John Stone

..............have u examined Russia's budget sheet lately??

They (allies / US) destroyed their air force, navy .......... they (Marines) had island hopped right back to Japan's home islands. The U.S. AAF in WWII had complete air superiority over Japan - total! Strategic bombing destroys morale of the civilian population. No, it was (2) bombs - but the first demonstrated the devastation of just one - the second resulted in unconditional surrender. Strategic bombing today is the spectre to prevent a strategic nuke exchange............ u don't believe they're targeting hardened target I hope? A megaton's safety distance is 25 miles.

............... problems?? arguably not as great as the U.S. .................. beginning with their ersatz leadership.

................I would suggest u be more objective. Trump haters???? I don't hate Trump ............. I think he is an insane idut!

'it currently' - possible correct - but that was likely stroking. The US designed NATO to be dependant my god man, u believe Europe is going to sit on its hands without the U.S.?

............. are implying Trump fired George?

u believe Russia is a superpower simply based on its weapons - dated? China is much more a superpower than Russia based on science, technology, commerce, military ............... and weapons. What does Russia have? Oh, forgot ............. nukes! So does Europe The fear of strategic bombing is the deterrent ........... not hitting hardened targets? The detection of launch is the squib for the holocaust ................... on strategic (civilian) targets.

Totally disagree - if u have the time investigate why George was fired. Pentagon Pete is concerned about HIS future.

U seem to put all your eggs in one basket re: Nato. NATO is as important to international commerce as it is to 'so-called' defense. The U.S. is a true superpower anyone would be a fool to believe it is not of primary importance in the NATO alliance - again, don't see ur point. NATO depends on the U.S. - that is how the U.S. designed it? But that does not in any way mean Europe could not reconfigure to provide a Continental defense. Or are you implying blue-on-blue? But again, to believe Europe would be helpless against any future struggle against Russia (not Warsaw pact) without the USA, is ludicrous.

Patton .was temporarily removed from battlefield command after the publicity resulting from him slapping (2) shell shocked soldiers. He was re-assigned a KEY role in Operation Fortitude, the Allies military deception campaign for Overlord. The guy was crazy as a bedbug but a national hero – fearless – led from the front (literally). The men loved the crazy fkr and the krauts respected him for his leadership skills and by extension, morale leverage. Oh, indeed - lots of 'things' destroy morale, disrespect at a 'passing ceremony' by ur C-n-C for example.

The deterrent is strategic bombardment on civilian populations - think 8th air force WWII - Bomber Command. Not hardened targets. The hardened target is for MAD. The deterrent is strategic bombardment on civilian populations - think 8th air force WWII - Bomber Command. Not hardened targets. The hardened target is for MAD.

Congrats on the rescue - well done to U.S. SAR / military. Worst part is listening to Trump .....? Would someone please tell that bombastic, ignorant fool that there is no "I' in TEAM?

............ and don't forget ur passport, Kanuck!

If my strategy was asymmetrical I would luv latest manpad - programmable - infrared targeting. Depending on range and maneuverability there is no defense for ground attack a/c/ pop up, shoot, disappear. Rotary wing (any) go home to mommy! High flying platforms are immune - but not to AA STIR - that is where the wild weasel is employed - to use fire control, air superiority is de rigueur. This is where INTEL is so important - the U.S believed they had absolute air superiority.

Bombs dropped from (only) 279 B-29s heavy bombers burned out much of Tokyo. More than 90,000 and possibly 100,000 Japanese civilians were killed and one million left homeless, making this single attack by only 279 bombers the most destructive single air attack in human history. Do u believe by dropping the bomb lives were saved???? Imagine a conventional attack with 1000 bombers - city by city, port by port relentless. One bomber, one bomb - saved lives. What does God have to do with killing - geesh?

