Russian vassalization of Ukraine

[eynon81]

[John Galt]

[Dylan]

Love the revisionism. Shameless.

Don't underestimate these sanctions though. The pervasiveness of the US financial system adds teeth to even limited sanctions. For example, Bank Rossiya Had its relationship with visa and Mastercard cut off already. The private sector is also feeling the effects and several major transactions have already been shut down.

I think Putin bit off more than he can chew.

If we could get the UK on board I think Putin would cave in a matter of weeks.

[John Galt]

you may be right, they jsut may need a bit of time to mount the hurt on them. still, it just seems so weak, considering the selective targeting. if it does have the desired effect it's amazing how such sanctions can work. i know that russia is run by oligarchs so it makes sense targeting them could really put the hurt on but it's just... so few

[Dylan]

The sanctions apparatus in place post 911 is unbelievable. Banks are scared shit less of it. I guarantee banks are tightening up on second or even third removed affiliates of sanctioned persons just as a safety precaution.

It doesn't seem like much until you peak under the hood. There was a good WSJ article on it a few weeks back. I'll try to dig it up when I'm not on a mobile.

[Kane]

Last night the BBC reported Russian officials as being "disturbed" by severely ramped up NATO troop movement in Eastern Europe as well. Food for thought.

[Saz]

[John Galt]

[John Galt]

oh look now they are threatening astronauts

http://news.yahoo.com/us-reviving-iron- ... 11975.html

and of course, they are kind of in a position to do so, because of the retirement of the shuttle and not-retirement of the space station. but good thing elon musk is here to save us

[Saz]