Those in the United States who for reasons I find incomprehensible seem to long for World War III have found another way to start it. Instead of demanding that a “no fly zone” be established in Ukraine they are asking for “humanitarian corridors” to be established and humanitarian airlifts conducted by, presumably, the U. S. military to cold and starving Ukrainians.
The Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949 is frequently being cited. It didn’t take place during wartime.
Can anyone think of any humanitarian airlift conducted in war time into the primary war zone? The closest I can come up with if the Biafran airlifts of 1969-1970. During those Catholic Relief Services and some Protestant relief services, using transport planes purchased from the U. S. government, transported food and supplies under the cover of night to starving people in Biafra during the Nigerian civil war. It differed from what is being proposed in some important ways:
- There was no enforced “corridor” in which to fly.
- It was conducted by churches not the military.
- The Nigerian air force of 50 years ago was not the Russian air force of today.
If the U. S. military starts flying missions over Ukraine, whether military or humanitarian, that will be taken by the Russians as acts of war. If the Russians shoot down U. S. military transports it will be taken by the U. S. as an act of war.
If completely private organizations or individuals undertake such humanitarian airlifts, I will applaud their bravery and charity. But the U. S. military?
I think this is another instance of the politicians’ dilemma. Please, please think your ideas through.
Why not just nuke the bastards and get it over with?
Russia’s nuclear arsenal looks impressive on paper, but nuclear weapons and delivery systems degrade unless maintained. The Soviet Union collapsed because they could not keep up with the arms race. That includes maintenance.
Putin has replaced and restored some of Russia’s arsenal, but the sub fleet is not up to Soviet level. Surface ships and bombers will be quickly taken out, and hypersonic delivery systems are vaporware, at best.
With the exception, the Russian military has never been equal to European armies. They are having trouble taking down Ukraine. Even the French would have no trouble repelling a Russian invasion.
This will also send a message to China. So, bomb the fuckers. Problem solved.
(As an added bonus, the nuclear winter will counteract AGW.)
The window of opportunity for supplying Ukraine was lost months ago. As I previously noted, Biden’s advisors warned him. He rejected it. And he implemented the disastrous energy policy within weeks of his inauguration.
Hey Joe, where you goin’ with your dick in your hand……..