2020/01/10 03:30:01
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The timing of the Ukrainian plan crash in Tehran … intrigues me. Almost 2 decades of being a "conspiracy theory nutjob" have conditioned me to question when some coincidences just seem too…… coincidental.
Ao my curiousity is triggered by these lines in Strategic Culture piece:-
Extract: …. The immediate termination of Chewning and Sweeney, at the same time as the assassination of Soleimani and Iran’s response raises some big questions.
In the near future it will be of critical importance to get to the bottom of any possible relationship that Esper and his subordinates Chewning and Sweeney – who both served as Defense Secretary Esper’s Chiefs of Staff – had to the assassination of Soleimani…….
… We might otherwise be led to believe that Chewning and Sweeney’s sudden departure has something to do with
**Ukraine and the recent release of unredacted emails relating to L3Harris Technologies and funding in Ukraine.**
[What? What is referred to here^???]
……
These of course also relate to the case against Trump and any possible impeachment. But the timing and symbolism of these as concurrent with the provocation against Iran and the blowback, as well as Esper’s backing of the ‘Kerfuffle theory’, lends strong credence to an Iran connection.
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/kerfuffle-war-trumps-iran-de-escalation-succeeds
A quick reading of your Durden Comment on Zero Hedge ……………it makes more sense……… than anything did before.
Way too many gaps, unknowns…before..BUT: an error by insubordinates ….that Trump could not admit to publicly….A TRAP??…….that has some promise, for me at any rate!
@Bro.
My IP blocks access to Durdan, so comment not from this White Whale.
What was posted?
Geez.
Well I guess the other Nazi’s continued to support Hitler all the way to South Murica.
Iran has taken responsibility for the shoot down of the Boeing.
“Tehran unintentionally shot down Ukraine’s Boeing 737 because of “human error”, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said on Saturday.”
https://sputniknews.com/world/202001111078005863-iran-says-ukrainian-aircraft-brought-down-by-human-error-ap-reports/
This is bad news for Iran and good news for the Empire. The Ukrainian president already declared that if such a possibility (accidentally shooting down the plane) is going to be proved, they will ask for material compensations. The moral part of that will have their course on the political chess field, meaning more pressure on Iran, the latter putting itself in a very unpleasant corner. If that won’t be enough, the US has introduced yet another set of sanctions against Iran and, it won’t take long until the EU and NATO will re-align with US, even Germany’s reluctance is being shaken.
The question is : how on earth could such an accident happen, how could such a huge error
been made ? it was a simple human error or the air defense command had been penetrated ?
On the other hand – on a more ioanid mode – it seems like the gods have a good time in upping the ante, making things more complicated and unpredictable. The Real God has not yet fished His holiday, meanwhile the little gods are playing on the table…for quite a long time though.
No error ioan.
A pretend adversary is required to ensure the Global MIC continues to flourish – perpetual war is a requirement.
Do you imagine the Saudis would have purchased Russian TOS-1A MLRS without them first having been provided a showcase in Syria?
The world is really such a mess. So I thought I would pass this on. There’s a saying that Love Makes the World Go ‘Round’
In the end, it is kindness that holds everything together. It heals, both ourselves as well as our relations. This is the Chant of Metta, or LovingKindness.
May all Beings be free from suffering
https://youtu.be/E6ZpkhPciaU
In one of his videos the scientist/ spiritual philosopher Greg Bradden reported a conversation via translator he had with the “Abbott” of a monastery of Buddhist monks in Tibet [at some phenomenal hight above SL].
He asked him “what is the force that holds the Universe together?”. the Abbott thought for a moment and replied “compassion”. Baffled, Bradden repeated the question and got the same answer, so he asked “Is Compassion a force or an emotion?”. The Abbott thought for a second then replied “Both”.
You are correct – kindness is the physical expression of compassion, and compassion is one aspect of the major emotion and force – Love.
But left as a concept, it could be a good feeling – compassion, but still eave the needy unattended. One can be compassionate as a philosophy, but walk unheeding past the starving beggar with hand held out.
Kindness drops coins into the beggars hand, picks up the starving kitten, rescues the abandoned dog, works to help the sick and desperate.
So yes, kindness does hold everything together, as does Love.
Compassion is the driving force behind love, in fact, without compassion, Love, is just a meaningless throw away word.
That’s why it’s an Ocean of Love and Mercy.
It seems the Saudis did scurry to Washington to tamp down Trumps enthusiasm for WWW3:
>Trump Had a Secret Oval Office Meeting With the Saudi Vice Minister of Defense – and Didn’t Reveal It Until Forced To
[Published on January 7, 2020 at 02:26 PM ET] President Donald Trump had a secret meeting with the Saudi Vice Minister of Defense on Monday.
It did not appear on his public schedule, and no readout of the meeting has been published.
The only way reporters knew about the meeting is because the Saudis announced it, as CNN’s Kaitlan Collins noted: Here’s Saudi Vice Minister of Defense Khalid bin Salman’s tweet revealing the meeting, which shows Jared Kushner also in attendance: President Trump minutes ago posted a tweet acknowledging the meeting, which was Monday, not Tuesday as his statement might suggest: White House Correspondents’ Association president Jonathan Karl issued a statement denouncing the lack of transparency……..
https://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/2020/01/trump-had-a-secret-oval-office-meeting-with-the-saudi-vice-minister-of-defense-and-didnt-reveal-it-until-forced-to/
That the tweeter in chief was outed by the Saudis on twitter is cute.
And the Saudis wanted the Iranians – + others to know they’d paid the orange buffoon a visit…
I do appreciate the dialog and agree that accessing Trump admin strategy via historical norms can be frustrating
oh, re oil: in 1970 experts espousing “peak oil theory) assured us that production would slow to a trickle in a decade (oops)
a) in 2016, US experts proclaim that lifelong Democrat-Trump is 12%-20% BEHIND Hillary just days before election … (but we got Trump as POTUS?)
b) more experts, in concert with the global elite ruling class including the Bush/ Clinton Crime Cabal despise Trump
c) We’ve been taught for 50+ years that “deep state establishment” does NOT exist (only as a conspiracy theory) … but currently they are lined up 6 deep on weekend news shows telling us how much they are/ always have been needed (oops)
d) In 2017 the experts told us war with N Korea was imminent (oops again)
e) in 2020 the experts are telling us war with Iran is imminent (oops & yawn)
f) and … for the last 4+ years experts have proclaimed over & over that Trump is a bumbling buffoon
yet my best look ahead is that my grandchildren will learn that Russia is a great friend, the gold standard has returned, AND that the petro-dollar, elite ruling class, and central banks will be found only in history books
-God Bless-
didn’t the orange buffoon once warn us that he was a student of SUN TZU?
To the point that he patterned his Art Of The Deal tactics after General TZU.
perhaps our programmed bias CANNOT be broken.
Iran has now taken responsibility for an un-intentional shoot down … and sources describe the “intense & secure back channel communication effort” to de-escalate tensions …even while both their wild public tweet-storm mis-direction was ongoing
@ Bro93 astutely suggests the possibility of “a trap” due to the predictable reaction of establishment media & Trump detractors (normalcy bias / confirmation bias)
hmm,
“Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“Be extremely subtle even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent’s fate.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
it might be just that simple
-Peace be unto you-
Pseudo-experts are incorrigible. As Taleb put it —
> experts espousing “peak oil theory) assured us that production would slow to a trickle in a decade
Those are semi-literate retellings.
Peak Oil theory in not dumbed-down version is simple: more accessible reserves are pumped first. Extraction benefits from economy of size for a while, but as easy wells dry up, the rest are more expensive to pump, and the price of oil grows as well. Eventually, leftover oil will be obscenely expensive, but it will be even more expensive to go there and extract it.
What this theory missed: there are newer methods of extraction. So it’s mostly true, but also we are post- 2nd or 3rd peak and now. But of course decreasing accessibility applies across ever more complicated and expensive methods too. If in many places anything less drastic than hydrofracking won’t get good results, obviously it’s far past “stick a pipe there, it will flow” grade reserves.
Thus we can only hope that methane infrastructure will be good enough before oil is too expensive to burn. Right now, its development is distorted by perverse incentives, hatching “monster digesters”.
Hubbert’s 1956 Peak theory considered only 1956 proven reserves …
There is no supporting evidence that Hubbert considered Marcellus, Utica, Bakken, and others unknown at the time into his 1956 projections ..
-God Bless-
Gonna throw this in the mix. I was told that there is a German company working in Iraq. They are tasked with boring tunnels. Thier staff is paid in US $. The tunnels are bored side by side, each tunnel being 12′ in diameter. They are starting or have just finnished a 5.5 km section called the Second Phase. The tunnels sare being built for the military, my source wasn’t sure if it was for the Iraqi army or the US. My guess US. Unfortunitly the Iraq source has not been heard from since the Iran missile attack.
As Ioan said, coupla Cafes back; a poem, or any creation, may be for any number of reasons. As a writer I enjoy creating something ‘on a whim’, taking an image, an idea, or feeling, and running with it, just to see how far I can take it. When I’m able to make it to the finish line in a single writing session, it always has a freshness about it thats highly rewarding. Invariably, a piece of writing may have an overall mood, but still contain inserts of another,
deeper, not so whimsical mood. One looks for these juxtapositions, in order to give expression to the many dimensions of the human experience, and of course, to keep one’s work interesting.
‘Twas Bro ’93 who set off this ‘train of thought’, so Bro, this is for you…
Her Kisses Sublime
Well, I remember Ruby,
And I remember Gwen.
And the things we’d do
Back in her play-pen.
But it’s to Janet the fair,
I’m most inclined,
‘Cause she had kisses,
Far sweeter than wine.
How she’d lie on her stomach,
Wrapped in her cloak;
More crimson than red,
Down under the oak.
