This week has been dominated by Ukraine’s ‘invasion’ of Kursk in Russia and its ultimate failure. The consequences of this have yet to be realised but some believe that it will shorten the war just as the failed Ardennes Offensive did in 1944. Elsewhere on the battlefronts, in places such as Toretsk, Nyu York, Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar, the Russians are close to breaking through Ukraine’s defences. The Russians did not transfer troops from these Directions to Kursk as the Ukrainians had hoped.
In the south, the Ukrainians have damaged a cooling tower at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant but blame the Russians while the inspectors at the plant haven’t the guts to point a finger in the obvious direction.
In the Middle East, Israel continues murdering civilians in Gaza while Hezbollah has had some successes along with the Houthis. A ceasefire in Gaza still appears unlikely at this time though the two sides are talking. The US ramped up its supply of weapons to Israel as we wait with bated breath for Iran’s anticipated retaliation for the murder of Hamas’s leader on its territory. There has been some talk of a Gaza ceasefire being agreed in exchange for Iranian forbearance. In Syria, US bases have come under attack causing casualties.
Elon Musk’s interview with Donald Trump prompted a ‘how dare you’ response from the UK and Europe but it also broke records with over 1 billions views. There is talk of banning Twitter/X but I can’t see that happening.
In the US, cackling Kamala has appointed a running mate by the name of Tim Walz who was in the National Guard for many years. Some have accused him of ‘stolen valour’ according to this article. He is very much a Woke liberal.
Finally, I am getting the sense that the cracks that have been evident in the Evil Empire are turning into deep chasms down which many are doomed to fall. Here in the UK, civil unrest will no doubt reemerge and an authoritarian knee jerk reaction will only make matters worse.
‘Negotiations Impossible’ - Putin
Vladimir Putin, in a press interview on the 12th August, said that negotiations with Ukraine are now impossible:
It is now clear why the Kiev regime refused to return to our proposals for a peaceful settlement. The enemy is seeking to improve its negotiating positions in the future, but what kind of negotiations can we talk about with people who attack peaceful people and create a danger to nuclear power facilities.
I agree of course but Ukraine has been attacking civilians for more than a decade so am not sure why he said this. I have heard that the Russian public has been in favour of negotiations prior to the Kursk attacks so maybe Putin’s response reflects a hardening of the population who are losing patience with their Ukrainian ‘brothers’.
Russian Introduces Counter Terrorist Operation (CTO)
Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk are now subject to a CTO regime due to the increased threat of sabotage in the border regions. According to Tass:
As part of counterterrorism operations, the government can relocate people to safe areas, control communication by phone, restrict communications, requisition vehicles, and suspend manufacturing activity involving hazardous materials.
US To Replace the Once Great Z?
The Russian intelligence service has claimed that the US is attempting to find a ‘less corrupt’ and ‘more manageable’ figure than the once great Z, according to Sputnik. Former Ukraine Interior Minister, Arsen Avakov (pictured), who appears on Russia’s list of terrorists and extremists, is wanted for crimes against civilians in the Donbass and elsewhere. You can read more here. The US must surely realise that Russia will not negotiate with this man. The Intelligence Service claimed that the legacy media will embark on a campaign to discredit Zelensky in preparation for the change.
Power Outages Increase
Ukraine is experiencing the worse power outages since the SMO began, according to Time (reported by Slavyangrad).
Ukrainian Accused of Nord Stream Attack
German prosecutors now consider Vladimir Zhuravlev, a native of Kiev, to be the main suspect in the investigation of the Nord Stream attacks - according to Sputnik. Zhuravlev, who is thought to have had at least three accomplices in the attack, was last seen in Warsaw. Sorry, I am a little sceptical about this claim. According to RT, the Wall Street Journal - said by some to be the mouthpiece of US intelligence services - is claiming that Zelensky approved of the Nord Stream attacks but bowed out after US pressure. However, Zaluzhny went ahead without his permission. This is such a convenient story. A German ex-spy master has said that Poland was also involved, according to RT.
The People Fight Back
Odessa
According to this report an elderly woman with a handbag chased TCC employees attempting to recruit young men. It appears that this is a daily occurrence in Odessa and elsewhere.
