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PaperclipPerfector  7d ago (text post)   24206 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of October 12, 2026

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So Trump has now not only signed an oil deal with Russia, but also wants to lift sanctions. This seems totally indefensible. Not only does it send a clear signal (if the Greenland debacle was not clear enough) that America no longer gives a shit about the rules-based world order or the stability of the west as a block, by removing sanctions from a country that is fighting an aggressive war and that Europe regards as a serious threat. It also lifts sanctions on an ally of Iran. A country that America is currently fighting and active war against. A country that Russia is providing with military aid. He is trying to lower the high oil prices caused by the war with Iran, but seemingly making Iran stronger in the process by aiding its ally, thus making the war more difficult.

Is there some 5head strategy move I am not seeing here? Or is the man actually that inept? Is this because he is mad that Zelensky called him weak?

It seems stupid and incredibly short sighted, and it is difficult to see how this will even help America.

The US was literally feeding the Soviet Union during the Cold War. That we buy oil from Russia at the same time they're helping one of their enemies is no stranger than business as usual. Russia is not really an ally of Iran; their relationship to Iran is more like our relationship to Ukraine. The US is trying to lower the high diesel prices caused by the Russia/Ukraine war, that's all.

And they stopped feeding them after they invaded Afghanistan.

Nope, they invaded Afghanistan under Carter, they were embargoed, but Reagan lifted the grain embargo and sold them subsidized wheat before they left Afghanistan.

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