Ukraine Open Thread 2023-215
Only for news & views directly related to the Ukraine conflict.
The current open thread for other issues is here.
Please stick to the topic. Contribute facts. Do not attack other commentators.
Posted by b on September 12, 2023 at 16:51 UTC | Permalink
next page »"Ukraine's objectives 'no longer aligned with' West's as Russia 'no longer a threat'
Questions are beginning to be asked on whether it is actually in Britain and America's interests to give Ukraine such strong financial support.
Back in January, a poll of Daily Express readers found that most wanted the UK to give more support to Ukraine to ‘end the war quicker’. However, that was eight months ago and - with Russia digging in - the war shows no sign of ending anytime soon.
Some analysts now believe that - as the war grinds on - continuing to write cheques for Urkaine may longer be in the West's best interests. And a recent CNN poll shows that most Americans oppose Congress authorising additional funding to support Ukraine."
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1811208/Ukraine-no-longer-aligned-with-west
Posted by: Paul from Norway | Sep 12 2023 17:06 utc | 2
"U.S. Army Refuses to Modernize Abrams Tanks, Not Fit for Battle: Defense News
The U.S. military has canceled a planned upgrade of the Abrams tank, citing the tank's weight and vulnerability to enemy weapons, Defense News reported.
Stephen Bryan, a former deputy vice secretary of defense and security strategy expert, said the Abrams tank could no longer survive on today's battlefield.
Heavy European tanks and armored vehicles are struggling in the mud and fuel shortages in Ukraine. They are also vulnerable to enemy fire. The German Leopard tank, which was considered better than the Abrams tank, did not perform well, Stephen Brian stressed."
Posted by: Paul from Norway | Sep 12 2023 17:09 utc | 3
And a recent CNN poll shows that most Americans oppose Congress authorising additional funding to support Ukraine."
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1811208/Ukraine-no-longer-aligned-with-west
Posted by: Paul from Norway | Sep 12 2023 17:06 utc | 2
---------------------------------------------------------------
CNN is not leading the parade. They are using the wet finger approach.
Stick it in the air and see which way the wind blows. Nice to know that they are interested.
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Sep 12 2023 17:10 utc | 4
So what will the sanctions be?
And letting aside the breath taking hypocrisy and absurdity of the statement.
Posted by: jpc | Sep 12 2023 17:21 utc | 5
One has to wonder what is this bruhaha with Elon Musk supposedly abandoning Ukraine. The statement that extended use of Starlink/Space X for major escalations would be a step to WW3 smacks of obfuscating bullcrap.
Perhaps I'm too suspicious byt now. But I cannot shake the idea that they are proceeding with a new escalation and they are using as much smokescreen as possible.
Plus, iy is a bit odd that Musk would be allowed to handicap the war effort of NATO in the most important conflict it has been involved. This is a do-or-die moment and the suggestion that a single oligarch might be allowed to inject his own views and options into the collision course opted by the imperialists seems somewhat absurd to me.
Posted by: Constantine | Sep 12 2023 17:23 utc | 6
Posted by: Paul from Norway | Sep 12 2023 17:06 utc | 2
Questions are beginning to be asked on whether it is actually in Britain and America's interests to give Ukraine such strong financial support.
But the article says those questions exist because Sean Bell, a former RAF Air Vice-Marshal and Ministry of Defence (MoD) staffer, suggests that the war has weakened Russia to such an extent that it "no longer poses a credible threat to Europe". People here insist on the opposite, that the war has not weakened Russia in the slightest. And the article still begins with Western political leaders were unified in condemning Vladimir Putin's regime for illegally invading its neighbour in February 2022.
Posted by: Jörgen Hassler | Sep 12 2023 17:02 utc | 1
Now I gotta get used to not living next door to Putin ...
If he kept living next door to you, he throw you out your window eventually.
Posted by: Inkan1969 | Sep 12 2023 17:25 utc | 7
Heavy European tanks and armored vehicles are struggling in the mud and fuel shortages in Ukraine. They are also vulnerable to enemy fire. The German Leopard tank, which was considered better than the Abrams tank, did not perform well
Wow. Did they finally let the realists out of the dungeons?
Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Sep 12 2023 17:29 utc | 8
If he kept living next door to you, he throw you out your window eventually.
You must’ve had it coming.
Posted by: Fred777 | Sep 12 2023 17:33 utc | 9
Inkan Inkan. You do realize there is a specific word here? Defensetration. It's a beautiful word really.
I'm afraid I disagree with you, I would far rather be Putins neighbour than Bidens and worry not at all about windows. But hey what do I know I'm only referencing the behavior of Maerica over the past 70 years, which has engaged in more wars of choice than any other nation I am aware of.
How do you feel about Poland getting suited up to be the next Maerican proxy to use to attack Russia? It's all so predictable.
Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Sep 12 2023 17:36 utc | 10
Posted by: Inkan1969 | Sep 12 2023 17:25 utc | 7
I’ve been living next door to him for 51 years, so far so good. The house where I’m currently at — in the eastern most part of Sweden — has it windows about a meter above ground level. If Putin threw me out of one of them I’d be surprised but hardly bruised.
Posted by: Jörgen Hassler | Sep 12 2023 17:43 utc | 11
Now I gotta get used to not living next door to Putin ...
If he kept living next door to you, he throw you out your window eventually.
Posted by: Inkan1969 | Sep 12 2023 17:25 utc | 7
Actually, I bet he throws a hell of a party. And if he lived next door and you weren't a threat to him (or an arseh*le), I bet he'd invite you over.
Posted by: Phil R | Sep 12 2023 17:50 utc | 12
Unless there is a good point to be made, it would be advisable for barflies to follow the golden rule and stop feeding the Inkanafo fascist troll.
Posted by: Constantine | Sep 12 2023 17:52 utc | 13
Unless there is a good point to be made, it would be advisable for barflies to follow the golden rule and stop feeding the Inkanafo fascist troll.
Posted by: Constantine | Sep 12 2023 17:52 utc | 13
I wholeheartedly agree with your comment, but in this case I don't think of it as feeding as much as mocking.
Posted by: Phil R | Sep 12 2023 17:58 utc | 14
Posted by: jpc | Sep 12 2023 17:21 utc | 5
The MSM & every news channel here is ad naseum running the same ridiculous hype & speculation. I thought we’d gotten past the “running out…” mantra, but no…
I can honestly say…I haven’t seen the media et el so triggered this badly since the day of “Putins invasion”…
You’d think by this coverage, that Kim Yong Un just invaded Poland. Looks like another major “plan” by US just wrecked.
It’s wild here about him.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 12 2023 18:11 utc | 15
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 12 2023 18:11 utc | 15
It's not that Russia really needs ammo from NK, but certainly they wouldn't mind having it. Jake Sullivan from the White House was furious about this, and the reason is obviously that NK can add to the SMO war effort with a pretty hefty weight, when compared to the entire EU industry. It basically negates any industrial war effort EU can muster.
Posted by: unimperator | Sep 12 2023 18:18 utc | 16
If he kept living next door to you, he throw you out your window eventually.
Posted by: Inkan1969 | Sep 12 2023 17:25 utc | 7
You must know, Putin being a judo master, doesn't need a window to throw you out of ...
