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May 16, 2022
Ukraine Open Thread 2022-67
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I get the first comment. Awesome. Too bad I have nothing to say.
Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | May 16 2022 15:35 utc | 1
Machine-translated:
Ministry of Defense of Russia
⚡ On May 16, as a result of negotiations with representatives of Ukrainian military personnel blocked on the territory of the Azovstal metallurgical plant in Mariupol, an agreement was reached on the removal of the wounded.
◽ Currently, a silence regime has been introduced in the area of the enterprise and a humanitarian corridor has been opened, through which wounded Ukrainian servicemen are delivered to a medical facility in Novoazovsk, Donetsk People’s Republic, to provide them with all the necessary assistance.
#Ministry of Defense #Russia #Ukraine @mod_russia
Posted by: Zed | May 16 2022 15:42 utc | 2
Mariupol, Azovstal Update: 20 immobile, wounded Ukrainian personnel have been transported to Novoazovsk, after surrendering at Azovstal.
that is a start.. the place they have been transported to is further east towards russia…
Posted by: james | May 16 2022 15:42 utc | 3
Angry they’re losing, nazis started today to blow up water dams in Avdeevka to cut supply for civilians in DPR. Around the time when Shoigu took nazis to hospitals. These people fail to understand that Russians only like or approve Putin, they’re not “safe” from them.
Posted by: rk | May 16 2022 16:04 utc | 4
Well if the images transmitted out of the plant are any indication, its pretty fuggin grim down there. Intel Slava Z had some pictures of guys missing arms. The images themselves were quite photographically nice though.
Posted by: Chevrus | May 16 2022 16:06 utc | 5
Unconfirmed from the Saker.
“Fact: Nine Ukrainian soldiers who left the territory of the blocked Azovstal plant in Mariupol represented the interests of a larger group and asked for negotiations, said Alexander Khodakovsky, founder of the Vostok Battalion (DPR).
“Now a lively stage of negotiations is underway. It was just the first group leaving. As it turned out, the group left, representing the interests of a larger group that continues to be at Azovstal,” Khodakovsky said on the air of the 60 Minutes program on the Rossiya 1 TV channel.
Rumor: There are rumors over the radio networks that the Ukies will mass surrender if Azovstal surrenders. I stress this is rumor. It looks like this from many sources: At 17.30 the mass surrender of the AFU will begin from Azovstal, the radio airwaves are buzzing with NEWS all over the front…16.05.2022.
This is one source: https://twitter.com/ruslantopa40/status/1526136010186317825 ”
Posted by: Republicofscotland | May 16 2022 16:06 utc | 6
@ Republicofscotland | May 16 2022 16:06 utc | 6 – usa-nato will not surrender… get that out of your head… it has nothing to do with ukraine leadership or anything as simple as that either… the idea is to destroy as much as possible… going from one big unfinished mess to the next…. take a look at libya as an example… nato won.. what kind of win is that?? a sick kind of win it is… here in ukraine, there ain’t going to be any surrender…. usa-uk won’t allow it..
Posted by: james | May 16 2022 16:11 utc | 7
The CIA funded Reuter news reports Ukrainian forces reach Russian border, this video kind of shows that it all propaganda why would they need to bring their own border post.
https://twitter.com/RWApodcast/status/1526146535766913025
Posted by: Republicofscotland | May 16 2022 16:12 utc | 8
Republicofscotland | May 16 2022 16:06 utc | 6
Perhaps a mass surrender- perhaps not, but I think in the not too distant future we will see the average Ukrainian turn against those who wish to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 16 2022 16:16 utc | 9
james (7).
I did add that its unconfirmed, however this blogs host did point out that Ukrainian forces are running low on men and supplies in a previous post (see bottom of my post). The Azov battalion troops and other Nazi battalions might not surrender but who is to say that other units won’t. Nato can funnel as many weapons as they like into Ukraine but if there are not enough well trained troops to use them then your goal of repelling the RF looks very bleak indeed.
https://www.moonofalabama.org/2022/05/if-ukraine-is-winning-why-is-the-us-requesting-a-ceasefire.html
Posted by: Republicofscotland | May 16 2022 16:18 utc | 10
Following on the heels of Lavrov’s statement made yesterday (newly published English transcript) at the 30th Assembly of the Council on Foreign and Defence Policy where he stated “The choice we have taken is made easier by the fact that the ‘collective West’ has declared a total hybrid war against us,” [My Emphasis] today the MFA issued the following PR:
“On May 16, a meeting of the Board of the Russian Foreign Ministry was held, which considered the tasks of Russian foreign policy in the radically changed geopolitical realities that have developed as a result of the hybrid war against our country unleashed by the West – under the pretext of the situation in Ukraine – unprecedented in scale and ferocity, including the revival in Europe of a racist worldview in the form of cave Russophobia, an open course for the “abolition” of Russia and everything Russian. It is stated that Washington, having completely subjugated the “collective West”, has passed the point of no return in its obsession at any cost to assert its total dominance in the world and suppress the objective process of forming a multipolar world order. Thus, the United States and its satellites directly violate the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for the sovereign equality of states, demand recognition of the right to interfere in internal affairs and use force anywhere in the world at their discretion.
“The aggressive revisionist course of the West requires a radical revision of Russia’s relations with unfriendly states and the comprehensive strengthening of other areas of foreign policy.
“In this context, the issue of preparing a new edition of the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation in accordance with the instructions of the President of Russia was discussed.
“Following the meeting, a resolution was adopted.” [My Emphasis]
Missing is verbiage invoking Article 51 as grounds for Russia to defend itself against this declared hybrid third world war, that’s not just declared against Russia but the entire Multipolar world.
Again, Russia has announced that the Outlaw US Empire has de facto and de jure declared war against Russia although the Empire’s Congress hasn’t formally done so. Russia will in turn revise its overall Foreign Policy Concept given this new reality. I repeat, Russia has announced that a state of war exists between it and the Outlaw US Empire, which would include its NATO vassals. Finland and Sweden might want to consider what that state of affairs means for their interests.
It does seem like the USA/NATO’s goal is to wreck everything as mention above in the case of Libya. I suppose it IS easier to function as the chaotic destroyer rather than build something meaningful.
I recall reading the idea that Bayer/Monsanto and Friends are drooling over the eastern Ukrainian topsoil. What with all the food scarcity narratives being tossed around as a reason to “reconsider” GMO’s as the solution on could be forgiven for thinking there might be a plan in the works.
Posted by: Chevrus | May 16 2022 16:42 utc | 12
Does anyone remember the civilian plane Iran shot down?
Who was on board?
So, in this SMO maybe it was Iran that fired the first shot.
They should be blamed. Draw up the sanctions. /sarc
Posted by: Sakineh Bagoom | May 16 2022 16:53 utc | 13
For those who may have missed the latest information provided by the ISW, aka “the Kagan Gang”:
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/05/16/world/russia-ukraine-war-news
(may be behind paywall—Summary: The UF are losing so badly they should have deposed Putin and sued for peace the second week of March!” in other words, the usual Pablum from the NYT))
Posted by: Qtto | May 16 2022 16:54 utc | 14
“The aggressive revisionist course of the West requires a radical revision of Russia’s relations with unfriendly states and the comprehensive strengthening of other areas of foreign policy.”
