Miscellaneous News

Biscuits said:

Rather than own goal, it is likely just the plotting of Putin in conjunction with his benefactors in China.

There are many signs that US didn't plan jack shit regarding actual kinetic war in Ukraine and that they've been ad libbing it since day 1. They tried to discourage Russia for several weeks by flooding state controlled outlets with "leaks" of Russian attack once they realized it was inevitable, in the hopes that Russia would change course after thinking US had them all figured out in advance. US forces were not ready to provide strong military supply to Ukraine that could prevent the Donbass and the land bridge from being lost, despite a small initial Russian wave.

The purge against Russian capitalists also showed shocking shortsightedness or perhaps frustration. Russian capitalists have always been America's greatest ally inside China's bloc and the most detrimental faction towards Russian freedom, not to mention the long term aftershocks on the oil markets due to non-respect for private property, something all the sheiks deeply care about. These sanctions hurt US control and potential in exchange for momentary domestic frustration relief, which is never a good recipe.

America's plan was always to gradually take Ukraine into NATO after the Euromaidan coup, eventually culminating in armed reunification of the Donbass under the auspices of NATO, using Minsk 2 to buy time until Ukraine gained the capability. This would then open up the route to Crimea at a later date. US essentially thought that Europe can be put on the back burner and they can slowly work their way to "cleansing" the Donbass using Ukrainian proxies.

As with any plan, the enemy always gets a vote and Russia struck preemptively.


It is not in anyone's interest to have more nuclear powers. NK could only get theirs because they're a dependency. Iran isn't.

China should give them conventional weapons and discourage nuclear acquisition.

US justifying an operation on Iran is playing China's hands. Another Vietnam where communist aid can keep America pinned down and demilitarize them.

Would US survive another general draft? That is probably what will be needed for Iran war.

Click to expand...

Biscuits said:

It is not in anyone's interest to have more nuclear powers. NK could only get theirs because they're a dependency. Iran isn't.

China should give them conventional weapons and discourage nuclear acquisition.

US justifying an operation on Iran is playing China's hands. Another Vietnam where communist aid can keep America pinned down and demilitarize them.

Would US survive another general draft? That is probably what will be needed for Iran war

Click to expand...

TK3600 said:

I would argue this move was pivotal of middle east shifting toward China's camp. These oil lords cannot tolerate this random asset seizing. Now all their wealth is at risk because American cannot be trusted even if you offer them ransom.

Click to expand...

President Joe Biden heads to Europe this week in a trip meant to be a show of defiance.

The Biden administration has urgently pressed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration to consolidate its gains — and perhaps launch its own counterstrike.

The White House has also told Zelenskyy’s team, per multiple officials, to prepare for the offensive now, as weapons and aid from Washington and Europe flow freely, for fear that backing from Ukraine’s European neighbors could be finite.

Russia still has two decisive advantages: manpower and time. European intelligence officials further assess Putin feels confident he can wait for an inevitable break in Western resistance. Facing little domestic pressure to end the war, Putin is operating as if he can outlast the Western alliance.

“I think the jury is still out on whether [Biden] can keep NATO unified,” said retired Brig. Gen. David Hicks, who commanded all U.S. and NATO forces tasked with training and advising the Afghan Air Force. “It’s only going to get more difficult going forward. Ukraine will have to show results with the aid they have received.”

In recent weeks, Kyiv has relentlessly called for equipment it believes it needs to contend with a larger war. It has received a pledge of Western tanks, though most will not reach the battlefield for months or even years. But, to this point, Ukraine has been rebuffed in its ask for fighter jets. A more pressing need has arisen as Russia intensifies its onslaught: ammunition.

There is real concern inside the White House about Europe’s ability to provide artillery ammunition and other aid to Ukraine. The continent’s defense-industrial base is stretched and some countries already say their stockpiles are tapped.

The war has exposed profound deficiencies in European countries’ capabilities and weapons stocks. And whether the U.S. defense industry can pivot fast enough — many think that it can’t.

While European capitals are looking at Washington to fill the gap, the administration has pushed back at allies to do more, noting that the war could stretch well into 2024 and beyond. Administration officials insist that they will not pressure Ukraine to negotiate, even as some diplomats have speculated that a deal could be put forth to restore the borders at the start of the war: Ukraine would regain its territory in the east and south but Russia would keep Crimea.

In a private Zoom meeting Wednesday with outside experts, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Ukraine’s recapture of Crimea is a red line for Putin. That’s one reason why the U.S. is encouraging Kyiv to focus on where the majority of the fighting is, even if Washington still says any and all decisions on countering Russia are Ukraine’s decision alone.

But the reality Biden will confront in Poland is that Zelenskyy has made clear that he will not negotiate until all of Ukraine’s territory is restored — all but ensuring that the war will stretch into the distant horizon.

“We’re in this for the long-haul and it’s going to grind on for quite some time,” said Rachel Rizzo, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center. If Western support starts to fade away, “there’s no denying that it will have an effect on both the outcome and the length of the war.”

Click to expand...

Chevalier said:

Could east Palestine have been due to terrorism?
or is USG now using its controlled mouthpieces in the right wing to maintain internal order by spreading rumours of terrorist attacks?

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1627447024386822146

Click to expand...