vyshka
24112
Obviously Orban is in that camp, and at some point NATO will need to figure out what it is going to do with Hungary.
ShivaX
24113
Considering we seem to be never figuring out what to do with Erdogan, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Pretty much, as far as I can tell. At the Conservative synagogue here in town, the prayers, et al use a gender neutral construction for god, with the same logic. One of the points of ethical monotheism was the incorporeal (i.e., moral, spiritual) nature of the divine, as opposed to the physical, earthly, material natures of most of the gods worshipped in the area at the time of Sinai. Traditional ascription of a masculine identity had more to do with local patriarchy than theology.
schurem
24115
Feed them, if they’re so hungary.
KevinC
24116
I hear we have some Turkey available.
A Bloomberg report says the US is now (or soon) sending JDAM-ER kits to Ukraine. Ukraine has already been getting basic JDAM, but the extended range versions can glide up to 45 miles which ought to be super-useful.
schurem
24118
JDAM from a rocket and/or a MiG-29. Sure, why the hell not. Only on preplanned rargets as I don’t think the MiG is easily configured for in-flight bomb programming. Still hella useful! Hit 'em gogols, pound 'em! bonus points for who gets that reference…
vyshka
24119
To get that range on the JDAM-ER I imagine they have be at a pretty decent altitude, so I guess it depends on what they plan on hitting with them.
Saw this interesting bit on wikipedia for a variant that is being developed:
In 2010, Boeing proposed adding a jet engine tailkit to the JDAM-ER for 10 times greater range.[30][31] The U.S. Air Force initially didn’t show interest in the concept, but by 2020 Boeing believed the service had regained interest in acquiring low-cost cruise missiles. The Powered JDAM combines a 500 lb bomb with a wing kit and a propulsion module, giving it the range of more sophisticated missiles through a low-cost engine while being cheaper though not having a stealthy shape or the ability to conduct low-altitude flights. Though less survivable, Powered JDAMs could be networked to provide a cheap standoff weapon to overwhelm air defense systems.[5][32]
abrandt
24120
Looks like Joe’s visit so emasculated Puty that he couldn’t get it up.
Yeah, I did wonder a bit about that. As I understand it, Ukraine’s strike missions are all at very low altitude. But that’s not going to work for a glide bomb. So maybe they launch from medium altitude say 20+ miles behind their own lines, and still get to target 20 miles behind Russian lines? Anyway, we can assume there was consultation before the announcement and they have some kind of plan for using them.
This all seems a bit far fetched, but if both governments are convinced… who knows?
How do they plan to get their troops to Chisinau without flying over Ukraine or Romania?
jpinard
24124
They’ve been right about stuff like this before. Ukraine has also called out a Russian plans many times forcing them to abort or change them. I have no doubt this is the real deal.
Over the Black Sea probably. There’s only a narrow strip of Ukraine between Moldova and the Black Sea.
How much of a strip does it take to station anti-air?
Well, if you had to do it, SEAD and Offensive Fighter Sweep/BARCAP. Maybe a wave of cruise missiles if you had good intel. Then the transports go through.
vyshka
24128
I guess it depends on how well the airspace is defended along the coast southwest of Odessa.
I mean it would almost certainly be seen by NATO assets, but do they intervene? I’m not sure what state Moldova’s military is in. Though given how well Ukraine handled the attempt to take the airport in Kiev, and the losses that Russian airborne forces have taken over the past year that seems like a not very bright thing to try.
Any airborne forces would have no logistical support, aside from any organic support Russia has in the country already. But resupply would be nightmarish and costly.
I mean, is it a smart move? No. But…
Woolen_Horde waves at the past year of Russian military adventures
vyshka
24130
I think it also opens a rather large risk of other parties finally getting involved. But as you say, the past year hasn’t been an indicator of much intelligent thought on their side.
