It’s been another eventful week in which many of the main protagonists in this crazy world drama have taken to the stage. The once great Z, a leading player, caused much controversy on his visit to the US and in his speech to the UN General Assembly in New York. He managed to alienate the US Republicans along with China and Brazil - no mean achievement that. (see below). For the moment, Ukraine will not receive Western help in launching missiles deep into Russia.
On the campaign trail, Donald J railed against Biden and Harris for getting the US into an unnecessary war and not being able ‘to get us out of it’. You can read more at RT. He confirmed that he would end the war and lift sanctions on Russia because this is hurting the dollar and he conceded that unless the dollar remains as the world currency the US will become a third world country.
In the Middle East, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is heating up as the Israeli air force attempts to turn Lebanon into another Gaza. It looks as though forces from Iraq are now attacking Israel along with the Houthis, while Hezbollah’s rocket attacks are causing Israel some problems. At the time of writing, Israel has not yet committed the ground forces they are accumulating on Lebanon’s southern border. The US, Saudi Arabia, the EU and the UAE are calling for a ceasefire.
The Brandenburg election in Germany continued and confirmed the political sea change we have seen in recent elections in Thuringia and Saxony - as the AfD creeps up on the SPD (see below).
On the battlefronts in Ukraine, the Kursk offensive is being reversed and the Russians, who are advancing slowly on all fronts, are on the verge of taking the formidable fortress at Uhledar, while Ukrainian casualties/losses continue to break records.
Finally, Russia will be modifying its nuclear doctrine to accommodate situations in which a nuclear power (such as the US) uses a non-nuclear power (e.g. Ukraine, Poland or Finland) to strike another nuclear power (i.e. Russia). The Russians will now consider this as a joint attack that justifies a nuclear response if their sovereignty is threatened (see below). We do not know when the modification will come into force.
Putin On Russia’s Revised Nuclear Doctrine
In the light of recent events and the threats posed, Russia’s nuclear doctrine is being changed. The following sections are the most interesting but you can read more at Tass.
Aggression against Russia by a non-nuclear country, but with the participation or support of a nuclear country, was proposed to be viewed as their joint attack on Russia.
Reliable information about a massive takeoff of strategic or tactical planes towards Russia, or the launch of cruise missiles, drones, hypersonic weapons towards its territory may be interpreted as a sufficient reason for a nuclear response by Moscow.
Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in case of aggression against itself and its ally Belarus.
Critical threat to Russian sovereignty with conventional weapons will be sufficient for a nuclear response.
As I understand it, a Ukrainian missile attack deep into Russia, in accordance with the revised doctrine, could be regarded as a joint attack involving a nuclear power hiding behind a non-nuclear power. But much would depend on the intensity of the attack and the danger it poses. Anyway, the new doctrine will make the West more cautious, perhaps. The West will also be cautious about attacking Belarus.
As I have said, these proposals are not yet in place and we do not know when the change will be made.
Simplicius provides some detail here and Alexander Mercouris provides some exposition/analysis at this point in his video.
Historical Ingratitude - Estonia
The lack of gratitude for Russia’s role in defeating the Nazis among Westerners is staggering and the blood sacrifices Russians made in order to do this are hardly ever recognised. People who have studied the Second World War will know that up to 25 millions Russians died in the conflict. In both theatres of war - European and Pacific - the Americans lost only 400,000 dead.
Much of the Soviet Union, its villages, towns and cities were devastated. Millions of civilians suffered and died at the hands of the Nazis. The Soviet people paid a high price for defeating Hitler.
In 1941, the Nazis had invaded Estonia. With the help of Nazi sympathisers, genocide was conducted in this Baltic land as Russians, Jews and Roma were murdered in great numbers.
Eighty years ago on September 22nd, 1944, the Russians captured the Estonian city of Tallinn, thereby liberating Estonia from underneath the Nazi boot. In doing so, they lost 6,000 dead and 24,000 wounded. In the Baltic operation as a whole the Russians suffered 218,000 casualties.
This day was marked for over 60 years as the day of liberation by the Russians from the Nazis but was ‘rebranded’ in 2007 as ‘Resistance Day’ against Russian occupying forces. Recently, the tombs of Russian soldiers who gave their lives to liberate Estonia have been demolished which may appear ungrateful. Estonia has been under Russian and Soviet control in the past but it existed as a vassal of Sweden for nearly two hundred years and was also under Polish control for some time. So I am not sure why the Russians are being singled out here. Why not celebrate ‘We Hate Russia’ on some other day. But on this day, the 22nd September 1944, your country was saved - so be grateful and show some respect for dead Russians who made that possible.
