The Bruins Biggest Bear

[warsofasoiaf]

not sure if your following the mad king play spoilers but fandom is in shambles. We got agency for Elia and Lyanna but at what cost. Big win for anyone who really wanted to find a way to blame Elia for her fate.

I'm not. I also don't trust the writers to actually portray the rebellion well, but that's neither here nor there. It's not like anyone is sniffing around my pole asking me to write paid work about Robert's Rebellion, whether for the theater, silver screen, or any other medium you could name.

-SLAL

[bigbadbruin343]

After reading the synopsis, I just pray it ain't book canon, because my God does it make some dumb decisions regarding Lyanna.

[warsofasoiaf]

what would be your main thing if you could choose for George RR Martin to change/make less one dimensional in asoiaf? Worldbuilding wise

The noble structure. I want Jaehaerys to establish a unified structure of nobility where certain lords have privileges on their status more than just the Lord Paramount -> Lords -> Knights/Masterly Houses. Distinctive titles that might be maintained by the older houses, even if it is a mere announcement.

I want to see Walder Frey announce when he swore oaths to House Targaryen as a lord, he owed specifically ABC. But Catelyn Stark mentions that as a liege vassal to House Tully, he owes XYZ to Hoster.

Take for example, Dragon Age. We know who are the senior infeudated vassals in Ferelden - the Couslands and the Mac Tirs. The arls are British Earls. The Bann are the various landed lords with minor holdings in the Bannorn, similar to English barons. In Inquisition, Vivienne exerts significant soft power because she maintains the position of mistress to a senior Duke and a member of the Council of Heralds - something similar to an English Witegamot. Whereas the Lords Declarant are treated as a faction, but what exactly to their noble positions entail? Are they permitted to petition House Arryn on certain matters as obligated by treaty? These are indications of relative power, strength, and noble jockeying for power that connote a well-designed and robustly written noble caste in a feudal society. Thank you @wendynerdwrites

-SLAL

[bigbadbruin343]

I'm pretty sure GRRM said if he could go back he would have changed it. The Lords Paramount would have been dukes for example, and he'd have come up for names for their vessels. I don't know if he'd have titles based off of region. I.e. the North would have different titles for dukes and lords than those south of the Neck.

[jkparkin]

Batwoman #8 (DC, October 2026) variant cover by Stjepan Sejic

[waywardprintmaker]

"What a shame, you always had such beautiful hair"

[wweskywalker]

“whether daenerys loved daemon, as those who rose for the black dragon later claimed, who could say? In the years afterward, daenerys was never aught but a loyal wife to prince maron martell, and if she mourned daemon blackfyre, she left no record of it.”

[warsofasoiaf]

With cheap drones in Ukraine knocking off multimillion dollar armed vehicles, making infantry advance for more dangerous, what do you think next generation tanks and other armed vehicles can do to counter these cheap drones?

There are some designs for c-UAS systems. Much of the same defenses against missiles like active protection systems work in theory but need to be able to handle the mass of drones. Maybe that means being equipped with drone interceptors of their own.

Thanks for the question, Bruin.

SomethingLikeALawyer, Hand of the King

[bigbadbruin343]

I've seen the US experimenting with Strikers mounted with a DEW, the problem is that a Striker will kick up dust which impacts the DEW's abilities. But the weapon itself can destroy cheap small drones quickly.

I wonder if a Striker mounted with some type of gun or cannon using airburst rounds might act as an effective counter. Have a few of those with a squad of tanks as protection.

All I know is the US needs to figure it out quickly if we want to be ready to fight a war with China.

[mentoskova]

Ada Wong, portrait

[warsofasoiaf]

Crimea question anon here. Thanks a lot for the detailed answer. Now imagine if you woke up as Biden the day before the full scale invasion of '22. Anything different to do? In my opinion, only the Americans and my country, the UK, seemed to be taking the threat of invasion anywhere near seriously.

Personally, I'd convene an emergency crisis meeting with NATO members to lay out the intelligence to them quite plainly. I'd pay particular attention to Poland, since they're right there. I'd publicly address that the United States will defend Ukraine if it is attacked and the Ukrainians requested aid under the provisions of the Budapest Memorandum. That any Russian forces within Ukraine would be considered valid military targets Putin isn't likely to believe me which is why it will be really shocking when I actually back up my words with force.

I'd also elevate my air posture and be ready to deploy immediately. The big tank column that got stuck outside of Kyiv? As much as I *hate* the A-10, that's exactly what that is for. The tank column didn't have air defenses, so I'd send a few attack wings and mulch them.

Thanks for the question, Anon.

SomethingLikeALawyer, Hand of the King

[bigbadbruin343]

As much as I *hate* the A-10

But the A-10 go "brrrrrrrrr"!

Jokes aside, I do think it'd be hard of Biden to sell that to the American people and even Congress.

