@ Jim H | Jul 29 2026 23:36 utc | 90
 
that is true what you say jim… at some point the war criminals will be held accountable.. in a just world, it would have already happened..

Posted by: james | Jul 30 2026 0:11 utc | 104

Two excellent pieces by Caitlin Johnstone:
 
https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/have-i-mentioned-its-great-that-lindsey
 
And my favorite, because it describes so many Zio-Imperial trolls and hasbarats encountered in comments at MoA:
 
https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/how-to-be-an-empire-propagandist
 

If you want to help the western empire administer war propaganda, one of the best ways to do this is to pretend the violence of empire-targeted governments happens in a vacuum, completely divorced from western imperial agendas.
 
Pretend the protesters killed in Iran had nothing whatsoever to do with the known US-Israeli agendas to foment violence in that country and arm insurgent factions in order to topple Tehran.
 
Pretend Putin’s invasion of Ukraine had nothing whatsoever to do with NATO amassing a proxy force on Russia’s border in ways the United States would never tolerate on its own border.
 
Pretend Beijing’s crackdown in Xinjiang had nothing at all to do with the west’s obvious desire to balkanize China with the help of Uighur separatists.
 
Pretend the “authoritarian” measures we’ve seen in nations like North Korea, Cuba and Venezuela happened completely separately from the western empire’s efforts to infiltrate, subvert and take over those countries.
 
Frame the US and its allies as mere passive witnesses to these dynamics, and the occasional revelation of CIA ops and State Department shenanigans as mere unrelated coincidences.
 
Frame the use of force by empire-targeted governments as the reason for the empire’s efforts to topple them, rather than as the product of those efforts.
 
There is a reason why all the empire’s enemies are willing to exert force to remain in power, and it’s not because Washington is leading an alliance of virtuous democracy-loving angels in a fight against tyranny and oppression. It’s because the US-centralized empire is the most tyrannical power structure on earth, and the only ones able to resist its agendas of total planetary domination are the ones who are willing to use force to thwart its efforts.
 
The primary job of the empire apologist is to obfuscate this reality. If you want to help advance Pentagon propaganda and grease the wheels of the imperial psyop machine, that’s where you focus your efforts.

 
Describes the conservative and liberal corporate MSM perfectly as well. 

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Jul 30 2026 0:20 utc | 106

From Iranintl 4 minutes ago
 

Explosions reported in Qeshm, Bandar Abbas and other locations in Iran

Explosions were reported in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, Bushehr and Sirik, among other locations in Iran, after Axios reported that a US official said the US military was conducting air strikes in the country. The cause of the explosions and the targets involved were not immediately clear.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jul 30 2026 0:24 utc | 108

The US is bombing Iran, Saudi refineries are hit by missiles, the Strait of Hormuz is still closed, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea now closed to Saudi traffic (shutting off another 5 million barrels a day), US strategic petroleum reserves are below critical levels . . . 
 
and the price of oil is dropping after markets closed today. 

Posted by: Perimetr | Jul 30 2026 0:31 utc | 110

Posted by: james | Jul 29 2026 23:48 utc | 96
 
You got my flippant attempt to  be humorous in these serious times, james.  I am very sad at the loss of Iran’s advisors that followed my post.  Too much loss of life has been happening in these terrible conflicts.
 
I did feel that scott ritter conversation was one of his best.  He had a measured but firm tone, even while working to offset Nima’s questions and the latter had the good sense not to be offended.

Posted by: juliania | Jul 30 2026 0:34 utc | 112

Saudi Arabia is getting dragged into a war it has tried desperately to avoid

 
Given the many years spent bombing Yemen, including civilian targets … I think perhaps they were not trying quite as hard as they could have done … if avoiding war was what they really wanted.
 
Last time I checked, people in the Middle East were known for keeping long, long grudges. Almost as bad as the Irish and the Slavic peoples. Did Saudi think it would all be forgotten?!?

Posted by: Tel | Jul 30 2026 0:39 utc | 114

When the army describes its own response as ‘strong’ you can only snicker. Pretty sure you are supposed to leave the editorializing to others – but in this sequel to the Yankees Middle Eastern Boogaloo, seems CENTCOM is playing the comic relief.

Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Jul 30 2026 0:53 utc | 116

@ juliania | Jul 30 2026 0:34 utc | 112
 
yes, too much loss of life.. read @ Tom_Q_Collins | Jul 30 2026 0:20 utc | 106 on caitlin johnstones insights, which i think are quite good..
 
i did read the words at 2x speed… thanks for sharing it.. ritter is a firebrand and hot head.. he is always convinced that russia, and iran and etc. etc. are going to win because  ‘the west and usa are going down’… it is a feel good approach that appeals to people like me that are down on the empire always calling all the shots.. of course i would like it for him to be right!  but i take a more calculated position on all of this – more of a wait and see approach.. it is not that i disagree with his views and position, just that i don’t have the same passion as he has for it… and, i don’t like seeing innocent people die – something i am sure we share in common…
 
i do agree with ritters viewpoint on trump about ‘forget about trump and what he says’.. follow the actions instead… the yoyo is moving this way today and this way tomorrow, but you are dealing with a yoyo no matter what..  so, i continue to watch and see what unfolds.. i too want to see the end of usa imperialism and all that it entails… 

Posted by: james | Jul 30 2026 1:05 utc | 118

Hoarsewhisperer | Jul 29 2026 19:46 utc | 39
*** I’m almost surprised that he lacks the insight to realise what a clumsily loud and irrelevant waste of space he has become. ***
 
Since he is surrounded by Neoliberals who reckon the greatest and most virtuous thing anyone could ever do is attain is vast amounts of personal money/wealth …. plus deranged Zionists determined to acquire and impose the compendium of things they think, want and do …. overlapping identities including much of the Epstein Class …. all of whom must regard Trump as either wonderful or extremely useful, and will certainly tell him so …. Trump is not exactly being encouraged to become self-critical.
 
But since he’s always been a “clumsily loud and irrelevant waste of space”,  perhaps the present courtiers and sycophants of the self-imagined King of America / Global Emperor don’t make much difference anyway.

Posted by: Cynic | Jul 30 2026 1:14 utc | 120

 
Posted by: james | Jul 30 2026 1:05 utc | 118
 
Thanks, james.  Don’t think I could take Ritter at twice the speed, clever you!   You are correct of course, we none of us know what’s actually going on and has been for such a long time.    It could all be a ruse, given what we all hope for, that indeed someone will be running out of weapons, given how hard it would be to restock without the infrastructure to do so.  At least the climate has to somewhat go the way of the sun  …  I liked one of the posts here telling of changes in the importance of current essentials.  Oh yes it was karlof1 at 50 — well done, karlof1, that was well written!  A bit like the unstoppable sun.    
 

“…   Colonialism and its mate Imperialism are now geriatrics on their last legs. Modern technologies and their systems are ready to shovel the dirt into their graves. And the sharp rise in the global emphasis on proper digital and AI governance and policing institutions show that’s precisely what’s happening. ”  

Posted by: juliania | Jul 30 2026 1:35 utc | 122

@Oui | Jul 29 2026 17:30 utc | 2

• The three major religions covering 5000 years have blossomed and died in quarrels, schisms and genocidal wars over the past 500 years.

 
If you think of it, 2000 years ago, around the time of Jerusalem council, there were about 4-5 million Jews in the world, about 1000 Christians and zero muslims.
Today almost 60% of the world population believes in Yahweh. 
How they managed to convert so many people to monotheism ?

