This morning Simplicius takes a deep dive into the reported Russian missile strike on the Kiev HQ of the Ukrainian military intelligence department (GUR). Readers will recall that Putin himself casually confirmed the attack as a fact, citing it as an example of Russia’s willingness to target command and control centers at which the Ukrainians receive NATO guidance (i.e., US and UK) for terrorist attacks on Russia. Follow the link for Simplicius sifting through what data we have on the strike, but these quotes work for our purposes:
From the details of this latest strike on Ukraine GUR headquarters, Zhou may soon have to skip Rehoboth and head straight to Dover AFB. To say we’re in over our heads is an understatement.
The Russians have had the opportunity to engage with and destroy a number of weapons systems during this war. Systems sent in detail and destroyed in detail. They have validated various of their systems and will improve them. Their failures will be corrected. It sounds as if our military is alarmed about this situation. Let us hope that we are at least learning from this as well and fund new R&D lavishly enough to create the next offset. The first was nukes. Are the Russians along with China past a new offset that renders our military equipment and methods obsolete? Alarm on the part of our military suggests this is the case. Will congress act? Do they even understand that this is within the realm of their responsibilities?
I believe the Biblical admonition goes a very long way in explaining the whys, wherefores and howcomes of this mess: “the love of money is the root of all evil.” And Lord Acton covered the other part:!”power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” We can argue about the details and the fine print all day long but the bottom line remains the same, fallen human nature can be a horrible destructive force when left unchecked.
At one time, the US was one of those countervailing forces to blunt unchecked human nature, not so sure about that anymore. Sad, but sadly true I’m afraid.
I'm not arguing that "Ukraine shouldn't attack Moscow." I don't have any tactical advice for war planners
What I *would* argue, however, is that Americans have been systematically deceived by the government about the scope of the war they're entangling us deeper and deeper in
This all begs questions from me about the FD-1023 document the FBI withholds. What could be so telling in this foreign document (allegedly from Ukraine) $5M or so... that would prevent the FBI from releasing given where we are in this proxy war?
Given Russia's supremacy to date would releasing the 1023 do so much damage to US relations with EU or others potentially destroy longstanding trust and relationships? Is there something in this document that if released would cause EU or others to "freak out" as they've been drawn into the Ukraine war based on bribery and corruption by a sitting US President?
What could be so damaging to release must greatly affect our national interest? Could this be so damaging as to change others perspectives as the US world leader with all the rights, rules, and privileges? Feels that way.
The FD-1023 is one of the documents Giuliani got ahold of and passed to Bluto Barr back in 2020 who pawned it off to the Pitt. PA AG, who in turn punted.
I thought the RAND remarks especially poignant. Historically, our proxies have fought their proxies. But in Ukraine we finally turned the corner and attempted a direct assault on Russia. But with a proxy. Add this to the list of historic failures of the Biden administration, who in about 15 months have managed to force an alliance between Russia and China as well as providing training for Russia's military while not only depriving our own of same but also filling it with rainbow warriors. Glory.
We should have turned "inward" to correcting our own numerous problems at least 40 years ago.
From the details of this latest strike on Ukraine GUR headquarters, Zhou may soon have to skip Rehoboth and head straight to Dover AFB. To say we’re in over our heads is an understatement.
The Russians have had the opportunity to engage with and destroy a number of weapons systems during this war. Systems sent in detail and destroyed in detail. They have validated various of their systems and will improve them. Their failures will be corrected. It sounds as if our military is alarmed about this situation. Let us hope that we are at least learning from this as well and fund new R&D lavishly enough to create the next offset. The first was nukes. Are the Russians along with China past a new offset that renders our military equipment and methods obsolete? Alarm on the part of our military suggests this is the case. Will congress act? Do they even understand that this is within the realm of their responsibilities?
I believe the Biblical admonition goes a very long way in explaining the whys, wherefores and howcomes of this mess: “the love of money is the root of all evil.” And Lord Acton covered the other part:!”power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” We can argue about the details and the fine print all day long but the bottom line remains the same, fallen human nature can be a horrible destructive force when left unchecked.
At one time, the US was one of those countervailing forces to blunt unchecked human nature, not so sure about that anymore. Sad, but sadly true I’m afraid.
Michael Tracey
@mtracey
I'm not arguing that "Ukraine shouldn't attack Moscow." I don't have any tactical advice for war planners
What I *would* argue, however, is that Americans have been systematically deceived by the government about the scope of the war they're entangling us deeper and deeper in
This all begs questions from me about the FD-1023 document the FBI withholds. What could be so telling in this foreign document (allegedly from Ukraine) $5M or so... that would prevent the FBI from releasing given where we are in this proxy war?
Given Russia's supremacy to date would releasing the 1023 do so much damage to US relations with EU or others potentially destroy longstanding trust and relationships? Is there something in this document that if released would cause EU or others to "freak out" as they've been drawn into the Ukraine war based on bribery and corruption by a sitting US President?
What could be so damaging to release must greatly affect our national interest? Could this be so damaging as to change others perspectives as the US world leader with all the rights, rules, and privileges? Feels that way.
The FD-1023 is one of the documents Giuliani got ahold of and passed to Bluto Barr back in 2020 who pawned it off to the Pitt. PA AG, who in turn punted.
I thought the RAND remarks especially poignant. Historically, our proxies have fought their proxies. But in Ukraine we finally turned the corner and attempted a direct assault on Russia. But with a proxy. Add this to the list of historic failures of the Biden administration, who in about 15 months have managed to force an alliance between Russia and China as well as providing training for Russia's military while not only depriving our own of same but also filling it with rainbow warriors. Glory.