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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCan Russia Actually Control Ukraine?
Can Russia Actually Control Ukraine?
February 24, 2022 at 4:59 pm EST By Taegan Goddard 217 Comments
https://politicalwire.com/2022/02/24/can-russia-actually-control-ukraine/
"SNIP........
Retired Gen. David Petraeus talked to The Atlantic about the lessons from the U.S. occupation of Iraq:
That question has to be one of those that is most unsettling in the back of President Putins mind and in the minds of his senior leaders. I was privileged to serve as the commander of the 101st Airborne Division during the invasion of Iraq and the first year there. Frankly, the fight to Baghdad, while tougher than many likely assessed it to be from afar, was pretty straightforward. But once the regime collapsed, we had nowhere near enough forces to prevent the terrible looting early on, and later we did not have enough to deal with the insurgent and extremist elements when they increased the violence dramatically in 2006 until we received the additional forces during the 18-month surge, together with the accompanying change in strategy and development of increasing numbers of reasonably competent Iraqi forces.
Lets not forget that most Iraqis did initially welcome our liberation of the country from the brutal, kleptocratic Saddam Hussein regime. Russians cannot expect to be applauded as they invade Ukraine.
......SNIP"
underpants
(182,760 posts)Not that I disagree with him but I was surprised.
His success with the 101st relied on paying off the local bosses to keep things cooled down.
applegrove
(118,606 posts)ColinC
(8,286 posts)With a population far closer in size to Russia than Iraq was to the US. Russia could be badly embarrassed.
regnaD kciN
(26,044 posts)
the problem is, Russias military is the 2nd strongest.
Still, unless the Ukrainian people knuckle under and accept a Russian-imposed Vichy-style government (unlikely), even a Russian victory will be a headache for the Kremlin. A large percentage of Russias military is involved in this invasion. If they have to maintain a long-term occupation there, the rest of their military isnt strong enough to project power anywhere else.
radius777
(3,635 posts)especially with weapons/intelligence/etc we supply them with. They hate Putin with a passion and will never accept being forcibly Russified.
ColinC
(8,286 posts)military in the world.