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Culture War Roundup for the week of April 21, 2025

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Russia cares about worldwide public opinion to some small degree, it's just at a much lower level than you seem to think.

He seems to be portraying the Russians as caring about it to the extent it could cause an increase in support for Ukraine, why would their actual level of caring be lower than that? It's completely cynical basic strategic thinking.

If you asked the median Ukrainian if they thought Russia was fighting with "several hands tied behind its back", they'd almost certainly laugh at you.

That has no bearing on whether or not they are actually going all out on them. The US collapsed most of the Iraqi civilian infrastructure when they invaded back in the day, this is what not caring about international opinion looks like.

Because most people won't care that much no matter what happens, as long as the Russians don't do something completely crazy like bombing nuclear power plants or nuking cities.

That would imply the Russians care more than what he's portraying not less - even though most people would not care, they're not doing a fraction of what the US did in Iraq, or what Israel did is doing in Gaza.

What? Are you saying Russia's occupation of Ukraine has been substantially less brutal than the US occupation of Iraq?

I don't think they crippled the civilian infrastructure to the same extent as the Americans did.