U.S. Vice President JD Vance has held up a mirror to Europe's 'elite' which did not like to acknowledge what could be seen in it: Minions, a lot of minions.
"But our common values?" cried Christoph Heusgen, the chairman of the Munich Security Conference.
What values Mr. Heusgen? Those displayed daily, with your applause, by the European colonists in Palestine?
"Like a headless chicken," is what the German broadsheet Frankfurter Allgemeine called the reaction of Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The descriptions fits to (nearly) all European leader.
Today U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Saudi Arabia. They will talk like grownups, EU be damned, and find ways to achieve peace in Ukraine and elsewhere.
The Europeans are aghast that they are not invited to take part in the talks.
But why would one invite parties to peace talks when they want nothing more than to sabotage those? The EU's foreign representative Kaja Kallas, a former mayor of Baltic villages, dreams of breaking up Russia into smaller states. How could Russia ever seriously negotiate with such people?
Today the Europeans will huddle in Paris to find some, any, way to get out of the mess. It won't work unless they acknowledge that the war in Ukraine has been lost.
The U.S. has recognized that there aren't enough troops, money or will to achieve a better negotiation position for what's left of Ukraine. The European 'elite' still fails to get that.
Any prolongation of the war will lead to more losses of land to Russia. Will it take the fall of Odessa for the Europeans to be finally ready for talks?
There are still dreams of 'security guarantees' which would be given to Ukraine after it files for peace or surrenders.
No such guarantees would make any sense. When peace is achieved there will be only one manner that can prevent a new outbreak of war: good behavior towards Russians and Russia by what will be left of Ukraine.
Failing that no European battalions strewn over Ukraine could prevent or even hinder another special military operation.
The U.S. negotiation team handed the Europeans a list of questions that will hopefully help them to come to grips with that:
The United States has sent European governments a set of questions about what they would need from the U.S. in order to provide Ukraine with security guarantees.A U.S. State Department spokesperson said that Washington "has been clear that we expect European partners to take the lead in establishing a durable security framework and look forward to their proposals."
Here are the questions with answers by me in Italic:
1) What do you view as a Europe-backed security guarantee or assurance that would serve as a sufficient deterrent to Russia while also ensuring this conflict ends with an enduring peace settlement?There is no Europe-backed guarantee possible that would be a 'sufficient deterrent'.
2) Which European and/or third countries do you believe could or would participate in such an arrangement?
Each could provide a few dozen soldiers (plus rotations). None has the size of forces and/or stamina to really commit to the mission.
Are there any countries you believe would be indispensable?
The U.S. - if it would give nuclear guarantees to prevent the eventual annihilation of any 'security guarantee' force.
Would your country be willing to deploy its troops to Ukraine as part of a peace settlement?
No!
3) If third country military forces were to be deployed to Ukraine as part of a peace arrangement, what would you consider to be the necessary size of such a European-led force?
500,000 men, i.e. about the same size as the Russian forces in that theater.
How and where would these forces be deployed and for how long?
No idea. Any stationary deployment would be open to a Russian surprise attack. A forever roving force is thinkable but not practicable.
4) What actions do U.S., allies and partners need to be prepared to take if Russia attacks these forces?
Nuke Russia and risk being nuked back.
5) What, if any, U.S. support requirements would your government consider necessary for its participation in these security arrangements?
Nukes and the will to use them. Plus satellite based intelligence to have at least some warning.
Specifically, which short-term and long-term resources do you think will be required from the U.S.?
See above.
6) What additional capabilities, equipment and maintenance sustainment options is your government prepared to provide to Ukraine to improve its negotiating hand and increase pressure on Russia?
Never ending bickering.
I am sure the questions above, as cited by Reuters, are not meant to really be answered.
They are supposed to induce some realist thinking.
Applying such one will come to the conclusion that nothing but a long term peace agreement, which does not necessitate 'guarantees', makes any sense.
Posted by b on February 17, 2025 at 15:04 UTC | Permalink
next page »Faced with losing the mighty petrodollar, America has come to its senses at long last. The Euro and Sterling going the way of the Peso and Lira unless they come to their senses. With super gynaecologist Von Der crazy and pedo Stormer at the helm, the land of sense is a long way off.
Posted by: Ogre | Feb 17 2025 15:19 utc | 1
I don't really share b's optimism, while Lavrov may be able to negotiate as an adult 'Narco Marco' and his staff so far have reflected a truly deep ignorance about any non-American viewpoint and an abysmal lack of interest in developing that sense.
Posted by: Brian Bixby | Feb 17 2025 15:21 utc | 2
re: "But our common values?"
No, the US is not a member of a worthless bloc, with Ursula running about, whereas the US is a sovereign nation, like some European countries used to be.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Feb 17 2025 15:21 utc | 3
I'm watching DW News from February 16. Their reporter is in Kiev asking Ukies what outcome they're expecting from the US-Ru talks in Saudi Barbaria from which Zelenski is excluded.
NONE of them know what to expect and most have adopted a "wait and
see" attitude. One woman got it right though. She said "It's as if the
war is a hockey game and Ukraine is the puck."
The people around her nodded in agreement...
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Feb 17 2025 15:22 utc | 4
"Make America Great Again" implies America is not great at the
moment. But recognizing the problem allows taking the necessary action
to solve it.
Europe has not yet gotten that far; they are still acting as if they matter.
Posted by: Passerby | Feb 17 2025 15:23 utc | 5
The USA [Vance] dressed down Europe to shift the blame for NATO's loss, in spite of the USA running the show.
Whipping the slaves didn't help the Confederacy to win their Civil War.
If Trump thinks that his kicking of Europe will change Russia's calculus for a negotiated settlement he is surely mistaken.
Who was this "wake up call" circus meant to impress? There is very little upside to bad diplomacy.
Posted by: too scents | Feb 17 2025 15:28 utc | 6
Good Day B and thanks for the posting
I find this all real strange that Rubio is in KSA to talk with Russia about a problem that the US says in not their problem and we know of no negotiations between Russia and the EU that seem to want to keep the problem festering....Why?
When are we ever going to talk about forms of social organization based on public/private finance?
Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 17 2025 15:28 utc | 7
Seeing that pretentious cuck cry while cringingly referring to that corrupt thief Zelenski as the voice of reason on European values is the most disgusting thing a self respecting European could ever witness, (right after the pointless murder of half a million Slavs of course, the two ignominies being directly related, as fruit of the same depravity and delusion).
