“Meanwhile, Ukraine is told it’s out of cards. But the truth is, the United States is already on a slow drift toward irrelevance in this war.”
This says it all! Excellent analysis as always Shankar.
And therein lies the rub! Trump is irrelevant, and he has no one to blame but himself. After trying to humiliate Zelenskyy in the Oval, the last three months have been nothing but humiliation for Trump, as he tries to justify the indefensible in the name of peace.
Ironically, both Putin and Trump were too successful at first; threatening allies, and forcing Zelenskyy and Europe into a conundrum, which ultimately left them losing control over the direction of the war and overall control over NATO.
Bottom line: America first is America alone, and our allies aren’t as fragile as it may appear. Trump forced them to grow a backbone, and so far it’s growing splendidly. I expect Trump to be out of his league, and sitting alone at the G7. And whatever influence America had over Europe and Ukraine has been completely diminished, if any influence actually exists at all. IMHO…:)
Trump is not irrelevant. I want Europe to step up on a massive scale to propell Ukraine to stop RU's advances. European leaders have not asked their populations to make sacrifices. Europe continues to rely hopefully the U.S. relatively vast weapons capacity.
Here's the tell: Europe is withholding the 300B euros of Russian assets so it can be used later to rebuild Ukraine. They don't want to face the burden themselves. The money is needed NOW to build up UKR's defense production. Until Europe takes that painful step of arming Ukraine for victory they are unserious.
Fair enough, but he’s irrelevant in the sense that no one takes him seriously; the Europeans are just humoring him while they make backroom trade deals and shore up their defenses.
NATO may not be dead, but no NATO nation, other than Hungary, actually believes Trump will defend Article 5. That was my point!…:)
Trump has squandered ALL credibility with regards Ukraine vs Russia.
It is thoroughly understood by all that his bromance with evil incarnate Putin is intact beyond reason. There is ZERO expectation that the trump criminal regime will do anything that could be construed as a positive for democratic principles on the world stage.
Every effort on the part of leaders of the free world (Canada, Germany, France, U.K. - and pointedly excluding the United States) is now directed at minimizing the NEGATIVE influences the U.S. inflicts on Ukraine. The goal is to hopefully prevent the U.S. from unilaterally canceling sanctions and propping up trump’s personal ally Putin.
I don't think there is any need at all for Ukraine to respond to a Russian missile and drone attack with an objective to get some kind of reaction from Trump or the USA. The USA has chosen a side it's not Ukraine. Ukraine and it's people know it. The RoW knows it. Any clear thinking Americans know it. Trumps a loose cannon rolling around the deck of world affairs and the sooner he rolls overboard and drowns in his own filth the better for the RoW including Ukraine. AFU know their job. Defend the people of Ukraine. Everything else including what some dickheads in the USA think is simply an insane sideshow of no practical value to them.
I remain confounded at Z’s continued treatment of The US as a major player in this game. For me, Trump lost the plot quite some time ago. And Macron has done well so far. I saw yesterday’s stopover in Greenland for what it was too. Epic.
There is no reason to delay the reduced Russian oil price cap. America is Russia’s bitch thanks to TACO. Ukraine should continue blowing up Russian energy facilities while Putin rains down terror.
Iran may be damaged, but so is Israel’s command and control, and their failing Iron Dome. The US THAAD system looked to be a bust. Iran has no reason to stop until they have a nuclear bomb. Same for Ukraine.
Mr. Narayan, what are your thoughts on Ukraine fighters getting Link-16 capabilities?
You have a very incisive mind and a remarkable grasp of strategic thinking. In another life you might have been a decorated Major General. As it is, please wear our appreciation like a chestful of ribbons.
10 is a nice round number. Destroy 10 bits of infrastructure that supports the war effort per missile per day for 3 days then announce what you are doing.
Trump is a clear and present danger to our country - talking out of both sides of his mouth.
He just wants to be in the mix of things and continues to sow chaos with every utterance. He truly DOES NOT KNOW what the hell is going on and what to do. Still afraid of Putin.
