This Time It’s Different - Neither we nor our allies are prepared to fight all-out war with Russia, regionally or globally (Ukes failing, Washington wants direct war)

The American Conservative ^ | 1-26-23

[BusterDog]

Until it decided to confront Moscow with an existential military threat in Ukraine, Washington confined the use of American military power to conflicts that Americans could afford to lose, wars with weak opponents in the developing world from Saigon to Baghdad that did not present an existential threat to U.S. forces or American territory. This time—a proxy war with Russia—is different.

Contrary to early Beltway hopes and expectations, Russia neither collapsed internally nor capitulated to the collective West’s demands for regime change in Moscow. Washington underestimated Russia’s societal cohesion, its latent military potential, and its relative immunity to Western economic sanctions.

As a result, Washington’s proxy war against Russia is failing. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was unusually candid about the situation in Ukraine when he told the allies in Germany at Ramstein Air Base on January 20, “We have a window of opportunity here, between now and the spring,” admitting, “That’s not a long time.”

Alexei Arestovich, President Zelensky’s recently fired advisor and unofficial “Spinmeister,” was more direct. He expressed his own doubts that Ukraine can win its war with Russia and he now questions whether Ukraine will even survive the war. Ukrainian losses—at least 150,000 dead including 35,000 missing in action and presumed dead—have fatally weakened Ukrainian forces resulting in a fragile Ukrainian defensive posture that will likely shatter under the crushing weight of attacking Russian forces in the next few weeks.

Ukraine’s materiel losses are equally severe. These include thousands of tanks and armored infantry fighting vehicles, artillery systems, air defense platforms, and weapons of all calibers. These totals include the equivalent of seven years of Javelin missile production.

[outofsalt]

"your pet proxy war for fun and profit is not working out."

China's loving it.

[mosaicwolf]

"So refreshing to wake up to pure Russian propaganda."

We wake up to the American administration propaganda every day. It is left to us to figure out which is the biggest lie, deception, and/or manipulation.

[canuck_conservative]

there’s no “NATO march”

membership in NATO is voluntary, dumbass

so all your map shows is just the many countries that are - correctly - afraid of being attacked by Russia

if Russia wasn’t such a menace, there would be no need for NATO, duh

[alexander_busek]

Until it decided to confront Moscow with an existential military threat in Ukraine the largest European country launched an unprovoked attack against and invaded and annexed large swathes of the second-largest European country, Washington confined the use of American military power to conflicts that [...]

Regards,

[alexander_busek]

Contrary to early Beltway hopes and expectations, Russia neither collapsed internally nor capitulated to the collective West’s demands for regime change in Moscow yet.

But the collective West is not demanding a "regime change" as a prerequisite for peace. All the West is demanding is that Russia withdraw its troops and retroactively cancel the annexation of Ukrainian territory.

Oh, and maybe $1 trillion in reparations to Ukraine!

Regards,

[alexander_busek]

NATO is now threatening to attack Russia. Unprovoked.

Citation, please!

No, didn't think so!

Regards,

[alexander_busek]

I give you NATO's ever-eastward march:

Sorry: Don't see any NATO forces attacking anyone on your map!

On the contrary: All I see is democratic countries voluntarily acceding to NATO.

Regards,

[TTFlyer]

You had far better generals and combat troops the last time you tried to “wipe out the Russian army in Ukraine.”

But you’re in good company with Napoleon and Moustache Man.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

Russia crossed an international boundary and attacked Ukraine. That is bad. There had been provocation from Ukraine, but it’s still bad.

What about China invading Tibet? Do international boundaries only count with white nations?
Russia is playing 19th Century Real Politics—setting up alliances with China, South Africa, Iran and even India. We have forgotten how—using only Cold War alliances like NATO. That worked when we were the toughest customer on the block—not so much now. We can not use brute force—we have forgotten how to use the velvet glove and the poison cup—Putin knows well how to play this game. He is ruthless and he may well have some unpleasant surprises for us.

[wildcard_redneck]

"membership in NATO is voluntary, dumbass"

I see that logic and facts reduce you to cursing and name calling. Very impressive. You didn't include the usual weak-suck Canadian apologies so you must be really mad. NATO and America have gotten themselves into this mess and I don't think that our Dear Leader Biden is going to end it well.

RIP Ukraine
1991 - 2023

I have a question for you as a Canadian. Are you pushing for America to be in a war overseas in the hopes that Forever War Inc. does not turn its benign desire to Canada? Do you fear the 'Eye of Mordor' looking north towards a country with 1/10th the population of America with sooo many resources?

[TTFlyer]

The has been no need for NATO for 30 years, NeoCon.

[ansel12]

Canada is also NATO.

[canuck_conservative]

on the contrary, Russian shill

this war, plus all the numerous previous attacks over the years on neighboring countries, shows just what an ongoing menace Putin’s Russia really is

you can ignore that fact if you like ... the rest of us won’t

[fireman15]

So refreshing to wake up to pure Russian propaganda.

So refreshing to read the rants of someone who is living in a pure and unadulterated fantasy land created by our beloved leftist ruling class. Hey! Wake up! We spent 20 years and $2.31 Trillion on Afghanistan and Iraq only to walk away leaving more $Billions of assets and infrastructure behind than you are capable of imagining. This happened when the geniuses whose propaganda you have bought into 100% came into power.

Ukraine is being ground to a pulp to funnel money into Biden's, and the Democrat's pockets to ensure that they can cheat enough to enslave and further destroy the United States. It is a corrupt money laundering machine. Biden, AOC and the squad, Linsay Graham, Chuck Schumer, and et al. are so lucky to have genius's like you cheering them on. I am sure that they really appreciate it.

You just scamper back to the DU where you can fawn over your buddies without interference from curmudgeons like me.

Don't your pals look pretty in their skirts! They deserve another $120 Billion in taxpayer funds to start WWIII.

[wildcard_redneck]

"On the contrary: All I see is democratic countries voluntarily acceding to NATO."

Ukraine suffered a "velvet revolution" engineered by the CIA so they will not be voluntarily joining anything. The country was toppled by American and Eurotrash intelligence angencies and it s being used as a suicide soldier by the EU, the WEF, and the Biden Regime.

[fireman15]

[wildcard_redneck]

"Canada is also NATO."

And your point is? Are you implying that the District of Corruption will not shag a whore in its own stable? America is attacking its own citizens so why wouldn't it savage "little friend with benefits" Canada.

[ansel12]

“”What about China invading Tibet? Do international boundaries only count with white nations?””

That is a childish remark, but America did supply weapons, training, intelligence, and bases for the Tibetans for more than 20 years.

[ansel12]

What language is that?

[alexander_busek]

Ukraine suffered a "velvet revolution" engineered by the CIA so they will not be voluntarily joining anything.

About a week after the Invasion, while shopping at a "big box" hardware store, I was approached by a middle-aged Ukrainian woman who had somehow recognized that I am an American (maybe she overheard me conversing with my wife) who took my hand and, in a pitiful, weepy voice, expressed her thanks for U.S. support (which, at that time, was still only moral).

In later months, we entertained Ukrainian refugees at our home and helped organize aid packages. And my wife (who speaks Russian fluently) is now giving German lessons to Ukrainian refugees.

We have yet to meet and talk with a single Ukrainian who wasn't outraged at Putin's unprovoked attack/invasion.

This is admittedly all anecdotal evidence - but the actual evidence of my eyes is that the Ukrainian people stand with Zelenskyy and have nothing but contempt and hatred for Putin.

Regards,