If there are any self respecting German Europeans left, they better vote with their heads next week, and banish all pathetic losers like that man to the sewers of history where they belong.
Posted by: Rubiconned | Feb 17 2025 15:35 utc | 8
b with much respect, I beg to differ. Lavrov will talk like a grown
up. Rubio will talk like the petulant racist little brat that he is.
Any one watching his anti-china rant has realized that he is a lying
little climber NOT a "diplomat." I nevertheless salute you with my
best single malt.
Posted by: Formerly Miss Lacy | Feb 17 2025 15:36 utc | 9
Well, seems we are now witnessing the fear of Macron back in late 2019, of the 'braindead NATO' scenario materializing.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50335257
Posted by: unimperator | Feb 17 2025 15:37 utc | 10
@ psychohistorian | Feb 17 2025 15:28 utc | 7
re: we know of no negotiations between Russia and the EU
That's because the EU is a worthless bloc, not a sovereign nation like Russia. . .see my #3.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Feb 17 2025 15:37 utc | 11
Now Rubio and Lavrov will talk like adults as b. writes.
They will talk until Easter, but they will not solve anything.
Then, since UK and EU want to continue the war, Trump will abandon
Ukraine accusing UK and EU of having put spokes in the wheels.
Trump will say that this war is not his war but Biden's and will dedicate himself to something else.
The war will continue encouraged by UK and EU.
They will lose it even more.
They will lose even more territory.
They will also lose Odessa.
Then it will be over.
When Mister Putin deems it appropriate.
Posted by: kammamuri | Feb 17 2025 15:39 utc | 12
The real question is at this stage who is Zelensky representing?
If he wanted to have a negotiating position with the Rus he would have jumped on giving US a license on the mineral deposits in Ukraine. Starting with those Ukraine still occupies east of the Dnipro.
Posted by: Jerr | Feb 17 2025 15:44 utc | 13
Posted by: Jerr | Feb 17 2025 15:44 utc | 15
Zelensky has always been more of a UK MI6 asset. Scott Ritter actually made a deep investigative serious about it maybe a year ago. Zelensky was shipped to take orders from MI6 leader, Richard Moore, before SMO began.
Posted by: unimperator | Feb 17 2025 15:46 utc | 14
The Neo-Nazi dictator Zelensky is in for a shock - he knows his time as ruler of Ukraine is nearing its end.
"Kiev will not recognize any agreements that could be reached between Russia and the US during talks in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky told journalists on Monday. The Ukrainian government will only acknowledge negotiations that involve Kiev’s representatives, he added.
Russia and the US have begun preparations for a meeting between presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump that is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia. On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Yury Ushakov, Putin’s top foreign policy aide, would travel to Riyadh to meet a US delegation and lay the groundwork for a presidential meeting."
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Feb 17 2025 15:46 utc | 15
The real question is at this stage who is Zelensky representing?
Posted by: Jerr | Feb 17 2025 15:44 utc | 15
---
Zelensky represents the bag.
Posted by: too scents | Feb 17 2025 15:46 utc | 16
Zelensky has always been more of a UK MI6 asset.
Posted by: unimperator | Feb 17 2025 15:46 utc | 16
---
Zelensky is a Krivoy Rog Jew.
Posted by: too scents | Feb 17 2025 15:49 utc | 17
Le Petit (Macron) - trying desperately to make himself appear relevant - when French troops are being kicked-out all across Africa.
"French President Emmanuel Macron has revealed that he has spoken on the phone with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to discuss the Ukraine conflict and the EU’s role in ending the hostilities. The call comes ahead of a meeting between US and Russian delegations in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, expected on Tuesday.
In a post on X on Monday Macron listed the topics covered in his call with bin Salman, including Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Regarding Ukraine, the French leader said he had discussed “the role Saudi Arabia could play in fostering a solid and lasting peace, with Europeans at the center of the process.”
US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg earlier suggested that European nations may not be included in the talks on Ukraine, stating that Washington doesn’t want to “get into a large group discussion.”"
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Feb 17 2025 15:50 utc | 18
Europe has a severe case of sunk cost fallacy going on. Things only get worse from here. If they were smart they would beat their chests, declare victory, and make whatever deal they can and STFU.
Posted by: CullenBaker | Feb 17 2025 15:50 utc | 19
Headline at Reuters this morning:
'UK offers peacekeeping troops for Ukraine.'
LONDON/PARIS, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Britain said it was ready to send peacekeeping troops to back up any peace deal for Ukraine as European leaders gathered on Monday to agree a unified strategy, while Russian and U.S. officials prepared to meet for their own competing talks.
The Europeans were holding an emergency summit in Paris to discuss their role in Ukraine's future after President Donald Trump's U.S. administration, Kyiv's main military backer, announced it would sit down with Russia to seek an end to thethree-year-old war. Russia has ruled out conceding territory.
- Mockingbird Reuters
Have I seen it all?!
Posted by: librul | Feb 17 2025 15:52 utc | 20
@ ThirdWorldDude | Feb 17 2025 15:39 utc | 14
Every rule has exceptions, make your day on that.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Feb 17 2025 15:52 utc | 21
B: "The U.S. has recognized that there aren't enough troops, money or will to achieve a better negotiation position for what's left of Ukraine. The European 'elite' still fails to get that."
Oh, au contraire dear B, they most certainly do get it. In that regard, what we are witnessing in real time are the mechanics of 'gradually, then suddenly'.
During the gradually phase, all manner of stop gaps, emergency measures, and last ditch efforts towards extending credit are employed to buy one last hour, one last day.
When it's finally all over, it's why the entire scaffolding comes down as if hit by an earthquake: a complete collapse as the rats try to flee the sinking ship.
Posted by: markw | Feb 17 2025 15:52 utc | 22
Hoarsewhisperer | Feb 17 2025 15:22 utc | 4
"She said "It's as if the war is a hockey game and Ukraine is the puck."
The people around her nodded in agreement..."
An entire pseudo-nation of degenerates wanted to be such a hockey puck. Most of them still want to be. Who knew Don Rickles was so prescient with that insult?
Posted by: Flying Dutchman | Feb 17 2025 15:53 utc | 23
It's a simple situation...the EU and UK don't have many deployable troops, and won't commit to any such deployment..As usual, they want America to do all their heavy lifting for them, which Vance has told them will not happen....So the EU meetings are just the usual circle jerk where they make stupid speeches and do nothing....
Posted by: pyrrhus | Feb 17 2025 15:56 utc | 24
Radio news said talks will begin tomorrow - both sides will be frantically trying to grab as much real estate as possible, to use as leverage in the talks - though Russia - is streets ahead in that department.
