Biden's Fearmongers About A Russian Nuclear Threat That No One Has Made
The Biden administration is spewing ridiculous fear mongering propaganda:
Kaitlan Collins @kaitlancollins - 0:35 UTC · Oct 7, 2022Wow. Biden at a Dem fundraiser tonight: “We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis.” He says Putin is “not joking when he talks about potential use of tactical,” nuclear or biological weapons because his military is underperforming.
Biden continued with the blunt warnings: “I don't think there's any such thing as the ability to easily (use) a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon.” (These 👀 quotes from pooler @tparti)
Biden going MUCH further than his officials have, from the National Security Council to the Pentagon. They have said they take Russia's threats seriously, but haven't seen any changes in its nuclear posture. Biden invokes Armageddon and says Putin should be taken seriously.
A copy of the pool report can be seen here. It quotes Biden as saying: "[Putin] is not joking when he talks about potential use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons because his military is you might say is significantly underperforming."
Fact is that Putin has not talked about the "potential use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons." Not. At. All.
On September 21 Putin announced a partial mobilization of reservists. In his TV speech he mentioned nuclear weapons only with regards to 'Western' threats of using them:
They have even resorted to the nuclear blackmail. I am referring not only to the Western-encouraged shelling of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, which poses a threat of a nuclear disaster, but also to the statements made by some high-ranking representatives of the leading NATO countries on the possibility and admissibility of using weapons of mass destruction – nuclear weapons – against Russia.I would like to remind those who make such statements regarding Russia that our country has different types of weapons as well, and some of them are more modern than the weapons NATO countries have. In the event of a threat to the territorial integrity of our country and to defend Russia and our people, we will certainly make use of all weapon systems available to us. This is not a bluff.
The citizens of Russia can rest assured that the territorial integrity of our Motherland, our independence and freedom will be defended – I repeat – by all the systems available to us. Those who are using nuclear blackmail against us should know that the wind rose can turn around.
Note that Putin does not mention Russia's nuclear weapons. He instead empathizes that Russia has new 'different' weapons that are 'more modern' than those of the 'West'. He means hypersonic missiles which can avoid 'western' air defenses and hit decision centers in Brussels, London and Washington even without nuclear warheads.
Also for the record: Russia has signed and ratified the Biological Weapons Convention which prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological weapons. Russia has also signed and ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention. In November 2017 it destroyed its last (Soviet) chemical weapons as mandated by the convention. It is the U.S. that still has not destroyed its chemicial weapons.
After Putin's speech some war mongering noise that distorted Putin's speech was made by the White House. A few days later the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, Dimitry Medevedev, set the record straight. There are only two distinct conditions under which Russia would ever use nuclear weapons:
"Let's imagine that Russia is forced to use the most fearsome weapon against the Ukrainian regime which had committed a large-scale act of aggression that is dangerous for the very existence of our state," Medvedev said in a post on Telegram.Medvedev's remarks quoted the exact terminology of one of the conditions of Russia's nuclear strike doctrine: "aggression against the Russian Federation with conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is threatened".
...
"I have to remind you again - for those deaf ears who hear only themselves. Russia has the right to use nuclear weapons if necessary," Medvedev said, adding that it would do so "in predetermined cases" and in strict compliance with state policy.
Scott Ritter, who knows a bit about nuclear deterrence, has explained Russia's nuclear doctrine:
NATO and Ukraine both believe that the Russian forces, even after receiving the 300,000 mobilized troops, will not be able to defeat Ukraine. This inability to achieve the desired objectives, they believe, will compel Russia to resort to the use of tactical nuclear weapons on Ukrainian targets in order to break the will to resist on the part of the Zelensky government.The reality, however, is that Russian nuclear doctrine does not allow for such a scenario. Indeed, there are only two conditions where Russian nuclear doctrine permits the employment of nuclear weapons.
No 1. “[I]n response to the use of nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction against it and/or its allies,” the 2020 Russian Nuclear Posture document states, or
No 2. “in the event of aggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is in jeopardy.”
U.S. nuclear posture, however, does allow it.
All the war mongering talk and reports about Russia's alleged threat of nuclear weapon use in Ukraine is totally unfounded. That 'western' media suddenly engage in it shows that it is part of a well directed propaganda campaign.
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Meanwhile the Ukrainian comedian has called for 'preemptive' nuclear strikes on Russia:
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky believes that "NATO should make it impossible for Russia to use nuclear weapons.""Preemptive strikes are needed so that they know what awaits them if they use nuclear weapons. Not the other way around, waiting for Russia's nuclear strikes and then saying, 'oh, you've done that, then get this,'" he said on Thursday, speaking via video link at Australia's think tank, the Lowy Institute.
'Western' media know that such a call is a big faux pas and lie about Zelenski's request:
Ivan Katchanovski @I_Katchanovski - 3:21 AM · Oct 7, 2022Hill publishes fake translation of #Zelenskyy speech: "Zelensky calls for ‘preventive action’ to deter Russian nuclear strikes." In fact, he referred in Ukrainian to "preventive strikes" and not "preventive action."
The Hill: Zelensky calls for ‘preventive action’ to deter Russian nuclear strikes
One must ask what this propaganda campaign about a non existing threat is really about. Could it be in preparation of a false flag incident in which a U.S or British nuclear device is used in Ukraine to then blame it on Russia as the pretext of an all out military engagement in Ukraine?
Setting off a tactical nuclear weapon as a pretext for a direct US and Polish military incursion into Western Ukraine - perhaps to preserve a Ukrainian rump state there, in the event that Kiev looks likely to fall somewhere down the line in the conflict.
False flags and/or WMDs are after all the indisputable standard US MO and playbook for pretexts for military action from the Spanish American War, to Vietnam, to Iraq, to Syria.
The Pentagon has been openly and proudly developing and deploying what they call “more usable” battlefield nuclear weapons, specifically for use against Russia and China.
And the US is the only country in history to have used nuclear weapons in war on another state, on entire Japanese cities full of people, actually.
Or – possibly could this be dog whistle signaling to the Zelenskiy regime or NeoNazi forces in Ukraine about just how to generate the extremis conditions to allow the US to jump directly into the conflict, much like how the US did the same with jihadist forces and chemical weapons “red lines” in Syria.
With Zelenski becoming increasingly unhinged the 'west' should be careful what it wishes for.
Posted by b on October 7, 2022 at 11:43 UTC | Permalink
next page »They are setting the stage, controling the narrative, once the ROW is conditioned,the US can use a tactical nuke anywhere in the Ukraine and the ROW will assume Russia did it.
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Oct 7 2022 11:58 utc | 2
Maybe it's addressed towards the guys inside the US who want to use tactical nukes and think Russia would not unleash the strategic nukes on the USA...
Posted by: bomb | Oct 7 2022 12:05 utc | 3
Whilst I realise that we all need to be aware of the False Flag Syndrome when it comes to discussions regarding "Nuclear" weapons, I think we shouldn't underestimate the risk that this is also about "normalisation" of the idea of such weapons being used on the battlefield. Were it to be clear that Russia was mounting a major offensive over the coming months with its 300,00 + mobilised reserves, the idea that NATO could then up the arms supply to Ukraine - including their new "smart" Battlefield Nuclear weapons - to help "level the playing field" might actually be the Pentagon's preferred route. You don't need to blame it on the Russians because you have somehow justified using these weapons to defeat the evil Putin.... The fact that this is WW3 is then someone else's problem because NATO didn't start it.
