Is Ukraine a Failed State? | 56 comments (56 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Phrasing it as "Failed State" is (none / 1)

probably not best.

The east seems to be already out the door, and well on the way to becoming a new state or a part of the Russian Federation. But certainly the authority of Kiev (soon to officially be Kyiv) does not hold there.

The west seems actually more problematic. It is not just the Russians and the easterners who think the Kyiv government is illegitimate, the western Ukrainians, judging by their (lack of) support, obviously think the same thing.

Which means there is a real problem of how authority in the west might be reconstituted.

The American neo-cons have once again done what they do best. They obviously believed they were going to attach the entire Ukraine to NATO by funding a Nazi putsch. That having failed, they are now just looking for ways to make money off the chaos. They will.

--Gaianne

The Fates are kind.

by Gaianne on Fri May 2nd, 2014 at 10:16:21 PM EST

Re: Phrasing it as "Failed State" is (none / 1)

Just like the Iraq war paid for itself?

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Fri May 2nd, 2014 at 11:31:12 PM EST
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Ummm . . . yeah. n/t (none / 0)

The Fates are kind.

by Gaianne on Sat May 3rd, 2014 at 11:10:35 AM EST
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Re: Phrasing it as "Failed State" is (none / 1)

...Kiev (soon to officially be Kyiv)...

"Kyiv" has been official since 1995.

by Gag Halfrunt on Sat May 3rd, 2014 at 05:01:28 AM EST
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Sorry. My bad. n/t (none / 0)

The Fates are kind.

by Gaianne on Sat May 3rd, 2014 at 11:11:42 AM EST
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Re: Sorry. My bad. n/t (none / 0)

Well, in fairness, a lot of people did make money off the Iraq war, starting with Cheney, though it was an economic disaster for the nation. Possibly the same thing will happen in Ukraine. Less likely if they get a federal system or if Russia incorporates the region.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Sat May 3rd, 2014 at 11:43:28 AM EST
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I thought that is what you meant (none / 1)

The doors of the US Treasury were burst open, and Halliburton, among others, shoveled out the cash. That is when the mercenary corporation Blackwater made it into the big time.

Dead loss for the USA of course.

--Gaianne

The Fates are kind.

by Gaianne on Sat May 3rd, 2014 at 04:31:08 PM EST
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Re: Phrasing it as "Failed State" is (none / 1)

Official where? How do the Ukrainians, Indians and Chinese get to decide what we should call their cities in English but the Italians can't force us to use Milano in English (or the Israelis to use Yerushalayim. You see where this can lead....)

by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Sat May 3rd, 2014 at 12:27:18 PM EST
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Well, the Indians did change Bombay (none / 0)

to Mumbai.

It's true if you hear them pronounce it, it turns out there is no difference.

--Gaianne

The Fates are kind.

by Gaianne on Sat May 3rd, 2014 at 04:33:09 PM EST
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Re: Well, the Indians did change Bombay (none / 1)

I find it hard to take that one seriously until they start talking about Mollywood movies...

by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Sat May 3rd, 2014 at 05:12:26 PM EST
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that is how the indians pronounce it. (none / 0)

but the Portuguese who founded it spelled it differently.

The Hun is always either at your throat or at your feet. Winston Churchill

by r------ on Wed May 7th, 2014 at 08:12:37 AM EST
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