The causes and consequences of the Ukraine war A lecture by John J. Mearsheimer

Professor John J. Mearsheimer will discuss the current Russian invasion on Ukraine whilst exploring the potential causes and consequences of the crisis.
In this lecture, Prof. Mearsheimer will aim to focus on both the origins of the war in Ukraine and some of its most important consequences. He will argue that the crisis is largely the result of the West’s efforts to turn Ukraine into a Western bulwark on Russia’s border. Russian leaders viewed that outcome as an existential threat that had to be thwarted. While Vladimir Putin is certainly responsible for invading Ukraine and for Russia’s conduct in the war, Prof. Mearsheimer states that he does not believe he is an expansionist bent on creating a greater Russia. Regarding the war’s consequences, the greatest danger is that the war will go on for months if not years, and that either NATO will get directly involved in the fighting or nuclear weapons will be used - or both. Furthermore, enormous damage has already been inflicted on Ukraine. A prolonged war is likely to wreak even more devastation on Ukraine.
Prof. John J. Mearsheimer is the R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor in the Political Science Department at the University of Chicago.
Disclaimer -- The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the speakers or authors in their personal capacity and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Robert Schuman Centre or the European University Institute.
Learn more about the Schuman Centre: bit.ly/3NEAzRl

[@TheRSCAS]

This discussion is now closed for comments

[@alexsong3597]

The guy with black shirt in the back did not have a clue, stunning …

[@anonymoussource701]

He was a hippy

[@h.n.3399]

and his tone of voice is so annoying and irritating.

[@arnebaekhansen]

Black shirt and yellow pants. What a existential threat to human intelligence.

[@Bobochee]

@@h.n.3399 Absolutely! So catastrophically arrogant also

[@MrSibercat]

It shocked me how USA is invested in this, its almost like Ukraine is the 51th State

[@user-wf3bz5ud8q]

3:45 Introduction 10:42 John's speech 1:06:34 Conclusion 1:09:20 Questions by interviewer 1:32:05 Audience Questions

[@sudarshanhs]

Thank you

[@khalidalali186]

باركتك الآلهة 👍🏻👍🏻

[@alexandraapley3303]

Blessings ~

[@gk-qf9hv]

John was remarkably polite answering those condescending question, and the idiots behind them.

[@leemz6134]

cuz john is from United States. Those fools will tear him apart if they knew his theory and he knew it. He had met too many idiots and was actually indifferent with them

[@virginialopezmartinez1510]

That's liberal university education for ya. And I haven't gotten to that part of the video yet.

[@leemz6134]

@@virginialopezmartinez1510 1:45:00 you are welcome

[@ednorton47]

This war is turning out to be a real moneymaker.

[@The.world.has.gone.crazy...]

All wars are, why else did the usa wage war for over 20 years in Afghanistan?

[@ipdavid1043]

Totally agree and also oil companies

[@loualbano4520]

"War is a Racket", 1935 short book by Smedley D. Butler.

[@dadikkedude]

For who?

[@sirmiles1820]

@@loualbano4520 An okay book. If not too shallow.0

[@clovisra]

Many people here would be happier listening to someone reading a press release from DC.

[@nguyenlanhanh7660]

The dude in the yellow hot pants didn't come to the talk for the right reason, that is to get educated no matter how different your perspective might be. He showed little respect and no professionalism when out right declaring that he came to the talk to be entertained (he described the Prof.'s performance as "entertaining"), and left when the discussion was still going on, showing no interest in actually learning what the speaker had to say. His fashion and manner definitely scream for attention. No doubt of him being among ideologues masked as liberals.

[@virginialopezmartinez1510]

Dude in the yellow hot pants? Thanks, I won't watch anymore!🤮🤮🤮

[@DanielMdz]

Realism is not for everyone. Some prefer to live in a fantasy world. In the real world great powers act like selfish kids in a playground. They don't care, they just do what it's in their best interest. The strongest wins. This applies for all of them.

[@ot23234]

'Realist School' is just an excuse for academics to get tenure by restating what Thucydides wrote in the Melian Dialogues ;) Nothing changes because human nature doesn't change.

[@rkan2]

It is not just world powers

[@lizadonrex]

Realism is not about appeasement or force to submit to power, you can throw this realism nonsense back to Putin, if you invade Ukraine except get punch back to your face.

[@christianevanherck6023]

Get your facts straight! The real world has started to move away from old destructive patterns based on power competition. The real world cares about sustainability.

[@fondueeundof3351]

There is middle ground between Mearsheimer's nihilistic realism and fantasy world. How else could the free Western democratic world have emerged from thousands of years of authoritarian rule if not by the principle of hope, and the power to change something it sets free?

[@chrisbremner8992]

The chairwoman after speaking about herself for 20 minutes then allows 15 questions to be asked before a reply is allowed , what a disorderly approach.

[@gonduras]

narcissisms?

[@jossietem1700]

you are right, Chris Bremmer. The chairwoman was disrespectful and took too much time.

[@yoxat1]

Some of the questions from these woke cultists just show how unbelievably uninformed they are. Their own questions show that they haven't researched both sides of the topic.

[@LGrove-ep9yl]

It is unfortunate that John didn't mention any the neo-Nazi activates in Ukraine, which is another cause of this war.

[@ldragon8er]

"Did Germany support the Iraq war? France, Germany and Russia were from the very outset publicly opposed to a US-led war. As the US took a more militaristic position, these three nations' governments became increasingly outspoken in opposition to the invasion"

[@RavingFan]

Defensive short range weapons. If acted against adolf, no ww2. Lesson from hist. nip it in bud.

[@ldragon8er]

@@RavingFan 8 years before Germany invaded Czechoslovakia, which country started killing 16000 German citizens on it's territory? NATO's intervention in Yugoslavia was prompted by Yugoslavia's bloodshed and ethnic cleansing of Albanians. Why didn't NATO intervene to stop Ukraine's killing of It's Russian ethnic minority?

[@RavingFan]

@@ldragon8erBush jr, wasn't brightest. Current Putin resp. carpet bomb Mauriupol (civilians). Soon, EU inundated by hungry Africans (weaponize food). Putin - true humanitarian.

[@ldragon8er]

@@RavingFan Putin's a gentle kitten compared to his mentors. " The B-52s were restricted to bombing suspected Communist bases in relatively uninhabited sections, because their potency approached that of a tactical nuclear weapon. A formation of six B-52s, dropping their bombs from 30,000 feet (9,100 m), could "take out"... almost everything within a "box" approximately five-eighths mile (1.0 km) wide by two miles (3.2 km) long. Whenever Arc Light struck ... in the vicinity of Saigon, the city woke from the tremor.. Neil Sheehan, war correspondent, writing before the mass attacks to heavily populated cities including North Vietnam's capital.[25] "

[@ldragon8er]

Mariupol wasn't carpet bombed. Ukraine forces set up firing points in apartment buildings, so during fights against them those particular buildings got damaged

[@AuditorInvestor]

Admire Mearsheimer taking questions from hostile questioners like the ones at 1:45:00 and 1:48:00 - who don't seem to be open to counterarguments.

[@nwogamesalert]

The usual "hidden hand" people I bet.

[@virginialopezmartinez1510]

@@nwogamesalert YES

[@castlerock58]

The questions were really stupid.

[@Phessington]

I think that the professor responded very well to the hostile and disrespectful tone that the questions were asked. I don’t think that they really listened to what he said. It was as if the questions that were asked were thought of before he even spoke.

[@madoldmanyelling6420]

He doesn't care, he's used to it, to standing up to his points, and that's why I respect and admire J. Mearsheimer.

[@mynameismynameis666]

they were NED/state dept trolls from some thinktank/astroturf club

[@arnebaekhansen]

@@mynameismynameis666 NED and EED for sure!

[@mynameismynameis666]

@@chrischestarrow9031 you can't counter gaslighting trolls with arguments. they are nazi paid, they don't care about arguments

[@jeremyperala839]

​@@chrischestarrow9031 marshmallow? this audience is a nice cross section demonstrating the irrelevance of higher education in society today. one would have a hard time finding more clowns at a circus convention.

[@maxga13]

what a sensible view

[@aduanetwum1941]

A US military veteran said what Russia did in Kyiv is really smart.he went on to explain that, sending 40000 troops to the city is not to take the city of over 2 million, it’s impossible but it gave Ukraine that impression so they pulled almost all their resources to fortify the city then Russia retreated going after their main target eastern Ukraine. Splitting Ukraine army is the key to winning because it’s weakens Ukraine. If Ukraine moves out of Kyiv they get hit by Missiles so they travel in small groups in civilian cars to reinforce their positions in the east. Anyway in the end I hope some kind of deal is done.

[@Lavklumpen]

The actual lecture starts at 11:29.

[@laudermarauder]

Thank you

[@jeremyperala839]

thanks Carl, you are an esteemable citizen of KZbin and the internet.

[@paul7bana]

at 16:40 the lecturer ignores Putins speach a week ago, when he explained to young enterpreneurs in Russia his goal of collecting lands like Peter the great did.

[@jopa030]

@@paul7bana you ignored to watch the entire lecture.

[@Lavklumpen]

@@jeremyperala839 Thank you for the kind words! :-D

[@jvs333]

Seems these “students” are all wrapped up in US/west pro-Ukraine views rather than having actually listened to the complex details of history. Professor Mearsheimer has his observation on point

[@banarama4144]

Yep. Explains why the West is in the mess it is.

[@patriley1026]

Russia is losing badly in Ukraine and collapsing from within. It is a dying Empire with a population that is going down in numbers and with an insignificant economy. This war is the last gasp of the dying Russian Empire. And I love it. 😃

[@jvs333]

@@patriley1026 what world are you in?? You sound like a clueless moron to reality. Must be feeding 24/7 on US/West propaganda. Russia has taken control of 20% of Ukraine and is only gaining more. You are a delusional ignorant. Get real. Russia is not only winning on the battlefield its winning on the sanctions, its winning on the ruble, its winning in global support. The big losers are the US puppet states of the EU and the US ($6.00 a gallon), $54+ billion more in debt, inflation, and we’re not even at winter. I suggest you pull your head out of your wazoo and actually inform yourself to reality. There are dozens of highly intelligent geopolitical in the know people that make your comment a complete laughable idiot joke. You tube Scott Ritter, Col. Douglass MacGregor, Col. Richard Black, John Meansheimer, Michael Hudson, Alexander Mercousis, Brian Berletic, Jackson Hinkley, and others. Or stay a clueless ignorant. PS: as for a dying empire on its last gasp of air if you were actually informed and capable of knowing reality that would be the US. The US is a declining breaking down empire

[@robinpclarke]

@@patriley1026 "Russia is losing badly in Ukraine and collapsing from within." Funny that all the independent commentators give reasons for the exact opposite conclusion, with only the Big Money etc sources saying otherwise. Remind me where the main Russian retreats have been this month so far.

[@momodoukebbeh]

@@patriley1026 From where are you getting your fake news? CNN, BBC, Fox News or MSNBC?

[@andrzejmroz7153]

This man gives us inside to the whole situation . I am thankful for his brave approach by going against mediocratic flow.

[@SabatielFollower]

He gives his subjective opinion to which he is entitled to. Then again you should know better if you live in EU.

[@alexandraapley3303]

@@SabatielFollower as are you friend. Even comments based on an experience are still perspectives. I'm not speaking to what's what I'm simply acknowledging the value of varied perspectives and those who freely acknowledge that's what they are. Not absolutes

[@SabatielFollower]

@@alexandraapley3303 There is always an insight in one's opinion. To be frank, there isn't much I disagree with your comment ma'am.

[@RavingFan]

The world needs more putins ;)

[@SabatielFollower]

@@RavingFan only if you will keep them all in your basement ;) jokes aside, world seen too much of likes like Hitler Stalin etc... One Putin is too much already

[@AhemLd]

John is an absolute Chad, standing tall and totally jolly while the gremlins throw their pebbles at him. It is a beauty to watch, and he's turned himself into somewhat of a hero of mine.

[@suspendedtwice4sayingrasis261]

Wtf are you on, mate? This is how we've been acquiring knowledge all along: somebody proposes an explanation/theory for something and the rest of us have to attack that explanation to see if it hold to the scientific scrutiny. John is doing what every intellectual has been doing for centuries and I don't really understand what's so heroic about it? 😄

[@Nick-rh4bx]

@@suspendedtwice4sayingrasis261 those evil gremlins turned up to quietly listen in their little gremlin seats and ask timely questions. Didn't you see the pebbles they were throwing?! Think we watched a different video tbh

[@suspendedtwice4sayingrasis261]

@@Nick-rh4bx I think we watched the same video. The only difference is that I wasn't having a psychotic episode in that very moment.

[@svetolsav]

The most scary thing for me - the inability of so many smart people to realise what JJM speaking!

[@ontheland5055]

You'd rather they didn't think for themselves..

[@danielpatterson9663]

Many intellectuals are narcissistic and suffer from delusions of granduer, among other things, which gets in the way of rational thought. Hence, the saying, they're so smart they're dumb.

[@nekocekoBiHMK]

The conclusion of that is that these are not smart people at all. They're institutionalized, academic cretins. Western academics are imbeciles as a rule, and there is only few exceptions to this, like Mearsheimer

[@a_l_e_k_sandra]

Is it really the inability? Are they really smart?

[@VasilyKiryanov]

@@a_l_e_k_sandra Not being smart - is inablilty.

[@florinapostoiu]

This man is so much ahead of all these children - I really can not understand the length of his patience to keep educating these kindergarten children.

[@deborahgallo6730]

Loved the Professor, such a humble man. Ever since this war started, I researched different views from the West and East. I came to the same conclusion regarding the West as the Professor did. I do not belong to the left or right or anything in between. I look at the situation, from what is going on..I am so grateful I had the opportunity to hear him speak.

[@michaelforansich8090]

Humble, but also blind. Did you happen to read my comment from 6 days earlier @Deborah Gallo ?

[@deborahgallo6730]

@@michaelforansich8090 No Michael, I never had the pleasure. Where can I find your comment?

[@anhumblemessengerofthelawo3858]

_an humble_ * ; )

[@KetzM]

As Churchill said, "He's a humble man with much to be humble about."

[@ShawnJonesHellion]

you loved him since u was three an he gave u the old jumbo sausage huh?

[@obiigwe8349]

Jeffrey Checkel (Yellow Shorts guy) is so smug in his ignorance. He talks down to Mearsheimer as though the Professor was a moderately talented first year doctoral student. Bizarre.

[@ftft98]

My thanks and respect to Prof. M for his courage to speak the uncomfortable truth about who really instigated the war in Ukraine and why: we have never stopped trying to strangle the bear after the fall of the Soviet Union. We love to create proxy wars globally to fight "enemies" who refuse to bow down to us without sending our troops directly into the war, and now we do everything to ensure that Kiev will fight to the last Ukrainian. Bleed the bear as much as possible, and hope it dies. However, in nature, for every action, there is a reaction, and I fear that there will definitely be unintended consequences blowing back in our face thanks to the determination of our policy makers to either provoke regime change or exterminate all countries who disobey and stray away from our so called "rule-based world" where we unilaterally set and dictate all the rules for everybody else. The entire world is our imperial domain. Other nations can either obey or die! What would we Americans choose to do, if we were in their shoes?

[@155stw]

CNN viewers still under the influence

[@44bett]

Well said - excellent points.

[@johnmcentegart007]

The thing is.. What are you doing about it? I see you writing about it, like as if your motivated by your exceptionalism's, such as insidiousness, actually, you would help us get that monkey off our back?

[@paul7bana]

Good point - what would you Americans do if you were in the shoes of Ukraine, or Poland? Or the comment here only talks of the shoes of US, China or Russia? Visit Russia and see for yourself.

[@joeremus9039]

Not quite sir! Putin is a disgusting, rotten dictator bent on enslaving Ukraine as he's robbed Russia of democracy, stolen wealth from his own people and murdered journalists and dissenters. Also I don't agree with professor Mearsheimer that Putin's goals have changed as the war in Ukraine has continued: Putin always fancied himself as a Peter the Great expansionist. In Putin's latest speech, he expresses his vulgar contempt for President Lincoln's Gettysburg address paying tribute to terrible sacrifice to secure the noble goal of securing our nation for the freedom of the people. Consider the inclusion and freedom of our black americans and the unified might of our country to help defeat the Nazis in World War II. Putin fears the power of the US on the minds of people who do not want to be the slaves of dictators.

[@AubreyWilkinsWursten]

It's downright heroic to tell the truth about this. People will ruin you for refusing to toe the line. They don't allow nuance of thought. And this situation *requires* it.

[@maximuscomfort]

Aubrey W Wursten, I agree with your comment. The guy with the orange shorts would be a foe. The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis is the main move into Ukraine. I think Sweden and Finland joining NATO is too far to be a military threat.

[@shafiqlugemwa2476]

He loses nothing to tell the truth at his age

[@SO-SOgood]

His view has no nuance, and he seems to admit as much in the Q&A. He's happy to be wrong when the archives open; very non-falsifiable premise. Worse because it sounds like a justification for invasion.

[@wojteks4712]

He is intellectually bankrupt, tnę number of factual misrepresentation is surprising. His theories fell apart when Russia invaded, despite obvious no perspective for Ukraine joining NATO. Now he changed narrative claiming that Ukraine training their defense capabilities (after already being invaded in 2014) was somehow informal joining of NATO. And somehow a threat for Russia. It's embarrassing to watch

[@vlado3304]

@@wojteks4712 Don't watch. But war is going on. Good enough evidence.

[@mohamedyusuf3078]

"When a war is successful, little attention is paid to its causes. But, when the outcome is disastrous, much attention is paid to the origins of the conflict" John Mearsheimer

[@bradandonian626]

A superb assessment of conflicts.

[@warringtribes6689]

Common sense

[@dr.tahirahmed.n125]

Big bossism has not yielded any result in Vietnam,Somalia,Syria,Iraq,Libya,Cuba,Afghnistan,Russia, and india(Bangla desh war,7the fleet threat),&North Korea.

[@charlesbrowne9590]

The outcome of war is always disastrous for the losers and sometimes for the winners. There are no examples of any war where “little attention is paid to its causes”.

[@gk-qf9hv]

This lady interviewer is asking why Ukraine and not Georgia? My question for you is, why Iraq and not Saudi Arabia? (I.e. Why dis the US invade Iraq and not SA etc.?)

[@sashanklavu2572]

Respects to Prof John meirsheimer for standing his line despite enormous pressure from the Neo-Cons.

[@looper3117]

No respect whatsoever. A bigger person would have admitted they were wrong by now …

[@giawou6615]

Sadly the satanic US leaders are blood thirsty who want to flirt with Worl war 3. Russia is superpower grave yard: Napoleon, Hitler and now liberal democracy. Vive la Russie ! ! !

[@iengishu5]

@@looper3117 A person like you perhaps

[@dro355]

Totally agree. His whole premise has been proven wrong. As has Angel Merkel’s time in office. Both providing a foolish an dangerous revision of history and misunderstanding of putin and his regime.

