer function without a deficit. The federal government has run a deficit every year since 2001. The last surplus was in FY 2001. Beyond the debt figure typically used, The Federal Reserve estimates of the latest federal financial report published by the US Department of the Treasury in February finds that federal liabilities, when including obligations from entitlement programs, currently exceed $100 trillion. Unfunded future Medicare obligations account for almost 47 percent of that total. USPS reported a $9.5 billion net loss in fiscal year 2024, following a $6.5 billion loss in FY 2023. Social Security isn’t projected to be able to pay out full benefits in another several years. You’re paying into a Ponzi scheme so don’t count on it for retirement. 2032 to be exact is when benefits are expected to be cut. Interest on the federal debt is projected to surpass 1 trillion dollars by 2026 which is more than half we even bring in via federal income tax revenue and is perpetually rising… The “money” allocated to programs such as federal SNAP program (food stamps) and LIHEAP (Federal utility assistance) has been essentially fabricated out of thin air since 2022 as the federal governments revenue isn’t enough to sustain due to the perpetual deficit (Hence why they’re being cut now). In 2024, the US made up roughly 65% of all NATO members’ defense spending. This doesn’t account for other “allies” subsidized defense spending and the raw foreign aid. Also, this isn’t factoring in the collective current realized and unrealized debt of the state governments and corporations that will inevitably need more bailouts in the future. This is what happens when: A - Congress (a brach of government collective voting on their own term limits, audits, salaries, lobbying regulations, stock trading regulations, etc…) vote in favor of “amending” the constitution to essentially surrender their authority to coin currency to a collection of their “too big to fail” banking donors (The Fed). B - Abandons the gold standard to allow artificial and infinite “money” to be printed and funneled to the top while virtue signaling for votes, funding wars and suppressing the lower classes with taxation and inflation. C - Legalizes the 0% fractional reserve ponzi scheme that allows banks to privatize their gambled earnings while socializing their losses with a “tax dollar funded” safety net. www.wtfhappenedin1971.com —— Understanding Bitcoin: That said, the point is that BTC is essentially an insurance policy against the inevitable failure of your government’s fiat currency, a hedge against inflation and even a bypass for totalitarian monetary controls. For example, I personally knew a guy that would regularly send BTC to his family in Venezuela. No US or Venezuela central authority permitting the transfer necessary. I remember him telling me about how his family would transact with local sellers via BTC to prevent their government from knowing. I’ve even sent BTC to family in the Philippines. I remember reading a similar story about some guy regularly sending BTC to his family in Cuba. Keep in mind, 1 “whole” Bitcoin is completely arbitrary. For example, only 380,000,000 people can possibly hold .05 BTC assuming it’s divided equally and supply is 100% mined. .05 alone will be incredibly significant one day if you’re playing for generational wealth. —— Your question: You should leave it with Cashapp for now until you build a holding that you can no longer afford to lose. When that happens, you need to invest in a Ledger (hardware wallet).
Here in the US, the government can objectively no longer function without a deficit. The federal government has run a deficit every year since 2001. The last surplus was in FY 2001. Beyond the debt figure typically used, The Federal Reserve estimates of the latest federal financial report published by the US Department of the Treasury in February finds that federal liabilities, when including obligations from entitlement programs, currently exceed $100 trillion. Unfunded future Medicare obligations account for almost 47 percent of that total. USPS reported a $9.5 billion net loss in fiscal year 2024, following a $6.5 billion loss in FY 2023. Social Security isn’t projected to be able to pay out full benefits in another several years. You’re paying into a Ponzi scheme so don’t count on it for retirement. 2032 to be exact is when benefits are expected to be cut. Interest on the federal debt is projected to surpass 1 trillion dollars by 2026 which is more than half we even bring in via federal income tax revenue and is perpetually rising… The “money” allocated to programs such as federal SNAP program (food stamps) and LIHEAP (Federal utility assistance) has been essentially fabricated out of thin air since 2022 as the federal governments revenue isn’t enough to sustain due to the perpetual deficit (Hence why they’re being cut now). In 2024, the US made up roughly 65% of all NATO members’ defense spending. This doesn’t account for other “allies” subsidized defense spending and the raw foreign aid. I can easily go on with several more examples off the top of my head… Also, this isn’t factoring in the collective current realized and unrealized debt of the state governments that will inevitably need more bailouts in the future. —— This is what happens when: A - Congress (a brach of government collective voting on their own term limits, audits, salaries, lobbying regulations, stock trading regulations, etc…) vote in favor of “amending” the constitution to essentially surrender their authority to coin currency to a collection of their “too big to fail” banking donors (The Fed). B - Abandons the gold standard to allow artificial and infinite “money” to be printed and funneled to the top while virtue signaling for votes, funding wars and suppressing the lower classes with taxation and inflation. C - Legalizes the 0% fractional reserve ponzi scheme that allows banks to privatize their gambled earnings while socializing their losses with a “tax dollar funded” safety net. www.wtfhappenedin1971.com —— So here’s the thought experiment: If we can afford to subsidize the world, function consistently of a deficit to the point that taxes aren’t even paying for our spending (everything is paid for with unsustainable and perpetual debt) then why even pay taxes at all and why cut anything? If something is a “service”, we have infinite money to afford it and there’s no such thing as a budget deficit to be concerned about? Where’s the line drawn? Why can’t we just collect $1 from everyone as a flat tax and provide universal healthcare? As of now, our realized national debt is about 36% of the global GDP and will keep rising indefinitely. —— That said, the point is that BTC is essentially an insurance policy against the inevitable failure of your government’s fiat currency and even to bypass totalitarian monetary controls. For example, I personally knew a guy that would regularly send BTC to his family in Venezuela. No US or Venezuela central authority permitting the transfer necessary. I remember him telling me about how his family would transact with local sellers via BTC to prevent their government from knowing. I’ve even sent BTC to family in the Philippines.
> America fought for independence and won against the European over lords. Look at the state of the US currently, does that feel like winning to you? The US has no own identity or culture, its all based on European culture and values. >Currently nato and Europe are the cucks literally calling Trump daddy. Currently NATO and Europe realize that the US is not a realiable partner anymore and they are arming up. Not per se against Russia, but they are also disconnecting from the US with a lot of new investments.