Lavrov will see what's on offer in Riyadh - and if its to Russia's liking - Russia is in the driving seat on this one - one just wonder what concession they'll give to Ukraine - the West and Ukraine, like the Zio-Nazi's, cannot be trusted to hold up their end of the bargain.
"A Russian team will hold talks with the US in Saudi Arabia primarily in order to find out what is being proposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump to settle the Ukraine conflict, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has confirmed.
On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Lavrov and Yury Ushakov, President Vladimir Putin’s top foreign policy aide, will head to Riyadh to meet with Trump officials to prepare the ground for an upcoming meeting of the two leaders. According to Peskov, the talks will also be devoted to the restoration of bilateral relations."
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Feb 17 2025 15:56 utc | 25
I don't know, I just find the hypocrisy fantastic. It can't go on and it won't go on forever.
If Russia staged coups and loaded Mexico and Canada with weapons aimed at the US and then sabotaged vital infrastructure and just continued lying about that Americans would be demanding everyone gets nuked.
Then, imagine after all of that failed miserably to produce the desired result Putin gallops in on his white horse with a peace negotiation that includes a demand of being REIMBURSED. Americans wouldn't know whether to shit or go blind.
Posted by: chunga | Feb 17 2025 15:58 utc | 26
Shakesperian
"It's as if the war is a hockey game and Ukraine is the puck."
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Feb 17 2025 15:22 utc | 4
Canada and USA are playing hockey. Canada prepared for a gentlemans game, USA prepared for war. America is favoured.
Posted by: steve | Feb 17 2025 16:00 utc | 27
Posted by: CullenBaker | Feb 17 2025 15:50 utc | 21
Reuters reported that EU will have to pay $3 trillion over next 10 years to keep the Ukrainian state viable. That is $300 billion per year on average.
But I don't really think keeping Ukrainian state viable is realistic at this point. It's obvious that 90% of all financial aid is stolen at this point. A lot of weapons are being sold in the black market. That means 90% of EU financial aid will go into a black hole, and the state will collapse anyway. Make no mistake, this financial aid also causes destruction for the EU. Ultimately it is a paradox to send $300 billion every year to an outside union country, while neglecting the tasks of internal wealth transfer, green energy, imploding industrial and export base, unlimited mass immigration, etc. So Ukraine is just an accelerator of EU self-implosion.
Zelensky is just nervous about himself, his life and his own assets he accumulated over past years (even before SMO). So is his team, and most officials in Ukraine.
The ONLY reason EU/Nato/USA (until the end of 2024) was funneling money to Ukraine was that they received guarantees from corrupt Ukrainian officials/military men to keep unlimited mobilization going on. The mobilization system has already imploded, they can't scrape together new units let alone maintain old ones. The Kursk adventure, starting in August 2024 was supposed to convince USA to keep support going. Later it morphed into clinging on to a few square meters of territory to be used as a 'bargaining chip' in an assumed negotiation. Now the Kursk territory isn't even talked about.
Posted by: unimperator | Feb 17 2025 16:01 utc | 28
According to Doctorow the US pointedly did not give the questionnaire to Rutte, thus further degrading NATO.
https://gilbertdoctorow.com/2025/02/16/europe-in-disarray-macron-rides-to-the-rescue/
"A second article entitled “US demands Europe set out arms and troops support for postwar…” gives us the further very curious information:
‘I’ve not seen [the questionnaire] myself, but I can totally understand that it would help to basically focus the conversation,’ said Mark Rutte, Nato’s secretary general.’
There you have it: Washington has cut the Nato secretary general off from the deliberations about security in post-war Ukraine! That is news all by itself which the FT has chosen not to comment upon."
Posted by: Flying Dutchman | Feb 17 2025 16:02 utc | 29
It won't work unless they acknowledge that the war in Ukraine has been lost.
There is an awful lot to explain to European voters. Unlike Trump they can't blame the previous idiot (well the current lot can't)
1) What do you view as a Europe-backed security guarantee or assurance that would serve as a sufficient deterrent to Russia while also ensuring this conflict ends with an enduring peace settlement?There is no Europe-backed guarantee possible that would be a 'sufficient deterrent'.
I am sure the questions above, as cited by Reuters, are not meant to really be answered.They are supposed to induce some realist thinking.
Posted by: Michael Droy | Feb 17 2025 16:06 utc | 30
Brussels - a shibboleth full of traitors and Atlanticists who've done the Yankees bidding for such a long time - that they don't know when to stop doing it - even after this Orange POTUS knows the games up with Ukraine in mind.
Its time for the good people of Europe to "Storm the Bastille" as the saying goes and drag these folk from office - for even if a deal is brokered over Ukraine - these vile, nasty, evil people - will still be in power in Europe - they need to be removed - along with any Yankee influences, and Russia needs to be welcomed into the European fold to create a strong, and prosperous continent - but this can only happen if Brussels is cleared out of those I mentioned in the first paragraph.
US meddling around the globe - has caused much pain and suffering.
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Feb 17 2025 16:07 utc | 31
I love how Trump and Vance are like : "you break it, you pay it" ...
forgetting than IRL they break it , they milked it and EU is already the
loan warrant of 404.
Funny game , did it work if I say : "NorthStream "you've broken it :
you'll pay for it and its consequences" ? Just to see the look on their
faces this would be epic. Unfortunately, UE "leaders" are not it fun
games :(.
Posted by: Savonarole | Feb 17 2025 16:09 utc | 32
When will Europeons protect themselves from if not retaliate against people who attack(ed) their critical energy infrastructure and fix their elections?
Without the capability and will to do that, the peons and eventually even their rulers will continue their downward trajectory.
Posted by: I forgot | Feb 17 2025 16:13 utc | 33
People in the MSM still don't get it: Trump is offering these "concessions" because he wants Russia onside (or at least neutral) for the big push against China.
The EUrowienies like Scholz and Micron are too politically invested in Ukraine's "victory" to change course publicly. The humiliation of backing down and changing course now! They'd lose what little credibility they have left.
Assuming the Deep State don't off Trump, I anticipate we'll see a mass wave of change in leadership across Europe as the old guard are deposed or resign and new, Trump-aligned vassals are put in their place.
Posted by: Observer | Feb 17 2025 16:14 utc | 34
Europe has a severe case of sunk cost fallacy going on. Things only get worse from here. If they were smart they would beat their chests, declare victory, and make whatever deal they can and STFU.
