Russia Belarus Cooperation, Zelensky Determined to Hold Bakhmut, Turkish Media Savages Zelensky (Alexander Mercouris)

Bakhmut is being turned into the next Stalingrad for the Ukrainian Army except that they are not quite surrounded. Zelensky said they would never give up the city apparently and are throwing everything into the fight. The big problem is that the position is a meat grinder and subject to continuous artillery bombardment. It looks like Zelensky is prepared to sacrifice his army to hold that position rather than fall back.

Also, apart from engaging in various wars (Syria and Ukraine) Putin, frequently misquoted in the Western press, appears to firmly have the strategic picture in mind in his dealings with other countries. A lot of wars have been won through sound strategic decisions, and lost via poor strategic decision making.

[Posted at the SpookyWeather2 blog, December 22, 2022.]