Besieged,
The pervasive tension in global affairs at this moment in history is due to the impending collapse of the monetary and financial structure, from debt which can only be serviced by further borrowing at interest within the western financial system. Western currencies are debt-based, and their "value" is maintained by repaying loans at interest. The US interest rates have been above the rates of growth of the real economy since at least 1979. This has hollowed out the productive economy, much of which was moved to countries with low wages for labor and lax pollution laws. The collapse of the system is now hastened by the freezing of $300 billion in Russian assets, a caution to Saudi Arabia, China and others.
Countries are winding down dollar debts and investments as they build alternative trade arrangements in local currencies, gold and new exchange systems. The "owners" of the debts, their "assets" have come to this position by creating money through fractional-reserve creation, while requiring repayment in actual goods and at interest. With the collapse of the current system, as currently structured, the holders of derivatives-contracts will seize all assets, even though they have been "gambling with other people's property". Structuring the seniority of "rights" to property this way stabilized the financial system temporarily after 2008-2009, but it created an inevitable crisis, a political crisis, founded upon the injustice of this structure, when the derivatives crisis does inevitably occur. The injustice of the ownership structures is unknown to most, but is well-established. However, the US and other western countries cannot expect to carry it out, because people will just not accept it.
Other emergency powers for global finance are sought through the WHO Pandemic Treaty and IHR (international health regulations) amendments, though public awareness has been raised, and elected representatives are beginning to see how bad these regulations would be if accepted.
This leaves World War-3 as the special emergency to justify the kinds of emergency powers needed to maintain control of the world through such blatantly unjust machinations.
There are reasons to avoid world war-3, even for large-portfolio globalist owners, who are also mortal, and who only have wealth within the context of stable and productive industrial societies. There is no ideal choice for even elite globalist dynasties, but they have gone through world wars before. In those wars they generally increased their wealth and power, which is not possible in the same way as industrial economies are at the brink of a long decline, due to increasing costs of fossil-fuels and mineral ores, while their quality and availability decline.
In my view WW-3 will be broadly destructive of real wealth and manufacturing capacity, while the globalists stand to lose "ownership" to different "owners" aligned with the "winning" side, which would not be the "collective west", already floundering to under-supply the proxy-war in Ukraine, and surprisingly failing to prevail victoriously against starving Palestinians in the rubble of Gaza and the West Bank.
So western globalist owners can choose to invest in BRICS+ and Eurasian Economic Union, and expect a reduction in standing, or they can sign on to some kind of controlled-demolition of WW-3, which would turn against them if it got out of hand, because Russia holds a great military advantage, and China holds a great manufacturing advantage.
My hope on this physical plane is that each day WW-3 is deterred and delayed until it becomes completely unattractive, or unfeasible for the elite globalist dynasties.
Russia-analyst Gilbert Doctorow, Will the NATO war games on Russia’s borders trigger a nuclear response?
Yesterday evening’s brief interview on Iran’s Press TV alongside panelist Don Debar from the USA focused on one question: what risks to the peace are presented by the ongoing massive NATO military exercises at Russia’s borders in which more than 90,000 soldiers are participating and which Moscow considers a provocation.
I say here directly that if the exercises were to be turned into an actual attack on Russia to distract Moscow from the battleground in Donbas then I envision the Russian response to be a strike with tactical nuclear weapons that would decimate the NATO forces instantaneously. Unlike my fellow panelist, I do not see such a Russian response, which is clearly laid out in Russian warnings over the past six months or more, as triggering a full scale nuclear war, because Washington knows full well that whatever damage it may do to Russia in such an exchange, there will be nothing but ashes left of the USA, with no one left to vote for Joe Biden in November. https://gilbertdoctorow.com/2024/05/05/will-the-nato-war-games-on-russias-borders-trigger-a-nuclear-response-discussion-on-irans-press-tv/"And furthermore" Doctorow: Here we go: further down the slippery slope to WWIII
My efforts to ready for publication two further installments of my Travel Notes have been interrupted by latest announcements and counter-announcements from Macron and other leaders in the West, on the one hand, and from Russian officials on the other hand. These should deeply worry anyone hoping for a rational resolution of the conflict surrounding Ukraine. To the contrary, they point to major escalation and the possibility of things spinning out of control. Yesterday France officially announced that it has sent Foreign Legion troops to Ukraine. Their numbers are expected to reach 1500 and they are said to be artillery and reconnaissance specialists. The purpose of this announcement was to make legal the initial dispatch to Ukraine of several hundred of these troops over a month ago. The fact that the information is postdated matches the Russians’ claim today to have already ‘destroyed’ seven of the French Legionnaires on the Ukrainian battlefield not far back from the front lines...
..Now we see that the Ministry of Defense has gotten the message from Russia’s elites and experts, and the tactical nuclear arms, of which Russia has a vast assortment, will be prepared for use.
The foregoing is not all the bad news that has been pouring down on us. Another item, widely reported in Russia but apparently unnoticed in Western media, was the issuance yesterday by the Russian Ministry of Interior of arrest warrants against former Ukrainian president Poroshenko and current president Zelensky. Among other things, this means that if either of them appears close to the front lines for yet another photo opp, they may be snatched by Russian special forces and hauled off to Moscow. The timing is surely related to the expiry of Zelensky’s constitutionally mandated term in office later this month given that the presidential elections that should have taken place in March were cancelled by him. However, the bigger dimension of this move is the clear indication by Moscow that it considers the Kiev regime illegitimate and will not negotiate with them. Nota bene, that the same logic will surely apply to any replacement president that Washington tries to slot into office in the coming weeks. Further arrest warrants against other former as well as present high Kievan officials may be expected in the coming days. Moscow is said to be preparing a tribunal to try the Ukrainian leaders in the near future, either in the courtroom or in absentia. https://gilbertdoctorow.com/2024/05/06/here-we-go-further-down-the-slippery-slope-to-wwiii/
Construction industry is already in 'dire straits', while Israel's largest refinery warns of significant hit to crude oil imports https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israeli-industry-braces-economic-damage-amid-turkish-trade-ban
"We know perfectly well how the West will attack us in connection with this decision [to suspend trade with Israel]," Erdogan said while visiting the Turkish Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association.
Ankara will "hold itself upright," knowing that one can only move forward by helping the suppressed, the Turkish leader added.
Erdogan voiced hope that Turkiye will set an example for other countries displeased with the status quo. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240503/turkiye-expects-wests-attack-following-suspension-of-trade-with-israel---erdogan-1118245186.html
Ankara will "hold itself upright," knowing that one can only move forward by helping the suppressed, the Turkish leader added.
Erdogan voiced hope that Turkiye will set an example for other countries displeased with the status quo. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240503/turkiye-expects-wests-attack-following-suspension-of-trade-with-israel---erdogan-1118245186.html
Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon has some hypersonic anti-ship missiles from Russia and likely some from Iran, with ranges to 180 miles, which can deny Israel shipping through the Mediterranean. This article is from last November: Hezbollah's anti-ship missiles bolster its threat to US navy https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollahs-anti-ship-missiles-bolster-its-threat-us-navy-2023-11-08/
How? With what? With help? From who? Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, also known as Houthis, are ready to attack any ships heading to Israel from Mediterranean Sea if the Jewish state launches an offensive in Rafah, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said on Friday. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240503/houthis-ready-to-attack-israeli-linked-ships-in-mediterranean-sea---military-spokesman-1118244428.html
Netanyahu's plans to turn Israel into a regional transportation hub connecting Asia with Europe has just suffered a major setback. The reason is the maritime and land blockade against Israel in response to its genocide in Gaza. https://mondoweiss.net/2024/05/the-land-and-sea-blockade-against-israel-is-working-as-israel-takes-a-strategic-hit/
The government of Israel is now essentially in a full diplomatic war with the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the possible impending arrest warrants which could be issued anytime for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his top officials, including the defense chief.
The back-and-forth rhetoric has grown so heated that the Hague-based ICC has issued a new Friday statement warning against 'intimidation' of the court. While not naming Israel or any specific officials or actions, the statement warns that legal action could be take against those "threatening to retaliate" or else trying to "impede or intimidate" its officials and the world court's work. (US Congress made threats.) https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/icc-threatens-action-over-intimidation-tactics-netanyahu-arrest-warrant-looms
The back-and-forth rhetoric has grown so heated that the Hague-based ICC has issued a new Friday statement warning against 'intimidation' of the court. While not naming Israel or any specific officials or actions, the statement warns that legal action could be take against those "threatening to retaliate" or else trying to "impede or intimidate" its officials and the world court's work. (US Congress made threats.) https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/icc-threatens-action-over-intimidation-tactics-netanyahu-arrest-warrant-looms
The Qatar-based news channel has called the decision “dangerous” and politically motivated https://www.rt.com/news/597020-al-jazeera-israel-netanyahu/
Hamas says it has agreed to ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
In a statement Monday, Hamas said the head of its political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, told the Qatari prime minister and Egyptian intelligence minister that the militant group had accepted their proposal...
