Not much is clear in the Caucasus this morning, except that Armenian claims to the Nagorno-Karabakh region are ended. The Artsakh military has capitulated—it really had no other option. The Armenian government had, nearly a year ago, agreed that the region is within the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan—this was done to put Armenia in conformity with EU positions. The current Armenian government is seeking EU membership and has determinedly distanced itself from its erstwhile protector, Russia. Why Armenia’s ruling elite thinks any of this is a good idea at this point in history is anyone’s guess. The supposition is that the Armenian government is responding to the influence of the Armenian diaspora in the West, which exercises considerable influence.
Hacks all dependant on sources, who in turn use the hacks to get out their message...David Ignatius recent WaPo editorial telling Biden "it's over" get out while you can is good example. He's the CIA "Tattler".
To me, Hersch article is official conformation of misalignment/disagreement/all out war between CIA and Defense/State/neocon team. CIA sending signal re: Ukraine, we're done, don't blame us.
It's the combination of the Ignatius and Hersch items that tells the tale.
Agree on earlier comments about Kiev and early negotiations. Clearly stopped by idiot Neocon team who thought (mistakenly) they were holding a winning hand following Russia's initial bumbling. Big whoops which they're now paying for dearly.
Well, Poland just officially announced that they will no longer arm Ukraine. This will open the way for other NATO countries to refuse. And with the US House moving toward denying further funding for the war, the writing is becoming clearer on the wall.
The problem for Zelensky is that he signed laws - yes laws - that prohibit negotiating with Russia. He did so under pressure from the Banderites who were suspicious of him from the start because he ran on a peace platform.
So what does Zelensky do if the funding dries up and the arms stop coming but he can't negotiate a peace deal? The Duran guys thought he would have to flee the country. I'm not sure he can cut and run at this point with 500,000 dead Ukrainians left in his wake. However, all of this is very hopeful for those of us who want an end to this horrific war.
Regarding Poland/Grain deal... Interesting how Duda gets "Nationalistic" during election season. Not sure I'm buying the US oversight of Poland's stance on all as I read. For example, threats to close the land bridge from Poland to Ukraine with military equipment et al. doesn't jive IMO with Zhou's willingness to continue to throw $$$ at Ukraine.
Regarding Armenia/Azer... I suspect Erdogan will play both sides of the fence as he often does milking both and proving unreliable even more so. I also suspect Nuland/Burns/Powell influence in Armenia. Saw a recent Soros photo with the President of Armenia too. US is looking to flank Russia.
Don't have a NYT subscription, but wow. What must it be like to sit in a lounge at Langley with your friends, while one of them texts the NYT liason to assemble a story using a "more cautious statement from a Ukrainian armed forces spokesperson"? I guess the thrill of writing the narrative must be... thrilling.
"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously attributed the attack to 'Russian terrorists' approximately two hours after the market was hit, an assertion largely accepted by Western nations. The NYT, in its current report, quoted a more cautious statement from a Ukrainian armed forces spokesperson, who indicated that the matter was still under investigation and no further information could be provided. Furthermore, the warhead that detonated in Kostyantynivka does not match the missiles typically used by the system, as noted by the US newspaper."
It's very sad to see a nation like Armenia, which has suffered so much during its history, committing Ukrainian-style suicide. The Duran chaps seem to think that Armenia's President is showing more stupidity than cunning. They compared him to the Georgian leader in 2008 who also thought he was a great statesman until the Russians cleaned his clock. Meanwhile, the EU seems to exchanging Armenia for Poland as a pliable member state. Poland, like Hungary, has no lasting home in the EU, and by the time Armenia joins - if it ever does - the EU probably won't exist.
Tx Mark for your digging in the weeds of this most frought region and all of its unpronounceable names, conflicted histories and unquiet instability…just ripe for our meddling! The twitter thread referring to Ukraine as a drowning man potentially pulling Poland under is priceless- as you point out, that ain’t exactly what the spin has been out of DC La-La Land…
Roundup: Armenia; Poland - Ukraine; Bee Up To Challenge
Hacks all dependant on sources, who in turn use the hacks to get out their message...David Ignatius recent WaPo editorial telling Biden "it's over" get out while you can is good example. He's the CIA "Tattler".