TCC Vehicles Torched
Overnight on the 11th/12th August, according to Intel Republic:
Cars belonging to Kiev goons melt and go up in smoke after Ukrainians commit arson attacks in Odessa, South Ukraine and Dnepropetrovsk, East Ukraine under cover of night.
Disabled Soldiers Deserted by State
Since the beginning of the SMO, Zelensky has promised that badly injured and disabled soldiers would receive ‘first class treatment’ from the state. But the once great Z hasn’t kept many of his promises, has he. According to this Ukrainian source disabled soldiers receive zero support from the state. There are now 4 million disabled people in Ukraine. TCC thugs are disabling more as part of their ‘recruitment drive’ while the state turns a blind eye - according to another Ukrainian source.
Ukraine is not alone in this. Anyone who has seen Oliver Stone’s film ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ will be aware of how the US state mistreated wheelchair bound Ron Kovic and his ilk.
West Approves Kursk Terrorist Attacks
Politicians from the US and Germany have spoken approvingly about the Kursk incursion which appears to break with a previously held view that Ukraine should not attack Russian territory with Western weapons. They must know that civilians are being targeted but still they offer encouragement. Anyway, I suppose this was to be expected. Predictably, Poland, Estonia and Finland have joined the chorus - according to RT. The US has claimed that it did not know about the Kursk ‘invasion’ beforehand - which is utter nonsense of course. Indeed, Z’s advisor Podolyak has admitted as much.
Ukrainian Drones Enter Belarus
Lukashenko has complained that Ukrainian drones have been entering their air space criticising the Ukrainians for escalating the conflict. It is not clear whether Belarus will retaliate.
Ukraine Terrorist Attacks
Since the beginning of this year, Ukrainian drone attacks have killed 114 civilians and injured another 656.
Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant
On August 11th, the Zaporozhye NPP was hit by two drones causing damage to one of the cooling towers. Maria Zakharova condemned the attack thus:
Kiev, under the leadership of the West, has undermined world energy security and has now embarked on a nuclear terror of the continent.
The fire at the cooling tower was extinguished just before midnight and it is reported that nuclear safety has not been jeopardised . You can read more at Sputnik.
Once again, as with previous attacks on the plant, the IAEA has failed to admit that these attacks came from Ukraine - unbelievable!
Zakharova urged the international community to get Ukraine to stop the attacks but Zelensky is admitting nothing.
According to Ukrainian Telegram Channel legitimniy, the once great Z has posted footage of the fire on social media and is claiming that the Russians are responsible by burning tyres at the base of the cooling tower: hence the smoke. But Ukrainians are not buying it.
You can see footage on X.
The Western media mostly reported on Z’s claim that the Russians had set its own NPP alight. But Zero Hedge provided more balanced coverage.
Kursk
For those who don’t know, a great tank battle was fought in Kursk during the summer of 1943. This will still reside in the collective memory of the people in the area. The Germans attacked towards Kursk from the north and south in an attempted ‘pincer’ movement - but they failed. The Germans will also ‘remember’ the failure of the Kursk Offensive (Operation Citadel). For both Russians and Germans there will be a sense of deja vu regarding the movement of German tanks towards Kursk. The once great Z, wishing to be great again, has said that ‘the Kursk catastrophe will mark the end of Putin’s rule'. Abraham Lincoln once said, in response to the boast of General Joe Hooker about reaching Richmond, ‘the hen is the wisest of all of the animal creation because she never cackles until egg has been laid’.
There has been much concern about this latest Kursk operation, its terroristic nature and the fact that it was allowed to happen. There is much evidence that civilians have been targeted and that chemical weapons have been used, including hexachloroethane delivered through 155mm cluster MLRS munitions. Kursk, along with Belgorod and Bryansk, are under CTO which means that Russia is treating Ukraine’s incursion as a terrorist act delivered by a terrorist state. Those Ukrainians and foreign mercenaries participating will be treated as terrorists along with those who organised it, including the Kiev regime and Western intelligence services such as the CIA or MI6. Western leaders are supporting this action thereby demonstrating their qualified opposition to terrorism. When acts of terrorism are perceived to benefit them they approve and they disapprove of terrorism only when it does not benefit them. There is no consistency or principle involved in this pragmatism.
Many have been worried that the incursion could succeed in its alleged objective of capturing the Kursk NPP but it doesn’t look as if this will now happen. Writing on Andrei Martyanov’s blog, Larch reminded us of the standard tactic employed by the SMO during the past two years:
Allow the attack to form, allow the attack to proceed.
Catch the front spear and stop it. Missile and air strike the rear and shred the attacking columns.The Russians allowed the attack so it could attenuate, they stopped it and hit the rear, cutting off the first echelon from any second or third. Destroyed the command Hq with Iskanders, killing 15 commanding officers, and set their elite killer special forces, Akhmat, ex-Wagner and the Donetsk group on the attackers now cut off and diced into small DRG-marauder groups hiding in houses and tree-lines and narrow forest bands.
They have killed most all the first echelon and destroyed most all the whole damn grouping's vehicles and armor. In some places, it is a turkey shoot for drones and bombers and helos.
Whether things will turn out this way remains to be seen. Last week I quoted the Russian MoD’s claim that Ukraine had suffered 945 casualties out of only 1,000 troops deployed - which I found hard to believe but Larch makes a similar claim here. I am still sceptical, however. Other commentators, such as Larry Johnson, believe as many as 4,000 could have been involved - which is more credible maybe.
Thus far, Putin has not declared Ukraine to be a terrorist state as far as I am aware.
On August 11th, according to Ukrainian sources, the advance into Russia was stopped due to fierce Russian resistance and the Ukrainian troops have been ordered to dig in. If the Ukrainians believed that the incursion would sow discontent among the Russian population they were mistaken as the people rally around the victims of Kursk - as this footage shows.
Major General Apti Alaudinov of the Chechen fighter group Akhmat has said that this is the battle they have been waiting for that will bring down NATO as well as Ukraine:
For those who are sitting in their comfortable seats, be it a couch or a warm place, as well as for those who took part in the special military operation and are now resting at their homes, I want to say: guys, this is exactly the battle I have always talked about.
Although the enemy has advanced considerably into our territory we have the situation under control, he said, according to Pravda. He also said that the Kursk operation was planned by the US involving many of its Generals - according to Pravda. 76,000 people have been evacuated from the border region of Kursk - though many more will leave shortly.
Some Ukrainian bloggers take the view that Zelensky forced this offensive onto Syrsky and even blackmailed him with bad publicity until he succumbed. I have seen a number of reports including this one from FT where captured soldiers have been told to shoot civilians on the spot with complete immunity from prosecution (but the Russians will punish them). Those who have killed unarmed Russian soldiers - as reported by the Business Insider - will also be punished (see b MoA 15th August). Even though the killing of unarmed combatants is a war crime, the Insider simply didn’t notice! Both the Insider and The FT reported on their stories without any hint of criticism of these crimes.
By the 12th August, the offensive had ground to a halt as the remaining Ukrainians in the ‘bulge’ dug in to await the Russian onslaught. b from the MoA provides a good summary dated 12th August.
This map provides some more detail on the 15th August:
By the end of the week, the Ukrainians were still conducting raids into Kursk and some villages, such as Glushkovo, have been evacuated as a precaution. The Ukrainians have evacuated civilians from part of Sumy region so that they can accommodate their troops in civilian dwellings which will make it more difficult for the Russians to target them - according to the Two Majors. The fog of war is particularly dense in this Direction. Russian General Apti Alaudinov has stated that 12,000 Ukrainian troops have now entered the Kursk Oblast. According to Yury Podolyaka, a reliable source, the battle for Glushkovo will be Ukraine’s final push before the Russians have concentrated sufficient forces to counter-attack. Dr. Gilbert Doctorow, speaking on Dialogue Works, believes that when they are ready the Russians will pulverise the Ukrainians who have ventured into Kursk. Time will tell.
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, has chaired a ‘coordination council’ meeting to discuss the situation in the border regions and how to improve security. Perhaps this is the equivalent of an ‘inquiry’ which will attempt to learn from past mistakes - though I don’t think many countries on earth could protect their borders completely. I would not be too critical therefore - but Russia has to adapt to the new situation.
