NATO Sec.-Gen. On Ukraine Accession

March 15, 2025

Took him a while …

NATO chief Mark Rutte says Ukraine's membership path is 'irreversible' – UPI / Yahoo, Oct 3 2024

"Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before," he said. "And will continue on this path until you become a member of our Alliance. I very much look forward to that day."

Ukraine's accession to NATO is no longer under consideration, Rutte confirmed – news-pravda, Mar 14, 2025

Ukraine's accession to NATO is no longer under consideration, Rutte confirmed

When asked whether Trump was really removing the issue of Kyiv joining the alliance from the negotiating table, the NATO Secretary General answered “yes.”

Posted by b on March 15, 2025 at 14:52 UTC | Permalink

Comments

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 16 2025 1:43 utc | 199
“In that NATO exists to counter an imagined *Russian threat* is it any wonder that its ultimate ‘hot war’ manifestation in Project Ukraine has not only relied heavily on media falsehoods and suppressions but also on fairy tales like the Ghost of Kiev and Snake Island and babushkas with AK-47s and the massacre at Bucha and the bombing of the Mariupol maternity hospital and the counteroffensive in Kharkov & Kherson and the Russian missile breaching Poland’s airspace, etc.
Imagine the Greatest Hits playlist of all the fantasies associated w/ Project Ukraine. After this, NATO will be nothing but a cover-band for its own golden oldies.”
<< And most telling of all, befitting NATO exactly, the robust manifestation of its efforts to counter *Russsian aggression* did not even involve NATO fighting outright as a belligerent but hiding in a fig-leaf way behind troops from the most impoverished and corrupt nation in Europe, which they sent up against the Russian military. Hold your heads high, guys. Hope you all get a misty tear in the eye when brass army bands play the NATO national anthem.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 16 2025 1:49 utc | 201

karlof1@2355 Ides of March
Those declining recruitment numbers can be regarded as tragicomedy for the imperial dreams of the financier class and all their acolytes and minions.
There are several aggravating factors: Sub-urbanization of the majority of Americans produces offspring totally variant from the draftees in WWII, where there were a significant demographic of young men who came from farm backgrounds, rough and tumble urban streets where the parents possessed major work ethics, having just survived the Depression; along with hard-case guys who came from the mines, ranches and forests with indomitable attitudes.
Compare that lot with the Hostess Twinkies and the rest of shit-sad sorry nutritional failures which pass as #2, food. In the third instance these pampered, preppy burbie babies get no elementary exposure to manly exercises in the great outdoors. Deer hunting or fishing expeditions with dad do not meet the mark.
I could go further with this, but then throw in the fact that the essentially micro-prison realities of the public school system, where more emphasis is placed on interscholastic sports than “readin, writen, and rithmetic” basics are currently at about the 50% level of achievement…let alone civilizational enhancers such as history, geography and literature, along with such now disappeared subjects such as civics.
Ironic humor in that highly addicted “war-gamers” in mama’s basement is simply piss-poor practice to accomplish minor levels of calisthenics. How can they create an army outta a bunch of softies?
The wet dreams of the financial elite’s dreams of extended empire featuring their U$$A designated attack-dog are kaput.

Posted by: aristodemos | Mar 16 2025 1:57 utc | 202

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 16 2025 1:17 utc | 196
You are absolutely correct. The US has been dividing and conquering Europe for years since if it forms a united economy it would threaten US economic supremacy, just as China does. Due to language, cultural, and historical geopolitical differences, European countries including the UK take the bate and fight like dogs over the one bone and this comes out of past animosities and ill placed patriotic bravado as we see Napoleon Micron and Winston Starmer do.
I think the 2008 GFC was the start the current phase with US ratings agencies trying to diminish the economic worth of European countries, then I also think the US may have been behind Brexit as the first broken link in the chain that held these countries together. Now Europe’s leaders are helping in everyway possible to destroy their own economies for the sake of the US since they have always been puppets and are now locked into their respective belligerent positions concerning the war in Ukraine. Increasing populist nationalism only makes European countries more susceptible to division and that weakens the strength they previously found in uniting their economies together.

Posted by: George | Mar 16 2025 1:57 utc | 203

Posted by: Jo | Mar 15 2025 19:51 utc | 103
“Ukraine is sovereign; if it asks to deploy allied troops on its territory, it is not Russia’s business to accept it or not,” Macron insists.
Oh Yeah,
I strongly suspect that in the very near future the RF (and the despicable Putin) will take action to ensure that it will be -and will remain- Russia’s business.

Posted by: Barrel Brown | Mar 16 2025 1:57 utc | 204

I am too old and skeptical to believe that the GOP will continue Trump’s work when he is gone from office.
One only has to look at how they behaved under Biden.
They are at heart crooks and neocons because those are the incentives. China and Russia are different because they have different cultural incentives for leadership.
A big part of America being agreement incapable is that nothing is lasting or consistent in American governance.
The election cycle was designed to keep the politicians on their toes and to limit the accumulation of power. What it has become is too chaotic to manage the size the state grew to.
If America was still 13 colonies or so, it might be fine, but with a global economic and military empire, it’s an albatross.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Mar 16 2025 2:02 utc | 205

What I take from that (Ruttes contradictary statements) is that he like the other European “leaders” will say whatever suits the current situation.
Maybe it’s just me.
What I just realized is that they do not actually exist – they are npc’s programmed to perform rolls to suit their master. There is nothing behind the eyes.

Posted by: jared | Mar 16 2025 2:08 utc | 206

Alex Jones announced that the ukronazis put a contract on Trunp and Musk.
If true, which I doubt, it will become funny.

Posted by: Naive | Mar 16 2025 2:10 utc | 207

@190 Cynic
I wasn’t impressed. The point is that that made front page of various media in different countries, like EU is “a thing”. Am clueless as to what exactly they were trying to promote, thankfully. All I noted was that they said they were “worried that EU was being questioned” or something like that…EU “values” ? Rather sad, but to anyone aware of prepped/themed demonstrations (of various kinds) in europe, it was one of those.

Posted by: Ornot | Mar 16 2025 2:10 utc | 208

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 16 2025 1:43 utc | 199
“In that NATO exists to counter an imagined *Russian threat* is it any wonder that its ultimate ‘hot war’ manifestation in Project Ukraine has not only relied heavily on media falsehoods and suppressions but also on fairy tales like the Ghost of Kiev and Snake Island and babushkas with AK-47s and the massacre at Bucha and the bombing of the Mariupol maternity hospital and the counteroffensive in Kharkov & Kherson and the Russian missile breaching Poland’s airspace, etc.
Imagine the Greatest Hits playlist of all the fantasies associated w/ Project Ukraine. After this, NATO will be nothing but a cover-band for its own golden oldies.
And most telling of all, befitting NATO exactly, the robust manifestation of its efforts to counter *Russsian aggression* did not even involve NATO fighting outright as a belligerent but hiding in a fig-leaf way behind troops from the most impoverished and corrupt nation in Europe, which they sent up against the Russian military.
Hold your heads high, guys.
Hope you get a misty tear in the eye when you hear brass army bands play NATO’s national anthem.”
<< If ever there was a case of stolen valor, it is in the way NATO hid itself behind the poor young men it fed into serial meat grinders on the front lines, when the war was one NATO instigated and therefore NATO's to fight---but NATO would not suit up. Think of the necropolis of Ukraine. Think of the graves they're digging right now for those who fall. For this reason NATO will forever bear an incontrovertible stain.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 16 2025 2:14 utc | 209

Posted by: Jo | Mar 15 2025 19:51 utc | 103
“Ukraine is sovereign; if it asks to deploy allied troops on its territory, it is not Russia’s business to accept it or not,” Macron insists.
<< Posted by: Barrel Brown | Mar 16 2025 1:57 utc | 204 Oh Yeah, I strongly suspect that in the very near future the RF (and the despicable Putin) will take action to ensure that it will be -and will remain- Russia's business. >>
Macron is reduced to self-meme-ing now.
His statement—“Ukraine is sovereign”—indicates the depth to which Project Ukraine dead-enders will cling-on bitterly the children’s coloring book version of this war, whose main fairy tale precept is that “Ukraine is sovereign.”

