That the world is dividing into a 21st century version of Allies V Axis nations is no secret . China /Russia /North Korea /Iran and a host of other bad actors on one side . The US /EU/India (maybe) /Japan /Australia and a host of other nations on the other side.

In Beijing, Xi and Putin left no question of their close alignment in a divided world | CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/17/china/xi-putin-china-visit-takeaways-intl-hnk/index.html)

China Reaches out to Russia, North Korea as US Cements Trilateral Partnership With Japan, Philippines – The Diplomat (https://thediplomat.com/2024/04/china-reaches-out-to-russia-north-korea-as-us-cements-trilateral-partnership-with-japan-philippines/)

The Axis of Upheaval: How America’s Adversaries Are Uniting to Overturn the Global Order (foreignaffairs.com) (https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/axis-upheaval-russia-iran-north-korea-taylor-fontaine#:~:text=The%20axis%20of%20upheaval%20repr esents,becoming%20increasingly%20organized%20and%2 0competitive.)

America, Australia, UK expand military tech, information sharing in Indo-Pacific region | Fortune Asia (https://fortune.com/asia/2023/12/04/pentagon-expands-military-technology-information-sharing-china-indo-pacific-australia-uk/)

Suspicious of China, Philippines Expands US Military Presence (voanews.com) (https://www.voanews.com/a/suspicious-of-china-philippines-expands-us-military-presence-/7417906.html)

Japan-U.S. Extended Deterrence Dialogue | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (mofa.go.jp) (https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/pressite_000001_00032.html)

What is not as well reported is that both sides have been shaping the battlefield already.

This is being done with cyber as well as direct attacks .

We may deny it all we want to ;but the other side doesn't even try to pretend according to 'The Economist' .

"Germany arrested two German-Russian dual nationals on suspicion of plotting attacks on American military facilities and other targets on behalf of the GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency. Poland arrested a man who was preparing to pass the GRU information on Rzeszow airport, the most important hub for military aid to Ukraine. Britain charged several men over an earlier arson attack in March on a Ukrainian-owned logistics firm in London whose Spanish depot was also targeted."

Russia is ramping up sabotage across Europe (economist.com) (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/05/12/russia-is-ramping-up-sabotage-across-europe)

At the Cyber-UK Conference Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ.....the equivalent of the US National Security Agency NSA ) Director Anne Keast-Butler said

"Before, Russia simply created the right environments for these groups to operate, but now they are nurturing and inspiring these non-state cyber actors in some cases seemingly coordinating physical attacks against the West."

She also called out China


“Russia and Iran pose immediate threats. But China is the epoch-defining challenge,” Keast-Butler said.
“We now devote more resource to China than any other single mission,” she told the CyberUK conference in Birmingham. “Through their coercive and destabilizing actions, the PRC (People’s Republic of China) poses a significant risk to international norms and values.
“In cyberspace, we believe that the PRC’s irresponsible actions weaken the security of the internet for all. China has built an advanced set of cyber capabilities and is taking advantage of a growing commercial ecosystem of hacking outfits and data brokers at its disposal.”


China an ‘epoch-defining challenge,’ new UK spy boss warns – POLITICO (https://www.politico.eu/article/gchq-boss-calls-out-china-for-trying-to-dominate-global-tech-rules/)

FBI Director Chris Wray issued similar warnings

"The PRC [People's Republic of China] has made it clear that it considers every sector that makes our society run as fair game in its bid to dominate on the world stage, and that its plan is to land low blows against civilian infrastructure to try to induce panic and break America's will to resist,"

Wray: Chinese Government Poses 'Broad and Unrelenting' Threat to U.S. Critical Infrastructure — FBI (https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/chinese-government-poses-broad-and-unrelenting-threat-to-u-s-critical-infrastructure-fbi-director-says)

It takes two to tango ;and the west had done it's share of covert mischief .


As Russian troops press ahead with a grinding campaign to seize eastern Ukraine, the nation’s ability to resist the onslaught depends more than ever on help from the United States and its allies — including a stealthy network of commandos and spies rushing to provide weapons, intelligence and training, according to U.S. and European officials.
Much of this work happens outside Ukraine, at bases in Germany, France and Britain, for example. But even as the Biden administration has declared it will not deploy American troops to Ukraine, some C.I.A. personnel have continued to operate in the country secretly, mostly in the capital, Kyiv, directing much of the vast amounts of intelligence the United States is sharing with Ukrainian forces, according to current and former officials.


Commando Network Coordinates Flow of Weapons in Ukraine, Officials Say - The New York Times (nytimes.com) (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/25/us/politics/commandos-russia-ukraine.html)

The campaign involves long standing sleeper cells that the allied spy service has activated to hinder Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine by waging a secret war behind Russian lines.

Years in the planning, the campaign is responsible for many of the unexplained explosions and other mishaps that have befallen the Russian military industrial complex since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, according to three former U.S. intelligence officials, two former U.S. military officials and a U.S. person who has been briefed on the campaign. The former officials declined to identify specific targets for the CIA-directed campaign, but railway bridges, fuel depots and power plants in Russia have all been damaged in unexplained incidents since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February.


The CIA is using a European NATO ally’s spy service to conduct a covert sabotage campaign inside Russia under the agency’s direction, according to former U.S. intelligence and military officials. | Jack Murphy (archive.org) (https://web.archive.org/web/20240120165121/https:/jackmurphywrites.com/169/the-cias-sabotage-campaign-inside-russia/)

Who destroyed Nord Stream pipelines ? It could be anyone ;but Russia sabotaging it sounds absurd. As noted before Seymore Hersh pointed the finger at the US . The Washington Compost playing cover blames it on a rogue Ukraine officer .

Ukrainian military officer coordinated Nord Stream pipeline attack that shocked and mystified the West - The Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/11/11/nordstream-bombing-ukraine-chervinsky/?=undefined)

Russia invaded Ukraine with limited goals . But now Russia believes that they are at war with the west .

Kremlin, in change of language, says Russia is 'at war' due to West's role in Ukraine | Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/kremlin-says-russia-is-war-due-western-intervention-ukrainian-side-2024-03-22/)

We are not yet in the 'find a safe place in your basement to bend over and kiss your a$$ goodby' mode yet. But when the grid gets disrupted ;or that wild fire mysteriously ignites ; or barges suddenly start striking bridges it may not be a coincidence .

Ship that struck Baltimore bridge had 4 blackouts before disaster | AP News (https://apnews.com/article/baltimore-bridge-collapse-explained-0b42e73a054addfa3d3dddb7b8e93d1b)

Barge hits bridge in Texas, causing oil spill – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (nbcdfw.com) (https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/barge-hit-bridge-galveston-texas-oil-spill/3541844/#:~:text=NBC%20Universal%2C%20Inc.,to%20a%20univer sity%2C%20officials%20said.)

Just when we need a Churchill or a Reagan, we are now facing an election between Trump and Biden. One could certainly suspect that God has withdrawn His blessing from our country.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61WzI4krWNL._SL1360_.jpg

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/8115AjpcvyL._SL1500_.jpg

Breaking


helicopter carrying President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is reported to have crashed or had a hard landing in a remote area of the country .


Iran President Raisi's helicopter crashes, search and rescue efforts under way - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plchH7taSw0)

The IRGC is deploying throughout the country in the possibility this is a coup .

The people are in mourning ( /sarc)

(1) Visegrád 24 on X: "People in Iran are setting off fireworks after hearing that the helicopter of the President of the Islamic Regime in Iran has crashed https://t.co/1LxgDMAzR0" / X (https://x.com/visegrad24/status/1792274706759901502?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcam p%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet)


(1) Masih Alinejad 🏳️ on X: "“Celebratory fireworks light up the sky in Iran following the helicopter crash involving President Raisi and Foreign Minister Abdollahian. In the video, a woman says, ‘I hope the report of his demise becomes true.’ #Iran #BreakingNews” https://t.co/FJUk7Yp0EZ" / X (https://x.com/AlinejadMasih/status/1792249557750858232?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcam p%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet)


(1) Iran News Wire on X: "Even the teams looking for the remains of Raisi's helicopter are smiling. 😉 https://t.co/UAuXRhPADw" / X (https://x.com/IranNW/status/1792266846030221740?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcam p%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet)

Here we are several hours later, and still no news concerning the outcome. Strange.

As I understand it, it is now being reported that there are no survivors at the crash site.

yes Iran state media confirms this

Iran's President Raisi dead in helicopter crash, Iranian state media reports (msn.com) (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/iran-s-president-raisi-dead-in-helicopter-crash-iranian-state-media-reports/ar-BB1mFxfJ?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=66722066bf5342c3b728f05be94f42d2&ei=16)

It could be weather related . But this comes in the backdrop that Raisi was returning from Azerbaijan.

Reports say that things were cooling down from a 2 year border crisis that saw military drills conducted on both sides of the border .

January 27 of last year the Azerbaijan embassy in Iran was terror attacked . A gunman entered the embassy and opened fire with an AK . The embassy was recently reopened

Going deeper ; Azerbaijan is a pro western secular state . They are also allied with Israel and provide oil to them .Israel provides weapons to them and the weapons helped them retake the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region from Armenia.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Location_Nagorno-Karabakh2.png

Part of traditional Azerbaijan is inside the Iran territory .Ethnic Azerbaijanis are treated as second class citizens in Iran.

And of course Azerbaijan sits smack in the middle of proposed pipelines from the Caspian Sea to Europe that would bypass Russia and Iran.

It is a very complex geopolitical situation .
So yeah the weather may have been the only factor .

US UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield stood for a moment of silence with the rest of the UN Security Council in memory of that a&& wipe murdering scumbag Ebrahim Raisi aka the butcher of Tehran. Disgusting ! Any decent person would've given a standing ovation.

This would be a good time for our nation to recommit our support for the dissidents in Iran . We blew our chances a few times ;the last one being when Iran erupted in protests after Mahsa Amini was arrested and murdered for not wearing her hijab correctly in 2022

What you did not hear about it from the compliant press ?

Clueless Joe paid lip service to it while speaking about Ukraine and climate change at the UN September 2022


"the brave citizens and the brave women who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights”

Remarks by President Biden Before the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly | The White House (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/09/21/remarks-by-president-biden-before-the-77th-session-of-the-united-nations-general-assembly/#:~:text=And%20today%2C%20we%20stand%20with,to%20s ecure%20their%20basic%20rights.)

America did not pay attention and I doubt will pay attention as again the Iranian people attempt to break free. No doubt the US will instead deliver pallets of $$ cash ;tribute in honor of the butcher of Tehran

We can help and maybe just maybe the American people would if they were made aware of the brave sacrifices ;especially Iranian women make and the risks they take .

