It looks as if the vast majority of those who have expressed a view are fine with 'Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update'. So I will change it. Thanks.
As things become more intense in West Asia, and Ukraine becomes more of a foregone conclusion, the newer title seems more appropriate.
This week Scandalgate - the DNC's beat-up over a vague outline about the bombing of Yemen, in front of a journalist - is getting a lot of coverage. What is really disgusting about Sacandalgate is that the opposition in the US is jumping up and down about the leaking of the information, but not in the least disgusted at the fact that this was a plan to commit a War Crime: the bombing, by the US, of innocent civilians. FFS.
The other major concern is the deporting of students, from the US, who have spoken out against Israel's War Crimes, labelling this very reasonable position as "anti-semitic". The Us is now a police state, with the Zionist lobby forcing Cancel Culture on free speech.
Trump is SUCH a mixed bag. His moves against the Deep State praiseworthy, but his warring in the middle east, despicable. He could well crash the US economy - bad for Americans, but good for the rest of us, in the long run.
Thanks Joy - good to hear from you. I always thought that Free Speech would never be an absolute under any US administration. I agree about Scandalgate - my own coverage focused on the war crime it undoubtably was. And it continues.
I really appreciate your weekly mail with a good overview.
I appreciate your restraint and modesty, which, however, goes hand in hand with a wealth of information.
A question about your analysis: What do you say to the US starting one war after another that does not serve its interests and ultimately weakens its hegemonic position? The next one will be Iran. It will be a disaster for the empire. But Trump still wants it.
In other words, why, it seems, does Israel make US foreign policy in both Biden and Trump America?
Thanks for that Niklaus. I don't see the topic as controversial at all and there isn't anything that I'm not allowed to touch. I don't work for anyone so I can touch whatever I want really. But you pose an interesting question. However, I don't agree with some of your premises. The US does enter wars that don't serve its interests - as you state. But it is possible that they do so with the expectation that the war will serve its interests in some way. They may do this out of hubris and ignorance about the forces they will face. The same applies to Iran. As I, and others, have said, Trump does not appear to have any idea how strong Iran is and hopes for a victory. But out of hubris and ignorance he may have miscalculated. So, if it happens, and the US gets a bloody nose while creating a situation which is against its interests these could be among the reasons. There will be others, such as Trump's misguided support for Israel and its expansionist ambitions. Personally, I would be very surprised if the US engages in anything more than a token attack on Iran. But I'm no expert.
Nearly every state in the US has an armaments manufacturer that provides local employment. Therefore it is very difficult for any president to wind down the war machine. Trump is trying to bring back US manufacturing to foil the MIC, but has taken a sledgehammer to a problem that needs a much lighter touch.
In addition, many of the corporations in other areas, that fund candidates, want to access other nations' resources cheaply, improving their bottom line and adding to the US' national wealth.
Incursions into Libya, Syria and Iraq were about the US being gatekeeper to the world's oil. Destabilising Venezuela (4th largest oil reserves) failed, but Iran is in the US' sights for the same reason, and also because it is backing opposition forces to Israel. And Israel is America's sacred cow because the Zionists have bought both government houses.
Re war with Iran, I would normally say Pass the Popcorn BUT the lawless insanity of Israel threatens nuclear war, and armageddon is a very real possibility.
Thanks Joy - you are not alone in being worried about Israel and nuclear war. I agree about the sledgehammer: no one could accuse Trump of being subtle.
Name Change or not, I will continue to follow your blog closely. I'm a big fan of Simplicius, Marat Khairullin and MoA but your weekly update does a fantastic job of bringing everything together in an easily digestible format. Big kudos and keep up the great work!
I think you've nailed it Ezzie. Simplicius, Big Serge and so many others provide a service to truth that I could not provide. But I offer something that is easily digestible - as you say and I try to make it light hearted while providing an overview. But I also provide detail - which makes it more real to readers. I am not saying that I am consciously trying to do all of this: it's just the way it has progressed.
I also think that the new title ‘Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update’ will be very good. No matter what title, though, the main beauty and value of these articles is in your expertise, your thoughts and your amazing hard work to deliver these weekly updates to your grateful readers.
Meirsheimer ( ?sp ) recently opined that Trump's approach to Russia was based on recognition of inevitable defeat in Ukraine but not a retreat from global Hegemonic ambition but a retrenchment of it to a more defensible position .
Here in Canada anti-Trumpism is so strong one is timid about suggesting his anti-woke stance makes all else almost forgiveable .