You know I hope you’re right but I’m a betting man and I’ll bet that the billionaires win again. And majority of companies in the world depend on the American market. Without the American market many banks and corporations will go bankrupt. Pensions will lose large amounts of wealth because they’re invested in American market and bonds. Plus where do you turn ? Russia ? China ? (They’re the same people lol) If you’re Canadian, nothing you can do, you’re small time fish, If you’re European, you already lost 1/3 of your super power when the uk left the EU. UK is deeply connected to the American market. I don’t think there’s anything that splits the 2. Spain is already talking about leaving NATO. You have all these countries in Europe with their own crisis. The alliance will fracture. Plus if you really push america away maybe they do team up with someone else. If America falls, Europe will fall with it.
Yeah, but given Trumps hostility towards countries on Tariff’s and NATO fees do you really think these countries are going to want to hold their funds in USD backed Stablecoins that Trump can just freeze/take to pay what he perceives as debts? I don’t think that will hold up for very long tbh so I don’t see much of a future for USD backed Stablecoins overseas in the not so distant future.
Ukraine will probably surrender in August or September deeply embarrassing NATO. Soon after the EU will start to break up causing the EUR to tank. The us has it's own problems with the dollar losing reserve status and will be forced to rely on severe tarrifs to control the trade deficit. All the instability will break a lot of banks and financial assets become unsafe - pushing everyone into crypto and Bitcoin specifically as a safe haven.
tldr; A cryptocurrency betting market, Polymarket, is embroiled in debate over whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wore a suit during recent appearances, including at a NATO summit. Zelensky's military-style attire, often chosen to symbolize his role as a wartime leader, has sparked confusion among bettors wagering on his wardrobe. Despite some appearances in formal-looking outfits, the market remains divided on whether these qualify as suits, reflecting the political and symbolic weight of his clothing choices. *This summary is auto generated by a bot and not meant to replace reading the original article. As always, DYOR.
pretty wild real life story for anyone who hasn't been following it. $100m worth of bets on it and multiple creditable sources reported on his NATO meeting appearance saying he was wearing a suit so seems pretty ludicrous that it's been voted as 'no' for the outcome. It's currently in an appeals process so let's see what happens. Definitely feels like a gamestop 2.0 situation
Zelensky, attending the [NATO](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/nato) summit in The Hague earlier this week, looked to choose a military-style yet formal blazer with a buttoned-up black shirt, including for his arrival to a formal dinner hosted by Dutch royalty on Tuesday. He also appeared alongside world leaders in the Netherlands in a black utility-style collared jacket, a noticeable departure from his wardrobe choices prior to his now-infamous and disastrous White House meeting in February. Zelensky chose a similar jacket for a meeting with British Prime Minister [Sir Keir Starmer](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/sir-keir-starmer) in London just ahead of the NATO summit. \--- From what I understand he wore a blazer but not an actual suit.
Meme government. I'd like to say I don't care, but unfortunately the US is a huge part of NATO, so we have to put up and sanewash this shit for 3.5 years more.
Poetin who is going to test the NATO treaty
I know this is Reddit, but your TDS is showing bud, it's preventing you from seeing things objectively. Trump already announced yesterday at NATO that the framework for a trade deal with China is already in place.
well it seems that "daddy" worked for NATO [https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/25/nato-chief-calls-trump-daddy-00423485](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/25/nato-chief-calls-trump-daddy-00423485)
Yeah it's hard to predict what effects a US involvement would have, it is the centre of markets indeed. So let me correct, markets would take a HUGE hit lol. And with crypto being the first asset class to get sold off? Alts would get nuked probably. So let's hope there won't be a "direct" US involvement, just like with russia-ukraine and the whole of NATO
Stop watching the news. Seriously. This has been going on forever and it's always the same saber rattling and posturing -- empty threats without substance. The reality is both sides are two scared of all-out nuclear conflict, so they'd never take it that far. Didn't happen during the cold war, so it's unlikely it happens now. Assuming Iran really doesn't have nukes, could Israel get the US into a war with Iran? Maybe, but I don't think Russia or China would get involved. Case in point, Russia did nothing after the collapse of the Assad regime and Syria, so it's likely they'd do nothing here, as well. Iran would be defenseless against a joint strike by NATO and Israel. The S&P 500 (and Bitcoin) would probably dip initially like in the First and Second Gulf Wars, but it'd likely recover relatively quickly as Iran's military infrastructure gets neutered. Wars are inherently inflationary, so I wouldn't even be surprised the ensuring money printing would help Bitcoin's network effect over the long term: as price inflation erodes consumers' standard of living, Bitcoin increasingly presents itself as a viable savings vehicle.
Rules of engagement don't mean shit - it's just another way of making a non-credible threat. They're not going to attack any NATO ally when they're this weak.
Correct. Europe is committing economic suicide over Ukraine and its obsession with joining NATO. It used to have access to the cheapest energy market on earth and enjoyed 30 years of economic expansion because of it. Its absolute madness.
QST is a Layer 1 blockchain focused on quantum-safe encryption, with claims of a patented algorithm by Adrian, who has received a NATO security award. However, there is no verified public record confirming Adrian's NATO award or the patent. The project appears to be a standard blockchain with a focus on quantum security, but its claims should be scrutinized further for legitimacy. * [Photos - Incirlik Air Base](https://www.incirlik.af.mil/News/Photos/igpage/3/igcategory/Leadership/igsort/PhotoDate/?igtag=39th%20ABW%20CC) * [NRFC News Archive - NATO's ACT](https://www.act.nato.int/opportunities/national-reserve-forces-committee-nrfc/nrfc-news-archive/) ^(This is a bot made by [Critique AI](https://critique-labs.ai). If you want vetted information like this on all content you browse, [download our extension](https://critiquebrowser.app).)
