... besides, FB is fatuous, that is to say, FB really isn't designed for anything approaching a serious conversation. Any "swinging dick" thinks that he has an opinion that is actually informed and worth expressing on FB. Mostly I limit my FB conversations to comedic elements or PMs to personal friends. You (Tom) IMHO are better off w/o FB if it came down to a real choice of a good online social-media presence. I would not want you thought of principally as an online influencer. "Influencer" means to me more oriented toward propaganda.
Facebook censored theories of a lab leak in 2020 as "misinformation." That was all I needed to see to walk away from that "Tesco/Walmart" of internet communication. Now it's like AOL from 1996 with added fun biometric spying.
I ordered it as soon as you mentioned it. You as a credibile source is firmly established with me and I am really curious to know exactly what happened during those 88 hours. I'm not sure there is a better example of how Chinese military kit operates in a contemporary conflict. Looking forward to reading it!
If this happens to others good chance they leave and never come back. The error message should have an email contact. Tell your admins ;) Also, haven't received an email telling me I'm now registered as a customer. I used my email maxrottersman@gmail.com
Can’t wait to read it. I will leave you a positive review on Amazon because you deserve it and it will screw with the half-wits. There are some utter clowns out there and especially in western capitals with the experten. Met a few in my time and boy oh boy most of them were real crayon chewing half wits. The problem is none of their stuff ever adds up…..
"crayon chewing half wits" Hah hah hah hah hah I gotta remember this expression. I look forward to using it some time, with appropriate attribution of course. **LOL**
I remember happening upon Tom's writing in the early 2000s (2003 to be precise) and it had a profound effect on my world view and future experience with a military conflict
I grow up studing the cold war and was fascinated by what ever 80s publication i could put my hands on during the 90s , stuff like the DIA US and soviet military power yearly publications 1981-1991 , weapons Encyclopedia and articles from giants like Robert Fisk anong many others.
Then with the advent of the interent which was 2002 to me :( i scour the world wide web looking for an undersranding to how the military and the world in general work.
I was always immune to propaganda, even when I was trapped within my own bubble reading the carefully selected and nationally allowed military publications about the cold war and WWII and i always could spot contradictions , embellishments and carefully glossed over details , but I could never fill the empty spot , I knew that somethings were plain wrong but no example of wha is correct to prove myself right.
Enter Tom Cooper , I was pleasantly surprised to find someone who reseached obsecure airforces and air wars , he was not like almost all others in the field , just repeating the party line or just regurgitate the same slop everybody else apoke about to death.
He was doing his own original research and willing to listen to alternative talking points that even went against his own beliefs and view point and willing to dig through the muck to look for that single grain of gold, but boy o boy when you find that speck of gold , that a different experience.
I can not thank Tom enough for his ceaseless search for the fact , his integrity and even his sharp sarcastic remarks.
Your analysis, on events covered by you, in each of your posts, since I subscribed, has been compelling. It is no longer important to me whether or not, your analysis is aligned with my PoV. It is, at the cost of repeating myself, compelling, and enriching. You are neutral and dispassionate in your analysis. Unfortunately, this book is not yet available (easily at least) in India yet. Amazon has been repeatedly postponing its release, Surely there will be no dearth of readers wanting to purchase a copy of "88-Hours War"
Tom, is there a podcast you can be heard talking about the topics you are covering? I'd be interested in that format, and even more to also ear your co-authors. Not in a performative performance, which would be pointless, but I fee that such medium would so fitting to your No BS approach, as I perceive it. Not meaning I take you as a guru though, as I don't agree with every you say or write, but I always welcome and enjoy the thoughts provoking material you put out.
First of all thanks a lot sir for sharing this .... I still remember your first hand insights that you shared on this blog and it withstand the test of time. Now multiple think tanks of sovereign governments are just reinforcing your writings. Your blog has provided a real understanding in one of the most propaganda driven period that I have experienced in my life on social media. Ordering the book.
And just a question... do you still stand on your claims that the jet crashed in Pampore is PAF JF-17 and one PAF mirage has crashed in India.
Re. 'Pampore': me thinks, that's quite a 'wide description'. Precisely as explained in the book:
- one jet came down outside Chak Raja (or Raja Chak),
- almost simultaneously, another came down 10km west of Aknoor;
Both of these losses are confirmed by videos.
As for what were they: initial reports from the scene said 'JF-17', and 'both pilots KIA'. Most of locals said, 'Akash SAMs of the Army'. Another claim said, 'JF-17 by R-77-1s' (i.e. by Su-30MKIs). Then all the locals were muted. Later on, a version appeared that both were IAF MiG-29UPGs scrambled from Srinagar, and shot down by insurgents using FIM-92 Stingers.
Beyond that, I've got not enough info to draw any kind of useful conclusions - with one exception: nothing of this was related to initial IAF air strikes. These were concluded in perfect order, took the PAF completely by surprise, and resulted not only in obliteration of both targets, but also no Indian loss.