Posted by: Tinxx | Oct 7 2022 12:11 utc | 4
Whilst I realise that we all need to be aware of the False Flag Syndrome when it comes to discussions regarding "Nuclear" weapons, I think we shouldn't underestimate the risk that this is also about "normalisation" of the idea of such weapons being used on the battlefield. Were it to be clear that Russia was mounting a major offensive over the coming months with its 300,00 + mobilised reserves, the idea that NATO could then up the arms supply to Ukraine - including their new "smart" Battlefield Nuclear weapons - to help "level the playing field" might actually be the Pentagon's preferred route. You don't need to blame it on the Russians because you have somehow justified using these weapons to defeat the evil Putin.... The fact that this is WW3 is then someone else's problem because NATO didn't start it.
Posted by: Tinxx | Oct 7 2022 12:12 utc | 5
Whilst I realise that we all need to be aware of the False Flag Syndrome when it comes to discussions regarding "Nuclear" weapons, I think we shouldn't underestimate the risk that this is also about "normalisation" of the idea of such weapons being used on the battlefield. Were it to be clear that Russia was mounting a major offensive over the coming months with its 300,00 + mobilised reserves, the idea that NATO could then up the arms supply to Ukraine - including their new "smart" Battlefield Nuclear weapons - to help "level the playing field" might actually be the Pentagon's preferred route. You don't need to blame it on the Russians because you have somehow justified using these weapons to defeat the evil Putin.... The fact that this is WW3 is then someone else's problem because NATO didn't start it.
Posted by: Tinxx | Oct 7 2022 12:13 utc | 6
Thanks for the update, b. This nuclear conversation is so bizarre that it’s inconceivable that it’s purpose is to bring citizens on side. Only in the bubble of elite-land can this argument seem at all plausible. And I thought mass media was controlled by the CIA (per Udo Ulfkotte) ? But what’s it’s relationship to the Pentagon? After reading your reports of Biden’s comments, I see where Habeck gets his charm from, why don’t you just make him US Ambassador already, but I digress.
Posted by: Bruised Northerner | Oct 7 2022 12:14 utc | 7
Thanks b. for a valuable insight of a nuclear warmongering and a general paranoia around it.
The issue is that Ukraine and NATO are pretty much playing a silly game with ZPP Nuclear Plant. No sane military would fire at a nuclear-powered plant. Not even in a desperation.
But here we have a crazed strategy of a nuclear blackmail, and certainly it is encouraged by NATO. As much as I believe that are some sane and clever people left sitting in the Pentagon, I am sure there are some if not many that would love to see any sort of nuclear incident to fire up.
On the Russian side, there are certainly no 'experimenters' with the nuclear trigger ('maybe we can win?'). And as far as I see they all seem rather serious, professional, and grown up.
I am pretty sure that Russia is not going to be the first to initiate any sort of nuclear attack. All this barking by Biden, Zelensky, Poles and other minions is just a diversion and a babble.
And regardless of what anyone says, Russia will probably never ever have a reason to retaliate according to its doctrine.
Conventionally, as in military, I think Russia is indestructible when it gets its going right.
Posted by: whirlX | Oct 7 2022 12:16 utc | 9
Does the CIA have access to nuclear weapons?
Posted by: Bruised Northerner | Oct 7 2022 12:21 utc | 10
There's only one country that had dropped nukes on ordinary civil people in the history of this planet Earth, that USA. It is the only country that might use nukes to attack people again, for the USA doesn't have a dusha (soul).
Posted by: Paulg | Oct 7 2022 12:21 utc | 11
Putin said that Russia would use certain weapons that no one has, so those weapons cannot be nukes.
Posted by: Paulg | Oct 7 2022 12:23 utc | 12
Biden needs to look at his secretary of state and start from there.
That's where the real nuclear threats are.
Posted by: jpc | Oct 7 2022 12:27 utc | 13
Putin invokes using “ all weapon systems available to us”
As nuclear weapons are available to Russia, their use is threatened.
B. says Putin means to threaten only advanced conventional weapons but this is inconsistent with the plain meaning of “all”.
Posted by: GoFast | Oct 7 2022 12:27 utc | 14
If anything it sounds to me like he’s preparing the audience for de-escalation under the very plausible pretext that any further escalation brings us closer to the abyss of nuclear annihilation.
Posted by: Aaron T | Oct 7 2022 12:27 utc | 15
Note that Putin does not mention Russia's nuclear weapons. He instead empathizesemphasises that Russia has new 'different' weapons that are 'more modern' than those of the 'West'. He means hypersonic missiles which can avoid 'western' air defenses and hit decision centers in Brussels, London and Washington even without nuclear warheads.
Exactly. Nuclear weapons are obsolete, and are militarily unnecessary under any circumstances (other than the war crime of shear civilian genocide, which is what the US did in Nagasaki/Hiroshima and the British/US did with firebombing in Dresden and Tokyo and other cities). The original "advantage" of nuclear weapons was that the brute power could compensate for inaccuracies in delivery. Modern precision missiles show that the same military destruction can be achieved with large conventional explosive warheads - as Russia has demonstrated many times in Ukraine, but without the massive collateral loss of a nuclear explosion. Nuclear weapons are still useful as deterrant, but serve no strategic military advantage that cannot be achieved with conventional explosives.
What is more likely would be the use by Russia of hypersonic weapons with purely conventional warheads (including ICBMS like Sarmat, which can also be conventionally armed) as a non-nuclear first strike to eliminate US ability to launch nuclear weapons. Such a conventional stike might also be used in response to the use of biological or chemical weapons by the US.
Posted by: BM | Oct 7 2022 12:37 utc | 16
The most serious danger is the obvious panic in DC and London. Congress is drafting bills to remove all air defenses (or similar) from KSA over a relatively mild production cut. The planned “we won’t buy Russian oil” from the EU that was slated for December is now a price cap. That’s called backing down and trying to save face. The big counteroffensive that took months to prepare has had some success but appears to be running out of steam. (It may not be over, but it also hasn’t prompted a complete collapse of Russian forces.)
The OPEC cut is somewhat symbolic but important because KSA was told not to do it and then did it. It’s like the sanctions which don’t work because not enough people enforced them. Those in power in DC and London are seeing - but not accepting - their power eroding rapidly. They’re too stupid to understand that they brought this on themselves by how they wield power but that’s immaterial.
Let’s hope they aren’t at the stage of nuclear false flag, because the great danger now is their panic and desperate actions to retain their power.
Posted by: Lex | Oct 7 2022 12:38 utc | 17
It is fine to remind everyone Putin’s review of the ground rules is NOT saber rattling.
