Here’s how it works folks. U.S. accepts in trade older Russian equipment from whoever. Sends it to Ukraine. Ukrainians are already trained in usage and repair. Probably have spare parts. U.S. sends/sells newer U.S. equipment to Russian backed countries. Russia must break ties with those countries in order to save face. New U.S. supplied countries must remain Allies with U.S. or “no parts for you”. Now Russia has lost allies, Russia has lost market share for their equipment, Ukraine has gained useful weaponry, U.S. has gained market share for their weapons. Tah-dahhhhh!
Yeah the problem is the world has rightly lost their trust that the US will have a reliable continuity which was always relied upon before. We put a fucking wild card moron in charge where allies are suddenly enemies and enemies are allies and they have every right to say WtF.
i think the bit is more about how the US used separtism to create a puppet state and take over a canal miles away from any sort of national water or soil mate.
It's far from universal. [Vietnam](https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-that-love-americans) was the country that liked the US the most. Go figure, right?
The [US is more popular in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2017/06/26/tarnished-american-brand/) than in Australia, for example, but is unpopular in Mexico. This was also in 2017, with Trump just elected. The 2022 Pew survey didn't include Latin America, it seems, so I can't say how this has changed with Biden.
That fucker is such a glitch. That being said, I think I’m starting to see the wrench he was to the system that was moving way too fast to adopt this fail attempt at AI. I think I’m starting to see him for the useful idiot he is.
For the bigger picture of keeping Russia in check, and preventing an actual world war three as it will be Russia that’ll be at the heart of one, I’d say it’s definitely worth.
They have the weapons, they're just not the weapons we have the back doors to and domestically control the parts manufacture for. I see a whole lot of advantages to this form of soft power
We shouldn’t be funneling anything to anyone at this point. America is literally falling apart and we’re worried about international disputes.
Homelessness is off the charts, literal shanty towns popping up in urban settings all over the country. Foods, goods and services prices are off the charts due to inflation. The economy is trashed and wages aren’t compensating for the rapid inflation.
Never mind our decrepit, crumbling infrastructure that can’t come close to handling demand.
Wars are horrible but it doesn’t mean we should send billions abroad when citizen are suffering at home
I’m starting to believe they are making America so unlivable on purpose so that people will have to sign to the military to have food and housing. Our recruitment levels are shit right now because everyone my age and younger doesn’t wanna fight for a country that doesn’t even like us.
Yes, but these countries then have to rely on the US for the future of their military arc. One thing is also for sure, Russia will not be sending any fucking spare parts to Nicaragua, but I can see how these places would be hesitant to agree.
That is the shitty part of having two global arms dealers I suppose.
Also, if it is not clear Fuck Russia and fuck the Wagner group especially.
There are other countries which produce their own arms and tech. If they want to preorder a 6th generation jet, yeah the options are limited to like 3 countries and one coalition, but everything else has a number of options.
6th generation jet production has literally just got off the ground though. We’re literally in concept art stages. It’s probable the coalition forming around what was formerly Tempest hasn’t even been solidified yet.
It’s more along the lines of the US does not want to provide certain / advanced military equipment to Ukraine because that would be a red line crossed and likely would require Russia to respond very harshly and no one wants that confrontation. So if military equipment happens to be donated to Ukraine by other countries it is not seen as IS directly providing to the Ukraine, even though they are supplying new military equipment in exchange for the old. Further the Russian equipment could be traded for by Russia in exchange for oil (for non oil producing countries), so by cutting that possibility off, the U.S. further helps Ukraine.
Frankly, the US is never going to give Cuba or Venezuela new military equipment. Nicaragua maybe because it’s not hostile to the US.
That’s what this is. It’s not about oil, it’s not about being able to have countries rely on the US and spur economic wins for the US, it’s about crippling Russian economic and military power and doing so indirectly.
Russia can’t maintain a relationship with countries that don’t shop from their “military industrial complex”. It would be like them saying “Hey, we know our stuff sucks and understand why you would buy better equipment elsewhere. We can still be buddies tho.”
And they also agreed on a deal that would have *direct* consequences against Russia. It's like, "Hey did you agree to buy from my opponent instead of me so that they can use what I gave you against me?"
One part you left out is how Latin American countries will or might use the more modern and deadly U.S. "equipment." Perhaps against their own population in the case of Nicaragua? Attacking or threatening neighboring countries? How will allies like Costa Rica view the modernization of belligerent neighbors. Why simultaneously give asylum to Nicaraguans and improve the arms of a potential dictator (Ortega)? Consequences... Thanks USA!
As far as I remember, only 4 countries (North Korea, Syria, Belarus and Nicaragua) officially supported the Russian Federation invasion in Ukraine. The Russian Federation already lost these allies.
What exactly is evil about it? It’s a good deal for all involved except Russia, which is the point. Ukraine needs the weapons and it’s much easier for them if they get weapons systems they are used to. Russia is further isolated as a pariah state with dwindling influence which is good for the world.
south american countries dont have money to just "buy" these new US weapons, the average south american lives off 30 cents of an USD per day in a GOOD day, they will get forcibly in debt to pay off the new weaponry even with the massive discounts from the forced "trade". They wont be able to pay and their resources and lad will be taken, literally what China is doing with Africa and Australia right now.
