Thread by @FriedrichPieter

#Russia shouldn't invade #Ukraine, of course. But I'll never understand why Russia invading a country it borders or China invading Taiwan, which it practically borders, is wrong but US invading Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea, or so many other countries isn't far worse.

Invading countries is bad. But somehow it seems more bad to invade countries that aren't even remotely within your sphere of influence. Criticize Russia for massing troops on Ukrainian border, yes. But shouldn't we then also criticize US for massing troops all around the globe?

If Russian troops massed on Ukrainian border are viewed as a threat then, by that logic, how would we expect North Korea to view troops from US — a country on the other side of the world from it — massing its troops on their border, as they've been doing for decades?

While Russia keeps its troops within its own borders, for now, and have them massed against a neighbor, the US sails its warships through the seas of countries all around the world — yet that is permitted, but a country muscling around in its own backyard is not?

It's the sheer hypocrisy of the whole thing that boggles my mind. Russia is no saint, and invasion of Ukraine would be truly deplorable and worthy of condemnation, but to watch the US criticize conflict between bordering countries when it interferes all over the world is stupid.

I mean, @SecBlinken, you supported US invading Iraq, toppling its govt, occupying it for years, & leaving it in ruins. That's a country on the other side of the world with zero connection to ours. Why should I take your criticism of Russian aggression towards Ukraine seriously?

I would love to see Ukraine remain independent & unharassed by Russia, but the two countries are culturally, linguistically, & religiously extremely close — not to mention historically, repeatedly, part of the same territorial unit.

But what do Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea have to do with US? We don't border each other. We're culturally, linguistically, & religiously totally different. We have nothing in common. So why is US aggression towards them given a pass but Russia's localized aggression isn't?

Could this be part of the reason US posturing towards Russia makes little difference? Why would one expect Russia to pay any attention to the rebukes of a nation that topples governments all over the world, often leaving those countries in ruins & worse off than ever?