This is an unwinnable war. The US and Russia could not even conquer Afghanistan - with a virtually non-existent army, and no allies to help Afghanistan.

As Ukraine is showing - they have a strong, well organized military. Beside a lack of anti-bomber missiles (Patriots) - they have everything they need to defend themselves.

They now have full support from almost the entire advanced world beside China and India. And it looks like they'll be getting some Patriot missiles within 24 hours.

Russia doesn't even have partial support from anyone. The best they can get is China and India trying to stay neutral - and it looks like China is starting to side with the rest of the world, with reports it has blocked all banks from lending money to Russia.

As an Indian guy married to a Chinese, I am deeply ashamed of how our governments lack a spine to voice the morally correct opinion in time. (Such events might actually make my resolve firmer to acquire Japanese citizenship from my current PR status)

Even worse, Chinese Foreign Minister rebuked a reporter that "it wasn't an invasion."

Do you have a reference for the Patriot missiles? I guess Russia could see that as another major escalation. Or do you mean Stinger?

I definitely heard on a radio report that Germany is giving Ukraine stinger missiles

Stinger yes. Patriot last I heard the United Stated did not want because they considered it would upset Putin too much.

"Germany to send Ukraine surface-to-air missiles and anti-tank weapons" https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30480526

"Why didn't the U.S. and allies provide Ukraine with a better air defense system?"

We didn't want to provoke Putin," said an official.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/didnt-us-...

I can't even imagine how much worse Afghanistan would've been if the Taliban had access to modern antivehicle weaponry. Something like an NLAW or Javelin costs about 1/100 what a modern Russian tank costs and takes little training to use.

Let us all be glad that - at least for now - it is several orders of magnitude cheaper to defend than to attack (beside crazy things like nuclear weapons).

Example: stingers have 95% accuracy on jets - cost ~$20k. Jets cost $40m+.

Tank cost $5m+. Javelins cost ~$180k.

Patriot missiles cost $1m. Bombers can cost $500m+

Well, they definitely have now.

Afghanistan is unwinnable by any country unless they are willing to declare total war and wiping out all resistance without any attention to human rights.

> Beside a lack of anti-bomber missiles (Patriots) - they have everything they need to defend themselves.

After acquiring a modern SAM capability like the Patriot, they could sure use some modern main battle tanks.

You're forgetting how Pakistan PM Khan immediately landed in Moscow after the invasion, declaring to his Russian welcomers "what a time I have come. So much excitement." They're trying to work out a gas pipeline deal. Pakistan is probably the most supportive of Russia by trying to be opportunistic.

https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/pakistan-mosco...

could it be that him killing the leadership of ukraine, inserting his own puppets then leaving the country is his idea of "win" ?

leaving a buffer state in a mess is a good situation for him.