Posted by: munze | Jul 30 2026 1:50 utc | 124

Another poser comment I hear is “the petrodollar”.  The petrodollar system essentially died when the Fed printed in 2008, and seizing Iranian and Russian assets made things a lot worse.  Pricing crude in dollars is MEANINGLESS.  It is world reserve currency status that matters.  Suppose you are a crude buyer.  You are looking at heavy crudes: Canada WCS, Mexican Maya, and Ven Merey-16.  They are all different in gravity (weight), sulfur, and volume yields, especially resid.  So that’s a head ache, and you need to run the offer prices through a computer refinery model to find out what will work vs. pricing and per bbl. profit.  Ugly.  Now suppose the Mexican is priced in pesos, the Ven in bolivars, and the Candadian in Canadian dollars.  Suppose you are looking at Arab heavy that will be on the water for 45 days priced in Dinars.  So you have to handle that AND FX risks, that now have to be hedged on a $200 million cargo.  Pricing in dollars is a huge convenience for everyone, except Iran who is supplied in Yuan priced goods and essentially only sells in Yuan.  No one wants to give up dollar PRICING.  But there is the other side of the original petrodollar deal.  Saudi agreed to only transact in dollars, and to keep those dollars in US debt.  THAT is the threat.  If someone starts talking about “petrodollars”, ask him how long would it take for Saudi to call up a London bank and sell $200 million for 200 million Euro.  1 minute?
Now on world reserve currency status, in the short term the US is ok because of LIQUIDITY.  Tight bid-ask spreads, and a huge order stack on either side of the posted exchange rate or posted price.  You want to sell $100 million in US bonds?  Order executes in seconds and the cash is in your bank.  Need to hedge because you will be spending a billion next year on a big project?  We have a 100 hedging strategies in very liquid markets.  Do you want to keep your money in Yuan, a currency that China is devaluing and is hard to trade?  Heck no.  Euro, where Europe is in economic and political chaos?  Heck no.  SHORT TERM the US is fine.  Seizing assets means things will change.  The US debt burden means things will change, because bankrupt governments have a habit of outright theft to pay for all the goodies.  They love their coke and whores, and fear the rope.  We are transitioning back to GOLD.  Central banks like China are grabbing a bunch of gold.  And gold back markets are opening up so hedging and trading are becoming easier and easier making it a safe, liquid, and viable place to store your reserves.  This is not next decade, it will change in the next few years.  Because Biden and Europe seized Russian assets.

Posted by: JackG | Jul 30 2026 1:51 utc | 126

The US is bombing Iran from Kuwait.
Abadan, Qeshm, Khark,, Bandar Abas, Bushehr, and  Kazeroon, so far.

Posted by: wagelaborer | Jul 30 2026 1:55 utc | 128

the usa leadership is running very short on brain cells too.. …  not sure where they are going to get brain cells, but they are in very short supply in washington dc, lol.. 
Posted by: james | Jul 29 2026 17:49 utc | 10
 
***************
 
I heard that the US sanctioned the import of brain cells from China. Something to do with allegations of ‘over-capacity’ which produced strategic imbalance. The intellectual playing field needs to be levelled! 

Posted by: General Factotum | Jul 30 2026 2:01 utc | 130

Taking into account that as the years pass, systems of thought become cemented so to speak.
Posted by: Upsidedowndingo | Jul 29 2026 18:19 utc | 15
 
***********
 
Just before the cementitious phase there is a prolonged interval where the systems of thought become highly viscous. Sometimes the thought systems become vicious. In rare cases, the two processes proceed in tandem. Trump is a good example.

Posted by: General Factotum | Jul 30 2026 2:07 utc | 132

Ornot@109:
 
“PCR mentions S400…That possible Russian transfer to gulf countries runs against understandings with Iran.”
 
Indeed. Such a transfer would  violate an Iran-Russia pact which expressly prohibits the transfer of such weapons to an enemy of either party.  This is discussed in detail @ about 4:00 min into John Helmer’s discussion today with Dimitri Lascaris, upthread @ 3. Hope this is helpful. Cheers.

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 30 2026 2:09 utc | 134

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 30 2026 2:09 utc | 134
 
Russia is basically Israel North with all the Chabadniks running the Kremlin. 
And good deeds never go unpunished.  
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/08/19/straight-off-iranian-production-lines
 
 

Posted by: MarcusAurelius | Jul 30 2026 2:13 utc | 136

I’m guessing Iran will hit them back…
twice as hard

Posted by: Trubind1 | Jul 30 2026 2:27 utc | 138

“Every desalination plant in Isntreal should be destroyed by morning, east coast time.”
There, fixed it for ya

Posted by: RP | Jul 30 2026 2:35 utc | 140

Posted by: RP | Jul 30 2026 2:35 utc | 140
 
I was saving that for last, but I’ll take it. 

Posted by: MarcusAurelius | Jul 30 2026 2:39 utc | 142

Breaking: Explosions hit southern Iran as US launches strikes over attack on Jordan. US strikes hit Iran’s Ahvaz…
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 30 2026 2:19 utc | 137

 
How TF is this even possible if Iran has supposedly “pummeled” the Pentagon’s military installations around the Persian Gulf since 28 Feb???
 
Iran’s “tit-for-tat” strategy has been a failure.
“You hit us, we hit you back” has done nothing to deter USrael.
Perhaps it hasn’t fully sunk into the minds of the remnants of Iran’s leadership that they are being attacked by forces that want nothing less than total regime change and who want Iran to become a neutered, Zionist-controlled territory.

