[M T]

I still don’t understanding the nordstream explosions.  Like, what does Russia stand to gain from it?  A warning shot that the Norwegian pipeline to Poland is also vulnerable? An excuse to cut off Russian gas without shutting it down for “maintenence”?  An “f/u” to Europe even though in the long run it will accelerate Europe’s move to independence from Russian gas?

One analysis (DW?) I saw said that if Europe wants it repaired, it will have to be the Russians that do it (it is their pipeline).  Further, to make repairs, some sanctions would have to be lifted.

I still don't understand it.  Two functional, but idle, Nordstream pipelines (actually each is a pair) would have been a carrot temptingly just beyond the easy reach of the EU. An opposing party could yell "Enough" and bargain away sanctions to get Russian gas.  Broken pipelines means the EU has no choice but to find other ways to get energy through the winter.

To be honest, I'm not ready to assume it was done by Putin.   Anti-West hawks in Russia?  Anti-Russian hawks in the West?   Global warming extremists?   If it really takes a nation-state to do this (rather than some group with a submersible), then I can't imagine any would risk it except Russia.

EU will be suffering a different kind of Cold War this winter.

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Ukraine may already have an operational encirclement of the Russians, who may be feeling the heat in the cauldron.

Or, maybe some Russians are saying "Please don't throw me in the briar patch".

[M T]

I still don’t understanding the nordstream explosions.  Like, what does Russia stand to gain from it?  A warning shot that the Norwegian pipeline to Poland is also vulnerable? An excuse to cut off Russian gas without shutting it down for “maintenence”?  An “f/u” to Europe even though in the long run it will accelerate Europe’s move to independence from Russian gas?

One analysis (DW?) I saw said that if Europe wants it repaired, it will have to be the Russians that do it (it is their pipeline).  Further, to make repairs, some sanctions would have to be lifted.

I still don't understand it.  Two functional, but idle, Nordstream pipelines (actually each is a pair) would have been a carrot temptingly just beyond the easy reach of the EU. An opposing party could yell "Enough" and bargain away sanctions to get Russian gas.  Broken pipelines means the EU has no choice but to find other ways to get energy through the winter.

To be honest, I'm not ready to assume it was done by Putin.   Anti-West hawks in Russia?  Anti-Russian hawks in the West?   Global warming extremists?   If it really takes a nation-state to do this (rather than some group with a submersible), then I can't imagine any would risk it except Russia.

EU will be suffering a different kind of Cold War this winter.

---

Ukraine may already have an operational encirclement of the Russians, who may be feeling the heat in the cauldron.

Or, maybe some Russians are saying "Please don't throw me in the briar patch".