The war in Ukraine, like all wars, really, forces innovation in order to win. Putin's top down kleptocracy early on absolutely nearly failed within weeks. Ukraine represents - and is - freedom - freedom of thought, respect for innovation. But you can't depend on dumbfuck forever from your enemies, either.

A bit of an aside, but not really: The US, and Europe, too, for all the technical marvels of their defense establishments were also preparing for the last war. You know the allusion I'm making. When I heard reports - when was it now? - about how Turkey with intelligence and ... cheap drones ... was able to stop an Assad/Russian tank advance in Syria, I could see what was coming.

Into the future, my friends. As always, into the future.