So, how many years of experience do you have in the military or in military procurement? If you expect your argument to hold water without elaboration, you should tell us how highly qualified you are, such that no one on this board could possibly know as much as you do. We don't want you to give up any of your top-secret clearance information, of course. Do you report to the Secretary of Defense? You can tell us--we won't say anything to get you in trouble. Loosen your tongue. We don't know where your fingers have been. It could be unhealthy.
So you are saying that Russia invaded Ukraine as a charity maneuver, for Ukraine's own good? While they were there, they found out that Ukraine's appliances were not safe (according to Konsumerski Pravda), so they removed them to Russia so Ukrainians would not get injured by them? Then they opened torture centers to give Ukrainians a more wholesome entertainment alternative to nightclubs? Is that what you think? Try to stay on topic. This is not about whether the U.S. is mean or not. This is Russia's war, not America's. We're just supplying hardware.
It's probably the most humane thing that Russia has done during this war. Probably not very effective if Ukraine could see right through it immediately. And you just know that when Ukraine disables / captures one of these IFV's, they are going to put dresses on the Russian mannequin soldiers . . .
United Nations to discuss North Korea's supply of weapons to Russia. With the extremely low quality shells that Fat Bastard is supplying Dr. Evil, and the damage these are doing to Russia's artillery barrels, I say let them continue. The ballistic missiles are probably a greater danger to Russian troops nearby than the Ukrainians. Besides, it is unlikely that Russia will sign off on any resolution to slow down weapons flows to their own army. UN Security Council to convene over North Korea's missile supply to Russia
Germany sends a Skynet air defense system to Ukraine. No word yet on how many Terminators will be sent with it. The system fires 1,000 bullets per minute. Germany sends Skynex air defense system, other military aid to Ukraine
An interesting article that shows how a Patriot system "learns" from its successes to improve its algorithms, and shares the updates with other Patriot systems. Shooting down Russia's overhyped missiles with Patriots is a win for more than just Ukraine. The war is an 'intelligence bonanza' for the West.
Ukrainian forces snuck into Belgorod, Russia, attacked military positions, and laid mines in the main road in the area. Just having some fun. Ukrainian forces snuck into Russia, raided military positions, and mined the only road in the area, Kyiv says
Not to quibble but it’s more than that. I think the intelligence we’re sharing is pretty significant. The advisors maybe less impactful due differences between the militaries and philosophies.
Ukraine recovers an intact warhead from a Kinzhal missile for the first time. Will they reverse-engineer it and send it back postage due? Or would it be easier to develop a more capable missile from scratch? Ukraine Situation Report: Downed Kinzhal Warhead Recovered In Kyiv
OT - Saw this and thought I would share. X 47 B drone remotely piloted with AI input. Supposedly old tech by now but damn.
This just in: Russians are slow learners. In this case, they failed to learn from Ukraine that sending columns of tanks and armored vehicles against fortified defensive positions is a bad idea. Then they stayed committed to the idea for a much longer time than Ukraine did before realizing that it does not work. In the advance against Avdiivka, Russia apparently lost 220 tanks and 13,000 soldiers. When Ukraine tried the same maneuver, they lost what, less than a dozen tanks and IFV's and less than 100 men? Ukraine quickly fixed a huge mistake in how it used tanks. Russia then repeated the error on a grand scale.
An interesting opinion piece: what would happen if the west stopped playing by Russia's rules? Opinion: What would happen if the West stopped playing by Russia’s rules? | CNN
Mostly agree with that opinion piece except for the premise that we’ve been playing by Russia’s rules. The problem is that we’ve been playing by liberal internationalist rules (with its naive assumptions that economic interdependence can maintain peace, that you can shame “bad” states into following the rules, that democracies don’t go to war with each other, etc) while Russia has been playing by realist rules (the strong do what they can; the weak suffer what they must). I say again that the best thing the President could do today is fire Jake Sullivan’s dumb ass and bring in someone whom Russia and China would take seriously as a National Security Advisor.
Here is an article on why it is so difficult to ramp up production of weapons systems in particular. It takes two years to manufacture a NASAMS air defense system. So many parts are outsourced that increasing production of a weapons system means increasing production at multiple companies, each with its own limitations. Why Western military manufacturing has fallen behind Russia and China
Back to the theme of Russia doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results. Russia sent a parade of 4-5 tanks into a Ukrainian forest seven times in Kharkiv Oblast, with the column destroyed each time. The link includes a video of one attack. No wonder that Russia has lost ten times as many of their tanks as Ukraine has. Russian forces repeated failed tank assaults 7 times across the same kill zone and were destroyed each time, says report
U.S. State Department bails out on Ukraine. U.S. is committed to supporting Ukraine "as long as it takes", but will not continue to support it at levels of 2022-23. Biden apparently does not have that kind of horsepower (or energy level), and Congress does not have enough sense to know why a victory by Ukraine is good for the future of the U.S. The Idiocracy is happy to give Ukraine (and the rest of eastern Europe) to Russia. Take a nap, Sleepy Joe--you've earned it. Don't worry, we'll pay the price later. It's hard to tell if this is Biden capitulating to republicans in Congress, or simply acknowledging a current inability to persuade Congress of the need to oppose Russia. If Biden is capitulating, then he should retire and refuse to run for a second term. That might give someone else a chance to persuade the dimwitted republicans in Congress. State Department: US may not continue supporting Ukraine at level of 2022, 2023
If that’s true, then it would explain why there have not been any serious negotiations to resolve the deadlock to the satisfaction of a majority in Congress. If you just want out and would prefer to blame the opposition party in Congress, then this is the way. It’s a method that worked (until it didn’t) when the Obama Administration wanted a quick withdrawal from Iraq in 2011 but wanted to put the blame squarely on the Iraqi government.
Good post, thanks. I agree with the majority in polls, we need better immigration policy which includes a stronger border. Although it gets muddled on what is being done vs what should be done. Build the wall? Will that work? Send them back - isn't Biden doing that? etc. But yes, it's a major calamity, will only get worse and never ceasing. i want a stronger border. I anticipate Congress will work a bill for better immigration policy - a stronger border, funding for Ukraine and Israel. But in the history of our country when congress is divided they have to compromise. let's watch which political sect wrecks the deal. I sure hope and pray they don't. But imo, they would literally allow more harm to the country just to make Biden look bad. hopefully this is just one gadfly but I doubt it: "As senators work on a compromise deal to address border security and immigration, at least one Republican is suggesting politics is a key motivator for him. "Let me tell you, I'm not willing to do too damn much right now to help a Democrat and to help Joe Biden's approval rating," Republican Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas House GOPer: I Won't Support Border Security Deal If It Helps Biden (businessinsider.com)
So the Pubs refuse to support Ukraine, and somehow this is "Sleepy Joe"'s fault? Sorry that is pure horse apples.
