Couldn't Such Fake News Start Wars?
Stephen Byren asks in Asia Times:
Why is NATO expanding its nuclear force?
That is a rather weird question. NATO is a consulting mechanism. It does not have tanks, guns or nuclear forces. All such tangible things are owned and controlled by this or that member country.
NATO does not have a nuclear force and currently neither NATO nor those member countries which have nuclear forces are interested in expanding them. The question states as a fact that NATO is expanding something. It is not doing that.
Byren writes:
Jens Stoltenberg, the 13th secretary general of NATO, says that the alliance is in talks to deploy more nuclear weapons and modernize their delivery systems. Stoltenberg told the Telegraph in the UK: “I won’t go into operational details about how many nuclear warheads should be operational and which should be stored, but we need to consult on these issues. That’s exactly what we’re doing.” Stoltenberg emphasized that NATO is a “nuclear alliance.”
The Telegraph piece on the Stoltenberg interview is a write-up, not a transcript. It is inaccurate. Here is what it says:
Nato is in talks to deploy more nuclear weapons in the face of a growing threat from Russia and China, the head of the alliance has said.Jens Stoltenberg added that the bloc must show its nuclear arsenal to the world to send a direct message to its foes in an interview with The Telegraph.
He revealed there were live consultations between members on taking missiles out of storage and placing them on standby as he called for transparency to be used as a deterrent.
Mr Stoltenberg said: “I won’t go into operational details about how many nuclear warheads should be operational and which should be stored, but we need to consult on these issues.
“That’s exactly what we’re doing at Nato, for instance at meetings in Nato, a nuclear planning group as we had during the defence ministerial meeting this [last] week.”
The above sounds as if Stoltenberg was actively doing something. But that is simply not what he said:
Matthew Harries @harries_matthew - 19:38 UTC · Jun 17, 2024Here is a transcript of what Stoltenberg actually said. As suspected, I think there has been too much parsing of his words.
The “operational” vs storage thing was introduced by the interviewer. And “transparency” was in the context of openness about exercises.
As the audio of the interview provides, the whole issue was prompted by a misleading remark by one of the interviewers, not by Stoltenberg himself:
Telegraph: Do you think European allies should follow the lead of the United States by putting more warheads on standby rather than having them in storage?
Britain, which is the country the Telegraph is asking about, usually has one nuclear submarine on patrol and ready to use with a number of others in training or revamp. Only the submarine on patrol will carry nuclear warheads. The ones for the other submarines are usually in storage. To put more of them on 'standby', whatever that may otherwise mean, would not provide a ready way to launch them. It would thus be useless.
The interviewers question to Stoltenberg is answered by him with generalizations and a hint to the ever 'ongoing consulting' on the issue.
bigger
The misleading question and mealy mouth answer provide for great irritation but don't really mean anything. And certainly not anything new.
(((James Acton))) @james_acton32 - 21:48 UTC · Jun 17, 2024Based on this transcript, the @Telegraph article by @Barnes_Joe is journalist malpractice. It is a wholly misleading account of Stoltenberg's comments, which were boilerplate.
In times of heightened tensions media are taking a lot of liberty in 'interpreting' things officials say. This does have consequences and those could become lethal:
Kremlin views NATO’s rhetoric on putting nukes on alert as escalation
MOSCOW, June 17. /TASS/. The recent remark by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that the bloc’s allied members are discussing putting their nuclear arsenals on alert is another bout of tensions, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters."This is nothing else but an escalation," Peskov said.
But in fact, Stoltenberg did not say anything to that effect.
Consider also this fake Ukranews item which was published two days ago:
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that russia would be forced to surrender if it did not agree to the terms of a peace settlement.Meloni made a corresponding statement at the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, her words are quoted by the UNIAN news agency.
According to her, protecting Ukraine means protecting the system of international rules. Therefore, it is important to join forces to protect Ukraine.
"If russia does not agree to the terms, we will force them to surrender," Meloni said.
That quote was immediately suspicious. Neither Meloni nor anyone else has the means to force Russia to surrender.
A few hours after the above was publish corrections came in:
Many comments and consternation were caused by the post of Ukrainian politician Anton Gerashchenko regarding the statement of the Italian Prime Minister during the peace summit that took place last weekend in Switzerland.Gerashchenko quoted Giorgia Meloni on his profile on platform X, who supposedly said: "If Russia does not agree to the terms, we will force them to surrender."
Platform X included a contextual note under the Ukrainian politician's post. From it and the official text of the Italian Prime Minister's speech, it is clear that the words quoted by Gerashchenko were not said during the conference.
Meloni stood by Ukraine, directing strong words towards Russia, but the meaning was somewhat different.
Meloni never said anything about Russia surrendering but a Ukrainian politician, and a lousy news agency which quoted him without checking, planted the false quote.
These are good reminders to check, and double-check, everything one reads about hot conflicts.
Posted by b on June 18, 2024 at 12:10 UTC | Permalink
next page »B, Good to see you back but go easy on "news", they can raise your blood pressure.
MSM can (and does) spin anything said into whatever they want to print.
If RF does not escalate mindlessly even with stupid military strikes, I wouldsay there is zero chance of doing so by any stupid thing in MSM.
For all they care MSM could say Biden declared war and it wouldn't be worth more than a mention by RF diplomats saying it is unwise to say things lightly, specially if false.
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 18 2024 12:38 utc | 2
It's so good to have MOA back on deck.
Here's to a quick and full recovery Mr B and cheers to the MDs that fixed you up.
Posted by: Subtropical | Jun 18 2024 12:39 utc | 3
I guess it's going to be up to the people of the west to stop these mad men. We need to do something or Mr. Putin is going to do it for us: https://folkpotpourri.com/and-there-were-lights-in-the-sky/
Posted by: Ozark Grandpa | Jun 18 2024 12:40 utc | 4
Today's western journalist is like today's western politician, ignorant clowns who vomit up the propaganda their masters tell them to say. The opening line of the article tells one that nothing this particular clown says can be taken seriously:
"Nato is in talks to deploy more nuclear weapons in the face of a growing threat from Russia and China, the head of the alliance has said."
There it is, a 'growing threat' that is to be accepted as fact by a submissive public. One of many narratives that are presented as fact by the western thought shapers as they try to sleepwalk us into WW3. Nothing this guy says after this is worth reading, it's all garbage.
Posted by: Mike R | Jun 18 2024 13:05 utc | 5
There was a comment of a week or two ago regarding Meloni being compromised by globalist interests. This seems to indicate this is correct.
Posted by: Larry P. Johnson | Jun 18 2024 13:17 utc | 6
But if she never said it why did she not rebut it?
Posted by: Larry P. Johnson | Jun 18 2024 13:20 utc | 7
Could such distorted narratives start wars?
Personally, I doubt it. Wars take place on several levels including military, professional diplomatic, plus word on the street and in media which of course has many levels from tabloid to highbrow. One of the main levels on which wars play out, obviously, is in the minds of the general population; IMO, emotive remarks like this are mainly directed towards this level.
It is even possible that We the People get told we are in a major war whilst on the professional, diplomatic or military levels that may not be the case. We live in a time during which both the elites and their lapdog media indulge in no end of fabrications, manipulating captive populations for reasons which we are left mainly to guess at, never to know for sure.
But one narrative seems to be steadily emerging of late: we are now headed for a wider war. Will it be a truly existential confrontation involving the nuclear destruction of the world as we know it? Or will it involve more saber rattling than actual conflict?
