[GK3]

This discussion is a little over my head but it raises an important point. The US clearly has limited troops. For that reason, and many others, the US does not want a direct conflict with Russia. In Ukraine right now, the US has an opportunity to equip a foreign military force that highly motivated to fight Russian troops. And it’s already been shown that this conflict, absent some significant escalation, is not going to lead to a direct war between Russia and the US. My conclusion is that we’re certifiably insane if we don’t fund and equip Ukraine’s military to the best of our ability.

Exactly so. We have a proxy force that has already provided over 31K souls (at a minimum) in the fight against Russia. They will fight. If they can take Crimea, Russia is going to be forced to decide whether they want a "total war" (which Putin probably can't politically survive) or to give up. That is the desired outcome. We need to spend the money to facilitate it. Not doing so is insane.

Reading all that is depressing.  One armored division?? Really?  If our adversaries decide to play hardball and work together, we will sink or swim on airpower and sea power and the threat of nuclear retaliation. It almost feels what it must have been like in the 1930's and the Isolationist movement. Back then we might well have survived by sitting on our little island surrounded by ocean and letting the rest of the world go to hell in a handbasket.  I don't think that has a prayer of working in today. A country has to have a Will to find a Way.  I am not sure we have that Will. It may take a Russian advance into Western Europe to create that Will.  Unfortunately, you don't instantly create well trained combat forces out of thin air.  Fortunately, we probably do have a few National Guard units who can fight, after that, not so much. If I was a NATO country I would start getting a little worried.  I need a drink.

[GK3]

This discussion is a little over my head but it raises an important point. The US clearly has limited troops. For that reason, and many others, the US does not want a direct conflict with Russia. In Ukraine right now, the US has an opportunity to equip a foreign military force that highly motivated to fight Russian troops. And it’s already been shown that this conflict, absent some significant escalation, is not going to lead to a direct war between Russia and the US. My conclusion is that we’re certifiably insane if we don’t fund and equip Ukraine’s military to the best of our ability.

Exactly so. We have a proxy force that has already provided over 31K souls (at a minimum) in the fight against Russia. They will fight. If they can take Crimea, Russia is going to be forced to decide whether they want a "total war" (which Putin probably can't politically survive) or to give up. That is the desired outcome. We need to spend the money to facilitate it. Not doing so is insane.

Reading all that is depressing.  One armored division?? Really?  If our adversaries decide to play hardball and work together, we will sink or swim on airpower and sea power and the threat of nuclear retaliation. It almost feels what it must have been like in the 1930's and the Isolationist movement. Back then we might well have survived by sitting on our little island surrounded by ocean and letting the rest of the world go to hell in a handbasket.  I don't think that has a prayer of working in today. A country has to have a Will to find a Way.  I am not sure we have that Will. It may take a Russian advance into Western Europe to create that Will.  Unfortunately, you don't instantly create well trained combat forces out of thin air.  Fortunately, we probably do have a few National Guard units who can fight, after that, not so much. If I was a NATO country I would start getting a little worried.  I need a drink.