Who the Hell really knows what’s going on over there. For all I know Putin could be in on this, and it’s a big friggin side show.
I mean, it’s kinda “convenient” that the gas lines to Europe get disrupted at the same time western “leaders” (scum) openly want it.
It’s kinda odd how Ukraines farming production gets halted at the same time western “leaders” (scum) openly call for it.
Kinda “convenient” how this is the ending to the whole “pandemic” scam. What, we couldn’t just end the pandemic and go back to life?…noooo… it’s gotta end with some damned distraction.
The whole damned conflict reeks of agenda 2030, global surveillance state, economic problems, internet censorship, etc etc…
So Putin or his advisers are in on it, or we pushed Putin into doing what he did. It’s not hard to push someone into a fight. The hard part is getting out of it.
For the last couple of decades, we've built up an extreme national debt. A big piece of that debt is foreign wars. So, nothing new. If we can piss away a couple of trillion for absolutely nothing in a shit hole like Afghanistan, then we can at least piss away another trillion on Ukraine. Good thing we can just print whatever money we want and there are no ill-effects on US citizens.
"Good thing we can just print whatever money we want and there are no ill-effects on US citizens."
or maybe, "...no ill-effects on rich elite Leftist US citizens."
Yes, the pissing away of trillions is not going to end any time soon, so I would as soon see them go to a nation defending itself from invasion as to, say, the war against carbon.
I’m left thinking that the war’s only chance of ending will come with the death/overthrow of Putin or Zelensky. I realize the people would still be enraged, but neither leader seems to have well established successors?
Nice analysis. It all seems reasonable and makes sense. From another angle there is the risk of US support for Ukraine dwindling as the manufactured hero worship for political points loses its utility. Today the Biden Democrats are popped up on this anti-Russia pro Zelenskyy political-media narrative because it provides them a political wedge advantage (just like the anti-vaccine opposition pro Fauci political-media narrative helped them during COVID). But these things have a self-life in American politics as the people get wise and grow weary.
What are the stakes for U.S.? How much threat does Russia pose to U.S.?
Assuming Russia will win and be degraded in any case, and that its degradation is good for us, how much time and treasure should we invest in exchange for how much Russian degradation?
I thought I’d heard just a few weeks about the Russians abandoning a depot with weapons and ammo? Of course I don’t recall the name of the small town and can’t locate it on the map of Eastern Ukraine. What I do recall was that Ukraine was going to benefit greatly with what they left.
Russian soldiers have made a habit of abandoning equipment and ammo in large quantities, which Ukraine gladly reappropriates. What Ukraine needs most is artillery shells, though. According to a Ukrainian official quoted by The Guardian in June, Ukraine was using 5,000 to 6,000 shells/day back then. According to a US official quoted by NBC News last month, Ukraine was firing between 4,000 and 7,000 rounds/day. Both sources estimated that Russia was firing 20,000 shells/day. Another Ukrainian officials claimed in June that Russia was firing as many as 50,000 rounds/day. So Ukraine needs A LOT to keep up, and they're quickly running out. That, and the US is currently producing only 14,000 155mm shells a month, which is barely 1/10th of Ukraine’s consumption if we assume that it fires 4,000 rounds/day.
Now I remember another thing I saw! Russia is having difficulty transporting shells, because they have lost so many trucks, and have been commandeering city buses and minivans, which are notoriously prone to blowing up.
I’m surprised you (any of you) believe what any media says about the war in Ukraine (which started under Obama). I don’t know what is happening there, or what the goal is, or who is in on it, other than: not what we are told
Many European countries much rather invest in their own defense. Germany has massively increased defense spending. Of course some weapon systems that are being replaced/phased out now find their way to Ukraine, usually through some exchange scheme, e.g. Germany gives Western made tanks to Poland, Poland gives Russian/Soviet made tanks to Ukraine.
Since Russia is a bigger threat to Europe many are more reluctant to piss off the Russians.
