Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by mrguyorama 158 days ago
There are ways in which the Trump admin is aiding Ukraine right now that cannot fit the narrative though.

If Putin controlled Trump outright, Ukraine would not be using US intel to more effectively strike Russian oil infrastructure. Trump blocked this intelligence sharing for a little bit during the initial "Peace talks" but now we are back to helping the find routes for weapons that won't be intercepted.

That is in line with Trump being sympathetic to Putin's narrative, but not in line with Trump following Putin's orders.

That infrastructure is critical for Russian state budget, something that is very strained, and for maintaining cheap energy internally to keep the populace apathetic.

Putin would also not have wanted the US to waltz into Venezuela unopposed. Makes Russia look very weak to have an ally who they supply with military aide be so comprehensively owned.

Unfortunately, Trump just idolizes Putin for being a powerful and oppressive dictator, because he likes power and wants that for himself. He has no moral qualms with the immoral things done by Putin. He loves the fake "Manly" persona. He's jealous of how effective Putin propaganda is.

2 comments

2/3rds of Ukraine's intel now comes from France not the USA making this argument incorrect.

https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3mchppzitts...

It can still fit the narrative. There's a game theory to blackmail; if Putin publishes (hypothetical) kompromat then he loses his leverage. So as long as Trump remains less hostile to Russia than the alternative, he can do what he wants.

Also, support for Ukraine is very popular in the US, and Trump is clearly concerned about his image. Also about a potential revolt in the GOP. Cracks are showing already.

Yeah but that theory explains anything short of bombing Russia directly, hence I wouldn’t say it fits, it’s just a one size fits all.
But for how many other leaders would you say "bombing Russia directly" is the only convincing way they could show they're not a Russian asset?
But now you’ve reversed the logic: because he looks like a Russian asset, then the argument fits.

I mean, I don’t discuss that it’s an extremely tempting theory, full of Schafenfreude toward all the idiots that voted for him.