NATO has just concluded its largest military exercises since the start of the Cold War. From January to the end of May an estimated 90,000 troops took part in an extended demonstration of how NATO would respond against any Russian invasion of Lithuania via Belarus. The admission of Finland and Sweden to NATO has further strengthened this show of European unity.
Despite his extraordinary political situation at home, President Biden has walked a precarious line by continuing to seek adequate arms for Ukraine’s defence without triggering an escalation to direct NATO conflict with Russian troops.
When a Russian cruise missile crossed into Polish airspace as it did in March we saw the danger of just one misstep, miscalculation or incident of military overreach. Since the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Polish jet fighters have scrambled to their borders hundreds of times. The danger is ever present.
While President Vladimir Putin insists that he is not considering deploying nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war, he adds frequently that any direct conflict between US-led NATO troops and Russians fighting Ukraine would be a step closer to World War III. Putin has claimed that Russian forces have detected foreign soldiers speaking English and French, implying that NATO already has military personnel in that battlefield. France’s President Emmanuel Macron has said that he would not rule out deploying troops in Ukraine in the future.

The risks of world war III - Pearls and Irritations (johnmenadue.com) (https://johnmenadue.com/the-risks-of-world-war-iii/)

WWIII is coming out of the shadows. Remember when Quid balked at sending long range ATACMS for fear that Ukraine will strike deep into Russia with them?

Well surprise surprise surprise !!!!....we sent HIMAR missiles to Ukraine and they are using them to strike deep into Russia .

US weapons used by Ukraine to strike inside Russia, official says | AP News (https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-weapons-biden-kharkiv-c46c3ca0f0f4893c8c3b0ef53e974438)

Next up US advisors on the front line.

US considers deploying extra military advisors to Ukraine as Russia looks set to ramp up offensives (yahoo.com) (https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/us-considers-deploying-extra-military-114707410.html)


Do we really think Russia would not hesitate to targeting US troops on the front line?

Some generals believe that we need to establish air superiority over Ukraine to protect our advisors.
US troops have gone to Finland for "exercises "
US Army Soldiers Begin Long-Distance Transit Across Nordic Region > U.S. Army Europe and Africa > Article View Press Release (https://www.europeafrica.army.mil/ArticleViewPressRelease/Article/3759917/us-army-soldiers-begin-long-distance-transit-across-nordic-region/)

Meanwhile there is increasing talk about NATO nations instituting conscription.

UK and Nato urged to consider conscription as world leaders gather in Kyiv to mark Ukraine war anniversary (yahoo.com) (https://sg.news.yahoo.com/uk-nato-urged-consider-conscription-100830016.html)


Quid is in Normandy today . He will meet with Zelensky in the coming days telling him to be patient and wait until after the US November election.

NATO will drag the US in. Slovakia PM Robert Fico was pumped with 5 bullets because he dared let the cat out of the bag.

February 26

Slovak PM says EU, NATO members weighing sending troops to Ukraine – POLITICO (https://www.politico.eu/article/slovak-pm-fico-says-eu-and-nato-states-consider-sending-troops-to-ukraine/)

May 15

Robert Fico: Slovakia’s prime minister shot multiple times in ‘politically motivated’ attack | CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/15/europe/slovakia-prime-minister-fico-shooting-intl/index.html)

Today

Slovakia PM Fico says he was targeted for Ukraine views, in first speech since assassination attempt (nbcnews.com) (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/slovakia-pm-fico-targeted-ukraine-views-first-speech-assassination-rcna155802)

Putin will respond.
He warned that he will send long range missiles to our neighborhood.
His fleet will commence military exercises in our hemisphere this summer

Russia is expected to begin naval, air exercises in Caribbean, U.S. official says - CBS News (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-naval-air-exercises-caribbean/)

Putin warns that Russia could provide long-range weapons to others to strike Western targets - ABC News (go.com) (https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/putin-change-terms-russia-us-relations-wins-us-110869150)

Russian nuclear warships have docked in Cuba. The ships are The Admiral Gorshkov frigate, and the nuclear-powered submarine Kazan. Both are equip with hypersonic missiles.

Ever vigilant Florida residents were on alert

https://scontent.fcps3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/448335126_854896853334104_2139583562291917727_n.jp g?stp=dst-jpg_p180x540&_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=6y1M44KMhCUQ7kNvgEsUXzL&_nc_ht=scontent.fcps3-1.fna&oh=00_AYAVZWGYzCDYpdp3vfbMZNii2H-E9WNCzmgRmdwHGsWAWA&oe=6670C664

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! (1966) - Under Arrest Scene (10/10) | Movieclips - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3TpBfnaEmI&t=15s)

At the G7 meeting ,the leaders agreed to give Ukraine a "loan " of Russian frozen assets . Since the seizing of Russian money is against international law ,they couch this money grab as a loan from the interest of Russian assets they have frozen .

But as reckless as that was ; it does not compare to the bilateral defense pact Clueless Joe committed the US to .
He presumably will tie the hands of future administrations for the next decade in a deal that commits the US to the defense of Ukraine .

What does the Constitution say about that ?

Article 2 Sec 2 says

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur;

Funny ; I don't recall the Senate ever ratifying such a deal. Calling it an agreement does not change the fact that it is a treaty.
It is couched in language that doesn't quite become a firm commitment to deploy US forces . But it certainly implies that .

It is the policy of the Parties to work together to help deter and confront any future aggression against the territorial integrity of either Party. The security-related commitments in this Agreement are intended to support Ukraine’s efforts to win today’s war and deter future Russian military aggression. It is the policy of the United States to assist Ukraine in maintaining a credible defense and deterrence capability.
Any future aggression or threat of aggression against the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of either Party would be a matter of grave concern to the other Party.
In the event of future armed attack or threat of armed attack against Ukraine, the Parties shall, at the request of either Party and in accordance with their respective laws, immediately meet, where possible within 24 hours, at the most senior levels to determine appropriate next steps and additional defense needs. The Parties may mutually decide to develop and implement additional appropriate defense and deterrent responses, including in the economic, military, and/or political realms. Such responses may include the imposition of economic and other costs on the aggressor state through steps that may include, among other things, potential sanctions or export controls. The Parties stand ready to share available and appropriate information and intelligence immediately in response to such an event, and to consult with signatory countries of the Joint Declaration of 2023 on additional, joint responses.



[/QUOTE]

Bilateral Security Agreement Between the United States of America and Ukraine | The White House (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/06/13/bilateral-security-agreement-between-the-united-states-of-america-and-ukraine/)

This comes in the wake of the US hitting Russia with more crippling sanctions.

US Treasury widens sanctions to curb Russia's war production | Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-treasury-widens-sanctions-curb-russias-war-production-2024-06-12/)
This move halted trading of the Euro and US dollar on the Moscow market. Russia today has decided to end the US dollar as it's trade benchmark .

Russia adopts Chinese yuan-to-ruble as benchmark exchange rate after US sanctions force a further move away from the dollar (yahoo.com) (https://www.yahoo.com/news/russia-adopts-chinese-yuan-ruble-070215911.html)


Flashback 1940-1941

Because of Japanese aggression in Indochina President Roosevelt formalized an agreement to assist China through "loans " and "lend -lease" .

In response Japan signed a tripartite treaty with Germany and Italy .


the US instituted crippling sanctions and embargos against Japan.

The US ramped up pressure with more sanctions and embargos.

United States freezes Japanese assets | July 26, 1941 | HISTORY (https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/united-states-freezes-japanese-assets)

Throughout this diplomats of Japan and the US met to try to resolve the crisis .

But at some point Japan determined that the US was not serious about coming to an agreement and decided their only hope was a crippling first military strike at the US.

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor December 7,1941 4 months after the US hit them with economic warfare.

Clueless Joe is in reelect mode . That is the only reason I can see for their turning a blind eye to some of the recent events.

China has been using it's fleet in the South China sea to intimidate Philippines ;a nation closely aligned with the US. This includes deliberate bumping of resupply ships.


The U.S. State Department called the incident the latest in a series of Chinese "provocations" to impede supplies from reaching Philippines personnel stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine vessel grounded at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, site of repeated confrontations with China this past year.
"PRC vessels' dangerous and deliberate use of water cannons, ramming, blocking manoeuvres, and towing damaged Philippine vessels, endangered the lives of Philippine service members, is reckless, and threatens regional peace and stability," a State Department statement said.


Instead of supporting Israel Joe has been undermining both the effort to defeat Hamas but also giving a very weak response to Hezbollah which has been peppering Israel with missiles for some time ;and in response Israel will have to fight a 2 or multi-front war. We sent a diplomat to Lebanon to talk to who knows who .

The Latest | A top US diplomat visits Beirut after attacks across Israel-Lebanon border intensify - The Press Democrat (https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/trending/the-latest-a-top-us-diplomat-visits-beirut-after-attacks-across-israel-le/)

The Latest | Netanyahu accuses Biden of delaying weapons, but US insists arms are flowing - ABC News (go.com) (https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/latest-top-us-diplomat-visits-beirut-after-attacks-111208525)

Then there is that Russian fleet cruising in the waters of our soft underbelly .


The Russian nuclear-powered submarine Kazan and guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov are under way to Cuba for a scheduled port call, and they paused mid-voyage on Tuesday for an exercise in the Atlantic. According to the Kremlin, they conducted a test of long range anti-ship missiles before resuming their voyage. The Gorshkov also tested its air defense systems.

Russian Warships Carry Out Missile Exercise Off U.S. East Coast (maritime-executive.com) (https://maritime-executive.com/article/russian-warships-carry-out-missile-exercise-off-u-s-east-coast)

Map Shows Russian Warships Passing Close to US - Newsweek (https://www.newsweek.com/map-show-russian-warships-passing-close-us-1911774)

Although we claim to be tracking them ;we shadowed them from a distance. It took a day for an US sub to enter Guantanamo bay. We called it a routine port call. I would've been tracking their movements so close that they could read the numbers on our ships .

US attack sub arrives at Gitmo after Russia sends warships to Cuba (nypost.com) (https://nypost.com/2024/06/13/us-news/us-navy-has-fast-attack-sub-in-cuba-after-russia-sends-nuclear-sub-warships-to-havana/)

The only assurance the administration gave us was that they were not carrying nukes. Their live fire exercise was with hypersonic missiles.

Clueless Joe shuffles along speaking softly and carrying a small stick.

Russia and China flew joint bomber exercises in the Alaska air identification zone that had to be intercepted.

‘This Is An Escalation’: Russian And Chinese Bombers Jointly Intercepted Near US In A Rare First (msn.com) (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/this-is-an-escalation-russian-and-chinese-bombers-jointly-intercepted-near-us-in-a-rare-first/ar-BB1qCH5a?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=267ab705c3ef4ac08a6595dc4ee84edc&ei=52)

This came after Russia intercepted US jets flying towards Russia from the Barent Sea.

Russia says its fighter jets intercepted 2 U.S. strategic bombers in the Arctic - CBS News (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-fighter-jets-intercept-us-b-52h-bombers-barents-sea-arctic/)

Note the locations of both intercepts . The Arctic is now in play. This is happening as the US DOD has just published a new Arctic Strategy .The strategy notes that Russia’s collaboration with China in the region is on the rise. The report says that the two countries are increasingly collaborating in the Arctic. There have been joint naval exercises, and

Russia has turned to China to help fund oil and natural gas projects there .