I suspect we are about to feel a considerable amount of discomfort.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 16 2022 16:54 utc | 15
‘Russian forces have shelled frontline positions in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas area as fighting becomes increasingly focused on Severodonetsk,….
The Russians are gradually mounting an assault on Severodonetsk, an industrial city that had a population of 100,000 before the war,….’
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/may/16/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-swedish-pm-to-seek-parliaments-support-for-joining-nato-live#top-of-blog
See also here:
‘Overall, Russia has made significant territorial gains during the 11 weeks of fighting, capturing the south coast from Kherson to Mariupol – where fighting around the steel plant continues – and 90% of Luhansk.
Gen Sir Richard Barrons, a former commander of UK Joint Forces Command, said the west needed to consider “the peril of annexation” – which is when Russia reaches a point where it believes it cannot advance any more and “may then run a series of sort of faux referenda [that] annexes territory into the Russian Federation”.
Speaking on the BBC’s Today programme, Barrons said Moscow may then try to argue that the territory seized now “sits behind the Russian nuclear deterrent”, which would make any Ukrainian counteroffensive that Kyiv hopes to mount in May and June more complex.’
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/16/russians-and-ukrainians-battle-around-izium-as-sweden-joins-finland-in-nato-bid
When Severodonetsk falls (and it will) then we are reaching the half way point of the military operation, which seems to have 3 aspects.
1: Demilitarisation (i.e. annihilation of the Ukrainian army as a modern 21st century fighting force: this will be accomplished over the summer)
2: Denazification (Destruction of Azov…now almost complete)
3: Liberation of any parts of Ukraine that want to be liberated via military conquest and then referenda (contrary to what the West thinks, the Russians do not want any part of Ukraine that doesn’t want to be part of Russia: why would they? This would only lead to at best passive resistance and at worst a full blown Nato funded insurgency).
Again, as I’ve posted before, It’s crazy to post timetables, but all this seems to be doable over the summer. I doubt that the Russians will want to keep on fighting into the Winter (General Winter and all that).
Posted by: Hidari | May 16 2022 16:55 utc | 16
Russell Bentley writes for Covert Action.
He currently works as an accredited war correspondent in the DPR, is married and lives in a small house with a big garden, 5 Km from the front line.
https://covertactionmagazine.com/2022/05/16/western-media-engages-in-a-war-on-truth/
Access to this site good right now. Marvellous work b- no better path to immortality.
Posted by: bevin | May 16 2022 16:58 utc | 17
So Lavrov, one of the smartest ones, only now discovered that? At least he is going in the right direction, to “revision of Russia’s relations with unfriendly states” but that won’t happen. There must be very rich people there in government that won’t stop the money flow even if it goes into the army that will attack them. You’ll see, there will be no change. The Russian ambassador to Finland even complained today that the trade is turned off. It was like “please please, stop sanctions Finland, we want to give you cheap everything so you can put the profit into your nato budget”
Posted by: rk | May 16 2022 16:59 utc | 18
@RoS has Meme of the Day : ‘Have border post, will travel’.
Posted by: Merkin Scot | May 16 2022 17:14 utc | 19
There’s good symbolism in the Ukes carrying around their border posts. They will indeed have to carry them ever further north-westward.
Posted by: Flying Dutchman | May 16 2022 17:23 utc | 20
It’s not a bad idea if the Russians are now deploying a strategy similar to that of Falkenhayn at Verdun in 1916, where the goal wasn’t to “win” right away but to draw the enemy into an attrition at his disadvantage.
Hopefully it’ll work better this time round, if that really is the Russian strategy.
Posted by: Flying Dutchman | May 16 2022 17:26 utc | 21
Ukrainian counteroffensive that Kyiv hopes to mount in May and June
They’re smoking the good shit over there!
Posted by: The Owl | May 16 2022 17:35 utc | 22
“UN Secretary General Guterres proposes to ease restrictions on the export of potash fertilizers from Russia and Belarus in exchange for the passage of ships with grain from Ukraine”
So UN wants fertilizers from Russia and Belarus so nato can grow its own food and in this exchange Russia has to give grain from Ukraine, which is another food for the same nato?
But what’s the gain for them in this “trade”? They can sell that fertilizer anywhere else. I love this Guterres guy, he’s such a cute nazi
Posted by: rk | May 16 2022 17:36 utc | 23
>i>”…Lavrov, one of the smartest ones, only now discovered that?”
rk | May 16 2022 16:59 utc | 18
____
Rest assured, Lavrov, the consummate diplomat, has known this for many years … just taking the gloves off.
Posted by: Doug Hillman | May 16 2022 17:39 utc | 24
Assume by September the Eastern Ukraine agrees to Federate with Russia. NATO is in Western Ukraine. WEF has mission accomplished with Pandemic Treaty. China and Russia driven together and Europe and USA sidelined. US dollar dominance destroyed. On these grounds, why is the New “Multipolar” order superior for Globalists? For it will and must be the outcome.
Russia and China are not nations who will let a power vacuum go unfilled. Nor will the WEF seek to stop the process of global terror until they strangle nations into submission. What will 2030 look like if the Hybrid war remains intact? If the collective West like WTC falls into it’s own footprint from controlled demolition?
Posted by: Stegiel | May 16 2022 17:39 utc | 25
It is stated that Washington, having completely subjugated the “collective West”, has passed the point of no return in its obsession at any cost to assert its total dominance in the world and suppress the objective process of forming a multipolar world order.
Posted by: karlof1 | May 16 2022 16:39 utc | 11
This is a good example of the effects of the inherent inability of Russians to reason clearly. Russians have lived the Potemkin dream for too long to form a reasonable picture of reality.
Since Russians are inherently incapable of comprehending the reality of the very real shared interests of nations in the “collective west”, they need to present (to themselves even) of a caricature of a USA dictating to the “collective West” to hate on Russia. It is incomprehensible to a Russian that Europeans are in fact shocked at Russian agression. (No one to date has scaled walls or braved border troops to escape the tyranny of the “dying” Empire. Unlike the Zombie Empire’s terrorized and policed “allies” in Warsaw Pact!
“Multipolarism”
Multipolarism beings at home.
Isn’t it interesting that the authoritarian mafia/in-crowd states of the world who do not tolerate “multipolarity” at home (“Anglo-Saxon agents!”) scream for multipolarity?
“Winning!”
Posted by: GhostOfAdolf | May 16 2022 17:42 utc | 26
Lots of news in the Ukrainian Government Gazette (otherwise known as the Guardian). Most of it unfavourable to the Ukraine. I wonder how the censors let that through.
‘Erdoğan says Turkey will not approve Finnish and Swedish membership of Nato
The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has said he will not approve Finland and Sweden joining Nato.
Reuters is reporting he has said Swedish and Finnish delegrations should not bother coming to Turkey to convince Turkey to approve their Nato bids.’
Oh dear! Unless this is just a debating position, of course. Time will tell.
‘EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell says that Hungary is maintaining that its block on the EU oil embargo against Russia ‘.
Oh dear! Of course Hungary may cave, or be couped by the CIA (cf also Turkey) but interesting nonetheless.
‘The EU Foreign Ministers have not reached an agreement on the sixth package of sansctions against Russia, EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said during a press conference happening now.’
Oh dear!
