Michael and Leonard Hochberg have posted the third installment in their series at RealClearDefense. In this installment they consider yet another strategic option: “bleed Russia dry through a long war”. Here’s a snippet:
There are advantages to be gained by such a cynical maneuver. Although Russia is largely self-sufficient in food and energy, a long war would drive Russian political and economic isolation. It is reasonable to expect that the sectors of their economy that depend on advanced technology–especially computer chips–made in the West would collapse. Key sectors, like domestic civilian aviation, are already in the early stages of collapse due to lack of spare parts.
Although I suspect this will be the strategic option selected by default, it has a couple of serious downsides to be considered.
First, they may be underestimating Russia’s resources. More importantly, it’s the “fight the war to the last Ukrainian” strategy. Will Russia run out of weapons before Ukraine runs out of people?
But they’re right. It’s an extremely “cynical maneuver”. In one sense the entire Russia-Ukraine War becomes a protracted commercial for U. S. arms and munitions.
Assumes Ukraine has no agency.
Steve
Ukraine has as much agency as the green rope of foreign aid provides.
It would be nice though to be able to look at the White House List of Early Priorities for the Biden/Harris Administration to see where Ukraine or the various press releases about how arming Ukraine benefits say Frodo Baggins of East St Louis get free to low cost treatment for that nagging headache and left sided weakness.
However, all politics are local, the defense industry has many unionized workers who can be appreciative of extra over time.