Many have seen the video of Hama fighters attacking Israeli tanks from point blank range.
Now another video emerged showing Hamas fighters attacking a Namer APC.
Again, with no supporting Israeli infantry in sight, why is that? 1/8
To understand the current Israeli urban warfare doctrine you have to look to where it came from.
All the major conflicts Israel have fought in the past were quick, high intensity wars, fought in open terrain.
From the Sinai to the Golan Heights.
The focus on these terrains is reflected in the IDF's force structure.
It has an ridiculously high ratio of armored brigades to infantry brigades.
🔸Pre 1970s, it was 2 tank brigades for every 1 infantry brigades.
🔸Now, it's 1 tank brigades for every 2 infantry brigades.
Even though the numbers are flipped, and more focus placed on infantry, the amount of amor is still very high.
From this, we can describe the Israeli urban warfare doctrine as an armored demolition team.
It's centered around the heavily armored Namer APC(armored personnel carrier) and the Puma combat engineer vehicle.
Attach some Merkava tanks and armored bulldozers, forms the "combined arms" (heavily armored) approach to urban warfare by the IDF.
Israeli infantry are encouraged to use the heavily armored Namer APC as a safe bastion.
In a stressful situation, the average infantry tend to crowd around places where they feel the safest, instead where they should be.
More so, if permissive by the doctrine they were taught
Since the 2nd intifada and 2nd Lebanon war that forced the IDF to form their current urban warfare doctrine.
It has never been tested at a large scale until this current conflict.
So Israel is going into Gaza basically blind, with an untested doctrine.
The ever present myth of an experienced IDF that's pragmatic and light on its feet, is not an entirely accurate picture.
It may be true 40 years ago, but it's certainly not the case today, when most of their experience are gained dealing with kids throwing rocks in the West Bank
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This is a very complicated situation, involving multiple sides with intertwining relationships.
So who's fighting whom, which side is China supporting?
It's China's version of the drug Cartel south of the border
1/🧵
This conflict is mainly fought in the Kokang (green) region, on the borders between China and Myanmar.
There are 3 sides to this conflict:
🔸Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)
VS
🔸Myanmar's Military (Tatmadaw)
Allied with
🔸Kokang Local Forces
📝Both MNDAA and Kokang Forces are ethnic Han Chinese.
MNDAA split from the Myanmar Communist Forces in 1989, founded by Peng Jiasheng (pic below)
In 2009, MNDAA rules Kokang's capital Laukkaing.
A splinter group betrayed Peng and the MNDAA as the Tatmadaw attacked Laukkaing.
In the context of the Israel Palestine war, does might makes right?
The most supported opinion was: Yes, yes it does.
(Your opinions are most welcomed)
1/🧵
To amalgamate the various talking points from the affirmative (Yes) side:
Empirical evidence suggest that our current global order, led by the US is might makes right.
This is supported by the numerous conflicts of the 21st century, where blatant lies were used to justify them
If Ukraine's right to self-defense is upheld, then Palestinians in Gaza also has the right to self-defense against an Israeli decade-long blockade (which in and of itself is an act of war).
But the countries that espouses the right to self defense shows clear double standards
The bombing of Gaza by Israel is not about destroying Hamas targets, they are leveling entire neighborhoods to pave the way for a ground invasion.
Here's what Israel might do:
Israeli bombings are concentrated on the northern corners of Gaza
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The longer Israel delays its ground invasion, the less support they can muster from their allies in the West.
From my observation, this delay have already forced Israel to limit the scope of the invasion, they lack the diplomatic support and military capabilities to occupy Gaza
From the contention of the indiscriminate bombings
Israel could simply plan to march into North-Western and Eastern outskirts of a ruined Gaza, plant a flag and unilaterally declare Hamas' war fighting capabilities have been degraded.