[@agenthex]

Mearsheimer is just your generic cold warrior looking to start up cold-war 2.0 w/ china. His only real disagreement with Neocons is that he thinks we should ally with russia in that war.

[@peterb405]

This guy is a genius. He continuously says, "if you provide evidence that i am wrong then I will admit that I am wrong." Who says that today? No one in the room could provide any more compelling an argument than he did. I had no idea coming into this video what it would amount to but am really impressed with what he presented. The world needs more guys like him who have the courage to stand up present an argument that is well thought our and prepared and then take slings and arrows so gracefully. As for the casually dressed gentleman with the beard who tried to dispel his arguments with simple emotion and outrage. Well - next time perhaps it is you who should be more prepared.

[@justynakowal8943]

Honestly, I was not impressed. He cherry picks narratives and oversimplifies to the level that his conclusions are just useless. I can only admit that the people asking questions at the audience were not up to match. Professor defines imperialism and security concerns in very narrow sense, which is far from modern understanding. I would recommend you a recent Munk debate with professor, where the opposition came much better prepared. History teaches us that a world, in which powerful countries can do whatever is not a peaceful one.

[@Chris-rb8ox]

Yeah that guy was weird tbh

[@andrewzulu5101]

@@justynakowal8943 I believe he deliberately avoided the modern understanding of imperialism because if he did, Uncle Sam would very much fit into that definition.

[@RUfrikkinkiddinME]

@@andrewzulu5101 What is the 'modern definition' of imperialism if not aggressively building an empire through conquest?

[@justynakowal8943]

@@andrewzulu5101 both Uncle Sam and Russian bear would very much fit into it and probably to some extent also Chinese panda. On the other hand, I do not think there is a single country, which is imperialistic in old terms of territorial conquest nowadays.

[@mashamasha3315]

I am following every John Mearsheimer speech about geopolitics because I hear the voice of education multiplied to wisdom. I want to thank the The Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies team for giving a platform for such a rare chance for alternative vision, which is rare in nowadays. I agree with professor Nicolas Guilhot introduction speech where he indicates an intellectual blockade of any alternative discussion not just in public media but in academic fields as well. Thank you.

[@barrynewlander1469]

There are so many people out there talking who are less crusty and who are actually talking sense, it's hard to believe that you are watching everything Mearsheimer says.

[@Nick-rh4bx]

@@barrynewlander1469 agree, always be sceptical and question stuff. I would never believe one guy verbatim just cos he's popular or famous. Doesn't matter how many titles and books they have. I think this kind content is mostly entertainment, I think the reasons that are closer to the truth will be a peer reviewed article, essay or book that dives deep into this.

[@RavingFan]

True, world needs more putins

[@Jay-cp9kd]

Alleluia!! The TRUTH!!

[@ericberg2131]

Few people have the ability to express such complex ideas in a way that the lay audience can understand. It signifies a strong grasp of their knowledge on the subject. John is a masterful communicator and his theories on what is going on in Ukraine have yet to be challenged. Damn, I love this guy!

[@PeterXiao1]

Many can but they can't stand up to the establishment view

[@ericberg2131]

@@PeterXiao1 true

[@kevinjohnson9533]

You are exactly right Eric. Mearsheimer sounds like a Bowery Boy who grew up to become a professor. lol

[@goranvuletic8873]

Actually there is nothing complex here. It may only seem so if one believes in the Western media lies.

[@agenthex]

"his theories on what is going on in Ukraine have yet to be challenged", he's just drawing back the curtains a bit to draw support for his favored cold war 2 with china. He's totally up for a proxy war w/ china using taiwan, and only differs from the neocons in looking to ally w/ russia in that nuclear conflict.

[@tonyc223]

After 20 years in Afghanistan and the disgusting disaster withdraw I have lost trust in our pentagon. Now this cluster f- - k.

[@pjeng1]

How about including Vietnam war?

[@elmersbalm5219]

Start with the end of WW2 at least.

[@myla6135]

Glad to hear it. Some of us who are older lost trust in consecutive US administrations foreign policy a lot longer ago. I'm UK and feel the same way about my ruling elites who have been poodles to US foreign policy for a very long time.

[@musakazem2998]

So wmd in iraq wasn't enough? Better late than never I suppose.

[@marioxhani7182]

What is really sad it that the fools in Washington are spending billion on Ukraine, and they are not spending a dollar in US wellfare. Take a look to the streets for example or the state of the cities. These guys are mad, history will judge them as a curse for humanity, they will be doomed in hell

[@GnosticCushite]

I'm a bus operator in a big city and a few days ago this white foreigner was on my bus who had a slight attitude and huge accent when I told him he needed to exit the bus because I had arrived at the terminal. As he was exiting my bus I noticed he was wearing a shirt with Azoz battalion, Nazi, swastika and insignia with the letters and numbers A30B. I was shocked because I had only seen these symbols online but never in real life. I couldn't believe how these foreign Nazi's are already here in America.

[@ABCABC-hd8iq]

The Canadian finance minister and deputy prime-minsiter Chrystia Freeland appeared at a march of Ukrainians in Toronto wearing a scarf with the printed Ukrainian Nazi salutation. That caused some kind of storm in the media. Since then, she is hiding in the closet.

[@dirkgonthier101]

These symbols mean something else in each country. When a war is waging, you see people react on it in different ways. For instance: the Croats still had some problems with the Serbs. As a consequence, many Croats fought with the Germans against the Serbs, who got support from the Russians. When the dust settled, the Germans and Croats lost the war. The Russians won. So, Croatia had to endure a communistic dictatorship for the next 50 years. But, when that dictatorship fell, the Croats and the Serbs went on fighting each other as if nothing had happened. This time the Croats were helped by the West, while the Russians didn't have the power to help the Serbs. Result: today Croatia is an independent country. Problem solved after more than 60 years. Something similar has happened in Ukraine. West-Ukraine wanted to free itself from the Russians. So they fought with the Germans. The East-Ukrainians wanted to be with Russia. So, they fought with the Russians. Russia won the war, so the West-Ukrainians had to live under a communist dictatorship for more than 50 years. But when that collapsed, the fight for independence went on. Culminating in Putin's invasion of Ukraine. I can tell you similar stories about Finland, the Baltic Republics, Flanders and so on. So, the world isn't so black and white, as you suppose.

[@ABCABC-hd8iq]

@@dirkgonthier101 In most of Europe and many parts of the world it's illegal to display Nazi symbols, including Great Britain and Australia. However, I was surprised to learn that in Canada it's legal, only Holocaust denial is illegal - kind of a cognitive dissonance.

[@dirkgonthier101]

@@ABCABC-hd8iq Yeah, and in other European nations it's not illegal. So what? It's logical that the Anglo-Saxon countries think that it's illegal. Because the Nazis (and Japan) hit them so hard that they nearly lost their commanding role in the world. And, in the meantime, they made as much war-victims as the Nazis. So, what's the difference?

[@emberson7850]

I heard quite a few shocking stories coming from New York in the 90s where Ukrainans had a rare parade with their swastikas. There was another story from another person where I heard someone else from Ukraine brag about their grandparents fighting for ss. It's goes on and on and theres some similar parades in Ukraine. Then there's the children natzi summer camps in ukraine videos where they do the strange salute. Something is wrong with these people. Chrystia Freelands grandfather was a nazi collaborator for Ukraine too.

[@giantarcsfora9279]

the best video I've seen. Most news about Ukraine is along the lines of: "look how this tank was destroyed, look at this bridge blow up, look at this..."

[@regant.cameron8237]

Try the Duran

[@virginialopezmartinez1510]

I stopped watching msm news on Ukraine War. It seemed like I was in a room full of snotty 14 year olds.(Isn't there an age limit for commenting on KZbin?)🤦🏼‍♀️

[@virginialopezmartinez1510]

@@regant.cameron8237 Excellent channel

[@ruizhang2452]

I particularly find some of the questions been asked by audience interesting: reveals how unrealistic academics see the world and formulate their presumptious questions

[@prysrek8858]

B-B-B-BUT PUTLER IS AFRAID(!!) OF DEMOCRCY!!! 😭

[@ruizhang2452]

Putin is not allowing Ukraine to become NATO's member. I don't know how you equal this to "democracy". In fact I can't even be sure that US or EU are the best example of successful democracy, if you recognize the cancel culture, the manipulation to their own population and bullying to others (Kosovo, Afghan, Syria, Lydia, Iraq, and the endless list of countries being sanctioned )

[@thor9563]

@Aditya Chavarkar At last! A rational adult mind!

[@rettro6578]

@Aditya Chavarkar Is the west “democratic”? Is it democratic to vote for a candidate that is pre-selected to favor the interests of global finance capitalism to the detriment of working people? Do people believe their vote matters over that of the wealthy? Is that democracy, sold to the highest bidder?

[@prysrek8858]

@Aditya Chavarkar Russia has plenty of candidates to vote for. But because Putin rebuilt their country and saved, the Russians love him and keep voting for him. Meanwhile what do you have in the US? 2 parties that are controlled by the same deep state institutions. And everyone that wants to offer an alternative gets bombarded with lawsuits. Is this real democracy? It isn't even that the Americans like any of their choices. It's always a choice between plague and cholera. And the person that gets the most funding by these oligarchical institutions wins. Is this real democracy? If this is real democracy then I'd be also afraid of it. I'd prefer a leader that acts in the will of his people to better his country. And not to suck it dry

[@beesplaining1882]

A key takeaway from the questions in this for me is that there are professional academics that are invested in the theory of Russian imperialism happening in Ukraine while they ignore the fact of American imperialism happening in NATO.

