Starting at 00:00 on May 8th in SMO time, Russia has begun a theater-wide ceasefire in accordance with Putin’s yearly routine in honor of Victory Day celebrations.
I kept checking into this Lend-Lease Act thing for decades. The US Congressional Library is surely hiding stuff just about completely weeded out from the subject. From what I was able to dig up I would place the blame on the Lend-Lease Act.
>>From what I was able to dig up I would place the blame on the Lend-Lease Act.(?)<<
The Lend Lease Act has for sure contributed some but the brave people of the USSR have crushed the criminal genocidal German Nazi beasts.
The US then hurried to open the second front in june 1944 after refusing to do so earlier despite the USSR asking them to do so. The USA only reason to open the second front was to prevent the USSR from rolling through to the Atlantic coast - they kept hoping Germany and the USSR would ruin each other to a degree that they could come in and take over.
80% of the German Armies where crushed by the USSR, the USA did a mere show, like they always do.
It is very broad explanation you are providing there. As a historian I work with facts, data, events, turning points, battles. I have a lot of experience in dealing with commie history and the way the US was handling the data related to the Lend-Lease Act is a mirror image of Soviet methods. The Soviets were doctoring stats and info concerning the Holodomor of the early 1930s and they were successful, until a Stanford historian started to visit Ukraine and beat the system there at their own game. See Robert Conquest, The Harvest of Sorrow. Historians can design funny ways to get to the bottom of these rabbit holes and I am sure not giving up on this issue.
...info concerning the Holodomor of the early 1930s...is just a western cold war lie like the 'Archipelago Gulag' nonsense of Solzhenitsyn and many others.
Why can I say that with conviction? I am old enough to have spoken to people who have lived through that period of time and in the USSR.
I am always stunned when western outsiders, be it from Stanford or west Germany, try to explain to me that my own life experience and that of my family and friends is wrong.
Nice try but calling themself Historians despite being mouth pieces of sheer anti communism hatred is not cutting it for me.
It's not ENTIRELY propaganda, the US' attempt at farming collectivisation - but into private Big Ag as it became known - at pretty much exactly the same time ALSO produced vast numbers, millions of deaths. There was a single real historian that looked into the period, and found the deaths had been hidden as 'normal mortality', but he looked into "Excess mortality" of the states affected, and lo and behold the numbers revealed themselves - America's Holodomor.
Because farming isn't an industrial process at heart. It's taking into account local factors, and building up local knowledge to use the land and resources effectively.
Forced centralisation breaks that link, farming breaks, and people starve, or go bankrupt and starve. Millions die.
Top down simply doesn't work when the producers HAVE to be localised.
Ofc today in the US, industrial farming 'won'. With mega $Bns in subsidies, 8x more energy put in than is produced in output, utterly reliant upon fossil fuels for every step, up to their necks in debt, catastrophic environmental damage, and 99% of the sector is just a corporate boondoggle.
I don't think it's propaganda that the holodomir occurred - I think the interpretation of it has been deliberately warped, and I think the similar cases in Western history (And "colonies") have been hidden.
The book 'Seeing Like A State' by James C Scott is an excellent read on such matters.
The very word 'Holodomir' is a product of anti-communist propaganda because what occurred was a famine and actually, Russian 'Голод' (Holod) means famine and 'mir' means people. By using a foreign word and applying false context, 'holodomir' achieves a status beyond 'hungry people' that is its actuality.
But yes, collective agriculture was worse in the US and with farther reaching negative consequences. In the Chinese experience of collectivization, the cadres learned that allowing peasants small private plots increased collective production while improving local nutrition. Socialism at its best learns and improves for humanity while capitalism learns and improves for profit.
There was a famine from Belarus, across Ukraine, Southern Russia to Kazakhstan. And somehow only Ukrainians were genocided. Nobody else feels like they were genocided.
Now, which Ukrainians started to push this narrative? Diaspora from Western Ukraine that was not even in the USSR when "Holodomor" happened.
Soil alone is not enough to farm, you need other inputs as well. But, as I said usually when it get to famines it is a combination of natural and human causes.
But I see commenters do not quite understand my point, I am not pushing against famine itself and the tragedy, I am pushing against specifically targeting one ethnic group - "Holomodor".
Claiming to be a historian, and relying on Conquest's drivel (paid by exile ukrainian nazis) is pathetic. Even western historians harshly criticized this piece of propaganda.
Ideology comes from idea. People without idea's are probably in a coma. It's not a question of ideology, it's the question what ideology and for what purpose.
Mine does not include to kill people around the world.
Genzen is an eastern Ashkenazic Jew occupational surname, derived from the Yiddish word gendzer, meaning a "goose dealer" or someone who kept or sold geese
Ok, steam off. That slimy lowlife ofc could not contribute anything to the subject, and his claim is ridiculous. For example the German mathematician Gerhard Gentzen, 1909-1945 (recognized for his contributions to proof theory), joined the SA and NSDAP, hardly a Jew. The politician Albert Genzen (1868-1940) was a social democratic politician, deputy to the state parliament in Braunschweig, no trace of Jewish anywhere.
Also: Felix-Heinrich Gentzen (1914–1969), german historian
Horst Gentzen (1930–1985), german actor
Johann Friedrich Gentzen (1796–1871), german librarian
Max Gentzen (1880–1950), german M.D, in Königsberg
Btw. the right wing "journalist" Max Althaus from "Berliner Kurier" tabloid claimed that Anton Gentzen is a pseudonym, not a realname. Maybe, not that it matters. Gentzen writes for Russia Today, so he has ample reasons to cover his ass in fascism reborn Germany and EU.
You could say that up to the moment when Conquest turned himself into a demographist and published the Soviet’s own data on the numbers of first graders joining the public schools six years after the Holodomor years. The numbers were close to zero. There were NO CHILDREN or very few born during those years.
This is why most states seriously dislike historians; we go to places where others do not thread. The Soviet state employees carefully combed all newspapers, printed materials and censored the general population to an extreme degree. Still, the facts were brought forward decades later. I spoke to Ukrainians who went home from Canada to visit relatives. Every one of them was assigned a police escort to their family meetings and the kind officer was sitting in at the family table listening to every conversation… The commies who try to whitewash this event will never win this one and neither will they win Katyn.
Sorry but another twisted truth here. The Chinese and Soviets did the heavy lifting. The USA killed 250 000 civilians with no military use by dropping two nuclear bombs on Japan. Japan surrendered to the USA because they feared the red Army that has beaten them and was coming for them more than the US.
The genocidal Wehrmacht lost over 80% of its casualties on the Eastern Front fighting the Red Army. By 1944 the Wehrmacht had suffered fatal wounds from the defeats suffered at Kursk and Stalingrad. Then along came Operation Bagration in June 1944 which broke the back of Army Group Centre which lost dozens of divisions. The D Day landings were a minor footnote in all of this. According to Marshall Rokossovsky in a private discussion Marshall Zhukov told him:
"We have liberated Europe from fascism, but they will never forgive us for it"
This perfectly sums up the problems we now face with the declining western powers trying to rewrite history to cover up for their continuing economic and military decline.
And now we have supposedly mature, circumspect adults leading us that talk about nothing but unilaterally attacking other countries like it's normal to simply destroy other countries for some made-up reason.
Seriously, it's beyond comprehension that we commit genocides, threaten to destroy civilizations and manufacture as many weapons as we can although nobody threatens us.
If you read Stalins War by Sean McMeekin you get a pretty good picture of what the Lend&Lease actually was. It was very important for Stalin but you also get the truth about Roosevelt and his cynical play for World domination. His actions actually created the foundation of the Cold War with a divided Europe and a crushed Germany along a weak GB.
Sean McMeekin was born in Idaho, raised in Rochester NY, and educated at Stanford and UC Berkeley. He has been fascinated by modern history ever since playing Winston Churchill in a high school reenactment of the Yalta Conference. He pursued this interest to American and European and Middle Eastern battlefields, libraries, and archives, venturing as far east as Russia, before settling down to teach for some years in Turkey. Since 2014, he has taught at Bard College in the Hudson Valley. He is the author of eight award-winning books. McMeekin lives in Clermont, New York.
Celebrated author in the West. Who get's celebrated in the West and has no trouble to get published and praised on Amazon?
Certainly a scholar with no bias whatsoever and...I leave it here, those 'historians' are valuable for the swamp they come from only.
Professor Richard Overy in his book Russia's War acknowledges the importance of the military aid provided by US lend lease to the USSR but points out that it was the planned economy and the immense sacrifices of the indomnitable Soviet people which were critical in the triumph over German fascism and its allies. Never mind that the Redc Army out fought the Wehrmacht from 1943 onwards using deep penetration techniques which had been developed by Marshal Tukachevsky before his murder by Stalin in 1937.
So, dropping atomic bombs on Japan, is just to prove the point to Stalin? Seems like you don’t have enough info on Churchill- loyal servant of British empire with colonial power flair. Find FDR speech, I would recommend looking into archives.org. Book written by FDR son
There is little doubt that the German Army was broken on the eastern front.
But people are also deceiving themselves if the dont recognize the role of Stalin in creating the disaster that befell the Soviet Union and the world. Hitler and Stalin together lit the world on fire, along with the venal incompetence of the allied powers after WW1.
Worse for the Soviets the monstrous soul crushing tyranny of Stalins Soviet Union left the Red Army prey to destruction by a German Army that was inferior in almost every metric except experience and cohesion. While simultaneously that same tyranny was the only thing that allowed the Soviets to resist at all.
WW2 and Stalins way of war was a demographic disaster from which Russia may never recover. The legacy of the bureaucratic state - legalistic on the outside, corrupt and sluggardly on the inside still handicaps Russia today. One can only hope that the current struggle, the demographic realities and the secret individual and family memories of millions processed through the Soviet machine will slowly impose reform.
It's natural and inevitable that Stalin the monster would simultaneously be raised up in Russian memory as Stalin the hero. That spectacle seems central to the Russian character (if we can speak of national character). Holding such a contradiction in mind is natural for human beings but seems extreme in Russia. Will it be possible for a nation in war to extract the positive from Stalins Russia and repudiate the contemptible?
Russia's victory in WW2 rests upon the stubborn endurance and simple habit of obedience of the Russian soldier who won the fight despite the failures of Russian leadership and the crushing tyranny of the Soviet state which sacrificed him in vast numbers
I am inclined to agree with a great part of your ideas about the development and consequences of the IIWW, but I think that you forget the main culprit in the tragedy, who was Winston Churchill.
Hitler's political strategy was aggresive and reckless, Stalin and the bolsheviks were a scourge for the Russian people and culture, but neither of them initiated the spark that exploded into a general total war.
The most extraordinary in the whole story is the continous glorification of Churchill, when it should be clear for everyone that he declared the war and opposed the German attempts to negotiate (letting the British escape
from Dunkerke, the mission of Rudolf Hess).
The result of his policies were disastrous. There is no country in the world that fell from such an exalted position to a hopeless one as the former British Empire to the sorry spectacle of the UK today.
Speak of the demographic consequences for Russia!
Compare the streets of Moscow to the ones of London today and you tell me which people is dissolving more disastrously.
A recent American analysis says that for per capita purchase power parity, Spain and Poland, not to speak of Italy and France are today, ahead of the UK. Who could have even imagined something like that in 1939.
Some people argue that, after all, Churchill was fighting for democracy against totalitarianism, while it should be evident that his idea of democracy does not hold for a minute if one contemplates the brutality of his actions in India. We, Europeans tend to think more about Holodomore than about the famine in India which was the result of British policies.
It was no fight for human rights and democracy but for hegemony and Empire.
There was a time when I might have resisted your portrait of Churchill. Today, less so. Here again we have monster and hero combined into one. Over and over again history seems to demonstrate how catastrophe and good fortune go hand in hand like lovers.
We must also remind ourselves not to inject our "modern" sensibilities into the reading of the past - even the near past like 1912-1945 which can seem like ancient history when we consider the movement of ideas and attitudes in such a short season.
We are also in error to presume the superiority of own thinking and attitudes. New expressions of evil are bubbling out of cauldrons all over the world. Dressed up in fine cloths and pleasing aromas.
God is at work. In ways stranger than we imagine.
For whatever reason I hope that this is Russias season, that against all odds, something new and dynamic might arise out of the endless depths of the east. Something other than inexplicable suffering. Maybe just the romantic left in me.
I often think that my father in the US Army fighting in Germany would have likely been killed if it were not for the valor and sacrifice of the Red Army on the Eastern Front.
Zelensky is not suicidal, yet, until Epsteined. He knows rules. Kinzhals are bunker busters with 10 metres precision, are now stored probably in hundreds. They were not used recently, production likely increased from some 60 in 2023 to a few hundred yearly now.
Fico is coming to Moscow parade with message from Zelensky, and taking back an answer. So no attack on the Red Square.
Different story in Iran. Trump, Macron are compromised, will do anything.
Carrier "Charles deGaulle", which is now heading to Hormuz, is a nuclear powered ship. If attacked it's reactor might blow up or sink, causing pollution. Rafale will take off and attack some important target, like Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, to try save themselves, be refuelled midair and go to Israel, Turkey, Cyprus.
This group is part of coalition some 6 NATO countries, led by France and UK.
Dutch and Italian are escorting this carrier. Boy Rubio just yesterday visited Meloni, interesting to know what she was threatened with and ordered to do.
Until 2009 Charles was carrying onboard ASMPA nuclear cruise missiles.
It's Rafale can carry each up to 10 such missiles.
They are heading to Hormuz to do job for Trump and Natanyahu, so those 2 will have clean hands.
France is not a part of Nuclear Planning Group in NATO. So Macron alone makes decisions.
If he is Epsteined, as files suggest, he will do whatever he is told to do. As Trump was forced to follow his orders.
‘Carrier "Charles deGaulle", which is now heading to Hormuz’ Is Macaroni thinking to provide a moving target for Persia or they just want to place some decoration on the bottom of the sea there?
As Trump hands are tided up by 60 day war limitation, any escalation from any new country plays into his hands.
"The United Arab Emirates is attacking Iran. Multiple strikes have taken place against Qeshm Island and Siri, so far. Sources say it’s a joint U.S-Emirati operation, with American logistics backing." after https://t.me/Middle_East_Spectator
Unless they can downgrade Iran’s defenses close to zero in the south they will not send US or French carriers into the Persian Gulf. Losing just one of those goods would change the balance of power on a planetary scale. Every small nation like Cuba and Venezuela would live for the moment to buy enough of those missiles from China, Iran or Russia, even from North Korea.
890kg, depending on nuclear payload size and weight of rocket fuel.
"The Rafale from France can carry a wide range of unique weapons, including the ASMP-A nuclear missile. It can hold up to 9.5 tonnes of weapons across 14 hardpoints. The ASMP-A, developed by France's defence ministry, gives the Rafale a strike range of 500 km.".
What exactly is the threat behind "being Epsteined"? We know none of them are ever going to jail, and it would be hard for any of us to hate them more than we already do, so what exactly are they supposed to be afraid of?
Epstein went to jail, together with Ghislaine. He was removed from jail at midnight, probably to be found alive in Israel after face surgery.
So everybody else can follow them to jail.
Somebody has all full pictures, recordings, documents, witness statements including for cannibalism, murder, torture, bestiality against children, rape.
That's why Trump was forced to war.
That's why Macron might use nucs or destroy Iranian nuclear plant with conventional payloads, but equally deadly effect. Actually, blown nuclear power plant releases 1000x more radioactive isotopes than nuclear bomb.
You're delusional. Maxwell is just window dressing, and for that matter, Epstein was just a pawn as well; none of the big fish will ever see the inside of a prison cell, it sets a bad precedent.
As is stated in this very article, fucking NAZIS didn't go to jail (guten Tag, Herr Gehlen!), so none of these twats will. As a matter of fact, name one Western politician who has ever even been put on trial, much less convicted and jailed, for the heinous shit they're always indulging in. Go ahead, we'll wait.
