Very balanced and captured the 'Trumpian' and 'Semi-Trumpian' position well. As one of the latter who lives surrounded by the other side, I think you understate the corruption and classism driving the other side, but I think you covered that fairly.
I suspect, in my case, the suppression of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church weighs heavily into the equation.
Very good. New subscriber and still free so I was sort of testing the waters so to speak. The references to Phillips OB in the previous post made me suspicious (he's the only substack acct I've cancelled), but this post was very good.
I've moved slowly but surely towards the anti-war position (your position 1 - well stated). That said, however, I'd like to support Ukraine more than I do for a couple of reasons. The main one is that Ukraine has exposed Russia as a paper tiger. The arguments about Russia taking Ukraine and then and then and then... carry no weight for me anymore.
Secondly, Ukraine has fought the war so cleverly. The Ukrainian military has literally changed war fighting by their adept use of drones. The control of the Black Sea is because of drones invented by Ukraine. Most of the Russian Army, infantry and armor, is dying because of drones. Land, sea, in the air - warfare will not be the same. I know for a fact that militaries around the world have noticed (Taiwan and West Taiwan).
The idea that Russia will "just" use a cease fire to build up its military ignores the fact that the US and Western Europe could do the same. Western (and Ukrainian) hardware has shown itself to be superior to Russian. Western (and Ukrainian) military doctrine has shown itself to be superior to Russian. Sounds like a challenge.
Sorry, that went on a long time... anyway, thanks for this post. Looking forward to more.
Thanks for the insight. Best overview I've seen. However, I'm stuck on one thing. I keep wondering what the heck Zelensky thought was going on, and why he acted the way he did. He had to know there would be a negative response, public or private. It's not how the leader of a country at war convinces an ally to sustain or increase aid. I think I'm one of the few who think Ukraine can successfully push back the Russians and would have already if Biden had provided a few more tools. I am amazed at how the Ukrainians are destroying Russia's logistical network that turns out to be very brittle. As you point out, Ufa was hit hard last night. The rail lines are under constant attack. A million men at the front isn't worth much if they don't have guns and ammunition. Zelensky really, really screwed up.
You did an excellent job defining/describing the Jacksonian camp, which, as camps go is the one I'm closest to.
I would place them closer to your group three rather than the there is no Trump but Trump and Elon is his prophet group.
& yes in this ongoing war issue we're on opposite sides of the fence. I'm all for ending it now, right now.
Having said that I'd much rather read opinions such as yours and discuss the issue with you than preach back and forth to a chorus. One can by debating clarify opinions, thoughts, sometimes even change them. However just hanging with those singing from the same hymnal more often than not ossifies rather than clarifies.
Interesting take and thank you for kindly referring to my own.
You are very welcome.
Very balanced and captured the 'Trumpian' and 'Semi-Trumpian' position well. As one of the latter who lives surrounded by the other side, I think you understate the corruption and classism driving the other side, but I think you covered that fairly.
I suspect, in my case, the suppression of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church weighs heavily into the equation.
Very good. New subscriber and still free so I was sort of testing the waters so to speak. The references to Phillips OB in the previous post made me suspicious (he's the only substack acct I've cancelled), but this post was very good.
I've moved slowly but surely towards the anti-war position (your position 1 - well stated). That said, however, I'd like to support Ukraine more than I do for a couple of reasons. The main one is that Ukraine has exposed Russia as a paper tiger. The arguments about Russia taking Ukraine and then and then and then... carry no weight for me anymore.
Secondly, Ukraine has fought the war so cleverly. The Ukrainian military has literally changed war fighting by their adept use of drones. The control of the Black Sea is because of drones invented by Ukraine. Most of the Russian Army, infantry and armor, is dying because of drones. Land, sea, in the air - warfare will not be the same. I know for a fact that militaries around the world have noticed (Taiwan and West Taiwan).
The idea that Russia will "just" use a cease fire to build up its military ignores the fact that the US and Western Europe could do the same. Western (and Ukrainian) hardware has shown itself to be superior to Russian. Western (and Ukrainian) military doctrine has shown itself to be superior to Russian. Sounds like a challenge.
Sorry, that went on a long time... anyway, thanks for this post. Looking forward to more.
Thanks for the insight. Best overview I've seen. However, I'm stuck on one thing. I keep wondering what the heck Zelensky thought was going on, and why he acted the way he did. He had to know there would be a negative response, public or private. It's not how the leader of a country at war convinces an ally to sustain or increase aid. I think I'm one of the few who think Ukraine can successfully push back the Russians and would have already if Biden had provided a few more tools. I am amazed at how the Ukrainians are destroying Russia's logistical network that turns out to be very brittle. As you point out, Ufa was hit hard last night. The rail lines are under constant attack. A million men at the front isn't worth much if they don't have guns and ammunition. Zelensky really, really screwed up.
You did an excellent job defining/describing the Jacksonian camp, which, as camps go is the one I'm closest to.
I would place them closer to your group three rather than the there is no Trump but Trump and Elon is his prophet group.
& yes in this ongoing war issue we're on opposite sides of the fence. I'm all for ending it now, right now.
Having said that I'd much rather read opinions such as yours and discuss the issue with you than preach back and forth to a chorus. One can by debating clarify opinions, thoughts, sometimes even change them. However just hanging with those singing from the same hymnal more often than not ossifies rather than clarifies.
Excellent essay!