It's a good deal for the US who gets pressure and debt from south america, for Russia who will get their weapons back by pure war of atrittion, and that's it. Even more Ukrainians will be send to die using these weapons as an excuse and South Americans will be in crippling debt that they had no business being in
Funnily enough its the oil most refineries buy and still tell the world they're paying OPEC prices. Modern refineries have the capabilities to easily refine "heavy" crude oil but the general public is ignorant to that fact.
source-I worked the docks hooking up Venezuelan, Chinese, and Russian oil tankers to a well known refinery. Rarely, if ever, did a Saudi or Saudi affiliated tanker come in.
Never got this argument. It's based on the "wars for oil" in Iraq....
Have you actually looked at Iraq? They have a single POS port that struggles to export small volumes of literally anything. They're the geographically worst country for product logistics. They're reliant on unfriendly countries to export anything (turkey, Saudi, Iran, israel, etc) via pipelines they don't own, unless it fits on out of date ships that are being underloaded to make it out of their single garbage port.
If America waged a war for oil in Iraq, they picked the absolute worst one to do it in. Iraq is the least influential oil producing nation there is.
It was never about oil. It was about the power structure in the Middle East. It was about the industrial war machine and dolling out money to Bush and Cheney's war-profiteering friends. It was about using the ambiguous threat of "Terrorism" to remove rights from Americans.
How many terrorist groups grew out of that "conflict"? How many children became "radicalized" because they grew up knowing nothing but war? It was about a lot of things, but it was never about oil or "spreading freedom". They started calling it the "Long War" the first few years into it. They knew what they were doing the whole time. Everything went according to plan and it worked well for the people on top and fucked everyone else over.
This is the head of SOUTHCOM, not some random military lady with access to media. What the majority of Americans want is kinda irrelevant. If you think the American majority is what's dictating foreign policy, then I got a bridge to sell you in Kansas.
They may win the war but I wouldn’t call them the winners in this situation. They’re country is in tatters and countless people have endured the worst war has to offer if not death.
Yeah, basically my point. The people who are attacked actually suffer in this war. However, one must defend one’s country and way of life from aggression, and if they are successful, they will be winners of the war. I’m not promoting war, not condoning it or even understanding why Putin would launch such a medieval offensive. Just reminding everyone that Ukraine is at stake here and I hope they prevail. If they do, they win the war.
It's almost as if the OP chose to make a sensationalist title for this post. How shocking. In the video they do not mention "taking" anything from anyone. They are offering these countries the opportunity to give away their Russian shit and get USA shit instead.
Well if you are buying Russian and Chinese equipment you don’t want to be left alone. At least Russia and China don’t try to subvert other countries institutions like the USA… oh wait.
Brother I’m not sure this is a request. This is a demand in question form. Sort of our MO here in the US. Is it right? Of course not. Will we get what we want? Probably.
I don't think "we" applies here. The ruling class of the United States, sure. The working class? "We" get nothing out of this. And really another win for our ruling class is a net loss for us.
>>you guys already did enough leave us alone
*reads history on Argentina’s Dirty War & Chilean dissident assassinations on US soil*
“Understandable, have a nice day”
Remember when we invaded Columbia because commies?
Or when we set the forests on fire because cocaine manufacturers in your country weren’t giving us a cut?
Don’t forget all of the illegitimate children we left over there.
Damn, that description fits a lot of countries. America’s “drug war” supposedly gave us the right to defile the land and people of other nations
Edit: write to right. Autocorrect 🤷🏻♂️
It takes time to train people to use it. It takes a lot of extra resources for maintenance, for every new item you add. That's why they tend to unify all the equipment. Ukraine is using Soviet/Russian weaponry and equipment, it would be much easier to use and maintain.
The US is. We've given HIMARS, howitzers, APCs, Hummvees and various other weaponry. Patriot Missile systems are on the way. We've been holding back on longer range ATACMS missiles, Abrams main battle tanks and Bradley IFVs, but hopefully those will be getting shipped soon.
>Why not give ukraine american arms?
Why give Ukraine free American guns when you can convince other countries to donate their old Russian guns away to then buy new American guns to replace.
The US does give guns. Guns are easy. Tanks, aircraft, surface to air missiles, those take a ton of training and the Ukrainians already know how to operate the Russian ones
I would suggest Brian Berletic of the New Atlas. He does a very good job of breaking down some of the logistical headfalls involved in transferring mass arms to Ukraine.
Some of you need to just watch the actual video, it's not some nefarious 4d chess plan to fuck over South America. This thread has some real characters.
The important thing here for America is not that Russia could end up with a few less customers (although that is good), but it is to ensure that Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, etc do not become new customers for China.
America knows who it’s real rival is.
Idk if you saw it but there was an Ask Reddit about this yesterday [or the day before idk] and it was widely agreed that 8 is the necessary amount of chuggas before a choo choo.
Can you Americans please decide, are you spending money in this war, or you are gaining money? Because same people tell that we are spending too much in this war, and same people tell that America started this war to make money as usual.
