The Briefing Room
General Category => Politics/Government => Topic started by: mystery-ak on January 25, 2023, 06:42:18 pm
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$400M U.S. Aid Package: Biden Announces 31 Abrams Main Battle Tanks for Ukraine
Kristina Wong 25 Jan 2023
President Joe Biden announced Wednesday afternoon he has approved sending 31 Abrams M1 main battle tanks to Ukraine, in an escalation of U.S. support for the war as it nears the one-year mark.
“With spring approaching, Ukrainian forces are working to defend the territory they hold and preparing for additional counter offenses to liberate their land. They need to be able to counter Russia’s evolving tactics and strategy on the battlefield in the very near term. They need to improve their ability to maneuver and open terrain, and they need an enduring capability to deter and defend against Russian aggression over the long term,” Biden said.
“Today, I’m announcing that the United States will be sending 31 Abram tanks to Ukraine, the equivalent of one Ukrainian battalion,” he said.
Biden did not mention the costs, but shortly after his remarks, the Department of Defense announced a package of $400 million under its Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).
more
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2023/01/25/400m-u-s-aid-package-biden-announces-31-abrams-main-battle-tanks-for-ukraine/
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This is probably to light a fire under Germany's ass.
If Germany won't provide Ukraine German tanks, America will provide American tanks, with the benefits going to American defense contractors.
You snooze, you lose, Germany.
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I guess they finally got enough money laundered into Rat campaign coffers that they can finally switch to weapons.
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Despite concerns, US to send 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine
AOL, Jan 25, 2023, Associated Press
Just last week, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl told reporters that the Abrams is a complicated, expensive, difficult to maintain and hard to train on piece of equipment. One thing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been very focused on, he said, “is that we should not be providing the Ukrainians systems they can’t repair, they can’t sustain, and that they, over the long term, can’t afford, because it’s not helpful.”
For the Abrams to be effective in Ukraine, its forces will require extensive training on combined arms manuevuer — how the tanks operate together on the battlefield, and on how to maintain and support the complex, 70-ton weapon. The Abrams tanks use a turbine jet engine to propel themselves that burns through at least two gallons a mile regardless of whether they are moving or idling, which means that a network of fuel trucks is needed to keep the line moving.
The $400 million package announced Wednesday also includes eight M88 recovery vehicles — tank-like tracked vehicles that can tow the Abrams if it gets stuck.
But there were few answers about what U.S. tanks would be sent — whether they would be pulled from the existing stockpile of more than 4,000 Abrams and retrofitted, or whether the U.S. would use the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative to buy new systems to possibly backfill allies who send their own or buy new systems outright for Ukraine.
Either way, using the assistance initiative funding route means that while Abrams have now been promised to Ukraine, it will likely be many months before the tanks are actually on the battlefield, and not in time for Russia's anticipated Spring offensive.
Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergey Nechayev on Wednesday called Berlin’s decision to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine “extremely dangerous.”
https://www.aol.com/news/despite-concerns-us-to-send-31-abrams-tanks-to-ukraine-174708218.html
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Ukraine will now push for F-16 fighter jets, government adviser says
MSN, Jan 25, 2023, The Hill
Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraine’s defense secretary, told The Hill that he was optimistic about receiving western fighter jets such as the American F-16s, which Ukrainians have sought since early last year when Russia first invaded.
“Every type of weapon we request, we needed yesterday,” Sak said. “We will do everything possible to ensure Ukraine gets fourth-generation fighter jets as soon as possible.”
Reuters first reported the news that Ukraine was setting its sights on fighter jets.
Ukraine scored a major win on Wednesday with the announcement from President Biden that the U.S. will donate 31 American-made M1 Abrams main battle tanks to Kyiv.
Western fighter jets and longer-range artillery units, which would allow Ukraine to strike Russian forces deeper in occupied territory, will likely be the next debate for NATO.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/ukraine-will-now-push-for-f-16-fighter-jets-government-adviser-says/ar-AA16K9pT
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Biden: "I shipped air defense systems all to help counter Ukraine's brutal aggression that's happening because of Russia.". (Video)
https://mobile.twitter.com/greg_price11/status/1618296311480188928
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Since Ukraine is getting well armed with our military equipment hopefully they will defend the US when we get attacked...
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Zelensky begs the West for jets and long-range missiles to fend off Putin's forces: Ukrainian President piles pressure on NATO allies after Germany and the US finally joined Britain in sending Kyiv tanks in bid to defend freedom
'We must open deliveries of long range missiles to Ukraine,' Zelensky declared
He also called on NATO countries to send jets to beef up Ukraine's air superiority
The Ukrainian president thanked Germany and US for sending battalions of tanks
By David Averre
Published: 15:24 EST, 25 January 2023 | Updated: 17:56 EST, 25 January 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today declared he wanted NATO allies to send long-range missiles and jets to his war-torn country to help repel Russian troops, as the West finally united in a bid to defeat Vladimir Putin in a global fight for 'freedom'.