Interesting. I don't believe Trump is the hero you hope he might be nor do I think the US constitutional structure can work in a multipolar world. In fact the reason American hegemonics created a "rules-based international order" is because the Constitutional doesn't work beyond our borders and now it has been usurped even within our borders and certainly by Trump.
No, what we have seen in America is a shift from political parties run by Fortune 500 corporations and ideological think tanks to oligarchic rule in the form of a relatively small number of wealthy zionist jews, technology authoritarians, and globalist financial kings who floated a guy who shares their transactional view of the world that is diametrically opposed to our now useless Constitution.
What is the way forward? Like you I hesitate to speculate, but the nations doing best - economically and socially for their people - are really not nations, they are civilizations. And they are run as socialist market economies with the State guiding private sector investment to avoid the very corporate and oligarchic excesses that destroyed America.
I have no idea how you obtained the impression that I hope that Trump may be a hero - this is not my view. I don't understand what you are saying about the US constitution getting in the way of the US joining the Multi-Polar World Order but I'm not disputing what you say. The Multi-Polar World appears to be on its way but nothing is inevitable. But it is likely to happen whether the US joins or not. Much of what you say is interesting but could you say more about civilizations - what are you referring to? Cheers.
I’m not sure on the us ever being run by the Fortune 500.
I’m not sure on the shift to the think tanks. I would suggest under Trump it’s from in the gop.
Zionist influence i suggest is huge on both sides of U.S. politics. And if you disagree in congress, you will get a well funded primary opponent. Every member of congress has an assigned aipac minder. A more interesting question is the levers of influence.
Yes - of course I will be talking about them but only briefly with reference to other commentators including yourself: I've provided a link to your article. Thanks for that.
It seems that the vast majority who have expressed a view want 'Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update' so I will be using that. I think that including the word Ukraine will provide continuity and the focus is still very much on Ukraine at the moment. When the war ends I will need to change the name again. Maybe your suggestion would be appropriate at that point. It has a good 'ring' to it. Thanks.
I think that I may have mentioned that the Russian delegation at the first talks between them and the Americans in Saudi Arabia observed that the US delegation was unprepared at best or pathetic, if they are being really honest. In terms of political/diplomatic acumen, the Bear reigns supreme over the Bald Headed Eagle. So, I agree.
It has been somewhat obvious in various arena's, and one only has to look at how Russia has worked around the US sanctions and kept their economy growing rapidly, while China has blocked US tarrifs with sanctions on critical metals and minerals, which has the bald eagle in a tizz, and blustering profusely.
Trump favours himself as the great negotiator, yet on two occasions he/his people arrived at the table, with nothing in hand, to be read as No Cards in Trump language, yet attempting to force the Russians bin their direction.
Listening to a recent Putin speech to the Russian business sector, it is obvious that Putin knows the US isn't serious, as he told the Russian business fraternity that sanctions would not be lifted, no matter what happens in negotiations, hence his making the lifting if sanctions a pre-condition for a Black Sea ceasefire.
This was more a test of the West's agenda by Putin to confirm his suspicions, than a negotiated outcome.
The "Bald Eagle" having come to the table empty handed on two occasions and not being able to "persuade" Zelensky or Europe to play ball has reduced Trump to a fumbling bumbling idiot in the eyes of the Russians, who now know that the US is powerless to achieve anything, because they don't listen, nor do they have any soft power of persuasion left.
So just imagine how weak they are viewed to be by Russia, China and the rest of the observant world.
Thanks for that. I heard the speech Putin gave and reported on it in the Update. You are right, things are not going well from Trump but he is not being helped by Z and the globalist Europeans.
I am going through an online Brain seminar. Videos every day for free by various experts and then the option to buy the entire set of long form interviews and supporting material.
The topics yesterday included information overload.
Have I become an information addict?
I follow a wide range of topics of which I know little and am learning about as I go. For example, never took health seriously until "the pandemic" and made lifestyle changes so no longer on prescription medications.
I have always been on the left, so to speak, whatever that means in USA, or whatever left/right means anywhere, but the realizations in the last few years have been mind-blowing and put me in the position of isolation from almost everyone.
Yesterday, for the first time my thought: was 9/11 a false flag event? Of course I am aware, but never seriously followed, the position that it was an inside job.
And this morning reading about white, fibrous, masses pulled out of bodies by embalmers. Never before seen. Appeared after the Covid vaccine. Some are 3 feet long because they go down the leg. They are solid. And looking at biochemical tests to determine what are in them. What do small white dots in the blood do in blood vessels? There are prion like proteins in the clots. And excess deaths continue to be high. Has a disaster been launched on humanity?
