Quote:vorticity wrote:
Can we just let Russia have the Crimean Peninsula, if they agree to give a free hand to the U.S. in Syria? And, while we're at it, ask China to please take over North Korea for us. Sure, it's bad for "home rule" and "democracy", but would the world really be worse off?
In a word, yes. Letting the Russians have control of Crimea allows them to shut off traffic flow to the west coast of Georgia (if I'm reading the unmarked inset maps right.) Which would allow the Russians to put pressure on them to rejoin the fold as well. A naval base there would threaten the Ukrainian coast and their sovereignty. Finally the Russians wouldn't let us have free reign in Syria, oh they would say that they would, but they'll never let it happen.
As for China and NK, I wouldn't let China be able to freely move their troops that close to the DMZ on a bet. The Korean war started with less and the push back from the Yalu only happened when the Chinese finally stepped in under the pretense of the US troops crossing the river.
Finally; As both prior service (USMC) and a history major (spec. military history) I have a, if not unique then at least low volume view of the situation. Any fight to ensure self rule is worth it. Iraq should have been fought in senior's time but removing Hussein was the right thing to do regardless of if junior had to do it. With the exception of some total drekheads who never realized that taking that oath might mean that they would actually have to fight, those of us who serve realise what we are volunteering for and what it could end with.