Defence

2024-12-20

Ukraine / Syria centre stage, and President Putin setting out his analysis.

There's much power-play going on behind closed doors, largely unknowable. The only thing obvious is that there is no going back to the status quo ante.

And what exactly is "Greater Turkey"?

First up: Pepe Escobar

Then Scott Ritter at 61 minutes.

(187 minutes)

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2024-12-17

French and now German governments gone, what better time for Starmer to rejoin the UK into the collapsing EU? Would you bet against it?

"German lawmakers voted to dissolve the existing government by a vote of 394 to 207, with 116 abstaining"

No small margin then.

"... the political uncertainty could last for months"

Is this what happens when green pie-in-the-sky meets putting bread on the table?

Oh dear. Russia is beginning to look like a bastion of stability, with China not far behind.

Still, with the EU Commission and the EU Parliament, what need for national governments?

ZeroHedge

2024-12-16

A block buster report this week from Ben, naming big names and sharing big goings-on, including (but by no means limited to) his view on the developments in Syria.

These are indeed momentous times. (Modest subscription required for full access)

Don't miss.

2024-12-16

Mark Rutte, the much loved Prime Minister of whom the Dutch have only recently rid themselves, has been appointed to head up NATO (well, there was a vacancy and Mark was available - one can't let senior figures like Mark fend for themselves on the open market).

True to form he is now making waves across NATO with his demand to put the organisation "on a war footing" to deal with the perceived threat from those dastardly Russians. Yes, he's at least five years (probably ten) too late to build the necessary European armaments industry to a size and capability capable of matching the Russians, but like Ed Milliband, he can commandeer as much money as it takes to deal with this existential threat.

"Ukrainians are fighting against Russian swarms of drones. That’s what we need to be prepared for"

But wait - isn't Climate Change also an imminent existential threat?

Doesn't Ed Milliband have priority as the

2024-12-15

How else can light be used to affect us?

Turns out, it can affect our behaviour.

You'll never look at an LCD screen (TV, smartphone, computer. laptop, tablet) in the same light again...

(12 minutes)

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2024-12-13

The sudden collapse of Syria took nearly everybody by surprise, changing the dynamic of geopolitics in the Middle East almost overnight.

In fact, the events were so fast so unexpected and so dramatic that "conspiracy theorists" are naturally looking behind the reported events, to see whether the motivations of both the participants and non-participants might indicate explanations other than the "collapse due to internal endemic corruption" narrative so far put forward.

Danny Haiphong / Brian Berletic discuss.

(1 hr 50 mins)

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...

2024-12-12

If you have not already, read "They are Here" before going further.

So - it's likely to be not only a meeting of civilisations (if our current status can be so described) but also a meeting of advanced technologies, very different cultural and societal norms (will the Germans still be able to bag the best poolside/beach seats?), not to mention communication norms enabling multiplicitous methods of generating misunderstandings.

What could possibly go wrong?!

"Huge, species level, existential challenges are just ahead. Right over there. Go look over that hill, you’ll see it coming ...  Look inward, to see your way out"

(NB: speaking of problematic

2024-12-10

Two videos from Scott Ritter on one subject on one day may seem excessive, but it's hard to overstate the changes that have been wrought in the Middle East by the Syrian collapse.

It's no exaggeration to say that the politics of the region have been reversed, thrown into turmoil. The situation will take time to settle into some semblance of clarity.

Syria overthrown, Hezbollah cut off from Iran's supplies, pressure on Israel's Netanyahu massively eased, and the Israelis losing no time in taking ground in Syria and bombing military installations apparently almost unopposed.

Not to mention the pressure now being turned on Iran.

This video explores the political fall-out from the recent events, the roles played by Russia and Turkey, and not least by President Assad.

What future now for the Palestinians of Gaza and the West Bank?

The Tucker-Lavrov Interview

2024-12-10

Scott Ritter explains the many ins and outs of the lightning insurgency that toppled the Assad government.

