Don Bacon & bevin on MIC–
The wife and I had a discussion about the utter lack of the Outlaw US Empire military’s usefulness where I reviewed some historical appraisals of what was really required for USA’s national security. The only part of the Empire’s military we deemed useful were the nuclear forces deterrent aspects. All other branches are useless and do nothing but enrich MIC and those who get kickbacks and “contributions.” Even today, the USA doesn’t need a standing army or marine corps. Coastal defense forces that would include airplanes are all that’s required–missiles and drones essentially. The Age of Plunder is no more. Peace is the new In Thing, as in Gotta Have It. Humanity’s on the cusp of evolving beyond armed conflict all thanks to the Age of Plunder’s violent lessons. But Cro-Magnon Neocons seem to be incapable of evolving. Their time is over, and their hysteria confirms they recognize that fact. They’re trying very hard to show they remain useful, but their tools (weapons) no longer work while the RoW rejects them. Yes, it will take time for them to finally die-out, but they will. Zero-sum has lost out.

Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 1 2022 1:07 utc | 104

Posted by: Melaleuca | Dec 1 2022 0:15 utc |
here’s an introduction I found on one of the sites mirroring her testimony:

Kay Griggs was a military wife who learned way too much about her husband’s job. Her husband would drink too much and he started talking openly about the real workings of the U.S. military, leadership training, drug-running and weapons sales, and the secret worldwide camps that train professional assassins. His stories were about murder, corruption, assassinations, and government lies. After he disappeared for a short time, she began receiving threats and decided to tell her story.
Kay is a professing Christian and was married to Marine Corps Colonel George Griggs in the late 1980s, who raised to an influential position as Chief of Staff. She came to realize that he was entirely mind-controlled. He abused and battered her when he drank.
These unedited interviews with Pastor Rick Strawcutter of Adrian, Michigan, were conducted in 1998. Kay reports of world events and our current global scenario.
During these interviews Kay Griggs exposes a long history of patent wrongs, which include: – homosexual initiation rites in the U.S. military particularly within the Marines; – well-documented instances of both – homosexual and – hetero pedophilia, often as brazen rape, amongst U.S. military figures and notable senior statesmen, Henry Kissinger being named loudly by Mrs. Griggs.
Griggs, in her videotaped interviews recently, discovered her husband’s diary and was suitably horrified at what she read. She then began asking questions of her friends in the military wives club, and many of them confessed to the same dirty little secrets.
Her candor on video is both disturbing and compelling: the woman has come to grips with the fact that this “culture,” as she calls it, is rife within senior U.S. military, and that the stain of being called out as a queer is what keeps the men quiet – to the arms – and drugs – running that are a vital function of Our Military.
Pastor Rick Strawcutter had a pirate radio station which was shut down in the early 2000s. Kay Griggs had been urged by friends to call in to his show, and did so in 1998. Pastor Strawcutter kept her on the air for an hour, and invited her to come to Michigan for a longer interview. Kay felt strongly that her experiences and stunning knowledge of how our country is run needed to be known, so she agreed.

Posted by: Anne B | Dec 1 2022 1:11 utc | 106

Never listening to Alexander Mercouris youtubes. The dude has a commercial every 3 minutes on his channel. Talk about greed. He was decent but cant stomach his ads. Bye.

Posted by: Comandante | Dec 1 2022 1:22 utc | 108

Below is a comment I just posted on the latest Open Thread but I think it fits here as well because of timing so let me preface the pasting of it.
There is lots of discussion here questioning the strategies of the Russian SMO and one keeps looking for a context in which those strategies make sense.
I posit that if the neutron bomb of an alternative (value convertible) monetary system is instantiated, all the rest of the circus rings will suddenly lose focus and attention. How all this stands down during the coming period is above my pay grade but am happy to be here watching with b and fellow barflys
My comment
Thanks to karlof1 and others for the links and discussion about the coming global finance neutron bomb
If/when a new money is created that has some definable conversion to things of value external like FOOD, energy, resource/precious metals and other resources, as well as internal like nations currencies. the establishment of the value linkage will force the US dollar to do the same or not be convertible and there will be an ugly phase where this is worked out temporarily and/or permanently.
What to do to prepare.
It depends on how long before the adults take over in the West.
Property is likely a long term good investment as long as you own it, can pay taxes on it and/or make payments to maintain “ownership”.
Holding industrial/precious metals has been covered mostly and says we will revert to some form of barter for some period before a new “money” is agreed to in all or parts of the West and connect with the RoW.
The God of Mammon cult is relying on propaganda to keep the masses focused on hating left/right and Non-God of Mammon others and how long that house of cards holds up will determine how long the “crazy” goes on….hopefully not long at all if the example is clear of what is going down.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Dec 1 2022 1:27 utc | 110

But Cro-Magnon Neocons seem to be incapable of evolving. Their time is over, and their hysteria confirms they recognize that fact. They’re trying very hard to show they remain useful, but their tools (weapons) no longer work while the RoW rejects them. Yes, it will take time for them to finally die-out, but they will. Zero-sum has lost out.
Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 1 2022 1:07 utc | 104
Take a Cro-Magon and send him or her to Harvard or Yale, put a suit on it and what do you get. A George Bush, a Bill or a Hillary Clinton, an Obama, a Trump, or a Biden: All neo-cons, every one of them.

