I have a bit of a busy day ahead of me, so I’m going to do a Twitter based roundup of commentary on The Real War. I’ll begin with some comments that illustrate how reality could be about to bite those who attempt to defy or deny it—and the bite could be hard.
To begin with, who can doubt the truth of what Putin is saying—this is basic stuff. You can’t allow your costs as an economy to skyrocket and think the result won’t hurt:
Next, magical thinking versus reality based thinking—the link in the tweet is highly recommended. Krainer tells about a Forbes article from 2015 that got disappeared: “10 Charts that Explain Russia.” However, I found a BBC article from 2018 that’s well worth a look. The article consistently tries to point you toward the dark cloud they say is inside that silver lining. Example: Putin is spending more than ever on the military—except that it remains a tiny fraction of US military spending. The charts are too large to include here, but here are some highlights:
Vladimir Putin has dominated Russian politics as its undisputed leader for almost two decades.
Over successive terms as president and prime minister he has overseen an economic boom, military expansion and the re-establishment of Russia as a major power.
Living standards for most Russians improved, and a renewed sense of stability and national pride emerged. But the price, many say, was the erosion of Russia's fledgling democracy.
How has life changed for ordinary Russians during this time?
1. Fewer people are poor
2. But wage growth has stalled recently
3. More people have a car, and there are more microwaves than households
…
9. Russia's population is growing again
10. And Putin is spending more than ever on the military
A strong military has always been a key part of Russia's national identity, but the Soviet Union effectively bankrupted itself in an effort to match the United States during the Cold War.
The Soviet Union's collapse plunged the armed forces into penury as budgets were slashed. Equipment and weaponry became decrepit, and morale plunged.
What’s happening in Russia while the West shoots itself in the feet while teetering on the brink of deep recession?
This is a very weird way to report that Mariupol is now under Russian control since Azov Battalion has finally surrendered.
The veneer of objective reporting on this conflict died a long time ago.
Quote Tweet

The New York Times
@nytimes
· 16h
Breaking News: Ukraine ended its “combat mission” in Mariupol and said fighters were being evacuated, signaling that the battle at a steel plant was over. https://nyti.ms/3sIon9B
Clint Ehrlich
@ClintEhrlich
·
18h
The NYPD has more cops than Sweden has soldiers.
Why should America sign up to fight Russia for it?
Clint Ehrlich
@ClintEhrlich
·
9h
This is a very weird way to report that Mariupol is now under Russian control since Azov Battalion has finally surrendered.
The veneer of objective reporting on this conflict died a long time ago.
Quote Tweet

The New York Times
@nytimes
· 16h
Breaking News: Ukraine ended its “combat mission” in Mariupol and said fighters were being evacuated, signaling that the battle at a steel plant was over. https://nyti.ms/3sIon9B