It appears the city of Kharkiv may be an objective of Putin and the Russian Army. My Ukrainian counterpart - Col-Gen Vorobyof - took me on a tour of that city (his hometown) in 2011. My impressions: 1/8
First, it is a beautiful city, and relatively modern. The city had suffered through 4 different battles during WWII, so it was mostly rebuilt. But many buildings had beautiful architecture. 2/
The citizens were very welcoming to me, as an American (likely because of my host’s influence & my Army rank at the time). It was my first taste of samovar tea, but we also had excellent Kharkiv vodka. 3/
It’s an industrial city, and had been home to Ukrainian tank factories during WWII and the Cold War. The Russian artillery school had once been there during USSR times. 4/
During the Holodomor - the “terror famine” - most Ukrainians attempted to flee to this city in hopes of finding food…there was none. Tens of thousands died there due to Stalin’s policies. 5/
Kharkiv had once been the capital of Ukraine, and Vorobyoff told me the large percentage of Russian citizens were furious when Kyiv became the capital. He claimed 1/3 of the city was then Russian (that has likely changed since 2011, and the 2014 Russian invasion. 6/
Vorobyoff died a few years ago from cancer…he was convinced it was the result of downwind from Chernobyl. But he was a true Ukrainian patriot who wanted to build his Army on the western model. 7/
My experiences with Mikhail were my first real connection with Ukraine’s distinct culture, and it infuriates me that madman Putin will attempt to rape this beautiful sovereign country. Here’s my memory of him 8/8
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Woke up to several texts from journalists asking my thoughts on "West Point dropping duty, honor, country from their motto?" and one wrote "does this mean the Academy has gone 'woke'?"
My first thought: "let me get a cup of coffee before addressing this craziness."
A 🧵 1/9
This week, graduates received a letter from LTG Steve Gilland -the Superintendent (the USMA college president)- of @WestPoint_USMA informing of changes in the MISSION STATEMENT (NOT the motto).
The letter specifically said the MOTTO "Duty, Honor, Country" has NOT changed. 2/
Now, I know LTG Gilland well. He's a great soldier, terrific leader, and a common-sense guy.
As any leader - general or business CEO - knows, you have to continuously assess and analyze your mission statement.
In fact, I teach this to MBA students in leadership classes. 3/
Many of you have heard me say this multiple times with respect to the war in Ukraine.
Now we'll start seeing the same in Gaza with JLTOTS pronounced "Jay-Lots" for the media).
A 🧵 1/9
"Logistics determine the art of the possible."
Many of you have heard me say this multiple times with respect to the war in Ukraine.
Now we'll start seeing the same in Gaza with JLTOTS pronounced "Jay-Lots" for the media).
A 🧵 1/9
Airdropped humanitarian aid is precise and speedy, but it's limited in it's capability and capacity for certain kinds and large amounts of supplies. It's also relatively expensive.After you deploy expensive parachutes and GPS devices into the area, it's hard to get them back! 3/
On 24 Feb 2022, I scribbled some thoughts about what I believed were Putin's strategic objectives in invading Ukraine (see chart).
In the 1st 18 months of the conflict, Ukraines' action, NATO collaboration & US support caused him to fail.
We're at an inflection point. A 🧵1/
Addressing each: 1. Zelenskyy is still strong 2. Ukraine's army is still fighting 3. Ukraine's population is resilient 4. Ru does not control the Black sea ports 5. The west - especially the US - has returned to being divided, and NATO may now take fewer risks. 2/
Putin now knows that Ukraine's continued capability will - for the short term - continue to require support from the west.
So he is pulling out all stops, w/ mobilizations (over 400k new (untrained) soldiers as "meat" for attacks), a ramped up industrial base, & oppression. 3/
GEN Zaluzhnyi is 51 y.o., extremely young for a Commander of any nation's Armed Forces. Most 4-star generals are in their 60's with much more experience.
Since Feb '22 he's been the tactical, opn'l & strategic leader of the toughest fight we've seen in the 21st century. 2/
Here's what I mean by "tactical, opn'l, strategic" commander:
1. He commands the 2000+ mile tactical front 2. He coordinates each battles into an operational campaign plan 3. He "plays" in the strategic arena with his nation's leaders & over 50 supporting nations. 3/
Deterrence defined: The action or actions used to discourage an event by means of instilling doubt or fear of the consequences over time.
Many say deterrence against Iran & its proxies is failing.
It's too early to tell. 1/8
DETERRENCE is one technique that MAY contribute to national security strategy.
Some define strategy as the use of different MEANS in specific WAYS to reach on END STATE or OBJECTIVE.
I agree with that definition...and it's sorta like deterrence. 2/
In National Security Strategy, MEANS equates to difference tools at the nation's disposal (diplomancy, information, economics, military). WAYS is the approach you use to make those tools effective (think maneuver with military, economic sanctions, condemning actions, etc). 3/