[warsofasoiaf]

You wake up as Obama in 2014, the day before Crimea is invaded by Russia. What do you do differently, keeping in mind any possible Republican interference.

That's too late in the game for Crimea. Obama by this point has denied supplying weapons to the Ukrainians even after the Maidan and has been steadily eroding deterrent capacity. You would need time to deploy forward air assets to eastern Europe and fly joint air patrols with the Ukrainian people (preferably via NATO because the catalyst for the Maidan was the EU Accession Agreement, so increasing European presence will be more palatable to the Ukrainian citizenry). That takes time that Crimea doesn't have. So honestly, not much would change, because the invasion of Crimea would happen too quickly to prevent it from falling.

However, the undeclared Donbas War is still very much on the table. I would put the Budapest Treaty to the UN Security Council as a clear treaty violation. When Russia inevitably vetoes it, I'd call up Putin and ask him about the deniable forces in the Donbas. When he claims that they aren't Russian forces (which is something he did in real life), I'd say "Okay, then you won't mind if I eliminate them, then" and hang up, discreetly leaking the audio of the call to the press. I would then declare that the US remains committed to the Treaty's integrity and start bombing the Russian-led separatist forces in the Donbas. Also the entire security braintrust that promoted Russian appeasement gets shitcanned.

To handle the Republicans, I'd lean on Lindsay Graham to get enough of the hawks in Congress to support my action (Mitch McConnell at this point steadily devoted to obstructionism). I'd drafting trade arrangements to tie the US to Ukraine commercially, with the promise of profits to win over GDP-oriented Republicans and revitalizing the defense industrial sector in key swing states like Pennsylvania and Ohio. When Trump inevitably makes noise, selectively release information about his ties to Russian oligarchs and other figures (it's not exactly a secret that Trump relied on Russian funding to bail him out of his frequent bankruptcies) to call into question his motives when he claims "forever war."

Congress has already ceded much of its authority to the President, so I'd make the most of it and decisively force Russia to back down. If they continue, I'd hit back with some heavy sanctions packages straight from the get-go, and I'd use my good relationships with the EU to start selling oil and LNG to the EU to help with fuel prices, though the infrastructure to support it isn't quite there in Europe yet.

Thanks for the question, Anon.

SomethingLikeALawyer, Hand of the King

[bigbadbruin343]

Honestly, given that there were still a lot of Republican hawks like Graham and McCain (the latter of whom Obama actually had a good relationship with), and McConnell has been staunchly pro-Ukraine, I don't think Obama would have to be worried about the Republicans as much as he usually would. It might be the Democrats, who after Iraq, were far more dovish, not to mention that Obama would also have to sell it to the American people who, even before Trump, had become very skeptical on foreign intervention and would worry about escalation.

But honestly, the biggest question is would Ukraine be alright with US forces on their soil? Putin would undoubtedly call up Poroshenko and threaten Ukraine if the US/NATO were allowed them to use force to attack his proxies in the Donbas.

[warsofasoiaf]

Following Russian annexation of Ukrainian territory? They would have definitely have supported air support and strikes against Russian positions. Poroshenko was actively fighting the Russian deniable forces with the Ukrainian military in the Donbas and Ukrainian public opinion firmly shifted pro-Western following the annexation of Crimea. Ukrainian public opinion would shift to accommodation which would eventually lead to Zelenskyy's election (which Putin would invade anyway - the wages of appeasement come up again).

-SLAL

[bigbadbruin343]

A fair point. I think the biggest hurdle would have been selling it to the American people. As I mentioned, after Iraq, Americans have become far more skeptical over interventionism. Intervening in a weak state like Libya is far different than intervening against Russian proxies that Americans could worry would spiral into a wider war. Over 60% of American support supplying the Ukrainians (it'll probably climb after the Laura Loomer interview with Zelenskyy oddly enough), but I don't think the American people would be willing to send US troops or airmen to intervene.

To be clear, I agree with you, Obama should have done far more to help the Ukrainians, regardless of the corruption within the state. I just do think there were political realities that Obama would have struggled with.

[warsofasoiaf]

You wake up as Obama in 2014, the day before Crimea is invaded by Russia. What do you do differently, keeping in mind any possible Republican interference.

That's too late in the game for Crimea. Obama by this point has denied supplying weapons to the Ukrainians even after the Maidan and has been steadily eroding deterrent capacity. You would need time to deploy forward air assets to eastern Europe and fly joint air patrols with the Ukrainian people (preferably via NATO because the catalyst for the Maidan was the EU Accession Agreement, so increasing European presence will be more palatable to the Ukrainian citizenry). That takes time that Crimea doesn't have. So honestly, not much would change, because the invasion of Crimea would happen too quickly to prevent it from falling.

