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It’s been another interesting week in which political developments in the US have taken centre stage for many. Donald J Trump has won the caucus in Iowa with a record breaking win of 56,000 votes - according to Zero Hedge. His nearest rival, Ron DeSantis, managed only 23,000. Since this is likely to be repeated elsewhere, it appears that Trump will be the Republican candidate - unless legal actions or something far worse get in the way. Predictably, the legacy media (MSNBC and CNN) is talking about the end of democracy and the rise of fascism.
Trump will stop funding to Ukraine if elected and may even pull out of NATO - so the Ukraine conflict is inextricably bound to his fate. The US election in November 2024 is not a contest between Biden and Trump or between Democrats and Republicans, it is the latest battle in a war between Trump and the Deep State which started in 2015 or before.
With regard to the Middles East, the possibility that Israel could escape charges of genocide due to a ‘technicality’ is haunting those who want justice for Gaza as the killing continues in Palestine. The US and the UK continue to exchange blows with the Houthis who are still attacking shipping as I write.
There have been no significant developments on the battlefronts in Ukraine though the Russians are pushing everywhere and Ukrainian losses have increased considerably this week. The Ukrainians have killed fewer Russians civilians and Russian Aerospace attacks on Ukraine have been constant.
In Europe, there are signs of war weariness and cracks in the European Union as the people protest against the stupidity of their rulers.
Finally, speculation of a Russian invasion of Europe is being cranked up big time as part of a new scary narrative.
The White Walkers Are Coming!
Gonzalo Lira Dead
I wanted to say how saddened I am at the death of Journalist Gonzalo Lira. Condolences to his family. I watched many of Gonzalo’s blogs on YouTube and interviews on The Duran and so on. This is how I remember him: fag in hand and the sound of coffee percolating behind him in his apartment. I doubt that I am alone in believing that he should have left Ukraine after being released following his first arrest. Sleepy Joe, who was asked by Gonzolo’s father to secure his son’s release, has this man’s blood on his hands. Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson are among those who are condemning Biden’s inaction: Gonzalo was an American citizen. It is alleged that he was tortured and that he was denied essential medical treatment. Alex Christoforou provides a touching tribute to the man here (first 21 mins). Donald Trump Jr. has accused Zelensky of murdering Gonzalo Lira and has criticised the mainstream US media for keeping silent about it. Journalists are not being treated well in Ukraine to say the least but they are worse off in Gaza.
Thank you Gonzalo for keeping us entertained while encouraging us to think. You will be missed.
Russian Soldier Gives His Daughter Roses
There is a very human dimension to this war (to any war) that we can sometimes overlook. Men, and some women, are separated from their families who live in fear that they could return scarred or not return at all. This is the same for both sides. In the above photo a Russian soldier, probably on leave, enters his daughter’s classroom at University with a bunch of white roses for her 18th birthday. She was in tears as you can see here and is probably worried about her dad.
Russian Praise Censored
Here in Scotland we have some of the most Woke, draconian anti-free speech laws in the world. And once you have banned a single word, you have eliminated the principle of free speech altogether. And once you have done this, you have opened the way for censorship in any area you care to mention. A recent example of this is Bulgaria's Defense Minister Todor Tagarev’s demand that the school curriculum should be ‘adjusted’ so as to exclude "facts that can generate appreciation for Russia." Let that sink in: a European nation is considering censorship on a massive scale against appreciation of another culture - and will presumably reinforce this with some form of sanction against transgressors (if it happens). I wonder whether this will be extended beyond schools so that possession of Russian dolls or vodka could attract a hefty fine or even imprisonment.
Many other countries, including Finland, are using ‘hate speech’ as a form of censorship to silence opponents. Finish MP, Päivi Maria Räsänen, is critical of homosexuality and has quoted the bible in this connection - according to Zero Hedge. Her opponents have branded her statements as ‘hate speech’ in order to silence her just as the Bulgarians want to silence praise of Russia. I don’t agree with her views on homosexuality but I would defend her right to express them. I don’t believe in hate speech and I consider offense to be taken (as used to be the case), not given. To deny praise of a great nation like Russia is to deny history.