‘The Moscow city government is to take over a factory belonging to the French carmaker Renault and use it to revive the Soviet-era Moskvitch in Russia’s first major nationalisation of a foreign company during its war in Ukraine.
The development…, follows Renault’s decision to join the wave of western companies such as McDonald’s and Siemens leaving the Russian market as the war in Ukraine nears its fourth month.’
Good. I remember when the UK used to have a nationalised car industry. Things were better then. Hopefully this will signal a turn to the left in terms of Russian internal politics: i.e. a planned economy and nationalisation.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/may/16/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-swedish-pm-to-seek-parliaments-support-for-joining-nato-live
Posted by: Hidari | May 16 2022 17:53 utc | 27
Prediction – France Will Veto Sweden / Finland NATO Entry
Preliminary Rationale
Thesis 1 – That Austin, Blinken, and Ritter are all suddenly expressing concern for RF difficulties suggests that there is a reason for all 3 taking the same line. Several posters at MoA have commented on this fact including me. Bemildred May 16 2022 13:08 utc | 392 thinks Mr. Ritter has been talked to. I agree.
Thesis 2 – The stated reason is American concern over the existential nature of the UA conflict for the RF. That recent RF reverses, coupled with the existential nature of the conflict, may cause RF employ nuclear weapons. Austin, Blinken, and Ritter seek to avert this escalation path. One MoA poster raised this as an explanation.
I believe this thesis is false. First the RF has from well prior to the SMO made it abundantly clear the issues were existential for Russia. This is well documented in the copious documents provided by karlof1 (Thanks karl). The RF sought a diplomatic solution ignored by NATO, all the EU states, UK, Canada, and US. Second I can perceive no recent RF reverses requiring nuclear escalation but I am certain if such action were necessary the RF would not hesitate to act in defence of its interests. This has also been made abundantly clear since well before the SMO.
Since this thesis is believed to be false there must be something else provoking near identical initiatives by Austin, Blinken, and Ritter. My interpretation of their conduct is that it is along the lines of “We are concerned for your difficulties. We would like to assist you.”
This thesis is also believed to be false. First, America is already known to be agreement incapable. Only an insane Scheissekopf would think otherwise. Second America never acts to benefit any party other than America. Only an insane Arschloch would think otherwise.
The question now becomes “what American concern would cause America to seeking assist RF?
I believe the answer to this question is that France has made known it will veto the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO. This would create a significant rift in NATO and undermine US control of European states. This is an outcome to be avoided at all costs and therefore becomes reason to assist RF with its purported difficulties.
Subsequent Rationale
1) France has a history of producing small men whose impact on history is disproportionate to their size. Macron is small man.
2) US & UK are angling to have NATO displace the UN Security Counsel as the enforcement arm of the “democratic rule based order.” NATO is far more malleable and already functions as an agent of US control (see the recent post by lawyer c1ue who noted the use of the conditional “may” as opposed to the imperative “must” in the NATO accession document.) If the French perceive this displacement as likely they will act to avert such an outcome as a reduction in the authority of the UN Security Council would diminish both French prestige and international influence.
3) IF you are resistant to the above rationale you should review the recent US UK AUS submarine deal. This “deal” gave clear sense of the degree of contempt accorded to France and French interests. France viewed this conduct as a “stab in the back.” This snub of France will come at a high price. A French veto would assert French authority in the international system and act to preserve the present role of the UNSC.
4) In January 2013 Mali turned to France, its former colonial ruler for help in facing an armed rebellion emerged out of the war in Libya and the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. This conflict will be remembered for the “We came. We saw. He died.” cackle of the US Secretary of State. France’s nine-year military intervention has proven costly on all fronts: 8 billion euros and the lives of 53 French soldiers. French interests in the Sahel are ignored in favour of US interests in Europe and Asia. This indifference will only increase if the US UK are able to undermine the UNSC and promote NATO as a global enforcement operation.
5) NATO serves as an anti-competitive trade restriction. NATO creates and imposes armament standards to enforce “interoperability.” But this also implies that those inside the club are preferred partners and those outside the club face trade barriers. SAAB is a Swedish producer of an extremely capable and inexpensive fighter aircraft which has the potential to compete with French products. Freezing out Sweden is to the economic benefit of France.
6) Europe’s second largest consumer of energy after Germany is France. France relies on imports to meet almost all of its oil and gas consumption. It will be impossible to immediately substitute for the refused RF supply. World demand for energy will quickly escalate and the price will follow. This will impose significant costs on French consumers largely reliant on NG for domestic heating. France is already facing significant social unrest due to the significant influx of immigrants especially since these can no longer the redirected to Dover. American adventurism in Ukraine will create energy and armaments profits for the US but will likely generate high cost social unrest in France.
7) In November 2019 The Economist French quoted Macron stating: “What we are currently experiencing is the brain death of NATO”. Macron added Europe was on “the edge of a precipice”, and must start thinking strategically as a geopolitical power else “we will no longer be in control of our destiny.”
8) In 1966 De Gaulle took France out of NATO. In 1940 the British abandoned France to the Nazis. In 1841 Churchill invaded the French colony of Syria and then recreated it as an independent state over De Gaulle’s objections. Roosevelt distrusted De Gaulle removed him from the TORCH landings and subsequent operations within colonies. He was excluded from Allied summits and from the planning for post war France. De Gaulle never forgave the Americans for this series of humiliations which included American intervention in the Suez crisis and a failure to assist France in Indochina. De Gaulle was a big man. His boots would be impossible to fill. Napoleon’s are another matter entirely. What leader wants to be recorded in history as an American puppet when he can restore France to its former grandeur in world affairs, a return to an historic ranking most pleasing to the French public.
Posted by: Sushi | May 16 2022 18:02 utc | 28
> Putin appears to back off threats as Nordics prepare to join NATO – https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-counter-attacks-russian-forces-east-2022-05-16/
> “As far as expansion goes, including new members Finland and Sweden, Russia has no problems with these states – none. And so in this sense there is no immediate threat to Russia from an expansion to include these countries,” Putin said.
Seems that the Russians are fine with NATO pushing up to their border all of a sudden and that the calculus that the Finns/Swedes made to rush their applications ASAP were correct.
Posted by: eyeswideshut | May 16 2022 18:06 utc | 29
Peter AU1 @ 9
Perhaps a mass surrender- perhaps not, but I think in the not too distant future we will see the average Ukrainian turn against those who wish to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian.
Lets hope. Then I can eat an old boot for saying this is going to last 20 years short of a leadership change.
Posted by: circumspect | May 16 2022 18:11 utc | 30
Republicofscotland | May 16 2022 16:12 utc | 8
_____
Thanks for the comedic relief. Lugging their own prop border post, an intrepid Ukie squad pauses anxiuosly at meadow’s edge in the hinterlands, then runs to the supposed Russian border for a quick photo-op. A strategic victory! Hilarious. Ukie propaganda at its finest.
Posted by: Doug Hillman | May 16 2022 18:11 utc | 31
Sushi | May 16 2022 18:02 utc | 28
Re 1)
https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/macron-putin-01-gty-jef-180525_hpMain_4x3_992.jpg
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 16 2022 18:13 utc | 32
@eyeswideshut – we can read too :))
Putin did not back anything, he actually said any deployment of troops or infrastructure will cause an instant response which will be adjusted accordingly. The same thing said Ryabkov who was a lot more threatening.
