I agree: "Ukraine's defensive and counteroffensive operations in the Bakhmut area since summer 2022 are an operationally sound undertaking that has fixed a large amount of Russian combat power that would otherwise have been available to reinforce Russian defenses in southern Ukraine." Unless classified information comes out to convince me otherwise, I think the Pentagon criticism of Ukraine's defense of the city is wrong.
Axis of Weasels: "Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, three West African Sahel nations ruled by military juntas, signed a security pact on Saturday promising to come to the aid of each other in case of any rebellion or external aggression."
And this is still taking too long: "Production of 155mm artillery rounds crucial to the war in Ukraine is
years ahead of schedule, according to Pentagon acquisition chief Bill
LaPlante." Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a wake-up call to our defense industrial base.
The military isn't woke--just the flag officers: "Army Gen. Mark Milley pushed back on claims from Republicans that the military is 'woke' and as a result not prepared to take on modern threats, saying he’s 'not even sure what that word truly means.'" He doesn't know his enemy, clearly. I've suffered a near total loss of confidence in our senior military and civilian leadership atop the military.
Russia's wartime production problems.
Poland is buying Naval Strike Missiles, which will bounce the rubble: "The Russian Baltic Sea fleet is small and many of its ships are disabled by lack of maintenance. The two naval bases are at Leningrad and Kaliningrad."
To be fair, Iran has to restore its inventory to meet the obvious demand. Tip to Instapundit.
The fossil fuels industry should refuse to allow its products to be used in harm California until the lawsuit is settled: "'The companies that have polluted our air, choked our skies with smoke,
wreaked havoc on our water cycle, and contaminated our lands must be
made to mitigate the harms they have brought upon the State,' California’s suit says." Give them what they say they want. Good and hard.
Scratch Chicago off of my vacation destinations list.
The EU throne sniffer party in the wings: "The man who wants to be our next prime minister seems to think that the EU is the answer to all of the UK’s problems – even in an area like migration."
Huh: "We know there's ice on the Moon – what's less clear is where it came from. A new study suggests that waves of electrons, arriving indirectly from Earth and the Sun, are contributing to the formation of frozen water on the lunar surface."
India's naval shipbuilding. Their shipyards are apparently good enough to service American warships under a recent agreement. But the capability is held back by India's "notoriously corrupt and incompetent defense procurement bureaucracy."
The vital work to clean up corruption in Ukraine seemingly continues: "Ukraine's government has dismissed all six deputy defense ministers and the state secretary of the Defense Ministry[.]"
Huh: "U.S. officials with dementia may pose a national security threat, according to a study funded by the Pentagon."
Steadfast Defender: "NATO’s largest military drill since the end of the Cold War is being planned for 2024, bringing together more than 40,000 troops for an exercise stretching from the Baltics to Poland and Germany, according to alliance officials." History did restart, after all.
Germany will provide additional military aid to Ukraine: "The new aid will include munitions, armored vehicles and training for thousands of soldiers, as well as warm clothing for the winter and mine-clearing equipment[.]"
Easy advice when your own survival isn't on the line: "Saudi Arabia, the EU (European Union) and the World Bank are all urging Israel to accept a peace deal with the Palestinians that includes an independent Palestinian state. None of these proposals address the Palestinian demands that Israel must be destroyed before there can be peace." Easier still if that is the point.
Body positivity is killing people with obesity. I'm so old I remember when skinny models were a dire threat to the health of women. Tip to Instapundit.
Armored shoot-and-scoot capabilities in action.
The Cartel Colony? How on Earth does something like that even get started? And allowed to continue? Tip to Instapundit.
Hmmm: "A Chinese blockade of Taiwan would likely fail and a direct military invasion of the self-ruled island would be extremely difficult for Beijing to carry out successfully, senior Pentagon officials told Congress on Tuesday." Please define "extremely difficult." I also assume a blockade would take too long and give America too much time to react to be a Chinese Plan A. Or Plan E, for that matter.
The Obama and Biden administrations have been major buyers and suppliers: "The Islamic Republic of Iran has generated a massive windfall of up to $15.7 billion for illegally seizing American hostages as part of a ruthless hostage policy that has been fine-tuned since its 1979 revolution, according to new a think tank report." Reagan was guilty, too.
South Korea is providing Ukraine with two K600 minefield-breaching armored vehicles.