How much out of a vending machine? I live in an epicenter of expensive places to live in the USA, and you can't compare our nations because just Texas could fit a dozen Switzerlands. I actually love lots about your country and admire everything from your jails to the general pride you take in running an orderly nation, but it's a ridiculous comparison. There's also a lot of sketchy stuff you guys do which explains why most sales of antiquities from auction houses-even those based in the USA like Heritage auctions go through CHF. Kinda gaming the system. Like enjoying most NATO benefits without spending a dime. Warehousing billions in fine art because you allow everyone to dodge taxes. Good for you I guess. Except for the fact the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral crisis.
Does it seem ridiculous to anyone else that people are talking about the value of the USD in light of the current chaos?! Even WITH this nonsense, we pulled out of a nosedive and are steadily climbing despite the fact that nothing really has changed. I'm not a fan of the politics, but it could very well be the wakeup call we needed. Out of curiosity, do those who live in other countries notice that like 75% of people you know buy absolutely useless crap from "dollar stores" & Chinese trash sites like Temu and Shein? I mean, a few years ago only like 3 of the NATO countries paid their bill. This year it was like 20/32,but it bugs me to see people piss on our economy while depending on us like little chickies under mama's wing.
It's already war, you think Ukraine Russia war has nothing to do with the dominance of the dollar ? It's just another proxy war setup leveraging NATO as a threat. Biden and Kamala basically instigated this with all the talk about Ukraine joining NATO, why? Control and dollar dominance
there were rumors when the invasion started back 3 years ago that Ukraine will be NATO playground for modern warfare tactics and when it's destroyed and the people are desperate, they will use ISO20022 cryptos like xlm to rebuild that society and push it towards prosperity. I guess it wasn't so far off the truth.
80% of crypto related articles are either bullshit or misleading from the real facts More likely, banning third-party exchanges and only allowing regulated ones that can be KYC and registered. Even if true, it's France, this is also a founding member of NATO yet dependent on Russian energy. Not the brightest leaders, otherwise ridiculously corrupt.
That's rich the original slave drivers calling us the slave drivers. 400 years is your history. You seem to not know how things are run. It's no secret allies are freeloading on American military while spending on their economy what they should have spent on military. What do you think NATO is. Those are sovereign militaries, not some rag tag convention restricted defense force. https://www.cato.org/blog/america-has-dependents-not-allies
What if Herman Johann Xennt created Bitcoin after his Cyberbunker 1.0 burned down, as some side hobby. this guy is an IT genius and should be capable of doing this. Is deep in privacy culture and anti establishment. Then around 2011 he “started to do other things” a.k.a. thinking on continuing CyberBunker 2.0. Where at around 2013 he bought a NATO Bunker in Traben-Trarbach in Germany at around 2013 and brought that clandestine operation in full effect. Hosting numerous bad actor and dark web websites like Silkroad and WallSt Market. All supporting and receiving payments in BTC. Due to this operation he may not have needed his initial (cold) wallet as he had a hot wallet from his operations. And in September 2019 he was ambushed and arrested in the same town the bunker resides in. He would know better not to expose himself as Satoshi as it would break what he believes in.. Could I be on to something? Check out the CyberBunker documentary on Netflix and let it fuel your thoughts…
>Putin has shown that he is a fanatic and will not change course no matter the cost to his country Your post is pure fantasy. Watch any of Putin's speeches or interviews—he doesn't come across as fanatical in the slightest. In fact, he often appears far more composed and intelligent than most Western puppet politicians. If you believe he’s a “nut,” then post a single interview or speech that supports that claim. Ukraine is run by a puppet regime. The 2014 Maidan uprising was a US-backed coup, and the tragic result has been the deaths of over a million Ukrainians. Russia has made it clear it doesn’t want NATO or the US right on its doorstep—just as the US wouldn’t tolerate Russian military bases in Cuba or Mexico. This kind of tone-deaf narrative won’t change the geopolitical reality: Russia spans the largest landmass on Earth and is rich in natural resources. That’s not going to change because of Western propaganda.
Cant wait what that HBO (Head of Burger Office) will say today. Yesterday Japan was in NATO and nobody knows Japan as good as him.
Its not just about this redneck conman behaviour he and his goons have. Every day he say some extremely dumb shit. Every. Single. Day. Like basic knowledge he should have as US president. Today he was blabling something about NATO and in same sentence he mentioned that Japan will not defend US that it is in some contract. He basically showed that he has no clue Japan is not member of NATO and I doubt he would put 5 NATO countries together. Thats how dumb he is. Tesler. Its all computer.
You continue to believe in a "just" global settlement system. And without a global government coercion and/or backed by physical force (which the USA/NATO has been defacto for +70 years), there is no means to enforce honoring of "just" contractual settlements. Just ask Putin about this for the last 4 years. And the USA's new isolationist foreign policy approach just broke the +70 years global system of trust . So, the global financial economy has just pushed off the trust cliff with Trump's economically ignorant sweeping tariffs. It's not at terminal velocity, yet. But you can see it from here.
In the space of 80 days he has: - destroyed generational alliances with dozens of friendly countries and the USA's standing on the world stage - destabilized NATO - backstabber Ukraine to the betterment of Russia (without being able to broker his "peace deal in the first day of office"!) - dumped world stockmarkets by Trillions and Trillions, trashing people's investments and retirement savings - collapsed the USD and its position as the world's reserve currency - created massive ongoing uncertainty for any US businesses importing anything from raw materials to finished products... because they don't know what he'll say in his next "tweet"! Only about 1400 days to go. How much more damage can he do in the name of "make America great again"?
I can't believe Americans are not rioting everywhere. This guy threatened to invade NATO allies aka implying there might be a new world war (Greenland, Canada, Panama etc...), he fired thousands of government workers including park rangers keep national parks a safer and cleaner place, he hired richest man in the world who is constantly on ketamine and is probably a Nazi to ransack their social security with his 19 year old edgelord buddies, he is sending random latino people with completely normal tattoos without any due process to toughest El Salvadorian prison filled with 50+ people per cell, he is for no reason crashing all markets by literally waging trade war against the whole world except Russia and North Korea, threatening and pulling into action tarrifs of 50-100% which will make US consumer's prices of imported good like 100-150% higher in just few weeks. Like how are all these insane things in few weeks not a reason for them to riot?
