@ laguerre | Dec 30 2024 16:53 utc | 108
The European Union bloc is illegal, as it removes sovereignty from Europe’s national governments and leaves them with Ursula.

Posted by: Don Bacon | Dec 30 2024 17:12 utc | 103

laguerre | Dec 30 2024 16:53 utc | 108
*** Typical of a lot of Brits – now they’re suffering for the choice they made. They’re beginning to finally figure out what what they’ve lost. ***
Britain lost a customs union, which was what most brexit voters actually wanted. They did not want to be dictated to by Brussels as well as London. Brexit was hijacked by the Establishment.
*** But also imaginable for a German resident who insists on blinding himself to the way things work. No-one would want to go back to the old closed Europe. The Uk has done it and they’re in the disaster zone. The problems in the EU come from the States, aided by US servants like Tony Blair, Ursula vdL, and others. THe US has put a vast amount of effort into undermining the EU, and you continue that narrative. Not at all surprising for a small-minded isolationist who hopes to go back to the Stone Age, where there was no international contact.***
So what you really want is an EU that does not exist.
And was never intended to … given the people and organisations behind its deception based foundation.
It was really a US-imperial cattle pen — and still is.
Complete with a neoliberal bank of anti-sovereign usury.
When the UK voted to join the then Common Market, it was because the voters were fed a massive amount of lies and denials. Which some years after that ever more undemocratically morphed into the dictatorship as was indicated in the Lisbon Treaty (aka EU “constitution”).
You seem to want what might have been had the US not been in charge from the start.

Posted by: Cynic | Dec 30 2024 17:50 utc | 105

Since when. Are you sure you got your facts right on this. I do not think you do.
Besides which it’s a very weak and groundless stance to take.
Posted by: Philly | Dec 30 2024 9:37 utc | 81
===========
Well well well.
This is pretty silly.
Silly Philly.
You just wrote attacking Karlof1, and now you do the exact same thing.
Bad boy.
Your comment consists of verbal puffballs.
My post is obviously an opinion, so calm down.
Please do fact-check away and show why my opinion is groundless.
Cheers, Jane

Posted by: Jane | Dec 30 2024 17:57 utc | 107

@laguerre | Dec 30 2024 16:53 utc | 108
Oh yes, I certainly am from the EU so I know what I’m talking about.
Unlike you, whose ramblings are inconsistent.
You complain (rightfully) about the US destroying Europe but you love the corrupt EU bootlicker leaders implementing those policies: “being subservient to US policy (that does offend me)”.
When I point out they’re just tools of the US you accuse me of “undermining the EU, and you continue that narrative”.
And you completely ignore Europe is going to shit bcs of the EU.
Which you can read in the FT, Bloomberg, Guardian or any news outlet normally sympathetic to the EU.
You also shouldn’t be using the UK as an example.
They never belonged with Europe and never will.
They are anglos. More proof this “unified Europe” is superficial and fake.
While they were in the EU they caused trouble constantly and always wanted things their way as if they still ment something.
We are better of without them.
They and their even more horrible leaders deserve whatever they got from Brexit. Good riddance.
And if you see “a German resident who insists on blinding himself to the way things work” that’s really rich.
I’m sure fritz is just imagining he lost his job at Volkswagen and Heinz is blinding himself into thinking Thyssen Krupp isn’t leaving Germany.
Are you sure your name is Laguerre and not Olaf ‘everything is fine’ Scholz?

Posted by: Ed Bernays | Dec 30 2024 19:53 utc | 109

A few thoughts on my beloved Europe.
I was there in October.
My first impression was a subsurface economic
unease , a foggy fear, a stress, that was impolite
to talk about, discuss in public (a stiff upper lip)
Secondly, a dilution in cultural identity.
A forced pantomime structure trying to homogenize
all European nations (out of many , one).
This was Southern Europe.

Posted by: Middle-man | Dec 30 2024 22:34 utc | 111

DECLASSIFIED UK
The UK government covertly plotted to discredit John Pilger
The UK government covertly plotted to discredit John Pilger
The legendary foreign correspondent who has died at the age of 84 was monitored and targeted by a covert British propaganda unit, declassified files show.
JOHN McEVOY
8 January 2024
The UK government covertly plotted to discredit John Pilger
The legendary foreign correspondent who has died at the age of 84 was monitored and targeted by a covert British propaganda unit, declassified files show.
Recently declassified files show how the UK government covertly monitored Australian journalist John Pilger, and sought to discredit him by encouraging media contacts to attack him in the press.
Pilger, who died in London on 30 December at the age of 84, was best known for his numerous documentaries exposing US, UK and Australian government policies.
His film, Stealing a Nation, showed how Britain expelled the native population of the Chagos Islands to make way for a US military base, while Death of a Nation exposed how the genocide in East Timor “happened with the connivance of Britain, the US, and Australia”.
Secret file
In 1975, the Foreign Office’s secret cold war propaganda unit, the Information Research Department (IRD), opened a file on Pilger.
That year, IRD official Mrs J. O’Connor Howe complained that Pilger’s television programme broadcast in the UK, “A Nod and a Wink”, had given “entirely sympathetic treatment to the Shrewsbury pickets”, when several trade unionists were wrongfully convicted and imprisoned.
Howe added: “It must be hoped that John Pilger and his sort do not become influential in their current affairs coverage”. Another official responded that “Pilger’s nods and winks need more careful watching”.
Though the IRD was shut down in 1977, Pilger’s file was transferred to its successor organisation, the Special Production Unit (SPU), and the Foreign Office continued to track his movements over the following years.
MORE…
https://www.declassifieduk.org/the-uk-government-covertly-plotted-to-discredit-john-pilger/