Posted by: CullenBaker | Feb 17 2025 15:50 utc | 19
Europe is being set up as the fall guy. Their Trump derangement syndrome used to be a strength - USAID paid very well. Europe will so predictably take the opposite tack for anything Trump says. Diplomatic judo.
Posted by: frithguild | Feb 17 2025 16:15 utc | 35
"What values Mr. Heusgen? Those displayed daily, with your applause, by the European colonists in Palestine?"
Applies to the whole of western imperialism and it's center in DC.
"4) What actions do U.S., allies and partners need to be prepared to take if Russia attacks these forces?
Nuke Russia and risk being nuked back."
Not risk getting nuked back, but a guaranteed Russian nuclear response.
Again, the euro elites of the nasty Biden vintage are all antisocial dog shit. They simply need to be cleared from the political landscape to allow the natural, inevitable historical process to proceed in Ukraine.
Unless they are contemplating a collective Jonestown type suicide in Paris today, they are probably still missing the point.
Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Feb 17 2025 16:20 utc | 36
500, 000!?
Why would you need that number to essentially police the withrawal of Ukrainians and Russians to their barracks?
Both sides will have signed and agreed to terms. It would simply be a
matter of verifying that status, admittedly over a wide area but focus
on within 300 km of the agreed border.
The entire Gendarmerie Nationale of France is 100, 000. Even that to me is excessive, certainly after it stabilized.
A big question is who?
I do not believe that the Russians would agree to ANY UK troops (Or
French or Poles or Germans) from Europe. THEY WERE COMBATANTS!
So, outside of europe? Asia (China?) Arabs Turkey Belarus Indonesia is
what Im thinking . Maybe some more neutral countries like Ireland (do a
good job in Lebanon) Swiss, Serbis Hungary, maybe Italy?
I think Russia will also make sure it is a UN sanctioned force.
Posted by: intp1 | Feb 17 2025 16:20 utc | 37
In all fairness, that is perhaps the strongest commonality (although at least europe is slightly better in more recognition of Palestine): "What values Mr. Heusgen? Those displayed daily, with your applause, by the European colonists in Palestine?"
As for the needs from the usa for "security guarantees," how are going to do with a trade war?
Posted by: Sal | Feb 17 2025 16:21 utc | 38
@ psychohistorian | Feb 17 2025 15:28 utc | 7 - "When are we ever going to talk about forms of social organization based on public/private finance?"
I'm sure he gets posted here, but I think you want to pay some attention to the speculations that Alex Krainer is coming out with. He's been in several interviews lately, the one with Ania K was pretty fascinating (the money talk starts from about 32 minutes in), and his Substack posts give some structure to what he's thinking - try this one:
Why US-Russia relations matter more than anyone knew?
~~
ps..I don't hit these comments much, just a lucky drive-by I saw yours, but greetings to you and all :)
Posted by: Grieved | Feb 17 2025 16:22 utc | 39
Europe and the US had the same masters with the US being the chosen tool of implementing their plans. The US has temporarily at least, thrown off the shackles and will no longer dance to their tune.
Posted by: CullenBaker | Feb 17 2025 16:25 utc | 40
Id love to see the two sociocidal maniacs Zelinsky and Yermak get the Gaddafi treatment at the hands of the Ukie wage slaves. There have never been two bigger traitors to their own people.
Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Feb 17 2025 16:29 utc | 41
As if British forces haven't already been deployed in some form or another in Ukraine - Starmer the ardent Zionist and US puppet can't wait to put boots on the ground.
"For the first time since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he is “ready and willing” to deploy troops to the Eastern European country to help guarantee its security.
In an article published on Sunday in the Daily Telegraph, Starmer offered British troops to help guarantee Ukraine’s security as part of any peace deal."
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Feb 17 2025 16:30 utc | 42
The only good question would be :
Are you ready to restore relations with Russia in a new security framework ?
The problem is that US itself is not ready for that.
Posted by: scc | Feb 17 2025 16:33 utc | 43
I am utterly shocked, Yves at Naked Capitalism just went our of her way to directly attack me with no warning and no request for a response!
I left the following as my response and final ever comment on her site, but she will probably just delete it.
This is truly sad, I used to respect you a lot but this is way beyond the pale. Attacking a commenter without providing any warning or right to respond, and after repeatedly deleting my other comments (including my response to your last comment above). You are utterly disrespecting the people who comment and telling them that only your viewpoint is acceptable. It’s your site so you can do what you want, but you have belittled yourself with this.Of course, you probably won’t allow this comment to stay up. I will desist from commenting further as you have shown that it is utterly pointless unless the party line is followed.
Posted by: Roger Boyd | Feb 17 2025 16:34 utc | 44
Quote
>From b
"What actions do U.S., allies and partners need to be prepared to take if Russia attacks these forces?
Nuke Russia and risk being nuked back."
Certainly not.
Russia would still be giving threat of enemy's annihilation but will do
nothing therefore england-her real enemy will be bold enough to organise
nuke attack on Russia by. 3rd party knowing that Russia has no guts to
use nuke even in retaliation.
Posted by: Sam | Feb 17 2025 16:36 utc | 45
If the EU insists on continued war against Russia why not declare war and be done with.
Posted by: stoic84 | Feb 17 2025 16:36 utc | 46
No even the vicissitudes that have tinkered around the peace talks today in KSA ought to bring the desired resolution prompted by the Supreme Commander in Chief, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin put forward back in July last year. Appalling decrepitude shall bear no costs when deaf ears have no boundaries.
Posted by: pepe | Feb 17 2025 16:40 utc | 47
You are always very important....
Until your not.
Anyone (even Einstein) can be replaced. Maybe not by 1 person immediately, but eventually, replaced.
Same goes for countries. France can be vital for an agreement, until
it has no say and the parties get along w/o Frances input. Goes for
any Euro country.
Posted by: BroncoBilly | Feb 17 2025 16:41 utc | 48
Faced with blah..blah America has come to its senses at long last. - Ogre 1
Uhm..this war, Crimean-War-2.0 was conducted in secret by a small cadre of DC/London insiders, a group of Anglophilic/English-schoolboys, a nexus of 3LAs/3LA-media-minions/DNCers/Cheney-Rs and fascist-minded-corporatists. That cadre does not describe America. Citizens of the US voted those people out in 2016 and only through massive voter fraud campaign did they return in 2020 and in 2024, once again Citizens of the US voted those people out. Since having been bamboozled in the Iraq-war and Obama, who was himself a 3LA cypher, Americans have wanted to remove the war party.
