Petraeus on UKRAINE

As we watch the Biden Administration hold border security hostage (300,000 crossed illegally in December) over funding for Ukraine, the wisdom of General David Petraeus, former General and Commander in Chief of the Iraqi conflict and Director of the CIA seems particularly relevant.

In his most recent book, Conflict: The evolution of warfare from 1945 to Ukraine, he offers an in depth analysis of significant conflicts worldwide since the end of WWII. These include Korea, the Arab-Israeli Wars, Afghanistan, guerilla conflicts in Africa and South America and, of course, America’s fiasco in Vietnam. Among his objectives, General Petraeus focuses on the various types of warfare, the keys to success and the greatest blunders.

Petraeus outlines the four critical factors that determine success or failure. Starting with “Getting the Big Idea Right”. This concept refers to the notions of mission and strategy. Get these wrong and one is doomed. He then moves on to the critical importance of communicating the Big Idea to key constituencies and engendering their support. By this he means not just the generals, officers and troops but the nation itself.  He ends by emphasizing implementation and the need to refine based on real time lessons.

I have been somewhat ambivalent about our involvement in Ukraine. I am, of course, familiar with the domino theory (certainly didn’t work so well in Vietnam) and do subscribe to the “give an inch, take a mile” philosophy. As has been chronicled previously, the red line in Syria, the takeover of Crimea, the bungling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and other feeble endeavors on the world stage have, without doubt, served to embolden Putin, Xi and the Mullahs. As Reagan did in the Cold War days, there can be little argument that a sharp stick to the eye when enemies (or more relevantly proxies) first poke the beast has great merit.

Petraeus gushes over the leadership of Vladimir Zelensky.  His courage, hands-on style and commitment.  He mentions Zelensky’s now somewhat famous line when offered flight options by the US and others, “The fight is here.  I need ammunition, not a ride!”

He goes on the describe an almost endless list of unimaginable errors made by Putin and Russian Generals.  So bad, 15 Generals were killed in the first two years, which is three more than all US Generals in the entire Vietnam War. (Another clearly botched debacle)  He talks about Biden’s failure to get planes and munitions to UKR fast enough or as promised.  Apparently, Biden promised Xi he would hold off on planes because Xi agreed to pressure Putin.  What a fool.

The main problem with Biden, however, is he has not articulated the MISSION or the END GAME.  At what point do we declare victory or get the hell out?

Other random items.

Sadly Ron DeSantis has dropped out of the Presidential race.  He has decided that this is not his time.  He confirmed he intends another run in 2056, when he will be a senile 77-year-old, unable to walk on level surfaces and requiring help finding a way off the stage.  Should be a winning strategy.

QUOTE:  Power rests neither with those who govern nor those who teach, but rather with those who decide what will be taught.  (Can’t find who said this, but it sure rings true.)

POV:  What is the purpose of going to College?  Many say knowledge.  I say to get the best paying job you can.  And that is how colleges should be graded.

POV:  If all speech is free, regardless of its accuracy or intent, if there are no boundaries and laws can be ignored if you belong to right group, if our news outlets are encouraged to proffer toxic beliefs and dishonest reports without consequence – we can forget about security, freedom and justice for all.  What we can expect is chaos. 

QUOTE from MLK: Long ignored, Hope becomes Hate.  Riots are the voice of the Unheard.