..It’s unclear whether Hamas has agreed to the most recent ceasefire proposal, as outlined last week, or a revised version of it.
The most recent framework, which Israel helped craft but has not fully agreed to, calls for the release of between 20 and 33 hostages over several weeks in exchange for a temporary ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
After the initial exchange, according to that framework, there would follow what sources describe as the “restoration of sustainable calm” during which the remaining hostages, captive Israeli soldiers and the bodies of hostages would be exchanged for more Palestinian prisoners.
A diplomatic source familiar with the talks told CNN that after a day-long meeting in Doha, Qatar’s capital, between CIA Director William Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, mediators convinced Hamas to accept a three-part deal. “The ball is now firmly in (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu’s court,” the source said.
As news spread in Gaza of Hamas’ announcement, Palestinians began to celebrate in the street in Deir al-Balah, in the center of the Strip, and Gaza City in the north...
..Asked whether Hamas’ acceptance of a deal could change Israel’s plans for Rafah, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the military would continue to operate in Gaza. He said operations are ongoing, but that the IDF is making every effort in the negotiations to bring the hostages home as “fast as possible.”
Netanyahu has come under fierce pressure from the more extreme wing of his coalition not to accept the ceasefire proposal outlined last week, and to focus instead on destroying Hamas in Rafah. Orit Strook, Israel’s settlements minister and a member of the far-right Religious Zionism party, said last week that accepting the deal would “throw” Israel’s military progress “in the trash.”
Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel’s national security minister, said Netanyahu had “promised that Israel would enter Rafah, assured that the war would not end, and pledged that there would be no reckless deal.”
But large parts of the Israeli public have demanded Netanyahu accept a deal. Families and supporters of the hostages blocked the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv last week, holding a banner reading: “Rafah or the hostages – choose life.”
https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/06/middleeast/hamas-agrees-ceasefire-proposal-israel-gaza-latam-intl/index.html
Israel: Hamas 'Acceptance' Of Ceasefire Deal Is A Ruse
Israeli army radio journalist: "Sources in Israel: Hamas actually approved a softened Egyptian proposal that is unacceptable to Israel."...
..According to a WSJ description of the "Egyptian proposal" in question:
Egypt offered a new proposal for a truce between Israel and Hamas in which some Israeli hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a three-week cease-fire, in a bid to stave off an Israeli military offensive in the southern Gazan city of Rafah.
Israel, which helped create the proposal, according to Egyptian officials, would commit to entering longer-term discussions once Hamas releases a first group of 20 hostages over the truce period—a formulation designed to overcome the militant group’s reluctance to release any hostages without any prospect of ending the war. https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/civilians-ordered-out-rafah-idf-ground-attack-proceed-us-halts-ammo-shipment-1st-time
Egypt offered a new proposal for a truce between Israel and Hamas in which some Israeli hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a three-week cease-fire, in a bid to stave off an Israeli military offensive in the southern Gazan city of Rafah.
Israel, which helped create the proposal, according to Egyptian officials, would commit to entering longer-term discussions once Hamas releases a first group of 20 hostages over the truce period—a formulation designed to overcome the militant group’s reluctance to release any hostages without any prospect of ending the war. https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/civilians-ordered-out-rafah-idf-ground-attack-proceed-us-halts-ammo-shipment-1st-time
-Over 50 targets hit as IDF prepares for ground operation
-President Macron warns against ground op
-Civilians warned to evacuate. Tens of thousands of flyers dropped
-Biden phoned Netanyahu to urge against Rafah ground op without acceptable evacuation plan
-Axios reported that for the first time the US has paused ammo shipments to Israel...
