Foreign Policy

[Sea Turtle]

Not sure it could be much worse. The quickest way is always through the pocketbook. What would you do to apply pressure?

No pressure is going to change anything. The only thing that will would be the end of the Maduro socialist regime.

It's terrible. One third have left, another third is starving. Maduro doesn't care as long as he has his fortress in Caracas. He refuses international aid.

Bluto has a point. You could befriend and help his country. Or you could get rid of him like pulling a rotten tooth. We need to stop messing around and do one of the other.

 

[NDVirginia19]

Pressure to do what?

Sanctions haven’t really moved the needle on Cuba, Iran, Venezuela or Russia.

The US seems to be perfectly fine cozying up to Dictators.

So, I would approach Maduro and open a direct dialogue to find out what he wants in an attempt to enter into negotiations with a large investment and aid package on the table.

Sticks don’t seem to work. Might as well try some carrots.

The Venezuelan regime is inherently never going to cozy up to the US. They are aligned with Russia, Iran, Cuba, and increasingly China. The Chavez-Maduro regime funnels state money into terrorist separatist groups in the region and is threatening to invade Guyana. Throwing aid at the regime piles on to our already monstrous debt, inhibiting us from providing internal investment and focusing on our own national security, and it is a pipe dream to actually change the mind of a regime that is fundamentally opposed to American hegemony. They will probably play nice and dupe a Harris administration much like Iran duped Obama and Biden's administrations and then use that external revenue to strengthen their regime and work directly counter to US interests in the region. They don't really cover that at Model UN, so Blinken will be blindsided.

 

[Irish#1]

It's going to get bigger over in the ME.

https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/lebanon-beirut-explosion-07-30-24/index.html

 

[Irish#1]

Pressure to do what?

Sanctions haven’t really moved the needle on Cuba, Iran, Venezuela or Russia.

The US seems to be perfectly fine cozying up to Dictators.

So, I would approach Maduro and open a direct dialogue to find out what he wants in an attempt to enter into negotiations with a large investment and aid package on the table.

Sticks don’t seem to work. Might as well try some carrots.

I'm not sure I agree. Cuba has been depressed for ages. No significant improvement in the lives of Cubans. The sanctions on Russia have not been in place that long, but appear to have created unrest with many. Iran was almost non-existent until we lifted some of the sanctions.

Looks like some talks may be coming. This article was written prior to the election. Hard to tell if the election will change that.

Venezuela will resume talks with US, President Maduro says

Venezuela will renew dialogue with the US from next Wednesday following a proposal from Washington, President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday. The US has since April levied crippling oil sanctions on the…

www.france24.com

 

[calvegas04]

 

[Sea Turtle]

Gonna take a Colonel or two.

 

[Irish#1]

 

[Irish#1]

Gonna take a Colonel or two.

I don’t think this is going to end without some conflict.

 

[IrishLax]

 

[calvegas04]

 

[Irish#1]

I'm guessing the strikes were coordinated.

 

[NDVirginia19]

Tough morning for The Squad

 

[calvegas04]

Hungry officially a russian puppet state

 

[Sea Turtle]

Hungry officially a russian puppet state

Maduro is dug in like an Alabama tick.

He's going to have to be ripped out.

 

[Bishop2b5]

The entire failure of socialism in Venezuela and it leading to a collapse of the economy and public services, the entrenchment of a despotic ruler... the whole thing. Just shocking to me. I really thought they were going to do it right this time and show us how amazing real socialism is. I just can't figure out why it failed yet again. A real puzzler there.

 

[Sea Turtle]

The entire failure of socialism in Venezuela and it leading to a collapse of the economy and public services, the entrenchment of a despotic ruler... the whole thing. Just shocking to me. I really thought they were going to do it right this time and show us how amazing real socialism is. I just can't figure out why it failed yet again. A real puzzler there.

It should be a lesson for everybody. Especially those young adults who think it's cool, chic and something anybody should try. Some try to make it sound more palatable by saying Democratic Socialism.

