Posted by: bevin | Mar 11 2024 1:27 utc | 150
Excellent.
Hope you’re right.

Posted by: Greg Galloway | Mar 11 2024 9:18 utc | 204

NATO Can Have Ukraine or the USA—Not Both
A treaty commitment to Ukraine is a dangerous liability with no upside.
Posted by: sln2002 | Mar 10 2024 16:25 utc | 2
Thank you for this link. An article that gives insight in the US mind. Summarized: if Ukraine enters NATO, we – the USA – leave.

Posted by: Passerby | Mar 11 2024 9:28 utc | 206

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Mar 11 2024 9:25 utc | 206
It’s proxy in terms of it is not the US directly attacking Russia. That’s what proxy means – they use other allies if you will.

Posted by: James M. | Mar 11 2024 9:37 utc | 208

It’s proxy in terms of it is not the US directly attacking Russia. That’s what proxy means – they use other allies if you will.
Posted by: James M. | Mar 11 2024 9:37 utc | 209
And there is the rub. US is governed by the shining knights of the corporate round table. I don’t think Trump is part of that, just a useful tool like Biden. The board has decided pursuing the Ukraine project is just throwing good money after after bad from this point. Time to try China and for this, Trump is now the right tool.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Mar 11 2024 9:45 utc | 210

How it will play exactly I have no idea though.
Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Mar 11 2024 1:06 utc | 139
He asked you how Putin should handle it.
You gave no answer.
Because soft power is very difficult to fight.
——
Prior to the coup in Ukraine in 2014 Russia effectively controlled 100% of Ukraine…
Posted by: Julian | Mar 11 2024 2:38 utc | 161
If this was true, there would never have been a coup. Russia had been losing control over Ukraine for decades.
Because soft power is very difficult to fight.

Posted by: UWDude | Mar 11 2024 9:54 utc | 212

@ James M. | Mar 11 2024 9:37 utc | 209

It’s proxy in terms of it is not the US directly attacking Russia. That’s what proxy means – they use other allies if you will.

That is simply not true. US do not hide what they do, they are intimately involved, and they are too full of themselves not to brag about it.

Posted by: boneless | Mar 11 2024 10:37 utc | 214

“I stand by my analysis. Reading up on stories by mid-level US military participants convinced me of the military part of the story. The political part is another story, well rehearsed.”
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Mar 11 2024 0:09 utc | 119
“If there is little will to fight, no amount of firepower on paper will make up for it.
That is just part of the psychology of war. War can’t be looked at as purely military equipment and mindless human zombies to man it.
We see that time and again.”
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Mar 11 2024 0:46 utc | 131
I have to go with Peter on this one.

Posted by: canuck | Mar 11 2024 11:05 utc | 216

“What the Soviet Union allowed the “West” was enough rope to hang itself. ”
Posted by: bevin | Mar 11 2024 1:27 utc | 150
So the USSR’s self immolation in 90-91 was a clever ruse to, “allow the West enough rope to hang itself”?
That idea is patently absurd.

Posted by: canuck | Mar 11 2024 11:20 utc | 218

Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Mar 11 2024 1:06 utc | 139
It’s pretty obvious that you’ve never been to Russia if you believe that a Turkish takeover of Azerbaijan will cause the Turkic groups in Russia to press for independence. For a start there are three seperate groups of Tatars – Volga, Siberian and Crimean, and in no region are they a large majority of the population. Even in Tatarstan they have only a slight majority. Tatarstan joined the Russian Federation because they were surrounded by other regions of the Federation.
The attempts in the early 1990s to recreate Idel Ural were largely a CIA operation. The problem that they faced was that all ethnic groups and regions all wanted to be top dog. Getting Kazan and Siberian Tatars, Chuvash, Bashkirs and Russians to cooperate was almost impossible, and agreeing to share finances was completely impossible.

Posted by: Peter Williams | Mar 11 2024 11:28 utc | 220

NATO Can Have Ukraine or the USA—Not Both
Posted by: sln2002 | Mar 10 2024 16:25 utc | 2
That also means: We Americans only created the conditions for the war in Ukraine. You Europeans now have to make sure that it doesn’t turn out too badly for you.

Posted by: Oliver Krug | Mar 11 2024 11:32 utc | 222

Look up Club-k.