Posted by: Ed | Dec 1 2022 1:37 utc | 112

@ Richard Steven Hack | Nov 30 2022 23:26 utc | 82 // and your other posts
richard, you make a lot of good commentary.. the part i don’t share with you is this idea of russia taking all of ukraine.. i just don’t see it myself.. otherwise i am with you in a lot of what you say.. thanks for your commentary..
@ Comandante | Dec 1 2022 1:22 utc | 108
try brave browser… it avoids the ads somehow…

Posted by: james | Dec 1 2022 1:45 utc | 114

@ Eighthman | Dec 1 2022 1:41 utc | 113
all ambassadors for the usa are locked in a cold war mentality.. they are the ones that get the promotions! think of geoffrey pyatt who was ambassador to ukraine in the 2014 putsch… all of these folks are put in these places of power for powers sake… you need a yes person who has been drinking and making a steady diet of the neocon koolaid… it is the way the usa does ”diplomacy”…

Posted by: james | Dec 1 2022 1:49 utc | 116

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Dec 1 2022 1:08 utc | 105
The title of the video as linked: “The Kay Griggs Interviews-1998-Satanism in the Military (Full Length)”
From the description:

Kay is a professing Christian and was married to Marine Corps Colonel George Griggs in the late 1980s, who raised to an influential position as Chief of Staff. She came to realize that he was entirely mind-controlled…

Standard Christian fanatic BS. Not wasting any more of my time on drivel. Which, by the way, is off-topic drivel.

Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Dec 1 2022 2:00 utc | 118

Posted by: Ed | Dec 1 2022 1:37 utc | 112
You get monkeys wearing suits.
ps disrespectful to associate Cro-Magnon‘s with cretins like them.
*hope you all can see the true nature of karlof1. Elitist to the core. How far has he evolved in his time here on earth? Not much since he’s wishing death upon people. That’s a perfect example of un-evolved thinking.

Posted by: silence | Dec 1 2022 2:03 utc | 120

Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Dec 1 2022 2:00 utc | 118
The fact you feel compelled to warn others against any Christian testimony, only reflects your own heart. What kind of hack are you?

Posted by: Anne B | Dec 1 2022 2:07 utc | 122

Richard Steven Hack | Nov 30 2022 23:26 utc | 82
This battle is over.
The War has just begun.

Posted by: Klaatu | Dec 1 2022 2:22 utc | 124

Roger @123–
Open Door was policy begun by SoS John Kay in 1899 so the USA could enter the fray to plunder China along with the European and Japanese Imperialists. Agree with the rest of your comment.

Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 1 2022 2:37 utc | 126

Re: Mercuris’ ads
The Duran posts everything in full on Telegram, no ads.
Or use the uBlock extension on any browser, no ads.
“Greed”, a brother has to earn his living, doesn’t him? That’s the reason sometimes I let the ads roll, love the idea of Amazon paying them monetization and I wont buy shit from Amazon anyway.

Posted by: Ricardo Ramirez | Dec 1 2022 2:49 utc | 128

I think the Russian strategy is to progressively tighten the screws on Ukraine so that the population applies the pressure on Zelensky and his cronies to resign in favour of a more reasonable mob or more likely a coup takes place where the military do it more forcefully.
As many commentators have said, taking over Ukraine on its own is not a long term solution. For that Russia needs all the people of Europe to engage in wholesale political change – voting the current governments out of power and making sure the new governments leave NATO. That will need wholesale economic distress, which fortunately those currently in charge have organised all by themselves. And the process is well in train.
Once Ukraine is comprehensively defeated I doubt that the Poles or any other NATO member will have the support of its people to escalate the war any further. The current “disguised” nature of the conflict means that NATO deaths and injuries are not admitted to the public. Which means that there can be will be no pressure from the man in the street to personally volunteer for the slaughter.
So Europeans will be cold, unemployed, broke and starving while in contrast just over the border the new Russian oblasts are full of opportunity. Its then up to Russia to start offering affordable energy, food and other opportunites to countries who are prepared to play ball. Germany, led by the East Germans will likely be the first in the queue.
And if a few countries like Hungary are prepared to take on the “burden” of looking after otherwise desolate Ukranian regions like Carpathia, I’m sure Russia would be happy to help.

Posted by: Cyberhorse | Dec 1 2022 2:59 utc | 130

Posted by: Comandante | Dec 1 2022 1:22 utc | 108
I never see ads. Too easy. Don’t use the official YT app or a device running android. Use any browser except google chrome to access the channel. From there its easy just use the usual way of blocking ads.
Ads are propaganda. You should avoid them if you can but ignore them at all times.
Alexanda is hard to watch for me unless I watch him at 1.5x.

Posted by: Klaatu | Dec 1 2022 3:04 utc | 132

Roger | Dec 1 2022 2:08 utc | 123 and others. I never have commercials on YouTube. On my desktop I use uBlock as a chrome extension, on my mobile devices I access YouTube with Free Adblocker Browser.

