12 Comments
author

Based on the tenor of comments on this thread, I'd like to recommend two videos, each a little over an hour long.

1. John Mearshimer: "The Great Delusion: Liberal Dreams and International Realities."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrE_RPNogG4

This video is more wide ranging than the title suggests. Although M. proclaims himself a good liberal (Dems and GOPers are all liberals in this philosophical sense) he also provides a trenchant critique of liberalism/libertarianism--that it's fundamentally hegemonistic and intolerant. Be patient, but the lecture moves right along. He's not totally consistent, and his philosophy only goes so far, but it will get you thinking about both grand strategy as well as the philosophical foundations of a good human society. Lecture lasts 52 minutes before questions.

2. Scott Ritter and The Battle of the Donbas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5RKNoIhE40&ab_channel=GonzaloLira

I found the portion from about 33:00 on to be especially good, because there he's beyond the current situation and talking about broader issues for the future of Europe and Russia. He has provocative things to say about a number of topics. Things to think about if you're interested in grand strategy.

Expand full comment

Been reading post over at the Saker since Mark mentioned it a while back. It certainly has a spin that you want to be aware of, but they seem to have some interesting nuggets from time to time. Example: the insinuation that the RF is using chem weapons seems to get amplified as there are claims of not only Azov hiding in underground tunnels below a factory in Mariupol, but there seems to be some believable information that there are other non-UFA forces there with them as well. Will be interesting to see what pans out.

https://thesaker.is/sitrep-operation-z-8/

"Also this information is unconfirmed but this is the rumor going around:

“The Nazi drowning operation is said to begin today in Mariupol..

At least ten fire engines to be either on the road or already at the factory to start pumping water from the river or sea and pumping water to above-ground ventilation shafts that carry fresh air to the cavernous network of tunnels below the Azovstal metallurgical complex..

If Azov close the ventilation shafts, they will drown within a few days. If they do not close the ventilation shafts, they will drown in a few days. In any case, the siege of the factory will be terminated in such a way that the factory itself can remain intact..”

Also, I've been watching Patrick Lancaster's reporting from Mariupol. He's on YT and does a lot of interviews of the locals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eim2BIliwmA

So, I'm not saying everything is believable, but it certainly has more credibility compared with the obvious propaganda the fake news is feeding us.

Expand full comment

I would not be surprised if tear gas was being used to clear the tunnels.

The us did something similar in Vietnam.

https://www.nytimes.com/1965/10/09/archives/tear-gas-used-by-us-in-search-for-vietcong-us-troops-in-vietnam-use.html

Expand full comment

That was my thought too, but any excuse that chemical weapons are being used would be something they would want to completely avoid, hence water. Could be all bs. I guess we’ll see. Maybe??

Expand full comment

In his excellent book The Hundred-Year Marathon: China's Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower, Michael Pillsbury wrote of the potential future jamming of our GPS by the Chinese.

Expand full comment

As a Brit I am heartily ashamed of how my government has ramped up the rhetoric. As for our media - it is impossible to watch or read anymore and I can no longer tolerate the company of anyone who has bought into it. I've been politically homeless since Mar 2020 but now I'm researching countries to move to if they'll have me.

Expand full comment

As to leaving the US, you might just as well lock your bedroom door and stick your fingers in your ears. They ain't no place else to go, that's why we got to work so hard to keep it.

Expand full comment
author

Just as we learned a lot about our rulers during Trump's administration and the Covid regime, so now we're learning a lot about our rulers during this war.

Expand full comment

"Russia is interfering with the US proxy war on Russia," he said.

Fixed it for you, Gen. Thompson.

Expand full comment
RemovedApr 13, 2022·edited Apr 13, 2022
Comment removed
Expand full comment

You sound just like my brothers. One was on the Dallas in the early 90’s. The other was on the Eisenhower 90-92

Expand full comment
Comment removed
Expand full comment

I second your suggestion, all the more so as “con” in French means “idiot!”

Expand full comment
Comment removed
Expand full comment

As in a very vulgar curse word in French.

Expand full comment