I think the Ukraine game was in hand, but now is over
by Brahms (2024-02-27 14:20:03)

In reply to: Not sure Biden is to blame for the result in Ukraine  posted by ACross

Cannot Reply Return to Political


In no particular order:

- Russia dug in while the West dithered (Ukraine, not so much).

- the West no longer seems to have a theory of victory in Ukraine.

- Trump has proved remarkably adept at shutting down support for Ukraine.

- if Europe is to step up munitions production to (partially) fill the US gap, they will not be able to come close to the production Russia is bringing online in any reasonable sort of timeframe. Finland (or whomever) recently doubled their production schedule -- Russia went 24/7 months ago.

- Vlad has solved a lot of his conscription problem in the near term (and wide swaths of his populace shows now signs of rejecting the premise that Russia is under attack).

- the drone advantage Ukraine had is gone, and in the longer term was no match for artillery or manpower.

- the conscription debate in Ukraine is worrying; and I can't imagine many young Ukrainian lads wanting to sign up to fight with no weapons / aircover / ammunition, etc.

- the sanctions kind of worked, but only kind of.

- Vlad readily drew upon a more or less aligned axis of evil, the axis of more or less decent regimes and good guys (West) can't figure out what the hell it wants to do and will wring its hands all the more when the next Russian-backed conflagration appears.


Someone needs to tell Obama that the 1980's called, and indeed have brought their foreign policy back.


You may want to avoid predictions based on your internet
by ACross  (2024-02-27 15:42:59)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Cannot reply

research expertise.
The sanctions failed. (link)
by EricCartman  (2024-02-27 15:07:59)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Cannot reply

The Economist ran the same story (no paywall): (link)
by EricCartman  (2024-02-28 09:15:24)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Cannot reply

I’ll buy that argument if Cross does
by Brahms  (2024-02-27 15:49:49)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Cannot reply

Seeing as it comes from the internet.

It actually comes from a paywalled site *
by ACross  (2024-02-27 16:09:02)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Cannot reply

It's the WSJ. Pony up and subscribe. *
by EricCartman  (2024-02-27 16:18:09)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Cannot reply

For its high quality editorial page? *
by ACross  (2024-02-27 17:02:49)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Cannot reply

oh good Lord,
by crazychester  (2024-02-27 21:26:39)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Cannot reply

if the WSJ is deemed an unreliable news organization because of its editorial bent, what's left ?
It's a PBR meme at this point.
by EricCartman  (2024-02-28 10:26:40)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Cannot reply

Apparently Cross, who doesn't have a subscription to the WSJ because it costs $12 a month, is well informed on the tone and narrative expressed by the WSJ's op-ed page.

Strangely enough, no one here ever complains about the op-ed section of any other paper. It is only the WSJ that gets criticized.
So true.
by BeijingIrish  (2024-02-28 12:19:55)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Cannot reply

I treat it as a game. Quote the editorial page the WSJ and see how many posters come forward with the ridiculous "...the WSK editorial pages suck". Or, the reliable "it used to be good, but now it sucks."

Nicely played. *
by Brahms  (2024-02-27 16:15:04)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Cannot reply