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In terms of troops and materiel deployed in the first few days, how does this compare to (either) Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam or Korea?

blacksmith_tb 5y ago
*largest in Europe (I am going to guess that was the intention) But I agree with your skepticism, the world has unfortunately seen plenty of larger wars, mainly we've just had a short peaceful spell lately, and it's an unpleasant shock to stumble into another.
stevenwoo 5y ago
at it's peak both the USA and USSR committed approximately 100,000 military personnel to their respective occupations of Afghanistan. From reading a book about Vietnam/American war, at the peak the USA committed 500,000 military personnel to occupy South Vietnam, along with various other countries. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet%E2%80%93Afghan_War https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet%E2%80%93Afghan_War https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2016/07/06/a-timeline-of-u-s-troop-levels-in-afghanistan-since-2001/ https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2016/07/06/... presumably they've committed that or more than that to this operation since the navies are involved and it's easier logistically to get to https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/03/world/infographic-ukraine-russia-military/ https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/03/world/infographic-uk...
siekmanj 5y ago
From some cursory googling: Afghanistan peak US troops: 102,000 (2011) Gulf war peak US troops: 700,000 (1990-1991) Iraq peak US troops: range from 168,000 - 192,000 (2007) Vietnam peak US troops: 543,000 (1969) Korea peak US troops: 320,000, unclear what year edit: obviously, Russia's involvement in Ukraine over the last few days would be by far the biggest operation in Europe since WW2. Just not globally (by a long shot).
- iso1631 5y ago
  Thanks, useful to compare, Putin has a similar amount of troops as Iraq II then, although with shorter supply lines. Given how difficult the US had it in occupying both Iraq and Afghanistan, and the damage it did the country, this could well end Russia, at least for another 30 years. I was too young to really get the scale of the first gulf war. Just transporting 700,000 troops seems astounding, let alone keeping them equipped in enemy territory.
hnarn 5y ago
It doesn't, because none of them are in Europe, as the comment you replied to specified.
- vinceguidry 5y ago
  It wasn't when he commented, I added it in after to clarify.
iostream24 5y ago

blacksmith_tb 5y ago

*largest in Europe (I am going to guess that was the intention) But I agree with your skepticism, the world has unfortunately seen plenty of larger wars, mainly we've just had a short peaceful spell lately, and it's an unpleasant shock to stumble into another.

stevenwoo 5y ago

at it's peak both the USA and USSR committed approximately 100,000 military personnel to their respective occupations of Afghanistan. From reading a book about Vietnam/American war, at the peak the USA committed 500,000 military personnel to occupy South Vietnam, along with various other countries. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet%E2%80%93Afghan_War https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet%E2%80%93Afghan_War https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2016/07/06/a-timeline-of-u-s-troop-levels-in-afghanistan-since-2001/ https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2016/07/06/... presumably they've committed that or more than that to this operation since the navies are involved and it's easier logistically to get to https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/03/world/infographic-ukraine-russia-military/ https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/03/world/infographic-uk...

siekmanj 5y ago

From some cursory googling: Afghanistan peak US troops: 102,000 (2011) Gulf war peak US troops: 700,000 (1990-1991) Iraq peak US troops: range from 168,000 - 192,000 (2007) Vietnam peak US troops: 543,000 (1969) Korea peak US troops: 320,000, unclear what year edit: obviously, Russia's involvement in Ukraine over the last few days would be by far the biggest operation in Europe since WW2. Just not globally (by a long shot).

iso1631 5y ago
Thanks, useful to compare, Putin has a similar amount of troops as Iraq II then, although with shorter supply lines. Given how difficult the US had it in occupying both Iraq and Afghanistan, and the damage it did the country, this could well end Russia, at least for another 30 years. I was too young to really get the scale of the first gulf war. Just transporting 700,000 troops seems astounding, let alone keeping them equipped in enemy territory.

hnarn 5y ago

It doesn't, because none of them are in Europe, as the comment you replied to specified.

vinceguidry 5y ago
It wasn't when he commented, I added it in after to clarify.

iostream24 5y ago