It’s one factor to invade a rustic. Even decapitating a authorities could be comparatively simple, though Vladimir Putin has up to now failed in Ukraine. Nevertheless it’s one thing else fully to pacify a rustic and occupy it over time towards a positive conclusion. The Soviet Union discovered that out in Afghanistan after 1979 and the U.S. in Iraq after 2003—the 2 largest floor invasions up to now half-century.
What classes can Mr. Putin, and the Western leaders contending with him on the worldwide stage, draw from historical past? Every invasion was adopted by a prolonged, bloody and sophisticated battle. Afghanistan was a transparent loss for the Soviets, and Iraq for the U.S. was one thing between a draw and an overpriced win. The teachings from these circumstances shouldn’t be heartening to the Kremlin at the moment.