You can read more at Sputnik.
Maryana Bezugla Won’t Keep Quiet
Bezugla, who no longer serves on the Defence Committee, still travels to the Donbass and continues to criticise the Ukrainian military. The other day, after returning from a visit, she had this to say:
I'm returning from Donetsk again. There are no fortifications beyond Chasovy Yar, Kostyantynivka is not ready for defense. Kurakhovo is also not ready. Selidovo inside the city was completely unprepared for defense, now they are feverishly trying to do something. There are no borders beyond Ugledar, and the chaos created by Syrsky in the 72nd Brigade due to the removal of the brigade commander at the peak of the Russian offensive and the non-priority replenishment of a priority unit now makes the loss of Ugledar a matter of time.
Troops are fleeing due to fear and lack of training, she said, and she criticised the military leadership for its failure to pay attention to ‘maximum horizontal coordination’: i.e. coordination without referring to the top leadership. She appears to be saying that there is too much interference in military matters by the politicians. She was scathing of the leadership’s decision to send brigades to the ‘Kursk Sandbox’ while the Donbass collapses and warned that during the fall (autumn), Russia could create bridgeheads in the regional centres of Zaporozhye, Kharkov, Dnepr, Kherson and Sumy.
Ukraine Bans Telegram
Ukraine has finally banned Telegram for its government officials, along with its military, security and defence personnel. Some critical infrastructure employees are also included on the list - according to Pravda. Intelligence chief Budanov said that:
Telegram is actively used by the enemy for cyberattacks, phishing, for distributing malware, determining the geolocation of users, adjusting missile strikes, and for other purposes.
I have no idea whether the ban is really being imposed for the reasons stated and suspect that it will also benefit the regime. Maybe it will be extended later to cover the whole populace. Who knows.
Car Burning
More than 300 military/TCC cars have been burned out by saboteurs since the beginning of the year according to a spokesperson for the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. The spokesperson believes that these attacks have been carried out by Russian special services.
Rustem Umerov - We Need More Money
According to Slavyangrad, Ukraine’s Defence Minister is demanding that the West keeps its promise to provide money for the production of missiles and drones - i.e. on top of the $150 billions already donated. The West has given verbal consent but written consent has not been forthcoming. Umerov, like Putin, may have come to suspect that the West’s verbal promises are not worth a bean.
Ukrainian ‘Camps’
It is being reported that the Ukrainians have created several ‘camps’ to house the Russian citizens they have captured in the Kursk ‘incursion’. In an interview, Maria Zakharova stated that:
The largest "camp" is most likely located in the building of one of the social institutions in the city of Suja. According to eyewitnesses, from 70 to 120 civilians are held there, including elderly citizens, women, people with disabilities.
Zakharova referred to these as ‘concentration camps’ into which people were driven at gunpoint and are now threatened with death if they try to leave.
Ukrainian Defences - West Of The Donbass
This report suggests that Ukrainian defences to the west of the Donbass are not really up to any sort of reasonable military standard (as you can see) and won’t inconvenience the Russians very much or detain them for very long.
Faulty Shells
According to this report, many of the shells being supplied to the Ukrainians are faulty and explode within 20 - 60 metres of the muzzle, injuring Ukrainian artillery men with shrapnel. It is thought that many of the shells have passed their ‘use by date’ and fuses have become faulty.
Z Visits The States
Volodymyr Zelensky is on yet another tour; this time to the United States, where he hoped to meet with Biden, Harris and Trump with his ‘Victory Plan’ grasped firmly in his hands and his begging bowl at his side.
Z Visits Shell Factory - Signs Shells
Prior to these meetings, Zelensky visited a factory in Pennsylvania which is producing 155mm shells for Ukraine. Talking about the visit on social media Zelensky said: ‘It is in places like this that you can truly feel that democratic peace can prevail’. His statements are becoming more bizarre by the day. He actually signed some of the shells. But so did a local politician who could now be accused of participation in the Ukraine conflict! Republicans are calling this an election stunt by the Democrats and the House Speaker, Johnson, is calling for Z to sack his ambassador. You can read his letter to Zelensky here.