Trump’s brain and the world plus our national situation at home is a toxic mix for very bad trouble.
I am sickened by the interference of the U.S. in Ukraine’s plans for the obvious benefit of Putin. If Trump loves Russia so much, let him move there. Russia is an enemy of the U.S.. End of story. And Ukraine must go forward without regard to us. It is our fault that so many people have died recently and that the residents of Kiev and other cities are constantly nervous and have to spend their nights in air raid shelters. This cannot go on And I don’t notice Congress moving expeditiously with sanctions. So angry.
One of our chants on Saturday was “Stop Putin’s War!” The people have not abandoned Ukraine, but as with many things, our new, inept leaders are following their orders from Russian assets. Keep pushing back and educating.
As Trump is stepping back, he is letting Ukraine off the leash. The EU does not seem to be interested in imposing the same sort of restrictions on Ukraine.
As Macron has shown, Trump is no longer considered "relevant" in any international forum. European leaders are barely giving him "lip service" and Zelenskyy knows full well by now that his hope for future weapon and material support will come from European suppliers and domestic production. Netanyahu has "tuned" him out, as has Putin. It will be interesting to see what comes out of the G7 meetings this week and how Trump is treated by the other participants.
the taco guy is continueing bidens idea of having ukraine fight with one hand tied behind its back, i say FCUK the taco guy, ukraine should just bomb a dozen russian energy points then see what they think of that
“Meanwhile, Ukraine is told it’s out of cards. But the truth is, the United States is already on a slow drift toward irrelevance in this war.”
This says it all! Excellent analysis as always Shankar.
And therein lies the rub! Trump is irrelevant, and he has no one to blame but himself. After trying to humiliate Zelenskyy in the Oval, the last three months have been nothing but humiliation for Trump, as he tries to justify the indefensible in the name of peace.
Ironically, both Putin and Trump were too successful at first; threatening allies, and forcing Zelenskyy and Europe into a conundrum, which ultimately left them losing control over the direction of the war and overall control over NATO.
Bottom line: America first is America alone, and our allies aren’t as fragile as it may appear. Trump forced them to grow a backbone, and so far it’s growing splendidly. I expect Trump to be out of his league, and sitting alone at the G7. And whatever influence America had over Europe and Ukraine has been completely diminished, if any influence actually exists at all. IMHO…:)
Trump is not irrelevant. I want Europe to step up on a massive scale to propell Ukraine to stop RU's advances. European leaders have not asked their populations to make sacrifices. Europe continues to rely hopefully the U.S. relatively vast weapons capacity.
Here's the tell: Europe is withholding the 300B euros of Russian assets so it can be used later to rebuild Ukraine. They don't want to face the burden themselves. The money is needed NOW to build up UKR's defense production. Until Europe takes that painful step of arming Ukraine for victory they are unserious.
Fair enough, but he’s irrelevant in the sense that no one takes him seriously; the Europeans are just humoring him while they make backroom trade deals and shore up their defenses.
NATO may not be dead, but no NATO nation, other than Hungary, actually believes Trump will defend Article 5. That was my point!…:)
Shankar! Your analysis is brilliant!
You explain how Macron uses both propaganda and preemption strategies to contain and control Putin and Trump!
You explain when Starmer should have grabbed media attention by SPEAKING UP at the right time!
Please give our Democratic Party a Leadership Seminar on the use of these strategic tools in fighting our fascist tyranny here in the USA!
The brilliant Macron is satisfied to have France keep its defense spending at low levels as it provides meager support to Ukraine.
Actions speak louder than words.
There is no money. French budget is not in a great shape. Neither is Britain. Only germany has . It is ok. All of them know their function.
Richard! I agree with you!
Freedom has a high price, in money and blood!
Better to borrow now, than die later!
Trump has squandered ALL credibility with regards Ukraine vs Russia.
