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It is, generally speaking, not a great idea to rely on the first reports emerging from any battlefield. Like most everyone else, I’ve been monitoring this astonishing hinge point in world history with a mix of disdain for an act of naked, thoroughly unprovoked aggression, and awe at the esprit, resolve, and resilience of every-day Ukrainians. It’s also fair to admit that I did not believe we would see, a week into the fighting, that resistance scoring so many successes against a Russian Army which seems to be stumbling logistically, tactically, and strategically.
It was Napoleon who noted that in order to find success on the battlefield it was important to first secure the moral victory. In that light, Putin’s adventure in the Ukraine was doomed from the start, and it appears now he is merely hastening and consolidating the very things he claims to be upset about. And it appears, at least for the moment, that Putin may have tragically miscalculated.
I have read, mostly in the rightist press, declarations that the United States has no interest in the Ukraine, or the outcome of this war. They point to corruption in Ukrainian politics, mostly, which is certainly true but the complaints miss the larger point of defending the principles of westernized freedom. Others like to feast on what they perceive as moral equivalence vis a vis the US invasion of Iraq. Again, there are some points to be recognized there, but the US invasion of Iraq was never intended to absorb that nation as the 51st state–and the difference is critical. It is also certain that Putin has some legitimate concerns, but the legitimacy of those concerns was erased when he launched his army across the line of departure in a war of conquest.
What matters now is that he be stopped. Totally. Irrevocably. Before the rest of us are sucked into a conflagration with far more dangerous consequences.
It was a mistake for the western world to trust Putin, who has repeatedly done the world a favor by announcing his intentions well in advance and then executing them on a playbook he has already revealed. In the west we remain slow, for some unaccountable reason, to believe these kinds of people. We should also start believing Chairman Xi when he tells us that he will retake Taiwan. There is an axiom in police work worth sharing here: when a suspect tells you he is “Not going back to prison,” he means it, and you are about to be in a fight. There is also a phenomenon known as the “stress stretch,” a physiological reaction in the human body that reveals intentions. Putin has essentially done both, and the world did far too little to prepare for the fight. I hope it was also not too late.
I have never been to Ukraine, though I did stumble across some Ukrainian mail-order brides in my former profession. Called to resolve domestic disputes by their awe-struck American husbands, I can assure you I was most impressed by the tenacity of the women who came over on the promise of Levis, western cigarettes, and fine weather.
And I also got to spend some time with elements of the Georgian Army some years ago. The Georgians know something about Russian aggression, and the playbook used by Putin in his invasion of Georgia in 2008 was identical to the one he has used in Ukraine. It begins with identifying large pockets of Russian speakers, claiming attempts at genocide, issuing them all passports, inventing atrocities, and then invading in order to “save” them from “thugs and drug addicts.” See, Hitler. Lately I’ve been remembering that incredible experience among the Georgians, and in particular a friendship I developed with Lt. Colonel Romani Sanikidze, who allowed me to ride in his command vehicle during a number of exercises. Sanikidze fought the Russians in 2008, and I wrote a brief piece about him here: The Mouse and the Elephant. Sanikidze’s words ring true today and are probably best expressed by the Ukrainian President Vlodomir Zelenskey, whose impassioned and incredibly courageous defense of his nation’s sovereignty has united much of the world and made it much, much, more difficult for the Russians to merely assassinate him.
So, we are five days in. Thus far the Ukrainians seem to be repelling the major assaults, even as Kyiv and Kharkiv are encircled. We all remember Grozny, and we can all hope these cities avoid a similar fate. And we can hope the promise of meaningful arms reaches the brave Ukrainian fighters in time for them to put them to excellent use. Meantime, I read somewhere this morning that a brilliant person had coined the Ukrainian fight “The Tracksuit Resistance.” I like that, a lot, and I hope they will ultimately prevail over Putin’s borg machine.
Matthew says
I’m solidly on the side of the Ukrainians but I hope this does not end up with the US putting boots on the ground. I can not say for certain that would be the wrong choice though. I am also hoping that this does not lead to WWIII.
I find it odd that some people are shocked at this. The attitude is that these things don’t happen in the modern world. Invasion is common through out human history. I don’t see why the modern age should be seen as different. It is one of those things. When 911 happened I was as horrified as anyone, but something in the back of my mind said the world was always like this.
Excellent piece. Thank you.
I’ve been working with Ukrainians on the day job (software) for a decade or more now, over two companies.
I worked closely, daily, with a team at my previous company.
Literally, at my present company, this year’s goal was to integrate our team with our counterpart Ukrainian team.
I have not been in the position to pull a trip to Kyiv as part of the job but I have co-workers who have. They loved the people and the city.
It’s surreal to know these people personally and know that they are in a war zone. It’s one thing, I think, to know members of the military and know they are under fire. But civilians under attack, lives disrupted in the most brutal fashion — hard to fathom.