The Victory Plan
As part of the ‘plan’ Zelensky demands ‘an analogue of’ (something equivalent to) NATO's Article 5 for Ukraine. He wants:
Security guarantees for Ukraine from Western countries, similar to a mutual defense pact upon joining NATO; international financial assistance for economic recovery; Provision of modern weapons from the West; continuation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces operation in the Kursk region.
And because Zelensky can’t trust Russia there will be no negotiations.:
This is not about negotiations with Russia. No. This is about, as I said, a bridge to a diplomatic way to stop the war. The bridge is a plan of victory or a victory plan. It is about strengthening Ukraine, the Ukrainian army and the Ukrainian people. Only in a strong position can we push Putin to stop the war diplomatic way.
I think this statement shows how far from reality the once great Z has strayed. Maria Zakharova described it as nothing more than ‘wishful thinking’.
It seems that Zelensky is asking for more materiel and support in order to strengthen Ukraine’s war effort so that it can gain more ground, thereby placing it in a more advantageous bargaining, or ‘diplomatic’ position. He also wants Russia to suffer from long range missile attacks and therefore be more inclined to make peace - as he has said elsewhere. Negotiations, he seems to be saying, can be considered only if Ukraine is in a strong position. Zakharova is correct: this is simply wishful thinking.
It appears to be a ‘wish list’ of the materiel things that the West has failed to provide in sufficient quantities and the sort of support Zelensky wanted it to provide through NATO membership. Such things could be close to Zelensky’s heart as someone who feels betrayed. I don’t believe this is scripted. In my view, these are the words of the once great Z, wanting to be great again. Perhaps he is beginning to realise that Ukraine cannot be saved and is railing against those who led him down a bloody garden path. But the Victory plan shows that Zelensky is totally out of his depth militarily and politically. He is extremely naive if he can’t see that his desires/requests would place the world on a trajectory towards Armageddon.
But Not Many Turned Up
Speaking at the UN to a sparse audience, Zelensky said that his ‘peace formula’ (or Victory Plan) was the only way of ending the conflict and that Russia must be ‘forced to make peace'.
The Duran boys discuss the visit here (12 mins). Both believe that the West is getting fed up with Zelensky who is drifting further away from reality. He even accused Russia of planning to attack Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plants - cue a false flag in desperation. You can read more here.
At the UN rostrum, he managed to insult anyone who disagrees with his peace plan, but especially China and Brazil who he criticised for creating a peace plan of their own.
If anyone in the world is looking for alternatives to any of these points or trying to ignore any of them, it most likely means that they want to do part of what Putin is doing. And when China and Brazil try to become a chorus of voices with someone in Europe, with someone in Africa, who are saying something alternative to a full and just peace, the question arises - what is the real interest?"
The Washington Post is reporting that the Biden Administration was not pleased with the plan which provides nothing new and does not offer a clear path to victory over Russia.
Z Receives Golden Plate Award
Zelensky received this award on his tour of the US for ‘contributions to the advancement of humanity’. If anything shows how detached from reality Western societies have become - this will do it. Alex Christoforou talks about it here (at this precise point).
Trump Junior Criticises Z
Things did not improve for Zelensky who managed to offend a number of Republicans/Trump supporters after claiming in an interview that: ‘Trump doesn’t really know how to stop the [Ukraine] war even if he might think he knows how’. He also called J.D. Vance ‘too radical’. Trump Junior (pictured) called this ‘disgraceful’ and had this to say:
A foreign leader who has received billions of dollars of funding from American taxpayers comes to our country and has the audacity to criticize the Republican Party candidate for president? And he [Zelensky] does this right after a pro-Ukrainian fanatic tried to kill my father? It's a shame.
You can read more at Sputnik.
Commenting on Zelensky’s remarks, former State Senatorial Candidate, Sean Parnell, was incensed:
Zelensky is attacking JD Vance in the largest and most important swing state in the country in an election year [Pennsylvania]. Guys, if it's not foreign interference in the election, I don't know what it is.
Trump Senior Criticises Z
Trump Senior was annoyed at Z’s apparent support for Harris and called Zelensky a 'grifter'. Zelensky met with Sleepy Joe who gave him another $8 billions according to Sputnik and Zero Hedge. Trump has agreed to meet Zelensky but after this has been published (i.e. 9.45 am - New York).