What is an overreaction? I do not think it is an overreaction at all for stock market to go -10+% in 2 days for a guy that is just implementing craziest tariffs on everyone. Not to mention not-at-all subtly implying potential invasion of territories of NATO ''allies''.
Their military budget relative to their GDP expenses is nonexistent. That’s where NATO comes in. They’ve been relying on the protection of NATO rather than spending on their own defense. If the golden age for EU is upon them because they’re actually going to use more of their GDP for defense, then good! It’s about time.
NATO is designed to keep Germany de-militarized. You're not much of a student of history, are you?
It’s down actually, like your odds of speaking whatever language you currently do should we pull out of NATO 😂😂😂
I still have no idea how Americans are not mass protesting all this crazy shit happening right now, at least in big densely populated cities. These crazies are constantly implying invasion of NATO allies, guess Americans living comfy lives won't care until nuke drops on their territory.
If we had 100% transparency in US administrations and NATO, I think you change your mind quickly. None of them are perfect, but it’s about choosing the least smelly turd.
- **Normalization Push (G7 and beyond):** As discussed, Trump’s repeated call to invite Russia back to the G7 ([Trump says Russia should be at G7 meeting, Moscow not so sure | Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/article/world/trump-says-russia-should-be-at-g7-meeting-moscow-not-so-sure-idUSKCN1J41O4/#:~:text=,told%20reporters%20before%20leaving%20Washington)) is not mentioned by Brookings. This was a glaring divergence from the official stance that Russia was ostracized until it changed course. Also, Trump’s general approach to international forums often seemed to advocate for Russia: he would note Russia was “out there doing things” and should be in the room for big issues (even though it was Russia’s aggression that got it kicked out). - **Undermining Alliances and Ukraine:** Brookings doesn’t mention Trump’s **open skepticism of NATO’s Article 5** (until pressured to clarify) or his **denigration of smaller allies** (e.g., in 2018 he questioned defending Montenegro, calling Montenegrins “very aggressive” and saying their NATO membership could cause World War III). Such comments delighted Moscow, which aims to erode NATO’s credibility. And of course, the **Ukraine aid freeze** and attempt to conscript Ukraine into a U.S. domestic political scheme is entirely absent from Brookings’ straightforward list of “actions,” yet it’s arguably the single most important event relative to Trump’s true orientation on Russia vs. Ukraine. It showed Trump was willing to sacrifice Ukraine’s security (which directly serves Russia’s war aims) for personal benefit ([White House acknowledges strings attached in Trump withholding Ukraine aid | Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/article/world/white-house-acknowledges-strings-attached-in-trump-withholding-ukraine-aid-idUSKBN1WW1C8/#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20%28Reuters%29%20,House%20acknowledged%20such%20a%20connection)) ([White House acknowledges strings attached in Trump withholding Ukraine aid | Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/article/world/white-house-acknowledges-strings-attached-in-trump-withholding-ukraine-aid-idUSKBN1WW1C8/#:~:text=In%20a%20July%2025%20call%2C,determined%20was%20done%20by%20Russia)). The Brookings format can’t capture that because it wasn’t a declared “policy action” but a secret one (until exposed). But historically, it looms large. - **No Mention of Trump’s Personal/Financial interests:** While Brookings focuses on policy, it omits any discussion of potential motives or conflicts – for instance, Trump’s longstanding efforts to do business in Russia (like the pursuit of a Trump Tower Moscow during the campaign) or his campaign’s interactions with Russians (which, while beyond policy, color his approach). These aren’t policy decisions, but they form part of why many view Trump as “broadly pro-Russian.” Brookings steers clear of that, which is understandable in a timeline of official actions, but it means the reader doesn’t see the backdrop that made Trump’s stance so suspect to many in Washington. Given these omissions, we should evaluate **the overall framing of the Brookings article**. Does it provide an accurate, comprehensive portrayal of the administration’s Russia policy, or is it distorted? Brookings clearly set out to document **“policy actions, rather than rhetoric”** ([On the record: The U.S. administration’s actions on Russia](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/on-the-record-the-u-s-administrations-actions-on-russia/#:~:text=The%20Trump%20administration%E2%80%99s%20policy%20actions,Russia%20from%202017%20to%202019)), explicitly separating Trump’s words from deeds. In that respect, they did catalog the vast majority of concrete steps the U.S. took to counter Russia under Trump. The list is factually accurate as far as it goes – each entry did occur and can be verified. For a reader who only sees official outcomes, the article demonstrates that **the U.S. government did not turn pro-Russian in policy; it often intensified anti-Russian measures.** This is an important corrective to any notion that “Trump did nothing” or “gave Russia everything it wanted.” Clearly, he did not give them Ukraine, he did not lift sanctions (in fact he signed more into law), he did not recognize Crimea, and he did (eventually) arm Ukraine – all things a truly pro-Putin president might have done or tried to do more overtly. However, **Brookings’ framing can be misleading by omission of context and motive.** By excluding Trump’s rhetoric and the behind-the-scenes resistance he often showed, the article might leave an uninformed reader with an impression that Trump was staunchly leading a charge against Russia. In reality, many of these actions were **initiated by Congress, allies, or by Trump’s officials often *despite* Trump’s personal ambivalence**. The article doesn’t delve into, for example, Congress forcing CAATSA or Trump’s tantrum over the expulsions. It presents the administration as a monolithic actor. The truth is more nuanced: it was a tale of two tracks – the administration minus Trump, and Trump himself. As one witness put it to Congress, **“if you look at what the administration has done, it’s a pretty traditional deterrent strategy…not unlike what a Hillary Clinton administration might have done – but the profound difference is it matters what the president says” ([Reality vs. Rhetoric: Assessing the Trump Administration’s Russia Policy | Congress.gov | Library of Congress](https://www.congress.gov/event/115th-congress/joint-event/LC58584/text#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20that%2C%20the,going%20all%20the%20way%20back)) ([Reality vs. Rhetoric: Assessing the Trump Administration’s Russia Policy | Congress.gov | Library of Congress](https://www.congress.gov/event/115th-congress/joint-event/LC58584/text#:~:text=about,matter%20what%20the%20president%20says)).