What exactly happened to the F-35B our pilot was "forced to eject" from? Was it an ejection system malfunction? I will lose my freaking mind if the plane was hacked.
Countering Battlestar Crimea: "U.S. military officials on Tuesday marked completion of a $34 million upgrade to a strategic base in central Romania where more than $100 million is being spent on initiatives aimed at extending the U.S. Air Force’s reach in southeastern Europe." NATO is making Russian possession of Crimea irrelevant for power projection roles. This might make it easier for Russia to accept losing the place. Although for Ukraine, agreeing to let Russia keep it might be a way to launder reparations for invading Ukraine.
Of course a liberal veterans group is against Senator Tuberville's hold on military promotions to flag rank. I say there's more than one way to inflict a decimation on untrusted senior officer ranks.
Generative AI could write military"battle plans" but shouldn't execute them? Hmmm. If plans can't be executed at the speed the plans assume, is there a point to having AI plans?
Russia's faltering defense industry.
I appreciate the concerns of conservatives over arming a corrupt Ukraine. Oversight at some level (let's not interfere with using the weapons in a timely manner) is justified. But corruption doesn't mean Ukraine has forfeited its right to freedom. Russia is more corrupt. Hell, Chicago is more corrupt. My bottom line is that America has a vital interest in keeping Russia from dominating Europe and that keeping Russia as far east as possible means American money rather than troops is the price we'll pay. And FFS, spending money to hold off Russia is the least of America's spending binge problem:
What the actual F: "The Chinese Communist government has infiltrated more than 500 kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms across America, with CCP-run programs strategically concentrated around U.S. military bases, a panel of experts testified before Congress on Tuesday." Recall that the Russians seem to have persuaded Wagner commanders to call off their brief revolt by threatening their families.
Never say the Iranians aren't great negotiators: "Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Tuesday said the U.S. must 'demonstrate in a verifiable fashion' that it intends to return to the 2015 nuclear deal, adding that the country has a right to nuclear energy." Contrast that to our habit of offering concessions until our enemy is afraid of pushing their luck by continuing to say "no." Iran acts like a deal is a favor to us! When in reality a deal is a shield to help Iran get nuclear weapons and protect the regime itself.
I was assured Taliban 2.0 wanted the respect of the international community: "The United Nations is calling on the Taliban in Afghanistan to reform the way it treats prisoners, citing more than 1,600 human rights violations in a new report." I know. Shocking, right?
This applies to all the services, with the exception of Space Force that for now remains a rear echelon force for this issue: "Fielding simple and easily repairable weapons and equipment should be a priority for outfitting Marine forces operating within the East Asian first island chain."
Say, here's three people who welcome their new insect overlords. And I find this a particularly silly framing for urging America to give up trying to stop China's rise: "it was an act of remarkable hubris for a 250-year-old Republic (with one-quarter of China’s population) to believe that it could transform a 4,000-year-old civilization to its liking." Well, after 250 years, the 4,000-year old civilization is trying to catch up. So there's that. Despite the ancient Chinese secret. Resistance is never futile.
Ukraine needs to outsource its own weapons production beyond practical or political reach of Russian missiles: "The basic deal, as envisioned by Ukrainian government officials, is that foreign companies would get access to cheap and innovative Ukrainian designs while Ukraine would secure arms factories in countries safe from Russian missile strikes."
I've got good news and bad news. The good news first: "Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley told reporters that 'to date, Ukraine has liberated over 54% of Russian-occupied Ukraine and they continue to retain the strategic initiative.'" That is progress despite the recent line of contact stalemate. The bad news is that the 46% still held is a jumping off point for future conquests if Russia holds it when a ceasefire is implemented. The worse news is that the amount of territory Russia holds could represent all of a smaller target for an invader. Like Taiwan. And then look at the small NATO Baltic states that also used to be part of Russia and the USSR.
Americans across the board are disillusioned and critical of our government, yet: "The elections of 2018, 2020 and 2022 were three of the highest-turnout U.S. elections of their respective types in decades[.]" I've long said lower voting percentages at least in part reflected confidence in the system to do a good-enough job. As the stakes for winning elections for an increasingly powerful and activist government goes up, motivation to vote rises. And polarization. So bravo.
A tiny air force: "The Estonian army will soon stand up a unit solely dedicated to loitering munitions, drawing on lessons from the Ukrainian war, the battery’s prospective commander told Defense One." Which leads to a question for the U.S. Army.