I’m surprised you (any of you) believe what any media says about the war in Ukraine (which started under Obama). I don’t know what is happening there, or what the goal is, or who is in on it, other than: not what we are told
Brad, I’m hoping that you can calm me down with logic, if possible. What do you do with people like me that are furious with Putin who basically thinks he has the right to go into a country and kill people, and destroy their economy because he thinks he has a right to do it?
I don’t want Ukraine to stop fighting. I want for us to give Ukraine the equipment, bombs, jets, whatever it takes to end this. Why shouldn’t Ukraine have the right to bomb the hell out of Russia and end this. Instead of trying to get Putin, they’re just pealing a bandage off slowly. I mean, the whole world knows Putin is calling the shots…….HE needs to be stopped.
They keep talking about a peace agreement and that just makes me more angry……….
If Putin wants a “talk”, then get the hell out and that ends it. Am I missing something here?
You're definitely not alone. I think the quickest way to end the war would be for someone to kill Putin. Regime change. But that's much easier said than done. You're right though, Russia is the clear aggressor in this conflict. One country is attacking the other.
I know that. The whole world knows that. But because Putin has nukes does that give him the right to take away another’s right to exist. Because if that is the argument, then there is no place where anyone can live free in their own homeland.
Given that both sides are using Hybrid Warfare (e.g. psyops) to deceive the civilians, no one has any idea what is really going on in Ukraine. While it is a widely accepted fact that the USA destroyed the Nord Stream pipelines and the CIA has been very successful in its assassination campaign, no one knows whether the Biden administration will act on its decision to allow its forces to launch a nuclear first strike against Russia.
Charles, I guess what really makes me livid is somebody, a government, an individual, a bully, a dictator or a KGB Thug telling anyone what to do because they have a bigger bomb than you do.
It is not healthy to let your emotions take over. Obviously, you and I see things differently. I make it a point to never argue with anyone on the Internet. That is a waste of time. IMO, the CIA engineered a coup in Ukraine eight years ago and the most corrupt regime in Europe is laundering money for the Biden Crime Syndicate. Russia will never agree to release Crimea and, unless both sides agree to a partition of Ukraine, the war will escalate.
Twice, the residents of Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine were given a vote to see if they wanted to be part of Russia. Both times, they did. Both times, the West said the elections were fraudulent. After eight years of seeing its allies in the Dombass Region killed by the puppet government in Kiev, Putin decided to protect them.
Of course, the biggest issue is the fact that NATO has continually spread its evil shadow over eastern Europe, forcing Russia into a corner. Is Putin a rat? Do rats fight when trapped? Both questions might be true.
Yeah, I was surprised that Brad didn't mention the whole NATO membership thing. That was/is (at least we were told) one of Putin's principal motivators for the invasion -- if he didn't take Ukraine the West would.
Then to the north there is the impending absorption of Sweden and Finland into the NATO collective, bringing the West right up to Putin's northwest doorstep. He has to be feeling a bit claustrophobic. Poor Belarus is Vlad's only friend.
Agree as well about Zelensky and the rampant corruption of Ukraine. They are essentially a Banana Republic without the bananas, albeit a strategic one. Either Putin installs their Presidents or we do. Our sonofabitch may be in power today but how long before the pendulum swings once again?
Oh, Charles, I agree with everything you said. I know that probably sounds really inconsistent on my part. But, you are right in assuming I’m shooting from the hip because that’s what I do best. Then I calm down and proceed like a sane person. I appreciate what you said so thank you very much.
Who the Hell really knows what’s going on over there. For all I know Putin could be in on this, and it’s a big friggin side show.
I mean, it’s kinda “convenient” that the gas lines to Europe get disrupted at the same time western “leaders” (scum) openly want it.
It’s kinda odd how Ukraines farming production gets halted at the same time western “leaders” (scum) openly call for it.
Kinda “convenient” how this is the ending to the whole “pandemic” scam. What, we couldn’t just end the pandemic and go back to life?…noooo… it’s gotta end with some damned distraction.
