Saw Andrew Bolt interviewing former US general Jack Keane in the week. Keane is now chairman of the Institute for the Study of War. Bolt often has him on and they madly agree with each other. Both are firmly on the side of Israel and its need to be given arms and free air to defeat its enemies. Both are on the side of Ukraine and want it armed and unleashed to strike deep into Russia. There is a level of consistency in their approach to the two major conflicts of the day. The question is whether that consistency is appropriate.

Let’s consider. If Israel wins and destroys Hamas and Hezbollah, and Trump returns to power and cripples Iran, there will be peace. The Suez Canal will be fully open for business. Maybe the Abraham accords will get fresh legs and bring Saudi Arabia and other Arab states into the fold.

Now consider what will or might happen if Ukraine rains down US-made long-range missiles deep into Russia, which appears to be what Bolt and Keane support. The truth is no one knows. Certainly Bolt and Keane don’t know or haven’t explained. That seems to me to be seriously remiss.

Russia – 145 million people, the largest landmass of any country, rich in resources, a history of pushing back would-be invaders, armed with nuclear weapons, and with a high quantum of patriotism to boot. You would have to be mad wouldn’t you to start firing missiles into the middle of Russia, without having the least idea where it would all end. Mind you, reportedly Keir Starmer and an assortment of other European leaders are bellicose by proxy when it comes to Russia. Luckily, the US and Germany are more circumspect; or, in other words, err on side of sanity.

The conflict will not end until there is a realisation that Ukraine cannot win. This is not a partisan position; it is realistic one. Russia is not going to withdraw its troops, say sorry, and make reparations, having been soundly defeated on the battlefield and cowed by missiles striking into its heart. That is a Zelensky wet dream. Shared by others obviously, including Bolt and Keane.

Territory will have to be ceded to Russia. The objective should be to minimise the extent of such territory and to extract assurances and concessions on the other side. I’m not Henry Kissinger, so I don’t know what a deal might look like. Need somebody in power in the West who knows about The Art of the Deal. I wonder who that could be? Kamala?!?