-Senior official: Israel will achieve all its war objectives
-‘Bibi is abandoning the hostages!’: Protesters in Jerusalem demand deal
-European Union says offensive is "unacceptable". https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/civilians-ordered-out-rafah-idf-ground-attack-proceed-us-halts-ammo-shipment-1st-time
Israel comes up with post-war solution for Gaza – NYT
Israel's Plan for Postwar Gaza Ignores Will of Palestinians and Regional Players
Israel closes Gaza terminal to humanitarian aid after rocket fire The Israeli army shut the Kerem Shalom crossing with the Gaza Strip to humanitarian aid on Sunday following rocket fire from the besieged enclave. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israel-closes-gaza-terminal-to-humanitarian-aid-after-rocket-fire/3210597
World Central Kitchen serves 1M meals in Gaza since resuming operations
'We’ve provided 46+ million plates of food through hot meals & food kits since first responding to the conflict,' says food charity https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/world-central-kitchen-serves-1m-meals-in-gaza-since-resuming-operations/3210653
Ship carrying over 5,000 tons of humanitarian aid for Gaza sets sail from Türkiye , Aid on '11th Goodness Ship' includes food, baby care products, sleeping bags https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/ship-carrying-over-5-000-tons-of-humanitarian-aid-for-gaza-sets-sail-from-turkiye/3210643
Corruption Sped Up Ukraine's Retreat More Than Weapons Shortage
This is not the EU that Hungary joined – Orban , Budapest did not subscribe to same-sex marriages or war with Russia when it became a member, the prime minister says https://swentr.site/news/596945-orban-eu-war-pressure/
The most interesting development surrounds the Kremlin having designated Zelensky himself—as well as several other top Ukrainian officials and generals—as “wanted”, though oddly enough, the precise legal reason is unclear and not listed on the Russian Interior Ministry’s site.
The most immediate repercussions of this are:
Russia may be sending a signal and setting the groundwork for the revocation of any “peace deals” with Zelensky, as placing him on the wanted list ensures that the Russian state cannot legally parley with a wanted criminal. Even more darkly, it potentially sets the stage for Russia to eliminate him following his total loss of legitimacy on May 21st, when the Ukrainian presidential inauguration would have taken place...
That is why the former secretary of the National Security Council of Ukraine Danilov was sent to Moldova now, and Moldovan telegram channels insider about a certain disagreement between Sandu and Zelensky, according to the timing of the defrosting of the conflict in the PMR, where Maya pushes him away for 2025, and Zelensky needs him in the fall of 2024.
And Rezident UA:
Our source in the OP said that Danilov was specifically sent to Moldova as the creator of the CPD for working with cognitive operations. It is important for Bankov to draw Moldova into conflict with Russia in order to play the Transnistrian case in the summer...
As unlikely as it may seem, U.S. officials now admit the Biden administration's strategy of pressing Niger and other African countries to break off ties with Moscow is no longer working... That the U.S. has essentially lost a foothold on Chad, Central African Republic, Mali and Libya, and now Niger is a stunning admission.
New US Antisemitism Law Turns Critics Against Israeli Genocide Into Criminals
Cat McGuire , Mayday! Mayday! U.S. has soft coup d'état , May 1, 2024: The day America was Zionized by an "Antisemitism Awareness Act"
The fundamental issue, no one really wants to mention here, is that every technologically driven society needs raw materials and energy to build up and maintain itself. And while all previous civilizations used the power of the sun, wind and muscles to grow crops, raise temples, and travel to distant lands, this current iteration uses fossil fuels to do all that. Thanks to their energy density, portability and abundance, these fuels remain absolutely essential to everything we do to this very day.
Metals, sand, stone, even nutrients used up by our crops are all extracted or “produced” by burning diesel, coal and natural gas. Out of the many energy resources only fossil fuels provide us with the necessary amount of work and high heat needed to mine and refine these raw materials at scale, and at a reasonable energy return on investment… Something which is also worsening as rich metal and fossil fuel deposits deplete and being replaced with ever lower quality ones. We have found ourselves in an energetic conundrum. The energy demand of mining every resource (including fossil fuels and the metals needed to build “renewables”) are just going up and up, while the energy returned to society is falling. We are approaching a technological tipping point where it will be impossible to power all these activities, let alone growing the economy. https://thehonestsorcerer.substack.com/p/red-herrings-transhumanism-and-well
Another problem with McKinsey’s and Goldman’s forecasts is their narrow focus. They largely ignore the feedback loops introduced by the new layers of complexity that AI will introduce into society.
For example, Elon Musk recently warned that AI and EVs (electric vehicles) will produce an electric power shortage by 2025.