Ironically, Hugo Chavez was elected democratically and we see how that has ended up.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

…Some try to make it sound more palatable by saying Democratic Socialism.

Democratic Socialism is not the same as socialism. You do know Democratic Socialism is not only practiced in Northern Europe but is also very successful, right? Check out some of the countries that are ranked at the top in categories like happiness, quality of life, etc.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Democratic Socialism is not the same as socialism. You do know Democratic Socialism is not only practiced in Northern Europe but is also very successful, right? Check out some of the countries that are ranked at the top in categories like happiness, quality of life, etc.

They are democracies but they are not socialist. Socialized medicine and other government benefits is not socialism.

Karl Marx influenced the development of Democratic Socialism. 'Democracy is indespensible to realizing Socialism'.

But we can agree to disagree.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Democratic Socialism is not the same as socialism. You do know Democratic Socialism is not only practiced in Northern Europe but is also very successful, right? Check out some of the countries that are ranked at the top in categories like happiness, quality of life, etc.

Is that what you want the US to replicate? A nation mainly of white folk that has very strict immigration law (and it's enforced) and its largest export is oil/ gas? That would be Norway.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

Is that what you want the US to replicate? A nation mainly of white folk that has very strict immigration law (and it's enforced) and its largest export is oil/ gas? That would be Norway.

When did I say that I wanted the US to replicate anything?

 

[SeekNDestroy]

They are democracies but they are not socialist. Socialized medicine and other government benefits is not socialism.

Karl Marx influenced the development of Democratic Socialism. 'Democracy is indespensible to realizing Socialism'.

But we can agree to disagree.

I suggest you educate yourself on the various types of government and their meanings.

Democratic Socialist Countries 2026

Discover population, economy, health, and more with the most comprehensive global statistics at your fingertips.

worldpopulationreview.com

 

[Sea Turtle]

I suggest you educate yourself on the various types of government and their meanings.

Democratic Socialist Countries 2026

Discover population, economy, health, and more with the most comprehensive global statistics at your fingertips.

worldpopulationreview.com

I actually read that already. I understand it. They can call it whatever they want. The Nazis were Democratic Socialists too. Socialism and capitalism are inherently incapatible.

So let's take your point then, how are three tiny nordic countries(protected by the umbrella of US power)in any way comparable to one of the largest countries on earth with a population of 330,000,000?

My point is ANY movement towards socialism is dangerous. Again, we can agree to disagree.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

I actually read that already. I understand it. They can call it whatever they want. The Nazis were Democratic Socialists too. Socialism and capitalism are inherently incapatible.

So let's take your point then, how are three tiny nordic countries(protected by the umbrella of US power)in any way comparable to one of the largest countries on earth with a population of 330,000,000?

My point is ANY movement towards socialism is dangerous. Again, we can agree to disagree.

The Nazis were not socialists; they were fascists. They only incorporated the word “socialist” into their name because socialism was a popular ideology at the time. Do you think the Democratic Republic of Korea is a democracy? The fact that many very successful western nations incorporate socialism and capitalism would seem to refute your belief that that they are incompatible. You also stated earlier that the development of Democratic Socialism was influenced by Marx, when in fact, it rejects Marxism.

And where did I compare the US to Scandinavia?

 

[Bishop2b5]

I'm always a bit perplexed by those who so enthusiastically defend socialism and tell us how great it is, but refuse to move to any of the socialist countries. About three years ago, a 30-ish coworker went on & on & on about how great socialism was and how great Venezuela and Cuba and such places were. I asked him why he didn't move there. His reply was, "I would if I had enough money to go." I offered to pay for his ticket, all moving expenses, and his living costs for a month if he'd sign a contract that he had to repay me with interest if he returned within five years. Guess who was full of shit and started making excuses. Anytime you hear that BS, you can safely assume it's all virtue signaling or ignorance of reality and history.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