[@thor9563]

We'll take American 'imperialism' in NATO over a thuggish kleptocracy like the Putin regime - any day of the week! How many people migrate to Russy-a in a year? (Forcibly bussing thousands of Ukrainians to Russy-a doesn't count! )

[@AO-ow6tt]

Russia has been patient and kept restraint with Ukraine for 8 years as goodwill just find itself abused and bullied continuously. The US and its NATO stooges have made the big mistake to use Ukraine as puppet abd proxy to wage war of attrition against Russia that could end very badly for them.

[@Tattlebot]

KTA for me is the questioners are deluded idiots such as 1:46:00. Also half of them are shabbily dressed in cargo pants and t-shirts, beards. In a feminine, uptalking voice: "Anyone who studies Russian politics, right that in Putin's own words... that the existential threat is democracy". Yes, when you're in a war and the enemy is fully engaged in cognitive warfare for regime change, democracy can become an existential threat. Even with 10% fraud toward United Russia, we may say that Russia is democratic. Do Russians have real political alternatives to UR? Probably. Do Westerners have meaningful alternatives to liblab slop? Not really. Australians just had an election and a centre-left party won. Does Albanese publicly advocate for Julian Assange? he says he does so in private channels, which means he does not. Will he publicly denounce the treatment of this Australian citizen? Of course not. Russia might be more democratic than Australia despite 10% systemic fraud.

[@dennisfowler3187]

American imperialism ? does not seek to take over other nations by force and then hold on to them forever while robing them of all their natural minerials and energy.

[@paulcrist7285]

No mention of what War-like intentions were brought to light by being a member of NATO other than economic prosperity and self reliance.and democracy for Ukrainian people.

[@andyx8440]

Prof. Mearsheimer, you are a jewel in the landscape of ordinary pebbles! Thank you for your bravery.

[@autumnfar3114]

I like your comments!

[@elcid451]

But one question... if the US policy of NATO expansion towards Russia is "crazy" then it would seem that there is a hidden hand behind it! And that hidden hand suggest itself as the elephant in the room which is seldom if ever talked about; that being the elite agenda for a NWO and "World Government"

[@stepanstieber]

Bravery? He is completely confused and his values are misaligned.

[@wojteks4712]

There is nothing brave in repeating disproven theories. Once Ukraine offered neutrality (or earlier when Germany blocked NATO expansion) Putin's demands should be over. But they aren't. He lost on 24feb, 'realist' theories were disproven. So? He didn't reflect. He changed into 'training with NATO instructors makes you a de facto member - absurd!!!

[@stevecowham1017]

I don't see him as brave. I see him as a knowledgeable man, willing to speak out, make himself unpopular to those that are, 'Supporting the current thing', and having a broader understanding of situations. Whether it be enpowered by money or power, (Very closely linked), or by politics, the situation is far more complex than the so-called msm journalists appear to realise. The msm just replace the history of something with their own narrative on the side of the majority, perpetuated by their own loop of ignorance and affinity to them that are in charge at that time. Knowledge is power.. more power to him!

[@pettypractice7872]

That questioner sitting in the front with glasses and white shirt: “Putin is afraid of democracy!” Never heard a stupider question

[@willieneon1]

That was the most painful Q&A session I have ever seen. These people are supposed to be intellectuals but they showed very little intellect through their questions. Notice how many of them never brought up a counter-argument to Dr. Mearsheimer's nor asked relevant questions. Instead, they resorted to attacking him personally. This was a shame.

[@richardjamesbenoit6387]

Lady learn how to ask a question... So frustrating...

[@varelion]

They are no intellectuals. They are followers, functionaries, nothing else. They repeat their implanted propaganda like school kids in communist regimes. And they don't allow themselves to see the bigger picture, even when it is directly presented to them. Any disturbance of their implanted picture will be met with fear and aggression.

[@DirkusTurkess]

That guy asking for sources was funny though, he was literally shaking.

[@Gloomshadow100]

@@DirkusTurkess the little skinny Woody Allen guy?

[@Nowhere-from]

My highest respects to Prof. Mearsheimer, both professionally and as a man. He must have known the kind of audience he was going to face. And if he didn't, then all more my respects by his composure and ability to answer fake and highly disrespectful questions to the point of being unethical. A fake question is one not meant to ask but to reject an argument or person, like questioning his credentials and research. That's a question so open that doesn't have an answer, only a proper reply (if possible). They all had the obligation to know Prof Mearsheimer was talking on a topic he has studied and followed by probably decades! -Questions after min 1:44:35 by the jerk in yellow trousers (Jeff I think) were pure smugness and condescension, and delusional as well regarding Putin feeling threatened by democracy. The USA is not democratic! There is a wide consensus about it amongst Americans of sorts. What Putin (and several other non-western leaders) is the manipulation by the USA of democratic movements to cause chaos and place new governments subject to the USA. Latin America is full of experiences where the USA continually manipulates the media to get his way or suppress political dissidents. -Questions after 1:47:39 were pure condescension. KZbin doesn't allow me to mention her name. The people who made these questions are educated citizens, attending or lecturing in colleges from "developed" nations. Yet, their knowledge and take on the issue is just the same as your regular John and Jane Doe from watching massive mainstream media: deny all responsibility from the West. Their academic job is to question and face objection. The only one doing his job was Prof. Mearsheimer.

[@user-vl5vv4wl4t]

That is so true, what you said. It seems so hard for this audience just to step a bit sideways from the widely accepted theories.

[@boost4774]

Read my comment above ☝

[@stevepetty7009]

Whilst you are right about the failings of US democracy it is not just the US promoting democracy over authoritarian dictstorship. People like democracy. Just ask the East Germans who risked getting shot by the regime Putin was an active member of. And he was aware of growing unrest in his own country. Like Belarus !! Mearsheimer puts together a logical sequence but does cherry pick his quotes. He fails to place any importance on the false claims of genocide and liberating Ukraine from the nazi rule. These were in Putin’s own words his reason for his ”special military operation”

[@gertrude1722]

Thank you for this comment, spot on.

[@dichebach]

Based on what little of Mearsheimer's drivel I have subjected my senses to, I can only imagine the nature of the commentary. Hopefully Mearsheimer was miserable and will go home and rethink his life.

[@dawnloader123]

I just love how "democracy" always gets used in the context of some kind of weapon. Also the guy with the beard (Jeffrey?) said how Russia was afraid by the Ukrainian "democracy" (obtained by reversing the result of democratically held elections in 2014), totally missing the irony of his statement. This has to be the most insanely idiotic thing I have ever heard.

[@patrikkrampera4764]

Hahah and how he was cocky and disrespectful. Disgrace...

[@medved4030]

The Ukrainian "democracy" is best seen in their persecution of minorities, ban on the use of the Russian language, banning the Russian-speaking opposition politicians from participating, not to mention the active investment, nurturing and harboring Ukrainian ultranationalist and neonazi ideology in politics, society and the military.

[@medved4030]

I was more insulted with the yellow shorts he wore to this lecture, it was just as idiotic as the comments leaving his mouth. It was also utterly disrespectful of that Jeffrey guy to leave the room before even hearing Professor Mearsheimers response which means he only wanted to geat on his soapbox.

[@valentinadanilina2126]

Ukraine never had democracy its a myth, greatly cortupt and torn and robbed by Ukrainian oligarch and total poverty for ordinary people.

[@SJ-ds8lp]

You can try and blame either sides but you cannot ignore this man. Washington were deliberate in pushing aggressive policies towards Russia. West look inwards, blaming others solve nothing.

[@Elisa-mg3rc]

US politicians are getting more and more crazy

[@ezbody]

Nonsense, and quite obvious nonsense at that.

[@tonywilson4713]

@@ezbody In one respect I agree with you and in another I agree with SJ. He can't be ignored, his analysis of American liberal doctrine and behaviour is spot on. I recently saw a lecture he gave at Yale in Nov 2017 and some of what he said could have been said only weeks ago. His understanding of the American foreign policy establishment is pretty much flawless. *BUT AND ITS A HUGE BUT* this man is part of the other side of American political ideology "realists" who are some of the most disgusting ideologically driven people the planet has ever seen. At the core of their ideology is that the world is not benevolent its driven by selfishness so we should embrace selfishness. This man and others gave birth to the neo-conservatives who gave us the Invasion of Iraq. One of his fellow geniuses at the University of Chicago was Milton Friedman the person who birthed the term "Greed is good" and claimed live on the Phil Donahue that "all innovation is driven by greed" which is a ridiculous claim. So you are both right, his analysis is pretty good from the American side but also not right on much of the Russian side. If you listen to any of the Russian born native Russian speakers (people like Julia Ioffe, Konstantin Kisin, Masha Gesen,... etc) and their analysis of Putin you get a much better perspective on Russian thinking.

[@ezbody]

@@tonywilson4713 What annoys me most is that this fraudulent "professor" basically takes the Russian propaganda narrative, which has no connection with reality whatsoever, and presents it as the truth, pretending that as a professor he did his due diligence researching this material, acting both, as a researcher and an educator, while being nothing more, but a regular PR person -- he is just a spin-doctor, a mouthpiece for the Kremlin.

[@tonywilson4713]

@@ezbody Oh yeah there's an awful lot of Russian apologist in this. That's why I said people need to listen to some of the Russian born commentators. I listed several who all have slightly different takes on parts but also some common thoughts on Russian society that is NOT the same as western society. Konstantin Kisin made the point that Russian society puts the society above the individual. He gave as an example the WW2 cemeteries in Europe. The Americans, Brits, Australians, French all have individual named graves. In Berlin there's 1 grave with over 20,000 Russians in it with not even a list of names. He said it goes back to the Russian climate where you survive as a community or you don't survive. Konstantin did a panel discussion with other Brits at the start of the conflict and he made the rest of them look stupid and uneducated. parts of it are on his Triggernometry channel here on YT.