Posted by: Peter Schmidt | Dec 1 2022 3:20 utc | 134

Thanks Klaatu and Peter Schmidt. Adblock browser works on youtube.
Lol at watching Mercouris at 1.5 speed. Its hilarious. But at 1.25 speed its actually way better than normal speed.

Posted by: Comandante | Dec 1 2022 3:32 utc | 136

Comandante | Dec 1 2022 3:32 utc | 136
Indeed at 1.25x his speech has a normal rhythm, but those pregnant pause where he fishes for another verb while flapping his hands about are woeful. At 1.5 speed all that becomes amusing and I can enjoy his “program”
A man of many affectations is Alexander.

Posted by: Klaatu | Dec 1 2022 3:51 utc | 138

Posted by: james | Dec 1 2022 1:45 utc | 114
“i just don’t see it myself”
Well, you’re in good company. No one else does, either.
Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Dec 1 2022 2:02 utc | 119

More evidence of why “gaslighting” was the word of the year 😉
Having seen what goes on in the upper hierarchy of less significant organizations, I have no reason to not to believe the combination of perverse and cult-like practices described by Kay Griggs were not prevalent in the Military, CIA, NSA, FBI, etc.
Call it “Extreme Team Building”.

Posted by: Opport Knocks | Dec 1 2022 3:56 utc | 140

@ rk | Nov 30 2022 17:38 utc | 13
Risible.
Hm, are there not two distinct rk’s ? An rk & an RK ? This can be very confusing …
@ alek_a | Nov 30 2022 18:26 utc | 20
There is a real danger for the current elites that Ukraine will become a symbol around (and against) which most of their political opponents will unify.
They have stretched the truth, told so many lies and invested so much from our collective livelihoods in this project that it will become known in political textbooks of the future as an example of a disastrous policy failure.
Far, far more than mere ‘policy’ failures.
The blatant psychopathy, hubris, inhumanity & absolute extreme hypocrisy on continuous display is one of the larger geostrategic RF/China/Iran objectives re Empire vs RoW.

Posted by: Outraged | Dec 1 2022 4:02 utc | 142

Military correspondent Kotenok writes about the heroism of Kuban Cossacks from the BARS-11 detachment during the storming of Marinka. It should be noted that the fighters of the Army’s special combat reserve showed themselves in the best possible way during the SAO. They are some of the most combat-ready and highly motivated formations of our Armed Forces.
Heavy battles continue on the outskirts of Artemovsk; our assault detachments break the enemy’s fierce resistance, advancing slowly but confidently at a rate of up to 1 km a day. Today Andreevka is finally liberated, which in turn opens the way to Klescheevka – turned by the Nazis into an important defensive line on the southern outskirts of the city. Ukrainian sources report that the heavy demoralizing effect on the enemy is the abundance of combat casualties, which, due to a lack of proper medical care, turn into irretrievable casualties. The evacuation of the wounded is a problem. Ambulances are unable to evacuate the wounded in muddy conditions. And medical MTLBs are used by the Nazi command to transport ammunition and to move troops.
Zaluzhny reported today to Zelensky that it is impossible for the AFU to advance due to the Russian army’s fortifying defensive lines. He also said that it was becoming increasingly difficult for the Banderovites to hold off the enemy in Artemivsk due to constant artillery strikes and difficulties with supplying the group there.
Ukrainian sources also state that the Russian Armed Forces’ strikes on “civilian” infrastructure have seriously disrupted the supply of the Armed Forces along the entire front line. There is a growing shortage of artillery shells, ammunition, and MLRS ammunition. The AFU is now almost completely dependent on Western weapons, the Soviet models of MLRS are almost out of use, and there are few shells for artillery of Soviet calibers. And in the conditions of the energy crisis, the delivery of ammunition from Poland and Romania is becoming a rather difficult quest.
The Bandera Cabinet of Ministers has prepared an analytical forecast for the Bankova, according to which the entire industry of the country will be stopped after two more rocket attacks. After the fourth mass rocket attack, there will be a blackout for two or three weeks. The situation will not change after winter ends, and the country must get used to living in such conditions permanently, and each successive missile strike will result in a prolonged blackout throughout Ukraine.
Denis Pushylin’s adviser Jan Gagin, who is on the front line almost all the time, confirmed that the Kiev Nazis have absolutely no regard for the lives of Ukrainian fighters, and that their most popular tactic is to pile them up with corpses. So one can be sure there are no exaggerations in the data voiced by Ursula von der Leinen.

https://t.me/Slavyangrad/22982

Posted by: Down South | Dec 1 2022 4:07 utc | 144

@Outraged | Dec 1 2022 3:41 utc | 137
The wanton official, documented, formally ordered, slaughter of any & all ‘kinds’ of ‘undesirable’ Koreans(Nth & Sth) prior to & throughout the Korean War,
Actually it was some worse. Using aerial bombing every building in North Korea was leveled, and every dam was destroyed offering flooding to villages. Then supposedly there was a congressional meeting to discuss future actions against DPRK, featuring an officer from the Pentagon. “General, what are your recommendations for future attacks” to which the general replied: “Sir, there is nothing left. There is no place in North Korea where there is one brick on another .”
Recently the US has been flying bombers over South Korea as a sadistic reminder.

