This morning informed commentary features perspectives on the CBS news report (clearly propagandistic in intent) about the deployment of the 101st airborne division to Romania. It seems that this is, in fact, a replacement deployment. The 101st is replacing the 82nd Airborne, which has been in Romania for 4 months. CBS reporting made the 101st’s deployment appear to be a new development—probably to shape the US domestic public’s perceptions ahead of the Red Wave election that is being predicted.
Mark, a wealth of information and expertise in Johnson and Martyanov’s pieces. Thx for bringing them together. Martyanov’s assessment of Nato combat readiness is shocking - “risible” he says. Like many of us, I hope Austin doesn’t go with the “bandaid” scenario, and keeps talking to Shoigu, aiming for a face-saving Xmas cease-fire!?
1991 US Commitment to NATO was 10 Divisions in 10 Days: 4 Div, 2ACR, 2 Corps Spt Cmds and 1 Div Size Theater spt cmd, in Germany with equipment for 6 additional Armor/Mech Inf Div stored in Belgium/Holland with fuel and ammo for a high intensity 30 day war and the promise of 1st use nukes as necessary. I spent 21 yrs at HQ USAREUR and NATO Centag and participated in the 1st NATO invasion of Jugoslavia. We fought desert storm with USAREUR equipment. We couldn't punch our way out of a paper bag now. Russia has never enjoyed greater ground force superiority over NATO forces than it has now!!! We had the short supply lines and hoped for air supremacy. Now they have the short supply lines and and air supremacy is a thing of the past. It doesn't even appear that we have MAD working for us anymore with clearly superior Russian air defenses.
Tx. In the big scheme of things expanding NATO east simply elongated our supply lines, making the whole structure unviable if Russia called the sanctions bluff. Woops!
Am I the only one who thinks that it’s entirely possible that these lunatics may decide that with the election almost here, starting a war might be their “best” worst move? With the country at “war” and the cover of a “national emergency”, they could get the POTUS (puppet of the United States) to come up with all kinds of executive orders for game, set, match. Under different circumstances, I’d be the first to say that’s crazy talk, now, seems like an all too real possibility.
Feel free to ridicule me and say that I should take a tranquilizer and a nap.
For a lookback at some real foolishness of our military commanders, just recall the book (and subsequent HBO mini-series) 'Generation Kill' by Rolling Stone Reporter Evan Wright embedded with a Marine Corps Recon battalion. Now these guys were truly light infantry, with only Humvees for mobility and only a few of them armored (by the Marines themselves). Of course, USMC Force Recon is not meant to be deployed as a battalion strength unit, but in squads to perform "reconnaissance" and pass intelligence back to HQ. Against a more capable enemy than the Iraqis, most of this battalion would likely not have survived.
Wright does not think much of many of the Marine officers assigned to the battalion, most of whom were not Recon trained from what I recall which tended to undermine unit morale when questionable orders were given. Anyway, a good book and the HBO series is good as well.
Off topic question (since Substack doesn't seem to have a DM-like capability): I'm very curious roughly how many hours / week you spend reading, listening to podcasts, and writing your posts? You are incredibly prolific.
Full time job. I take breaks for other things, but overall it probably adds up to full time, especially including the weekends. It has definitely cut into other activities.
Thanks. I don't need the money, so I guess for now it's Die Gedanken Sind Frei. The other side of it is that since I currently rely so heavily on others--I do my best to add value--it wouldn't seem right to me.
Every morning when I turn on the radio, I now expect to hear that there was a nuc set off during the previous eight hours.
I'm always pleasantly surprised and relieved that it did not happen.
I no longer think in terms of if, only when.
There's not a militarily useful nuc target within a hundred mile radius of my home.
Wasn't always so.
Life's small joys.
Mark, a wealth of information and expertise in Johnson and Martyanov’s pieces. Thx for bringing them together. Martyanov’s assessment of Nato combat readiness is shocking - “risible” he says. Like many of us, I hope Austin doesn’t go with the “bandaid” scenario, and keeps talking to Shoigu, aiming for a face-saving Xmas cease-fire!?
FWIW, it’s only a brigade, not the entire division. Still stupid but...
1991 US Commitment to NATO was 10 Divisions in 10 Days: 4 Div, 2ACR, 2 Corps Spt Cmds and 1 Div Size Theater spt cmd, in Germany with equipment for 6 additional Armor/Mech Inf Div stored in Belgium/Holland with fuel and ammo for a high intensity 30 day war and the promise of 1st use nukes as necessary. I spent 21 yrs at HQ USAREUR and NATO Centag and participated in the 1st NATO invasion of Jugoslavia. We fought desert storm with USAREUR equipment. We couldn't punch our way out of a paper bag now. Russia has never enjoyed greater ground force superiority over NATO forces than it has now!!! We had the short supply lines and hoped for air supremacy. Now they have the short supply lines and and air supremacy is a thing of the past. It doesn't even appear that we have MAD working for us anymore with clearly superior Russian air defenses.
Tx. In the big scheme of things expanding NATO east simply elongated our supply lines, making the whole structure unviable if Russia called the sanctions bluff. Woops!
A needless and dangerous provocation - just stop it! What sane reason could there ever be to deploy these troops to Ukraine?
Am I the only one who thinks that it’s entirely possible that these lunatics may decide that with the election almost here, starting a war might be their “best” worst move? With the country at “war” and the cover of a “national emergency”, they could get the POTUS (puppet of the United States) to come up with all kinds of executive orders for game, set, match. Under different circumstances, I’d be the first to say that’s crazy talk, now, seems like an all too real possibility.
Feel free to ridicule me and say that I should take a tranquilizer and a nap.
For a lookback at some real foolishness of our military commanders, just recall the book (and subsequent HBO mini-series) 'Generation Kill' by Rolling Stone Reporter Evan Wright embedded with a Marine Corps Recon battalion. Now these guys were truly light infantry, with only Humvees for mobility and only a few of them armored (by the Marines themselves). Of course, USMC Force Recon is not meant to be deployed as a battalion strength unit, but in squads to perform "reconnaissance" and pass intelligence back to HQ. Against a more capable enemy than the Iraqis, most of this battalion would likely not have survived.
Wright does not think much of many of the Marine officers assigned to the battalion, most of whom were not Recon trained from what I recall which tended to undermine unit morale when questionable orders were given. Anyway, a good book and the HBO series is good as well.
Mark,
Off topic question (since Substack doesn't seem to have a DM-like capability): I'm very curious roughly how many hours / week you spend reading, listening to podcasts, and writing your posts? You are incredibly prolific.
Full time job. I take breaks for other things, but overall it probably adds up to full time, especially including the weekends. It has definitely cut into other activities.
That doesn't surprise me. I think you should offer a voluntary paid subscription. I would be happy to contribute.
Thanks. I don't need the money, so I guess for now it's Die Gedanken Sind Frei. The other side of it is that since I currently rely so heavily on others--I do my best to add value--it wouldn't seem right to me.
Tx