“The world will face supply crunches in electricity and transformers next year…However much electricity you think you need, more than that is needed.”
-President Macron warns against ground op
-Civilians warned to evacuate. Tens of thousands of flyers dropped
-Biden phoned Netanyahu to urge against Rafah ground op without acceptable evacuation plan
-Axios reported that for the first time the US has paused ammo shipments to Israel...
-Senior official: Israel will achieve all its war objectives
-‘Bibi is abandoning the hostages!’: Protesters in Jerusalem demand deal
-European Union says offensive is "unacceptable". https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/civilians-ordered-out-rafah-idf-ground-attack-proceed-us-halts-ammo-shipment-1st-time
Israel could offer to share control over Gaza, after the war currently devastating the Palestinian enclave ends, with the US and a coalition of Arab nations, the New York Times has reported, citing officials.
In a report on Friday, the paper cited anonymous sources who claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is avoiding detailed public discussions about Gaza’s post-war future, but that behind the scenes officials have been developing an “expansive plan.”
Three Israeli officials, and five people who have discussed the proposal with the Israeli government, told the NYT that the Jewish state would offer to share oversight of Gaza with the US and three Arab countries – Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. According to the sources, Israel would do so in exchange for a normalization of ties with Saudi Arabia. https://www.rt.com/news/596988-israel-gaza-saudi-arabia/
In a report on Friday, the paper cited anonymous sources who claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is avoiding detailed public discussions about Gaza’s post-war future, but that behind the scenes officials have been developing an “expansive plan.”
Three Israeli officials, and five people who have discussed the proposal with the Israeli government, told the NYT that the Jewish state would offer to share oversight of Gaza with the US and three Arab countries – Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. According to the sources, Israel would do so in exchange for a normalization of ties with Saudi Arabia. https://www.rt.com/news/596988-israel-gaza-saudi-arabia/
Citing individuals familiar with the talks, the newspaper wrote that Israel appears to be ready to share oversight of the strip with a number of Arab countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as with the US.
Under the plan, the coalition of nations would govern the strip for about 7-10 years and then allow Palestinians residing in Gaza to vote on whether to become subordinate to the united Palestinian administration. The Israeli military would maintain its presence in Gaza in the meantime, as per the proposal. The NYT emphasized that Tel Aviv would agree to the scenario in exchange for normalization of relations with Riyadh.
According to the newspaper, Arab officials and analysts have largely denounced the plan since it does not contain provisions opening the door to legalizing the Palestine state.
"I don't see the possibility for this plan to become a reality," Dr. Mehmet Rakipoglu, assistant professor at Mardin Artuklu University and researcher at the Dimensions for Strategic Studies London-based think tank, told Sputnik. "Even if it's implemented, I don't see any concrete solution for the problem, because the problem is all about the US and Israel." https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/israels-plan-for-postwar-gaza-ignores-will-of-palestinians-and-regional-players-1118258229.html
Under the plan, the coalition of nations would govern the strip for about 7-10 years and then allow Palestinians residing in Gaza to vote on whether to become subordinate to the united Palestinian administration. The Israeli military would maintain its presence in Gaza in the meantime, as per the proposal. The NYT emphasized that Tel Aviv would agree to the scenario in exchange for normalization of relations with Riyadh.
According to the newspaper, Arab officials and analysts have largely denounced the plan since it does not contain provisions opening the door to legalizing the Palestine state.
"I don't see the possibility for this plan to become a reality," Dr. Mehmet Rakipoglu, assistant professor at Mardin Artuklu University and researcher at the Dimensions for Strategic Studies London-based think tank, told Sputnik. "Even if it's implemented, I don't see any concrete solution for the problem, because the problem is all about the US and Israel." https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/israels-plan-for-postwar-gaza-ignores-will-of-palestinians-and-regional-players-1118258229.html
World Food Programme Director Cindy McCain Says Northern Gaza Experiencing ‘Full-Blown’ Famine
Cindy McCain called for a ceasefire and for the WFP to have 'unfettered access' to Gaza https://news.antiwar.com/2024/05/05/world-food-programme-director-cindy-mccain-says-northern-gaza-experiencing-full-blown-famine/
Cindy McCain called for a ceasefire and for the WFP to have 'unfettered access' to Gaza https://news.antiwar.com/2024/05/05/world-food-programme-director-cindy-mccain-says-northern-gaza-experiencing-full-blown-famine/
'We’ve provided 46+ million plates of food through hot meals & food kits since first responding to the conflict,' says food charity https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/world-central-kitchen-serves-1m-meals-in-gaza-since-resuming-operations/3210653
Military purchases and tenders are currently classified and do not go through Ukraine's public procurement platform ProZorro, allowing corrupt politicians and their business partners to steal quietly, according to Kozyulin. Moreover, he added, the same individuals who seize these funds are responsible for overseeing their expenditure.
