CSIS report on the fight over Taiwan (vid)

How allied Sweden and Finland can secure Northern Europe

 via Atlantic Council

This issue brief sets the stage by suggesting that the Alliance use the accession of Sweden and Finland to create an ambitious deterrence-by-denial “bubble” over Northern Europe. Such a strategy does not merely include military capabilities but must be underpinned by civil robustness and resilience that stretch across NATO territory. Operationally, allies in Northern Europe should prepare to assume greater responsibility as first responders in case of a severe security situation, below or at the level of Article 5. For this to succeed, political cooperation and agenda setting must intensify among Northern European allies.

Here 

Read the whole thing but I have to point out one thing.

Western society has been ASSAULTED with irrational fear of one thing or another.

In this case the source of the manufactured fear is Russia.

This makes no sense.  30 nations allied against one?  Yet policy makers are adopting what they call a "deterrence by denial" bubble?

Why!

One nation, not 30 could effectively blunt a Russian assault.  The idea that 30 nations must band together to secure a deterrent affect against one is laughable.

Not even the United States could credibly claim to be able to invade Europe, control the landmass/citizens and extract whatever resources desired.

It goes down the line on the fear peddling too.

Crime?  Catch bad guy, lock up bad guy, keep him locked up and society is safer.  It isn't rocket science. Yet we have a continuing crime wave with political figures continuing to exercise weak on crime policies.

Covid?  Its beyond obvious that a passion play was at work there no matter what your politics.  We ruined children for a couple of generations.  We ignored the fact that this disease is deadly for the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.  We instead shut down the Western economy.  FUCKING WHY! (What goes unsaid is that Africa was basically ignored and the deaths from Covid was extremely, extremely low - no investigation into how they managed that yet the West was lost....the same applies to non-urbanized Asia too).

I don't know why but the biggest drug that the Western world must kick is the fear poison being pumped into the publics bloodstream.

This report is just another example.

Open Comment Post. 10 Jan 23

Forgot to credit Gerard for giving us the CSIS report on the wargame for the battle of Taiwan. My bad. Busy days with alot going on.

This wargame makes no sense...

 via CNN

“The United States and Japan lose dozens of ships, hundreds of aircraft, and thousands of service members. Such losses would damage the US global position for many years,” the report said. In most scenarios, the US Navy lost two aircraft carriers and 10 to 20 large surface combatants. Approximately 3,200 US troops would be killed in three weeks of combat, nearly half of what the US lost in two decades of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“China also suffers heavily. Its navy is in shambles, the core of its amphibious forces is broken, and tens of thousands of soldiers are prisoners of war,” it said. The report estimated China would suffer about 10,000 troops killed and lose 155 combat aircraft and 138 major ships.

Here 

This wargame is utter bullshit.

Two aircraft carriers lost.  10 to 20 large surface combatants (which would probably include one LHD minimum) and we only suffer 3200 killed?

BULLSHIT!

How do you perform rescue operations in the middle of a raging sea battle?

You don't!

Which means that 5k souls are lost on each of those carriers.  Same with the other lost warships.

Maybe 3200 Marines killed acting as the Stand In Force but for the entire force?  No fucking way in hell.

These freaks are giving the American public a false sense of superiority.

The flip side?

IF THIS IS TRUE then the US should launch an attack against the Chinese now.  Counting lives as numbers on a ledger is disgusting but 3200 killed and a chance to ruin the Chinese for a couple of generations?

That's acceptable and we should go NOW!  But again.  We all know this is BULLSHIT!

HIMARS Rapid Infiltration Exercise for offensive operations?

U.S. Marines with 2d Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, conduct a dry fire with the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Jan 5, 2023. This exercise is to increase the unit’s ability to transport and employ HIMARS in a multi-service offensive operation. 

Multi-Service Offensive Operations?

I keep forgetting that they're talking about maritime operations. So this is about the Stand In Force again.  Acting as the eyes and ears of the joint force even though the joint force will have aircraft and UAVs that can see out for hundreds of miles further than anything the Corps can put on the ground.

Chinese 'wolf warrior' Zhao leaves diplomatic spokesperson role

 via Nikkei Asia

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian, who gained prominence as one of China's most outspoken "wolf warrior" diplomats, has been transferred to the department that manages land and sea borders, according to the ministry's website.

Zhao, 50, is now deputy head of the ministry's Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs, the website showed on Monday.

Zhao became a ministry spokesperson in 2020 after stints at China's embassy in Pakistan, where he built a large following on Twitter as well as on Chinese social media for his frequent and often combative posts, many targeted at the U.S.

His hawkish style made him the most prominent practitioner of what widely became known as "wolf warrior" diplomacy -- named after a popular Chinese movie franchise -- which marked a departure from the restraint that had long characterized Beijing's engagement with the world.

In a controversial Twitter post in March 2020, Zhao wrote that the U.S. military might have brought the coronavirus to the Chinese city of Wuhan.

Zhao, who often hosted the ministry's daily media briefing, has 1.9 million Twitter followers.

Zhao and the ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his change in role.

Late last month, China promoted Qin Gang, its ambassador to Washington and a trusted aide of President Xi Jinping, to be its new foreign minister, as Beijing and Washington seek to stabilize rocky relations.

Here 

Window dressing.  I don't believe the softer tone one bit.  I do believe that they're probably done with prep and now need to soften the tone to lull us into a false sense of security.

World War 2 was totally different but the Japanese were seeking peaceful co-existence right up to the point of the attack against Pearl Harbor.

Additionally the Chinese are feeling the effects of various industries moving production to other nations.

This is a false fig leaf.

I blame Milley and the current JCS for politicizing the military...the results of their decision will reverberate for decades

TREASON: Gen. Mark Milley Hid Nuke Codes from Trump - Held Secret Calls with Chinese Defense Officials - Then Surrendered to Taliban and Armed Them with $80 Billion in US Weapons https://t.co/FrGQ9eOeLE

— Lara Logan (@laralogan) January 9, 2023

Milley and the rest of the JCS chose sides in the political debate sweeping the country. Their decision will reverberate for decades and will be a major setback for this force.

I no longer rage at how these "people" behave.  I just look forward to seeing how they do against a competent foe.

Will a woke force prove to be combat capable?

I don't know but that is what will fight the next war.  The tech will have to be there or else they're doomed (they know it too....even the USMC is going from an assault to a missile/observer force).

Interesting contrast. Brazil's Army defends protesters while the US military's Chief hid vital information from Trump.

This is an interesting contrast.

Pot meet Kettle...

JUST IN: U.S. attorney reviewing classified documents from Joe Biden's vice presidency found at private office - CBS News

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 9, 2023

So does this mean a Special Prosecutor will be assigned?

Punch the Green Berets, Kick the Navy SEALs

Time to cause some good trouble...The Chinese PLA has apparently set up a new SF unit and this pic was taken inside their HQ, the phrase on the wall reads "Punch the Green Berets, Kick the Navy SEALs"....now fight for my entertainment! pic.twitter.com/Vz01kCECf4

— Mupper2 (@Mupper41) January 8, 2023