Zelensky to Cull the Old?
Fantasy Alliance
Rishi Sunak and the once great Z have agreed an alliance in which the latter promises the former to come to his aid within 24 hours of being attacked by Russia - according to RT. These bellicose ‘warriors’ who are keen to send others to their deaths are pictured above with their burly minders. But I cannot imagine a scenario in which this promise could be fulfilled since Russia is not in the least bit interested in attacking our puny island which is already sinking into the seas that surround it. But the fact that Ukraine has said it is keen on attacking Russia in the future is not the best position to take if one’s very existence as an independent state is at stake - as Putin warns here. For its part, the mighty Britain will provide ‘swift and sustained’ assistance to Ukraine in the event that it is attacked by Russia. This is even more untenable than Britain’s 1939 promise to come to the aid of Poland in the event of an attack by Germany. The UK military is unlikely to be able to act swiftly or in a sustained manner. What planet are these people living on?
‘Russia To Attack NATO in 2025’ - New Narrative Developing
The above military alliances could be part of narrative support for a new plan that is being developed by the West. In the wake of Ukraine’s failed summer offensive it has been necessary to create new narratives in order to convince the people that Ukraine and NATO have still won in some sense (or not yet lost). So, the West enlists the ‘geographical argument’ in its support. This states that the Russians have been stuck in the Donbass for an eternity as the brave little Ukrainian army, against all odds, has prevented them from taking the whole of Ukraine. The next step is to scare the people, as Germany is doing, with the prospect of Russia attacking NATO in 2025. Alex Christoforou provides some detail and analysis at the beginning of this video. Within this contradictory narrative, Russia has been fought to a standstill by the Ukrainians yet is still strong enough to take on the whole of NATO. Zelensky himself has contributed to this narrative at every opportunity.
Garland Nixon entertainingly suggests here, that this is part of a plan to scare the European people into obedience and donations (i.e. taxes) to fund Ukraine.
This could also involve (and now I’m being speculative) preparing the European people for a war which will never be fought. Cuts in welfare, increases in military spending, rationing, censorship and other curbs on civil liberties will be presented as necessary in order to stave off the Russian hordes (the White Walkers). Then, possibly, the claim will be made that Europe’s warlike vigilance has persuaded the Russians that attacking NATO or invading Europe (which was never their intention) would not be a good idea - ergo Russia has been defeated: The West is still the Best!
Russia’s own Maria Zakharova has labelled this German scaremongering (which she believes was inspired by Brain Feeble Baerbock) a ‘zodiac forecast’ and a ‘hoax’ - according to RT. It is amazing how creative Western propagandists can be with their narratives and how gullible most of their people are in accepting them.
Only last month, Putin stated that Russia “has no interest… geopolitically, economically or militarily... in waging war against NATO.” In fact, Putin said that he is interested in improving ties with the US led bloc. I admire his patience and his professionalism. If I were in his shoes, I would be trying to scratch the eyes out of the collective West! That’s one of the many reasons I am not a politician.
Just heard that NATO is contributing to the narrative by conducting large military exercises in Europe for ‘several months’ with 90,000 men. Some are calling this the largest military exercise in history and it is meant to simulate the outbreak of World War Three. This will have the Russkies shaking in their felt boots. But it will also reassure the people that they are being protected. These narratives can be so predictable. The NATO wolf, having demolished the house of straw and the house of wood in the past, is now huffing and puffing at the house of BRICS - and we all know how that ends.
Estonia is contributing to the hysterical fearmongering by building 600 concrete bunkers on its eastern border with Russia. If the bunkers are being built, there must be a threat right? In the coming weeks a bilateral agreement between France and Ukraine which will provide the latter with ‘security guarantees’, according to Macron. France has transitioned to a ‘war economy’, according to its President, and will continue to supply Ukraine with weapons and training. This is more fearmongering but I am not sure what sort of ‘war economy’ France is capable of building - especially in the short term.
