I really don't know much about the effect of sanctions on Russia. Can Russia's economy afford a war? Can the rest of the world cripple it economically?Xenophon wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 3:46 amI guess it just leaves me questioning what can even be done then. Sanctions are effectively a joke at this point, if military might can't be brought to bear what is an effective middle ground? Do we just cede everything until we get fed up?K Graham wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 3:31 amAgreed. But here's the thing. Russia is a Nuclear power. There is no possibility of intervening militarily without starting WWIII and Biden has said from the beginning that military intervention was off the table. And thank God for that. Of course, if Trump were President the whole thing would be spun and turned into a non-issue, and we know this because he's already told us what he thinks about Putin's invasion.
I'm not convinced that taking military action, as part of a broad coalition of nations, would automatically lead to WW III or a nuclear free for all. But the body that should be available to approve such action is crippled by the Security Council veto. Reforming the ability of an invading country to veto action against it through the UN is something that a hard look should be taken at.