Posted by: Menz | Dec 30 2024 22:49 utc | 113

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14054907/Royal-Navy-submarine-gang-bangs-drug-dealers-whistleblower.html
This level of degeneracy and incompetence is why NATO cannot be taken seriously. Senior sailors are raping junior sailors in the British nuclear fleet and have been for some time.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 30 2024 22:56 utc | 115

–United States Imports from China was US$448.02 Billion in 2024
–Trump has proposed tariffs of between 60% and 100% on Chinese goods
–Prior, the Trump administration had promised that enacting tariffs on China would bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States
from Harvard Business Review
Manufacturing Jobs Didn’t Come Back to the U.S.

. . .There are a few reasons why the costs added by tariffs didn’t cause companies to move manufacturing back to the U.S., says Hanson. First, because the tariffs targeted China, importers simply moved sourcing to other countries, such as Vietnam, rather than reshoring production. Second, there weren’t U.S. factories with idle capacity that could easily replace Chinese imports. When U.S. manufacturing declined, companies didn’t just downsize their operations; they shuttered factories and laid off their workforces, so companies would largely need to invest in new facilities, rather than ramping up existing capacity.
And third, if companies were to move manufacturing out of China (or other high tariff countries), there’s no guarantee that it would return to the U.S. post-industrial cities that dominated manufacturing in the second half of the 20th century. “The places that used to produce textiles and footwear and furniture did so in 20th century factories that used lots of labor per dollar of output relative to what technology is like today,” says Hanson. Companies looking to invest in new manufacturing facilities have a lot of options, whether looking abroad to countries like Vietnam or Guatemala, or for the best deal they can find in the U.S., and former manufacturing hubs might not win those jobs back. . .here

Posted by: Don Bacon | Dec 30 2024 23:41 utc | 117

For you young puppies, Kinmen and Matsu were hot in the news in 1958. The two islands just off China’s coast that are claimed by Taiwan featured shelling by PRC every other day, and now they are back in the news (sorta).
The AMTI is reporting “entrances by the China Coast Guard into Taiwan-administered Kinmen and Matsu’s waters are at an all-time high in 2024”. . here

Posted by: Don Bacon | Dec 31 2024 0:18 utc | 119

Guardian –
Finnish investigators say they have found a seabed trail stretching almost 100km (about 60 miles) around the site of an underwater electricity cable that was damaged on Christmas Day in a suspected act of Russian sabotage.
“Our current understanding is that the drag mark in question is that of the anchor of the Eagle S,” the police chief investigator, Sami Paila, said on Sunday. “We have been able to clarify this matter through underwater research,” he told the Finnish national broadcaster Yle.
“If you’re dragging an anchor, it can’t be that you don’t notice it, because the ship would go off course. It’s clearly not possible,” the official told the Guardian.
“It took a couple of hours to clarify exactly which ship was to blame, and during that time [the Eagle S] cut two communication lines as well,” said the official.
………………….
I find it hard to believe any of it. Where is the image of the suspect dragging the anchor?
You can’t keep on course when dragging an anchor and yet this brilliant magic powers captain could do it for 100 klms. Sure, pull the other one. 100 klms anchor chain dragging! Sure. Piss off.
Where are the underwater images of the damage and the 100klms of anchor chain dragging? THey must have thme if their claims are true, so why did they not share them with the global media?
Because it is a con, another anti-Russia fraud same as the Nth Koreans fighting Ukriane bullshit.
MH17 v2.0 more like it. A frame up.