Because of the way Western elites have deliberately weakened the military, industrial, financial and relational fabric of society, making them no threat to other great powers other than by nuclear bombardment, I doubt the confrontation is real and so suspect it is largely exaggerated with these distortions, as sharply picked up by b, evidence of such narrative shaping. Either way, looks like we'll soon find out.
But if she never said it why did she not rebut it?
Posted by: Larry P. Johnson | Jun 18 2024 13:20 utc | 7
Alex Christoforou deals with it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7Sp7yn6aIQ
Posted by: Dr. Rob Campbell | Jun 18 2024 13:41 utc | 9
Scorpion @8 - If something drastic doesn't happen pretty soon, the way these rabid "leaders" in the west are behaving, I don't see any way we avoid the big one. Mr. Putin's concern for Russia is definitely apparent, but his patience is not infinite.
Posted by: Ozark Grandpa | Jun 18 2024 13:45 utc | 10
Lets just pretend for a moment that Meloni did say it ... are we really shocked that a politician pulled something out of their ass and made a statement that they had neither the means or intention to follow through on. The average politician is a well connected failed realtor that was too lazy to sell used cars.
Posted by: HB_Norica | Jun 18 2024 13:54 utc | 11
I was a personal fan of a certain university football coach who repeatedly and jokingly referred to a particular local dickhead sports reporter as "Kurt" when his name is Kirk. So I'm going to assume that "Byren" is a similarly derogatory dig at Bryen. Lol.
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Jun 18 2024 13:57 utc | 12
Yes. The media are to blame for much heightening of tensions. They seem to make stories up, qualifying them with quotes from the "anonymous source" (which, in fact, is the editor).
Posted by: HERMIUS | Jun 18 2024 13:59 utc | 13
Posted by: HB_Norica | Jun 18 2024 13:54 utc | 11Lets just pretend for a moment that Meloni did say it ..
b linked above what Meloni actually said:
Dear colleagues, Peace does not mean surrender – as President Putin seems to suggest with his latest declarations. It does not. Confusing peace with subjugation would set a dangerous precedent for everyone. Today’s Conference represents a bold initiative, which dismantles certain narratives, or propaganda. No one can question the absolute importance of the three crucial topics of global interest which have been discussed today - nuclear safety, food security and the human dimension, in particular the return of displaced children. They matter to us all, and I think – also from today’s discussion – that there is much we can build from here. https://archive.ph/wdr8g#selection-1555.0-1557.630
What she said is VERY different from what was reported. Do the professional diplomats and military in Russia base their decision-making on inaccurate remarks thrown about by Western presstitutes?
Unlikely. But these remarks for sure ratchet up expectations on the part of Western populations that war is increasingly likely. What that might actually mean in practical, versus narrative, terms remains to be seen.
"The average politician is a well connected failed realtor that was too lazy to sell used cars."
---
This
This is the tragedy of The West, and thank goodness there is good cheer and humor left to endure it.
Neither they, the rag dolls, nor we, the frightened public, have any power.
The palace scribes call the one who has power an "autocrat", and the puppets a "democrat".
(No trace of Kohl's and Chirac's Europe remains)
Posted by: Simon | Jun 18 2024 14:08 utc | 15
It is pathetic that the parties that want to destroy Russia are too cowardly to state it openly or put their money where their mouth is.
Posted by: Neofeudalfuture | Jun 18 2024 14:10 utc | 16
Fake mews or is it what is being talked about behind the scenes? Especially UK.
F-16's - nuclear capable aircraft. Cruise missiles/bombs launched by F-16s may be either conventional or nuclear.
Perhaps Ukrainian suicide pilots but most likely pilots from Nato countries. Ground crew, airfields will be Nato.
Video with Stoltenberg speaking. https://x.com/vicktop55/status/1802899464547373382
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 18 2024 14:31 utc | 17
Everyone really needs to fully internalize the fact that the mainstream news media always lies.
Deceit is its whole purpose and function. Even when a minor factoid appears to reflect reality, it only does so in service of a larger deceit.
Posted by: Figleaf23 | Jun 18 2024 14:36 utc | 18
Good pick up, b, I think your malady has made you stronger mentall
“Aus der Kriegsschule des Lebens. —"Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker,”
Friedrich Nietzsche 1888
It will be a brown blizzard of bullshit until US elections. Signal to noise ratio vanishing. Peripheral news sources are key. You just feed the beast by even referring to MSM.
Posted by: Pym of Nantucket | Jun 18 2024 14:45 utc | 20
"In times of heightened tensions media are taking a lot of liberty in 'interpreting' things officials say. This does have consequences and those could become lethal"
You know, it seems clear the RC in the west has gone mad, sees it's future destruction and is willing, almost eager, to take the world down with it. Very clear. Their time is over, the writing is on the wall and they will destroy the world before relinquishing the ring. I get it.
But these MSM writers? How much could they possibly make generating propaganda? How good could they possibly have it in late Western imperialism? How much false class consciousness is required for some piddling journo to encourage nuclear conflict just because his frustrated master desires it?
Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Jun 18 2024 15:03 utc | 21
One of many narratives that are presented as fact by the western thought shapers as they try to sleepwalk us into WW3. Nothing this guy says after this is worth reading, it's all garbage.
Posted by: Mike R | Jun 18 2024 13:05 utc | 5
I'd say that "sleep walking" bit is pretty 1914. This time they are charging directly into WW3 right in front of us all.
Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Jun 18 2024 15:06 utc | 22
thanks b.. astute observations and extremely important considering the topic... it is dangerous and these people need to be held accountable.. i doubt very much any of them will be however..
Posted by: james | Jun 18 2024 15:45 utc | 24
@ Larry P. Johnson | Jun 18 2024 13:20 utc | 7
i think this lends a lot of merit to your comment @ 6... thanks..
Posted by: james | Jun 18 2024 15:47 utc | 25
Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus. A country born of deceit is incapable of escaping its past.
Posted by: Milites | Jun 18 2024 16:02 utc | 26
The answer to your question is no such rumors are not going to start wars. War, at least on the part of the USA, is in the realm of the finance oligarchs. They want war all the time in order to make money for their clients in the MIC and to move towards a generally authoritarian political culture. As we all know here, most "news" cannot be relied on except as an instrument of political control.
Posted by: Chris Cosmos | Jun 18 2024 16:10 utc | 27
Ir seems to me the west proceeds from the standpoint that success is inevitable. They dont consider risk. THr risk of the Ukraine project was not considered even though it was well known. Now the seperation of Russia and China from the west will have severe consequences. IMO the Ukraine project is a disaster. All the endless wars were morally and ethically repugnant. They also were damaging as the debt exploded so there was preliading to the disaster it only appeared the USA walked away with no consequences. All the pre loading of the previous wars now comes into effect with the disaster of the Ukraine project.
It's too bad the consequences of the previous wars were hidden by the kick the can debt. If the consequences had been experienced at the time of each war it might have allowed the consideration of risk. No consequences so no risk.
Now it appears to me the same dynamic is in play. The losses are not accepted as reality. China and Russia teaming is a catastrophic loss for the USA. Russia has largly won the war. It seems that is not accepted, that it is still believed that success is just around the corner with the next dice roll.
Nuclear war has risk. That that has to be stated is in itself incredible. At some point the failure of the Ukraine project and its consequences must be admitted. It is the culmination of the failure of all the wars. It does not seem that the USA can admit to itself that it will now experience consequences. Is it capable of evaluating the risk of escalation?