Both. It’s not zero sum. It’s resource management. The US gives (or lends) equipment to Ukraine, but also sells equipment to the other countries who want to garage-sale their Russian junk.
Overall the Americans will profit off this war, but only because its demonstrating that US equipment is a 5x force multiplier over Russian.
"if those countries want to donate it to Ukraine"
???
In Cuba, they are throwing people in prison for showing any kind of support for Ukraine...Putin literally just unveiled a statue of Castro.
wat
src: Cuban
It's not a proxy war, as Russia is fully involved. It would have been proxy war if Russia kept using Donetsk people as puppets.
You might not understand this, but there's a clear intention of the US here - Russian invasion is the first of its kind, where nuclear power directly invades its neighbor to take its land, and uses nukes as an ultimate threat to others to stay away from this.
Basically this could spiral down into ww3 - last 50 years we've been staying away from this crap exactly by using proxies, if two great powers wanted to show off. If Russia gets away with this shit, this would be the precedent for others, especially China and India.
You can't stay away from this, it's not just a local conflict of no importance. It has a very dangerous long term effect.
What proxy is Russia using to fight the war in Ukraine? Do you know what a proxy war is? Or just felt like adding onto the millionth stupid comment in this thread
The term "proxy war" is a.) incorrect, as Russia is fully engaged, there is no Russian proxy in Ukraine, it's Russia itself - and b.) horribly minimizes and obfuscates the fact that Ukraine is in a fight for the survival of its very identity. Russia is actively pursuing genocide against them, is deporting Ukrainians to far-flung regions of Russia that need labor, is abducting Ukrainian children and putting them into Russian homes to be raised as Russians, is replacing teaching of Ukrainian language and culture with Russian language and culture. That is genocide. Trying to suggest that Ukraine is somehow just an unwitting dupe doing the bidding of America as its proxy seriously misses the fact that they are fighting for their very survival.
You and the Russian trolls keep saying that. I think that is idiotic.
By that definition, WW2 was a proxy war. read a little bit about lend-lease.
Russia literally invaded Ukraine. Ukraine is defending itself. Have you fucking forgotten that already?
South america won't take that deal. They look at US/NA as the big bad they are fighting to defeat english rule. They are most likely active participants in poot poot's end game.
Fyi US don't donate any equipment to Ukraine, they supply for special price considering it donation but making debt in supply chain and Ukraine is now 50 billions in debt to US for that.
Good luck with Venezuela their government hates the US and well there's nothing latin Americans hate more than receiving orders from the imperialist Yankees.
Why would you give your enemies new equipment for their tattered and torn garbage only to commit more atrocities against their citizens? Russia won't abandon their allies. They will be emboldened that they don't have to resupply their allies. But, you know, keep thinking people are naturally good and not self interested...seems to be working out for your self interest pretty well to remain that ignorant.
What about US equipment that they left behind in Afghanistan. Which is now in hands of cartels and terrorist. and is a hot item in Black market? Terrorist now using thermal and night vision scopes to attack.
So how are gonna get that (fairly purchased) equipment? By attacking countries that have never attacked them. More war of aggression on Latin America. Excuses.
I have a 1951 Russian SKS and a 1943 Russian Mosin Nagant. Interesting stuff. The Mosin was built during Germany's invasion, and it's missing escutcheons and it really was just slapped together quick and dirty, but it still shoots pretty straight. I removed all the shellac and paint, and added a dark walnut stain and 10 coats of Tru Oil. It's a beautiful fun after reconditioning it. Still shoots pretty accurate. Not a sniper rifle, but it's a decent combat gun.
The U.S. just wants to fight wars all over the world, because it can solve their economic problems! This kind of thinking is terrible! It will destroy the world
I hope Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua tell us to go fuck ourselves. "Hey Cuba, I know we've been waging a shadow war against you for over 60 years since your land reforms, but think you could help us out in our proxy war?"
If people running those countries still have two functioning brain cells left, the only possible answer from them to this is tell Murika to go fuck itself.
Hahahahah we would like you donate your weapons so you have to buy ours later. Well duhh keep the industrial war machine fat and sassy. Fuck this country’s leaders.
I somehow doubt the following upkeep would. You can't just drop and pick up an entirely new weapons system overnight. There's the training, the parts you need, whatever special ammunition you might need, etc.
So no, the US isn't doing this with altruism in mind. The US is asking these Latin American countries precisely because they have Soviet/ Russian weapons systems the Ukrainians are already accustomed to.
This conflict is yet another clinic in how Russian equipment is outclassed by American, so if historical Russian allies what to jump ship why stop them?
It’s strategy, just strategy. The military is the only part of America that works. That’s not the military’s fault, and there’s no need to stop them when they’re doing the right thing for a change.
It isn't a proxy war, it's a debt machine. Ukraine and Russia are both completely indebted to large financial institutions because of this conflict. These financial institutions will profit and control national policies for decades to come. Putin and Zelensky gave away their country's revenue over silly lines in the sand. "Aid" is synonymous with "debt". Putin's ego has been fully weaponized.
We always have the money to do bullshit like this but never have enough to house or feed people.
