ThirstyBarbarian
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I suggest you read Sun Tzu
Is “Sun Tzu” Chinese for “Black Knight”. ‘Tis but a scratch!
I suggest you read Sun Tzu
Back when I was much younger, one of my hobbies was board wargaming. Think SPI, Avalon Hill, GDW, etc. As a part of being into the hobby, I read Sun Tzu. I agree with your assessment. Not hard to read, but very rich in wisdom.A nice light read if you go and get one.
Quote from a Finn during the winter war: “We are such a small country. Where will we find space to bury them all?” Don’t mess with Finland.So Russia has said that Finland risks annihilation if it joins NATO. I'm guessing Putin is going to hire a bunch of Ukrainians to annihilate Finland?
And using one do explode to destroy shopping centers instead of military or infrastructure targets.Apparently they also have photon torpedoes.
Also apparently they’ve rigged their third rate missiles to fail to explode.
This is not some kind of Russian rope-a-dope strategy to lull everyone into a false sense of security before they spring their secret trap. They went in with everything they have, and they are getting their asses kicked, because they suck. They let their military rot, and now it’s worthless.No pro football team runs their full arsenal of plays in an exhibition game.........especially against a team they'll be playing in the regular season
Sorry, that's an incorrect interpretation. I believe that the Russians are trying to achieve their ends as quickly as possible without giving their would be adversaries information on the entire depth of their military capabilities.
It’s kind of shocking, especially to anyone like me who grew up in the Cold War, but I really think they are this bad now. Corruption hollowed them out.
I don’t trust the Turks. Withdrawal or expulsion from the alliance is just as likely if an agreement can’t be reached.Supposedly Turkey's president Erdogan may be opposed to Finland and Sweden joining NATO.
He says that some Scandinavian countries support anti Turkish terrorists like the Kurds.
It was surprising to me that if even one NATO member objects to an application by a nation they can veto that application. So it can be 29 in favor, one against and the application is rejected.
I'm guessing there will be some heavy lobbying between Turkey and Washington in the immediate future.
Agreed. Give a choice between Finland + Sweden OR Turkey, I don't know that Turkey would end up with any friends. Besides, I'm betting that Turkey gets more out of belonging to NATO than NATO gets from their participation.I don’t trust the Turks. Withdrawal or expulsion from the alliance is just as likely if an agreement can’t be reached.
Agree as well. They were kicked out of the F-35 program for accepting the S-400. They have some benefit the US in geographical location to both Russia and the Middle East. Erdogan is a dictator thug and has gotten too cozy with Putin.I don’t trust the Turks. Withdrawal or expulsion from the alliance is just as likely if an agreement can’t be reached.
That's a good, strait answer!Not so sure about NATO being okay with losing Turkey. I can sum up in two words why they are so valuable: "Bosporus" and "Dardanelles."
Good point."The belief in the possibility of a short decisive war appears to be one of the most ancient and dangerous of human illusions."
Robert Wilson Lynd
Looking back to pre-invasion, this seems to be one of the most accurate predictions.It’s looking pretty bleak in terms of avoiding an invasion. I don’t know if it’s just posturing or something else, but Russia is ramping up preparations, not pulling back, so if it’s not posturing, it makes most sense they are going to invade.
I don’t think the US or NATO countries will get directly involved with fighting. They will supply weapons, supplies, maybe intelligence or other aid, but American and NATO forces are not going to fight Russian forces directly. Things would have to spin completely out of control for that to happen.
The main things we can do in response are economic, which is a two-edged sword. There are things we can do to make it harder for Russia to sell its oil and gas, which would really hurt Russia, but it would also likely drive up energy prices for everyone.
Another thing we can do is give Putin more of what he doesn’t want, which is stronger NATO reinforcement in NATO nations. More troops and weapons systems positioned in the NATO nations closest to Russia.
Military Strategist Mick Ryan says:Pro Russian bloggers have begun to criticize their militarys' incompetence following the debacle.
Unfortunately Putin's sex therapist told him that pulling out, just doesn't work, ; )If Putin had been smart, he should have realized that he needed a quick and easy victory. If he didn't get a quick and easy victory, he would have to pull out
For the sake of argument let's say that something occurs within Russia and the Russian forces are withdrawn from Ukraine and whomever is in charge claims "Victory" or at the very least that the aims had been achieved.If Putin had been smart, he should have realized that he needed a quick and easy victory.
Russia's in a world of hurt right now, but that's no surprise to anyone paying attention. The situation on the ground isn't getting any better, and blunders like throwing away an entire battalion of tanks on three attempted river crossings at the same point (!) aren't helping. Ukraine is turning the tide. So strategically, what next?For the sake of argument let's say that something occurs within Russia and the Russian forces are withdrawn from Ukraine and whomever is in charge claims "Victory" or at the very least that the aims had been achieved.
Now what?
Ukraine is a mess that will take years and years and 100's-of-billions to rebuild. Millions of its citizens are refugees that cannot return because there is nothing to return too.
And what of Russia?
How will the world ever trust that nation again?
How can there ever be anything approaching "Normalized" relations between Russia and "The West"?
To one degree or another Russia must continue this war to completion, meaning the total subjugation of Ukraine as that is the only way they can bury the calls for War-crimes tribunals and reparations responsibility that a "victorious" Ukraine will demand of them.
And what of Russia?
How will the world ever trust that nation again?
How can there ever be anything approaching "Normalized" relations between Russia and "The West"?
To one degree or another Russia must continue this war to completion, meaning the total subjugation of Ukraine as that is the only way they can bury the calls for War-crimes tribunals and reparations responsibility that a "victorious" Ukraine will demand of them.
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