Posted by: 5jumpchump | Mar 11 2024 11:42 utc | 224

Posted by: Passerby | Mar 11 2024 11:53 utc | 226
I would add that a functional army is not aligned with the goal of Mic in the west, that is, extract most profits for weapon are.

Posted by: Mario | Mar 11 2024 12:46 utc | 226

Ukrainian attack force that was preparing to attack into Belgorod was spotted and then hit with Lancet drones, Iskanders and FABs.
https://twitter.com/MyLordBebo/status/1767100183777595567

Posted by: unimperator | Mar 11 2024 12:50 utc | 228

It’s pretty obvious that you’ve never been to Russia if you believe that a Turkish takeover of Azerbaijan will cause the Turkic groups in Russia to press for independence. For a start there are three seperate groups of Tatars – Volga, Siberian and Crimean, and in no region are they a large majority of the population. Even in Tatarstan they have only a slight majority. Tatarstan joined the Russian Federation because they were surrounded by other regions of the Federation.
The attempts in the early 1990s to recreate Idel Ural were largely a CIA operation. The problem that they faced was that all ethnic groups and regions all wanted to be top dog. Getting Kazan and Siberian Tatars, Chuvash, Bashkirs and Russians to cooperate was almost impossible, and agreeing to share finances was completely impossible.
Posted by: Peter Williams | Mar 11 2024 11:28 utc | 221
——————
The part about Erdogian taking over Central Asia because of Ottoman themed period dramas & Turkish soap operas was even funnier.
As if the Turkish economy wasn’t a basket case, one bad week away from hyperinflation.
With a green military that can barely hold onto a “moderate rebel” infested Syrian border strip & facing much worse separatist problems on top of that.
All before one even considers that modern “Turks” and Central Asians arnt even vaguely related by ethnicity.
Now Azeris are closer to Anatolians to be sure, but they’re specifically much more akin to Iranians.
So frankly the RF has a better chance of re-igniting pan-Slavism in the future TBH.

Posted by: Urban Fox | Mar 11 2024 13:03 utc | 230

😂 Senator Lindsey Graham says Ukraine should return the money it received from the US:
“The idea that our allies should pay us back if they can when we’re $34 trillion in debt. This is America first in action. It’s not isolationism, but it is considering the needs of the American people. I hope to be going to Ukraine soon, and I hope to be able to tell them, the aid is coming. It will be in the form of a loan. Pay us back if you can.”

https://twitter.com/djuric_zlatko/status/1767174890073788501

Posted by: unimperator | Mar 11 2024 13:07 utc | 232

Posted by: ghiwen | Mar 11 2024 11:13 utc | 218
Nukes don’t explode when bombed by conventional explosives.
One fantastic scenario in alternative universe could dream of nuke “joining the fun” in cascading chain reaction under atomic bombing … but very much unlikely.

Posted by: Greg Galloway | Mar 11 2024 13:16 utc | 234

There is something weird in the attitude of Europeans in these conflict. This is not an existential issue for Europe or EU. But they pretend that it is. Those who pretend can never be really motivated. But maybe there are secret groups in EU/Europe to whom this is an existential war, only we do not know who they are.

Posted by: vargas | Mar 11 2024 13:32 utc | 236

Posted by: vargas | Mar 11 2024 13:32 utc | 237
“This is not an existential issue for Europe or EU. But they pretend that it is.”
Well they don’t want their increasingly impoverished populations to decide their real enemies are a bit closer to home, do they? So keep scaring the children with tales of Mad Vlad and his insatiable lust for blood and other people’s land…

Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | Mar 11 2024 13:52 utc | 238

Posted by: shаdοwRAND Mar 11 2024 11:32 utc | 224
An absolute blight on these boards, saying as none of us come here for comedy. But here you go…claiming, based on your own observational analysis that Russia has already used nuclear weapons almost a year ago…and virtually every day for the last two years you have implored Russia to use nuclear weapons and several times each day called for Putin to be ousted…
“Guillotined on Red Square” were your exact words, because Putin had not escalated enough for your angry patriots club liking.
So has Putin done what you wanted? If so why do you come here from clown world several times each day and moan about Putin? I forgot, you never answer questions, especially questions that make you look stupid either way.
Stop giving this shadow**** clown 🤡 any encouragement with serious responses. He has zero credibility.