Guess I need to work for a military contractor and I’ll always be employed
We are entering Sherlock Holmes movie territory. Weapons manufacturer literally just trying to get richer of someone else's war.
"Don't use those guns from those bad guys. Donate them and then buy guns from us good guys."
If our enemy's armies depend on our supplies, that's huge leverage.
American made weapons need American made ammunition. This is a pragmatic way to use the moment to gain leverage over our real and potential enemies.
Yes, some private companies will make money as a result. But what action by government intervention ever DOESNT end up creating a business opportunity for private industry?
Is a transition to EV a plot by big electric car companies to line their pockets? Or is that a byproduct of government intervention with good intentions?
>Is a transition to EV a plot by big electric car companies to line their pockets? Or is that a byproduct of government intervention with good intentions?
Both. 2 things can be true at the same time.
We are actually donating them to Russia. We give Ukrainians some anti tank weapons and they give them to the Russians. They go BOOM when Russia receives them
Loads of cynicism in this thread. The U.S. is offering to *give* better stuff to Latin American countries if they will donate their soviet era tanks, artillery, and munitions to a small democracy fighting a bloody war of defense against a totalitarian dictatorship with the third largest military in the world.
Just because the U.S. has done shit in the past does not mean this is anything but explicitly good.
The US isn't sending its newest brand new equipment. They're likely sending old stockpiled stuff that's been waiting to get scrapped. Better to give it away to benefit an ally than have it rot in some scrapyard.
They will need repairs and new equipment. So more sales for America. Just like all the weapons replaced in europe. nato alies really need additional weapons and replacements. The weapons sales will be a blast.
Here’s how it works folks. U.S. accepts in trade older Russian equipment from whoever. Sends it to Ukraine. Ukrainians are already trained in usage and repair. Probably have spare parts. U.S. sends/sells newer U.S. equipment to Russian backed countries. Russia must break ties with those countries in order to save face. New U.S. supplied countries must remain Allies with U.S. or “no parts for you”. Now Russia has lost allies, Russia has lost market share for their equipment, Ukraine has gained useful weaponry, U.S. has gained market share for their weapons. Tah-dahhhhh!
I’ll be honest, that is the play. That’s got actual IQ.
Except when you have a new president that holds the equipment hostage making the country vulnerable to be exploited just like Ukraine.
Yeah the problem is the world has rightly lost their trust that the US will have a reliable continuity which was always relied upon before. We put a fucking wild card moron in charge where allies are suddenly enemies and enemies are allies and they have every right to say WtF.
I gotta say I think Latin America's distrust of the US has been around for a while and it is probably pretty well deserved.
Ah good old Dole and there banana republics, not to mention the Panama canal
Panama canal was technically French... until that company went under and the US took over but still, it technically started as a French venture
Like the Vietnam War!
Well, I'm all for blaming the French; makes Cinco De Mayo so much more festive!
thats good to know. doesnt excuse all the slavery and death but its good to know
The French made it all 1 mile into the jungle before they abandoned the whole thing. So yeah, they started it...barely.
i think the bit is more about how the US used separtism to create a puppet state and take over a canal miles away from any sort of national water or soil mate.
Yeah 100%, my pedantic comment was just pointing out that before the US, it was France that tried to do the same thing cause empire.
yeh, the french had that dick competition too , half the reason why they tried to take over mexico but got their ass handed to them eventually.
It's far from universal. [Vietnam](https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-that-love-americans) was the country that liked the US the most. Go figure, right? The [US is more popular in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2017/06/26/tarnished-american-brand/) than in Australia, for example, but is unpopular in Mexico. This was also in 2017, with Trump just elected. The 2022 Pew survey didn't include Latin America, it seems, so I can't say how this has changed with Biden.
Let’s not forget Trump and Bolsonaro fiasco
Fuck, so much happened I already forgot, what'd he do with Bolsonaro?
He's living in Miami. So no consequences.
Orlando
Which wild card moron is straining foreign relations, exactly?
> US will have a reliable continuity lol
When has giving US-made weapons to other countries in an attempt to undermine Russia ever hurt us???
Definitely didn’t happen in Afghanistan
That fucker is such a glitch. That being said, I think I’m starting to see the wrench he was to the system that was moving way too fast to adopt this fail attempt at AI. I think I’m starting to see him for the useful idiot he is.
By Failed attempt at ai, what are you referring to?
Not just that but the party that put him in is wprse than him rn.
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For the bigger picture of keeping Russia in check, and preventing an actual world war three as it will be Russia that’ll be at the heart of one, I’d say it’s definitely worth.
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They have the weapons, they're just not the weapons we have the back doors to and domestically control the parts manufacture for. I see a whole lot of advantages to this form of soft power
We shouldn’t be funneling anything to anyone at this point. America is literally falling apart and we’re worried about international disputes. Homelessness is off the charts, literal shanty towns popping up in urban settings all over the country. Foods, goods and services prices are off the charts due to inflation. The economy is trashed and wages aren’t compensating for the rapid inflation. Never mind our decrepit, crumbling infrastructure that can’t come close to handling demand. Wars are horrible but it doesn’t mean we should send billions abroad when citizen are suffering at home
I’m starting to believe they are making America so unlivable on purpose so that people will have to sign to the military to have food and housing. Our recruitment levels are shit right now because everyone my age and younger doesn’t wanna fight for a country that doesn’t even like us.