Posted by: Don Bacon | Dec 1 2022 4:08 utc | 146

So, Ursula said over 100.000 were killed. It’s actually around 200.000. But who counts? Right? We are coming to the point where all become statistics. I got a few laughs here and there by reading some experts…They knew it exactly. Good. Good for them. It’s a topic favorite among bloggers, experts, “experts,” and whatnot.
But I want to ask a question. How many more? Some will say, “kill them all.” No. All this becomes a tragedy of epic proportions. And it isn’t over yet. It’s actually far from over. And that statistic will rise and rise until it reaches proportions newer seen since WW2. Because of a few Kiev clowns. And their propaganda apparatus. Please, do not live in the illusion that they will escape. Zelenski, Arestovich, and a few others probably will. Rest will not. And what will become of them?
If we did not put them to trial, their own people will. I think they have a better chance of saving themselves with us. If people get them, they will rip them apart. Someone will offer to work with us. Many do already. But you know how they say, once traitor, always a traitor. Soviets were rarely spared Vlasovites when captured in the Big war. Because they knew, who betrayed once, would always betray.
They are the worst kind of people. No morale, no scruple, no honor, no sense of dignity. Just interest. That is the pure definition of scum. And imagine, they always recognize their own. I wonder with what excuse they will justify their actions towards their own people. But having no morale, no conscience, that issue becomes irrelevant. And by definition, in psychology, people without conscience are psychopaths. But I guess it’s not our problem. You don’t understand? You will see it soon.
This is my opinion, not of SLG.

https://t.me/Slavyangrad/22991

Posted by: Down South | Dec 1 2022 4:11 utc | 148

AFU offensive in Svatove and Kremenna stalled due to ammunition shortage: details
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have failed the planned November offensive in the Kupyansk and Krasnoliman directions due to an artillery crisis.
A check of the combat efficiency of the 92nd and 80th AFU brigades near Svatov has revealed that units armed with self-propelled and towed guns are experiencing serious shell starvation and cannot take part in major offensives.
According to the Military Chronicle, the biggest shortages are related to artillery shells of 122 and 152 mm caliber, as well as the delivery and use of shells of NATO caliber (155 mm). The ammunition situation is particularly difficult in units using 203 mm Pion guns. Shells for these guns were not produced in Ukraine, and their quantity was strictly limited.
Production of artillery ammunition of Soviet calibers at the Artem plant in Kyiv is currently impossible. The company cannot operate in the context of Ukraine’s energy shortage and constant missile attacks on the country’s military infrastructure.
The situation is different in the 25th and 95th brigades of the AFU near Novovovodnoye (35 km north of Kremenna). The units are depleted due to high casualties and the deterioration of guns. Approximately 30-40% of self-propelled and towed guns have been destroyed or require repair, while another 30% have already been sent for repair and taken out of service. For the remaining 155mm shells, the AFU units near Kremenna are short of guns.
Due to artillery shortages, the AFU is not receiving modern weapons, but foreign M101 105mm caliber guns have been produced since 1941. Shells for these guns are not effective enough and are consumed 15 times faster than 152mm ammunition, which only adds to the shortage of ammunition.
The AFU cannot promptly replenish ammunition from old depots in the nearest regions: most of the RAW depots in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Sumy, Kyiv, and Chernihiv regions have been destroyed by high-precision weaponry.
The shells that manage to reach artillery units have expired shelf lives. The newest ammunition with a long shelf life was produced in the late 1980s and shows signs of casing deterioration, leading to incidents. Since the beginning of October, the howitzer division of the 25th Airborne Troops Brigade has recorded at least three fatal incidents involving a projectile rupture in the breech casing of the 122mm D-30 gun.
The redistribution of shells and guns between units on the Kremenna-Svatovo line is hampered by the November muddy weather, a shortage of heavy equipment to transport ammunition, and the activity of Russian Orlan-30 drones, which target surviving AFU convoys with rocket artillery and Su-25 attack aircraft, depriving Ukrainian forces of the ability to form a striking grouping.

https://t.me/Slavyangrad/23001

Posted by: Down South | Dec 1 2022 4:12 utc | 150

Scott Ritter interview with Judge Napolitano, 11/30/2022 27:43 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QVDWt3OBJc
At about the 23 minute mark, Scott loses me with his prediction that Russia will win but the war won’t be over until the end of next summer because he believes the Russian advance will be very slow, and as they go, they will try to repair the damaged areas and make them livable.
Scott, if you’re listening, this is a really bad approach. If Russia drags this out until next summer, the U.S. and NATO will give Ukraine much more lethal weaponry and probably send in their own troops. To win this war, Russia needs to show the world it can destroy Kiev and capture the levers of power within 7-10 days. This would include cutting off all supply lines for Ukraine troops in the east and south.
Once Russia controls all television stations and can announce to the population that they will once again be free to speak Russian or Ukrainian, and that those who want to see television programming in Russian will once again be allowed to do so, that the former language law will be put back into effect, a large percentage of the population will embrace Russia. At that time, Russia can announce programs to rebuild and supply gas and heat and water, and make it clear that the war is over and act accordingly. Those who resist should be handled by Russia’s military and investigated for war crimes.
I don’t think Scott Ritter understands the depth of the programming of the Ukrainian population and the importance of ending this as soon as possible. This war needs to be over by the end of January 2023, else Russia’s odds of winning will be much, much lower. Time is on the side of the U.S. and NATO, not Russia, and while I greatly appreciate Scott Ritter, I do not believe he has enough ongoing contact with regular people in Ukraine to understand this.
Right now, the people can’t speak up because they will be imprisoned. Once Russia wipes out the government and Zelensky takes off to one of his mansions in Switzerland or the U.S., Russia can start educating the people about what actually caused the war…starting with statistics on how many people in the Donbas were killed by Kiev between 2014 and the start of the war in February 2022. As it is, the people just don’t know the truth about anything, but when they do, I believe Russia will enjoy widespread support and the country can be rebuilt.

