The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

War in Ukraine = Jobs in America

The beautiful thing about being “the arsenal of democracy” is that it’s very profitable. For the past year, Ukraine has been burning through the available supply of artillery ammunition at a much higher rate than Western nations can produce ordnance: NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned [Feb. 13] that Ukraine is using up ammunition far faster […]

What’s Up in Ukraine Lately?

It’s been more than four months since I devoted any attention to the war in Ukraine, mainly because it settled down into a bloody stalemate, with relatively little movement of the front lines. Once the Russians evacuated Kherson and retreated to the south (or east) bank of the Dnieper River, that front stabilized, as the […]

BREAKTHROUGH: Ukrainian Forces Smash Russian Lines East of Kherson

(Click to see full-size map.) Wow — the Ukrainians are teaching the Russians a lesson in tactics, and every military leader in the world must be studying this lesson: Ukrainian forces achieved their biggest breakthrough in the south of the country since the war began, bursting through the front and advancing rapidly along the Dnipro […]

Russians Cut Off at Lyman UPDATE: Russia Announces ‘Withdrawal’

(Click to see full-size map.) The headlines say the Ukrainians have the Russians “surrounded” or “encircled” at Lyman, although from what I gather, the fact is that the Russians are cut off — can’t retreat, can’t get supplies or reinforcements — because the Ukrainians have all the routes into the town within artillery range, which […]

Ukraine Offensive Halts at Oskil River?

(Click to see full-size map.) I don’t like this. I don’t like it one bit. More than three days after Ukrainian forces claimed the capture of Kupiansk, they have not established bridgeheads on the east bank of the Oskil River, meaning that their ability to continue advancing eastward — i.e., to drive the Russians out […]

Ukraine Update: Smashing Success?

When I posted Friday evening about the push toward Kupiansk (“Ukraine: Better Late Than Never”), I was determined to err on the side of caution, not to be taken in by overly optimistic claims, but overnight saw more reports that indicate Ukraine has achieved a truly stunning breakthrough. Now, it seems confirmed that advance elements […]

Ukraine: Better Late Than Never

(Click to see full-size map.) Four months ago, after a Ukrainian counteroffensive drove the Russian invaders back from Kharkiv, I described how this had moved the Ukrainian front line “roughly 45 miles from Kupiansk, a crossroads on the supply line of the Russian forces at Izyum.” At the time, it appeared the Ukrainian advance might […]

The Hazards of Army Life

My Army son, now a sergeant first class, recently transferred to Alaska, where he’s part of the new 11th Airborne Division. Besides leading a platoon in the “Arctic Angels,” my son’s also enjoying the Alaska wildlife, catching gigantic salmon at Willow Creek. While his new assignment has been pleasant so far, he called last night […]

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