But discussing the use of nukes is nut case fodder for 4chan or the controlled Western press and both unattractive and a pointless diversion here in to Zelensky’s sleeze pr campaign
Drop it
Posted by: Thomas Lipscomb | Oct 7 2022 12:38 utc | 18
b, I’m sorry to say, you’re making the same mistake you did when you said Russia wouldn’t go into Ukraine. Putin and Medvedev are clearly referring to threats to Russia’s territorial integrity when brandishing nuclear weapons. That would include a Ukrainian offensive that collapses or degrades the front and leaves the Russian state tilting.
The U.S. and Ukraine fully understand the risk, and that’s why Ukraine has said there’s a “very high chance” of tactical nuclear weapons use. Why they assume it’ll be tactical nuclear weapons is simply a function of those warheads being the only remotely comprehensible and palatable input in the models they’re running.
Russia has a right to use nuclear weapons to defend itself, no different from the Soviet Union. Ukraine just outlawed peace talks, and the West and Ukraine know nukes are on the table and are totally unbothered because they, not Putin, have lost their minds. We’ll see what happens.
Posted by: line islands | Oct 7 2022 12:38 utc | 19
China's Global Times is editorializing about the US losing a nuclear war, and using nuclear weapons in space.
Note to the US - a nuclear war can be won by rivals
... there is no justification for responding to a non-kinetic EMP attack with the killing of millions in a kinetic nuclear counterstrike based only on unverified suspicion.Nuclear war can be won, and Russia and other US competitors are well prepared to emerge as victors. Some advice for the US is don't allow a parochial political agendas or allies to manipulate its decisions.
...
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202210/1276613.shtml
Nuclear weapons in space might not kill on earth but it would make space unusable for generations to come. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome
Posted by: too scents | Oct 7 2022 12:39 utc | 20
This rhetoric is simply a reflection of the real situation in ukraine, the existentional threat failure poses to the usa empire
As everyone here knows, while Ukraine does present traditional territorial security issues, it's actually merely a proxy for the true fight over the $usd
one must consider the attitude that a nuclear aftermath may not differ greatly from loss of empire from the pov of the mic, state, finance and of course us.gov itself
The code word is the Sampson option. I jotted down a summary petition a few days ago suggesting the entire world needs to become actively engaged in promoting rationality
The US losing its empire is an extremely dangerous animal, its tantrums threatening the entire world
Posted by: B9k9 | Oct 7 2022 12:40 utc | 21
Putin said that Russia would use certain weapons that no one has, so those weapons cannot be nukes.
Posted by: Paulg | Oct 7 2022 12:23 utc | 13
---
How about love and humanity?
https://youtu.be/jIqDQSk4D0w?t=20
Pretty effective against all Nazis.
Posted by: Nobody | Oct 7 2022 12:43 utc | 22
I meant to add, that there are also vague references by Putin to weapons that operate on "completely new physical principles". Nobody knows what that means or what new physical principles are used, but the assumption is that (a) this does not refer to any of the new weapon systems so far known; (b) Russia possesses important new weapons that are still totally secret, and will most likely remain secret until their first use; (c) that some of these secret weapons may rely on such new physical principles.
Posted by: BM | Oct 7 2022 12:46 utc | 23
Some people need to calm down.
Nobody wants to start a nuclear war or a false flag. These are morbid fantasies for conspiracy theorists.
Biden's handlers are trying to score cheap points against Putin, and appear like the Great Wall Against The Evil Russian Guy.
Zelensky was, as always, on cocaine; but he doesn't count jack, so no big issue.
Business as usual.
Neither Biden's handlers, nor Zelensky, nor the rich billionaires who sponsor the NWO want something like that to happen.
Posted by: Alexander P | Oct 7 2022 12:51 utc | 24
Israel has nuked Damascus, Lebanon 2 times, we had nukes going off in Ukraine 2014, nukes in China, Jakarta, Bali
Posted by: gimmeabreak | Oct 7 2022 12:51 utc | 25
Thank you for setting the record straight, as always. I assume what we are witnessing is a kind of projection and a possible preparation of some kind of diabolical act from the side of the collective West. A blantant exercise in mind-twisting of the public.
It is a sign of manic-desperation currently happening in the West. The Western ecenomy is collapsing at an alarming rate, and the sleepy citizens are waking up to the fact that the people they "elect" to represent their interests are turning out to be their arch enemy. The house of deception is collapsing and the leadership are desperately looking for ways to pass the blame to someone else.
It's terrifying to watch how unhinged the whole Western political leadership has become. If they think this kind of blackmail would restrain Russia from defending its existential interests, they are gravely mistaken. Russia believes, correctly, that its very existence is in danger from the Western hegemony. It will do anything necessary to defend itself. Pity poor Ukrainians who would perish in the event the Anglo fascists decide to use nuclear weapon in the country (Ukraine) with the hope of blaming it on Russia. False claims and hysteria would not distract Russia from defending itself.
It's pathetic to now hear Angela Merkel saying that European security is unimaginable without including Russia in the deal. She was one of the people who brought the whole matter to this point, by aiding and abetting the Ukronazis' disregard of the Minsk Agreements.
And coming back to Brandon's latest demented outburst. At the very time his government is talking with Russia about New START treaty, he's out spewing lies and fear about what President never said.
It boggles the mind.
Posted by: Steve | Oct 7 2022 12:53 utc | 26
"No 2. 'in the event of aggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is in jeopardy.'
U.S. nuclear posture, however, does allow it."
From the very beginning of this armed conflict, the Russian side has always warned against nuclear weapons for a single reason: So that the USA and its satellites do not allow themselves to be carried away by their own aggressive actions against Russia, in order to trigger a mechanism in Moscow that would allow the Kremlin to use nuclear weapons.
From the Russian side, it is diplomatic etiquette and an expression of common sense, responsibility, professionalism and foresight towards provocateurs who use Ukraine as a fodder for their interests.
US officials (and all Western media) are triggering the frame of "Russian nuclear threats" which we should not be intimidated by, according to Western politicians, experts and media representatives. In recent weeks, staged interview and conference questions have frequently asked US officials how the US would react if Russia used nuclear weapons, and Biden et al responded with this "silence of great responsibility." It is dramaturgical techniques from Hollywood for the viewer's mental cinema.
In addition to such a show, the legal situation is politically much simpler. The US enjoys first strike rights [limited first use, but rather a comprehensive nuclear first strike], while Moscow's legal status is more defensively oriented. Didn't Biden promise a policy change regarding nuclear weapons during the election campaign that he withdrew more or less after entering the Oval Office because, after all, the confrontation with Russia and China that Washington is officially aiming for is imminent?
Between December '21 and February '22, there were intensive negotiations on security interests at Moscow's initiative, in the context of which Moscow identified, openly named and felt accordingly threatened by the presence, spatial proximity (of US offensive weapons) and dominance of US interests as the key problem for a balance in the European security architecture. The European states were forced to gather in silence behind Washington, indirectly but openly announcing that they did not have their own voting rights, but that they were followers of the USA and thus also posed a threat to Moscow because colonies are not reliable. In the medium term, these connections will not play a role in the public discourse of Western countries, because there is no public discourse at all in Western countries.
Posted by: Konrad | Oct 7 2022 12:53 utc | 27
I meant to add, that there are also vague references by Putin to weapons that operate on "completely new physical principles".