Posted by: just in | Dec 31 2024 0:29 utc | 121

First comes this:

I gather Lavrov had nothing better to do on this Sunday than to submit to another interview. I’m unwilling to count how many this makes in 2024, but I’ll guess it’s one per week, although even that seems too few, “Lavrov Talks Arms Control & Negotiations with Rossiya Segodnya,”
https://karlof1.substack.com/p/lavrov-talks-arms-control-and-negotiations
Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 29 2024 23:39 utc | 42

……………………………………………
(I read what Karl wrote and replied respectfully here:)

@ 42 karlof1 | Dec 29 2024 23:39 utc | 42
My opinion is that Lavrov was directed to front the media again to correct and clarify in simple terms the confusing things he said at his last press conference. Which he does here more specifically: only addressing the confusing issues. for example [snip]
Lavrov was never that specific or detailed the list of key issues in his last press conference.
But again unfortunately, Lavrov skips over, overlooks the implications of the two security treaties presented by Russia to the US and Nato in Dec 2021. That being that any and all US Nato military personnel and weapons deployments would be banned from Ukraine and the 1997 Nato expansion nations.
So no Nato or US airborne troops or bases in Poland, Baltics, Eastern Europe ex-warsaw nations etc No Missiles systems in Romania either. NO Nato expansion to Ukraine or anyone else.
I say Karl’s interpretation about others ” the myth of NATO rollback arose from” is wrong. The people who use the phrase do not say it means “the removal of those states from NATO” – this is an incorrect interpretation and assumption made by Karl of other peoples statements imo
When this phrase (the Rollback of Nato) is used it means “deals with the deployment of military forces (and weapons) on the territory of non-NATO states at that time (in 1997) Meaning the current deployments must be rolled back to a 1997 status It is what they have always said and meant. [snip]
Posted by: just in | Dec 30 2024 0:45 utc | 50

………………………..
In response this childish loser and disrespectful creep Karl, responds with this cowardly insult dropping my name :

I see we have a new flea. Lavrov had yet another interview with TASS on Monday. Our new flea didn’t bother saying that the supposed “rollback” hasn’t ever appeared in any other presser of speech by either Lavrov or Putin since the SMO began. And what triggered that to happen? NATO and Outlaw US Empire’s refusal to deal specifically with Russia’s serious security proposals, wherein Russia warned it would need to resort to a “military technical operation” if rebuffed. The basic kernel of what Russia wants security-wise has formed the basis for its negotiations since the outset. That position has now hardened to the fact that Russia and its Eurasian partners intend to formulate a new Eurasian Security Structure that negates the need for NATO and replaces it. [ IRRELEVANT ] Clearly given the great obtuseness shown by the Trump camp, Lavrov and Putin have reiterated themselves to do what they can to ensure Russia’s position is understood. We continue to have lots of proof they aren’t understood, and not just here at MoA. [PRESUMPTUOUS & IRRELEVANT to my well known point]
Just for fun, I conducted a Yandex search using Lavrov rollback as the search terms and was not at all surprised to get zero responses. [ Again Irrelevant time wasting which proves nothing at all ]
Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 30 2024 5:55 utc | 66

…………..
JI: Has he lost the plot completely or is early onset on it’s way? Because he ignored everything I said; and added in that the Dec 2021 security treaty proposals were a CORE ISSUE for the kinetic action launched in the SMO. Meaning the resolution of the Dec 2021 Nato/US security treaties with Russia are essential for the settlement of the Ukraine war and what happens next. That INCLUDES the Roll Back of Nato Forces and Weapons systems being removed from the eastern NATO nations and Ukraine back to a pre-1997 status.
Whether Lavrov and Putin mention this every time they mention the topic of ending the Ukraine war, is irrelevant and besides the point. It is a core part of their demands and has always been so, since the war began in Feb 2022.
If Karl or others wish to deny this fact, then I suggest they have become delusional and lost touch with reality and the facts. Or drunk. Normally I would be more polite but this creep has relinquished all decency in mislabeling me a FLEA! How pathetic and thin skinned can one get than this?
I reassert that Karl’s framing and accusations against Trenin and about Article 4 what Trenin actually meant by *the Rollback of Nato* are false and unfounded. This is not that difficult to understand.
https://www.swentr.site/russia/609691-what-ukraine-should-look-like/
and
https://karlof1.substack.com/p/ray-mcgoverns-incorrect-interpretation (About Trenin)

karlof1@66…..Karl, you are confused, Putin and Lavrov also, no offence, but it’s not that the ‘west’ is not understanding what Russia wants, misunderstanding what Putin and Lavrov say, Words Words Words…….the ‘west’ doesn’t give a rats ass what Russia wants….plain and simple and it will get even simpler once Trump takes power……nothing will change for Russia other than they will embolden the ‘west’, more assets in Russia will go poof, more sea assets will go plop, more shadow fleet fuel will be confiscated……can Russia supply effective military escorts for all its shadow fleet ships? There is always the chance the west will have a change of heart with Trump in office……
Cheers M
To date, Russia has done nothing to scare FUKUS…..magic rockets cloaked in secrecy are not scaring anyone….especially when the perpetrators have nothing to fear.
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Dec 30 2024 15:18 utc | 100

………………………………..
JI: Plain enough. Has sean the leprechaun morphed into a FLEA too? This is what biased cowards do. Hit and run attacks to go hide away on it’s substack. Pathetic sad and creepy.

