Your chart on the resource base table shows why it is illogical for Russia to attack Western Europe. Western Europe has limited resources. Russia however is a tempting target to get access to her resources. I'm surprised Ukraine is missing. She has extensive resources maybe not enough to make the table. That is perhaps the most fearsome looking cat yet. When I was growing up i used to go to the Fife coast. Polish soldiers had been based at Tentsmuir beach. They set up pill boxes and tank traps like the ones in your photo in the event the Germans decided to invade. Even as i child i realised those things weren't stopping anything and a pill box was a death trap. You just go round or through or parachute behind. Waste of money for a non event. The Polish government should be more concerned that her best and brightest keep emigrating because of failures of her government not a Russian threat. I think Poland has lost 1 in 5 of its population since it joined the EU.
Glad you liked the cat - my wife hated it but I thought it was a good contrast to my usual cats. Yes - there is nothing for Russia to gain from an attack on Western Europe and everything to lose. I saw video by Alexander Mercouris on the Trump appointments and he much less alarmist about them than virtually all the other commentators. Simplicius has just published something on it which I'll take a look at. Hey - still not sure if those 'fortifications' were part of a spoof! Cheers.
That cat does look scary, it is probably traumatised as hell-like everything else living around there.
I too do not see any Russian interest in securing Western European or even central European lands but those nations do like to 'puff their chests out' and egg Russia on by voting in their clown governments and filling the MIC coffers.
Apparently there are packs of feral dogs roaming in Gaza. It has to be the same in Ukraine. Plus the Wolves arent being culled in Ukraine so they are on the prowl. It always makes me think of Saki's short story the interlopers.
Regarding the Russian Ukrainian pow exchange/body count i don't agree that evidences the respective kill/capture ratio of itself. It does evidence that the Ukrainians are retreating and are leaving their dead/wounded behind along with those captured by the Russians. But you would expect the Ukrainians to hold less Russian bodies as they retreat. I don't dispute the ratio is in favour of the Russians though. Thanks again.
Good points. The RF is using predominantly artillery and FPVs etc so that will be a higher rate of casualties. But they are still attacking and taking land which always favours the defenders.
They have also been on the assault with barely any breaks since Avdivka.
I wouldn't think the ratio of losses is much better than 2/3 to 1 in the RF'S favour.
I wonder with the increasing talk of US attacking Iran if there will be an announcement of Russia-Iran pact and an attack on one will be seen as an attack on both.
James Kunstler has said that Britain will be one of the first western countries to go back to medieval life. Richard Murphy, Tim Watkins [Consciousness of sheep] and Tim Morgan [SEEDS] all seen to suggest the same.
Thanks Bill. I don't think Russia has a military pact with Iran as it has with North Korea and I'm not sure if both countries would enter into a pact because of the increasing US/Israeli threat. But I can't see Russia and China doing nothing if the Iranian regime faced an existential threat. But even if Iran is attacked, I doubt that it would be successful and the retaliation, for Israel and the US, would be devastating. The UK is falling apart so it would surprise me. I'll take a look at James Kunstler.
Two interesting things coming out of Germany at the moment re Gaza. Firstly: Any would be citizens of Germany now have to accept the right of Israel to exist as part of the test (I'm not really sure what that means given that Israel continues to refuse to define its borders- you might for eg be accepting the right of Greater Israel to exist- who knows). You also have to accept, that you can be conscripted into the military, as part of the German citizenship test. The Israeli military.
Secondly: some German intellectuals now think there may be some logic to Germany and other Western countries supporting the genocidal madness that is being perpetrated by Israel. The basic argument is that the more Israeli methods are normalised and legitimatised (or at least not subject to contrary judicial determination) the more former colonial societies can argue against cases raised by former colonised people like the Nambians (against Germany), Indians etc (against Britain), etc etc.
It is indeed disheartening that the new administration seems to be just as convinced of American exceptionalism as any other. Its failure to recognize others in the world as partners, in contrast to the Russian/Chinese approach, will prove to be its undoing.
Let's hope that pragmatism 'trumps' idealism in this case. Neither Israel nor Ukraine can win their respective wars. The latter could be won militarily by Russia but Israel will be saved before it inflicts too much damage on itself. The Middle East has changed irrevocably imv: there will be no going back and I am hoping that Trump is able to appreciate that.