A personal time saver was found a couple of days ago. Bring up a fresh copy of MoonofAlabama.org and on the right side there is a list or the recent comments. Scan down the list to see your favorites and click on them. It can also be used to get to the end of a topic just with a click rather than going through the topics which at some time can be hundreds of comments posted.
Is there an AA for information addicts? (AA is Alcoholics Anonymous - various 12 step programs)
I just did a web search and sure enough,
"Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous
Welcome to Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous! We’re glad you’ve found us, and we hope our community can be as helpful to you as it has been for us. ITAA is a Twelve-Step fellowship of individuals who support each other in recovering from internet and technology addiction. This includes social media addiction, phone addiction, video addiction, television addiction, gaming addiction, news addiction, pornography addiction, dating apps, online research, online shopping, or any other digital activity that becomes compulsive and problematic. "
Fascinating stuff Don. My Damascene conversion came in December 2018 when I started to question global warming. After that, I researched all the main 'conspiracy theories'. I married a herbalist 25 years ago - so have been suspicious of pharmaceuticals since then and haven't consulted a GP in that time. I write about this in my philosophy series on Agnosticism. If you scroll down you will come to it eventually. Thanks for that.
Rob - I entirely agree with you. Brian Berletic's posts and his analysis is correct. This IS a global fight. The tragedy is that while things look positive in Ukraine, the Palestinians are the meat in the sandwich. Imagine if the US was forced to retreat what the situation would be?
‘Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update’ - scans well with me.
Congratulations. Your popularity seems to be following the price of gold!
Always appreciate your weekly summaries.
It looks as if the vast majority of those who have expressed a view are fine with 'Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update'. So I will change it. Thanks.
Thanks Dude.
Keep up the great work whatever title you give it!!
Appreciated Eoin.
As things become more intense in West Asia, and Ukraine becomes more of a foregone conclusion, the newer title seems more appropriate.
This week Scandalgate - the DNC's beat-up over a vague outline about the bombing of Yemen, in front of a journalist - is getting a lot of coverage. What is really disgusting about Sacandalgate is that the opposition in the US is jumping up and down about the leaking of the information, but not in the least disgusted at the fact that this was a plan to commit a War Crime: the bombing, by the US, of innocent civilians. FFS.
The other major concern is the deporting of students, from the US, who have spoken out against Israel's War Crimes, labelling this very reasonable position as "anti-semitic". The Us is now a police state, with the Zionist lobby forcing Cancel Culture on free speech.
Trump is SUCH a mixed bag. His moves against the Deep State praiseworthy, but his warring in the middle east, despicable. He could well crash the US economy - bad for Americans, but good for the rest of us, in the long run.
Thanks Joy - good to hear from you. I always thought that Free Speech would never be an absolute under any US administration. I agree about Scandalgate - my own coverage focused on the war crime it undoubtably was. And it continues.
Dear Rob,
I really appreciate your weekly mail with a good overview.
I appreciate your restraint and modesty, which, however, goes hand in hand with a wealth of information.
A question about your analysis: What do you say to the US starting one war after another that does not serve its interests and ultimately weakens its hegemonic position? The next one will be Iran. It will be a disaster for the empire. But Trump still wants it.
In other words, why, it seems, does Israel make US foreign policy in both Biden and Trump America?
That's a hot topic! Are you allowed to touch it?
Thanks for that Niklaus. I don't see the topic as controversial at all and there isn't anything that I'm not allowed to touch. I don't work for anyone so I can touch whatever I want really. But you pose an interesting question. However, I don't agree with some of your premises. The US does enter wars that don't serve its interests - as you state. But it is possible that they do so with the expectation that the war will serve its interests in some way. They may do this out of hubris and ignorance about the forces they will face. The same applies to Iran. As I, and others, have said, Trump does not appear to have any idea how strong Iran is and hopes for a victory. But out of hubris and ignorance he may have miscalculated. So, if it happens, and the US gets a bloody nose while creating a situation which is against its interests these could be among the reasons. There will be others, such as Trump's misguided support for Israel and its expansionist ambitions. Personally, I would be very surprised if the US engages in anything more than a token attack on Iran. But I'm no expert.
Nearly every state in the US has an armaments manufacturer that provides local employment. Therefore it is very difficult for any president to wind down the war machine. Trump is trying to bring back US manufacturing to foil the MIC, but has taken a sledgehammer to a problem that needs a much lighter touch.
In addition, many of the corporations in other areas, that fund candidates, want to access other nations' resources cheaply, improving their bottom line and adding to the US' national wealth.