Weaving honeysuckle strands,
Before turning to me –
With her lily-white hands,
All down on her knees.
Those days are far gone,
But not in my mind.
The years they have passed,
And they’ve not been unkind.
I’ve a child of my own,
And a good wife, at that.
I’ve accepted my lot,
And there’s no going back.
I work the machines,
And I bring home the chow.
Never read too many books,
And I ain’t startin’ now.
The kid and the wife,
I’ll never disavow;
But there’s only one memory,
I’ll sometimes allow.
How she’d lie on her stomach,
Wrapped in her cloak;
More crimson than red,
In the shade of the oak.
Weaving honeysuckle strands,
Before turning to me –
With her lily-white hands,
All down on her knees.
Her kisses were sweet,
Far sweeter than wine.
On a bed of summer grass,
Our limbs entwined.
My head still swims,
After all this time.
Just the thought of her lips
And her kisses sublime…
Just perfect to turn one’s mind from war and death to sweet memories of youth and Janet.
Nicely done, Dimitar.
From a more innocent time, before Conspiracy Theories……………had to be taken…quite a bit more seriously:
https://youtu.be/4oGMcHTeX_0
Jimmie Rodgers Kisses Sweeter Than Wine
One more sweet HIT for Jimmie: Honeycomb
https://youtu.be/h1ubG2f1-to
Great song! Love the casual approach; the partial overhand chording of the bass/lower register of his guitar, and the swing/rockabilly style, definitely a more innocent age.
Thank you, Larchmonter, I aim to please. Seriously though, you’re exactly right, today we need a pressure release valve like never before. What better way than our own precious memories?
“What better way than our own precious memories?”
:-) Well, Cats. Cats are nice. Also baby panda bears.
you tube was created for this.
10 minutes of cats and baby panda’s for me is like a shower for the brain and a hug for the soul.
@ Unorthodox Black Sheep VN,
This is to respond to your latest comment:
/moveable-feast-cafe-2020-01-06/#comment-743130
1) what you mentioned as dynamics between Champa and Dai Viet kingdoms (each trying to expand into other’s territory) was true for ALL kingdoms and empires in the world in past
2) I don’t see The Saker as a platform of win /loss or scholar/general categorisation. Even before 3-kingdom era, Han empire identified SCS islands and gave a name ! You may read:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_China_Sea_Islands
I’m not even mentioning Yuan and Ming empires who had bluewater navy.
3) Vietnamese empire did try to expand in SCS (especially after they completely absorbed Champa kingdom after 1800 CE) but soon the French colonial empire subdued Vietnamese empire. In fact the peace treaty between French empire and Qing empire at the end of 19th century mentioned Chinese jurisdiction over SCS islands (with freedom of navigation for European colonial powers). During 1950s Vietnam prime minister gave written note also accepting similar logic.
4) I don’t know about others, but I believe China made many mistakes after 1949. And, I also believe that Chinese leadership quickly make course correction . Hence I see no reason to disbelieve China’s stand that neighbouring countries should come to agreement with China on resource-sharing but without naval force.
5) given the geopolitical scenario , I strongly feel that, Chinese government should not wait too long to bring the SCS (including Taiwan) under direct administration of PRC government. Too much delay may cause many more hurdles (the orthodox regions of novorossia / donbass could have been integrated with Russia years back, but the delay causing many more hurdles).
@Straight-Bat
I will make a quick response:
1. Agree!!!
2. I just try to explain that I’m not some kind of troll who consider comment section a place to win or lose but look like my explain makes you confused. So let be clear that: Comment section to me is a place to discuss and learn, not win or lose.
About China claim, I don’t believe it because Vietnam also make up something like that. Listen, if China claim that they control the SCS since the Ming dynasty then I may believe it but they claim they control since the Han Empire then this is ridiculous. The problem:
a. No scientists actual come to Spratly and Paracel Island to measure the age of the Island. What if islands is the creation of volcano or earthquake actions during the 15th or 16th century?
b. Most of the islands is not place for people live (Some islands can be used for living but too far to support in the ancient time). They are more likely floating rock and minerals. They are same to Okino-Torishima.
c. Document can be made up and if you belive the Chinese or Vietnamese claim on SCS islands then you should believe the Hwan Empire Hoax is real (I don’t mean insult). In conclusion, the document is illegimate to me and I don’t trust the document. By the way, SCS islands can be used for pirate marooning only in the ancient time.
d. According to my knowledge, before the Ming Dynasty, Chinese naval never went beyond to SCS. The naval was not designed for long travel (I mean long travel like admiral Zheng He), they were designed to fight to each other or other countries near China.
e. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_history_of_China
3. This is reasonable. I agree with you about this. Then it prove that Vietnam claim on Paracel Islands and Spratly Islands are hoax.
4. In theory, you are right, but in reality, you have to consider China action right now.
https://twitter.com/rdmartinson88/status/1214245208264605696
https://twitter.com/SecurityScholar/status/1213802444469071872
https://twitter.com/rdmartinson88/status/1161295760715128833
https://twitter.com/rdmartinson88/status/1164611669026332672
https://twitter.com/rdmartinson88/status/1178654712960356353
Using naval force is the sign of imperial and no one will trust the action means peaceful.
5. I respectly disagree about this. Today, SCS is not belong to Chinese anymore in reality, their claim is useness and nobody care no matter true or hoax. China, Vietnam, Philippine, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brumei (if my memory serve me right) must have very serious discussion with each other on how they can fair share on SCS. Safetyway, in my opinion, all them must respect UN EEZ. China dash line, I will repeat, is extremely dangerous to national security of the country around SCS. People can say China dash line means peace by this by that but I will not trust China dash line means peaceful. SCS is not Novorossia/Donbass so compare two places like compare orange to apple.
/saker-rant-why-i-believe-that-russia-should-not-directly-intervene-in-the-ukrainian-conflict/
Unorthodox Black Sheep VN,
Vietnam Prime Minister issued letter accepting China’s coastal border line as below:
https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1958_diplomatic_note_from_phamvandong_to_zhouenlai.jpg
We finally agree to disagree – I’m confident that PRC has valid historical claim (much stronger compared to Vietnam) on SCS and Taiwan , and they should speed up the unification and simultaneously make agreement with neighbours on resource-sharing. You disagree with PRC’s claim .
@Straight-Bat
Thank you for sharing this link. However, The diplomatic note does not mention the Paracel Islands and Spratly Islands. This is the english transtaion, you can read the rest from the link below:
http://lyluanchinhtri.vn/home/en/index.php/figure-and-events/item/379-the-1958-diplomatic-note-of-prime-minister-pham-van-dong-and-vietnam%E2%80%99s-sovereignty-over-the-hoang-sa-and-truong-sa-archipelagos.html
This is the Vietnamese Pham Van Dong Diplomatic Letter:
Thưa Đồng chí Tổng lý,
Chúng tôi xin trân trọng báo tin để Đồng chí Tổng lý rõ:
Chính phủ nước Việt Nam Dân chủ Cộng hòa ghi nhận và tán thành bản tuyên bố, ngày 4 tháng 9 năm 1958, của Chính phủ nước Cộng hòa Nhân dân Trung Hoa, quyết định về hải phận 12 hải lý của Trung Quốc.
Chính phủ nước Việt Nam Dân chủ Cộng hòa tôn trọng quyết định ấy và sẽ chỉ thị cho các cơ quan Nhà nước có trách nhiệm triệt để tôn trọng hải phận 12 hải lý của Trung Quốc trong mọi quan hệ với nước Cộng hòa Nhân dân Trung Hoa trên mặt biển.
Chúng tôi xin kính gửi Đồng chí Tổng lý lời chào rất trân trọng.
To save more time I will quote the translation of letter from the link (and edit the structure of paragraph not changing the word to keep the original structure):
“Dear Comrade General Management
We would like to inform you that:
The Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam has noted and supports the September 4, 1958 Declaration by the People’s Republic of China, regarding the territorial waters of China.
The Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam respects this decision and will direct the proper government agencies to absolutely respect the 12 mile nautical territory of China in all dealings with the People’s Republic of China on the sea.
We would like to send you our sincere regards”.
What is the meaning of “12 mile nautical territory”? Can you explain this? This does not even means the entire SCS with Paracel and Spratly Island.
I will quote directly from the link above:
From the stated reasons above, it can be concluded that:
First, PM Pham Van Dong’s Diplomatic Note was simply a unilateral diplomatic document supporting China’ declaration of its nautical territory of 12 miles, based on the ties between the two countries in the socialist block. The note was made in urgent circumstances, in which war with the U.S. and the conflicts in the Taiwan Strait were escalating. In addition, the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Archipelagos were not mentioned specifically within the four corners of the document, making it invalid as a piece of evidence for Vietnam’s recognition of China’s sovereignty over the islands.
Second, between 1954 and 1975, the State of Vietnam (succeeded by the Republic of Vietnam) was a political entity with full-fledged statehood and was assigned sovereignty of the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Archipelagos. The Democratic Republic of Vietnam was also a political entity with full-fledged statehood and co-existed with the State of Vietnam (eventually succeeded by the Republic of Vietnam) on the land of Vietnam. However, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam did not hold authority over the islands. Therefore, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam did not necessarily have to publicly state their objection towards China’s declaration on its 12 nautical miles territorial waters and its silence does not weaken Vietnam’s claims of sovereignty regarding the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Archipelagos.
Third, according to international law, the political existence of the State of Vietnam (succeeded by the Republic of Vietnam) with full-fledged statehood was independent of recognition by other states. The Social Republic of Vietnam, therefore, does not have to implement any kind of legal procedures to recognize the statehood of the Republic of Vietnam in order to neutralize PM Pham Van Dong’s Diplomatic Note.
Final, the evidence provided by China in Diplomatic Note A/68/907 was invalid, according to the reasons stated above.