[@airboss4311]

Victoria Nuland. $5.5 Billion worth of US State Dept dark money. The end.

[@johnbrittingham4471]

We never saw prices double on gas and everything when there was a war in other countries or even when we were at war. We also never had Russia be able to control our oil supply, baby food supply, and the mysterious destruction of our food processing facilities.

[@FellaMegaOld]

Ask China about that

[@RavingFan]

In 30 yrs, Ukraine not allowed nato membership.

[@Rilict]

I remember Barack said that the sanctions destroyed Russia and brought it to its knees in 2014, and in 2022 it turns out that Russia controls everything

[@ebflegg]

What are you getting at? Oil prices are shooting up as blowback from the clever sanctions policy and economic warfare against Russia

[@FellaMegaOld]

@@ebflegg No oil is up because demand is up and supply is down, while we wait for climate change to change, Russia is annexing the Alaskan oil fields, comrade....

[@muslim7608]

"The West, led by the Americans believe they've been entrusted by God to decide the fate of other people. the US prefers not to be guided by International Law but by the rule of the gun. They have come to believe in their own exceptionalism, believing that they can decide the destinies of the world and that only they can ever be right" -Putin

[@aaronsterlind6334]

Not even close to a true statement and no, I'm not from the United States. 1. A vast percentage of the United States don't believe in God and their leftism is obviously not of religion or god worship. 2. Most actual religious people of the U.S., people like me, could care less what the rest of the world does. All I care about is my community, my freedom, my family and our land. 3. What aggression the west is involved in is done by a small minority of politicians and bankers and it's on the Global scale that these decisions are made whether you or I like it or not. 4. I truly believe other nations should get their own shit together, I wouldn't pay dime to taxes to be involved in other countries affairs for any reason. 5. I suppose being Canadian I really am an American just not of the US and my biggest concern is the shit hole Commie Government in my own country and the fight we have coming. So no, I don't give a shit about the destinies of other nations, frankly they can rot in hell, starve, succeed, live in caves, be socialist or communist or whatever they want and if their people aren't happy, which I'm sure they aren't, they should fight back, not us. If your Governments or Dictators make shitty business deals with us that's your problem the same way if I make shitty deal with a local businessman that's my problem. All people should be 100% self sufficient and working their own land, there shouldn't be any dependence on anyone and therefore no opening for evil to extort you, all people should suffer the consequences of their actions and they should be responsible for themselves and they should pass or fail by their own devices, everywhere should be a meritocracy. 6. Right, well Europe couldn't stop fighting each other in a major war every twenty years or so before the US reluctantly entered the second world war, so, it's really been a pretty good run. The world brought the US into the fighters circle, the US wanted to just stay home and take care of themselves, for the most part, before that conflict. Careful what you ask for. 7. This is a tricky one, I completely believe that all Governments are now evil but I still love the way of life we live or expect to live in North America and anyone who doesn't is an evil prick who just wants to control others. 8. Take for example a society that subjugates their woman, beats them like animals and kills them if someone else rapes them, well, that's just rapist/serial killer society in my opinion but if that's what you build it's all yours. Now, I am a right winger but I don't own any women in my life and I don't make decisions for them, they are free like everyone else to do what or even who they want, the consequences of their actions belong to them not me. You see, what I'm getting at is that most other cultures and nations out there are run by or Governed by people who's only desire is to control others and if that's your desire then you're evil. Again, stay in your dog house and/or own yard and I could care less but the problem with those desiring more all the time, just more and those who desire to control others can't resist stepping off their own yard and trying to control everyone else around them. We should get rid of all authority institutions everywhere and if we end up fighting like tribes in a field so be it, at least the casualties are low, they don't effect the entire world, they don't poison the entire world forever and the matter is settled quickly. 8. As far as exceptionalism goes well, they do win a lot of medals at the Olympics and that's because they understand that you should work hard for success and success is a good thing. As a Canadian I can't stand our attitude of participation is all that matters and everyone gets a medal, or sportsmanship or our reputation for being "nice". Screw that, I compete hard to win and second is first of the losers, I do the same thing at work and only losers and whiners and lazy people expect something for nothing. So, overall, the U.S. has been exceptional in many ways. The only civilization on earth to guarantee rights in a Constitution to their people and worshipping a God is up to each individual,,,,it's a choice. Don't you worry, the leftists are trying to turn into a shithole Commie Dictatorship and you should hope they lose because those kind of people never run out of steam when it comes to butting into other people's business.

[@ObeySilence]

So, and now this means that Putin can do the same and he shouldnt be condemned for it? Putin is the same type of subhuman like Bush.

[@deltasquared7777]

"the Americans believe they've been entrusted by God to decide the fate of other people" . of course you need to understand that the Military Industrial Complex is America's God.

[@whiteflag1000]

America has its back against the wall. They owe the Chinese so much that they cannot and do not want to repay them. The new alliance that has been formed between China, Russia and India is taking advantage of the opportunity to snatch the rank of world reserve currency from America. That's why the war in Russia, to weaken Putin, which didn't work. (Of course, they don't dare to go to China and India is to become the new production site.) It is currently unclear where the journey will lead. It is not yet clear who has the best tactics, strategies and weapons. What did Sting sing: I hope the Russians, Chinese and Indians love their children too.

[@deltasquared7777]

@@whiteflag1000 -"The new alliance that has been formed between China, Russia and India is taking advantage of the opportunity to snatch the rank of world reserve currency from America" It is far more the case that the US dollar is totally hellbent on self-destruction than anyone taking advantage of an opportunity.

[@johnschmit6815]

Staring the Q&A points out how clearly Western academics live in theoretical head space divorced from reality

[@davidthompson1369]

Couldn't agree more. Western liberalism pollutes the mind and divorces one from reason and logic. Westerners live in a ideological bubble devoid from the realities of the planet and the rest of humanity.

[@helios4u2]

Prof. John J. Mearsheimer you are the conscience of the USA. Unfortunately, brave men are too rare to avoid tragedies. However, your action is absolutely necessary to prevent global hatred from falling on the USA.

[@henryrollins9177]

We already hated you before this gentleman was born...! 😀😀😀 Sorry to say!

[@harrybaulz666]

Hes makin up alot of bullshit

[@akogepayo]

@@harrybaulz666 Please enumerate them, so that we will have the opportunity to debunk it.

[@henli-rw5dw]

What he says is true. The biggest risk right now is the West doubling down as the war is not going well for Ukraine. Could easily spiral. Better to call it what it is and cut losses.

[@Nowhere-from]

@@harrybaulz666 Idiot

[@NoChannelChannel]

They just had to poke the bear. Well now they know what happens

[@stellagc]

This was a great talk, the Q&A by neolib grad students is aggressive and Prof Mearsheimer sheds it like water off a ducks back. His interpretation is so obviously true when you're not subject to the illusions of western thought.

[@ericjohnson7234]

its not western thought as it had not been western for two centuries. It is banker backed Hegelian thought.

[@citizen1163]

@Unpaved Man I had to stop the vid & look at comments bc she was going on and on and on....

[@fp3728]

Very disappointing from John. Putin is an unstable man. All the politicians and journalists that were either threatened, poisoned or shot and he says we must take him on his word. Talks about NATO being an existential threat but never mentions the lie about chasing men around with Nazi tattoos . Remember that's why this so-called special operation was initiated. John it's time you be honest. Putin only cares about his position, his dictatorship. Losing tens of thousands of troops just to maintain his leadership.and power. A quite clear farcical system where he always is re-elected almost unopposed.

[@robertwilson214]

'we have now sunk to the depth where restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men'

[@stellagc]

@@dmitry811 Where's the lie? Forward it to Prof Mearsheimer and he'll change his arguments.

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

He is RARE voice of reason from the Anglo world

[@Olegstuff21986]

Ritter, MacGregor, redacted, Jason Hinkle, Jimmy Dore. Am I missing anyone else? That's not a lot!

[@GlobalDrifter1000]

Jimmy went nuts.alas

[@tedzotos3627]

For the people who pose a question, I have a quation: are you asking the profesor or you telling him? Henceforth, the english spicy humor: " are you asking me or you telling me?"🤣🤣🤣

[@ditshegomosienyane7252]

Good point, they are in fact laying down their own confirmation bias and not asking relevant questions.

[@methyltryptamine]

@@ditshegomosienyane7252 which yet again illustrates the sad truth about how education does not foster critical thinking; in fact, if we go by signaling theory of education, it rather actively suppresses it

[@nataliashevchenko9684]

The organizer of this talk is a complete failure. How can you have a few long questions asked in a row. None of the question could be answered properly. And most of those questions were temper tantrums. Especially the old bearded guy in the back, that was pathetic.

[@dddevchonka]

A wise man went to enlighten a few incredibly uninformed and biased Soros-funded i.d.i.o.t.s. They didn't believe him.

[@jayantadas3192]

Those asking questions and stressing on the Democracy, what has democracy given? Isn't Democracy that gave Colonization of the whole world? Looting of the wealths from there? Genocide on those countries? Recently Iraq, Libya etc., it is not the democracy, it is in the name of democracy, all these evil deeds are done, is that ok for these questioning professors if it is done in the name of democracy? US is just the extension of Roman, British, Spanish empire and the are guilty of the same crimes.

[@mikeistp5736]

On a first thought: I'm amased this is still on youtube. On a second: oh, yeah...it's too long and complex to comprehend for ppl. No big deal on staying.. Bold geezer. Respect.

[@Salim-jx6ib]

هذا الرجل من اعظم الباحثين في السياسة الدولية

[@alinradu6118]

Gosh, even after such a marvelous speech and thoughtful explanation the audience still remained clueless. America is lost.

