How the West Got Russia’s Military So, So Wrong
theatlantic.com
theatlantic.com
Just when the war started, many western politicians said it is much better to not intervene and let Russia to take over Ukraine as soon as possible to reduce death toll. I disagreed because I knew that Ukrainians will fiercely resist and in case of total Russia's victory, it will need to supress civilian resistance leading up to a second Holodomor.
Any western politician saying Russia should take over Ukraine is speaking obscenities and ignorance. Every western country is a signatory to the UN Charter. The invasion isn't just illegal. It's comparable to Nazi Germany invading Poland, which led to the Nuremberg judgement that aggressive wars, wars of conquest to expand borders and/or subjugate people, is the supreme international crime. It would be highly diplomatic to tell such a politician proposing otherwise to shut up.
I'd love to, but it's a moderately popular position in the US. We have an election coming up this November, and there will be more than a few politicians who accept this position, at least tacitly. It is expected by many (including me) to be effective, and to reinforce an already expected takeover of both branches of Congress.
Such things are common during midterm elections, so it won't be entirely attributable to support for Russia. But there are a fair number of Americans who do, and their preferred party is already opposing the President on any action he takes with respect to Russia.
SNAFU principle at work. Everybody tells the boss what the boss wants to hear; so the bosses never connect with reality.
I'm sure the US military, fresh form 20 years of triumph in Afghanistan, is totally ready to meet the challenges etc; we could conquer Mexico tomorrow if we wanted.... right?
So this is just another "missile gap" or "bomber gap" or "what if there's a bear in the woods?" situation.
No surprise there.