@ karlof1 | Dec 30 2024 5:55 utc | 66 with the bar flea outing….thanks
The drums of war are beating loudly in the West. They want to get a big one on before Trump takes office or soon thereafter….you can smell the desperation.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Dec 30 2024 6:04 utc | 67

………………
JI: Drop the irrational Conspiratorial hogwash psycho! Try to grasp what it is I said and what it means, along with others (if you’re capable and not only a biased Karl Groupie) Please seek reason and intelligence grounded in facts instead.

karlof1 | Dec 30 2024 5:55 utc | 66
I think you are a weakling. When anybody has a different opinion to you you accuse them of being a bar flea and you never address them directly – nor counter what they say directly. You never justify anything. You speak in code words. Your reply makes no sense whatsoever. Why do you get so rattled and why do you assume your so perfect and right all the time? You sound like a whining old woman actually. No, you actually fight like a gay queen. :-/
Posted by: Philly | Dec 30 2024 9:25 utc | 79

………………….
JI: That fits.
Runaway karl. Go hide. That is what lightweights always do. (GRIN)

Posted by: just in | Dec 31 2024 1:50 utc | 123

addendum – Gilbert Doctorow also addresses Trenin essay:
https://gilbertdoctorow.com/2024/12/28/dmitry-trenins-thoughts-on-how-the-ukraine-war-may-end/

Posted by: just in | Dec 31 2024 2:10 utc | 125

this article b posted is great!!
i highly recommend it –
Destroying Ukraine with Idealism – Why Ukraine should not have the “right” to join NATO – Glenn Diesen

Posted by: james | Dec 31 2024 2:29 utc | 127

this article b posted is great!!
Posted by: james | Dec 31 2024 2:29 utc | 134
What is so great about it? What stood out as special to you?
Anyway maybe 6 months ago it was great. It’s not as good as his latest article a few days back-
The Case for Dismantling the Rules-Based International Order
https://glenndiesen.substack.com/p/the-case-for-dismantling-the-rules

Posted by: just in | Dec 31 2024 2:37 utc | 129

Syria of Jolani eyes ’strategic’ ties with Ukraine, Kyiv vows more food aid shipments | Arab News |
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2584711/middle-east
Terror group HTS (Idlib) and roots of IS-KP unites with terror state neo-Nazi Ukraine …. how about that .… succes for Joe after all ‼️

Posted by: Oui | Dec 31 2024 2:52 utc | 131

All are welcome.
Whether flea or fly.
Fleas die. Flies lay eggs.
They both hatch.
It all comes out in the wash.
So don’t take the attacks to heart.
But don’t wait for celebrations in your name, either.
Drops in the bucket.
Overflowing into other buckets.
The bar is just a tiny corner of spirit.
A good corner, yes. Perhaps one of the best.
But a corner nonetheless.
So carry on ye fine patrons of yore.
And nm the flea dirt
And nm the buzzing of the flies.
Weave a story.
It’ll come out in the wash eventually.

Posted by: NemesisCalling | Dec 31 2024 3:26 utc | 133

While they were in the EU they caused trouble constantly and always wanted things their way as if they still meant something. . . .
Posted by: Ed Bernays | Dec 30 2024 19:53 utc | 115
============
I thought the general or one general take on the presence of the UK in the EU was the USA was kind of like a silent partner and the UK was pushing policies in the EU that the USA wanted them to push. IOW, kind of a saboteur or Trojan Horse picture.

Posted by: Jane | Dec 31 2024 3:31 utc | 135

Yeah, I remember that. That was when we were doing “nucular wepons” drills. “I Like Ike.” “In God We Trust” on money. And Sputnik. Good times.
Posted by: Bemildred | Dec 31 2024 2:38 utc | 137
==============
Wasn’t Taiwan called Formosa in those days?
In the Western press, at any rate?

Posted by: Jane | Dec 31 2024 3:46 utc | 137

Part 2 of my take on December, A Bad December for the Empire: The Gloves Come Off Part 2, Losses Delayed? Don’t Get Fooled Again!

Posted by: Roger Boyd | Dec 31 2024 5:17 utc | 139

Yeah, I remember that. That was when we were doing “nucular wepons” drills. “I Like Ike.” “In God We Trust” on money. And Sputnik. Good times.
Posted by: Bemildred | Dec 31 2024 2:38 utc | 137
’55 Chevy!