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Sep 12 2023 18:19 utc | 17
Replying to unimperator @16 - I remeber seeing early on in the SMO that Russian Artillery Crews had Ammo Crates with early 1970's Date Markings.
Using up Older Ammo is just common sense (I do it with Rifle and Pistol Ammo) and then re-stocking with New. Like Russia, North Korea has Millions of Cold-War Era Shells piled in the Bunkers, and it would be a good gesture on the part of Russia to Buy it, and maybe Trade some Newer stuff as well.
Posted by: Gryphon | Sep 12 2023 18:47 utc | 18
I used to be on several list serves (one very large one that b was on too). For years I quipped on those lists about Putin eating the West’s leader’s lunch. He’s doing it again. Quietly, calmly, with that little smirk he gets.
There’s no doubt he tried to avoid this and none that he’d prefer it to be over with a reasonable negotiated settlement. But he was left with two bad choices, so he took the least bad and is maximizing it. He’s not “doing it right” and that’s the most frustrating thing to DC. He was supposed to topple Zelensky and get an insurgency. He was supposed to over react to all the escalations and sanctions. He was supposed to do what the US would do if the US were in Russia’s position. And he’s done essentially the opposite.
You can call it X-dimensional chess, but it isn’t. It’s just thoughtful and rational behavior based on understanding yourself and your opponent. Plus actually acting rather than preening for the media.
Posted by: Lex | Sep 12 2023 19:03 utc | 20
One has to wonder what is this bruhaha with Elon Musk supposedly abandoning Ukraine.
Posted by: Constantine | Sep 12 2023 17:23 utc | 6
He's just being (crudely, if I may say) made into the current Trump-like "white hat" saviour, so that people stay pacified, distracted and inactive ("Trust the plan! Elon is on it! He'll drain the swamp!") while they're being led to the butchery.
What did trusting and waiting for Trump get the world? Covid, biolabs, vaccines, lockdowns, Ukraine war groundwork. What's waiting for Elon/RFK/Trump/Tucker going to get the world? Covid 2.0, more vaccines, "15 minute" prison cities, food collapse, world war III, societal destruction, digital id's and digital money, martial law (because of covid 2.0), WHO takeover.
Posted by: Jusses | Sep 12 2023 19:06 utc | 21
Since Russia and its SloMO quest is always under attack for being too slow, too relaxed and so on, I'll just repost what someone posted somewhere or other
Zbigniew Brzezinski
– We cannot let any country’s economic ability to be selfsufficient … means potential military power
– In order to prevent any country to threaten us militarily, we have to prevent it from developing economically(America’s nightmare Brzezinski wrote, was …)
-If Europa and Russia become prosperous we cannot control them any more, and there will be no reason to have NATO
– We got to stop Russia, and the place to stop …. is to split (Europa/Russia) down the border of Ukraine
– Let us support the crazies … as in Afghanistan"Brzezinski has no doubt about the Europeans. They are totally defanged, under control, unable to present any actual or potential danger for Anglo-American dominance. They will keep obeying every order against their sovereignty and basic economic interests; they will masochistically strengthen the NATO cage; and they will be progressively and irreversibly weakened to irrelevance and chaos by the well-organized migrations from the South"
So yes, the US does try and prevent anyone anywhere from developing economically, and being allies of the US is downright deadly (Europe). Furthermore, its best to split Europe and Russia down the border of Ukraine by supporting the crazies (NAZIS), and of course blowing up NordStream. So the US doesn't want to win in Ukraine, they just want ruin things for Russia in Europe, and destroy Europe as well because Europeans are stupid, and a potential threat to the US if Europe becomes to strong. Anyway, a scorched earth Europe is best just in case Russia wins, so the more migrations from Africa and MENA into Europe the better.
Russia is aware of this, so the SloMO does not rock the boat too much, its just grinds slowly ahead. Meanwhile the Russians try and be as nice to the Europeans as possible, and even trade with the Europeans, to keep the intended split between Russia and Europe from occurring. But all the while the Russians know that Europe is going down the drain with the "well-organized migrations from the South", so the longer the SloMO lasts the weaker Europe gets anyway. NATO is therefore not a threat to Russia in the long term, no need to go all ballistic over something which is not a threat, the SloMO just accelerates Europe demise. Just a pity about the agriculturally superior black earth region in Ukraine becoming all DU'ed, but there are always casualties in war.
I wonder how France is keeping things in check there with the Rugby World Cup, they must have bribed the Yellow Vests and the Muslims a lot to get them to behave themselves during the competition.
Posted by: gT | Sep 12 2023 19:08 utc | 22
Ukraine has lost! NATO has lost!
Russia has WON the only question is do you want tanks in Berlin and Paris!!!
500k North Korean Soldiers are in route along with 350k Russian Reserves.
Posted by: Peace | Sep 12 2023 19:14 utc | 23
Posted by: Jörgen Hassler | Sep 12 2023 17:02 utc | 1
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
I was actually waiting for that!
Posted by: SCCC | Sep 12 2023 19:17 utc | 24
CIA overthrew the gov't of Ukraine in 2014, just one of over 6 dozen CIA 'interventions' in my lifetime. Now Blackrock et al. is 'buying' up the assets/ownership of Ukraine. My question - Has the CIA ever overthrown a multinational corporation?
Posted by: Eric Blair | Sep 12 2023 19:21 utc | 25
Putin accused British intelligence service for attempting to attacking RU nuclear power plant.
https://twitter.com/MyLordBebo/status/1701680049353523214
Posted by: unimperator | Sep 12 2023 19:33 utc | 26
Dima says tonight that Ukrainians are still able to push forward.
I do not understand how they cannot be stopped.
Posted by: simplex | Sep 12 2023 19:43 utc | 27
The insane, precious, spoiled, deluded, entitled thinking of Kiev is summed up nicely here, from RT this morning:
"Kiev will lobby for its right to export grain into Poland under World Trade Organization rules, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal has declared".
Now, I would have thought that it is an IMPORTER'S right to choose what they allow into their country or not. You cannot force exports into another country. Lmao. No contracts, therefore no goods, no money. Ukraine is always free to "export" its grains into the black Sea, ie dump them.
Funny that, Russia, despite being severally sanctioned, found other sources and markets for its economy. Maybe Ukraine doesn't have any friends! What a bunch of entitled cocks.
Posted by: SCCC | Sep 12 2023 19:47 utc | 28
Dima says tonight that Ukrainians are still able to push forward.
I do not understand how they cannot be stopped.
Posted by: simplex | Sep 12 2023 19:43 utc | 26
####
Simplex, I'm starting to think you are trolling, or else just very very simple. There have been innunerable posts here and all over those YouTube sitrep channels you frequent, as well as top quality military analysis by Ritter and McGregor and Berletic et al, that Russia is letting Ukraine move forwards and backwards in tactics which best clobber men and machinery. It's a cat and mouse game for Russia.
Do try to think deeper than the surface, keep up with a broader range of war commentary, and not post your trivial concern nonsense.