Use the tool to calculate 12 mile nauticals from China to SCS:
https://www.freemaptools.com/measure-distance.htm
The diplomatic note had debunked China Claim on entire SCS especially the Paracel and Spratly Islands.
In conclusion, the SCS is not China historical territory right now, and there must be a neutral representative (Practical version of UN) come to help the country around the SCS has fair share to each other. Quickly and safety, respecting UN EEZ.
@Straight-Bat
I will post the strong text part here again with italic text form to help you easy to read:
From the stated reasons above, it can be concluded that:
First, PM Pham Van Dong’s Diplomatic Note was simply a unilateral diplomatic document supporting China’ declaration of its nautical territory of 12 miles, based on the ties between the two countries in the socialist block. The note was made in urgent circumstances, in which war with the U.S. and the conflicts in the Taiwan Strait were escalating. In addition, the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Archipelagos were not mentioned specifically within the four corners of the document, making it invalid as a piece of evidence for Vietnam’s recognition of China’s sovereignty over the islands.
Second, between 1954 and 1975, the State of Vietnam (succeeded by the Republic of Vietnam) was a political entity with full-fledged statehood and was assigned sovereignty of the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Archipelagos. The Democratic Republic of Vietnam was also a political entity with full-fledged statehood and co-existed with the State of Vietnam (eventually succeeded by the Republic of Vietnam) on the land of Vietnam. However, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam did not hold authority over the islands. Therefore, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam did not necessarily have to publicly state their objection towards China’s declaration on its 12 nautical miles territorial waters and its silence does not weaken Vietnam’s claims of sovereignty regarding the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Archipelagos.
Third, according to international law, the political existence of the State of Vietnam (succeeded by the Republic of Vietnam) with full-fledged statehood was independent of recognition by other states. The Social Republic of Vietnam, therefore, does not have to implement any kind of legal procedures to recognize the statehood of the Republic of Vietnam in order to neutralize PM Pham Van Dong’s Diplomatic Note.
Final, the evidence provided by China in Diplomatic Note A/68/907 was invalid, according to the reasons stated above.
@Straight-Bat
By the way, the word “Đồng chí Tổng lý” should be translated to “Comrade Prime Minister”. I translate wrong, my bad, some Vietnamese word is hard to translated or untranslated.
@Straight-Bat
To settle the matter one and for all, I decide to investigate another China proof “Vietnam accept Paracel and Spratly Island belong to China”: The geography textbook for ninth graders published by Vietnam’s Educational Press in 1974.
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/sgxw/newsletters/t1164327.htm
The underline sentences said: “The chain of islands from the Nansha and Xisha Islands to Hainan Island, Taiwan Island, the Penghu Islands and the Zhoushan Islands … are shaped like a bow and constitute a Great Wall defending the China mainland.”
I don’t trust this text book is real because:
1. China don’t have the picture of the entire text book. They just the PDF scan pictures instead. Today, technology can create the picture of old text book like that.
2. The underline on the “China Island part” is a clearly handmade with pen and ruler, then why there is no other underline on other important part of in the text book, I don’t believe this is just coincidence.
3. Why China geography is the first page of Vietnamese Geography Textbook? Was the producer stupid enough to let Vietnamese student study geography of foreign country first? I don’t think so in common sense.
4. Unfortunately, nobody recognize or remember the text book so the investigate is dead end.
Let consider the text book is real but it is still irrelevance because:
1. Paracel Islands and Spratly Islands was belong to Republic of Vietnam legally before 1974 so what North Vietnam said about the islands set during this time was unconvinced, irrelevance.
2. Text book is not diplomatic letter so this is irrelevance.
3. Before 1974, Vietnam-China relationship was very good so nobody mind about this.
4. Diplomatic deals or letter decided anything not the text book.
In conclusion, the textbook was possible hoax too.
By the way, Vietnamese world almanac 1972 is possible fake too.
3. Correct little bit: North Vietnamese older generation tells me that their history teacher never mention Paracel Islands and Spratly Island any single time and the part “During 1950s Vietnam prime minister gave written note also accepting similar logic” is not exist. Even the 1950s is true, this is because Vietnamese minister don’t understand the potential of SCS. If they understand how important SCS is, then no way.
Don’t trust what you read and you should question it instead.
all know that wiki has been 100% taken over by CIA
yet, all use wiki as a reference
the correct chinese2english translation for island in dispute is “South sand islands”
Spratly’s as they’re called by the CIA-UK is the name for the ship building Spratly Family that built all the ships for the “East India Company” to haul opium to China in the late 1700’s-early 1800’s
ubnvn tends to do this 100% of the time cite CIA facts as facts, when in fact the CIA stuff is just how they would like things to be, and especially in the case of vietnam,where china-israel want to build a deep-sea port rivaling Ashdod in Israel, paid by china, but admin’d by Israel, as they own most of the factorys in vietnam
CIA of course play’s opposition to the goals here when in fact CIA, just another ANZ asset
@spratly
Don’t being ad-homine, I know wikipedia is CIA but that does not mean it all wrong. I don’t use wiki 100% of time, get the fact right. “Wiki is CIA” will not help you debunk my point.
…but you yourself said all history books and records can be made up, so how to debunk your point? Is not then all ‘discussion’ that can be made up here all pointless? Thats what you are saying then… otherwise tell us how do you, by your method and standards, varify what kind of history is real and you will admit too? There are many ways to verify history. Whats your method and standards you use? Otherwise, we all know power is the last say, whether ‘imperialism’, by your definition, or not, it does not matter. You yourself know if Vietnam is stronger than China today, then Vietnam will be ‘imperialism’ too. We dont live in a perfect world, and you should accept that too. Just saying.
Don’t put the word on my mouth. I say Vietnam and China historical records on SCS are hoax.
Don’t go full “whataboutitsm”. It will not debunk the fact that China is imperialism.
So “China is imperialism”, according to you, now what? What then? What will happen now China is imperialism? Thats my question to you…
Is Vietnam going to attack china? Is vietnam going to patrner USA and attack China? What?
I ask if you are seriously concern, which is legitimate, you can lobby china directly and I support you. I have said, discussion here, is all good and fine, but we all know, power is the last say, if history, as we agree, can be falsify or made up. So what now? What do you think will happen now? or should happen now? You would know Indonesia has similar fishery issues with china recently.
China is imperialism? What’s next, according to you? We are here for future-looking resolution! What’s the best way forward, according to you? Some UN resolution? What?
@Anonymous on January 11, 2020 · at 5:25 am EST/EDT
I bring the UN resolution here because according to many anti-imperialism China respect UN law and I trust them.
China action in SCS, genocidal through marry on Uighur “Han Husband Uighur Wife”, Chinese city in africa are imperialism, accept the truth.
If Vietnam truly independent from pro-US and pro-China faction, Vietnam will not attack and will not ability to attack China in the future, history prove that. I am confident to say that Vietnam will maintain its neutral postion to stay away from war as much as it can in world like what Vietnam had done before 2013 with the attitude “leave us alone”.
Anonymous on January 11, 2020 · at 5:25 am EST/EDT
Some people in Vietnam government right now still try to maintain Vietnam neutral position in the world. In the future, if Vietnam escape from pro-China and pro-US faction, I confident to say that Vietnam will never make official ally on military with any countries in the world, and Vietnam will not attack China.
I mention UN resolution because I still have some trusts on China that they will respect the UN resolution on SCS soon or not soon.
We cannot know what will exactly happen in the future. SCS is disputed territory, the South China Sea Code of Conduct is not work so much due to individual disagreement between the SCS country. I hope that there will no war.
China is imperialism from their current actions in SCS, Chinese Special Economic Zones in China (this is fault of African leaders, of course, but this does not excuse China behavior in Africa), China genocide of Uighur through the “Han Husband Uighur Wife” marriage. They are proof of China (incoming) imperialism.
OK you win! China is imperialism! Whats next?
@Anonymous on January 12, 2020 · at 3:12 am EST/EDT
Next, they (Chinese Elite) will (I pray to heaven and earth they don’t) do what AngloZionism are doing in the future, redo what they had done in the past.
ok you win again, good luck!
There are a few things that Unorthodox Black Sheep VN is not telling us. I keep wondering why but alas, it has been busy.
There is already an accepted by all parties, i.e., China and the Asean countries, South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) text. They are negotiating the details now, it is hard and a long protracted negotiation – very detailed. For some countries, i.e., specifically the Philipines where China / Philipines built a problem solving bi-lateral consultation mechanism, it has already been working well even after the arbitration case between the Philippines and China (China not accepting the ruling arguing that the arbitration court had no jurisdiction).
There is also an China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership.
When this COC was accepted, the US increased its so-called freedom of navigation excercise in the SCS. They have run at the last count at least 13 successive “Freedom of Navigation Operations” (FONOPs) against China since Mr Trump took office – destabilizing and making trouble as they go. The size of the flotilla of Freedom of Navigation excercises has also increased each time, with Japan, Australia and the UK taking part.
The problem here is not China. China is negotiating equally with all the ASEAN partners, including Vietnam. The problem is the extraregional countries trying to break any good consultations and any good agreements that China and the ASEAN work at.
And we have to take into consideration that Vietnam, this month’s chair of the UNSC started this year off with a discussion topic for an open session – upholding the UN Charter for the maintenance of international peace & security. Vietnam fully supported that any problems need to be solved by negotiation. So did China. There were many exceedingly poor speeches here, but Vietnam made sense, and so did China.
If we look at our current geo-political milieu, China has to keep a hand over the SCS so that countries do not sell them all out to the current hegemon. It is heartening to see that at higher level, Vietnam knows what is going on. Here is the UNSC speech of Vietnam by way of the Foreign Minister. Vietnam does not talk about a ‘rules based international order’ but talks about internal law, as it should be. Vietnam does not talk about unilateralism, but multilateralism. Vietnam supports regional organizations to solve problems within their region. Vietnam supports the ASEAN charter. Vietnam considers the ASEAN charter as a legal framework that supports a strong regional security.
https://youtu.be/i9z1odTQqKY?t=1589
This is the formal view. To understand those speeches, one only has to find who talks about internal law and who talks about ‘rules based international order’. That is the key difference here. I am glad to see that at this level, Vietnam knows where its bread is buttered.
