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applegrove

(118,606 posts)
Thu Feb 24, 2022, 08:14 PM Feb 2022

Can 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 Putin’s 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.”

“Let’s 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"

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Can Russia Actually Control Ukraine? (Original Post) applegrove Feb 2022 OP
I was very surprised to see him on CNN underpants Feb 2022 #1
I've seen him on CNN before. applegrove Feb 2022 #2
Ukraine also has far more resources than Iraq did. It is also a modern military ColinC Feb 2022 #3
Its "modern military" is the 22nd strongest in the world... regnaD kciN Feb 2022 #4
Ukraine can fight an effective guerrilla war radius777 Feb 2022 #5
Right. Their military might be 22nd in the world, but they do have the support of the strongest ColinC Feb 2022 #6
+1 uponit7771 Feb 2022 #7

underpants

(182,760 posts)
1. I was very surprised to see him on CNN
Thu Feb 24, 2022, 08:15 PM
Feb 2022

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.

ColinC

(8,286 posts)
3. Ukraine also has far more resources than Iraq did. It is also a modern military
Thu Feb 24, 2022, 08:17 PM
Feb 2022

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)
4. Its "modern military" is the 22nd strongest in the world...
Thu Feb 24, 2022, 08:48 PM
Feb 2022

…the problem is, Russia’s 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 Russia’s military is involved in this invasion. If they have to maintain a long-term occupation there, the rest of their military isn’t strong enough to project power anywhere else.

radius777

(3,635 posts)
5. Ukraine can fight an effective guerrilla war
Thu Feb 24, 2022, 08:59 PM
Feb 2022

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)
6. Right. Their military might be 22nd in the world, but they do have the support of the strongest
Thu Feb 24, 2022, 09:31 PM
Feb 2022

military in the world.

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