In the previous post, What's Behind The Talk Of Negotiations? we devoted a fair amount of space to the new study that was published by the Rand Corporation. The study focused on a cost/benefit analysis for America in a protracted war with Russia. Naturally, in accordance with Western conventions, the issue wasn’t framed that way. It was framed as helping Ukraine resist “unprovoked” aggression from Russia—as if there was no pre-history to this war, as if NATO had not been actively promoting economic and political warfare against Russia with Ukraine as a proxy, and as if NATO had not been preparing for the very real possibility of a Russian military response to all this. In fact, it appears likely that an eventual Russian military response was exactly what NATO desired, in order to provide a pretext for a massive sanctions/military conflict that would destroy the Russian Federation as it currently exists.
It appears that the delusional interpretation of NATO’s capabilities are absolute, TGP is quoting a NATO Admiral as saying that they are “ready” for a direct confrontation with Russia. All the various interpretations of the war in Ukraine aside, these people have an abiding and psychotic death wish which they are hell bent on drawing the rest of the world into. They are looking at insanity in the rear view mirror! How the hell did people like this wind up in charge of anything, let alone NATO?
I keep remembering the image of Slim Pickens character riding an atomic bomb to its target in the movie Dr. Strangelove, apparently his character wasn’t fictional.
"it is now very much in Russia’s favor to continue the war militarily." Russia has every reason to be delighted at the daily destruction to the economy and military of the West. We are left with the Afghanistan option. Declare victory and pull out.
One would think that, when a think tank founded by the likes of Hap Arnold, the head of Douglas Aviation and Curtis freaking LeMay finds a war it DOESN’T like, even the most-hawkish might take heed. That would be rational, though. For these freaks at State, the hatred of Russia and its culture is personal/visceral, to ALL of our detriment.
Great summary as ever Mark. You bring together all the best analysts of this appalling situation. In a sane world, the MSM would be doing this kind of digging. The neocons are psychopaths, and like most psychopaths, believe that they are much cleverer and in control than they really are. Your suggestion that Garagegate is a back-alley way to get Biden and the Neocons (sounds like an 80s New Wave group, doesn't it?) out of the way is intriguing and is as good as any other explanation I've heard of so far. It must be galling for Nuland and Co. to realise that their lifelong object of hatred, Russia, is actually being strengthened by their actions and will almost certainly come out on top in Ukraine. These people need to have their hands removed from the levers of power forever - with extreme prejudice - before they do something even crazier.
The US Military has been castrated, and it’s more focused on dealing with diversity shibboleths and preparing for their move to private industry upon retirement, than preparing for war.
Perhaps the US military is worried about being dragged into a war they know will humiliate them, but I don’t see that level of self awareness.
The idea of making Kamala Potus, which would cause a clean out of the people she feels have humiliated her, makes sense. She has a high turn over of personal already as vp, and seems to be a dysfunctional and toxic leader / manager.
Thanks for your ongoing info review, gathering and sharing Mark.
Internal US Leadership/administration conflicts while hundreds of thousands of Ukraine (and many other of their neighbors) lives are lost... This as seen from afar -if you will Historically in process- looks a lot like the 20th Century enemies the USA engaged and defeated. We've certainly seen many of those processes perpetrated on the world put into play today: from Revisionist-history (on the fly, too), projection taken to incredible levels (*Those MAGA Neo-Fascists!* while being very, very fascist-like in behavior and function- 'Covid...'), Stasi-like Alphabet agency corruption/usage against citizenry, censorship Extraordinaire (etc.) to running wars that empower 'leadership' at the expense of (fortunately thus far 'only just') hundreds of thousands of lives.
"But, smart-phones!" that have wonderful games, social media videos and distractions a-plenty to pacify the not-educated but instead ideology-trained (i.e. blinded) 'voters' keeping this regime (and, if you will, enabling the Cabal) going. "Build Back Better" turns out to be quite a program...
I'll add the WEF/Davos/Soros element is happening if not parallel, in concert with this demise of our Constitutional Republic. "Let's call it 'democracy'" seems to work; funny that such democracy was specifically targeted for exclusion in our founding. (You recall, "Representative Republic" was intentional, but don't expect a 2022 college grad to understand). I guess one might say, in light of this History-in-the-making 'USA-Demise' review, it seems to be some-what functioning (if not fully working).
My best wishes for all who share in Mark's Meaning In History writings. There is hope - look at the fact we're able (still) to be here reading and writing openly. (WRH)
Well, whoever it is among the US power elite that would force Biden from office, they now have the DOJ and FBI on their side as they continue to search for (and find) more classified documents at Biden's residences and depositories. The latest finds are reported to be handwritten notebooks with classified information but without classification markings. Imagine that.