It is thoroughly understood by all that his bromance with evil incarnate Putin is intact beyond reason. There is ZERO expectation that the trump criminal regime will do anything that could be construed as a positive for democratic principles on the world stage.
Every effort on the part of leaders of the free world (Canada, Germany, France, U.K. - and pointedly excluding the United States) is now directed at minimizing the NEGATIVE influences the U.S. inflicts on Ukraine. The goal is to hopefully prevent the U.S. from unilaterally canceling sanctions and propping up trump’s personal ally Putin.
I don't think there is any need at all for Ukraine to respond to a Russian missile and drone attack with an objective to get some kind of reaction from Trump or the USA. The USA has chosen a side it's not Ukraine. Ukraine and it's people know it. The RoW knows it. Any clear thinking Americans know it. Trumps a loose cannon rolling around the deck of world affairs and the sooner he rolls overboard and drowns in his own filth the better for the RoW including Ukraine. AFU know their job. Defend the people of Ukraine. Everything else including what some dickheads in the USA think is simply an insane sideshow of no practical value to them.
Good read.
I remain confounded at Z’s continued treatment of The US as a major player in this game. For me, Trump lost the plot quite some time ago. And Macron has done well so far. I saw yesterday’s stopover in Greenland for what it was too. Epic.
Excellent analysis.
Jaffe! Yes!
You describe how Europe called out Trump’s bombastic bluffing! Europe met its destiny!
The “Cheese stands alone!”
Not quite yet , but if the US doesn’t return a non-Russian asset to the WH, that will be the eventual outcome.
There is no reason to delay the reduced Russian oil price cap. America is Russia’s bitch thanks to TACO. Ukraine should continue blowing up Russian energy facilities while Putin rains down terror.
Iran may be damaged, but so is Israel’s command and control, and their failing Iron Dome. The US THAAD system looked to be a bust. Iran has no reason to stop until they have a nuclear bomb. Same for Ukraine.
Mr. Narayan, what are your thoughts on Ukraine fighters getting Link-16 capabilities?
You have a very incisive mind and a remarkable grasp of strategic thinking. In another life you might have been a decorated Major General. As it is, please wear our appreciation like a chestful of ribbons.
Thank you Shankar … on the ball as ever!
10 is a nice round number. Destroy 10 bits of infrastructure that supports the war effort per missile per day for 3 days then announce what you are doing.
Trump is a clear and present danger to our country - talking out of both sides of his mouth.
He just wants to be in the mix of things and continues to sow chaos with every utterance. He truly DOES NOT KNOW what the hell is going on and what to do. Still afraid of Putin.
Trump’s brain and the world plus our national situation at home is a toxic mix for very bad trouble.
I am sickened by the interference of the U.S. in Ukraine’s plans for the obvious benefit of Putin. If Trump loves Russia so much, let him move there. Russia is an enemy of the U.S.. End of story. And Ukraine must go forward without regard to us. It is our fault that so many people have died recently and that the residents of Kiev and other cities are constantly nervous and have to spend their nights in air raid shelters. This cannot go on And I don’t notice Congress moving expeditiously with sanctions. So angry.
One of our chants on Saturday was “Stop Putin’s War!” The people have not abandoned Ukraine, but as with many things, our new, inept leaders are following their orders from Russian assets. Keep pushing back and educating.
As Trump is stepping back, he is letting Ukraine off the leash. The EU does not seem to be interested in imposing the same sort of restrictions on Ukraine.
Perfect!
Your recommendation, Shankar Narayan🔥 I am 100% on board!
As Macron has shown, Trump is no longer considered "relevant" in any international forum. European leaders are barely giving him "lip service" and Zelenskyy knows full well by now that his hope for future weapon and material support will come from European suppliers and domestic production. Netanyahu has "tuned" him out, as has Putin. It will be interesting to see what comes out of the G7 meetings this week and how Trump is treated by the other participants.
the taco guy is continueing bidens idea of having ukraine fight with one hand tied behind its back, i say FCUK the taco guy, ukraine should just bomb a dozen russian energy points then see what they think of that