The Detroit Lions are a game away from playing in the Super Bowl! Beat San Francisco! Nay, crush them.
Russia sent the aircraft from its out-of-action Kuznetsov carrier to fight over Ukraine. Is an outbreak of strategic sanity breaking out in Moscow?
The Polish suicide drone sent to Ukraine.
Using high-speed cameras for drone navigation.
Was the secrecy from CCP incompetence or a desire not to endure Covid alone? "Chinese researchers isolated and mapped the virus that causes Covid-19
in late December 2019, at least two weeks before Beijing revealed
details of the deadly virus to the world[.]" Tip to Legal Insurrection via Instapundit.
Via Instapundit, America's "weird passivity toward Iran's aggression". It isn't America's weird passivity. It's Democrats' weird looove of mullah-run Iran.
Hiding behind civilians when Israel isn't actually committing genocide has its advantages: "Israel is falling short of its goal to quickly eradicate Hamas as it has only killed 20% to 30% of the terrorists’ estimated 30,000 militants, according to US intelligence." But more will be wounded--perhaps permanently.
Not equivalent: "Russia could seize Western investments worth £226billion ($288billion) in revenge if the West takes the £236billion ($300billion) of assets frozen since the war in Ukraine began." The West invested in Russia. Russia hid assets from Russia.
Just as the stalemated Iran-Iraq War expanded to the sea and through the air to targets behind the lines, so too has Ukraine followed where Russia struck from the beginning: "The Kremlin has blamed Ukraine for a blaze at a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the Russian Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga[.]"
Hmmm: "Ukrainian commanders of all ranks give the same answer: first-person-view drones, which pilots on the ground maneuver while watching a live feed from an onboard camera. These drones have made tank-on-tank engagement a thing of the past." Well, it's a static front. Tanks are built for movement.
The myth that General Shinseki was fired for saying several hundred thousand American troops would be needed to secure Iraq lives on. Shinseki's retirement was announced a year before that testimony. And America never had 300,000 troops in Iraq. Yet we won. You might be surprised at who agreed.
France is about to enact a tougher immigration law. Ah, those nuanced and sophisticated Europeans that America is supposed to emulate, according to Democrats. A review will likely strike some provisions.
Have hope for Iraq. San Francisco was "Baghdad-by-the-Bay": "A large Bohemian presence thrived in both [with] unsung tolerance, ranging to an admiration, for their diversity and colorful characters, many of the colorful rising to high places in Baghdad, and respected, if not exalted, in San Francisco."
The Saudis just want a path: "Saudi Arabia's top diplomat said the kingdom will not normalize relations with Israel or contribute to Gaza's reconstruction without a credible path to a Palestinian state — a nonstarter for Israel's government." Paths can be long or short. This is a path.
The Iraqi government needs American troops to hold off Iranian pressure and influence; but American troops are a convenient club for Iran to beat the Iraqi government with. Assuming Biden doesn't want to run from Iraq, too, we'll get past this Iranian ploy with some cosmetic changes. At some point.
Transparency: "The former House Select Committee on Jan. 6 deleted more than 100 encrypted files from its probe just days before Republicans took over the majority in the House of Representatives[.]" That's a lot more than Nixon's 18-minute tape gap.
Lenin was a monster: "On the 100th anniversary of his death, it's worth recalling that almost all the worst features of communist totalitarianism began under Lenin, not Stalin and other successors." His demented vision was continued, if turned to "11" --not twisted--by Stalin. That was real communism as envisioned.
The Houthi won't end tit-for-tat strikes: "The pressure on [Biden] to respond to each and every Houthi attack with yet more airstrikes will increase[.]" That's why responding is an error. We must hit the Houthi until they can't strike. The author said we should aid Gazans. FFS. But the author isn't naïve. Nope.
With few exceptions, a "new University of Michigan-led international study finds that fruits and vegetables grown in urban farms and gardens have a carbon footprint that is, on average, six times greater than conventionally grown produce." there goes moral superiority! Hahahaha. Tip to Instapundit.
Democratic Socialists of America has a "financial crisis" and will lay off staff and slash its budget after financing pro-Hamas groups. They are perplexed. They were so sure "from each according to their ability; to each according to their need" worked in the real world. Please notify "the Squad". Via Instapundit.
The Pentagon said US and UK forces hit the Houthi again on Monday: "The strikes, which were conducted with the support of Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, struck eight targets in Yemen, including an underground storage facility and sites linked to missiles and aerial surveillance[.]"