** Trump’s mixed signals *mattered* – they undercut the deterrent value of some actions and shook allies’ trust. In some ways, Brookings’ compilation reads almost like a defense used by Trump’s supporters: “look at all the things he’s done to punish Russia.” Indeed, Republicans during impeachment hearings pointed to lethal aid to Ukraine and sanctions as evidence Trump was actually tough on Russia (even as Democrats retorted that those were done by Congress or over Trump’s objections) ([Trump Resisted Giving Lethal Military Aid to Ukraine, Countering Key Line of Republicans' Impeachment Defense](https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/11/15/trump-resisted-ukraine-sale-javelin-antitank-missile/#:~:text=Trump%20is%20accused%20by%20Democrats,%E2%80%9D)) ([Trump Resisted Giving Lethal Military Aid to Ukraine, Countering Key Line of Republicans' Impeachment Defense](https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/11/15/trump-resisted-ukraine-sale-javelin-antitank-missile/#:~:text=But%20details%20of%20Trump%E2%80%99s%20reluctance,military%20aid%20for%20political%20gain)). The Brookings authors (Polyakova and Letsas) likely intended to set the record straight that U.S. policy did move in a hardline direction, which is true. But without acknowledging **the crucial role of Congress, allied pressure, and Trump’s own attempts to undermine some policies**, the piece can come off as one-sided. For instance, Brookings lists the CAATSA signing in black and white but doesn’t mention the veto-proof vote forcing it ([New sanctions on Russia are not enough](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/new-sanctions-on-russia-are-not-enough/#:~:text=Last%20summer%2C%20the%20U,On%20that%20same%20day%2C%20the)). It lists sanctions implemented, but not the times the administration declined to impose sanctions or delayed them (e.g., the initial CAATSA delay, or the failure to act on the DETER Act after 2018). It lists the massive expulsion but not that Trump had to be dragged into it kicking and screaming ([Trump Wanted to Expel Fewer Russian Diplomats, Did Not Want US to Lead - Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-wanted-to-expel-fewer-russian-diplomats-2018-4#:~:text=his%20daughter%20in%20the%20UK)) ([Trump Wanted to Expel Fewer Russian Diplomats, Did Not Want US to Lead - Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-wanted-to-expel-fewer-russian-diplomats-2018-4#:~:text=The%20president%20was%20furious%20that,and%20feeling%20of%20being%20misled)). It lists summits without noting Trump often used them to cajole or praise Putin. To Brookings’ credit, the introduction (not shown in our excerpts) likely alludes to the rhetoric/policy divergence. They explicitly say Trump’s policy actions “seemed at odds” with his rhetoric ([On the record: The U.S. administration’s actions on Russia](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/on-the-record-the-u-s-administrations-actions-on-russia/#:~:text=The%20Trump%20administration%E2%80%99s%20policy%20actions,Russia%20from%202017%20to%202019)). So the authors are aware, but they chose to stick strictly to the action timeline. That has value as a reference, but it **de-emphasizes how policy is made and executed**. Policy is not just a checklist; it’s also how strongly and coherently those measures are pushed. It was frequently noted that **Trump implemented many of these actions quietly, without fanfare, precisely so they wouldn’t derail his personal outreach to Putin ([Trump Wanted to Expel Fewer Russian Diplomats, Did Not Want US to Lead - Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-wanted-to-expel-fewer-russian-diplomats-2018-4#:~:text=diplomats%20to%20be%20expelled%20from,approach%20toward%20the%20Russian%20government))**. For example, when new Russia sanctions were placed, Trump almost never personally announced them – it was usually Treasury or State via press release. The White House rarely held briefings touting them (contrast with how the White House loudly advertised sanctions on Iran or North Korea). In fact, by 2020, reports surfaced that Trump *forbade* aides from even *mentioning* Russian interference in his presence and downplayed any Russia-related threats in strategy documents.
You mean once Trump takes Greenland "one way or the other" like he repeatedly said? I wonder what invading the territory of a NATO ally will do to the markets...
I assume you're from USA, in which case it's difficult to make you understand that the Russians have the same right to feel free as you do. And when I talk about freedom, I'm referring freedom of your country or the EU. Which is clearly not what Ukraine wanted, seeking to become another NATO colony. The same thing that I say about Russia applies to China. Along with the United States, you are the three greatest powers, but apparently USA wants to be the only one, feeling like the good guy. And it's surely because of all the indoctrination and propaganda that exists in your country, as in Rusia and China.
Pray very hard. That emotional decision to join NATO will not give you any joy if Russia, on eday, with Putin or a successor, decides to eat Finland for breakfast. More likely, though, when this has ended NATO, if it still survives (let's hope not), will be downscaled, and with no US troops in any Country that joined NATO after 1991. Then you'll realise how smart it was for Chihuahua to start barking at the Rottweiler. And no, the USA will not help you or anybody else. They are not in the business of risking nuclear wars to help virtue-signalling Chihuahuas with an acute case of Russophobia.
The Ukrainians massacred 9000 ethnic civilians in several years, plus 5000 men, in Lugansk and Donetsk from 2014 to 2022. Ruthlessly, and with the cover of the West, who are accomplices in the massacre. Plus, NATO is trying (was trying, clearly) to encircle Russia, and the Ukraine was a main piece of this puzzle. Imagine the US is Mexico had become part of the Warsaw pact. Spoiler alert: it would have been war, immediately. Russia recognised the two independent Republics of Lugansk and Donetsk. They asked Russia for protection when under attack (2000 shells a day, on civilians). Russia decided to intervene. This is not really different from what NATO made against Serbia in 1999. What is good for the Kosovo goose is good for the Donbas gander.
I love Russia. I wish them all the best. As to the dead, when you have stopped drinking the Kool-aid, perhaps, one day, when you are very old, you will realise that the Ukraine was 100% culpable, and Russia 100% entitled to defend itself from the massacre of Russian-ethnic civilians and the NATO encirclement. And of course we value human life. How arrogant of you to say that we don't. If people like you had not incited the Ukraine to start and continue a fool's errand in order to make Zelensky and his cabal extremely rich, thsi would have stopped a long time ago.
