Philip Breedlove, former Supreme Commander of NATO, was just on and he said the exact same things as Petraeus. That while these Ukraine victories over Russia are welcome and wonderful things, in the long run it's actually what you said -that Russia's playbook is to grind it out and use their superior numbers while they turn a lot of Ukrainian cities into rubble. That's what's going to happen and I don't know the solution to stopping it except Rush's own complete collapse.
However, if things go worse for Russia and Putin sees no other resort, he'll use nukes - it's hard coded into their strategy. And yes, I think their nukes are formidable. Because the generals and knowledge people I've read think they are. That with nukes, there's not a lot of room for ineptitude like the conventional war so far.
My opinions aren't necessarily the generals', and like you I would love to see something done. But tese guys know far better than me what's happening and they're all saying these things to prevent worldwide calamity.
This is a war unlike any in history, and over 80 years since a country as powerful has initiated aggression.
The only thing I would add is I think it's pretty clear that if Putin directly tangles with a NATO country unprovoked, or attacks one, unfortunately it's on on a global scale and we're all in and I don't think there's much deliberation there and I think North Korea and China absolutely definitely know that and can see that, that's why China is being so guarded in their public statements. Nukes will be used, probably tactical and more locally destructive. This isn't about punishing Russia, this is about saving the world now, and involves the most nuclear-armed country on the planet. I certainly respect your opinion and many people feel that way, that we just can't stand back, but I also can see it being 20 times worse than it is now, affecting most of the planet once the buttons start getting pushed. It's not a good choice, I understand. For now I'll stick with the pain of having to restrain effective attacks and hopefully coming up with a strategy to get this done. I would not want to be a general right now.
We've really never been this close to military-induced catastrophe. Certainly it's worth being careful before we take the leap. Once we take it, we will see nuclear war.