China sees the region as a northern version of their Silk Road now that it is becoming more navigable.
China Launches the Polar Silk Road (csis.org) (https://www.csis.org/analysis/china-launches-polar-silk-road)

This may be finding a mission for US Space Force . It operates a Solid State Phased Array Radar System in central Alaska and has taken over operations of the base in Greenland .

Space Force renames Greenland’s Thule Air Base - SpaceNews (https://spacenews.com/space-force-renames-greenlands-thule-air-base/)




Major geopolitical changes are driving the need for this new strategic approach to the Arctic, including Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the accession of Finland and Sweden to the NATO Alliance, increasing collaboration between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russia, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. This increasingly accessible region is becoming a venue for strategic competition, and the United States must stand ready to meet the challenge alongside Allies and partners. This new DoD strategy directs the Department to enhance its Arctic capabilities, deepen engagement with Allies and partners, and exercise our forces to build readiness for operations at high latitudes.

DOD-ARCTIC-STRATEGY-2024.PDF (defense.gov) (https://media.defense.gov/2024/Jul/22/2003507411/-1/-1/0/DOD-ARCTIC-STRATEGY-2024.PDF)

Russia sees the new Arctic Strategy as a provocation.

For the Kremlin, the US strategy in the Arctic is the signal "of a potential confrontation" (agenzianova.com) (https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/for-the-Kremlin-the-strategy-used-in-the-Arctic-is-the-signal-of-a-potential-confrontation/)

What I see is these incidents with Russia are the result of a weak Biden/Harris foreign policy and our continued pushing against the Russian frontier since the end of the Cold War.

With lack of resources ;the US fleet has abandoned western Pacific leaving the PLA Navy in control.



Inevitably, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) carrier Shandong is at sea to fill the vacuum: China, for the moment, rules the waves in the western Pacific area. With China’s behaviour elsewhere in the region – the South China Sea and the waters around Taiwan in particular – becoming ever more aggressive and illegal, this is significant. Meanwhile, China’s newest carrier Fujian is starting to look more like a near-match for a US carrier every day, conducting sea and flying trials and progressing towards Initial Operating Capability at a blistering pace.

US carriers have pulled out of the western Pacific, leaving China in charge (yahoo.com) (https://uk.news.yahoo.com/china-rules-west-pacific-now-123535640.html)

Thankfully, we are possibly about to elect a true Churchill look alike! KH will solve all these problems.

Ukraine troops are deep in Russia using weapons provided by the US Russia is bombing the sh*t out of Ukraine infrastructure facilities. Israel and Iran proxies exchange missile and drone strikes on 2 fronts . The US is not so secretly preparing for a nuclear war with Russia ;China; the NORKS (and most likely Iran) . We have never been closer to WWIII since November 1963.

Where is Clueless Joe ? Asleep on the beach.

Biden taking second straight week of vacation despite insisting he'd finish presidency strong (nypost.com) (https://nypost.com/2024/08/26/us-news/biden-taking-second-straight-week-of-vacation-despite-insisting-hed-finish-presidency-strong/)

Where is Kam the Sham ? AWOL Out on the campaign trail collecting donations . She did not even bother to recognize the 3rd anniversary of the Abbey Gate debacle or honor the 13 troops needlessly lost .

No one is in charge .

F-16s cost somewhere around $15 million per plane Reports say the US delivered 3 of them .

Now reports say that one crashed in combat and with it Ukraine lost one of Ukraine's top pilots.


Pilot Oleksiy Mes, known as “Moonfish,” was killed in the crash while “repelling the biggest ever aerial attack” by Russia against Ukraine, said the source, adding that the pilot was buried on Thursday.
The crash is being investigated and international experts will be invited to participate in the probe, the source added.

The death of the pilot is a major blow for Ukraine. The first F-16s only arrived in the country earlier this month and Moonfish was one of the few pilots trained to fly them.

F-16: Top Ukrainian pilot killed when US-made fighter jet crashed | CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/29/europe/ukraine-f16-crashes-intl/index.html)

WWIII could very well start this week . Putin warned it . Why ?

Remember when Clueless Joe declared a firm NO when the topic of giving long range missiles to Ukraine that they could use for attacks inside Russia ? That was then . This is now . US Sec State Blinken and UK Foreign Sec David Lammy signaled this week that those restrictions will be lifted .

Will letting Ukraine use long-range missiles push Putin over the edge? | The Independent (https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/russia-ukraine-long-range-missiles-lammy-blinken-b2611396.html)

NATO is split on this but the US and UK are gung ho ....let them bad boys fly.

The US has already given Ukraine the missiles .....ATACMS long-range, guided missiles . But as yet Ukraine has no authorization to use them for attacks deep into Russia.

AND it would be impossible for Ukraine to use them without direct US action by the US military . Ukraine does not have the means to program the navigation systems or the satellites to direct them to their targets .Essentially if they fly deep into Russia an American will be holding the joystick joy joy joy .

The same is true with Brit long range missiles . Any missile strike in Russia by a Brit 'Storm Shadow ' long range missiles will be done with Brit hands This Putin knows.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday evening he would regard such an agreement as tantamount to NATO directly entering the war. “This will mean that NATO countries, the United States, and European countries are fighting Russia,”


Not to worry . Putin is only bluffing . How do the pundits know ? Well because Putin did not blow up the planet the last time he threatened a nuclear response.

Indeed we have crossed his red lines before. But he already faces having to deal with a Ukraine surge inside of Russia's Kursk province. Eventually he will either have to make good on his threats or Russia will find someone else to do it.

Lame duck mentally incapacitated American President Clueless Joe would just love to leave office having been a winner of a war ;especially as he has been a one man foreign policy disaster and great Presidents win wars .

As Robert Gates said of Joe "I think he has been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades”

Tom, would we not be wise to consider the Russia/Ukraine situation to be largely a European matter which does not greatly concern us?

What ? Are you an appeaser ? </sarc> My position is that we should do whatever is in our national interest. Is intervention in the Ukraine -Russia conflict in our interest ? No


I have argued that US is complicit in the expansion of NATO to the borders of Russia ;and the wars in Georgia ;South Ossetia; Moldova's Transnistria area ;the Russian support of ethnic Russians in the Donbass ;the occupation of Crimea are all due to that US policy .We certainly engineered the coup that led to the Zalenski reign in Ukraine . I go into detail in my various postings on the war.

The Dems did nothing during the emperor's reign when Russia occupied Crimea and sent "little green men" into Ukraine to support pro-Russian rebels during the Ukraine Civil War.

Further they march in the streets demanding a cease fire in Gaza . Where are the Dem peaceniks demanding a ceasefire in Ukraine ? In that case they want WWIII .

As much as I admire the courage of the Ukrainians, I feel they are fighting a war they likely cannot win. Their country is being progressively reduced to rubble and casualties are mounting daily. If all of that is true, then are we really being their friends in helping them to continue a hopeless struggle? They seem to be in the same situation as the Confederacy was after Gettysburg/Vicksburg. The resolution of the war was then a foregone conclusion, and the South only made the final end that much more terrible by continuing to fight on.

good comparison although Ukraine's offensive into Russia has not yet met it's 'high water mark ' on Cemetary Ridge .

The sad thing was that a practical solution was already agreed on before the Russian invasion at Minsk Belarus in 2015-15 . Europeans did not do their share to implement them. Instead the have led Kiev on with promises of NATO and EU admission.

Ukraine was given an ultimatum .They either had to sign up with Russia in economic partnership or look to the west . But there was no either-or there. Ukraine would've benefitted with economic ties with both.

Professor Stephen Cohen accurately predicted what we are seeing today . This interview happened before Russian friendly Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovych was ousted in a US led coup after he made the choice to hitch Ukraine's economy to Russia.

Where do you want me to begin? I mean, we are watching history being made, but history of the worst kind. That’s what I’m telling my grandchildren: Watch this. What’s happening there, let’s take the big picture, then we can go to the small picture. The big picture is, people are dying in the streets every day. The number 50 is certainly too few. They’re still finding bodies. Ukraine is splitting apart down the middle, because Ukraine is not one country, contrary to what the American media, which speaks about the Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Historically, ethnically, religiously, culturally, politically, economically, it’s two countries. One half wants to stay close to Russia; the other wants to go West. We now have reliable reports that the anti-government forces in the streets—and there are some very nasty people among them—are seizing weapons in western Ukrainian military bases. So we have clearly the possibility of a civil war.
And the longer-term outcome may be—and I want to emphasize this, because nobody in the United States seems to want to pay attention to it—the outcome may be the construction, the emergence of a new Cold War divide between West and East, not this time, as it was for our generation, in faraway Berlin, but right on the borders of Russia, right through the heart of Slavic civilization. And if that happens, if that’s the new Cold War divide, it’s permanent instability and permanent potential for real war for decades to come. That’s what’s at stake.
One last point, also something that nobody in this country wants to talk about: The Western authorities, who bear some responsibility for what’s happened, and who therefore also have blood on their hands, are taking no responsibility. They’re uttering utterly banal statements, which, because of their vacuous nature, are encouraging and rationalizing the people in Ukraine who are throwing Molotov cocktails, now have weapons, are shooting at police. We wouldn’t permit that in any Western capital, no matter how righteous the cause, but it’s being condoned by the European Union and Washington as events unfold.
A New Cold War? Ukraine Violence Escalates, Leaked Tape Suggests U.S. Was Plotting Coup | Democracy Now! (https://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/20/a_new_cold_war_ukraine_violence)

There was again the framework for a solution after the invasion that Boris Johnson undermined .

When Clueless Joe became Prez there was no chance of a negotiated settlement. He frames the conflict as a global one between democracy and autocracy, between respect for international law and national sovereignty and Russian aggression. How often has the US violated the sovereignty of nations in recent history ?

Putin announced a build up . Starting December 1, Russia’s military will grow by 180,000 active troops, bringing the total to nearly 2.4 million personnel.

And in the meantime, we cannot meet recruitment goals for the Army.

Zelinsky is coming the American to tout his Ukrainian Victory Plan . I have no idea of the details or how much involvement and US $$$$ is expected .
Zelenskiy Says Ukraine 'Victory Plan' Depends on Quick Decisions by Allies (usnews.com) (https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2024-09-20/zelenskiy-says-ukraine-victory-plan-depends-on-quick-decisions-by-allies)

I suspect that he has an idea that he thinks they can take enough of Russia's Kursk province to sue for peace and exchange Kurk for territory Russia has taken in Ukraine. That is wishful thinking .

David Ignatius of the Compost has a more sobering assessment.