If you ARE sincere, don't worry. Russia's doing fine on the front. But Dima is a drama queen who structures his headlines and narratives to APPEAR unbiased, attract both supporters, avoid YT shutdown, and MAKE MONEY. Nothing is as simple as it looks, simplex.
Posted by: SCCC | Sep 12 2023 20:04 utc | 29
I thought at first Alex Christoforou from Duran would be joking, when he reported in his video today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sKHeGzbuu4
that the German customs would not only confiscate cars from Russian tourists, but might also start confiscating their other personal goods such als mobile telephones, shampoo, toilet paper (clown world!). He apparently referred to a Russian language article
https://www.rbc.ru/economics/10/09/2023/64fc726c9a79471818cd2333
which was quoted with a malicious headline in the German „Berliner Zeitung“
Russians shocked: The EU bans the import of private cars, cell phones and even suitcases
https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/wirtschaft-verantwortung/russen-schockiert-die-eu-verbietet-einfuhr-von-privaten-autos-handys-und-sogar-reisekoffern-li.387736
Indeed, both the Commission (answering question 13)
https://finance.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2023-09/faqs-sanctions-russia-listed-goods_en.pdf
and the German government (answer to question 22)
https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/20/079/2007945.pdf
alleged, that the wording of article 3i first paragraph of Council Regulation 833/2014 would allow such confiscations
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02014R0833-20231001
This is the wording:
It shall be prohibited to purchase, import, or transfer, directly or indirectly, goods which generate significant revenues for Russia thereby enabling its actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, as listed in Annex XXI into the Union if they originate in Russia or are exported from Russia.
True, the wording does not presuppose any sale from Russia to Europe, just crossing the customs border would be enough to fulfill the requirement of the rule. However I cannot see how this crossing the border to Europe of a private Russian car (or telephone etc.) can possibly generate any revenue for Russia, let alone significant revenue. So even if the wording does cover the case, the meaning and purpose of this prohibition is something completely different.
Nevertheless it is absolutely breathtaking, that it is of all European countries the German customs, who started executing these confiscations. Particularly if you are aware of the contents of annex XXI (11 pages), which lists the relevant Russian goods, that may not come into Europe. These are not just industrial goods, but just as well
6204 women’s or girls’ suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts
6403 footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather
3304 beauty or make-up preparations and preparations for the care of the skin, incl. sunscreen or suntan preparations
Come on, German Customs, follow the rules! Undress all Russian tourists, confiscate their personal belongings and send them home naked!
Posted by: Udkanten | Sep 12 2023 20:05 utc | 30
“Now, I would have thought that it is an IMPORTER'S right to choose what they allow into their country or not. You cannot force exports into another country.”
Posted by: SCCC | Sep 12 2023 19:47 utc | 27
Nope. That’s not how the WTO operates. Nor the “Paris Accords”… the TPP was worse.
Nations “forfeit” their sovereignty when they sign these agreements. They are capitalizing (and money makers for many) and market management.
For example, if I live in a state that the main agricultural is tomatoes, in the US say… they should be cheaper than imported ones from Chile (this was a real case) so, my tomatoes grown in my state, not transported all around the globe, should be cheaper than Chiles. But no… with the WTO, they price control so that I may pay a couple cents less, but really jack the Chilean ones up, and Chile makes a lot more money and so does the US. And if we have an abundant supply, not as much demand, the US still has to take Chile tomatoes driving prices lower.. hence, local farmers go out of business.
When you sign these “trade agreements” especially “global ones”… your sovereign control in accepting or rejecting products for even national protection is dust.
My guess is as far as “Poland” itself goes, or the individual state, he can’t do crap, but if Ukraine is a WTO signature, and we know the EU is, as in the EU Commission body, then the EU would probably have to take some percentage at least. It’s more of a EU problem than a Poland one.
Isn’t the EU glad for all the handouts to Ukraine now??
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 12 2023 20:21 utc | 31
@ Udkanten | Sep 12 2023 20:05 utc | 29
I’m more than a little surprised that they aren’t confiscating wedding rings and tooth fillings. That would be typically German of them.
Maybe that’s next?
Posted by: malenkov | Sep 12 2023 20:23 utc | 32
The Russian president has claimed that the ongoing counteroffensive had cost Kiev more than 71,000 troops and 543 tanks
https://www.rt.com/russia/582831-putin-names-ukraine-losses/
Posted by: Norwegian | Sep 12 2023 20:32 utc | 34
RE: Posted by: Udkanten | Sep 12 2023 20:05 utc | 29
What’s weird is the machinations and rational behind hit.
This is another “sanction” avenue, they think, if they just make it incredibly hard and a nuisance for “tourist” to visit the irreplaceable, great EU nation states… and “tourists” are inconvenienced enough, they’ll run back to Russia howling for the removal of Putin for making their vacation to the great lands difficult.
The other sanctions haven’t worked, maybe this will get the Russians to overthrow Putin. They’re truly deranged.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 12 2023 20:35 utc | 35
It's not that Russia really needs ammo from NK, but certainly they wouldn't mind having it. Jake Sullivan from the White House was furious about this, and the reason is obviously that NK can add to the SMO war effort with a pretty hefty weight, when compared to the entire EU industry. It basically negates any industrial war effort EU can muster.
Posted by: unimperator | Sep 12 2023 18:18 utc | 16
I think it's about more than North Korean weapons.
North Korea would be an ideal partner for Russia's nuclear arsenal.
North Korea is stable and cannot be further threatened. It has the same enemies as Russia.
North Korea is stable and regime change is not foreseeable.
Behavior like Turkey's, despite the S-400, is not to be expected.
Spreading the risk would enable a retaliatory strike after an initial strike by the enemy.
As with NATO, all alliance partners would have to be attacked if one attacked.
Russia would increase its defensive and offensive capabilities
expand, North Korea too. The USA cannot threaten North Korea like Cuba did a long time ago, because of nuclear missiles and its own security and so on.
NATO's eastward expansion speaks for itself.
Posted by: 600w | Sep 12 2023 20:46 utc | 36
The USA cannot threaten North Korea like IT DID WITH Cuba a long time ago, ...
Sorry for too much mistakes
Posted by: 600w | Sep 12 2023 20:49 utc | 37
Constantine @ 6
One has to wonder what is this bruhaha with Elon Musk supposedly abandoning Ukraine.
I don't wonder at all. Musk launches several satellites a year for the US military, he has a foot in each of the USA economic sides, military and civilian, as most American corporations. How do you think the Super-Duper Space Force Troopers are going to get into space?
His agreement with Kiev and the Pentagon is simple, "I'll supply you with everything you want and need but you can't make me look like a warmongering Nazi like the rest of you and damage my civilian business."
"What WEF globohomo yuppie would buy an electric luxury car from a Nazi, or sign up for Nazi satellite internet? So, I'll pretend to be balanced, judicious, reasoned, and anti-war and you will help reinforce this narrative by denouncing me for it."
Simple as that.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Sep 12 2023 21:05 utc | 38
Any comments on Mr foot in mouth disease?
https://www.globalresearch.ca/stoltenberg-directly-admitted-smo-launched-nato-aggression/5832251
Posted by: jpc | Sep 12 2023 21:05 utc | 39
Where is Ukraine's General Robert E. Lee?