Trump is also delusional, and an WILLING acolyte of Is-ra-el. He didn't need to be "forced" to war, this is exactly what he's wanted for years.
No, in yesterday's discussion on "US latest" many mentioned that Charles will be attacked and sunk, if comes close to Hormuz.
I have replied that France has 290 nuclear bombs.
They will retaliate with whatever they have onboard of Charles.
Israel did bomb Bushehr nuclear plant on 20.03. So air defence can't prevent further attacks by whoever wants to escalate. Shortly after Iran bombed vicinity of Dimona nuclear research center
The French have nothing to gain bringing their carrier into Hormuz and the Iranians have nothing to gain by sinking it. What can the French possibly gain from provoking Iran?
When you say "Epsteined" it "sounds" as if Macron is forced to participate in anti-Russian and anti-Iran actions against his will. Is there some reason to believe he isn't an active supporter? He has been a featured speaker at the WEF.
We must remember that even within the "Epstein Class" there are fierce rivalries. While many have built their survival bunkers in New Zealand, I know of at least one in Wyoming. If it is the only one, then I suggest Wyoming may have been chosen to avoid the rivalry that will develop between the different "city-states" which is certain between these "crazies from the basement" (as GHWB called them). Look at the psychopathy that Israeli settlers suffer from and multiply that by whatever factor you wish. I can't understand the superiority complex of the settlers so it is hard to imagine it being "worse".
"The Golden Billion" stated goal is no more than 1B people and maybe as few as 500,000,000. Check out the Georgia Guidestones. The first inscription was 500,000,000 humans.
If that isn't dystopian enough, this young man sums it up quite well.
This same question has to be asked about Trump. All the accusations that he's being "forced" to make choices because of Epstein I'd suggest should be he makes those choices "in spite of" Epstein.
There may even be some members of the "Epstein class" who oppose the Golden Billion. I wouldn't know who to nominate though. IMHO, all Billionaires are criminals.
On "The Golden Billion"? There are dozens. Feel free to do a web search and pick whichever one you like. It is just one of several scenarios that are imagined. These are not mutually exclusive.
Is it "likely"? Well, let's recall that there are Billionaires who actually want to subdivide the USA into their own personal fiefdoms. The "Epstein Class" now completely controls nearly every aspect of the USA. Social media is a two-way street. It can spread fear and loathing and/or it can be used for surveillance to determine who might be a threat to them.
In 2022 it seemed "unlikely" that there would be a war in Ukraine.
In Oct 2023 it seemed "unlikely" that Hamas would attack Israel and that Netanyahu knew it but wanted it to happen.
Last year it seemed "unlikely" that the 12-day war would happen.
Just months ago, it seemed "unlikely" that the strait of Hormuz would be closed.
I never, in my wildest dreams, did I imagine Jews could become so hated in such a short time. It seemed "unlikely".
No any sources. Just logic of total war against Iran, which will last many years.
Bushehr was bombed 2x within 30 days. The first strike targeted water cooling system. The second killed a security guard.
For the many years to come of the 3WW and escalation of conflict, Bushehr might be bombed every month. Each with more precise and more powerful strikes. Air defence dosn't work.
Israel has some 60-200 nucs. Reactor capsules are build to withstand nuclear attack, but there are tens of critically important installations. One is destroyed and chain reaction blows reactor.
Chernobyl was the newest, most advanced technology, it blow up during endurance test on one of systems.
Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant is bombed every month from the very beginning of war, for over 4 years. The last one was just 5 days ago. Ukrainians attacked the external radiation control laboratory, no critical damage to the equipment was recorded. Zaporozhye is switched off, but stores 850 tons of nuclear waste (10x more than Chernobyl) which can't be removed from site due to bombardments - too big risk Ukrainians will target convoy. Ukrainians have 3 remaining nuclear stations, majority of their electricity comes from them. They don't want tit for tat.
Bushehr is a working plant, has 70 tons at reactors and 200 tons of waste.
It's a ticking bomb. After it happen, media will call it "hell".
Natanyahu wants total annihilation of Iran, another Gaza. Trump wants Armageddon of Iranian civilisation.
If they can do this job with French/UK/Denmark/Italian or Emirates hands, the better. More actors are coming. Saudis sponsored Pakistani's nuclear program and likely they have access to those bombs at will.
Gradually more NATO countries will be involved militarily in Iran. Macron and Starmer iniatially refused, but switched opposite within a few weeks.
You are rationally analyzing events in a way that your goal is to "Just get along".
The people the Anglo-American Oligarchy have placed in high political positions report to that Oligarchy, euphemistically known as the "Epstein Class" mostly because it is convenient and no other label really works.
The "Epstein Class" has a very alien psychology that you and I can't really understand, but which is more like "kill or be killed". They also are infected with a sense of superiority over the rest of humanity.
Now, you know this. I know you know it.
"They" (which I use because they are not "us") have been promoting the "Golden Billion" for quite some time now. Is there any reason to not consider it a possibility?
France sailing a carrier into the Persian Gulf and attacking a nuclear reactor unprevoked isn't only illogical, it's impossible. Macron doesn't have that sort of decision making ability. Unprovoked wars of aggression always have a foundational narrative to avoid the worst of the diplomatic blowback. I have seen no signs of this from France. Secondly if the French wanted to destroy Bushehr there are many, many better ways than risking their carrier group.
I don't think we can debate the "logic" of the choices being made by the "Epstein Class" (Or Oligarchy; or Syndicate). I haven't understood the "logic" since Vietnam.
Macron is the President of France, perhaps he's going to just pretend to be Trump and give the order. Who in the French Navy is going to say "no"?
"Fabien Mandon reports to the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, as he serves as the Chief of the Defence Staff of the French Armed Forces."
Since when has the "Epstein Class" cared about results? Maybe they really don't want to destroy Bushehr. Maybe they want the carrier sunk. Maybe they are spreading a false rumor. I have no idea.
You're using "logic" again. Don't.
Anything you can imagine is "possible" no matter how stupid it is. After all, destroying the World Trade Center seems a bit of overreach. Blowing up the Nordstream Pipeline seems stupid.
What is new, and should be written about, is that RT is now airing some cautious critic against Putin and the flegmatic way to perform the SMO.
The Karaganov article was hard and the recommendation to ”instill fear into European leaders” was echoed in Medvedevs excellent summary of the ”New Germany” with his
I provided a very long comment about the "Epstein Class" and their goals.
I don't believe folks understand how they work. Not enough Berlitic, Good, Krapivnik and Diesen exposure.
One of the goals of the Epstein Class that should not be ignored, but is routinely dismissed, is the "Golden Billion".
All the "chest pounding" about how Putin (and Xi) should take action against the US ignores that the "Epstein Class" is looking forward to a nuclear war.
Wouldn't it be even better to "Threaten Mass Strikes on Kiev Center Or Any Other Targets Should Zelensky Or Others Disturb Sacred Russia Ever Again"? Kremlin could learn a few things from Iran.
Irsns response has triggered a kind of shame on some Russian leaders. Karaganovs and Medvedevs articles in RT were official statements. However, there have been so many warnings to date that it is too late to deter anything now. The EU will continue course, faster. In addition, whereas Karaganov sounds witter, Medvedev loses the point. Total obliteration of Europe is what the anglozionist empire precisely wishes, to create a radioactive buffer zone against the Russian hun hordes and focus on the global maritime empire, Africa, the Americas, the Pacific, the Middle East, and South East Asia, before Russia and China proper are gutted, just like in the XIXth century. Putin was right all the way, avoiding to bite the bait for a total nuclear war against NATO. As the Rand paper Extending Russia put it, it is about blocking the Russian economy, making it bleed, preventing growth and infrastructure development. Although they havent succeeded in collapsing the Russian economy, which is still growing and is now robuster and more resilient, they have managed to destroy the BRICs dynamics and deprived Russia from it nuclear deterrence capability. I therefore think that Putins epoch could soon be over since Russia will be committing suicide if it lets the German and Japanese military spree consolidate.
Iran started reacting accordingly only when the old clique was elliminated, if the turds were still alive they would do exactely what they were doing for decades - raising red, black, yellow or whatever flags and nothing more.
Yeah, those pesky little Russkies did run all the way to Borodino from Napoleon and to Moscow from Hitler. Maybe they want to better their distance running record and will run all the way to Vladivostoc this time from the piano player.
The fact that the Russian Army retreated from east Germany in violation of the treaty of friendship and mutual defense that the traitor Gorbatschev dumped into the dust bin of history.
I do not scroll throught the whole article now again, GM. Read it yourself.
red alerts and syrens all over Russia, kindergartens and schools were closed, the kids sent back home, how do I know that? bc I live here and had to take my little kid back home today, we live 400 km from the border, and this has become our daily routine for months now. we're not stupid, its only getting worse by the day. so tell me about konstantinovka, I'll listen.
Im herereading Simpl amd comment sections for more than 4 years now, did not participate tho, but the pressure withing Russian suciaty is boiling up, really boiling up. people start asking questions, but the problem is the tzar is ignoring it, Im not even sure he is totally aware of what is really happening (he doesnt use internet), and even if he is, it makes it even worse bc that means he does all that willingly.
Attacks on Russian assets is a everyday occurence so maybe Kreml has focus on solely Moscow and the Victory parade…
If someone had said to me 5 years ago that Ukraine will ultimately be able to bomb StPetersburg by flying through the Baltics and even detour into Finland to evade Russian AD, I would have thought it ridiculous.
You and I would have said that such a scenario would lead to an attack against the Baltic states and possibly Finland. It was unimaginable to foresee a development we have witnessed since then.
I was absolutely ecstatic on February 22 2022. Because I absolutely could not imagine that anyone would make that step without preparing for it both militarily and socio-economically, i.e. Russia was both going to steamroll the Ukronazis and was going to reform itself internally back to a socialist command-economy model, and thus finally unlock its potential.
Imagine my horror a few weeks later when the reality became clear...
...and was going to reform itself internally back to a socialist command-economy model, and thus finally unlock its potential.
That obviously was wishful thinking on your part.
The disappointment is not in the result of the fact. The disappointment is rooted in wrong expectations.
Russia is not the USSR and the influence of the counterrevolution is still great. The communist party still is the second power in Russia though. It might need some more time but the Russians see China's way of success also and with the reform of the education system back to USSR standards, the trajectory is possibly back to a socialist society with Russian characters.
🤣Can imagine. Well, I was no supporter of the USSR system, although it had its virtues. Talked a lot with older DDR-people who felt totally screwed by the western take-over. However, I dont think that type of socialistic command economy can function as long as the humans are shortsighted, materialistic and selfish. USSR was full of double-think and corruption.
The Jeltsin years opened the gates to hell and Putin did well for a couples of years (or what could be done) to bring the federation in some order.
His longing to become part of West was used against him and Russia.
China is doing both (socialist-statecapitalism with autocracy) and recently handled two deathsentences for corruption against former ministers. Well done.
What type of system we should have is open to question (or settle) but I am sure we dont need the 0,1% superrich in it.
Putin sent 50,000 to the Far East, with all the gear, meanwhile the front fell apart in Kharkov.
And while civilians were running for their lives with whatever possessions they could pack into their ladas from Volchansk to Shebekino under Ukronazi fire, Putin dedicated a new Ferris wheel in Moscow with fireworks and celebrations.
I suspect Mr. P will be at next year's Victory Parade and every one afterward until his death, but not perhaps as the leader. I also suspect (wish?) that the SMO is about to metamorphose into a war by designation to be announced ex post facto. I suspect the time has come that Mr. P need not be a weatherman to gauge the political, tactical and strategic winds. It's taken me perhaps an overly long time to reach this conclusion, but were I he, I wouldn't wait for the parade to take a leaf from the USreal plan book and preemptively (non-nuclear) strike Ukraine at a minimum.
The more this goes on, the more inclined I am to start believing the stuff I read about Ru casualties, economy, and losses. Oreshnik is turning into a 1-a-year missile; if they have that capability it is baffling not to deploy it.
Crimea especially is basically a training ground for Ukr strikes at this point.
>Oreshnik is turning into a 1-a-year missile; if they have that capability it is baffling not to deploy it.
It's mostly useless in Ukraine and useless in general as a conventional strike weapon.
The real use for these missiles is as a highly MIRV-ed delivery system for nuking Europe.
Ignore the usual nonsense about how such and such country will be terminally erased from existence by a single Russian missile.
In reality Europe is a big place and just the military bases you need to take out in your first salvo number in the hundreds. And then there are the ports, cities, etc. There are a lot of deep bunkers too -- Germany, Italy, France, Sweden, Norway, etc. have a lot of mountains and have been digging. Even the UK has some.
So in a hypothetical preemptive first strike you need to hit a four-digit number of targets to eliminate the threat altogether.
But the arms limitation treaties, especially the INF one, almost completely defanged Russia when it comes to dealing with Europe. It simply didn't have enough heavy missiles to both do that job and maintain parity for an eventual subsequent fight with the US.
Thus the resurrection and update of the 1980s IRBMs, in a much more highly MIRV-ed version.
But in Ukraine itself the only targets for an Oreshnik that make sense are some deep bunkers. And likely even those can be taken out with Kinzhals and Zirkons.
There is nothing in Ukraine that had to be hit but has not been hit because there weren't enough Oreshniks. It is all for political reasons.
"So in a hypothetical preemptive first strike you need to hit a four-digit number of targets to eliminate the threat altogether."
Exactly! People simply do not understand the size and scale of Europe or Ukraine, or Iran. You can't simply "wipe them off the map" as so many idiots comment about. Look at Gaza for your example... Chip
Most normie morons also have this stupid idea that the moment some nukes go off the world ends. Because they have never bothered to play with the nuclear explosion simulators to get a proper sense of the real scale of nuclear explosions.
Are you familiar with the recent King's College London study that suggests that the conventional military theory idea that tactical nuclear use is a one-way trip to strategic nuclear annihilation is false?
The study suggests that, rather, use of tactical nuclear weapons is viable in a number of conflict situations.
That said, the study has many limitations and many other implications, but it is a data point supporting your view expressed in this short post (and many others you have made).
Citation: "AI Arms and Influence: Frontier Models Exhibit Sophisticated Reasoning in Simulated Nuclear Crises", Kenneth Payne, King's College London, 2026 Feb 17 (https://arxiv.org/pdf/2602.14740).
The study was of 21 war games played between three well-known large language models. Of course, AI has its quirks and limitations, but AI can also suggest effective ways of approaching things that are counter to accumulated human conventional knowledge--see chess.
So anyway, there it is, if you haven't seen it already, maybe a little tidbit to put in your pocket.
Oreshnik is designed to be a nuclear weapon, it doesn't have the accuracy to be super useful conventionally. It's an Intermediate ranged ballistic missile with a MIRV warhead. One of its more interesting features is each of the 6 MIRV units also have submunitions. MIRv^2 or something.
It's CEP appears to be 50-100 meters which isn't accurate enough to put the kinetic energy of tungsten dummy heads to good use on hardened/underground targets.
My opinion is it's use has been more of a warning then one of direct military value. Intriguing weapon capable of carrying 36 smallish nuclear warheads, and as far as nukes go, plenty of accuracy. Very hard to intercept.
If things go nuclear it'd be used primarily on European cities. Two missiles for a large city like Londan would be 72 nuclear explosions spread out in maybe 150 sq km area is more efficient then an equivalent amount of kilotons in one or a few bigger warheads.
The main thing that has vexed my analysis and I believe many others is underestimating the amount of military degradation and corruption in the post-Soviet and even late Soviet period. I think the situation was somewhat rectified starting around 2014, but even then some decisions on weapon development and procurement were stuck in the past.