The Kerch Bridge
The Ukrainians appear to have an obsession with the Kerch Bridge and have attacked it several times over the past two years. They have often expressed their desire and intention to destroy it. But I didn’t realise that they had filed a lawsuit against the bridge’s construction just after this had started in 2016. The Russians are accused of breaking international law and environmental standards in building the bridge. The Ukrainians also want free passage through the Kerch strait and ownership of the Sea of Azov. The court at the Hague is expected to deliver a verdict in October. A look at a map will show that the Ukrainians are never going to be granted ownership of Azov.
Homelessness Huge Problem For Ukrainians
The British Guardian newspaper is reporting that the 6.3 millions Ukrainians in Europe are gradually being deprived of benefits which is forcing many onto the streets. Host nations can no longer afford to support the Ukrainians. Within Ukraine itself, 3.5 millions people have been displaced and many of these have become homeless. RT discussed the problem here.
Ukraine Terror Attacks (those that target civilians)
20th/21st September
16 drones were shot down over Bryansk overnight - according to the Two Majors. Belgorod region suffered shelling which damaged houses but no casualties were reported. The DPR suffered a large drone/shelling attack which claimed the lives of three civilians and injured another fifteen. Many were injured by drone drops (i.e. explosive devices dropped from drones).
The Russian MoD gave this report of Ukrainian drone attacks::
During the past night, the Kiev regime’s attempted terrorist attack on facilities in Russia with the use of fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles was thwarted as air defenses intercepted and destroyed 101 Ukrainian UAVs, including 53 over the Bryansk Region, 18 over the Krasnodar Region, five over the Kaluga Region, three over each of the Tver and Belgorod regions, one over each of the Smolensk, Kursk regions and the Republic of Crimea, and 16 UAVs over the waters of the Sea of Azov," the ministry said.
22nd/23rd September
According to Rybar, many villages in Belgorod region suffered shelling and drone attacks overnight. Two civilians were injured in the village of Murom while ten more were injured in Cheremoshnoye. A driver was injured on the Chaiki - Krasny Oktyabr highway when a drone attacked his car. In the DPR, one person was killed and another five injured by artillery fire in Horlivka. One man was injured when a kamikaze drone attacked his car while a locomotive driver was injured by a ‘drone drop’ on his train. Rostov was also attacked. Late on the 23rd September in the Shebekinsky district of Belgorod, three civilians, including a child, were killed by shellfire which injured another two, according to the Two Majors.
23rd/24th September
Belgorod came under attack overnight as drones attacked houses, apartments and a combine harvester but no casualties were reported. In the DPR, two people were injured by cluster munitions.
24th/25th September
In Belgorod region, five civilians were injured by shelling, according to the Two Majors. A total of 37 houses, 21cars and six outbuildings were damaged along with a gas pipeline.
In Kherson region, 4 civilians were injured by shelling in their own homes as the Ukrainians intensify their attacks on civilians in this area. In the DPR, one civilian was killed and another eleven injured by shelling. The leader of the fire and rescue service was also killed.
The Zaporozhye NPP was attacked with a drone drop in the 25th September but no damage was caused.
25th/26th September
Overnight, two ‘aircraft type’ drones were shot down over Bryansk while many villages in Belgorod region were also attacked causing only one casualty. In Gorlovka (DPR), cluster shelling injured three civilians - according to the Two Majors.
26th/27th September
Overnight, six UAVs were destroyed over Rostov. Many villages in Belgorod came under shelling and drone attacks, one of which damaged a tractor driver working in a field. In the DPR, six fire fighters were attacked while working on a fire ignited by a drone attack.
The Sea War
20th/21st September
Overnight, 16 drones were shot down over the Sea of Azov and a number of missiles headed for Crimea were also destroyed by air defences.
The Air War (Map)
Russian Missile/Drone Attacks
20th/21st September
Odessa Commercial Sea Port was attacked overnight, according to Slavyangrad. The Russians also attacked military airports in Nikolaev and Poltava, along with groups of Ukrainian forces/mercenaries in Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk and Krivy rih - according to South Front. This was a massive missile drone attack that the Ukrainian air defences were impotent against - according to Alexander Mercouris. Energy facilities were also attacked along with warehouses full of weapons and drone production sites.