The war between Russia and Ukraine is more like the American Civil War than WWII. Ukraine pretends they're different than Russia, but they're closer than any other two countries in the world.
The American South never had a chance against the North, since war had become an industrial slaughterhouse and the strongest economy would inevitably win. The war in Ukraine is the same.
General Robert E. Lee was a man of honor, and knew had to lead the South, since that was where he was from.
When he recognized that the war was lost, he surrendered with honor. General Ulysses S. Grant honored him in return and allowed every Southern officer to keep his sidearm and horse and accompany his men home.
Some of my relatives died in that war (known as the War of Northern Aggression in the South) but wounds healed.
Where is the Ukrainian General Robert E. Lee?
Posted by: Contrarian_Ed | Sep 12 2023 21:08 utc | 40
@21Jusses @6Constantine
Having read about 8-9 biographies on Putin, I don't think any outsider can do anything. At all.
The sivolki moved Putin into power after Russia suffered the genocide looting and robbing from the Harvard boys and the connected oligarchs in the 1990s. Yeltsin knew he was getting set up on a world bank embezzlement charge and needed someone he could trust and because Putin had stuck his neck out to save the former mayor of St. Petersburg, Yeltsin turned to him to endorse.
US deep state and all had no idea who the guy was. He was just going to be a stand in until the oligarchs and empire chose the next successor to continue their looting and rape of the Russian people.
But Putin had some valuable friends, and wasn't a constant drunk, and was damn smart. But he had to make deals, make sure certain oligarchs were taken care of, and slowly but surely has removed a lot of the immediate poison from the controls of state. Is it perfect, of course not. Are there a lot of oligarchs who remain who were involved in that looting? Yes, but it's as if people here or elsewhere have lost all sense of realism.
Politics ain't beanbag, and you gotta cut deals. It has taken Putin 20 damn years of deep state silvolki help and continuous control to finally right this ship. I don't see that ever happening here, at all. Our silvolki sold this country out a long time ago and I don't think there's anyone left.
If real change is going to happen in America, it will have to be somewhat revolutionary and assisted by outside help, meaning foreign countries. Only way to accomplish it in this panopticon nightmare we find ourselves in... Trump was neutered. RFK will be too. And that is my dream ticket, it just is what it is I think. The empire will lumber on, but it is sick, it's corpus is rotten, and the people it would rely on to fight for it no longer feel the calling, who wants to die for freaks who mutilate little children and call it civil rights. No thank you.
Posted by: Johnny | Sep 12 2023 21:12 utc | 41
Where is the Ukrainian General Robert E. Lee?
Posted by: Contrarian_Ed | Sep 12 2023 21:08 utc | 39
There's none alive.
And as you pointed out.
The vast majority bar the western Galiceans have/had far more affinity to Russian views.
What's left now are shake down merchants.
Posted by: jpc | Sep 12 2023 21:16 utc | 42
@39contrarian_ed
The Ukranian mass slaughter is something to behold. How can the men of that country keep going off the cliff? How powerful is the media, it really is amazing.
Only disagreement I have is I think if Stonewall Jackson's strategy had been employed, I think it was him, which was to immediately move in force strike in the North and disrupt the industrial facilities of the North, they may have had a shot.
General Lee indeed was one of a kind. In every way.
Posted by: Johnny55 | Sep 12 2023 21:19 utc | 43
@ Paul from Norway, §2:
Well done!
You´ve discovered the off-ramp that Bribe ´em Brandon and Sunken Sunak have been seeking.
The YouCrane has so degraded Russia´s military, it is now no longer a threat to the West.
So we can pull out, declaring "mission accomplished".
Posted by: John Marks | Sep 12 2023 21:19 utc | 44
Posted by: Johnny | Sep 12 2023 21:12 utc | 40
Good post. One nitpick: it's "siloviki" (sila = power in Russian), thus, "the powers". Typically means KGB/FSB, the army/GRU, police; they were the most patriotic of the Russian elites. You look at the equivalent structures in the US and they are completely emasculated and subservient to the Lobby and other assorted private US actors.
Posted by: Boo | Sep 12 2023 21:24 utc | 45
Posted by: unimperator | Sep 12 2023 18:18 utc | 16
---------------------------------------------------------
Russia would increase its defensive and offensive capabilities
expand, North Korea too. The USA cannot threaten North Korea like Cuba did a long time ago, because of nuclear missiles and its own security and so on.
NATO's eastward expansion speaks for itself.
Posted by: 600w | Sep 12 2023 20:46 utc | 35
--------------------------------------------------------
Looks like Sullivan's version of a hissy fit. Satisfying.
We already know that Blinken only listens to the CIA and not DIA for example. More bad news for them a**holes to come. The barflies collective assessment, credits to many, is that there seems no cover for them.
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Sep 12 2023 21:31 utc | 46
@ Trubind1, §15:
"North Korea" and "Kim Jong-un" are like click-bait to what the Western élite call their ´useless eaters´ - with suggestions of Oddjob and James Bond baddies. Helps foster the image of the "evil Putin": they´ll be comparing him to Ernst Stavro Blofeld next and filming him with a white cat . . .
It´s called Western propaganda 101, © Marianna Spring, BBC.
Posted by: John Marks | Sep 12 2023 21:33 utc | 47
It's a cat and mouse game for Russia.
Do try to think deeper than the surface, keep up with a broader range of war commentary, and not post your trivial concern nonsense.
If you ARE sincere, don't worry. Russia's doing fine on the front. But Dima is a drama queen who structures his headlines and narratives to APPEAR unbiased, attract both supporters, avoid YT shutdown, and MAKE MONEY. Nothing is as simple as it looks, simplex.
Posted by: SCCC | Sep 12 2023 20:04 utc | 28
Not to put too fine a point on it, but Russia is a Cat playing with a paralyzed mouse.
Posted by: kupkee | Sep 12 2023 21:45 utc | 48
Posted by: 600w | Sep 12 2023 20:46 utc | 35
We can be pretty sure that RU will only rarely, if even have to limit the amount of shells they are shooting from their guns in SMO zone once NK starts delivering. Just remember the artillery shell debacle in Bakhmut/Artemvosk last May (although it could have been Prigo lying, but it could have been real).
Russia is producing crap tons of shells, many multipliers of Nato combined, but guess, one can never have enough shells. At that point the bottleneck becomes available trucks to transport them to the artillery units.
Posted by: unimperator | Sep 12 2023 21:45 utc | 49
Posted by: SCCC | Sep 12 2023 19:47 utc | 27
----------------------------------------------
That’s not how the WTO operates. Nations “forfeit” their sovereignty when they sign these agreements. They are capitalizing (and money makers for many) and market management.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 12 2023 20:21 utc | 30
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The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) of the US of A reflects all the various Trade Agreements in which the US is a signatory. US Customs, formerly of the Dept of Treasury (when I joined) not Customs and Border Protection (DHS - no comment) owns and administers it. Trade agreements are just that and any discussion should belong on an alternate platform. The WTO in Brussels holds the meetings and issues the tariffs schedule based on updates from the agreements.
The HTS was on my list of responsibilities for a few years from 2012 onward. It is granular as the country of origin for watch bands.