French Foreign Legion
This week the Russians were successful in destroying a meeting place for foreign mercenaries in Kharkov where about 60 were killed. Then pictures started appearing on the internet of Chevrons on dead or wounded soldiers’ uniforms. The Chevron is a symbol used by the French Foreign Legion. The matter was so delicate that the Russians summoned the French ambassador to discuss the matter. Embarrassingly for the French, the Foreign Legion answers not to the military hierarchy but to the French President himself. The fact that mercenaryism is illegal in France is another embarrassment that is being highlighted by Russian diplomats. Tass has more detail here.
Refuseniks
In the past, there have been many instances of Ukrainian soldiers surrendering or refusing to fight but thus far these have not been substantial enough to warrant coverage in the Update. However, recent reports appear to suggest that the number of refuseniks is increasing and could become problematic in the future. This short clip shows some Ukrainian soldiers refusing to take up their positions. Who can blame them.
F-16s
In the air war of late, Russia has been providing a welcome for the coming of the latest game changer: the F16. Virtually every day the Russians are attacking runways across Ukraine. And the F-16s are very fussy about the quality of runway they land on and take off from. These must be squeaky clean and free from debris. It is not certain when the F-16s will arrive, but a Kiev spokesman has said that it will be difficult for the Ukrainians to create and maintain infrastructure that can accommodate several different types of plane, including the existing Soviet era planes and possibly Grifens from Sweden, which may also be offered.
DIY Drones
Zelensky recently boasted that Ukraine will produce a million drones this year. An article in RT reveals that this will be achievable through public participation in home made drone production. I shouldn’t mock because this could be achievable, I suppose - but it sure looks like desperation to me.
Widows Protest in Khmelnytsky
Wives and widows of men who have served/are serving in the 106th Tro (which I assume is a military unit) are annoyed with the way they and their men are being treated by Ukraine’s military. More than 1000 untrained men from this unit have gone missing after the battles for Bakhmut/Soledar and nothing is known of their fate. The wives and widows are also annoyed that equipment and supplies have been stolen from the brigade by administration workers. It’s good to see some resistance to Z’s tyrannical regime, however small.
Russia Top of the League
I reckon the Russians are proud of that achievement.
Ukraine Terror Attacks (i.e. attacks that deliberately target civilians) (Map)
13th January
According to the Two Majors:
In the Belgorod region, Kozinka and Glotovo of the Grayvoron urban district were hit by artillery and drones of the AFU. In the DPR, two civilians were killed and 9 wounded by Nazi shelling of the civilian population.
14th January
The village of Tyotkino in Kursk was attacked with drones today causing severe shrapnel wounds to one individual.
15th January
According to the Two Majors:
In the Kursk region, the governor reported at night that 3 Ukrainian missiles were shot down over the Fatezhsky district. Belgorod region is under daily shelling. The governor said that over the previous day, 18 settlements were under attack by the AFU. In Donetsk (DPR), two civilians were wounded.
RT has reported that these were Tochka U missiles which caused no damage or casualties.
15th/16th January Overnight
The Two Majors provided this report:
At night, the enemy attacked Voronezh with eight UAVs, the debris of one flew into a residential building, a girl born in 2013 was wounded. In the Bryansk region, the village of Sushany, Klimovsky district, was shelled in the evening. The Belgorod region is still under constant enemy attacks. In addition, in the Belgorod region, an aircraft-type UAV was shot down by an air defence system on approach to the city. At night, 4 more were shot down. In Donetsk (DPR), a civilian was wounded by a drone drop, the enemy fired up to 90 shells at civilians.
Later in the day they also provided this report:
Air defense systems shot down 69 Ukrainian UAVs during the day, including in the areas of the settlements of Novaya Mayachka, Golaya Pristan of the Kherson region, Pologi of the Zaporozhye region, Staromikhailovka, Peski, Spornoe, Marinka, Lipovoe of the Donetsk People's Republic, Belogorivka, Nyrkovo, Topolevka, Verkhnekamenka and Krivosheevka Lugansk People's Republic
These reports indicate the extensive and intensive nature of the attacks.