---
Maybe he meant something in the direction of Alabuga.
https://www.deagel.com/Defensive%20Weapons/Alabuga/a003544
Posted by: Nobody | Oct 7 2022 12:56 utc | 28
Regarding western use of dirty weapons or a real tactical nuke to false flag Russia, I suspect that the nuclear weapons of the US and Russia have distinct isotopic signatures arising from differences in origin of raw material and differences in enrichment process. Maybe someone with greater knowledge could comment on that?
However, such fingerprints would not stop the expected western media onslaught of 'Assad gassed his own people' - sorry, wrong western regime change operation. But you get my drift.
Posted by: Arfur Mo | Oct 7 2022 12:59 utc | 29
Posted by: BM | Oct 7 2022 12:46
"Nobody knows what that means or what new physical principles are used"
These are called scalar weapons. A scalar weapon uses longitudinal electromagnetic waves to transmit energy as opposed to transversal e/m waves. The original J.C. Maxwell equations did have the scalar factor included; the Heaviside-Lorentz equations deal only with transversal e/m. An electromagnetic wave consists of subquarks (subdivision of a quark; a quark has three subquarks); through these subquarks, we have strings of bosons which can propagate even at super luminal speeds. So, a longitudinal e/m wave travels through a transversal wave, it is a sound wave. It is known now that electrons are made up of preons with fractional charge: a preon is a subquark with dextrorotatory spin. Of course, one needs a source of energy to power up these kinds of weapons. The energy equivalent of a hydrogen bomb can be transmitted through radio waves (e/m waves) using these scalar weapons.
Posted by: Sandokhan | Oct 7 2022 12:59 utc | 30
Note that Putin does not mention Russia's nuclear weapons. He instead empathizes that Russia has new 'different' weapons that are 'more modern' than those of the 'West'. He means hypersonic missiles which can avoid 'western' air defenses and hit decision centers in Brussels, London and Washington even without nuclear warheads.
- b
That is what you are saying. Biden is reading something else. Fact is that president of RF made a blanket statement about weapons that the West has. And is not RF insisting West is developing biological weapons? If Putin wanted clarity, he could have enumerated "hypersonic, sat warfare, ...". He did not.
Also, b correctly points out that the organs of state that matter in US all are taking this very low key. Biden is just rolled out to play his role and he has in the past said other things and the delegates of the actual stakeholders pull back.
So why is this important? If Biden was the actual boss, sure, we should be worried. But we all agree he is not, so what's the big deal? Running out of stories?
Because the other side also wants to inject hysterics and histrionics into this matter that affects all of us human beings. They want to make a Russia vs Anglos a cause of the rest of humanity, where frankly it is clear Russia is mostly motivated by global ambitions. Putin and company were desperately trying to get into the Satanic's club, "our partners", if you recall. This is a fight between (again) European powers of 19th century. Same cast.
And as usual, they are trying to sell a 'war over the world', to a gullible world population as a 'world war'.
Posted by: whocares? | Oct 7 2022 13:01 utc | 31
Karlof1, enjoyed your overview of the US constitution; reminded me of the von mises/Hans Hermann presentations
You can tell this site has many non americans since they seem to be personally offended by the usa empire
But what so many don't understand is that it's just a placeholder, merely the last being used by the same cast of characters pursuing empire dating back to pre history
When the US passes from the scene, the criminals will merely disembark to re-emerge in the next host, whether it's Russia, China or india
I would suggest to readers to refrain from personalizing current events; the real issue is the danger posed by the transitional process
Posted by: B9k9 | Oct 7 2022 13:02 utc | 32
Posted by: line islands | Oct 7 2022 12:38 utc | 20
"Tactical" nuclear weapons use by Russia in Ukraine is the most profoundly useless thing Russia could do, from a strategic military point of view: (a) because it serves no purpose that cannot be served far more effectively by conventional weapons abundantly at her disposal, and (b) because it would necessarily and automatically lead to nuclear escalation that poses a far more serious threat to Russia, and which would in turn require further escalation by Russia.
It is a logical impossibility. The nuclear fallout is also right on Russia's border.
The only hypothetical possibility of use of nuclear weapons by Russia would be against the UK and/or the US, nothing else even comes into question. Even there it is virtually inconceivable.
Posted by: BM | Oct 7 2022 13:03 utc | 33
‼️🇪🇸 🇺🇦Ukrainian military are being trained in Spain to handle Aspide anti—aircraft missiles - the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom‼️
https://t.me/azmilitary11/23797
Posted by: Down South | Oct 7 2022 13:05 utc | 34
Oh, you know, 'Western' politicians (not all, but most) and the media live in their own alternate reality. Constructing "news" that never happened, discussing "statements and threats" that no one has ever made, responding to non-existent "challenges", imbuing other politicians' words with fictitious meanings, and then "responding" to it etc. One big lie.
Could it be in preparation of a false flag incident in which a U.S or British nuclear device is used in Ukraine to then blame it on Russia as the pretext of an all out military engagement in Ukraine?
Bingo.
I think that if, as a result of Russia's upcoming military actions, the Ukrainian army is on the verge of capitulation, then the United States will organize a nuclear provocation. To do this, the idea of "Russia's fault" is instilled in society in advance. As usual.
Do not forget the good old rule - the United States always blames others for what they are going to do (or have already done) themselves.
They're having to go back to Maduro for oil. It's over, it's just over. When the US is forced to backtrack on throwing it's weight around in South America it's just over.
If Biden or the Democrats had any real political purpose one might think it makes sense to desperately try to eke out whatever price declines at the pump to stave off a Republican sweep in the mid-terms at the cost of revealing your weakness but they don't. They're just in full blown panic mode.
And the worst part is they don't realise that going back on Maduro makes them look even weaker than backing down in the grotesque game of chicken they're playing with Russia using somebody else's blood to soil.
Posted by: Altai | Oct 7 2022 13:08 utc | 36
I can't tell for certain whether Nato will use a nuke in Ukraine, but what I can tell is that if they think they can get away with it and if they think they can actually frame Russia doing it, the threshold will be quite low.
Remember how prelude to SMO started, it started sometime in Oct/november 2021 when Biden started drumming about an attack. With their other hand their pushed Ukraine to attack the Donbass. This was causing a massive evacuation problem for Russia, which there were no time. Now I can easily see they will drum about a nuke/dirty bomb attack in Ukraine, they now indoctrinate the western population to believe it, and then the event occurs.
Kiev and Warsaw already distribute iodine pills to their population, which seems not widely reported. They are prepping for this event.
Posted by: unimperator | Oct 7 2022 13:08 utc | 37
🇷🇺⚡It is useless and unnecessary to appeal to the prudence of our enemies in the West, the enemies must be forced to ask for mercy in the lost economic battle and end it with their complete and unconditional surrender - Medvedev
https://t.me/intelslava/38460
Posted by: Down South | Oct 7 2022 13:10 utc | 38
Steve: 27:
"It's pathetic to now hear Angela Merkel saying that European security is unimaginable without including Russia in the deal. She was one of the people who brought the whole matter to this point, by aiding and abetting the Ukronazis' disregard of the Minsk Agreements."