Talking with a half-dozen of them Friday, I heard the same grim account of what’s at stake in this war. As Alexei put it: “We don’t have a choice. If we stop fighting, we’ll stop existing.”Listening to their stories, you realize that Ukraine is bleeding out. Its will to fight is as strong as ever, but its army is exhausted by a ceaseless drone war that’s unlike anything in the history of combat. The Biden administration’s rubric of support — “as long as it takes” — simply doesn’t match the reality of this conflict. Ukraine doesn’t have enough soldiers to fight an indefinite war of attrition. It needs to escalate to be strong enough to reach a decent settlement.




Opinion | Ukraine can’t win a war of attrition - The Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/09/15/ukraine-strike-strategy-biden-help/)

The Russians for their part are operating like US Grant did in the Overland Campain in that they care little about the attrition of their troops . Those can be replaced. Ukraine is running out of able bodied troops .

Zelinsky is making his WWIII tour . To prove this is not political ;he was flown to key swing state Pennsylvania at tax payer expense in an Air Force C-17A to visit a munitions plant in Scranton Pa. There is where weapons we pay for are being made for Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський on X: "During my visit to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, where components for artillery and mortar shells are produced, including 155 mm shells for Ukraine, I emphasized the dedication of the workers, which is truly inspiring—they are helping Ukraine stand strong in our fight for https://t.co/rs0vLZRlVU" / X (https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1838100426631053786)

On his way he managed to trash talk about Trump and Vance.
Zelensky: Trump doesn't know how to end war and Vance is too radical (telegraph.co.uk) (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2024/09/23/zelensky-trump-doesnt-know-how-to-end-war-and-vance-radical/)

Trump was impeached for less .

Speaker Mike Johnson has demanded that Zelinsky fire Ukraine's ambassador to the US over the political stunt of visiting a munitions factory in a swing state .

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYWFFqxXEAAmAC5?format=jpg&name=900x900

WWIII is well under way a week from the 1 year anniversary of the Oct 7 massacre. Israel is fighting battled in Gaza ;Lebanon ;Yemen ;and now Iran has fired a full barrage of missiles at Israel for the 2nd time in a year.

Video shows Iranian missile attack on Israel | CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/01/world/video/iran-attack-israel-video-sciutto-digvid)

Iran Attack: Blasts Across Israel, Including Biggest City Tel Aviv; Over 100 Missiles So Far - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meKEkOzSEBM)

While the attack on Israel is making the headlines ;the lesser reported news is that missiles have also been launched at US troops at Baghdad Airport by locals . One struck near the headquarters of the 'Counter Terrorism Service Command'

This comes in the wake of Friday's announcement that the US was going to bug out of Iraq;

U.S.-led coalition mission in Iraq to end by September 2025 | Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/coalition-military-mission-iraq-end-by-sept-2025-us-iraq-say-2024-09-27/)

Iraqi militias are warning the US to not attack Iran.


In their statement, the militias made it clear that any involvement by the U.S. in military actions against Iran would lead to a significant escalation in the region. They emphasized that all American bases and interests, particularly in Iraq, would become immediate targets if the U.S. participated in or supported any offensive actions against Iran.

Iran-Backed Iraqi Militias Warn US Against Action on Iran (msn.com) (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/iran-backed-iraqi-militias-warn-us-against-action-on-iran/ar-AA1rxFOA?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=f66759f10160494f903ce6dc643d1213&ei=8)

US troops have repeatedly been attacked by Iran proxies during Clueless Joe/Kam the Sham's reign . For the most part with a couple of exceptions ;these attacks have gone unanswered by the US despite the fact that there have been multiple severe injuries inflicted on our troops.

This toll was from last year and does not include attacks on our troops as late as August of this year This includes troops killed in Jordan.

US Forces Attacked 151 Times in Iraq, Syria During Biden Presidency (voanews.com) (https://www.voanews.com/a/us-forces-attacked-151-times-in-iraq-syria-during-biden-presidency-/7360366.html)

Yesterday Russia hit a check point on the border of Ukraine and NATO member Romania's border in the Odessa region.

Newsweek on X: "Russia attacks Ukrainian NATO checkpoint https://t.co/zE9QcQLolm" / X (https://x.com/Newsweek/status/1841415685559177714)

Breaking Israel attacked a Russian airbase in Syria So far there are very few US compliant press sources . But many foreign sources are reporting

Israel Strikes Russia’s Hmeimim Air Base Amid Rising Regional Tensions | Central News South Africa (https://centralnews.co.za/israel-strikes-russias-hmeimim-air-base-amid-rising-regional-tensions/)

Igor Sushko on X: "The Israeli strikes on Russia's Hmeimim Air Base in Syria were reportedly executed shortly after munitions from Iran were delivered to the Russian military base. https://t.co/XvIKvTNwTN" / X (https://x.com/igorsushko/status/1841682035997606323)

Meanwhile Houthis still attack ships unimpeded

Houthi Attacks Damage Oil Tanker and Bulk Carrier in the Red Sea | OilPrice.com (https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Houthi-Attacks-Damage-Oil-Tanker-and-Bulk-Carrier-in-the-Red-Sea.html)

Just some recent developments in the prelude to WWIII

1. South Korea claimed that the NORKs have sent troops to Ukraine as part of their alliance with Russia. Just like the Spanish Civil War ;Ukraine is being used as a testing ground for new weapons and to train troops for the coming greater conflict.

Zelensky is calling for more direct support from Ukraine allies
Zelenskiy says North Koreans fighting with Russians in Ukraine | Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zelenskiy-says-north-koreans-fighting-with-russians-ukraine-2024-10-13/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=Daily-Briefing&utm_term=101424&user_email=3c836956fbef5ae572d6a01a09dfe9727855e3d c2d8cc3d02ca8b5d1d69897f2&lctg=63b81bababd3f100f8013631)

2 China is having a massive "exercise" aimed at Taiwan. They deployed 125 war planes in a show of force.


Taiwan said it detected 34 naval vessels and 125 aircraft in formation around the island on Monday.
Maps published by Chinese state media indicated its forces were positioned around the whole island.

China launches military drills surrounding Taiwan (bbc.com) (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgd4yn45qlo)

The US is deploying troops to Israel to operate an advanced anti-missile system .

U.S. sends THAAD missile defense system to Israel to defend against Iran - The Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/10/13/biden-thaad-missile-defense-israel/)

By all standards the US is at war with Iran. Clueless Joe has slapped Iran with fresh sanctions after he allowed them to make $billions in oil revenue by releasing them from Trump era sanctions.

Biden admin revives US-Iran sanctions following Israel missile attack (usatoday.com) (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/10/11/iran-sanctions-missile-israel/75633808007/)

This Ukraine offensive in Kursk is looking more and more like either the Battle of the Bulge or Pickett's Charge. Ukraine took territory early but are paying a terrible price to hold it.


Battles are so intense that some Ukrainian commanders can’t evacuate the dead. Communication lags and poorly timed tactics have cost lives, and troops have little way to counterattack, seven front-line soldiers and commanders told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity so they could discuss sensitive operations.

Bloodied Ukrainian troops risk losing more hard-won land in Kursk to Russia - ABC News (https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/bloodied-ukrainian-troops-risk-losing-hard-won-land-117160806)

Yet Clueless Joe is emptying the treasury and the arsenal on their behalf .....shooting the American wad before Trump's term begins .

US to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, pushing to get aid out before Biden leaves office | AP New (https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-military-aid-kyiv-biden-9b926a275c235c59d591a649e2450746)

This does NOT include the $20 billion "loan" he gave them that is allegedly Russian money

US Treasury Turns Frozen Russian Assets Into $20 Billion Loan For Ukraine | The Daily Caller (https://dailycaller.com/2024/12/10/us-treasury-frozen-russian-assets-20-billion-loan-ukraine/)

Another theater . Pakistan vs Afghan Taliban . Pakistan bombed Afghanistan sites so Afghanistan troops crossed the border .

I guess this will give the Afghans a chance to deplete all those weapons we left behind. Pakistan is allegedly our allies . You would not know as Clueless Joe continues to fund this terrorist state

U.N. Has Flown $2.9B in Cash to Afghanistan Since Taliban Seized Control — ProPublica (https://www.propublica.org/article/united-nations-cash-afghanistan-following-taliban-takeover?taid=65fd64cb9bd6bb0001921ff0&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter)



The U.S. has provided over $2.5 billion in assistance to Afghanistan — through the United Nations, other public international organizations and nongovernmental organizations — since it pulled all of its troops from the country in August 2021 after nearly two decades of fighting. More than $1.7 billion of that funding has come from the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to support humanitarian activities implemented by other organizations, SIGAR said.

https://www.stripes.com/theaters/middle_east/2024-07-18/afghanistan-terrorist-money-sigar-14525894.html
Source - Stars and Stripes

Thank goodness the new US leaders (e.g. Trump has announced, especially bragging to Trudeau) won't be trying to wrest the Panama Canal from Panama. Or Greenland from Denmark for the minerals, and Canada so it'll be the 51st US state!
And keep an eye on your SS, Medicare/Medicaid, etc.

tRump and Musky so much want to add to their bank accounts in any way they can. And become dictators, fuehrers, despots, kings.

tRump and Musky so much want to add to their bank accounts in any way they can. And become dictators, fuehrers, despots, kings.Good grief. Get a grip.

Still, glad to see you posting. Hope you are doing well.

The US had until the end of WWII a history of expansion. Should we still be the 13 original states ? We have expanded through war ;compromise and mostly purchase .

Should we not have purchased Alaska from Russia ? We want Greenland from Denmark . Is that different than getting the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917 ? Comparatively they both have similar strategic value.

Panama Canal ? Before the canal that we built was there ;the territory was alternately owned by Colombia France and the US. There was no nation of Panama until 1903 when they seceded from Colombia . Then the US built the canal in 1914 after attempts by other nations failed . We aquired the canal zone through treaty.In exchange, the US paid Panama $10 million and agreed to pay an annual annuity of $250,000, and guaranteed Panama's independence.
That was where things stood before Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it away in 1979.

The canal zone is a vital strategic interest to the US. That is why we invaded in 1989 ;costing US blood and treasure , to remove a drug lord who had dictatorial control of the nation .

Panama President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen is a conservative businessman . We don't need to take over the canal zone. He can be negotiated with ;which is what Trump is really doing . The issues is rate fees and the presence of Chinese running the ports at the canal entries.

Canada ? The US has had designs on them since before the Revolution. Personally I would advise Trump against it . Why bring more libtards into the US . We don't need another blue state with radical views who don't pay their own way.

Glad to know there is a new boss in Syria .

Abductions, extra-judicial killings surge in Syria under HTS rule: Report (https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2025/01/01/740107/Syria-HTS-violence-surge-kidnapping--extra-judicial-killings-Assad-fall-report)

Ethnic cleansing ? Mass murder ? I thought that Assad was the only bad actor in the country.
(warning graphic )
Scenes of Islamic Rule in the New Syria - Geller Report (https://gellerreport.com/2024/12/scenes-of-islamic-rule-in-the-new-syria.html/)
That is why we were so quick to drop the bounty on the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS ) terrorist leader .