Another Ukrainian source has information claiming that Western Intelligence, when it became clear that Russia was not going to move troops out of the Donbass, told Z to withdraw. Expanding the front, they advised, would stretch the Ukrainians even further than they already are. But the once great Z, wanting to be great again, refused.
It should be noted that the fighting in Kursk is characterised by maneuver as the Two Majors explain in their summary for the 16th August:
The fighting in the region is characterised as manoeuvre warfare: the enemy is trying to occupy territory and settlements by raids, while the RFAF are knocking out the enemy by counteraction: yesterday there was fighting near Olgino, Spalnoye, Korenevo, and, of course, Martynovka. In Sudzha there is a focal presence of both sides, there are clashes.
Other Terrorist Attacks
10th/11th August Overnight
Overnight, the Ukrainians struck a residential area in Gorlovka (DPR) injuring 14 civilians. In Shebekino (Belgorod) two apartment buildings were attacked by drones causing damage and injuring five. The Ukrainians have long been targeting private and medical vehicles in Belgorod, the most recent of which injured two women. A residential building in Novaya Tavolzhanka was hit by a kamikaze drone but no casualties were reported. In Kursk city, a disabled drone fell on a nine story apartment building causing 13 casualties but no fatalities, according to the Mayor. Elsewhere in Kursk, 14 drones were shot down along with 4 Tochka-U tactical missiles. Voronezh was also attacked with more than 15 drones which were all destroyed and caused no casualties. Drones were also shot down over Bryansk and Oryol.
11th/12th August Overnight
Many villages were attacked in Belgorod overnight, including Shebekino, where a man was injured by shrapnel. Elsewhere in the region damage was caused to residential blocks and cars.
43 drones were destroyed or disabled over Belgorod region overnight.
Late on the 11th, the village of Kolotilovka (Belgorod) was attacked by four tanks supported by small groups of infantry. Border guards dealt successfully with the incursion.
12th/13th August
Drones were launched against targets in Voronezh, Kursk, Belgorod and Rostov. On the 13th, a bus was attacked with cluster type ammunition in Lysychansk killing one and injuring 28 - many of whom are in a serious condition. The village of Tetkino in Kursk suffered heavy shelling on the 13th August which could be a prelude to the opening of another front, according to the Military Chronicle.
13th/14th August
Overnight on the 14th August, Ukraine launched a massive drone/missile attack on Russian territory. An apartment building in Shebekino (Belgorod) was attacked by drones causing a fire and injuring one civilian. A gas supply line was also damaged. According to this report:
Thirty-seven UAVs and four tactical missiles were destroyed over the territory of the Kursk region, another thirty-seven UAVs were destroyed over the Voronezh region, seventeen UAVs were destroyed over the territory of the Belgorod region, eleven over the Nizhny Novgorod region, nine over the Volgograd region, three over the Bryansk region, two over the Oryol region and one over the Rostov region.
In Voronezh, airfields were targeted but there have been no reports of damage or casualties. Airfields in Novgorod region were also attacked.
14th/15th August
The Ukrainians are still making incursions into Belgorod region with small groups of infantry and tanks but so far the border guards have control of the situation - according to Slavyangrad. On the 15th August, four people were injured by drone attack in the village of Shebekino (Belgorod) while four more were injured by drones in the village of Dunayka.
15th/16th August
Ukrainian ground troops continue their attempts to capture the checkpoint at Kolotilovka in Belgorod. Belgorod region suffered heavy shelling and drone attacks overnight as it always does.
The Sea War
15th/16th August
Overnight, five ‘aircraft type’ drones were destroyed over the Black Sea while two unmanned boats headed for the Crimean Peninsular were also destroyed.
The Air War
Russian Missile/Drone Attacks
10th/11th August Overnight
Mayor of Kiev Klitschko has reported loud explosion in the city overnight.
12th/13th August
Sumy region was attacked overnight causing power outages in many places. Mirgorod airfield in Poltava was also attacked.
13th/14th August
Russian missiles/drones attacked targets in Sumy and Chernigov overnight.
14th/15th August
According to sitreports:
Russian Troops launched another series of attacks on targets in territory controlled by the Kiev Regime in Zhitomir, Vinnitsa, Nikolayev, Kiev and other regions. In the evening there was an explosion in the port of Odessa.