By 2014 a forward thinking military would have seen the value of drones. Russian backed Tiger Forces in the Idlib Syria offensive were wrecked by Turkish drones. In Libya and other theatres it was clear that Pantsir and other point defense systems weren't up to the task. Russia should have had its drone/drone defense industry humming along by 2016 instead of 2026. Satellite based ISR also lagging behind the West. SU-57 and Armata, great systems, but all those resources poured into projects that still can't be fielded in significant enough numbers to make a difference. Other vanity projects, too.
If it is all so lagging behind the West, why is everything the West could bring to bear in Ukraine destroyed, hunted down and eliminated? Your whole piece makes no sense, it's western hubris paired with pseudo logic.
The last time I looked, Russia is making a difference every day in the former Ukraine and helps Iran and Mali to punch the West in the guts.
Why would Russia fly fighter Jets over the former Ukraine if there is no need to do so?
Russia is flying drones and missile at broad day light and the Ukro AD is non existent. Gosh GM, why is no one asking you in the Russian General staff, I wonder?
Could it be that you are one of those experts that A. Martianov is warning and talking about?
Have you ever be allowed to make a tactical or operational planning in your life? You'd probably not even know which mathematical functions to use to begin with.
I recall Simple was writting here like 3-4 years ago that Ukraine's AD missiles are running out in months if not weeks, but 4 years later here we are again. miraculously, they still have it, and patriot missiles too.
Regarding drones, Russian thinking was that UCAVs will be useless because they will be immediately shot down by any serious adversary. And at the time "drone" meant UCAV, not OWA or tactical microdrones.
Which has proven to be kind of true. You see how well the MQ-9s are doing in the Middle East.
But there was a failure of imagination there too, because any environment in which the UCAVs get shot down to the point of being largely useless will also be impermissible to jets. So the path forward should have been to develop very cheap UCAVs that can be produced in huge numbers to overwhelm the enemy, i.e. what Russia traditionally excels at. And that would have made a huge difference in the early stages of the war even under the absurdly restrictive rules of engagement imposed on the Russian army back then
Well... Ukraine has ramped up drone operations against Russia. I'd say that Ukrainian words have been backed up by deeds. Will Russia finally back its words with real retaliation (Iran-style), finally?
Good question. I cant cant accuse Kreml of barbarism and uncivilized manners when they every time send warnings. They really doesnt act like the Orange Man. And maybe it is good for us living in Europe.
Iran did bite but they didnt try to kill their enemy - just hurt him bad enough.
"They didn't try to kill the enemy"? Are you sure? What about the destruction of US bases in the region and the "Netanyahu saga" (alive or dead? AI videos ot not?)? ;)
What I mean is that Israel is almost untouched. No desalination plants destroyed. Nevatim, Ben Gurion, Tel-nof and other Airbases are still operational. Netanyahu had his bladder operation so they covered up a little. What I know he is still alive and the High-rises in Tel Aviv, Knesset and Command centers are thriving.
Iran did target Israeli airbase, but it is difficult to render them completely unusable. However, in my opinion, Iran did well in focussing on nearby US bases as those were the primary threats. Launching attacks from Israel is not feasible in the long run.
<<<<<Ukraine has ramped up drone operations against Russia. <<<<<
Where, how and when have they ramped operations? A few drone strikes inside Russia hyped up by western media is not ramping up operations when you are losing across the entire seven hundred mile line of conflict. It is simply a hail Mary event.
Have not commented in a bit. Health problems. But, as always, great post. First to set the stage, I support Russia. Some think this odd as a retired US soldier. But I hate Nazi's. And I generally think Putin has done a great job. But. How fucking long is this "appeasement" of Europe going to go on? Ukraine can murder Russians. But Russia cannot strike Ukraine? The fucking Rada needs a Oreshnik. Now. The complete power and water systems of Ukraine need to be turned off. Now. At the rate this is going, World War 2 will be quicker.
I hope you feel better, man. I think they (Russia) are doing the best they can. I scratch my head and question Putin's indecisiveness, but I believe (according to Duran's Mercouris) Putin has to listen to the domestic oligarchs; he has to listen to the Chinese. I do tend to agree that the restraint invites escalation, but remember Russia is fighting pretty much the entire Western world. The U.S./NATO provides for every aspect of the war; Ukraine provides the bodies.
He's not saying that. I watch his piece of summary if I can every day. What he's saying that I agree with is that nothing happens in a vacuum. Russia is doing fine on the ground in the former Ukraine and that understanding, synchronizing and diplomat efforts are still part of Russia's state politics.
What many here do not get is that Russia is not a one man show like they believe it is in The USA.
Russia has a functioning system of check and balances.
The USA have a president that's pushed to the forefront but is in fact controlled by his handlers.
Russia must take into account Chinese sensibilities because if it would lose their support, reluctant as it is, the Russian situation would be extraordinary difficult in the conflict with the combined West plus Japan.
No need of Mr. Merkouris somehow reminding us of such fact.
Precisely because the Chinese do not feel that they are yet in an existential conflict, they think, right or wrong, that they are not objectively obliged to support Russia. That is why Putin must indeed listen to the Chineseand gain their support.
Would have China seconded Western sanctions, Biden's announcements of the immediate demise of the Russian economy would have proved true.
Mutually catastrophic nuclear war would have been the lone Russian alternative to surrendering to US orders.
Chinese attitude derives from two possible assumptions. China is already too strong for the US to go the decisive step further in existentialy confronting them. They hope that, with time, the USA will understand the real balance of power and seek a peaceful accommodation.
On top of that consideration, there is the fact that Chinese relative power over the US is increasing with the day. If the former prefence for a peaceful accommodation is proved impossible, it makes sense for them to postpone the fight.
I disagree with 'must listen'. But we won't come any closer.
Yes, but there was / potentially still is an option to confront China together with Russian comprador elites, taking advantage of its geographic location, army and resources.
Look who is in the forefront of the "diplomatic" contact with the Trump administration. I won't go as far as to claim to "bribe" Trump, as John Helmer alluded, but the relationship with China doesn't need explanation.
If you had a really big crisis in your life would you seek advice from your close friends? Would you consider their advice? If Russia ever began struggling in their battle with NATO who would they seek assistance from? Who is the one power that can balance Empire? Would the Russians spurn their "no limits" partnership. I don't think so. Would the compromise their position for China's sake? I don't think so. The Russians play the long game. Empire plays the short game. It's apples and oranges.
Putin is right in taking into account the Chinese.
I very much doubt the Russian oligarchs count for much in the present circumstances.
The problem for Russia is that it finds herself in an existential struggle with the West, while China thinks that postponing any serious conflict she will prevail without needing to fight.
The tactical situation is not looking particularly good. Ukrainian long range drones are more effective than ever, their aircraft dont get shot down anymore (its been a while!), their AD has improved + russian missile trajectories are too predictable, and russia does not appear to have an actual plan for taking donbass. It makes absolute sense to capture it, and then fortify it as the new russian border, but that ain't happening anytime soon.
Russia has practically stopped deep strikes into Ukraine. Which is a political decision more than anything else.
Tactical aircraft does not get shot down because HIMARS and drones have pushed the S-400s back, plus they learned to fly low, release their load, then get out of the danger zone immediately.
>>>>>>>>Russia has practically stopped deep strikes into Ukraine. >>>>>>
I understand you have an anti-Russian agenda but you are starting to lose it. All the news about the conflict in Ukraine never fails to mention that *all* parts of Ukraine get plastered almost every night by large numbers of drones and missiles. It doesn't get the high profile attention in the Western media that it used to because such deep attacks are now routine.
The Tactical aircraft in Ukraine are not getting shot down for the very reason that you yourself pointed out. They have to fly low stay, at the extreme range of any anti-air and then depart immediately. Thus they are entirely ineffective in their designed role which is a strike aircraft. Releasing their load in this case means firing their anti-drone missiles not bombing. They don't dare try to get close to the combat zone for bombing.
>All the news about the conflict in Ukraine never fails to mention that *all* parts of Ukraine get plastered almost every night by large numbers of drones and missiles.
Хроника ударов по территории Украины 07 мая 2026 года.
Вчера днём и ночью ВКС и ракетные войска наносили удары по целям на Донбассе, в Сумской, Харьковской, Запорожской, Днепропетровской и Херсонской областях (весь спектр средств поражения), Полтавской области (Х-69), Одессе, Николаеве и Николаевской области (Герани/Герберы).
07 мая 2026 года.
• 09:00 Сумы - взрыв. Герань/Гербера.
• 09:35 Донбасс и Харьковская область - взрывы. УМПК.
• 10:15 Днепропетровская область - взрывы. УМПК.
• 10:30 Харьковская область - взрывы. УМПК. Изюмский район.
Im more interested in how that brilliant compaign of striking ukraines power grid during the winter aged now? what did they achieve other than making life of common ukie folks even more miserable and also way more angry? rythoric question, obviously. billions of money spent on nothing. so them not using missile strikes could be a good thing for us at this point, we'll save some money.
Lvov was targeted six weeks ago. The cities in Western Ukraine are each hit once a month or so for those that are of strategic interest which Lvov is not. The strikes on the western cities are usually launched in conjunction with new Russian offensive drives. This tactic requires Ukraine to shift its scarce anti air resources to protect those cities. This leaves the Ukrainian line of contact with considerably less defensive capacity.
<<<<<<<and russia does not appear to have an actual plan for taking donbass.<<<<<<
Russia has already captured almost all of Donbass. They currently moving in on the last two adjacent cities that are still in Ukrainian hands in that region. Those two cities are the most heavily defended from ground assault in all of Ukraine.
The Russian plan to take Donbass is there for all to see and has been for the last couple of years. It is visible and cannot be stopped by the Ukrainians. It may not meet your approval of course but that does not mean it isn't a plan. Neither does it mean it is not a winning strategy.
Sure thing. As those cities get enveloped in the step by step process that Russia has repeated over and over again for the last two years, and Ukraine rushes large numbers of troops into the surrounded territory as they always do, for some reason Russia will say ....oh heck, let's not bother finishing it off and not take it at our will.......
Deterrence cannot be achieved by such threats. The kind of strikes being alluded to, if they are to carry any strategic significance, must not be conditional or contingent. The strikes must not be tied to anything within the power of the Kiev regime to control. What makes such strikes significant and terrifying is precisely the lack of a causal nexus.
The strikes must appear to be random and inevitable. Warnings and threats place the occurrence of the strikes within the control of Kiev, thus eliminating their utility entirely.
Russia is not serious. The threats will be ignored, as they should be. And it is precisely because the threats will be ignored that Russia will most certainly not strike.
As some of us have been saying for now more than four years, the policy should have been that for every terror strike on civilians double that many Ukrainian oligarchs, politicians, military commanders, etc. are killed in response, immediately, within 24 hours.
That policy should have been in effect the moment the terror strikes started, which was pretty much immediately after the act of treason (a.k.a. "goodwill gestures") of Istanbul circa April 1st 2022. The Russian army withdrew to the international border, and within days the Russian villages on the other side of it found themselves under shelling and drone strikes.
Even though at the time people thought this unthinkable. Some of us are old enough to remember that. That was the first "red line" crossed and it set the stage for everything that followed.
Because the policy of immediate enforcement of deterrence was not implemented.
I think it got worse with time, because after the strike on the Crimea bridge in 2022, Russia responded harshly1-2 days later. Nowadays, if Russia responds at all, it's weeks, even months later, and against empty buildings, at night, to minimize casualties among nazis...It's ridiculous.
What actually happened with Surovikin? Reports at the time seemed to indicate that he was involved in Wagner's nascent "rebellion" but if that were true, he might have been executed, not exiled to Africa.
The Putin's politics is in fact logical. Russia is a weak side in the war. They have the weapons but not the will and courage to use them.
Russia is politically weak, the Russia cannot fight the west as since Peter the Great Russia just wanted to be a part of it. Russia has always been subservient to the west. When Russia occupied Paris in 1814. the Russian army did not dare to take revenge. Like all Eastern Europeans, except the Poles , the Russians are destined to be western slaves.
"Deterrence cannot be achieved by such threats. The kind of strikes being alluded to, if they are to carry any strategic significance, must not be conditional or contingent. The strikes must not be tied to anything within the power of the Kiev regime to control. What makes such strikes significant and terrifying is precisely the lack of a causal nexus."
Exactly. 4 years in, Russia is threatening to attack decision making centers in Kiev, only if Kiev does something they shouldn't...The constant drones attacks against Russia and russians, are no reason to do that apparently. The attacks on Russia's infrastructure, also not that important to justify such attacks on Kiev...
And russian leadership claims this war is an "existential threat" to Russia. These two things do not mix together...they are antithetical to each other. This cannot be existential, while Russia does everything to not attack decision making centers in Ukraine and/or in its supporters, 4 years in the war...
The west is laughing at Russia, as they bomb Russia without consequences and will continue to do so, while this laughable russian leadership remains in power.
If I was a betting man, I would bet the exact opposite. Russia will do nothing, even though nazis / NATO will violate the ceasefire and try to attack the Victory Day parade. I would be even more specific in my bet and say Russia will do everything to claim there was no ceasefire violation (even though there was) and try to cover for any destruction the nazis caused, while attacking the Victory Day parade.
This is what the current russian leadership is doing. Helping Russia's enemies, providing them energy, not giving them any consequences for their constant provocations and hiding those provocations, as much as they can, to save face from their absurd traitorous weakness.
There is big grumblings in Russia , the population are sick of this fake 5d chess player. A War cannot be won by Dumb SMO , no matter how you slice your cake.
There is big grumblings in Russia , the population are sick of this fake 5d chess player.
Interesting statement when all survey's put Putin above 70% of Russians agreeing with his politics. Or is it that the remaining 25% are just very loud at the moment?
Merz in Germany can count of 10-15% agreement of all Germans by now.
Starmer is in that same region as well with the Brits and Micron is on his way out and utter irrelevant anyway.
So slice your cake as you like but don't try selling us BS here.
his actual popularity dropped way bellow this number. 2 months ago his most lifelong supporters start asking questions and call it a treason. thats why they shot down internet, but even russian TV news consumers are begging to wake up.
If Zelensky backs off and doesn't attack Moscow, the threat should be extended to all Russian cities. Why tf should the US be able to kill Russian civilians anywhere??? And it is the US. Stop pretending it's Ukraine.
If he doesn't back off, Kiev should be taken off the map and European cities also targeted and warned. The idea that Latvia should be allowing drones to use its airspace. Outrageous.
Zelensky didn't back off, this night has seen perhaps the heaviest bombardment into Russia since the start of the war. The numbers aren't out yet, but it felt like it based on the alerts
That's the salami slice I was talking about - the threat only extended to Moscow and the parade. Now Z probably won't violate that red line covering 1% of what he could do. Or he might. After tonight he just might feel brave enough to do it.
You know I've long since thought Kiev should be targeted and that mf taken out.
It shouldn't need to be extended, because this "threat" should be the russian policy since day 1 of the SMO. Instead it's an empty threat that Russia will never follow though (as it does for every other threat) that makes it look even weaker than it already is, when it does not enforce it's clearly stated red lines, like missiles strikes deep into Russia.
Thanks to this inept, traitorous and absurdly weak russian leadership, russians will be bombed forever, without Russia ever moving a single finger to deter the bombers. Putin and his entourage of western sycophants need to be removed from power at once.
I've long seen VVP and DL as intelligent, serious and well-seasoned statesmen who time is showing as having increasing difficulty in adapting to a geopolitics in which the USEUIS opposition is made up of politicians of middling intelligence at best with "advisors" and ancillary officials lacking gravitas and professional depth but openly possessing psychological defects that in some cases border on pathologies that would render them unfit for service in governments of the increasingly-distant past that apparently had a far greater level of competence, education, culture and analytical skill. Courtesy does not deal well with crudity, scholarship does not mix well with superficiality nor deep professionalism with Johnny-come-lately shallow celebrity.