US drops $10m reward for arrest of Syria’s new leader after Damascus talks | Syria's War News | Al Jazeera (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/20/us-officials-on-first-diplomatic-trip-to-syria-since-al-assads-removal)

That is not really surprising for someone who has watched Clueless Joe all these years.

The news to me was Ukraine's support with the rebels in Syria.
Syria eyes 'strategic' ties with Ukraine, Kyiv vows more food aid shipments | Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/syrias-de-facto-leader-hosts-ukraines-foreign-minister-sana-says-2024-12-30/)

Ukraine has been assisting the terrorist HTS fighters with intelligence and drones(paid for with US monopoly bucks ) .
US announces $5.9 billion in military and budget aid to Ukraine | Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-announces-25-billion-fresh-military-aid-ukraine-2024-12-30/)

For Ukraine it made sense. They were fighting Russian backed Syria. enemy of my enemy......

But now Assad is in Russia . It appears that Ukraine plans to keep the relationship alive.

In the days before Trump assumes the Presidency ; Zelensky is making a last desperate effort the get NATO troops on the ground in Ukraine .


I believe that such deployment of partners’ contingents is one of the best instruments. Let’s be more practical in making it possible.”


Zelensky Calls on NATO Allies to Deploy Troops in Ukraine - Newsweek (https://www.newsweek.com/zelensky-calls-nato-allies-deploy-troops-ukraine-2012936)

There is nothing practical in his idea unless the goal is to plunge us into WWIII .


Trump does not speak diplomateese so he sounds simple . But his take is the more realistic assessment of how we got to where we are .

"
A big part of the problem is, Russia - for many, many years, long before Putin - said, 'You could never have NATO involved with Ukraine.' Now, they've said that. That's been, like, written in stone," Trump said.
"And somewhere along the line Biden said, 'No. They should be able to join NATO.' Well, then Russia has somebody right on their doorstep, and I could understand their feelings about that."


Trump says he sympathizes with Russia's opposition to NATO membership for Ukraine | Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-he-sympathizes-with-russias-opposition-nato-membership-ukraine-2025-01-07/)

It is the same reason we risked Armageddon when Russia put nukes in Cuba.


The trouble is that Russia was burned once before in negotiations



former German chancellor Angela Merkel revealed the West's real intention behind its negotiation with Russia and Ukraine to promote a ceasefire in 2014. She admitted the Minsk agreements were an "attempt to give Ukraine time" and that Kiev had used it "to become stronger."

Real intention behind Minsk agreements further destroys credibility of the West - Global Times (https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202212/1281708.shtml)

There is still one day left to start WWIII before Trump is inaugurated . NATO apparently is all in . They are holding war games on the Russian border in Latvia

War games escalate as hundreds more NATO troops arrive near Russian border (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/war-games-escalate-as-hundreds-more-nato-troops-arrive-near-russian-border/ar-AA1xr0Ga?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=dbb778e831d342c2bb932140ff931be5&ei=13)

It also borders Russian ally Belarus and is near the strategic Suwalki Gap between Latvia and Poland ;a short corridor to Russia's Kaliningrad .

What does Russia REALLY want ? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=848788&p=3877925#post3877925)

A Putin ally has asserted that a land bridge to Kalinigrad is on Putin's wish list

Putin Ally Warns Russia Needs Land Crossing Through NATO Countries - Newsweek (https://www.newsweek.com/putin-ally-warns-russia-needs-land-crossing-through-nato-countries-2016350)


NATO deploys Norwegian F-35 fighters for 1st time during Russian Jan. 15 attack on Ukraine (https://kyivindependent.com/nato-deploys-norwegian-f-35-fighters-for-1st-time-during-russian-jan-15-attack-on-ukraine/)

F-35 Survives Close Encounter with Russian Jet Over NATO Lake: Video - Newsweek (https://www.newsweek.com/italian-russian-jets-close-encounter-nato-2016626)

Nato launches 'Baltic Sentry' mission to protect undersea cables (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gx74d06ywo)

Sweden to contribute up to 3 warships to reinforced NATO presence in the Baltic | AP News (https://apnews.com/article/sweden-nato-warships-baltic-sabotage-cables-5e47dd20f19da2b5c5e0cccaed71e119)

Japan launches NATO mission in Brussels (https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/japan-launches-nato-mission-in-brussels/3452998)

Germany will deploy troops in Ukraine to enforce the peace . Ok

Germany plans to send troops to secure Ukraine (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/germany-plans-to-send-troops-to-secure-ukraine/ar-AA1xsC0E?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=50fd2a0b57d743d7837b4cc92c85e164&ei=20)

The last time Germany entered Ukraine it was a corridor to their invasion of Russia.

Over 10,000 NATO troops are conducting war exercises in Romania .
It is called 'Steadfast Dart ' and it involves troops from 9 NATO nations . Romania is on the Black Sea ;a stone's throw from Crimea . It borders southern Ukraine and the Russian ally Serbia. In other words ; a short hop skip from the front lines . It's goal is to test NATO's new Allied Reaction Force (ARF) with the aim of training them to reinforce NATO troops already deployed in Romania , Greece and Bulgaria. .

NATO so wants WWIII . How badly do they want it ? The Sec General of NATO Mark Rutte wants Trump to continue sending weapons the Ukraine and NATO will pick up the tab.
NATO chief Rutte says Europe will fund US weapons for Ukraine (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/nato-chief-rutte-says-europe-will-fund-us-weapons-for-ukraine/ar-AA1xIeVL?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=6f91e1595b1c413081cefbabf3fd13c1&ei=38)

Putin says that had Trump won in 2020 he may not have invaded Ukraine .

Putin claims ‘Ukraine crisis’ may have been averted if Trump was president | CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/24/world/putin-trump-ukraine-crisis-talks-intl/index.html)

He is willing to negotiate . Russia is paying a heavy price for the invasion . For Ukraine it has been a generational catastrophe.

You may have read that the NORK troops in Russia defending the tiny strip of land Ukraine gained in their surprise offensive in Kursk
have taken heavy casualties and have pulled out of the fight .

North Korean troops pulled back from frontline after heavy losses, Ukrainian officials say | CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/31/europe/ukraine-russia-kursk-north-korean-troops-intl/index.html)

Don't be fooled . After 4 months they are regrouping reinforcing .They will come back stronger having gained valuable experience .
Worryingly for the U.S. and its allies backing Kyiv, the estimated 11,000-strong North Korean army contingent has defied high casualties to amass experience in the high-intensity, millennial war that current-generation Western troops lack.....

Motivated, disciplined, well-equipped: North Koreans in Ukraine defy expectations - Washington Times (https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/2/motivated-disciplined-well-equipped-north-koreans-/?utm_campaign=twtnl_x&utm_medium=SocialFlow&utm_source=Twitter)
The South Koreans are more realistic

."With around four months having passed since the deployment of troops to the war between Russia and Ukraine, (North Korea) is assumed to be accelerating preparations for additional measures and deployment amid multiple casualties and occurrence of prisoners," the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a written assessment. (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250124004900315)

N. Korea suspected of preparing for additional troop deployment to Russia: JCS | Yonhap News Agency (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250124004900315)

The evolution of Trump's Ukraine policy
....This war must end
.....I will end the war in 24 hours

Trump misses his own deadline to end Ukraine war | CNN Politics (https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/21/politics/trump-misses-deadline-to-end-ukraine-war/index.html)

.....we will continue funding the war in exchange for rare earth minerals

Trump wants Ukraine's rare earth elements as a condition of further support | AP News (https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-europe-rare-earth-russia-war-9af06a9f17dbaa49a05dcba3a3363977)

Defense Sec tells some hard truths to the war party . At a meeting of the larger group of allied nations of Ukraine the Ukraine Defense Contact Group(UDCG) he told them that Ukraine returning to pre- invasion borders is unrealistic.
He said instead Trump was going to seek a negotiated settlement to the war.

"We will only end this devastating war and establish a durable peace by coupling allied strength with a realistic assessment of the battlefield."

Besides establishing agreed borders he says :
NATO membership is off the table
"Instead, any security guarantee must be backed by capable European and non-European troops."
He envisions a peace keeping force that will NOT include US troops ;and will NOT be subject to NATO Article 5 terms

The US has choices to make ;and given our need to defend our own borders ;and a growing threat in the Pacific from China "prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe."

He joined Trump in calling for Euro nations to pony up 5% of their budget to their defense. Although the US is committed to NATO ; America "will no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship which encourages dependency."

RIGHT ON !

"Rather, our relationship will prioritize empowering Europe to own responsibility for its own security," "Honesty will be our policy going forward."Opening Remarks by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at Ukraine Defense Contact Group (As Delivered) > U.S. Department of Defense > Speech (https://www.defense.gov/News/Speeches/Speech/Article/4064113/opening-remarks-by-secretary-of-defense-pete-hegseth-at-ukraine-defense-contact/)

Evidently there has been some pushback against Hegseth's statement about Ukraine Lindsey Graham still insists that NATO membership is still on the table. VP Vance said US troops in Ukraine is still on the table.

In Graham's case ;he it is no secret that he is a member of the war party .
Vance is walking back his comments and claims he was misquoted .

'It doesn't advance American interests' — JD Vance walks back WSJ comments on US troops in Ukraine (https://kyivindependent.com/it-doesnt-advance-american-interests-jd-vance-walks-back-wsj-comments-on-us-troops-in-ukraine/)


Critics claim that by saying it ;Trump loses a negotiation chip

This is Clueless Joe's war . He pushed for NATO membership to Ukraine even though Putin made it plainly clear that was a red line.


Ukraine does NOT meet NATO requirements . It has had a long standing civil war since the US orchestrated the Maidan Revolution and regime change in 2014 . It also doesn't qualify due to corruption that was evident in both regimes.

Further there was talk about Zelinsky and Putin hammering out a deal that would've avoided war. It was Joe and Boris Johnson who sabotaged that deal.

Trump and his administration is only stating out loud what has been obviously true.

One way for Putin to break up NATO would be for him to insist that Ukraine join NATO as a condition for peace. The NATO nations that actually support it are a total of 9 out of 32 members called for membership when Russia invaded

There are at least 7 who openly oppose it.

Nine NATO allies back Ukraine's path to membership - Euractiv (https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence/news/nine-nato-allies-back-ukraines-path-to-membership/)

At least 7 countries resisting Ukraine's NATO membership invitation, Politico reports (https://kyivindependent.com/at-least-7-countries-resist/)

It takes a unanimous vote .

There is incentive to end the war on both sides .For Ukraine they have squandered a generation to defend land that Ukrainians in the occupied territory are Russian ethnics and preferred the nation when a Russian sympathizer ran it.

