Venezuela 2025

[Bootstrap]

I cannot think of any way that this conflict helps the average American.

Makes good television, but it sure would be nice to see this effort put into things that do improve our lives. Venezuela is no threat to us.

[Soloist]

I cannot think of any way that this conflict helps the average American.

Makes good television, but it sure would be nice to see this effort put into things that do improve our lives. Venezuela is no threat to us.

Not justifying it, but you aren't thinking about global players positioning these things like chess pieces.

What isn't a threat now, can become a threat later.

[Bootstrap]

I cannot think of any way that this conflict helps the average American.

Makes good television, but it sure would be nice to see this effort put into things that do improve our lives. Venezuela is no threat to us.

Not justifying it, but you aren't thinking about global players positioning these things like chess pieces.

What isn't a threat now, can become a threat later.

Apparently, you think you can see some way that this conflict helps the average American. Can you be more specific?

I am not at all convinced that this is a brilliant move in a game of three dimensional chess. I do think quite a bit about strategy, so if you have some specific strategic considerations to share, please do.

[Soloist]

I cannot think of any way that this conflict helps the average American.

Makes good television, but it sure would be nice to see this effort put into things that do improve our lives. Venezuela is no threat to us.

Not justifying it, but you aren't thinking about global players positioning these things like chess pieces.

What isn't a threat now, can become a threat later.

Apparently, you think you can see some way that this conflict helps the average American. Can you be more specific?

I am not at all convinced that this is a brilliant move in a game of three dimensional chess. I do think quite a bit about strategy, so if you have some specific strategic considerations to share, please do.

I’ve tried to explain this to you before and you don’t seem to grasp it. This is about Russia and Chinese investments in what America views as its territory.
I think you’re also conflating what I’m saying. I never said it was actually going to improve the lives of average Americans. I explained to you one possibility for why it might be happening.

[JohnH]

I'm a bit confused, Bootstrap.

So sanctions against Russia = good?

Sanctions against Venezuela = bad?

Do you have any further commentary about the extremely close relationship between Venezuela and Russia, including how Venezuela helps Russia evade sanctions?

[Bootstrap]

I'm a bit confused, Bootstrap.

So sanctions against Russia = good?

Sanctions against Venezuela = bad?

Do you have any further commentary about the extremely close relationship between Venezuela and Russia, including how Venezuela helps Russia evade sanctions?

I think there's a huge difference between:

1. Sanctions = economic measures used instead of military actions, and
2. Military actions

You don't? I also think there's a huge difference between:

1. Russia invading Ukraine, and
2. Venezuela not threatening the United States in any way

To me, Venezuela is a blatant example of military bullying, and we still do not have an official explanation of why we are there or what our goals are, congressional authorization, or pretty much anything to justify what is going on.

[Soloist]

To me, Venezuela is a blatant example of military bullying, and we still do not have an official explanation of why we are there or what our goals are, congressional authorization, or pretty much anything to justify what is going on.

We do have official explanation, you object to it.

I do to but for different reasons.

[Bootstrap]

To explain it as simply as I can. Russia and China are investing in territory around us. The US government has been quietly countering this as we do the same thing to them too. Pres Trump comes along and does the same thing openly.
The logic is the same logic that caused the Cuban missile crisis.
Do you understand my point now? Don't bother trying to fit me into a side, I'm explaining military/political strategic thought, not taking a side.

Thank-you, that's clear.

Here's where I disagree: I think the United States had been winning in the global economy. Our allies believed we were making them a much better deal than China and Russia do. The dollar was at the heart of the global economy, and so were the systems we set up.

We are throwing that all away now by adopting Russia's playbook, threatening and bullying our neighbors will military force ... and without a clear strategy. I mean, what's the best possible outcome with Venezuela? What military goal do we have in mind? What does this mean for our relationships with the rest of Latin America and Europe?

If our goal is to convince the rest of the world that we are just as bad as Russia, I think we are doing the right thing. But that goal doesn't feel like three dimensional chess to me.

[R7ehr]

Here's where I disagree: I think the United States had been winning in the global economy. Our allies believed we were making them a much better deal than China and Russia do. The dollar was at the heart of the global economy, and so were the systems we set up.

Does this disagree though with what Soloist says? I think this can still agree. I think this could do either, because it doesn’t seem to touch on what he’s been talking about.

[Bootstrap]

Here's where I disagree: I think the United States had been winning in the global economy. Our allies believed we were making them a much better deal than China and Russia do. The dollar was at the heart of the global economy, and so were the systems we set up.

Does this disagree though with what Soloist says? I think this can still agree.

I'm not sure.

Soloist?