Exactly. Not a good look to use the rising sun flag.

Because it is actually still the Japanese Navy flag. Do I think they should change it? Definite yes.

In this case the origin was billions of light years away so the power of the gamma rays diminished after travelling for such a long distance.

The gamma rays travel at the speed of light. It was the jets created from the black hole collapse that travel at near the speed of light. The jets and the gamma rays are 2 different things although they happen together.

Well, the alternative plan he talked about where Ukraine walks across the swamp, the Syvash, is probably the best plan. I have not yet seen any detailed operational plans discussed anywhere else so I will not say it here. I suggest you look at the Siege of Perekop, where the Soviets walked across the swamp, the Syvash, to flank enemy positions and take them by surprise. I think it might be workable for light infantry. Nevertheless, the Soviets took heavy casualties in taking Crimea.

Ironically, the fact that Putin's reign is secure might be better for Ukraine's prospects for retaking Crimea, because Biden might just decide to support Ukraine for retaking Crimea.

I do not even think it will get to a stage where he will get a full blown civil war. I mean, look at the protests at the start of the war, those were pretty huge and it died down. Of course, the protests will be even larger if he loses Crimea but I do not really see a pathway to outright rebellion. I mean, his army is puttin down refuseniks very effectively now. Unless the officers rebel too of course, but I cannot foresee that happening, at least not yet. Maybe once the officers realise they have a high chance of dying when US enters the fray, only then they will rebel.

Again, US should tilt Putin calculations such that losing Crimea is an acceptable risk.

I did not think he would violate the agreement with China so soon after signing it, given that is one of the few agreements he can afford to violate now.

Really shows that any peace deal with Ukraine has with Russia has to be enforced militarily.