Is the Domino Theory Valid?

[Richard Smith]

But Russia is different. Like Nazi Germany, I think they have great visions of expansion. They don't even make it a secret with their talk of some day taking over the Baltic States and Poland. Clearly, for Russia, the 'Domino Theory' is a valid theory. So, it's not just part of Ukraine that is at stake. Nor just all of Ukraine. It's undoing the main accomplishment of the Greatest Generation, making the bulk of Europe free. I don't think we should casually undo their sacrifice, of thousands of American lives, just because inflation is a little high, and gas prices are a little high, and some people think dropping support for Ukraine would totally make these problems go away.

We were told Afghanistan was different.  Iraq was different.  Now Ukraine is different?  Some good cause is manufactured as justification for endless war.  It NEVER works out.  There is zero evidence that Russia is anything like Nazi Germany or would overrun Europe.  Ukraine has a long historical association with Russia.  It was part of the USSR.  Many of the citizens in the disputed regions of Ukraine are pro-Russian.  The silly narrative that this conflict has something to do with "democracy" as some extension of the anti-Trump hysteria is laughable.  This situation is more akin to WWI where the major players were drawn into a regional conflict through a series of alliances.  Billions have been spent.  Billons more will be spent.  No end in sight.  The country is in ruin.  The US will have to rebuild all the destruction caused by the endless war once it ends.  More billions.  The incompetents in the Biden administration might bungle this situation into WWIII.

[Joe Elliott]

We were told Afghanistan was different.  Iraq was different.  Now Ukraine is different?

Yes. Ukraine is different. The people of Ukraine have embraced Democracy and are fighting hard for it. Which the people of Afghanistan and Iraq have never done. So, yes, Ukraine is different.

If the Russians succeed in Ukraine, it will feed their ambitions. The next great dictator will want his great conquest. Of the Baltic States. And maybe Poland.

The greatest accomplishment of the Greatest Generation was the establishing of Democracy in Western and Central Europe. Which has since spread.

Should we nullify this great accomplishment?

[Richard Smith]

Yes. Ukraine is different. The people of Ukraine have embraced Democracy and are fighting hard for it. Which the people of Afghanistan and Iraq have never done. So, yes, Ukraine is different.

If the Russians succeed in Ukraine, it will feed their ambitions. The next great dictator will want his great conquest. Of the Baltic States. And maybe Poland.

The greatest accomplishment of the Greatest Generation was the establishing of Democracy in Western and Central Europe. Which has since spread.

Should we nullify this great accomplishment?

Ukraine is one of the most corrupt countries in the entire world which is why it was never allowed in NATO.  It is run by oligarchs.  Ironically modeled on the Russian system of corruption.  Which is why Hunter Biden did business there.  In a true democracy, the wishes the citizens who live there would be given consideration.  Many of those in the disputed regions of Ukraine prefer Russian rule and have been fighting for such for years before the current conflict.  Many don't care one way or the other.  They likely prefer Russian rule to the destruction of their homes and deaths of their families in a war.

You have been sold a comic book version of the situation by those who tried to connect this conflict somehow with the fake "threat to democracy" narrative deriving from the anti-Trump conspiracy narrative.  The leftist radicals who typically oppose such pointless foreign conflicts ate this narrative up for that reason.  It's not support for Ukrainian democracy that is behind leftist support for Ukraine, but the anti-Trump hysteria that "authoritarians" are out to destroy democracy.  Cue spooky music.  The political narrative driving US involvement here has no more credibility than the lies told to justify Vietnam (communist expansion), Afghanistan (nation building), and Iraq (weapons of mass destruction).  The people of these countries "didn't fight hard enough"?  LOL.  The results will be similar.  Years of escalating war that maximizes destruction to Ukraine and leaves the country in complete ruin with tens of thousands killed.   But only after the US has paid out trillions to military contractors who kick back contributions to the politicians.  And then on to the next war.   Do you ever wonder why the US ends up funding these foreign wars? How much money does Iceland or Mexico send?  Do they not support "democracy"?  The US will be there for years long after every other country has concluded it is pointless.