Israel unveiled the new Barak main battle tank, featuring AI and better situational awareness and sensors.
The British get a new assault rifle.
The next American tank will be an evolved MBT: "The U.S. Army has decided go with a radical redesign of its M1 tank that will result in a lighter 59-ton M1E3 tank with a smaller three man crew and a smaller unmanned turret containing an auto-loaders for the 120mm main gun as well many other items currently not found in the M1 manned turret."
I've long been a supporter of Taiwanese submarines. Behold: "Japan's Nikkei news service reported: 'Taiwan's long secretive plans to make its own submarines will be revealed in October' when a domestically made diesel sub appears in the port of Kaohsiung. It'll be the first of eight."
U.N. secretary-general: "Our focus here is on climate solutions – and our task is urgent. Humanity has opened the gates of hell." You don't even have to squint to see how climate change is a new religion. Now go and emit no more.
I've warned about this consequence repeatedly: "Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman warned that if Iran acquires a nuclear weapon his kingdom would have to get one too." Add in Turkey and Egypt, too. But Democrats can't see the problems of Iran going nuclear. Because Democrats looooove mullah-run Iran.
Good: "The U.S. Navy is investing billions of dollars to revamp its Cold War-era submarine detection system in the Pacific Ocean as China bolsters its own navy and becomes more belligerent."
Russia isn't as isolated in Europe over its invasion of Ukraine as one would hope. American opposition is at least mostly based on the cost and risk of direct war.
San Francisco's government is perplexed that car break-ins are rampant despite massive public surveillance. And it wants car owners to step up to make their cars less of a target. One, the crooks know nothing will come from being recorded in the act. Arrest, let alone conviction--let alone prison time--is highly unlikely. Like many government actions, the surveillance network doesn't deter crime. It erodes the privacy of law-abiding citizens. Second, maybe there is hope. As long as the city wants civilians to take action, let me suggest a tool that already exists--the Second Amendment. I look forward to the city "arm up" campaign. Tip to Instapundit.
More American military aid for Ukraine to sustain its counteroffensive.
Shocked and awww: "The senior Russian military leadership is still in shock over the catastrophic losses they suffered since they invaded Ukraine in early 2022. These losses are a military secret in Russia but widely distributed and discussed in the West." Some writers insist Russia has a large reserve army poised. I worry because that's what I'd try to do. And the USSR would have done it. Others say that is false with no evidence for such an army. So reports like this reassure me--until my worries build again.
The U.S. and Vietnamese coast guards will increase their cooperation.
Sadly, their purpose isn't to halt the flow but to keep it from producing ugly pictures as the flow increases: "An additional 800 active-duty troops were ordered Wednesday to deploy to
the southwest U.S. border as the daily number of migrants crossing has
more than doubled this month, according to the Department of Homeland
Security." Democrats actually believe this is Trump's fault as Biden laughably claims. But don't dare claim Biden lies. To be fair, Biden probably believes Trump keeps hiding Biden's car keys.
I'm 100% sure that this is the administration's intent: "According to the latest Rasmussen Reports survey, 72% said that they are concerned that 'America is becoming a police state.'" I'm far less certain that the government will get away with it. But pretty certain our loss of freedoms will ratchet up to some extent. Ironically, the rising police state has little interest in stopping actual criminals in its zeal to criminalize and catch political opponents. Tip to Instapundit.
I keep telling myself the Abrams tank and Stinger air defense missiles were called failures when they first appeared: "F-35s are available to fly just 55% of the time, and 73% of replacement
parts have to be sent back to suppliers because the Pentagon’s
maintenance depots are inadequate, according to a new congressional
audit on the troubled upkeep of the fighter jet that is the world’s
costliest weapons system." When they fly, pilots love the plane.
These light division troops pose no offensive threat to Russia, if the Russians try to persist in their BS fear of NATO: "On Wednesday the Army announced that about 3,400 soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division’s 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team will head to Eastern Europe this fall, as will 200 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division Headquarters."
Is civil war coming to the West? If so, I blame elites who deliberately sow division for political purposes while demonizing dissent from the consensus and denying outlets for that dissent within the political process.
The empire strikes back: As a first step before or perhaps instead of invasion, Russia tries to gain influence in the eastern NATO states.
The U.S. is reaching out to the former Soviet republics in Central Asia as Russia is focused on fighting Ukraine. We can't be fully engaged everywhere. So I don't see this as a major diplomatic effort. I think it has more effect scaring China into making bigger efforts to replace Russian influence. I love it when a plan comes together.