For Russia ;they have already achieved any realistic goals . Every day he proves that Russia is no where's near the power they were during the Cold War. All it took was an influx of weapons to stalemate the war into a deadly grind. He had to make an alliance with the NORKS to add meat to the grinder. Worse he had to make nice with China (no real friend of Russia)

The next few years will be defined I believe as a competition for resources. Russia has abundant untapped resources with a sparce population on it's eastern frontier with China. China may see that as easy picking after seeing Russia struggle in Ukraine.

Zelensky said at an "emergency" security conference in Munich that “I truly believe that the time has come to create the armed forces of Europe,”

BINGO !!! Give that man a cigar !!!!

The time when America supported Europe simply because it had always done so is over.”

RIGHT ON!!

NATO Boss Mark Rutte said "that Europe had to show its usefulness if it really wanted to weigh in on negotiations between Russia and the United States to end the war in Ukraine."

“The time has come to create Europe's armed forces” (V.Zelensky) (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-time-has-come-to-create-europe-s-armed-forces-v-zelensky/ar-AA1zbVD8?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=b22ab1cb811a4a77da8400c272c726bf&ei=16)

Yeah ;on Ukraine and a number of other issues. 80 years after the end of WWII it is time to stop suckling.

Combine Vance and Hegseth's addresses to Europe last week ;it should be a wakeup call. The US is telling Europe some brotherly intervention.

Fix your economy (Vance AI speech in Paris where he told them over regulation would leave them behind economically. )

Provide a greater share for your common defense.
(as an example ;the Brits plan to increase their defense spending to 2.3% GDP . Kier Starmer wants 2.5% . The goal should be 5 % )

MEGA Make Europe Great Again.

Why is it that of all the "democracies " in the West ;only the US under Trump and Hungary under Viktor Urban is interested in ending the bloodshed in Ukraine and laments the loss of Ukrainian lives ?

Just a quick rehash. In Bucharest April 2008 NATO met and promised both Georgia and Ukraine that they would eventually become NATO states .

NATO welcomes Ukraine’s and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations for membership in NATO. We agreed today that these countries will become members of NATO.
NATO - Official text: Bucharest Summit Declaration issued by NATO Heads of State and Government (2008), 03-Apr.-2008 (https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/official_texts_8443.htm)

Putin called it a red line . NATO had fought a war in the Balkens . During the same conference they invited Balken states into the alliance.

Putin warns Nato over expansion | Vladimir Putin | The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/apr/04/nato.russia)

By August he invaded Georgia and carved out a Russian buffer zone in South Ossetia.

Evita then said out loud what the real goal was. In an interview she said that the goal was to dangle Ukraine as bait for Russia to invade so that the West could supply weapons and Russia would have another Afghanistan like quagmire .
Hilary Clinton Wants To Turn Ukraine Into Afghanistan - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPF_aYJNorw)

In other words Ukraine emerging victorious was never the goal . The goal was to prolong the war to damage Russia ;not to defeat them.

But what was our beef with Putin ? For that we have to go back to Bubba's reign. Boris Yeltsin's rise pretty much follows the rise of Bubba. He was President of Russia from 1991 -1999 . In that time was the rise of the corrupt oligarchs . They looted the country and it's resources and laundered it through western banks . Yeltsin was in trouble in 1996 and Bubba came to the rescue.
TIME Exclusive Yanks To The Rescue : TIME Magazine : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive (https://archive.org/details/TimeUSMeddlingOnRussia/mode/2up)

When Putin took charge of the country he began to forge relations with Germany Together they built Nord Stream to bring cheap gas to Europe. This was unacceptible to the US who wants to be Europe's energy source (except for windmills and solar panels )

This lasted through the Gerhard Shroder and Angela Merkel regimes. Olaf Scholz became Chancellor 2021 and Clueless Joe's regime began the same year. Russia began immediately to prepare for war in Ukraine. Putin fell into the Evita trap.

Scott Horton is a libertarian human rights attorney and the author of books on American foreign policy. His new book is a (lengthy ) history of American policy from the collapse of the Soviet Union to the current Ukraine war. His thesis is evident in the title ....'Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine' .
Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine – The Scott Horton Show (https://scotthorton.org/product/provoked/)
He hits on many of the points I've made in this posting that the policy of expanding NATO to the borders of Russia are the real cause of the war and our current tensions with Russia.

Remember it was Sec State James Baker under GHW Bush who told Gorbachev that NATO would not expand "one inch " into the former Eastern Block if Russia would removed it's troops from East Germany.


“And then I put the following question to him [Gorbachev]. Would you prefer to see a united Germany outside of NATO, independent and with no U.S. forces or would you prefer a unified Germany to be tied to NATO, with assurances that NATO’s jurisdiction would not shift one inch eastward from its present position? He answered that the Soviet leadership was giving real thought to all such options [….] He then added, ‘Certainly any extension of the zone of NATO would be unacceptable.’” Baker added in parentheses, for Kohl’s benefit, “By implication, NATO in its current zone might be acceptable.”

Well-briefed by the American secretary of state, the West German chancellor understood a key Soviet bottom line, and assured Gorbachev on February 10, 1990: “We believe that NATO should not expand the sphere of its activity.”


NATO Expansion: What Gorbachev Heard | National Security Archive (https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/russia-programs/2017-12-12/nato-expansion-what-gorbachev-heard-western-leaders-early)

That lasted until Bubba's reign . Then the US and NATO demonstrated that they could give a rat's a$$ about border integrity . (see the NATO intervention in the Balkan states where under Bubba we supported the take over of the region by the Muslim population .... and US planes bombing Serbia into submission) and the various "color revolutions " by the emperor supported surreptitiously and openly by the American Intel agencies

Horton's analysis goes into much deeper details . Bottom line is that you can't say that Baker's assurances were not worth the paper they were written on because they made sure their oral assurances never made it onto a formal agreement.
Russia under Yeltsin was in no position to object . But Putin did not forget.

It is sad when you think about it . Had NATO not taken such an aggressive position there could've been a true partnership with them in the GWOT. Russia could've been integrated into the west(as Bubba claimed he wanted ;and had been a long historical desire by Russia. ) Instead we have delivered Russia into an alliance with our biggest strategic and dare I say existential threat (China.)

It is going to take me some time to finish this book (some 1,200 pages +) . But I see where he is going.

This is not new revisionism . Various people including Thomas Friedman ;George Kennan and Owen Harries warned Congress about the course we had taken back in 1998 (I believe I have referenced Kennan previously)

Here was Harries take

Between 1989 and 1991 a political miracle occurred. The Soviet regime, steeped in blood and obsessed with total control as it had been for most of its history, voluntarily gave up its Warsaw Pact empire, collapsed the Soviet system upon itself and then acquiesced in its own demise—all with virtually no violence. This extraordinary sequence of events was in no way inevitable. Had it so chosen, the regime could have resisted the force of change as it had done in previous occasions, thus either extending its life…or going down in a welter of blood and destruction…. A necessary condition [for the peaceful surrender] was an understanding, explicit according to some but in any case implicit, that the West not take strategic and political advantage of what the Soviet Union was allowing to its empire and to itself. Whatever is said now, such a bargain was assumed by both sides, for it was evident to all involved that in its absence—if, that is, the West was intent on exploiting any retreat by Moscow—events would not be allowed to proceed along the liberalizing course they actually took.

Congressional Record, Volume 144 Issue 19 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998) (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-1998-03-03/html/CREC-1998-03-03-pt1-PgS1283-3.htm)

It is sad when you think about it . Had NATO not taken such an aggressive position there could've been a true partnership with them in the GWOT. Russia could've been integrated into the west(as Bubba claimed he wanted ;and had been a long historical desire by Russia. ) Instead we have delivered Russia into an alliance with our biggest strategic and dare I say existential threat (China.)


In 2021, almost 50% of Russia’s exports went to European countries… Yet, by the end of 2023, less than two years after the invasion began on February 24, 2022, the picture was completely transformed. Recently published figures for 2023 show China and India out in front as Russia’s two main export markets, accounting for 32.7% and 16.8% respectively — half the total. In 2021, China accounted for 14.6% of Russian exports whereas India accounted for just 1.56%.
The two countries have swept up the export market share previously taken by European countries. The 2023 figures show European nations accounting for barely 15% of Russian exports, a huge drop from the almost 50% of two years earlier.


How has Russia's economy dodged Western sanctions? – DW – 02/22/2025 (https://www.dw.com/en/sanctions-russian-economy-could-no-longer-survive-without-china-india-and-turkey/a-71606396)

The Russians shifted their markets east and all of Clueless Joe's boasting of crippling Russia's economy failed.
President Biden Archived on X: "As a result of our unprecedented sanctions, the ruble was almost immediately reduced to rubble. The Russian economy is on track to be cut in half. It was ranked the 11th biggest economy in the world before this invasion — and soon, it will not even rank among the top 20." / X (https://x.com/POTUS46Archive/status/1507842574865866763)

Instead our's and Europe's economy took the hit.

Putin has a counter offer to Trump's demands that Ukraine surrender half of it's rare earths for protection.
He suggests a Russia-US partnership that is worth considering. ( I say that at the risk of being accused of being a Russian agent as the left has resurrected that smear against Trump)

Russia says it’s open to economic cooperation with US on rare earth minerals and energy | CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/24/europe/putin-russia-us-cooperation-economy-rare-earths-intl-latam/index.html)

Russia's resources will be developed one way or the other. Either the US wll benefit or China.

From Foreign Affairs magazine


Russian forces have largely pushed Ukrainian forces out of Kursk oblast—territory in Russia that Ukraine had occupied since August 2024—and are now restarting major offensive operations toward the key Ukrainian towns of Kostiantynivka and Pokrovsk. Although the Ukrainian military is ensuring that Russia loses many soldiers and much equipment in making these territorial gains, the Ukrainians are also struggling to recruit and train enough personnel to avoid ceding territory. Both countries, meanwhile, are exchanging nightly long-range strikes targeting infrastructure and military logistics.

Bottom line ;the longer that a cease fire and a settlement is delayed ,the worse shape Ukraine will be in it's bargaining position.


Europe should have seen this coming. Going back to the Obama administration, the United States has been consistent in acknowledging that it views its primary security competitor as China. Washington’s growing interest in the Indo-Pacific has meant that successive U.S. administrations have wanted to deprioritize the U.S. commitment to Europe. For that to happen, the Americans have urged European countries to build up their armed forces to ensure conventional deterrence against Russia—and thereby free up American capacity to pivot to Asia.


And yet the belief is that it is exclusively Trump who is changing US relations with Europe. The truth is that until now Europe never took it seriously .


Even the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, while prompting a great deal of tough rhetoric in Europe, did not push governments to make the necessary investments to regenerate their hollow forces. European leaders were reluctant to bear the cost of this process and feared that a large increase in European defense spending would accelerate the United States’ withdrawal from the continent, making the burden for Europeans permanent.


If you look at what Jeffrey Goldberg released yesterday from the administration's group chat ; you hear that the US patience with Europe is at an end .