BTW, Erdogan vetoed today, he actually said “no nato for you”. The nordic puppets said they’ll travel to Turkey soon, to try and convince him.
now go away and troll another forum
Posted by: rk | May 16 2022 18:14 utc | 33
Posted by: Chevrus | May 16 2022 16:42 utc | 12
It does seem like the USA/NATO’s goal is to wreck everything as mention above in the case of Libya. I suppose it IS easier to function as the chaotic destroyer rather than build something meaningful.
I think this would be of benefit to help understand this very thing:
https://www.voltairenet.org/article215855.html
Posted by: Seer | May 16 2022 18:15 utc | 34
circumspect | May 16 2022 18:11 utc | 30
Best to start boiling that boot now so it becomes somewhat digestible 🙂
In Syria Russia did what I had first though impossible. They separated the moderate rebels from the extremists and brought about reconciliation.
Ukraine somewhat different in that a moderate opposing force has to be created but that is occurring now.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 16 2022 18:25 utc | 35
There’s got to be odds on which occurs first, that the West develops hypersonic missiles, OR the West collapses. Might be a calculation that Russia is taking into consideration. Finland and Sweden would take a while before they actually had weapons that could provide the West with true first-strike capabilities (though somehow everyone in the West just completely misses that Russia have sufficient submarine-with-nukes capabilities).
The more energy costs and the more money flowing to non-productive stuff (military weapons) the quicker the economic collapse is likely to occur to countries that have little natural resources.
Military defense pact with China ought to pretty much put a block on any notion by the West (well, the idiots on the east side of the pond) that it can engage Russia militarily (with or w/o US weapons and or personnel). As Andrei Martyanov says: if you don’t have the ability to win a conventional war you most likely don’t have the ability to win a nuclear one (no matter how much you believe is possible). Even radioactive ground will require boots in order to control…
Posted by: Seer | May 16 2022 18:29 utc | 36
Interesting post Sushi@28, although I think you mean 1941, not 1841 re Syria.
Observations of a naive plebe: France is perennially miffed that the English language has such an outsized role in world affairs. Russians used to consider French a second language – see War and Peace – and have an enduring fondness for French exports, this despite their history of conflict (well, since Napoleon retreated in disgrace from his Russian adventure the incident has a more positive connotation in Russia). Since Germany is MIA from its former leadership role in EU affairs someone should take up the mantle before it becomes just a useless, irrelevant rag.
Posted by: the pessimist | May 16 2022 18:32 utc | 37
@27 I don’t see anything to stop Russia developing its own fast food industry. They have all the ingredients. Perhaps they could call it McDonakov.
Posted by: dh | May 16 2022 18:34 utc | 38
Putin just recognized the independence of DNR and LNR, there are emergency meetings in Moscow, Kiev, UNSC, etc.
Lots of hysterical reactions from the West, the threat of new sanctions etc.
Things will get a lot nastier now…
Posted by: Nico | May 16 2022 18:37 utc | 39
Posted by: dh | May 16 2022 18:34 utc | 38
I don’t see anything to stop Russia developing its own fast food industry. They have all the ingredients. Perhaps they could call it McDonakov.
They have already done it
https://nypost.com/2022/03/17/mcdonalds-knockoff-uncle-vanya-unveils-logo-after-russia-stores-close/
Posted by: Vajezatha | May 16 2022 18:38 utc | 40
Putin just recognized the independence of DNR and LNR, there are emergency meetings in Moscow, Kiev, UNSC, etc.
Lots of hysterical reactions from the West, the threat of new sanctions etc.
Things will get a lot nastier now…
Posted by: Nico | May 16 2022 18:37 utc | 39
?? Russia officially recognized both of them on 21 February.
Posted by: malenkov | May 16 2022 18:41 utc | 41
dh | May 16 2022 18:34 utc | 38
Russified mac occurred some time ago. The m is stood up – 3.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 16 2022 18:43 utc | 42
@40 & 42 Thanks for the update. Last time I went to Russia was 10 years ago.
Posted by: dh | May 16 2022 18:48 utc | 43
Sorry, ignore #39. I confused something because my scroll bar in Telegram was way up and I did not realize I was reading older posts with hysterical reactions from the West and threats…
I thought it was something new…
Posted by: Nico | May 16 2022 18:54 utc | 44
Pepe has a new article. It’s a doozy.
https://thecradle.co/Article/columns/10277
Posted by: Hidari | May 16 2022 19:04 utc | 45
Posted by: Sushi | May 16 2022 18:02 utc | 28
A French veto would definitely earn Macron friendly nation perks on anything unseemly that might come crawling out of Azovstal. It might even be good for an un-nationalising of Renault’s RF assets.
Gotta love RF diplomacy, everybody wins =)
Posted by: anon2020 | May 16 2022 19:05 utc | 46
I’m sure that a Russian big mac tastes like they used to in the 70s. Now? Whi knows what’s in them. It’s the same with Pepsi and Coca-Cola. The Mexican brand still uses cane sugar as opposed to high fructose corn syrup. They taste like they used to when I was a wee lad.
Posted by: Immaculate deception | May 16 2022 19:31 utc | 47
Hidari | May 16 2022 19:04 utc | 45
Escobar is firing on all cylinders. He is seeing close to what I am seeing.
“Centuries after the Byzantine Strategikon was penned, the Global South would be very much interested in getting acquainted with the 21st century Russian version of the Art of War.”
And the biggest part of the art of war is not military.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 16 2022 19:33 utc | 48
Russian use of military force-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr1Wt-PC8fU
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 16 2022 19:37 utc | 49
@16 Hidari
thanks for sharing the Guardian article
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/16/russians-and-ukrainians-battle-around-izium-as-sweden-joins-finland-in-nato-bid
which you cited as follows:
“Overall, Russia has made significant territorial gains during the 11 weeks of fighting, capturing the south coast from Kherson to Mariupol – where fighting around the steel plant continues – and 90% of Luhansk.”
However, the same article says:
“The scale of the Bilohorivka defeat, in which more than 70 Russian vehicles were estimated to have been destroyed, based on aerial photography of the battle site, has also led some Russian military bloggers to comment “on the incompetence of the Russian military to their hundreds of thousands of followers”, the institute said, a rare sign of internal dissent.”
To be fair we should not ignore it because it shows that unlike the wishful thinking here, the Russian army is taking heavy defeats.
Posted by: Kerkaraje | May 16 2022 19:47 utc | 50
Seems I provoked a few trolls with my highlighting Russia’s MFA announcement. I went further and published an article, “The Outlaw US Empire Has Declared War Against Russia and the Multipolar World”, based on that revelation and today’s CSTO Anniversary Summit convened by Putin in Moscow, the latter only revealing the public discussion. As with Putin’s declaration a month ago about the ongoing destruction of the Outlaw US Empire’s Unipolar aims, there’s no media relating the message of a de facto de jure Declaration of War between NATO and the Multipolar World. The points made by Lukashenko were important but are missing from English language Russian media. IMO, the comments by the Swede’s regarding the placement of Nukes on their territory display their idiocy in applying for NATO membership; plus the Swedes don’t seem to realize that application will result in their breaking all the OSCE security treaties Sweden previously signed.