It's also possible that the destruction of the west is intentional. The decisions being made have had easily seen consequences. All the decisions are consistent with outcomes not desirable by the people. Is it really believable that this level of incompetence is the cause of the decisions not that it was intenetional?
Nuclear war is unthinkable. The reality is it is not just another tool another option. Does the west really understand that or is it one last roll of the dice?
I dont know that answer. No one knows and that's on purpose. What should be clearly stated is that nuclear weapons are not a tool to solve problems. That statement should be backed with actions that reflect that. This should have been done a long time ago.
So No one knows. Is there one last dice throw throw ahead? One last action that is the culmination whether by blunder or intent? It seems so. Wars dont last forever. The Ukraine war will have a end. Then we find out whether there is truly a complete absence of risk evaluation. Usually it is considered desirable if risk evaluation can be determined prior to a catastrophic event. It's ironic that in this area where the catastrophic possibilities dwarf all other areas disregarding risk is considered a asset of war skills not a liability.
The attitude here at MOA seems to be that Ukraine will be defeated. The west will just fade away. Maybe that's true. The reason nuclear war is disregarded is that if it is considered other actions might be appropriate. That could be considered intimidation or manipulation. Since these things are not acceptable the risk is not evaluated at MOA either. It is accepted that nuclear war is preferable to the USA being dominant. Its tucked away as a unpleasant reality universally. As Putin state " all relevant decisions have already been made"
Really only one side is clearly stating the existance of the risk that's Russia. If things are only evaluated from the perspective of dominance this can only be regarded as also a threat, intimidation and manipulation. A solely dominance perspective does not and can not allow two competing organisms to evaluate risk. I'm afraid that appears to be the situation. The outcome of the Ukraine war is indeed existential for both USA and Russia. There is no limit to the escalation as a function of risk evaluation. Dominance supercedes risk evaluation as a operating principle.
This is accepted by all of the societies involved. People are not upset at the possibility of nuclear war. Dominance as a operating principle is universally accepted since the alternatives are regarded as cowardice via threats and manipulation. One wolf lives one wolf dies. Except now all wolves die. This is mankind's lrgacy.
Posted by: duckncovet | Jun 18 2024 16:12 utc | 28
Methodology here is the imposition and continual hyping of fear amongst the subject populations within the Collective Wa$te. Those crime clans who are running the show on a financial and parasitical basis are losing their grip, not only ln fully awakening portions of the Global South; additional to various axes of resistance...but also on such independent thinkers as remain within the alliances of fear-mongering.
Amongst the subsidiary political and media whores throughout most of the Western world, the orders from that Eye of Horus is to strictly stay "on message". Distortion and confusion amongst the populace are closely allied to rising levels of fear programming. Reasonilng behind these barrages of propaganda and mindfuckery is that the ruling elites and their closest minions and stooges are in states of existential fear of their OWN populations.
Constant vigilance amongst those adults in the room who strive to attain glimpses of geopolitical reality is of essence. Maintaining awareness is critical in creating a psychological milieu which can develop and sustain elementary sanity amongst the fear-driven masses.
Again, impositional FEAR is their primary means by which THEY can maintain their hold over We The People. Losing in Ukraine and Palestine is a grim fate that the fringe on top absolutely dreads. Their schemes and plans for world domination is rapidly becoming derailed by events such as the Saudi destruction of the Petrodollar.
Thus, both on the military and economic fronts; the enemies of humanity are becoming desperate. Meanwhile, the well-led and powerfully organized R.U. and their allies are gradually turning up the heat, thus averting sudden collapses of those enemies of humanity. They are bringing the water to an advancing simmer...not allowing events to suddenly boil over.
Posted by: aristodemos | Jun 18 2024 16:20 utc | 29
The idea that China is threatening NATO is ludicrous. It is NATO which is filling the South China Sea with its warship, trying to threaten China.
I've long thought that the chief "crimes" of PR China are that the government is not submissive to the USA, and that the people are prospering. I suppose it bothers some that China is a successful Eastern civilization, never conquered by Euro. colonialists.
Posted by: lester | Jun 18 2024 16:23 utc | 30
After occasional postings on U.R., where one is enmeshed by the "director's" topical programming memes, along with the intel agents plus various knotheads and splinters who dote on seeing their malignities appear on the screen-list; it is a sheer delight to realize that b. is back in action and in a state of recovery. As against the inanities on "social media" and the infested alternative site; it is most refreshing to interact with a strong plurality of informed and insightful posters.
Once again, "Danke sehr" to b. for enabling high levels of geopolitical interchange.
Posted by: aristodemos | Jun 18 2024 16:29 utc | 31
To make this whole "nuclear deterrent" thing a bit more tangible, there are two great videos on youtube, from the 1980s-soap "Yes, Prime Minister".
The first one is about the question when to push the button: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgkUVIj3KWY
When the Russians assemble soldiers near the Lithuanian border? When they cross it? When they reach the Polish border? Germany?
Remember, in Europe, it would be French President Emmanuel Macron or UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who have - 10 Minutes? 10 Hours? - to decide whether to end the world with all human life on it to, well, "help" Lithuania. Or Poland. Or Germany.
The second one is about the events before and after pushing the button. "What if I push the button, then change my mind?" "No worries - nobody will ever know you did... ."
A great question for NATO secretary Stoltenberg: How long can NATO hold Russian soldiers back, should they cross a NATO-border? Back in the eighties, NATO forces expected to be able to hold back Russia in a conventional war for no more than 72 hours. IF Russia agreed to attack Monday through Friday, that is - most European soldiers go home to their families on weekends, and take a long time to activate should Russia attack on a weekend. Given that, say, Germany, has no more than a few dozen tanks ready to operate, and no more than a few thousand soldiers, 72 hours might be a bit optimistic. With Russia now having about a million battle-hardened veterans after rotating their Ukraine-force every couple of months, and several thousand tanks. Not to mention equally battle-hardened pilots and armies of drones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7YR6WICIAI
Posted by: Marvin | Jun 18 2024 16:34 utc | 32
It appears b did his due diligence and Larry C. Johnson didn't before publishing his latest article, "MORE REFLECTION ON PUTIN’S STARK WARNING TO THE WEST", where he cites this report published here:
NATO is considering deploying more of its nuclear weapons in the face of threats from Russia, China and North Korea, the defense alliance’s leader said.It is important that NATO “communicate the direct message that we, of course, are a nuclear alliance” by taking more of its warheads out of storage, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with the Telegraph published on Sunday.
“I won’t go into operational details about how many nuclear warheads should be operational and which should be stored, but we need to consult on these issues,” he said. “That’s exactly what we’re doing,” he added.
Johnson also missed the false citing of Ms. Meloni. So, yes working directly from official transcripts or live audio recordings are best in our day and age as we ought to be well aware of which side has used fake news for decades to manipulate its populace.
China does appear to be expanding its inventory of nukes. There is a sound military reason because of actions taken by the US to arm submarines with tactical nuclear weapons. In 2024 Congress funded the Nuclear-Armed Sea-Launched Cruise Missile against the opposition of the Biden admin which must have felt the project was too destabilizing. https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2024-02/news/congress-endorses-new-nuclear-weapon
The arms companies pay members of Congress to fund the tactical nuclear weapon project so China will be concerned about having to fight a tactical nuclear war (initially), leading to the expansion of the Chinese arsenal to 1,000 warheads from the small inventory China has historically maintained. US arms companies are atrocious. They will do anything for money including deliberately setting off a nuclear arms race.
