Clausewitz

Hitler Declaring Annexation of Austria

The Afghans famously repelled the Russians and Americans. Before them came the British. Looks like the Russians haven’t learned their lesson. Yes, the terrain of a country makes a difference as does the ideology held by its inhabitants. Most commentators have noted an almost predictable strategy in the Russian advance with air and missile strikes preceding the actual invasion. But what are the Russians going to do once they have arrived and so-called conquered? Will Kiev's population of 2.8 million submit to either a Russian or puppet government? Nationalism which has it own down side in xenophobia and antisemitism is no match for jihad. Still, once the dust settles, the real problems are likely to begin. The current Russian outing exemplifies Clausewitz’s famous “War is a mere continuation of policy by other means.” Putin gave his historical diatribe. Then the tanks rolled over the border. Will he achieve his ultimate goal--which is apparently the reconstitution of the U.S.S.R?

Read "Iraqistan" by Francis Levy, HuffPost

and listen to "I (Who Have Nothing)" by Ben E. King