01-12-2023, 07:51 AM
(01-12-2023, 03:24 AM)AlbanyCardinal Wrote: On a somewhat related note, perhaps, before Putin's invasion I wasn't sure we'd ever see a ground war between two nations like this again. Humanity is full of surprises.
You and the vast majority of the "experts" didn't expect to see a war like this again either. There are a whole lot of things about this war that make no sense, and most nations prepare for what they think are "reasonable" threats, not crazy ones. Still, one only has to count the troops in the PLA to conclude such a war is very possible. Just not one on the border of "Europe". In a way, it goes back to the tension of preparing against another nation's intent and and that same nation's capability. The US has swung between these two regarding Russia for about the last 25 years or so, mostly falling on the "intent" side. Bad choice, as it usually is. Determining another nations capability is difficult at best. Determining it's intent, especially if it is run by a dictator, is impossible.