Russia - threadbanned users in OP

It went to plan invade and defeat the Iraqi army ,job done,

The massive insurgencies and tribal blood letting wasn't a part of the original plan , but that insurgency was put down and defeated , then came isis and they were also defeated thanks to American firepower and Kurdish forces on the ground,

Not the Russians as some have previously claimed on boards.

But compare the losses of the Americans in Iraq less than 10,000 men for how many years fighting combat daily,and compare to the Russians losses in Ukraine for the last 11 months, and still increasing

I wonder if Rand consulted the Ukrainians before publicizing their report? Does not look like it anyhow. And if the Rand Corporation ever found themselves in the same situation that Ukraine finds itself in, would it change their opinion about outcomes? Ukrainians have two choices, either passively allow themselves to be slaughtered, or to die fighting. That's it. Something that no Rand Corporation Executive has had to face, but would not be a bad thing if some of these "Corporation Executive's" come with an asse's roar of a conflict zone. A small dose of reality would go along way.

Like all previous Soviet wonderwaffen aircraft they are overrated and no the mig31 can't fly sustained Mach 2.8 as they claim,it's maybe be able to get up to that speed for all but limited time before the engines start to fail ,it's a point defense aircraft like the mig29 you believe can take a Squadron of F-16s and and beat them,seems no experts in the aviation world share your opinion neither do the US and Nato pilots who have flown both the mig and f16s

It's a show pony flys fast launches a cruise missile and then flees for safety of Russia .

And yet A10s got shot down in Iraq and multiple survived SAM hits

It's not a vital bridge as there's simple ways to detour so it sounds like it was an ambush on the convoy passing over. Most likely partisans attacking the convoy. Melitopol has been an area of resistance attacks since the invasion started.

They're all here, piling one after the other. Such fun!

Who said anything about a utopia? Believe me, I'd love if it was all about utopias and ethics, but that isn't how politics works.

I am merely trying to make sense of the information that comes my way. I'm not going to lose any sleep over it if you don't like my interpretation of it.

Already answered, see an earlier post of mine, https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120173607/#Comment_120173607.

I don't think so, I'm happy with the research I've already done. But thanks anyway for taking the time to give me your advice.

I'm fine, thanks. I don't need to prove anything to you. I provide my opinions, you can take em or leave em. It's all the one to me.

Hey, it's not my fault that you know so little about Rand. But they are rather famous:

It is financed by the U.S. government and private endowment, corporations, universities and private individuals.

Here's a puff piece about how wonderful it is:

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/22120/rand-corporation-think-tank-controls-america

But you're not providing your opinion, you are parroting russian propaganda conistently without providing your own opinion for how the special operation/war is resolved.

And the reason for that, as everybody who reads your posts knows, is that you want Ukraine to be abandoned to russia instead of russia decimating themselves in embarrassing fashion on the world stage and:

• Losing all their political influence
• Losing their energy customers
• Losing the next generation of their country
• Losing their economy
• Losing all the customers for their military equipment
• Made NATO even more powerful

And the worst bit for russia is that even if they are successful in Ukraine, this remains true.

Oh I'm aware of the Rand Corporation...hard to live in the west and not know about it. But that still does not answer my question to you re your comment about why should they consult with Ukraine when compiling a report to be presented to the US Government. As one of the two main protagonists' in the war, Ukraine's position is surely paramount to any discussion, especially in a report to the US?

I think this is what Ursula van der leine was referring to when she mentioned 100k Ukrainian losses last year. I suspect the civilian losses for Ukraine are catastrophic rather than their military losses

"Hey Big Zel, I'm doing a report on what Murica's best interest is for Uncle Sam, what should I put in it?"

There is only one external state that gets to write reports for Uncle Sam telling them what is in America's interest - and that state is not Ukraine. America writes their own reports on everybody else.

They're also heavily dependent on Russian fertilisers to keep their food supplies ticking over. Píss off the Russians and they'll end up with a massive famine. India are also in the same position. One of the reasons you won't see them moving against Russia even if Russia is severely weakened. They're in a very compromised position at the moment. Rocking the both on either side could tip them over the edge.

China's economy would be shut off overnight by blockades if they piss off the USA. They need the west to buy their crap so let them try something.

Carrying drones for Russia?

Iranian convoy hit near the border with Iraq and Syria.

Funded by the German government? Not mooching off the EU to reimburse for every thing they send like their neighbour next door. “Dem German putin puppets”….