Hacker News Reader

Comment by mkr-hn | Hacker News Reader

Folks really underestimate how many economic chokepoints there are if the right people feel threatened. I think and hope most Russians know who to blame, but it only takes one person misdirecting their rage to end your life if you're there and look like a target.

View on HN

True, but heavy sanctions haven't been able to destroy Irans economy. After a harsh adjustment period and an initially tanking economy the systems will adjust. And China will probably welcome Russian business with open arms.

Russia is the fallback for many countries facing sanctions. Who does Russia turn to that wasn't taken off guard by the invasion and the swiftness and unity of Europe's response? China might have helped in another limited land grab like Crimea. Putin recognizing independent states doesn't align with the desire to reintegrate its own breakaway states into China, so they might not want to help.

I'm sure the "target" understands that perfectly well, and has already taken all necessary countermeasures.

The way I read the GP is "As usual, if you're Jewish, be careful because they're going to deflect blame towards you. Expect lynch mobs."

(feel free to replace Jewish with another minority, it's probably also true)

If my understanding is correct, I agree with GP. My understanding of Russian history suggests that Russian politics 101, throughout the regimes, has been to pick (and murder) scapegoats during crises. If you feel that you're a potential target, now is a very good time to make sure that you have a way to survive this.

Yep. I've had Berlin on mind and the way it was fairly tolerant pre-WW2. It had the era's equivalent of a queer center. All burned in that famous book burning photo that, until recently, rarely had that context.[0] The person who ran it was Jewish and gay, so he probably gave people at his institute this same warning early on. I know Russia has some nasty laws on the books, but I assume international cities there are like international cities anywhere. And that can turn real quick when people start looking for someone to blame.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institut_f%C3%BCr_Sexualwissen...

You meant all possible counter-measures given tools at hand, and that is in an ideal state when the aggressor is perfectly rational, very smart in planning and can hold their emotions in place.

Most if not all above is not valid right now about Putin and his clique.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com