True, that can be described as pathetic on her part, and yet it is also a sensible approach if an interest in diplomacy and a European security order were to play a role in the West. Far more worrying are the polemical and populist reactions to Merkel's statements aimed at discrediting and silencing her reasonable approach.
Posted by: Konrad | Oct 7 2022 13:13 utc | 39
Posted by: Konrad | Oct 7 2022 13:13 utc | 40
Agreed. It was pathetic of Merkel to originally obstruct the Minsk agreements and everything else she did, but not as pathetic as it is to criticise her for at last changing course. And far more pathetic again is to doggedly stick to such mindlessly self-destructive and failed policies as Scholz, von der Leyen and all the others are doing.
Posted by: BM | Oct 7 2022 13:18 utc | 40
Humanity is truly blessed to have so many strategic thinkers commenting on the internet.
Posted by: par4 | Oct 7 2022 13:19 utc | 41
The West is looking for an off-ramp now that its latest multi-billion dollar army is being destroyed in the mud. A false flag provides the perfect excuse, actually the only excuse, they could use.
Currently, the narrative is that Ukraine is winning (google it). In a couple weeks or so, that narrative will fail when the advances stop permanently. The West cannot afford to build another Ukrainian army to keep up the advance as it will by then be facing an economic crisis.
Solution, claim that Russia was losing, then used a tactical nuclear weapon to defeat the Ukrainian army. Same MO as Syria. Assad was about to lose then used chemical weapons to defeat his enemies.
They can set off a few large bombs in Kiev or Lvov, run some radiation tests using seeded spent fuel from Chernobyl and claim "Russia nuked Ukraine." Lots of harumphing, then force Ukraine to make a deal...
Posted by: Tom | Oct 7 2022 13:19 utc | 42
The Daniel 7:5 bear will arise and devour much flesh. The Russian bear is the Daniel 7:5 bear.
Soon the bear will have 3 ribs in its mouth between its teeth. When that day comes, the bear will be told by the 10 kings to arise and devour much flesh.
Then the Russian Bear will arise and devour much flesh. Most likely that will include destroying Babylon USA within one hour.
That day and hour is not far away. Best not to be in the USA when that day comes.
Posted by: young | Oct 7 2022 13:21 utc | 43
Regarding western use of dirty weapons or a real tactical nuke to false flag Russia, I suspect that the nuclear weapons of the US and Russia have distinct isotopic signatures arising from differences in origin of raw material and differences in enrichment process. Maybe someone with greater knowledge could comment on that?Posted by: Arfur Mo | Oct 7 2022 12:59 utc | 30
That is correct but given what has been happening in recent years, and especially in the last 8 months, there is little hope of the results of such an analysis being presented in Western media.
There probably won't be time for it anyway under a false flag scenario - things will escalate in mere hours after that.
There is also a slight possibility that the US has in fact obtained either a Russian warhead or fissile material during the dark times of the 90s for this specific purpose
Posted by: Tbx | Oct 7 2022 13:24 utc | 44
There is a plague of crazy trolls these days, are they transmitted by virus, and how infectious are they? They seem to be some form of UK/US digital bioweapon.
Posted by: BM | Oct 7 2022 13:25 utc | 45
Everything that comes from the US/UK is projection. I had thought the west accepted defeat with the referendums but all this talk of nukes by the comedian and the west shows how far they are prepared to go.
They see the Russian forces amassing for what has now become direct war between Russia and Nato.
Biden corruption corp knows nothing short of nukes will stop the bear once it rubs the sleep from its eyes.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Oct 7 2022 13:30 utc | 47
Interesting point of view with nukes in mind.
"The popular American magazine Newsweek considers the policy of the Washington regime in Ukraine too cautious. Journalists of the publication found american military and intelligence officers in high ranks, categorically dissatisfied with Biden's lethargy, and promoted them for interviews on condition of anonymity.
A lot of interesting things turned out. It turns out that not all the military agrees that Biden is trying to "deter" Russia exclusively by non-nuclear means. Interlocutors of the magazine Believethat it's all too subtle and won't work. Instead, they believe, we should "bang the hammer.""
https://ria.ru/20221007/ssha-1822049092.html
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Oct 7 2022 13:31 utc | 48
Zelensky was suggesting that Ukraine should obtain a nuclear device in February 2022, before Russian operations
started.
Posted by: Ivan | Oct 7 2022 13:38 utc | 49
Belarus Sabre rattling, or preparing for when things go South.
"Ministry of Defense of Belarus Announcedthat, if necessary, can put up a resource of 500 thousand conscripts - we are talking about a prepared reserve.
"Mobilization fees with reserve servicemen are permanent, over the past 20 years, 130,000 people have passed through mobilization fees. The military department, if necessary, can put up a resource of 500 thousand conscripts, and we are talking about a prepared reserve, "the press service of the ministry said in its telegram channel.
It is noted that this information was voiced by Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin, commenting to journalists on the scale of the work carried out with reserve servicemen. He stressed that "this work is absolutely planned, this is the daily work of military commissariats and officials of military units.""
https://ria.ru/20221007/belorussiya-1822267788.html
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Oct 7 2022 13:39 utc | 50
reply to Bruised Northerner @8:
This nuclear conversation is so bizarre that it’s inconceivable that it’s purpose is to bring citizens on side. Only in the bubble of elite-land can this argument seem at all plausible.
Although I agree with you about the bizarreness of the argument, I wouldn't be so sure that it's confined to the elite bubble. Most people don't read closely and also take at face value from their media of choice whatever is said about someone else's remarks. I have sat in several social gatherings where people are worried because "Putin's back is against the wall and he's crazy so he's going to use nukes." You can't really argue with that because you would have to get people to look at several original sources.
Posted by: howard | Oct 7 2022 13:39 utc | 51
Putin also mentioned “weapons based on new physical principles” which would appear to be distinct from hypersonics.
A non nuclear emp weapon perhaps?
Posted by: CitizenSmith | Oct 7 2022 13:39 utc | 52
🇧🇾 The Belarusian Minister of Defense said at a meeting with journalists and bloggers that over 20 years, 130,000 people have been mobilized in the country and that, if necessary, his department can put up a resource of 500,000 conscripts.
https://t.me/intelslava/38509
Posted by: Down South | Oct 7 2022 13:43 utc | 53
🇧🇾 The Belarusian Minister of Defense said at a meeting with journalists and bloggers that over 20 years, 130,000 people have been mobilized in the country and that, if necessary, his department can put up a resource of 500,000 conscripts.
https://t.me/intelslava/38509
Posted by: Down South | Oct 7 2022 13:43 utc | 54
🇧🇾 The Belarusian Minister of Defense said at a meeting with journalists and bloggers that over 20 years, 130,000 people have been mobilized in the country and that, if necessary, his department can put up a resource of 500,000 conscripts.
https://t.me/intelslava/38509
Posted by: Down South | Oct 7 2022 13:43 utc | 55
What does Russia have left in the conventional war fuel tank though?
Posted by: Wokechoke | Oct 7 2022 13:43 utc | 56
Posted by: Nobody | Oct 7 2022 12:56 utc | 29
That makes perfect sense, given:
... there is no justification for responding to a non-kinetic EMP attack with the killing of millions in a kinetic nuclear counterstrike
...