PS: I think you might be downplaying your, and your co-authors, work.
What you guys cannot be done by any "idiot with Wi-Fi connection".
For that to navigate such blurred environment takes knowledge, discipline and time. And, I assume, a few reliable connections to confirm or infirm a deduction helps too. It's not because there's a load of information out there that it's easier to figure out the facts. On the contrary, information overload is real, and I assume it's part of any disinformation campaign.
Hence, again, what you do is not a grassroots sport. Your actual readership knows it, in my opinion.
Believe me: it's really simple. That is, it did take 'days' to sort out all the possible social media reports, review videos etc., but, really: everything is there. Especially time-stamps. Alone that was perfectly enough to create a complete picture.
The question is only what exactly came down and where.
I enjoyed this article. Anyone who has read Tom's previous discussions of this subject can be in no doubt that he knows more about this war and understands it better than anybody, including the plonkers on both sides.
The book is excellent and and does not fit either country’s narrative.
Thx. Delighted to hear that: means we've done exactly the kind of job I wanted done.
I for one welcome you posting more here than on facebook since not everyone has an account there (or wants to visit the site..)
... besides, FB is fatuous, that is to say, FB really isn't designed for anything approaching a serious conversation. Any "swinging dick" thinks that he has an opinion that is actually informed and worth expressing on FB. Mostly I limit my FB conversations to comedic elements or PMs to personal friends. You (Tom) IMHO are better off w/o FB if it came down to a real choice of a good online social-media presence. I would not want you thought of principally as an online influencer. "Influencer" means to me more oriented toward propaganda.
Facebook censored theories of a lab leak in 2020 as "misinformation." That was all I needed to see to walk away from that "Tesco/Walmart" of internet communication. Now it's like AOL from 1996 with added fun biometric spying.
This is why I call it fakebook and never used it.
I call if F@rceBook or even at times FukBk and use it for fluff, but nothing serious. :)
Nor me. It should be shut down and Zuckerbugger chucked in jail.
I ordered it as soon as you mentioned it. You as a credibile source is firmly established with me and I am really curious to know exactly what happened during those 88 hours. I'm not sure there is a better example of how Chinese military kit operates in a contemporary conflict. Looking forward to reading it!
On Amazon (U.S.) says won't be released until March 5, 2026. Maybe FB didn't want you selling it before then...haha!
Amazon is telling me I won't get my copy until April 5.
Its almost as if fate, destiny or ... interests are conspiring to limit the reach of this book. Wonder why.
Yup, it's the same with our retailer in the USA: Casemate.
They also say '5 March':
https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781806720859/88-hours-war/
Cannot but recommend ordering straight from the publisher: https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/88-hours-war-the-india-pakistan-war-of-may-2025.php
Helion is shipping world-wide (and not financing Bezos).
When I did the last step of submitting order I got this: An error occurred.
Sorry, the page you are looking for is currently unavailable.
Please try again later.
If you are the system administrator of this resource then you should check the error log for details.
Faithfully yours, nginx.
Surprised to hear that. I'll check with admins in the morning, but right now: both are working fine for me.
If this happens to others good chance they leave and never come back. The error message should have an email contact. Tell your admins ;) Also, haven't received an email telling me I'm now registered as a customer. I used my email maxrottersman@gmail.com
I managed to order one five mins ago. Maybe your credit rating Max? :-)
FB-moderation is mostly done by robots now, and only rarely a human interferes. I guess it simply reacted to "88" and flagged it as Nazism for that.
Can’t wait to read it. I will leave you a positive review on Amazon because you deserve it and it will screw with the half-wits. There are some utter clowns out there and especially in western capitals with the experten. Met a few in my time and boy oh boy most of them were real crayon chewing half wits. The problem is none of their stuff ever adds up…..
"crayon chewing half wits" Hah hah hah hah hah I gotta remember this expression. I look forward to using it some time, with appropriate attribution of course. **LOL**
No please take and use freely 😎
I remember happening upon Tom's writing in the early 2000s (2003 to be precise) and it had a profound effect on my world view and future experience with a military conflict
I grow up studing the cold war and was fascinated by what ever 80s publication i could put my hands on during the 90s , stuff like the DIA US and soviet military power yearly publications 1981-1991 , weapons Encyclopedia and articles from giants like Robert Fisk anong many others.
Then with the advent of the interent which was 2002 to me :( i scour the world wide web looking for an undersranding to how the military and the world in general work.
I was always immune to propaganda, even when I was trapped within my own bubble reading the carefully selected and nationally allowed military publications about the cold war and WWII and i always could spot contradictions , embellishments and carefully glossed over details , but I could never fill the empty spot , I knew that somethings were plain wrong but no example of wha is correct to prove myself right.
Enter Tom Cooper , I was pleasantly surprised to find someone who reseached obsecure airforces and air wars , he was not like almost all others in the field , just repeating the party line or just regurgitate the same slop everybody else apoke about to death.