Once again, a small cadre of DC/London insiders, a group of Anglophilic/English-schoolboys do not describe "America". In spite of European efforts to describe a citizenry that pulled their collective chestnuts out of the fire...in cooperation with Russia as ignorant, when properly informed, American Citizens will do the right thing.
Posted by: S Brennan | Feb 17 2025 16:43 utc | 49
Sam@1636 Feb17
So you believe...or want to get others to believe...that the R.U. would not respond in kind to cruel nuke strikes on their homeland. What if Russia would take a middle course and send a gift-wrapped Oreshnik to that private bank in City of London which is calling all the shots? Would the collective wa$te comprehend the power which Russia can employ...even without using nukes?
Posted by: aristodemos | Feb 17 2025 16:45 utc | 50
However much I enjoy your work, b, this time I beg to differ. Nobody in Europe is about to wake up. They are stuck up to their necks in lala land, and no spreadsheet, no fanciful questions will wake them up. My experience with business people who are playing with their own money, and they own lives, is they already have tremendous difficulty extracting themsleves from sunken cost fallacies and failed projects.
European politicians who are playing with other people's money (fiat...) and the lives of people a few thousand kilometers away, and relying on bogus MSM information? I just don't see them doing it. They are totally unprepared to wake up. Their expertise is in groupthink and manipulating voters, not strategy or deep thinking. Expect them to sleepwalk into something, however counterproductive and stupid, as long as it lets them hang on to project Ukraine a little longer. Headless chickens all !
Posted by: Shahmaran | Feb 17 2025 16:46 utc | 51
@28 unimperator
"Ultimately it is a paradox to send $300 billion every year to an outside union country, while neglecting the tasks of..."
Which is why accession to EU, which has "over 75% support of EU population". Actual written debt to EU is around 50bn I think, plus another 100bn to others. The picture would be projected as EU picking up the pieces of whatever US-Russia agreement, i.e. they will be quite happy to play the part of reluctant saviours of rump Ukraine.
This accords them eventually a seat at the table as non-NATO security guarantors, something EU has not the authority to commit to at present anywhere. Therefore this would be used as impetus to create an EU military-security framework and its related legal authority.
They would not even have to step foot in rump Ukraine, it would be along territorial lines pre-agreed by all sides (except Ukraine itself, which is on the menu). The new force would be as much to keep any remaining Ukrainian rejection of the deal contained.
EU wants this.
The people of EU want this also , they are crying out in the streets for Ukraine to be EU, they want their own military, to fend off Russia and US and to protect from migrants and oppress the nation states that don't take the migrants instead. They want to make up to all the people their union got killed. They want the artificially dammed rivers of gas to be set free . They want to redeem their leaders and make them shining examples who only ever selflessly considered the future need to police the arms now trafficked across europe, who were willing to spend so much renovating hotels and boosting the spending of refugees in the local economy etc. /s
Posted by: Ornot | Feb 17 2025 16:51 utc | 52
Every rule has exceptions, make your day on that.Posted by: Don Bacon | Feb 17 2025 15:52 utc | 21
Acting humble and modest in front of more mighty and powerful than
oneself, while being pompous and aggressive against weaker parties, is a
trait of a clinical sociopath.
No wonder you're unable to see it, since your whole "civilization" is built around that kind of bigotry!
Posted by: ThirdWorldDude | Feb 17 2025 16:58 utc | 53
In a Kiev school, students performed a scene in which a “TCC employee” was knocked out with a punch to the face, the capital’s publics report. ➖➖➖➖➖Zin Note: The TCC are Ukraine’s draft police. They pull people from the street to take away to the front.
Posted by: unimperator | Feb 17 2025 16:58 utc | 54
#44
Roger Boyd
I'm not allowed to comment at NC myself cuz I dared to challenge Lambert over 'force the vote'.
The way she treats commenters is really something. Most of the time I can't even figure out who she's scolding--I read up thread for a clue and ? huh?
Didn't realize that was you this morning...welcome to the club I guess.
It's a small tragedy for me...I feel like it's my internet home and yet I'm not allowed.
Grateful b is more open but then, look at this place ")
Posted by: furies | Feb 17 2025 17:00 utc | 56
republicofscotland1607 Feb17
Question you might wanna ask yourself is the tiny matter of exactly who selected those Brussels micro-dick-taters? Second question is whether the sponsors of those administrative, managerial bureaucraps are still calling the shots from well behind the scenes...with several layers of cut-outs protecting their identities.
Hint: The orders are not being cut by the U$$A, which is merely the designated attack dog for the bank$ters cloistered in City of London.
Even on this site calling a spade a spade is not always sanctioned. Extremely doubtful that b has anything to do with the censoring I encountered when treading on gouty toes.
Posted by: aristodemos | Feb 17 2025 17:01 utc | 57
@ Grieved | Feb 17 2025 16:22 utc | 39 with the Alex Krainer link...thanks
I am starting to follow Alex more closely but haven't signed up yet....too many other things with higher priority.
Glad to see you still around....what is RFKjr going to do, eh?
Just how will the EU double down on support of Ukraine today?
Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 17 2025 17:01 utc | 58
2.0 million Military Forces NATO ex-USA. (Active and Ready Reserves)
That’s seems plenty.
Posted by: Exile | Feb 17 2025 17:04 utc | 59
During the U.S.’ unsuccessful war to keep Vietnam sundered, it operated air forces from 5 large airbases close to the war, and two large bases in the west Pacific.
That level of AirPower is needed for Kiev, but no bases exist even at Guam distance, much less close.
Kiev game was a bust from 22/2/2022.
Posted by: paddy | Feb 17 2025 17:05 utc | 60
ornot@1651 Feb 17
Where in hell's half acre did you come up with the presumption that a heavy majority of Europeans actually support the EU nonsense? You need to come up with some proofs of that presumption...and I would not consider polling by usual suspects as verifiable of that presumed nonsense.
Posted by: aristodemos | Feb 17 2025 17:05 utc | 61
The whole notion of "security guarantees" to the Ukraine is absurd. The only reason the Ukraine would need such guarantees is if it intends to provoke further trouble for Russia.
The Soviet frankenstein monsters now known as the Ukraine has to be dismantled. Regions with sustantial ethnic connections to neighboring states should be given the option of joining them be that Russia, Poland, Hungary and/or Romania.
Whatever reamins of the Ukraine should be permanently reconstituted as neutral and non-militarized, and placed under UN trusteeship managed by China.