Vance said that Europe had more at stake in defending shipping through the Suez Canal than the US .He threw out the option of delaying US strikes to send a message
.“I think we are making a mistake,” wrote Vance, adding that while only 3% of US trade goes through the Suez canal, 40% of European trade does. “There is a real risk that the public doesn’t understand this or why it’s necessary,” he added. “The strongest reason to do this is, as [Trump] said, to send a message.”..........“I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now,” Vance wrote. “There’s a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices. I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc.”

Stunning Signal leak reveals depths of Trump administration’s loathing of Europe | Europe | The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/25/stunning-signal-leak-reveals-depths-of-trump-administrations-loathing-of-europe)

If it weren't for the obvious mistake of releasing attack plans on an insecure chat ;I would believe the release of this conversation was intentional.

The message should be plainly clear to Europe by now . Take care of yourselves.

A follow up to the point Vance made. Kaja Kallas ;former PM of Estonia is now the defense minister for the EU . She has a wonderful idea. The nations of the EU should pool their resources to help Ukraine.

Her plan is the collect 40 billion Euro ($43billion) by levying a small percent of each nation's income to the cause .

That proposal was met with cricket chirps . Her backup plan 5 billion is going nowhere fast too.

Member states bring Kallas back to earth: Ukraine plan slashed from 40 billion to 5 billion (https://www.eunews.it/en/2025/03/20/member-states-bring-kallas-back-to-earth-ukraine-plan-slashed-from-40-billion-to-5-billion/)

Italy ;Slovakia ;and France are a no go .


The countries insisted that contributions to Ukraine remain voluntary, bilateral and not required by Brussels.


Europe Talks Tough on Military Spending, but Unity Is Fracturing - The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/world/europe/ukraine-us-nato-eu-defense.html)

She wants Europe to take the mantle . But the girlie men of the continent disagree

Kaja Kallas on X: "Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine. We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the agressor. Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge." / X (https://x.com/kajakallas/status/1895570098834063878)


Here is the plan they will adopt . Talk tough and wait out Trump's term in the hope that a Dem wins in 2028

So Europe won't defend their sea lanes . They won't collectively defend their continent without US providing the bulk of the security and $$$$$$$$$$$$. And the US no longer has the means to take up the mantle.

What we need then is an incident to drag the US kicking and screaming back to save civilization again ,
Lithuania missing US soldiers search mission facing treacherous conditions: Army (https://nypost.com/2025/03/27/world-news/lithuania-missing-us-soldiers-search-mission-facing-treacherous-conditions-army/)

So Europe won't defend their sea lanes . They won't collectively defend their continent without US providing the bulk of the security and $$$$$$$$$$$$. And the US no longer has the means to take up the mantle.

What we need then is an incident to drag the US kicking and screaming back to save civilization again ,
Lithuania missing US soldiers search mission facing treacherous conditions: Army (https://nypost.com/2025/03/27/world-news/lithuania-missing-us-soldiers-search-mission-facing-treacherous-conditions-army/)

Macron wants to commit a "reassurance force " to Ukraine if a cease fire deal is made. But not all Euro nations are on board
Europeans Vow to Stand by Ukraine, but Disagree Over Force Proposal - The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/27/world/europe/european-leaders-ukraine-support.html)

What would Europe need to go it alone ?

Start by actually spending on defense to the levels agreed to by NATO.
They need to add a minimum of a 300,000 military and greatly expand their weaponry . They need to greatly expand their nuclear weapon capability .

Macron and Starmer may be on board. The rest ? Not so much Mostly they talk a good game.

Some 40 nations are in some form of violent conflict around the world.

Countries Currently at War / Countries at War 2025 (https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-currently-at-war)

Others like the US and China feed the grist to the mill. The world is one Franz Ferdinand assassination like spark away .

Blast in one of Vladimir Putin's official limousines triggers fresh assassination concerns - The Economic Times (https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/blast-in-one-of-vladimir-putins-official-limousines-triggers-fresh-assassination-concerns/articleshow/119758547.cms?from=mdr)

Part of an article I read this morning. It makes Trump sound a great deal more sensible.


Yet the West, including Australia, fully expect to rely on the USA for our very survival.

If the world turns bad (which will happen - only a question of time), then the whole West, without America, is toast.

So, you may ask - if we're not very aligned ideologically, then it must be that we bring something to the party militarily?

Well, no... actually... we don't matter that much militarily.

The USA has about 470 ships in its navy, including 11 aircraft carriers, 69 submarines, 75 destroyers... plus 110 new ships in the pipeline.

Australia has about 30, including 3 destroyers, 7 frigates and 7 outdated submarines. The UK does a little better, with about 60.

Meanwhile, the US has over 14,000 military aircraft. A staggering number.

Australia has 252 military aircraft. The UK has 556.

The US army has just shy of 1,000,000 uniformed personnel in its military. Australia has about 45,000.

The USA spends 3.4% ($968 billion) of its GDP on defence. Australia spends 2% ($36.4 billion). The US spends as much as the next 15 largest military-spending countries (including China) combined.

The USA has a fighting culture. The men shoot things (a lot) and hunt things, the veterans get favoured in everything from parking spots to boarding planes. A uniformed young man is thanked in the street a dozen times a day.

"Oh, the Americans and their guns!" we say, in our smug way. Yes, they have a warrior culture. We do not. We don't have to, because we're a leech on theirs.

How many young British men are willing to fight for their country? Now ask the same regarding young American men. The difference is about as wide as it could be.

Militarily, we don't offer squat.



Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/martynlloydiles)

The Times article made it clear that we supply the weapons , suggest targets and supply the satellite targeting . The weapons we give Ukraine can't work otherwise The only thing we don't do is push the button and bring back the body bags.

Clueless Joe and NATO decided that they could give enough to Ukraine to not lose so that Russia could slow bleed . Every bomb that drops in Russia has a 'Made in the USA ' or ' Made in the EU 'stamp.

Germany is all in now even though they could not keep 20 jets in the air at the same time. Maybe they want Putin to die of laughter . They are going to deploy on Russia's border which must really thrill Moscow . How many Russians died defending the motherland the last time the Germans were on the Russian border ?

I would hate to be a soldier on either side fighting the Ukraine war. They are the avatar in a blood thirsty video game played by drone operators . Soldiers that once dreaded the artillery round now see them as their safest bet . What really scares them is the hand held Radio Shack like toy that can drop precision strikes on their heads .


Drones, not the big, heavy artillery that the war was once known (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/29/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-artillery.html) for, inflict about 70 percent of all Russian and Ukrainian casualties, said Roman Kostenko, the chairman of the defense and intelligence committee in Ukraine’s Parliament. In some battles, they cause even more — up to 80 percent of deaths and injuries, commanders say.

Drones Now Rule the Battlefield in the Ukraine-Russia War - The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/03/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-drones-deaths.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawJjoKNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABH oAG8jObsdoBxbL2EPCWpq_4H4O1qol64pyPiiOXRw0NjqKn2n5 xmilcamE5_aem_u0_pY5BDsIRSFWCPI44AaA)

The trenches that cut scars across hundreds of miles of the front are still essential for defense, but today most soldiers die or lose limbs to remote-controlled aircraft rigged with explosives, many of them lightly modified hobby models. Drone pilots, in the safety of bunkers or hidden positions in tree lines, attack with joysticks and video screens, often miles from the fighting.
Speeding cars or trucks no longer provide protection from faster-flying drones. Soldiers hike for miles, ducking into cover, through drone-infested territory too dangerous for jeeps, armored personnel carriers or tanks. Soldiers say it has become strangely personal, as buzzing robots hunt specific cars or even individual soldiers.
It is, they say, a feeling of a thousand snipers in the sky.



Reminder ; the Spanish Civil War was the laboratory and testing ground for weapons and tactics used in WWII

India and Pakistan are on the verge of a major war. This comes a week after terrorists attacked Indian tourists in Kashmir killing 26


Gunmen opened fire on sightseers in a popular travel destination in the mountainous destination of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir.At least 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national were killed in the massacre, which unfolded in a valley only accessible by foot or on horseback.Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror as the gunmen approached, opening fire on tourists from close range.

What happened in Pahalgam and why is the attack escalating India-Pakistan tensions? | CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/24/india/pahalgam-india-pakistan-attack-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html)

Since then there have been reprisals against Muslim Kashmiris by India citizens . India accuses Pakistan of supporting terrorists activities in Kashmir . One report claims the assailants were on loan from the Pakistan Army.

India is conducting anti-terrorists operations. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to pursue the attackers to “the ends of the earth” and said that those who planned and carried it out “will be punished beyond their imagination”.

Now Pakistan says it has credible evidence that India will attack.



Pakistan claims 'credible intelligence' India is planning an imminent military strike (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c75dgz5pq2no)

The Houthis launched a drone attack on Carrier USS Truman. While making a hard turn to evade the drones an FA18 Hornet jet slid off the deck into the sea.

Enough of this . Make Iran pay for any Houthis attack going forward.

(1) Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on X: "Message to IRAN: We see your LETHAL support to The Houthis. We know exactly what you are doing. You know very well what the U.S. Military is capable of — and you were warned. You will pay the CONSEQUENCE at the time and place of our choosing." / X (https://x.com/SecDef/status/1917741093392707886)

The India -Pakistan war is on .

Live updates: India, Pakistan on brink of war, India attack in wake of Kashmir massacre | CNN (https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/india-pakistan-attack-kashmir-tourists-intl-hnk)
Both nations have at least 170 nukes each . 300 nukes detonated would bring on a nuclear winter that would end most human life on Earth.

India is using water as a weapon . They have opened gates of the Salal Dam on the Chenab River ;threatening to flood Pakistan agricultural land down river at a time during sowing season.
Operation Sindoor: How India Can Use Its 'Water Weapon' in J&K Against Pakistan | Times Now (https://www.timesnownews.com/india/operation-sindoor-how-india-can-use-its-water-weapon-in-jk-against-pakistan-article-151584471)

It is hard to decipher various and conflicting claims made by India and Pakistan. But apparently both sides are getting top of the line jets being downed in the fight. These include both Paki US made F16s and Indian French-made Rafale and Mirage jets

The Pakis have used Chinese made radar guided PL15 air to air missiles .

There is a cease fire in place that it appears VP Vance brokered with the help of Sec State Rubio .

So far it is sorta holding as both sides accuse the other of violations .

This brief war has given us a glimpse of peer powers duking it out for air superiority using some of the best air combat weapons available.

Alarming is that Chinese made jets and air to air missiles have done well .

One U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was high confidence that Pakistan had used the Chinese-made J-10 aircraft to launch air-to-air missiles against Indian fighter jets - bringing down at least two.
Another official said at least one Indian jet that was shot down was a French-made Rafale fighter aircraft.
Both officials said Pakistan's F-16 aircraft, made by Lockheed Martin were not used in the shootdown.