The whole damned conflict reeks of agenda 2030, global surveillance state, economic problems, internet censorship, etc etc…
So Putin or his advisers are in on it, or we pushed Putin into doing what he did. It’s not hard to push someone into a fight. The hard part is getting out of it.
For the last couple of decades, we've built up an extreme national debt. A big piece of that debt is foreign wars. So, nothing new. If we can piss away a couple of trillion for absolutely nothing in a shit hole like Afghanistan, then we can at least piss away another trillion on Ukraine. Good thing we can just print whatever money we want and there are no ill-effects on US citizens.
"Good thing we can just print whatever money we want and there are no ill-effects on US citizens."
or maybe, "...no ill-effects on rich elite Leftist US citizens."
Yes, the pissing away of trillions is not going to end any time soon, so I would as soon see them go to a nation defending itself from invasion as to, say, the war against carbon.
Very informed piece of writing Brad, thank you.
I’m left thinking that the war’s only chance of ending will come with the death/overthrow of Putin or Zelensky. I realize the people would still be enraged, but neither leader seems to have well established successors?
Nice analysis. It all seems reasonable and makes sense. From another angle there is the risk of US support for Ukraine dwindling as the manufactured hero worship for political points loses its utility. Today the Biden Democrats are popped up on this anti-Russia pro Zelenskyy political-media narrative because it provides them a political wedge advantage (just like the anti-vaccine opposition pro Fauci political-media narrative helped them during COVID). But these things have a self-life in American politics as the people get wise and grow weary.
Sorry, Brad………I guess your post really set me off today.
It is a GREAT POST.
No need to be sorry, and thank you!
What are the stakes for U.S.? How much threat does Russia pose to U.S.?
Assuming Russia will win and be degraded in any case, and that its degradation is good for us, how much time and treasure should we invest in exchange for how much Russian degradation?
Sincere questions.
P.S. Nice video of the Ukrainian AD hit.
Brilliant analysis. Pf 2023.
I thought I’d heard just a few weeks about the Russians abandoning a depot with weapons and ammo? Of course I don’t recall the name of the small town and can’t locate it on the map of Eastern Ukraine. What I do recall was that Ukraine was going to benefit greatly with what they left.
Russian soldiers have made a habit of abandoning equipment and ammo in large quantities, which Ukraine gladly reappropriates. What Ukraine needs most is artillery shells, though. According to a Ukrainian official quoted by The Guardian in June, Ukraine was using 5,000 to 6,000 shells/day back then. According to a US official quoted by NBC News last month, Ukraine was firing between 4,000 and 7,000 rounds/day. Both sources estimated that Russia was firing 20,000 shells/day. Another Ukrainian officials claimed in June that Russia was firing as many as 50,000 rounds/day. So Ukraine needs A LOT to keep up, and they're quickly running out. That, and the US is currently producing only 14,000 155mm shells a month, which is barely 1/10th of Ukraine’s consumption if we assume that it fires 4,000 rounds/day.
Now I remember another thing I saw! Russia is having difficulty transporting shells, because they have lost so many trucks, and have been commandeering city buses and minivans, which are notoriously prone to blowing up.
Gorky and Pushkin statues toppled got my attention, otherwise it's not been very clear.
Thank you for this analysis.
Thank you for upgrading, Kathleen!
I’m surprised you (any of you) believe what any media says about the war in Ukraine (which started under Obama). I don’t know what is happening there, or what the goal is, or who is in on it, other than: not what we are told
so are the other NATO countries contributing billions of dollars and weapons to this conflict as well? or is it just the US?
it would seem to be massively in their interest since this is in their own backyard.
why is the US footing the whole bill or are they?
I haven’t seen much in the media about European contributions...