Posted by: waynorinorway | Dec 31 2024 5:44 utc | 141

A New Year’s Message of Hope and Opportunity
I don’t know about you, but for me, 2024 has been the most difficult and painful year of my life so far. It began with the unimaginable loss of my 38-year-old son to suicide after a two-year struggle following a devastating car accident. Nothing seemed to get better after that. Like many of you, I’ve grappled with the relentless challenges of making ends meet, paying rent, and managing the soaring food prices here in the West.
As hard as it has been, I can’t help but think about how much worse it must be for those in the global south, living in conditions of abject poverty with little to no hope for a better future. Or for those enduring the horrors of war, like the people of Ukraine or Gaza, who have faced years of destruction and loss.
As we stand at the threshold of a new year, it’s impossible to ignore the weight of the world—the wars, the climate crises, the inequalities, and the injustices. Yet, even in the shadow of such challenges, I believe there’s value in looking inward and outward for light.
This new year, I wish for each of us to find moments of personal peace amidst the chaos. We may not have the power to change the world overnight, but we can nurture kindness in our daily lives, seek understanding in the midst of division, and extend support to those around us.
While the world feels fractured, let us focus on the opportunities for small, meaningful victories:
In our communities: Lending a hand to someone in need, supporting local efforts for change, or even offering a smile to brighten a stranger’s day.
In our personal growth: Setting small, achievable goals that make us feel stronger, more fulfilled, or closer to our values.
In our connections: Cherishing the people we love, reaching out to those we’ve drifted from, and being present for the moments that truly matter.
The world may not make sense right now, but within the uncertainty lies the chance for us to redefine what truly matters, to focus on what is within our control, and to create beauty where we can.
Here’s to a year of resilience, compassion, and hope in the midst of the struggle. Together, we can make a difference, however small, in our own corners of the world.
Happy New Year to you and yours. May it bring the strength to endure, the courage to act, and the grace to find joy where it blooms.
Peace be With You.

Posted by: just in | Dec 31 2024 7:02 utc | 143

@150
I have two sons in Arizona.
Sympathy for your loss and pain.

Posted by: Middle-man | Dec 31 2024 7:44 utc | 145

Someone once asked : What is Russia’s exit strategy out of the Ukraine and Nato War they are engaged in?
The answer a year ago and still today is that Russia does not have one. They have no way out! None.
Bar one: To defeat the USA and Nato militarily. With the support of China and the active support of at least 100 other nations in a world war.

Posted by: just in | Dec 31 2024 8:10 utc | 147

Karl keeps at it at every opportunity:
” and what they’ll do when the conflict ends. “
https://gilbertdoctorow.com/2024/12/29/further-thougts-on-trenin-and-how-the-war-ends/#comment-10749
The conflict is not going to end, until the US and Nato ‘end.’ Trump will not cannot fix anything. Let alone ‘end’ Nato. Russia and China and xyz nations will have to end it. Or Russia goes down.

Posted by: just in | Dec 31 2024 8:29 utc | 149

@157
Those are plausible motivations. Depopulation (eugenics) is in progress.

Posted by: Middle-man | Dec 31 2024 9:06 utc | 151

Posted by: just in | Dec 31 2024 1:50 utc | 130
Your graceless ad hominen attack on Karlofi is despicable. pointless and counter productive..
Stick to the argument.
When one, like yourself , attacks his interlocutor rather than his ideas , he has already lost the argument; as you justhave.

Posted by: canuck | Dec 31 2024 9:48 utc | 153

Military Summary Channel reported video of how Russia is prototyping ground assault robots in Velyka Novosilka. May end up with new modifications and tactical techniques, possibility of mass production. Could be a force multiplier in the coming year, like Russian FABS and increased drone and missile production.
Sorry for you loss Just In.
Karlof has obvious value. “Each believes his glim’ring lamp, to be the glorious light of day” iirc.
‘When You Leave Israel and Enter Gaza, You Are Gawd’ – IDF Soldiers Who Commit War Crimes (archived) – Haaretz
This insanely egotistic sentiment was covered ages ago, when Pharaoh claimed the power of life and death there by being equal to gawd. Moses riposte was then make the sun rise in the west and set in the east. CriZZiez loaded with cunning, zero common sense or wisdom.
“since when does one not put the plane in a holding loop in order to empty the tanks before attempting a belly landing?” Hybrid war escalating. Examining the SK airline crash isolated from the ongoing Boeing travails is of limited use. Who is hedging (profiting) against Boeing?
“I wonder if some nations should see the F-35 as purely a reconnaissance airplane and so only buy a couple. You use it to examine areas you intend to bomb and then send in missiles.”
Posted by: Eighthman | Dec 29 2024 20:05 utc | 18
Practical suggestion.
@ Jane | Dec 30 2024 4:09 utc | 59 who wrote
“Something does not compute here. Musk needs to be reined in and reminded that he is a foreign national and don’t overstep.”
The US and the Western empire are run by foreigners and foreign nationals which I call the God Of Mammon cult. Our civilization war is forcing the cult to show their trans-sovereign team members.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Dec 30 2024 4:29 utc | 60
The founding fathers of the US called it.
Posted by: Philly | Dec 30 2024 9:11 utc | 76
Philly Hasbara. Why do you not call for the criZZies to let it go? You POS hypocrite.
Someone posted about a Doctorow article and other responses and stated how there can be no NATO in western UKrain. I believe Putin has previously floated the idea of it being partitioned to Poland, Hungary, etc. possibly as a way to create distrust, and plant a seed. Emotionally arguing one way or the other about what (an unpredictable) someone else will do seems futile, especially in negotiations in a local transaction, let alone with township, county, state, country, regional and global considerations.
Fleas are tough critters, and can boing enormous distances.