Belarus declares force majeure over potash supplies because of insane EU/US sanctions.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-17/belarus-potash-maker-roils-fertilizer-markets-with-force-majeure?sref=ZOgFhNqs
Result? Even more price hikes for fat Euros and yanks.
Oh well, at least the EU/US have ‘the moral high ground’. Perhaps they can try turning Ukie Nazi anthems into consumable food stuffs.
Posted by: Hidari | May 16 2022 19:57 utc | 52
Slovakia is descending into totalitarianism over Ukraine:
https://t.me/sputnik/4122
Posted by: Pacifica Advocate | May 16 2022 20:00 utc | 53
Oops: should’ve posted the money quote, there:
🇸🇰Slovak police detained the former head of the Supreme Court and ex-Minister of Justice Stefan Garabin.
He is accused, attention, of “expressing approval of the actions of the Russian army in Ukraine.”
Posted by: Pacifica Advocate | May 16 2022 20:03 utc | 54
Keep in mind that Russia has a HUGE strategic advantage in that Ukraine is right next door. Much of it’s ability comes from this fact. IF say Russia and some collective force were challenging the US in/via Mexico it might very well be the same but in reverse. Don’t get me wrong, Russian military strategists are as good as they come, but if you have crappy cards you’re going to have a hard time coming out with a winning hand. Russia has/had the best hand to play and they will play it to the fullest. The outcome isn’t really in doubt.
The US/West/NATO Ukraine gambit is failing. The US (as head of the entire crap-show) is trying to manage to save its image by pumping its power up via tagging Finland and Sweden as NATO “partners.” Nukes here really do nothing as far as things go: we’ll still be operating in MAD mode. Only difference since before this entire conflagration is that Russia will go MAD more quickly if NEED BE; fight conventionally or it’s MAD. For the US it’s really all about image. It’s no more than another business deal to force others to buy US (crap weapons systems): join the club and you have to purchase this “apparel.”
We’re now embarking on a new reality-based-order, out with the lamely and short-lived rules-based-order! It is this that is going to take time and to stir up a lot of dust. Reduced energy will mean that nefarious activities will be reduced due to the need to conserve energy: the alternative is to starve your own population and that won’t be a viable approach for very long.
Yeah, I think that time is on Russia’s side.
Posted by: Seer | May 16 2022 20:09 utc | 55
Posted by: Hidari | May 16 2022 19:57 utc | 51
Oh well, at least the EU/US have ‘the moral high ground’. Perhaps they can try turning Ukie Nazi anthems into consumable food stuffs.
Well, they’re already trying to shove yellow and blue down peoples’ throats! (but, great post!)
Posted by: Seer | May 16 2022 20:11 utc | 57
Peter AU1 @15–
I’d say many are already feeling that discomfort. Here’s the Russian Federation’s current Foreign Policy Concept adopted 1 November 2016, so we can make an objective determination of what changed when the new Concept is published. I’ll be curious to see how much of the Joint Declaration gets incorporated.
Pacifica Advocate | May 16 2022 20:03 utc | 53
Something akin to rainbow fascism has infected Europe. Rainbow dark ages. The center of power has moved east.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 16 2022 20:14 utc | 59
The European Union will help Ukraine to take out grain from storages. This was stated on May 16 by the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, but pointed out that in the ports through which grain was exported, “everything is mined.”
According to Borrell, Ukraine’s storage facilities are now full. “They need to be emptied to make room for a new crop. We are working to get this grain out,” he said at a press conference (quoted from TASS).
https://bb-cntv.com/news/borrell-says-eu-will-help-ukraine-empty-granaries-for-new-crop-may-16-2022-society-st-petersburg-news-46175
======
“With a little help from my friends” (c) Beatles.
Posted by: Arioch | May 16 2022 20:19 utc | 60
Situation in the north of the Kharkiv region by the end of May 17, 2022
Despite the emergence of local jokes about the “roaming border pole for selfies,” with which the militiamen of the 117 Brigade of Territorial Defense were photographed on the state border between Russia and Ukraine, the situation in the north of the Kharkiv region is becoming increasingly difficult.
▪️ Due to the transfer of several combat-ready units to the Soledar direction, the position of the AFU near Kharkiv has weakened. But the tasks of capturing Kozachya Lopan and Tsupovka, as well as “de-occupation” of the northern outskirts of Kharkiv remain a priority.
In order to strengthen the positions in the areas bordering the Russian Federation in order to develop further offensive, soldiers of the 10th Army Brigade of the AFU will be redeployed from Zhytomyr Region.
The brigade has been partially manned in Malyn by mobilized citizens who were trained under the supervision of foreign instructors. The dispatch of the first units will begin tonight.
▪️ Essentially, communication between Liptsy and Rubizhne and Staritsa has been interrupted: the territorial control of the RF Armed Forces to the north of the regional center is divided into two pockets.
▪️ Mobile Ukrainian DRGs began operating on the eastern bank of the Seversky Donets, reaching the outskirts of Volchansk. Presumably, a crossing was set up south of Stariy Saltov: near Khotomlya and in the vicinity of Bereznyaky, the AFU managed to equip permanent firing positions and relocate MLRSs.
https://t.me/rybar/32792
Posted by: north of Kharkiv | May 16 2022 20:20 utc | 61
Posted by: Seer | May 16 2022 20:09 utc | 54
“For the US it’s really all about image. It’s no more than another business deal to force others to buy US (crap weapons systems): join the club and you have to purchase this “apparel.”
Kinda like a franchisee being forced to by over-priced, under-performing products
Posted by: ianMoone | May 16 2022 20:23 utc | 62
Escobar is firing on all cylinders. He is seeing close to what I am seeing.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 16 2022 19:33 utc | 48
If you’re seeing what Escobar sees, you’ve got historical x-ray vision encompassing the Byzantine equivalent of Sun Tzu’s Art of War, the Strategikon:
It all starts with si vis pacem para bellum: “If you want peace prepare for war.”
Escobar’s unique, perfect blend of historical, economic, and military analysis — along with his persistent status as a human being — make his work the literary pearl in the global oyster, imho. I keep thinking “This guy had oughta write a book” — of course he has!
Moscow is spending way less than the NATO contingent in the Ukrainian theater. NATO has already wasted $50 billion – and counting – while the Russians spent $4 billion, give or take, and already conquered Mariupol, Berdyansk, Kherson and Melitopol, created a land corridor to Crimea (and secured its water supply), controls the Sea of Azov and its major port city, and liberated strategically vital Volnovakha and Popasnaya in Donbass, as well as Izyum near Kharkov.
My boldface emphasis on PE’s little math problem: Russia is getting outspent in Ukraine 12.5 to 1. Explain to me again why Russia needs to hurry?
Posted by: Aleph_Null | May 16 2022 20:27 utc | 63
karlof1 | May 16 2022 20:13 utc | 57
Thanks for that link.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 16 2022 20:28 utc | 64
Aleph_Null | May 16 2022 20:27 utc | 62
I think it is somewhere along the lines of – spending is meaningless, the ability to think, the ability to understand human nature is all.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 16 2022 20:35 utc | 65
We’re now embarking on a new reality-based-order, out with the lamely and short-lived rules-based-order!