21st/22nd September
According to Slavyangrad:
On the night of September 21-22, 2024, the Russian military carried out a series of strikes on enemy targets in various regions of Ukraine, including Kharkov, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsa , Sumy, Kirovograd, Cherkasy and Kiev regions. Geran-2 attack drones and Kh-59/69 guided air missiles were used.
22nd/23rd September
Overnight, the Russians attacked the city of Konotop in Sumy region and destroyed Ukrainian reserves in the Kursk/Sumy border region. Chernigov was also attacked. In the west, the region and city of Ternopol were attacked causing power outages in the city. It is rumoured that hypersonic missiles were deployed here - according to Slavyangrad. The city of Zaporozhye was also attacked causing power outages.
23rd/24th September Overnight
According to this report:
In addition to Kyiv and the region, at night they worked in combination in the Chernihiv, Poltava, Sumy, Kharkov, Vinnytsia and Cherkasy regions.
A critical piece of electric infrastructure was damaged in Zaporozhye overnight. You can see images here.
24th/25th September
On the 25th September, the Two Majors provided this short report:
By nightfall, the enemy reported a missile strike on the port of Yuzhny in Odessa region. In addition, for the third night in a row, the RFAF hit enemy facilities in the city of Zaporozhye.
25th/26th September
Mayor Klitschko of Kiev reported five explosions overnight while other reports claim two explosions were heard in Ivano Frankovsk. Starokonstantinov, Odessa, Cherkassy, Chernigov and Vinnitsa regions also came under attack, presumably from Geraniums. The airfield at Starokostiantyniv (Khmilnytskyi Region), which could be a base for F-16s, was attacked with no less than four aeroballistic Kinzhal missiles. It is rumoured that some F-16s were actually destroyed during the attack.
26th/27th September
Overnight, Geraniums attacked Odessa, Ismail and Reni, according to the Two Majors.
Ukrainian Missile/Drone Attacks
20th/21st September
Overnight, an ammunition depot in Krasnador territory was attacked along with an arsenal in Tver region. It is thought that cruise missile were used according to the Military Chronicle. However, some believe that only drones were used. You can read more at Zero Hedge.
The Ground War
Russian Progress
The Russians have made much more progress in the past two months that is probably not recognised by many Western commentators. For those who want some detail about this, RT provides a brief summary here.
Russian MoD Reports
Weekly Reports (excludes Kursk)
w/e 6th September 16,215 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 602.
w/e 13th September 16,960 Casualties killed and wounded (record high): equipment losses 693.
w/e 20th September 16,810 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 553.
w/e 27th Sept 16,640, Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 698.
Kursk Mod Report
Casualties on the Kursk Front are typically between 300-350 per day which means that total casualties are near 20,000 per week.
Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost more than 17,750 troops, 131 tanks, 62 infantry fighting vehicles, 97 armoured personnel carriers, 837 armoured fighting vehicles, 533 motor vehicles, 143 artillery guns, 31 MLRS launchers,
The Fronts
Front Line Cats
Kursk
The Kursk operation is slowly disintegrating and some Ukrainian sources are highlighting the negative impact on the morale of soldiers ‘who believe they were abandoned to die without ammunition and equipment’. By the end of the week, the Russians were advancing towards Plekhovo and Korenevsky while Ukrainian attacks on Veseloye continue to be repulsed. The Ukrainians are also attempting counter-attacks towards Lyubimovka and Olgovka.
Kharkov
According to the Military Chronicle:
In the Kharkiv region, the Armed Forces of Ukraine went on the offensive along the entire line from Liptsy to Volchansk. In the area of the village of Hlyubkoye, the assault groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to reach the center of the village, but during the counterattack of the RF Armed Forces in the north-west of the village, the enemy suffered significant losses and further advance stopped.
The Ukrainians have also occupied the Aggregate Plant at Volchansk which the Russians abandoned due to logistical problems.
Svatove-Kreminna
By the end of the week, the Russians were clearing the village of Nevskoye and had advanced towards Novosadovoye and Torskoye - according to Marat Khairullin.
Toretsk
On the 22nd September, the Russians broke through to Leonidovka, north of New York and advanced 3kms along the western bank of the Kryivyi river - according to the Military Chronicle. By the end of the week, fighting continued in the centre of Toretsk, according to Geroman.