17th January
According to the Two Majors:
At night, 7 Olkha MLRS missiles and 4 aircraft-type UAVs were destroyed over the Belgorod region. The shelling of border villages in the region does not stop. In the Bryansk region, UAVs were destroyed over the Suzemsky and Trubchevsky districts. The village of Kurkovichi, Starodub municipal district, was shelled. In Gorlovka (DPR), a civilian was wounded as a result of enemy shelling.
The Chongarsky bridge connecting Kherson with Crimea was attacked while Stormshadow missiles targeted a school and a medical facility in Kherson. All projectiles were shot down and caused no damage or casualties.
17th/18th January Overnight
The Two Majors provided this report:
At night, the Russian MoD reported that one UAV was destroyed over the Moscow region and one was intercepted over the Leningrad region. The enemy is trying to increase attacks on the Belgorod region. The outskirts of the village of Repyakhovka in the Krasnoyaruzhsky district came under AFU fire, An aircraft-type UAV was shot down in the Valuysky urban district near the village of Druzhba. In the morning, an air raid alert was launched in Belgorod. In the Kursk region, in the village of Sverdlikovo, Sudzhansky district, an Ukrainian kamikaze drone damaged a household. In the Bryansk region, Sushany of the Klimovsky district were shelled, three UAVs were suppressed by means over the Bryansk region. By nightfall, two Ukrainian Tochka-U tactical missiles were shot down over the Starodubsky municipal district by the Russian air defences. In addition, in the Surazhsky district, there is also damage on the ground from the downed Tochka-U.
18th/19th January Overnight
Belgorod and the DPR suffered shelling and drones attacks overnight. Only one casualty has been reported. A drone was disabled over Bryansk but the debris/explosives hit an oil terminal causing a fire. There were no casualties.
The Air War (Map)
Russian Missile/Drone Attacks
12th/13th January Overnight
According to the Military Chronicle:
A massive missile attack has been reported throughout Ukraine since about 8 am. The final of the strike was the launch of Kh-22/32 missiles from the Tu-22M3. Earlier, the first batch went to the targets of the Kh-101, which circled over cities for more than an hour, identifying enemy air defenses. According to the enemy, the hypersonic Kinzhals were launched from the MiG-31K. The enemy reports a strike by Kinzhals on objects in the Dnipropetrovsk area. Strikes were also noted in other regions of Ukraine: in the Mykolaiv region, Kremenchuk, Poltava region and in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. We'll find out the details in the evening.
The Russian MoD reported that:
During the morning strike, Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities producing 155, 152, and 125 mm shells, gunpowder, and UAVs were hit, the target of the strike was achieved, all designated facilities were hit
Another report claims that Chernikov and Kharkov were also attacked while Dima has reported that Patriot and Stormshadow missiles were among those destroyed along with a number of aircraft.
13th/14th January Overnight
According to Rybar:
Ukrainian media and authorities reported on the explosions in Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk, Kropivnitsky, Kremenchuk, Chernigov, in the Sumy region and the Kiev-controlled city of Kherson.
14th/15th January Overnight
Sumy, Kharkov, Krivoy Rog and Kherson were attacked by Russian missiles/drones overnight.
15th/16th January Overnight
The Two Majors reported that:
Our Aerospace Forces launched a series of strikes on AFU military facilities in Berislav, Kherson region, targeting warehouses and reserves. New facilities in Kharkov Region were hit, with a strike on the Kurazovska TPP, according to preliminary data, the enemy was hiding equipment and personnel there.
The Russian MoD claimed that 60 French mercenaries were killed at a temporary collection point in Kharkov during this attack while another 20 were wounded.
16th/17th January Overnight
According to the Two Majors:
At night, missile strikes were carried out on targets in Kharkov, Geranium UAVs operated in the Odessa region, and the operation of air defence systems was reported from the Nikolayev, Odessa, and Zaporozhye regions.
