Presumably those in favour of action against ISIS can get behind Russian intervention against them?

[Ashberto]

If ISIS are an existential threat to us all (and I do consider that a possibility) then teaming up with Russia to sort 'em aaaht seems to make sense. Russia should be our ally against Islamism and I find the contemporary Russophobia unnecessary.

Yet John Kerry speaks out against 'further inflaming' the situation. He might be right (I am generally opposed to intervention for this reason) but it's odd that this rule is never applied by the west against itself. After all, ISIS and Islamism in general are by-products of western interventionism.

[Billy Goat Sverige]

[Berni]

The idea that we can trust Russia on any level is highly naive.

[Witharby 2-3 weeks]

[Ashberto]

God forbid! Whatever next?

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

short term results were certainly helpful, but there was something of a sting in the tail afterwards, wasn't there? Particularly for the poor people 'liberated' by those lovely cuddly Russians.

[Witharby 2-3 weeks]

well. CIA money for Bin Laden was a great investment

Personally all better spent on a few rounds down the pub when, at kicking out time, everyone will love everyone else

[Ashberto]

http://cdn.caughtoffside.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/PA-11644065.jpg

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

Ex-KGB colonel Vladimir Putin is a despotic, expansionist dictator who appears oddly keen to re-ignite the Cold War.

[redgunamo]

[Ashberto]

The leader of Russia has to protect Russia. After regular invasions from the west over the centuries they have a reason to wish to be strong, so they can protect themselves. This was recognised in the west during the cold war, and even respected.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

assasinations and the invasion of sovereign territories for expansionist reasons?

Fair enough, whatever floats your boat.

Others have a different view on these matters and are therefore suspicious of, and troubled by, Russia.

[Mo Britain less Europe]

[Classic Jorge]

your dreams are china in your hands

[Ashberto]

The Crimea was theirs anyway. A Stalinist dictator administratively attached it to Ukraine within the old USSR.

They are a few decades behind on the bummerphobia - probably about where Britain was when Margaret introduced Section 28 in 1986.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

Guardian bingo there a. wd.

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

I have been preparing for the arrival of a friend who is coming for dinner this evening. As we usually eat together in Belgium, I am preparing him a Belgian menu. The will be shrimp croquettes and carbonade a la Flamande.

And quite a lot of beer.

[Ashberto]

It's just discussion. :shrug: This obsession with shutting down comparative analysis is stifling debate imo.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

I am doing something with these, further details as yet unknown:

http://ui2.assets-asda.com/g/v5/075/321/5000157075321_280_IDShot_3.jpeg

This will be post football training.

The entire Belgian beer thing just sounds infinitely more fun.

:-(

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

Cumin smells sexy, doesn't it?

[Ashberto]

You gonna keep it in a box?"

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

Might just George Foreman the **** out of some chicken, maybe some courgettes to add some colour and make it resemble actual food.

[Mo Britain less Europe]