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Bill's avatar

Trump is a severe narcissist addicted to attention. He grew up working to be mentioned on the back pages of second tier newspapers. Now every childish word gives him front page coverage around the world, at the expense of America’s reputation.

But as Trump’s addiction is fed, its demands grow, and his clown show intensifies.

Trump is the product of American democracy and around the world thinking people are searching for ways to protect freedom from such an afflicted little man.

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The Blind Squirrel's avatar

Excellent note Robert

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John Hardman's avatar

What a travesty and all Trump could say about it was: "That will make some great television." It seems that Trump considers his role as President of the U.S. to be some sort of performance art. He only cares about the "ratings" without concern for the substance of what is happening.

To my mind, an important geopolitical shift occurred today and the nation is far weaker for it.

"The fast-forward button is pressed to a truly multi-polar world, and China would thrive in a multi-polar world rather than a world in which the Collective West is pitting against it."

Trump dramatically blew his chance to broker a peace plan between Russia and Ukraine/Europe. Today, the silent part was said out loud in front of cameras - Trump is an amoral gangster more aligned with murdering autocrat Putin than with Western and Asian Allies. He can no longer have the legitimacy to negotiate for peace in Ukraine and it is now obvious he sees the war only in transactional terms of what spoils of war he can loot. To paraphrase his line from his "Apprentice" TV show: "You're fired!"

China has been low-key while all of this has been brewing and Trump just handed them a solid opportunity to fill the vacuum by providing a neutral mediator who is invested in obtaining a win-win ceasefire appeasing both Ukraine/Europe and its neighbor, Russia. China has the economic clout now to twist Putin's arm for concessions and a desire to increase future access to European markets. This is Xi's chance to demonstrate to Europe that China is a serious and fair world power with the integrity to keep both Russia and the U.S. in check.

I can hear heads exploding all over the world as the ramifications of what Zelensky did today rock the foundations of world geopolitics. The archetype of Zelensky as the brave, resourceful David planting a fatal blow right between Goliath Trump's brutish eyes will be inspiring for a wide variety of cultures. "Make America Great Again" may have backfired both domestically and internationally. It is now time for China to truly thrive.

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J M Hatch's avatar

RAND Report, published Feb 26, 2025

Thinking Through Protracted War with China, Nine Scenarios

https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1475-1.html

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Jia Jiang's avatar

Thank you for sharing, but this is one of the worst "research reports" I've ever read. Feel likes a Reddit fantasy article, not something out of a think tank.

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J M Hatch's avatar

Sadly, It is a RAND report, therefore it reflects the oligarchy's attempt at getting a consensus.

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Yuan's avatar

no long term planning

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Kevin McSpadden's avatar

Yup

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