Posted by: deeplake | Jun 18 2024 17:12 utc | 34
"The Summer of Living Dangerously". Direct quote from the remarkable Pepe' Escobar on Judge Napolitano's interview today : "Judging Freedom". Today's rainy day allowed me to actually watch, rather than merely listen to the interview. It was not merely worth my time. Napolitano is a most gifted interviewer and Escobar's insights are utterly world-class...that as well as his Brazilian/Portuguese sense of theatre and its presentation.
Currently on the scene in Moscow; Escobar well understands that he is precisely positioned to glean highly critical information from numerous sources within the governmental, military and media infrastructure. Of all the commentators which I access; Escobar's realization of the chess-master, President V.V. Putin's grasp of geopolitical reality is simply off the charts. Most telling was his analysis on the R.U. president's peace offering he made, carefully introjected into the timing of the "Peace Conference" in Switzerland...an event which Escobar described as "Kabuki" play-acting.
By this subtle maneuver, Putin informed the global majority that he is being most reasonable in his demands/requests and that in so doing; informed the world that negotiations on his offered basis is the Collective Wa$te's LAST CHANCE for a negotiated settlement.
Without further commentary; my recommendation to interested parties is to take the opportunity to view the full interview of less than half an hour of your time. Such will be well worth the investment. Of all the geopolitical interviews I've accessed, the interviewing chops of Napolitano and the animated, but highly insightful presentation by Escobar is non-perile.
Posted by: aristodemos | Jun 18 2024 17:13 utc | 35
With so much talk of nuclear war lately, I don't feel that this article by Robert Gore is off topic.
This article should be required reading of the elites, as they and their loved ones could be turned into small black bundles as well.
https://straightlinelogic.com/2024/06/16/small-black-bundles-by-robert-gore/
Posted by: morongobill | Jun 18 2024 17:19 utc | 36
Larry P. Johnson @ 6
There was a comment of a week or two ago regarding Meloni being compromised by globalist interests. This seems to indicate this is correct.
She was never compromised, she never had any integrity other than early in her career a youthful fascist enthusiasm, but more importantly a useful unscrupulous ambition that got the attention of the PTB; she was groomed into the roll like Trudeau and Macron.
This is important: there's a "heel-face turn" happening in EU politics where the tarnished, exhausted brand that is the left is being replaced with the "fresh, vibrant" right. I don't think it's long planned or that it's all that wanted, it creates big woke issues, but the PTB spotted the fatal brand slippage maybe five years ago and initiated the makeover.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jun 18 2024 17:27 utc | 37
duckncovet@1612
On reading through your presentation, my synthesis of your comments is fairly simple. As mere minions, actors on the stage, the "leaders" of the Collective Wa$te are not inclusive of any adults in the room.
Just today, in his interview on Judge Napolitano's "Judging Freedom" podcast with the redoubtable Pepe' Escobar, the Judge presented a couple of short video clips of the Norwegian Quisling Jens Stoltenberg along with the stumbling U$ "Defense" Secretary, Lloyd Austin, both appeared clueless and merely mouthing the orders imposed upon them by the ruling Bank$ters in City of London and Wall $treet.
Again, NO ADULTS IN THE ROOM. The Western "leaders" are mere play-actors.
Escobar also presented his take on the little private meeting which will APPOINT Ursula von der Lying to another term as the totally unelected head of the Brussels based and City of London dictated E.U. agglomeration of brown-nosed bureaucraps.
This imposition of the Deutscher Dominatrix comes in the face of a near total rejection in the recent EU parliamentary elections of the entire E.U. program of continued aggression against the liberators of the ethnic Russians along with the majority of people who speak the Ukrainian dialect of Russian.
The peoples of Europe have rejected their rulership by diktat emanating from City of London and Wall $treet. Though the people have spoken...the ruling elite simply don't care a fat, furry, fiddler's fart about popular will and resistance.
The reality cannot be more clear. The financiers. symbolized by the Eye of Horus, hovering over their pyramid of social control so acutely represented symbologically on the ass-end of the U.$. "Fed" $1 note...are massively upset by the growing awakening on the part of their subjects...and by the stances of Russia, China and the BRICS alternative...as their best-laid plans appear to be heading down the everyday "Throne's" Big Swirly.
Posted by: aristodemos | Jun 18 2024 17:36 utc | 38
lester @ 29
This is just more of the fictitious drivel the west feeds the media who promptly put it out as truth. It's getting old - fewer and fewer people believe anything the media puts out anymore.
Posted by: Ozark Grandpa | Jun 18 2024 17:39 utc | 39
"This is important: there's a "heel-face turn" happening in EU politics where the tarnished, exhausted brand that is the left is being replaced with the "fresh, vibrant" right."
---
Well, perhaps it would be more correct to say that the "progressive" mask is very worn out.
In archaic terminology we would say that on the Stage (for entertainment and confusion of the plebs) the actors and actresses of the school of the Pharisees are going to be replaced by actors and actresses of the school of the Sadducees.
Posted by: Simon | Jun 18 2024 17:49 utc | 40
Wars? Started by fake news....no shortage of 'fake news' used to start wars, or keep them going; targeted, programed, mediavized.
It wouldn't be anything new, in fact, more of an expectation. Fait au Compli.
The info coming out now about the Pentagon media campaign to discredit the Sino Vac in the Philippines screams volumes. Three volumes: Fake Fucking Fake. Wonder if any Filipinos died as a result of that. Doubt the Filipinos have means of redress. How would that be different from a chemical weapons attack, using fear to weaponize a medical therapy designed to save life? What constitutes an Act of War.....make it up as you go along?
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jun 18 2024 17:56 utc | 41
Seems that these fake news and misrepresentation of quotes of various leaders is becoming a pattern. This most likely means CIA/MI6 media complex is deliberately manipulating a hot war.
This could be related to the petrodollar dying out and potential bank crisis which would need to be covered up.
Posted by: unimperator | Jun 18 2024 17:58 utc | 42
Posted by: duckncovet | Jun 18 2024 16:12 utc | 27
thanks for an amazing post.
The western elires are salivating and jerking on Russian resources they plan to rob. They talk about decolonising Russia. They think about the oil, diamonds, gold....
They are not afraidbof Putin, they are not afraid of anything. They have just that terrible psychopatic urge and drive to go on and to kill. Just like in good old times of Spanish conquista....
That is something Putin does not understand.
Posted by: vargas | Jun 18 2024 18:02 utc | 43
Glad you're back, B, We are wishing you a full and speedy recovery.
Posted by: a machinist | Jun 18 2024 18:09 utc | 44
[email protected] in Brussels without public input. The heads of the Familia meet to split the future spoils of the set victim.
Putin puts on a good show, but if as Pepe says, the simmering broil on the street is detectable Mr Putin may well need to look over his shoulder.
Cheers M
..... I'm thinking body bags get counted the same way in Russia as any where else, no one wants one as a relative....
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jun 18 2024 18:33 utc | 45
Europe must finally understand that for the Americans it is only capital and nothing else. If this capital can be used so successfully against Russia that Russia disappears as a nation state, then it wouldn't be a big deal if there wasn't much left of Europe in the end, because the Americans would have won - that's all that matters to them.
Posted by: Oliver Krug | Jun 18 2024 18:37 utc | 46
"...working directly from official transcripts or live audio recordings are best in our day and age as we ought to be well aware of which side has used fake news for decades to manipulate its populace."