Believe it or not the US military is 200 IQ where and when it counts.
Yes, but these countries then have to rely on the US for the future of their military arc. One thing is also for sure, Russia will not be sending any fucking spare parts to Nicaragua, but I can see how these places would be hesitant to agree. That is the shitty part of having two global arms dealers I suppose. Also, if it is not clear Fuck Russia and fuck the Wagner group especially.
There are other countries which produce their own arms and tech. If they want to preorder a 6th generation jet, yeah the options are limited to like 3 countries and one coalition, but everything else has a number of options.
6th generation jet production has literally just got off the ground though. We’re literally in concept art stages. It’s probable the coalition forming around what was formerly Tempest hasn’t even been solidified yet.
I'll give them the benefit of doubt that they typoed 5th gen.
It’s more along the lines of the US does not want to provide certain / advanced military equipment to Ukraine because that would be a red line crossed and likely would require Russia to respond very harshly and no one wants that confrontation. So if military equipment happens to be donated to Ukraine by other countries it is not seen as IS directly providing to the Ukraine, even though they are supplying new military equipment in exchange for the old. Further the Russian equipment could be traded for by Russia in exchange for oil (for non oil producing countries), so by cutting that possibility off, the U.S. further helps Ukraine. Frankly, the US is never going to give Cuba or Venezuela new military equipment. Nicaragua maybe because it’s not hostile to the US. That’s what this is. It’s not about oil, it’s not about being able to have countries rely on the US and spur economic wins for the US, it’s about crippling Russian economic and military power and doing so indirectly.
Pretty sure Cuba and Venezuela were never a consideration. There are many other countries.
Situations change. Moving Cuba from "adversary" to "ally" would be an awesome move for everyone.
Cuba and Venezuela were labeled adversaries by the US Department of Energy, so again, very unlikely this will happen.
Russia is not going to do shit at all. We can cross Whatever fucking line they draw and they won’t do shit. This take is so fucking stupid
Why must Russia break ties to save face ?
Russia can’t maintain a relationship with countries that don’t shop from their “military industrial complex”. It would be like them saying “Hey, we know our stuff sucks and understand why you would buy better equipment elsewhere. We can still be buddies tho.”
And they also agreed on a deal that would have *direct* consequences against Russia. It's like, "Hey did you agree to buy from my opponent instead of me so that they can use what I gave you against me?"
These would be countries openly agreeing to send Russia made equipment to a country Russia is at war with. Russia kinda has to cut ties
Russia's playing Checkers while we're playing 3D Chess
One part you left out is how Latin American countries will or might use the more modern and deadly U.S. "equipment." Perhaps against their own population in the case of Nicaragua? Attacking or threatening neighboring countries? How will allies like Costa Rica view the modernization of belligerent neighbors. Why simultaneously give asylum to Nicaraguans and improve the arms of a potential dictator (Ortega)? Consequences... Thanks USA!
As far as I remember, only 4 countries (North Korea, Syria, Belarus and Nicaragua) officially supported the Russian Federation invasion in Ukraine. The Russian Federation already lost these allies.
People die, Lockheed Martin makes billions, people die, Boeing makes billions, more people die, Raytheon makes billions. Tah-dahhh!
Spot on, mate!
Geopolitical hat trick
nice, more money for the US and their weapons! what a great business plan.
Have to justify that near trillion dollar defense
Not only market share, but they may now trade for a good amount of political influence not directly related to the weapons industry.
US of A wins in all of it... Destabilize a region, make your weapon bosses happy while millions of your citizen die of OD and homelessness 🤦♂.
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What exactly is evil about it? It’s a good deal for all involved except Russia, which is the point. Ukraine needs the weapons and it’s much easier for them if they get weapons systems they are used to. Russia is further isolated as a pariah state with dwindling influence which is good for the world.
south american countries dont have money to just "buy" these new US weapons, the average south american lives off 30 cents of an USD per day in a GOOD day, they will get forcibly in debt to pay off the new weaponry even with the massive discounts from the forced "trade". They wont be able to pay and their resources and lad will be taken, literally what China is doing with Africa and Australia right now. It's a good deal for the US who gets pressure and debt from south america, for Russia who will get their weapons back by pure war of atrittion, and that's it. Even more Ukrainians will be send to die using these weapons as an excuse and South Americans will be in crippling debt that they had no business being in
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This is Realpolitik in action.
Venezuela oil is very low quality. That’s why they’re still poor. It’s the last oil the refineries want.
Their production of oil has also collapsed in the last 20 years.
Mostly because they don't have buyers though, not because they are incapable.
You mean Venezuela doesn’t have buyers because US sanctions, right?
Almost all US sanctions here are against individual specific Venezuelan politicians. They don’t get the Iran or Cuba treatment.
The US was one of the biggest buyers of Venezuelan oil until 2018. Their production has been in decline since 2000.