By now, VVP and SL should have learned that one does not "negotiate" with the likes of Witkoff and Kushner; George Kenner must be turning in his grave with the velocity of a proton in the Hadron Collider, never mind Volo Zelensky. Imagine Andrey Belusov sitting down for a serious, sober discussion with Pete Hegseth! One could go on, but to what end?
No, Mssrs. P & L, time to recognize that the motto of your adversaries is the old NYC saying "Money talks and bullshit walks" and apply it to war, with the gloves off and no-holds-barred cage match approach of DJT & Co. While one wishes it weren't so, it surely appears to be so; the Iranians certainly seem to believe that and I suspect they are correct. Time to hit -'em while they're hurtin' and kick 'em when they're down. If it's "rules-based order" (aka "might makes right", "anything goes") versus Marquis of Queensbury rules. it won't go well for you or the rest of the world that's depending upon you to put an end to these barroom brawlers and their bully pretensions.
Whatever the reason, Putin is either way over his head or is in fact a traitor. Russia is fucked if something big doesn’t change soon. I’ve gone from thinking Russia COULD lose to thinking it IS LOSING to thinking it’s almost over. What’s happening right now as I type this out is utterly shocking, and I’ll be somewhat surprised if Putin survives it. He wouldn’t if he weren’t KGB.
The sense of existential disappointment is clear, and the confusion about why the government is not fighting to win is clearly expressed.
Now remember that all three of them are located in Russia and are speaking honestly off the cuff.
At one point they even discuss moving from Yekaterinburg to Krasnoyarsk because Yekaterinburg is no longer safe while Krasnoyarsk looks like the place that will still not be under bombardment the longest into the future. Just think about the fact that such a conversation is even happening...
This for the MoA zombies who still think Russia is comfortably winning and people inside it are happy with the current course.
well. About the Latvian oil tank being exploded - here is Michael Yon on the topic of depopulationhttps://live.childrenshealthdefense.org/chd-tv/shows/good-morning-chd/currency-energy-food-and-famine-unwinding-the-uschina-trade-partnership-with-michael-yon/
Michael Yon has a rather big blind spot... he has most things correct - and then he blames China.. yes, China, for being the evil genius creating all these troubles around the world. It's kinda sad to see that someone with his brains can't fully accept that it's the corrupt politicians and the Epstein class that is doing all these... do you see any Iranians, Russians or Chinese mentioned in the Epstein files? Case closed.
yes - I haven't ever liked him because of that but the only place that used to give him air-time was Mike Adams whose also like that - with any commie country - like Venezuela as well. But since Michael Yon has been hanging out with Catherine he's changed alot. He's fantastic now....have a listen - he's a great speaker and I think he's really on the money now. Zionists vs China. He also lives in Japan - married to a Japanese journalist - and they hate China.
Yes, I'm aware of his situation... that he's married a Japanese lady and their biases. I do try to put myself into other people's shoes and try to see things from their perspectives.. and recalibrate onto myself. For Yon, I think he's a bit too hopped up from his US military days... he was a tool used by the empire, and mostly for evil. Some people don't want to face up to that fact. I do listen to him occasionally as he does have info from corners that I'm not privy to...
I've chosen to be elite-adjacent, just to monitor their actions.. starting with covid, the deep state has chosen to play all its cards.. the Ukraine war breaking out was yet another deep state hail mary where Russia has chosen its own path and not the one they wanted... thus they are not as powerful as Catherine thinks they are... I really have lived amongst them.. most of them are quite inbred and stupid, tbh. But the institutions of power that have been set up around them have a lot of inertia - so that is a power of its own. Still, they're making own goals after own goals. In the midst of all these chaos, many new and positive stuff is happening, but they'll never get any airplay on MSM... and I'd also prefer to keep them on the lowkey so that they can get more established first. I'm actually quite optimistic now, with each of the empire's mis-steps.
Let me put it this way… the way Catherine documents all the linkages amongst the various elites - that’s a very good and useful primer for someone starting to understand how the world works.
Except for the elite folks who aren’t human (I don’t know the actual % and don’t care to speculate), I’d say there’s still quite a lot of actual human beings, who are all compromised and bought into dark rituals to keep them compromised.
However, the reality in any human society, even amongst the elites, is that ego and different factions always come into play. Same for any large country like Russia and China - there are competing elites, so Putin and Xi cannot just simply impose their will and ‘make it happen’… there’s compromises and such. It’s the same among the dark elites - there are obvious factions and there are now obvious cross-currents buffeting them. That matters more than Catherine understand…. there’s a big part that understands that if they don’t upset the apple cart, they can still retain most of their power and influence, even as other great powers rise in the world, and they’re ok with that. But there’s also a strident minority that would rather blow up the world than stop being the hegemonic power..
We see that with Trump… one moment he’s about to relaunch the war, next some elements pull him back from the brink. .. he’s chastened for a while.. then Bibi whispers in his ear and he’s foaming at the mouth again.
What I’m really get at is that we can take heart that they’re no longer marching in lock-step….. and the axis of resistance is actively working on those faultlines. Word has come out that both Russia and China were very instrumental in persuading the Saudis and Qatar to break from the US security guarantee and deny the US military usage of their spaces. etc.
actually I think its a depopulation agenda and Trump's doing great. And Net doesn't care about Israelis - he's interested in Greater Israel - Pax Judaica - I know Catherine personally and I know she is one of the hardest working people against this - what she's doing you don't even know if you aren't following her daily. She's meeting with government officials ( Tennessee ) she's in a court trial against Bill Gates and his ilk - on and on and on. Thanks for not taking offense. You seem like a good person but she's #1 for me. I've known her for decades. And I really think Michael Yon, although he's really all over the place - she has helped him alot to focus his vast experience into a cohesive picture of what's approaching. btw - did you know another huge oil refinery in the US blew up today ? And I couldn't care less about the ancient past and the aliens or interdimensional beings...yeah of course that's also at work here for sure - ( not the aliens ) but its the future not the past that's important.
I'm beginning to think that the Russians' main objective is not defeating the aggressive Empire, but the nostalgic restoration of a stable bipolar world. In the immortal words of Barney: "I love you, you love me, we're a happy family. . ."
Crater your dumb a$$.
Zelensky rump Ukrapper Trumptard detected!
> Father, problem solver, union worker, musician, inventor, impatient, done GENERAL STRIKE
You forgot to add "war criminal"
"Crater Red Square" fits into impatient me thinks. ;)
Day of victory over Hitler fascism! Thank you, USSR!
I kept checking into this Lend-Lease Act thing for decades. The US Congressional Library is surely hiding stuff just about completely weeded out from the subject. From what I was able to dig up I would place the blame on the Lend-Lease Act.
>>From what I was able to dig up I would place the blame on the Lend-Lease Act.(?)<<
The Lend Lease Act has for sure contributed some but the brave people of the USSR have crushed the criminal genocidal German Nazi beasts.
The US then hurried to open the second front in june 1944 after refusing to do so earlier despite the USSR asking them to do so. The USA only reason to open the second front was to prevent the USSR from rolling through to the Atlantic coast - they kept hoping Germany and the USSR would ruin each other to a degree that they could come in and take over.
80% of the German Armies where crushed by the USSR, the USA did a mere show, like they always do.
It is very broad explanation you are providing there. As a historian I work with facts, data, events, turning points, battles. I have a lot of experience in dealing with commie history and the way the US was handling the data related to the Lend-Lease Act is a mirror image of Soviet methods. The Soviets were doctoring stats and info concerning the Holodomor of the early 1930s and they were successful, until a Stanford historian started to visit Ukraine and beat the system there at their own game. See Robert Conquest, The Harvest of Sorrow. Historians can design funny ways to get to the bottom of these rabbit holes and I am sure not giving up on this issue.
...info concerning the Holodomor of the early 1930s...is just a western cold war lie like the 'Archipelago Gulag' nonsense of Solzhenitsyn and many others.
Why can I say that with conviction? I am old enough to have spoken to people who have lived through that period of time and in the USSR.
I will let you live with that brilliant answer.
I am always stunned when western outsiders, be it from Stanford or west Germany, try to explain to me that my own life experience and that of my family and friends is wrong.
Nice try but calling themself Historians despite being mouth pieces of sheer anti communism hatred is not cutting it for me.
Solzhenitsyn had a fantastic imagination if none of "Gulag" was true.
'It's a work of fiction', his words not mine. Look it up but he made a hell of a living out of it in the West for sure.
Tim, you crossed the border to La-La Land.
It's not ENTIRELY propaganda, the US' attempt at farming collectivisation - but into private Big Ag as it became known - at pretty much exactly the same time ALSO produced vast numbers, millions of deaths. There was a single real historian that looked into the period, and found the deaths had been hidden as 'normal mortality', but he looked into "Excess mortality" of the states affected, and lo and behold the numbers revealed themselves - America's Holodomor.
Because farming isn't an industrial process at heart. It's taking into account local factors, and building up local knowledge to use the land and resources effectively.
Forced centralisation breaks that link, farming breaks, and people starve, or go bankrupt and starve. Millions die.
Top down simply doesn't work when the producers HAVE to be localised.
Ofc today in the US, industrial farming 'won'. With mega $Bns in subsidies, 8x more energy put in than is produced in output, utterly reliant upon fossil fuels for every step, up to their necks in debt, catastrophic environmental damage, and 99% of the sector is just a corporate boondoggle.
I don't think it's propaganda that the holodomir occurred - I think the interpretation of it has been deliberately warped, and I think the similar cases in Western history (And "colonies") have been hidden.
The book 'Seeing Like A State' by James C Scott is an excellent read on such matters.
The very word 'Holodomir' is a product of anti-communist propaganda because what occurred was a famine and actually, Russian 'Голод' (Holod) means famine and 'mir' means people. By using a foreign word and applying false context, 'holodomir' achieves a status beyond 'hungry people' that is its actuality.
But yes, collective agriculture was worse in the US and with farther reaching negative consequences. In the Chinese experience of collectivization, the cadres learned that allowing peasants small private plots increased collective production while improving local nutrition. Socialism at its best learns and improves for humanity while capitalism learns and improves for profit.
The nonsense of Archipelago Gulag?
Just an example: can you give an explanation about the fate of Mandelstam, a gifted poet?
Can you explain to this forum the fate of the marshalls of the Soviet Union on that time?
There was a famine from Belarus, across Ukraine, Southern Russia to Kazakhstan. And somehow only Ukrainians were genocided. Nobody else feels like they were genocided.
Now, which Ukrainians started to push this narrative? Diaspora from Western Ukraine that was not even in the USSR when "Holodomor" happened.
But you know how USSR map looked like back then.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/1930_In_USSR.png
Moreover, it was not intentional, it was, like usually is, a combination of man made mistakes and natural causes.
Soil alone is not enough to farm, you need other inputs as well. But, as I said usually when it get to famines it is a combination of natural and human causes.
But I see commenters do not quite understand my point, I am not pushing against famine itself and the tragedy, I am pushing against specifically targeting one ethnic group - "Holomodor".
To be blunt Stalin is no more to blame for the famine in Ukraine than Churchill is for the famine in Bengal in 1943.
Both share some responsibility for a lack of care and a callous attitude to suffering, but it was not a deliberate policy for either of them.
But today Israel and the US are to blame for starving Palestinians to death, with intend. The same people that taught Hitler his way.
Hermann Ploppa: 'Hitlers US-american teachers.' A useful historic work about where the ideology and money for the German Nazi's originated from.
Actually, the Bengal Famine was entirely intentional, and was orchestrated by Churchill.
Man made crimes, not man made mistakes.
Peasants were shot for hiding single digits of kilos of wheat for their own families.
Peasant across the board, not specific ethnic group.
"Fraud, Famine and Fascism; The Ukrainian Genocide Myth from Hitler to Harvard," by Douglas Tottle 1987
Acknowledgements vii
Introduction p 1
FRAUD
1 Thomas Walker: The Man Who Never Was p 5
2 The Hearst Press: The Campaign Continues p 13
3 Famine Photographs: Which Famine? p 23
4 Cold War I: Black Deeds p 36
5 The Numbers Game p 45
6 Cold War II: The 1980s Campaign p 57
7 Harvest of Deception p 75
FAMINE
8 The Famine p 91
FASCISM
9 Collaboration and Collusion p 103
10 War Criminals, Anti-Semitism and
the Famine-Genocide Campaign p 121
APPENDIX
From Third Reich Propagandist
to Famine-Genocide Author 135
Notes p 141
Bibliography p 160
https://www.garethjones.org/tottlefraud.pdf
https://www.rationalrevolution.net/special/library/famine.htm
"Ukraine explained: The Holodomor Hoax"
https://antifasistit.blogspot.com/2014/03/ukraine-explained-holodomor.html
"Deleting the Holodomor: Ukraine Unmakes Itself"
Alexander J. Motyl
https://history.org.ua/LiberUA/DelHolodUkr_2010/DelHolodUkr_2010.pdf
"Holodomor Hoax: Joseph Stalin's Crime That Never Took Place"
https://sputnikglobe.com/20150809/1025560345.html#ixzz3iSdSyxEw
"The “Holodomor” and the Film “Bitter Harvest” are Fascist Lies"
https://www.counterpunch.org/2017/03/03/the-holodomor-and-the-film-bitter-harvest-are-fascist-lies/
Thanks for that! And compliment for the work.
And your name is David Goldman, thanks.
Claiming to be a historian, and relying on Conquest's drivel (paid by exile ukrainian nazis) is pathetic. Even western historians harshly criticized this piece of propaganda.
For a less biased view on the 1932/33 famine those able to read (or translate) German look at the 3 part essay by Anton Genzen https://test.rtde.tech/europa/155928-faktencheck-holodomor-gefaelschte-zahlen-verkannte/https://de.rt.com/international/156213-faktencheck-holodomor-teil-2/https://de.rt.com/europa/156147-faktencheck-holodomor-teil-3/ . I am aware that there is no way to convince anticommunist fanatics, though.
To some, ideology is more important than air.
Ideology comes from idea. People without idea's are probably in a coma. It's not a question of ideology, it's the question what ideology and for what purpose.
Mine does not include to kill people around the world.
Others ideology has this included obviously.
Genzen is an eastern Ashkenazic Jew occupational surname, derived from the Yiddish word gendzer, meaning a "goose dealer" or someone who kept or sold geese
FOAD, Nazi piece of shit
Ok, steam off. That slimy lowlife ofc could not contribute anything to the subject, and his claim is ridiculous. For example the German mathematician Gerhard Gentzen, 1909-1945 (recognized for his contributions to proof theory), joined the SA and NSDAP, hardly a Jew. The politician Albert Genzen (1868-1940) was a social democratic politician, deputy to the state parliament in Braunschweig, no trace of Jewish anywhere.
Also: Felix-Heinrich Gentzen (1914–1969), german historian
Horst Gentzen (1930–1985), german actor
Johann Friedrich Gentzen (1796–1871), german librarian
Max Gentzen (1880–1950), german M.D, in Königsberg
Btw. the right wing "journalist" Max Althaus from "Berliner Kurier" tabloid claimed that Anton Gentzen is a pseudonym, not a realname. Maybe, not that it matters. Gentzen writes for Russia Today, so he has ample reasons to cover his ass in fascism reborn Germany and EU.
Robert Conquest was a cold war propagandist whose so called research is based on fantasy.
You could say that up to the moment when Conquest turned himself into a demographist and published the Soviet’s own data on the numbers of first graders joining the public schools six years after the Holodomor years. The numbers were close to zero. There were NO CHILDREN or very few born during those years.
This is why most states seriously dislike historians; we go to places where others do not thread. The Soviet state employees carefully combed all newspapers, printed materials and censored the general population to an extreme degree. Still, the facts were brought forward decades later. I spoke to Ukrainians who went home from Canada to visit relatives. Every one of them was assigned a police escort to their family meetings and the kind officer was sitting in at the family table listening to every conversation… The commies who try to whitewash this event will never win this one and neither will they win Katyn.