First that pleasure boat I mentioned a while back. Now this: "A drone flying over a newly activated Marine Corps base on Guam “was disabled” on Jan. 14, a Marine spokeswoman said." Guam is getting attention.
Oh? "Most U.S. and Taiwanese experts polled in a new survey say China lacks the capabilities to effectively carry out an amphibious invasion of Taiwan[.]" After decades of military expansion China didn't build the capabilities to take their most core objective? I disagree. Also, please define "victory".
I've joked about Putin claiming Alaska as "historic" Russian territory. But unless Snopes analyzed the wrong decree, Putin didn't just do that. I don't rule out a future claim, of course. And yes, I know, Snopes ...
Germany develops Skyranger, a turreted auto-cannon for destroying drones and low-flying aircraft. Soon to be combat tested in Ukrainian service, I assume.
Nigeria's 225 million face: "Endemic corruption means the national police is not only ineffective but part of the problem. Criminal activity is widespread and often intense. Currently there has been a sharp increase in kidnapping for ransom." Jihadis were suppressed. Corruption and Islamism will revive them.
The B-21 has been approved for low-rate production: "Northrop Grumman has the greenlight to begin producing the Pentagon’s newest bomber."
Delaying carrier buys will endanger the shipbuilding and supply bases for building carriers. Well maybe those resources would be better used for more non-carrier surface ships.
Recruiting woes: "[The Army Secretary] said the 'wokeness' charges stemmed from the hyper-partisan political climate gripping the nation and challenged the critics to come see firsthand how the Army trains." It's not the combat leaders I'm worried about. It's the top leadership. And I think lower ranks get that.
"Election": "Little will change as a result of the sham [Belarus] elections in February. Depressingly, its sole useful purpose will be to underline the regime’s dictatorial behavior and set the stage for another rigged vote in 2025, when Lukashenka, now 69, will seek to extend his 30-year rule." It's vital territory.
Sweden is getting closer to entering NATO: "Sweden edged nearer to joining NATO after Turkey planned a vote to approve the Nordic nation’s accession and Hungary sought talks on the matter."
Fascinating: "Syria said on Tuesday there was no justification for Jordanian air strikes on its territory that its neighbour said had targeted Iran-linked drug dealers whose border incursions posed a direct threat to Jordan's national security."
Reports that Russia switched their bombing targets from civilians to defense industries was premature: "Air raid sirens sounded in Ukraine's two largest cities just before dawn on Tuesday, as the Russian military again targeted residential areas with a barrage of missiles, killing five and injuring dozens."
David versus Goliath: "A Filipino fishing boat captain protested on Tuesday the Chinese coast guard’s aggression in the disputed South China Sea[.]"
Fast death from above: "A secretive lab in China has reportedly carried out a simulation in which hypersonic missiles and satellites launched an attack on American warships." The range is possibly global.
DOD background briefing on the strike campaign against Houthi anti-ship capabilities.
Good: "Taiwan’s largest private shipbuilder has started building an anti-submarine warfare frigate expected to relieve stress on the fleet." Taiwan has west coast and east coast needs.
Moving American USVs from testing to a combat role.
Too busy for one command: "U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and 6th Fleet are separating after 19 years as a single command[.]" Will the Mediterranean force be more than a phantom fleet? Fleet size suggests "no."
Territorial stalemate: "Shorter reconnaissance strike response times, development of a 600-mile front filled with densely packed minefields and anti-tank weapons, and now two years of warfighting lessons, have made the Russian army into a much more “proficient” force, a senior UK defense official warned[.]"
Tragedy? "A Russian military aircraft carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war
crashed Wednesday in western Russia's Belgorod region, Russian officials
said." That's what Russia claims. It was shot down, it seems. By who and who or what was on it remains unclear.
Thank you Captain Vice Admiral Obvious: "Iran is “very directly involved” in ship attacks that Yemen’s Houthi rebels have carried out during Israel’s war against Hamas, the Navy’s top Mideast commander told The Associated Press on Monday." Sorry. It actually needs to be said repeatedly. To his civilian bosses.
Meanwhile in the nation less real than Wakanda: "U.S. airstrikes killed three Islamic militants in Somalia, U.S. Africa Command said Tuesday, marking the first such attacks in 2024."
Russia isn't producing sufficient rifle ammunition.
The Americans and Indians are working together to block China's threats to Indian interests. Which ties up more Chinese military resources away from the Pacific. I love it when a plan comes together.
Biden efforts to make the Palestinians the center of Middle East problems falters on the fact that only the Palestinians think that is true. And that was before the Abraham Accords put a label on the trend I noted.
