WRT "Do readers get the impression that prodding Russia to escalate is to try and trap it somehow?"
Any prodding to escalate on the part of the NATO bloc(heads) probably relates to the internal narrative that 'evil Putin wants to conquer [enter country] because of his imperial ambitions', which has been cultivated within the national and …
WRT "Do readers get the impression that prodding Russia to escalate is to try and trap it somehow?"
Any prodding to escalate on the part of the NATO bloc(heads) probably relates to the internal narrative that 'evil Putin wants to conquer [enter country] because of his imperial ambitions', which has been cultivated within the national and cultural territories of the bloc-heads. As such it's not really a trap for Russia. Like most, if not all, of their 'cunning plans' it is mostly based upon persuading their internal populations to fear invasion from an 'evil dictator/autocrat', which will be stimulated by any reaction because it will be 'spun' by the praetorian press pack.
However, the bloc-heads have lost most if not all of their credibility within their respective territories as have their praetorian press packs for a variety of reasons and the next decade, within which two election cycles happen, may be their last chance to do right by their People. If they fail to recognise such a need they might well end up as bloc-sans-heads.
WRT "Do readers get the impression that prodding Russia to escalate is to try and trap it somehow?"
Any prodding to escalate on the part of the NATO bloc(heads) probably relates to the internal narrative that 'evil Putin wants to conquer [enter country] because of his imperial ambitions', which has been cultivated within the national and cultural territories of the bloc-heads. As such it's not really a trap for Russia. Like most, if not all, of their 'cunning plans' it is mostly based upon persuading their internal populations to fear invasion from an 'evil dictator/autocrat', which will be stimulated by any reaction because it will be 'spun' by the praetorian press pack.
However, the bloc-heads have lost most if not all of their credibility within their respective territories as have their praetorian press packs for a variety of reasons and the next decade, within which two election cycles happen, may be their last chance to do right by their People. If they fail to recognise such a need they might well end up as bloc-sans-heads.
Agreed. I await the results from the next round of European elections to see if the Mutiny will continue.