I feel that Hitler crushed his own enterprise through militarily incompetence and by biting off more than the Wehrmacht could chew
"the USA did a mere show, like they always do."
It's true that the US had little to do with the defeat of the Nazis in Europe, but this wasn't just a European war.
The Americans did the heavy lifting in defeating Japan. Give credit where credit is due.
Sorry but another twisted truth here. The Chinese and Soviets did the heavy lifting. The USA killed 250 000 civilians with no military use by dropping two nuclear bombs on Japan. Japan surrendered to the USA because they feared the red Army that has beaten them and was coming for them more than the US.
Japan was strategically lost after the 1942 battle of Midway.
The genocidal Wehrmacht lost over 80% of its casualties on the Eastern Front fighting the Red Army. By 1944 the Wehrmacht had suffered fatal wounds from the defeats suffered at Kursk and Stalingrad. Then along came Operation Bagration in June 1944 which broke the back of Army Group Centre which lost dozens of divisions. The D Day landings were a minor footnote in all of this. According to Marshall Rokossovsky in a private discussion Marshall Zhukov told him:
"We have liberated Europe from fascism, but they will never forgive us for it"
This perfectly sums up the problems we now face with the declining western powers trying to rewrite history to cover up for their continuing economic and military decline.
And now we have supposedly mature, circumspect adults leading us that talk about nothing but unilaterally attacking other countries like it's normal to simply destroy other countries for some made-up reason.
Seriously, it's beyond comprehension that we commit genocides, threaten to destroy civilizations and manufacture as many weapons as we can although nobody threatens us.
If you read Stalins War by Sean McMeekin you get a pretty good picture of what the Lend&Lease actually was. It was very important for Stalin but you also get the truth about Roosevelt and his cynical play for World domination. His actions actually created the foundation of the Cold War with a divided Europe and a crushed Germany along a weak GB.
Sean McMeekin was born in Idaho, raised in Rochester NY, and educated at Stanford and UC Berkeley. He has been fascinated by modern history ever since playing Winston Churchill in a high school reenactment of the Yalta Conference. He pursued this interest to American and European and Middle Eastern battlefields, libraries, and archives, venturing as far east as Russia, before settling down to teach for some years in Turkey. Since 2014, he has taught at Bard College in the Hudson Valley. He is the author of eight award-winning books. McMeekin lives in Clermont, New York.
Celebrated author in the West. Who get's celebrated in the West and has no trouble to get published and praised on Amazon?
Certainly a scholar with no bias whatsoever and...I leave it here, those 'historians' are valuable for the swamp they come from only.
I found the book more true than ever from Beevor, Hastings or Ryan.
Professor Richard Overy in his book Russia's War acknowledges the importance of the military aid provided by US lend lease to the USSR but points out that it was the planned economy and the immense sacrifices of the indomnitable Soviet people which were critical in the triumph over German fascism and its allies. Never mind that the Redc Army out fought the Wehrmacht from 1943 onwards using deep penetration techniques which had been developed by Marshal Tukachevsky before his murder by Stalin in 1937.
Immense sacrifices. Yes.
OMG, Stalin was murderer?!
Truman
In Teheran and at the Yalta conference, Roosevelt sidestepped Churchill and let Stalin have free hands for Poland and eastern Europe.
Truman did drop the Nukes on the japs just to send a signal to Stalin.
So, dropping atomic bombs on Japan, is just to prove the point to Stalin? Seems like you don’t have enough info on Churchill- loyal servant of British empire with colonial power flair. Find FDR speech, I would recommend looking into archives.org. Book written by FDR son
The destruction of Dresden, a city of no military significance, was also a signal to the URSS.
This is explicitly put into words in the British military documents of the time.
Exactly! well said sir.
There is little doubt that the German Army was broken on the eastern front.
But people are also deceiving themselves if the dont recognize the role of Stalin in creating the disaster that befell the Soviet Union and the world. Hitler and Stalin together lit the world on fire, along with the venal incompetence of the allied powers after WW1.
Worse for the Soviets the monstrous soul crushing tyranny of Stalins Soviet Union left the Red Army prey to destruction by a German Army that was inferior in almost every metric except experience and cohesion. While simultaneously that same tyranny was the only thing that allowed the Soviets to resist at all.
WW2 and Stalins way of war was a demographic disaster from which Russia may never recover. The legacy of the bureaucratic state - legalistic on the outside, corrupt and sluggardly on the inside still handicaps Russia today. One can only hope that the current struggle, the demographic realities and the secret individual and family memories of millions processed through the Soviet machine will slowly impose reform.
It's natural and inevitable that Stalin the monster would simultaneously be raised up in Russian memory as Stalin the hero. That spectacle seems central to the Russian character (if we can speak of national character). Holding such a contradiction in mind is natural for human beings but seems extreme in Russia. Will it be possible for a nation in war to extract the positive from Stalins Russia and repudiate the contemptible?
Russia's victory in WW2 rests upon the stubborn endurance and simple habit of obedience of the Russian soldier who won the fight despite the failures of Russian leadership and the crushing tyranny of the Soviet state which sacrificed him in vast numbers
I am inclined to agree with a great part of your ideas about the development and consequences of the IIWW, but I think that you forget the main culprit in the tragedy, who was Winston Churchill.
Hitler's political strategy was aggresive and reckless, Stalin and the bolsheviks were a scourge for the Russian people and culture, but neither of them initiated the spark that exploded into a general total war.
The most extraordinary in the whole story is the continous glorification of Churchill, when it should be clear for everyone that he declared the war and opposed the German attempts to negotiate (letting the British escape
from Dunkerke, the mission of Rudolf Hess).
The result of his policies were disastrous. There is no country in the world that fell from such an exalted position to a hopeless one as the former British Empire to the sorry spectacle of the UK today.
Speak of the demographic consequences for Russia!
Compare the streets of Moscow to the ones of London today and you tell me which people is dissolving more disastrously.
A recent American analysis says that for per capita purchase power parity, Spain and Poland, not to speak of Italy and France are today, ahead of the UK. Who could have even imagined something like that in 1939.
Some people argue that, after all, Churchill was fighting for democracy against totalitarianism, while it should be evident that his idea of democracy does not hold for a minute if one contemplates the brutality of his actions in India. We, Europeans tend to think more about Holodomore than about the famine in India which was the result of British policies.
It was no fight for human rights and democracy but for hegemony and Empire.
Both were lost and with them quite probably even
future survival.
There was a time when I might have resisted your portrait of Churchill. Today, less so. Here again we have monster and hero combined into one. Over and over again history seems to demonstrate how catastrophe and good fortune go hand in hand like lovers.
We must also remind ourselves not to inject our "modern" sensibilities into the reading of the past - even the near past like 1912-1945 which can seem like ancient history when we consider the movement of ideas and attitudes in such a short season.
We are also in error to presume the superiority of own thinking and attitudes. New expressions of evil are bubbling out of cauldrons all over the world. Dressed up in fine cloths and pleasing aromas.
God is at work. In ways stranger than we imagine.
For whatever reason I hope that this is Russias season, that against all odds, something new and dynamic might arise out of the endless depths of the east. Something other than inexplicable suffering. Maybe just the romantic left in me.
I often think that my father in the US Army fighting in Germany would have likely been killed if it were not for the valor and sacrifice of the Red Army on the Eastern Front.
Zelensky is not suicidal, yet, until Epsteined. He knows rules. Kinzhals are bunker busters with 10 metres precision, are now stored probably in hundreds. They were not used recently, production likely increased from some 60 in 2023 to a few hundred yearly now.
Fico is coming to Moscow parade with message from Zelensky, and taking back an answer. So no attack on the Red Square.
Different story in Iran. Trump, Macron are compromised, will do anything.
Carrier "Charles deGaulle", which is now heading to Hormuz, is a nuclear powered ship. If attacked it's reactor might blow up or sink, causing pollution. Rafale will take off and attack some important target, like Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, to try save themselves, be refuelled midair and go to Israel, Turkey, Cyprus.
This group is part of coalition some 6 NATO countries, led by France and UK.
Dutch and Italian are escorting this carrier. Boy Rubio just yesterday visited Meloni, interesting to know what she was threatened with and ordered to do.
Until 2009 Charles was carrying onboard ASMPA nuclear cruise missiles.
It's Rafale can carry each up to 10 such missiles.
They are heading to Hormuz to do job for Trump and Natanyahu, so those 2 will have clean hands.
France is not a part of Nuclear Planning Group in NATO. So Macron alone makes decisions.
If he is Epsteined, as files suggest, he will do whatever he is told to do. As Trump was forced to follow his orders.
Nice fantasy novel, Netflix should film it.
‘Carrier "Charles deGaulle", which is now heading to Hormuz’ Is Macaroni thinking to provide a moving target for Persia or they just want to place some decoration on the bottom of the sea there?
As Trump hands are tided up by 60 day war limitation, any escalation from any new country plays into his hands.
"The United Arab Emirates is attacking Iran. Multiple strikes have taken place against Qeshm Island and Siri, so far. Sources say it’s a joint U.S-Emirati operation, with American logistics backing." after https://t.me/Middle_East_Spectator
Maybe they are going to hang out with the US carriers, keeping just beyond range of Iran's missiles.
It's just juice for the "dazzle them with BS" on Truth Social, and for the propaganda campaign on FOX.
Unless they can downgrade Iran’s defenses close to zero in the south they will not send US or French carriers into the Persian Gulf. Losing just one of those goods would change the balance of power on a planetary scale. Every small nation like Cuba and Venezuela would live for the moment to buy enough of those missiles from China, Iran or Russia, even from North Korea.
100%. Hypersonics for everyone.
It would be interesting to watch the world start to buy weapons from the "Axis of Evil" instead of the western MIC.
That would sting quite a bit.
The good news is that the sinking a french aircraft carrier is not likely to start a nuclear war.
Spectre the ASMPA is huge.
I doubt a rafale can carry more than 1.
890kg, depending on nuclear payload size and weight of rocket fuel.
"The Rafale from France can carry a wide range of unique weapons, including the ASMP-A nuclear missile. It can hold up to 9.5 tonnes of weapons across 14 hardpoints. The ASMP-A, developed by France's defence ministry, gives the Rafale a strike range of 500 km.".
So it can carry 10 ASMPA
Have you seen the size of it? It's 18 feet long. There literally isn't enough room under the Rafale for 10 of them.
Yes, after checking deeper, usually they carry only 1 ASMP.
Technically they are able to carry more.
Possible the other ones might be decoys or anti radar and anti air defence missiles, flying ahead of, to increase chances of impact.
Still, Charles has deck for up to 40 Rafale and supporting helicopters
What exactly is the threat behind "being Epsteined"? We know none of them are ever going to jail, and it would be hard for any of us to hate them more than we already do, so what exactly are they supposed to be afraid of?
Epstein went to jail, together with Ghislaine. He was removed from jail at midnight, probably to be found alive in Israel after face surgery.
So everybody else can follow them to jail.
Somebody has all full pictures, recordings, documents, witness statements including for cannibalism, murder, torture, bestiality against children, rape.
That's why Trump was forced to war.
That's why Macron might use nucs or destroy Iranian nuclear plant with conventional payloads, but equally deadly effect. Actually, blown nuclear power plant releases 1000x more radioactive isotopes than nuclear bomb.
You're delusional. Maxwell is just window dressing, and for that matter, Epstein was just a pawn as well; none of the big fish will ever see the inside of a prison cell, it sets a bad precedent.
As is stated in this very article, fucking NAZIS didn't go to jail (guten Tag, Herr Gehlen!), so none of these twats will. As a matter of fact, name one Western politician who has ever even been put on trial, much less convicted and jailed, for the heinous shit they're always indulging in. Go ahead, we'll wait.
Trump is also delusional, and an WILLING acolyte of Is-ra-el. He didn't need to be "forced" to war, this is exactly what he's wanted for years.
Yet it was Epstein islands, Epstein air planes, Epstein yachts, Epstein money, Epstein parties, Epstein cameras and microphones, Epstein murders, Epstein disposing corpses, Epstein friends, Epstein associates, Epstein contacts.
By jailing him they are able to control all those compromised.
He is not a pawn, he is still alive. If he was a pawn he would be murdered a long time ago, around 2005
100%.
The credulous masses thinking that someone important will actually be punished is asinine.
none of the big fish will ever see the inside of a prison cell, it sets a bad precedent
'Epsteined'
Thats a new one:)
Are you really suggesting the French will attack the Bushehr NP? Oh mon dieu, tu es furieux comme le chapelier fou.
No, in yesterday's discussion on "US latest" many mentioned that Charles will be attacked and sunk, if comes close to Hormuz.
I have replied that France has 290 nuclear bombs.
They will retaliate with whatever they have onboard of Charles.
Israel did bomb Bushehr nuclear plant on 20.03. So air defence can't prevent further attacks by whoever wants to escalate. Shortly after Iran bombed vicinity of Dimona nuclear research center
The French have nothing to gain bringing their carrier into Hormuz and the Iranians have nothing to gain by sinking it. What can the French possibly gain from provoking Iran?
Macron is Epsteined, was told to send Charles to Hormuz.
Who and how will bomb Bushehr is unknown, there are more actors coming to war.
Depopulation is the target of Epstein class. Bombing nuclear plant fits the picture.
At the end of 3WW there would be half of present global population
When you say "Epsteined" it "sounds" as if Macron is forced to participate in anti-Russian and anti-Iran actions against his will. Is there some reason to believe he isn't an active supporter? He has been a featured speaker at the WEF.
We must remember that even within the "Epstein Class" there are fierce rivalries. While many have built their survival bunkers in New Zealand, I know of at least one in Wyoming. If it is the only one, then I suggest Wyoming may have been chosen to avoid the rivalry that will develop between the different "city-states" which is certain between these "crazies from the basement" (as GHWB called them). Look at the psychopathy that Israeli settlers suffer from and multiply that by whatever factor you wish. I can't understand the superiority complex of the settlers so it is hard to imagine it being "worse".
"The Golden Billion" stated goal is no more than 1B people and maybe as few as 500,000,000. Check out the Georgia Guidestones. The first inscription was 500,000,000 humans.
If that isn't dystopian enough, this young man sums it up quite well.
https://substack.com/@revealedeye/note/c-253111194
This same question has to be asked about Trump. All the accusations that he's being "forced" to make choices because of Epstein I'd suggest should be he makes those choices "in spite of" Epstein.
There may even be some members of the "Epstein class" who oppose the Golden Billion. I wouldn't know who to nominate though. IMHO, all Billionaires are criminals.
Sounds unlikely
What sources do you have?
On "The Golden Billion"? There are dozens. Feel free to do a web search and pick whichever one you like. It is just one of several scenarios that are imagined. These are not mutually exclusive.
Is it "likely"? Well, let's recall that there are Billionaires who actually want to subdivide the USA into their own personal fiefdoms. The "Epstein Class" now completely controls nearly every aspect of the USA. Social media is a two-way street. It can spread fear and loathing and/or it can be used for surveillance to determine who might be a threat to them.
In 2022 it seemed "unlikely" that there would be a war in Ukraine.
In Oct 2023 it seemed "unlikely" that Hamas would attack Israel and that Netanyahu knew it but wanted it to happen.
Last year it seemed "unlikely" that the 12-day war would happen.
Just months ago, it seemed "unlikely" that the strait of Hormuz would be closed.
I never, in my wildest dreams, did I imagine Jews could become so hated in such a short time. It seemed "unlikely".
I guess I no longer have any faith in "unlikely".
No any sources. Just logic of total war against Iran, which will last many years.
Bushehr was bombed 2x within 30 days. The first strike targeted water cooling system. The second killed a security guard.