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 16 2025 2:23 utc | 210

@206 jared
…they are good at the dead mackerel look.

Posted by: Ornot | Mar 16 2025 2:26 utc | 211

Good grief. A lot of posts and updates (thx) of myriads of machinations and plots of some supposed ceasefire dealio.
As for EU & USA, never seen such a waste of words.
Can’t believe anyone is still talking out there in MSM about these fantasies.
Guess 2025 a dull year. Getting duller.

Posted by: Trubind1 | Mar 16 2025 2:39 utc | 212

Posted by: Gerhardt G. | Mar 16 2025 2:21 utc | 210
########
Does anyone really believe that this matter will be settled with a new Constitution?
How is international law working out for the Palestinians?
States don’t follow laws, or if they do, only under duress.
Ukraine must be crushed and re-constituted. The hatred that the West has charged and nurtured in Ukraine will take generations to dissipate.
I was reading Will Schryver’s Substack, and I agree with him, Transnistria must become Russian again, and Moldova must become neutral.
Now is the time for Putin to “run the table”. He has the momentum and the army ready to go.
Half measures will only lead to more death and destruction later.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Mar 16 2025 2:43 utc | 213

Posted by: Saul Goode | Mar 16 2025 0:17 utc | 188
Germany’s old VW plants reset to manufacture arms to kill Russians?
I suspect Germany (and Europe) will be introduced to their predicted Russian response, long, long before their $800 billion plus gets very far out of the gate.

Posted by: kupkee | Mar 16 2025 2:49 utc | 214

Honestly, everyday Russia just goes from bad to worse with this going along game playing…(if it is)
They look like f**king idiots anymore…
https://tass.com/politics/1928819
15 MAR, 18:55
“Rubio briefed Lavrov on US military operation against Houthis in Yemen — State Department”
“WASHINGTON, March 16. /TASS/. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a telephone conversation on the US military operation against the Houthis from the Yemeni rebel movement Ansar Allah, the US State Department said in a statement”
“Rubio and Lavrov also discussed further steps to restore Russian-American ties during a telephone conversation, the US Department of State added.
“Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Lavrov also discussed next steps to follow up on recent meetings in Saudi Arabia and agreed to continue working towards restoring communication between the United States and Russia,” the statement said.
Earlier, the US Central Command reported that the US military had launched a large-scale operation against the rebel movement Ansar Allah (Houthis) in Yemen.”
“Yeah, yeah everyone, see we talked to Lavrov?, our bombing and killing civilians is just fine with them too” …
Back to same old, same old… oh, that’s right, “normalization” of relationship. Looks like it’s there.

Posted by: Trubind1 | Mar 16 2025 3:26 utc | 215

Thanks for this, steel_porcupine | Mar 16 2025 0:54 utc |194. For some reason it reminded me of the following legend, which I was delighted to find online thanks to Kyle Washut at newliturgicalmovement.org:

“… for some fun reading, I thought I would offer Vladimir Soloviev’s interpretation of a Russian legend as to why St. John Cassian has a feast day on leap year…
A popular Russian legend tells how St. Nicolas and St. Cassian were upon a visit to the earth. On their journey they met a poor peasant who had got his wagon, with a load of hay upon it, stuck in the mud and was making fruitless efforts to get his horses on.
“Let’s go and give the good fellow a hand,” said St. Nicolas.
“Not I; I’m keeping out of it,” replied St. Cassian, “I don’t want to get my coat dirty.”
“Well, wait for me,” said St. Nicolas, “or go on without me if you like,” and plunging without hesitation into the mud he vigorously assisted the peasant in dragging his wagon out of the rut. When he had finished the job and caught his companion up, he was all covered in filth; his coat was torn and soiled and looked like a beggar’s rags. St. Peter was amazed to see him arrive at the gate of Paradise in this condition.
“I say! Who ever got you into that state?” he asked. St. Nicolas told his story.
“And what about you?” asked St. Peter, turning to St. Cassian. “Weren’t you with him in this encounter?”
“Yes, but I don’t meddle in things that are no concern of mine, and I was especially anxious not to get my beautiful clean coat dirty.”
“Very well,” said St. Peter, “you, St. Nicolas, because you were not afraid of getting dirty in helping your neighbor out of a difficulty, shall for the future have two feasts a year, and you shall be reckoned the greatest of saints after me by all the peasants of holy Russia.
And you, St. Cassian, must be content with having a nice clean coat; you shall have your feast day in leap-year only, once every four years.” …”

I’d wish that someone would pass this legend on, not perhaps to the good general, but to President Trump himself. It will help in his conversations with President Putin, perhaps.

Posted by: juliania | Mar 16 2025 3:42 utc | 216

Posted by: Trubind1 | Mar 16 2025 3:26 utc | 217
###########
Why are you applying morality to politics?
Morality has no bearing on political decisions.
Go read Machiavelli’s “The Prince”.
The Yemenis faced a US-sponsored genocide conducted by KSA under Obama, and at the end Saudi Arabia was begging for mercy once Ansarallah targeted Saudi oil fields.
There are no more fierce or brave warriors on the planet. They are the Fremen.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Mar 16 2025 3:43 utc | 217

RE: Posted by: LoveDonbass | Mar 16 2025 3:43 utc | 219
Politics without morality?
Good one.
It’s on display.

Posted by: Trubind1 | Mar 16 2025 3:51 utc | 218

@ ChatNPC…, post 180
That was frickin hilarious.
I can now go to sleep laughing.
…, ” so the poor old ostrich died for nothing ”

Posted by: screamingmonk | Mar 16 2025 4:21 utc | 219

Posted by: Gerhardt G. | Mar 16 2025 3:49 utc | 220
You have written some good points there, but I do feel without making an example of Ukraine and not aggressively rejecting the western spin with the ceasefire with their diplomatic language, they’re undermining the goal of denazification.
Denazification would be most effective if the costs of been a US puppet is made clear to everyone and could be cited as a deterrent for decades. If it’s not total and comprehensive enough, it’d spoil the intended goal and give rise to future Maidens.

Posted by: Autumn | Mar 16 2025 4:29 utc | 220

How to end the war: send the CIA to bundle Zelenskyy off to his choice of haven at the threat of death.
Zelenskyy resigns, triggering elections allowing the installation of a suitable puppet who can provide a combination of reasonable leadership and act out a suitably heartbreaking surrender on the grounds of humanity.
No war: EU and UK immediately neutered in terms of continuing the Ukraine conflict so they fall back on rearming for their future security via US arms purchases.
Vance takes over from Trump in four years and everyone lives happily for ever after.

Posted by: Saul Goode | Mar 16 2025 4:34 utc | 221

Posted by: Bonzo | Mar 16 2025 4:11 utc | 222
How about less personal attacks on your fellow bar members? Even you disagree with the poster you should follow B’s guidelines and do so in a more civil and less inflammatory manner.