Russia is killing the goose that lays its only golden eggs. Ah, government "help". Tip to Instapundit.
Yes, it isn't a matter of "can't"--our left-dominated institutions have decided not to protect our border. Because they think citizenship is unearned privilege that must be undermined.
Ukraine apparently struck the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea. The attacks sure are increasing. Is this all a prelude to a big strike on the Kerch Strait bridge?
Navy surface drones are in Japan to practice working out there. Note that the vessels have equipment in shipping containers on their decks. Expand that, eh?
China's subliminal invasion of the Philippines continues.
Alarming movements: "Recent Chinese military movements around Taiwan were 'abnormal', the island's defence minister said on Friday, flagging amphibious exercises in addition to drills Taipei has observed in the province facing the island." If China acts rather than just dulling Taiwanese reactions to a higher level of activity, I'd guess Pratas Island is the target.
The next time a pandemic virus is released from a Chinese lab, it may be more genetically targeted. Tip to Instapundit.
Ideally, Ukrainian factories producing Western weapons could make up for any reductions in Western arms support for Ukraine.
Russia's ground forces have been crippled in its invasion of Ukraine. But Russia still has power to threaten us: "A failed state with thousands of nuclear warheads would be a dangerous combination." But does Russia have thousands of working nuclear warheads? Is that an island of efficiency in a swamp of failure?
Our military needs to focus much more on achieving victory rather than predicting outcomes: "But I can tell you that it will take a considerable length of time to militarily eject all 200,000 plus Russian troops out of Russian occupied Ukraine. That's a very high bar. It's going to take a long time to do it." General Milley is supposed to be a military leader and not a political science professor. Try to win, okay?
Celebrate sex workers and assisted suicide but sperm and plasma sellers are bad? Whatever. Tip to Instapundit.
The North Korean cyberwar efforts. Early in my blog I mocked the notion of such a backward country doing this. Now they are a threat.
When you have to fight for sea control: "USS Pinckney (DDG-91) is the first of the Burkes to get SEWIP Block III, which is a revolutionary electronic warfare upgrade for these vessels, that you can read all about here." Is it revolutionary enough--and effective enough--to make the carrier a predator rather than prey? Until counter-countermeasures are developed, of course.
Why our generals can't think. Well, all flag officers, I assume. It's plausible.
Is Britain going to make us lose our key base at Diego Garcia? And potentially make it possible for China to get it?
I actually don't like the talk of Ukraine achieving a "breakthrough" of Russia's main fortifications line. A breakthrough is punching through the defenders with open roads ahead of you as the enemy scrambles to reform a defensive line or counter-attack. What Ukraine has done is "penetrate" the Russian fortifications belt. That makes it easier to break through Russia's line. Which hasn't happened. Ideally, add a "yet" to that.
After cutting back on the caviar and conferences during the Trump administration, the Clinton corruption machine just got refueled. This stinks to high Heaven. The "administrative costs" alone will enrich for decades the Clintons and the partisan hacks who orbit them. Plus whoever gets the contracts will owe the Clintons big time. But look! Squirrel! Menendez! (Who will be replaced with another Democrat.) I thank God at least once a week that Trump kept Hillary! out of the White House. This development is a reason to investigate and prosecute the Clintons--not to punish Ukrainians desperate to avoid being conquered by Russia.
Conveniently timed science to support the president's reelection campaign? Tip to Instapundit.
The left undermines institutions it doesn't control.
The effort to paint General Milley as the savior of the republic is nauseating. Tip to Instapundit.
Russia has ordered the production of more modernized tanks. Good luck with that.
It would be nice if all of that debris could be used as raw materials for new stuff, saving us the massive cost of sending new stuff to Mars.
Russia's foreign minister would prefer it if Ukraine and the West just accepted Russia's conquests: "'If you insist on the battlefield, OK, let’s decide it on the battlefield,' Lavrov said at a news conference at the United Nations, days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy denounced Russia’s 'criminal' war in a speech to the General Assembly."
Ukraine's naval victory without a navy. Well, it's certainly A2/AD in action. It helps shield Odessa from hypothetical Russian amphibious landings. It compels Russia to pull assets from the rest of the war to defend a Russian rear area. And it may even allow Ukrainian grain exports. What will Ukraine do with that advantage offensively while it lasts? Or is another effect desired?