In a nighttime address, Zelensky said: 'I've spoken with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg today... We must also open deliveries of long-range missiles to Ukraine, it is important - we must expand our cooperation in artillery. This is a dream. And this is a task.'
In a devastating blow to the Kremlin, nine countries joined Britain in agreeing to send tanks to destroy Russia's forces in eastern Ukraine. The coalition came together just 48 hours after Boris Johnson's rallying cry in the Daily Mail, imploring the UK's allies to end their dithering.
more
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11676851/Now-Zelensky-begs-West-JETS-long-range-missiles.html
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Since Ukraine is getting well armed with our military equipment hopefully they will defend the US when we get attacked...
I'm sure the Ukraine and Afghanistan will ride to the rescue./s
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Since Ukraine is getting well armed with our military equipment hopefully they will defend the US when we get attacked...
They've been treated like poor relations; given a song and dance, but received a lot less than promised.
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Likely junkers or decommissioned USMC tanks from the Army's Sierra boneyard.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Army_Depot
The depot and Anniston Army Depot will be the storage sites of the US Marine Corps' inventory of M1 Abrams tanks as well as other armored equipment as part of USMC Commandant Gen. David H. Berger's planning guidance "Force Design 2030".[4] The last tanks left for the depot from the U.S. Marine Corps' base at 29 Palms in California in July 2020.
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Since Ukraine is getting well armed with our military equipment hopefully they will defend the US when we get attacked...
The Ukrainians have actually stepped up for the U.S. before in Iraq.
Ukrainians complete mission in Iraq
https://www.army.mil/article/15056/ukrainians_complete_mission_in_iraq
CAMP ECHO, Iraq - The Ukrainian Army hosted an end of mission ceremony at Camp Echo in Central Iraq, Dec. 9.
More than 5,000 Ukrainian troops have served in Iraq during Ukraine's five years of service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"Enduring peace, stability and prosperity are common values to fight for in the modern world. Your mission in Iraq has been successfully completed," said Viktor Nedopas, Charge d'Affairs of the Ukrainian Embassy in Iraq.
The Ukrainians served as the third-largest Coalition forces contingent in Iraq, with about 1,700 soldiers from 2003-2005.
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Likely junkers or decommissioned USMC tanks from the Army's Sierra boneyard.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Army_Depot
I haven't heard anyone mention this...do you think that's where these tanks are coming from?
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Actual photo of the 31 Abrams entering Kyiv:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FnWCGlYWIDAF3CC?format=jpg&name=small)
https://twitter.com/johnhackerla/status/1618375257823514630
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:silly:
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Whats next, a few aircraft carriers, few battle ships, a few sr-72's, a star wars warfare satellite or two? A semi-load of American money or two? When does this madness finally end? Afghanistan just wasn't enough? Our socialist Communist pro-CZARS democrats seem to have utterly blinded our nation and working with their buddy Putin, leading us off the cliff to finally perish! All by an innocent ignorant madman corrupting our institutions/government and all so innocently-dementedly so.
:smokin: :smokin: :smokin:
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The Ukrainians have actually stepped up for the U.S. before in Iraq.
Ukrainians complete mission in Iraq
https://www.army.mil/article/15056/ukrainians_complete_mission_in_iraq
Exactly. They stood by us when a lot of other countries didn't. We should remember our friends.
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Likely junkers or decommissioned USMC tanks from the Army's Sierra boneyard.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Army_Depot
Yeah, the Marines have deactivated all their tank battalions, so they're just sitting there. My guess is that we'll end up sending more once they trained enough people on this initial 31.
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He's pushing us to a nuclear war...
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Exactly. They stood by us when a lot of other countries didn't. We should remember our friends.
:facepalm2:
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Michael Seifert
@realmichaelseif
Thirty-one tanks that the Ukrainians will struggle to use and maintain isn't going to turn the tide of the conflict. Our government would simply rather fund another endless war that makes a lot of people rich than try to make peace.
2:54 PM · Jan 25, 2023
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Kirby: "We need to prepare ourselves to have to continue to support Ukraine for quite some time.". (Vidéo)
https://mobile.twitter.com/greg_price11/status/1618325544592105472
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If $0.4 billion yields 31 M-1 tanks, then what did the $40 billion yield? 3100 tanks would have made a huge difference last summer. Yet so much money and nothing to show for it.