Posted by: Autumn | Mar 16 2025 4:35 utc | 222

Trubind1 | Mar 16 2025 3:26 utc | 217
Back to same old, same old… oh, that’s right, “normalization” of relationship.
—
There’s no way you guys don’t get this, so I’m defenitely jotting it down as personality defects.
Does anyone recognize that priority #1 upon the first meeting was re-establishing comms?
It’s done, it’s settled; Time to move on. One, let me repeat, one mirv above NYC, Moscow, DC, St Pete takes out a 20m+ radius.
They’re talking again now. Russia backs Iran but cuts loose the Houthis. US backs Nato but cuts loose Ukraine.
If you dont get it, if you insist on myoptically dwelling in negativity, then you’re just stealing valuable intellectual space.

Posted by: MarkW | Mar 16 2025 4:36 utc | 223

Posted by: Saul Goode | Mar 16 2025 4:34 utc | 225
Thank you. I swear some of these people are actually mentally ill. They simply refuse to acknowledge reality.

Posted by: MarkW | Mar 16 2025 4:38 utc | 224

Jeezuz you’re a lying, flippant, fickle, hypocritical shit, Love Donbass.
Posted by: Bonzo | Mar 16 2025 4:11 utc | 222
###############
My comments are worth every penny you paid for them.
I will process your refund tomorrow

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Mar 16 2025 4:40 utc | 225

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Mar 16 2025 4:44 utc | 226

Posted by: Trubind1 | Mar 16 2025 3:51 utc | 221
###########
I get it but everyone has a different sense of morality, and it has nothing to do with political matters.
Every state does bad things, that is normal. There is no country run by angels that only does “good” on the side of the forces of light.
How you or I feel about it is irrelevant. It just is.
People expect Russia to be a good-guy world police. They explicitly are not. They only engage in foreign matters when it is in the interest of Russia’s goals. They don’t do it to win good boy points in the media or so they can pin medals on themselves every day. China is the same. They do good but that is a byproduct of their rational national interests.
Every state has to act in its interest. And sometimes that means not intervening in every problem in the world, just like you haven’t found your way to Gaza to put your life on the line for the Palestinians. I don’t blame you for not doing so, because it is not your problem, even if you had the means to influence it.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Mar 16 2025 4:47 utc | 227

Posted by: Saul Goode | Mar 16 2025 4:34 utc | 225
“How to end the war: send the CIA to bundle Zelenskyy off to his choice of haven at the threat of death”
Did you see Borzzikman’s recent report (Youtube) on Zelensky buying France’s largest private bank for 1 Billion euros with the help of Rothschilds; his buying of a luxury resort in the Caribbean within which he is also building and underground bunker; his wife buying another resort in Italy and his mother doing the same near the Red Sea (I guess Israel). How sweet it is. No wonder Trump had to switch Ukraine’s military aid on again after whinging about how much has been given to the country and how much has disappeared.

Posted by: George | Mar 16 2025 4:52 utc | 228

Per latest Levada poll, the Russian people continue to strongly support Pres. Putin. Graph from 8/1999-2/2025. Scroll down for chart which confirms 88 approval rating. At link, hover over end of graph to see 88 score. Highest all time was 89 sometime in 2015….https://www.levada.ru/en/methods/our-solutions/…Levada isn’t connected to Russian government, at one time was financed by US elites who believed they could make Putin look bad.

Posted by: susan mullen | Mar 16 2025 5:09 utc | 229

Your vengeful proxy-meglomania is so ugly, LD. It runs contrary to both Putin’s nature and his intents (and his needs).
Posted by: Gerhardt G. | Mar 16 2025 3:49 utc | 220
#################
I will avoid commenting in your direction in the future. I have nothing to gain from antagonizing someone who is easily upset by online discussion and it is an enormous waste of my time to engage anyone who tries to emotionally guilt trip.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Mar 16 2025 5:23 utc | 230

@193
“ when national politicians get up on their hind legs and ask their countrymen to ‘go and fight’”
They won’t be asking.

Posted by: Fred777 | Mar 16 2025 5:40 utc | 231

Posted by: George | Mar 16 2025 4:52 utc | 233
################
I like Borzzikman, but a lot of his sourcing comes from Telegram, which tends to be a lot of rumor and conjecture.
It may be true, it may not. What difference does it make to Putin if Zelensky has $5 billion hidden away and has become a secret member of the House of Windsor?
Zelensky is already cooked. I would not be surprised if he is out of the Presidency before the end of April.
They will find some other idiot to replace him to get Ukrainians killed.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Mar 16 2025 5:45 utc | 232

RE: “Does anyone recognize that priority #1 upon the first meeting was re-establishing comms?”
Posted by: MarkW | Mar 16 2025 4:36 utc | 227
I’m certain there have been posts of mine that do appear as “myopically dwelling on negativity” when as you stated here, there is an over-valuation of “re-establishing comms”…
Before broken “comms”… the comms were simply deceptive, fake, lies, promises, broken verbal & written agreements, threats, accusations and mistrust. Verbal exchange of diarrhea that resulted in complete breakdown of “comms”.
And the recent “re-establishment” has certainly definitive optics so far of the same.
The fact is, there just isn’t any reason for Russia to have a relationship with the U.S., there’s just not. Nor is there any benefit for Russia to have one.
A strictly trade or business thing, as able, makes sense.
Resolution to issues, forget it. It’s Russia that’s making the West out to be a behemoth, when frankly, they’re just not.
They’re noise makers. They’re violent. They’re destructive.
That’s all they are. Certainly not worth any further effort.

Posted by: Trubind1 | Mar 16 2025 6:17 utc | 233

Ukraine Weekly Update, 14th March 2025: Ma be useful to some: https://robcampbell.substack.com/p/ukraine-weekly-update-c59

Posted by: The Busker | Mar 16 2025 6:28 utc | 234

The fact is, there just isn’t any reason for Russia to have a relationship with the U.S., there’s just not. Nor is there any benefit for Russia to have one.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Mar 16 2025 6:17 utc | 238
##############
Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.
What is the advantage for Russia to break all diplomacy with the Yanks?

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Mar 16 2025 6:53 utc | 235

RE: Posted by: LoveDonbass | Mar 16 2025 4:47 utc | 231
I agree with most of what you said, but clarify I’ve no desire for any nation state to be a world police, good or not. Staying out of the affairs of other states and guarding only your own interests is responsible.
My examination of Russia is simply that they also have double standards and double speak. What they bang on the West about. They speak of Ukranazis, war crimes, terrorism they are in conflict with, but often white wash Israeli action as though they are not the same “terrorists” as the Kiev “regime”.
Some other duplicitous language and actions as well. Yes, no Nation is “clean”, simply Russia plays as many lame games as West for drama, and they just look stupid in my opinion.
It was on a good road of carving out a new path for themselves. With appreciative and helpful allies, with much more solid future. They are fully aware the settlement will be finalized on the battlefield. It’s just my opinion, it’s too bad for them to get re-roped and Lavrov is probly cringing at picking up a Rubio call. Poor guy, probably hoping his 3 years of peace would have manifested to the end of his life after 30 years of nothing but head banging and frustration, but duty bound again to be driven crazy for zero reason.

Posted by: Trubind1 | Mar 16 2025 7:08 utc | 236

Re: “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”
…honestly was always a very stupid over-quote.
A better one is: “Know your enemy”… that works better.
“What is the advantage for Russia to break all diplomacy with the Yanks?”
…Internal national peace, improved & better relations with nations that aren’t Yanks, more energy & time spend better.
Let me count the advantage ways…
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Mar 16 2025 6:53 utc | 240

Posted by: Trubind1 | Mar 16 2025 7:15 utc | 237

Posted by: Trubind1 | Mar 16 2025 7:08 utc | 241
###########
Don’t underestimate the Russians, they may be exploiting the Americans. After all, the Yanks are pretty inexperienced at diplomacy and Rubio remains an unaccomplished individual.
I want good things for the Russians and Chinese, but they have to chart and travel those routes for themselves.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Mar 16 2025 7:17 utc | 238

Alex Jones announced that the ukronazis put a contract on Trunp and Musk.
Posted by: Naive | Mar 16 2025 2:10 utc | 207
In this one rare instance i wish the Ukronazis well.
Even pure evil has its uses …
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Mar 16 2025 4:44 utc | 226
AB. Come on man. You know why the Ukronazis want to kill them?

Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Mar 16 2025 7:21 utc | 239

Hey, Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, cry louder-! I can’t hear you
“Putin ’s demands that we address what he calls the ‘root causes’ of the war are completely unacceptable,” the Daily Telegraph op-edder writes. “The Russian president claims he is winning, so why on earth would he agree to a ceasefire now and admit failure after sacrificing millions of lives-? He demands the complete reintegration of Ukraine into Russia and a decoupling from the U.S. and Europe. Putin has pretty much achieved this last, as Western intelligence agencies assess that he thinks he can achieve his primary objective, most especially as he is making ground each day.”
In other words, as Rutte’s logic once had it, “The line of contact is moving westward, but Ukraine is still winning.”
In fact, it’s a chicken-or-egg conundrum, as de Bretton-Gordon informs us: “Moscow cannot accept that other countries have agency, and that NATO expansion is driven by Russia’s overbearing behavior towards its neighbors rather than because NATO is intrinsically expansionist.”
We never hear what “Russia’s overbearing behavior toward its neighbors is”—-it is as if we should already *know* a priori. We only glean that NATO expansion is actually *a thing*—-but the reason for it is, as always, Putin: “The ‘root causes’ of the conflict mentioned by the Russian president is simply Kremlin-speak for NATO expansion.”
Dizzying, I know. But were you really expecting an Aristotelian syllogism-?
Using his platform in the Daily Telegraph to fear monger in a way that is distinctly continental, de Bretton-Gordon tells us that “Most in Europe who study Putin and Russia in any detail know that he will not stop at Ukraine if he takes Kiev. We need to understand the reality of Putin’s position and plan accordingly. Trump will not be pulling a magic peace-rabbit out of the hat. ”
And then de Bretton-Gordon tips the dagger right at our throats: “Putin’s war will not end until the Soviet empire is rebuilt.”
Shuddering, we cease scrolling through his op-ed in order to contemplate this.
What if the Soviet empire *reassembled* itself, not as the long-ago USSR—-a ‘union’ of republics—-but as likeminded states loosely grouped as we find them already, neighbor-to-neighbor on the map, independent of the authoritarian grip of the EU bloc-? What if a country like Romania could field presidential candidates the citizens of Romania select without the EU meddling, or finagling their arrest, or barring them from the ballot-? What if a sovereign nation like Georgia could elect a *new* president without the histrionic hassle of the *old* president, Madame Zourabishvilli, backed by Open Society NGOs and also USAID—-plus the EU & Collective Biden—refusing to vacate the presidential palace-? What if the former East Germany opted to pull away and be East Germany again-?
Free of EU maneuvers and Machiavellian machinations from Brussels, the continent’s countries might of their own accord—and free to do so—reassemble themselves along cartographic lines reminiscent of a long-ago empire of the 20th Century. What if in fact the Soviet empire, unassisted by Putin, is *already* reassembling itself, independent of Russia’s war in Ukraine but arising from an upswelling amid the electorate, people exhausted by Brussels’ tools, Brussels’ mandates, Brussels’ complicated financialization-?
Shudder, de Bretton-Gordon, shudder.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 16 2025 7:52 utc | 240

Posted by: juliania | Mar 16 2025 3:42 utc | 216
RE: In the saga of St. Nick and St. Cassian, an interpretation of a Russian legend as to why St. John Cassian has a feast day on leap year….
<< Sparkling-!

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 16 2025 7:58 utc | 241

Posted by: MarkW | Mar 16 2025 4:36 utc | 223
RE: normalization of relationship
<< As Space X tickles low-earth orbit, the spheres of influence are harmonizing: for Russia, it's Ukraine; for the U.S., it's Ansar Allah Deal, Sec Rubio-? Deal, Minister Lavrov.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 16 2025 8:05 utc | 242

Two years ago I predicted NATO membership would be too risky as to nuclear war.
EU membership could be sold as an economic project only to be militarized after.
I guess Russia is wise to this approach as they added things like “demilitarized” to their proposals. When the EU bid fails, peacekeepers will be tried.
Meanwhile neocon op-eds are warning against Trump’s bid to restart NorthStream2..

Posted by: SOS | Mar 16 2025 8:43 utc | 243

I’l keep this short.
Haveing read thie exellent thread.
And as a resident of the UK.
I CALL FOR A REFORENDOM AS TO ………..SHOULD BRITAIN STOP THE WAR WITH RUSSIA. UNILATERALY. NOW. ?

Posted by: Mark2 | Mar 16 2025 9:03 utc | 244

Air raid shelters, anyone ?
I looked !
https://planningforsurvival.com/air-raid-shelters-near-me-how-to-stay-safe-in-a-fallout-shelter/
The Emperor (Starmer) has got no clothes.
Even worse the Emperor has got no air raid shelters !

Posted by: Mark2 | Mar 16 2025 9:14 utc | 245

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 16 2025 7:52 utc | 240
Collective waste cannot allow it.

Posted by: Mario | Mar 16 2025 9:34 utc | 246

Posted by: smartfox | Mar 15 2025 19:28 utc | 90 responds to
Posted by: drinky crow | Mar 15 2025 15:44 utc | 14
Delivery is not yet a reality, especially since all new weapons have a swift off, i.e. they cannot be used without direct US action.
So a propaganda tool and threat backdrop, typical for Trump.
But their use would immediately trigger a Russian response IN the USA, i.e. war, and Trump certainly doesn’t want that.
<=reports suggest delivery is in process .. its possible the deal on the table is that Ukraine will destroy all weapons and Putin wanted all weapons available to be included in that list of weapons so the USA sent what it had to Ukraine.. I d/n believe this is the case, but its possible .. My question is after Russia discovers none of the peace talks or overtures toward restoration of friendly relations with Russia have been in good faith, what do you think Russia will do? How do you think China will Respond? What do yo think Americans will think? Seems to me Russia needs to take all of Ukraine, IOT force the NATO nations into the position of declaring war on Russia.. If there is no Ukraine, then the proxy is over.. and the attrition becomes a two way street.. Trump got much of his support for reelection based on economy that was to benefit from not being engaged in war. downsize was the key campaign word? Will Trump lose that support if he supports war?

Posted by: snake | Mar 16 2025 9:41 utc | 247

[…] Clearly, a future devoted only to militarizing against an imagined “Russian aggression” is not inspirational among the populace. Euro-elites who insist on racking up humongous public debt on account of their imagined fears will soon feel the wrath of an electorate who feels taken for a ride. […]
Posted by: steel_porcupine | Mar 16 2025 1:31 utc | 197

For many Europeans, inspiration is low on the totem pole. How else to explain the outcome of say the recent German elections, when 60% voted for the same tiresome establishment parties responsible for deflating the country for the past 30 years. And even Alice Weidel from the supposed alternative AfD was proposing doubling military expenditure to 5% of GDP. Nearly everyone hangs on the lips of state broadcasters, lapping up their mindless russophobic propaganda, no different than when Goebbels ruled the airwaves. Pathetic simple minded good Germans. An absolute write off. Like most of their European neighbors. So as far as most west Euro-elites are concerned, they have to worry about consequences as much as Ferris Bueller had to.
A survey last week has shown that 61% of Germans want conscription to be reintroduced, largely the older farts too old to get drafted, and if one believes state broadcasters’ polls, approx 76% are open to the idea of raking up vast amounts of public debt to finance the new government’s plan to get the Wehrmacht ready for Barbarossa 2.0. If Germans, or shall I say west Europeans in general, were a movie character, they’d be Ned from Ground Hog Day.