The Hanseatic League of the Middle Ages defined trade agreements for North Western Europe for quite some time. An early example of what some would put down as 'globalism,' whatever that is. Another 'ism' to be despised?
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Sep 12 2023 21:46 utc | 50
Johnny55 @ 42
Stonewall Jackson's strategy had been employed... which was to immediately move in force strike in the North.
That is actually what Lee did. If they had listened to Gen. Longstreet they might have had a shot. Longstreet wanted to do what the MoD did after Kherson, dig in and go on defense, let the enemy come to them, war of attrition, meat grind Lincoln out of office. It wasn't manly and bold, glorious, gung-ho rebel yell enough for Lee and the rest of the Confederate command.
Sound familiar? Yee-haw all the way to Crimea. Seems not only the Nazis won WW2, but the Confederates won the civil war. When a rat dies the fleas don't die, they move to a new rat.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Sep 12 2023 21:50 utc | 51
Philadelphia, USA
And you are going to tell others how to run their country?
Posted by: Passerby | Sep 12 2023 21:52 utc | 52
What happened to Wagner? Beat me but there's this:
Wagner’s banner flies: Ukrainian Armed Forces militants showed footage from the center of Kleshcheevka
https://t.me/Slavyangrad/62914
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Sep 12 2023 21:52 utc | 53
Passerby @ 51
Philadelphia, USA, And you are going to tell others how to run their country?
It ain't Gary Indiana, Cleveland Ohio, Rochester NY anymore, the wasteland now extends to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York. Let that sink in. The cancer has spread to every organ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UWIyGDnHmk&t=614s
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Sep 12 2023 22:02 utc | 54
@44Boo
Thanks much, was conjuring the term from memory.
@50LightYearsFromHome
I remember it being a combo, but yes Longstreet is a familiar name. In any great power struggle where one side has both industrial capacity superiority and manpower, like the North, eventually a war of attrition will make them the victor.
So I think it was a combo of hitting like PA and OH, juicy infrastructure targets that were vulnerable and then well fortified defenses elsewhere. So really like a twofer punch.
Unfortunately for the Ukies, their recapture of the Kharkov regions didn't do squat to damage Russia's industrial capacity. So, without that in doubt, it's really just a waiting game here.
Posted by: Johnny | Sep 12 2023 22:06 utc | 55
“The Hanseatic League of the Middle Ages defined trade agreements for North Western Europe for quite some time. An early example of what some would put down as 'globalism,' whatever that is. Another 'ism' to be despised?”
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Sep 12 2023 21:46 utc | 49
Honestly find that interesting, I knew of (here’s another “ism”) Mercantilism and knew they had some rigorous trade route “laws”, but would have never thought of a “League”…
That makes sense… the modern day “WEF”… lol
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 12 2023 22:07 utc | 56
From Ukrainian media!!!!!
"THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE WAS REDUCED - THE LOCALS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE NOISE NEAR THE TRAINING GROUND
The British Army has reduced the training of the Ukrainian military by 30 percent due to complaints from local residents about noise in the vicinity of the training ground. This was reported by the publication The Times.
Lydd Town Council in Kent recently told the Ministry of Defence that it had received complaints from residents about the sounds of war coming from a training ground near the city. The base commander, Lt. Col. Mark Powell, agreed to reduce training time by 30 percent to reduce noise levels.
"We are deeply grateful for the support we receive from Lidd during the training of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I understand that this is making more noise than the usual exercises of the British Armed Forces in Lydda," the lieutenant colonel wrote in a letter to the townspeople.
"We have eliminated the use of the most intense smoke effects and will reduce the duration and intensity of the loudest sound effects. The people of the town of Lydd have been consistently welcoming to my team and I am fully committed to maintaining a strong relationship with them. Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns," Powell wrote in the letter.
Local residents living near the landfill complain about the constant sounds of explosions and shooting, which last from early morning to almost ten o'clock in the evening."
Is there smoke, shooting and explosions in a war?
Posted by: Paul from Norway | Sep 12 2023 22:08 utc | 57
Trubind1 #30
Acco Hengst #49
Thanks guys, clear as mud now! I've never looked into it. I just instinctively disliked and distrusted all that globalism stuff as being unfair to national sovereignty.
So how can I make my neighbour take all my lawn clippings he doesn't want or need? (<<< Joke, I don't have a lawn, but same principle, eh).
Posted by: Clear as mud now! | Sep 12 2023 22:16 utc | 58
Is there smoke, shooting and explosions in a war?
Posted by: Paul from Norway | Sep 12 2023 22:08 utc | 56
From morning till night… on a landfill…
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 12 2023 22:26 utc | 59
North Korea has been sprung from prison. Its pals from the old gang had gone straight, Russia got a job as sheriff, China opened up a general store, both married, church going and respect by the town folk. Then it all went to hell and they had to get the gang back together for one last job.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Sep 12 2023 22:38 utc | 60
Re: Posted by: Johnny | Sep 12 2023 21:12 utc | 40
Very well thought out post. I agree, I see nothing on the horizon either. All 3 Branches corrupt to the core. But, same as you, We do have an example of a polluted fish bowl getting cleaned out, so it is possible.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 12 2023 22:42 utc | 61
RE:Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Sep 12 2023 22:38 utc | 59
Nice 👏!
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 12 2023 22:45 utc | 62
" The USA cannot threaten North Korea like Cuba did a long time ago, because of nuclear missiles and its own security and so on.
NATO's eastward expansion speaks for itself.
Posted by: 600w | Sep 12 2023 20:46 utc | 35 "
Then why does it seem to threaten Russia which has a multitudes more of said nuclear missiles ?
Posted by: Shocked | Sep 12 2023 22:46 utc | 63
Re: Posted by: Clear as mud now! | Sep 12 2023 22:16 utc | 57
Easy, put in a bag and throw over the fence while he’s at work! Lol … hint.. no one likes globalism in its current form…I don’t even like “modernity”, so I’ve no “fix it” answers for it all.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 12 2023 22:50 utc | 64
57 u package lawn clippings as mulch or weed suppressant or such and price it accordingly . works for other industrial waste like flouride
Posted by: hankster | Sep 12 2023 23:11 utc | 65
Then why does it seem to threaten Russia which has a multitudes more of said nuclear missiles ?
Posted by: Shocked | Sep 12 2023 22:46 utc | 62
############
Nassim Nicholas Taleb calls what the US does, "Tawk". All America does is talk, and talk, and threaten, and talk, and sanction, and talk, and undermine, and talk.
That is why they hide behind Nazi proxies and refuse to directly engage Russia. Because then everyone in the world would know that the hegemon is nothing to be feared because their tactics are weak, their technology second rate and their ability to project power against a peer nation is as delusional as Trump "draining the swamp".
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Sep 12 2023 23:13 utc | 66
The essay related to my post @ #65
On Interventionistas and their Mental Defects
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Sep 12 2023 23:25 utc | 67
"Back in January, a poll of Daily Express readers found that most wanted the UK to give more support to Ukraine to ‘end the war quicker’"
sums up Daily Express readers perfectly. A bag of spanners has a bigger IQ than the Daily Express readers combined.
