cesmonkey

Pretty good interview: Critical U.S. aid to Ukraine is still being held up in ongoing negotiations between Congress and the White House over funding for border security. Amna Nawaz spoke with former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen about what this means as Russia's war in Ukraine enters its third year.

Thoughtful conversation about last year's Taiwan invasion scenario war game:

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/frances-macron-travel-ukraine-february-finalise-bilateral-security-deal-2024-01-16/

A few days old, but somewhat interesting:

Saw this linked on defence-blog.com

Meanwhile in the U.S. Congress, ... I sure hope he is successful. National Security Challenges Are Test Of America’s Credibility, Senate Must Not Fail https://www.republicanleader.senate.gov/newsroom/remarks/national-security-challenges-are-test-of-americas-credibility-senate-must-not-fail

I had to take a look at this article referenced in ISW's update: Breton aims for ‘huge’ €100B defense fund https://www.politico.eu/article/thierry-breton-edip-sending-1-million-shells-to-ukraine/ The article quotes him as saying: I think his comments are somewhere in this YouTube video, but I wasn't patient enough to find it:

Swedes must mentally prepare for war, says military top brass https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/swedes-must-mentally-prepare-for-war-says-military-top-brass

An impressive tank kill:

https://www.berlingske.dk/politik/dansk-f-16-donation-bliver-flere-maaneder-forsinket-ukrainerne-er-ikke

While I l sincerely hope the U.S. Congress eventually delivers on an aid package for Ukraine, if they do not, I can't see the U.S. leading another meeting in Ramstein of the contact group. If the U.S. becomes a "no show", who do you think should lead the next meeting? Would anyone actually step up to lead such a meeting?

I predict the F-16's will turn out to helpful for Ukraine's defense this year, but not as much as some may have hoped.

A depressing bit from Mashovets' update: https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1529

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3627179/biden-administration-announces-new-security-assistance-for-ukraine/

30 minute explanatory video: