Malazan Empire: Tapper - Viewing Profile - Malazan Empire

 Garak, on 19 April 2025 - 06:52 AM, said:

And that after pressing for that mineral deal without security guarantees. Mind you, it might be a blessing in disguise for Ukraine judging by what The Guardian reports (settlement according to current frontlines, plus no NATO membership for Ukraine).

Mentalist, on 28 February 2025 - 07:25 PM, said:

Verbally side with Ukraine, debate endlessly over more help and what kind of weaponry would not overly antagonise Russia, while each country rebuilds its own capabilities at its own pace. Funding is one thing, but finding capable people willing to serve is an entirely different issue.

That being said, potentially using the construction created for Covid emergency funding superseding the budget norms now also for military buildup was a surprisingly adroit development. I hope the EU sees that through, but right wing clowns like Orban will slow it all down, doubly so since it pleases both Trump and Putin.

If the EU is serious about its security and about speaking with one voice, it should consider suspending the membership of countries like Hungary.

Finally, they may make some decision on allocating the Russian assets to Ukrainian armaments rather than using it for rebuilding its economy.

Now, what will China do? The current situation seems great for them anyway, with the US isolating itself. However, do they dare to step into the vacuum openly, or do they just continue to quietly sponsor Russia?

Cause, on 20 February 2025 - 08:34 PM, said:

Russia might indeed build him a statue.

 Azath Vitr (D, on 08 January 2025 - 04:24 PM, said:

Not if you go into the specifics of replacing one administrative system with another.

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Nope. Putin is tethered to China. Even if he would pivot to a Trump-led US, he knows any Trump successor (especially an elected one) will turn against him. Trump wants Putin’s personal approval, maybe. He certainly envies his autocratic position and image as sole ruler - but more than Putin’s approval, Trump wants to look strong and in charge.

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Because that’s not how things work?
Again, Trump will be president for 4 years. After that, even if somehow he manages to get another term (biiiiiiiiig assumption), he will still be ruled by short term interests, because his lifespan will be short. Occupation is never short term. IMHO, when and if he gets legal immunity and get his kids and sycophants into the best positions possible, he’s done and doesn’t care anymore.

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The US has used plenty of iffy justifications in the past 80 years to intervene in foreign countries, but it hasn’t started a war of aggression with the outright aim of conquest… “only” regime change. It won’t now. Chances are too large of being caught with their pants down by China attacking Taiwan. Even if Trump does not think of that, his China hawks will. Getting him to respond to that correctly is going to be hard enough, all the more so if he’s on a personal adventure.

My WRs and TEs were mostly inconsistent, but I did not manage to find a good solution for either on the waiver wire. Jordan Addison was a pretty decent pickup, though.
Don’t know what went down in Philly with their passing game. Saquon ought to have allowed more shots downfield, instead AJ Brown never reached the highs he had last few seasons. Cooper Kupp and George Pickens were the only other draftees who reached the end of the season and neither truly impressed either.

Biggest success was Jahmyr Gibbs - too bad he didn’t play as the bell cow until Montgomery got injured, but then, that’s how Campbell likes his lineup anyway.

Already looking forward to next year’s draft 😀. Feels like this season shook up a lot of things.