To me, Hersch article is official conformation of misalignment/disagreement/all out war between CIA and Defense/State/neocon team. CIA sending signal re: Ukraine, we're done, don't blame us.
It's the combination of the Ignatius and Hersch items that tells the tale.
Agree on earlier comments about Kiev and early negotiations. Clearly stopped by idiot Neocon team who thought (mistakenly) they were holding a winning hand following Russia's initial bumbling. Big whoops which they're now paying for dearly.
Seymour Hersch's latest....You Can't Handle the Truth
https://open.substack.com/pub/seymourhersh/p/zelenskys-bad-moment?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=8sef0
Come to think of it that’s 2 expensive jets lost in a week. One $80M in SC and one $53M in NY.
Well, Poland just officially announced that they will no longer arm Ukraine. This will open the way for other NATO countries to refuse. And with the US House moving toward denying further funding for the war, the writing is becoming clearer on the wall.
The problem for Zelensky is that he signed laws - yes laws - that prohibit negotiating with Russia. He did so under pressure from the Banderites who were suspicious of him from the start because he ran on a peace platform.
So what does Zelensky do if the funding dries up and the arms stop coming but he can't negotiate a peace deal? The Duran guys thought he would have to flee the country. I'm not sure he can cut and run at this point with 500,000 dead Ukrainians left in his wake. However, all of this is very hopeful for those of us who want an end to this horrific war.
Regarding the Bee... was so glad you included this today. Was just mentioning this in another blog a couple of days ago whether they would "weigh in".
Regarding Poland/Grain deal... Interesting how Duda gets "Nationalistic" during election season. Not sure I'm buying the US oversight of Poland's stance on all as I read. For example, threats to close the land bridge from Poland to Ukraine with military equipment et al. doesn't jive IMO with Zhou's willingness to continue to throw $$$ at Ukraine.
Regarding Armenia/Azer... I suspect Erdogan will play both sides of the fence as he often does milking both and proving unreliable even more so. I also suspect Nuland/Burns/Powell influence in Armenia. Saw a recent Soros photo with the President of Armenia too. US is looking to flank Russia.
Good BB headline about the F-35. It probably had the Weiner, Hillary and Hunter laptops onboard too.
Don't have a NYT subscription, but wow. What must it be like to sit in a lounge at Langley with your friends, while one of them texts the NYT liason to assemble a story using a "more cautious statement from a Ukrainian armed forces spokesperson"? I guess the thrill of writing the narrative must be... thrilling.
"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously attributed the attack to 'Russian terrorists' approximately two hours after the market was hit, an assertion largely accepted by Western nations. The NYT, in its current report, quoted a more cautious statement from a Ukrainian armed forces spokesperson, who indicated that the matter was still under investigation and no further information could be provided. Furthermore, the warhead that detonated in Kostyantynivka does not match the missiles typically used by the system, as noted by the US newspaper."
It's very sad to see a nation like Armenia, which has suffered so much during its history, committing Ukrainian-style suicide. The Duran chaps seem to think that Armenia's President is showing more stupidity than cunning. They compared him to the Georgian leader in 2008 who also thought he was a great statesman until the Russians cleaned his clock. Meanwhile, the EU seems to exchanging Armenia for Poland as a pliable member state. Poland, like Hungary, has no lasting home in the EU, and by the time Armenia joins - if it ever does - the EU probably won't exist.
Tx Mark for your digging in the weeds of this most frought region and all of its unpronounceable names, conflicted histories and unquiet instability…just ripe for our meddling! The twitter thread referring to Ukraine as a drowning man potentially pulling Poland under is priceless- as you point out, that ain’t exactly what the spin has been out of DC La-La Land…
We couldn't possibly be involved in domestic Armenian politics, could we?
And why would we want to destabilize Armenia's relationship with Russia?
Has anybody seen Barack's BFF, Samantha Power, in Yerevan?
She couldn't possibly be involved could she?
https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/jul-13-2023-administrator-samantha-power-meets-armenian-secretary-security-council-armen-grigoryan