For the many years to come of the 3WW and escalation of conflict, Bushehr might be bombed every month. Each with more precise and more powerful strikes. Air defence dosn't work.
Israel has some 60-200 nucs. Reactor capsules are build to withstand nuclear attack, but there are tens of critically important installations. One is destroyed and chain reaction blows reactor.
Chernobyl was the newest, most advanced technology, it blow up during endurance test on one of systems.
Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant is bombed every month from the very beginning of war, for over 4 years. The last one was just 5 days ago. Ukrainians attacked the external radiation control laboratory, no critical damage to the equipment was recorded. Zaporozhye is switched off, but stores 850 tons of nuclear waste (10x more than Chernobyl) which can't be removed from site due to bombardments - too big risk Ukrainians will target convoy. Ukrainians have 3 remaining nuclear stations, majority of their electricity comes from them. They don't want tit for tat.
Bushehr is a working plant, has 70 tons at reactors and 200 tons of waste.
It's a ticking bomb. After it happen, media will call it "hell".
Natanyahu wants total annihilation of Iran, another Gaza. Trump wants Armageddon of Iranian civilisation.
If they can do this job with French/UK/Denmark/Italian or Emirates hands, the better. More actors are coming. Saudis sponsored Pakistani's nuclear program and likely they have access to those bombs at will.
Gradually more NATO countries will be involved militarily in Iran. Macron and Starmer iniatially refused, but switched opposite within a few weeks.
You are rationally analyzing events in a way that your goal is to "Just get along".
The people the Anglo-American Oligarchy have placed in high political positions report to that Oligarchy, euphemistically known as the "Epstein Class" mostly because it is convenient and no other label really works.
The "Epstein Class" has a very alien psychology that you and I can't really understand, but which is more like "kill or be killed". They also are infected with a sense of superiority over the rest of humanity.
Now, you know this. I know you know it.
"They" (which I use because they are not "us") have been promoting the "Golden Billion" for quite some time now. Is there any reason to not consider it a possibility?
France sailing a carrier into the Persian Gulf and attacking a nuclear reactor unprevoked isn't only illogical, it's impossible. Macron doesn't have that sort of decision making ability. Unprovoked wars of aggression always have a foundational narrative to avoid the worst of the diplomatic blowback. I have seen no signs of this from France. Secondly if the French wanted to destroy Bushehr there are many, many better ways than risking their carrier group.
I don't think we can debate the "logic" of the choices being made by the "Epstein Class" (Or Oligarchy; or Syndicate). I haven't understood the "logic" since Vietnam.
Macron is the President of France, perhaps he's going to just pretend to be Trump and give the order. Who in the French Navy is going to say "no"?
"Fabien Mandon reports to the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, as he serves as the Chief of the Defence Staff of the French Armed Forces."
Since when has the "Epstein Class" cared about results? Maybe they really don't want to destroy Bushehr. Maybe they want the carrier sunk. Maybe they are spreading a false rumor. I have no idea.
You're using "logic" again. Don't.
Anything you can imagine is "possible" no matter how stupid it is. After all, destroying the World Trade Center seems a bit of overreach. Blowing up the Nordstream Pipeline seems stupid.
Simplicius, you are falling behind. I have been waiting for such an article for days. In the end I decided to write one myself last night: https://geopolitiq.substack.com/p/zelenskys-threat-against-moscow-on?r=25fc37
Simplicius doesnt need to be first all the time.
Its way better to sit back and think for a while.
What is new, and should be written about, is that RT is now airing some cautious critic against Putin and the flegmatic way to perform the SMO.
The Karaganov article was hard and the recommendation to ”instill fear into European leaders” was echoed in Medvedevs excellent summary of the ”New Germany” with his
”instilling animal fear”.
Lets see if it is only words.
I thought RT was controlled by Putin. Who is really dripping these messages via RT?
…and there you have a trace leading to a turn in History.
Karaganov is featured on Rt periodically. And as we all know he is a one trick pony. There is nothing new in this.
A nice summary, but nothing new.
I provided a very long comment about the "Epstein Class" and their goals.
I don't believe folks understand how they work. Not enough Berlitic, Good, Krapivnik and Diesen exposure.
One of the goals of the Epstein Class that should not be ignored, but is routinely dismissed, is the "Golden Billion".
All the "chest pounding" about how Putin (and Xi) should take action against the US ignores that the "Epstein Class" is looking forward to a nuclear war.
Wouldn't it be even better to "Threaten Mass Strikes on Kiev Center Or Any Other Targets Should Zelensky Or Others Disturb Sacred Russia Ever Again"? Kremlin could learn a few things from Iran.
Irsns response has triggered a kind of shame on some Russian leaders. Karaganovs and Medvedevs articles in RT were official statements. However, there have been so many warnings to date that it is too late to deter anything now. The EU will continue course, faster. In addition, whereas Karaganov sounds witter, Medvedev loses the point. Total obliteration of Europe is what the anglozionist empire precisely wishes, to create a radioactive buffer zone against the Russian hun hordes and focus on the global maritime empire, Africa, the Americas, the Pacific, the Middle East, and South East Asia, before Russia and China proper are gutted, just like in the XIXth century. Putin was right all the way, avoiding to bite the bait for a total nuclear war against NATO. As the Rand paper Extending Russia put it, it is about blocking the Russian economy, making it bleed, preventing growth and infrastructure development. Although they havent succeeded in collapsing the Russian economy, which is still growing and is now robuster and more resilient, they have managed to destroy the BRICs dynamics and deprived Russia from it nuclear deterrence capability. I therefore think that Putins epoch could soon be over since Russia will be committing suicide if it lets the German and Japanese military spree consolidate.
Agree with most of what you write but not this...
"they have managed to destroy the BRICs dynamics and deprived Russia from it nuclear deterrence capability".
I think BRICS is very much alive and following this Iranian fiasco will become even more dominant if WW3 is avoided... Chip
I hope so. I dont have that perception though. Havent heard anything from BRICS for 2 years...
Have a look at the gold price chart for the past 2 years, and who is buying and who is selling. That gives you all you need to know about BRICS.
It is excessive to say that Russia has been or can easily be deprived of her nuclear deterrence. It is clearly not the case.
Kremlin cant learn. Putin is too old.
Iran started reacting accordingly only when the old clique was elliminated, if the turds were still alive they would do exactely what they were doing for decades - raising red, black, yellow or whatever flags and nothing more.
The following comes to mind: you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!
They actually gave Pezeshkian a chance and he blew it, then the hardliners took over.
Words.
Words has to be backed up by deeds.
The trajectory of the war is certainly not looking good for Moscow.
Yeah, those pesky little Russkies did run all the way to Borodino from Napoleon and to Moscow from Hitler. Maybe they want to better their distance running record and will run all the way to Vladivostoc this time from the piano player.
>those pesky little Russkies did run all the way to Borodino from Napoleon and to Moscow from Hitler
There is that tiny little difference that they were fighting to win back then.
Since the counterrevolution in the mid-1980s that hasn't been the case.
As a result the same pesky little Russkies ran without a fight all the way from Magdeburg to Smolensk in 1991.
The counterrevolution has not been reversed.
I was pleased to read that Medwedjev did recognize that fact in his piece on RT.
Which fact and where exactly?
The fact that the Russian Army retreated from east Germany in violation of the treaty of friendship and mutual defense that the traitor Gorbatschev dumped into the dust bin of history.
I do not scroll throught the whole article now again, GM. Read it yourself.
Or past Vladivostok to Alaska. Sneak up behind the proxy's puppet master, surprise!
268 drones shot down since the start of the "ceasefire"
Multiple Neptune missiles were launched too, some struck Rostov.
And how is Konstantinovka doing? More ukro 'counter attacks' or do they get their ass kicked?
What you do is seriously dishonest, GM.
To focus on a narrow annoying factual situation by constantly ignoring the rest of the total picture is lying by telling only half the truth.
red alerts and syrens all over Russia, kindergartens and schools were closed, the kids sent back home, how do I know that? bc I live here and had to take my little kid back home today, we live 400 km from the border, and this has become our daily routine for months now. we're not stupid, its only getting worse by the day. so tell me about konstantinovka, I'll listen.
You're barking against the wrong tree here.
I am no responsible but I am sorry for your situation.
Call Gerassimov and tell him you're not taking it any longer or whatever you know what has to be done.
Your guys who are fighting in the former Uraine doing their best to end your suffering - I am sure of that.
thank you.
Im herereading Simpl amd comment sections for more than 4 years now, did not participate tho, but the pressure withing Russian suciaty is boiling up, really boiling up. people start asking questions, but the problem is the tzar is ignoring it, Im not even sure he is totally aware of what is really happening (he doesnt use internet), and even if he is, it makes it even worse bc that means he does all that willingly.
They have not been so far.
A couple Gerans were launched towards Zaporozhye. And that's it.
Russia is sticking to the ceasefire, the other side is launching perhaps its most massive attack ever.
Missiles struck Rostov, drones a number of other places.
There has been no response despite the loud threats.
Time for regime change,.......in Russia.
First in the USA and Israel, those regimes and countries are needed by no one. Russia is doing good for it's people despite some bumps in the road.
Sounds like western stink-tanks’ battle cry. Kagans ‘institute’ certainly approves your message.
any 'regime change' favours Empire's colonialism, so let's better not go there.
Attacks on Russian assets is a everyday occurence so maybe Kreml has focus on solely Moscow and the Victory parade…
If someone had said to me 5 years ago that Ukraine will ultimately be able to bomb StPetersburg by flying through the Baltics and even detour into Finland to evade Russian AD, I would have thought it ridiculous.
I think this will be Putins last Victory parade.
The message that threat sent was quite clear -- Moscow and the parade matter. The rest of Russia does not.
What government sends that message to its people...
>If someone had said to me 5 years ago
It wasn't quite five years ago, but some of us have been saying these things since late 2022/early 2023, when it became clear what the trajectory is.
Yeah, I meant summer of 2021.
You and I would have said that such a scenario would lead to an attack against the Baltic states and possibly Finland. It was unimaginable to foresee a development we have witnessed since then.
Indeed.
I was absolutely ecstatic on February 22 2022. Because I absolutely could not imagine that anyone would make that step without preparing for it both militarily and socio-economically, i.e. Russia was both going to steamroll the Ukronazis and was going to reform itself internally back to a socialist command-economy model, and thus finally unlock its potential.
Imagine my horror a few weeks later when the reality became clear...
...and was going to reform itself internally back to a socialist command-economy model, and thus finally unlock its potential.
That obviously was wishful thinking on your part.
The disappointment is not in the result of the fact. The disappointment is rooted in wrong expectations.
Russia is not the USSR and the influence of the counterrevolution is still great. The communist party still is the second power in Russia though. It might need some more time but the Russians see China's way of success also and with the reform of the education system back to USSR standards, the trajectory is possibly back to a socialist society with Russian characters.
🤣Can imagine. Well, I was no supporter of the USSR system, although it had its virtues. Talked a lot with older DDR-people who felt totally screwed by the western take-over. However, I dont think that type of socialistic command economy can function as long as the humans are shortsighted, materialistic and selfish. USSR was full of double-think and corruption.
The Jeltsin years opened the gates to hell and Putin did well for a couples of years (or what could be done) to bring the federation in some order.
His longing to become part of West was used against him and Russia.
China is doing both (socialist-statecapitalism with autocracy) and recently handled two deathsentences for corruption against former ministers. Well done.
What type of system we should have is open to question (or settle) but I am sure we dont need the 0,1% superrich in it.
Remember those stupid-ass "Military Games" in 2022? The Russian Army pulled units off the front to participate in those pointless games.
A few more troops and Krasnyi Liman might well have been saved.
Yes, I remember it very well.
Putin sent 50,000 to the Far East, with all the gear, meanwhile the front fell apart in Kharkov.
And while civilians were running for their lives with whatever possessions they could pack into their ladas from Volchansk to Shebekino under Ukronazi fire, Putin dedicated a new Ferris wheel in Moscow with fireworks and celebrations.
I suspect Mr. P will be at next year's Victory Parade and every one afterward until his death, but not perhaps as the leader. I also suspect (wish?) that the SMO is about to metamorphose into a war by designation to be announced ex post facto. I suspect the time has come that Mr. P need not be a weatherman to gauge the political, tactical and strategic winds. It's taken me perhaps an overly long time to reach this conclusion, but were I he, I wouldn't wait for the parade to take a leaf from the USreal plan book and preemptively (non-nuclear) strike Ukraine at a minimum.
The more this goes on, the more inclined I am to start believing the stuff I read about Ru casualties, economy, and losses. Oreshnik is turning into a 1-a-year missile; if they have that capability it is baffling not to deploy it.
Crimea especially is basically a training ground for Ukr strikes at this point.
>Oreshnik is turning into a 1-a-year missile; if they have that capability it is baffling not to deploy it.
It's mostly useless in Ukraine and useless in general as a conventional strike weapon.
The real use for these missiles is as a highly MIRV-ed delivery system for nuking Europe.
Ignore the usual nonsense about how such and such country will be terminally erased from existence by a single Russian missile.
In reality Europe is a big place and just the military bases you need to take out in your first salvo number in the hundreds. And then there are the ports, cities, etc. There are a lot of deep bunkers too -- Germany, Italy, France, Sweden, Norway, etc. have a lot of mountains and have been digging. Even the UK has some.
So in a hypothetical preemptive first strike you need to hit a four-digit number of targets to eliminate the threat altogether.
But the arms limitation treaties, especially the INF one, almost completely defanged Russia when it comes to dealing with Europe. It simply didn't have enough heavy missiles to both do that job and maintain parity for an eventual subsequent fight with the US.
Thus the resurrection and update of the 1980s IRBMs, in a much more highly MIRV-ed version.
But in Ukraine itself the only targets for an Oreshnik that make sense are some deep bunkers. And likely even those can be taken out with Kinzhals and Zirkons.
There is nothing in Ukraine that had to be hit but has not been hit because there weren't enough Oreshniks. It is all for political reasons.
"So in a hypothetical preemptive first strike you need to hit a four-digit number of targets to eliminate the threat altogether."
Exactly! People simply do not understand the size and scale of Europe or Ukraine, or Iran. You can't simply "wipe them off the map" as so many idiots comment about. Look at Gaza for your example... Chip
Most normie morons also have this stupid idea that the moment some nukes go off the world ends. Because they have never bothered to play with the nuclear explosion simulators to get a proper sense of the real scale of nuclear explosions.
Are you familiar with the recent King's College London study that suggests that the conventional military theory idea that tactical nuclear use is a one-way trip to strategic nuclear annihilation is false?
The study suggests that, rather, use of tactical nuclear weapons is viable in a number of conflict situations.
That said, the study has many limitations and many other implications, but it is a data point supporting your view expressed in this short post (and many others you have made).
Citation: "AI Arms and Influence: Frontier Models Exhibit Sophisticated Reasoning in Simulated Nuclear Crises", Kenneth Payne, King's College London, 2026 Feb 17 (https://arxiv.org/pdf/2602.14740).
The study was of 21 war games played between three well-known large language models. Of course, AI has its quirks and limitations, but AI can also suggest effective ways of approaching things that are counter to accumulated human conventional knowledge--see chess.
So anyway, there it is, if you haven't seen it already, maybe a little tidbit to put in your pocket.
Oreshnik is designed to be a nuclear weapon, it doesn't have the accuracy to be super useful conventionally. It's an Intermediate ranged ballistic missile with a MIRV warhead. One of its more interesting features is each of the 6 MIRV units also have submunitions. MIRv^2 or something.
It's CEP appears to be 50-100 meters which isn't accurate enough to put the kinetic energy of tungsten dummy heads to good use on hardened/underground targets.
My opinion is it's use has been more of a warning then one of direct military value. Intriguing weapon capable of carrying 36 smallish nuclear warheads, and as far as nukes go, plenty of accuracy. Very hard to intercept.
