The threat that I worry the most about vis-a-vis the USA it's not russia, it's not china, it's not any other external actor. And what I worry about is the threat from within. The retreat of the USA from some of its most fundamental values. Values shared with Europe. In washington, and across the USA, free speech, I fear, is in retreat.
There have been a few cases, of course. There have also been investigations and prosecutions. But it is NOTHING LIKE russia's forced conscription in LPR / DPR.
The anti-Ukraine propaganda effort is very real, and organized. You can see the propaganda-boys/bots in the comments here - just look at the frequency and content of their posts and comments.
It feels more like a dance game to me. Boring and awkward choreographed moves in response to predictable monster moves. Once you've learned the moves, then you can pay and play!
One can only try, for the alternative is the hole. It's all about establishing a healthy routine, you see: "It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again."
That's why I homeschool "my kids" in a dank cellar, where they also eat, sleep, and shit. I'm saving them from "the world" /s
Seriously - it is a balancing act, and something that every parent should struggle with. You can't protect them from everything, especially as they get older. Education is key.
Domestically, mostly, but this is a huge acceleration - end game style.
One of the great (and frustrating) features of functioning/stable democracies is that the ruling party typically can't change too much too fast. So there are minor changes, pulling the country a little here, and a little there. It's hard to royally fuck up a country in these stable democracies... but the US is no longer a stable democracy.
The USA's international policy has been pretty consistent for a LONG time, no matter the ruling party. Spreading democracy (sometimes far better than at home), fighting terrorism/drugs/axis of evil, etc. through a mix of soft power, military power, and international institutes (more soft power). The aim was always to make/keep America (and in particular the 1%) rich and powerful.
What we are seeing now is the destruction of US influence and power abroad. It's a successful (almost certainly) russian operation, now led by team trump.
Domestically, it should result in an uproar... class and civil warfare, destroying the final illusions of American Values. But a strong minority (100 protestors is enough with a little camera work) will scream and shout for more face eating, and the troops will intervene on their behalf, ensuring that the majority line up peacefully to watch the leopards. Even the best case scenarios are pretty grim. The trajectory has been set (many years ago now) and the ball is rolling faster than ever.
Every time I hear the name "proud boys", I expect them to arrive on a giant penis float as part of a parade. I bet the name was suggested to them as a joke that they failed to get.
Made by a Tosser, for Tossers.
AKA the Tosser-Mobile (think the pope-mobile for your everyday Tosser, or president as the case may be)
Now, if only we had some appropriate images thereof. 😁