Posted by: Echo Chamber | Sep 12 2023 23:33 utc | 68
Is there smoke, shooting and explosions in a war?
Posted by: Paul from Norway | Sep 12 2023 22:08 utc | 56
From morning till night… on a landfill…
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 12 2023 22:26 utc | 58
Anyone post any youtube or Tiktok videos of the explosions and noise from this yet?
Posted by: MiniMO | Sep 12 2023 23:42 utc | 69
Posted by: Shocked | Sep 12 2023 22:46 utc | 62
because the us leaders are out of their f/n minds, that makes them a threat. and they have enough nukes to heavily damage the world.
Posted by: pretzelattack | Sep 12 2023 23:43 utc | 70
RE: Posted by: LoveDonbass | Sep 12 2023 23:13 utc | 65
Well said. Especially about the endless “talk”…
A reporter asked Peskov ( was in relation to Kim Un’s visit) why hadn’t he responded to Western news reports and he responded: “We have no response to Western “warnings”.
And the rest of what you said, the world has seen the wizard behind the curtain is right.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 12 2023 23:49 utc | 71
Ammunition has a use by date. Russia getting old but still just usable shells en masse from the DPRK and then replacing them (in increments) with new manufacture ordnance makes sense to both sides. This conflict is incredibly shell hungry and most rational people know that Russia does not have an infinite supply. In fact Simplicius76 has repeatedly calculated the production rates per month and the amount Russia needs to build up to launch the big war ending offensives that he himself thinks are eventually coming.
Posted by: Biswapriya Purkayast | Sep 13 2023 0:16 utc | 72
In continuation of my last comment one of the most important reasons T 55 and T 62 tanks were pressed into use as IFVs and direct fire self propelled artillery was that this allowed Russia to use its otherwise unusable stock of 100mm and 115mm shells. And they're doing a good job in that role as even this admits:
Posted by: Biswapriya Purkayast | Sep 13 2023 0:19 utc | 73
LoveDonbass | Sep 12 2023 23:13 utc | 65
Ha ha, Tawk. So true. The problem is, it is actually a very effective strategy and weapon. Its effectiveness should not be ignored. And it's vary hard to combat. It allows them to control narratives and weak players (and domestic voters) from a distance WITHOUT any actual involvement -- unless/until they send in the marines. So, whilst Russia plays real life maskirovska, America gets outsmarted, where it actually matters, in Realpolitik.
I am enthused to see Tawk gradually losing credibility the world over.
Posted by: SCCC | Sep 13 2023 0:29 utc | 74
Some videos for today.
Russian Iskander system launches missile at enemy military infrastructure target:
https://rutube.ru/video/1aeb921c9e6173b635ed7b5be704f5ee/
Russian Lancet destroys enemy infantry fighting vehicle:
https://rutube.ru/video/9977385f7471183f07abcb3dc569fe35/
Ukrainian soldiers surrender to Russian airborne forces:
https://rutube.ru/video/f09740d3a49811af219055e721176ddc/
Russian Msta-S self-propelled in action near Krasny Liman:
https://rutube.ru/video/c41165735fe5fd417af0f0ad0f3bd84b/
Russian Msta-B howitzer pounds enemy position on the southern DPR front:
https://rutube.ru/video/129dcc6c03b7b1f8f6f21005049828f6/
Russian T-90 tank in action:
https://rutube.ru/video/f0ed0a4180f651e7687cd282e0720427/
Posted by: Nate | Sep 13 2023 0:30 utc | 75
Posted by: Johnny | Sep 12 2023 21:12 utc | 40
Cool post.
a) so, after all your reading of Putin biographies, is it your impression that he is a straight arrow? Seems so to me, but have become quite cynical after a lifetime in 'The Empire of Lies'.
b) just watched the latest 'Intellectual Froglegs' (always fun). MAGAs have a plan for how to deal with cheating in 2024. Either that, or it's Deja Vu All Over Again Huckster's Hopium 2.0.
Easy, put in a bag and throw over the fence while he’s at work!
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 12 2023 22:50 utc | 63
Which is funny, cos that's what Ukraine did for months till Poland's farmers said no more. Now Ukraine is suing them for being "unfair". Sooks.
Posted by: SCCC | Sep 13 2023 0:36 utc | 77
Paul from Norway | Sep 12 2023 22:08 utc | 56
The good folk of Lydd are probably happy to be part of the 'liberation of Ukraine.' And it keeps the pubs busy.
Posted by: dh | Sep 13 2023 0:54 utc | 78
Posted by: Constantine | Sep 12 2023 17:23 utc | 6
One has to wonder what is this bruhaha with Elon Musk supposedly abandoning Ukraine. The statement that extended use of Starlink/Space X for major escalations would be a step to WW3 smacks of obfuscating bullcrap.
Perhaps I'm too suspicious byt now. But I cannot shake the idea that they are proceeding with a new escalation and they are using as much smokescreen as possible.
Plus, iy is a bit odd that Musk would be allowed to handicap the war effort of NATO in the most important conflict it has been involved. This is a do-or-die moment and the suggestion that a single oligarch might be allowed to inject his own views and options into the collision course opted by the imperialists seems somewhat absurd to me.
========================================
I believe Tesla's batteries come from China. They might have threatened to shut him down if he used his tech to target their ally.
Also, major oligarchs like Musk operate on a level which in some aspects, I suspect (though by no means all) are way above dime-a-dozen three and four star generals and puppet Presidents. Note how both he and Gates get private audiences with Xi fairly often. And Bezos, who owns WAPO, handles huge volumes of CIA data processing in the cloud.
My unverified assumption is that many large private entities are the Administrative State under private sector cover, freeing them from Congressional oversight or budgets. All Microsoft - and probably any other - software has backdoors through which they surrender control. A programmer friend of mine developed a bullet-proof encryption script accessing machine level commands (or some such) but had to reveal the code to Canadian agency to market it; he refused and so never sold it.
Posted by: Johnny | Sep 12 2023 21:12 utc | 40
One can appreciate that there would be no easy options for any Russian patriot trying to salvage Russia as it was teetering on the edge of the abyss. The degradation of the country had reached unimaginable levels. True enough, he had to maneuver and make compromises.
However, the last stage of the crisis before the opening of the operations in late February 2022 should have accelerated the process of national reinvigoration. And that required Putin to confront the complexes he developed for serving the very regime that broke up the USSR and nearly destroyed Russia through liberalism. So far he has been unable to do it.
This is not a trivial issue. There is a reason why there has not been a stream of volunteers from countries that have been empowered ideologically or materially during the Cold War to engage in the anti-colonial struggle. I mean, you don't even have to be a commie to recognize the contribution of the early Soviets in this critical aspect of human history.
Instead, in order to defend Boris Yeltsin (who he has NEVER denounced nor the Belavezha Accords), he undermines his own goals, indeed his own life's work and trashes the Reds for supposedly being the equivalent of the pseudo-progressive neoliberals. Talk about a self-own.
At a time when there is a need for solidarity for the global South, Russia has spectacularly failed to push the message that is was the USSR tha led the nati-colonial struggle and the demolition of racialist theories. If any such mentions are made, it is because some of those who were victims of colonialism remember their own history.