Ukrainian military bases/command and control centres were destroyed in Kharkov and Odessa.
17th/18th January Overnight
According to the Military Chronicle:
Night strikes by "Gerans" were recorded at the Starokostyantyniv airfield in the Khmelnytskyi region. Powerful strikes were seen in Snigirivka near Kherson, as well as in Pavlohrad in the Dnipropetrovsk region. In the area of Piatykhatki on the Zaporizhzhia front, closer to the Dnieper, our attack aircraft occupied several enemy fortifications.
The Ground War
Russian MoD Reports
w/e 29th December 4685 Casualties killed and wounded; equipment losses 310 (includes 17 boats).
w/e 5th January 4690 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 365 (including 14 boats)
w/e 12th January 4720 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 313 (including 15 boats)
w/e 19th January 5645 Casualties, killed and wounded: equipment losses: 417
There has been quite a large increase in manpower and equipment losses this week compared to previous weeks. Could this be a sign that the intensity of Russian attacks is increasing?
The Fronts
Kupyansk/Siversk
This week, heavy fighting has been ongoing in the Seversky direction in the Spornoye area. Russian artillery is targeting the ruins of the village. By the 19th January, to the south, Vesele (or Vesyoloye) had been liberated and Russian troops were storming Belogorovka (Bilohorivka), according to the Military Chronicle. The way is now open to attack Siversk itself.
Bakhmut (Artemovsk) - See map above
West of Bakhmut, the Russian Armed Forces are striving to gain control of the road to Chasiv Yar. They are actively targeting enemy fortifications with artillery and aircraft. Additionally, Russian forces are conducting assault operations in Bohdanivka and on the southern flank northwest of Kleshcheevka.
Avdiivka
According to the Two Majors: 19th January:
On the southern flank of the Avdeyevka direction, the Russian army managed to advance in the area of Nevelskoye and Pervomayskoye. The enemy in the rear is building new fortifications. There are battles near the treatment facilities in the area of the Coke Plant.
Zaporizhzhe - Rabotino - Verbove
Positional battles are currently taking place in the Orikhiv sector. Russian troops are attempting to improve the tactical situation, while the Ukrainians are deploying formed units to fill gaps in their defense. The main focus is on the area west of Verbovoy, where the Russians have advanced up to half a kilometer into positions abandoned during the Ukrainian "counter-offensive" in the summer. The AFU continues to attack along the Kopani-Robotyne line. After the forces of the Russian 136th Guards captured several enemy strongholds during counterattacks, the situation has once again entered a phase of positional battles.
Kherson - Krynki
In Krynki, the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) continue to hold a bridgehead and regularly send reinforcements to the left bank of the Kherson region. Despite inflicting heavy losses on the enemy, the Russians have not yet been able to dislodge them completely though some reports are claiming that Kyrnki will be cleared soon. Surrendering Ukrainian soldiers are suffering severe frostbite and necrosis.
Svatove Sector
Fighting in this sector intensified on January 18th. The goal of the Russian offensive here is to gain access to the Oskol river which will facilitate further advances towards Kupiansk along the Zherebets river. Ukrainian resistance from the 103rd Territorial defence was weak.
The Economic War
German Living Standards Fall
According to the European Central Bank, Germany now ranks 15th in terms of ‘household wellbeing’ among European States. Only the Baltic States, Hungary and Greece are poorer. In spite of this, German military spending is increasing. You can read more here. Academics in Germany are trying to persuade Germans that turning their heating off is good for them and that cold showers are the bees knees.
Russia Ready to Challenge Seizure of Funds in the Courts
Recently, the Biden Administration has said that it agrees in principle to the theft of $300 billions worth of frozen Russian assets. But the Russians have organised a legal team/defence against the seizures and will mount a legal challenge through the courts if the thieving Westerners decide to go ahead - according to Slavyangrad.