Incursions into Libya, Syria and Iraq were about the US being gatekeeper to the world's oil. Destabilising Venezuela (4th largest oil reserves) failed, but Iran is in the US' sights for the same reason, and also because it is backing opposition forces to Israel. And Israel is America's sacred cow because the Zionists have bought both government houses.
Re war with Iran, I would normally say Pass the Popcorn BUT the lawless insanity of Israel threatens nuclear war, and armageddon is a very real possibility.
Thanks Joy - you are not alone in being worried about Israel and nuclear war. I agree about the sledgehammer: no one could accuse Trump of being subtle.
Name Change or not, I will continue to follow your blog closely. I'm a big fan of Simplicius, Marat Khairullin and MoA but your weekly update does a fantastic job of bringing everything together in an easily digestible format. Big kudos and keep up the great work!
I think you've nailed it Ezzie. Simplicius, Big Serge and so many others provide a service to truth that I could not provide. But I offer something that is easily digestible - as you say and I try to make it light hearted while providing an overview. But I also provide detail - which makes it more real to readers. I am not saying that I am consciously trying to do all of this: it's just the way it has progressed.
I also think that the new title ‘Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update’ will be very good. No matter what title, though, the main beauty and value of these articles is in your expertise, your thoughts and your amazing hard work to deliver these weekly updates to your grateful readers.
Thanks Tilly - it seems that the vast majority favour this title so I will use it in future.
Clarification received and understood .
Meirsheimer ( ?sp ) recently opined that Trump's approach to Russia was based on recognition of inevitable defeat in Ukraine but not a retreat from global Hegemonic ambition but a retrenchment of it to a more defensible position .
Here in Canada anti-Trumpism is so strong one is timid about suggesting his anti-woke stance makes all else almost forgiveable .
Clearly you have grasped the point I was trying to make. I agree on Wokism (formerly PC): it is great to see someone challenge it.
Interesting. I don't believe Trump is the hero you hope he might be nor do I think the US constitutional structure can work in a multipolar world. In fact the reason American hegemonics created a "rules-based international order" is because the Constitutional doesn't work beyond our borders and now it has been usurped even within our borders and certainly by Trump.
No, what we have seen in America is a shift from political parties run by Fortune 500 corporations and ideological think tanks to oligarchic rule in the form of a relatively small number of wealthy zionist jews, technology authoritarians, and globalist financial kings who floated a guy who shares their transactional view of the world that is diametrically opposed to our now useless Constitution.
What is the way forward? Like you I hesitate to speculate, but the nations doing best - economically and socially for their people - are really not nations, they are civilizations. And they are run as socialist market economies with the State guiding private sector investment to avoid the very corporate and oligarchic excesses that destroyed America.
I have no idea how you obtained the impression that I hope that Trump may be a hero - this is not my view. I don't understand what you are saying about the US constitution getting in the way of the US joining the Multi-Polar World Order but I'm not disputing what you say. The Multi-Polar World appears to be on its way but nothing is inevitable. But it is likely to happen whether the US joins or not. Much of what you say is interesting but could you say more about civilizations - what are you referring to? Cheers.
I’m not sure on the us ever being run by the Fortune 500.
I’m not sure on the shift to the think tanks. I would suggest under Trump it’s from in the gop.
Zionist influence i suggest is huge on both sides of U.S. politics. And if you disagree in congress, you will get a well funded primary opponent. Every member of congress has an assigned aipac minder. A more interesting question is the levers of influence.
Next week you have to talk about the tariff wars. Here's some grist for the mill:
https://bruceohara.substack.com/p/the-cure-for-trump
Yes - of course I will be talking about them but only briefly with reference to other commentators including yourself: I've provided a link to your article. Thanks for that.
Thankyou as well. Who knows what will have transpired by Friday...
I hope that not too much transpires or my update will be too long.
I vote for just 'World Affairs: Weekly Update'
It seems that the vast majority who have expressed a view want 'Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update' so I will be using that. I think that including the word Ukraine will provide continuity and the focus is still very much on Ukraine at the moment. When the war ends I will need to change the name again. Maybe your suggestion would be appropriate at that point. It has a good 'ring' to it. Thanks.
The real head (bañks) is iñ THE CITY that is separated of the UK Roñ Paul with his fiksatioñ with
the Federal Reserbe because they añswer to the abobe *eñtioñed.
Your substack has pleñty Royal iñ it so it will grow like a good cake 😁😉
Thanks for that Sue.
Sounds like a good idea Rob.