Posted by: Juan Moment | Mar 16 2025 9:47 utc | 248

@ Sun Of Alabama | Mar 15 2025 20:26 utc | 120
The sage heads in the Kremlin are well aware of what Berletic outlines here in his more than plausible interpretation. So are the sage heads in Beijing.
Posted by: Don Firineach | Mar 15 2025 22:26 utc | 160
I 100% agree Don.
But people on here should know better and stop claiming that Trumpian Phoneyfart is different. That he is leaving NATO and Europe and that he doesn’t want an American rules based order. Understand that America first also means America first when it comes foreign policy.
The picture people are painting of Trump. Is complete bullshit as Brian points out very clearly. The picture they have created in their minds are based on hope and wishful thinking. In other words a fairy tale.
What is starting to worry me. Is both Moscow and Beijing demands are being watered down daily. That they are indeed now also looking at ways in which to freeze the conflict. Which under no circumstances they would have done with Biden.
That are starting to pick up the cards and playing 3 card monte with Trump. Rather than stick firmly to their demands and tell Trump to stick his cards up his ass. Show him the simple fact that he has a very weak hand.

Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Mar 16 2025 9:48 utc | 249

if one believes state broadcasters’ polls, approx 76% are open to the idea of raking up vast amounts of public debt to finance the new government’s plan to get the Wehrmacht ready for Barbarossa 2.0.
Posted by: Juan Moment | Mar 16 2025 9:47 utc | 248
All the poll shows is how stupid the public are. When it is the spending that finances the public debt ( that the spending creates private sector savings) not the other way around.

Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Mar 16 2025 9:59 utc | 250

Posted by: Juan Moment | Mar 16 2025 9:47 utc | 248
Looking at the linked articles it doesn’t seem to me that the idea of conscription is related to a direct intervention against RF, maybe something has been lost in the automatic translation, note that continuing support to Ukraine is not supported by a majority.
If the forced conscription really had the support of the majority they would not be discussing to override the constitutional grant to refuse it anytime as stated in German constitution.
Even the budget override will require a constitutional emendment.
In my opinion is more a push to maintain the narrative that a real support from people.

Posted by: Mario | Mar 16 2025 10:08 utc | 251

10-Year US Treasury ended the week at 4.32%
10 year German Bund at 2.87%

Posted by: Exile | Mar 16 2025 10:14 utc | 252

@ Posted by: Trubind1 | Mar 16 2025 3:26 utc | 215

In his conversation with Rubio on the US operation against the Houthis, Lavrov pointed to the need to immediately stop the use of force and start political dialogue, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Posted by: taukey | Mar 16 2025 10:42 utc | 253

Posted by: Juan Moment | Mar 16 2025 9:47 utc | 248
Step 1: Ask yourself what a government bond is. What is a US treasury, a British gilt, a German bund, a Japanese bond?
It is a savings certficicate. An asset that the non government sectors hold.
Step 2: Then Ask yourself where did people get their $’s , £’s , €’s and Yen from that allows them to buy these savings certificates in the first place ?
Take a note out of your pocket and read both sides of it. It is written clearly on both sides of the note . Who issued it and where it came from. Which they then swap for a savings certificates.
Government spends ——–> Ultimately the currency ends up as businesses profits and household savings ———-> Then swapped for one of these saving certificates.
The more the government spends ——–> The more people are able to save.
The less the government spends and this government spending is replaced by bank lending. It Can be so severe that the government deficit becomes too small to support the credit structure of the economy. Forcing private sector loans to be refinanced or defaulted upon.
Here:
The loan lock paradox
https://new-wayland.com/blog/loan-lock-paradox/
Now some people will quite rightly hold their hand up and say ah but this is Europe. Germany can no longer issue its own currency and has to either tax or borrow euros to fund itself.
Which is of course entirely true under the ” sound money ” gold standard, fixed exchange rate type system that was imposed on Euro using countries.
Without ever asking were do the €’s originate from in the first place. Once you realise it is the ECB. Then you understand how Ursula von der Leyen can announce €800 billion at a snap of a finger create them from thin air.
Which will give you a better understanding how all of this is going to be funded. Rather than leave the burden to non Euro issuing states within the Eurozone.
THE EUROSYSTEM OF CENTRAL BANKS CAN’T RUN OUT OF EUROS
However, Eurozone Member States Can
Here:
https://www.crisesnotes.com/no-the-eurosystem-of-central-banks/
So of course it will be funded in a way that keeps member states off the hook. Not burden the member states with massive amounts of Euro debt they will never be able to pay back.
But with all this new money sloshing around that will ultimately end up as businesses profits or increased household savings. Then of course the amount of ” savings certificates” will rise. As on aggregate more people will be saving more from their income.
They will do this for war. But refuse to do it for social housing, education, the public sector or creating jobs, anything that provides public purpose that would help communities and poorer areas.
That alone tells you everything you need to know about the so called left, Marxist eurozone. It is as right wing as it as ever been.
So I would completely ignore how the media says the Eurozone is going to fund tripling the size of NATO. As it will be all bullshit.
The truth is it will involve many mirrors and a lot of smoke and a very large green curtain.

Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Mar 16 2025 10:46 utc | 254

Any news from the fronts, anyone?
Despite the generally positive situation, Pokrovsk is still there, but I’ve not been keeping up with the battles and everyone is writing about the politics.

Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | Mar 16 2025 11:06 utc | 255

10-Year US Treasury ended the week at 4.32%
10 year German Bund at 2.87%
Posted by: Exile | Mar 16 2025 10:14 utc | 252
Trump is spending just as much as Biden. Still well over $7 trillion a year when you study the fiscal flows and analyse the daily treasury statement. Nearly a $trillion since he came back into office.
Of course what’s always missing when you just post figures like 4.32% and 2.87% is the very simple fact that both the FED and the ECB can simply buy the bonds back. Hold the bonds they previously issued themselves. Keep the savings certificates they issued on their own balance sheets.
Like the Japanese central bank has done for decades now. Hit whatever interest rate they want it to be.
Here:
https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=35303
As always Japan debunks the paragraphs of gold standard, fixed exchange rate type thinking. The complete bullshit paraded as facts when it comes to sovereign debt.
Japan always debunks the brainwashing children received from entering the school gates and then leaving them. Real data debunks ideological political bullshit every time.
The brainwashed prefer fairy tales and choose to ignore the real data. Their ideological belief systems are hard wired to their confirmation biases. Which makes fairy tales more appealing.

Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Mar 16 2025 11:11 utc | 256

In regard to controversy about US intentions (Brian, Vance), there is something that is amazing missing here:
Any attempt to impeach or drive Trump from office.
It was only a few years ago that the idea of Trump in the White House was utterly unacceptable and generated hysteria. You must admit that something has changed. I think it involves the Deep State/Neo Cons realizing that it’s all slipping away and this is their last chance for global domination, razor thin as it is. Trump is playing up to that hope by dumping Ukraine on the EU and trying to confront China.
So, Brian is basically correct but Trump can never be trusted to be sincere or effective. He’ll play all sides with no hesitation and end up no more effective than Biden.
Further, I don’t understand how ANYONE in the US expects to fight China. As Thomas Sowell would say, “And then what happens?” The US Navy is in decline, along with the dollar and are they dreaming of nuclear war? It makes no sense – and such delusional states of mind have to be considered amidst superficially rational explanations.

