Jesus. Thankfully I’ve spent the last couple years studying bushcrafting and really focusing on growing food and raising animals. Just about got a closed loop, “needing” almost nothing from outside the house in terms of food. Generator that can run the house, gas stored, etc. this year we’re starting to can and stock food supplies when SHTF. Also trying to stock up on gear, as I do not want to be anywhere near the smallest dude out in that environment. Fuck that.

“who are motivated by a range of ideologies and galvanized by recent political and societal events in the United States pose an elevated threat to the Homeland in 2021.”

"HOMELAND"

They should just come out and say "motherland" They are one step away from not even trying to hide the communist rhetoric anymore. This isn't the only example. Censorship is here, the thought police have arrived, and soon "we will own nothing, and we will be happy".

This post aged pretty well...

Putin is getting shit done though gotta admit. We have so many bs rules of engagement now. The al asad marine core base with 200 marines has been surrounded for months by Isis launching RPGs and shit into the base. And Obama won't cut the marines loose to go to work. If Isis is a coward and hides in a school or hospital putin doesn't care he blows it up show them wherever they hide and hole up they arnt safe. Just like Benghazi the marines had rifles but had to use empty magazine for them on a embassy base. And requested back up over and over which Hillary denied there was a combat troops within distance of the embassy but told to not to move. And let those Marines get slaughtered like pigs she should be put on trial for murder. The wiki leaks shows the murders of people she had carried out. And you know if you look at the wiki leaks your identity is logged and you can be denied govt loans or assistance and student loans. That's how bad they don't want it read by people. Its not the troops, when I was in we always said shoot first and ask questions later us going home is more iimportant. I had no problem throwing a grenade in if I heard noise on the other side before clearing or go in shooting I'd rather have me and my fellow marines have to live with what we did then go home in a box or injured We are being chained up and can't engage anything for politcsl reasons. We have jets with millions in bombs and jet fuel flying the deserts 24/7 to land with their full payload because of the rules of engagement. I had a buddy tell me when the us jets fly over no one even glances much anymore because they know they can't do anything unless its a completely open target with nothing even close around. So Isis is out in the open on city streets knowing we can't bomb there compounds or training camps because there next to civilian centers

In general public perspective, I absolutely agree with you that Putin is making some leaders look incredibly weak and misguided, even at his home base.

I don't usually get involved in political debates, unless it has to do with socio-economic topics because those are important to me, and I too agree with you regarding course alteration. I don't think going to war with Russia over some patch of desert land is the right course though. The only way I can see any country winning the war on radicalism is by expanding, and protecting, access to education and increased liberation of women out there.

One must also understand that influence is no longer enforced the same way it was 40 years ago. The US influence is now global, and it is deeply rooted too, even in countries like Russia. This is thanks in large part to globalization, which has made economies so interdependent that it's difficult to think of nations as separate entities anymore.

I'd like to believe this was on display with the Russian sanctions. They could have been a lot more severe and on a much grander scale than they were, but because whether we like it or not Russia is also an intricate part of the global economy (especially the energy sector and the ties to EU), it was more of a check and balance initiative than actual punishment. You might not like the guy, but he's on your team pulling the rope with you... Nudge him to do his part, but don't trip him up.

Edit: In addition to your TY below, I too would like to thank everyone for the civility. It is a great sight to witness the destruction of stereotypes regarding AAS.

I agree that the level of barbarity exhibited by IS is tough to stomach or even fathom. I really do not have a good answer as to the best way to deal with the middle east, but I do know that us (US,UK,France, Australia, etc) is not working.

Occupation in a hostile country will NEVER be peaceful unless the goal is to conquer and take over the territory. There is no good time to leave as the result of our departure will ultimately be the same. Failure until the people residing in the country choose to make their own peace.

Too early? It is kind of difficult to say when is the right time. One would have thought Iraq was about as close to ready as you can get. They had a standing relatively stable army, all out fitted with nice gear (thanks to us) yet as soon as the shooting started they bailed. D'oh!

In Afghanistan they will never be ready. A couple thousand years of history backs this up. We could stay there until the end of time and nothing will change. As soon as we cut off the welfare they will go right back to insanity.

Unfortunately most of the middle east and west Asia is in a similar place. It is a shame even beautiful countries like Lebanon are being all but destroyed. The United States, Russia or Europe is not going to change anything. All we will do is foment more hatred. Let them have their Shia versus Sunni holy war. We can deal with the victors in whatever way makes the most sense.