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202210/1276613.shtml
Posted by: too scents | Oct 7 2022 12:39 utc | 21
Posted by: Mary | Oct 7 2022 13:44 utc | 57
I suppose this is a warning from Russia, that a very powerful weapon could fall into the hands of those prepared to detonate a nuke in Ukraine, and it would most likely be blamed on Russia.
"The West refuses to acknowledge the threats being posed by flooding Ukraine with lethal weapons, the Russian embassy to London said in a comment on Friday, calling on Great Britain and its NATO allies to refrain from this reckless practice.
"It is known that corrupt Ukrainian officials have been channeling the weapons they have been receiving to the global black market," the embassy told TASS. "Western countries have so far refused to acknowledge the risk of high-tech weapons landing in the hands of radical nationalists, extremists and gangsters or being used by terrorists across the globe," Russian diplomats said. "Once again, we are calling on Great Britain and its NATO allies to refrain from the irresponsible militarization of Ukraine’s anti-popular regime, which may have far-reaching consequences for regional and global security," the embassy warned."
https://tass.com/politics/1519255
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Oct 7 2022 13:45 utc | 58
Am I the only one to see it? They are setting the stage for the "emergency" that will, regrettably, force them to "postpone" the mid term elections
Posted by: Callmelennie | Oct 7 2022 13:49 utc | 59
There will be no mercy for those from the oblasts that have joined the Russian Federation.
"The Kiev regime’s constant shelling of civilians is genocide and captured Ukrainian servicemen have confirmed Ukraine’s intention to kill all those who stayed in liberated territories, Kirill Stremousov, deputy head of the Kherson regional administration said on Friday.
"After some statements by members of the Ukrainian military who surrendered, the servicemen confirmed that all those who stayed on liberated territories would be physically annihilated," the official wrote on his Telegram channel.
As Stremousov specified, Kiev "actually demanded that residents of the liberated territories leave the area and abandon their homes," he said.
"The killings and genocide of Kherson Region residents are the Neo-Nazis’ goal. The Kiev regime does not at all conceal its intentions towards residents of the territories liberated from Nazism," the regional official said."
https://tass.com/defense/1519337
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Oct 7 2022 13:50 utc | 60
Well there we can be now correctly strained ... until we make our last contribution to the CO²-balance of the planet - "happy" those, who at least may live an eternal shadow existence at the walls of concrete ruins ...
Well, if one still wants to believe the science, then at least the "climate warming" fails afterwards - green dreams would come true - and that is already something, even if it becomes very, very cold, and none of us still has something of it ...
Posted by: Humml | Oct 7 2022 13:53 utc | 61
It definitely sounds like Biden is paving the way for some sort of attack in Ukraine, that will be blamed on Russia.
"US President Joe Biden has warned of the risk of nuclear "Armageddon" amid a persisting campaign accusing Moscow of planning to use nukes against Ukraine.
“We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis,” Biden proclaimed in remarks on Thursday at a fundraising reception for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in New York.
He accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of threatening to use nuclear, biological and chemical weapons to make up for his nation's "under-performing" army.
“We’ve got a guy I know fairly well,” said the US president of Putin, in extended remarks about the Ukraine conflict. “He’s not joking when he talks about potential use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons, because his military is, you might say, significantly under-performing.""
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Oct 7 2022 13:55 utc | 62
The fact that US military and intelligence disagree with Brandon shows that its just a ploy related to the incoming US elections. Democrats still showing that they are in for a big loss in November.
Posted by: Comandante | Oct 7 2022 13:55 utc | 63
From what I can see on the thread so far, no one has mentioned thermobarics as an alternative/supplement to nukes. There was speculation that Russia had used, at least tank-sized TBs in its assault on Severodonetsk (lotta badly burned enemy troops) and it is known - like many other nations - it has developed much larger, more flexible TB's - not quite the explosive range of a whole city - but certainly capable of vaporising a dozen blocks or so, fire storm and all. Apparently nano-particles are the go these days, ignition rate roughly the same as a nuke - longer, slower burn but no residual radioactivity... Presumably these too could find their way onto ICBM warheads.
Posted by: Gerry Bell | Oct 7 2022 13:58 utc | 64
USA is increasingly absurd. It is desperately trying to appear in control of a situation that has expanded beyond their confidence level. The scale has simply become like The Sorcerer's Apprentice - way off the scale and they have no way of guiding or controlling events.
So they shout out absurdities as if they are up ahead saving the world and only they have the ability to save mankind from the raging river released from them blowing up the dam.
US looks so peripheral nowadays........China is the heavyweight power - Russia is the military and resource bastion - and Europe is the plucked goose about to be cooked.......
US has destroyed Europe much as it destroyed the Middle East.........Asia will be protected by Russia, China and India - there is nothing US can do now.
It cannot replace Russian energy - coal, gas, oil in Europe and it cannot replace Russian food and key raw materials or strategic metals - and it certainly cannot replace the potential of the Eurasian Marketplace.
US has blown up its closest allies and set them on a course for a Morgenthau Unravelling which will unleash politics hostile to the USA and its presence in Europe
Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Oct 7 2022 14:01 utc | 65
Germans in Berlin out protesting in what looks like large numbers.
"People have gathered in the German capital to protest soaring energy and commodity prices, and denounce their government's stance on the war in Ukraine.
Germans took to the streets in Berlin for the second time in three days on Monday, saying the government's policies on the war in Ukraine had led to an energy crisis, a stagnant economy, and soaring prices.
"People can't afford to heat their homes and, what's more, the situation is still worsening," said one protester.
The protesters also called on US-led NATO to immediately stop sending arms to Ukraine and to work to resolve the crisis peacefully through diplomacy."
Meanwhile the German Economy Minister has gone ballistic due to the very high prices the USA is charging for LNG.
"Some countries, even friendly ones, are achieving astronomical prices in some cases," Robert Habeck told the Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung newspaper."
I'll never understand the stupidity of some people, Germans had a perfectly good and cheaper gas supply from Russia, however that has now gone.
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/10/05/690445/Germany-United-States-gas-Russia-Ukraine
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Oct 7 2022 14:03 utc | 66
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Oct 7 2022 13:50 utc | 62
50 DGSE officers in Ukraine........Russia must know where they are.....should kill them. Same with MI6 and CIA and any NATO officers........
May be time to shatter Kiev a little and hit those bunkers...........
Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Oct 7 2022 14:04 utc | 67
since it's propaganda a dirty bomb would be good enough to call it a "nuclear" attack. So, expect a false flag dirty bomb if Russia consolidates control. The Ukies would have no real issue spoiling an Eastern city anyway as we've seen from their indiscriminate bombing for another false flag. Of course a dirty bomb isn't really any big deal
Posted by: scottindallas | Oct 7 2022 14:07 utc | 68
October 7 marks the 70th anniversary of Vladimir Putin -- a man who not only changed Russia, he built it the way it is. Let's just compare the country he inherited 22 years ago and today.
Putin came to power when Russia was collapsing. The average salary is $50, the pension was delayed for several months. The army has not been reformed, the population is in a demographic hole.