.............. arguably we will never know based on forensics - my money is on the Russians due to recent Russo-Persian purchases of manpads. That said, Iran does possess a much-less capable man-pad. A knockoff of a Chinese design. Imagine the uproar if it was revealed that Russia had provided the platform that took down U.S. a/c? OMG! laughable to think Trump believes Putin respects him - it has been suggested Trump replace his elbow and knee pads post, US-Russo summits.

I read (2) chapters before bedtime - thanks I believe ur describing the type of ally Trump desires - we've seen recently that isn't the real world and never will be. If u had ever witnessed a large scale NATO exercise - covering thousands of square miles you would appreciate the value of allies? Trump is ignorant .............. arguing with a drunk would be more productive. Arguably the most valuable asset allies provide is strategic intelligence - Humint - (5 Eyes) - it provides the ability to detect, plan and counter. I believe Israel would agree (Oct 7th notwithstanding)

ur overlooking A.I. leverage? nuke powered - endless dwell? (surface, air, subsurface) miniaturization will be perfected to an even greater degree - really the next great challenge Iran would have faced in their nuke warheads. finally - orbiting weapon systems - all the rules are off - what is really scary is A.I. surveillance ........

I'd argue 3rd strike is more of a deterrent - but yes, the U.S. has of course reserved the right to a pre-emptive attack, I don't see ur point? Ditto the Vanguard 'failures' - the U.S. has failures - NASA has failures?? The point is, what is the success rate. The U.K. is estimated to possess several hundred nukes - nowhere near the several thousand the U.S. has in their possession but still a potent deterrent. How often is the rubble supposed to bounce? Russia does not possess the integrated CCS, surveillance, cyber, navigation, denial and launch detection capabilities today, either - back in the day (80's) u would have had a good argument - technological equal? The point is Russia today is a shadow of what it was orchestrating Warsaw Pact. (nukes notwithstanding) But I remind you, we are discussing Russia (today) vs. Europe (today)? When ur playing nuke Russian roulette - it is wise to disperse ur nuclear umbrella? Who is the U.S. really protecting - why would the U.S. prefer to combat Warsaw pact in Europe. Any preemptive attack on the U.S. homeland will arguably(?) come from over the Arctic - is the Golden Dome designed to protect Canada, ah, no! The good news is that northern Canada is so sparsely populated any nuke explosion on intercept would likely go unnoticed, haha.

................ the details are not important - the political spin is. It destroys morale. 2nd - Pentagon Pete fired George, not the C-in-C?

ha ha ......... nice try! Sorry don't do other's homework.

If it ain't broke (World) don't fix it? U are incorrect tho, judging from Putin's actions / statements he desires a return to the Soviet era - Warsaw Pact. Russia's President Vladimir Putin has described the collapse of the Soviet Union as 'the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century'. Central to Xi's vision of China going forward is a guiding philosophy that encapsulates national rejuvenation , economic prosperity, and global prominence. The vision speaks to the aspirations of a modern, assertive China while evoking pride in its rich history. Interesting to note that Xi's vision is prominence, not so much dominance. (supreme)

............. it is true, it did save lives ...........keep in mind the Japanese were beaten, they knew it but despite that wouldn't surrender... the Bushido Code amongst the warrior / ruler class burned brightly. I think there is some truth that it was a continuation of R&D ..... maybe with a bit of racism thrown in. Be grateful the Allies got there first with development ........ gives credence to the belief that science and technology wins wars.

I've witnessed prayer being solace in a time of extreme grief or extreme tragedy. ............. or when hope is the only strategy.

The U.K. does produce its own strategic weapons, specifically nuclear weapons. It has been a nuclear power since 1952. It's arsenal is a credible deterrent with around 300 nuclear warheads. Several hundred are deployed aboard Vanguard Subs. (3rd strike) The strategic power U.K. also enjoys is the ability to be geo-strategic amongst the commonwealth - somewhat akin to what the U.S. does with its military bases................. it can deploy to these areas ........ global. Vanguard class - nuke.