Posted by: flee bitten | Dec 31 2024 10:25 utc | 155

“GB Trojan Horse in EU to the advantage of the US”

That’s exactly the reason for their behavior.
Posted by: Ed Bernays | Dec 31 2024 11:40 utc | 163

replaced by Poland and the US 5th column in EU administration and a range of national admin positions.

Posted by: MAKK | Dec 31 2024 12:53 utc | 157

@ just in | Dec 31 2024 7:02 utc | 150
i share the sentiments in your posts here and hope for a better year for you next year… you might consider lowering the level of hostility towards karlof1 in the thread here as it casts a bad light on you… consider taking the words in your post here and applying them at moa…

Posted by: james | Dec 31 2024 16:12 utc | 159

I went out to try and help, but got hit with rocket debris. Many places are in flames, sirens are sounding about. People in a long qeue are trying to get into the old bunker at Feldstraße. The situation towards Reeperbahn became too dangerous, so I returned to tend me with a Starkbier.

Posted by: persiflo | Dec 31 2024 23:56 utc | 161

It is interesting to me that the two major pivotal events in geopolitics that have occurred in the past almost three years were almost entirely unpredicted by anybody on any popular forum/blog/mainstream news outlet: The Russian pre-emptive strike on the Ukraine in February 2022 and the sudden collapse of the Assad government in Syria in late 2024.
There was some noise about a Russian invasion, but that came from the Biden Administration at the 11th hour, likely based on their classified intelligence that assessed it was about to happen, but nobody outside the loop really believed it, or could credit it based on established open sources and insider contacts. Regardless, the Russian strike still seemed to come as a surprise, meaning that the actual timing was unknown even to insiders.
The Syria debacle was a complete blindside – please point me to anyone who saw that coming in any media outlet. It would not surprise me that even the deep players did not foresee a total collapse of the Assad government, and that they are currently unprepared for this sudden windfall of “success.”
The Syrian collapse, in my opinion, is a terrible tragedy. But it is not the devastating blow to the “axis” that it appears to be at first glance. The dynamics there are now out of anyone’s control, and will create new waves of conflict and uncertainty. Those who sit out the chaos, but influence it from a distance, will benefit in the long run.

Posted by: Activist Potato | Jan 1 2025 2:38 utc | 163

ZH has a posting up with the title
10 Dead, At Least 30 Injured After Terrorist Plows ISIS-Flag-Waving Truck Into Crowd On Bourbon Street
There are 15 dead reported currently
quote

Update (1530ET):
Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, told reporters that Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a US citizen and Army veteran from Texas and the suspected terrorist, did not act alone.
Duncan stated that intelligence officials are working to determine Jabbar’s potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations.

So, is ISIS good or bad?
Are US Army veterans good or bad?
Is ISIS being set up or making a statement in the US?
So many questions…..Let the spin begin

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jan 2 2025 0:00 utc | 165

ZH has a posting up with the title
Former CIA Officer Warns: 1,000 Al-Qaeda Fighters In US For Next Homeland Attack
Is Al-Qaeda = ISIS?
Which are the good and bad sects of Islam?….asking for a friend
The fact that the sects are distributed throughout the ME in strange concentrations and with various mix of control of governance is mind boggling….How does Islam not know that ….first they came for the Palestinians, but I was not one….?
As an American I expect lots of MSM managed empire chest beating over this event because it is on “our soil”…../s

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jan 2 2025 4:07 utc | 167

The guy that killed a dozen people with a truck in New Orleans was a US veteran.
I wonder if anyone remembers that time when they thanked this guy for his service. Maybe they should have
thanked him a few more times for protecting our freedoms. He might have been less angry.
It is amazing how little blow back, in the scheme of things, there has been after
all these years of bringing war, chaos and deprivation to so many other countries in the world.
(September 11th shouldn’t be counted as a “blow back” as it was an inside job. Wonder if one of the insiders was ever greeted by an unsuspecting neighbor with, “thank you for your service”. )

Posted by: librul | Jan 2 2025 4:37 utc | 169

I don’t recall if RT announced at what specific date and time they’d switch over to the new commenting system, or if they were obligated to announce. Either way, it gave (gives?) me a feeling of loss as I’d be unable to read the pre-switchover comments on the RT article discussing Medvedev’s proposal to “ignore the US” and “punish Europe”, let alone see who else disagrees with Medvedev (I can’t be the only one). Among other old discussion threads I have not done comments in.
I dunno. Maybe there are bigger things in life, bigger fish to fry, etc. than that.

