https://www.yahoo.com/news/ukraines-mili...01230.html
This sums up Ukraine's problematic situation. Unlike Germany in 1943, Ukraine does have some hope that it can develop the necessary elements to execute maneuver warfare. Obviously that is true if and only if Ukraine receives the necessary equipment and training from NATO, primarily the US. The F-16 pilot training appears to be running mostly "by the book". August is a long time from now. It appears no allowance has been made for the fact Ukraine is at war. No corners are being cut. That may be good and necessary, but I bet the Ukrainian pilots are pissed.
I would also add the in the 1970s the NATO plan to operate on the defensive and trade space for time was not at all popular with the Bundeswehr. They had two sets of plans, the NATO plan that they paid lip service to and the plan they actually intended to execute. It wasn't exactly an "open" secret, but plenty of US people knew about it. As it turns out when the cold war ended we found out Russia wasn't going to attack out of Czechoslovakia because they didn't trust the Czech military at all. The German plan would have probably worked. The concern was the German right flank on the shoulder of the Fulda Gap. It was going to be thinly screened by mountain troops. That was a big gamble that apparently would have worked. I wonder if the BND knew that and just kept it quiet :-).
Different subject:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/biden-blames-...57453.html
IMO all these statements to reporters are fine. However, it is not nearly enough. Probably 2/3 of the population doesn't read/listen to these reporters anyway. This aid package is, IMO, a "big deal". The president (or his designee if that is deemed advisable) should request airtime from the networks to make a statement on Ukraine aid. Yes, I know most people watch cable or the equivalent, but the clear action of showing the message is important might just get the public to pay attention. It will get universal press coverage. Public support for Ukraine aid just might worry congress enough to get them to act. It may not work, but what is being done now in terms of raising public consciousness of the issue clearly isn't creating any "buzz".
This sums up Ukraine's problematic situation. Unlike Germany in 1943, Ukraine does have some hope that it can develop the necessary elements to execute maneuver warfare. Obviously that is true if and only if Ukraine receives the necessary equipment and training from NATO, primarily the US. The F-16 pilot training appears to be running mostly "by the book". August is a long time from now. It appears no allowance has been made for the fact Ukraine is at war. No corners are being cut. That may be good and necessary, but I bet the Ukrainian pilots are pissed.
I would also add the in the 1970s the NATO plan to operate on the defensive and trade space for time was not at all popular with the Bundeswehr. They had two sets of plans, the NATO plan that they paid lip service to and the plan they actually intended to execute. It wasn't exactly an "open" secret, but plenty of US people knew about it. As it turns out when the cold war ended we found out Russia wasn't going to attack out of Czechoslovakia because they didn't trust the Czech military at all. The German plan would have probably worked. The concern was the German right flank on the shoulder of the Fulda Gap. It was going to be thinly screened by mountain troops. That was a big gamble that apparently would have worked. I wonder if the BND knew that and just kept it quiet :-).
Different subject:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/biden-blames-...57453.html
IMO all these statements to reporters are fine. However, it is not nearly enough. Probably 2/3 of the population doesn't read/listen to these reporters anyway. This aid package is, IMO, a "big deal". The president (or his designee if that is deemed advisable) should request airtime from the networks to make a statement on Ukraine aid. Yes, I know most people watch cable or the equivalent, but the clear action of showing the message is important might just get the public to pay attention. It will get universal press coverage. Public support for Ukraine aid just might worry congress enough to get them to act. It may not work, but what is being done now in terms of raising public consciousness of the issue clearly isn't creating any "buzz".