Taiwanese are increasingly worried America won't support it. I worry Taiwanese aren't committed to fighting for their freedom. It's a vicious circle that China stokes and benefits from. Does America need to station troops there again? Or would plans to send troops to win work, as I discussed in Military Review?
Every leftist has a friend in the Department of Justice: "Former IRS contractor Charles Edward Littlejohn, [who released IRS records, including Trump's], could face little or no jail time when he's sentenced later this month, because the DOJ allowed him to plead guilty to a single felony count." Tip to Instapundit.
Is it just me, or do you get this vibe when Karine Jean-Pierre whispers sweet nothings to reporters?
Tyranny rebuked: "A federal judged has ruled that Canada's use of emergency powers to end the anti-government Freedom Convoy protests two years ago was 'unreasonable' and unjustified." It was not an insurrection.
He has really good eyesight: "Something unexpected happened at Davos this year. The conventional wisdom took some tentative steps toward the right" because China's woes "are the result of government planning gone wrong. As China doubles down on repression, its economic problems get worse."
Who do Europeans think will feed them? The same Green unicorns providing them with energy? I think we need to take away Europe's belt and shoe laces until they get help.
The policy was stupid, but this isn't the result: "President Biden’s personal war with Saudi Arabian royalty has pushed the Kingdom further into the sphere of Chinese and Russian influence and closer to Iran." Saudi Arabia just wants leverage to dilute the stupid. I think the authors actually see that.
Will America change how institutions work? "The federal government organized itself around expertise on various subject matters. But the inherent weakness of expertise is that it is narrowly focused. It can solve a problem without grasping the broader consequences of the solution." An echelon above reality.
Interesting: "[A Russian milblogger said] Russian forces need to figure out how to break out of positional warfare but that Russian forces are unable to concentrate in numbers sufficient to break through Ukrainian lines because Ukrainian forces strike all force concentrations larger than a battalion." Not just drones.
The mouse that roared: "The Philippines armed forces will guarantee the "unimpeded and peaceful" exploration and exploitation of natural resources within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as it shifts its focus to external defence, Manila's defense secretary said." Does China dare stomp on it?
Resistance: "The Chinese foreign ministry on Wednesday said China's claims to the Paracel and Spratly Islands in the South China Sea were backed by "history" after Vietnam over the weekend repeated it had sufficient evidence to claim sovereignty over the islands."
Oh, please: "Russia's willingness to deploy nuclear weapons in a potential conflict with NATO is growing because the Kremlin believes the US and its allies would not dare to respond, a think tank warned yesterday." The Kremlin is beating its chest and flinging poo. As it does.
Is now the time for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine? Depends on the definition of "peace". And these people define it as Russia keeping what it stole so far and getting the time to reload and finally conquer Ukraine. Because that's how Russia defines it. Ef people who want to call "defeat" a peace.
Congressional Research Report: "Report to Congress on Navy Force Structure".
Lock and load: "Missile arsenals are growing at an exponential rate in the Asia-Pacific region, as countries there attempt to alter or maintain the regional balance of power."
So the 155mm ammo and air defense problems are solved? "Kyiv’s foreign backers have launched new efforts to furnish the Ukrainian military with enough drones and armored vehicles to 'keep ahead of the curve' in its fast-evolving fight against Russian invaders." The U.S. co-leads the 155 and SAM groups.
The U.S. has provided more than $44 billion in military assistance to Ukraine up to now. That's lower than figures I've heard. I assume non-military aid is another chunk of aid. The report provides numbers for weapons sent.
Global warming causes freezing weather. When all events support and no events falsify your theory, that's not science.
It's still not long enough, but at least it isn't a joke anymore: "The first batch of new recruits began serving their one-year compulsory military service in Taiwan on Thursday after the conscription period was extended from four months due to government concerns about China's rising military threat."
Apparently, Trump wants to send troops to cities to get crime under control. I'm against that. One, troops lose effectiveness if used in police roles. Two, it is necessary only if cities and states can't control unrest. Democrats simply refuse to control crime. I say let the residents enjoy what they repeatedly vote for.
Letting the robots fight China: "For the first time, two of America’s closest allies have agreed to pursue advanced research on key capabilities — “strategic capabilities in robotic and autonomous systems for undersea warfare” — for the Indo-Pacific." Makes sense.
Biden will have little success: "U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday pitched the United
States as a better security partner for Africa in place of Russia’s
Wagner mercenary group[.]" Russia protects dictators. Biden abandons allies--then claims success.
