Great article! I knew from other sources that the Ukranians were making remarkable inroads into tech and warfare beyond even what some weapons were originally designed for. I long for the day when they can share what they've created, and get the accolades and respect they deserve. Please tell your Ukaranian friends how many of us are donating every cent we can spare. My Dad and his family were from Ukraine, and their hatred of russia and communism was very real.
A minor quibble. I wouldn't call the American white nationalist / far right cowards. I don't feel that's accurate and it's letting them off the hook way too easy. I think their obstructionism is borne more from hatred, anger and a desire to dominate. Nothing admirable about cowardice but those latter traits are far more morally reprehensible.
Side note. I can't believe I bought JD Vance's book when it came out. I feel like it's one of those acts that's never going to stop popping up in my head with a burst of shame.
Just to be clear, I think the majority of the Republican Party — the 90% who previously voted for Ukraine aid with enthusiasm — are cowards. The 10%, as I wrote earlier this week, at least had the courage to announce their positions, instead of offering half-baked ass-covering statements.
NATO has spent billions on war exercises and planning over the last 70 years that the Ukraine War is teaching daily. The 2 % GDP spending figure is becoming questionable when you consider drones , cyber war etc. Eg cost of shells. I read recently that NATO countries have only committed 5% of their military capacity. True?
Eh, I take a bit of a different view. 2% is both an arbitrary and outdated number, and a fine peacetime number. Procurement has gotten more expensive, and there's a land war in Europe. I think it was a vaguely unserious number five years ago, but that it now needs to be a very real objective.
What's more, low-cost high-volume weapon also require high-cost high-volume weapons to defend against them, right? I was just touring electronic warfare companies that are trying to figure out how to jam/spoof these cheap drones, and it ain't easy!
So the 5% figure (I think it might be 6% now) is a measure of how much of their existing kit NATO countries have sent. And, yes, it's that low. (It might have eked up a bit. I think the stat is from January.) Some countries, like Czechia, are around 50%. But more are <10%. It's embarrassing.
This is a pretty small point but am I wrong in thinking that J.D. Vance wears eyeliner? Not that there's anything wrong with that. What IS wrong is how people like him toss their principles in a flash for the chance at power in the service of the orange Antichrist. Elise Stefanik comes to mind, too.
I noticed it a while ago and I wasn't sure if it was because of an overactive makeup person on a TV interview but it seems to be an everyday thing for him. It's odd and no one has ever mentioned it.
Please take care. I read there were serious attacks in Kyiv today.
Great article! I knew from other sources that the Ukranians were making remarkable inroads into tech and warfare beyond even what some weapons were originally designed for. I long for the day when they can share what they've created, and get the accolades and respect they deserve. Please tell your Ukaranian friends how many of us are donating every cent we can spare. My Dad and his family were from Ukraine, and their hatred of russia and communism was very real.
Great article! Thank you!
A minor quibble. I wouldn't call the American white nationalist / far right cowards. I don't feel that's accurate and it's letting them off the hook way too easy. I think their obstructionism is borne more from hatred, anger and a desire to dominate. Nothing admirable about cowardice but those latter traits are far more morally reprehensible.
Side note. I can't believe I bought JD Vance's book when it came out. I feel like it's one of those acts that's never going to stop popping up in my head with a burst of shame.
Just to be clear, I think the majority of the Republican Party — the 90% who previously voted for Ukraine aid with enthusiasm — are cowards. The 10%, as I wrote earlier this week, at least had the courage to announce their positions, instead of offering half-baked ass-covering statements.
NATO has spent billions on war exercises and planning over the last 70 years that the Ukraine War is teaching daily. The 2 % GDP spending figure is becoming questionable when you consider drones , cyber war etc. Eg cost of shells. I read recently that NATO countries have only committed 5% of their military capacity. True?
Eh, I take a bit of a different view. 2% is both an arbitrary and outdated number, and a fine peacetime number. Procurement has gotten more expensive, and there's a land war in Europe. I think it was a vaguely unserious number five years ago, but that it now needs to be a very real objective.
What's more, low-cost high-volume weapon also require high-cost high-volume weapons to defend against them, right? I was just touring electronic warfare companies that are trying to figure out how to jam/spoof these cheap drones, and it ain't easy!
So the 5% figure (I think it might be 6% now) is a measure of how much of their existing kit NATO countries have sent. And, yes, it's that low. (It might have eked up a bit. I think the stat is from January.) Some countries, like Czechia, are around 50%. But more are <10%. It's embarrassing.
This is a pretty small point but am I wrong in thinking that J.D. Vance wears eyeliner? Not that there's anything wrong with that. What IS wrong is how people like him toss their principles in a flash for the chance at power in the service of the orange Antichrist. Elise Stefanik comes to mind, too.
Well I hadn't noticed this but now I can't un-see it.
I noticed it a while ago and I wasn't sure if it was because of an overactive makeup person on a TV interview but it seems to be an everyday thing for him. It's odd and no one has ever mentioned it.