>Consider, for example, Bill Clinton’s decision to expand NATO, a decision that paved the path to the Ukraine War. Pretty much every expert on the Soviet Union opposed this move, some of them vehemently
Bullshit. While many experts opposed the move, many were in favor of it too. And nonchalantly deciding it paved the way to Putin's senseless attack on Ukraine is a dumb Russian talking point
Based on the US State Department cables that Wikileaks released all the way back in 2010, Russian fear of NATO expansion into Ukraine was not just a talking point.
Internal State Department cables from the embassy in Moscow say that entire Russian security and political establishment viewed it as a critical national security threat.
> Ukraine and Georgia's NATO aspirations not only touch
a raw nerve in Russia, they engender serious concerns about the consequences for stability in the region. Not only does Russia perceive encirclement, and efforts to undermine Russia's influence in the region, but it also fears unpredictable and uncontrolled consequences which would seriously affect Russian security interests. Experts tell us that Russia is particularly worried that the strong divisions in Ukraine over NATO membership, with much of the ethnic-Russian community against membership, could lead to a major split, involving violence or at worst, civil war. In that eventuality, Russia would have to decide whether to intervene; a decision Russia does not want to have to face.
There are warnings throughout the cable that Russia may decide to invade Ukraine over the issue of NATO enlargement. In other words, the claim that this is just a Russian talking point is itself just a talking point.
But it is a talking point. The cable simply shows an American diplomat who has swallowed the hook and reiterates how Russians want to be perceived as thinking. One of the main efforts of Russian diplomacy is to invite foreign dignitaries and representatives to Russia, surround them with "researchers" and "experts" working directly under Kremlin guidance, to create a false impression for guests of how "Russian experts" "really think". This creates so-called useful idiots who unknowingly become champions of Putin's regime, believing they possess some inside knowledge that others lack.
The narrative shared in the cable is hilariously detached from reality to anyone who is intimately familiar with modern Russia. Putin, who lets OMON beat and sexually assault peacefully assembling (not even protesting!) Russians within sight of his office windows, is supposedly worried about the treatment of Russians abroad.
You're saying that the US embassy in Moscow doesn't know how Russian politicians and military figures think, and is full of useful idiots.
Another theory is that the US embassy has constant contact with Russian political and military figures, is very familiar with how they think, and accurately reported their views back to DC in order to help the US government formulate its foreign policy.
Ironically, I think you're the one who has swallowed a narrative hook, line and sinker.
Take the reports with a grain of salt. Tesla does not mandate maintenance. The cars in the reports are the ones who left factory and get checked after 3 years of intensive use without any maintenance. Check the light alignment, check rust in the brakes and check the suspension and the inspection will be fine. Still cheaper than 400-600€ bi-yearly coolant refill from other manufacturers. Plus Tesla has published repair manual which is very strong advantage for me. I am poor and maintain my cars by myself. Maybe I like it too.
Teslas have too much play in bearings and steering column (from new) and unlike every other manufacture out there they refuse to follow the standards and says it is how it is supposed to be. This forces owners to pay to get a factory problem fixed with zero help from Tesla, otherwise their car will not pass inspections.
Also, it isn't normal for a 3-year-old car to risk dropping a wheel. You should read some more about this before you defend them.
EDIT: Here is a reddit thread about the problem (and an article in Norwegian):
>"Almost half of all Tesla Y fail mandatory tech inspection in Denmark and make headlines for it; similar numbers in Tesla-country Norway."
>"The most common issue remains slack in the wheel alignment and suspension, found in 22% of TMY's, as opposed to .1% of ID4's."
Mercedes does this yearly. It’s running gag from all the car influencers when they show the 800-1000€ service invoice of the EQS after first year. Imho it’s definitely a scam.
A big part Part of the reason tesla is considered less reliable is the number of recalls it gets, most of which are software related and fixed over the air.
In terms of maintenance, it is by far the lowest cost of ownership vehicle I've had, I'm in my 40s, not exactly new to owning cars.
The very first thing that Tesla was criticised for was terrible QA process. The quality was random and there were huge differences between factories. So I can totally believe there are plenty of Tesla made cars that made their owners happy. Of course few people can afford such gamble.
His stablecoin, USD1, is his primary instrument for laundering. It now constitutes roughly 1/3 of his entire net worth. Attached article gives a great breakdown.
OP has the delusion that being rich means you are resistant to corruption by being less likely to pursue riches. That being rich causes one to stop pursuing it.
Form what I've seen in life it's the exact opposite - the most greedy are the richest. The only people who have the seemingly unreasonable desire for infinite wealth are the already wealthy. For most everyday people, there is a cutoff amount.
> 1) I have mine set to notify me when it's done cleaning. Sometimes it will do it immediately after it's done, while other times the notification might come two or three hours after the fact. Still other times, not at all.
Check your mobile's app settings/battery optimisation? Sounds like the app doesn't keep running properly in the background
"I used to believe that Apple were unequivocally ‘the good guys.’ I passionately advocated for people to understand Apple as being on the side of its users above all else."
Seriously, these people exist?
Apple's core brand foundation is built on anti-consumer principles through and through
Bullshit. While many experts opposed the move, many were in favor of it too. And nonchalantly deciding it paved the way to Putin's senseless attack on Ukraine is a dumb Russian talking point
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