The tarrifs. trump losing the cold war in weeks. NATO in crisis. Canada and Greenland annexation. Etc.
> Russia said it ends when Ukraine is removed from consideration in NATO Putin would never lie. He's such a truthful guy who never lies lmao.
Recompose themselves with what? Their military aged males are all dead. Their military capabilities are decimated. They have an economy completely dependent on aid. Russia said it ends when Ukraine is removed from consideration in NATO. Russia has asked the NATO expansion to stop for decades, and it continued. Now we're at the point where they put their foot down. Perhaps we should've listened to them for the past thirty years.
>I wonder how have you MAGA folks became so brainwashed to make Russia seem like decent guys? What kind of bizarro world do you guys live in seriously? It's called objectivity and not just going along with what the TV tells me to think. Zelensky has now FOUR TIMES come to the white house to broker a deal, and three of those times, spun 180 degrees. It's not about taking sides. Russia said for 3 decades to NATO; don't encroach on us. Maybe it's time someone listened. If Russia makes a bloc with China, you can forget the US and European economies being relevant ever again. The only reason you hate Russia is because the TV told you to.
And since then, the nuclear bomb and NATO were developed. Times change, old man. Again, Ukraine needs volunteers in the trenches, please go sign up for the draft. Stop volunteering others.
European territory is not threatened by Russia. We have NATO and any trespass by Russia will have an immediate response. The idea that European Union or NATO need to get involved in Ukraine to protect Europe is pure war mongering propaganda to stimulate money for the profiteering war industry. European men will not spill blood for Ukraine to have NATO.
I’m Canadian. We have taken American liquor off the shelves…that’s how bad it is. People cancelling vacations to the States. Trump calling our prime minister a governor repeatedly. He’s insulting the entire world including USAs biggest friends like Canada and Mexico. He doesn’t understand how tariffs work either and thinks he’s gonna make money but he’s too proud and arrogant to let it go away easy. Should NATO increase their defence spending: yes. But to leave them hanging like that and the debacle of how they treated a foreign president was awful. Tell Him to say thank you repeatedly on live television like he’s a dog. I always loved America for the sports and entertain and the patriotism but right now the USA is a political joke! Hopefully they let people who know how to run a government do their jobs and not fire them all!
I was in Poland with the US military when Ukraine was invaded. NATO was not ready, NATO is NOT ready, and the reality is they blinked. Prolonging this conflict will lead to the total absorption of Ukraine.
\> what’s stopping him from doing it again and again? NATO.
Because they have been backed by NATO and the US you imbecile. You're at a black hole level of density.
I meant interest rates are really high and the stock market is still overbought by nearly every indicator that I'm aware of. Also, a large number of government contracts being canceled is typically bad for the market, The bond market is nervous, volatility is about as high as it gets outside of an emergency like 2008 or covid. Political uncertainty is not usually good either, making blue team and a good portion of unaffiliated nervous. Typically wars are good for the economy unless our allies were encouraged to not to purchase from our arms contractors. Previously all NATO members purchased a lot of arms from the US. The amount of profits each year was equivalent to 1/8 of the entire US military budget. The EU is reorienting away from US military contractors as we are no longer considered to be reliable Ally to them. Basically The vibes are f*****
So Harris would have shut down the entire agency of USAID? Or are you saying that you believe Harris would have her own guy running around with a chainsaw, firing thousands of federal employees via email? Pissing off our allies to the extend they're shutting down contracts with all us companies, European allies not even inviting us to UN and EU NATO meetings? She'd be voting with North Korea and Russia against the interests of the entire western world? Yeah, it would be different. It would be boring. It would be just like Biden, where the economy was better and when I went to see clients abroad, the entire conversation wasn't a out instability and distrust. Sheesh. I mean, I'm just trying to make a living here and it's like people are actively trying to normalize this. We can pull through, but not if we just pretend this is normal
My point was the only relevant threat to European NATO countries is Russia and they could handle Russia without the US with ease as far as I'm concerned. So the US isn't funding European defense, that's a smear campaign run by Trump. Every time they hit the mark like most have at 2%, he raises the bar. Trump does not stick to his own agreements. He renegs on everything. If you think we're somehow the good guys here...I can't help you. Have a good day I am out.
Forced by whom? Ukraine stopped Russia in their tracks with anti tank missile launchers alone during the attack on Kiev. If NATO minus US joins the war against Russia right now, I think it becomes an insanely one sided conflict. Had they done it in '14 or '20 the war would be over.
NATO was the aggressor there was agreements in place before 1991 where nato shouldn't go 1 inch further it's basically the Cuban missile crisis but Ukraine is Cuba.
Yes they are. Russia started it. EU money and the false-promise of NATO for Ukraine keeps it going.
Um… yes? Yes trump is tariffing them back if that’s what you’re asking? Canada does this for specific industries, because the lobbyists for the companies in these industries, lobby for it and create monopolies out of it. Trumps hitting us back with a blanket tariff that covers all products… probably evens out after you consider the countless years of not paying our fair share into NATO (2% of gdp) which probably isn’t wise considering we have the military size of New Yorks police department, and whatever weird tariff structure we’ve had to combat our failing economic infrastructure from decades of socialist policies. We need the US, the US doesnt need us. Any company with half a brain is going to chose lower taxes and 10x the consumer base. Hense why the leading liberal leader, set to take office in a week, just moved his company to New York 😂😂
Ukraine was NEVER going to be a member of NATO. Stop your delusional pandering.
The US doesn't just spend this much because of NATO though, that's a false narrative. We've never spent a cent in defense of Europe or Canada until 2020. We have spent to further our influence around the world and to create American jobs and make the military companies billions. Yet our wars in the Middle East have cost Europe major issues with war refugees flooding their countries from the east.
Talking NATO? I’m glad you brought that up. Canada spends next to nothing on defense (so much so that it was almost forced out of nato a few years ago). Do you know why? They rely on the US as their defense (like most of our “friends”).