Posted by: Lev Davidovich | Mar 11 2024 14:44 utc | 240

I’m a new poster and I asked the on-topic question to Shadowbaned about Armenia. I think it’s on topic, and he gave an answer that was thoughtful and well written regardless of whether or not it’s accurate.
I don’t see him as a troll. I don’t agree with him, but he’s clearly well informed on a range of subjects.
I find the notion that the CIA would pay people to post on MoA to be completely preposterous. There is no point, there’s more value in them funding competitors to B or having some post replies to more widely read sites like the NY Times, Politico, and Jezebel.

Posted by: Afro | Mar 11 2024 14:51 utc | 242

“Which begs the question what if anything is the Russian fleet, any surface Russian fleet, good for at this point?”
Good question Ludo. I wonder if the USN has asked itself that very question?

Posted by: Fred777 | Mar 11 2024 15:10 utc | 244

Afro | Mar 11 2024 14:51 utc | 243

he gave an answer that was thoughtful and well written regardless of whether or not it’s accurate.
I don’t see him as a troll. I don’t agree with him, but he’s clearly well informed on a range of subjects.

Yes, he is always very polite and not like a blind fanatic.
Many, perhaps the most reproaches of his critics here, there is a lack of decency and respect.
They just don’t have a culture of discussion
(same animals)

Posted by: theo | Mar 11 2024 15:38 utc | 246

vargas | Mar 11 2024 13:32 utc | 237
*** But maybe there are secret groups in EU/Europe to whom this is an existential war, only we do not know who they are.***
Those who subscribe to the (bogus) “free market” neoliberal ideology of monopoly-capitalism and its corporate entities of business and finance tend to be fanatical devotees of the US-empire, because that economic/social cultism is what they regard as being “the USA”.
Leading devotees do, of course, personally profit via the corrupt system they support.
Big-party politics having been hijacked by that ideological system … and within it the selective promotion of people over whom the system has a firm hold (for various reasons) and cancellation of dissenters … means there is hardly any significant organised opposition available to the general public.
Mass-media (also controlled) ensures there is hardly any debate about, or presentation of, alternatives* … indoctrination of the public into “there is no alternative” compliance.
* Recall how much heavyweight policy was argued during the 2019 election in the UK. There was little other than deliberate, continuous, dumbed-down hysteria packing the mass-media and blocking out almost anything serious.

Posted by: Cynic | Mar 11 2024 15:41 utc | 248

Posted by: Jake Blanchard | Mar 11 2024 9:35 utc | 208
“Now, if only we could get him [Trump] to make the same cuts to Israel, the world would be a slightly happier place.”
Be patient – IMO

Posted by: Johnny Dollar | Mar 11 2024 15:45 utc | 250

The Sadducean priestly aristocracy of the Temple-city between the cadastre census of Sulpicius Quirinus (ca. 6) and when Menahem beheaded the high priest (ca. 66) called “the people of the land”… “those damned people”.
The fusion between the high layers of the London atmosphere and the mental software of the so-called old testament is logical: classism in chemically pure state.

Posted by: Simon | Mar 11 2024 16:05 utc | 252

It should only be a matter of time until he sings to the other board about why the USA and Israel should be dropping nukes on Hamas because they should remove netanyahoo immediately for being so delicate. But he chooses not to…… Being honest to myself it wouldn’t ever.

Posted by: SB | Mar 11 2024 16:14 utc | 254

NATO forces in 404 will be Kalibrated. Russians will pretend they can’t see an unit patch on a satellite photo. Here is you plausible deniability sir ! Would you like some wine with it ?
Macron do shit by threatening to all put Europeans at war …alone.
Someone with that attitude surely was not given all the clues for a long life… even if he’s in fact bluffing big time.

Posted by: Savonarole | Mar 11 2024 17:04 utc | 256

Eighthman@256
My guess, based on the reported factions discussing this, is that Zalushny was protecting these people, not sending them to the front, and Zirsky sent their units to Avdeevka and other hot spots. Thus the dissatisfaction.
The general tenor of discussions about NATO states involvement, Taurus missiles, France and Moldova, citizens resisting recruiters in Ukraine, destruction of Patriot AD and Abrahms tanks are signs of the end game taking shape.
Putin will be affirmed as President of Russia within a week. Then, within a month or so, Russia will start a new push as the weather changes, the remaining ready reserves are worn down, and the eastern defensive line is broken. The west will then need to put up or go home.