Posted by: Eighthman | Mar 16 2025 11:16 utc | 257

For the mad professors of the world …
The kids are busy being poor.
They are busy being divided.
They were neutered by Lockdowns and mental conditioning of that.
Blaming them for their lifestyles is victim blaming.
Now they will be gathered through conscription by Sherstatmztrooper and be turned into good fascist jackboots, ziofascist protectors and Arab killing occupiers of a expanding illegal apartheid entity in the Levant.
Russophobic, Sinophobic- xenophobic.
‘Just another white n****r’ in palesburg as the great songsmith wrote. With further deployment across Africa and South America and even Asia for the next few generations keeping Africa Down. Killing women and children.
Disposable pawns. Keeping the multipolar out and the current unipolar status quo from melting down as it should.
The establishment and its many apparatchiks ARE in ‘lock step’ with that grand design, while keeping petty divisions alive on the home front to keep an illusion of ‘choice’.
Finding excuses for the planned sacrifice of the kids. In pursuit of a Golden Billion slaves and the rest of humanity to be culled and despised.
Plus ca change plus ca meme chose!
Welcome to the age of never owning anything and having to be happy in the EU Garden building the walls to hide from the natural world. That’s the Agenda that can’t have been missed by anyone paying attention to the last 30 years.
Unless they were part of making it.

Posted by: DunGroanin | Mar 16 2025 11:18 utc | 258

Like the Japanese central bank has done for decades now.
Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Mar 16 2025 11:11 utc | 256
—
Its all fun and games until the price of food gets hit.

Japan’s Food Inflation Is Becoming Harder for BOJ to Overlook
. BOJ may need to pay closer attention to soaring food prices
. Stickier fresh food inflation could force BOJ to hike faster
February 20, 2025 at 2:30 AM GMT+1
Food inflation in Japan is a hot topic for households managing monthly budgets — and increasingly for the central bank as well, as prices for staples including rice and cabbage soar.
…
Cabbage prices at 2.6 times their five-year average are a particular problem for people like Katsumi Shinagawa, who manages a pork cutlet restaurant in Tokyo. Restaurants like his typically offer cabbage as an all-you-can-eat side dish served alongside the tonkatsu cutlets.
…
Read more: Japan Will Tap Emergency Rice Supplies as Prices Surge 82%
full story ==> https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-20/japan-s-food-inflation-is-becoming-harder-for-boj-to-overlook

The BoJ has run out of road at the dinner table.

Posted by: too scents | Mar 16 2025 11:20 utc | 259

Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Mar 16 2025 11:11 utc | 256
Gold was $35 an ounce in 1971 now it is $3,000/oz yet you disdain the metal; you are a complete idiot.

Posted by: canuck | Mar 16 2025 11:26 utc | 260

Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Mar 16 2025 11:11 utc | 256
What you don’t seem to be understanding is that your theory doesn’t work in every circumstances and/or for an infinite time.
If it was so, every country in the world will be doing it but hystory is full of country defaulted on their own debt, some of them being serial defaulter.

Posted by: Mario | Mar 16 2025 11:35 utc | 261

“Alex Jones announced that the ukronazis put a contract on Trunp and Musk.”
Posted by: Naive | Mar 16 2025 2:10 utc | 207
“In this one rare instance i wish the Ukronazis well.
Even pure evil has its uses …”
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Mar 16 2025 4:44 utc | 226In this one rare instance i wish the Ukronazis well.
Arch ,by expressing that odious thought of assassination you have become a Nazi.
Thought you were a Buddhist?
No true Buddhist would ever utter such an evil thought.

Posted by: canuck | Mar 16 2025 11:35 utc | 262

Posted by: Eighthman | Mar 16 2025 11:16 utc | 257
West has developed, in the last decades, that changing the government, expecially with ‘the strong man’, will change everything and solve all of the problems of a country.
It’s clearly an illusion, countries problems are generally structural evolved in a long time not going to be resolved in a few years, political parties, at least in Europe are very much the same despite their standing, expecially in election time, burocracy/deep state/ hidden powers, remain the same and resist any change unless is better for them.
It’s interesting that this same line of thinking, the strong man, is exactly the ground where non democratic systems are born and strive.

Posted by: Mario | Mar 16 2025 11:52 utc | 263

Reply to 263
Indeed, and I think it goes farther than that. Leadership goes to the most competent liar. The depth of how awful US politics has become is manifest as Trump was seen as more effective in this than Biden/Kamala
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g50aXUW8XTU
Borzikkman is claiming that the West has decided to kill Zelensky and blame it on Russia. My objection to this idea is that they haven’t hit him with exposures that could ruin him in office. Bribes? Owning a French bank? Miami real estate? Panama Papers? Are all these things nonsense? I don’t see them in headlines to drive him out of office – before they aim a gun at his head.

Posted by: Eighthman | Mar 16 2025 12:02 utc | 264

The execution of the Ukrainian Nazi thug in Odessa is the perfect metaphor for the fate which destiny provides for the individual or collective humanity which seeks to impose its will by the use of force.
It inevitably comes to pass that the use of force will eventually be opposed by an equal and opposite force.
The users of force create the opposition which will destroy them.
The USA and Israel should take note.

Posted by: CitizenSmith | Mar 16 2025 12:06 utc | 265

Posted by: kupkee | Mar 16 2025 2:49 utc | 214
The next German government is going to spend 1200 euro per German, 100,000,000,000 euro in total, to exclude a party that won the elections, and include a party that lost the elections.
That’s like ordering a steak at a restaurant, getting a vegetarian dish, and on top of that a pickpocket takes your wallet.
Africa is ahead of us in this. The former president of Nigeria said

Western liberal democracy is not working in Africa – we need our own system.

Posted by: Passerby | Mar 16 2025 12:14 utc | 266

Mario, the mighty wurlitzer is marketing the call-to-arms and forced recruitment under the pretext of Germany having to up its defensive capabilities to ward off the invading Russians. As stupid as this notion is, its being bought hook, line and sinker by a large section of German society.
Anyone with a modicum of understanding of military and geo-political practicalities, and that includes NATO functionaries and EU politicians, knows the Russians ain’t coming, that this gigantic spendathon on armaments and massive boost of troop numbers is a smokescreen for whats actually being planned: direct combat against RF on the Eastern front.

Posted by: Juan Moment | Mar 16 2025 12:22 utc | 267

a smokescreen for whats actually being planned
Posted by: Juan Moment | Mar 16 2025 12:22 utc | 267
—
What is being planned is an expanded police (and surveillance) state to keep the plebs in line.

Posted by: too scents | Mar 16 2025 12:34 utc | 268

Just read (on Mastodon) that Voice of America is probably being terminated and its leader, one Michael Joshua Abramowitz, is suspended together with its large staff. LMFAO

Posted by: Avtonom | Mar 16 2025 13:02 utc | 269

Addendum to post 269:
Staff counting to 1300 people. From the leader’s message, probably on Xitter:
“For more than 80 years, Voice of America has been a priceless asset for the United States, playing an essential role in the fight against communism, fascism, and oppression, and in the fight for freedom and democracy around the world. Today, VOA reaches more than 360 million people every week, in 48 languages. In many dictatorships, VOA is often the only reliable source of news and information.”
Just wonderful.

Posted by: Avtonom | Mar 16 2025 13:04 utc | 270

“an expanded police (and surveillance) state to keep the plebs in line.”

Sure. Skyrocketing investments in all forms of military in preparation for the next Feldzug to conquer Russia goes hand in hand with building an even more insidious Stasi construct.
Mind you, forging an ever more inquisitorial big brother bureaucracy is the name of the game pretty much anywhere. Show me a government and I’ll show you an apparatus aimed at snooping on its citizens.