If things go nuclear it'd be used primarily on European cities. Two missiles for a large city like Londan would be 72 nuclear explosions spread out in maybe 150 sq km area is more efficient then an equivalent amount of kilotons in one or a few bigger warheads.
The main thing that has vexed my analysis and I believe many others is underestimating the amount of military degradation and corruption in the post-Soviet and even late Soviet period. I think the situation was somewhat rectified starting around 2014, but even then some decisions on weapon development and procurement were stuck in the past.
By 2014 a forward thinking military would have seen the value of drones. Russian backed Tiger Forces in the Idlib Syria offensive were wrecked by Turkish drones. In Libya and other theatres it was clear that Pantsir and other point defense systems weren't up to the task. Russia should have had its drone/drone defense industry humming along by 2016 instead of 2026. Satellite based ISR also lagging behind the West. SU-57 and Armata, great systems, but all those resources poured into projects that still can't be fielded in significant enough numbers to make a difference. Other vanity projects, too.
If it is all so lagging behind the West, why is everything the West could bring to bear in Ukraine destroyed, hunted down and eliminated? Your whole piece makes no sense, it's western hubris paired with pseudo logic.
The last time I looked, Russia is making a difference every day in the former Ukraine and helps Iran and Mali to punch the West in the guts.
>why is everything the West could bring to bear in Ukraine destroyed, hunted down and eliminated?
Because it isn't.
If it was, Russia would be flying directly over Ukraine once all legacy Soviet AD ran out. But it isn't.
Why would Russia fly fighter Jets over the former Ukraine if there is no need to do so?
Russia is flying drones and missile at broad day light and the Ukro AD is non existent. Gosh GM, why is no one asking you in the Russian General staff, I wonder?
Could it be that you are one of those experts that A. Martianov is warning and talking about?
Have you ever be allowed to make a tactical or operational planning in your life? You'd probably not even know which mathematical functions to use to begin with.
Being loud doesn't mean that you're right.
I recall Simple was writting here like 3-4 years ago that Ukraine's AD missiles are running out in months if not weeks, but 4 years later here we are again. miraculously, they still have it, and patriot missiles too.
Regarding drones, Russian thinking was that UCAVs will be useless because they will be immediately shot down by any serious adversary. And at the time "drone" meant UCAV, not OWA or tactical microdrones.
Which has proven to be kind of true. You see how well the MQ-9s are doing in the Middle East.
But there was a failure of imagination there too, because any environment in which the UCAVs get shot down to the point of being largely useless will also be impermissible to jets. So the path forward should have been to develop very cheap UCAVs that can be produced in huge numbers to overwhelm the enemy, i.e. what Russia traditionally excels at. And that would have made a huge difference in the early stages of the war even under the absurdly restrictive rules of engagement imposed on the Russian army back then
citation needed. russia has had MRMs since the 80s to lob nukes...
Well... Ukraine has ramped up drone operations against Russia. I'd say that Ukrainian words have been backed up by deeds. Will Russia finally back its words with real retaliation (Iran-style), finally?
Good question. I cant cant accuse Kreml of barbarism and uncivilized manners when they every time send warnings. They really doesnt act like the Orange Man. And maybe it is good for us living in Europe.
Iran did bite but they didnt try to kill their enemy - just hurt him bad enough.
Both are showing restraint.
No war was won using restraint.
"They didn't try to kill the enemy"? Are you sure? What about the destruction of US bases in the region and the "Netanyahu saga" (alive or dead? AI videos ot not?)? ;)
What I mean is that Israel is almost untouched. No desalination plants destroyed. Nevatim, Ben Gurion, Tel-nof and other Airbases are still operational. Netanyahu had his bladder operation so they covered up a little. What I know he is still alive and the High-rises in Tel Aviv, Knesset and Command centers are thriving.
Iran did target Israeli airbase, but it is difficult to render them completely unusable. However, in my opinion, Iran did well in focussing on nearby US bases as those were the primary threats. Launching attacks from Israel is not feasible in the long run.
My understanding is those strikes on us bases debilitated the weather modification apparatuses
Ismaele
<<<<<Ukraine has ramped up drone operations against Russia. <<<<<
Where, how and when have they ramped operations? A few drone strikes inside Russia hyped up by western media is not ramping up operations when you are losing across the entire seven hundred mile line of conflict. It is simply a hail Mary event.
I think the last thing that will happen if Zelensky disturbs the sacred V-day ceremonies are mass Strikes on Kiev.
Have not commented in a bit. Health problems. But, as always, great post. First to set the stage, I support Russia. Some think this odd as a retired US soldier. But I hate Nazi's. And I generally think Putin has done a great job. But. How fucking long is this "appeasement" of Europe going to go on? Ukraine can murder Russians. But Russia cannot strike Ukraine? The fucking Rada needs a Oreshnik. Now. The complete power and water systems of Ukraine need to be turned off. Now. At the rate this is going, World War 2 will be quicker.
I hope you feel better, man. I think they (Russia) are doing the best they can. I scratch my head and question Putin's indecisiveness, but I believe (according to Duran's Mercouris) Putin has to listen to the domestic oligarchs; he has to listen to the Chinese. I do tend to agree that the restraint invites escalation, but remember Russia is fighting pretty much the entire Western world. The U.S./NATO provides for every aspect of the war; Ukraine provides the bodies.
Haven't listened to Mercouris for a while, but why is he saying Putin needs to listen to oligarchs? And Chinese?
He's not saying that. I watch his piece of summary if I can every day. What he's saying that I agree with is that nothing happens in a vacuum. Russia is doing fine on the ground in the former Ukraine and that understanding, synchronizing and diplomat efforts are still part of Russia's state politics.
What many here do not get is that Russia is not a one man show like they believe it is in The USA.
Russia has a functioning system of check and balances.
The USA have a president that's pushed to the forefront but is in fact controlled by his handlers.
Russia must take into account Chinese sensibilities because if it would lose their support, reluctant as it is, the Russian situation would be extraordinary difficult in the conflict with the combined West plus Japan.
No need of Mr. Merkouris somehow reminding us of such fact.
for obvious reasons. Think about ir
Not so obvious to me, thus the question.
Russia and China are working closely together, so they keep in contact constantly to coordinate.
Has to listen? Or is he willing to listen?
Why does he have to listen? Chinese are not in an existential fight here, Russia is.
Sounds like being a pushover. ;)
The Chinese know they're next after Russia. Russia's success is indeed existential for them.
It's also a symbiotic relationship with Russia's resources and China's manufacturing.
Precisely because the Chinese do not feel that they are yet in an existential conflict, they think, right or wrong, that they are not objectively obliged to support Russia. That is why Putin must indeed listen to the Chineseand gain their support.
Would have China seconded Western sanctions, Biden's announcements of the immediate demise of the Russian economy would have proved true.
Mutually catastrophic nuclear war would have been the lone Russian alternative to surrendering to US orders.
Chinese attitude derives from two possible assumptions. China is already too strong for the US to go the decisive step further in existentialy confronting them. They hope that, with time, the USA will understand the real balance of power and seek a peaceful accommodation.
On top of that consideration, there is the fact that Chinese relative power over the US is increasing with the day. If the former prefence for a peaceful accommodation is proved impossible, it makes sense for them to postpone the fight.
I disagree with 'must listen'. But we won't come any closer.
Yes, but there was / potentially still is an option to confront China together with Russian comprador elites, taking advantage of its geographic location, army and resources.
Look who is in the forefront of the "diplomatic" contact with the Trump administration. I won't go as far as to claim to "bribe" Trump, as John Helmer alluded, but the relationship with China doesn't need explanation.
No, I do not get China explanation. Has to listen to China? Why?
Beijing is Moscow's essential economic lifeline, supplying up to 90% of sanctioned, high-tech goods.
So has to listen, even when survival is at stake?
If you had a really big crisis in your life would you seek advice from your close friends? Would you consider their advice? If Russia ever began struggling in their battle with NATO who would they seek assistance from? Who is the one power that can balance Empire? Would the Russians spurn their "no limits" partnership. I don't think so. Would the compromise their position for China's sake? I don't think so. The Russians play the long game. Empire plays the short game. It's apples and oranges.
Existential? Hardly. RF is a nuclear power. It decided on attrition warfare; thus, it needs all the help and support they can get.
Thank you Dragan for the concern, and the well reasoned response.
Putin is right in taking into account the Chinese.
I very much doubt the Russian oligarchs count for much in the present circumstances.
The problem for Russia is that it finds herself in an existential struggle with the West, while China thinks that postponing any serious conflict she will prevail without needing to fight.
>But Russia cannot strike Ukraine?
In TNT equivalent, Russia probably strikes 30-50 to 1, compared to what Ukraine manages to inflict on Russia.
Simplicious,
The tactical situation is not looking particularly good. Ukrainian long range drones are more effective than ever, their aircraft dont get shot down anymore (its been a while!), their AD has improved + russian missile trajectories are too predictable, and russia does not appear to have an actual plan for taking donbass. It makes absolute sense to capture it, and then fortify it as the new russian border, but that ain't happening anytime soon.
What is more peculiar is that Russia letting other countries free passage for Ukrainian drone/missile attacks against Motherland.
Russia has practically stopped deep strikes into Ukraine. Which is a political decision more than anything else.
Tactical aircraft does not get shot down because HIMARS and drones have pushed the S-400s back, plus they learned to fly low, release their load, then get out of the danger zone immediately.
This is utter BS, GM. Such nonsense should even be below your minimal standards.
When was the last substantial missile strike on western Ukraine?
Or on Kiev?
Right now places like Cheboksary and Perm are suffering more from this war than Lvov and Ivano-Frankovsk
GM
>>>>>>>>Russia has practically stopped deep strikes into Ukraine. >>>>>>
I understand you have an anti-Russian agenda but you are starting to lose it. All the news about the conflict in Ukraine never fails to mention that *all* parts of Ukraine get plastered almost every night by large numbers of drones and missiles. It doesn't get the high profile attention in the Western media that it used to because such deep attacks are now routine.
The Tactical aircraft in Ukraine are not getting shot down for the very reason that you yourself pointed out. They have to fly low stay, at the extreme range of any anti-air and then depart immediately. Thus they are entirely ineffective in their designed role which is a strike aircraft. Releasing their load in this case means firing their anti-drone missiles not bombing. They don't dare try to get close to the combat zone for bombing.
>All the news about the conflict in Ukraine never fails to mention that *all* parts of Ukraine get plastered almost every night by large numbers of drones and missiles.
When was the last missile strike on Lvov?
What's to gain in Lemberg at the moment?
The former Ukraine gets plastered with drones and ballistic missile every night and day indeed.
From 600 until 1000 even by broad daylight.
But sure the western AD-systems shoot 150% out of the sky like they report tirelessly. The "ghost of Kiev" awaits it's resurrection also.
Just we all know that air attacks never bring any kind of victory.
It's the boots on the ground that matter and they kick Ukro-Nazi asses every day by 1100 - 1400.
The strikes from yesterday, all of them, are listed below. Nothing much further than the frontline.
Also, remember those factories Rheinmetal set up in Ukraine? Have you heard of them being hit? Me neither.
Western Ukraine is largely a safe zone at the moment. Russia to the Urals no longer is
https://t.me/ramzayiegokomanda/42173
Хроника ударов по территории Украины 07 мая 2026 года.
Вчера днём и ночью ВКС и ракетные войска наносили удары по целям на Донбассе, в Сумской, Харьковской, Запорожской, Днепропетровской и Херсонской областях (весь спектр средств поражения), Полтавской области (Х-69), Одессе, Николаеве и Николаевской области (Герани/Герберы).
07 мая 2026 года.
• 09:00 Сумы - взрыв. Герань/Гербера.
• 09:35 Донбасс и Харьковская область - взрывы. УМПК.
• 10:15 Днепропетровская область - взрывы. УМПК.
• 10:30 Харьковская область - взрывы. УМПК. Изюмский район.
• 10:35 Окрестности Харькова - взрыв. Герань/Гербера
• 10:40 Николаев - взрыв. Герань/Гербера.
• 10:45 Днепропетровск - взрыв. Искандер-М.
• 11:05 Одесса - взрывы. Герани/Герберы.
• 11:20 окрестности Павлограда и Апостолово Днепропетровской области - взрывы. Герани/Герберы.
• 11:25 Одесса - взрыв. Герань/Гербера.
• 11:55 Одесса - взрыв. Герань/Гербера.
• 12:05-12:10 Николаев - взрывы. Герани/Герберы.
• 12:10 Сумы - взрывы. БПЛА.
• 12:35 Запорожская область - взрыв. УМПК.
• 13:10 Николаевская область - взрыв. Герань/Гербера. В районе Терновки.
• 13:14 Изюмский район Харьковской области - взрыв. Тяжелое РСЗО.
• 13:15 Запорожская область - взрывы. УМПК. Камышеваха.
• 15:05-15:17 Сумская область - взрывы. УМПК. Глухов и Хотень.
• 15:25-15:35 Шостка Сумской области - взрывы. Герани/Герберы.
• 15:40 Донбасс - взрывы.УМПК.
• 18:40 Окрестности Кривого Рога - взрыв. Х-69.
• 18:44 Полтавская область - взрыв. Х-69.
• 19:00 Донбасс - взрывы. УМПК.
• 19:10 Александровка Донбасс - взрывы. Герани/Герберы.
• 19:40 Павлоград Днепропетровской области - взрывы. Герани/Герберы.
• 21:00 Краматорск и Чаплино Днепропетровской области - взрывы. Герани/Герберы.
• 21:15 Сумская область - взрывы. УМПК. Хотень.
• 21:45 Сумская и Днепропетровская области - взрывы. УМПК. Краснополье.
• 21:50 Окрестности Павлограда Днепропетровской области - взрывы. Герани/Герберы.
• 22:15 Донбасс - взрывы. УМПК. Лиманский район.
• 22:30 Донбасс - взрывы. УМПК. Окрестности Славянска.
• 22:50 Запорожская область и Донбасс - взрывы. УМПК. Окрестности Зализничного и Краматорска.
• 23:00-23:15 Запорожская область - взрывы. УМПК. Любицкое и Орехов.
• 23:15-23:30 Донбасс - взрывы. УМПК. Доброполье.
• 23:30 Павлоград Днепропетровской области - взрывы. Герани/Герберы.
• 23:40 Окрестности Кривого Рога Днепропетровской области - взрыв. Герань/Гербера.
Im more interested in how that brilliant compaign of striking ukraines power grid during the winter aged now? what did they achieve other than making life of common ukie folks even more miserable and also way more angry? rythoric question, obviously. billions of money spent on nothing. so them not using missile strikes could be a good thing for us at this point, we'll save some money.
Lvov was targeted six weeks ago. The cities in Western Ukraine are each hit once a month or so for those that are of strategic interest which Lvov is not. The strikes on the western cities are usually launched in conjunction with new Russian offensive drives. This tactic requires Ukraine to shift its scarce anti air resources to protect those cities. This leaves the Ukrainian line of contact with considerably less defensive capacity.
"I understand you have an anti-Russian agenda"
I sometimes think he's the only one with a pro-Russian agenda.
Sure. Just like the guy who shoots his wife and family because he is unhappy with life, loves his family.
Eagerly starting a nuclear war where Russia will be destroyed but that's o.k. because so will everybody else, is not a sign of being pro-Russian.
Bash
<<<<<<<and russia does not appear to have an actual plan for taking donbass.<<<<<<
Russia has already captured almost all of Donbass. They currently moving in on the last two adjacent cities that are still in Ukrainian hands in that region. Those two cities are the most heavily defended from ground assault in all of Ukraine.
The Russian plan to take Donbass is there for all to see and has been for the last couple of years. It is visible and cannot be stopped by the Ukrainians. It may not meet your approval of course but that does not mean it isn't a plan. Neither does it mean it is not a winning strategy.
