Re:The Economic Complexity of the Western Roman Empire
by ted_bunny on Friday October 16, 2026 @12:26PM
(#50120451)
Just like Iran has been aggressively being encircled by our helpless inmocent bases for decades? Can't believe people are still swallowing this imperial propaganda. A tale as old as time and people still refuse to learn from it.
Re:The Economic Complexity of the Western Roman Empire
by smallmancontrov on Friday October 16, 2026 @02:18PM
(#50122215)
No, those two things are not equivalent. Posture and capabilities are open to interpretation in a way that armies crossing a border and bombing your cities simply isn't.
Re:The Economic Complexity of the Western Roman Empire
by nickff on Friday October 16, 2026 @02:41PM
(#50122554)
Shipping weapons, ammunition, and other supplies to one side in an active conflict is much more 'provocative' than building a facility located hundreds or thousands of kilometers from the border of a potential adversary.
Most things which differ are not equivalent; pointing that out isn't helpful.
Re:The Economic Complexity of the Western Roman Empire
by geysersam on Friday October 16, 2026 @04:08PM
(#50123874)
In a security order based on mutual assured destruction, a capable missile defence system is a threat.
Re:The Economic Complexity of the Western Roman Empire
by nickff on Friday October 16, 2026 @04:14PM
(#50123955)
Lots of things are threats, including long-range stealth bombers, of which the USA already fields 19, and is manufacturing more. Attack submarines are a threat as well, because they can destroy SSBNs, which are the only credible second-strike credibility.
This has been common among many groups for a long time; I recall the GWB administration proposing a missile interceptor system based in Eastern Europe in the mid-oughts, and Democratic Party members in congress opposed it as 'provocative'. The (Liberal) Canadian government of the time opposed that as well as the Alaska based 'shield' as being 'aggressive'.
I suspect this has something to do with (politically self-identified) disempowered groups generally wanting to 'shoot down' initiatives, but the Trump administration seems to have a different motivation.