World Politics
David v Goliath
But just what, exactly, has David achieved? Well - the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI), a trade index that reflects transportation costs, has already risen by 310% since November 2023. That’s a pretty large pebble from the Houthis. Furthermore, British company, Shell, has become the latest to suspend all Red Sea shipments.
In spite of all the zeros above, the Houthis are in a very strong position. They don’t have to win, they don’t have to cause damage to shipping: they just need to create the impression that shipping could be damaged. This has been achieved already since several vessels have been successfully attacked by the Houthis. This is all shipping companies or insurance companies need to know to persuade them that avoiding the Red Sea would be prudent. Shipping costs and the cost of goods will increase in consequence.
The Houthis have been rebranded a ‘terrorist organisation’ by the US. They enjoyed this status under Trump only for Biden to redefine them. But Biden has had second thoughts, according to Rybar. I doubt whether the Houthis are that bothered: they are at war with Israel, the US and the UK. Furthermore, the very independent minded Houthis are probably tired of people getting their name wrong. They are not the ‘Iran backed Houthis’ but simply the Houthis, or better still Ansar Allah.
Davos - 15th-19th January 2024
2,800 leaders from 120 countries have gathered in the small town of Davos in Switzerland for the 54th annual meeting of the WEF. Artificial Intelligence, ‘Climate Change’ (i.e. global warming) and the various conflicts will be high on the agenda for discussion.
National security advisors from 80 countries who are meeting at Davos, have not been able to find a clear path towards peace in Ukraine - according to Blomberg.
Turkey is boycotting the summit due to the pro-Israeli stance of the organisers and China has refused the once great Z’s request to meet Xi Jinping ‘on the sidelines’, according to the Two Majors. Z is reported to have said that he would not meet with Chinese Prime Minister, Li Qiang instead of Xi ‘because he is not on my level’ - which highlights Z’s increasing sense of self importance. Z has been roundly criticised for spouting his childish ‘peace plan’ at Davos. Very few people now believe that unconditional Russian surrender and withdrawal from all former Ukrainian territories, including Crimea, is a sound basis for negotiations with a nation that has the Ukrainian army on its knees. People are getting tired of the once great Z.
Germany Refuses Ukraine Taurus Missiles
The German parliament (Bundestag) has overwhelmingly rejected a resolution to give Ukraine long range Taurus missiles (above). 485 voted against and 178 for. This is a sure sign of Ukraine war fatigue or of reason asserting itself over German emotion.
European Trucker/Tractor Protests Grow
Last week I said that I was hopeful that the German farmers’ protest would grow - and my prayers have been answered. As well as the 30,000 farmers plus truckers in Germany, hundreds of tractors and trucks from Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium and Holland are reported to have joined the protest this weekend. Here's some brief footage.
Biden Mad - Trump
Donald J has condemned Sleepy Joe for his illegal attacks on Yemen in very strong terms: ‘I believe Biden has gone mad, a stark raving lunatic... We'll end up in World War III because of this man’. You can hear Trump’s full rant here.
We Will Not Send You to Die - Estonia
Following Germany and Poland, Estonia is the latest European state which is refusing to extradite military age Ukrainian men back to their home country and death on the battlefield - according to RT.
You Must Die for Your Country - EU Parliament
The attitude of the EU parliament is somewhat different than that of Estonia. A EU spokesman announced:
Zelensky said that people are needed, but in Europe, there are about 800,000 people who violated the law of Ukraine and fled the country. It is necessary to help Ukraine return these people…
British Confessions
British Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, has proudly admitted that the UK has been preparing Ukraine for war with Russia since 2014 and has trained over 60,000 men including the militants who were involved in the Maidan coup - according to Slavyangrad. So the conflict did not begin in February 2022 as the legacy media claims.
Slavs of Europe Unite - You Have Nothing to Lose But Your Chains
MEP Miroslav Radakovsky has criticised the EU for killing Slavs by sending aid to Ukraine. In a statement he said:
We need to stop supporting the killing of Slavs, because if we don’t, we Slavs might unite as brothers -- and I believe that we will -- and raze Western Europe to the ground, to the La Manche, a lawn. And I believe no one here wants that to happen.