Posted by: the pessimist | Mar 11 2024 17:19 utc | 258

Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Mar 11 2024 11:32 utc | 224
What is this supposed to show me other than that you have collected video urls?
AND the comparison video about 1 kt — unclear and very short
already the first video in your list shows that you are — as always — lying twisting ….
because you are “complaining” about the lack of secondary explosions. see–> Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Feb 28 2024 22:45 utc | 59

As you can see, it consists of lots of separate caches, many of them isolated from each other with earthen embankments. That kind of configuration does not explode all at once like that, even if it did hold a couple thousand tons of ammunition, it is a series of secondary explosions.

from the video description:
“…This is probably the biggest explosion of the entire Ukrainian war, The Khmelnytskyi depot must’ve had a massive amount of fuel/ammunition for it to have multiple big recurring explosions…”
1. maybe I can recommend another video about a test with 1 kt — longer and clearer
start at 1:45 — Operation Buster-Jangle ( sugar 1,2 kt )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u3xywbrHS8
Nuclear Test Film Highlights – Restored Footage, New Films, Epic Explosions
2. maybe you should check the post from b about the
https://www.moonofalabama.org/2023/05/ukraine-sitrep-explosion-in-khmelnytsky-bakhmut-evacuation-longer-range-missiles.html
there you can see a satellite imgage AFTER the attack and compare it with your imagination
3. maybe you should try videos about fuel/gas or chemical explosions
Video shows huge fireball after massive gas explosion in Nairobi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovsO9WorWRc
Terrifying footage emerges of Romania gas station explosions | 9 News Australia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWqtQi3HSf4
Destroyed in Seconds- Chemical Plant Explosion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KuGizBjDXo

Posted by: ghiwen | Mar 11 2024 17:38 utc | 260

Reflecting back on the sinking of the Russian cruiser Moskova (commissioned 1983, cost estimated 750 million USD) and the British troubles with their $3b Prince of Wales aircraft carrier (commissioned 2017) that is unable to perform basic duties without propeller issues and fires, I think highlights the problems with large warships. They are expensive to build and maintain and are vulnerable to inexpensive weapons. The Moskova reportedly had old fire control systems that had not been upgraded when the boat underwent modernization in the 20 teens intended to keep her fit for service – perhaps due to costs and/or corruption. She had a relatively long service life, but in the end was inadequately prepared to handle the damage sustained- whether from accident, sabotage, or missile strikes. The British ship has no reasonable excuse not to be sea worthy. The Russian aircraft carrier also has suffered sea worthiness issues I believe.

Posted by: the pessimist | Mar 11 2024 17:52 utc | 262

How to explain the situation on universities. Even 20 years ago, not to.mention 50 years ago, Academia and universities were far more critical regarding the imperialism but now the educated are content capitalist servents. How has that happened?
Even the state actor. We remmber France voting against US intervention in Iraq. Now we see that France is eager to fight the Russians.

Posted by: vargas | Mar 11 2024 18:00 utc | 264

vargas | Mar 11 2024 18:00 utc | 265
The intertwining of the EU with NATO, and the American push to expand NATO and install rusophobic politicians in key governments, have completely warped the political class tied to Brussels. The US and EU money has proved so corrupting that members of the political class completely ignore national interests and the welfare of their constituents in favor of harebrained schemes like decommissioning nuclear plants, destroying NS2, and attacking Russia.

Posted by: the pessimist | Mar 11 2024 18:32 utc | 266

Regarding massive conventional weapons explosion, I found this on YouTube, dated 1965, 500 t TNT explosion test: https://youtu.be/hkoBwFYitlU?si=j4f_VcS44cqCJHOh
Now, irrespective of the videos, should Russia have used a tactical nuke, I see zero chance for it not being in the front page of all aligned press publications at that time.

Posted by: scc | Mar 11 2024 18:58 utc | 268

… and the British troubles with their $3b Prince of Wales aircraft carrier (commissioned 2017) that is unable to perform basic duties without propeller issues and fires, … The British ship has no reasonable excuse not to be sea worthy. …
Posted by: the pessimist | Mar 11 2024 17:52 utc | 263
Perhaps it was seaworthy but vulnerable to modern weapons and too inviting a target given the UK’s provocative role in this latest round of global conflicts. Certainly the technical problems are plausible enough, they’d have to be even if they were fictitious, but the fact remains that the loss of reputation from having it sunk would be far greater than the manageable embarrassment in which it currently exist.