Right. People don't understand that EVERYTHING Trump is doing is to fight the Globaliat regime. From border control, to bitcoin, to making Canada the 51st state, to ending the dept of education, to getting away from NATO and the Paris Accord. It's all opposition to globalism.
Remember when Russia set up missile sites in Cuba. We threatened war and they backed down. When US sets up missile sites and military bases in Ukraine, Russia threatens war. We didn't back down. Somehow US and NATO are always in the right...
Do we have one? One the plus side, border crossing is down. (Although he's also deporting less than Biden did, if that matters.) On the negative side, he's destroying the economy that was handed to him on a platter, he's bombing the markets, he's pissing off ALL of our allies, he's cozying up to Putin, he filled his cabinet with unexperienced knob gobblers who don't know what they're doing, he broke his own trade agreement with our bordered allies, he broke the agreement with Ukraine, he wants to leave NATO, he's negating our influence across the globe, he's breaking federal laws with at least half of the orders he signs (and some directly against the constitution itself), he's destroying and freezing industries left and right because he has no idea how to run a business or a government, to top it off he's letting an unsecure billionaire with massive conflicts of interest into all of our servers to do... whatever he wants, apparently installing stuff, fires all oversight and inspectors, fires ANYONE having to do with his corruption- do I need to go on? Where's this leader putting his country first? Trudeau?
125 billion of 820 billion is NOT a tiny fraction, it’s 15%. Keep Ukraines corrupt government out of NATO, we have enough corruption floating around. Tell them to clean there act up, and come back later🤷♂️get it?
If Ukraine was so important, then they’d be admitted to NATO.
If anything, my comment is simply a critique of the fragile state of the world and the current system which incentivises expansionist regimes like NATO to fund countries outside of NATO to fight wars for them. And that money comes from taxpayers in Europe who have no idea of the implications of funding 100s of billions of dollars towards a losing war. Both sides lose. Don’t forget that
Yeah, the problem with Trump is that you can't trust anything. Absolutely nothing. Oh, US has nice relationship with the neighbouring countries? Never mind, not anymore, US is now cutting them off. Oh, US is the central piece of NATO? Never mind, not anymore. Oh, US is supporting Ukraine to fight against its oppressor? Well absolutely never mind, now they are actually supporting the oppressor. Oh, US is the heart of science and peogression? Never mind, absolutely not, as all these people believing in their weird alternative realities are given important positions. And so on, and so on. This all has already been reflected into the stocks. US has dived, and in comparison, EU has skyrocketed. Who would want to invest in US now? EU is the biggest investor for US, and even we are going to get thw tarriff dick slapped in our face? Meanwhile, EU is getting their shit together, and the countries are supporting each others (except Hungary, but fuck Orban).
Please google the Budapest Memorandum. Can I also remind you that there's only ever been one NATO country that's invoked Article 5.
Ukraine isn’t our ally, we have zero obligation to help Ukraine. NATO isn’t really necessary for the free world anymore. All the other nations take advantage of the US in NATO, he’s working for a fair agreement. We don’t need to be in NATO, they need us. It’s called leverage. He never threatened to invade Greenland or Canada. And Mexico and Canada don’t actually provide us much necessary goods. The tariffs hurt them more than us, because they are dependent on us but not the other way around. It’s part of going back to an old economic policy, and leverage for better trade agreements because the current trade agreements favor Mexico and Canada when we are the more powerful nation, we should be leveraging our power for more favorable agreements. And if they don’t like it, they can enter the fold and join the union.
Ceased aid for Ukraine to defend their homeland, threatening to leave NATO, not to mention putting huge tariffs on our biggest trading partners that supply us with vital things like food and electricity, openly threatening to invade Canada and Greenland, etc.
We’ve been in a recession for the past 4 years where tf you been? This man will get us out in one. Tariffs are in place to force an even playing field? And if they were our allies why have they had tariffs on us for 80 years? Are we supposed to subsidize our allies goods just because? Russia sanctions won’t be lifted unless they end their attack on Ukraine. Which btw provoked Russia to invade because Zelensky was asking to join NATO. This was a violation of the treaty signed years ago. Leaving NATO was a threat so they would cool their shit down and de-escalate the WW3 NATO is actively pushing us towards. If y’all think Putin is so crazy and shit what makes you think he won’t nuke us to hell and back? So STOP escalating this shit! The Marxist prime minister of England sending troops on ground could possibly be the worst decision in history. If England troops are killed it pulls ALL NATO countries into this proxy war. Just don’t, as if that’s a deterrent, thank the deep state & Biden crime family for pushing your shit in over the past 4 years. They didn’t even give you the common courtesy of a reach around.
Driving a diplomatic wedge into NATO 'twas only a \*ruse\*!
The USA is threatening to leave NATO you spazz. If you don't understand the implications of that then you need education.
What’s astonishing is I can tell you’re sincere with this statement. So at least you got that going for you. I’m not going to explain in detail to you why your logic is flawed. I’m not trying to be a dick when I say this, truly, but I can tell you don’t understand how supply chain works or the economic consequences of what you just suggested. I will add, what you are suggesting in terms of companies only buying American or producing domestically, well, that would collapse the entire economy. And by the way, companies will never do what you’re suggesting or your IPhone will be $50,000 a phone. You can throw these grandiose macro ideas out in the air all you want, and assume it’s a simple fix, but economics has layers beyond layers and with every layer comes consequences. As for NATO, your comment is ludicrous but again, you don’t seem to understand the reasoning behind NATO or its importance, especially during the Cold War. Again, geopolitics just like economics, has layers and consequences and blanket statements such as yours show me you don’t know what you’re talking about. As for comparing Trump to George Washington. Albeit, it’s amusing……. it’s also somewhat insulting. George Washington never spent months inciting a riot which then turned into a mob storming The Capital to stop the Certification of an Election. And while we’re at it, George Washington also never called a Secretary of State demanding to find votes after realizing he lost a state. So no, Trump is nothing like George Washington. I’m not even sure if Trump has ever actually read the Constitution or the Bill of Rights, and I honestly mean that. And before you suggest January 6th was bullshit, I’d like to add, I was in DC the morning of the riots at the Capital. I saw and heard eveything with my own eyes and ears. I saw what Trump did that day. I heard him give the marching orders and watched the reactions of the crowd.
