Running discussion on SP, page-11387

Hmm, Ok. Can I ask when was the last time you were in Europe to be able to substantiate that claim? Do you have connections with Russia?

I totally agree that Islamic extremism is a problem throughout the world but I would also argue that any extremism, religious or otherwise, is just as dangerous - ie Christian Nationalists & White Supremacists in the in the US are currently more destructive to the US society that any Islamic extremism.

In my opinion, the extreme Orthodox Jewish ideology along with extremist Islamic ideology is what is fuelling the conflict in Gaza and Isreal - and that is not an antisemitic statement. Everyone has a right to their own beliefs, again religious or otherwise but just as with the Islamic faith, there are also Jews and Christians (individuals) that use their beliefs as an excuse to commit violence against others.

"To stop the war, Putin only asked that Ukraine not join Nato as was always agreed upon," If Putin wanted to stop the war, he should have never invaded - he could stop it right now by withdrawing troops from Ukrainian territory. None of the other countries he's invaded wanted to join NATO before he invaded- they do now! It was never agreed that Ukraine would not join NATO - fact. This is another Russian misinformation tactic.

Neither NATO nor Ukraine started or are pushing the war in Ukraine - that is a fact. President Putin of his own volition decided to invade, initially in 2014 in Crimea and again in 2022. No one forced him - he fired the first shots. Ukraine, even under NATO would never have invaded Russia and no NATO country has ever invaded their neighbouring country - fact. This is propaganda spread by Putin to justify his invasion. Why he isn't he making as big a deal about Finland joining NATO if that was his real concern - they have a huge border with Russia, but not a peep. The argument doesn't stack up.

You talk about money laundering - you do realise that most of the money/aid given to Ukraine stayed in America and went to US firms to replace US stockpiles of old equipment / ammunition that was sent to Ukraine and the rest was overseen by international/US agencies.

It is Putin alone that doesn't care how many people die in order to fulfil his colonial ambitions - fact. Have you seen the videos of how the Russians carry out assaults? No regard for the lives of their soldiers or how many are killed to make a few metres progress.