Are Americans getting bored of the war in Ukraine?
“Without a step-change in the delivery of weapons, “as long as it takes” – a phrase we’ve heard before from western leaders concerning Iraq and Afghanistan – might indicate a very long time indeed. There is of course, sadly, the possibility of Western boredom with a long war setting in first.”
https://asiatimes.com/2022/07/ukraine-is-losing-and-the-west-is-to-blame/
Chief
If there's one thing I know about America it's that we have an enormous tolerance for spending money overseas for military purposes when there is a minimal impact on the lives of most Americans. If Afghanistan is any guide, we could easily do this well into 2040 - probably longer assuming there are no American boots on the ground.
That said, Republican elites (and some bizarre Democrats like Tulsi Gabbard) tend to be simps for Putin, so they might stop American involvement far sooner.
Rising Star
Not anymore. America is reaching the limit how much it can spend domestic or otherwise. With 30 trillions in debt and interest rate is raising, pretty soon jennet yelling has to come to Congress to ask more money to pay from interest.
Still care. Still write my congressman to let them know I care.
The take from OP is like this is a movie and you are in a boring part. That’s not how life works…
Chief
I don’t understand the concept of “boredom” here. It’s not a damned TV show. No, I’m not “bored,” I want us to continue to help them purge the invaders from their land.
Amazon1, then who is fit to be president? Career politicians, who through the years have become reliant upon interest groups to tell them what to believe? And that have received favors left and right, that now need to be repayed?
Anyone can be a president, tv host or not, as long as they're a good person that works for the people and a better future of the country. Leadership skills are acquired in many places, be it at a tv show, in a business, in the military. It doesn't matter, much of it is personality also.
Zelensky and Trump both hosted tv shows, but wouldn't say they're the same type of character.
Pro
It’s hard to fully support a country and regime that we were calling one of the most corrupt in the world and accusing of tolerating Nazism not that long ago.
Pwc1, they shouldn't be seen the same.
Because it's possible to have partially socialist policies, as most of Europe does, and even the US in some ways. And this moderate socialism can be a good thing. It isn't an outright evil ideology.
There is no such thing as moderate nazism, and none of it is positive. It is outright evil.
Biden told a crowd on March 26 that Putin cannot remain in power. Three months later, Boris Johnson is out as UK prime minister.
The irony is not lost on the Russians. Right now, we are writing their propaganda for them.
Of course it is.
Some good examples of Western propaganda is the beginning of the 2003 Invasion of Iraq.
Another good example is how Al Qaeda is called “terrorists” and “insurgents” in Iraq when battling Americans but are called “rebels” after renaming themselves to Al Nusra in Syria when battling Assad.
There’s an echo chamber on both sides.
Western media is painting the picture that Ukraine is winning while Russia just took over Donetsk Oblast with the battle of Lysychansk, which lasted 1 week in contrast to the battle of Kyiv and Mariupol.
Russian media is painting the picture that Russia is winning even though they’ve lost their elite airborne and armor units in the opening weeks and their progress is less than expected.
The truth is somewhere in the middle. That the incompetent Russian military leaders have either been removed by Putin, or killed by the Ukrainians and that what’s left of the Russian leadership is more competent and has decided to change tactics to a drawn out war of attrition that’s slowly pushing into the Donbas region while Ukrainians are making gains elsewhere, primarily in Kherson Oblast.
But to answer your original question, yes Americans don’t do too well in long engagements. See the results of Afghanistan and Vietnam vs WW1 and WW2.
The media is highlighting Russian losses, so to the common people, that means Russia is losing, which again to the common people Ukraine is winning.
I define “common people” as people are don’t follow the news and only scroll through social media or listen to commentary. Obviously I wouldn’t consider those in this bowl “common people,” because they’re typically more educated than the rest of the population.
Conversation Starter
Nope, I still care. We should continue to send them what we can.
HIMARS, combined with US intelligence, have been game changers. Ukraine is now sending precision strikes deeper behind Russian held lines, targeting high value targets like ammo dumps, headquarters, barracks, and more.
The only real thing Russia has on its side is size and ability to round up cannon fodder from the far ends of Russia. They’re sending in 50 year old conscripts with like 5 days of training. They’re pulling 50-70 year old tanks out of storage to put into the fight.
Ukraine has been killing it. They’ve done amazing. Russia has been hot garbage. But Russia may just be able to outlast in this battle or attrition.
Even if Russia wins the war, their economy is in absolute tatters and will only get worse. The world has turned their backs on them. They are a pariah. They’ve been set back decades and their military is decimated. Even MORE neighboring countries have been accepted into NATO. They greatly underestimated Ukraine’s leadership (not immediately fleeing), the resolve of their people and military, and the international response (led by Biden), all while vastly overestimating their own capabilities and thinking this would be a 2-3 day operation to take Kyiv.
Visual Storyteller
The Russians keep gaining ground. The news would cover it if it was the other way around.
Pretty sure the news is covering that the Russians are gaining ground and the cities they captured…
Conversation Starter
I’m not checking on the war as frequently, but I’d be livid if Ukraine lost that conflict.
Yes.
No one ever cared about Ukraine. We cared about Putin doing stuff we didn't agree with - shook the 90's world dominance view that most Americans still have.
Now we've somewhat "gotten used to it".
I actually think this is a positive development and maybe a model for how America semi-gracefully accepts its waning influence as dictator of world affairs.
Ukraine was never going to fully repudiate Putin and become a new bastion of the west. Zelensky was good at social media, but terrible at recognizing his actual position.
All that's there to do in the meantime is minimize the casualties, which continued west-fueled and enabled conflict does not do.
A2, if you don’t take off your lens you will never see geopolitics for what it is. Of course it looks like NATO is just opening it’s arms and welcoming people who want to join, but from just basic military strategy it can’t be more obvious. What do you think NATO was established for? It’s literally a strategic alliance to fight Soviets.
People get too caught up in the right and wrong and don’t see the full picture. This is why you see in domestic politics half of the country hates the other half, even demonizing them. If you think your fellow countrymen are demon, of course the Russians must be the devils.
And here are all of the Americans who think they are important 😂😂😂
Conversation Starter
Yesssssss.
Pro
Only Ukrainians can win Ukrainian war. They got more help then most other nations who were in similar situation through out the history. Look at Afgans. They (although not the side we support) ultimately won and drove out three super powders with way less resources.
Ibm1, against one of those 3 superpowers in Afghanistan the US actually did provide support to the winning party.