[@rahfx5485]

well they are in Florence Italy, you seem clueless to that.

[@calicocat8213]

Scott Ritter in a recent video described "good, decent" Americans as the most ignorant people in the world. However, he added, "they wake up at the pump".

[@deborahdean8867]

It is the power of the media to sway opinions and install propaganda into the human mind. To me this proves one thing, Europe STILL longs for war. Europe should be disbanded of all weapons and military organizations for the benefit of the world

[@muvumafred2887]

You're thinking right. It is astonishing.

[@nuttybrownie]

Mearsheimer is American. The audience is in Europe. So do you mean Mearsheimer is lost? or Europe is lost???? Maybe you are lost?

[@garyhabesha7000]

John Mearsheimer what a brave man… most people get labeled a Putinist if you lay out facts on Ukraine

[@yianpap6093]

Labels are the best arguments they got it seems.

[@garyhabesha7000]

@@yianpap6093 exactly! Don’t want to face nato is an imperialist organization

[@reginasemenenko148]

That's because you folks are not honest about Russia.

[@MissAnastasiyaD]

Probably because he really comes across as russian/putin apologist 🤷

[@yianpap6093]

@@MissAnastasiyaD Only to people who are too mentally weak and think a label is a valid argument.

[@ancan13]

This is the voice of realism and deeply understanding world's geopolitical processes. Thank you, Professor.

[@1955jani]

Today, July 2nd, the world can celebrate Roswell's 75th anniversary. Yes, dear people, that was no balloon, no crashtest-dummies, no UFO. But logically a manned star spaceship with so-called gray occupants. Discoverer extraterrestrials on on 1/17/95. Johann Zdebor

[@truerealist757]

I am ashamed of america's behaviour in the world.

[@johnlee-yo8jc]

A big fan of Professor Mearsheimer. Unlike other "experts", Professor Mearsheimer is honest.

[@barbh1]

I am a fan as well, because of his intelligent analysis of the Ukraine/Russia war, and his stance against the Israeli government in regard to Gaza and the West Bank. I don't understand, however, his opinion on China as "the biggest threat to the US." I don't want to trade one country to be at war with to another.

[@johnlee-yo8jc]

@@barbh1 Again, Professor Mearsheimer is being honest. It is not about human rights. It is about being number one and only China can challenge America's number one status. Might is right, always was, is and will be.

[@johnlee-yo8jc]

Democracy without might is native Americans, Australians and Canadians. Idealist versus Realist ... Idealist lives is fantasy ... and hypocrisy.

[@darkhero781]

Other "experts" in the lecture are politicos hiding under the guise of academics. Many have an affiliation with NATO. Erik Jones' Boy Scout comments about Putin and democracy are laughable as DC is a town of 12,000 lobbyists who spend 3.5 billion a year buying politicians off in a country that its own Federal Reserve state that 1% has 32% of the wealth while the bottom 90% of the country has 30.2%. Democracy.

[@hadassarbrissy447]

The lady talks too much she should have been short and concise with her questions professor JM is very versed in geopolitical Ukraine issues he has been right all along I hope the bullies should listen to his analysis and tone down and stop the Damocles hammer of a nuclear war hanging over the world thank you professor as usual concise and clear 🙏🌺

[@nvonliph]

her management of the questions was a disaster, like a schizo- fatty at the buffet, just loading up plates with flavors that don't match, and heaping portions of dishes you've already tasted.

[@thor9563]

She was spot on in calling Mr. M. (Putine's mouth piece). Existential Threat INDEED! NATO was formed to protect civilization against an existential threat - Russy-a. And NATO (not a country) is a CLUB of democratic capitalist rule of law states that is spreading across Europe and Putine is scared to death of what HIS PEOPLE will do to him when they see a prosperous free democratic Ukraine at their border. They will do a Caucescu on Putine and his mafia gang!

[@nvonliph]

@@thor9563 full of sound and fury, yet signifying nothing.

[@noeu8414]

In this world democracy is just a theory

[@russfield8728]

Excellent presentation!

[@randomdude2832]

it's criminal that there ws such a small live audience, thank budha for the internet.

[@LD-vl7cu]

A french writer just came out with a book about "The Military-Intellectual Complex". Some people in that audience are representative of that Complex. John Mearsheimer shut down everyone as soon as he spoke of his military career and his knowledge and study of wars. The man rocks.

[@skepticmonkey6923]

What is the name of the Writer?

[@chef4797]

Yes! Yes! Yes!. One of the questions was asked by a professor who kept on pontificating "democracy". Democracy for who? What everyday person in Europe has had their lives improved from NATO actions in Libya or Afghanistan? At best in Europe we get social democracy yet still its a small band of elites serving US empire that are running our foreign policies.

[@billwolfe6638]

@@skepticmonkey6923 Scott Ritter, former US Marine Corps and UN weapons inspector in Iraq, made exactly the same point. Google his numerous KZbin videos

[@jaypeters5224]

@N M please explain

[@wojteks4712]

His lecture is based on misrepresentation of facts. His theories are debunked and narrative fell apart after Russian invasion, when Putin received all guarantee that Ukraine won't be part of NATO and still invaded. He is intellectually bankrupt. Check recent Munk debate where he was crushed by Radek Sikorski

[@mindfulness916]

Finally someone speaking sense! Great presentation.

[@CNCTEMATIC]

I hope people listen to this man. We are sleep-walking into nuclear catastrophe. After an apocalypse, what does it matter whether or not you were in the right beforehand? All that humanity will care about, is why didn't we do more to prevent it.

[@JoeHeine]

All they had to do was NOT provoke Russia. That's it. It's like provoking a caged Bear and then blaming the Bear for attacking when the cage door gets left open. These nebbish academics in the audience cannot get their minds around the fact that not everyone wants a "democratic" revolution in their country. Period. If there is relative stability, order, and peace, then is it really worth it to risk NUCLEAR WAR?!!!?

[@Noblyuntruthful]

It's scary how people can be brainwashed into a frenzy, resulting them in choosing the most dangerous option imaginable. I guess history repeating is inevitable. Humanity wont make it past the great filter.

[@linmonash1244]

EXACTLY And also - no-one seems to be talking about the use of Chemical Weapons, which Putin has not hesitated to use in other conflicts, and will likely go to first - before nuclear.

[@africkinamerican]

@@linmonash1244 The Russians have used chemical weapons and other conflicts? Which ones? Where is the evidence?

[@Time4Peace]

The world is sadly slipping into a nuclear apocalypse as you said and it seems eerie that Europeans don't see that! But Mearsheimer is no angel. He just doesn't want to waste the fight with Russia but should be with China which he believes will undermine US hegemony. I don't understand why US must dominate over others and not cooperate to work to solve global challenges.

[@francocholo1247]

Mearsheimer is concise and insightful as always, but the host (Hoffman) makes a mockery of what should have been an impartial discussion. She can't even pose a simple question without tainting it with overt bias and her personal insecurities.

[@thor9563]

She was dead -on, as well as ALL of the follow-up questioners who put Mr. M. in the proper place - on the WRONG side of the issue. BOOM!!!!

[@dieselbaby2398]

@@thor9563 ? I'm not sure what point you're even attempting to make with your comment, given how poorly written it is -- but if your intent is to imply that somehow Mearsheimer is wrong and these globalist neocon/neoliberal war-hungry lunatics are on the "right side" of the issue, you're as delusional as they are.

[@maxheadrom3088]

At least we got some biography from Mearsheimer when he answered her questions - and a Geopolitics 101 master class!

[@SrJurado]

She also said that Putin thinks that everything that is not Russian is Nazi, which is just not been aware of basically anything.

[@francocholo1247]

​@@SrJurado When she said that, I figured that she's either embarrassingly uninformed or intentionally spewing propaganda. There is no middle ground with such a ridiculous comment.

[@larissaleonidov6567]

I wish there were more people like this professor in politics. Poor Ukraine is getting destroyed because of the bad politics

[@traumflug]

Looking at the questions section, it's apparently not that simple. Especially not when blaming western politics, only.

[@gergelyzoltan8422]

@@traumflug Stupid questions by stupid audience. Europeans wont admit their fault ever. Unprincipled bunch, they are even incompetent to make effective sanctions. The biggest human rights violators complaining about Russian aggression. Thats why the whole EU is a laughing stock now worldwide, along with the clown German chancellor

[@Ojeigu618]

I wish not. Hes talking bullshit. If russians feared of Ukraine becoming nato member it means that they would've invade it sooner or later, like they did in Chechnya like they did in Georgia.. Putin was preparing to take back former ussrs countries from the moment ussrs collapsed and this "NATO expansion" bullshit purpose is to feed braindead russian citizens as a reason why they are at war and they are poor. Believe me I live in Baltics and we were aware of this russia invading other countries issue for a long time and if we would've missed a chance of becoming NATO members there wouldn't be such countries as Estonia Latvia Lithuania for at least past 10 years. NATO wouldn't even exist if not russia invading other countries!!!!

[@miroslavdusin4325]

Ukraine had only two options. Slavery or fight. Maybe Mr. Professor could learn something about history of Ukraine and how many times already Russia tried to destroy it.