Yet Unorthodox Black Sheep VN gives us lists of links to the US Naval College of War. Uhmmmm …..
The issue is China is not behaving like a hegemon, like an imperialist power. They are negotiating and making agreements. They are not forcing others to bow to their rule.
@amarynth
I truly don’t know anything about South China Sea Code of Conduct but thank you for talking about this. China attitude to the South China Sea Code of Conduct is questionable, and there are many disagreement between China and 10 ASEAN members. We need to consider this:
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Comment/What-Beijing-really-wants-from-South-China-Sea-code-of-conduct
https://thediplomat.com/2019/06/saving-the-china-asean-south-china-sea-code-of-conduct/
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/11/03/asia-pacific/politics-diplomacy-asia-pacific/beijing-says-ready-work-asean-south-china-sea-code-conduct/#.XhnJbMgzbIU
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2019/11/04/china-pushing-code-of-conduct-for-south-china-sea/
I will be very skeptical more on China.
I agree with you Freedom of Navigation Operations is very dangerous.
About Vietnam talk at UN, it is good to know but Vietnamese talking is very cheap more likely “save the face” especially pro-US and pro-China faction (both is pro-Money) are controlling and destroying Vietnam in many ways. By the way, his saying is too general, not too details in my opinion.
Yet Unorthodox Black Sheep VN gives us lists of links to the US Naval College of War. Uhmmmm …..
So what? Can you prove that the twitter with the sea map that show China activate in SCS is lie? China activate right now is extremely close to other nations territorial sea. If China actions is not imperialism then what is this?
This is a time waster now.
OK, in my opinion you are not spending enough time studying and too much time trying to prove your now hopeless point by answers that are way toooooo quick. And I don’t see an understanding of statements of strategic positioning vis a vis the charter of the UN, which just gave us a good bird’s eye view of future policy. One hour is not enough to get an inkling of that.
What detail did you want in a statement of strategic positioning?
A whole body of work that I linked for you before with one article highlighted, you read in about an hour? Years and years of work – in-depth China studies at very high levels – good heavens – one hour?. And then you responded with some of the historical stuff in the middle of that highlighted article and forgot to read to the end and you lost the objective or the final points completely, which was exactly that over a period of 20 years China has not shown imperial ambitions. Nobody can get through a whole body of work in an hour. And then you give links from Japan (since when are they an ASEAN country?, and US (known to have stated that China is their most important enemy) – lack of understanding of strategic positioning is crystal clear.
Which UN resolution on SCS? Lots of dialog, but what ‘ruling’. What are you talking about? Are you talking about Unclos? If you are, are you aware that this does not establish international law per se and that the international legal basis for Unclos is thin as a piece of tissue and that is very well known among all that have some international experience? Are you talking about the arbitration tribunal that made ruling for the Philippines that has so little standing that China did not even attend the proceedings – and in any event, they’ve sorted that out since.
What on earth do you base this statement on: “China attitude to the South China Sea Code of Conduct is questionable …” This is nothing more than your opinion and you have no basis for that statement. China is absolutely committed to handling the SCS in the region and I have basis to say that. And so is your government fwiw – and I gave you the basis for that statement already.
And this one: ” …. and there are many disagreement between China and 10 ASEAN members.” Of course, they are in the detailed work to get the Detail of their Code of Conduct negotiated. This will take probably another two years.
What is the nonsense that Chinese ‘cities’ in Africa are ‘imperialism’. Have you been to one? Is Chinatown in San Francisco imperialist? Or Chinatown in London or in many large cities. Have you worked with Chinese?. Have you actually studied a Chinese project in Africa from investment proposal, through conception, through agreement phase and contractual phase, through budgetary and project planning phase, through inception, and through project phase to completion and kept your eye on it up to now? I guess not.
I’ve given you some of the best work done in English on modern China EVER. From a variety of sources. I’ll not waste time any longer.
A whole body of work that I linked for you before with one article highlighted, you read in about an hour? Years and years of work – in-depth China studies at very high levels – good heavens – one hour?. And then you responded with some of the historical stuff in the middle of that highlighted article and forgot to read to the end and you lost the objective or the final points completely, which was exactly that over a period of 20 years China has not shown imperial ambitions. Nobody can get through a whole body of work in an hour. And then you give links from Japan (since when are they an ASEAN country?, and US (known to have stated that China is their most important enemy) – lack of understanding of strategic positioning is crystal clear.
I don’t lose any point from this, I think so. I explain to you with my observation on China behavior in may years since the 2011. You say that you have spend many times on studying China. Let me ask you again, what do you actually learn from China? Does China teach you the bad parts of their history (I will take their funding on Mujahideen and Polpot in 80s the most recently)? I pretty sure that all you learn from China is something like “China is the greatest hero”, “China is purest”, etc. It is true that China does not have imperialst ambitation in 20 years but that does not mean China cannot become imperialist. I send you the links to explain about China actual attitude to South China Sea Code of Conduct with the twitter link that show their activation in SCS to prove my point that China actions is always different from what China say.
Which UN resolution on SCS? Lots of dialog, but what ‘ruling’. What are you talking about? Are you talking about Unclos? If you are, are you aware that this does not establish international law per se and that the international legal basis for Unclos is thin as a piece of tissue and that is very well known among all that have some international experience? Are you talking about the arbitration tribunal that made ruling for the Philippines that has so little standing that China did not even attend the proceedings – and in any event, they’ve sorted that out since.
I try to be polite as much as I can but from your saying above. I don’t trust China will respect UN law to fight imperialism anymore. Why? Because you actually go full “Whataboutitsm” like: If US can break UN law, then why China can’t”. I hear from many anti-imerialism that China respect UN law but from your double-standard on China and UN, I don’t trust this anymore, thank to you. China say that they want fairshare with other country but in reality the fairshare must be one China defination.
What on earth do you base this statement on: “China attitude to the South China Sea Code of Conduct is questionable …” This is nothing more than your opinion and you have no basis for that statement. China is absolutely committed to handling the SCS in the region and I have basis to say that. And so is your government fwiw – and I gave you the basis for that statement already.
My opinion based on the link I give to you, OK? Do you recognize that you just go full ad-homine with me?
And this one: ” …. and there are many disagreement between China and 10 ASEAN members.” Of course, they are in the detailed work to get the Detail of their Code of Conduct negotiated. This will take probably another two years.
Don’t cherry picky. You don’t read the link I read so you said this.
What is the nonsense that Chinese ‘cities’ in Africa are ‘imperialism’. Have you been to one? Is Chinatown in San Francisco imperialist? Or Chinatown in London or in many large cities. Have you worked with Chinese?. Have you actually studied a Chinese project in Africa from investment proposal, through conception, through agreement phase and contractual phase, through budgetary and project planning phase, through inception, and through project phase to completion and kept your eye on it up to now? I guess not.
What a nonsense and ridiculous comparation!!! The Chinatown in San Francisco and London were build by the Chinese immigration (many of them are the descendent of Maoism victim) between last decade of 19th century and middle 20th century. The Chinatown in country has nothing to do with China, what your point? The Chinese city in Africa is filled with only Chinese citizen, same to Israel settlement in Palestine.
Since you full balistic with me like that, let me give you pay back. Anytime you give me the links to prove that China is not imperialism, you always give the link that prove China is imperialism or completely off-topic. You seem don’t even question what you read whenever the link satisfy your emotion feeling “China is innocent”. I don’t care what kind of study you have on China because your behavior on the comment have proved that you are more like a Sinophile with unhealthy protective on China in front any criticism. If you are a mainland China citizen, then I will applaud your protection on China and encourage you to teach me why China is not imperialism. But you are not China citizen so I truly don’t why you protect China so much like protect your own country. In conclusion, your behavior is really abnormal to me.
Climate Change take away. I was watching Gold Rush, Down Under, and in light of the arsonists just caught setting fires in Australia something caught my ear. The prospecters were using metal detecters, then with a hit they began digging and within minutes had a 3 or 4 gram chunk of gold. Yes, it’s tv, yes its scripted, it could be planted for ‘effect’ but it was what one of the prospecters said, “luckily for us, the bushfires, we can get in here now, before the fires the brush was far to dense.” Krikie mate, fires to clear out ‘eco friendly brush’ to make gold digging easier?
It appears that many of the fires in Australia has been caused by negligent or criminal behaviour, as many have been arrested for wildfires.
https://www.dw.com/en/australia-police-arrest-man-accused-of-starting-bushfires/a-51234527
There are other culprits as well https://blog.nature.org/science/2018/01/12/australian-firehawk-raptors-intentionally-spread-wildfires/
The draught over Australia is causing severe risk of fire, is related to el Nino or near el Nino conditions.
” Colder-than-average water in the eastern Indian Ocean and the islands of Southeast Asia—the “Maritime Continent”—has the effect of suppressing convection, meaning there is less rising air, cloud formation, and rain than usual. This contributed to the devastating fire conditions Australia has experienced over the past few months. As the positive Indian Ocean Dipole has weakened, convection has re-emerged over the Maritime Continent in the last week.”
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/enso/january-2020-enso-update-new-year-new-you
anti-climate change people are spreading lies about our bushfires here in australia. they have been caused overwhelmingly by a long period of extremely dry, hot and windy weather.
arsonists responsible for less than 1% of the fires. and the right wing media (ie all mainstream media in australia) are even trying to blame the “greenies” – as usual.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-11/australias-fires-reveal-arson-not-a-major-cause/11855022
@ Mundo
Thank you very much for your reply last cafe. I really like it. Whenever I read your comments and blog posts the words and concepts keep sinking and rising for some time afterwards so it might take me a while to come about and make a comment. I have a lot of respect for you and Ioan.
