Provoked with Darryl Cooper and Scott Horton EP:9 - Ukraine Chessboard : The Art of Losing Slowly - Special Guest Comic Dave Smith
28 snips
Aug 23, 2025 
Comedian and political commentator Dave Smith, host of "Part of the Problem," joins the discussion to dive into the complexities of the Ukraine war. They dissect the failed peace talks and the deceptive nature of security guarantees, exploring NATO's controversial role. The conversation also touches on the rising influence of far-right nationalist elements in Ukraine, like the Azov Battalion, and their implications for national identity. With sharp wit, Dave questions the misunderstandings surrounding the conflict's origins, making this a thought-provoking listen.
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Security Guarantees Were A Poison Pill
- Security guarantees offered in negotiations functioned as de facto NATO membership and were intentionally a poison pill. This made a deal impossible because Russia would never accept guarantees equating to Article 5 protection.
Article 5 Is Not An Automatic War Trigger
- NATO Article 5 is often misunderstood and does not automatically commit members to immediate war. Providing Ukraine Article 5-style guarantees would have required political decisions that Washington repeatedly avoided.
Slow Russian Gains Change The Bargaining Table
- Russia's slow territorial gains strengthen its bargaining position while wearing down Ukraine. That makes any near-term negotiated settlement much harder because Russia has incentives to keep pushing.