Posted by: Juan Moment | Mar 16 2025 13:05 utc | 271

Posted by: Juan Moment | Mar 16 2025 12:22 utc | 267
I was only exposing my point of view on the survey and poll, I suppose that those are simply means to enhance bandwagon effect.
The destiny of Europe will be exactly the same destiny that developed in Europe between WWI and WWII, totalistic regimes, at the time fascism and nazism, and probably WWIII.

Posted by: Mario | Mar 16 2025 13:06 utc | 272

The Ukro war must go on because it is the only public (propaganda) reason for what the german gov now demands: a tremendeous mount of new debt (~ 800bn!!). They devided it in 300 for military, 400 für infrastructure and 100 for green projects. What does that really mean? 300 for mil is future (years) what is hell too late to win the war with russia. The 400 will of course NOT used to do repairs or replacements of the ailing infrastructure of Germany, but will flow to finance 404 state, France and GB – those are technically bankrupt, as the EU is. The last 100bn was a deal with the greens (necessary to vote for the package) and will be used to finance all the NGOs (loosing their Income due USAID-shutdown). Germany is the last not overindepted country big enough to be the borrower of this large ammount of money. VDL has also said, that EU is planning to confiscate savings of Germans due “Kriegsanleihen” (war bonds) which every citizen has to buy, no matter if he wants or not. Surely, they will never paid back.
The whole EU and Europe wil be therefore on a oneway road to hell and disintegration. Their leaders – all die hard WEF Globalists on Soros`payroll, are unable to move in a better direction, they are doomed to die with the system they are destroying.
The only way out of this mess would be the dismissing of Z & his goons and a unconditional surrender of UAF with Peace Treaty following. That would debunk the debt spiral and thus would be the End of the whole game. Is it possible? YES. Will it happen? NO.

Posted by: ableman | Mar 16 2025 13:09 utc | 273

Svalbard is turning into a dual-purpose facility archipelago undermining the legal basis of Svalbard’s status and risking future confrontation against the Russian Federation. Being courteous and generous with a touch of empathy cost nothing and the Kingdom of Norway (KINO) as of late seem to have forgotten that US of A cannot be trusted.

Posted by: pepe | Mar 16 2025 13:17 utc | 274

Meanwhile Trump the antiwar Ziocuck continues to bomb Yemen for their targeting of vessels supporting the Jew war and ethnic cleansing of Palestine.

Posted by: Auntie Zyanyst | Mar 16 2025 13:19 utc | 275

DunGroanin @258:
Yes, the western youth (Millennials and later) are NPCs in their own lives. They fixate on imaginary “identities” to escape their empty and mundane objective realities.
How to fix things? First step is knowing where their listlessness (in the real world) and detachment comes from. It is the result of what Marx called “alienation”. While this “alienation” in its developed form manifests as interpersonal alienation (narcissism, fixation on one’s own imaginary identity, etc), it starts from alienation from productive labor, which is the activity that binds people not only to one another, but also connects people to the natural/physical world. Socially productive labor is the foundation of human society, and thus the key to healthy development of individual humans. Individuals need to be part of the process of producing the physical/cultural conditions that make society possible in order to form a connection with and a sense of belonging to that society.
Western youth have lost that connection because most of the socially necessary labor for the existence of their society has been outsourced. Society simply doesn’t need them for anything. In the most fundamental and important sense, they are useless to society and themselves. They consume, but produce nothing.
One can criticize the morality of the capitalists whose decisions led to these conditions, but in fact many convinced themselves they were doing a good deed. They were saving American/Europeon youth from seemingly menial labor so they can focus on more lofty pursuits. Lofty pursuits like making PowerPoint presentations that nobody pays attention to in corporate offices that accomplish nothing of any socially redeeming value.
Interestingly enough, Trump and Musk’s efforts at re-shoring production to the US have the best chances of doing something to at least partially reverse this malaise. Of course, they constrain themselves to largely capitalism-friendly actions, and as Marxist I can see that ultimately dooms their efforts, but at least they are trying. Prior efforts center on providing young people with environments (“safe-space” campuses and offices) drugs and surgeries to help reinforce their delusions, while banning the speaking of truths that might endanger those delusions. After all, it is about being nice, but while good intentions are fine, you need more than that to not end up paving the highway to hell.

Posted by: William Gruff | Mar 16 2025 13:19 utc | 276

Juan Moment | Mar 16 2025 12:22 utc | 267
The mighty wurlitzer is marketing the call-to-arms and forced recruitment under the pretext of Germany having to up its defensive capabilities to ward off the invading Russians. As stupid as this notion is, its being bought hook, line and sinker by a large section of German society.

True! But currently only some 17% of the population agree to “I’d defend Germany with a weapon in hand”. Much to do for our propaganda organs.
Fun but not surprising fact: this number was lowest among voters of Linke and Greens. As you say, an overwhelming majority is in favor of the senseless military spending, Green voters high up on that list. It’ll take a little while of brain nudging before people go from “let them take my money for weapons” to “let them take my husband/son to the trenches”. It’s possible, we know this well.

Anyone with a modicum of understanding of military and geo-political practicalities, and that includes NATO functionaries and EU politicians, knows the Russians ain’t coming, that this gigantic spendathon on armaments and massive boost of troop numbers is a smokescreen for whats actually being planned: direct combat against RF on the Eastern front.

Not sure here! War against RF is pointless — it cannot be won. I think it’s more likely that EU and NATO will dissolve, and those weapons will be used in an inter-European war, as in the good old times before 1900. Guess we’ll find out 🙁

Posted by: Konami | Mar 16 2025 13:22 utc | 277

The destiny of Europe will be exactly the same destiny that developed in Europe between WWI and WWII, totalistic regimes, at the time fascism and nazism, and probably WWIII.
Posted by: Mario | Mar 16 2025 13:06 utc | 272

yes, sadly (?). the disheartening thing about this downward trajectory is the seemingly ignorance about it all from the eu(ropean) people themself. or maybe it isnt, and they like where this is going. back to the “good old days”? indoctrinated fools, ignorant idiots, or fascist in agreement. does not look “highly educated” to me at this point.
from a surface level observation i would say its something like this:
– eu is broke, but can print its way out. with all that this implicates.
– the grand prize remains russias resources. the eu wants/needs them, but they dont want to trade, like civilized people. barbarians is what the eu is.
– they dont have themself enough resources for their people, so better throw what “we” have into the military, for a last final marsh on moscow.
– if they fail (again), big brother usa will bail them out, surely. like last time. dead citizens be damned, useless eaters after all if we go by ursual and keir etc.
– repeat the cycle until no slavs are left.
i am on my way out of germany and the eu, towards asia. for those that remain, i am going to repeat myself: get something to defend your family with. not from the russians, but from the ursulas and the grey vans. keep all those “values” in mind once the show is starting.

Posted by: Justpassinby | Mar 16 2025 13:24 utc | 278

too scents @259: “Its all fun and games until the price of food gets hit.”
But nooo!! You just have to be more aggressive in picking currency off the Magic Money Tree!
The inflation has not yet begun to bite. At least not like it will as more dollars come home to roost. Trump understands this, while the dembots don’t.

Posted by: William Gruff | Mar 16 2025 13:26 utc | 279

– the grand prize remains russias resources.
Posted by: Justpassinby | Mar 16 2025 13:24 utc | 278
—
So you are told to believe.
The actual prize is the enslavement of civil society.

Posted by: too scents | Mar 16 2025 13:29 utc | 280

The inflation has not yet begun to bite. … Trump understands this,
Posted by: William Gruff | Mar 16 2025 13:26 utc | 279
—
Trump intends to engineer a rescission to keep inflation in check. He is playing Russian Roulette with a Makarov.

