It's not so fun when it isn't other people suffering the effect of your decisions.
China's new super carrier. Should I feel sorry for them? Or relieved that China wants to police their trade empire rather than fight America? I may believe China would sacrifice its ex-Russian carrier as a distraction to take Taiwan. But not its new super carriers.
The other sailing guys: "Australian shipbuilder Austal, which has one of its ship building facilities in the United States, recently won a competition to build 11 of the new Coast Guard 4,500-ton Heritage class OPCs (Offshore Patrol Cutters)."
Our public health officials lied to us. Tar. Feathers. Figuratively, of course.
"Land acknowledgments" are stupid. They acknowledge conqueror's rights. Via Instapundit. I've noted that: "And for all the claim that Europeans destroyed indigenous people living
at peace in the New World, recall that the tribes and empires conquered
by Europeans were themselves the winners of New World conflicts among
the people of the Americas prior to 1492 (and boy were they violent).
That was the way of the world then. And the then-existing conflict is
why Europeans found eager allies in the Americas to fight other Native
Americans." The most recent European winners of territorial wars defeated the New World's most recent winners of territorial wars. I won't hold my breath until those posturing landowners "return" the land they sit on to the so-called "original" owners.
It amazes me that progressives seem to seriously believe Trump planned a "dog whistle" insurrection.
While virtual worlds don't impress me, wow do they open up worlds for those with disabilities, eh?
Iran has a history of announcing wonder weapons that never amount to much. Here's another one. Yawn.
How stable is China? Yikes. I've never ruled out a failure of the center there. And I've never assumed Chinese economic problems and instability rule out a foreign war.
Thoughts on Ukraine's American-made rocket launchers. Russia might win despite the price the Russians are paying. But maybe not if Ukraine keeps Western support. And I do not rule out that Ukraine may roll back some or all of Russia's conquests this year. Which is a big change from the assumed situation prior to the invasion. Even I thought Russia's over-rated military could bludgeon its way to a partial conquest by now. Although NATO is providing much more support than I expected. And even if Russia finally overwhelms Ukraine, if Russia pays a high price Russia might be too bloodied to try again--as the Finns achieved with their 1939-1940 defense. Resistance is not futile.
Huh: Reports from Russia on "a 'Free Buryatia' anti-war group bring to the fore the risk that Putin’s apparent desire to have non-Russians bear the brunt of the war at this stage could create domestic tension in these regions." Putin doesn't want too many ethnic Russians dying in his war. Will that work out?
Israel, Iran, Arabs, and just what is America’s policy this week?
What Ukraine wants to win the war.
NATO exercises in the Black Sea … carefully.
The U. S. Creates a couple good jihadis in Somalia.
China gets some blowback to its financial and territorial aggressiveness.
Taiwan is ahead of schedule on its submarine program. They will have the same torpedoes as American subs. I hope they use the same missiles as our boats.
Rule of law update: America edition. It’s good to be a Democrat. Tip to Instapundit.
Gosh, why don’t those deplorable people want to enlist?
We’re from the government and we’re here to … [checks notes] … undermine meat production. Tip to Instapundit.
I sometimes read that China is building its capacity to invade Taiwan and will soon have the capability to do so. But nobody ever says what key capabilities China will soon have. I think China has long had the capacity to invade. If the price is acceptable.
What exactly is happening with internal Russian politics?
Russia is trying to kidnap its way out of demographic collapse. In a modern era will the victims be new loyal citizens or a potential fifth column?
Very expensive hangar queens. FFS.
For Ukraine, Russia has more territorial ambitions. No matter how much Russia is hurting, they’ll talk like they’re winning. Why not, eh? The West might fall for it. Let's not help make Russian propaganda the reality.
The Navy wants 373 “battle force” ships. Define “battle force” please.
Yes, integrating and sustaining the variety of Western weapons sent to Ukraine is a challenge. Of course, it’s a problem only because Ukraine is still fighting hard. Could be worse.
Are carriers obsolete? Yes and no.
India wants a bigger and better navy.
Western countries will provide Ukraine with Western fighter jets. We’ve been telegraphing F-16s and F-15s.
Will we see defensive technology to counter improving offensive technology?
But other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln? "[Biden's climate emergency gambit] efforts are constitutionally suspect, economically unsound, and politically unwise." Tip to Instapundit.
The Air Force is willing to send A-10s to Ukraine. Of course it is willing.
Are Chechen separatists going to exploit Russia's ongoing face plant in Ukraine?
The CIA director doesn't think Putin is ill.
The Army's recruiting problems. We could recruit volunteers during war. We can't recruit during a woke witch hunt. Maybe if we'd gotten rid of a lot of senior leaders after the Afghanistan skedaddle debacle there'd be more trust.
Moqtada al Sadr is pushing against corrupt Iraqis who enable Iranian influence. Is this just a means to crush opponents? I just don't trust him.
Wary of past surface ship fiascos, the Navy looks toward a new destroyer.
The Army tested out its afloat prepositioned equipment stockpile in the Pacific.
The U.S. 56th Artillery Command practices in Europe. The God of War is demanding.
Additional American military assistance to Ukraine.
Poland will make a major arms purchase from South Korea.
Via Instapundit, will space renew American optimism? That's my hope for the West.
When maintaining your personal bank account is more important than maintaining your military. Iraq desperately needs rule of law.
Stupid deniers! Hot summers are climate; cold winters are weather. That's just Science!
Yes, there have been a lot of predictions about the Russian offensive soon culminating. But to be fair, Russia has contracted their active offensive front a great deal to cope with the declining power available that would have led to their offensive culminating on a wider front. And culminating points last until you restore your power--if your enemy allows it.
This is generally pretty good. But, "Trump was indifferent at best to the Kremlin’s election interference as long as it aimed mostly at swinging public opinion against Hillary Clinton." One, the Russian effort was minuscule and laughable. But more relevant, who was president during the 2016 campaign with the power to do something--yet did nothing? Well, not exactly "nothing" (see the third update).
From great weekend to planetary disaster with a little editorial work:
Norway to equip its F-35s with American Stormbreaker networked smart bombs.
Unpossible! I was told Taliban 2.0 would be eager for international approval!
Sweden and Finland add assets to NATO. I certainly want them to be security providers and not just security consumers.
I have long been aware the government has a massive welfare state but does not measure the state aid when measuring income inequality. That way you never have to declare victory over poverty. Via Instapundit.
Sure. But our enemies can go that way, too. Who builds them better, builds more, programs them better, and integrates them into a network-centric force?
Russia and Ukraine signed deals to get Ukrainian grain and Russian grain and fertilizer exported again out of the Black Sea. Big if true.
The reality check on conventional warfighting doctrine.
Restoring American semiconductor production. Good goal. But will government subsidies help or hurt?
I have to admit, communist/anarchist summer camps have a fertile audience of people who believe in or recently believed in Santa Claus.
Turkey's military power is not as important to NATO now that Russia is pushed back from the Balkans and the Caucasus. And Turkey's ambitions under Erdogan challenge NATO interests in the region, too. Still, Turkey's ability to block Russian access through the Turkish straits is important. Also, can Turkey afford the military--especially the army--it has? Does it need it?
