General Discussion

Tomconroy

(7,611 posts)

20. Ukraine has gone on the offensive a bit. Watch to see if they can

Mon Apr 11, 2022, 02:16 AM

Apr 2022

Actually take Kherson. It isn't clear if they have enough weapons to launch a large offensive.
To answer your question: The Taliban never even won a battle. But there they are.
But you are right. It's pretty rare. Eventually you need to go on the offensive. Like we did in the Revolutionary War.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

54 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Scholars and historians, has any nation won a war they fought exclusively defensively? [View all] mahina Apr 2022 OP

Vietnam. The US eventually had to evacuate. kysrsoze Apr 2022 #1

+1. But technically the South Vietnamese lost to the invading North Vietnamese dalton99a Apr 2022 #2

True too. mahina Apr 2022 #4

Right Mad_Machine76 Apr 2022 #53

Those borders were artificial, drawn up by foreign powers in 1954... hunter Apr 2022 #54

True. But to be clear I'm def not saying they should. mahina Apr 2022 #3

Vietnam is not a great example. former9thward Apr 2022 #6

Never publicly or at scale anyway. mahina Apr 2022 #8

No and it won't happen this time tirebiter Apr 2022 #5

Hmm good insight, thank you. mahina Apr 2022 #7

...somethin', somethin.... George Washington,..... 3Hotdogs Apr 2022 #9

Proximal though? mahina Apr 2022 #10

In the end, the Colonials counter-attacked, with French assistance...nt Wounded Bear Apr 2022 #39

Depends a lot on how one defines "win" and "defensively" RockRaven Apr 2022 #11

Afghanistan vs US lagomorph777 Apr 2022 #40

Afghanistan was a Military Victory for the US. ruet Apr 2022 #48

Winter War between Finland and Russia 1939. former9thward Apr 2022 #12

Despite the disproportionate casualties, the Finns clearly lost the Winter War. IMO. RockRaven Apr 2022 #13

Except that Finland never became a Soviet client state. Straw Man Apr 2022 #26

This conflict is nowhere near done yet. roamer65 Apr 2022 #14

Russia Chili Apr 2022 #15

Russia v Hitler is a terrific example, thank you. mahina Apr 2022 #16

most welcome! Chili Apr 2022 #25

Russia advanced into Germany in WW2, however - they took Berlin muriel_volestrangler Apr 2022 #27

Thank you Muriel that's a really helpful response mahina Apr 2022 #36

No, they had the French navy for that Spider Jerusalem Apr 2022 #23

And also they were far distant. mahina Apr 2022 #29

Afghanistan Multiple Times DanieRains Apr 2022 #17

Versus others nearby? mahina Apr 2022 #18

It wasn't Russia. It was the Soviet Union. GaYellowDawg Apr 2022 #21

There's the Winter War in Finland. Crunchy Frog Apr 2022 #19

Ukraine has gone on the offensive a bit. Watch to see if they can Tomconroy Apr 2022 #20

Depends on how you define a win Spider Jerusalem Apr 2022 #22

I thought we did - the Revolutionary War. n/t patricia92243 Apr 2022 #24

Not really "in proximity", though muriel_volestrangler Apr 2022 #28

80 years war between Spain and what became the Dutch Republic Coventina Apr 2022 #30

Wow mahina Apr 2022 #31

1568-1648 Coventina Apr 2022 #32

I feel a little better for never having heard of it mahina Apr 2022 #33

The Mongol invasions of Japan. Numerous wars of independence. Kaleva Apr 2022 #34

But Japan did not repulse the Mongol invasion. Mother Nature did. Jack the Greater Apr 2022 #49

You're talking about the invasion of 1274. I'm talking about the invasion of 1281 Kaleva Apr 2022 #50

This thread right here is why I love this place. Thanks, mahina, and good morning! n/t ms liberty Apr 2022 #35

Aloha Ms Liberty, mahina Apr 2022 #45

Afghanistan. NT SmallFry Apr 2022 #37

France (Napoleon) vs. Russia sammythecat Apr 2022 #38

Greeks stopping the Persians from invading Tom Kitten Apr 2022 #41

Interesting! I heard retired Admiral Stavidus on Thermopylae but don't remember much. mahina Apr 2022 #43

+1 It's all relevant, tx. appalachiablue Apr 2022 #47

The Greeks Counterattacked Outside of Their Borders Many Times. ruet Apr 2022 #51

KnR Hekate Apr 2022 #42

aloha Hekate, mahina Apr 2022 #44

France in the 100 Years' War . . . hatrack Apr 2022 #46

The Modoc Nation was totally NOT being defeated in the Modoc War until.... Brother Buzz Apr 2022 #52