Ah, Putin's brilliance: "The Netherlands is preparing to deal with the increasingly obvious threat from Russia by spending a lot more on defense."
Telling China it must not conquer Taiwan is "provocative": "A Navy guided-missile destroyer made a trip through the Taiwan Strait this week, the first reported transit by a U.S. warship this year and one China immediately labeled provocative."
The Supreme Court did not deny Texas the right to defend the border as Biden declines to do its job. Federal statutes--not illegal presidential whims (via Instapundit)--have supremacy. There's a lot the media and historians get wrong. And don't forget this foundational myth of faux progressive moral superiority.
If South Africa goes belly up, who will save it? The West is busy closer to home. Have a ball China!
Iraq and America begin Withdrawal Theater to muffle Iran's pressure. New talks for U.S. withdrawal will be based on "the threat from ISIS, operational and environmental
requirements, and the Iraqi security forces' capability levels." Or Biden chooses to lose. Again. Well, three-after 2011. Briefing here.
Biden linked border security to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan aid. Why are Democrats holding up aid to Ukraine in order to keep our southern border undefended? And why are Democrats linking the aid package to a Palestinian state? But no, it's conservative stubbornness, according to the media.
Erdogan demanded F-16s for approving Sweden's application to join NATO. Biden is now urging Congress to pay the ransom. Smart Diplomacy® is looking a lot like the old, bad transactional diplomacy.
Hitchhiking? "The U.S. Marine Corps is looking more closely at how to leverage alternate ships to keep its forces at sea, amid an amphibious ship shortage a top Marine called the “single biggest existential threat” to the service." How about The AFRICOM Queen, as I proposed in Military Review?
Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2024-01-25/eucom-russia-nuclear-weapons-12789864.html?utm_campaign=dfn-ebb&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sailthru&SToverlay=2002c2d9-c344-4bbb-8610-e5794efcfa7d
Source - Stars and Stripes
Sure: "Shorter-range nuclear weapons are likely to play a larger role in the Kremlin’s strategy against NATO, given the struggle of Russian conventional forces on the battlefield in Ukraine,a new U.S. European Command-sponsored study argues." That was clear before Ukraine.
An American amphibious warfare ship headed to the Nordic region to practice amphibious warfare.
China's expanding marines “[most likely] will serve in primarily non-war missions to
protect citizens and their assets. Potential tasks include non-combatant
evacuation, cooperation with partner nations for counter-terror
operations, and humanitarian assistance/ disaster relief[.]" Yes. And in the South China Sea.
Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2024-01-25/eucom-russia-nuclear-weapons-12789864.html?utm_campaign=dfn-ebb&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sailthru&SToverlay=2002c2d9-c344-4bbb-8610-e5794efcfa7d
Source - Stars and Stripes
Benefit: "China is building two advanced nuclear reactors with Russian assistance[.]" The reactors will make material for nuclear warheads. Russia and China are frenemies with benefits. How much longer can Russia provide China with benefits greater than its liabilities? And who will China aim the missiles at?
Ukraine wants more M-777 artillery. They've proven effective. More will be produced. I'm so old I remember when it was the XM-777 (and have the commemorative coffee mug).
The V-22 tilt rotor concept is great--when it works. Is peacetime going to kill it by amplifying the crashes and deaths with no advantages in combat to counter that?
Half the issue: "The United Nations’ top court stopped short Friday of ordering a cease-fire in Gaza in a genocide case but demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the tiny coastal enclave." Where's the court ruling telling Hamas not to use human shields? That's the major factor.
Countries are spurred to update--not replace--main battle tanks.
A proto-imperial state naturally thinks the peasants are revolting: "After the Dutch, Polish, Italian and German farmers, France’s paysans are in revolt."
While I worry our open southern border enables terrorist infiltration, I don't want to panic about "multi-division" levels of infiltration. "Military-age men" could just as easily be called "working-age men." Or maybe I lack imagination even after October 7th. Still, prior to 10/7 securing the border was needed.
This just sounds like obscuring the Marine Corps changes to avoid challenges: "the 2030 aspect of Force Design [2030] is not a goal or ending point, and the service is 'kind of getting away from the 2030 moniker.'" The concerns about the evolving Corps remain valid.
The University of Michigan has a new football coach. Welcome Sherrone Moore! I had hoped Harbaugh would stay (dynasty!). But Moore won games in 2023. He can do the main job. Let's see which assistant coaches remain and who we can grab to replace those who leave. Next year's season starts off tough.