Strong alliances can be strengthened by emotional attachments far more than a temporary convergence of interests. Is there anyone naive eough to emagine that the Chinese fail to see this sad reality, that the Russian president trashes the very individuals who backed materially, ideologically and politically Sun Yat-sen, the father of the Chinese Republic and the CPC? Instead, Russia glorifies a bunch of imperial buffoons who, on top of their other failures, considered the Chinese to be low-life coolies, like any other western racialists. I mean, Ivan Grozny and Peter the Great have had far less promo than the crettinous last two Tsars.
The horrific threat of the globalist Anglo-American empire is sufficient to bring countries together, but there is every incentive to bring up past historical comradely struggles. None of that requires to even falsify history or engage in any sort of manipulation. But it's even worse when the main motive to avoid such a solid step is to defend a neoliberal subhuman traitor who ruined Russia and came close to achieve what no other enemy of the country had done in the past.
Posted by: Constantine | Sep 13 2023 1:05 utc | 80
Declan Hayes really went for the jugular in this article.
Guess we’re all as fed up as well with “News” sites.
Anyways, creative read and worth a look.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 13 2023 1:11 utc | 81
Re: Posted by: Constantine | Sep 13 2023 1:05 utc | 80
I see what you’re saying, even moving to the Tzars though was rather a feat in acknowledgement on National heritage, one more in the rise and restoration of the Orthodox heritage.
A correction. But it is still movement. I see a fluid slow flow of identity, this very forced, yes, but beneficial Far East reattachment, back to earlier roots, heritage and acknowledgement, I see becoming incorporated, remembered and embraced as well.
Maybe I’m over optimistic about Russia, but I see a Nation that in 120 years (1900-2020) had 4 distinct systems of governance and power structures, threw them off, and creating something brand new, it’s still in its re-creation, but is strong, vibrant, educated, culturally artist, economically ok, and a military powerhouse, and I wonder…how many other nations could’ve done that?
There are some nations that have a major revolt or war or whatever, and they never get up again, or a century passes b4 they get the wherewithal to try to re-create and do something more productive.
Anyways, it’s just my opinion, I don’t live there I know, but from the outside, the Nation has my high regards.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 13 2023 1:48 utc | 82
Honestly find that interesting, I knew of (here’s another “ism”) Mercantilism and knew they had some rigorous trade route “laws”, but would have never thought of a “League”…
That makes sense… the modern day “WEF”… lol
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 12 2023 22:07 utc | 55
-------------------------------------------------------
You did not get it.
Them entrepreneurs made multilateral business agreements through their own, local representatives. You might know about Staten Island. Most likely you did not know thar the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Good, created an elected body of representatives for the low lands (Netherlands so to speak) in the fifteenth century. Never mind that stinking Magna Charta for the Brit nobility. We are talking ordinary citizens going to Bruges, now in Vlaanderen (a Belgian oblast in contemporary language).
I own the second edition of the Staten Bijbel, published in 1711. The Staten Generaal ordered the first edition published some 100 years earlier. In Haarlem (the original) stands the statue of the guy credited with inventing printing. They may still believe it. I went to Latin School there. I was in Mainz in Germany a month ago. They believe in Gutenberg.
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Sep 13 2023 3:14 utc | 83
A country without navy is winning a naval war against second army in the world. Maybe time for Russia to also put rubber tires on top of whatever ships remain in the black sea.
Posted by: brotosscumloader | Sep 13 2023 3:23 utc | 84
24 people injured in Ukrainian missile attack on Sevastopol – governor
Russian air defenses have engaged multiple hostile targets over Crimea, according to the governor of Sevastopol
Posted by: Sasuke Uchiha | Sep 13 2023 3:32 utc | 85
Well, it looks like the rotting corpse of the empire of lies has just choosen our path as living beings on planet earth.
They just F'ed up to the point of likely 'asymmetrical' yet catastrophic psychotic escalation that may very well result in the final collapse of the empire.
All untimely baked into the cake now in quite a timely manner.
The next page.
The next day.
9/12.
These monsters have crossed the rubicon.
Posted by: Robert Hope | Sep 13 2023 3:35 utc | 86
Sevastopol Shipyard was hit.
MGM-140 ATACMS and TAURUS KEPD 350 haven't even arrived yet.
Posted by: Laurette | Sep 13 2023 3:41 utc | 87
Ukraine strikes Russian military base of drone operators
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-strikes-russian-military-base-of-drone-operators
Posted by: Putin's Failure | Sep 13 2023 3:47 utc | 88
Question:
Why don’t we ever get any numbers on POWs ? By now, Moecow should have beaucoup POWs.
Posted by: Exile | Sep 13 2023 3:55 utc | 89
And the SMO goes on... I’ve read a lot on the site over the last 18 months and IMO, a great source of information and varied opinion. This “SMO” reminds me of the Zulus at Rorke’s Drift
Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead : Adendorff, what's wrong with them? Why don't they fight? Adendorff : They're counting your guns.
For both Russia and the West there is a sort of dance going on.
“he freed and floated on the air her arms
Above dim veils that hid her bosom's charms...
The veils fell round her like thin coiling mists
Shot through by topaz suns and amethysts..”
Russia, possibly at the behest, or at least with a blessing from, China, is dancing with the collective West. The SMO, and in MHO, it is indeed an operation and NOT a war. War is coming if the West doesn’t back off and they show no tangible sign of that. Russia is slowly but surely “unveiling” to Nato and the world a ”New World Order” that is not designed by the “crazies” Wolfowitz et al.
Are both the West and Russia/China, et al testing each other for a larger war? IMO it is precisely that. This is chrysalis at its best. This whole operation reeks of a training/testing ground. What better way to hone your troops than a skirmish against a determined and definitely delusional foe. I feel sick for the poor conscripts.
I am curious as to what arms the West might be keeping in reserve. Likewise, I suspect the Russians have not yet played with anything other than their pawns. I don’t believe we are headed for nuclear destruction...everyone knows the outcome of this tactic and it’s not one that works in practice. It only works when it’s not used... but swarms of drones with deployable, targeted munitions? Who knows what. We ain’t seen nothing yet. Watch Musk talk about drone warfare...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJiPKOijpPA
Is Ukraine destined to be a “Little Bighorn”? Is Biden Custer? Is Putin Crazy Horse? Who’s going to finish him off? Yellow Nose? Here’s an interesting, insightful and detailed read...
“A Comparative Study of the Great Sioux War and Anglo-Zulu War”
https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/handle/10012/17726/Winter_Cameron.pdf?sequence=7
Sun Tzu said “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself, but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
These guys and gals are just getting to know each other. It’s very early days and I just hope the multipolar community has a plan more cunning than that of the collective West.
“...a plan so cunning you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel.”
It’s all маскировка “Fo Shizzel”
But let’s not underestimate the US of A. They may be crazy and delusional but they are human and humans can be nasty, cruel, conniving and most importantly...unpredictable. I'll try an analogy. Have you ever tried to corner a fox in a chicken coop and not get bitten? It’s not possible... they will bite. Sometimes, as a feint, I let them bite my hand (gloved) and then I have to strangle the bitch...to death. It's not pleasant, it has its risks but it's a lot less messy than the shotgun and the neighbors aren't freaked out. IMO...This shit about to get heavy.
a bit dated but a pertinent song nonetheless.