Brother Blue the Iconoclast
You also have my respect too, Brother !
Now, this is interesting.
Iraq is now saying to the US, “you have to leave and we mean it.”
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/iraqi-pm-pompeo-us-must-establish-mechanism-troop-withdrawal
I doubt that it will happen but it is going to make it harder for American troops to stay there.
I wait for the day when Germany has the guts to say to the US, “you have to leave and we mean it.”
The US will further corrupt the Iraqi government and get it reorganized so it will approve the US staying.
You are probably right and in addition to corruption, there will be threats made.
Still, Iraq now have a lot of armed people who are not happy with Iraq’s vassal-state status. And now it is all out in the open. It is going to be harder to maintain a military presence under those circumstances.
Have either of you guys read the Zero Hedge article that White Whale posts first in this cafe…………???
On a quick read it makes much more sense to me than this always popular cynicism/pessimism.
It ain’t called The Complex Domain…… for nuthin’.
Still way too many unknowns to conclude that Trump wants to stay forever.
Some insubordinate commanders taking things into their own hands???
I’m leaning there until it is disproven.
I read the article but it is basically a lot of hypotheticals. There are hypotheticals as to what really might have happened as regards the assassination, hypotheticals as to who might really given the order and hypotheticals as to what might happen from this point out.
The truth on the ground is this.
The United States has completely bungled Middle Eastern Foreign policy – even long before the assassination. At this point, we have become a pariah throughout the entire Shiite Crescent and beyond. Iran and Iraq are both warming up (and in some cases cutting deals) with China who – by default – is seen as a more reliable and rational partner.
So if we pull out of Iraq, guess what happens. China moves in. They help Iraq develop its reserves. They help Iran develop its reserves. At that point vast amounts of oil and gas would there then be integrated into China’s belt road initiative. Not only that. The Belt Road Initiative would then have a roadway that took them right across the Shite Crescent and directly into Europe.
So the people who really run America are never going to let Trump pull out of Iraq.
Never.
Not ever.
The reasons are twofold.
One, oil and, two, the Belt Road Initiative.
As to oil. We need Middle Eastern oil since the “shale oil miracle” crashing as I type. Our other reserves are largely gone. No modern civilization can survive with fossil fuels. End of story.
As to the Belt Road Initiative. The same thing that saved us in the past will kill us now. Previously, the Atlantic Ocean saved us from foreign wars. Now, it is condemning us to be on the “outside” if Eurasian integration takes place. Therefore, it can’t be allowed to take place.
So, as I said, the people who really run America are never going to let Trump pull out of Iraq. Never. Not ever.
And don’t tell me that he is the “President” and he calls the shots. JFK was president. He wanted to smash the CIA “into a thousand pieces,” end the Vietnam war and pursue peaceful co-existence with the Soviet Union.
We all know how that one ended.
I agree with all your analysis here (and the shale oil below too). Let’s hope peace can be the chosen way. (or at least as peaceful as possible) I think the Iran general included in the 13 scenarios has at least one peaceful offering. The ball is all on ‘their’ side now. Pls try to help your country and your assets ‘turn back’. The other options, and increasing narrowing to few, and perhaps if very unfortunate, to one, is very very very bad.
J.P.Farrell has an interesting point of view – appears to be already baked in…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fpMO-Ctlko
Hv a good rest dear friends – its a long walk from here on
@?,
Here is an interesting article, from the Senior Editor of Veteran’s Today. It states that the murder of Soleimani was related to Trump’s desire to rescind Iraq’s oil/gas deal with China. Basically, it states that Soleimani was simply too good at defeating ISIS. The United States wanted to leverage ISIS presence in Iraq as a counter to the Shia majority which was in favor of the deal with China.
https://journal-neo.org/2020/01/11/new-facts-change-everything-the-sickening-truth-about-why-iran-schooled-america/
Here’s a quote:
I don’t know how much credence to give the article. It states that Trump literally threatened the Prime Minister’s life in an attempt to get Iraq to rescind its agreement with China. I tend to doubt that since I am sure that all governments now record all calls with high officials. That threat would be too risky a thing for a President to say on a recorded call.
dear Mike from Jersey,
I really dont want to say this, esp as an outsider, but all these circus show seems, to me, still, has lingering shadows of cowboy vs indian. And the rest of the world are ‘indians’. I think I will stop there.
I am quite sure they have the recorded calls, so does other countries. Perhaps one day we will get to listen in through some history channels.
I often wonder why no other leaders openly question the freedom or war crime of USA or inside USA when so many have suffered so much under the unofficial invasion-sanction? The lasted act by Chinese Human Rights group openly lecturing USA was ‘enlightening’ thus suggest to me, they, CCP, are willing to rip the curtian down now or maybe we can call it de-throne. And if its done even as one phone call is open to the public, like the nudeland 5 billlion confession, then USA will be the biggest loser. NK Kim recently was allegedly also close to disclose some of the interaction he had w orange agent to humiliate USA but that was stopped by the chinese interest.
Anyway, as the 3rd generation of the survivor from WWII, I am sadden for all of you. I am still not sure if there is a way out at all to be honest. I am here coz I admire Sakers courage and many deep thinkers here. SO the next best effort is that to share my unfounded imgination here to give you another point of view, from the east, with the eastern flavor/fliters. You are free to use it, examine it as you see fit. Hv a gd wkend :)
?,
I get the impression from your post that you are from Asia. Is that true? If so, may I ask where.
I have made three trips to China in recent years and have trips to Cambodia and Thailand planned.
If it were safe, I would love to go to Kashmir.
Mike from Jersey, it appears my ‘travel advice’ does not meet the standard here. Pls check with your authority and other more trusted source. cheers.
Will it turn out any different than what history shows? The Iranian people, having grown fed up with the Shah’s utter corruption but also with his brutal secret police, the savak(Langley trained), finally stormed the US Embassy and threw them out of the country. Few if any had weapons, but instead did it using sheer numbers. The Iraqi’s coalesce further and it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Orange Man sure has given them a powerful reason to coalesce.
@?,
Okay, it is just that I am always looking for new friends overseas.
It is so much better traveling in a country if you know someone who lives there. For instance, I have family in Mexico. They have shown me places in central America which are so beautiful that – even years after visiting there – the memory of those places still takes my breath away.
Mike from Jersey all good! I probably ranted too much and way off topic I dont even remember what I posted… I only remember I suggested Mongolia as alternative if you are into the untouched nature. anyway you have fun :)
So the U.S. never runs out of straws or camels over there is what you are saying.
The U Shas unlimited funds to buy off corrupt Iraqi politicians, which is what it does to most countries around the world to a greater or lesser extent – comprador leaders do not act in the interest of their peoples or their nation…ie, our leaders are actually all traitors beholden to the US.
No surprise here.
The United States Government has refused Iraq’s demand that American Troops leave Iraq. The US State Department stated:
They actually said that, quote-unquote.
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-rebuffs-iraq-pm-appeal-talk-troop-exit-its-our-right-force-good-stay
This would actually be funny if it were not so outrageous.
Pompous and Munchkin hold a press conference. To announce sanctions to strangle every aspect of Iran economy.
Pompous reveals this interesting snippet:
>We also have today a NATO team that’s here at the State Department working to develop a plan, which will get burden-sharing right in the region, as well, so that we can continue the important missions to protect and defend and keep the American people safe while reducing our cost, our resources, and our burden, and the risk to our soldiers and sailors who are in the region.>
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/01/10/secretary-pompeo-and-secretary-mnuchin-hold-presser-announcing-new-sanctions-against-iran-video-and-transcript/#more-180506
I’ve got a question and this is the best place to post it: I get confused about whether the competing powers want high oil price or low oil prices.
Sometimes I hear: Low prices will be good for the economy, people will have cheaper gas, etc. Then I hear that high oil prices are good because the U.S. Shale Oil industry needs higher prices to survive. And high oil prices will help our oil exports.
Then I hear that high oil prices helps Russia because they are the largest of all oil exporters. And that’s bad for the U.S.
I don’t have an agenda. I just trying to figure it out.
Dean, I am not sure myself but I do know a bit about the “Shale Oil” situation.
Since the 2008, economic collapse, few American industries have thrived. Finance has thrived (even though its contribution to the economy is questionable), social media platforms (mainly Facebook) have thrived (though, again, the contribution to the economy is questionable), tech giants have thrived (Apple, Microsoft, chip manufacturers actually serve a public purpose), Amazon has thrived (regardless of what you think of their business practices, the sales of goods serve a public purpose) and the Shale Oil industry (though constantly losing money) has 1) contributed to exports (most shale oil is actually “condensate” and is exported since it cannot be refined in US refineries) 2) been a source of employment and 3) been a purchaser of goods and services.
Other than that, not much has been happening in the American economy and, in fact, a record number of people are currently no longer in the “job market”, regardless of how good pundits claim the economy to be.
If the Shale Oil Industry collapses (which it will unless prices increase dramatically) it will increase the trade deficit, cause significant unemployment and a significant drop in demand for goods and services. When you look at the rest of the economy, there is simply not a lot going on which is truly productive (except high tech) in the economy.
Those are my thoughts on it.
@Arnold.
The US is not one monolithic block moving in total harmony and unison.
One lot want high prices, others low.
All want to strangle Russia. (Thats the one aim they agree on).
In 2014…. after Maiden and Crimea, it was believed low oil prices would destroy the Russian economy…. because Russia was “a gas station masquarading as a country”.
Said lame brain McCain.
The simple answer is they want to control the price. In other words, manipulate it up or down, based on the circumstances of the day. It is not a black and white issue, but is an event driven thing. If something else falls, they want to be able to increase oil price to make up for that for example. It is a decision that is made manipulatively as the circumstances change.
