Reprinted from Bracing Views with the author’s permission.
It’s Friday the 13th, and though I’m not superstitious about the date, I’m not liking this headline in today’s New York Times:
Top News
That’s a headline that proves once again that America is led by the best and brightest. (Sarcasm alert.)
Vladimir Putin has already said that long-range weapons striking targets in Russia means war between Russia and NATO. I don’t think he’s bluffing. And, lest we forget, Russia has nearly 6000 nuclear warheads in its inventory.
Why is the U.S. and NATO allowing Ukraine to use missiles that can strike targets deep into Russian territory? The short answer is that Ukraine is losing the war. But any escalation by Ukraine can be matched (and over-matched) by Russia. The most likely scenario is an even more devastated Ukraine. The worst-case scenario is World War III.
Wars are made by fools with stars on their shoulders and produce more fools, especially in government circles. Ukraine isn’t going to win the war by launching Storm Shadow missiles 150 miles into Russia. More attacks on Russia are likely to reinforce Putin’s rule than to weaken it.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to lose more territory to Russian forces in the east, as this map (courtesy of the NYT) shows.
In a war that’s now lasted more than two and a half years, we’ve been told repeatedly that new “magical” weapons will make all the difference for Ukraine, whether Leopard and Challenger and Abrams tanks or F-16 fighter jets or ATACMS or what-have-you. Yet the Russia-Ukraine War is largely an old-fashioned infantry and artillery war, a land war, an attritional war, in which Ukraine is slowly being worn down.
Long-range missiles launched into Russia aren’t going to turn the tide in Ukraine’s favor. But they may provoke a devastating response from Russia that could provoke a far wider conflict. And for what, exactly?
William J. Astore is a retired lieutenant colonel (USAF). He taught history for fifteen years at military and civilian schools. He writes at Bracing Views.
This is my lucky day!
Sep 12, 2024 TOTAL DEFEAT: Major Ukrainian and NATO Forces Were Encircled By The Russian Army In KURSK
Finally, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation broke its silence on the beginning of the counteroffensive of Russian troops in the Kursk region and gave the first official comments on the events in this Russian region. So, a few minutes ago, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation officially announced that within 48 hours, the soldiers of the group of troops under the designation 'SEVER' had completely liberated 10 settlements.
https://youtu.be/pvkYpm3AfpE?si=smU_gWKQgNgilDvu
"And for what, exactly?" We know "for what, exactly": hegemony, money, power – the usual triumvirate of the state. How hard is that to figure out? The Taoists understood this 1,000 years ago.
I suppose Putin might lose power were Ukraine to attack deep inside Russia, but he could be replaced by someone who is equally uncontrollable and perhaps more dangerous. The devil you do know might be better than the one you don’t.
I suppose Putin might lose power were Ukraine to attack deep inside Russia, but he could be replaced by someone who is equally uncontrollable and perhaps more dangerous. The devil you do know might be better than the one you don’t.
Separately, Russian workers could exit Russia were Russia to be attacked more. Israelis left Israel for a similar reason.
So, it could be harmful to be attacked.
Sep 16, 2024 Russia Officially Confirmed That The US and UK Soldiers Fled KURSK amid Heavy Losses In MANPOWER
A few minutes ago, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation officially announced that Russian troops had liberated two more settlements in the Kursk direction of the front. In particular, we are talking about such settlements as 'Uspenovka' and 'Borki'. Thus, as of September 17, 2024, Russian troops have already liberated 15 settlements in the Kursk region, forcing the Ukrainian Army units to leave their positions chaotically.
https://youtu.be/EpmF03oIqp4?si=dVlSWuIQxKX-p6CF