Posted by: karlof1 | Jun 18 2024 17:04 utc | 32
Thanks for this observation, karlof1. I have to say that was the most valuable lesson my liberal arts college training gave me - we studied the original texts, not what was written about them. And that is what makes this site superlative among others, we are not discussing an author's second hand interpretation of what someone 'said' - b does what is needed in going back to the originals or to translations we can trust.
I'm on my little soap box here, so I'll just say the same refers to the ancients - don't take what Aristotle says is Plato's message to be the truth - go to Plato himself and have your own thoughts! Glibly it is posed many places that the ancients were of similar mind (eg. 'Plato and Aristotle). No way! They are very different.
Thank you, b. Very important subject.
Posted by: juliania | Jun 18 2024 18:44 utc | 47
Figleaf23 | Jun 18 2024 14:36 utc | 17
Correct. Anyone who pays money for legacy media newspapers, websites, magazines, or even worse actually sits down and watches news on TV (BBC/CNN/FOX/etc) is a certifiable, Grade-A, moron.
I’ve cut 100% of that crap out of my life and am still dosed daily with their lies that trickle out in various ways. I’m not surprised in the slightest that it could very well lead to our extinction.
Posted by: Moonraker | Jun 18 2024 18:51 utc | 48
Posted by: juliania | Jun 18 2024 18:44 utc | 46
As of your post I am now a big fan.
You understand the difference between Plato and Aristotle and its significance in today's world.
Posted by: GEORGE M CHAMBERLAIN | Jun 18 2024 18:58 utc | 49
Thank you for a good post and a very important point on the treacherous quisling Stoltenberg who is only surpassed by even more treacherous mass media propaganda.
Posted by: Norwegian | Jun 18 2024 18:59 utc | 50
[quote] To put more of them on 'standby'[/quote]
This has little to do with submarines being out and about or not. It's about deployment time of warheads from deep storage to any delivery system. There's a process involved, it's not like wheeling B-61's to some dedicated jet and go. Even more important background to this article: nuclear weapons of UK and France are not directly any NATO issue or responsibility. They are not under any NATO control or policy. The so-called Nuclear Sharing policy of NATO only involves US weapons and are not actively mounted on missiles but are in storage to be carried by national squadrons of Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. Part of non-proliferation agreement to have it that way. Having then on stand-by permanently could become an issue for his aspect.
Posted by: John Dowser | Jun 18 2024 19:33 utc | 52
Looks like Stoltenberg is off to a sanitarium where they'll try and cure his shaking disease. It'll be hard to out a-hole Stoltenberg but I think Rutte has it in him.
Acting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to take over as NATO Secretary General - Dutch Broadcasting Corporation.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jun 18 2024 19:41 utc | 53
Posted by: juliania | Jun 18 2024 18:44 utc | 46
One of the biggest impacts of the internet has been the ability for average citizens to increasingly cut out the reporter’s nuanced retellings of events that often betray partisan bias. Want to know what Putin said about x? You don’t have to rely on a highly redacted version, just read his own words. Want to know the differing perspectives on what those words mean, or their context, you can assemble a group of commentators at the click of a mouse or tap of the keyboard. Similarly, forums like this allow posters to arm themselves with knowledge or have their original suppositions about events challenged, allowing them the opportunity to hone their arguments.
The majority do not avail themselves of these facilities, preferring to allow AI algorithms to censor their news feeds, but there are enough who do to seriously dislocate the plans of people who relied on their hybrid press-poodle/doberman’s to keep the peasants ignorant. Armed with alternative facts and perspectives to those peddled by the second-hand re-tellers of the official version, they can start people questioning the received narrative, helping grow public awareness.
Posted by: Milites | Jun 18 2024 20:38 utc | 55
@51,
Seems to me the US cannot keep enough fighters fully operationally ready to carry the nukes already stored and supposedly on a shirt time launch window, so they load on EU airframes.
It is bad with aging F-16, worse with "the can't fly enough to gather test data", F-35.
The way to deter anyone?
Posted by: paddy | Jun 18 2024 21:07 utc | 56
An FYI for curious barflies, Putin's long pit-stop in Sakha, "DPRK Bound, Putin Stops in Yakutia/Sakha," https://karlof1.substack.com/p/dprk-bound-putin-stops-in-yakutiasakha
Posted by: GEORGE M CHAMBERLAIN | Jun 18 2024 18:58 utc | 48
Thank you, GEORGE. We usually pursue such topics on the open forums, Sunday and midweek. I couldn't resist sliding it in here as an example of needing to explore ideas at their source, but won't go further at present. I'm tickled to have a fellow philosopher responding - thanks again!
Posted by: juliania | Jun 18 2024 21:50 utc | 59
“Aus der Kriegsschule des Lebens. —"Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker,”
Friedrich Nietzsche 1888
Posted by: canuck | Jun 18 2024 14:37 utc | 18
What a stupid sentence by someone who needed 11 years to die living like a vegetable. Sure, he was much stronger the day before he died.
He also wrote:
Die Kraft zu wollen, und zwar einen Willen lang zu wollen, ist etwas stärker schon in Deutschland, und im deutschen Norden wiederum stärker als in der deutschen Mitte; erheblich stärker in England, Spanien und Corsika, dort an das Phlegma, hier an harte Schädel gebunden, — um nicht von Italien zu reden, welches zu jung ist, als dass es schon wüsste, was es wollte, und das erst beweisen muss, ob es wollen kann —, aber am allerstärksten und erstaunlichsten in jenem ungeheuren Zwischenreiche, wo Europa gleichsam nach Asien zurückfliesst, in Russland. Da ist die Kraft zu wollen seit langem zurückgelegt und aufgespeichert, da wartet der Wille — ungewiss, ob als Wille der Verneinung oder der Bejahung — in bedrohlicher Weise darauf, ausgelöst zu werden, um den Physikern von heute ihr Leibwort abzuborgen. Es dürften nicht nur indische Kriege und Verwicklungen in Asien dazu nöthig sein, damit Europa von seiner grössten Gefahr entlastet werde, sondern innere Umstürze, die Zersprengung des Reichs in kleine Körper und vor Allem die Einführung des parlamentarischen Blödsinns, hinzugerechnet die Verpflichtung für Jedermann, zum Frühstück seine Zeitung zu lesen. Ich sage dies nicht als Wünschender: mir würde das Entgegengesetzte eher nach dem Herzen sein, — ich meine eine solche Zunahme der Bedrohlichkeit Russlands, dass Europa sich entschliessen müsste, gleichermaassen bedrohlich zu werden, nämlich Einen Willen zu bekommen, durch das Mittel einer neuen über Europa herrschenden Kaste, einen langen furchtbaren eigenen Willen, der sich über Jahrtausende hin Ziele setzen könnte: — damit endlich die langgesponnene Komödie seiner Kleinstaaterei und ebenso seine dynastische wie demokratische Vielwollerei zu einem Abschluss käme. Die Zeit für kleine Politik ist vorbei: schon das nächste Jahrhundert bringt den Kampf um die Erd-Herrschaft, — den Zwang zur grossen Politik.
Exactly the program of Hitler and now of the western countries. All adepts of the will to power and of the Uebermencsh.
Posted by: Naive | Jun 18 2024 21:50 utc | 60
Posted by: karlof1 | Jun 18 2024 21:43 utc | 56
I guess you already know the following:
https://en.reseauinternational.net/reponse-de-vladimir-vladimirovitch-poutine-a-julian-macfarlane/
Worth reading by everyone. And surprised it was not already reporter here.