Posted by: Figleaf23 | Feb 17 2025 17:05 utc | 62
@44 Roger Boyd
Agree with you wrt Naked Capitalism, and Yves’ sensitivities.
She appears to take disagreement personally.
The blog has an editorial policy and strict adherence to its agenda.
I spend little time there and very rarely click their selections.
Seem to have TDS
Posted by: paddy | Feb 17 2025 17:11 utc | 63
Now Baerbock is claiming EU plans €700 billion weapon package to Ukraine. That's crazy.
Where are they going to get 700 billion worth of weapons? Are they going to revalue old weapons to much higher price? From what funds?
Get your popcorn, while pension, social and health budgets among the bloc members collapse? How will French, Belgian, Netherlands, German and Swedish ghetto habitants react?
Posted by: unimperator | Feb 17 2025 17:12 utc | 64
@62
How about a dozen or so Kosovo counties and a Morganthau de industrialization plan.
Posted by: paddy | Feb 17 2025 17:14 utc | 65
Quote
"UK offers peacekeeping troops for Ukraine.'
LONDON/PARIS, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Britain said it was"
That is why england should have been attacked long time ago.In name
of this and that excuse it has infiltrated upto border region of Ukraine
and coward putin has not responded in kind to English aggression and
mi6 plotting of Ukraine war .
Russia has to destroy the enemy physically
Posted by: Sam | Feb 17 2025 17:17 utc | 66
@Posted by: paddy | Feb 17 2025 17:11 utc | 63
Most definitely TDS!
Posted by: Roger Boyd | Feb 17 2025 17:20 utc | 67
Reuters reported that EU will have to pay $3 trillion over next 10 years to keep the Ukrainian state viable. That is $300 billion per year on average.
Posted by: unimperator | Feb 17 2025 16:01 utc | 28
HoW ArE THeY GOinG tO PaY fOr It ?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Simple the ECB will do it by keystroking numbers into the Ukrainian
reserve account held by Ukraine at the ECB. Making sure the serf nations
within the EU are not paying for it.
Money isn't the problem here. The people , the skills the people currently have and the real resources needed to prop up the Ukrainian state are what they can run out of. That is the issue here.
Of course European businesses will be Q'ing round the block to get their hands on some of that €300 billion per year. That is being keystroked into the Ukrainian reserve account by the ECB.
It will be one giant grift to try and keep EU member states from going into recession. Those that don't export their way to growth within the Eurozone will depend on tourists as usual and end up facing severe austerity while exporters take all of the spoils.
Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Feb 17 2025 17:23 utc | 68
@66
Russia can just wipe out any Brit “peacekeepers” that set foot in the
ukraine. When UK families receive thousands of sealed caskets they will
finish the Starmer government themselves.
Posted by: Fred777 | Feb 17 2025 17:24 utc | 69
CullenBaker@1625 Feb17
Hear! Hear! You have precisely nailed it...depending on whether the American people have the stones to keep Trump on the correct nationalist path.
Posted by: aristodemos | Feb 17 2025 17:25 utc | 70
Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Feb 17 2025 17:23 utc | 68
And what will all these massive money printing operations do to the value of the Euro in relation to commodities or gold or the dollar?
I have been around long enough to see all EU 'projects', from hundreds of billions as aid to Africa to build wind mills and solar panels, 50 billion to chip making companies, COVID recovery funds, their various support to energy transition etc. What ends up happening is either the money disappears without results or it turns out to be most inefficient. I expect no difference in any money given to 'Ukraine'.
Posted by: unimperator | Feb 17 2025 17:27 utc | 72
The time for "Europe" to care about what was going on in the Ukraine was when Victoria Nuland was choosing the new junta to rule in Keiv and actively dismissing their role. Or in February 2014 when the nazis ignored the power-sharing agreement struck by Yanukovich. Or from 2015 to 2021 while Keiv was shelling civilians in the Donbass and violating the Minsk Accords. Or when the Biden regime instigated Keiv to build up forces on Russia's border in 2022. Or when Bidet proclaimed that Nordstream would be closed to prevent inexpensive energy from reaching Europe and lo and behold the pipeline was soon destroyed.
Europe's utter failure to act at any of those times justifies its exclusion now.
Posted by: Figleaf23 | Feb 17 2025 17:32 utc | 73
Lavrov and pesko are British agents inside Kremlin and Putin is too lazy to change such people in 15 years!!
Russia should fire the entire Foreign Ministry. And this is a
HISTORICAL MEME by now, Russian diplomats ALWAYS give away shit that the
military wins.
Lavrov made some ridiculous statement re: Syria about following some
worthless U.N. resolution, totally clueless. This is a huge defeat for
Russia on the international stage, BRICS and any claimed multi-polarity
have correspondingly just lost a shit-ton of momentum. I have lost faith
in Putin and Russia to make any difference in our chaotic world, Mordor
is winning.
Posted by: Sam | Feb 17 2025 17:32 utc | 74
Lavrov has a history and very nasty treacherous one
4/2014
What it is that lavrov is smoking ? Must be very potent hallucinogen. He
still talks of negotiation with Ukraine junta after Odessa atrocities
by the Zionist and fascists goons? Thereby giving legitimacy to the
kieve junta despite all crimes?
The east ukraininas shouldn’t wait for russian help because Rus
leadership is sold out and feel satisfied as junior member of west with a
few crumbs under the table- (though even then Russia will get nothing
–remember 90s ?) .
Posted by: Sam | Feb 17 2025 17:35 utc | 75
Warning given in 2014
Russian's lack of rearmament
5/2014.
I have been saying for a long time that rearmament programme of
Russia till 2020 is too slow and that anglos will strike before that to
dismantle Russia. not only that, russia herself has been too weakling
and accommodating to west so much that it betrayed her potential allies
in Iran, Syria and Libya to please her anglo enemies. Those allies would
have occupied russia's enemies while Rus rearms herself-but no, the
idiot lavrov the foreign minster being a weakling and possible western
stooge has been too considerate to the western enemies of Rus.
Even in Syria what has Russ done except disarming her ally Syria of her
chemical weapons/ the usa still arms the terrorists while rus has not
even given –s300 to Syria let alone s-400. This shows the attitude of
Rus who does not like to be respected but simply loved by the anglos
enemies who has been out to destroy that country by any means for last
200 years.
World wars first and second was plotted and started by the English to
destroy both Russ and Germany and this world war 3 has been running
since Iraq war in 2003 –only the victims Russia, china and India does
not know about it..