Well, thank you. It appears it is a bit complex, so that would explain my confusion.
“Csak egy èjszakàra” the most powerful Hungarian anti-war song ever.
Géza Gyóni: For Just One Night
translated by Watson Kirkconnel
Send them along for just one bloody night
Your zealous heroes spoiling for a fight
For just one bloody night
Their former boasts within out memories ring
As rending shells of shrapnels scream and sing
As mists of strangling poison slowly rise
And leaden swallows swoop across the skies
Send them along for just one bloody night
Your men of gross, gargantuan appetite
For just one bloody night
When thundering cannons start their rawishment
And red Earth groans with belly gouged and rent
And bursting bullets break in glittering hate
And ancient Vistula flows red in spate
Send them along for just one bloody night
The money-sucking leech, the parasite
For just one bloody night
When shell-volcanoes fire the mud upheaves
And fling torn bodies eddying like leaves
To crumbling earth the crisping corpses thresh
Mere blackened heaps of bones instead of flesh
Send them along for just one bloody night
The unbeliever and the uncrontrite
For just one bloody night
When Hell’s hot jaws in paroxysm expand
And vomit blood and horror on the land
In tatter’s tents the wounded pass from life
And sigh across the wind: “my son… my wife…”
Send them along for just one bloody night
The patriots of the tongue, of speech and spite
For just one bloody night
That, as blinding star-shell leap the dark
And cheeks reflect the terror of their spark
And reeking mists are made of Magyar gore
They may scream out in tears: “My God, no more!”
Send them along for just one bloody night
That may they call their mothers in their fright
For just one bloody night
That they may cover low in fear and cold
And grovelling gasp their guilt so manifold
That they may rend their clothes and beat their breasts
And cry: “My Christ, what are thy dread behest?”
My Christ, what dost thou ask? My blood demands
That they shall vow to cleanse their greedy hands
Which now oppress these lands
That brazen infidels who blindly trod
May trust in Christ and put their faith in God
And never more the Magyar nation blight
Send them along for just one bloody night
(1914)
Géza Gyóni – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%A9za_Gy%C3%B3ni
I’m one of seven brothers raised on a dairy farm. I was the only one sent to the war in Viet Nam.
My “One Bloody Night” lasted 5 months till wounded and hauled out of the country. A younger brother who never served is a great fan of war. I finally “unloaded” on him last summer on a trip where many old warplanes were featured. The type of plane that dropped the Atom Bomb on Hiroshima was there and the discussion among us turned to the reason why it was dropped. I also mentioned that Hiroshima was the center of Japanese Christians. My brother blew it all off like it was of no consequence to kill all those noncombatants. I lost it. “Okay mother…., next war YOU go!” The shock on his face was priceless. He wanted to bolt but we were hundreds of miles from home and I had the keys.
I will be in Hungary for a few days in June and will remember this song. Thanks. Magyars, Bulgars, Khazars.
Steve Pahs
I saw this travel documentary and i found it very nice. It is about Iran. I am not familiar with the host, but the show looked very decent and humane. Peace is always Better.
Rick Steves’ Iran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYoa9hI3CXg
sunny afternoon,
somewhere in eastern europe;
young men in pressed shirts
Wow.
Iran admits fault and apologises:
>~A sad day. Preliminary conclusions of internal investigation by Armed Forces:
Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster
Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations.
Trigger happy personel not checking with higher level commanders or was system on automatic…air defence radars not coordinated nationally to locally to check no incoming from Iraq ….no double triple back checking with flights departing from airport…..airport control not checking with airdefence permissions to let planes depart…poor quality tracking systems…..etc etc…???????
Heck.
This guy will have to go
Ali Abedzadeh
Ali Abedzadeh
Head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization
“The version that the plane was shot down by a rocket cannot be true under any circumstances … it is impossible from the scientific point of view.”
Plus this guy and his bosses
Iran ambassador to UK rejects ‘absurd’ claim bulldozers are clearing Ukraine jet crash site
Hamid Baeidinejad says Iran is “confident from our side that there has been no missile launched in that area at that time”.
Who else?
In my bookmarks I have the Zero Hedge site labeled this way: “Zero Hedge EXTREMELY unreliable”.
They have just enough good stories to stay bookmarked, but way too much of their “stuff” is crap. I hate to link to such an awful story, but I’m getting sick of seeing versions of this all over the internet.
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2020-01-10/renewable-green-energy-myth-50000-tons-non-recyclable-wind-turbine-blades-dumped
Headline: THE RENEWABLE GREEN ENERGY MYTH: 50,000 Tons Of Non-Recyclable Wind Turbine Blades Dumped In The Landfill
This one starts with the premise everything has to be “renewable” or “recyclable”. Nonsense! When I light a match I use it up. When I put salt in my softener I don’t expect anybody to reclaim that NaCl. When I put new tires on the car all the tread I started with is going to be dispersed as tiny rubber particles. That missing rubber cannot be reclaimed.
When a turbine blade is discovered to be used up, cut the thing into little pieces and incinerate the freaking thing! In the future the blades may be redesigned so the materials can be reclaimed. That’s fine, but in the meantime they can be neatly disposed. A few factories designed to do this may be needed. So What!
Exxon and Big Coal and others continue to subsidize BS stories like this. That climate change is happening and accelerating cannot be denied anymore except by the craziest of fanatics. So stuff like this is Big Energy’s Plan B to try to force us into Nuclear Power. Does anyone believe the Japanese wouldn’t swap Fukushima for a few million tons of turbine blades?
Tip of the day: Beware of thieves and unlocked doors, especially yours.
We are asked time and time again, “What did Ezekiel see?” and then told stiffly just what Ezekiel saw. The verb “see” has two meanings in the English language where “see” and “saw” are convenient for deception using language and we all know who would deceive goyim and lead us “up the garden path” into the realm of fairies and imagination for their advantage as God’s “chosen ones”.
Jehovah’s Witnesses called by and I explained my translation of Ezekiel Chapter One using my book which I offered freely but then heard … ” I won’t read it ! “, accompanied with narrow eyed determination.
My book is here …
https://saker.community/product/raising-stone-1-paul-hais-racks-and-pinions-theory/
Study this book well and make up your own mind.
It’s a book to get you critically thinking and may alter your perceptions of what you think you already know via being brainwashed.
The Documented Ancient Construction Method of The Great Pyramid
Читайте больше на https://www.pravdareport.com/science/142069-great_pyramid/
… clarifying …
“To see” can mean to see with one’s own eyes or to see with one’s imagination, in which the latter can lead to seeing anything thinkable.
Unfortunately (in English) the verb “see” (past tense “saw”) covers both situations … reality and imagination … and when translation gets involved, this duality opens the door for “opportunists”.
Congratulations to our Павел (Paul) for having his contribution on how the Great Pyramids were built……featured in Pravda!
I have his book which I have read and treasure as a momento both of many Vineyard Cafe Days……my memory of riding around one of those pyramids on a camel about 64 years ago….and my respect for those that figured out how to Raise Stone to those heights……thousands of years ago….making pyramids themselves as the expanding, rising rack portion of the “tool” (rack and pinion) ..that built them!
And highly recommend Raising Stones to others, especially as it helps the Saker, whose hospitality we enjoy.
This success for ancient truth perceived and preserved by one (Павел (Paul)) who could tune his mind to receive signals from the distant past…..IN Truth (Pravda) seems infinitely more significant than the review of his book that Павел (Paul) asked me months ago to post in the Vineyard Community pages…. but it prompts me to attempt to fulfill my promise to write such a review……and I so I ask that this comment (edited, if necessary) be it!
Yes the word “see” lends itself to metaphor in any language. Ie. …”I once was lost but now I see”. And triple it for ancient Hebrew, a very metaphoric language fraught with double meanings and culturally based idioms.
I am not a scholar of ancient language but I do meditate on the 91st Psalm . The word “see” is used twice. Once in the sense of “to witness” ie “You shall see the retribution of the wicked” which is mid point in the Psalm. IAlmost in the sense of you will witness the working out of cause and effect in space. These verses come after a declaration of supremacy over Time ie ( verses speaking about the four corners of time: noon, night, dawn and dusk—-).
The final use of the same root word, “to see “, is in the final paragraph and is in reflexive form. Almost like “I will cause you to see my salvation. It will be revealed to you or shown to you. “
The pre condition is to yearn and to know…but another time for that discussion. Heart and head. But first heart.
The question remains: What did they lift?
It is assumed by most that it was stone. Perhaps not. The problems of cutting stone using primitive methods, to the tolerances they did, are more daunting than lifting them.
There is reasonable evidence that the “stone” blocks were actually formed with a type of (what we would call today) hydraulic cement, and were cast in-place. A similar method might have been used by the Maya. This would explain the close tolerances that exist in how the blocks fit together in both locations.
Opening Oman …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCVA_osauIE
Also, a documentary currently airing on presstv expands on the life of Qaboos bin Said al Said.
(excellent … worthwhile watching)
Pretty scary, in my opinion:
https://www.unz.com/estriker/i-was-harassed-wrongfully-detained-then-had-evidence-planted-on-me-at-the-airport/
Caitlin Johnstone, calling it like it is as usual:
“Since 2014, America’s military presence in Iraq has been at the consent and invitation of the Iraqi government, the democratically elected government the US has used to justify its regime change intervention both before the invasion and ever since. Now that permission has been revoked, and the US government has suddenly lost all interest in Iraqi freedom and democracy. This US government, incidentally, is being led by a president who campaigned in 2016 on the platform of bringing the troops home from nations like Iraq.”
https://medium.com/@caityjohnstone/so-the-us-is-invading-iraq-again-80f362f4f0f2
https://twitter.com/ejmalrai/status/1215892900992704512
US sanctions now mean that Twitter, Instagram, and facebook will not allow any posts saying anything favourable about Soleimani!
to the taiwanese poster here –
now that the election is over, what is the REAL concern forward? What is the china-influence or effect you see would take place from here? Pls do share what’s on the ground level if you have some time. Thanks :)
Inspired by the last post (Paul’s) in the last Cafe……and still wishing to lift the spirits of ioan Over the Rainbow the way the Hawaiian did there, I ask myself, “What can a “brother” do….to help another brother who’s a little bit down???
