I served in the US military at a time when it was transforming itself to fight terrorists and insurgents. Now, watching it transform back, with Ukraine’s help, is fascinating.
Huh. As a 60s peacenik and every bit as liberal as Iwas then, I too find Wes a terrific writer with whom I am in full agreement.
Even during Viet Nam, I recognized that some wars had to be fought. Some, like Viet Nam and the second Iraq, absolutely not. Ukraine and Gaza? Without question.
Afghanistan was a total fubar because the administration decided it could do battle in Afghanistan with a fraction of the necessary assets while committing the bulk of military resources to a war of choice. But take away the asisinity of attacking Iraq and even Afghanistan made sense. Plus, without Iraq it's possible Afghanistan may not have lasted twenty years.
Hi Thomas, I'm actually working on a long article about this to publish in a few days, but spoiler, yes, I believe Ukraine can win. Russians can, and have, broken before as I'll show from some historical examples in Chechnya and Afghanistan. I'll lay out my case and hope to persuade all readers that a Ukrainian victory isn't just possible, it's likely.
Brilliant post. So well said and some insight that I hadn't considered. I'll probably share this larger point in next week's podcast, as long as you're okay with it. (And I'll obviously give you a hat tip/credit.)
We should be paying Ukraine more for R&D, field testing and experience transfer. Without their example we would have gone in the next war fighting the last war.
I was just thinking about this the other day. Imagine a big war against China and having to learn all of these lessons on the fly. The battlefield intelligence coming out of Ukraine is invaluable.
As a 60s peacenik, now older and more conservative, I find your writing fascinating
Huh. As a 60s peacenik and every bit as liberal as Iwas then, I too find Wes a terrific writer with whom I am in full agreement.
Even during Viet Nam, I recognized that some wars had to be fought. Some, like Viet Nam and the second Iraq, absolutely not. Ukraine and Gaza? Without question.
Afghanistan was a total fubar because the administration decided it could do battle in Afghanistan with a fraction of the necessary assets while committing the bulk of military resources to a war of choice. But take away the asisinity of attacking Iraq and even Afghanistan made sense. Plus, without Iraq it's possible Afghanistan may not have lasted twenty years.
In your view Wes, can Ukraine win?
Hi Thomas, I'm actually working on a long article about this to publish in a few days, but spoiler, yes, I believe Ukraine can win. Russians can, and have, broken before as I'll show from some historical examples in Chechnya and Afghanistan. I'll lay out my case and hope to persuade all readers that a Ukrainian victory isn't just possible, it's likely.
Brilliant post. So well said and some insight that I hadn't considered. I'll probably share this larger point in next week's podcast, as long as you're okay with it. (And I'll obviously give you a hat tip/credit.)
Of course, I'd be honored, Stan. Please share.
Thanks, brother. I'll put a link back to your page, too, so maybe it gets you a new reader or two.
We should be paying Ukraine more for R&D, field testing and experience transfer. Without their example we would have gone in the next war fighting the last war.
I was just thinking about this the other day. Imagine a big war against China and having to learn all of these lessons on the fly. The battlefield intelligence coming out of Ukraine is invaluable.