The 17th-century idea here is the faith in a grand bargain negotiated solution holding everything together. Modern conflict is messier than that, which is exactly why preparedness matters. Russia is a mess because 1million Ukrainians are holding the line. I hope they can continue to do so.

As for the SpecOps stuff - fair enough, but the devil is in the mission details. Ukraine remains a sovereign nation for now and we are within our rights to send anyone we want there. I would agree, however, that frontline combat is where we start to climb that escalation ladder. I’ll stop now fella.

And I don’t disagree with that, but my belief is that Europe and the West would be further to the detriment for having Europe’s biggest country, largest fighting force, and the ‘breadbasket’ of the continent return to Russian autocracy.

I do care about the fate of other democracies and I feel like our parliamentarians should do also given their profession…perhaps overly optimistic. But I agree with the part about looking tough on the world stage papering over how shite things are at home.

I’m genuine curious as to what you think the answer is then? Do you believe that Art 5 will never be tested and MAD will save all under the NATO umbrella, and that Ukraine should be left to its fate?

In what way is that the same? If you are implying that the UK is directing special forces on the ground in Ukraine and are engaging on the frontline or even training, that’s pure speculation.

I think it’s pushing at the boundaries of plausible deniability given the integration of Wagner within their ground forces (less so post Prigozhin). Not exactly apples for apples. When you wake up to some little green men arriving in Riga, I guess we can all sleep easy.

Have to have*

There was open clash between NATO forces and Wagner forces in Syria. I’m not sure who you think they took their orders from. We have the correct posturing and preparedness to ensure we can respond if attacked. You seem to be implying I am suggesting pursuing some kind of pre-emptive strike. I’m not.

And FYI, NATO held its ground in the Balkans with the Russians and did so in Syria too. Hell, the US even ripped Wagner a new one in Syria when they were attacked, yet here we remain slugging it out on Bluesky today.

Again, love the distortion here - “I think I have solved MAD”. I think you’re making the assumption that any show of strength will involve immediately climbing to the top rung of the escalatory ladder. It’s about peace through strength. Europe’s projection of weakness and inaction is why we are here

In what way is it racist or conspiracy? Why don’t you Google Wagner war crimes in Syria, Libya, CAR, Mali…the list goes on. Or what about sending migrants (promised employment in Russia) at gun point across the Belorussian/Poland border? There’s strategic intent here.

Sorry what is untrue there? As for mass mobilisation, you’re putting words in my mouth there. Ability to generate sufficient force numbers and scaling up arms manufacturing should we need to provide further support, and without US forces, is more accurate. A plan usually helps.

Assuming that NATO is more than just strong words in 2025. POTUS is pulling back from European theatre, meanwhile, Hungary, Slovakia, and Turkey run interference for Moscow. From my vantage point, Putin’s divide and conquer Cold War isn’t doing too badly. Testing Art 5 might be the final nail.

Seems a bit reductionist. Perhaps addressing the root causes why birth rates are so low should be prioritised. Tackling wage stagnation, greater wealth distribution, and reducing the cost of living are essential to providing an economic platform for both local or migrant families to have children.

Drones flying in NATO airspace, sabotage ops across Europe, tampering with under-sea cables, hundreds of assassinations, the use of chemical weapons, African coups to bombard Europe with migrants, mass disinformation to disrupt Western unity, a compromised POTUS. Wake up and smell the coffee fella.

When was the last time Russia had an election? An actual election where the outcome was unknown before the vote.