Posted by: Trincolo | Sep 13 2023 4:11 utc | 90
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Sep 13 2023 3:14 utc | 83
No, you’re right, I didn’t get it. The information you provided was helpful and interesting. I had not read or heard about it b4. You’ve given me a good reference point to start. I’m curious now, so thx.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 13 2023 4:11 utc | 91
ZH has a posting up about the Sevastopol bombing with the title
Russia's Navy Port At Sevastopol On Fire After Massive Ukraine Missile Attack
the quote
But this massive attack on Sevastopol seems another act of desperation. Given the failing counteroffensive, it looks like Kiev is "going big" on attacks against Russian territory, in hopes of sparking a broader conflict that draws NATO in, which Ukraine likely sees as its only hope.One more item of note, presented with no commentary. On the day Elon Musk's biography drops, amid mainstream media's desperate spin of the SpaceX founder's interference with Starlink in Ukraine, there was a major, global, outage of the satellite internet service...
SpaceX acknowledged the Starlink outage on X at 2033ET, and then wrote at 2139ET on X that "The network issue has been fully resolved."
Posted by: psychohistorian | Sep 13 2023 4:15 utc | 92
Putin bragging about upcoming weapon systems applying "new physics" -
What the hell is he talking about? Wormholes? To make NATO disappear? Sandworms? Warp-speed? Time-Travel?
Posted by: AG | Sep 13 2023 4:19 utc | 93
Has anyone else noticed how the West chooses the BRICS or the AFRICAN SUMMIT or the current Kim Un & EEF to do really nasty and escalating stuff?
I’m waiting on official report from RuS MOD, I still think Blinken brought something over on that train with him.
Anyways. Interestingly… while Kim Un there in Russia…
NK fired a missile out…
https://www.rt.com/news/582876-north-korea-missile-launch/
Message??
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 13 2023 4:20 utc | 94
Sevastopol Shipyard was hit.
MGM-140 ATACMS ... haven't even arrived yet.
Laurette | Sep 13 2023 3:41 utc | 87
However, Ukrainians probably have their own satellite command and control now based on Starlink equipment.So they can continue their satellite connected air and sea drone attacks without Statlink permissions. Six Starlink satellites launched Sunday.
TIMELINE
1-Musk admits cutting off Starlink drone support for Ukraine in newly released new book to avoid complicity in attackS. Thursday, September 7, 2023.
2- Space X Rocket explodes on launch fleet grounded. Friday September 8,2023
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/sep/08/spacex-starship-grounded-explosion-faa-elon-musk
3-SpaceX launches 6 new satellites. Sunday September 10, 2023.
Posted by: Jerr | Sep 13 2023 4:25 utc | 95
As far as Ukraine, I don’t even care about that pipsqueak failed state… I think we’re reaching a point of seeing the Duma recalling staff and closing Embassies within the next few months.
Whatever happened out there in Sevastopol is on the UK/US now.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 13 2023 4:29 utc | 96
Ukrainian military attacked Sevastopol with 10 missiles and 3 naval drones; 7 missiles were shot down, 3 drones were destroyed by patrol ship Vasyliy Bykov, 2 ships were damaged at ship repairment plant
Posted by: bazabazon | Sep 13 2023 4:33 utc | 97
those satellites and any feeding ukraine-nato are on borrowed time..
Posted by: james | Sep 13 2023 4:36 utc | 98
The State Department put the squeeze on the Office of the President on the anti-corruption track, now Zelensky looks very strange, made a statement, but then changed his mind... The attempt to weaken NABU/SAP was revealed very quickly, which is why Blinken flew to Ukraine and explained to Bankova that this cannot be done.Zelensky has so far put aside the idea of equating top-level corruption with treason - RBC-Ukraine
The Office of the President does not yet plan to submit a corresponding bill to parliament. The decision was influenced, among other things, by Western partners, who see this initiative as an attempt by the authorities to interfere in the work of NABU and the anti-corruption vertical in general.
“There were calls from embassies and from partners across the ocean to Bankova. It was clearly stated that they would not understand the adoption of such a law and it would not go unnoticed,” the publication reported.
https://t.me/rezident_ua/19621
Posted by: Down South | Sep 13 2023 4:43 utc | 99
The problem of the Office of the President is that they do not study history and are very weak in diplomacy, but at the same time they decided to play geopolitics. In Podolyak’s opinion, is bringing a war to the territory of your country a smart move?More than once we sent geniuses from Bankova to history books to see how the Paris Peace Conference ended for Ukraine or the Yalta Peace Conference for Poland; there is no need to even remember about Afghanistan, but our geniuses decided to do without it.
China, India and Turkey make money from the war in Ukraine, but “have weak intellectual potential” and “do not analyze the consequences of their steps.”
“Yes, they are investing in science. India landed a lunar rover. But this does not mean that this country understands exactly what the modern world is. These countries today are making money from this war. They are making money effectively. Just like the Republic of Turkey and this is, in principle, national interests It sounds nice - “we comply with the needs of our national interests,” Podolyak argues.
https://t.me/rezident_ua/19623
Posted by: Down South | Sep 13 2023 4:44 utc | 100
The comments to this entry are closed.
As promised in the last thread. If you think it’s tasteless my defence is unbeatable: the BBC made me do it!
"Living Next Door To Putin"
Music by Chinn/Chapman
Lyrics by Annalena Charlotte Alma Baerbock
Biden called when he got the word
And he said: "I suppose you've heard
About Putin"
When I rushed to the window
And I looked outside
And I could hardly believe my eyes
As a big limousine rolled up
Into Putins drive...
Oh, I don't know why he's leaving
Or where he's gonna go
I guess he's got his reasons
But I just don't want to know
'Cos for forty-three years
I've been living next door to Putin
Forty-three years just waiting for a chance
To tell him how I feel, and maybe get a second glance
Now I've got to get used to not living next door to Putin...
We’d hang out together
Two kids in the park
We carved our initials
Deep in the bark
Me and Putin
Now he walks through the door
With his head held high
Just for a moment, I caught his eye
As a big limousine pulled slowly
Out of Putin’s drive
Oh, I don't know why he's leaving
Or where he's gonna go
I guess he's got his reasons
But I just don't want to know
'Cos for forty-three years
I've been living next door to Putin
Forty-three years just waiting for a chance
To tell him how I feel, and maybe get a second glance
Now I gotta get used to not living next door to Putin ...
And Biden called back and asked how I felt
And he said: "I know how to help
Get over Putin"
He said: "Now Putin is gone
But I'm still here
You know I've been waiting
For forty-three years..."
And a big limousine disappeared...
I don't know why he's leaving
Or where he's gonna go
I guess he's got his reasons
But I just don't want to know
'Cos for forty-three years
I've been living next door to Putin
Forty-three years just waiting for a chance
To tell him how I feel, and maybe get a second glance
But I'll never get used to not living next door to Putin...
Posted by: Jörgen Hassler | Sep 12 2023 17:02 utc | 1