Exclusive: Pakistan's Chinese-made jet brought down two Indian fighter aircraft, US officials say | Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/pakistans-chinese-made-jet-brought-down-two-indian-fighter-aircraft-us-officials-2025-05-08/)

Military experts get the chance to evaluate the performance and plan for future combat against the weapons especially the Chinese PL15 missile that appears to have beyond visual range .

Dassault ;the maker of the Rafale is seeing it's stock drop with every downed jet.
Dassault shares drop after reports of Pakistan shooting down India's Rafale jets (https://trt.global/world/article/3652fc6f043f?fbclid=IwY2xjawKMoVxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBi cmlkETFvYm01UjdFbGx6QklRSDBiAR74sYdWp28WDuwsxQj05M UUAInb53di826ZcmFpJyA6zSSBF3qTcxquX984Zw_aem_nw9Js A13knJJv6m49z4Okg)

China gave Pakistan targeting support against India

From Space with Malice: China’s Satellites Tipped the Balance in India-Pakistan War (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/from-space-with-malice-china-s-satellites-tipped-the-balance-in-india-pakistan-war/ar-AA1F2OYZ?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=173e15cb59a843249c018dd74d83a9f3&ei=32)

In this hour IAEA has found that Iran is in violation of it's non-proliferations.
IAEA Board Declares Iran in Breach of Non-Proliferation Obligations (https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-06-12/iaea-board-declares-iran-in-breach-of-non-proliferation-duties-diplomats-say)

This comes after President Trump announced that non-essential personnel will be evacuated from US embassies and missions in the Middle East.
U.S. Evacuates Personnel From Middle East Amid Tensions With Iran | TIME (https://time.com/7293392/us-embassy-iraq-iran/)

He anticipates that Israel is going to take imminent action against the Iran enrichment efforts .

Israel is poised to launch operation on Iran, multiple sources tell CBS News - CBS News (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-is-poised-to-launch-operation-on-iran-sources-say/)

Israel is doing the hard work the US should've been doing since 1979. They have been at war with us since then and countless numbers of American casualties have resulted in our pin prick response to their attacks .

Israel has some specific goals in this war. Although regime change would be the ideal ;what is not acceptable is their regime having nuclear weapons. They have made it clear that their goal is the destruction of Israel.

They are not rational actors . The idea of deterrence or mutual assured destruction is not on the table. .
The longer the campaign takes ;the more loss of lives on both sides and a greater chance Iran achieves it's nuclear ambitions.

Israel has damaged and degraded some of their most important sites .The one that Israel will have difficulty taking down is their most important one.
Their Fordow facility is buried deep under a mountain The enriched uranium there is believed to be enough to produce several bombs. This is the cite they tried to hide from the IAEA . It is also locate near the "holy " city of Qom. Their Quds forces are stationed there and they have installed S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems around the plant.

Israeli attacks so far have taken out some surface structures . But they don't have the means to penetrate deep into the mountain to take out the nukes. They have neither the bunker buster /MOAB type weapons or the heavy bombers to deliver them.

In Ukraine we deliver weapons to delay the war. In this war US weapons could deliver the blows necessary to end it.

Trump like previous Presidents believes that negotiations could be the way to end it. He thinks the conflict will force Iran to the table. But that just serves their end.
They cancelled talks with the US and that is probably why Israel got the green light to attack. But negotiations serve their purpose. Forcing them to the table just delays their goals .It does not end them.

I would prefer regime change . But short of that they need to be made aware that they will never have nuclear weapons to use against any of their enemies.

....and at some point we have to make it clear they can't send assassins into the US to kill politicians they don't like . They can't attack US ships over 300 times as their proxies the Houthis did . They can't partner with the Chinese to attack us .
Attacks on US bases during the Gaza war - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attacks_on_US_bases_during_the_Gaza_war#:~:text=St arting%20on%2017%20October%202023,dozens%20of%20US %20service%20members.)

You don't get to kill our troops on the ground or on the seas .
There are thousands of US troops that they killed . They built the IEDs and EFPs that their proxies used to kill and maim US troops in Iraq.

How Many US Troops Were Killed By Iranian IEDs in Iraq? - Defense One (https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2015/09/how-many-us-troops-were-killed-iranian-ieds-iraq/120524/)

Their proxies have targeted US bases with impunity . (170 since the October 7 sneak attack on Israel)

Attacks on US bases during the Gaza war - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attacks_on_US_bases_during_the_Gaza_war#:~:text=St arting%20on%2017%20October%202023,dozens%20of%20US %20service%20members.)


And this was just a recent accounting . The Iran war against the US is ongoing. We just won't admit it . Even Trump speaks of a negotiated end to their nuke program when it should be clear that they violated every deal they have ever made .

Trump told Iran to unconditionally surrender without really defining what he thinks unconditional surrender means . It appears after his National Security meeting that he in on board with the US officially participating in the Iran Israel war.

A so called Presidential 'doomsday jet was flown into DC . It was last used by GWBush during the 9-11 attacks .
US E-4B 'doomsday plane' makes unexpected flight to DC as Trump weighs Iran strike (https://nypost.com/2025/06/18/us-news/us-e-4b-doomsday-plane-makes-unexpected-flight-to-dc-as-trump-weighs-iran-strike/)

Speculation is that he will authorize B2 bomber flights to drop heavy bunker buster MOAB bombs on Iran's Fordow nuclear site ;which is buried deep in the mountains near the Iran "holy city " of Qom. The Israeli air force has been doing the prep the battlefield attacks bombing transmission lines and the road from Qom to Tehran. They have also bombed the heavy water reactor at Aarak .

The final attack on the facility would be the bunker busters . A series of precision strikes could burrow deep into the mountain and destroy the plant .

This 30,000-lb U.S. Bomb Can Destroy Iran’s Deepest Nuclear Bunkers | WSJ Equipped (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4kJYfGs7BM)

After that we had better be prepared to go all in because Iran will . US forces are stationed in the region . US ships still sail the seas around Yemen and the Gulf of Arabia . Presumably there are more sleeper cells who walked across our open borders.
Iran ordered an operative to assassinate Trump before the election, federal prosecutors say - POLITICO (https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/08/donald-trump-iran-assassination-plot-00188498?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR4hIdurrwlMNSj3 v49h2aW1Iwar3nRULbXoEFDqB_1FhVmxlUgTg9POyoeoXw_aem _iPtENZuko1hvATVclENE8w)

And of course China has become dependent on Iranian oil which they get at huge discounts as Iran willingly sold it to bypass sanctions.

Last week there were mysterious flights from China to Iran with planes that are capable of transporting heavy weapons .


On Saturday, a 747 airfreighter took off from China. Sunday another one took off. (https://www.yahoo.com/news/china-sends-mystery-transport-planes-170428323.html) On Monday, a third one took off from Shanghai. The planes flew westward over Northern China, then south to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, then disappearing from radar as they neared Iran.
The flight plans showed Luxembourg as the destination. The USA has the C-17 and the huge C-5A to transport military assets. Other countries use the 747 airfreighters to do the same. So the guessing game is on as to what was on those planes. My guess would be electronics and missile parts.

The 747 cargo planes used were from Cargolux, based in Luxembourg. Cargolux did not respond to questions about what those planes flying out of China were carrying.



Mystery flights of Chinese 747 airfreighters to Iran and more (https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/6/18/2328829/-Mystery-flights-of-Chinese-747-airfreighters-to-Iran-and-more)

How far will China intervene ? They have already provided targeting to the Houthis which cost us naval assets as the Houthis attacked the US Navy at least 174 times .

US says Chinese satellite firm is supporting Houthi attacks on US interests | Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-says-chinese-satellite-firm-is-supporting-houthi-attacks-us-interests-2025-04-17/)

Trump Administration’s Actions Made Houthi Terrorists Pay – The White House (https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/03/trump-administrations-actions-made-houthi-terrorists-pay/)

What level of support will they give ? It is in China's interest to have the US distracted in a forever war with Iran ;and it is in their interest to keep the oil flowing . And Trump is just not interested in getting into a forever war

Trump focused on avoiding wider conflict as he nears decision on US strikes in Iran, sources say (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/trump-focused-on-avoiding-wider-conflict-as-he-nears-decision-on-us-strikes-in-iran-sources-say/ar-AA1GZe41)

Victor Davis Hanson on X: "Misunderstanding Trump? Many are now demanding that Trump act abroad in the way they think he had promised and campaigned–which can be mostly defined as how closely he should parallel their own version of MAGA. But Trump’s past shows that he never claimed that he was either an" / X (https://x.com/VDHanson/status/1935398589125247371)

So while Trump is focused on Iran ;he needs to make one of those 'art of the deal ' agreements with China. My guess it won't be Tim Walz's idiotic plan to have China be an honest broker in the negotiations. You know "moral authority " and all that rubbish .
SHOCK COMMENT: Tim Walz Suggests China May Have 'Moral Authority' To Resolve Israel-Iran Conflict (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nd4xbCxak8)

Untold is that Iran has an ally in Pakistan ;and Israel has one in India. One of the biggest mistakes India made was to not eliminate the threat of Pakistan becoming a nuclear power. That has plagued them ever since. They have fought a series of major and minor conflicts ever since .India could easily defeat them but for the nuclear threat.

In the early 1980s, Israel offered India a plan to bomb Pakistan’s fast-developing nuclear site at Kahuta. Motivated by concerns about an “Islamic bomb” and its implications for West Asia, the proposed operation would have mirrored Israel’s 1981 strike on Iraq’s Osirak reactor.


1979–1983: When Israel was ready to help India denuclearise Pakistan but the plan was called off - The Economic Times (https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/19791983-when-israel-was-ready-to-help-india-denuclearise-pakistan-but-the-plan-was-called-off/articleshow/121865026.cms?from=mdr)

That was a blunder . Pakistan is without a doubt assisting Iran in their nuke goals.

Who do you trust ? Can Trump drop the MOAB bombs on Iran without Congressional authority ? Yes That has been established many times . Should he advise Congress and get their approval ? In an ideal Constitutional world that would be yes . The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war. Congress abdicated that power a long time ago . The last time Congress declared war was over 80 years ago . Clearly US troops have been engaged often since then.

Here is the problem . If he lays out his plans to Congress ;who will be the blabber mouth to leak it to the press ? It could get interesting however . MAGA is clearly split on the issue.
Trump's decision on Iran splits MAGA world | AP News (https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-maga-tucker-carlson-charlie-kirk-409c839e4eadf2a39a1b957213379b08)

There are enough anti-war Repubs in Congress that if they joined with the Dems they could pass a resolution to prevent Trump from attacking .That is if he doesn't veto or straight out ignore it . Once the bombs drop you can't take them back

Yesterday there was a mostly peaceful protest at 3 Iran nuke facilities .

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GuEjNnUXsAAiROB?format=jpg&name=small

Iran's proxies have been neutralized . Russia is not coming to save the regime. Israel has stripped them of their defenses. The US raid has set their nuke program back for years at a minimum.

All that will be for naught if the theocracy survives.