The news has slim pickings for a writer….so why not return to a reliable source of news for comment?
Meanwhile back in Ukraine the counteroffensive is not going well or even up to snuff…..and because of this situation the excuses have begun to try and keep semi-literate Americans in support.
After all the cash and equipment that has been thrown at Ukraine there has got to be a reason that they are not making better progress with their counteroffensive.
Cue the excuses…..
20Aug23
The New York Times reported on Friday that US officials “fear” Ukraine has become “casualty averse” as Ukrainian commanders have not been pushing as hard against Russia’s defenses as the US would like due to a high cost in Ukrainian lives.
The report reads: “American officials say they fear that Ukraine has become casualty averse, one reason it has been cautious about pressing ahead with the counteroffensive. Almost any big push against dug-in Russian defenders protected by minefields would result in huge numbers of losses.”
22Aug23
US and Western officials speaking to The New York Times blamed Ukraine’s struggling counteroffensive on Kyiv’s tactics, saying Ukrainian troops are too spread out.
US officials said that Ukraine’s primary goal is to sever Russia’s land bridge to Crimea but that Ukraine has placed its troops and firepower equally along the entire front, in the south and the east.
The report, published on Tuesday, is the latest example of the West trying to pin the blame for Ukraine’s failures solely on Kyiv, even though it was clear that the US and NATO did not believe Ukraine would have much success but pushed for the counteroffensive anyway. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Western officials did not think Ukraine had enough training or equipment for the assault but hoped they would be able to break through.
The Times report said that as a result of Ukraine’s tactics, there are more Ukrainian troops near Bakhmut and other eastern cities than in the south near Melitopol and Zaporizhzhia. The report said the US had advised Ukraine to focus on pushing toward Melitopol.
(antiwar.com)
The US has also been pushing Ukraine to go harder in its counteroffensive despite Russia’s vast minefields and high Ukrainian casualty rate. The Times reported this past Friday that US officials “fear” Ukraine has become “casualty averse.”
That sounds like the US will continue the fight until the last Ukrainian is dead.
Right on cue the White House had to put a positive spend on the failing counteroffensive…..
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan claims that the war in Ukraine has not reached a stalemate and Kiev’s forces were methodically capturing territory. The statement comes as other American officials say the Ukrainian offensive is struggling and Kiev should have negotiated with Moscow last year.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Sullivan told reporters, “There is attacking and defending taking place on both sides at multiple points along a very extended front line of trace,” he said. Ukraine is taking territory on a “methodical, systematic basis…We do not assess that the conflict is a stalemate.”
I am sure there will be more excuses on the horizon….and more death and destruction…..
But first explain this to me…..
A recent journalistic report revealed that the Ukrainian president bought a luxury villa in Egypt in the region of El Gouna, also known as the “city of millionaires”. More than that, evidence indicates that Zelensky used Western money for the purchase, spending in personal luxury a significant part of the amounts he receives from NATO countries.
The data were published by Egyptian investigative journalist Mohammed-Al-Alawi. After in-depth research involving sources familiar with the topic, Mohammed discovered that the Zelensky family acquired a luxury property in Egypt valued at around five million dollars. The place is located in the coastal zone of Egypt, next to the Red Sea, an area famous for having many opulent properties. Not by chance, El Gouna is home to many millionaires interested in having a comfortable place to stay during their non-working time. For example, it is said that next to Zelensky’s villa there is an “estate that belongs to the world-famous Hollywood actress and public figure Angelina Jolie”.
The Egyptian journalist published the documents that prove the purchase of the villa, its price and the contracting parties. Zelensky bought the property through his mother-in-law, Olga Kiyashko, who signed a contract with the Egyptian sellers on May 16, 2023. Analysts who have commented on the case say that the source of the money appears to be none other than the Western financial aid packages that arrive in Kiev, considering the high price of the villa.
If this report is accurate where did the cash come from to buy this estate? Did the West subsidize his ‘retreat’ from the war?
Speaking of case….Z Man has proved that democracy is for sale…..
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that Ukrainian elections could happen in wartime if Kyiv receives funding from its Western backers and Ukraine’s legislators are willing to hold a vote.
Zelensky previously said elections can’t happen because they’re forbidden by Ukraine’s constitution during martial law, which was recently extended until November 15. Ukraine’s next parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 2023, and the next presidential election is due to be held in March 2024.
Martial law is expected to be extended into 2024 as there’s no sign the war will end anytime soon. Ukraine’s martial law prohibits men ages 18-60 from leaving the country. In March 2022, Zelensky used his martial law powers to ban 11 opposition parties and nationalize TV media.
Zelensky made the comments on Sunday in response to calls from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) for Ukraine to hold elections in 2024. The Ukrainian leader acknowledged that his country could lose some Western support for not holding elections as the war is being sold as a battle to uphold democracy.
(antiwar.com)
What else does this guy want from the US we have done everything for hi8m exce[t wipe his ass.
Is this what our economic aid is going for?
I Read, I Write, You Know
“lego ergo scribo”
Not at all surprised that Zelensky has bought a house in Egypt using money donated by the western allies. It is almost certainly his ‘escape plan’. But we keep giving, hoping to keep the Russians occupied with the proxy war.
Last week in Odessa, there were so many Ukrainian holidaymakers on the beaches that people could not find a place to sit. How is it they are going on family holidays in a ‘war zone’?