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He's pushing us to a nuclear war...
Glenn Greenwald
@ggreenwald
The bipartisan DC consensus in favor of Biden's war escalation in Ukraine blissfully marches on, as usual, despite graver warnings of escalation. The more escalation there is, the less debate.
The key question remains: how are the lives of Americans improved from this war?👇
System Update
@SystemUpdate
Yesterday, the #DoomsdayClock was set to its lowest point in history, largely due to mounting dangers in Ukraine.
Yet, we continue to escalate our involvement—without debate, dissent, or discussion—flirting carelessly with nuclear disaster ☢️
And for what?
2:03 PM · Jan 25, 2023
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Glenn Greenwald
@ggreenwald
The US spends 16 times more on its military than Russia. Russia's economy is smaller than Italy and Canada's.
The US has already committed more money to the war in Ukraine than *the entire Russia military budget for the year.*
What threat does Russia pose to the US?
2:09 PM · Jan 25, 2023
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Michael Tracey
@mtracey
Sorry, but Ukraine has effectively ceded whatever "sovereignty" it had to the US -- hence the nonstop pleading with the US to give them stuff. The US exercises ultimate decision-making power, not Ukraine, whose very existence as a state is now singularly dependent on US patronage
Mr. Green
@blackrockzig
They are defending their sovereignty. Russia escalated they war.
11:40 PM · Jan 25, 2023
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Michael Tracey
@mtracey
Congratulations on having this epiphany after almost a full year https://theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/25/tanks-ukraine-western-war-russia-volodymyr-zelenskiy
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FnVxmHFWYBEe8E8?format=jpg&name=small)
2:07 PM · Jan 25, 2023
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Michael Tracey
@mtracey
Can't help but perversely appreciate whatever historical wormhole we've fallen into where German tanks rolling across Europe for the first time since 1945 is seen as a big celebratory triumph
1:52 PM · Jan 25, 2023
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Sending tanks to Ukraine makes one thing clear: this is now a western war against Russia
Martin Kettle (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/25/tanks-ukraine-western-war-russia-volodymyr-zelenskiy)
What a load of crap! This is Russia's war. They initiated it. They are the aggressor. And they can end it any time they choose.
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Michael Tracey
@mtracey
Sorry, but Ukraine has effectively ceded whatever "sovereignty" it had to the US --
Even more crap. Did Iraq cede their sovereignty over to the US with the presence of over 100,000 US troops on Iraqi soil? Of course not. Yet we are to believe that to be the case in Ukraine with zero US troops on Ukrainian soil? Good grief, do people even make an attempt at thinking before posting such preposterous bullshit?
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US disarms itself to aid Ukraine
Washington Examiner, Jan 25, 2023, Byron York
U.S. DISARMS ITSELF TO AID UKRAINE. The United States has shipped massive amounts of military aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022. There has been bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for the aid, although some Republicans have questioned the price tag — $27.5 billion so far in military aid, or "security assistance" alone, which does not include tens of billions in financial, humanitarian, and other types of aid. Some GOP lawmakers have also expressed concern about the lack of safeguards in sending so much money to a notoriously corrupt country.
But there is another growing worry about the amount of U.S. military aid to Ukraine. The Biden administration is sending so many weapons to Ukraine that the U.S., already underprepared for a major war, is running low on munitions for its own defense. In effect, the U.S. is disarming itself to aid Ukraine. That would be troubling in any event but is especially so amid growing tensions with China over Taiwan.
The scope of the problem is detailed in a new report, "Empty Bins In A Wartime Environment," from the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Author Seth Jones writes that "the U.S. defense industrial base is not adequately prepared for the competitive security environment that now exists." Citing analysis of stockpiles and usage rates, plus several CSIS war games, Jones writes that supplies are so low that "the United States would likely run out of some munitions — such as long-range, precision-guided munitions — in less than one week in a Taiwan Strait conflict."
Jones writes that the U.S. has been underprepared for years. But the war in Ukraine is making the situation worse. The American effort in Ukraine has "depleted U.S. stocks of some types of weapons systems and munitions, such as Stinger surface-to-air missiles, 155 mm howitzers and ammunition, and Javelin anti-tank missile systems," Jones writes. "For example, the quantities of Javelins transferred to Ukraine through late August 2022 represented seven years of production [at 2022 rates]. ... The number of Stingers transferred to Ukraine is roughly equal to the total number built for all non-U.S. customers in the last 20 years. ... As of January 2023, the U.S. military has provided Ukraine with up to 1,074,000 rounds of 155 mm ammunition, significantly shrinking the availability of 155 mm rounds in storage. Because of the limited availability of 155 mm howitzers and ammunition, the U.S. military began sending 105 mm howitzers and ammunition instead."