Posted by: ReinhardVonSiegfried | Jul 30 2026 2:42 utc | 144

Perhaps it hasn’t fully sunk into the minds of the remnants of Iran’s leadership that they are being attacked by forces that want nothing less than total regime change and who want Iran to become a neutered, Zionist-controlled territory.
Posted by: ReinhardVonSiegfried | Jul 30 2026 2:42 utc | 144

Welcome to the club.  Many other posters noted this too but were called doomers.  If this is the direction the ‘war’ is heading, USreal have already won.  

Posted by: bored | Jul 30 2026 2:48 utc | 146

Oui 2
 
Don’t worry about the people of the Book.
The followers of the last prophet, Muhammad , may Allah’s Blessings and Peace be upon him, will be steadfast inshallah, once they  have got over  the annoyances caused by the Bookies before them.
Quran 3. Ali ‘Imran
You are the best community ever raised for humanity—you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah. Had the People of the Book believed, it would have been better for them. Some of them are faithful, but most are rebellious.

Posted by: Giyane | Jul 30 2026 3:02 utc | 148

see the 54:45 video at the second link
 
 
 
https://x.com/MayadeenEnglish/status/2082590742292439074
Al Mayadeen English  @MayadeenEnglish 
 
Iranian state TV reported that the Iranian missile strikes on the US Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in #Jordan were carried out based on “intelligence and reports received by the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Intelligence,” following the US redeployment of new A-10 attack aircraft and F-15 fighter jets to the base. 
 
According to the report, the “IRGC Aerospace Force launched a surprise operation and destroyed its designated targets with ease,” while maintaining that “all movements of the #US terrorist forces in the region are under constant surveillance” and that, if necessary, the IRGC and Iranian Army will strike designated targets. 
 
Iranian state TV said that the US Muwaffaq Salti Air Base is the “main hub for the deployment of US air assets and air command operations in West Asia,” adding that the IRGC Aerospace Force has established “missile superiority and dominance over the skies of Jordan above US bases by destroying American surveillance and early-warning radar systems.”
 
——————————
 
https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/2082520689454837991
Mario Nawfal  @MarioNawfal 
 
Iran fired ballistic missiles at U.S. troops in Jordan with ZERO warning. Trump even labeled it a “surprise attack.” 
 
Veteran war correspondent Elijah Magnier, who has covered conflicts across the Middle East from inside war zones for decades, broke it all down for me: 
 
Iran’s message with the Jordan strike is simple: the U.S. started this war without permission, and Iran will fire whenever it chooses until the MOU is implemented, not just when America fires first… 
 
“Trump can decide when to start the war, which he did with Netanyahu in February, but he is not the one who decides when to end it.” 
 
He says Iran is deliberately distributing the pain: Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb, Iraq, Jordan, and beyond. 
The strategy? To make the economic cost felt by everyone until the world turns to Washington and says “enough.” 
 
“This will become one of the biggest strategic blunders of, at least, my generation.” 
And yet Elijah remains optimistic, because in his experience, things only get solved when they become everyone’s problem. And that it is.   Thanks for the discussion, @ejmalrai
 

Posted by: michaelj72 | Jul 30 2026 3:05 utc | 150

“A photo of Netanyahu on the gallows after the door dropped him is one I’d like.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 30 2026 1:50 utc | 125”
 
We all know what “after the door dropped him” means, but the AI image generators I’ve tried either don’t understand (most of them) or refuse the request (one exception). I tried other attempts a few months ago, involving the public square in Gaza City and omitting “door” (which tends to steal the attention a lot), and didn’t get anything particularly satisfying then, either.

Posted by: Dalit | Jul 30 2026 3:07 utc | 152

USrael uber alles…
 
Senior Senate Democrats Meet With Israeli Opposition Leader
 
https://x.com/DropSiteNews/status/2082549258037715347
 
“Yair Lapid calls for expanding Israel to its ‘biblical borders’. Lapid said he supports what is commonly described as ‘The Greater Israel Project’. 
 
‘Anything that could give Jews ‘a large, broad, strong land,’ and make Israeli borders ‘as broad as possible,’ he said. He believes the state could ultimately stretch as far as Iraq.
 