Posted by: Seer | May 16 2022 20:09 utc | 54
Most appropriate, imho: The first time I’ve seen “reality-based order” posed as the antonym of “rules-based order”. Your phrase evokes one used by an “aide” (I think it was Dick Cheney) to GWB, as reported by Ron Susskind:
The aide said that guys like me were ‘in what we call the reality-based community,’ which he defined as people who ‘believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.’ […] ‘That’s not the way the world really works anymore,’ he continued. ‘We’re an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you’re studying that reality—judiciously, as you will—we’ll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that’s how things will sort out. We’re history’s actors…and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do’.
Posted by: Aleph_Null | May 16 2022 20:37 utc | 66
Sushi @28–
Nicely arranged thesis! You should know the CIA tried several times to assassinate De Gaulle but he was slyer. He was also keen to redeem the dollars France obtained for gold until Nixon stopped that in 1971. All of Europe aside from Russia and its allies is currently reeling from the affects of the Outlaw US Empire’s diktats, affects that in reality have only just begun. The election results likely informed Macron he needed to show greater independence from diktats coming from any direction–EU, NATO, Outlaw US Empire. A crucial point being Macron can’t improve France within a failing EU and with Russia off-limits due to illegal sanctions. We shall see what transpires since both the EU and NATO function to curtail the independence of all European nations.
Posted by: Aleph_Null | May 16 2022 20:37 utc | 65
I don’t now whether to blush or scream. Tagging Dick Cheney to something I said :-() (slight sarcasm)
Cheney’s “reality,” however, was what ever they made up, not the realities of nature. I supposed a more apropos term is resources-based-order?
Posted by: Seer | May 16 2022 20:46 utc | 68
RWA is posting pics of buses of the latest folks to crawl out of Avozstal:
https://twitter.com/RWApodcast/status/1526296993429180418?cxt=HHwWhMC-sezBv64qAAAA
I wonder if they’re using the “short bus” for the “special ones” [Nazis]?
The one bus has an extraneous “0” in it’s number! (maybe this is the special one?)
Posted by: Seer | May 16 2022 20:49 utc | 69
@ Seer | May 16 2022 20:46 utc | 67
Cheney (to be clear: it might just as easily have been Rumsfeld — it doesn’t really matter) was ridiculing those who refuse to have the nose-ring installed, so that they’re dragged around by the latest transient whim of the PR-based community, or whatever… Cheney did not give a name to his own satanic, deceptive community, providing a narrative to dominate reality. “Reality-based order” is a perfectly appropriate name, I think, for resistance to the kingdom of lies. Impressionists got their name from a term of ridicule, you know.
Posted by: Aleph_Null | May 16 2022 21:00 utc | 70
Sushi @ 28
That’s an interesting analysis. The problem I see is that the narrative field isn’t the least bit conducive to what you are suggesting.
I’m going on the premise that the narrative managers pitch for the same team as the government.
My observation is that vast resources have been expended defining this rock steady editorial line. Consumers are subjected to a very intense and thorough media artillery campaign and there is no room for alternative viewpoints. How wise would it be to suddenly drop this extraordinary bomb? I suspect those consumers, who’ve been on a steady all corn force-fed diet, would be confused with this sudden new hot potato. Hein? mais mais mais…quoi?
In my opinion, something like this would need some preparation. The problem for policy makers is that they can get boxed in by their own narrative.
Posted by: robin | May 16 2022 21:01 utc | 71
Sushi @28. Great and informative post. Very thought provoking and makes a lot of sense. I sincerely hope that Macron does veto Finland and Sweden’s application to NATO as President of one of the most significant countries in the EU. It would elevate him slightly in my estimation. I see Erdogan has already vetoed and told representatives from Sweden and Finland not to bother coming to Turkey to try to dissuade him. He also made a very interesting speech last week in which he clearly supported the multipolar view of the World a la China and Russia. I know he gets criticised a lot but, when it comes to key and important decisions, he isn’t afraid to make them. I admire his strict enforcement of the Montreux Doctrine. I read somewhere that NATO/US whoever had threatened to isolate Turkey if they vetoed. Well, he’s done it. Good for him. He is now going to be subjected to threats etc from US, UK et al. If Macron vetos and I’m going to pray to God tonight for him to find the courage to do that, NATO is showing signs of a slow disintegration. I think Serbia and Croatia also said they would veto. Let’s see. Thanks to information on this blog and in your post, I see know what Liz Truss is driving at when she says a ‘global’ NATO. It means removing the authority for decisions from the UNSC to NATO to maintain the ‘rules based international order’. I guess the International Law based order on which the UN is founded is anathema to the WEF Globalists.
Posted by: Jo Dominich | May 16 2022 21:07 utc | 72
Posted by: Aleph_Null | May 16 2022 20:37 utc | 65
That quote has been attributed by many to Karl Rove, who supposedly said that back in 2004
(not that he’s any less offensive than Cheney)
Posted by: ianMoone | May 16 2022 21:11 utc | 73
Posted by: ianMoone | May 16 2022 21:11 utc | 72
Yep. I made the same mistake several weeks ago thinking it was Rummy, but indeed that quote is most likely attributable to Turd Blossom.
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | May 16 2022 21:14 utc | 74
Curious as to the possible angles that Erdogan might have in play vis a vis the vote for Finland’s and Sweden’s entry into NATO.
Any chance that Russia has a play here? I’m pretty sure that Russia would like to get back to helping Syria clean up the mess there and that includes Turkey.
Long-term I cannot see there being value in Turkey sticking with NATO vs Russia. Maybe it’s just milking it until it all goes dry? (likely)
Posted by: Seer | May 16 2022 21:20 utc | 75
As to Afghanistan being the grave yard of empires, it does seem a prerequisite they go there. US empire has pulled out of Afghanistan clutching its tail feathers and has gone to Ukraine to die.
Or perhaps Montgomery’s first rule of war -‘Do not march on Moscow’. That is perhaps more apt.
The anglo west is starting to feel the first chill of the Russian winter.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 16 2022 21:21 utc | 76
I think that was Cheney. “Judiciously, as you will” sounds like Cheney.
Posted by: Lysias | May 16 2022 21:27 utc | 77
most likely attributable to Turd Blossom
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | May 16 2022 21:14 utc | 73
Shoot. I’d forgotten all about turd blossom. Thanks for giving credit where credit is doo-doo.
Posted by: Aleph_Null | May 16 2022 21:32 utc | 78
The quote in question was definitely not Dick Cheney. The original source for it clearly said that it was spoken to him by “an aide” which wouldn’t have been a word used to describe Dick. Had to have been Turd Blossom Rove.
http://markdanner.com/2007/11/07/words-in-a-time-of-war-on-rhetoric-truth-and-power/
For all the historic resonances, though, one can’t help detecting something different here, a kind of . . . knowingness, perhaps even an ironic self-awareness, that would have been unthinkable in 1934. For we have today leaders who are not only radical in their attitudes toward power and truth, rhetoric and reality, but are occasionally willing, to our great benefit, to state this attitude clearly—at least to members of an elite who are thought to have the wit to understand it and to lack the power to do anything about it. In the annals of such frank expressions of the philosophy of power, pride of place must surely be given to this, my favorite quotation of the present age, published in the New York Times Magazine on October 17, 2004, by the writer Ron Suskind, who recounts his discussion with the proverbial “unnamed Administration official,” as follows:
The aide said that guys like me were “in what we call the reality-based community,” which he defined as people who “believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.” I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism. He cut me off. “That’s not the way the world really works anymore, ”he continued. “We’re an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you’re studying that reality—judiciously, as you will—we’ll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that’s how things will sort out. We’re history’s actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.”