"Since many of the weapons systems and munitions have come directly from U.S. inventories," Jones concludes, "U.S. assistance has depleted some stockpiles that could be used for training, future contingencies, or other operational needs."
More: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/us-disarms-itself-to-aid-ukraine
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Empty Bins in a Wartime Environment: The Challenge to the U.S. Defense Industrial Base
CSIS, Jan 23, 2023,. Seth G. Jones
https://www.csis.org/analysis/empty-bins-wartime-environment-challenge-us-defense-industrial-base
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Tanks for nothing increase Ukraine entanglement
Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jan 25, 2023, Editorial Board
If President Joe Biden has a coherent strategy for ending the Ukraine war, now would be an opportune time to deploy it.
On Wednesday, Mr. Biden announced that the U.S. will provide Ukraine with 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks. That’s the U.S.’ main battle tank, which our country has used for four decades. In tandem with Biden’s decision, Germany and other European allies will provide tanks. Politico reported that European countries will send enough for two tank battalions.
[...]
This is a significant shift in posture. Western officials have long provided Ukraine with defensive weapons, especially as the country showed incredible resolve in resisting the invasion. But they’ve been slower to provide offensive weapons, like modern tanks.
That reserve was an appropriate display of restraint given the situation. Russia’s inability to conquer Ukraine shows it’s no longer the dominant military power it once was. That’s worth celebrating. But Russia still has nuclear weapons and is run by a de facto dictator.
Sending tanks makes this look much more like a proxy war. How would Russia respond if Ukraine used those tanks for offensive operations inside Russia? That could have major ramifications for NATO, which has a pledge of collective defense. Providing tanks increases the possibility of regional or global conflict. These decisions aren’t straightforward, and this consideration is a real trade-off.
Further complicating the situation is Ukrainian corruption. This week, nine senior Ukrainian officials lost their positions amid scandals.
One official, who previously worked in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, is being investigated for embezzling millions of dollars in humanitarian aid. Not great.
What’s needed most aren’t tanks but an exit strategy. That probably will require allowing Russia to save face, even as it loses militarily. Perhaps that’s in the works, but Mr. Biden has provided precious little evidence of it so far.
https://www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-tanks-for-nothing-increase-ukraine-entanglement-2718614/
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(https://media.townhall.com/cdn/hodl/cartoons/afb012623dAPC-800x0.jpg)
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Jack Posobiec
@JackPosobiec
BREAKING: President Trump slams escalation in Ukraine - calls for war to end
No other world leader is calling for this
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FnZowYSXwAAK0tl?format=jpg&name=small)
8:06 AM · Jan 26, 2023
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Angelo Fazio
@TheLoFaz
How can so many stand for the planet, healthcare and humanity and at the same time advocate for WW3?
I get the “he started it” argument (I have a 6 year old), not grounds to fan the flames of mass destruction.
Pick one, either you want to save the world or destroy it.
9:39 AM · Jan 26, 2023
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Ukraine is a proxy war between Western Europe and Putin's USSR v2.0.
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Election Wizard
@ElectionWiz
BREAKING: Putin spokesman says tanks from West constitute “direct involvement” in the Ukrainian war.
10:09 AM · Jan 26, 2023
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Some might remember, after the anti-America, hate America, pro-terrorist democrats get their way, our enemies wil be heavily armed and us much disarmed, and then democrats wil be pro-war, expecting America weakened enough to lose such carefully prepared conflict. Sending our enemies truck loads of money AND ARMIES TO USE AGAINST US, THIS CAN ONLY END ONE WAY. Thank the useful fools and suckkas that brought this all on us. They don't like our freedoms, prosperities, or Constitution either. Notice how they worship America/American hating democrats who ally with terrorists. Lies, liars, deniers did this to us.
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“The idea that we’re going to send in offensive equipment and have planes and tanks and trains going in with American pilots and American crews — just understand, don’t kid yourself, no matter what y’all say, that’s called World War III...”
FLASHBACK: Biden Said Sending Tanks to Ukraine Would Start World War III
By Matt Margolis 9:48 AM on January 26, 2023
On Thursday, Germany and the United States agreed to provide advanced battle tanks to the Ukrainian military. As PJM’s Rick Moran noted, “this is a serious escalation in the war.” In fact, according to Joe Biden, it’s going to start World War III.
Last March, Biden chose not to send jets and tanks to Ukraine because doing so would be a dangerous escalation.