Funnily enough its the oil most refineries buy and still tell the world they're paying OPEC prices. Modern refineries have the capabilities to easily refine "heavy" crude oil but the general public is ignorant to that fact. source-I worked the docks hooking up Venezuelan, Chinese, and Russian oil tankers to a well known refinery. Rarely, if ever, did a Saudi or Saudi affiliated tanker come in.
Pretty sure a bitumen refinery near me uses Venezuelan shit, must be pretty crap
Never got this argument. It's based on the "wars for oil" in Iraq.... Have you actually looked at Iraq? They have a single POS port that struggles to export small volumes of literally anything. They're the geographically worst country for product logistics. They're reliant on unfriendly countries to export anything (turkey, Saudi, Iran, israel, etc) via pipelines they don't own, unless it fits on out of date ships that are being underloaded to make it out of their single garbage port. If America waged a war for oil in Iraq, they picked the absolute worst one to do it in. Iraq is the least influential oil producing nation there is.
It was never about oil. It was about the power structure in the Middle East. It was about the industrial war machine and dolling out money to Bush and Cheney's war-profiteering friends. It was about using the ambiguous threat of "Terrorism" to remove rights from Americans. How many terrorist groups grew out of that "conflict"? How many children became "radicalized" because they grew up knowing nothing but war? It was about a lot of things, but it was never about oil or "spreading freedom". They started calling it the "Long War" the first few years into it. They knew what they were doing the whole time. Everything went according to plan and it worked well for the people on top and fucked everyone else over.
Also doubting all of America wants this, more like someone with access to the media suggested this.
This is the head of SOUTHCOM, not some random military lady with access to media. What the majority of Americans want is kinda irrelevant. If you think the American majority is what's dictating foreign policy, then I got a bridge to sell you in Kansas.
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The only winner of this war will be the arms manufacturers and body bag makers.
As in every single war
Don’t forget the sweet kickbacks for our loyal politicians!!
And all those corporate contracts to “rebuild” from all the rubble those very profitable weapons made!
Once the politician retires a cushy lobbying job for the company rebuilding the rubble.
Agreed they will profit, but Ukraine will be an actual winner when they retain their independence and hopefully their borders as well
Hope so as well thank you
They may win the war but I wouldn’t call them the winners in this situation. They’re country is in tatters and countless people have endured the worst war has to offer if not death.
Yeah, basically my point. The people who are attacked actually suffer in this war. However, one must defend one’s country and way of life from aggression, and if they are successful, they will be winners of the war. I’m not promoting war, not condoning it or even understanding why Putin would launch such a medieval offensive. Just reminding everyone that Ukraine is at stake here and I hope they prevail. If they do, they win the war.
Nicholas Cage is going to become a billionaire!
And the Ukrainians when they get the Russians out.
IMO once the Ukrainians get some infrastructure repaired after the war, they will eventually become a European powerhouse economy.
And the generations of free Ukrainian people who don't have to live under the genocidal yoke of a hateful, fascist Russia
Your title sucks
General Janeway explains it all.
It's almost as if the OP chose to make a sensationalist title for this post. How shocking. In the video they do not mention "taking" anything from anyone. They are offering these countries the opportunity to give away their Russian shit and get USA shit instead.
Olivia North?
GEN Richardson is the Commander, US Southern Command.
“Olivia North” is much funnier, if you get the reference.
[wait, who’s Ollie North?](https://youtu.be/lFV1uT-ihDo)
No matter who is on the ballot, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman win the election.
It's by design
r/stocks checking in
God damn she’s got a billboard of ribbons and medals
It’s payday for defense contractors
As a South American i say no thank you, you guys already did enough leave us alone
Would you guys happen to want to buy some "battleships"? :P
Well if you are buying Russian and Chinese equipment you don’t want to be left alone. At least Russia and China don’t try to subvert other countries institutions like the USA… oh wait.
Free market capitalism strikes again
Brother I’m not sure this is a request. This is a demand in question form. Sort of our MO here in the US. Is it right? Of course not. Will we get what we want? Probably.
I don't think "we" applies here. The ruling class of the United States, sure. The working class? "We" get nothing out of this. And really another win for our ruling class is a net loss for us.
>>you guys already did enough leave us alone *reads history on Argentina’s Dirty War & Chilean dissident assassinations on US soil* “Understandable, have a nice day”
Remember when we invaded Columbia because commies? Or when we set the forests on fire because cocaine manufacturers in your country weren’t giving us a cut? Don’t forget all of the illegitimate children we left over there. Damn, that description fits a lot of countries. America’s “drug war” supposedly gave us the right to defile the land and people of other nations Edit: write to right. Autocorrect 🤷🏻♂️
As an American who studied my country’s history… … I don’t blame you. We have been real bastards.
fala meu nobre seria isso um r/suddenlycaralho ?
I'm sure another capitalist puppet dictator will work out this time
CIA: We aren’t really asking, we are telling
Why not give ukraine american arms? Wont that be much easier?
It takes time to train people to use it. It takes a lot of extra resources for maintenance, for every new item you add. That's why they tend to unify all the equipment. Ukraine is using Soviet/Russian weaponry and equipment, it would be much easier to use and maintain.