According to a Ukrainian source, the Russians have been targeting fuel and lubricant stores in Odessa, Poltava and Sumy.
I suspect that there have been more Russian drone/missile attacks than I have been able to report here.
Ukrainian Missile/Drone Attacks
9th/10th August
On the 9th August, four Ukrainian missiles and four drones were destroyed over Kursk but damage was caused to an electric substation near Kurchatov causing outages. The NPP is at Kurchatov.
The Ground War
Russian MoD Weekly Reports
w/e July 26th 13,125 casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 460
w/e August 2nd 13,570 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 444
w/e August 9th 13,925 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 748
w/e 16th August 14,560 (record high) Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 809 (record high)
It is clear that the Kursk offensive has increased losses significantly.
The Fronts
Front Line Cats
Kharkiv
By the end of the week, according to Rybar:
On the Kharkov front, Ukrainian formations carried out an attack on the RFAF positions in the area of the Kolotilovka International Checkpoint and for some time occupied its territory. Later, Russian troops knocked the enemy out of its positions and regained control of the crossing.
Pokrovsk
Marat Khairullin’s Map
Yuriy Lutsenko, former head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, has said that the capture of Pokrovsk will cause the Ukrainians enormous logistical problems. A highway runs from here to Konstantinovka, Chasov Yar, and then up to Slavyansk and Kramatorsk. The Russians were just 5 km from this highway on the 10th August and moving slowly towards it. Once this road is cut, Ukrainian men and supplies will need to travel twice the distance.
On August 14th, according to Yury Podolyaka:
While the Ukrainian offense in the Kursk region is visibly losing steam and failing, the Russian offensive towards Pokrovsk is beginning to look very threatening indeed. In just one day yesterday [i.e. 14th August], the last Ukrainian line of defense in front of the large settlement of Novogorodovka, erected along the Zhuravka River, completely collapsed. The Russian breakthrough was up to 5 kilometers wide and up to 3 kilometers deep. Without bringing fresh reserves into the battle, Ukraine may see further collapse of the front here.
By the end of the week Nikolaevka was captured along with Novotoretskoye which has also been cleared. By the 16th August, the situation was so serious that the Ukrainian administration advised civilians to leave Pokrovsk.
Toretsk-New York
According to Yury Podolyaka:
Toretsk, Zheleznoye - "New York": Ukraine is short of reserves (Map 4). Yesterday [i.e. 14th August], Russians largely finished liberating "New York" (aka Novgorodskoe). They also made a significant advance to the west of this settlement, moving along the road to Sukhaya Balka. Thus, Ukrainian strongholds northeast of Novgorodskoe have been enveloped, and Ukrainians will likely have to withdraw from them very soon. The Russians have also finished liberating the settlement of Zheleznoye (Artemovo) and started serious fighting in the first high-rise buildings area of Toretsk itself. The Russian offensive thus continues apace, the pressure is not easing, as Ukraine may have hoped after its Kursk incursion. The all-in strategy is now playing against Ukraine.
By the end of the week Kirovo was almost completely liberated.
Krasnogorovka
According to Yury Podolyaka:
Having crossed the Lozovaya River, the Russians have reached the rear of the most important enemy fortification in this area.
Konstantinovka
By the end of the week, the Russians had advanced to the centre of Konstantinovka where the town is separated by a motorway.
Avdeyevka
By the end of the week, the Russians had liberated Orlovka and had advanced to the south east of Zhuravka.
The Economic War
Record Exchange Rate for the Hryvnia
On the 13th August, the Hryvnia was trading at 42 for a dollar in non-cash transactions. The chart shows the steady deterioration of the currency.
Ukraine’s Credit Rating Crashes
Ukraine has had it credit rating cut yet again after it failed to make a payment on its 2026 Eurobond. Its credit rating is now at ‘restricted default’ - down from a ‘C’ to a ‘D’. You can read more at RT.
European Gas Prices Surge
The capture of the Sudzha gas metering/transit station is said to be responsible for a dramatic rise in European gas prices - though other factors are also involved, according to Sputnik.