Chasiv Yar
By the end of the week, the Russians had liberated the settlement of Grigorovka - according the Marat Khairullin and were close to liberating Kalinovka.
Pokrovsk
By the end of the week, the Russians were advancing towards Mirnograd. They had also occupied the eastern and central parts of Nikolayevka and the centre of Krasny Yar.
Selydovo
According to Marat Khairullin:
In the Selidovsky sector, our units have advanced west of the Selidovskaya mine waste heap, reaching the railway. The encirclement of Selidovo and the simultaneous cutting of the sector into pieces continues, which disrupts the enemy's logistics and maneuver capabilities. In the area of the settlement Tsukurino, our troops approached the settlement from the east. Taking Tsukurino is an opportunity to reach the rear of the Ukrainian Armed Forces garrison in the settlement of Gornyak, where military operations are taking place, and bypass it with access to the Kurakhovskoye Reservoir
Uhledar
On the 22nd September, the Russians managed to make progress on the right flank of Uhledar and were close to cutting the road into the city - according to the Military Chronicle. Once this road is captured - or even before it is fully captured - the Ukrainians will have little choice other than to leave the city. There does not appear to be another road from which the Ukrainians can obtain supplies. On the 24th September, the Military Chronicle reported that Russian soldiers had entered the city and have taken control of the road mentioned above. The city is defended by 2,000 soldiers of the 72nd Brigade. By the end of the week, the Russians were fighting in the centre of Ugledar.
Zaporozhye
According to the Military Chronicle:
In the Zaporozhye direction, as a result of our small offensive of the 239th Separate Rifle Brigade and the Alania volunteer battalion, there is an advance north of the village of Nesteryanka and the defeat of a large defensive node of the enemy, which he held for two years with a constant infusion of reserves.
The Economic War
Truth Bomb
In an interview, Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó said that in spite of sanctions, the West continues to do business with Russia:
Many of our Western colleagues like to say that they have gotten rid of Russian energy resources. This is one of the biggest examples of fake news, because Western countries continue to do business with Russia like everyone else. They just deny it. If you look at the amount of Russian gas in the western part of Europe, you'd be surprised. If you look at the amount of oil that comes to the West and where it comes from, you'd be surprised too. If you look at who the number one supplier of uranium is to a country like the United States, you'd be surprised too. And just so you don't waste your time researching, I'll tell you it's Russia. All this shows that economic sanctions are absolutely useless.
This will not be news to many.
Russia-India To Increase Trade
Russia and India’s bilateral trade increased to $60 billions last year but both sides have agreed a trade target of $100 billion by 2030 - according to RT.
Sber Bank is Europe’s Top Card Issuer
In spite of all the sanctions, the Russian bank, Sber, has issued more debit and credit cards than any other bank in Europe. 182 millions (or 19.8%) out of 920 millions cards issued by European banks were issued by Sber. The link to this on RT has stopped working. But if you go to Brave, click on the bar in the top right hand corner and select 'new private window in Tor' - wait for it to load then search for RT. You should be able to get it.
India Set To Become World’s Third Largest Economy
India, which is currently the fifth largest economy after the US, China, Japan and Germany, is set to become the third largest economy by the end of the decade, according to RT. Trade is expected to increase to $10 trillions in that period and current GDP growth figures are very healthy at 6.7%.
UK Debt at 60 Year High
UK debt now stands at 100% of GDP which is the highest for 60 years, according to RT. You can read more at the London Economic. The August borrowing figure, at $18.3 billions was the third highest August figure on record and the situation is predicted to get much worse.
Western Aid To Ukraine Cut in Half
The West contributed 50% towards Ukraine’s budget in the first half of 2023 but this has been reduced to 27% in the first half of 2024. You can read more at RT.
World Politics
Brandenburg Election Results
Following this regional election, the SPD managed to remain as the top party with 32 seats but the AfD were close behind on 30 seats, while Sahra Wagenknecht’s ‘left conservative’ party obtained 14 seats. The CDU-EPP was fourth with 12 seats. Once again, the Greens obtained zero seats. The election turnout was 72.9% - up 11.6% from the last regional election. Among young voters, 16-24, the AfD managed 32% to SPD’s 18%. Even though the SPD managed to hold on, the future is not looking bright for them. You can find more detail at Michael Heaver.