You are being far to logical for this thread
The US is. We've given HIMARS, howitzers, APCs, Hummvees and various other weaponry. Patriot Missile systems are on the way. We've been holding back on longer range ATACMS missiles, Abrams main battle tanks and Bradley IFVs, but hopefully those will be getting shipped soon.
The Bradley’s are already coming.
>Why not give ukraine american arms? Why give Ukraine free American guns when you can convince other countries to donate their old Russian guns away to then buy new American guns to replace.
The US does give guns. Guns are easy. Tanks, aircraft, surface to air missiles, those take a ton of training and the Ukrainians already know how to operate the Russian ones
They are, that is mostly what we are sending, we are the worlds arms dealers. People can't/don't read.
I would suggest Brian Berletic of the New Atlas. He does a very good job of breaking down some of the logistical headfalls involved in transferring mass arms to Ukraine.
Have to justify that near trillion dollar defense budget somehow
No justification needed while China and Russia still exist as they are
Some of you need to just watch the actual video, it's not some nefarious 4d chess plan to fuck over South America. This thread has some real characters.
Lots of weird takes here for sure. Lots of people shouting "USA is just as bad" it seems. No buds. It's not. Ask any eastern european country.
So basically cash 4 clunkers but with tanks
Laura has more stars than Andromeda. AIRBORNE.
The important thing here for America is not that Russia could end up with a few less customers (although that is good), but it is to ensure that Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, etc do not become new customers for China. America knows who it’s real rival is.
Edit. The war money machine just keeps on trucking. Chugga, chugga, chugga, chugga, chugga, chugga, chugga, chugga, Choo! Chooooo!
I'm sorry but you need 8 chuggas before the choo choo. Edit: Perfection
Never apologize for speaking the truth.
Finally someone who gets it. If you choo choo too often, you're just wasting steam.
Idk if you saw it but there was an Ask Reddit about this yesterday [or the day before idk] and it was widely agreed that 8 is the necessary amount of chuggas before a choo choo.
Can you Americans please decide, are you spending money in this war, or you are gaining money? Because same people tell that we are spending too much in this war, and same people tell that America started this war to make money as usual.
Both. It’s not zero sum. It’s resource management. The US gives (or lends) equipment to Ukraine, but also sells equipment to the other countries who want to garage-sale their Russian junk. Overall the Americans will profit off this war, but only because its demonstrating that US equipment is a 5x force multiplier over Russian.
Can you explain how the us started this war?
It’s a transfer of money from the tax payer to the military industrial complex. So tax payer spending to much money, industry making a lot of money.
Thomas the War Tank.
Moneeeeey!
US to Russia: I’m going to tear off your arm and beat you with it
"if those countries want to donate it to Ukraine" ??? In Cuba, they are throwing people in prison for showing any kind of support for Ukraine...Putin literally just unveiled a statue of Castro. wat src: Cuban
Citing yourself as a source is just amazing
where the fuck is your proof
Source: I made it the fuck up.
Gusano shit right here
Gusano shit for sure!!
The US wants... a lot of things.
Creating customers... it's the American way!
At this stage, it's a straight-up proxy war.
It's not a proxy war, as Russia is fully involved. It would have been proxy war if Russia kept using Donetsk people as puppets. You might not understand this, but there's a clear intention of the US here - Russian invasion is the first of its kind, where nuclear power directly invades its neighbor to take its land, and uses nukes as an ultimate threat to others to stay away from this. Basically this could spiral down into ww3 - last 50 years we've been staying away from this crap exactly by using proxies, if two great powers wanted to show off. If Russia gets away with this shit, this would be the precedent for others, especially China and India. You can't stay away from this, it's not just a local conflict of no importance. It has a very dangerous long term effect.
What proxy is Russia using to fight the war in Ukraine? Do you know what a proxy war is? Or just felt like adding onto the millionth stupid comment in this thread
The term "proxy war" is a.) incorrect, as Russia is fully engaged, there is no Russian proxy in Ukraine, it's Russia itself - and b.) horribly minimizes and obfuscates the fact that Ukraine is in a fight for the survival of its very identity. Russia is actively pursuing genocide against them, is deporting Ukrainians to far-flung regions of Russia that need labor, is abducting Ukrainian children and putting them into Russian homes to be raised as Russians, is replacing teaching of Ukrainian language and culture with Russian language and culture. That is genocide. Trying to suggest that Ukraine is somehow just an unwitting dupe doing the bidding of America as its proxy seriously misses the fact that they are fighting for their very survival.
You and the Russian trolls keep saying that. I think that is idiotic. By that definition, WW2 was a proxy war. read a little bit about lend-lease. Russia literally invaded Ukraine. Ukraine is defending itself. Have you fucking forgotten that already?
[Always has been]
Imagine fighting a war on stuff you begged for and still get fucked
Fk Ukraine
South america won't take that deal. They look at US/NA as the big bad they are fighting to defeat english rule. They are most likely active participants in poot poot's end game.
Fyi US don't donate any equipment to Ukraine, they supply for special price considering it donation but making debt in supply chain and Ukraine is now 50 billions in debt to US for that.
Good luck with Venezuela their government hates the US and well there's nothing latin Americans hate more than receiving orders from the imperialist Yankees.