It's been mostly the U.S.:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/9/infographic-who-provides-the-most-aid-to-ukraine
Though as a percentage of GDP, Estonia and Latvia have given the most:
https://www.ifw-kiel.de/topics/war-against-ukraine/ukraine-support-tracker/
Many European countries much rather invest in their own defense. Germany has massively increased defense spending. Of course some weapon systems that are being replaced/phased out now find their way to Ukraine, usually through some exchange scheme, e.g. Germany gives Western made tanks to Poland, Poland gives Russian/Soviet made tanks to Ukraine.
Since Russia is a bigger threat to Europe many are more reluctant to piss off the Russians.
I’m surprised you (any of you) believe what any media says about the war in Ukraine (which started under Obama). I don’t know what is happening there, or what the goal is, or who is in on it, other than: not what we are told
Brad, I’m hoping that you can calm me down with logic, if possible. What do you do with people like me that are furious with Putin who basically thinks he has the right to go into a country and kill people, and destroy their economy because he thinks he has a right to do it?
I don’t want Ukraine to stop fighting. I want for us to give Ukraine the equipment, bombs, jets, whatever it takes to end this. Why shouldn’t Ukraine have the right to bomb the hell out of Russia and end this. Instead of trying to get Putin, they’re just pealing a bandage off slowly. I mean, the whole world knows Putin is calling the shots…….HE needs to be stopped.
They keep talking about a peace agreement and that just makes me more angry……….
If Putin wants a “talk”, then get the hell out and that ends it. Am I missing something here?
You're definitely not alone. I think the quickest way to end the war would be for someone to kill Putin. Regime change. But that's much easier said than done. You're right though, Russia is the clear aggressor in this conflict. One country is attacking the other.
Russia has nukes Denise
I know that. The whole world knows that. But because Putin has nukes does that give him the right to take away another’s right to exist. Because if that is the argument, then there is no place where anyone can live free in their own homeland.
Given that both sides are using Hybrid Warfare (e.g. psyops) to deceive the civilians, no one has any idea what is really going on in Ukraine. While it is a widely accepted fact that the USA destroyed the Nord Stream pipelines and the CIA has been very successful in its assassination campaign, no one knows whether the Biden administration will act on its decision to allow its forces to launch a nuclear first strike against Russia.
Charles, I guess what really makes me livid is somebody, a government, an individual, a bully, a dictator or a KGB Thug telling anyone what to do because they have a bigger bomb than you do.
Americans get really pissed off at that.
It is not healthy to let your emotions take over. Obviously, you and I see things differently. I make it a point to never argue with anyone on the Internet. That is a waste of time. IMO, the CIA engineered a coup in Ukraine eight years ago and the most corrupt regime in Europe is laundering money for the Biden Crime Syndicate. Russia will never agree to release Crimea and, unless both sides agree to a partition of Ukraine, the war will escalate.
Twice, the residents of Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine were given a vote to see if they wanted to be part of Russia. Both times, they did. Both times, the West said the elections were fraudulent. After eight years of seeing its allies in the Dombass Region killed by the puppet government in Kiev, Putin decided to protect them.
Of course, the biggest issue is the fact that NATO has continually spread its evil shadow over eastern Europe, forcing Russia into a corner. Is Putin a rat? Do rats fight when trapped? Both questions might be true.
There is nothing we can do about it.
Yeah, I was surprised that Brad didn't mention the whole NATO membership thing. That was/is (at least we were told) one of Putin's principal motivators for the invasion -- if he didn't take Ukraine the West would.
Then to the north there is the impending absorption of Sweden and Finland into the NATO collective, bringing the West right up to Putin's northwest doorstep. He has to be feeling a bit claustrophobic. Poor Belarus is Vlad's only friend.
Agree as well about Zelensky and the rampant corruption of Ukraine. They are essentially a Banana Republic without the bananas, albeit a strategic one. Either Putin installs their Presidents or we do. Our sonofabitch may be in power today but how long before the pendulum swings once again?
Oh, Charles, I agree with everything you said. I know that probably sounds really inconsistent on my part. But, you are right in assuming I’m shooting from the hip because that’s what I do best. Then I calm down and proceed like a sane person. I appreciate what you said so thank you very much.