Like Stone, Lift Him Higher!!!
https://youtu.be/R0DveejxMrw Jackie Wilson: Your Love Keeps LIftin’ Me Higher
Hang In There Baby!
(see the 2 minute 26 sec until approx 2 min 24 sec portion…)
A check could be flyin’ by!
Hands not free??
Grab it wit’cho teeth, Man!
Then go to the movies with that One In A Million Girls!
(Some of those modern little stones get lifted pretty high too, Paul!)
https://consortiumnews.com/2020/01/09/lies-the-bethlehem-doctrine-the-illegal-murder-of-soleimani/
Important article on the evil that is the bethlehem doctrine as applied by Israel and now pompeo and trump; distinguishes as to what the true meaning is of “imminent attack.”
Bottom line is that pompeo had no evidence or details of ‘imminent attack’ which was used to murder solemani.
Evidence of more and more direct influence of mossad and niten on pompeo, kushner, and trump.
It gets worse, if that were possible:
https://www.sott.net/article/427187-Pompeo-I-lied-about-Soleimani-imminent-attacks
“We don’t know precisely when and we don’t know precisely where (the attacks might take place), but it was real,” he told Ingraham.
But if you don’t know when and don’t know where (and presumably don’t know how), on what basis did Pompeo and the Trump Administration sell the idea that he had to be killed immediately lest untold numbers of Americans be killed?
@Taras77
Pompous deviously means there were threats to the US proxy/pets ISIS.
Soliemani was indeed succeeding in defeating the US pets/pests.
Australia water problems and something that floors me, really floors me is this report:
https://anewspost.com/australian-water-extracted-by-foreign-corporation-during-drought-and-sold-for-490-million/
Meanwhile, the government of Australia has given a multi-billion dollar Singaporean food company rights to extract large volumes of water from the country so it can be resold. The food and agriculture giant Olam International is extracting 89,000 megalitres of Australian water so it can be sold privately to a Canadian pension fund for $490 million.
As a Canadian we have more than enough water and what? Are we going to sell ours now back to Australia for an even bigger profit? What the hell is going on?
I have a translator, Paul Smith, who seeks to duplicate the meter above all of Hagen, Shirazi’s ghazals. If anyone has some ideas about these lines from #171, please share them! I am flummoxed per:
Blood refers to wine
“Drink your blood and silently sit, because that tender heart, any strength to bear the seeker of justice’s case, doesn’t have
Look at the boldness of narcissus,blossoming in your sight;
Such a one with eyes open, thought of disgrace doesn’t have
Say this:’Go and wash your sleeve in the blood of the liver,’ to whoever a way to the threshold of this Place, doesn’t have
Do not blame Hafizi if he has worshipped You: O Idol, here, one who is unfaithful to love…crime’s disgrace,
doesn’t have.
still fighting with spell check. Hafiz of Shirazi.
My kind of hermits….obviously don’t watch CIA-CNN……
https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2020/01/10/scottish-hermits-excommunicated-after-accusing-pope-francis-of-heresy/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=best_of_the_week&utm_campaign=20200111
An indigenous man has told how he and his 12-year-old granddaughter were handcuffed as they tried to open a bank account in Vancouver, Canada.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51054120
There is something about this accidental shoot down of the passenger plane in Iran that as details emerge is beginning to remind me of when the Syrians shot down a Russian plane due to a set up by an Israeli jet.
1. Why was the plane allowed to fly at a time when everyone was on edge waiting for an American response in the form of a retaliatory strike?
2. And why was someone given only 10 seconds to make a life and death no win decision with no one answering phones?
3. and why is a British envoy actively stirring up student demonstrations on the very day the Iranian leadership gets a clear idea about what happened and how to proceed?
This is getting very murky indeed.
Fables are legendary stories ‘not based on fact’, a supposition that will in the fullness of time be in itself ‘not based on fact’ as they are in fact based on truth !
Time itself as we know it, is ‘not based on fact’ according to quantum physics, and with that, reality, as we presume and think to know it. This is very good news for the poets and musicians.
Here is a famous fabulous fable for Sunday, a vineyard fable.
Fable no. 15
One hot summer’s day a Fox was strolling through an orchard till he came to a bunch of Grapes just ripening on a vine which had been trained over a lofty branch. “Just the thing to quench my thirst,” quoth he. Drawing back a few paces, he took a run and a jump, and just missed the bunch. Turning round again with a One, Two, Three, he jumped up, but with no greater success. Again and again he tried after the tempting morsel, but at last had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying: “I am sure they are sour.”
It is easy to cast scorn and derision on what you cannot get.
Wonderful, Mia. Thanks for the fable, who’s the author btw?
Aesop, of Aesop’s Fables, who hailed from ancient Greece. Stories with a moral, but I but could never write one. They are so brief, charming, captivating and funny.
Thought so. Thank you!
The question of the author was perhaps rhetorical metaphorical, as the timeless fables of Aesop defy and outstrip the need to quote the author, their universal truths lying within us, but certain situations may at times present themselves when a particular fable comes into its own, shall we say..
About a day after the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani, Iranian cleric Shahab Moradi called in during a show about the events surrounding the assassination. He asked the presenter:
<<[In the situation] that we take one of theirs now that they've got one of ours — who should we consider to take out in the context of America? Think about it. Are we supposed to take out Spiderman and SpongeBob?
They don’t have any heroes.
We have a country in front of us with a large population and a large landmass, but it doesn’t have any heroes.
All of their heroes are cartoon characters – they’re all fictional.>>
Can anyone argue with that? Can anyone name an American soldier of any rank in recent decades who saved large numbers of civilians from terrorists? Someone who really stands out?
Very good article on The Duran about shooting down Ukrainian airplane in Iran, regime change protests in Iran and Ukraine.
Iranian “aerospace analyst” writes book on Ukrainian airforce….
https://theduran.com/iranian-aerospace-analyst-writes-book-on-ukrainian-airforce/
Time to take the kid gloves off with family ………..and superficial “friends”
I just sent them this:
In response to my Red Pilled Sister’s email to me that went:
would love to see your sources for the assertation that ‘Soleimani was THE most important and effective strategist in the region in combatting Al Queda, Al Nusra, ISIS etc.’.. not so much that I ‘doubt’ as I’d really like to have a better understanding of what is appearing as an extremely complicated snarl of factions and cross purposes.. the Harley Schlanger one I sent earlier today didn’t bring this aspect up.. and, while I have no idea how valid this source is.. besides that mainstream media check considers them to be a purveyor of XTREME RIGHT propaganda/conspiracy theories.. which these days could be considered a ringing endorsement.. brings up rather conflicting points:
The Glazov Gang… Claire M Lopez : Behind the Scenes of the Suleymani Hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-rHhfewLQA&feature=em-uploademail&fbclid=IwAR3wiq-PtcIzXURQrlC5Ran0k8q5trUaGMwquPup_AGk3uoblrT6kgVszyI
would also like to see any other sources and narratives whether conflicting.. affirming.. or completely out of the ball park…
I responded:
One bunch of religious nut cases projecting the same madness onto another bunch of religious nut cases.
The view from 50,000 or 80,000 feet is necessary to make sense of how BOTH Claire AND the (DIVERSE!) Islamic factions are victims of the same Empire Divide and Conquer Games.
Meanwhile, within Islam is the diversity that probably escapes Claire and her viewers:
FACT # 1: Al Queda, Al Nusra ISIS are western SUNNI assets……
FACT # 2: Iran is SHIA……the now overt enemy of Sunni/Wahhabi moslems …so yes Soleimani fought them very effectively……………..
Etc
Now:
In terms of “the other side of the story” on Soleimani you can always check sites like Zero Hedge:
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/id-see-them-call-me-how-trump-used-encrypted-swiss-fax-machine-defuse-iran-crisis
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/war-pigs-are-finally-revealing-themselves-and-just-beginning
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trump-says-soleimani-plotted-bomb-attacks-4-us-embassies-intel-senators-balk
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-rebuffs-iraq-pm-appeal-talk-troop-exit-its-our-right-force-good-stay
Or New Eastern Outlook:
https://journal-neo.org/2020/01/07/irans-hero-has-fallen-and-now-the-world-is-an-even-more-dangerous-place/
https://journal-neo.org/2020/01/06/has-trump-set-a-precedent-for-killing-us-personnel/
https://journal-neo.org/2020/01/08/when-will-washington-s-assassination-spree-be-universally-condemned/
Or Ron Unz’s (American Jewish anti-Zionist) UNZ REVIEW:
https://www.unz.com/mwhitney/did-pompeo-dupe-trump-into-the-soleimani-hit/
https://www.unz.com/article/the-donalds-assassination-of-general-soleimani-as-stupid-as-it-gets/
https://www.unz.com/wwebb/a-dubious-official-story-masks-the-true-motives-behind-the-soleimani-assassination/
https://www.unz.com/article/irans-accidental-downing-of-a-ukrainian-plane-is-already-being-used-to-smear-mh-17-skeptics/
On The Vineyard of the Saker, Stop The Empire’s War on Russia………….start about 6 months ago, for past context:
/major-general-soleimani-sharply-reacts-to-trumps-recent-military-threat/
then within hours of the hit:
/qasem-soleimani-killing-likely-reactions-from-iran-and-iraq/
Thoughts by The Saker himself raised in Western Europe by White Russian …anti-Soviet grandparents, parents) a professional military analyst
/terrorist-washington-sinks-to-new-lows-as-qassem-soleimani-and-abu-mahdi-al-muhandis-are-murdered-a-few-thoughts/
/soleimani-murder-sitrep-reactions/
/soleimani-murder-what-could-happen-next/
/tehran-universitys-mohammed-marandi-comments-on-the-murder-of-soleimani/
/ron-paul-blasts-unconstitutional-us-hit-on-soleimani/
/soleimani-murder-sitrep-reactions-from-around-the-world/
/soleimani-murder-sitrep-funeral-and-vote/
/amazing-images-of-the-funeral-of-general-soleimani-in-mahshad-yesterday/
/anti-terror-hero-soleimani-a-terrorist-us-false-life-syndrome-normal-since-2003/
/iraqs-sistani-to-irans-leader-the-great-general-soleimanis-role-against-daesh-was-unparalleled/
/iran-strikes-us-bases-in-iraq-to-avenge-soleimani-vows-to-target-israel-and-all-us-bases-in-the-region-al-manar/
/syrian-pres-adviser-assad-putin-surprise-meeting-part-of-axis-response-to-soleimanis-killing-english-subs/
I am NOT saying that ALL of these articles and videos are 100% “spot on”.