[@aymanayman9000]

​@@miroslavdusin4325 no Ukraine had no option except for being the toy of the west, do you think if they told Ukraine we won't allow you in nato they would have done that , I'm not Russian nor western but let me ask you what if there's a financial crisis in the world I like 2008 would the west even think about Ukraine , or if trump come again or anyone similar to him who won't think of using Ukraine as a weapon against Russia , what if there's a revolution in Europe for the inflation do you think that they will think about Ukraine in the rest of Europe , Ukraine put itself in a hopeless situation just for a false hope they need to rely on many countries at the same time and they can't even affect those countries it's near to impossible for them to take back eastern Ukraine which contains all of the natural resources the only sane option was to announce before the war they won't be used as a weapon against Russia , and please I hope you don't believe the 2 main stories of western probaganda that Russia is bad in this war and they won't achieve the goal of controlling all of Ukraine since they didn't even think about that after all just seeing what happened to america in Afghanistan is enough to teach them to stick to the Russian areas of Ukraine actually the Russians are fast in this war if we see the real nature of it a cities war it takes time ,you can see what Americans did in many countries to enter small cities without the crazy support of the west they are about to lose their stocks of many weapons just to prolong the war , the second story is about ethics just see raqqa in Syria or Mosul in Iraq during Obama administration or the second battle of falouja or orange agent or the secret war of laos or other examples then ask yourself how the westerns are that rude to even think about lecturing anyone about ethics

[@Norman68623]

Am i the only one who wonders why all the people are giving little circular lectures, and in the end fail to state a clear question to the speaker?

[@user-hh7bn7nc5s]

I see the third paradox here. Professor does his best to tell the world that nuclear war is almost inevitable. Just put yourself in his boots: sitting in the heat... fully dressed... in front of audience of thirty people... and that people are throwing sh*t on you, not even trying to hear the core point of your message. Every last one must listen to the Professor breathless, because nuclear war will affect EVERYONE on this planet!!! People must care about preventing nuclear war, not about "if Professor is wrong". If Professor is wrong - lucky for us! But what if he is right??? Ask yourself "What if he is right? What will I be doing if tomorrow nuclear war begins." What will you be care of then???? I'M TAKING A BOW FOR PROFESSOR EFFORTS!

[@bbharatillusion4574]

The Washington neocons will never acknowledge Mearsheimer..He is lucid, rational, knowledgeable and able to do a 'geopolitics presentation for idiots'.. hearing him speaks is a pleasure

[@jacobjorgenson9285]

The neocons are all Zionist, we know who they really care about

[@PhiloSurfer]

Not only not acknowledged, he has been shunned and ostracized for speaking the truth.

[@elmersbalm5219]

Same with real, unpalatable experts like to sorely missed Stephen F. Cohen.

[@crimestoppers1877]

The Neocons ARE the reason for the policies of Bush, Obama, Trump and Biden. The Neocons salivate at the promotion of war especially with Russia. But they will never risk their lives fighting any war. Instead they are the architects of war and get their power from wars that others fight.

[@ninopavkovic9382]

@@elmersbalm5219 Check Scott Ritter

[@calfstream123]

This lecture should be showed and discussed in all schools and universities as of TODAY, not tomorrow...when it may be too late...

[@kevintewey1157]

They won't let that happen that would risk ending capitalism

[@Bright-It]

Well, the Comedian is everywhere. Speaking like a parrot, I mean a puppet, to naive audiences.

[@calfstream123]

@@Bright-It Who’s the puppet???

[@mynameismynameis666]

EVERY QUESTION POSTED TO GASLIGHT.

[@nikosgeorgakas184]

Dr MEARSHEIMER , I THINK THE 3/4 OF THE WORLD , OUTSIDE THE "FREE , RICH , WORLD" UNDERSTANDS YOU CLEARLY. RESPECT !!

[@haldir3120]

More like 85%

[@nikosgeorgakas184]

You're probably right , Haldir.

[@babymonalisa]

@@haldir3120 90%

[@Alexander8O]

Also wanted to mention that Putin called the collapse of the Soviet Union biggest geopolitical catastrophe of the century not because USSR was so great, but because it left millions of Russians without home and made Russians one on the most heavily divided nations on Earth.

[@jamesli5764]

The collapse of the Soviet Union has good sides/chances/advantages as well as bad sides/luck/disadvantages.

[@Alexander8O]

@@jamesli5764 Yes, you are obviously correct, I just meant to say that in Putins speech about the collapse, that everyone refers to, the main emphasis was on what the collapse meant to the Russian people and how in one days tens of millions of Russians were no longer citizens of Russia and were forced to adapt to a new reality abroad (which in some cases was becoming pretty hostile) and how due to huge problems in Russia at that time no one did anything to try to reunite Russian people

[@nocturnalowl5867]

Exactly but most western analysts prefer to lean on their own perspective exposing their arrogance and ignorance. They ran with the narrative that Putin wants to regain lost glory and ultimately project their own desire on Putin 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[@galaxy-star-me]

@@Alexander8O Putin actually denounced communism, Stalin and Lenin in many places. In the contrast, The West is picking these ...

[@nvonliph]

@@galaxy-star-me Putin is such a die hard communist that he takes the time to emphasize the role of private property rights and entrepreneurial enterprises in the path forward for Russia whenever he addresses the economy.

[@marionreynolds7080]

You’re a warrior Prof Mearsheimer facing this group think paranoid assembly.

[@clovisra]

I agree.

[@alecfoster5542]

Yes!

[@ronyeahwiggie729]

I wonder how long it will take before this information "will be lost" to the general public. An excellent analysis, I think, and great to see someone having the guts to go against the accepted narrative with facts.

[@FrescoyMembrillo]

Why isn't American LNG vs Russian natural gas not being mentioned as the main factor behind military deployments and diplomatic strategies? US started framing Europe gas imports as "a dependency" to avoid and an "urge" for alternatives the moment they found themselves with a huge surplus thanks to fracking their own soil to unlivability and tainted their own water undrikable

[@venpul244]

John J. Mearsheimer speech would stand the test of time for future generations to view history with unbiased views and judge things that caused the conflict... great speech prof!

[@nuttybrownie]

He is brilliant but his discourse is no different than that of other intellectuals who carry opposing points of view. Furthermore, his argument is over ten years old and full of holes - quite frankly it needs an update and possible pivot. “Existential crisis” and Putin quotes are getting tiring.

[@michaelforansich8090]

@@nuttybrownie and completely wrong. It's the same as the US going into Iraq for WMDs. Misleading to get the oil. Donbas has oil and gas reserves equal to Russia.

[@billwolfe6638]

I loved how Meirsheimer demolished the Social Science professor in the back of the room, based on basic military strategy metrics. Scott Ritter has made similar points.

[@VasilyKiryanov]

One acquaintance of mine is trying to get a degree in social sciences in very same Florence, if not in that same institution. Well... his perception of this matter is also... very misguided, so to speak. That's the state of social sciences these days.

[@JayzsMr]

This guy was a total catastrophy

[@Zhdanoff]

Position of that guy in the back of room is opening eyes on how social science is under the treat in the world of media domination. He was so much aggressive and completely not open to anything contradicting to his opinion.

[@thomas-charlesjacquet2330]

@@VasilyKiryanov just because one hot-head made a fool doesnt invalidate the whole social science field. Thats why IR constructivists came about; with a mix of social sciences evidence based theories which were in the dead-angle of Realists. Mersheimer was very polite in not dismissing social sciences and even admited not beeing keen on nuances...wich is kinda important when doing research.

[@LjubicaServaas]

Such a clown, he sounded like he was gonna cry

[@Callamatteomatisch]

Kudos To Prof. Mearsheimer for dealing with that disrespectful Kindergarten so well.

[@gags-villsounds5351]

Professor John J's views is literally the views generally shared in Africa (especially South Africa). For us, the argument that US and Europe (NATO) are fighting for democracy is really strange and unbelievable. US and Europe were the last people to come to the table when we fought for democracy against apartheid literally 20 decades ago. Infact, those who were prominent in fight for democracy were on the terrorists' list in the US. It was only in 1998 that Nelson Mandela was removed from that list. On the contrary, Russia was amongst the few European countries who supported our struggle (not necessarily doing it for democracy but they were key in bringing about that democracy). We also have the US experience with Libya, the propaganda they used to destroy that country and later exploited it.

[@janusjones6519]

It’s the view that’s generally shared by everyone outside of EU, US, canada, Australia and NZ. West lives in a bubble and thinks everyone else sees things the way they do, hence they have no problem exporting their ideology and overthrowing governments they don’t like and are genuine astonished when someone speaks out against them.

[@GuinessOriginal]

@@janusjones6519 believe me, there are plenty of people in Europe who don't swallow the propaganda pumped out by our media and governments. I remember as a child 40 years ago my mother teaching us to always look at the packet of anything we bought to make sure it didn't come from South Africa or Israel.

[@patrick.771]

As a Central European I‘m so glad and happy that you „wake up“ and become more independent from the west. That you stand up against that tyranny.

[@mychannel5019]

Mearsheimer has consistently stated Putin dreams of reforming greater Russia as just fairytales. That goes against what Putin has said consistently. Putin also tried to take over Kyiv which for some reason Mearscheimer denies in order prop up his points.

[@EranRicos]

@@mychannel5019 True. Mearsheimer is disingenuous.

[@News_Watcher]

Prof. Mearsheimer you know the truth and you tell the truth… That’s who this world desperately needs!

[@ditshegomosienyane7252]

Indeed, that is the mark of an academic, par excellence - a professor.

[@AaronB99999]

Academics asking each other questions: “I have a question for you but first I’m going to offer three minutes of setup to show you that I’m a serious thinker who is deeply qualified to be in this room and asking you questions.”

[@AFGuidesHD]

It's pretty cringe, they think they're all so intelligent when actually they're no more intelligent than you or I.

[@fooanonymous]

As a theoretical physicist in academic research, my ideal was always Richard Feynman. No nonsense, to the point, and if you can't explain the most complicated topic imaginable to a non expert with something like a graduate degree, it's your understanding that is lacking, not his. That, plus I like to imagine the sum total of all hourly wages in the room as a clock on the wall, and a question ought to cost less than a grand.