These words from “Bush’s Brain”— for the unnamed official speaking to Suskind is widely known to have been none other than the selfsame architect of the aircraft-carrier moment, Karl Rove—sketch out with breathtaking frankness a radical view in which power frankly determines reality, and rhetoric, the science of flounces and folderols, follows meekly and subserviently in its train. Those in the “reality-based community”—those such as we—are figures a mite pathetic, for all of our adherence to Enlightenment principles and our scurrying after empirical proof proves only that we have failed to realize the singular new principle of the new age: Power has made reality its bitch.
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | May 16 2022 21:34 utc | 79
I was thinking, Macron is no de Gaulle, but, with Erdogan already blocking the admission of Sweden and Finland, Macron may have decided to jump on the bandwagon.
Posted by: Lysias | May 16 2022 21:35 utc | 80
I was thinking, Macron is no de Gaulle, but, with Erdogan already blocking the admission of Sweden and Finland, Macron may have decided to jump on the bandwagon.
Posted by: Lysias | May 16 2022 21:35 utc | 81
Posted by: Aleph_Null | May 16 2022 21:32 utc | 77
I think if Darth Cheney had said something it would have been more along the lines of “What we say goes. Fuck off.”
I have a celebration planned for the day he finally leaves the earth, but I’m starting to think something ‘supernatural’ might be at play. Dude would’ve died years ago if he was merely mortal. Perhaps he’s really a cyborg.
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | May 16 2022 21:38 utc | 82
Posted by: karlof1 | May 16 2022 19:51 utc | 50
Thanks for the link to your VK article. Putin’s WEF statement at Davos (02/21) surely clinched his status as elite enemy numero uno. He summarizes his list of key actions necessary for sustainable development: “modern economy, in which people are perceived as the end, rather than the means”, is sheer unadulterated socialist heresy. No wonder Sen Lindsay Graham called for his assassination.
You conclude:
“That’s what this war’s about: the final destruction of the Fascist Dream to dominate the world and the deployment of new organizations aimed at developing people as opposed to increasing profits for the few at the expense of the many and the final eradication of the Four Fears and the flowering of its opposite, The Four Freedoms: Freedom From Want, Freedom From Fear, Freedom of Speech, and Freedom of Worship that were promised the World 81 years-ago.”
Posted by: Doug Hillman | May 16 2022 21:48 utc | 84
An update on Pepe’s Telegram channel on the evacuation of wounded. Note the paragraph on “interesting personnel” amongst the evacuated. Don’t need much to know who they are. Guess the Nazis dared not kill them and feed them to the pigs to get rid of their presence.
“https://t.me/zhdanovrt/973
More insider info on the Azovstal situation:
“On the evacuation from Azovstal from my sources:
>Our troops were able to block an important communication hub in one of the hangars on the territory of the plant. There were exits from the tunnels, which are now under the control of the forces of the DPR and the Russian Federation. The situation for the dug-in neo-Nazis became even more catastrophic, which was one of the impetuses for surrender.
>The wounded surrender right now. Among them there are already very interesting personalities, about whom, unfortunately, I cannot tell yet. Soon.
>It is expected that up to five hundred people can surrender in total.
>Beds in the Novoazovsk hospital have already been prepared for at least some of those who surrender.
I will keep you updated as information becomes available.”
https://t.me/c/1394010098/3600
Posted by: Surferket | May 16 2022 21:52 utc | 85
Peter AU1 | May 16 2022 18:25 utc | 35
The event will close when the shooting stops. Israel and Syria have been shooting at each other for 3 generations. There are 3 generations of Palestinian refugees and many still in a combat zone outside their door. Hope that does not happen here. The Anglo American death cult would certainly love that result.
Meanwhile, the boots are in the garage ready for the pot.
Posted by: circumspect | May 16 2022 21:56 utc | 86
Posted by: robin | May 16 2022 21:01 utc | 70
I am a fairly stupid individual and am having great trouble interpreting your use of what I presume to be “English.”
Can you please expand upon what is meant by the term “narrative field?”
Does paragraph 2 describe your premise or a premise contained in some other structured field of enquiry? I am attempting to discern if you are engaged in what Wittgenstein would refer to as a “private language.”
How do you come by the assessment of “vast resources?” What is the referent in this sentence?
The “rock steady editorial line” is in opposition to what exactly?
Your entire post is suggestive of the fact that you hold an alternate viewpoint. How did you manage to escape the “rock steady editorial line” and the associated “very intense and thorough media artillery campaign?”
If you do in fact hold an alternate viewpoint does this not contradict the assertion you seek to make?
What is the “extraordinary bomb” to which you make reference?
How would you perceive its dropping if in fact you are being held in the grip of a “rock steady editorial line” an “intense and thorough media artillery campaign” which “leaves no room for alternate viewpoints?”
How would any of the trapped consumers notice the “extraordinary bomb?” How did you gain your awareness of it?
“Those consumers” makes reference to what group? Are the “narrative managers” not also consumers? If not how do they make their existence outside of the schema you describe?
“In your opinion” how do you come to hold an opinion given the constraints you claim are being imposed upon you? Again, does not the fact of your having an opinion serve to falsify all of your prior assertions?
Why would “some preparation” be needed? Did you not just attest to the fact that this is an ongoing “artillery barrage” and some form of continual force fed corn diet? If it is an ongoing government process and the managers and the state pitch for the same team then is this process not already fully in active motion? Are there other teams in existence? Do these other teams suffer a similar artillery barrage or a different artillery barrage? Are they force fed corn or potato? Does this make a difference?
In our last interaction you suggested there was some form of time differential between us. I agree. I am plodding along trying to make sense of the present and I think you are at least 2,000 light years ahead of me. I am never going to catch up.
Posted by: Sushi | May 16 2022 21:57 utc | 87
Re: Prediction – France Will Veto Sweden / Finland NATO Entry
Posted by: Sushi | May 16 2022 18:02 utc | 28
I believe the answer to this question is that France has made known it will veto the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO. This would create a significant rift in NATO and undermine US control of European states.
While Finland and Sweden have so far rejected NATO membership, NATO has been creeping in through the back door. Britain and the US have been developing a North European security alliance with Finland and Sweden, bypassing both NATO and the EU. The aim has been to get Finland and Sweden involved in defending the Baltic States, but more importantly, giving US and UK a foothold in Finland and Sweden.
Britain is no longer a member of the European Union. France should reject all attempts by Britain (and the US) to interfere in European affairs. NATO membership of Finland and Sweden must be seen as an attempt by Anglo-Saxons to control the EU by stealth. It will create a strong pro-UK and ultimately anti-France axis in Europe, that will diminish France’s influence. France should veto it.
Posted by: Petri Krohn | May 16 2022 21:58 utc | 88
I am French and sorry if I ruin some enthusiasm but be sure that never Macron will do anything serious against US wish. He is the most servile French president we have ever had. He takes orders from Washington, Brussels or Berlin. He doesn’t like France and he doesn’t know French history. His only real achievements so far have been to lower France internationally, economically and ethically.
