[OutsiderFan]

Looks like my wish is a little more likely to come true today. That is NATO getting directly involved in the conflict to chase Russia out of Ukraine, now that the 101st Airborne is deployed in Romania and "ready to go into Ukraine at a moment's notice."

https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/L5TiO8Fo...jXflAnO_G/

Of course, this is mostly a deterrent force to discourage Russia from doing more shit to Ukraine that pisses off the civilized world. Still, the force is useless unless used when lines drawn are crossed.  The fact SecDef Lloyd Austin spoke to his Russian counterpart yesterday, with 4,700 deployed 101st Airborne forces able to see Russian held territory with their own eyes, certainly gave him a strong hand to play.

As I have said multiple times, Putin only respects force. Unless you are willing to use yours, he thinks he can run roughshod over you. It now is clear the Austin phone call was planned before the deployment, which is really smart. When our military takes a ready, aim, fire approach like this, rather than the ready, fire, aim approach used by less competent managers (I refuse to call Putin a leader), it gives me confidence in our military leadership.

I read or heard somewhere that NATO is potentially re-thinking its refusal to directly intervene in Ukraine, if Russia does keep pushing the envelope on unacceptable behavior. Perhaps this is because it knows the Russian economy is teetering on the brink of collapse, and a little push from NATO could lead to full Russian collapse. One can dream, can't one?

[OutsiderFan]

Looks like my wish is a little more likely to come true today. That is NATO getting directly involved in the conflict to chase Russia out of Ukraine, now that the 101st Airborne is deployed in Romania and "ready to go into Ukraine at a moment's notice."

https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/L5TiO8Fo...jXflAnO_G/

Of course, this is mostly a deterrent force to discourage Russia from doing more shit to Ukraine that pisses off the civilized world. Still, the force is useless unless used when lines drawn are crossed.  The fact SecDef Lloyd Austin spoke to his Russian counterpart yesterday, with 4,700 deployed 101st Airborne forces able to see Russian held territory with their own eyes, certainly gave him a strong hand to play.

As I have said multiple times, Putin only respects force. Unless you are willing to use yours, he thinks he can run roughshod over you. It now is clear the Austin phone call was planned before the deployment, which is really smart. When our military takes a ready, aim, fire approach like this, rather than the ready, fire, aim approach used by less competent managers (I refuse to call Putin a leader), it gives me confidence in our military leadership.

I read or heard somewhere that NATO is potentially re-thinking its refusal to directly intervene in Ukraine, if Russia does keep pushing the envelope on unacceptable behavior. Perhaps this is because it knows the Russian economy is teetering on the brink of collapse, and a little push from NATO could lead to full Russian collapse. One can dream, can't one?