World Politics
Trump-Musk Interview Breaks Record
Over 1 billion people watched the interview which is a record. Global Times provides a summary here or at Zero Hedge. Even RT provides a written summary. EU leaders were not happy that the interview was conducted and made the usual threats should X broadcast ‘harmful content’ - i.e. content of which they disapprove.
Italy and the Kursk Offensive
It appears that Ukraine has broken the Italian Constitution by using its arms to attack Russia without authorization. The Italians believe that this has dragged them into a direct conflict with Russia.
Palestinian Leader Visits Moscow
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader visited Moscow this week to discuss the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with Putin - according to Tass. In connection with the meeting, Putin made the following statement:
We are closely following the unfolding humanitarian disaster in Palestine with deep anguish and concern. We are making every effort to support the Palestinian people. As you know, we have already sent about 700 tonnes of various goods there. We are determined to seize any available opportunity to assist the Palestinian people.
Palestine will be invited to join BRICS in an ‘outreach format’ according to Tass.
Serbian Anti-Mining Protests Organised By West?
Protests against the environmental impact of Lithium mining in Serbia appear to be part of an attempt at a coup, according to Sputnik. Indeed, Russia had already warned President Vucic that a coup was planned by the West. 27,000 people were involved in the protests and 14 arrests were made for criminal offences.
The UK Riots - Aftermath
The recent riots/protests and the violence associated with them have been deeply distressing for many Brits, but especially those living in the areas affected. There are many controversial issues involved, not to mention some controversial figures. I do not have sufficient knowledge of the events and the background behind them to fully understand the situation so will leave analysis to others.
But I will say that I think the best approach for the authorities in dealing with those involved is not to take sides. We have to accept that both Muslims and non-Muslims have grievances which must be addressed. Blaming one group - as Starmer has done - is complete idiocy. It will be obvious to those who have looked at footage on X that both the so called ‘right wing’ marches and the pro-Palestine demos1 contained individuals who committed violent acts. This footage shows Pro-Palestine protesters attacking a posh car but the police do very little and don’t arrest anyone: https://x.com/i/status/1822609448331857979. I think it may be significant that this is a ‘posh car’ suggesting a grievance against the rich maybe.
The Muslim protesters were also threatening by carrying machetes and baseball bats. But they also felt threatened because their mosques had been burned by white rioters following the killing of three children in Southport by a man who was thought to be Muslim. One Muslim protester pointed out that even though 186,0002 Palestinians had been killed in Gaza, they had not attacked one synagogue - which is a fair point. Have a look at this interview on X. These Muslims obviously appreciate the difference between British Jews and Zionist Israelis.
But the rioters weren’t solely motivated to protest and riot by the killing of three girls in Southport which provided the catalyst for the expression of many other grievances, including the failure of their own police force to protect them. Many may have felt abandoned because they do not have a health service that can treat them; they do not have a housing service that can house them; they do not have an education service that can educate them. They feel abandoned and yet new and old migrants, immigrants etc. appear (as they see it) to be obtaining special treatment with regard to social housing and preferential treatment by the law. Nobody listens to these people - so they do things that will make them heard.
As Simplicius has shown3, the portion of whites in the UK population has declined since 1981 from 95% to 73%. This was the result of the deliberate immigration policies of all governments but especially Labour under Bliar. Simplicius notes the effect on the white working class:
By overrunning society with migrants and relegating native Brits to second class citizens, you disenfranchise and disinherit them to the point of torpor and impotence, clearing the way for total ideological subjugation which will allow such madness as currently unfolding in the UK to reign. ...
The ideology of Wokeness has relegated the British working class (especially men) to second class citizens in their own country to the extent that many feel that they have to apologise for being white and Christian. This has to be addressed. Christians in Britain have every right to adhere to their Christian values and be proud of their culture, tradition, history and their flag. It is not racist to want these things.
The Muslims have similar rights.4 They also have every right to feel threatened and insulted by the white protesters because most see themselves as British since they and their parents were born here. Thus it makes no sense to ask these people to leave - as some are advocating. No - we must learn to live with each other and the greatest barrier to that is the national government - whichever party is in power. Social harmony is not in the interest of any government because ‘the people united will never be defeated’ to borrow an old phrase. Francis of Assisi’s appeal, quoted by Margaret Thatcher, that ‘where there is discord, may we bring harmony’ is nonsense. The maxim that governs the leaders of this whole decrepit Western world is ‘where there is harmony may we bring discord’ because that’s how they control us and that’s how they make money.