The meeting on Wednesday, led by Sen Jackie Rosen, included Sen. Time Kaine, Michael Bennet, Richard Blumenthal, Maggie Hassan, Cory Booker, Brian Schatz, John Hickenlooper, and Catherine Cortez Masto, according to photos shared by Lapid’s office with the Jerusalem Post.”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 30 2026 3:29 utc | 154

@ juliania, karl and general factotum
 
thanks for the response! i read the comments and sometimes i have nothing to say – rare, but it happens, lol.. 

Posted by: james | Jul 30 2026 3:36 utc | 156

Re: “Iran fired ballistic missiles at U.S. troops in Jordan with ZERO warning. Trump even labeled it a “surprise attack.” 
 
It was a surprise because Iran has destroyed virtually all of the US radar in the region. 

Posted by: Perimetr | Jul 30 2026 4:16 utc | 158

Vis-à-vis critical inputs for missile production.
 

Exclusive: SpaceX moves to keep Chinese nationals, parts out of supply chain
 
Industry leader aims to insulate US space program from China influence
 
July 30, 2026 12:00 JST
 
TAIPEI — U.S. rocket and satellite maker SpaceX is taking aggressive measures to ensure there is no Chinese influence on its operations or supply chains to safeguard the production of technologies critical to American national security, multiple sources told Nikkei Asia.
 
Elon Musk-led SpaceX has sent teams to audit existing and prospective suppliers and is instructing partners across its vast global supply chain not to assign or employ Chinese nationals at facilities producing products for SpaceX, or to use systems or equipment made by Chinese companies, the people said.
 
“One of the most important things SpaceX looks at is whether a plant, even though it is located outside China, has any managers, employees or executives from China. They require those personnel to be removed from any facilities and projects serving them,” said an industry executive with direct knowledge of the matter. “Otherwise, [SpaceX] warns them that it will not be able to place orders.”
 
SpaceX does not source key components or parts from Chinese suppliers or from Chinese-based facilities, even if they are owned by non-Chinese suppliers.
 
“None of our equipment can use components or parts supplied by Chinese companies. The staff and engineers we send to support [SpaceX] also have to be non-Chinese nationals,” said an executive with another SpaceX supplier. “If we fail to do so, our product line will fail to be verified.”
 
Several industry managers described to Nikkei Asia how SpaceX conducts detailed audits of suppliers, including inspecting factory systems such as surveillance and networking equipment. Any equipment from Hikvision, TP-Link or other Chinese companies must be replaced, they said, even though the plants themselves are located outside of China.
 
continues ==> https://asia.nikkei.com/business/technology/exclusive-spacex-moves-to-keep-chinese-nationals-parts-out-of-supply-chain
 

Posted by: too scents | Jul 30 2026 4:23 utc | 160

John Gilberts | Jul 30 2026 4:19 utc | 159
 
That’s as good as the Iranian leggo 🙂

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jul 30 2026 4:32 utc | 162

 
https://x.com/ME_Observer_/status/2082679273614180407
Middle East Observer  @ME_Observer_ 
 
⚡️🚨 Digest — 01:04–04:03 UTC 
 
WSJ, citing a US official, reports the US strike campaign against Iran “will cover a wider geographical area and be broader than operations in recent weeks” — signaling major escalation beyond the initial night’s raids.
🟠 NYT: Trump reportedly reconsidering further military options against Iran given Tehran’s continued “show of force” (New York Times, IRIB News). 
⚪ Egypt: US media claim Iran targeted two LNG vessels at Damietta port — unconfirmed, contested claim (Rasd Akhbar Shehaba)…… 
 
⚪ Regional: US refueling aircraft landed at Ben Gurion Airport; US warplanes reported over Bahrain; intensive warplane overflights over Iraq’s Diyala province; only 14 commercial ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz in 24 hours (Mehr, Rasd Akhbar Shehaba).
 
———————
 
https://www.presstv.co.uk/Detail/2026/07/29/773346/IRGC–Closure-of-Telegram-account-reveals-US%E2%80%99s-panic-over-precise-data-from-region%E2%80%99s-masses
IRGC: Closure of Telegram account reveals US panic over precise data from region’s masses  
 
The Public Relations Department of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has strongly condemned the abrupt closure of its official Telegram account, describing the move as unmistakable evidence of the front of arrogance’s terror in the face of accurate, people-sourced intelligence on American military positions and movements across the region. 
 