Italian Politician Makes Sense
Vincenzo De Luca of the Democratic Party of Italy has spoken out against NATO expansion after the Soviet collapse - to which the Russians were bound to react, he said, just as the Americans reacted to Russian missiles on Cuba. Reprimanding Western leaders, he said:
Instead of keeping Russia chained to Europe, we gave away the largest reservoir of raw materials to China. How can you be that stupid? You can't wage open war without saying what the objective is. What is the objective? Victory over Russia? Then you're crazy because you're leading us to nuclear war! Is that clear or not?
The worrying thing is that so few Western leaders have enough sense and knowledge of Realpolitik to be able to appreciate what he is saying. Most have either been brainwashed by ideology or are simple puppets without an original thought in their heads.
Greeks Against Ukraine Funding
In a recent survey, 58.2% of Greeks are against supporting Ukraine while 32.3% are in favour.
An American Coup?
Last week I reported that Alex Krainer, speaking with Nima on Dialogue Works, claimed that there had been a ‘palace coup’ of sorts in the White House as the Pentagon took over control of military matters.
Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, former Chief of Staff to Colin Powell, speaking with Judge Napolitano, made a similar claim:
the Pentagon has taken over, essentially, diplomacy as well as any action, militarily speaking, with regard to both theaters of war.
General Kurilla, (CENTCOM Commander) was among those who persuaded Lloyd Austin to accept this situation. Based on this advice, Austin apparently informed Netanyahu that if you escalate, you’re on your own. Kurilla also prevented a decision being made regarding Ukraine’s request to use long range missiles in the heart of Russia. You can read more at Zero Hedge.
United Nations GA - New York
The General Assembly of the UN met in New York this week for the 79th time. The Security Council will also meet in the face of much criticism because it is not representative of the whole world. Africa, for example, is not represented yet it has a population of 1.4 billions people. Reform is badly needed.
The General Assembly approved a ‘Pact for the Future’ which intends to tackle climate change, escalation of conflicts, growing gender/wealth inequality and threats to democracy and human rights: a globalist, liberal agenda, in other words. Russia and six other countries voted against while fifteen countries, including China and Saudi Arabia, abstained. In principle, Russia is not happy with interference by any organisation in the affairs of sovereign states and there is much scope for interference in this ‘pact’. According to Lyuba Lulko, writing for Pravda:
The UN is a completely pro-Western, worthless and detached from reality organization. Reforming it is not enough — the UN should be pushed aside to form an alternative based on BRICS.
China Asks NATO to Resign
According to the Global Times:
The North Atlantic Alliance is responsible for destabilizing European security, writes Global Times. NATO expansion has led to the Ukrainian crisis. The modern world does not need an alliance that, under the guise of defense, promotes confrontation.
The Chinese publication sums up Stoltenberg's 10 years as NATO Secretary General in an editorial as follows:
NATO military spending has increased by more than 30 percent; the imaginary ‘‘Chinese threat " is inflated; the Ukrainian crisis was provoked; the well-being and stability of Europe suffered; NATO has become an obedient executor of Washington's will; cooperation has been replaced by confrontation; stable peace was achieved where the alliance interfered the least.
In conclusion: NATO, with its Cold War mentality, propaganda of military force and misguided desire for absolute security, should be consigned to the dustbin of history.
Europe Tightens Its Borders
The ‘free movement of people’ has been an important mantra of the left for a long time and many here in the UK have been accused of being racist because they oppose this. This included anyone who voted for Brexit. Now, it seems, with the political mood changing in the UK and Europe, some sane people have begun to realise that the rights of people to move across borders has caused a crisis.
Dr. George Szamuely, a senior research fellow at the Global Policy Institute, told Sputnik that Europe’s migrant crisis was imposed by the elites on their own populations. This was the consequence of a ‘fateful alliance among the big corporations that want cheap labor and the kind of multicultural advocates who think that that's a good thing for Europe to be more diverse. [This is] what's causing…intense political feeling because people don't really want it’.
We have seen expression of such feelings here in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. Now there are signs that some European leaders, who have received a dig in the ribs from their voters, are beginning to take heed. Germany has now strengthened checks at its borders and is proposing stronger deportation laws and the new Dutch government announced it was aiming to set in place “the strictest admission rules in the EU.” Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on Friday (20th Sept) that the government would officially ask the European Commission for an opt-out on EU asylum and migration policies. Schoof said:
We cannot continue to bear the large influx of migrants to our country. People are experiencing an asylum crisis.