Posted by: Naive | Jun 18 2024 21:54 utc | 61
Putin:
Will there be a nuclear war?
Many people – especially in the West – talk about it as the only way for America to maintain its dominance – even though it would be suicide for the United States since Russia and China have nuclear superiority. It's not going to happen.
Posted by: Naive | Jun 18 2024 21:58 utc | 63
China does appear to be expanding its inventory of nukes. There is a sound military reason because of actions taken by the US to arm submarines with tactical nuclear weapons. . .Posted by: deeplake | Jun 18 2024 17:12 utc | 33
Remember, when the US expands its arsenal or games out scenarios, it's nuclear deterrence. When China or Russia does it, it's nuclear blackmail.
Posted by: Mike R | Jun 18 2024 22:47 utc | 64
It's a safe bet for Russia to expand its tactical nuclear weapons arsenal to at least 50,000 warheads. USA knows it cannot fight two wars so NATO will try to take on Russia first before fighting China.
I don't discount the possibility of NATO launching a pre-emptive nuclear strike on Russia. Large numbers of tactical nukes can be used against European NATO weaklings and their bases outside their territory which allows the use of strategic nukes against USA, UK and France. Russia should also use the opportunity to claim a port or few on the Atlantic coast with a land corridor to Russia.
Posted by: Jason | Jun 18 2024 23:09 utc | 65
Milites @54
I couldn't agree more. The mainstream media shovels out way too much manure these days. The internet provides other avenues for us to disseminate our thoughts and folkpotpourri is rife with opinion and ideas that cut against the mainstream grain. Got to help folks to see different perspectives and offer opposing views, for instance: https://folkpotpourri.com/the-tangled-web-of-false-narratives/
Posted by: Ozark Grandpa | Jun 18 2024 23:22 utc | 66
What will the eurasian alliance be after Putin's gone? Ah yes the kindle gentler Chinese. We will see after they gain power not before. It's when in power nature is demonstrated. USA pucked the fooch in this acting like a three year old declared king. A bratty three year old. Now everyone will try the alternative billed as better than sliced bread. Like setting up a pool table.It might be, time will tell. Putin is the mass here it revolves around him. Will the orbit remain after he is gone? No Opinion. Things change.
PS what in gods name makes Putin think Russia China nuclear superiority will prevent a nuclear war?
What in gods name makes Putin think continuence is considered in its decisions?
What in gods name makes Putin think USAs interests are considered in their actions?
USA is just another commodity to be consumed.
USA and Europe are non profitable franchises selected for down sizing a long time ago. Putin and Xi got promotions. Ah those digital ones and zeros are bad. These digital ones and zeros are good representing justice. Putin was such a good neo liberal hanging out with Macron and trading energy for Euros before. The Ukraine project sure has changed him.
The financial system picks the winners not Visa versa. Yes some "bad" digital ones and zeros are discarded. Then its utopia just like pepe says. This is inevitable because USA pucked the fooch so bad. And who made those decisions? Ah the digital ones and zero lords. But getting rid of those bad digital ones and zeros and ones cleans up their act. Just like before. Putin and Xi only like good digital ones and zeros.you see their like beef! No where's the beef here. Each cow is now worth 50 billion good zeros and ones to provide the worlds currency needs. All solid decent ones and zeros no bad eggs here. The ones and zeros lords are now saints working for the good of the people. Putin liked those other zeros and ones in his neo liberal days but he cleaned up his act. Hes been a really good influence on Xi!
This is the best case scenario. USA and Europe get their pink slip from the corporation. Not cost effective. Last 30 years is liquidation of assets. It like goodfellas and the restaurant. Credit gets maxed. You try to work some recalcitrant nations into shape to use zeros and ones. It's all free because the actor is getting the pink slip anyway. Bad zeros and ones they are! Putin and xi get promotions. Sales pitch strategy developed. No nuclear war. What's not to like?
Posted by: duckncover | Jun 18 2024 23:24 utc | 67
Has shadowbanned not been reactivated yet?
Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | Jun 18 2024 19:08 utc | 50
Off topic.
There is an open thread for such stuff, remember?
Posted by: Walt | Jun 18 2024 23:43 utc | 68
If we link to the original article that is the subject of B's post, we can see Bryen is connecting (confusing?) NATO's interests with those of the Biden administration.
"... Stoltenberg could not act on NATO’s nuclear deterrent without deep coordination with the United States. Thus the NATO expansion of nuclear weapons has to be a Biden administration policy and program ..."
Bryen's assumption is that the US is aiming to extend its nuclear umbrella protection over Ukraine, a non-NATO member.
But what if the US (and by extension, NATO) is only doing what it has done in other nations (Japan, South Korea, Kosovo) and is using Ukraine as a giant military base to launch a future invasion of Russia?
Posted by: Refinnejenna | Jun 18 2024 23:52 utc | 69
Posted by: duckncover | Jun 18 2024 23:24 utc | 66
Sorry to bother you, but can you provide the key to enable us to decode your messages?
Posted by: Walt | Jun 18 2024 23:52 utc | 70
Sorry to bother you, but can you provide the key to enable us to decode your messages?
+1
Posted by: persiflo | Jun 19 2024 0:16 utc | 71
Looks as though big brother has taken sonar21.com out of action. Scott Ritter collateral. Ray McGovern gonna be next? They gettin real nastier and nastier. ☠️
Posted by: skull | Jun 19 2024 0:26 utc | 72
@ Worth reading by everyone. And surprised it was not already reporter here.
Posted by: Naive | Jun 18 2024 21:54 utc | 60
read it a day or so ago - lovely piece of faction - Surprised that The Telegraph didn't pick it up!
Go easy now "b" - mind the recovering body and don't overdo the 'mind' ...
Posted by: Don Firineach | Jun 19 2024 2:06 utc | 73
Fret not, there aint no one targeting China, the chinaman are simply hallucinating stuff...
At times the Communist Chinese leaders seem to be obsessed with the notion that they are being threatened and encircled." China's "imaginary, almost pathological, notion that the United States and other countries around its borders are seeking an opportunity to invade mainland China and destroy the Peiping [Peking] regime". [is incomprehensible][sic]"How much Peiping's 'fear' of the United States is genuine and how much it is artificially induced for domestic political purposes only the Chinese Communist leaders themselves know. I am convinced, however, that their desire to expel our influence and activity from the western Pacific and Southeast Asia is not motivated by fears that we are threatening them."
https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/the-west-has-been-planning-to-crush
Posted by: denk | Jun 19 2024 2:13 utc | 74
Skull @ 71
I still get sonar here on BC Canada
https://sonar21.com/more-reflection-on-putins-stark-warning-to-the-west/
Posted by: Merv Ritchie | Jun 19 2024 2:39 utc | 75
"NATO is a consulting mechanism. It does not have tanks, guns or nuclear forces. All such tangible things are owned and controlled by this or that member country.
NATO does not have a nuclear force and currently neither NATO nor those member countries which have nuclear forces are interested in expanding them."
Although technically this might be true, strategicaly in terms of mutual assistance the picture is very different. The NATO umbrella is nuclear armed, and although ultimately it would be a national sovereign choice of use of these weapons, the pre-commitment (and even if purely as deterrent) to defend another NATO member does imply managing or upgrading abilities to suit the apparent, imagined or chosen projection, of a possible foe.
It goes without saying that in this case defensive ability is also offensive ability. That it is fabricated in relation to a hypothetical encroachment by a non member state is not a reassurance, given that certain NATO members are in near open conflict with a large neighbouring country. That is to say some appear to use the shelter of the NATO framework from which to act against another country.