I'm always a bit perplexed by those who so enthusiastically defend socialism and tell us how great it is, but refuse to move to any of the socialist countries. About three years ago, a 30-ish coworker went on & on & on about how great socialism was and how great Venezuela and Cuba and such places were. I asked him why he didn't move there. His reply was, "I would if I had enough money to go." I offered to pay for his ticket, all moving expenses, and his living costs for a month if he'd sign a contract that he had to repay me with interest if he returned within five years. Guess who was full of shit and started making excuses. Anytime you hear that BS, you can safely assume it's all virtue signaling or ignorance of reality and history.

You’re right, Bishop. Japan, Australia, Germany, Canada, and a bunch of other western countries that incorporate socialism into their political systems are complete shitholes. And by the way, nobody believes your story about your co-worker.

 

[Sea Turtle]

The Nazis were not socialists; they were fascists. They only incorporated the word “socialist” into their name because socialism was a popular ideology at the time. Do you think the Democratic Republic of Korea is a democracy? The fact that many very successful western nations incorporate socialism and capitalism would seem to refute your belief that that they are incompatible. You also stated earlier that the development of Democratic Socialism was influenced by Marx, when in fact, it rejects Marxism.

And where did I compare the US to Scandinavia?

Karl Marx, whose thought influenced the development of democratic socialism, with some endorsing it and others rejecting it[nb 3]
Democratic socialism involves the majority of the population controlling the economy through some democratic system, with the idea that the means of production are owned and managed by the working class.[3] The interrelationship between democracy and socialism extends far back into the socialist movement to The Communist Manifesto's emphasis on winning as a first step the "battle of democracy",[167] with Karl Marx writing that democracy is "the road to socialism."[168]

The modern version of this seems to be 'The Third Way' in which capitalism is recognized as the status quo, Seek. I'll grant you that.

And the point I was making with Germany in the 1930's and '40's is that you can call yourself whatever you want.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

Karl Marx, whose thought influenced the development of democratic socialism, with some endorsing it and others rejecting it[nb 3]
Democratic socialism involves the majority of the population controlling the economy through some democratic system, with the idea that the means of production are owned and managed by the working class.[3] The interrelationship between democracy and socialism extends far back into the socialist movement to The Communist Manifesto's emphasis on winning as a first step the "battle of democracy",[167] with Karl Marx writing that democracy is "the road to socialism."[168]

The modern version of this seems to be 'The Third Way' in which capitalism is recognized as the status quo, Seek. I'll grant you that.

And the point I was making with Germany in the 1930's and '40's is that you can call yourself whatever you want.

You need to read The Communist Manifesto in it’s original German in order to understand it fully.
Democratic Socialism rejects Marxism. Period.

 

[Sea Turtle]

You need to read The Communist Manifesto in it’s original German in order to understand it fully.
Democratic Socialism rejects Marxism. Period.

You may be correct. It's not really a big deal and we probably aren't far from each other. Interpretation and such.

I like and respect you. It's good to have dialouge with those who disagree with my views.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

You may be correct. It's not really a big deal and we probably aren't far from each other. Interpretation and such.

I like and respect you. It's good to have dialouge with those who disagree with my views.

Suddenly, I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

We may not agree on politics, but we both love the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame!

 

[Bishop2b5]

You’re right, Bishop. Japan, Australia, Germany, Canada, and a bunch of other western countries that incorporate socialism into their political systems are complete shitholes. And by the way, nobody believes your story about your co-worker.

FFS son, going through life saying stupid stuff is no way for you to live. The story is 100% true. Almost all countries have some elements of socialism in their system, a la social safety nets and welfare to various degrees. Don't play dumb. It's how you put yourself in my sights before. You got out. Do you really want me roasting your ass on a regular basis again? If you love socialism so much, why are you here? Why haven't you moved to Cuba or Venezuela or some other socialist nation instead of this nonsense about Canada or Norway or Germany?