Posted by: OdessaConnected | Dec 1 2022 4:32 utc | 152

@ OohCanada | Nov 30 2022 21:44 utc | 62
~100,000 KIA results in (lowball given WWI situ, yet extremely lethal environment even more than WWI trenches, at FEBA. AFU being sniped at as individuals by a single artillery shell from over dozen kms away, by surveillance drone in real time, overhead, correcting & adjusting fire! Feeds into highly probable higher than 1:3 traditional assumptive ratio re KIA vs WIA in maneuver warfare)
+ ~300,000+ WIA(majority severely maimed(irrecoverable) many transition from initial WIA to KIA (number ?)
+ mass AFU routinely abandoned in large numbers KIA, reported as MIA, number ?
+ actual real MIA ? number ?
+ POWs/deserted & formally surrendered en mass as an entire unit at formation level ? Number ?
~100,000 KIA + above is an extremely low figure that does not account for significant serial daily casualties beyond the FEBA throughout the entire Theater(UKraine) ever since Feb2422.
Previous scratch calcs:
here, (Sep2122)
here & (Sep2122)
November 24, 2022
Ukraine – Running On Empty – post 139 reply to 137.(Sep2522)(internal embedded link broken)

Posted by: Outraged | Dec 1 2022 5:01 utc | 154

Tom_Q_Collins | Dec 1 2022 4:28 utc | 152
Your OT.
Glass houses

Posted by: Klaatu | Dec 1 2022 5:03 utc | 156

Opport Knocks | Dec 1 2022 5:03 utc | 158
Excellent use of a logical fallacy, used with the skill of a seasoned politician.
Missed your calling in life ?

Posted by: Klaatu | Dec 1 2022 5:10 utc | 158

Interesting read by Larry Johnson

As I have discussed previously, Russia’s current military leadership is not following the tactics Soviet generals employed in WW II (i.e., mass troop assaults). Russia primarily has relied on massive artillery and rocket/missile strikes before launching a ground offensive. The Russian rate of artillery fire is unlike anything we’ve seen in history. More importantly, the accuracy of the artillery is enhanced by the use of drones and satellites to adjust fires, with updated coordinates relayed in real time to the artillery units.
Another factor contributing to Ukraine’s horrendous casualties is its lack of air power and effective air defense systems to counter Russian batteries. If Ukrainian troops try to attack a Russian fixed position, their movement by foot or vehicle is unprotected and vulnerable to Russian artillery or combat air.
It appears that some Western analysts who previously pooh-poohed the Russian tactics, are finally beginning to realize that Russia is serious about de-militarizing Ukraine via methodical, grinding tactics. There will come a point when Ukraine runs out of men and cannot field a combat effective force. It appears that day is approaching.

HAS UKRAINE’S ARMY BEEN REDUCED BY ALMOST 50%?

Posted by: Down South | Dec 1 2022 5:15 utc | 160

Posted by: OdessaConnected | Dec 1 2022 4:32 utc | 153
“This war needs to be over by the end of January 2023, else Russia’s odds of winning will be much, much lower.”
Much as I’d like that, I don’t think that’s possible, short of nuking Kiev, or at least using missiles to kill the entire government and military leadership (which is possible, but I suspect unlikely.) The Russian offensive isn’t likely to start before mid-December, and assuming there isn’t a drive from Belarus with 300,000 Russian troops straight to Kiev, it will take the Russian offensive from the east many weeks to cross Ukraine while destroying remaining Ukrainian concentrations and keeping the logistics moving at the same speed. In fact, just finishing off Slaviansk and Kramatorsk is likely to take the entire month of December if not longer.
Such a time table as you suggest isn’t possible. But unless NATO intervenes massively – which is also not possible in that time frame – there is nothing NATO can do – again, short of starting WWIII with nukes – to deter the Russian offensive once it gets rolling. So time remains on Russia’s side for the foreseeable future.
My personal “guesstimate” at this time – and it is purely out of my butt – is the war will be over – i.e., the Ukrainian military will be fully destroyed – by this time next year at the latest, and possibly by end of summer, 2023, depending on what happens with Odessa, Nicalaev and the other large cities, i.e., whether Russia takes the time to capture them or drives straight to Kiev as I suggested above might be the better move.

Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Dec 1 2022 5:21 utc | 162

BearN post 131 . Australia taking on China . Forget it .Australia and NZ have shutdown their last oil refineries . All refined products comes from China , Taiwan and South Korea . Diesel inventory is only 20 days . Peak oil is a bitch .
http://crudeoilpeak.info/only-3-4-years-to-replace-save-45-of-australian-diesel-imports

Posted by: Ravi Uppal | Dec 1 2022 5:28 utc | 164

@ Don Bacon | Dec 1 2022 4:08 utc | 146
Indeed, did not wish to belabor your points beyond brief complementary comments, nor segue into germ & bioweapons by bomber drops (Curtis Le May, etc), death squads, serial POW & non-belligerent civilian massacres, etc, etc … the psychopathy & perfidy runs deep … going back centuries from the ‘Garden’ of the ‘Golden Billion’.
There was only a Mil Commanders ‘agreed’ ‘battlefield’ cease-fire, pending squat. No formal armistice, no peace treaty, all original belligerents are still de jure, in a continuing declared state of War. US refuses to revoke it’s UNSC resolution status within Korea as authorized Military Command of US/UN/Sth Korean forces … 🙁
@ Klaatu – All
You are indeed a quick study of us, Inhuman, Humans, ET.
Peace

Posted by: Outraged | Dec 1 2022 5:36 utc | 166

Ben Wallace greeted with the haka by New Zealand trained Ukrainians. 30 November 2022
https://euroweeklynews.com/2022/11/30/watch-ben-wallace-be-greeted-with-the-haka-by-new-zealand-trained-ukrainians/

The Ministry of Defence shared the video, showing the traditional Māori welcome. 
The Ukrainian soldiers are being trained in the UK by a team from New Zealand …
Following the trainer’s example around 100 trainees completed the haka to welcome Wallace.
Although what appears to be an aggressive approach the haka is a well-known greeting that has been made world famous by the All-Blacks rugby team.

Vid: https://twitter.com/TpyxaNews/status/1597997230866452480
> What was laid on ground for Wallace to pick up?
>>the ears of the enemy [i think this is twitter being twitter]
>>> nice & all but i don’t see any diversity, equity & they didn’t declare their pro nouns. Disgraceful.
> It wasn’t a haka it was a powhiri Google it
> Ben Wallace was visiting the base with New Zealand Defence Minister Peeni Henare.
Not to be outdone:
> North Korean soldiers perform an impressive demonstration of strength. Don’t try this at home.
https://twitter.com/HumanaEmpatia/status/1598144279784095744