The USA for example, would it be supporting Ukraine as it does but by itself without a NATO framework of allies in place ? The same would apply in regard to having EU support of activity in the country.
As often pointed out, Russia does see NATO expansion (under its current form) as a threat. It would not just regard Ukraine as part of NATO as defensive, even if all actions in Ukraine were to take place in a fully sovereign manner.
Trying to parse political intent behind any communication is very difficult. Stoltenberg's actual words could be taken as simply vague or evasive (for any number of reasons), or even as to insinuate that NATO members are up to "something slightly secretive but in a responsible way".
Proper reporting is to present facts as clearly as possible, with any interpretation being clearly set apart as the authors opinion. Objective reporting is in decline though, is being discouraged because the basis of traditional viewpoints are also under attack.
Subjective reporting combined with sensationalism gives the kind of strange presentations we are becoming used to, where what the author imagines kind of mixes into some ethereal version of events made believable by borrowing standard forms of syntax used by more objective authors.
To try to parse all of that combined is very difficult, because we might think from cheap sensationalism through to deep state psyop aiming to raise public anxiety levels and bait foreign leadership.
Here is the point though. If Peskov reads it all a certain way, and taking him to be a straight talker, then that is what the sum of the presentation means to Russia.
If that were not intended, the fault is with the officials, not the reporter (who might also be at fault), for providing the basis for the story. I think Peskov would be intelligent and disciplined enough not to just react adhoc to some questionable news story.
"These are good reminders to check, and double-check, everything one reads about hot conflicts."
And to still remain cynical of any conclusion reached.
Posted by: Ornot | Jun 19 2024 2:57 utc | 76
By now every five year old knows
Empire watch rule 1
Put every official story thru an inverter and you'd be fine.
In That Dean Rusk diatribe, all you need to do is exchange Beijing with Washington, there you have it, USAss's pathological Persecution complex down to a tee.
What beats me is, Rusk has an echo chamber at the bar..
Our resident poop
[No offense, it simply means prof of outrageous philosophistry]
The Chinese people are being told they are at war with America already. This only a few years after millions enjoyed Trump puppets in the streets. Clearly they are propagandized just like all other peoples
Posted by: denk | Jun 19 2024 3:11 utc | 77
War has always been restructuring. One set of paper or digital ones and zeros goes away. Discontinued model by the digital ones and zero lords. Another appears. Restructuring.
Yea. Just do a little cou in Ukraine. Train them up and start messing with the ethnic Russian population. When Russia steps in cut off their energy from being traded in dollars. Its dollars not energy that has value. After that just March on up to Moskow. A guy that plays the piano in a unique fashion will lead you. There wo t be any resistance. Promise.
Tell me there was any chance but this outcome.
Go ahead tell me that.
The desired restructuring is taking place.
Complete with a brand new product identity and marketing strategy.
Take the multipolar challenge!
Who is the target consumer? Dont matter. Someone with somthing other than discontinued zeros and ones.
Restructuring is the digital ones and zero lords art. The world is their canvas. They consume nations. They were oh so bad but they got rid of the bad ones and zeros associated with that bad nation that just happens to look like a Turkey carcass that's not even fit for a soup pot. Now they are good multipolar digital ones and zero lords.
Hey Putin what do you think of the digital ones and zero lords?
Putin " did I mention the transition to the multipolar world? No? It's a fantastic new product. It will be available soon. It has all of the advantages of the old evil product that was inherantly bad. The new multipolar product is 100% based on Brazilian beef. It is truly just the product of a bovine based economy. The bovine based multipolar digital ones and zeros are clearly the choice of discerning world citizens with resources left to plunder."
Posted by: duckncover | Jun 19 2024 3:19 utc | 78
duckncover @77 exactly. If’n I read ya correctly, all players are playing on the same game board achieving the singular desired result. Death of millions matters not, only the result. The masses distracted by the horrors or joys while the trap is sprung on all. WAIT! WHATS THAT OVER THERE?!?!
Posted by: Merv Ritchie | Jun 19 2024 3:29 utc | 79
Fret not, there aint no one targeting China, the chinaman are simply hallucinating stuff...
At times the Communist Chinese leaders seem to be obsessed with the notion that they are being threatened and encircled." China's "imaginary, almost pathological, notion that the United States and other countries around its borders are seeking an opportunity to invade mainland China and destroy the Peiping [Peking] regime". [is incomprehensible]
"How much Peiping's 'fear' of the United States is genuine and how much it is artificially induced for domestic political purposes only the Chinese Communist leaders themselves know. I am convinced, however, that their desire to expel our influence and activity from the western Pacific and Southeast Asia is not motivated by fears that we are threatening them."
[sic]
https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/the-west-has-been-planning-to-crush
Posted by: denk | Jun 19 2024 2:13 utc | 73
I would like to pick up on a part of Caitlin's piece there insofar as it refers to the Philippines but will take it over the the open thread as it properly belongs there.
Posted by: Walt | Jun 19 2024 3:56 utc | 80
I am convinced, however, that their desire to expel our influence and activity from the western Pacific and Southeast Asia is not motivated by fears that we are threatening them."
Posted by: denk | Jun 19 2024 2:13 utc | 73
He can be convinced of whatever he wants to be convinced of, but we most certainly are threatening China. The dispute areas that we are raising are Taiwan and The South China sea.
Posted by: Jmaas | Jun 19 2024 4:06 utc | 81
In the movie Gone with the Wind, early on they have a scene where a group of southern gentlemen assert and mutually support that the South would win any war with the North. They suppose this outcome because asserting it is them mutually pandering to their vanity. Something a lot like that went on in Japan prior to WWII. The Samurai class took any assertion that Japan could lose a war as an insult to the Samurai class. When discussing war no one dare admit that Japan could lose a war without being at personal risk from the Samurai.
I believe something similar to that is going on with our leadership right now. Our leaders have become a mutual admiration society that is unable to climb down from its assertion of inherent superiority.
Posted by: Jmaas | Jun 19 2024 4:14 utc | 82
Great to see Larry Johnson on here. Great admiration for Larry. BTW, Karlof, with your attempt to shame Larry, go take a running jump. I am guessing that is far more knowledgable on these issues than you. He was in Russia recently, invited to present at the Economic Forum. Were you?
Posted by: Áobh Ó'Sheachnasaigh | Jun 19 2024 6:21 utc | 83
Re: De-Dollarization brings peace.
The first brutal effects of de-dollarization, namely high interest rates on Federal Debt, will be felt in 2025.
Fully 1/3 of Federal Income in 2025 will be devoted to paying interest on federal debt. Think how buyers of federal debt will calculate treasury risk at that point. Then, reflect on the choices the war party has when faced with such a budget.
Finally, project out to , say, 2027 the fiscal situation facing the War Party. How does the War Party fund its wars ?
Posted by: Exile | Jun 19 2024 6:25 utc | 84
@Jmaas | Jun 19 2024 4:14 utc | 81
Our leaders have become a mutual admiration society that is unable to climb down from its assertion of inherent superiority.Therefore, they are not leaders.
Thanks for your post, I think the passage below is relevant today, just replace 'Samurai' with whatever term is suitable for current people in power and replace 'Japan' with 'The West':
The Samurai class took any assertion that Japan could lose a war as an insult to the Samurai class. When discussing war no one dare admit that Japan could lose a war without being at personal risk from the Samurai.