However, the undeclared Donbas War is still very much on the table. I would put the Budapest Treaty to the UN Security Council as a clear treaty violation. When Russia inevitably vetoes it, I'd call up Putin and ask him about the deniable forces in the Donbas. When he claims that they aren't Russian forces (which is something he did in real life), I'd say "Okay, then you won't mind if I eliminate them, then" and hang up, discreetly leaking the audio of the call to the press. I would then declare that the US remains committed to the Treaty's integrity and start bombing the Russian-led separatist forces in the Donbas. Also the entire security braintrust that promoted Russian appeasement gets shitcanned.

To handle the Republicans, I'd lean on Lindsay Graham to get enough of the hawks in Congress to support my action (Mitch McConnell at this point steadily devoted to obstructionism). I'd drafting trade arrangements to tie the US to Ukraine commercially, with the promise of profits to win over GDP-oriented Republicans and revitalizing the defense industrial sector in key swing states like Pennsylvania and Ohio. When Trump inevitably makes noise, selectively release information about his ties to Russian oligarchs and other figures (it's not exactly a secret that Trump relied on Russian funding to bail him out of his frequent bankruptcies) to call into question his motives when he claims "forever war."

Congress has already ceded much of its authority to the President, so I'd make the most of it and decisively force Russia to back down. If they continue, I'd hit back with some heavy sanctions packages straight from the get-go, and I'd use my good relationships with the EU to start selling oil and LNG to the EU to help with fuel prices, though the infrastructure to support it isn't quite there in Europe yet.

Thanks for the question, Anon.

SomethingLikeALawyer, Hand of the King

[bigbadbruin343]

Honestly, given that there were still a lot of Republican hawks like Graham and McCain (the latter of whom Obama actually had a good relationship with), and McConnell has been staunchly pro-Ukraine, I don't think Obama would have to be worried about the Republicans as much as he usually would. It might be the Democrats, who after Iraq, were far more dovish, not to mention that Obama would also have to sell it to the American people who, even before Trump, had become very skeptical on foreign intervention and would worry about escalation.

But honestly, the biggest question is would Ukraine be alright with US forces on their soil? Putin would undoubtedly call up Poroshenko and threaten Ukraine if the US/NATO were allowed them to use force to attack his proxies in the Donbas.

[inksilvery]

[samreich]

six seasons and a movie?

[jeniferprince]

mistletoe kiss

patreon // buy prints here

[bigbadbruin343]

Catwoman's summer Fortnite skin by RozeM.

Source.

[warsofasoiaf]

Two questions, what do you think is going to happen to our production of military hardware now that it is possible they can be taken out with cheap missiles l. And the second will the US as a security guarantor be severely diminished or can we adapt to the drone technology and come out ahead?

I believe you mean OWA drones - missiles are a known quantity. The paradigm is shifting to make defense more asymmetric. That means a counter unmanned aerial system (c-UAS) program is a top priority for the defense industry, one that can handle sophisticated drones developed by great powers and mass that can be handled by any middle power or non-state actor. That will be the defining military question of the next decade and a half or so.

Do I think the US could develop an effective c-UAS program? Yes. The United States does have a robust and effective knowledge base, strong fundamentals in AI engineering, and an entrepreneurial environment that can reward the brilliant. That being said, the corruption of the Trump administration does act as a significantly negative weight against it - I fear that the Executive Branch would weigh in on a c-UAS program that enriched Trump and his family rather than one that developed a cost-effective and elegantly-designed product. I believe the best thing we can do is work with Ukraine, who has already shown effective drone technique, and marry that knowledge with American capital to create an effective c-UAS program that we can utilize for our own armed forces. Bonus points on developing better OWA drones that can defend Taiwan from Chinese aggression.

Thanks for the question, Anon.

SomethingLikeALawyer, Hand of the King

[bigbadbruin343]

Thankfully the US is hopefully going to start producing Sting drones with the help of the Ukrainians. Should have been done before the Iran War, but at least it is probably happening.

But your point on corruption is spot on. While Anduril is working on unmanned wingmen and their drone/cruise missile interceptor, Road Runner, are very impressive, they have ties to Trump's sons, so it raises concerns that they aren't getting their contracts based on merit.

[bigbadbruin343]

Venom #261 variant cover by Ito

[warsofasoiaf]

What do you make of Zelensky reportedly looking to replace Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov?

Seems like a giant mistake to me. He's made much needed reforms, including the mid range strike campaign and is very popular. From the reports part of it his him reportedly clashing with Syrskyi. I have no idea what Zelensky sticks by Syrskyi so damn much.

I don't think it's a good idea. Fedora is perhaps the most incorruptible man in the Ukrainian government and that is desperately needed to restore faith and integrity in the government after Yermak.

Thanks for the question, Bruin.

SomethingLikeALawyer, Hand of the King

[bigbadbruin343]

Well there it is. Appointing Fedorov was one of Zelensky's best decisions, and dismissing him is one of the worst. And it isn't going over well in Ukraine, both from the public and in the Verkhovna Rada, including members of his own party.