Ugly Hombre says
My hat is off to Zelenskyy and the brave Ukrainian people, “I need Ammo and not a ride” will go down in history along with “Come and take It” “If they want a war let it start here” and “Nuts”.
https://nypost.com/2022/02/26/ukraine-president-volodymyr-zelensky-declines-us-evacuation-offer/
https://elishavision.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/68899ee5-0471–4002-b424-de12753ca483-zelenskyy_quote_-_022522_.jpg
Lot of talk by the radical left that the 2nd Amendment is for hunting and does not pertain to modern arms etc etc et al.
That argument is being shot full of holes in the Ukraine right now. Rifles are being passed out and being put to good use by armed citizens. Repelling Putin and his Orcs, fighting to the death for freedom. “Go frog yourself Russian Nazi’s- no surrender”. Brave men. Respect…
Putin has gone haywire batchit crazy- threatens nuclear war, accuses the Ukraine of being full of Nazi’s and white supremacists while the President of the Ukraine is Jewish. Invades Ukraine like SOAB Adolf did to Poland to save it from “Nazi’s”. Putin has become a cats paw for the Chicom’s who are watching the reaction of the world close and figuring how it will play out when they invade Taiwan.
I hope our “woke” military brass hats wake the fook up and get off of the ” climate change is our biggest threat”, “America is Bad”, “our military is full of supremacists” dope- sober up and start paying attention to the real threats we face. And tighten down the helmet straps. That goes for our political wonks as well. Before its to late jokers- smell the coffee.
The odds of that happening- are not good. Don’t think the Ukraine situation can’t happen here it can…
All under heaven is now- even more fooked up.
Reader says
Impressive documentary (Amazon), The War for Democracy in Ukraine, provides background on how this courageous militia evolved.
Reader says
Full title, Breaking Point: The War for Democracy in Ukraine
Ugly Hombre says
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/watch-ukrainian-born-congresswomans-emotional-plea-for-us-intervention/2772401/
Ukrainian born U.S. Congresswoman Victoria Spartz Indiana- pleas with the Biden Admin. to open up energy and to help the Free Ukrainians with arms. “Russian oil equals Ukrainian blood.”
Flying monkeys MSM and big cyber have been spiking her story and speech. She can still respond unlike President Zelenskyy who is being hunted and targeted with signals intell. by Russian murder squads. So maybe Uncle Joe could call her up and get some clue about reality. That will be difficult for him.
“Russian oil equals Ukrainian blood” Try hard Joe- you can understand- if you concentrate hard.
Thanks much for the tip on the documentary looking for that.
God help the Ukrainians.
Ann Thompson says
Most, if not all, of us are behind the brave Ukrainian people. I also feel some compassion for the Russian people (not the government or politicians) who are opposed to this war as well, but will have no voice in it because Putin will silence them. No one should ever trust Putin, and I can’t conceive of any politician being dumb enough to do so..
tom says
“citizen soldiers” are effective. they were in vietnam where the vietcong, ununiformed individuals wreaked havoc. and a terrible sideline to the “vietcong” is how many we killed that were perhaps not citizen soldiers? and how many hooches we “zippoed” (torched) mistakenly thinking they were outright enemy? in a ribald thought, it seems non uniformed individuals are in camoflauge! maybe an effective military tactic.….……
Ugly Hombre says
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B9RZcSUmfQ
Zelenskyy’s speech to the E.U. heart rending- he will go down fighting. Much of his country will.
Real life, real time, courage to the last. How did it come to this.?
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/18/nord-stream-2-the-russian-pipeline-that-everybodys-talking-about.html
Inept leadership by the west. Gifting the SOAB Putin the Nord Stream ll pipeline, and shutting down American energy independence. Not filling up the Subways in the Ukraine with Javelins and Stingers.
Russian Orc’s massing on the borders of the Ukraine for a year, no action taken by the west to prepare for the onslaught, instead in America- concern with “Climate Change” “CRT training for the troops” “America is Racist” “Trump is a Russian Agent” and other bullchit stories. Major fail by our Military and the Chekist Alphabets again, yet again. One more G.D. time.
Enough. Take the chains off of American energy dumb chits thats something you can do right now.
https://www.uschamber.com/international/record-high-russian-oil-imports-show-need-for-smarter-domestic-energy-policy
If you don’t- you are enabling the destruction and the enslavement of the Ukraine. Don’t give us any more bullchit stories. Doubt it?
Ask President Zelenskyy. I hope he will be able to respond.
Reader says
Responsibility? You left out the people—“intellectuals”—who could not bring themselves to vote for Donald Trump because he is narcissistic and uncouth, prone to immature bullying and an overall jerk. Perhaps it would only have bought us another four years of relative peace as it is but my god what a mistake.