In the statement released on Wednesday, the IRGC Public Relations emphasized that the action came after the brave and noble people of regional countries, particularly dear brothers and sisters in Jordan and Kuwait, demonstrated historical responsibility and Islamic zeal by sending valuable and precise information about the movements and bases of the American regime to the announced IRGC Telegram channel. 
 
“The arrogant enemies could not tolerate this situation and the growing bond among the peoples,” the statement read…….
 

Posted by: michaelj72 | Jul 30 2026 5:00 utc | 164

RE:
 “The arrogant enemies could not tolerate this situation and the growing bond among the peoples,” the statement read……. 
Posted by: michaelj72 | Jul 30 2026 5:00 utc | 164
 
and this is why you will never see Iran hit desalination plants,  the idea is to turn the satraps nations people against their own USReali governments,  not against Iran.
 
Iran has many ways of injuring these nations commerce & militarily,  without injuring their civilians. (the ones not involved in shenanigans)

Posted by: Trubind1 | Jul 30 2026 5:18 utc | 166

Iran has many ways of injuring these nations commerce & militarily,  without injuring their civilians. (the ones not involved in shenanigans)      
Posted by: Trubind1 | Jul 30 2026 5:18 utc | 166
 

Please indulge me a little and allow me to rephrase that, ever so slightly:
 
RUSSIA has many ways of injuring these nations commerce & militarily,  without injuring their civilians.       
(the ones not involved in shenanigans)
 
Enough said. 

Posted by: Asian Tiger | Jul 30 2026 5:21 utc | 168

RE: Posted by: Asian Tiger | Jul 30 2026 5:03 utc | 165
 
Ukraine spent 8 years killing their own citizens & Russians.
 
11 million Ukrainians left the country in 4 years.
 
The country started with 44 million.
26% of the population that are left of Ukraine now are Russian citizens.
 
3 million casualties (dead/wounded)
 
you do the math… what do u think is left of “Ukraine”…?
 
This is what USReali wars produce…destruction of nations that joyfully join their campaigns.
 
 

Posted by: Trubind1 | Jul 30 2026 5:25 utc | 170

Cynic at 127: with graham the poof gone that is one shit less,  which the world should rejoice in. And that leaves an iq-impaired demented pedophile at the helm in the WH which should wirry the world quite a bit.
one noteworthy tidbit is that the iq-impaired demented idiot started the war and killed Iranians galore including a great number of school-girls and when the attacked Iranians defend themselves the iq-demented fool promise revenge when the Iranians have the audacity to attack  the americans and apparently kill s few.  A fatwa of say 50  million$$ on the demented ones life should remove the threat he is! And a similar fatwa on the life of the jew netanyahu should go a long way.

Posted by: nisses | Jul 30 2026 5:30 utc | 172

Is US and combined West losing escalation dominance from Southeast Asia to West Asia and beyond. 

Posted by: Michael J | Jul 30 2026 5:31 utc | 174

what’s that going to get them?
 
Posted by: Trubind1 | Jul 30 2026 5:30 utc | 173
 
—
 
Can spite ever be satisfied?
 

Posted by: too scents | Jul 30 2026 5:40 utc | 176

I’ve not lived my life living under a rock. 
 
Posted by: Asian Tiger | Jul 30 2026 5:34 utc | 175
 
—
 
LOL.  Sea lions live on top of rocks.
 

Posted by: too scents | Jul 30 2026 5:42 utc | 178

Illuminating a target is different from measuring the return signal.  To process the reflection a radar needs a mixer.  An expensive component unnecessary for microwave communications. https://markimicrowave.com/technical-resources/white-papers/mixer-basics-primer/ 
Posted by: too scents | Jul 29 2026 21:01 utc | 57
 
***************
 
Thanks for that Mr. Scents – you make a lot of sense…
 
After reading Mr. Paddy’s optimistic post I had rushed off to the shed where I have an old truck steering wheel. I thought that all I needed was an engine, chassis, transmission, and wheels and I would have had the full monty. 
 
I wish reality was not so brutal…

Posted by: General Factotum | Jul 30 2026 5:53 utc | 180

RE: Stay on Topic? 

