Recent posts

#1

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Tonitrus - Today at 06:45:46 PM

Historically, I don't think we usually punish our intelligence folks in cases where the bad outcome happens to other people...those usually end up being "learning opportunities".

On that report's topic of us "believing what the Russians were telling us" about their military capabilities, I would argue it is more along the lines of "believing what the Russian military was telling the Russian leadership" about their capabilities.  They were just as fooled as we were. 

But the Russian military was mostly untested since 2008.  Pounding Islamists and innocent civilians in Syria doesn't count.  And the post-Maidan chaos in Ukraine/Donetsk didn't really either.

#2

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 06:37:06 PM

Fair

I just meant more generally about the lack of consequences.

I've mentioned before but I think the Salisbury attack in 2018 transformed public opinion but also opinion within the British state about quite what Putin would/could do.

#3

Gaming HQ / Re: The Miscellaneous PC & vid...

Last post by Tonitrus - Today at 06:32:10 PM

Both power based console makers are in much trouble. And with PC components being discarded by OEM. The future is grim.

Everything as a Service/subscription?

Hopefully not emotional or sexual relationships.

I think you might surprised by how popular that notion might be...at least for the latter.

#4

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Tonitrus - Today at 06:27:36 PM

Your guys were on our side as "believers". 

I wasn't over there when the actual invasion kicked off, but I still was when Russia had the major exercise the spring/summer prior (where they pre-staged a lot of equipment).  I think my Brit colleagues (especially the older heads) took more seriously than even we did that shit was bound to happen at some point.

#5

Gaming HQ / Re: The Miscellaneous PC & vid...

Last post by mongers - Today at 06:21:21 PM

That's definitely on the roadmap.

 

#6

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 06:13:19 PM

But at the same time, we shouldn't be proud of the "we're sorry bro, but you're gonna die" attitude we/the US had either.  It is not far better than the portrayed German/French "we refuse to believe it" take.

I think there is a bit of a difference. But I'd just add on this point that one of the French intelligence chiefs was fired for their intelligence failures which is a healthy bit of accountability we seem incapable of here.

#7

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Tonitrus - Today at 06:03:06 PM

Yep, that was arguable the second failure after the first failure of actually trying to prevent the war.

If we accept that proactively trying to prevent an invasion was not viable, as soon it was clear that Ukraine was not going to fall inside a couple weeks, we should have flooded them with everything possible while Russia was still reeling from their initial failures.

#8

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by The Minsky Moment - Today at 05:51:56 PM

"I don't want to use the word 'capitulated', but why they haven't capitulated."

How can anyone take a "diplomat" seriously when he can't even control the words that come out of his mouth.

#9

Gaming HQ / Re: The Miscellaneous PC & vid...

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 05:42:55 PM

That's definitely on the roadmap.

#10

Gaming HQ / Re: The Miscellaneous PC & vid...

Last post by mongers - Today at 05:38:49 PM

Both power based console makers are in much trouble. And with PC components being discarded by OEM. The future is grim.

Everything as a Service/subscription?

Hopefully not emotional or sexual relationships.