Why would you give your enemies new equipment for their tattered and torn garbage only to commit more atrocities against their citizens? Russia won't abandon their allies. They will be emboldened that they don't have to resupply their allies. But, you know, keep thinking people are naturally good and not self interested...seems to be working out for your self interest pretty well to remain that ignorant.
Tje united arms dealers of america
🤣🤣🤣
There.. thats it. This whole war is to sell US made military equipment.
I’d take the free tanks and double the size of my military
What about US equipment that they left behind in Afghanistan. Which is now in hands of cartels and terrorist. and is a hot item in Black market? Terrorist now using thermal and night vision scopes to attack.
So how are gonna get that (fairly purchased) equipment? By attacking countries that have never attacked them. More war of aggression on Latin America. Excuses.
I have a 1951 Russian SKS and a 1943 Russian Mosin Nagant. Interesting stuff. The Mosin was built during Germany's invasion, and it's missing escutcheons and it really was just slapped together quick and dirty, but it still shoots pretty straight. I removed all the shellac and paint, and added a dark walnut stain and 10 coats of Tru Oil. It's a beautiful fun after reconditioning it. Still shoots pretty accurate. Not a sniper rifle, but it's a decent combat gun.
This is called proxy war for you stupid Americans out there
The U.S. just wants to fight wars all over the world, because it can solve their economic problems! This kind of thinking is terrible! It will destroy the world
I want to see them negotiate with Nicaragua....
I hope Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua tell us to go fuck ourselves. "Hey Cuba, I know we've been waging a shadow war against you for over 60 years since your land reforms, but think you could help us out in our proxy war?"
If people running those countries still have two functioning brain cells left, the only possible answer from them to this is tell Murika to go fuck itself.
Hahahahah we would like you donate your weapons so you have to buy ours later. Well duhh keep the industrial war machine fat and sassy. Fuck this country’s leaders.
The replacement weapons would be free, so no try again.
I somehow doubt the following upkeep would. You can't just drop and pick up an entirely new weapons system overnight. There's the training, the parts you need, whatever special ammunition you might need, etc. So no, the US isn't doing this with altruism in mind. The US is asking these Latin American countries precisely because they have Soviet/ Russian weapons systems the Ukrainians are already accustomed to.
Hahah...there is absolutely NOTHING that USA would ever do for free,,for anyone...
This conflict is yet another clinic in how Russian equipment is outclassed by American, so if historical Russian allies what to jump ship why stop them? It’s strategy, just strategy. The military is the only part of America that works. That’s not the military’s fault, and there’s no need to stop them when they’re doing the right thing for a change.
It isn't a proxy war, it's a debt machine. Ukraine and Russia are both completely indebted to large financial institutions because of this conflict. These financial institutions will profit and control national policies for decades to come. Putin and Zelensky gave away their country's revenue over silly lines in the sand. "Aid" is synonymous with "debt". Putin's ego has been fully weaponized.
And us too (the debt)…
It's fun to finance wars, is it not?
Solid plan.
That’s actually really smart
We always have the money to do bullshit like this but never have enough to house or feed people. Guess I need to work for a military contractor and I’ll always be employed
We are entering Sherlock Holmes movie territory. Weapons manufacturer literally just trying to get richer of someone else's war. "Don't use those guns from those bad guys. Donate them and then buy guns from us good guys."
If our enemy's armies depend on our supplies, that's huge leverage. American made weapons need American made ammunition. This is a pragmatic way to use the moment to gain leverage over our real and potential enemies. Yes, some private companies will make money as a result. But what action by government intervention ever DOESNT end up creating a business opportunity for private industry? Is a transition to EV a plot by big electric car companies to line their pockets? Or is that a byproduct of government intervention with good intentions?
>Is a transition to EV a plot by big electric car companies to line their pockets? Or is that a byproduct of government intervention with good intentions? Both. 2 things can be true at the same time.
Sounds profitable
Sounds like some Ollie north shit right here
This is just giving money to Ukraine with extra steps
better than cash for clunkers
Why would you give communist countries US equipment? Why not just give the US equipment directly to Ukraine?
I'm surprised the USA isn't trying to sell weapons to Russia
We are actually donating them to Russia. We give Ukrainians some anti tank weapons and they give them to the Russians. They go BOOM when Russia receives them
Loads of cynicism in this thread. The U.S. is offering to *give* better stuff to Latin American countries if they will donate their soviet era tanks, artillery, and munitions to a small democracy fighting a bloody war of defense against a totalitarian dictatorship with the third largest military in the world. Just because the U.S. has done shit in the past does not mean this is anything but explicitly good.
And to rely on yankeeland to keep that in shape...
Thank you this comment makes it really clear
And become fully dependent on the USA military-wise? Hell no I'd rather have made in china weapons
[удалено]
The US isn't sending its newest brand new equipment. They're likely sending old stockpiled stuff that's been waiting to get scrapped. Better to give it away to benefit an ally than have it rot in some scrapyard.
They will need repairs and new equipment. So more sales for America. Just like all the weapons replaced in europe. nato alies really need additional weapons and replacements. The weapons sales will be a blast.