West & Ukraine Trade Blame, Talk Wonder Weapons, as Critical Juncture Approaches

Update on Ukraine conflict for August 27, 2023

– Ukraine’s offensive nears 3 months of fighting and has yet to breach Russia’s first of several defensive lines;

– Russia not only continues frustrating Ukraine’s offensive, it is launching its own offensive in the northeast that is gaining momentum;

– Amid the failing offensive, Ukraine and its Western sponsors trade blame and argue over the best course forward;

– Talk continues to be made regarding “wonder weapons” like F-16 and JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets despite the implausible nature of using either effectively in battle;

– A juncture is approaching where the West will have to decide whether to allow Ukraine to begin irreversibly collapsing or intervene more directly;

References:

Wall Street Journal – Ukraine Chalks Up Small Advance in Southern Push (August 22, 2023):
https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/ukra…

Wall Street – U.S., Ukraine Clash Over Counteroffensive Strategy (August 25, 2023):
https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/u-s-…

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – Russia Reinforcing Troops Ahead Of Renewed Offensive In ‘Tense’ East, Ukrainian General Says (August 25, 2023):
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukrain…

Guardian – Ukrainian pilot ‘Juice’ among three killed in jet collision, says Volodymyr Zelenskiy (August 27, 2023):
https://www.theguardian.com/world/202…

Forbes – Ukraine Is Getting F-16s. Now It Needs Cruise Missiles. (August 21, 2023):
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe…

Forbes – 3,600 American Cruise Missiles Versus The Chinese Fleet: How One U.S. Munition Could Decide Taiwan’s Fate (January 9, 2023):
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe…

Lockheed Martin – JASSM
https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/…

Reuters – Ukraine’s Zelenskiy asks Sweden for Gripen jets in first visit since Russian invasion (August 19, 2023):
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/…

SAAB – Thailand receives first batch of Gripen fighters (2011):
https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-r…

The National Interest – Talk of NATO Membership for Ukraine is a Dangerous Distraction (July 2023):
https://nationalinterest.org/feature/…