Great concise update Rob . The Ukraine conflict and the World in general seem to be reaching a bit of a crossroads. Apart from the zionists who seem intent on living in their paradise surrounded in destroyed countries, dead bodies and ruins.
I was a bit surprised that Trump won so decisively in the US elections but good that the public saw the war mongering neocons for who they really are.
The UAF fronts seems to be rapidly disintegrating, although at considerable cost to the RF.
I was also pleasantly surprised at the margin of victory because it avoided violence - but this was the people speaking through Trump. Peace for Christmas would be good. https://youtu.be/uMH_wMvMy_8
Thanks for that Rob. Been a lot happening. I am surprised at Trump's selections, doesn't look good for Iran, but who knows, it could be just more American piss and wind. I never expect anything decent from any American politician and have been correct in my assessment for decades. I can't believe that there are still people who think that the US might improve something in the world. That's definitely hope overpowering experience.
Cheers Chris. I just commented on this to Michael Boyd. Alexander Mercouris is much less alarmed about the appointments here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g1A54tHHp4&t=4858s and Simplicius puts things in perspective. I'll probably do a story on it next week. Unfortunately, the US is on the wrong side of history now and the best thing it can do imv is to become an equal partner in the emerging MPWO. But according to Alexander, and according to some stuff that I've seen, Trump does appear to be having a go at dismantling the Deep State - which is a tall order. I'll report on that next week also but I need to find references for the material I have.
The American Presidential election seems very much like Christmas, although the build-up, excitement and accompanying advertising campaign doesn't end on election day. Sixty-six more days of the chatter still to go. Some advice to Mr Trump and his possible legacy from Little Feat:
We will just have to wait and see if his apparent sense of American Exceptionalism is just rhetoric or that he really believes the hype.
BJ's desperation for attention reminds me of all the tv personalities and their desperation to get attention via the internet during the Covid bollox. 'Clown' is too kind a definition for that perfunctory sex act.
Your chart on the resource base table shows why it is illogical for Russia to attack Western Europe. Western Europe has limited resources. Russia however is a tempting target to get access to her resources. I'm surprised Ukraine is missing. She has extensive resources maybe not enough to make the table. That is perhaps the most fearsome looking cat yet. When I was growing up i used to go to the Fife coast. Polish soldiers had been based at Tentsmuir beach. They set up pill boxes and tank traps like the ones in your photo in the event the Germans decided to invade. Even as i child i realised those things weren't stopping anything and a pill box was a death trap. You just go round or through or parachute behind. Waste of money for a non event. The Polish government should be more concerned that her best and brightest keep emigrating because of failures of her government not a Russian threat. I think Poland has lost 1 in 5 of its population since it joined the EU.
Glad you liked the cat - my wife hated it but I thought it was a good contrast to my usual cats. Yes - there is nothing for Russia to gain from an attack on Western Europe and everything to lose. I saw video by Alexander Mercouris on the Trump appointments and he much less alarmist about them than virtually all the other commentators. Simplicius has just published something on it which I'll take a look at. Hey - still not sure if those 'fortifications' were part of a spoof! Cheers.
That cat does look scary, it is probably traumatised as hell-like everything else living around there.
I too do not see any Russian interest in securing Western European or even central European lands but those nations do like to 'puff their chests out' and egg Russia on by voting in their clown governments and filling the MIC coffers.
You are right - it must be awful for cats and dogs with the noise of explosions and so on.
Apparently there are packs of feral dogs roaming in Gaza. It has to be the same in Ukraine. Plus the Wolves arent being culled in Ukraine so they are on the prowl. It always makes me think of Saki's short story the interlopers.
Amazing story - with a great peace message for humanity. Cheers.
Regarding the Russian Ukrainian pow exchange/body count i don't agree that evidences the respective kill/capture ratio of itself. It does evidence that the Ukrainians are retreating and are leaving their dead/wounded behind along with those captured by the Russians. But you would expect the Ukrainians to hold less Russian bodies as they retreat. I don't dispute the ratio is in favour of the Russians though. Thanks again.
You could be right - others have said the same.
Good points. The RF is using predominantly artillery and FPVs etc so that will be a higher rate of casualties. But they are still attacking and taking land which always favours the defenders.
They have also been on the assault with barely any breaks since Avdivka.
