I didnt mind this comment in The Age the other dayArchived Message
Posted by Adamski on November 23, 2022, 4:47 am, in reply to "Mercouris Latest..."
I wonder if what we are seeing is indeed "fatigue" or a gradual realisation that this appalling conflict has no winners, could have been prevented and will only end via diplomatic means not military ones. Just as Putin miscalculated 8-9 months ago. So has the USA/NATO ! Just as Zelensky assumed the mantle of heroic leader, so now has Putin shown a level of resolution and willingness to adapt his methods to achieve his revised aims.
The Kremlin did indeed believe it could achieve regime change in Kiev, secure the position of the Donbas separatists and bolster its national security in the Black Sea and along its western borders. It believed it could do this quickly and with minimal carnage/ damage ......it was wrong. In recent months we have observed a similar level of miscalculation and folly from the USA/NATO. The economic war unleashed on Russia was calculated to see its collapse. The re-equiping and expansion of the badly decimated Ukrainian military was seen as the solution to its military failures ( keep in mind it hasn't only been the Russians that have had "incompetent" leadership etc.) ... added to that was the infusion of NATO based training, military planning, access to intelligence and communications and a gradual build up of forces (especially technical expertise) amongst the ranks of the Ukrainians. We need to recall the predictions of Russian collapse due to a lack of munitions, morale and supplies. Predictions of the "Himar's miracle". Predictions of the Russian population rising up against Putin. Statements coming from Kiev, the Pentagon and London in June/July predicted a Ukrainian military "victory" , the clearing of Luhansk, Kherson, the Donets and even Crimea by the winter now upon us and the collapse of Russia's economy together with massive social unrest ...... they were wrong !
So, is it "fatigue" or is it a gradual realisation that the "wests" folly is as complete as "Putin's" folly ? Whilst the people of Ukraine are paying in blood and devastation, the economies of the west are also unravelling, as are the geopolitical alignments that this conflict was hoped it would create. Is there a gradual realisation that only a diplomatic outcome will stop this idiotic war .... a war the USA/NATO started, with the Russian's attacking first !