Very convenient you ignore the fact that Canada answered the call when the US invoked article 5 of NATO after 9/11, and that Canadian soldiers fought and died alongside U.S. soldiers in a bullshit invasion of Afghanistan in order to support an ally. But oh yeah those 2 lbs of fentanyl are the problem. Get a fucking grip bud.
Yes no more money for Ukraine and leaving nato means not handing out money. The only military superpowers are USA and Russia. NATO Rides on our coattail they are nothing without us they don’t have all the nukes like USA. George Washington in his farewell address said to stay out of permanent foreign alliances, avoid war, protect the nations independence. He’s like a modern day George Washington. Tariffs are a tax that bring in more taxes from people that want to import so if they don’t want to pay tax they have to buy American or produce here.
I'll answer. Russia is an enemy to Western values, democracy, and our corporate interests.. Pretty cut and dry. How does Trump being nice to Russia do anything good for America? They have a dog water army that can barely take Ukraine's land with their best and meat waves too.. there's no reason to fear them. Europe can dunk em in 48hrs without America and their NATO alliance.. Make it make sense. What does Trump have to gain or lose? Cause America gains nothing and stands to lose a lot.
Bailed out? He is actively putting us into a recession. The man just paused all military aid to Ukraine, lifting sanctions against Russia, introduced steep tariffs on our allies Canada and Mexico, and he’s now floating the idea of leaving NATO. We got fucked by a Con Man. (Who the fuck would have guessed that shit)
The guy just ended military aid to Ukraine whilst stopping all cyber activity against Russia. He is BLATANTLY helping one of americas longest enemies win a war to the detriment of NATO. Compromised Russian asset, crypto scammer, friend of Jeffrey Epstein and you regarded Americans actually voted for this again. Prepare for the shitstorm that’s coming.
Haven't seen any reputable sources about either cancelling weapons support or leaving NATO.
Where is the NATO information? That would be massive
Looks like tariffs go into effect for Canada / MX tomorrow, trump just cancelled all weapons support for Ukraine, and said they’re about to pull out of NATO this week. So yeah- not surprised the markets are collapsing
>That Ukraine won't be in NATO Where can I read this agreement? Surely something so important is a signed treaty or similar >It's a mess for no reasons, Yes, because Putin chose to invade.
That Ukraine won't be in NATO. Lots of young Ukrainians run to neighboring countries so they won't go to war . I should know,i just came back from Europe. It's a mess for no reasons, wars are bad, innocent people die in vain.
Putin for example. All he wanted is for NATO to stay away from Russia borders "as per agreement he had with EU a while ago" EU don't want peace (some of the countries, not all) . ETC,ETC.
Well and the US is talking about leaving NATO, not actually leaving NATO. Nobody trusts what the POTUS says.
Look at prior bullrun graphs. There's always a huge capitulation before parabola. We should enjoy the next few months. US is talking about leaving NATO and it doesn't matter because sell was deep enough.
"US siding with Russia" "EU away from the US" "BRICS and EU ganging against US" You are delusional. Do you even know which countries are in BRICS or not? Any never heard of NATO or what?
He didn't make his coin. Others made it for him. My guess is that he doesn't even understand crypto. He is also the POTUS, so I see it as an inappropriate money-making opportunity. Just like he had no clue what NATO was until he was in office for 6 months, even though he campaigned against the organization before he became POTUS. This came from his own former chief of staff, not an opinion regarding NATO.
Let's see, firing a shit ton of government workers, tariffs on allies, voting with Russia, North Korea etc, threatening to leave NATO, appointing morons for key cabinet positions. Launching meme coins. I mean I could keep going. But I mean what's the point. You're brainwashed.
Nice non response. NATO said they wouldn’t expand as part of the treaty with Russia. They did. They liked Russia’s borders with missiles pointed inward. It’s as if NATO and the military industrial complex want as many countries as possible to join NATO so they can sell more military weapons - as they’re required to meet a minimum standard once a part of nato. They sell you the emotional pitch because you’ll buy it. It’s all about enrichment. They’re profiting off the meat grinder. Again, one million dead Ukrainians and Biden has close to zero efforts for peace talks We’re always At war and they always feed you some good reason we should be. Sweet summer child. How old are you? Do you remember Iraq? Syria? Lydia? Afghanistan? It’s a ruse. One million dead Iraqi citizens also…
It’s as if NATO and the military industrial complex want as many countries as possible to join NATO so they can sell more military weapons - as they’re required to meet a minimum standard once a part of nato. They sell you the emotional pitch because you’ll buy it. It’s all about enrichment. They’re profiting off the meat grinder. Again, one million dead Ukrainians and Biden has close to zero efforts for peace talks We’re always At war and they always feed you some good reason we should be. Sweet summer child. How old are you? Do you remember Iraq? Syria? Lydia? Afghanistan? It’s a ruse. One million dead Iraqi citizens also…
It's almost like NATO and Ukraine are our allies and Russia has (never) been on the side of the USA. Ukraine is an independent nation. Should they never be allowed into NATO simply because Russia perceives it as a threat? And as far as aiming missiles at Russia pre-invasion, well that just sounds like Russia propaganda. And I repeat: to think this will be the last country Russia invades is being naive.
NATO: we won’t expand Russia: ok NATO: Ukraine is going to join Russia: no they’re not NATO: yes they are, sending Kamala over there now to facilitate it. Also, going to aim missiles at your country. Russia: if you do that, we’ll attack. NATO: k.. let’s get Ukraine joined up Russia: *attacks* Leftists: Russia wants to conquer the world and just started an unprovoked war. You guys are brainwashed.
Ukraine doesn't need money. It needs USA deep state CIA funded regime changers to cut the fake pushing of NATO membership, shut down the biolabs and child trafficking and GTFO of the region. And the war will end.
Also everyone that depends on the USA military eg NATO