I am gonna go ahead and make a bold statement: in May 2027, Slavyansk & Kramatorsk will still be under Ukrainian control
Sure thing. As those cities get enveloped in the step by step process that Russia has repeated over and over again for the last two years, and Ukraine rushes large numbers of troops into the surrounded territory as they always do, for some reason Russia will say ....oh heck, let's not bother finishing it off and not take it at our will.......
Deterrence cannot be achieved by such threats. The kind of strikes being alluded to, if they are to carry any strategic significance, must not be conditional or contingent. The strikes must not be tied to anything within the power of the Kiev regime to control. What makes such strikes significant and terrifying is precisely the lack of a causal nexus.
The strikes must appear to be random and inevitable. Warnings and threats place the occurrence of the strikes within the control of Kiev, thus eliminating their utility entirely.
Russia is not serious. The threats will be ignored, as they should be. And it is precisely because the threats will be ignored that Russia will most certainly not strike.
As some of us have been saying for now more than four years, the policy should have been that for every terror strike on civilians double that many Ukrainian oligarchs, politicians, military commanders, etc. are killed in response, immediately, within 24 hours.
That policy should have been in effect the moment the terror strikes started, which was pretty much immediately after the act of treason (a.k.a. "goodwill gestures") of Istanbul circa April 1st 2022. The Russian army withdrew to the international border, and within days the Russian villages on the other side of it found themselves under shelling and drone strikes.
Even though at the time people thought this unthinkable. Some of us are old enough to remember that. That was the first "red line" crossed and it set the stage for everything that followed.
Because the policy of immediate enforcement of deterrence was not implemented.
I think it got worse with time, because after the strike on the Crimea bridge in 2022, Russia responded harshly1-2 days later. Nowadays, if Russia responds at all, it's weeks, even months later, and against empty buildings, at night, to minimize casualties among nazis...It's ridiculous.
When Surovikin was in charge serious strikes were being carried out.
Then he was removed after only three months in the position
But even under him there were strict limits to what was allowed.
What actually happened with Surovikin? Reports at the time seemed to indicate that he was involved in Wagner's nascent "rebellion" but if that were true, he might have been executed, not exiled to Africa.
Wagner's rebellion was in June 2023.
He was removed as commander of the SMO in early January 2023.
And then further marginalized after the Prigozhin rebellion, but obviously six months earlier there had been no rebellion so that wasn't the reason
The suspicion at the time was that we has hammering the Ukronazis too hard for Putin's liking and this is why he was replaced.
Thank you for the reminder of the timeline.
The Putin's politics is in fact logical. Russia is a weak side in the war. They have the weapons but not the will and courage to use them.
Russia is politically weak, the Russia cannot fight the west as since Peter the Great Russia just wanted to be a part of it. Russia has always been subservient to the west. When Russia occupied Paris in 1814. the Russian army did not dare to take revenge. Like all Eastern Europeans, except the Poles , the Russians are destined to be western slaves.
они не могли не уйти из-под киева, та группировка там просто бы не удержалась. что не делает их мЕньшими предателями.
"Deterrence cannot be achieved by such threats. The kind of strikes being alluded to, if they are to carry any strategic significance, must not be conditional or contingent. The strikes must not be tied to anything within the power of the Kiev regime to control. What makes such strikes significant and terrifying is precisely the lack of a causal nexus."
Exactly. 4 years in, Russia is threatening to attack decision making centers in Kiev, only if Kiev does something they shouldn't...The constant drones attacks against Russia and russians, are no reason to do that apparently. The attacks on Russia's infrastructure, also not that important to justify such attacks on Kiev...
And russian leadership claims this war is an "existential threat" to Russia. These two things do not mix together...they are antithetical to each other. This cannot be existential, while Russia does everything to not attack decision making centers in Ukraine and/or in its supporters, 4 years in the war...
The west is laughing at Russia, as they bomb Russia without consequences and will continue to do so, while this laughable russian leadership remains in power.
I am already considering to place a $5.00 bet on Polymarket for ‘Yes’ Moscow will do it IF Kiev gets out of line.
Kennewick Man, where does this idea - this Polymarket idea - come from?
It is not just a passive activity, right?
If you really have ‘a curious mind’ you will just type that word into google…
If you still use GOOGLE these days, you want to be lied to and get manipulated.
The dry humor went over your head.
He is a card carrying commie, he is not allowed humor, neither dry nor wet.
He is a card carrying commie...What is that? Could you enlighten me? It's interesting to learn what other people claim to know about me.
If I was a betting man, I would bet the exact opposite. Russia will do nothing, even though nazis / NATO will violate the ceasefire and try to attack the Victory Day parade. I would be even more specific in my bet and say Russia will do everything to claim there was no ceasefire violation (even though there was) and try to cover for any destruction the nazis caused, while attacking the Victory Day parade.
This is what the current russian leadership is doing. Helping Russia's enemies, providing them energy, not giving them any consequences for their constant provocations and hiding those provocations, as much as they can, to save face from their absurd traitorous weakness.
they will strike an emty parking lot on the outskirts of kiev and call it a massive win, a retaliation the enemy had never seen before.
I suspect that you are not who you pretend to be.
Small bet, small conviction. lol
There is big grumblings in Russia , the population are sick of this fake 5d chess player. A War cannot be won by Dumb SMO , no matter how you slice your cake.
There is big grumblings in Russia , the population are sick of this fake 5d chess player.
Interesting statement when all survey's put Putin above 70% of Russians agreeing with his politics. Or is it that the remaining 25% are just very loud at the moment?
Merz in Germany can count of 10-15% agreement of all Germans by now.
Starmer is in that same region as well with the Brits and Micron is on his way out and utter irrelevant anyway.
So slice your cake as you like but don't try selling us BS here.
Putin's populairty actually dropped to 65% in the last numbers I recall.
This is huge given the context of the situation in Russia and how these surveys are carried out
his actual popularity dropped way bellow this number. 2 months ago his most lifelong supporters start asking questions and call it a treason. thats why they shot down internet, but even russian TV news consumers are begging to wake up.
Putin stooges in Levada propping him up?
https://www.levada.ru/en/ratings/
If Zelensky backs off and doesn't attack Moscow, the threat should be extended to all Russian cities. Why tf should the US be able to kill Russian civilians anywhere??? And it is the US. Stop pretending it's Ukraine.
If he doesn't back off, Kiev should be taken off the map and European cities also targeted and warned. The idea that Latvia should be allowing drones to use its airspace. Outrageous.
Zelensky didn't back off, this night has seen perhaps the heaviest bombardment into Russia since the start of the war. The numbers aren't out yet, but it felt like it based on the alerts
That's the salami slice I was talking about - the threat only extended to Moscow and the parade. Now Z probably won't violate that red line covering 1% of what he could do. Or he might. After tonight he just might feel brave enough to do it.
You know I've long since thought Kiev should be targeted and that mf taken out.
Latest numbers:
https://t.me/belarusian_silovik/73688
Российские силы ПВО с полуночи 8 мая сбили 390 беспилотников и 6 ракет "Нептун" вне зоны проведения СВО, сообщает Минобороны РФ.
В зоне специальной военной операции было зафиксировано 1365 нарушений режима прекращения огня.
Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have to be just ended.
They have provided a casus belli. Use it. It used to be that false flags had to be manufactured to justify war. That is not the case here.
But Putin has steadfastly refused to mobilize so does Russia even have the forces to do it?
It shouldn't need to be extended, because this "threat" should be the russian policy since day 1 of the SMO. Instead it's an empty threat that Russia will never follow though (as it does for every other threat) that makes it look even weaker than it already is, when it does not enforce it's clearly stated red lines, like missiles strikes deep into Russia.
Thanks to this inept, traitorous and absurdly weak russian leadership, russians will be bombed forever, without Russia ever moving a single finger to deter the bombers. Putin and his entourage of western sycophants need to be removed from power at once.
Feeling you, but taking the past as given, decisions still need to be made in the present. It could still be salvaged,
I've long seen VVP and DL as intelligent, serious and well-seasoned statesmen who time is showing as having increasing difficulty in adapting to a geopolitics in which the USEUIS opposition is made up of politicians of middling intelligence at best with "advisors" and ancillary officials lacking gravitas and professional depth but openly possessing psychological defects that in some cases border on pathologies that would render them unfit for service in governments of the increasingly-distant past that apparently had a far greater level of competence, education, culture and analytical skill. Courtesy does not deal well with crudity, scholarship does not mix well with superficiality nor deep professionalism with Johnny-come-lately shallow celebrity.
By now, VVP and SL should have learned that one does not "negotiate" with the likes of Witkoff and Kushner; George Kenner must be turning in his grave with the velocity of a proton in the Hadron Collider, never mind Volo Zelensky. Imagine Andrey Belusov sitting down for a serious, sober discussion with Pete Hegseth! One could go on, but to what end?
No, Mssrs. P & L, time to recognize that the motto of your adversaries is the old NYC saying "Money talks and bullshit walks" and apply it to war, with the gloves off and no-holds-barred cage match approach of DJT & Co. While one wishes it weren't so, it surely appears to be so; the Iranians certainly seem to believe that and I suspect they are correct. Time to hit -'em while they're hurtin' and kick 'em when they're down. If it's "rules-based order" (aka "might makes right", "anything goes") versus Marquis of Queensbury rules. it won't go well for you or the rest of the world that's depending upon you to put an end to these barroom brawlers and their bully pretensions.
Sad conclusion on my part, but I rest my case.
Whatever the reason, Putin is either way over his head or is in fact a traitor. Russia is fucked if something big doesn’t change soon. I’ve gone from thinking Russia COULD lose to thinking it IS LOSING to thinking it’s almost over. What’s happening right now as I type this out is utterly shocking, and I’ll be somewhat surprised if Putin survives it. He wouldn’t if he weren’t KGB.
>One novel theory by RWA
Listen to RWA's latest podcast with Grisha. Skip the first half that is about gaming, the second half is what matters:
https://rwasamizdat.substack.com/p/rwa-x-grisha-putin-total-grisha-victory
The sense of existential disappointment is clear, and the confusion about why the government is not fighting to win is clearly expressed.
Now remember that all three of them are located in Russia and are speaking honestly off the cuff.
At one point they even discuss moving from Yekaterinburg to Krasnoyarsk because Yekaterinburg is no longer safe while Krasnoyarsk looks like the place that will still not be under bombardment the longest into the future. Just think about the fact that such a conversation is even happening...
This for the MoA zombies who still think Russia is comfortably winning and people inside it are happy with the current course.
GM
<<<<<<< the MoA zombies who still think Russia is comfortably winning and people inside it are happy with the current course..<<<<<
People wanting more of the same only on a bigger scale does not indicate unhappiness with the existing course of action.
All three located in Russia that are running away from drones further East. Do they talk on behalf of those 100ks that volunteer yearly to go fight?
My tiny sister-in-law lives in St. Peterburg, she is not running away towards deep Siberia to hide.
well. About the Latvian oil tank being exploded - here is Michael Yon on the topic of depopulationhttps://live.childrenshealthdefense.org/chd-tv/shows/good-morning-chd/currency-energy-food-and-famine-unwinding-the-uschina-trade-partnership-with-michael-yon/
Michael Yon has a rather big blind spot... he has most things correct - and then he blames China.. yes, China, for being the evil genius creating all these troubles around the world. It's kinda sad to see that someone with his brains can't fully accept that it's the corrupt politicians and the Epstein class that is doing all these... do you see any Iranians, Russians or Chinese mentioned in the Epstein files? Case closed.
yes - I haven't ever liked him because of that but the only place that used to give him air-time was Mike Adams whose also like that - with any commie country - like Venezuela as well. But since Michael Yon has been hanging out with Catherine he's changed alot. He's fantastic now....have a listen - he's a great speaker and I think he's really on the money now. Zionists vs China. He also lives in Japan - married to a Japanese journalist - and they hate China.
Yes, I'm aware of his situation... that he's married a Japanese lady and their biases. I do try to put myself into other people's shoes and try to see things from their perspectives.. and recalibrate onto myself. For Yon, I think he's a bit too hopped up from his US military days... he was a tool used by the empire, and mostly for evil. Some people don't want to face up to that fact. I do listen to him occasionally as he does have info from corners that I'm not privy to...
I've chosen to be elite-adjacent, just to monitor their actions.. starting with covid, the deep state has chosen to play all its cards.. the Ukraine war breaking out was yet another deep state hail mary where Russia has chosen its own path and not the one they wanted... thus they are not as powerful as Catherine thinks they are... I really have lived amongst them.. most of them are quite inbred and stupid, tbh. But the institutions of power that have been set up around them have a lot of inertia - so that is a power of its own. Still, they're making own goals after own goals. In the midst of all these chaos, many new and positive stuff is happening, but they'll never get any airplay on MSM... and I'd also prefer to keep them on the lowkey so that they can get more established first. I'm actually quite optimistic now, with each of the empire's mis-steps.
okay- I'm sure you're an expert and can make judgements on Catherine. right.
Let me put it this way… the way Catherine documents all the linkages amongst the various elites - that’s a very good and useful primer for someone starting to understand how the world works.
Except for the elite folks who aren’t human (I don’t know the actual % and don’t care to speculate), I’d say there’s still quite a lot of actual human beings, who are all compromised and bought into dark rituals to keep them compromised.
However, the reality in any human society, even amongst the elites, is that ego and different factions always come into play. Same for any large country like Russia and China - there are competing elites, so Putin and Xi cannot just simply impose their will and ‘make it happen’… there’s compromises and such. It’s the same among the dark elites - there are obvious factions and there are now obvious cross-currents buffeting them. That matters more than Catherine understand…. there’s a big part that understands that if they don’t upset the apple cart, they can still retain most of their power and influence, even as other great powers rise in the world, and they’re ok with that. But there’s also a strident minority that would rather blow up the world than stop being the hegemonic power..
We see that with Trump… one moment he’s about to relaunch the war, next some elements pull him back from the brink. .. he’s chastened for a while.. then Bibi whispers in his ear and he’s foaming at the mouth again.
What I’m really get at is that we can take heart that they’re no longer marching in lock-step….. and the axis of resistance is actively working on those faultlines. Word has come out that both Russia and China were very instrumental in persuading the Saudis and Qatar to break from the US security guarantee and deny the US military usage of their spaces. etc.
actually I think its a depopulation agenda and Trump's doing great. And Net doesn't care about Israelis - he's interested in Greater Israel - Pax Judaica - I know Catherine personally and I know she is one of the hardest working people against this - what she's doing you don't even know if you aren't following her daily. She's meeting with government officials ( Tennessee ) she's in a court trial against Bill Gates and his ilk - on and on and on. Thanks for not taking offense. You seem like a good person but she's #1 for me. I've known her for decades. And I really think Michael Yon, although he's really all over the place - she has helped him alot to focus his vast experience into a cohesive picture of what's approaching. btw - did you know another huge oil refinery in the US blew up today ? And I couldn't care less about the ancient past and the aliens or interdimensional beings...yeah of course that's also at work here for sure - ( not the aliens ) but its the future not the past that's important.
Michael Yon = 5 stars.
“in order to rein in a Washington that has spiraled out of control…”
…. The Russians threaten to blow up some shyte in Berlin. Or something to that effect.
Wait.
How moronic and retarded is this???
By now even a 5 year old could understand that the Gringo Empire couldn’t care less about the fate of their satrapies.
Keyboard warrior Medvedev wants to fuck the Gringo??
Easy!
Just ship 10 or 20 Zirkons to the Houthis and watch them do target practice on the US Navy.
Zero probability of this happening, though.
I'm beginning to think that the Russians' main objective is not defeating the aggressive Empire, but the nostalgic restoration of a stable bipolar world. In the immortal words of Barney: "I love you, you love me, we're a happy family. . ."