1 HN user recommended this interview1 month2024–2025score 1
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026
Shared after 2022 as evidence that McCain accurately predicted Russian aggression and the cost of showing weakness.
A short BBC HARDtalk clip from 2014 in which Senator John McCain says Putin aims to rebuild the Russian empire, starting with eastern Ukraine and then Moldova and the Baltics. He also criticizes Obama for not arming Ukraine.
“In 2014, McCain absolutely nailed his prediction on Ukraine 2022.” (HN, 2025)
1 recommendations · 4 citations · Interviews · news from the time
Here's another short video I always share on this topic, with John McCain laying things out in 2014 after Russia seized Crimea. We're about halfway through his predictions, I'd say. [this video]
Short video of McCain's 2014 predictions after Crimea
[this video] McCain on Putin in 2014. They want Eastern Ukraine and Crimea, and Moldova and the Baltics if they can get away with it. He is rebuilding the Russian Empire.
McCain's 2014 prediction of Russian empire rebuilding
> everyone who bought into that stupid ideology has been wrong about everything my entire lifetime In 2014, McCain absolutely nailed his prediction on Ukraine 2022. Did you? [this video]
Is there data in 2021 that would have led you to think Russia would attempt an outright invasion of Ukraine? Is it really so outlandish to think that Russian irredentism[0] will continue? Food for thought from 2014(!): [this video] [0]: [link]
Or worse, rifling through the victim's pockets (mineral deal) and demanding a thank you. So far John McCain had this one right. Show Putin weakness at your peril. [this video]
McCain was right that showing Putin weakness is perilous
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