Posted by: joey_n | Jan 2 2025 23:30 utc | 171

Why We Cannot Trust the FBI about domestic terrorism, from Larry…

It gives me no joy to write this, but it must be said — the FBI is a broken law enforcement institution and should be dismantled. I believe the same about the CIA, but that’s a topic for another day. Based on the FBI’s conduct over the last eight years, I find no reason to trust anything that FBI officials say with respect to the recent attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas. Yes, I think both acts qualify as terrorism, but I have little confidence that we are getting, or will get, the true story.

https://sonar21.com/why-we-cannot-trust-the-fbi/

Posted by: Aleph_Null | Jan 3 2025 8:27 utc | 173

Can’t have the us’s good friends locked up
https://tass.com/world/1896049
South Korean law enforcers suspend execution of arrest warrant for Yoon Suk Yeol — agency
The Corruption Investigation Office is looking into the circumstances of the announcement of martial law by the president who has been accused of insurrection following the move
SEOUL, January 3. /TASS/. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) has decided to suspend indefinitely the execution of the arrest warrant in regard to impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, News1 agency reported on Friday.
South Korean news agency Yonhap reported earlier in the day that law enforcers arrived at the residence of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol to detain him on charges of insurrection, but were locked in a standoff with a military unit inside the presidential premises.
The Corruption Investigation Office is looking into the circumstances of the announcement of martial law by the president who has been accused of insurrection following the move. A CIO team filed for a detention warrant on December 30, a day after Yoon Suk Yeol failed to report for questioning for a third straight time.
South Korean law allows prosecuting a sitting president in cases of treason or insurrection. The president’s defense lawyer insisted the agency has no authority to investigate an insurrection case.

Posted by: Newbie | Jan 3 2025 9:10 utc | 175

From the Telsa truck bomber/suicide guy Matthew Livelsberger

“In case I do not make it to my decision point or on to the Mexico border I am sending this now. Please do not release this until 1JAN and keep my identity private until then.
First off I am not under duress or hostile influence or control. My first car was a 2006 Black Ford Mustang V6 for verification.
What we have been seeing with “drones” is the operational use of gravitic propulsion systems powered aircraft by most recently China in the east coast, but throughout history, the US. Only we and China have this capability. Our OPEN location for this activity in the box is below.
China has been launching them from the Atlantic from submarines for years, but this activity recently has picked up. As of now, it is just a show of force and they are using it similar to how they used the balloon for sigint and isr, which are also part of the integrated comms system. There are dozens of those balloons in the air at any given time.
The so what is because of the speed and stealth of these unmanned AC, they are the most dangerous threat to national security that has ever existed. They basically have an unlimited payload capacity and can park it over the WH if they wanted. It’s checkmate.
US needs to give the history of this, how we are employing it and weaponizing it, how China is employing them and what the way forward is. China is poised to attack anywhere in the east coast
I’ve been followed for over a week now from likely homeland or FBI, and they are looking to move on me and are unlikely going to let me cross into Mexico, but won’t because they know i am armed and I have a massive VBIED.
I’ve been trying to maintain a very visible profile and have kept my phone and they are definitely digitally tracking me. I have knowledge of this program and also war crimes that were covered up during airstrikes in Nimruz province Afghanistan in 2019 by the admin, DoD, DEA and CIA.
I conducted targeting for these strikes of over 125 buildings (65 were struck because of CIVCAS) that killed hundreds of civilians in a single day. USFORA continued strikes after spotting civilians on initial ISR, it was supposed to take 6 minutes and scramble all aircraft in CENTCOM. The UN basically called these war crimes, but the administration made them disappear.
I was part of that cover-up with USFORA and Agent [redacted] of the DEA. So I don’t know if my abduction attempt is related to either. I worked with GEN Millers 10 staff on this as well as the response to Bala Murghab. AOB-S Commander at the time [redacted] can validate this.
You need to elevate this to the media so we avoid a world war because this is a mutually assured destruction situation. For vetting my Linkedin is Matt Berg or Matthew Livelsberger, an active duty 18Z out of 1-10 my profile is public. I have an active TSSCI with UAP USAP access.”

Now going to go read about gravitic

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jan 4 2025 2:40 utc | 177

@ james | Jan 4 2025 4:42 utc | 186 who needs to go to ZH to find this posting and read it
“TIME TO WAKE UP!”: ‘Cybertruck Bomber’ Had Several Manifestos, Warned Of Drones Using ‘Gravatic Propulsion’

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jan 4 2025 4:44 utc | 179

Posted by: james | Jan 4 2025 4:52 utc | 188
LMAO “gravatic propulsion” haha.

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Jan 4 2025 7:17 utc | 181

Geez I guess V6 ShitStangs do exist. Doesn’t auto justify it tho. Shame on Ford. Turbo 4 is faster than the V6 and 5.0 or 4.6 are better too. Dude wasn’t very bright.