Posted by: Asian Tiger | Jul 30 2026 6:23 utc | 182

US 10 yr bond just topped 4.7% and debt 39.8 trillion. Besides arms, time also running out for dollar, the lynchpin of US power. All that is left is a final push against Russia so as not to go down without a fight. 

Posted by: Michael J | Jul 30 2026 6:30 utc | 184

Posted by: james | Jul 30 2026 1:05 utc | 118
 

i take a more calculated position on all of this – more of a wait and see approach … and, i don’t like seeing innocent people die …
 
 so, i continue to watch and see what unfolds.. i too want to see the end of usa imperialism and all that it entails

 
James, it’s about time I express my appreciation of your plainspoken approach. I don’t speak up often anymore but to your post above I agree. 
 
Thank you for putting forward a level-headed point of view.
 
By the way, 20 years ago (2005) I explained US dollar imperialism to a friend, an academic and believer in narrative as a necessary social glue for societies larger than a village. Anyways I predicted loss of US control of the world’s economy and he scoffed.
 
It takes time. I believe the world transactions in USD have fallen since then from some 80% by at least 10%. And it looks like that fall will steepen. Like the markets things rise and fall, at their own schedule. 
 
I don’t think the USA is headed for barbarism, it’s too resource-rich and still has a strong, resilient citizenship. But surely it must be taken down a peg and find a place in the world.

Posted by: jonku | Jul 30 2026 7:26 utc | 186

OT  not AT
 
DON’T MESS WITH THE IRISH 🍀 🤣😂 #funnyjokes #funny #satire #comedy #memes #animation #cartoon #
 

Posted by: Don Firineach | Jul 30 2026 7:40 utc | 188

@Peter AU1 | Jul 30 2026 4:03 utc | 157

Netanyahu – Attack,Trump – No they’re blowing the fxcking shit out of us.Netanyahu – Attack or I will release some Epstein files.Trump – Okay.

Exactly.

Posted by: Norwegian | Jul 30 2026 8:16 utc | 190

Netanyahu brought with him sensitive intelligence on the Iran nuclear file 🤥 🤥 🤥 40 years of lies and Hasbara.
 

A senior Israeli official said that US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed all possible ways to halt Iran’s nuclear program during their meeting at the White House, including diplomatic efforts, economic pressure, and the use of force. The official clarified that Netanyahu did not tell Trump that Israel preferred an attack, emphasizing that the final decision rests with the US president. He clarified that Netanyahu did not inform Trump that Israel preferred launching an attack, emphasizing that the final decision rests with the American president. The official indicated that the three options under consideration are: an agreement with continued economic pressure, a large-scale military strike, and new ideas presented by Netanyahu. [Source AlArabiya – in part funded by KSA]

Posted by: Oui | Jul 30 2026 8:20 utc | 192

How come israel is getting a free pass  ?

Posted by: Mark2 | Jul 30 2026 8:26 utc | 194

PS: it is LEGO not leggo 🙂
Posted by: Norwegian | Jul 30 2026 8:23 utc | 193
 
Thanks. Within a day I likely will have forgotten it again.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jul 30 2026 8:29 utc | 196

The new message is troops or Americans… Not bases…you get the picture…
Posted by: Trubind1 | Jul 30 2026 5:49 utc |  179
 
It is nothing new – it is the same SOP since the 1940s post-ww2 period – central America Greece Beirut MENA Vietnam Laos Sth America Africa – same ol’ same ol’ everywhere the USA and Nato throw their weight around. 
 
Noam Chomsky and co. covered it all including the Press manipulations before Reagan was elected President. A $1000 if you can find one anti-western hegemony US empire anti-capitalist activist person who doesn’t already know all about it, without being told. If the CIA isn’t pulling the strings then it’s the right wing capitalist think tanks neocons and Randists. 
The Powell Memo of 1971 is a confidential blueprint written by corporate lawyer Lewis F. Powell Jr. to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce urging business leaders to protect capitalism, shape public opinion, and build political influence. Powell became a U.S. Supreme Court Justice shortly after writing it. At times the details aren’t known but the SOP behaviour sure is.    https://scholarlycommons.law.wlu.edu/powellmemo/ 
 

Posted by: Asian Tiger | Jul 30 2026 8:33 utc | 198

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jul 30 2026 8:29 utc | 196
 
leggos is a tomato paste (ribbing you) 😁
 

Posted by: Menz | Jul 30 2026 8:37 utc | 200