Mornin’ Politocadoes!
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled a willingness to use nuclear weapons to defend its “territorial integrity” and that this is “not a bluff”. In a recent interview, Putin reiterated his belief that Russian forces are ready for the use of nuclear weapons in a contest with the West. These statements follow-up from his annual State of the Union address with statements such as “Russia won’t let anyone interfere in its internal affairs.” While Putin has not so far seen the need to use tactical nukes in the War in Ukraine, he has never shied away from a belief that Russia could.
The idea of nuclear warfare in this conflict has been floating around between government officials and state press. Former President and current Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev had warned that there were “no more red lines” after French President Emmanuel Macron restated France’s firm support for Kyiv. Medvedev then added “In hostem omina licita” or, “everything is legal if it is done to an enemy.”
Wheeee, leaders of nuclear-powered countries are edgy bullshitters on twitter, wheeeeee.
Russian state news agencies are also supporting the use of the nuclear arsenal. One of the most prominent figures in Russia’s state news media, Vladimir Solovyov, suggested last week that Russia could launch nuclear strikes on France, Germany, and the United States.
Now, what’s happening here? Both the government and its mouthpieces are talking about how easy it would be for Russia to use nukes. How seriously should we take this? Putin spoke in an interview about the readiness from a military and technological standpoint, Medvedev dropped threats, and Solovyov is feeding a narrative to his viewers. My personal feeling is that this is a more complicated saber-rattling. North Korea will use rhetoric like turning Japan into a “Sea of Fire” to signal that they have nukes, so don’t mess with them. But Russia’s playing a different game. They want to be taken seriously as actors on the world stage while still threatening that they’ll destroy the planet over it.
The strategy is two-fold, I think. Create a notion that Russia is ready for this through its leaders and use the state media to viewers accommodated to how they see those views. Who’s the audience? Why, both Russian viewers at home and people around the world! It sows doubt for the war-weary that Russia will ever end its invasion. Worse, it creates in the mind that Russia will be the biggest sore loser in history and take us with it.
For what it’s worth, I don’t think they’re serious. At best, they might start utilizing tactical nukes, which is an ominous innovation however you look at it. Russia’s having a harder time of this invasion than I think Putin suspected. His back is against the wall and all he can do is play for time and hope the US fucks up and elects Trump so no more funding for Ukraine can come through.
Welcome to Thursday! Please be excellent to each other in the comments. The Mayor McSquirrel Rule remains in effect. Something to keep in mind! Police are using digital data to prosecute abortion seekers, and Facebook and Google are helping them! Even if they are not legally required to do so, the tech giants will aid them in this since it’s technically *against the law*. Please be careful when looking for abortion providers or helping someone who is looking for that assistance.
The Covid-19 pandemic continues even if the emergencies end, continue to vaccinate using the latest version of the FDA approved vaccines by Phizer and Moderna. Even if you are vaccinated, please continue to maintain social distancing measures, wear masks in public areas in accordance with CDC guidelines in regard to your own vaccination status.
Also, according to recent polls approximately 50% of adults are not planning on getting their Covid-19 boosters. So please get them and older adults should also look to be vaccinated for RSV! It’s been difficult to get adults onboard with getting the RSV shots as it is. Remember that getting these shots could potentially keep thousands of Americans who do not have to be there out of the ICU this winter.