The remaining data point is Biden announcing his run for reelection or bowing out due to (fill in the blank) concerns. That decision would seem to indicate the winner of the behind-the-scenes struggle. But then what about VP Harris? Where does she fit in in all of this? Is she intelligent, conniving, and connected enough to be coordinating the leaking? Harris is an Obama protege, while Sullivan and Nuland are servants of Hillary. Probably no love lost there.
It appears that the delusional interpretation of NATO’s capabilities are absolute, TGP is quoting a NATO Admiral as saying that they are “ready” for a direct confrontation with Russia. All the various interpretations of the war in Ukraine aside, these people have an abiding and psychotic death wish which they are hell bent on drawing the rest of the world into. They are looking at insanity in the rear view mirror! How the hell did people like this wind up in charge of anything, let alone NATO?
I keep remembering the image of Slim Pickens character riding an atomic bomb to its target in the movie Dr. Strangelove, apparently his character wasn’t fictional.
"it is now very much in Russia’s favor to continue the war militarily." Russia has every reason to be delighted at the daily destruction to the economy and military of the West. We are left with the Afghanistan option. Declare victory and pull out.
Let’s top it off with this. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna67967
One would think that, when a think tank founded by the likes of Hap Arnold, the head of Douglas Aviation and Curtis freaking LeMay finds a war it DOESN’T like, even the most-hawkish might take heed. That would be rational, though. For these freaks at State, the hatred of Russia and its culture is personal/visceral, to ALL of our detriment.
Great summary as ever Mark. You bring together all the best analysts of this appalling situation. In a sane world, the MSM would be doing this kind of digging. The neocons are psychopaths, and like most psychopaths, believe that they are much cleverer and in control than they really are. Your suggestion that Garagegate is a back-alley way to get Biden and the Neocons (sounds like an 80s New Wave group, doesn't it?) out of the way is intriguing and is as good as any other explanation I've heard of so far. It must be galling for Nuland and Co. to realise that their lifelong object of hatred, Russia, is actually being strengthened by their actions and will almost certainly come out on top in Ukraine. These people need to have their hands removed from the levers of power forever - with extreme prejudice - before they do something even crazier.
Hearing Scott Ritter talk about what happens to women and children in the countries the US military intervenes in is heartbreaking.
The US Military has been castrated, and it’s more focused on dealing with diversity shibboleths and preparing for their move to private industry upon retirement, than preparing for war.
Perhaps the US military is worried about being dragged into a war they know will humiliate them, but I don’t see that level of self awareness.
The idea of making Kamala Potus, which would cause a clean out of the people she feels have humiliated her, makes sense. She has a high turn over of personal already as vp, and seems to be a dysfunctional and toxic leader / manager.
Thanks for your ongoing info review, gathering and sharing Mark.
Internal US Leadership/administration conflicts while hundreds of thousands of Ukraine (and many other of their neighbors) lives are lost... This as seen from afar -if you will Historically in process- looks a lot like the 20th Century enemies the USA engaged and defeated. We've certainly seen many of those processes perpetrated on the world put into play today: from Revisionist-history (on the fly, too), projection taken to incredible levels (*Those MAGA Neo-Fascists!* while being very, very fascist-like in behavior and function- 'Covid...'), Stasi-like Alphabet agency corruption/usage against citizenry, censorship Extraordinaire (etc.) to running wars that empower 'leadership' at the expense of (fortunately thus far 'only just') hundreds of thousands of lives.
"But, smart-phones!" that have wonderful games, social media videos and distractions a-plenty to pacify the not-educated but instead ideology-trained (i.e. blinded) 'voters' keeping this regime (and, if you will, enabling the Cabal) going. "Build Back Better" turns out to be quite a program...
I'll add the WEF/Davos/Soros element is happening if not parallel, in concert with this demise of our Constitutional Republic. "Let's call it 'democracy'" seems to work; funny that such democracy was specifically targeted for exclusion in our founding. (You recall, "Representative Republic" was intentional, but don't expect a 2022 college grad to understand). I guess one might say, in light of this History-in-the-making 'USA-Demise' review, it seems to be some-what functioning (if not fully working).
My best wishes for all who share in Mark's Meaning In History writings. There is hope - look at the fact we're able (still) to be here reading and writing openly. (WRH)
Well, whoever it is among the US power elite that would force Biden from office, they now have the DOJ and FBI on their side as they continue to search for (and find) more classified documents at Biden's residences and depositories. The latest finds are reported to be handwritten notebooks with classified information but without classification markings. Imagine that.
The remaining data point is Biden announcing his run for reelection or bowing out due to (fill in the blank) concerns. That decision would seem to indicate the winner of the behind-the-scenes struggle. But then what about VP Harris? Where does she fit in in all of this? Is she intelligent, conniving, and connected enough to be coordinating the leaking? Harris is an Obama protege, while Sullivan and Nuland are servants of Hillary. Probably no love lost there.