"Nobody anticipated this happening"

(37 minutes) 

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ZeroHedge comments on how order might eventually be restored...   if not already too late.

2024-12-09

In one of the most illuminating posts for a long time, Ben reveals his viewpoint that the world is undergoing a seismic political realignment, of which the fall of Damascus is but the first and most obvious major element.

That Russia should have supported it speaks volumes, and may perhaps give the lie to the notion that Israel was behind it.

The next weeks and months will see huge changes.

(Modest subscription required for full access)

2024-12-09

"... contacts in Damascus strongly suggest a transition of power deal has already been made"

A deal that would seem to be primarily to Israel's advantage. 

ZeroHedge reports.

Zerohedge updates.

"... a US-designated terrorist has emerged as the current de facto ruler of Damascus and of Syria"

Vanessa Beeley, long-time independent journalist, comments (Telegram).

"Hamas celebrated the 'freedom of Syria'

2024-12-07

The Middle East / West Asia is being recast...

Turkey has invaded Syria and it seems Russia gave the green light

2024-12-03

Scott Ritter and Andrei Martyanov find themselves in much agreement on what has been going on, and where it is likely to go.

"I'm pretty sure that everything is all coordinated now..."

(104 minutes)

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2024-12-01

ZeroHedge summarises the latest attacks that have seen control of significant parts of Aleppo (including the airport) pass to the jihadists. It seems that whilst attention was distracted elsewhere, Syria neglected to keep a sufficient garrison in Aleppo and the attack was quickly accomplished.

Reportedly the attack benefitted from intelligence supplied by Turkey, a NATO member.

2024-12-01

What does the future hold for our benighted world?

When all the talk is talk of war, who will dare to talk of peace?

When even talk of previously unthinkable nuclear exchanges is on the table, who will insist on talking of peace?

What money can talk louder than the threat of nuclear Armageddon?

What does the failure of the UK Whole of Government audit along with the failure of the US Pentagon audit tell us about the government priorities on both sides of the Atlantic?

2024-12-01

Mike Yeadon on his Telegram Channel pulls up a couple of interesting articles that go to the heart of the factors that make a scamdemic possible - or in opposition, impossible.

Enjoy!

First up - how they may likely have done it first time around, the 1918 Spanish Flu (and did much the same the Covid time around). At least we were (mostly) spared the spraying of poisonous substances everywhere (unless perhaps we lived in certain parts of China).

Secondly - how to avoid falling for it all. The number one attribute that parents and teachers must develop in our kids to equip them to spot and sidestep these pan-societal illusions with an appropriate degree of nonchalance.

As the immortal

2024-11-29

With Ukraine facing defeat and Israel on the back foot after 70 years of expansion and sporadic conflict, Iran now takes centre stage of global geopolitics, as they have convincingly demonstrated the technical superiority of their weaponry over the Israelis.

It is no exaggeration to say that the legendary Israeli invincibility has been stopped.

Where the Middle East (now redubbed "West Asia" for reasons uncertain) goes from here is unclear, but Iran does seem to be the pivot point of undeniable influence. 

Pepe Escobar reviews the ensuing geopolitical activity, and the options that may develop.

(20 minutes)

...

2024-11-29

Nick Hubble notes the opioid smuggling into the USA (not to mention Europe & UK).

Trump's proposed import tariffs are being leveraged by the need to stop this trade,  the precursors to fentanyl being reportedly sourced from Chinese factories.

The Chinese were on the receiving end of the original opium wars, prosecuted by the British, and others in their interests of trading Chinese tea silk etc not for the silver that the Chinese demanded, but for the opium grown by the British in India.

"History rhyming to an extraordinary extent"

(14 minutes)

...

2024-11-27

Scott Ritter assesses the new ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah. Will it hold? Will it lead to a permanent peace? Or will it revert to more conflict? Who benefits?

(77 minutes)

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