The French independent foreign policy is dead with Nicolas Sarkozy and there is not the slightest hope that it will relive with our present French deepstate.
Posted by: Frog | May 16 2022 21:49 utc | 84
Thanks so much for bringing us back to reality, depressing as it might be. Micron talks big but his actions certainly don’t back up his words — and of course he’s said absolutely nothing to question the Swedish and Finnish NATO applications.
I also can’t imagine Micron pissing off the Swedes or the Finns even if he were serious about creating an independent European army; after all, he might want to include them.
Posted by: malenkov | May 16 2022 22:04 utc | 89
Posted by: Frog | May 16 2022 21:49 utc | 84
Merci Mr Grenouille :
J’espérais que MoA aurait des lecteurs avec un meilleur sens du sentiment français que moi.
Est-il vrai qu’il y a des partisans de Le Pen en France qui forment des escadrons de chemises brunes contre la population immigrée ?
Meilleurs vœux
poisson cru
Posted by: Sushi | May 16 2022 22:05 utc | 90
NATO membership of Finland and Sweden must be seen as an attempt by Anglo-Saxons to control the EU by stealth. It will create a strong pro-UK and ultimately anti-France axis in Europe, that will diminish France’s influence. France should veto it.
Posted by: Petri Krohn | May 16 2022 21:58 utc | 88
Same could be said about Germany too, of course.
Plain cruel fact of the matter is that we can’t be sure that any NATO member will veto the applications. Erdogan can’t be trusted, to put it mildly; Hungary is certainly honestly dubious but might be susceptible to threats. Serbia? Vucic is a doormat. Croatia? Only its president has qualms. And that’s just about it.
Posted by: malenkov | May 16 2022 22:08 utc | 91
GhostOfAdolf | May 16 2022 17:42 utc | 26
Adolf, please read/edit your incoherent rants before posting. This one is barely legible or comprehensible. Let me try to distill it for you and others dying to understand it: “Russians are stupid losers”. Got it.
Posted by: Doug Hillman | May 16 2022 22:12 utc | 92
A Pepe exclusive:
“EXCLUSIVE
SO WHY AUSTIN CALLED SHOIGU?
Now confirmed by one of my top intel sources.
The call was a direct consequence of PANIC. The USG by all means wants to scotch the detailed Russian investigation – and accumulation of evidence – on the US bioweapon labs in Ukraine.
As I stressed in a previous post, Shoigu had refused to pick up calls from weapons peddler retrofitted as Pentagon head Lloyd “Raytheon” Austin since the last week of February and the start of Operation Z.
This phone call happened EXACTLY after an official Russian statement to the UN: we will use articles 5 and 6 of the Convention on the Prohibition of Bioweapons to investigate the Pentagon’s biological “experiments” in Ukraine.
Shoigu cold see the call coming eons away.
Reuters, merely quoting the proverbial “ Pentagon official”, spun that the one-hour-long call led to nothing. Nonsense.
Austin allegedly demanded a “ ceasefire” – which must have originated a Siberian cat smirk on Shoigu’s face.
Shoigu knows exactly where the dire facts on the ground – for the Ukros and UkroNazis – are leading. Especially in Donbass: it’s a military disaster the USG cannot possibly spin.
Now, in parallel, we can also expect full exposure – on overdrive – of the Pentagon bioweapon racket.
The only “offer you can’t refuse” left to the USG is to REALLY offer something tangible to the Russians to avoid an investigation. Not gonna happen. All will be revealed.”
https://t.me/c/1394010098/3594
Posted by: Surferket | May 16 2022 22:16 utc | 93
@ Doug Hillman | May 16 2022 22:12 utc | 92
Gröfaz didn’t speak English in life, and his abilities in that language don’t seem to have improved post mortem.
For that matter, the quality of his thought doesn’t seem to have improved either.
Posted by: malenkov | May 16 2022 22:16 utc | 94
I have two conspiracy theories that I cant support with facts but for which I have a gut feeling.
1. All functionaries above a certain power level, including media, are addicted drug users.
2. All politicians, if not the figureheads then their immediate confidants with power, have compromat on them.
I base this on the enormous wealth and influence of modern crime syndicates and the careless way people use the web to satisfy their urges. We subconciously know that posting on this forum will trigger a red flag somewhere but keep doing it.
This means that there is no way France’s elites will block the expansion of NATO for the devious purpose to harras Russias borders. Turkey is just trying to get some concessions because lets face it, all other NATO members hate them. They dont belong there. Turks know this and just want to confront them with it and maybe get some perks.
Posted by: alek_a | May 16 2022 22:19 utc | 95
Doug Hillman @83–
Thanks much for your reply. What I found remarkable at the time of Davos 2021 was the very close similarity between the speeches of Putin and Xi, which I commented about at the time. But for Putin, that speech wasn’t an articulation of a new policy approach. What Putin detailed was his governing philosophy since his ascension to President of Russia that’s only become more fiercely fought for and deeply entrenched within Russia’s political pathway–even the Communists endorse it. This war between two very different systems and who stands to benefit from either is precisely the topic of Dr. Hudson’s newest book, The Destiny of Civilization: Finance Capitalism, Industrial Capitalism, or Socialism:
“He emphasises that There Are Alternatives (TAA) to the neoliberal finance capitalism that prevails in the West, and that civilization is today at a fork in the road:
one path leading to a neoliberal neo-feudalism dominated by a rentier oligarchy ruling over the indebted many.
the alternative path is broadly mixed-economy industrial capitalism leading to socialism.”
More about the book here.
I fear that Scott Ritter might be right that Russia can’t stop a NATO funded reconstruction of the Ukrainian Army – although that’s got to take time – no NATO force has a full cupboard. If so, Ukraine could end up like Syria – could even a western funded Ukrainian Army drive the Russians out of Donbass and Crimea? I’d also like to know if young men in Russia are joining the Army in large numbers as I read in a recent article. This is dangerous. July 1914 dangerous.
Posted by: Eric Bergerud | May 16 2022 22:26 utc | 97
STAND WITH AZOVSTAL!
Here is a great idea for an online campaign.
Posted by: Republicofscotland | May 16 2022 16:06 utc | 6
Rumor: There are rumors over the radio networks that the Ukies will mass surrender if Azovstal surrenders. I stress this is rumor. It looks like this from many sources: At 17.30 the mass surrender of the AFU will begin from Azovstal, the radio airwaves are buzzing with NEWS all over the front…16.05.2022.
This is one source: “>https://twitter.com/ruslantopa40/status/1526136010186317825
The new slogan:
“Show solidarity with Azovstal: surrender when they surrender!”
Posted by: Petri Krohn | May 16 2022 22:32 utc | 98
@94 Don’t be too hard on Adolf. He was excited to see Mein Kampf win the Eurovision Song Contest.
Posted by: dh | May 16 2022 22:44 utc | 99
Anybody know much about the M777 canon the US and other countries are shipping to the Ukraine? South Front is reporting that the US is sending the canon without its digital fire control system? Will the the accuracy and counter measures be compromised? Just from what I read, it can shoot off the M982 Excalibur GPS-guided munition. A type of munition I never heard of which can achieve pinpoint accuracy and costs a whopping $68K per round. Need the fire control system for the Excalibur??
Posted by: Erelis | May 16 2022 22:46 utc | 100