Posted by: Melaleuca | Dec 1 2022 5:49 utc | 168

Posted by: SeanAU | Dec 1 2022 5:14 utc | 160
Not sure how much of my previous comments answered your questions, so let’s go through them.
“Russian troops (how many of the total?) end up at the outer limits of Kiev, more or less surrounding it”
The number that arrive will be the number needed. The General Staff will see to that, even if they have to mobilize another 500,000 (which I doubt will happen, contrary to Mark Sleboda’s pessimism.)
“What happens next? How does a victory and a ceasefire arise? Zelensky/Generals surrender?”
Hard to say. The proper approach is the Syrian one: 1) Surround and cut off food and water; 2) making probing attacks to determine level and position of enemy resistance; 3) perform weakening attacks to reduce enemy resistance; 4) when enemy is weak enough, it either surrenders or a storming attack finished them off.
“Surely any Russian troops in Kiev will be shot at and IED bombed by militias, as per Iraq. Yes?”
Unlikely. There is nothing but civilians once the military surrenders or is destroyed, minus any die-hard military who melt into the civilian population a la Iraq. Also, as I pointed out above, Ukrainians aren’t Iraqis or Afghans or any other tribal society. Also insurgents are next to useless against a solidly reinforced concentrated occupying power – unless Russia does what the US does and screws up. And Russia knows how to handle insurgencies. An insurgency can’t alter the outcome of the removal of the current Ukraine regime and its replacement by something else, which is all that actually matters.
“And, do those forces, or extra forces also drive south to moldova’s Transnistria and Odessa meeting up with an army from the east? – then Russia either controls or takes that entire eastern half of Ukraine for good, right.”
Eventually Russia will control southern Ukraine to Transnistria. The question is whether that comes first or the drive to Kiev comes first, or one is part of the other. Doesn’t really matter except in terms of how long it takes for each scenario. If Kiev surrenders first and the Ukrainian military in southern Ukraine is ordered to stand down by the regime and complies, then obviously it will be a lot easier. If they don’t, well, the iron first will eventually finish them off.
“Can Russia defend its forces in that situation – it’s now only 300-400 kms to Poland, Romania, Hungary etc”
I don’t like the idea of Russia setting up another long conflict line between southern Ukraine and northwestern Ukraine west of the Dnieper. It’s difficult and requires more troops to control a long conflict line. Russia should concentrate on having a short, sharp offensive line with the maneuverability to deal with any flank attacks as they move south or west. That’s why I think a direct drive to Kiev is preferable, as long as they can protect themselves from any flank attacks from forces from Odessa or northern Ukraine.
“My assumption/gut says the west nations and many in the RoW would go nuts if that happened. It would be easy to then say “Look, Putin was a liar all along” .. and they’d be kind of right.”
Well, in my view, Putin and Lavrov were playing with words when they said they didn’t want “regime change”. By definition of this war, regime change was always in the cards. The Russians would have to be idiots to believe Ukraine could be convinced by losing Donbass alone militarily to change their spots. And of course, the neocons in the US and EU won’t. As Ritter and I say, if Russia leaves any part of Ukraine not under Russian control, Russia loses the war. It’s that simple.
“MY other open-ended query is : what if the US organized a non-NATO designated force?”
They don’t have the men, materiel or ability to insert into Ukraine without Russia interdicting them with its full power. As I’ve mentioned many times, every NATO war game, even where NATO had the initial advantage, results into either a Russian win or WWIII with nukes. The pro-Russia military analysts dismiss the possibility of NATO intervening effectively in Ukraine, and they cite the minuscule resources NATO has available to deploy. Again, the US can’t upgrade NATO in time and can’t deploy enough of its forces near Russia’s borders before Russia acts to interdict that movement.
“why couldn’t the US create a smallish non-NATO group of “nations of the willing” – who combine military hardware, air/missile attacks and ground special forces / troops (up to 50-100K?) on short notice and they jump into Western Ukraine and start shooting missiles at Russia troops on the ground inside original Ukraine borders all the way to the east?”
Because a force that small will be annihilated by Russian missile and air attacks before they even cross the border. Poland can send 5,000 or so of their troops to the front lines without issue, but you can’t insert 50,000 unnoticed with full complement of armor and artillery. And if they manage to get in-country, they will be faced with the half-million (soon to be upgraded to one million if that happens) Russian army with 1,000 tanks and 1,000 artillery pieces. Short of using tactical nukes, the US can’t do anything with NATO in Ukraine effectively.
“eg US, Canada, Australia/NZ, UK, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Baltics, Sweden, Japan, Sth Korea, Denmark, Dutch, the Philippines, Taiwan, any willing African/ME nation – whoever was dumb enough, or blackmailed/obligated enough to the empire?”
The only ones who would join are NATO countries. No one else gives a rat’s ass. Plus, you can’t coordinate a military mess like that.
“It would not need to necessarily defeat or push Russia out of Ukraine entirely but it sure could make life very difficult and change the dynamics .. to be permanently disruptive, yes?”
Nothing permanent about it. As I said, they would be annihilated.
“Could this possibility be enough for Russia to hold back a large part of it’s +500K forces in reserve?”
No. Russia has another one and a half million men in reserve now that could be called up in the same two months it took the current mobilization, and a total reserve of 20 million, supposedly.
“iow – What is the Exit strategy for the US or for Russia? Even in a year, and 3 to 5 years from now.”
Russia has no exit strategy. First it doesn’t need one since it will win and second, it’s an existential fight for Russia, so they can’t quit. The US/NATO exit strategy is to be annihilated.
Enjoy.

Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Dec 1 2022 5:54 utc | 170

Don’t remember if this was posted at the time… Colonel Macgregor at The Grayzone…
Poland WWIII scare shows why top US general wants peace (w/ Doug Macgregor)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obi849eRuN4
Same interview from Macgregor’s own Youtube channel:
700.000 Russian troops are now devouring Ukraine
Straight Calls with Douglas Macgregor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WL1_2qCxEI

Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Dec 1 2022 6:07 utc | 172

Anne B @ 106
Scanning through the thread and the Griggs talk does have some interesting parallels to what I have seen and studied over the years. No doubt there are paid assassins on call through the DOD payroll. The homosexual initiation rites of certain male fraternities are real. Not in the beginning but as you move up in the organization.
These fraternities exists at the highest levels of government, military, politics, business, entertainment, religious institutions, and some union leaderships at high levels. The breadcrumbs are spread everywhere but it is not overt, it is covert.
I have seen it and I believe it. Hence we have these events like the Ukraine and many ongoing and past conflicts. This stuff has been deeply embedded in societies spawned out of the ancient Near East for millennia.

Posted by: circumspect | Dec 1 2022 6:17 utc | 174

Even the “modest”goals of the SMO can not be completed without the occupation in total by Russia of Ukraine. Demilitarization can only be complete when all military resources are destroyed or forfeited and all military personnel either captured or dead. This will still leave military resources available outside Ukraine. De-Nazification is only possible with the defanging of the said Nazi’s. Fortunately, Nazi’s tend to be extrovert with their political fetish, so that other than those that go abroad, they can be found and corralled. The cultural/educational part of de-Nazi-ing, as it were, will need to be institutionalized. The difficulties are obvious, but what tends to be forgotten is the advantage that Russia has in implementing changes in Ukraine society. The biggest being language and culture. Essentially there is no need to vet and hire translators and cultural experts to communicate with the occupied population. This is a very big difference between, say US occupation of any number of defeated parties such as Germany, Japan, or Iraq. Given that 30% of the population is already “Russian” and that the total population is reduced by war and by exile, as long as the borders are secured, it is not unfeasible to de-militerize and de-Nazify sufficiently to evaluate it as success. Neutrality would need to be incorporated as legal matter in the reconstituted state. If however there is no total occupation of Ukraine, thus leaving areas where re-arming and re-constitution of anti-Russia militarism can easily occur, problems will continue. Negotiated peace with a rump Ukraine would only breed later trouble. Even with successful occupation, the existence of misguided ex-patriots bent on revenge and the continued health of the neo-con crazies does not guarantee peace for Ukraine. Hopefully the end to the cash cow of Kiev based corruption will tend to take focus away from Ukraine as matter of interest to the West. The incentive is that there will be no costs for the West if Russia takes over the reconstruction of the whole.