4TH June, 2007.
President putin is wrong when he says that russia should or will
target the missile on europe if america goes with anti missile defence
plan in Europe.
Russia must target england because this cold war -like the one before-
is being started by england for the benefit of english race only-.it is
race war between the english parasite race versus the rest of the
world-the sooner the rest of the world realizes that better it is for
the world.
look how Germany wes vilified soon after fall of soviet union-look how
russia is being vilified immediately after Putin made russia strong.
in fact it was not America but england which asked for ABM against
Russia. BBc spy journalists were harassing presidential candidate Gore
not to go ahead with Florida recount on ground” ally like britian want
to conclude AMB deployment in Yorkshire as soon as possible so there
should be no delay in govt. formation. In other word accept fraudulent
win of bush for the sake of england ! “
-such is the evil propaganda of British spies inside america. .
poland is nothing but a proxy for the british bastards.
It is no use targeting Poland -target the main villain which is england and the english nation which must be stopped now.
Posted by: Sam | Feb 17 2025 17:36 utc | 76
Sereous questions
If the west put armed peace keeping troops in ukraine whats to stop,
zelinsky &co blowing them up as a false flag attack, blame Russia to
provoke a massive retaliation by the west against Russia. A thing
zelunsky has being trying to acheive all along, namely direct war
between the west and Russia.
For that reason alone its a none starter. Putin will know that.
Demiliterisation meens just that.
Posted by: Mark2 | Feb 17 2025 17:37 utc | 77
ahenobarbus@1620Feb17
As a good Marxist,you often get matters right when it comes to imperialism, colonialism and related matters. However, it is my take that you need to delve deeper into who actually calls the shots. Yes, the Rottenfeller Crime Clan here in this ruptured republic is extremely powerful...likely even as his as second-fiddle in the cabal's orchestra.
Shotcallers, however, still lurk within the vaulted City of London, where the cabal's banksters maintain their pride of place. You might wanna look into the plans of Cecil Rhodes and the Pilgrim Society as to how British policy has long been one of insider control of their former colony.
Posted by: aristodemos | Feb 17 2025 17:38 utc | 78
For those dishing on Rubio and saying he won’t try to negotiate like an adult, ask yourself if you think he relishes the idea of reporting failure to his boss.
No, Rubio will do what he has been told to do. It is basic political self-preservation, and Rubio has been told to end the fighting. That is an impossible task, but Rubio isn’t going home without putting in a mighty effort.
Posted by: William Gruff | Feb 17 2025 17:38 utc | 79
HoW ArE THeY GOinG tO PaY fOr It ?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Once the contracts have been fudged to those countries who export their
way to growth. The Northern European countries as per usual as the
periphery of the EU suffer.
The problem they face is once the money starts flowing to them via the recently credited Ukrainian reserve account at the ECB.
Is how are they going to supply everything Ukraine needs to keep the Ukrainian state viable.
1.What are their people, the skills their people have and their real resources being used for now?
2. How are they going to get the people, the skills their people need have and their real resources need from ?
3. If they move them from other sectors of their economies what does that mean for those sectors of the economy they are being moved from ?
4. How long will it take to skill up these people to what is needed?
5. Are they going to do what they always do and steal these people from other nations. Leave the other nations worse off as people with certain skills leave and create a skills gap in those nations that hamper their own dev ?
6. Or as per usual do they think people and their skills can be moved around like ignots of steel ?
What about Ukaine ?
All of above applies to Ukraine also. When whatever is being provided by
European exporters flow into Ukraine. Do they have the ability to move
everything around where it is needed.
Money is not the issue here. All of the above is and much more. This exactly the stuff you can run out of. Not keystrokes added to a balance sheet.
Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Feb 17 2025 17:39 utc | 80
Posted by: Mark2 | Feb 17 2025 17:37 utc | 77
It was already declared by Vance and Hegseth that there will be no 'Nato' peacekeeping force in Ukraine. As such, everything EU sends to Ukraine are regarded as mercenaries, even if they are displaying a national flag, or Nato flag. It won't make a difference.
If Ze makes a false flag against the troops, I guess the Russians will just send their thanks for helping in the job.
Posted by: unimperator | Feb 17 2025 17:39 utc | 82
fig leaf23@1732 Feb17
Good take. Stay the course.
Posted by: aristodemos | Feb 17 2025 17:41 utc | 83
Who would have thought Tulsi stunk the same stink as Hilary - listen to the demented clown at Munich.
https://britonnewsnetwork.com/index.php/2025/02/17/tulsi-zionazi-slut-hilary-reincarnated/
Posted by: Silverdale | Feb 17 2025 17:41 utc | 84
"Shotcallers, however, still lurk within the vaulted City of London, where the cabal's banksters maintain their pride of place. You might wanna look into the plans of Cecil Rhodes and the Pilgrim Society as to how British policy has long been one of insider control of their former colony."
Posted by: aristodemos | Feb 17 2025 17:38 utc | 78
1000% right on!!
Tom Loungo will back you up on this:
Fred777@69....the Russians can't wipe out the Ukies, but they'll just wipe out the Brits ...not if they hide under rail bridges.....
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Feb 17 2025 17:45 utc | 86
Didn't know what "minions" are (1st line) and looked it up on Wikipedia:
"Minions are small, yellow pill-shaped creatures which have existed
since the beginning of time, evolving from single-celled organisms into
beings which exist only to serve history's most evil masters ..."
"Europe's 'elite'", huh.
Not sure if they'll live up to the second part, though.
..., but they accidentally end up killing all their masters: rolling a Tyrannosaurus into a volcano, letting a caveman get mauled by a bear, crushing a Pharaoh and his subjects with a pyramid, and exposing Count Dracula to sunlight."
Sadly, so far, Europe's Elite seems to be to have settled on a strategy that is pissing all possible mighty allies and fighting amongst themselves ...
Posted by: Marvin | Feb 17 2025 17:46 utc | 87
Posted by: Roger Boyd | Feb 17 2025 16:34 utc | 44
She has gone out of her way to insult me because she considers me and people like me as declasse from her POV. Rather than saying she disagrees with me she simply says I am spouting nonsense. Anyone that says that can automatically be discounted. I challenged her again and has chosen to ban me and my comments--or at least none have shown up. It may be temporary or not but I suspect she does not like anyone contradicting her particular Overton Window. I've followed her for a long time and interacted with her under another name and she banned me.