Iraq knows we'll leave if asked (2011). Iran knows talks will keep Americans in until distant conditions are met: "The Islamic Resistance in Iraq released a statement rejecting the US and Iraqi decision to begin negotiations over the status of US-led coalition forces in Iraq and vowed to continue attacking US forces."
If Biden federalizes the Texas National Guard to keep the Texas border open (summary of the issue), will the issue of troops being required to obey only lawful orders from their lawful chain of command come up? Is an order violating Article IV Sec. 4 of the Constitution lawful? TDR is not an attorney.
Russia needs artillery: "Russia Mounts Naval Rockets on Tanks & Trucks to Compensate for Artillery Losses in Ukraine"
Move and counter-move: "Initially lauded for technological ingenuity when Russian troops advanced on Kyiv, Ukrainian forces are now grappling with Russia catching up in the innovation race." Also, winter is not kind to battery-powered devices. As EV owners in a cold snap are discovering. Not a silver bullet.
Strategypage thinks Russia's plans "to reassemble the Soviet Union empire stumbled and died in Ukraine. Not only that, but the Russian effort to annex Ukraine failed because the Ukrainians were willing to fight while too many of the Russian invaders were not." The war goes on. Nothing is final. Assume nothing.
Close: "For historical analogy, think of Russia as the equivalent to World War II Japan while China is the wealthier and more powerful Nazi Germany." Putin gets the Mussolini role. But boy was I wrong on casualty tolerance.
The other threat to Europe: "The EU has run into problems because many Europeans see the EU developing into an unelected bureaucracy that can make all sorts of new rules and even foreign policy without any regard for what their constituents and, technically, employers, European voters, want."
Good advice: “If we are to avoid a multi-front war, the United States must be ready to fight and win conventional conflicts in several places simultaneously and must invest in strengthening our allies’ ability to defend themselves.” Endorsed. We have the capacity.
F-15 variants--to test innovations--that seem awesome. I thought the anti-satellite capability existed--or could be rigged up quickly. I was very impressed when I saw an F-15 flying over me on a military base go vertical and accelerate straight up.
I will ask again, why is Biden willing to risk aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel in order to keep our border open to a figurative mass invasion of illegal immigrants? It's bizarre. Almost as bizarre as the media's inability blame anyone but Republicans.
Russians are trying to mount a large AT-4 anti-tank missile on a cheap commercial drone. But why bother putting a guided missile on a platform that can't guide it? Is the AT-4 too old and using it as an unguided rocket is worth it?
I wonder if electronic warfare drones could help regular drones penetrate ground based EW systems that scramble drone command and control. Pre-stealth aircraft needed special planes to penetrate and survive enemy radar-guided air defenses. Add in fighter drones and we're getting closer to a mini air force.
I don't buy the spin that Republicans rejected the best border security bill in the last 20 years. Maybe nothing in that span was better. But that speaks to the past crap rather than current gem. I don't believe we need new laws or funding to control our border. Decide to close it. Let Mexico deal with the migrants.
I wish we had journalists. But we have far too few of them What we mostly have can rot in Hell. Or at least learn to code or make a latte'. Via Instapundit, with more links.
Good: "India and France have agreed to work together on the joint production of defence equipment including helicopters and submarines for the Indian armed forces and production for friendly countries, New Delhi said."
Turkey will be paid its blackmail to let Sweden into NATO after the sale of F-16s to Turkey was approved. Oh, and by the way, Turkey's NATO ally and frenemy Greece will get F-35s. Ah, Erdogan's Smart Diplomacy.
It was kind of interesting to see in my statistics package someone find this post in a Google search and then pass the sad news on to three other people in different cities. I wonder if I knew any of them? Or at least would recognize them?
Does Israel use so much air power despite Gaza being in range of any artillery system because Ukraine's lack of an air force means it gets priority on 155mm shells? And Israel can use bombs that Ukraine can't? Mind you, I understand sometimes you need the warhead size or penetration of bombs.
Canada edition of the government supports a private group that identifies an opposition organization as a hate group which the government-supported media wrongly amplifies as a hate group, giving the government an excuse to suppress the opposition. But the left may pay in their next election.
The destruction of the Russian tank force. Can Russia replace losses faster than Ukraine inflicts losses?
Seems like a mobile Iron Dome: "The American military is receiving twelve of the new IFPC (Indirect Fire
Protection Capability) [...] armed with launchers for the
ground based version of the air-to-air AIM-9X heat seeking missile,
which has a range of 40 kilometers." But you can't kill the rain.
