Russia on brink of ... NOPE! Russia INVADES Ukraine!

Page 1219 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

fskimospy

Elite Member
Mar 10, 2006
87,705
54,701
136
So you think we should make partners with another Actively Hostile Power Iran?
Yes - I think they would be helpful in containing the Saudis, who are clearly no longer our allies, may have compromised the last president/his family, and recently assassinated a US citizen on US soil.

Oh yeah, and yesterday was 9/11 - another gift to us from our 'friends' the Saudis.
 

GodisanAtheist

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2006
8,167
9,451
136
Remember how Saddam Hussein kept being coy about whether or not he had WMDs even though he knew it would mean the US would curbstomp his government? All he had to do was let western inspectors in and he'd be off the hook. But the illusion of WMDs (and the appearance of strength) was his bulwark against aggression from dissidents within Iraq and a functional Iranian military who would have loved nothing more than pounding Iraq into dust. He had trapped himself between all the rocks and all the hard places.

Authoritarian regimes have an almost pathological need to look strong because they see nothing but enemies, enemies within and enemies without, who will tear them to shreds the moment they display weakness, and that often means making bombastic, sometimes self destructive decisions .

Once again, projection aint just a type of outdated TV.
 

A///

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2017
4,351
3,160
136
Yes - I think they would be helpful in containing the Saudis, who are clearly no longer our allies, may have compromised the last president/his family, and recently assassinated a US citizen on US soil.
When have the Saudis ever been friends of the west? They're much an ally like Pakistan is meanwhile going behind our backs and causing shit.
 

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
22,232
4,935
136
Yes - I think they would be helpful in containing the Saudis, who are clearly no longer our allies, may have compromised the last president/his family, and recently assassinated a US citizen on US soil.

Oh yeah, and yesterday was 9/11 - another gift to us from our 'friends' the Saudis.

I don't think they would help contain the Saudis.
I'm no friend of the Saudis either. Another terrorist State.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cytg111

A///

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2017
4,351
3,160
136
I don't think they would help contain the Saudis.
I'm no friend of the Saudis either. Another terrorist State.
One time I agree with you. Add Pakistan to that list. Allies in name only. There's enough corruption there and silently aiding terrorist elements that make them a non-true ally.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pcgeek11

fskimospy

Elite Member
Mar 10, 2006
87,705
54,701
136
How is this making them partners?
Iran is not a good place and their leaders are bad people - I'm just saying it's not at all clear to me that they are worse people than the Saudis (I think considerably better) but more importantly I think these days Iran's interests are better aligned with ours than the Saudis are.

Also in my lifetime Saudis have killed a lot more Americans than Iranians have.
 

JTsyo

Lifer
Nov 18, 2007
12,024
1,130
126
Seems fitting


Q3q5HGP.jpeg
Poland might not even evoke Article 5 and just taking out all their historical frustrations out by themselves.
 

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,809
10,474
147
Iran is not a good place and their leaders are bad people - I'm just saying it's not at all clear to me that they are worse people than the Saudis (I think considerably better) but more importantly I think these days Iran's interests are better aligned with ours than the Saudis are.

Also in my lifetime Saudis have killed a lot more Americans than Iranians have.
Realpolitik. It's not for the faint of heart.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rommelrommel

Pens1566

Lifer
Oct 11, 2005
13,491
10,933
136
Iran is not a good place and their leaders are bad people - I'm just saying it's not at all clear to me that they are worse people than the Saudis (I think considerably better) but more importantly I think these days Iran's interests are better aligned with ours than the Saudis are.

Also in my lifetime Saudis have killed a lot more Americans than Iranians have.

Another key difference is that at one point they were a more modern/western aligned nation. Can't say the same for the kingdom. Which is what kinda sorta got us 9/11. If you somehow remove or replace the leadership of both those nations, it's much more likely that Iran becomes friendly than KSA.
 

brycejones

Lifer
Oct 18, 2005
29,557
30,055
136
Another key difference is that at one point they were a more modern/western aligned nation. Can't say the same for the kingdom. Which is what kinda sorta got us 9/11. If you somehow remove or replace the leadership of both those nations, it's much more likely that Iran becomes friendly than KSA.
You can make a very sound argument that our interference is directly responsible for Iran being the way it is today. We supported a brutal regime that led to a popular uprising that ended in another brutal dictatorship but this time with a religious bent.
 

Pens1566

Lifer
Oct 11, 2005
13,491
10,933
136
You can make a very sound argument that our interference is directly responsible for Iran being the way it is today. We supported a brutal regime that led to a popular uprising that ended in another brutal dictatorship but this time with a religious bent.

Oh, I know. I left that part out on purpose :)
 

A///

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2017
4,351
3,160
136
Realpolitik. It's not for the faint of heart.
The catch here being we could be allies with Iran if we wanted to, but we have to deal with America #2 being a pain in our arses and conducting sabotage missions against both Iran and us. The US has a lot of shitty allies is what I'm getting at here.

Of the middle east Jordan seems like the best Arab ally. When the oil runs out in Saudi or when electric vehicles take over enmasse what will happen to the house of Saud? Their spending of renewable infrastructure isn't going to save their arses.
 

Zor Prime

Golden Member
Nov 7, 1999
1,039
615
136
Kim in Russia.

Russia about to get extra shells, small arms and maybe missiles.

That might not even be the worst aspect of a deal made. NK might get some technology, I doubt South Korea will be impressed.
 

GodisanAtheist

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2006
8,167
9,451
136
If Kim and Putin inadvertently convince SK to throw more aid at Ukraine as a big FU then the funniest thing is they'll have ended up doing more damage than if they had never met at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zor Prime

A///

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2017
4,351
3,160
136
I'm glad there's nothing to be concerned of. That is reassuring.
My point was I don't think the quality of north korea's weapons are a huge concern. I expect there to be a lot of duds in whatever junk Russia is buying up. Bullets would work. Old bullets decades old will work. You might get a jam or two but it'll work. The rest... I'm not so confident.

Zelensky stated yesterday they began their counter offensive too late due to eu nations holding onto their dicks for far too long deciding what to do. There's talk of Puto Putin amassing 700K conscripts. I have the utmost confidence Ukraine will blow past these kids one way or another by end of 2024.

I want to see Putin's head on a fucking pole by Christmas next year.
 

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
52,078
45,042
136
If NK gives Russia artillery ammo then what? The Russians can't keep their guns anywhere near firing position because a 150K GMLRS rocket appears and incinerates/perforates a 2-3M dollar SPG plus possibly its crew.