Posted by: too scents | Mar 16 2025 13:37 utc | 281

ableman 273
“The whole EU and Europe wil be therefore on a oneway road to hell and disintegration. Their leaders – all die hard WEF Globalists on Soros`payroll, are unable to move in a better direction, they are doomed to die with the system they are destroying.”
The EU while trying to solve one problem – defeating Russia and rearming – will fail abjectly with that but will inadvertently solve another problem entirely.
Illegal immigration.
In 10 years – or even 5 – no one anywhere in their right mind will migrate to Europe for economic reasons. They will see a Weimar hellhole and stay at home. Or apply for immigration to Russia, Iran or Indonesia.
Maggie Thatcher was the milk-snatcher.
Starmer will be the boat stopper.

Posted by: Andrew Sarchus | Mar 16 2025 13:37 utc | 282

rescission
Posted by: too scents | March 16, 2025 at 13:37
—
Or a recession. Or a party. Whatever!

Posted by: too scents | Mar 16 2025 13:38 utc | 283

“too scents @259: “Its all fun and games until the price of food gets hit.””
—————————————————————————————————————–
But nooo!! You just have to be more aggressive in picking currency off the Magic Money Tree!
The inflation has not yet begun to bite. At least not like it will as more dollars come home to roost. Trump understands this, while the dembots don’t.
Posted by: William Gruff | Mar 16 2025 13:26 utc | 27
I disagree-the Dems knew that if dollars come back to American shores there will be rampant inflation.
Hence, they sanctioned countries and individuals so that does not manifest-Trump understands this as well.

Posted by: canuck | Mar 16 2025 13:44 utc | 284

the Dems knew that if dollars come back to American shores there will be rampant inflation.
Posted by: canuck | Mar 16 2025 13:44 utc | 284
—
When deflation hits the Real Estate sector … Goodnight Irene.
Real Estate has been front-loaded to perfection and the overhang is huuuge.

Posted by: too scents | Mar 16 2025 13:52 utc | 285

Rutte is such a creepy loser.
Hardcore Christian that has never been married.
Physiognomy is real.
Europe’s smiley-faced Lindsey Graham.
“Leader” of NATO. 😂😂😂

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Mar 16 2025 13:56 utc | 286

I did enjoy watching Trump tell him to his face that America was going to take Greenland.
The humiliations will continue.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Mar 16 2025 13:59 utc | 287

Europe’s smiley-faced Lindsey Graham.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Mar 16 2025 13:56 utc | 286
—
Europe will not recover until its cream has been skimmed off.

Posted by: too scents | Mar 16 2025 13:59 utc | 288

“When deflation hits the Real Estate sector … Goodnight Irene.
Real Estate has been front-loaded to perfection and the overhang is huuuge.”
Posted by: too scents | Mar 16 2025 13:52 utc | 285
In Canada RE prices did not necessarily go up that much in the past 9 years; the Canadian dollar has lost 44% of its value in the last 9 years such that RE did not go up as the dollar went down.

Posted by: canuck | Mar 16 2025 14:07 utc | 289

Latest success stories from EU economy – Volkswagen starts selling sausages amid horrible prospects in the auto industry and recoup some losses.

Posted by: unimperator | Mar 16 2025 14:07 utc | 290

In Canada RE prices did not necessarily go up that much
Posted by: canuck | Mar 16 2025 14:07 utc | 289
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I should truly like to know what is going on in Canada. In the USA the FHA is paying delinquent mortgages to keep defaulted properties off the market.
Does Canada have a government backed mortgage program? What is going on with CMHC-insured mortgages? And what is going on with Canadian mortgage backed bonds?

Posted by: too scents | Mar 16 2025 14:14 utc | 291

More witness testimonies say the AFU purpose of invading in Kursk region was mainly the Kurchatov nuclear power plant. Foreign mercenaries, who were Polish army soldiers, who arrived in a border village stated they only need the power plant.
https://x.com/mazzenilsson/status/1901219661779243414

Posted by: unimperator | Mar 16 2025 14:17 utc | 292

too scents @281: “Trump intends to engineer a rescission to keep inflation in check. He is playing Russian Roulette with a Makarov.”
True enough! But the odds are better than the alternative. At least makarovs jam a lot, so there is an outside chance of success. The neolibcon dembot plan led to thermonuclear annihilation.

Posted by: William Gruff | Mar 16 2025 14:18 utc | 293

On the bright side European Muslims must be relieved that Russians are taking the attention off them.

Posted by: HB_Norica | Mar 16 2025 14:21 utc | 294

At least makarovs jam a lot
Posted by: William Gruff | Mar 16 2025 14:18 utc | 293
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The jam happens clearing the expended cartridge.

Posted by: too scents | Mar 16 2025 14:21 utc | 295

canuck @284: Hence, they [Dems] sanctioned countries and individuals so that [dedollarization] does not manifest-Trump understands this as well.”
And in so doing accelerated dedollarization.
It is a ~~money~~ monkey trap.

Posted by: William Gruff | Mar 16 2025 14:23 utc | 296

The loan lock paradox
https://new-wayland.com/blog/loan-lock-paradox/
Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Mar 16 2025 10:46 utc | 254
The article above states:

For as long as somebody holds the deposit, a matching loan quantity is locked in place and cannot, in aggregate, be paid off. There are insufficient deposits circulating to cancel the loan.

It gets much worse when holders of bank deposits (depositors) try to convert their deposits (savings) to cash because they correctly believe the banks are in trouble due to rising loan delinquencies. That paradox contributed to the 40% decline in US bank deposits from 1929 to 1932 and millions of loan defaults.
The article continues:

Increased financial savings, in terms of holding deposits, will stop an equivalent amount of loans from being repaid, forcing them to be refinanced or defaulted.

Actually default is usually the only option. What banker is going to loan additional money to a borrower that already is not making the monthly payments?
Also default on a bank loan is a way of increasing the borrowers savings (i.e. reducing their loss of deposits). If as happened from 2008-2012, the value of a house is many thousands of dollars less than what is owed on the mortgage the borrower may choose to avoid a loss (save) by turning in the keys to the bank and walking away. Even if the borrower has deposits in the bank that could be used to pay back the loan he can choose to save them and give up the house.
The aftermath of the 2008 meltdown demonstrated this loan lock paradox is an illusion. It only exists if the monetary authority sits on its butt and does nothing (as it did in the 1930’s).
From 2008-2012 bank loans decreased while at the same time the desired to save increased, but the outcome predicted by the article did not happen.
The Fed can always create sufficient deposits so that there is always enough to save and pay back loans even when the banks are not creating new deposits.

Posted by: jinn | Mar 16 2025 14:37 utc | 297

The Fed can always create sufficient deposits
Posted by: jinn | Mar 16 2025 14:37 utc | 297
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They are literally the lender of last resort. Yet it always amazes me that the assumption is that they will come through in the clutch as if they don’t have their own infantile agenda.
No one can serve two masters.

Posted by: too scents | Mar 16 2025 14:44 utc | 298

re. Trump extending the sanctions on Russia
Trump had said that doing this would hurt the US dollar and was a bad idea. I think this is an example of there are limits on what he can do. He tries to appear to be in control. He knows that the war was caused by the US and that it is damaging the US economicly, but the neocons seem to have control of these decisions – it is not as simple as we would like to believe.
I think Berletic overlooks this reality in his analysis. The point is not to defend Trump, but to make realistic assessment.

Posted by: jared | Mar 16 2025 14:51 utc | 299

I meant to say
He knows that the war was caused by the US and that it is damaging the US economicly, and has said exactly that.

Posted by: jared | Mar 16 2025 14:54 utc | 300

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