Hungary and Holland are also seeking an opt out from European migrant policies. So things are starting to change in Europe.
Just Ignore Russia’s Red Lines - Danish PM
Mette Fredericksen has said that Ukraine should be given permission to strike deep into Russia, regardless of how Russian might react. It is very worrying that such ignorant and irrational people are in positions of power. According to this logic, if Russia vows to eliminate Denmark should permission be granted, Mette would have to accept this.
Protests
France
Many people across France, especially those on ‘the left’, have taken to the streets to protest the appointment of a ‘right wing’ prime minister (Michel Barnier) and a cabinet comprising centrists and the right but only one ‘left wing’ minister (i.e. Minister of Justice, Didier Migaud). The crowds accused Macron of being a ‘President Monarch’, described his government as ‘rule by idiots’ and called for his impeachment. You can read more at RT.
The emerging Multi-Polar World Order
RT - We’re Not Going Away
Palestine to Join BRICS
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader will be attending the BRICS Summit at Kazan in October. While there, he will make an application to join BRICS - according to Slavyangrad.
Burkino Faso to Join BRICS
Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Apollinaire Joachimson Kyelem de Tambela (pictured) has announced the country's intention to join BRICS during his meeting with Russian Ambassador to Ouagadougou Igor Martynov. The PM believes that joining will:
counter the dominance of the dollar and the euro [and help to achieve] fairer international trade.
Eurasian Women’s Forum
In a speech at the forum Putin said:
The soul of Russia is revealed in Russian women, their beauty, charm, warmth, compassion, and generous spirit. The forum provides an opportunity to show and tell a wide audience, particularly the women of the world, that Russia is an open and hospitable country where dialogue, trust, and friendship are highly valued.
Correction
Last week I claimed that 28% of Americans believed that the US would be better off if Trump were dead - but of course I meant 28% of Democrats, which many of you have probably realised. Thanks to the subscriber who pointed this out. I have edited the text.
That’s it for another eventful week. Many thanks for you views, subscriptions, likes, shares and comments. Best wishes - Rob
I used a link to RT archive which no longer works with reference to the Sber bank. If you go to Brave, click on the bar in the top right hand corner and select 'new private window in Tor' - wait for it to load then search for RT. You should be able to get it.
Regarding the Baltic attitude to the "Russians", it is actually hardly surprising. In late 1939, in accordance with the [then] secret parts of the Nazi-Soviet Pact, the USSR made demands on Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Finland. Finland resisted and was attacked by the USSR and ultimately lost the Winter War. The Balts did not resist and allowed Soviet forces to be stationed on their territory. On the 25th of may 1940, the USSR accused (falsely) the Baltic States of plotting against them and demanded regime changes. This was at the height of the German operations in the West and there could be no aid from that direction. The Soviets began massing 400,000 troops to invade including field hospitals for expected casualties and setting up interment camps for 50,000 prisoners. They implemented a naval blockade. Unlike the Finns who made a fight of it, the Balts all folded. They were subject to a wave of repression, murders and deportations and the countries were socialised. This accellerated in the immediate pre-Barbarossa period (as it did in occupied Poland and Besserabia) and again when the countries were "liberated" by the Red Army later. The Balts - like the Finns - saw the Soviet Union as an enemy. And hardly surprising given the fact that they were invaded by the Red Army and subject to the worst of the NKVD. Their armies were incorporated into the Red Army and promptly melted in 1941, some units even changing sides. Subsequently many Balts fought against the Soviets in army, police and laterly SS formations - all of which had a poor record in terms of the killing of civilians and jews in particular.
Stalin's Russia treated the Baltic States very badly and it is hardly surprising that they have a hatred of all things "Russian" which alas includes Russian speakers within their own populations. This is akin to the neo-Nazi beliefs prevalent in modern Ukraine in too many aspects. Letting these ethnic fault line countries into NATO is the height of folly in my opinion. Nevertheless they have a folk memory of Soviet repression and invasion, and that has been transferred to modern Russia. No love is lost. You might be forgiven for arguing that hatchets should be buried etc and I would go along with this. However I would not expect them to honour their "Soviet liberators" as to a large extent their liberation came via the Wehrmacht. A complicated and messy business.