This was quite a bold statement even if it was a little ‘tongue in cheek’ perhaps.
I think it is easy to forget that the Ukraine conflict is, to an extent, a civil war that pits brother against brother: they are all Slavic, Russian speaking Orthodox Christians. It is tragic in this sense just like the civil wars in the US and the UK many years ago.
The Hague Invasion Act - A Sign Of Totalitarianism?
Not many of you will know that the US has authorised itself to invade The Hague and release prisoners held by the International Criminal Court (ICC) who it feels shouldn’t be there. Needless to say that the Dutch are none too pleased with that. But we should all be a little worried by this Act because it’s authoritarian; it’s a case of the US making up laws that they expect everyone else to follow.
The emerging Multi Polar World Order (MPWO)
South Africa v Israel in the Hague
The International Court of Justice, also in the Hague, is in the news because it has now heard South Africa’s complaint under The Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which criminalises genocide and obliges states to ‘pursue the enforcement of its prohibition’. George Galloway1 believes that the case South Africa presented was unassailable and the Israeli reply lacked substance and coherence. Israel’s most persuasive ‘argument’ consisted in growling accusations of anti-Semitism from which the court itself was not exempt. George thought the hearings on the 11th and 12th January could change the world. After these hearings, he said, nothing will ever be the same. You can hear this from the horse’s mouth here (25 mins) in an interview with Danny Haiphong. George quite rightly praises South Africa for having the courage to bring this case while others were too afraid. The people in the country knew they would face threats but they went ahead anyway: Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika.2
By the way, the Western media completely blacked out coverage of the presentation of South Africa’s case - no surprise there. Alastair Crooke examines this and the general situation in the Middle East in a discussion with Judge Napolitano (30 mins). South Africa will also be pursuing an action through the civil courts against the US and the UK for aiding/enabling Israel to commit crimes against the citizens of Gaza.
Sadly, it is possible that Israel could escape sanction (for the time being) due to a legal technicality.
The Revolution Cometh - Alexander Dugin
Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin has suggested that this could be a year of revolution as the globalist left, which has usurped the working class left (to which I belong), faces challenges from the non-globalist left which could combine with right wing movements such as the AfD in Germany and Marine Le Pen in France. Those who want change in Europe are frustrated by the lack of choice at the ballot box so a populist revolution in which the categories of left and right are collapsed could challenge the establishment on the streets. Arguably, this has already started.
Saudi Arabia Not Yet in BRICS
A Saudi spokesman at Davos has indicated that his country has not yet joined BRICS, which is disappointing: I though they were joining on January 1st. RT provides a short article here.
That’s all for another week. Many thanks for you views, subscriptions, likes and kind comments. Stay warm.
Best wishes - Rob
Non subscribers can view Updates on Telegram: https://t.me/UWUupdate.
I have met George - a long time ago - and he inadvertently changed my life when he interviewed Piers Corbyn in December 2018 - but that’s another story.
Used to sing that in a choir - The South African National Anthem - God Bless Africa.
Thank you for your hard work in putting this together.
One correction: South Africa is not using the ICC, which was established in 1998, and has been used mostly to prosecute recalcitrant African leaders. (And now Putin, of course.) It's basically a rules-based order court, used by the Empire, even though the US is not a signatory.
The ICJ was established in 1945, with the founding of the UN, and is a court where countries can take their grievances against other countries, unlike the ICC, which is used to target leaders.
The US lost a case to Nicaragua in 1986, when Nicaragua sued to stop the US from mining their harbors.
The lawless US refused to pay reparations, of course. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicaragua_v._United_States
Thank you for your compilation.
Regarding Trump: Even If he is a Israel supporter, he will, after the Israelis have messed up everything, try to keep away damage from the US and call for a deal to end this war which also weakens the reputation and international standing of His country.
He is a dealmaking businessman who cares for his country.