He was doing his own original research and willing to listen to alternative talking points that even went against his own beliefs and view point and willing to dig through the muck to look for that single grain of gold, but boy o boy when you find that speck of gold , that a different experience.
I can not thank Tom enough for his ceaseless search for the fact , his integrity and even his sharp sarcastic remarks.
Cool! Is there an ebook format coming up?
Sure. Always some 6-9 months after the release of the printed format, and always directly from the publisher (Helion): https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/88-hours-war-the-india-pakistan-war-of-may-2025.php
Sure. This is where I buy from, but was not aware of the lag.
When is it releasing in India? I have been looking forward to reading it since October 2025
You can order from publisher directly, right away: Helion is shipping to India (and few hundreds of copies are already underway in that direction).
https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/88-hours-war-the-india-pakistan-war-of-may-2025.php
Your analysis, on events covered by you, in each of your posts, since I subscribed, has been compelling. It is no longer important to me whether or not, your analysis is aligned with my PoV. It is, at the cost of repeating myself, compelling, and enriching. You are neutral and dispassionate in your analysis. Unfortunately, this book is not yet available (easily at least) in India yet. Amazon has been repeatedly postponing its release, Surely there will be no dearth of readers wanting to purchase a copy of "88-Hours War"
Thx. Hope the same.
Tom, is there a podcast you can be heard talking about the topics you are covering? I'd be interested in that format, and even more to also ear your co-authors. Not in a performative performance, which would be pointless, but I fee that such medium would so fitting to your No BS approach, as I perceive it. Not meaning I take you as a guru though, as I don't agree with every you say or write, but I always welcome and enjoy the thoughts provoking material you put out.
We do have the podcast, Helion Talks.
This is the latest 'episode' on the recently published first two volumes of the project about Air-to-Air Missiles, by Bill Norton:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/helion-talks-air-to-air-missiles/id1768329198?i=1000746136064
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01de4533-4eed-4231-8ff5-9d20e7de1244/underground-strategy
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3G3jzyvxRaDSFri1IDUHaz?si=c20413197f514e81
As said before: I'm trying to keep this blog 'advertisment free', thus not going that much into posting links like these.
I'll make an appearance there (in March or April), and make it known when it's so far.
Super! It completely flew under my radar, thanks a lot for pointing it out!
Exactly what I was looking for , thank you for asking
First of all thanks a lot sir for sharing this .... I still remember your first hand insights that you shared on this blog and it withstand the test of time. Now multiple think tanks of sovereign governments are just reinforcing your writings. Your blog has provided a real understanding in one of the most propaganda driven period that I have experienced in my life on social media. Ordering the book.
And just a question... do you still stand on your claims that the jet crashed in Pampore is PAF JF-17 and one PAF mirage has crashed in India.
Thx.
Re. 'Pampore': me thinks, that's quite a 'wide description'. Precisely as explained in the book:
- one jet came down outside Chak Raja (or Raja Chak),
- almost simultaneously, another came down 10km west of Aknoor;
Both of these losses are confirmed by videos.
As for what were they: initial reports from the scene said 'JF-17', and 'both pilots KIA'. Most of locals said, 'Akash SAMs of the Army'. Another claim said, 'JF-17 by R-77-1s' (i.e. by Su-30MKIs). Then all the locals were muted. Later on, a version appeared that both were IAF MiG-29UPGs scrambled from Srinagar, and shot down by insurgents using FIM-92 Stingers.
Beyond that, I've got not enough info to draw any kind of useful conclusions - with one exception: nothing of this was related to initial IAF air strikes. These were concluded in perfect order, took the PAF completely by surprise, and resulted not only in obliteration of both targets, but also no Indian loss.
PS: I think you might be downplaying your, and your co-authors, work.
What you guys cannot be done by any "idiot with Wi-Fi connection".
For that to navigate such blurred environment takes knowledge, discipline and time. And, I assume, a few reliable connections to confirm or infirm a deduction helps too. It's not because there's a load of information out there that it's easier to figure out the facts. On the contrary, information overload is real, and I assume it's part of any disinformation campaign.
Hence, again, what you do is not a grassroots sport. Your actual readership knows it, in my opinion.
Believe me: it's really simple. That is, it did take 'days' to sort out all the possible social media reports, review videos etc., but, really: everything is there. Especially time-stamps. Alone that was perfectly enough to create a complete picture.
The question is only what exactly came down and where.
It is already on my very long book list to be ordered. I don't agree to the statement "Any idiot with wi-fi could’ve done it".
Idiots cannot create anything useful, they can be only used for censorship, mind control and as cannon fodder.
Will there be an e-book?
Yes. Always some 6-9 months after the release of the printed format, and always directly from the publisher (Helion): https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/88-hours-war-the-india-pakistan-war-of-may-2025.php
I enjoyed this article. Anyone who has read Tom's previous discussions of this subject can be in no doubt that he knows more about this war and understands it better than anybody, including the plonkers on both sides.