This may prove an unpopular sentiment, but watching reactions to poor Russian military performance in Ukraine has taught me a bit about my own defense community, and that we may be psychologically unprepared for war with determined opponent that has some parity of capability. 1/

Looking at some of the takes it strikes me that our expectations of success, ease of force employment, integration, logistics, and the potential costs in a high end conventional conflict are overdrawn from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 2/

Undoubtedly the U.S. is much better across the board, at organization, logistics, integration & tactics etc. That said, I'm not sure we appreciate the challenge of taking on a sizable, competent force, with high morale, that's characteristically different from recent opponents.