World events are so intertwined and mis-reported at all times by the msm and talking heads these days.
Always look forward to your summary.
Thumbs up from me.
Since the vast majority who have expressed a view are in favour I will use it in future.
Both Russia and China have proven themselves to be a lot smarter than the Hegemon, no matter who calls the shots on behalf of the Hegemon.
I think that I may have mentioned that the Russian delegation at the first talks between them and the Americans in Saudi Arabia observed that the US delegation was unprepared at best or pathetic, if they are being really honest. In terms of political/diplomatic acumen, the Bear reigns supreme over the Bald Headed Eagle. So, I agree.
It has been somewhat obvious in various arena's, and one only has to look at how Russia has worked around the US sanctions and kept their economy growing rapidly, while China has blocked US tarrifs with sanctions on critical metals and minerals, which has the bald eagle in a tizz, and blustering profusely.
Trump favours himself as the great negotiator, yet on two occasions he/his people arrived at the table, with nothing in hand, to be read as No Cards in Trump language, yet attempting to force the Russians bin their direction.
Listening to a recent Putin speech to the Russian business sector, it is obvious that Putin knows the US isn't serious, as he told the Russian business fraternity that sanctions would not be lifted, no matter what happens in negotiations, hence his making the lifting if sanctions a pre-condition for a Black Sea ceasefire.
This was more a test of the West's agenda by Putin to confirm his suspicions, than a negotiated outcome.
The "Bald Eagle" having come to the table empty handed on two occasions and not being able to "persuade" Zelensky or Europe to play ball has reduced Trump to a fumbling bumbling idiot in the eyes of the Russians, who now know that the US is powerless to achieve anything, because they don't listen, nor do they have any soft power of persuasion left.
So just imagine how weak they are viewed to be by Russia, China and the rest of the observant world.
Thanks for that. I heard the speech Putin gave and reported on it in the Update. You are right, things are not going well from Trump but he is not being helped by Z and the globalist Europeans.
Like the new title!
It was arrived at 'democratically' - sort of. Most people in the comments section - along with my wife, thought it a good title. Cheers.
I am going through an online Brain seminar. Videos every day for free by various experts and then the option to buy the entire set of long form interviews and supporting material.
The topics yesterday included information overload.
Have I become an information addict?
I follow a wide range of topics of which I know little and am learning about as I go. For example, never took health seriously until "the pandemic" and made lifestyle changes so no longer on prescription medications.
I have always been on the left, so to speak, whatever that means in USA, or whatever left/right means anywhere, but the realizations in the last few years have been mind-blowing and put me in the position of isolation from almost everyone.
Yesterday, for the first time my thought: was 9/11 a false flag event? Of course I am aware, but never seriously followed, the position that it was an inside job.
And this morning reading about white, fibrous, masses pulled out of bodies by embalmers. Never before seen. Appeared after the Covid vaccine. Some are 3 feet long because they go down the leg. They are solid. And looking at biochemical tests to determine what are in them. What do small white dots in the blood do in blood vessels? There are prion like proteins in the clots. And excess deaths continue to be high. Has a disaster been launched on humanity?
A personal time saver was found a couple of days ago. Bring up a fresh copy of MoonofAlabama.org and on the right side there is a list or the recent comments. Scan down the list to see your favorites and click on them. It can also be used to get to the end of a topic just with a click rather than going through the topics which at some time can be hundreds of comments posted.
Is there an AA for information addicts? (AA is Alcoholics Anonymous - various 12 step programs)
I just did a web search and sure enough,
"Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous
Welcome to Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous! We’re glad you’ve found us, and we hope our community can be as helpful to you as it has been for us. ITAA is a Twelve-Step fellowship of individuals who support each other in recovering from internet and technology addiction. This includes social media addiction, phone addiction, video addiction, television addiction, gaming addiction, news addiction, pornography addiction, dating apps, online research, online shopping, or any other digital activity that becomes compulsive and problematic. "
Fascinating stuff Don. My Damascene conversion came in December 2018 when I started to question global warming. After that, I researched all the main 'conspiracy theories'. I married a herbalist 25 years ago - so have been suspicious of pharmaceuticals since then and haven't consulted a GP in that time. I write about this in my philosophy series on Agnosticism. If you scroll down you will come to it eventually. Thanks for that.
Rob - I entirely agree with you. Brian Berletic's posts and his analysis is correct. This IS a global fight. The tragedy is that while things look positive in Ukraine, the Palestinians are the meat in the sandwich. Imagine if the US was forced to retreat what the situation would be?