Posted by: anon2020 | Mar 11 2024 19:07 utc | 270

… (uranium combustion) About 1000 kJ/mol
Posted by: ChatNPC | Mar 11 2024 19:03 utc | 270
Thanks for that. Looks like iron thermite is about 825 kJ/mol so similar energy liberated for a given mass.

Posted by: anon2020 | Mar 11 2024 19:25 utc | 272

Posted by: anon2020 | Mar 11 2024 17:19 utc | 260
Pretty sure that a nuclear explosion, whether fission or fusion, would ignite everything in the vicinity – you wouldn’t hear stuff cooking off after, because it would have already gone.
Uranium, IIRC, at high temperature will not explode but will burn furiously, like magnesium.

Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | Mar 11 2024 19:57 utc | 274

Posted by: gT | Mar 11 2024 19:50 utc | 274
It would need a hell of a fighter/bomber to carry 10 tons.

Posted by: Mario | Mar 11 2024 20:00 utc | 276

and he gave an answer that was thoughtful and well written regardless of whether or not it’s accurate.
Posted by: Afro | Mar 11 2024 14:51 utc | 243
It was long and wordy.
But, what was his answer to your question, what should Russia do about Albania?
I saw a lot of ” this is messed up”, “that is messed up”, “Turkey might do this”, “Iran might do that”, and “Azerbaijan might do this”, and “Russia really messed up on handling Armenia”, but he does not get into specifics of how Russia mishandled it.
And he never actually answers the question, “What should Russia do about Armenia?”
So, first of all, how has Putin handled it? He basically withdrew Russian aegis, and let Azerbaijan have their way with Armenia. Intervening only with a small peacekeeping force.
Azerbaijan now holds Nagorno Karabakh. Armenia went pro-west, now they got it.
Putin did the best he could. There is no real need for him to continue to shield a hostile Armenia.
If both turks and armenians are hostile, why take a side in the conflict. Let Armenia get what ot wants, and get it good and hard.
And continue to quietly woo the Turks.
Who chose S400s over f35s?
I answered your question, now perhaps that I praised Putin, he will come up with an answer, but I doubt it. Because, as I said, soft power is difficult to defeat.

Posted by: UWDude | Mar 11 2024 20:22 utc | 278

*sigh* Armenia, not Albania.

Posted by: UWDude | Mar 11 2024 20:23 utc | 280

Could be wrong but seems to me that a widely used aircraft to launch FAB250 (SU 34?) can carry four at a time. For the larger bombs, only two at a time, which is why they are often seen going off in pairs.

Posted by: Mike R | Mar 11 2024 20:30 utc | 282

hopehely @ 137
If there were a critical auditor watching over the budget you have a god point.
However. They have lots of money in lots of pockets. They are paranoid. Excessive supervision of those not totally on narrative has gone on a long time.
The universe of non-narrative sites in English is fairly small.

Posted by: oldhippie | Mar 11 2024 20:43 utc | 284

Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Mar 11 2024 11:32 utc | 224
This is what a tactical nuke detonation looks like
https://youtu.be/goMNAxFqGbk?si=TV8hRorjWWFJDJ5W&t=35
Note the blinding flash brighter than the sun … that’s the telltale sign of a nuclear explosion. Any big explosion creates a mushroom cloud and the colour of the fireball is an indication of the elements that were burning. Lithium and strontium burn with a red flame, calcium burns orange for example.

Posted by: HB_Norica | Mar 11 2024 20:52 utc | 286

Posted by: Mike R | Mar 11 2024 20:31 utc | 284
If the SEAD missions continue taking out the high-lo altitude systems then Tu-22m’s can be used as FAB platforms. The Russians problem is that they have no dedicated EW aircraft that can accompany their strike packages, IIRC the Yak-28 was their Cold-War variant but was discontinued. Russia never thought it could achieve anything but temporary air dominance in certain sectors, during the Cold-War, preferring to rely on AD systems and rocketry as substitutes. Again, a legacy that has come back during the SMO to restrict Russia’s ability to exploit their air-dominance, but in Ukraine’s case to undermine their hybrid East/West doctrine and limit its operational capabilities.
Posted by: the pessimist | Mar 11 2024 17:52 utc | 263
The Moskva (ex-Slava class) was a disaster waiting to happen, see my comment on another thread on the Russian habit of taking the ‘eggshells with hammers’ concept of modern warship design to the extreme. Virtually any hit on that platform will cause a serious fire that is likely to become catastrophic, and I very much doubt replacing the out-dated equipment for the damage control teams was a top budgetary concern.