Posted by: YY | Dec 1 2022 6:21 utc | 176

@ karlof1 | Dec 1 2022 1:07 utc | 104
Naval forces for patrolling the global trade-routes.
Forces in being, for constant modernization and rapid expansion when needed.
Backstop to the State Militias (the Federalist/nationalist-misnamed “National Guard”) in disaster.

Posted by: John Kennard | Dec 1 2022 6:30 utc | 178

@38 b9k9
Lighten up, Francis. The patron is simply opining.
No need to insult the guy.

Posted by: Dirk | Dec 1 2022 6:39 utc | 180

@Posted by: Anne B | Nov 30 2022 23:35 utc | 85

It’s seven hours long – but I think it’s worth it. Norwegians are in for some special treats in her story.

I am patient, but 7 hours? When are the special treats provided in the video?

Posted by: Norwegian | Dec 1 2022 7:02 utc | 182

[182]
I think Mercouris should invest in his production with a better backdrop and proper microphone and lighting.
If Brian Berlectic or Jimmy Dore or iEarl Grey can make the effort I think Metcouris in N London could make his surroundings more colourful and his presentation much better with tighter scripting

Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Dec 1 2022 7:52 utc | 184

“There is absolutely no reason for ANY part of Ukraine to remain under the current regime’s control. It’s just a stupid idea.” —Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Nov 30 2022 23:37 utc | 87
“Russia has no exit strategy. First it doesn’t need one since it will win and second, it’s an existential fight for Russia, so they can’t quit. The US/NATO exit strategy is to be annihilated.” —Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Dec 1 2022 5:54 utc | 171
Agree with you there. fwiw. How they go about reaching that end state and what that will look like is not for us to decide. Enjoy.

Posted by: Laurence | Dec 1 2022 7:57 utc | 186

Posted by: circumspect | Dec 1 2022 6:17 utc | 175
But why HOMOsexual Initiation rites? Is it for blackmail purposes? Is it to foster a “brotherhood “ of sorts? Is it simply to do a “thrilling “ thing which is so against their public image? Is it that disproportionately more gays are attracted to such secret societies , and thus it is normal for them to indulge in an initiation rite that happens to be homosexual? I don’t get it . Why?

Posted by: Brother Ma | Dec 1 2022 8:07 utc | 188

47 minutes ago LIVE UPDATES: Air Raid Sirens Sound Across Multiple Regions of Ukraine

Posted by: Laurence | Dec 1 2022 8:34 utc | 190

Paul Greenwood | Dec 1 2022 7:52 utc | 185
Yes I pondered that as well. But then the cost of living in london is horrendous especially with twin toddlers. Nothing to stop him buying a decent bulb for that room though.
Try him at 1.5x. It will brighten your day 😉

Posted by: Klaatu | Dec 1 2022 8:36 utc | 192

This should be a wakeup call for those fooling themselves west would somehow run out of arms or support for Ukraine, realize that this will go on until Ukraine have won the war.
Pentagon signs deal to make air defense systems for Ukraine
https://swentr.site/news/567456-nasams-us-raytheon-ukraine/
US mulls boosting training for Ukrainian troops – CNN
Washington reportedly plans to instruct 2,500 service members a month on German soil
https://swentr.site/news/567455-us-expand-training-ukraine/

Posted by: Zanon | Dec 1 2022 8:49 utc | 194

Posted by: Comandante | Dec 1 2022 1:22 utc | 108

Never listening to Alexander Mercouris youtubes. The dude has a commercial every 3 minutes on his channel. Talk about greed. He was decent but cant stomach his ads. Bye.

Easy way to solve your problems. Install Firefox as your browser. Get a ad-blocker plugin for Firefox. Tadaaa, no more annoying Youtube Ads…. This works on PC and on Android.

Posted by: littlereddot | Dec 1 2022 9:05 utc | 196

littlereddot | Dec 1 2022 9:05 utc | 197
Beware Tom the policeman is about.
Cheers

Posted by: Klaatu | Dec 1 2022 9:23 utc | 198

Russia proper attacked again, as I said, this will go on for years and only escalate

Ukrainian formations have once again shelled the border Tetkino in Glushkovsky district of Kursk Region.

https://t.me/rybar/41607
Remember Latvia urged Ukraine to strike further into Russia past day, this sentiment will only grow, 2023 we will definately see more ukrainian/western advancement into Russia as far as sabotage and drone attack goes:

EU country urges Ukraine to strike Russia
The US-led NATO bloc “should not fear” allowing Kiev to attack Russia freely, Latvia’s top diplomat says

https://swentr.site/russia/567394-latvia-ukraine-nato-weapons/

Posted by: Zanon | Dec 1 2022 9:34 utc | 200