I come from a similar class as her but dropped out of that as a youth. She is interested in influencing people with "prestige" and status. She doesn't like people who come out of the typically freewheeling segment of the internet unique to the USA. In the old days I would have said she needs to drop acid and loosen the f*ck up but she considers herself and "important person." Her commentaries on foreign affairs and other subjects are fairly good but she has nothing to say and won't tolerate people going into how and why things happen the way they do.
She's into power. I know for a fact she kicked me out, under a different name despite calling me the most popular commentator for some year. But I insisted on calling the Deep State the Deep State and noted that there was unquestionable proof that Sirhan could not have killed RFK senior. Now, the mood is different so she might not ban that.
Anyway, Roger Boyd, she's playing a game of hardball so best to just get out of the way and let her reign in her Queendom. She has a lot of positives but is almost totally left-brained so don't argue with her if she lets you back. Post here--much better host.
Posted by: Chris Cosmos | Feb 17 2025 17:46 utc | 88
@Posted by: furies | Feb 17 2025 17:25 utc | 71
She has issues on both sides of the spectrum, as she tries to remain within what she sees as the bounds of "acceptable" discourse. It causes her to reject insights from outside that spectrum, both from the socialist left and from the right. Part of that is a soft TDS, to add to her knee-jerk anti-communism. Classic bourgeois progressive liberalism.
Posted by: Roger Boyd | Feb 17 2025 17:47 utc | 89
William Gruff@79.....it's a done deal, what follows is legal formalities.....Rubio, Lavrov are just window dressing. Russia and the US have a greater more pressing issue, where to put the Palestinians, the ones who don't want to work service jobs for rich Russian and US Jews.
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Feb 17 2025 17:50 utc | 90
thanks b... some great commentary and too much to read them all..
although i am not as pessimistic as @ Brian Bixby | Feb 17 2025 15:21 utc | 2, i am leaning that way...
@ Hoarsewhisperer | Feb 17 2025 15:22 utc | 4 quote - so true and so sad..
"It's as if the war is a hockey game and Ukraine is the puck."
The people around her nodded in agreement...
Posted by: james | Feb 17 2025 17:51 utc | 91
@Posted by: Silverdale | Feb 17 2025 17:41 utc | 84
Me for one, Gabbard has always been up front about her Hindutva anti-Moslem mindset. She would not have been allowed to get anywhere near power without being full on deferential to the Zionist regime. She has always been a US Imperialist, she is just upset when Imperialism has been run in a inefficient and ineffective way. Less wars, less sloppy NGOs and more good old fashioned CIA.
Posted by: Roger Boyd | Feb 17 2025 17:51 utc | 92
Sam@1736 Feb17
On occasion you get things mostly right. Case in point: It is not the subservient people of Britain which are the problem...per se. They have so long kowtowed to the bloody Monarchy and their assumed "betters"; that those bass-turds have long enjoyed a successful run in imperialist, colonialist manifestations.
What Britain needs is a genuinely glorious revolution, in which the tumbrels, pitchforks et cetera come into play and that scab parasitizing and plundering at will are finally removed from their positions of predatorial power.
The Overture begins with The CITY...brick by brick and totally demolished, with its status as an independent entity removed from the pages of later history.
Posted by: aristodemos | Feb 17 2025 17:51 utc | 93
Posted by: Formerly Miss Lacy | Feb 17 2025 15:36 utc | 9
"Rubio will talk like the petulant racist little brat that he is.
Any one watching his anti-china rant has realized that he is a lying little climber NOT a "diplomat."
Totally agree Miss Lacy! Seems like Trump has narco Marco on a leash: he
didn't send Rubio to Venezuela-- sent Richard Grenell instead. More and
more I'm coming around to the popular thought that Trump is playing a
much more sophisticated and manipulative/deceptive game than I initially
thought.
Bottom line, I'm less worried that we'll all be blown up but the hot
mess has so many dimensions I get dizzy trying to figure out game plans.
Posted by: migueljose | Feb 17 2025 17:52 utc | 94
Questions for Trump:
Where is the senile one we were all obeying before?
How do we get our money back?
Is Boris Johnson any good to you as a scapegoat, because we all listened to him because he said hexwas going to be world king?
Do you take bitcoin?
Are you world king now, or just a passing nightmare or an undigested piece of cheese?
Can we change our names from Atlantacists to At-lastists and keep our old salaries, once we've all grovelled and squirmed?
Grovel grovel , squirm squirm.
Posted by: Giyane | Feb 17 2025 17:53 utc | 95
Penalty task for European politicians: Write 111 times: The war in Ukraine has been lost.
Posted by: Zack15 | Feb 17 2025 17:54 utc | 96
@Posted by: Roger Boyd | Feb 17 2025 16:34 utc | 44
I used to check into Naked Capitalism (NC) regularly,
but it has been awhile.
You nudged me into having a visit just now.
Yvets has restored commenting and in the explanation is this:
So when readers cheer the prospect of mass firings, and justify their glee with the idea that workers at the CDC or USAID were up to no good, that criticism is misplaced.
...
And as for USAID, as Clive pointed out long ago, it’s almost impossible to work in a stable middle class job that does not make one a participant in some sort of unethical or exploitative activity. Think of what has become of the health insurance industry, or most of finance, or the many vendors jacking up prices over what is justified by cost increases (new data suggests that eggs go on that list). And as with the financial crisis, does anyone seriously expect the perps, the policy-makers, or the leaders who designed and implemented the shifts in programs and priorities that took institutions away from their original missions to becoming tools to support the power structure, to be the ones who suffer? It’s the beneficiaries of the value-added services and the non-officer-level employees who will suffer.
I won't be in a hurry to visit NC again.
Posted by: librul | Feb 17 2025 17:55 utc | 97
@Posted by: Chris Cosmos | Feb 17 2025 17:46 utc | 88
Agreed. Reminds me of many academics, they are great at describing phenomena but steer far away from discussing the underlying political-economic dynamics of what creates that phenomena.
Posted by: Roger Boyd | Feb 17 2025 17:55 utc | 98
Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Feb 17 2025 17:39 utc | 80
Europe is going to find out the hard way that you can print ones and zeroes, but you can't just print electricity, people, or land.
Thanks to the US neocons and their unswerving fealty to them, Europe has been handed a Somalia on their doorstep.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Feb 17 2025 17:58 utc | 99
RE: 700 billion for Kiev Military ?
tally of EU members annual military budget is around $400 billion euros
Posted by: Exile | Feb 17 2025 17:58 utc | 100
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