Putin Sets His Eyes on the Balkans (2015)

[torius]

Perhaps this is what's in store? Putin could invade the Balkans and Trump will do nothing. That's why Trump shoved the Montenegro Prime Minister and why Trump is saying why should the U.S. defend Montenegro, which recently joined NATO. This could be part of what Trumputin discussed in private.

[link:https://www.newsweek.com/putin-sets-his-eyes-balkans-323002|

While the Russian threat to Poland and the Baltic States has sparked justified anxiety, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s imperial adventure is just as much of a threat to the Balkans.

Moscow is putting on a full-court press—using energy exports, information warfare, trade, arms sales and efforts to obtain military bases in Cyprus, Montenegro and Serbia—to subvert the process of European integration, undermine democratic values and institutions and erode the independence of the Balkan states.

Moscow also seeks to maintain and perpetuate the ethnic tensions that tore Yugoslavia apart in the 1990s, even as the states that emerged from that bloody chaos stand poised to move on to a new era.

Look no further than Serbia. The Russians are exploiting a flood of ethno-religious propaganda stressing the supposed unity of the Serb and Russian peoples (though this is far less than the Kremlin makes it out to be), the threat from NATO and the European Union, the lure of Russian energy and unresolved issues in Kosovo.

[rusty quoin]

1. No surprise there. What is Trump's plan to become president for life?

[Bettie]

4. He just figures he can do that

because who is going to stop him?

Certainly Republicans in congress will be all for it and his base is made of craven politicians and nutjobs with guns.

The Orange Treason Weasel has never in his life faced real consequences for any action he's taken, so it probably doesn't even occur to him that he can't do whatever he wants.

[justgamma]

2. Trump to Putin

'Do take over the Balkans.' Putin immediately sends troops. Next day. "Oops meant to say don't take over the Balkans" "My bad, I misspoke"

[OnDoutside]

3. Not just the Balkans. It's about the re-emergence of the Soviet Empire.

[dalton99a]

5. +1