“The idea that we’re going to send in offensive equipment and have planes and tanks and trains going in with American pilots and American crews — just understand, don’t kid yourself, no matter what y’all say, that’s called World War III,” Biden said on March 11, 2022, while speaking at a gathering of House Democrats in Philadelphia. ...
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/matt-margolis/2023/01/26/flashback-biden-said-sending-tanks-to-ukraine-would-start-world-war-iii-n1665207
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Glenn Greenwald
@ggreenwald
The US spends 16 times more on its military than Russia. Russia's economy is smaller than Italy and Canada's.
The US has already committed more money to the war in Ukraine than *the entire Russia military budget for the year.*
What threat does Russia pose to the US?
2:09 PM · Jan 25, 2023
This whole UKE giveaway is dim-RINO factioned distraction event to mask the pending disaster here. Border-Inflation-Fentanyl crisis, etc
And the sad fact that even questioning sending money to Zelnskyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy makes you a "Russian Agent" is beyond disgust. And even a tactic some of our resident Briefers employ
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Isn't comrade CZAR Joe Biden so much better than that 'evil' Trump who really was making things better. Could a fool or damn fool tell the difference? You saw them in action here, now judge their results. Ignore the lies/liars excuses.
Look what you've done when you got YOUR WAY!
As many of you 'in our face' told us; Anything Biden does is better than anything Trump did or does. Well step up now and explain it NOW!
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If $0.4 billion yields 31 M-1 tanks, then what did the $40 billion yield? 3100 tanks would have made a huge difference last summer. Yet so much money and nothing to show for it.
Great point!
Also, I don't know what M-1 tanks we can send. The armor is highly classified and we don't even sell them to some of our closer allies because of it.
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Tanks for nothing increase Ukraine entanglement
Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jan 25, 2023, Editorial Board
If President Joe Biden has a coherent strategy for ending the Ukraine war, now would be an opportune time to deploy it.
On Wednesday, Mr. Biden announced that the U.S. will provide Ukraine with 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks. That’s the U.S.’ main battle tank, which our country has used for four decades. In tandem with Biden’s decision, Germany and other European allies will provide tanks. Politico reported that European countries will send enough for two tank battalions.
[...]
This is a significant shift in posture. Western officials have long provided Ukraine with defensive weapons, especially as the country showed incredible resolve in resisting the invasion. But they’ve been slower to provide offensive weapons, like modern tanks.
That reserve was an appropriate display of restraint given the situation. Russia’s inability to conquer Ukraine shows it’s no longer the dominant military power it once was. That’s worth celebrating. But Russia still has nuclear weapons and is run by a de facto dictator.
Sending tanks makes this look much more like a proxy war. How would Russia respond if Ukraine used those tanks for offensive operations inside Russia? That could have major ramifications for NATO, which has a pledge of collective defense. Providing tanks increases the possibility of regional or global conflict. These decisions aren’t straightforward, and this consideration is a real trade-off.
Further complicating the situation is Ukrainian corruption. This week, nine senior Ukrainian officials lost their positions amid scandals.
One official, who previously worked in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, is being investigated for embezzling millions of dollars in humanitarian aid. Not great.
What’s needed most aren’t tanks but an exit strategy. That probably will require allowing Russia to save face, even as it loses militarily. Perhaps that’s in the works, but Mr. Biden has provided precious little evidence of it so far.
https://www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-tanks-for-nothing-increase-ukraine-entanglement-2718614/
Here is something we can agree on. The corruption in Ukraine is an issue and it is only now being dealt with. I can't help but wonder why now?
I'm all in for supporting Ukraine with weaponry and I want to know it's being put to good use killing the invaders, but cash either directly or through NGO's is questionable at best.
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Ukraine is a proxy war between Western Europe and Putin's USSR v2.0.
Then we don't have a lot to worry about. The Ukrainians have pushed back the Russians without our best weapons. Once Russia leaves sovereign Ukrainian territory the war will end.
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This whole UKE giveaway is dim-RINO factioned distraction event to mask the pending disaster here. Border-Inflation-Fentanyl crisis, etc
And the sad fact that even questioning sending money to Zelnskyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy makes you a "Russian Agent" is beyond disgust. And even a tactic some of our resident Briefers employ
Or pointing out there is corruption going on and only recently have they started doing anything about it.
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Once Russia leaves sovereign Ukrainian territory the war will end.
Yep. That's the gist of it.
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If $0.4 billion yields 31 M-1 tanks, then what did the $40 billion yield? 3100 tanks would have made a huge difference last summer. Yet so much money and nothing to show for it.
That "$400 million" is probably an accounting number. Not a real value number. It could be a small fraction of that.