In 1999, Russia was humiliated and crushed by the Khasavyurt peace - a loss in the first Chechen war. The militants are already going to capture Dagestan. Putin not only carried out a quick and tough operation, defeating the terrorists, he made Chechnya one of the regions most loyal to Russia. And now in the SMO, Chechen detachments are more noticeable than many other units.
Putin began by assembling a team that came up with the tax and other reforms that fueled the booming economy of the early 2000s. Now it seems that the flat income tax rate of 13% has always been there. But it was introduced precisely at his time.
The regional princelings, who now and then threatened to leave Russia, threatened to destroy it, like the Soviet Union. Putin introduced the institution of plenipotentiaries, who made the regions so that their laws did not contradict Russian ones. And the princelings were gradually replaced by technocratic governors.
From 1999 to 2022,
Average salary had gone up 18 times,
Average pension had gone up 21 times,
Life expectancy had gone from 65 to 73 years,
Population had gron from 145 to 156 million,
GDP had grown from 4.8 trillion rubles to 139 trillion,
Gold reserves had grown from 12 billion dollars to 550 billion.
The USSR was threatened with starvation without buying bread from the damned West. And now Putin's Russia is the world's leading grain exporter.
Russia had overtaken the West in military technology. And suddenly Russia has Iskanders, Kinzhals and Poseidons, which the United States can neither intercept nor copy.
Posted by: Paulg | Oct 7 2022 14:09 utc | 69
line islands | Oct 7 2022 12:38 utc | 20
Good point, agreed, that's probably where this is going given continued US escalation.
John Helmer has a piece on nukes in Poland, so crossing another Russian red line. I think that the installation of dual use Tomahawks so close to Russian borders has been a major reason explaining Russia's course of actions, even before February.
In that context, of course we're all hoping for that deus ex machina of a new wonder weapon to avoid MAD.
Too scents in the next post, thank you very much for the link to the Global Times article, so far the only step I've heard about that may derail current dynamics. I wonder what is the Pentagon's doctrine on this.
Posted by: htyul | Oct 7 2022 14:10 utc | 70
We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis,”
He is a senile old fool.
6 Oct 1973 Yom Kippur Nixon went to DEFCON 3 just as Kennedy did over Cuba 1962
Operation Paul Bunyan 1976. DEFCON 3
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEFCON#Instances_of_DEFCON_2_or_3
ABLE ARCHER 1983 USSR went to FULL ACTION ALERT with ICBMs ready to launch
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Able_Archer_83#False_alarm_from_the_Soviet_missile_early_warning_system
Biden is as dim as Harris and the US is a Clown Show..........Thank God for Putin and Xi
Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Oct 7 2022 14:11 utc | 71
With this strong retoric Biden is projecting himself as a "strong, decisive"leader. Equivalent to make "Biden great again". Somebody worthwhile to vote for. Not a fragile uncertain person.
Its election time... Pelosi and Harris have been beating the Election drum likewise for the Democrats. Its just propadanda, nothing but words. A carrot to lure the innocent American citizen
into...
Posted by: DutchZ | Oct 7 2022 14:12 utc | 72
The post #71 was from kp.ru article. It should be birthday, not anniversary.
Posted by: Paulg | Oct 7 2022 14:13 utc | 73
The UN rights council on Thursday voted down a Western-led motion to hold a debate about alleged human rights abuses by China against Uyghurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang in a victory for Beijing as it seeks to avoid further scrutiny.BBC reportsThe defeat – 19 against, 17 for, 11 abstentions – is only the second time in the council’s 16-year history that a motion has been rejected and is seen by observers as a setback to both accountability efforts, the West’s moral authority on human rights and the credibility of the United Nations itself.
Interestingly, Qatar, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan rejected the motion. All are Muslim countries. By the way, does anyone know what is this "West’s moral authority on human rights?"
Posted by: Paulg | Oct 7 2022 14:16 utc | 74
Leaving in New York City area in the US, I am far more concerned about being attacked by crazed homeless person or being shot by any any sort of handgun in possession of petty criminal or teenage drug dealer. In my mind, it is same wether I am killed by hypersonic nuke missile or run over by drunken driver on walk home from work.
Having said that, it is my impression that US Biden admin/CIA is greatest threat to humanity - he is seeking to frighten the public with a situation that he has created. Typical semi-organized criminal - offers protect from his own threats.
Anyway clearly US has already "nuked" the world with Fauci Flu (dont know body count but its up there) - it just wasnt a good made for tv event.
Just venting by stating the obvious.
Posted by: jared | Oct 7 2022 14:17 utc | 75
If the situation becomes much more desperate for Russia and it needs to consider the use of nuclear weapons then where should the nuke be used? Should Russia hit Poland with a nuke? It would be fair game if it was against a military target sending weapons to Ukraine. It would also have the purpose of ending NATO participation in the war because the US would not be willing to retaliate with nukes. The chance of Armageddon is too high.
For this discussion I am assuming the situation gets very desperate for Russia. Some people might respond it will never get that desperate for Russia but that doesn't address the premise of my comment.
Posted by: ragtag | Oct 7 2022 14:17 utc | 76
C.H Spurgeon: A lie will go round the world while truth is pulling its boots on.
Posted by: nwwoods | Oct 7 2022 14:18 utc | 77
C.H Spurgeon: A lie will go round the world while truth is pulling its boots on.
Posted by: nwwoods | Oct 7 2022 14:18 utc | 78
What would a (non nuclear) emp burst do to a Country with a Schwab induced total dependency on a Central Bank digital currency?
Keep the coins and notes or face defeat in conflict.
Posted by: CitizenSmith | Oct 7 2022 14:22 utc | 79
Guessing from Biden's speech a nuclear or dirty bomb is soon to be drop somewhere. It seems to me the Biden administration's real goal is to destroy the west and conquer Russia. Makes sense in way when you realize where most of Biden administration families hail from the old Russian empire. Also the Anglo theory of who controls the heartland will control the world will be theoretically get to play out. A theory that will be made easy when the rest of the world has been economically destroyed. We're not ruled by capable people but rather exceptionally vindictive ones.
Posted by: Old and Grumpy | Oct 7 2022 14:23 utc | 81
@ 52 howard
This is a very good point you make. I was not trying to argue that people could not be made to believe that Putin is crazy and might use nukes. What I meant was, in light of a nuclear threat, average people are not going to support, or buy-in to, more warfare, more aggression as a means to rectify the situation. That’s for the elite bubble. Average folks will expect diplomacy, negotiation, agreements. They’ll become more ant-war not more militant. The elites in their bubble might think otherwise but I don’t agree.
Posted by: Bruised Northerner | Oct 7 2022 14:24 utc | 82
Would something like Alabuga neutralize opponents' nuclear weapons?
Posted by: Lysias | Oct 7 2022 14:25 utc | 83
@ 74, very good point I think. Isn’t Team Biden renegotiating the START treaties?
Posted by: Bruised Northerner | Oct 7 2022 14:26 utc | 84
If Habeck is part of Team Biden to negotiate genuine security agreements with Russia, and not just to bilk the non-US NAFTA countries out of resources while riding high on a horse called Entitlement, I’ll retract my comment about him @ 8. And elsewhere on this website. Past and future posts.
