Politics

[Altitude sickness]

What’s really sad is to hear the Marines account of having to watch civilians being executed right in front of them for days on end.

Many people in the military (and especially US
Marines) have a heightened sense of right and wrong and justice. and America being the protective big brother, so I can’t imagine being forced to stand there and watch innocent people being shot in the back of the head because senior leadership didn’t have the balls to disobey an unlawful order.

And we all know damn well under the Biden Obama regime’s if those Marines acted on their own accord they would be in Leavenworth

 

[Red Leg]

A common misconception repeated among those who criticize support for Ukraine is that Ukraine is steadily losing territory to the Russian meatgrinder. This is patently false. The primary "meat" in the grinder has been thousands of poorly trained Russian troops who over the last several months have been reduced to making assaults largely without armor or meaningful artillery support. Over the last couple of weeks, Ukraine has launched successful counterattacks in several areas to include Kursk

The point is that the strategic position has hardly changed at all for two years except for the Ukrainian occupation of part of the Russian Kursk Oblast where Russia has seen two of its "elite" brigades (airborne and naval infantry) and its hirelings from North Korea destroyed as combat effective organizations. I personally think it is telling that Russia is no longer powerful enough to evict UA forces from its on soil much less make meaningful gains within Ukraine itself. It is why it would be the ultimate betrayal were this administration to give Russia the victory in negotiations it can not win on the battlefield.

Commentators and arm chair tacticians often forget the strategic forest while opining on trees. This set of maps does an excellent job of illustrating the strategic situation over the course of the war. I would also note Russia does not completely hold any of the Ukrainian Oblasts it "annexed" since 2022 and is demanding as a precondition for negotiations.

One other point that never gets mentioned by the usual suspects. Ukraine's strategic bombardment of Russian oil production and refining centers using long range drones is beginning to pay serious dividends. Yesterday the Russian government quietly directed a ban on gasoline exports from 1 March to 31 August in order to insure adequate supplies within the country.

The Russian economy is being held together with hundred mile an hour tape and baling wire. Actual casualties have been a carefully managed state secret, but even the Moscow region is starting to notice. The Russian army no longer has the means to carry out true mechanized warfare. Putin needs this settlement far more than Ukraine. Our administration simply needs to stare through the bluster.

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/1izce0e/there_years_of_russias_fullscale_war_against

 

[Brent in Az]

Speaking of worthless government employees......100 at NSA get shown the exit door.

 

[Brent in Az]

On a more somber note......Gene Hackman and his wife were found dead inside their home.

 

[Dirtdart]

Lots of good instruction in this.

That would be funny if it were not true.

 

[CJW]

That would be funny if it were not true.

Yup.

 

[Pondoro]

A common misconception repeated among those who criticize support for Ukraine is that Ukraine is steadily losing territory to the Russian meatgrinder. This is patently false. The primary "meat" in the grinder has been thousands of poorly trained Russian troops who over the last several months have been reduced to making assaults largely without armor or meaningful artillery support. Over the last couple of weeks, Ukraine has launched successful counterattacks in several areas to include Kursk

The point is that the strategic position has hardly changed at all for two years except for the Ukrainian occupation of part of the Russian Kursk Oblast where Russia has seen two of its "elite" brigades (airborne and naval infantry) and its hirelings from North Korea destroyed as combat effective organizations. I personally think it is telling that Russia is no longer powerful enough to evict UA forces from its on soil much less make meaningful gains within Ukraine itself. It is why it would be the ultimate betrayal were this administration to give Russia the victory in negotiations it can not win on the battlefield.

Commentators and arm chair tacticians often forget the strategic forest while opining on trees. This set of maps does an excellent job of illustrating the strategic situation over the course of the war. I would also note Russia does not completely hold any of the Ukrainian Oblasts it "annexed" since 2022 and is demanding as a precondition for negotiations.

One other point that never gets mentioned by the usual suspects. Ukraine's strategic bombardment of Russian oil production and refining centers using long range drones is beginning to pay serious dividends. Yesterday the Russian government quietly directed a ban on gasoline exports from 1 March to 31 August in order to insure adequate supplies within the country.

The Russian economy is being held together with hundred mile an hour tape and baling wire. Actual casualties have been a carefully managed state secret, but even the Moscow region is starting to notice. The Russian army no longer has the means to carry out true mechanized warfare. Putin needs this settlement far more than Ukraine. Our administration simply needs to stare through the bluster.

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/1izce0e/there_years_of_russias_fullscale_war_against

It is a misconseption that negotiations can solve the cause of the war in Ukraine..

The cause is Russia´s (Putins) imperial ambitions.

They can only be stopped with military power. Some heavy western military precense is mandatory for years to come.

If Trump think he can negotiate or buy himself away from this fact he misses the crucial point..

 

[Red Leg]

Agreed. But, this war will end, short of a Russian military and governmental collapse, in a negotiated settlement simply because neither power is capable of dictating a peace. The key is to not give Russia a settlement which simply furthers its imperial aspirations. I am very much afraid that the Trump administration is operating within a "peace at all costs" framework.

 

[bowjijohn]

Agreed. But, this war will end, short of a Russian military and governmental collapse, in a negotiated settlement simply because neither power is capable of dictating a peace. The key is to not give Russia a settlement which simply furthers its imperial aspirations. I am very much afraid that the Trump administration is operating within a "peace at all costs" framework.