What I am saying is that none of them ever could be completely complete….. nor can any video or article that you provide me with!
But that’s always a “given” with ANY subject!!! So ………..somewhat besides the point.
So what IS the point????
The point is that it is now more possible than ever before in history to NOT be as woefully in the dark, as totally FOOLED by the Powers That Shouldn’t Be….as before…as there are plenty of different perspectives to quickly or relentlessly over years….check with…”with a click of your mouse”.
And you don’t have to decide in the next 5 minutes…..5 hours or 5 days. Principally by a process of NEGATION….rejection of what CANNOT make sense…… one can reliably avoid the most serious pitfalls….and not be an F-ing IDIOT……..unless of course…………………your only source……….is your Idiot Box.
THEN it can be pretty much 100% guaranteed than your “opinions” won’t be worth a shit, you will be an accomplice of great evil in the world (like cheering the Bush IRAQ invasions………….and…..IN SHORT………….being an F-ing Idiot yourself.
So don’t be lazy…don’t be hasty…don’t be manipulated by emotion or laziness or ignorance……….check with a few other readily available sources, especially ones that have stood the test of time………..in past investigations…… until you can reasonably be certain of………… what cannot be true.
What is true, will take more time and work to figure out with acceptable levels of completeness/incompleteness.
This is a setup for a harder punch….to the gut….not of Red Pilled……but for the others cc’ed RPS or about the total zombies……….. long ago given up on:
A Holiday Punch…… a text that virtually made me ill (not really……hyperbole in effect…..lol) ever since I received it…. from another relative that receives all of Red Pilled Sister’s investigative emails….. and might have something to add or ask….. in regard to ….oh….on rare occasion………… maybe 1 out of 50 of her emails or so
Next Cafe
Bro; I too masochistically look to see what the zerohedge jerks are up to. Even when facts are included it is only to introduce their financial empire spin;then reading the comments will really crush your hopes. It’s not worth it.
be well; the drifter
I don’t spend much time there at all. But people here, who are trying a lot harder than you are, linked some of their (ZH’s) articles that I found of some interest, and that (just being the most recent of my searches for articles) would at least get family and friends thinking a little. But I’d say show what’s a lot better………… or better just be quiet.
Which you have been, mostly.
So I don’t even know what your spin is, for comparison purposes.
(Removed by the moderator.)
Cheers!
In the next few years if Iran,Russia,or China,falls under the control of the hegemonic US.I doubt it will fully be for military reasons.For one,the USSR was a peer military power to the US for decades.And yet it collapsed,ushering in the second time in a century of mass Russian suffering.No ,military means would only be a part of the fall.The blame will lay in the information warfare,and economic warfare that will pave the way.
Iran is drowning under sanctions imposed by the US.But much more importantly,obeyed by most of the rest of the World.Including to a large extent Russia and China.This insane World obedience to the US “dikats” is worth more to the US than any number of new weapons produced.Iran after all these years hasn’t basically changed their elites.They still send their students to the West for education.They don’t subsidize (enough at least) to keep many of their most talented people to stay in the country, instead of getting jobs abroad.And while abroad they are under 24/7 Western propaganda.Since they are educated,professional people,they won’t travel in the poorest circles of the West.They are exposed to the middle and upper class Western lifestyle.And will compare that to Iran.It’s a well known fact that they will be approached,whether they know it or not,by Western operatives,trying to recruit them for when they return for visits to Iran. And are surrounded at all times by Western MSN propaganda.Telling them how great the West is and how bad Iran is.The fact that Iran hasn’t changed their elite,and hasn’t stopped the brain drain,tells me they don’t understand the Western endgame.The US has hopes of using these tactics to split Iranian society enough for them to bring the government around to them.They have no chance in my opinion with the vast rural areas of Iran.But they don’t care about those areas anyway.Its the youth and elites of the cities they are after.Revolt’s in the modern world happen or are completed in the cities first.
Most of the above is true of Russia as well,if not even worse.The youth and elite fascination with the West is extremely strong inside Russia.And the government does little to change it.Many of the top economic elite (maybe most?),use Russia as only a “cash cow” while they stick their money aboard.And have massive palatial homes in multiple countries.The UK,France,the US,and Israel,are their favorite places to live.Even,with their own country being a sports legend.Several of these elite own sports clubs aboard.So while Russian teams struggle to keep up.Lavish amounts are spent on their competitors in the West,by fellow Russians.A total disgrace.If pro-Western forces finally win in Russia,the blame will fall fairly on the Russian government.Instead of fighting like they were fighting for their lives (which they are).They think they are in a “point fighting” contest with Marquess of Queensberry rules. The West hasn’t killed the Russian economy like they hoped.But Russia hasn’t been able overcome those problems either. A 1% or 2% growth is only keeping from drowning.Maybe some Western countries aren’t doing better.But that is mostly to do with their planned austerity,and most importantly for this post,they start from a higher gdp and percaptia income.China under their partly planned economy is running a 6.5% growth rate.And that is down from their average.Top Russian economists have begged the government for years to spur the economy and release funds for small business as well.But the elites have fought those ideas which would cut into their economic power.Even though it could bring Russia up to 5%-8% growth rates.Can Russia survive without crushing the power of what I would say is an anti-Russian elite.That is an open question.
China has great economic strength,and to some extent has tamed their elites (certainly far more than Iran or Russia have). But in my opinion they haven’t tamed them enough.Not having political power doesn’t mean you can’t influence politics.Through out history we’ve seen the power of money at work in politics.China hasn’t even gone to the (not far enough) lengths Russia has to curb foreign funded NGO’s from causing trouble,Hong Kong being the latest example.The Chinese have hundreds of thousands of students studying in the West.Subject to all the same influences that I listed for Iranian and Russian students.The Chinese have invested many billions in the US,have over a trillion dollars in worthless US foreign debt.And 18% of her foreign trade come from US sales.Which is the reason Trump thinks he can strike a favorable trade deal with China.Certainly since the 1980’s if nor before,China adopted a new ideology,business and politics are kept separate That’s all well and good if you weren’t fighting for your life.Against enemies who totally reject that argument and consider economics as one more weapon to be used.We see that, yes,China is willing to trade with Russia.But the deals must be favorable to China,or they aren’t willing.Now,most of us here I think understand that if Russia falls,China is a goner.And that Russia needs help from China.So the Chinese should be freely offering that help.Invest the money they are wasting in the US in Russia instead.Would be one suggestion to start with .But the Chinese don’t seem to understand that.They remind me of the people Lenin talked about when he said “the bourgeois would sell you the rope that you hang them with”.Unless China wakes up and recognizes that business and politics are not separate.Then her survival is not a certainty in the long game.
“In the next few years if Iran,Russia,or China,falls under the control of the hegemonic US”
The US is not directly hegemonic. This, rather, is indicative of the real source of the problem /putin-steps-on-the-polish-elites-toes/
The head of Russia treaded on Poland’s favorite toe, when he called a Warsaw official “a bastard” and “an anti-Semitic pig.”
Financial and behavioral control is the name of the game, a belief can be totally wrong, but if you have the finances to sustain it, you will continue forward with your beliefs.
But, a mechanism is being formulated though to shock the center of the satanical world soon, this trickle down moment will be the recession or depression test to base how well the elites future can withstand the disbelief that their grade A vision has somehow turned into a grade A disaster.
If they react badly, their, and many others financial cushion could evaporate as the full faith and credit of the system dissolves into a grab what you can while its still left to grab. This is what happens when you financialize the economy with greed, a first come first served rush to the exits before the stamped of derivatives alters the financial landscape forever.
For those that are busy educating others at a very fast pace, I found this book fascinating as it is not the normal USA history. He takes it from the United States outside the United States – How to Hide an Empire by Daniel Immerwahr. It truly is a different and wider perspective on empire.
https://www.globalresearch.ca/how-hide-empire-history-greater-united-states/5700299
Immerwahr has been widely interviewed but I enjoyed this Abby Martin interview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df4R-xdKvpM
Knowledgeable explanations requested
Mirabile dictu : 2 opposing but crucial items in the news this week: 1) Trump (!!!) cites Brunelleschi on the unity of art and science, and human progress, and references the Cathedral in Florence. (I agree with the deep claim he offered but was flabbergasted that he knew enough to say it. After all, his building projects show no lessons learned from Brunelleschi. Anybody have insight on this?
2) Davos endorses “Green Banking” to ‘save the environment’ by reducing the number of human beings. My question is: how do those golem expect to live so nicely as they now do with a greatly reduced number of people (especially numbers in the workforce)? Robots? “Apres moi the deluge”? Thanks.