Phillips OBrien
@phillipspobrien.bsky.social
46K followers 460 following 1.5K posts
Professor of Strategic Studies, Author, Lover of Sicily
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phillipspobrien.bsky.social
Hi All, my latest book, War and Power: Who Wins Wars and Why, is being released in North America in two weeks. The Publisher, Basic Books/Hatchette, has just released a discount code for 20% if you buy through them. Code is WAR&POWER (not case sensitive). www.publicaffairsbooks.com/titles/phill...
War and Power
A bold, revisionist study of modern warfare, showing that military victory is rooted not in large armies and decisive battles, but in the full spectrum of ec...
www.publicaffairsbooks.com
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
Hi All, Just sent out this post. The recent rush of the USG to claim great credit for the Ukrainian campaign against Russian refineries is typical success leeching that we have seen in this war. The US could help in one way, but it others the claims are laughable. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
One Cheer For Intelligence Sharing
The Trump Administration Trying to Associate Itself With Ukrainian Success
open.substack.com
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
Not at all, and I really appreciate the comments!
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
If you’re interested, here are some early opinions from Paul Krugman, Francis Fukuyama and Alexander Vindman.
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
What Trump said just a little while ago about sending Tomahawks to Ukraine. Nothing has changed, he hasn’t agreed to send them and seems very reluctant to do so.
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
Hi all, @olddogua.bsky.social and I just did a Substack live. Shaun talked about the reality of the war from a perspective inside Ukraine, which is rather different than you often hear in the western press. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Live with Phillips P. OBrien and Shaun Pinner
A recording from Phillips P. OBrien's live video
open.substack.com
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
That’s tremendous, thanks. Glad the dog was happy too.
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
Hi All, my latest book, War and Power: Who Wins Wars and Why, is being released in North America in two weeks. The Publisher, Basic Books/Hatchette, has just released a discount code for 20% if you buy through them. Code is WAR&POWER (not case sensitive). www.publicaffairsbooks.com/titles/phill...
War and Power
A bold, revisionist study of modern warfare, showing that military victory is rooted not in large armies and decisive battles, but in the full spectrum of ec...
www.publicaffairsbooks.com
Reposted by Phillips OBrien
warriorseamstress.bsky.social
Good morning. Let's begin with this astute & sobering analysis from OBrien on how Rusamerica has aided Russia's air war on Ukraine's energy resilience and Europe's challenge to step up at speed to defending 🇺🇦 skies 👇

"With the Trump administration slow-walking support—this will be Europe’s fight."
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
Almost worst, we tried to pretend what she said didn’t matter and got right down to business with Putin
nicolastenzer.bsky.social
Nineteen years ago, on October 7, 2006, Anna Politkovskaya was assassinated by Putin's hitmen.
She was the first to tell the truth about Russia's mass crimes in Chechnya, which foreshadowed those in Syria, Ukraine, Africa and elsewhere. They could have been prevented.
Almost no one listened to her.
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
What does Ukraine do in response? Do they start attacking Russian power generation? Its a scary world we are in.

Also, thank god for the F-16s. They are vital to Ukrainian air defense--though many analysts were arguing against them years ago because the Ukrainians could not operate them. Ha.
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
Hi all, Just sent out my free weekend update. It ended up being focussed on the strategic air war. Russia, once again, is trying to make Ukrainian cities unliveable in winter. They have benefited by the US slow walking air defense--though Europeans are helping more. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Weekend Update #154: The Strategic Air War And The Approaching Winter
Russian Attacks, Ukrainian Options for Defense, and F-16s
open.substack.com
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
To summarize. If Trump wanted to send Ukraine Tomahawks, he could right now. If Trump wanted to sanction Russia, he could right now. If Trump
wanted to seriously bolster Ukrainian air defense against Russia drones/missiles, he could right now. But he’s not, so he doesn’t want to.
Reposted by Phillips OBrien
beingsass.bsky.social
"Trump was not pivoting to Ukraine, as many were saying, he was actually feeling heartbroken at the one person from whom he covets love and respect—Vladimir Putin."
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
Well, guess what? Yesterday Putin batted his eyelashes at Trump (and Melania) and the first couple were grateful for the love and attention. People need to accept the reality that Trump will always crave Putin's affections and cares not a whit for Ukraine. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Putin Flutters His Eyelashes and Trump Swoons (Melania Too)
A Catechism To Understand The Reality Of Trump, Russia and Ukraine
open.substack.com
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
The only people nuttier than those who claim to support Trump and Ukraine are those who are adamant that Trump and Maduro are great opposites. Trump is simply trying to be an American Maduro, power with no belief and, of course, a commitment to personal enrichment.
Reposted by Phillips OBrien
Reposted by Phillips OBrien
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
This is the reality--and I've written a catechism to make the reality clear.
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
Well, guess what? Yesterday Putin batted his eyelashes at Trump (and Melania) and the first couple were grateful for the love and attention. People need to accept the reality that Trump will always crave Putin's affections and cares not a whit for Ukraine. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Putin Flutters His Eyelashes and Trump Swoons (Melania Too)
A Catechism To Understand The Reality Of Trump, Russia and Ukraine
open.substack.com
Reposted by Phillips OBrien
helenebismarck.bsky.social
It is also delusional thinking.
You think flattery is going to keep that man on your side in the long run?

Good luck.
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
There is perverse thinking, and a step below that is thinking that a president that is illegally sending US military units into US cities should be awarded the Nobel Peace prize.
Reposted by Phillips OBrien
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
But people are honestly saying Trump will give Ukraine tomahawk missiles to attack Russia…sure he will.
phillipspobrien.bsky.social
There is perverse thinking, and a step below that is thinking that a president that is illegally sending US military units into US cities should be awarded the Nobel Peace prize.