Posted by: Bruised Northerner | Oct 7 2022 14:31 utc | 85
@BM
A Russian launch of one or more Sarmat ICBMs armed with conventional warheads would be detected enroute and trigger an automatic response by the US including a counterattack of multiple ICBMs which would not be conventionally armed. I trust that you are not advising Russian high command.
Posted by: nwwoods | Oct 7 2022 14:37 utc | 86
after 8 months of continuous attacks and provocations with thousands of deaths among Russian civilians and military, moscow is not tired yet? still allows a gang of Nazis to roam freely within its borders?
when will it begin to disable the electricity and rail networks as well as the elimination of Ukrainian command centers?
Posted by: Alessandro Cagliostr | Oct 7 2022 14:40 utc | 87
John Helmer has a piece on nukes in Poland, so crossing another Russian red line. I think that the installation of dual use Tomahawks so close to Russian borders has been a major reason explaining Russia's course of actions, even before February.Posted by: htyul | Oct 7 2022 14:10 utc | 72
Helmer is hit-and-miss. He is still insistent that the Poles were involved in the NS1-2 sabotage but never provides hard evidence except for motive.
I don't see why the US would involve the Polish government or military. The more parties involved, the higher the risk of an operational security leak.
Posted by: Opport Knocks | Oct 7 2022 14:43 utc | 88
Paulg | Oct 7 2022 14:16 utc | 76
The Muslim nations see what China has done to pull the Muslim people of the western regions out of poverty. We now sanction them because how can you convert people to extremism when they are living in prosperity.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Oct 7 2022 14:43 utc | 89
war song soooo beautiful : https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=vstanem&docid=608006918227174302&mid=B6285923501625242144B6285923501625242144&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
Posted by: jura | Oct 7 2022 14:46 utc | 90
We’ve got a guy I know fairly well,” said the US president of Putin, in extended remarks about the Ukraine conflict. “He’s not joking when he talks about potential use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons, because his military is, you might say, significantly under-performing.""
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Oct 7 2022 13:55 utc | 64
Biden projecting too much?
When it comes to underperforming military vs results and monies spent.
The Russians are way down that list.
Posted by: jpc | Oct 7 2022 14:48 utc | 91
@BM
A Russian launch of one or more Sarmat ICBMs armed with conventional warheads would be detected enroute and trigger an automatic response by the US including a counterattack of multiple ICBMs which would not be conventionally armed. I trust that you are not advising Russian high command.
Posted by: nwwoods | Oct 7 2022 14:37 utc | 88
Washington would never know what hit them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractional_Orbital_Bombardment_System
Posted by: Nobody | Oct 7 2022 14:51 utc | 92
What I find both amusing and concerning is that US officials and media always refer to Russia using nuclear weapons "in Ukraine". It may just be messaging to keep the American public thinking the conflict is safely "over there" but it may also be a genuine blind spot. Russia can deal with Ukraine. It's NATO that's their problem. If Russia gets to the point they feel they need to break out the nukes, Russia may very well decide to ignore the puppet and punch the puppeteer in the face.
While we're on the subject of brinksmanship:
In an alternate timeline. this past February when the US/UK announced shipments of Javelins and Stingers, corporate HQs of Raytheon/BAE (or some such) in the continental United States and the UK were hit with a 2:00AM Russian salvo of conventionally armed cruise missiles (I'm making a possibly incorrect assumption that Russia has or can deploy subs in the Atlantic capable of hitting the US like that ... but surely they could hit the UK). Such a strike would have established, shall we say clarity, as to both the level of NATO involvement in Ukraine acceptable to Russia (zero) and who will be the target if NATO does involve itself (US/UK homelands). (Such a strike would also have been delightfully snide as it would have fulfilled the claim that "decision centres" would be hit).
The problem with having only one timeline and Earth is that alternatives cannot be safely explored. Would NATO have then stayed out with US leadership eventually echoing Obama's comments that Ukraine matters more to Russia than the US ... or would, within 12 to 48 hours, civilization have ended as things escalated to a general nuclear exchange. I'm curious, but I suppose relieved that Russian leadership is not as curious as me.
(BTW, Russian nuclear doctrine AFAIK is ambiguous in that I don't think what constitutes an "existential threat to the state" is actually defined. I don't think it precludes Russia accepting a defeat but it does mean the defeat will be limited to negotiated terms acceptable to Russia. You can't drive your tanks on Moscow demanding a WWII style unconditional surrender. You will get nuked in that case.)
Posted by: Mike314159 | Oct 7 2022 14:54 utc | 93
@Altai
I just heard of this Venezuela thing only yesterday, and thought to myself that if I were Maduro, I would insist that the US rendition and indict Juan Guaido for stealing from Venezuela's treasury as a prerequisite to entering negotiations.
Posted by: nwwoods | Oct 7 2022 14:56 utc | 94
Opport Knocks | Oct 7 2022 14:43 utc | 90
You're right. Also, not convinced that actual proofs have shown who did it and how it was done, although lots of circumstantial evidence all pointing in the same general direction.
But speculating anyway in response, Poland's involvement could be used to plausibly deny US involvement.
In any case, I have the impression that the original line crossing regarding Poland remains the installation of the Tomahawks. I believe the US intended this as a way to "balance" hypersonics.
Posted by: htyul | Oct 7 2022 14:56 utc | 95
I am far more concerned about being attacked by crazed homeless person or being shot by any any sort of handgun in possession of petty criminal or teenage drug dealer. In my mind, it is same wether I am killed by hypersonic nuke missile or run over by drunken driver on walk home from work.Anyway clearly US has already "nuked" the world with Fauci Flu (dont know body count but its up there) - it just wasnt a good made for tv event.
Just venting by stating the obvious.
Posted by: jared | Oct 7 2022 14:17 utc | 77
There are times when the collective must prevail over the individual, something US self-centered culture often forgets.
Covid-19 was exactly a made for TV event.
Posted by: Opport Knocks | Oct 7 2022 14:57 utc | 96
I don't see why the US would involve the Polish government or military. The more parties involved, the higher the risk of an operational security leak.
Posted by: Opport Knocks
Like something along the lines of "Thank you USA"?
Posted by: nwwoods | Oct 7 2022 14:58 utc | 97
re: Paulg | Oct 7 2022 14:09 utc | 71
Thanks for the data on Russia/Putin; can you provide a link? thanks
Posted by: Steven Starr | Oct 7 2022 15:00 utc | 98
We ought to remember that back when the two eastern provinces of Ukraine were being increasingly attacked, it was Zelensky who brought up the hoped for acquisition of nuclear weapons. This was one suggested motivation for Russia in starting its SMO.
And 'nuclear' now contains the threat to power installations in Ukraine, so it is not just about those eastern provinces any longer. When a country loses its ability to sustain it's nuclear power facilities in responsible fashion, a new imperative is operative. That overall threat to universal stability is the most important one faced by the entire world. It is no longer 'fun' to have crazy people in charge of nations.
Posted by: juliania | Oct 7 2022 15:02 utc | 99
The comments to this entry are closed.
I'm expecting a false flag in Kiev, either with or without Zelynsky at ground zero.
Posted by: Jon | Oct 7 2022 11:52 utc | 1