The BBC website is quoting Ukrainian casualty figures today, 70,000 dead and as many as 120,000 injured. This is the full article.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66581217
Best wishes, Pete.
It is time for the masses to call ‘enough’! chuq
I do d it interesting how certain camps of casual observers have invented artificial timetables and metrics for success. This line of commentary would have been entertaining to read during WWII.
Maybe with more info us casual observers would be better at this than the so-called pros that depend mostly on misinformation. chuq
What are “so-called pros”? And what it the “misinformation” that they’re depending on? You’ve leveled the charge, so you should be able to answer that.
Additionally, there are plenty of first and second hand sources available who are conducting geo-located, open source research as well as analysis of Russian media and Telegram channels. Relying on any mainstream media outlet for authoritative information, no matter how much you might agree with their narrative, isn’t worth the time.
So-called pros are those that mislead the public on this situation…you know what I mean for we have been over it before.
I agree I do not often use MSM sources but my sources do not meet with approval by some….simply because I do not cheer lead the Ukrainian thing….most everything we get from “experts’ is BS for moist are indirectly or directly employed by the defense industry. chuq
And the “unnamed sources” that you cite aren’t “bs”?
There’s “cheerleading” for Ukraine……and there’s “cheerleading” for Russia.
If defense experts are shoveling bullshit in your eyes, who do you trust? Because from my vantage point, you only seem to give credence to sources that oppose Ukraine fighting for their sovereignty.
UA forces are this moment knocking on occupied Melitopol’s door. I’m curious as to what your metric for success or failure is…..and why.
The4n you have not been paying attention….I am against the massive amounts of US cash and weapons when if there3 is a threat it is to West Europe they should be more heavily involved….yes I know they are spending as well but that does not change the fact that US taxpayer dollars is not doing anything but fueling war. I am not siding with Russia because I oppose this conflict….that thinking is some of the BS I am talking about. chuq
Oh, I’ve paid close attention to every post you’ve written about Ukraine….especially when you’ve bent over backwards to promote Russian propaganda and call Ukraine’s efforts failures. To each their own…..I just find your approach……interesting, especially when you’re fairly measured in other subjects.
Oh I do not promote either side….only if you read it that way then you are mistaken….I point out things that you do not like so that makes me a propagandist for Russia….as you say to each their own. chuq
What I like or don’t doesn’t factor in. What’s factually correct or not……does. But some you’ve posted the Russian approved narrative. We can expect the UKR one at some point?
So if it does not fit with the support then it is propaganda, right? chuq
No…..propaganda is lies and distortions. It has nothing to do with someone’s desired outcome.
And we get the whole truth? Cannot agree with that. chuq
That depends entirely on where you’re getting information from. Usually, no……you’re not going to discern the unadulterated truth. But one can get close if they put the effort in.
As you point out….we have opposing points of view. I am against our involvement in this conflict and I will remain in opposition no amount of deflection will change that…..chuq
Sure. No one who has seen war, prays for war. But when a hostile state initiates an unprovoked war of aggression and occupation, even proponents of peace owe it to the victimized party, to portray the issue fairly, no? Because unless I’m mistaken, your approach to writing is not merely opinion driven, but seeks to inform. Right?
Invaded countries have a right to fight back….my problem is the US has not been invaded we just intervene….I do try to inform…..out of curiosity which articles are Russian propaganda? chuq
I’m not going to go back and search the date of the post, but you can start with where you posted that the US orchestrated the coup in Kiev.
I get that you have a axes to grind, but the US has not pulled the puppet strings in every popular overthrow of foreign controlled regimes. (You and I are clearly sympatico on issues like Iraq)
I’m happy to provide some sources on the state of affairs on the front line in Ukraine that jive pretty closely with what I see in my professional life, if they are of interest to you.
I sum…..you’re a smart guy, and I feel the passion you have for history, current affairs and the evils that man forces upon fellow man, and I admire it. I don’t mean this in some sort of trolling spirit. It’s because I admire your intentions, that I want to present a view that is an alternative to yours.
That may have been a reference of an article…..I mean it is a feasible scenario we have done such in the past…..I do not believe that we are as innocent as some want to think. chuq
This is why I find your approach to this topic (or other similar). You routinely discount any analysis by those affiliated with defense and military affairs. Skepticism is warranted, but wholesale dismissal not based on factual rebuttal……is exactly what you’re claiming to deride.
There is enough pro wear sentiment and I offer up an opposing view…..whether you think it is propaganda is your choice…..I stick to my beliefs. chuq
Ok. It’s apparent that my point isn’t getting through to you. Cheers.
Do you understand that my position isn’t “pro-war”? Supporting a people fighting back against an invading force…..isn’t “pro-war”.
I can understand but not to the point that we pay for it….you understand that is my objection. chuq
I understand the objection to funding cash to Ukraine. What I don’t understand is the lack of delineating said funding. Much of that “funding” is actually material transfer of obsolete and extraneous export versions of that normally costs US taxpayer dollars to demil (like our Stinger transfers). The cost of support to Ukraine to you and I is far lower than you or others want to report. I realize that the media outlets don’t get into that level of detail…..but that’s where the devil is, no?
My problem is the West making up budgetary shortfalls, and financing elections, etc. The weapon things is still costing us money or why is in the budget requests. chuq
The topic is too big for me to tackle.
Topic has lost some of its glitter these days. chuq