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Jan 4 2025 7:20 utc | 183

fyi The Postil
So, what’s going on with Ukraine? On the one hand, the punditry has been busy telling us that the country is kaput, on the verge of collapse, days numbered, etc. And then Ukrainians were instrumental in ousting Assad (and the Russians). And their foreign minister has just met with the terrorist-in-chief in Damascus, promising to help Syria build back better, and to deliver tons of wheat, as humanitarian aid, and other goodies. Huh???
Oh, and the Ukrainian unit that helped oust Assad, and put Al-Jolani in power, is the Khimik Military Group, which has had loads of success in Syria (obviously).
The fall of Syria certainly has revealed some very odd goings on in the Middle East, and beyond…
Ukraine’s Strategic Role in Syria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCRRmCySrdU
[11 mins worth it – think for yourself
# I can’t vouch for the accuracy of this outline of Ukraine’s role in training and fighting Assad – nor the claims here on the Alliance between HTS [Al Queda] and Ukraine.
The corrupt terrorist/facist/kleptocraticylittle proxy statelet of Empire in bed with Al Queda – and maybe more to come. So, this is Empire now.

Posted by: Don Firineach | Jan 4 2025 20:47 utc | 185

I continue to think about the message going with the Livelsberger incident in Las Vegas.
Reuters currently has nothing about the incident on its web site….Hmmmm
If Livelsberger was a drone trainer in Ukraine and with HTS in Syria, that may have been a moral load too much for him to handle…..but why not a real bomb instead of the BS in back of the Tesla given his capabilities….and if he didn’t want to hurt any more people then why not blow up further away from building??????????…he injured 7 or so
What does a copycat of this type of event look like? Will we see such?

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jan 5 2025 0:29 utc | 187

No evidence of course, just a hunch.
Let’s say Matt Berg’s KIA in Ukraine (Last posting was some small army depot/store in Germany). And he was a UAV expert/trainer.
Deep State or factions within have been trying to scare the natives with the UFO nonsense. Some bright spark at the FBI concocts this fabulous story about UAV with weird propulsion from Chiiiiiinaaaaaa.
Then there’s the “suicide”, feeling sorry angle. Sure, could be possible. But why IED and outside Trump’s building? Why not anywhere else? Pentagon, WH, why not Germany? Why fly back to US to make a dash for Mexico when it’s easier to leg it from Europe?
Unless the entire purpose of the IED was to destroy the evidence. I wonder if verification will be by dental records.
Pity all these suicidal veterans and serving members don’t just try and take a CEO with them.

Posted by: Suresh | Jan 5 2025 1:54 utc | 189

10 Dead, At Least 30 Injured After Terrorist Plows ISIS-Flag-Waving Truck Into Crowd On Bourbon Street
So many questions…..Let the spin begin
Posted by: psychohistorian | Jan 2 2025 0:00 utc | 173
Anyone noticed the flag was mounted upside down?

Posted by: Suresh | Jan 5 2025 2:11 utc | 191

You really have lost it Karl, if you ever had it. Go play in your stupid Gym with your starry eyed groupies. (GRIN)
Posted by: just in | Dec 31 2024 2:22 utc | 133
Good Grief! Reminds me of someone else who infested the bar, had lost a child to suicide and was having health issues, mental issues, self esteem….?
Is that you man child? Come back for cuddles? Have you ever found out who daddy was?

Posted by: Suresh | Jan 5 2025 2:53 utc | 193

Welcome to 2025. Let’s begin with my parsing a podcast, “Outlaw US Empire at Optimum: Hudson Explains,” https://karlof1.substack.com/p/outlaw-us-empire-at-optimum-hudson
Posted by: karlof1 | Jan 5 2025 2:06 utc | 200
Yes, a major crisis is in order and the us has already plainly stated that other powers would be able to deal better with it so they’d make sure those other powers would be not be in a condition to benefit from that advantage. But how far can they take that without things falling into WW3? The us believes it can do so for as long and as hard as they wish, but I think that’s assuming the other side will not oblige under any circumstances (they’re probably wrong)
For proof of that last paragraph, let’s hear Blinky of the no brain https://tass.com/world/1896303
The US is not close to direct conflict with Russia, outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the New York Times.
“We’ve been able to navigate this in a way that has kept us away from direct conflict with Russia,” he said in an interview published on Saturday, referring to bilateral relations. “In terms of direct conflict, I don’t think we’ve been close, but it’s something that we’ve had to be very, very mindful of.”

Posted by: Newbie | Jan 5 2025 3:00 utc | 195

Palestine flag…..I proofread and still missed….sigh

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jan 5 2025 3:12 utc | 197

“… It’s foolish to assume there are these bad guys here, but over there they are the good guys, and when they get to bring the US west down everything will be much better, and fairer, and freer. Be sceptical. Question everything.”
Posted by: Chen | Jan 4 2025 7:44 utc | 192Ah
Ah. I was just mentioning the Musk situational blowup over on b’s latest thread. I’ll leave my comment there, I guess. But please, who is going to get to bring the US down exactly? And when and where is this going to happen?
I know, I know…I’m a fool to care.

Posted by: juliania | Jan 5 2025 3:28 utc | 199