U.S. steps up Ukrainian combat training

[n2doc]

Yavirov, Ukraine — The United States began combat training for Ukrainian Army forces on Monday, expanding its effort to help Ukraine defeat Russian-backed separatists.

Until now, U.S. trainers had only worked with Ukraine’s Interior Ministry, and officials say the shift to regular army training signals President Barack Obama’s growing commitment to Ukraine’s defense against the aggression of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Obama remains dug in against the advice of many senior officials who favor sending weapons to Kiev. But the administration considers the training regimen an effective alternative that won’t provoke a dangerous response from Russia, even as officials in Moscow denounce the program.

“This is arguably more important than any of the equipment we’re giving [the Ukrainians],” said Evelyn Farkas, who departed as the top Pentagon official for Russia and Ukraine this fall. “We’re teaching them how to prevail against a further incursion of their territory.”

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http://www.politico.eu/article/u-s-steps-up-ukrainian-combat-training/

[Igel]

1. Interesting response.

Syria: If you don't like what I'm doing, then come up with a better plan and show me how your military advisors are better than my advisors, because it's important to listen to the best intelligence and advisors on the ground.

This is an appeal to authority, not an argument. It's a way of forestalling argument.

Ukraine: If you don't like that I'm not listening to my military advisors, tough.

This is when authority is appealing, and he bothers to make an argument. Don't know that I buy it. Death by air crash is less likely than death by car--we're bad at evaluating risk and typically more people fear air crashes than car crashes. (Death tally in Texas, year to date: 0 by plane, 2600 by car). So to with a bunch of international aggression--a little resistance fends on a lot of escalation and mission creep. We spot it when our own aggression is deterred, but live in terror that others won't think twice and will go to full-blown nuclear war over a shipment of anti-tank missiles.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Riiiight....like Ukraine, of all places, has no military training/experience.

They expect us to buy that BS?