I must say I don’t really understand his obsession with peace

It has never existed, ever, at any time in world history

Human conflict is not unlike the ocean currents

They are always present and always move

The trick is to be using those currents to help, rather than hinder, your journey

 

[Red Leg]

I must say I don’t really understand his obsession with peace

It has never existed, ever, at any time in world history

Human conflict is not unlike the ocean currents

They are always present and always move

The trick is to be using those currents to help, rather than hinder, your journey

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

 

[Brent in Az]

Agreed. But, this war will end, short of a Russian military and governmental collapse, in a negotiated settlement simply because neither power is capable of dictating a peace. The key is to not give Russia a settlement which simply furthers its imperial aspirations. I am very much afraid that the Trump administration is operating within a "peace at all costs" framework.

Maybe so, but irregardless of whatever peace deal Trump might broker, it's up to both sides to accept or decline.
Putin won't accept any deal that doesnt include a large chunk of Ukrainian real estate, or anything that causes him to lose face
Zelinskyy will have to decide for himself what the price of peace will be?
Personally, I dont want to see Putin retain 1 square meter of the Ukraine.
If I had my way, I would bring in our military and heavy hardware and chase Putin's troops all the way to Siberia.
There's only 1 way to beat a bully, and everything on the table right now won't accomplish that.
Trump needs to get seriously tough on Russia, or step away from the entire mess.
But at the end of the day, I would not make a good diplomat, or geopolitical tactician.

 

[bowjijohn]

There is some merit in Trump trying to drive a wedge between Putin and China

Perhaps blowing some sunshine up his backside might be worth it

Further more, a complete collapse of Russia could result in a fragmentation of the various regions that make up the Russian nation

Imagine those regions, each suddenly finding themselves rudderless, but owning, by default, some nuclear warheads and missile systems

For which unscrupulous entities would pay big bucks

Meanwhile China might not be able to help itself, and be tempted to nibble away at eastern Russia

It’s a difficult track to navigate

 

[Dirtdart]

But we dont buy american military hardware, Europe make it.. Germany build better tanks, Sweden make excellent APC´s, several states make cruise missiles (the german Taurus has 500km range..Sweden just bought them..) Both the UK and France have nuclear weapons, both have nuclear powered attack subs..and boomers.

The new german chancler speek for Germany to build up a nuclear force, etc etc..

USA is currently in the race for a contract for new frigates to Norway, worth USD 35 billion.. I sincerely hope you dont get it

Sounds like the EU should be able to hold their own.

 

[mdwest]

I must say I don’t really understand his obsession with peace

It has never existed, ever, at any time in world history

Human conflict is not unlike the ocean currents

They are always present and always move

The trick is to be using those currents to help, rather than hinder, your journey

War is rarely about desire to fight.. and peace is rarely about a desire to stop fighting..

Conflicts and their resolution are more often about money, resources, religion, control, power, etc.. etc..

In Trumps case.. he's been pretty clear.. his primary motivations are tied to money and resources..

He sees an opportunity to secure resources (worth money).. and he doesn't want to spend any more money abroad that doesn't have some sort of positive return for the US associated with it...

His entire national agenda is "America First".. The wants/needs/desires of everyone else comes second (or even further down the list depending on who you are)..

 

[Red Leg]

War is rarely about desire to fight.. and peace is rarely about a desire to stop fighting..

Conflicts and their resolution are more often about money, resources, religion, control, power, etc.. etc..

In Trumps case.. he's been pretty clear.. his primary motivations are tied to money and resources..

He sees an opportunity to secure resources (worth money).. and he doesn't want to spend any more money abroad that doesn't have some sort of positive return for the US associated with it...

His entire national agenda is "America First".. The wants/needs/desires of everyone else comes second (or even further down the list depending on who you are)..

You paint a rug merchant's perspective of foreign policy. I suppose "Profit" at least would seem to have the virtue of clarity. No doubt defending the Western economic/political construct - a fairly clear national interest since December 7, 1941 with so much of our economic security built on access to trade among international partners - is a bit too fuzzy for some - particularly in the current administration.

 

[gbflyer]

There is some merit in Trump trying to drive a wedge between Putin and China

Perhaps blowing some sunshine up his backside might be worth it

Further more, a complete collapse of Russia could result in a fragmentation of the various regions that make up the Russian nation

Imagine those regions, each suddenly finding themselves rudderless, but owning, by default, some nuclear warheads and missile systems

For which unscrupulous entities would pay big bucks

Meanwhile China might not be able to help itself, and be tempted to nibble away at eastern Russia

It’s a difficult track to navigate

I think that already happened once?

 

[Tanks]

War is rarely about desire to fight.. and peace is rarely about a desire to stop fighting..

...

Karl Von Clausewitz: 'War is the continuation of politics by other means.'

 

[mdwest]

You paint a rug merchant's perspective of foreign policy. I suppose "Profit" at least would seem to have the virtue of clarity. No doubt defending the Western economic/political construct - a fairly clear national interest since December 7, 1941 with so much of our economic security built on access to trade among international partners - is a bit too fuzzy for some - particularly in the current administration.

profit would have probably been a better word choice than "money"...

mind you Im not agreeing with Trumps motivations in any way, shape, or form..

Im merely restating what he has said repeatedly..

He told the American people he would "end the war in a day" (clearly that hasn't happened.. but I also think he was just Trumping.. he is prone to exaggeration and isn't a clear orator.. what he meant was "quickly").. and everything he is doing this time around is on a rapid timeline..

I don't think Trump is obsessed with peace at all (@bowjijohn 's question).. I think he is obsessed with rapid results, and is motivated to get those rapid results (apparently at any cost) by money and access to resources (profit)..

 

[mdwest]

Karl Von Clausewitz: 'War is the continuation of politics by other means.'

Completely concur..

 

[Hunt anything]

Looks like the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza is complete with the exchange of 600 future terrorist for 4 dead Israelis.