Posted by: Ilites | Mar 11 2024 21:11 utc | 288

Posted by: Mario | Mar 11 2024 20:00 utc | 277
Strike Eagle, over 10,000 kg of ordnance.

Posted by: Milites | Mar 11 2024 21:14 utc | 290

Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Mar 11 2024 11:32 utc | 224
This is what a tactical nuke detonation looks like
https://youtu.be/goMNAxFqGbk?si=TV8hRorjWWFJDJ5W&t=35
Note the blinding flash brighter than the sun … that’s the telltale sign of a nuclear explosion. Any big explosion creates a mushroom cloud and the colour of the fireball is an indication of the elements that were burning. Lithium and strontium burn with a red flame, calcium burns orange for example.
Posted by: HB_Norica | Mar 11 2024 20:52 utc | 287

That’s 15 kt, same as Hiroshima, and it was an airburst too.
The Khmelnytskyi explosions are likely 1-2 kt each.
Also note that back in the second half of May, if you recall (and if you don’t you can go back), I was in a much better mood here. Because the Kremlin had finally enforced a red line — they publicly said the DU shells will be treated as a radiological attack, and then not just destroyed them, but did it this way.

Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Mar 11 2024 21:29 utc | 292

is this man a sick f*cking joke?
Posted by: Justpassinby | Mar 11 2024 21:12 utc | 290
Certainly not him, but he is convinced that his audience is nothing else. With a budget of 1,000 billion behind you, you can say anything, whether they believe you or not – completely irrelevant to the speaker of the might.

Posted by: Oliver Krug | Mar 11 2024 21:33 utc | 294

Interesting discussion today about the Vietnam and the Ukraine comparison………
While the USAF committed huge tactical resources in the period 1965 to 1975, to severing the Ho Chi Minh Trail supply lines through Laos with the B52’s and their massive Rolling Thunder airstrikes (the USAF dropping more bomb tonnage on the trail than the USAAF dropped on Japan during WWII), the fact is that these strikes only temporarily inconvenienced the NVA logistics train effort.
The only realistic strategic solution to that issue, advocated by several members of the US Army General Staff planners at the time was to extend the DMZ westward through Laos to the junction with Mekong River. Obviously this huge effort by army combat engineer and navy seabee units would have been contested vigorously by the NVA. Using Rome Plow D9 Cat Combat Bulldozers supported by US and ARVN airpower and ground forces, cutting the DMZ to the Mekong would have established a defined defense line and effectively cut the trail supply chain. Additionally, USN River Gunboats would have been extended to patrol the river to extend defensive and repress infiltration of troops and supplies.
LBJ and Nixon’s incremental approach of the airstrikes offensive had no chance to succeed………….
RF’s need is to prevent the UFA and NATO from establishing large portions of the Dneiper as part of a dedicated defense line, a de-facto DMZ. Thus, at some point the SMO needs to turn into a maneuver war in order to prevent this DMZ frozen front, an outcome NATO would adore. Patience is required, but the time for a large maneuver Big Arrow operation could close at hand…stay tuned…..

Posted by: Tobias Cole | Mar 11 2024 21:43 utc | 296

Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Mar 11 2024 21:36 utc | 296
Yeah, those Tank Armies of the GFSG were purely defensive, I mean: their tanks couldn’t depress their gun barrels to take advantage of hull down positions, were trained to overwhelm defences in a series of armoured fists, were accompanied by highly mobile AD protection, and aggressive air assaults and all their armour maximised frontal protection, at the expense of other arcs, but it was all purely defensive, honest!

Posted by: Milites | Mar 11 2024 22:05 utc | 298

Posted by: Tobias Cole | Mar 11 2024 21:43 utc | 297
Mine Haiphong harbour, and aggressively interdict the rail yards where the supplies originated. The war ends in less than a year, but they couldn’t due to the fact that the predicted the fall-out in international relations would have had worse consequences than potentially losing in SE Asia. A restrictor that some posters, who advocate Putin adopting a similar strategy to ‘nuking them till they glow, then shoot them in the dark’, forget. Nations are not islands, Russia’s little talked about strategic success is how it has managed the SMO’s public relations, beyond the increasingly depleted true-believers, or LIV’s in the West.

Posted by: Milites | Mar 11 2024 22:14 utc | 300