Why the Long War?

One of my commenters wrote something interesting — which I answered. Then, I thought about it more and decided to add to my original reply .

I read Simplicius' each week and I notice comments saying: Why does Russia just not finish the whole war quickly?

Going slowly is very smart to me, mainly because the Russians are not expending a huge amount of energy and they have enough supplies + they are still learning. On top of this the US is getting low on weapons which I am sure is part of Russia's objective.

I have addressed this issue many times.

Early on in the SMO, I assumed— like most people— that the Russians would want to finish up quickly. I was right. And they did -- which led to Istanbul 1, which demonstrated clearly that the "war" was not with Ukraine or Zelensky—but with the US and NATO.

Yup. Istanbul1 was a lemon. So, Putin did what he always does with lemons— made lemonade.

He engaged then in a long war of attrition, not just of Ukrainian forces but of NATO capability. It progressed and by the winter of 2022, I was wondering why Russia just didn’t end the thing and get it over with. It could have, if it really wanted to.

I was wrong — again.

And so was almost everyone else.

A Long War benefits Russian society in many ways -- and diminishes the power of the Western Collective-- the US and NATO at the same time. Just smashing the Ukraine, as (say) the US did with Iraq, would not solve the problem which is the historic animosity held by Western countries toward Russia. This hatred is something that Hitler understood — which is why he irrationally thought that the West would congratulate him for invading Russia.

Putin knew from Istanbul 1 that whatever happened with Ukraine, the war would continue, if only in another form, with other proxies.

The Long War keeps the West on the path of failure.

But a war of this kind unifies the always fractious Russian people: it has a kind of "soft power", strengthening Russian culture and waking them from the American "dream", which was always that -- a dream, wish-fulfillment stuff. It stimulates Russian patriotism.

At the same time, the war permitted Putin to institute a still-ongoing program of cautious reforms in all areas inside the country while promoting the concept of a multipolar world outside.

There are many paradoxes.

Zelensky was always Putin's best friend -- a strategic idiot. Then we had Biden-- another idiot who ultimately helped Russia grow.

Finally, the biggest moron of all -- is our "friend", Trump, who is single-handedly destroying the US, leveraging the stupidity of his nany useful European idiots. He will be lucky if in the end if what is left of the US gets to join BRICS.

Putin is so fortunate to have the West populated by delusional people, who allow Think Tanks such as the Project for a New American Century, which advocates for American hegemony, to do their thinking for them.

“Think Tanks’? No “Stink Tanks”.

The war is not over—rather, it entering a new phase with Donbas almost liberated, as Larry Johnson writes in a recent article based on work by my friends at Southfront, for whom I also write.

Click on image to access video (My voice)

The entire East bank of the Dniepr is now dominated by Russian forces with the UAF on the back foot.

The Ukrainians continue terrorist attacks on Russia -- which allows Russia to respond quid pro quo with massive strikes on military centers throughout Western Ukrainian, with local Ukrainians now supplying targeting information for the much hated recruitment centers -- a welcome sign of dissent! This, despite the desperation of neo-nazi ultra nationalists, taking overt control of the government, fearing an agreement that would surrender them to justice.

Creating a new society takes time. And that is what Russia is doing in Ukraine.

Creating a new political ethos takes even longer.

And creating a new world?

Is the SMO a symptom of disease - or growing pains?

Doggies

These are dogs —Racoon Dog puppies.

Japanese raccoon dogs (tanuki) have had a significant role in Japanese folklore since ancient times. They are reputedly mischievous and jolly, masters of disguise and shapeshifting, but somewhat gullible and absent-minded. The animals are common in Japanese art, (Wikipedia)

No, you wouldn’t want one as pet! They have a VERY strong smell.

Chappy and Ichi recommend humans as pets. Me, for example, despite what they feel is a strong smell and a difficulty in learning simple commands.

Once again, thank all of those who buy me coffees. As I work through replying to every “buy” and the messages, I am inspired.

Click here to support Chappy and Ichi and their ongoing project in rescuing me from myself.