What is needed is an impartial and objective approach to the problem that is not influenced by ideology or preferences/allegiances of any sort. Bridges must be built between the two sides as part of a solution - we are all human after all.
But I am not optimistic that this can be achieved because the framework or the will for such an approach does not exist and the grievances between the two cultures and religions could be irreconcilable. One things is certain: in the absence of dialogue reconciliation will be impossible.
The Labour government, which has become a huge part of the problem, has thereby ruled itself out of being part of the solution. So Two Tier Keir will carry on with his once sided authoritarian approach - jailing people for Face-Book posts - and the situation, which has temporarily calmed, will come back to haunt us some way down the line. As Nigel Farage has been saying for some time, the UK must control immigration which has resulted in many areas being dominated by non-British people and cultures. A Labour government will not do this: rather, a Labour Government will censor people (or even jail people) who oppose immigration. But this will not work because too many Britons do not believe that multi-culturalism or ‘diversity’ are necessarily good or desirable. Kier Starmer has done nothing but alienate these people further - but they will not go away.
My uncharacteristic pessimism on this issue derives from the realisation that the malaise in our world runs much deeper as a symptom of a collapsing Empire. Chris Hedges appreciates this. What he says about the US could apply to many other nations, including the UK.
Compact Wins
The German government’s decision to ban Compact Magazine for covering an interview with Maria Zakharova has been over ruled by a court pending the trial which will probably not be convened for another two years. But the magazine will remain operational until then. You can read more here.
Free Speech
Clown of the Week
In his expert analysis of the political implications of Ukraine’s invasion of Russia, this Lithuanian Minister said: ‘Ukraine has humiliated Putin with its invasion of Kursk Oblast’ - thereby eliminating himself from serious, grown up attention.
The emerging Multi-Polar World Order
Army 2024 - Moscow - 12th-18th August
110 military delegates from foreign companies attended the exhibition in which the Russians presented 1,500 military products - according to Tass. But Russia was buying as well as selling. By August 13th, contracts worth 500 billion rubles were made in which Russia will receive 500 different weapons.
That’s it for yet another eventful week. Many thanks for your views, subscriptions, likes, shares and comments. Have a good week. Best Rob
The Pro-Palestine and anti-racist demos (not the Muslim ‘self-defence’ demos) are organised mainly by the Trotskyite Socialist Workers’ Party which provides the nicely printed placards and banners.
The Dark Surrealism of the UK’s Totalitarian Turn - Simplicius76@substack.com
I am using the term ‘rights’ to describe what many people feel they are justified in demanding.
"The US must surely realise that Russia will not negotiate with this man. "
The US is no more interested in negotiations than Putin is. What do they have to gain by negotiations? It's the same with Gaza. No one gains by negotiations in either case (except of course the people dying - whom no one gives a rat's ass about.)
As for the numbers involved in Kursk, Martyanov quoted the Akhmat general thus: "The localization and annihilation of whatever is being left from those between 11,600 and 11,900 (by General Alautdinov's rough estimates) engaged in this adventure continues and, in fact, accelerates. " That seems a reasonable number for an operation of that size which was nothing more than another PR stunt.
Saw a great cartoon over at Martyanov's showing Zelensky's hand rising from the water begging for help, then the US hand comes down and gives it a high five, saying "great PR move", then withdrawing as the Zelensky hand sinks beneath the waves. Pretty good representation of the situation, especially since it looks like the Nordstream report is intended to sink Zelensky as well as Syrsky. Not that Russia cares any more or the US as I said.
Ukraine is no longer relevant. All the action is about to shift to the Middle East. Hezbollah just released a video this past night showing one of their tunnel systems, large enough to carry massive trucks - at least ten of them - loaded with six precision missiles each. They drive up a ramp, the roof opens up and the firing point is exposed. Very impressive video - should scare the hell out of the Israelis - and the US, since no amount of bombing is likely to affect that tunnel system, short of tactical nukes - even if they could find it.
In the section on UK terrorism you should have mentioned synagogues not being attacked and not mosques.