What happened to Russia?

"Where is all of this going to lead us? No clue. It is a mess for sure. The good news is unlike the Russians, our military is still in good shape. Nukes aside, we probably could handle Russia right now with one hand tied behind our backs."

What ever happened to the big, bad wolf? Yes, I am talking about Russia. Back in the day when I wore the uniform, Russia was our nemesis. Much more so than China. And when I say Russia, I mean the Soviet Union. They were big, they were bad. Today, after seeing how half the Russian military has been chewed up by the Ukranian Army, I wonder how bad they really are today. Knowing that half of Russia's army is laying is scrap heaps over in Ukraine, and hundreds of thousands of their troops are dead or wounded - this has not been a good experience for them. It has been their Waterloo.

Many are wondering why Russia does not just call it a day. This war in Ukraine has turned out to be nothing more than a slugfest. Who is winning? Nobody - both are losing. That is what happens in a war of attrition. Meanwhile, back in our Congress, there seems to be some reticence about sending Ukraine more blank checks. Like - is there any accountability? Was not Ukraine a corrupt country before the war? Seems to me we heard about the corruption during this Hunter Biden thing. In any event, it looks like the USA is slowing down its gravy train to Ukraine.

Some in Congress are screaming bloody murder about cutting any financial support to Ukraine. Why? Believe it or not, Ukraine is acting as a "proxy" for us in culling the Russian war machine. We pride ourselves that with this serious degradation of Russian forces, it has not cost any NATO or US military lives. The death count is high, but it just about 100% Ukrainian and Russian. The fear is if we cut back on the resources we have been giving Ukraine, the worm might begin to turn. Russia might get the upper hand. And if they do, they might go after a NATO country next. If they did that, we would have a real problem.

I know. We have gone from Ukraine on the news every single day, to almost radio silence. All the oxygen has been sucked out of the area since October 7th. Now it is the Israeli War 24 x 7. Here is the irony - as the United States is drawing closer to a government "shut down" (because we too, are running out of money), we have requests from the administration to fund Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and the southern border. The Republicans want to fund some of these requests on separate bills and use IRS funding (GREAT IDEA!) to offset the costs. The Democrats don't agree, as to them, IRS funding is sacrosanct.

Where is all of this going to lead us? No clue. It is a mess for sure. The good news is unlike the Russians, our military is still in good shape. Nukes aside, we probably could handle Russia right now with one hand tied behind our backs.

Somebody I respect on the news said something very interesting. Let's let Ukraine keep the Russian Bear tied up, so we can shift our gaze to the WestPac. Why? That is where the next action is probably going to be. It will be with the Red Dragon, not the Russian Bear. That is, unless Iran wants to dance. If that happens, then we will have a whole different kettle of fish to deal with.