Posted by: Norwegian | Jun 19 2024 6:34 utc | 85
Stoltenberg now knows NATO cannot win, on the battlefield, against Russia. So he's flashing the Nuclear Card out of desperation. It's all show and no substance.
Posted by: Germoney | Jun 19 2024 7:01 utc | 86
They’ve lied, cheated, stolen…
They bluffed and had all their bluffs called.
They huffed and puffed.
Now they beg to be let off, excused their loses and still be paid the winnings!
Because if they don’t get what they came for the whole ponzi house comes down!
Gasp, gasp,
“we were NOT supposed to ever lose! “
They WILL throw shelenski carcass under the bus.
He’s the only one who doesn’t realise.
They might even sacrifice Bozo for having encouraged the end of the Istanbul Peace.
Now with more than half million dead since then - there is no going back to that easy deal.
Always take their first offer - it’s the best. The last one is never an offer it is boots on the ground in your Capitals and a whole new set of restaurants!
Every fuking century we have to learn the hard way - don’t invade, don’t steal - they always come to collect - whilst the shapeshifters hedge and escape and try again. With European blood and mental illness xenophobia. We deserve it for being the perennial suckers.
Chutzpah is the name of the game now.
The Great Escape per the usual fast talking gun at their owns head - ‘we’ll blow ourselves up and you too, then you’ll be sorry …”
sob sob, whimper, we are always the victim etc.
Another bluff - they have NO reverse gear.
Frankly I’d let the hypersonics find each and every single individual bloodyhanded banker and profiteer wherever they hide including the unelected Hidden Hands - leave us civvies alone licking our wounds for having believed the lying liars all our lives.
A mass re-education is vital for the Collective Waste if we are ever to join the rest of humanity and Civilisation to progress after the centuries long hiatus of our Anglo European imperial dead end. The quick way out is to find that Reverse Gear.
Posted by: DunGroanin | Jun 19 2024 7:18 utc | 87
Just saw Sky News claim Putin (showing footage descending from plane) arrived in North Korea. I thought no hang on he is using his left hand on the rail. It was clearly Yakutia. In North Korea he held the handrail with his right hand and in Yakutia with his left. The reason I know I foolishly watched carefully to see how he tackled steps compared to Biden. Was it fake - not many there in Yakutia to meet him - or was it just laziness.
The Ukraine has managed to turn the swastika into a symbol of freedom — Baerbock
Answering questions from journalists about the admissibility of the use of symbols of the Third Reich by the Ukrainian military, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that the Ukraine had managed to “rehabilitate the swastika in the eyes of the free world”.
“If earlier this symbol was associated with the Nazi regime of one of the European countries, today it is worn by people who are fighting for their right to independence. We can say that the Ukraine has managed to rehabilitate the swastika in the eyes of the free world and turn it into a symbol of freedom, a symbol of the fight for their existence. Today there is no reason for a negative attitude towards these symbols if their bearers are fighting Russian aggression".
Posted by: wtf | Jun 19 2024 8:01 utc | 89
@wtf | Jun 19 2024 8:01 utc | 88
Link please. Did she say this or is it another case of creative journalism?
Posted by: Norwegian | Jun 19 2024 8:09 utc | 90
EU and US are going into war with their borders wide open. What could possibly go wrong?
Posted by: Passerby | Jun 19 2024 8:10 utc | 91
Perhaps we could begin a feature "This day two years ago".
Putin will land in sanatorium and lose power by 2023: ex-MI6 head Sir Richard Dearlove said Wednesday that Putin could be out of power by next year.
Posted by: Passerby | Jun 19 2024 8:20 utc | 92
@Merv #74
When I tried to access the sonar21 link in your comment, my VPN network servers in the EU as well as in the US, Canada, México, Japan, Brazil, Venezuela etc. all go to the disabled flying saucer site with the message:
This site can't be reached
A server with the specified hostname could not be found.
However, I am able to access your sonar21 link through servers of the same VPN network located in Malaysia, and surprisingly New Zealand, and Australia.
Certainly does look like the Blinken psychos are out to squelch sonar21.
They tried the same thing with https://strategic-culture.su/.
And failed miserably.
Posted by: skull 💀 | Jun 19 2024 8:25 utc | 93
@Norwegian @89
https://smoothiex12.blogspot.com/2024/06/karen-makes-great-points.html#comment-6483882532
Posted by: wtf | Jun 19 2024 8:33 utc | 94
@skull | Jun 19 2024 0:26 utc | 71
Land of the free and all that?
I can reach sonar21.com just fine.
Posted by: Norwegian | Jun 19 2024 8:33 utc | 95
@wtf | Jun 19 2024 8:33 utc | 93
So the reference is a screenshot in russian posted in a comment on Martyanovs blog. I am not saying it is fake, but I can't find a more original German source (I suppose she said it in German) of this astonishing claim.
Posted by: Norwegian | Jun 19 2024 8:46 utc | 96
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jun 18 2024 19:41 utc | 52
Stoltenberg has Bechterew's disease, although afaik a mild form.
(It doesn't make him less quisling of course. Just explains his trembling.)
Posted by: Avtonom | Jun 19 2024 8:57 utc | 97
Posted by: Norwegian | Jun 19 2024 8:46 utc | 95
Agree. It does not sound entirely valid. If she has really said something like that we should know of course, and the MSM would probably hide it, but so far it doesn't look authentic.
Posted by: Avtonom | Jun 19 2024 9:06 utc | 98
The Baerbock quote is highly suspect. That symbol is a strict taboo in Germany. Even mentioning that symbol could lead to prosecution.
Posted by: Exile | Jun 19 2024 9:23 utc | 99
Posted by: Passerby | Jun 19 2024 8:10 utc | 90
Most likely what will happen is EUrope will implode in on itself if the 'muppet leaders' attempt to declare war on Russia.
There will be a few hardcore nazi fanboys in Scandinavia, Baltics and Poland, but even they aren't suicidal. EUrope literally has no way or organization to 'fight Russia'.
You have to always make some assumptions since a scenario where EU declares war on Russia is not at all clear. Let's assume EU/Nato declares war. There are two ways it could go.
First is Russia nukes Nato military installations in Europe. After that it's over for EU, and the rest depends on whether US is going to commit suicide by nuking Russia (Russia will wait and see US reaction). The war in Europe is over in 15 minutes.
Second scenario is US manages to instill a Ukraine style slow-burn war without anyone nuking anything. There are some hardcore nazis in Scandinavia, Baltics and Poland who could probably do something (?). What is the Nato plan to actually war with Russia? Send armies marching toward St. Petersburg? Attack western Belarus? Kaliningrad? First of all, EU has no 'armies', and even if they had and try to invade, it will again lead to attrition mode destruction of said Nato armies (which are not really strong at all, far less so than Ukraine). It could also again lead to nuke escalation.
So no, I don't think Nato can attack Russia in a conventional way.
Most likely any attempt of EuroNATO to 'declare war' on Russia will lead to fast disintegration of core EU states in BENELUX and France, independent rebellions, Caliphates separating from host countries. On the other hand, it will lead to disintegration of EU by revoked memberships in southern Europe.
Nato can only fight through Ukraine, where they can send 'volunteers' in a controlled fashion. Anything else leads to either nuking in Europe with low probability of US retaliating, or disintegrating EU (and NATO).
Posted by: unimperator | Jun 19 2024 9:27 utc | 100
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B you’re back in saddle man, and on fire!
Posted by: Patroklos | Jun 18 2024 12:19 utc | 1