I wouldn't think the ratio of losses is much better than 2/3 to 1 in the RF'S favour.
Thank you so much for all your work.
I wonder with the increasing talk of US attacking Iran if there will be an announcement of Russia-Iran pact and an attack on one will be seen as an attack on both.
James Kunstler has said that Britain will be one of the first western countries to go back to medieval life. Richard Murphy, Tim Watkins [Consciousness of sheep] and Tim Morgan [SEEDS] all seen to suggest the same.
Bill
Thanks Bill. I don't think Russia has a military pact with Iran as it has with North Korea and I'm not sure if both countries would enter into a pact because of the increasing US/Israeli threat. But I can't see Russia and China doing nothing if the Iranian regime faced an existential threat. But even if Iran is attacked, I doubt that it would be successful and the retaliation, for Israel and the US, would be devastating. The UK is falling apart so it would surprise me. I'll take a look at James Kunstler.
Wow. What a well written article!
Cheers.
Two interesting things coming out of Germany at the moment re Gaza. Firstly: Any would be citizens of Germany now have to accept the right of Israel to exist as part of the test (I'm not really sure what that means given that Israel continues to refuse to define its borders- you might for eg be accepting the right of Greater Israel to exist- who knows). You also have to accept, that you can be conscripted into the military, as part of the German citizenship test. The Israeli military.
Secondly: some German intellectuals now think there may be some logic to Germany and other Western countries supporting the genocidal madness that is being perpetrated by Israel. The basic argument is that the more Israeli methods are normalised and legitimatised (or at least not subject to contrary judicial determination) the more former colonial societies can argue against cases raised by former colonised people like the Nambians (against Germany), Indians etc (against Britain), etc etc.
Worrying stuff - cheers.
Thanks for another comprehensive report, Rob.
It is indeed disheartening that the new administration seems to be just as convinced of American exceptionalism as any other. Its failure to recognize others in the world as partners, in contrast to the Russian/Chinese approach, will prove to be its undoing.
Let's hope that pragmatism 'trumps' idealism in this case. Neither Israel nor Ukraine can win their respective wars. The latter could be won militarily by Russia but Israel will be saved before it inflicts too much damage on itself. The Middle East has changed irrevocably imv: there will be no going back and I am hoping that Trump is able to appreciate that.
Great concise update Rob . The Ukraine conflict and the World in general seem to be reaching a bit of a crossroads. Apart from the zionists who seem intent on living in their paradise surrounded in destroyed countries, dead bodies and ruins.
I was a bit surprised that Trump won so decisively in the US elections but good that the public saw the war mongering neocons for who they really are.
The UAF fronts seems to be rapidly disintegrating, although at considerable cost to the RF.
Lets hope that a peace deal is started soon.
I was also pleasantly surprised at the margin of victory because it avoided violence - but this was the people speaking through Trump. Peace for Christmas would be good. https://youtu.be/uMH_wMvMy_8
Thanks for that Rob. Been a lot happening. I am surprised at Trump's selections, doesn't look good for Iran, but who knows, it could be just more American piss and wind. I never expect anything decent from any American politician and have been correct in my assessment for decades. I can't believe that there are still people who think that the US might improve something in the world. That's definitely hope overpowering experience.
Cheers Chris. I just commented on this to Michael Boyd. Alexander Mercouris is much less alarmed about the appointments here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g1A54tHHp4&t=4858s and Simplicius puts things in perspective. I'll probably do a story on it next week. Unfortunately, the US is on the wrong side of history now and the best thing it can do imv is to become an equal partner in the emerging MPWO. But according to Alexander, and according to some stuff that I've seen, Trump does appear to be having a go at dismantling the Deep State - which is a tall order. I'll report on that next week also but I need to find references for the material I have.
The American Presidential election seems very much like Christmas, although the build-up, excitement and accompanying advertising campaign doesn't end on election day. Sixty-six more days of the chatter still to go. Some advice to Mr Trump and his possible legacy from Little Feat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig-lMlikKNU
We will just have to wait and see if his apparent sense of American Exceptionalism is just rhetoric or that he really believes the hype.
BJ's desperation for attention reminds me of all the tv personalities and their desperation to get attention via the internet during the Covid bollox. 'Clown' is too kind a definition for that perfunctory sex act.
Cheers for that: it's been years since Iistened to Little Feat.