DeansMusings

 In my last blog post I had ended my analysis with this: Winning an attritonal war depends on the manpower reserves of each side (Russia is six times more and suffering fewer casualties) the ability to supply armaments - Russia is able to replace hardware losses. Ukraine cannot – even with NATO but not US support), and the will to fight.  My sense is that the Ukrainian army is sufficiently attritted for Russia to start a spring offensive once the ground hardens after the spring thaw. Once they take most of the four provinces (with territory captured in other areas exchanged in an eventual peace deal), Russia will dig into defensive positions, from where they will offer a ceasefire – which they are under a lot of pressure to do, under the threat of more US sanctions. Once on the defensive, Russian casualties and consumption of armaments will be lower than while they have been attacking. Ukraine’s losses will be correspondingly higher, which will facilitate a de-facto cea...

15th August, the day India celebrates as Independence day, is also the day the Taliban took over  Afghanistan. after the US abandoned the country. I had earlier featured the story of an Afghan army officer who fought the Taliban, along with US forces, until he was abandoned.  Fighting the Taliban and the US betrayal A young medical student in Kabul also shared his story. I used that story to comment on smuggling and drugs in Afghanistan and how it has influenced the local economy and the fight for influence.  Life under the Taliban and Afghan Geopolitics This was followed by a young lady in Afghanistan, who was actually imprisoned by the Taliban and, having read the other stories now wants her voice to be heard. These are stories that will make us in India value the freedom we have. While my blog does not cover human interest and poetry, I was touched by the young lady's spirit and  believe her story deserves a separate post. Her background : Marwa is an 18 year old ...

In an earlier article, I had written about the problem with delivery apps. https://rpdeans.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-problem-with-delivery-app-business.html My contention was that the market size was limited (less than what was projected by VCs) and growth would be limited. Margins from restaurants would reduce as competition offered them lower fees, or a subscription model. Delivery costs would rise, given that gig workers were inadequately compensated. This created a conundrum of falling growth, reducing margins and higher costs. Blinkit was a way to continue growth and kick the can down the road as far as profitability was concerned. So too, I believe is the company founder’s announcement that he wants to get into the airline space (running it like a bus service) and more recently, consider manufacturing jet engines. What I wrote in 2023, appears to hold good today, despite a lot of effort by Zomato (eternal) to be  profitable. I was called a sceptic when Zomato (Eternal) posted ...