Provoked with Darryl Cooper and Scott Horton EP:9 -(uncensored) Ukraine Chessboard : The Art of Losing Slowly - Special Guest Comic Dave Smith
17 snips
Aug 25, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, comedian and political commentator Dave Smith dissects the ongoing war in Ukraine with Scott Horton. They explore failed peace negotiations and the implications of NATO's security guarantees disguised as compromises. The conversation delves into Russia's territorial gains and the rise of Ukraine's far-right nationalist groups, particularly the Azov Battalion, warning of their increasing political power. Smith's humor contrasts the gravity of the conflict, providing a riveting take on complex geopolitical dynamics.
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Poison-Pill Negotiations
- The Alaska talks looked designed to fail by inserting poison-pill security guarantees that Russia would reject.
- Scott Horton and Dave Smith argue that pushing Article-5-like guarantees functionally equates to NATO membership and scuttles peace.
Security Guarantees Equal NATO In Practice
- Security guarantees for Ukraine read like NATO membership because Article 5 implies collective defense obligations.
- Horton notes that formal treaties and public statements were being misread to promise military defense they would not deliver.
Slow Gains, Stronger Position
- Russia is making steady territorial gains, improving its bargaining position while Ukraine's resources deplete.
- Horton warns that slow, incremental Russian advances make negotiating from a position of strength increasingly likely.