[@dixonpinfold2582]

@@fooanonymous Now that I've found a very decent thread, I feel better, and can go. My thanks to the three of you.

[@manahapu]

So rare to see objective viewpoints these days. Goodness me.

[@moreaianmythos7984]

When I’m more excited for Professor Mearsheimers lecture than I am for anything Hollywood has churned out in years god speed gentlemen 🫡🏛🫡

[@robertrinaldi8748]

Hollywood has become nothing more than a propaganda machine for the woke and others who want the collapse of western civilization.

[@moreaianmythos7984]

@@robertrinaldi8748 couldn’t agree with you more

[@stanojkovicm]

I’ve been watching Mr. Mearsheimer for some time now... but this was a special pleasure to observe. Questions from audience are banal, at best. Comments here are refreshingly positive, I am now optimist in terms of people’s intelligence

[@mukumbosimpito1571]

You have more credibility than any of those fools on msn

[@athenakoios2418]

That’s not difficult…

[@t0nberry]

Thank you, Professor Mearsheimer! You've shown us all a brilliant example of how to respond to barrages of attacks with calm, solid logic. No doubt your extensive knowledge and research prepared you well for this event. I hope we in the audience can follow your lead in being critical and unbiased in the quest of figuring out what exactly is going on in this chaotic world.

[@julianbiggs2220]

Professor Erik Jones (in the audience here) said that it was democracy that Putin was worried about rather than attack from Nato. Mearsheimer may not be so exactly right.

[@jimjones8736]

@@julianbiggs2220 Putin is worried about Putin. Full stop

[@59vlada]

@@julianbiggs2220 Worried about democracy brought on the wings of Ukrainian Neo-Nazis, sure.

[@trimetrodon]

Putin is on the side of Russia, Russians know it, and they are behind him. Given the most blatant CIA coup in US history, in Ukraine in 2014, when we overthrew an e l e c t e d government and installed a puppet, no one in the west should claim the US stands for democracy, and no one should claim we are standing with Ukraine. In the last thirty years the US has left whole countries in smoking ruins. It is unfortunate those who plan those wars and tell the lies which justify them are not routinely charged and prosecuted for them. This failure condemns us to repeat those greatest of all international crimes.

[@steveconway1948]

@@julianbiggs2220 I don't think Putin would be scared of democracy he would just have to view what the US calls democracy to realise its an oligarchy just the same as Russia and Ukraine.

[@dindialkissoon8668]

John is highly qualified in I R and is an authority in the field. His logic is so simple to understand that even a child can benefit from his lectures. Many people may disagree with him because of lack of knowledge of. history

[@keltz5028]

Many people disagree with him because his ideas are 19th century.

[@sumanadasawijayapala5372]

IR theory is *theory*. John is not an expert on Russia. He does not know how to read Russian and has zero insight into Russian political dynamics. He is reshaping world events to fit into his *theory*.

[@triphan5535]

@@keltz5028 Prove it?

[@derekshaw8050]

Have you considered that the simplicity of his view is indicative of it being, well, simplistic and wrong?

[@sumanadasawijayapala5372]

@@triphan5535 Mearsheimer's "offensive realism" theory declares multipolar international systems are more stable than unipolar systems dominated by a hegemon (like the US). The closest historical example we have of such a multipolar system was the late 19th to early 20th centuries that featured several European powers (plus the US and Japan) and no hegemon. *This period of history was also characterized by horrific warfare, culminating with the World Wars*. So Mearsheimer's admiration for such a violent and unstable system is rather perplexing.

[@robertcece6972]

1:47:37 - 1:49:37 holy shit lady. Next time you have a "question" I have a better idea, write a book! That was not a question it was a speech. People should keep questions short & concise. Makes everything easier to follow when questions are being asked in rapid fire multiple succession.

[@turquoiseowl]

the cream of the crop

[@Yuri_Rus]

A very wise professor with the reasonable thoughts, greetings from Russia.

[@Dan_vise]

❤️🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺❤️

[@evitoonbundit2453]

Colonel Macgregor considers Ukraine already lost. The statement coming from Ukraine actually confirms that.

[@littlepieceofgreen3051]

In your dreams

[@TheShadowfakx]

@Aditya Chavarkar Meanwhile, as Kiev still stands irrespective of the fact that it doesn't inhabit the Ukraine in it's entirety, Russia has now taken over a landmass as large as Hungary and Slovakia combined. I'd say thats a win cause the Ukraine military is all but done for.

[@artemivolgin6407]

Great speech, thanks for uploading and not closing comments. I get mr. Mearsheimer's ideas, and would like to see a proper discussion with him, because those questions were pathetic. "How many sources you looked at?" Really? What a narrative.

[@kushaevtm]

even the way this question was phrased says a lot about its author I urge anyone in doubt to visit Ukraine, Russia and Donbass areas (in that order) to understand more about what's really happening

[@gk-qf9hv]

Have you, or anyone else, forgot that the US has actually USED nuclear weapons against Japan, even thought US was NOT losing that war againt Japan!?

[@jimmycricket7385]

There's another scenario. America could tuck its ego in its pants, mind its own business and stop acting like it's ruler of the world.

[@MrGtraynor]

That's impossible. The real decision-makers are Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Thalès and the other arms manufacturers. The Ukraine war is a wonderful opportunity for profits and dividends, way beyond the success of the Afghan and other occupations/invasions. And it's the Ukrainian Nazis who are doing the fighting (although there is a tinpot British general who wants to send his troops in there too). What could be more perfect?

[@ontheland5055]

clown

[@ipdavid1043]

Agree. And this is not a war but military operation against NATO and AZOV Nazis. EU and US are so hypocritical. EU is now suffering from high Inflation. EU has ignored the massacre of Donbas region by AZOV Nazi

[@aidasmatulaitis5175]

they can't their dick is too huge there is no way to put it but on others.

[@skywillfindyou]

@@ontheland5055 hello, clown. I agree US fails to realise it cant act as 20 years ago, it doesnt have such influence for a long time already.

[@daveasmer3353]

Guys the fact that we are amazed by someone who just speaks truth shows how bad and primitive our society in 2022 really is...I am talking about whole the world!!!!!!!!

[@cooljosh2307]

nah, just the people in the US and Europe I think

[@jasonuren3479]

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act

[@daveasmer3353]

@@jasonuren3479 Dude we have long passed the point where words meant something, we are at the last stand it's all about deeds and courage, sadly people from the western countries have been lost but if they make sacrifice now maybe their children will have a chance of a better life in the future, if not, we sacrifice your children so the rest of the world can live better...You have been saved from N*zzis once and now you side with them , West have to be severely punished!!

[@justmeandmeonly2501]

Facts: The Soviets surrendered. The West rushed in to grab what they could under the drunken Yeltsin. Putin came in and said, "Not so fast" Bill and Hillary became miffed (where do you think the money for the Clinton Foundation came from?) Bill moved NATO into the old Warsaw Pact countries The West made Russia a pariah state The West moved on to do business with the slave owning Chinese. Ukraine has never been part of Europe. It has always been Russian, even after the cold war. This is just another attempt at regime change, because the last 6 years of lies didn't work. In the meantime, guess who witnessed the fall of the Soviet Union? Guess who learned how to topple governments without firing a shot? Ukraine is Russian and they are reclaiming it. Just ask the people in the Donbas. The West has shot its load of weapons into Ukraine and now has nothing for their own defense. But they don't need them. Vlad learned how to economically disable your opponent from the West. Don't believe me? Search BRICS. By removing Russia from SWIFT, you have flipped a switch that will ultimately lead to the downfall of the G7.

[@justmeandmeonly2501]

I could have saved everyone 2 hours.

[@tomcat9112]

Take what he says in account, together with our great leaders exposing us to a depression (energy crisis, economical crisis) while doing this. These guys are unbelievable. my only advice : be good citizens, understand how your politics work and elect decent people. This is what we can do. We are a democracy ... and a democracy is worth the degree of knowledge and responsibility of the average individual citizen. Move.

[@gloriasoto7757]

where are the decent politicians around at the moment? I only see WRF, UN, IMF, WHO's lackeys using corruption to get "elected" funny that it is happening worldwide, whilst ordinary, common people despise them!!!

[@m33kzmanny58]

America is not a democracy don’t you get it.

[@vladomacar1372]

Yes, You said all possible legal options for individuals in the West. Unfortunately, that is not enough.

[@tomcat9112]

@@fizzybubblech2950 i understand your point of view ! The US has this problem of being lead by lobbies. But your attitude is not constructive ... you have to be constructive and aim at changing the world to the level you can !! we can influence them ... we can !! I, for exemple, emailed my government, the 7 "bundestrat" about my disagreement with their policy. They explained they had no choice !! pressures were immense. (i come from a small European country that is not in the EU)

[@vladomacar1372]

@@tomcat9112 What kind of pressure ? I am sure - they are lying... We can hear similar story from Serbian president... and after checking the facts, people conclude that maybe there are some pressures from Germany. If we do not vote sanctions to Russia, they will consider closing some of green field investments from their companies (what happened with a free market economy :) ?! ) and some our workers could lose jobs... That is all. If there is something else, it is coming on personal level... of course - it is personal.The politicians are blackmailed... Just check background of these so called "leaders" in EU countries... It is obvious - they were targeted and pushed forward by some other power centers during their careers... I guess - they have to implement decisions and projects in order to achieve some goals of these centers in the shadows who take care about their careers. So - they are not voted by citizens and do not serve to citizens. If anyone do not believe into it, maybe should check on Biden health issues... We did not vote sanctions to Russia. It would make a serious riot in the country :).