One might ask why Ukrainian authorities and business sectors are shooting themselves in the foot by undermining the country's defensive capabilities.
"Ukrainian oligarchs who support Zelensky and work with him understand perfectly well that their fate is sealed, and they are laying the groundwork for departure. While preparing to escape Ukraine, they create some kind of financial safety net for themselves," Mingalev explained. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/corruption-speeded-up-ukraines-retreat-more-than-weapons-shortage-1118257014.html
One might ask why Ukrainian authorities and business sectors are shooting themselves in the foot by undermining the country's defensive capabilities.
"Ukrainian oligarchs who support Zelensky and work with him understand perfectly well that their fate is sealed, and they are laying the groundwork for departure. While preparing to escape Ukraine, they create some kind of financial safety net for themselves," Mingalev explained. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240504/corruption-speeded-up-ukraines-retreat-more-than-weapons-shortage-1118257014.html
Simplicius, Macron Again Struts Feathers, NATO Troop Paranoia, & More
The most immediate repercussions of this are:
Russia may be sending a signal and setting the groundwork for the revocation of any “peace deals” with Zelensky, as placing him on the wanted list ensures that the Russian state cannot legally parley with a wanted criminal. Even more darkly, it potentially sets the stage for Russia to eliminate him following his total loss of legitimacy on May 21st, when the Ukrainian presidential inauguration would have taken place...
..Russia may be looking to create another fixing operation in the north and then play things by ear depending on where the AFU commits its rundown reserves and forces. Should they overcommit to the potential Kharkov breach, then Russia could slam an offensive through the center front around Donetsk to create breakthroughs...
..Many were again taken aback when Macron essentially said that if Russia creates a breakthrough in Ukraine, and Ukraine requests aid, then France will consider sending troops. But in truth, he’s merely trotting out the same threats made previously, hoping to spark headline buzz to maintain his ‘strongman of Europe’ facade.....Russian forces potentially aiming to surround Kharkov don’t require Belarusian territory. Only to take Kiev would they need to come from Belarus—so reading between the lines, it means NATO is quietly implying that they would only intervene to save Kiev.
The second red line is more troubling: a provocation on Moldova, Poland, or the Baltics is an easy route for NATO to create falseflags to blame Russia for a casus belli to enter the conflict. Just blow something up with a missile and claim Russia did it. Or, they could of course stoke the Baltics into provoking Russia into taking some action, just as they floated in the Kaliningrad train saga a while back.
As Legitimny channel writes: The second red line is more troubling: a provocation on Moldova, Poland, or the Baltics is an easy route for NATO to create falseflags to blame Russia for a casus belli to enter the conflict. Just blow something up with a missile and claim Russia did it. Or, they could of course stoke the Baltics into provoking Russia into taking some action, just as they floated in the Kaliningrad train saga a while back.
That is why the former secretary of the National Security Council of Ukraine Danilov was sent to Moldova now, and Moldovan telegram channels insider about a certain disagreement between Sandu and Zelensky, according to the timing of the defrosting of the conflict in the PMR, where Maya pushes him away for 2025, and Zelensky needs him in the fall of 2024.
And Rezident UA:
Our source in the OP said that Danilov was specifically sent to Moldova as the creator of the CPD for working with cognitive operations. It is important for Bankov to draw Moldova into conflict with Russia in order to play the Transnistrian case in the summer...
..The Italians claim “100,000 NATO troops” could take part in such an intervention; not really much against Russia’s new 500k+ man second army, but certainly enough to at least block off a particular corridor. In the end though, most of this is just posturing. https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/macron-again-struts-feathers-nato
U.S. troops will now be forced to leave Niger, according to this report and others. However, the most damning evidence my country has abused African nations comes straight from the mouth of a former CIA intelligence officer. Cameron Hudson told Politico:
"When all of these countries kicked out the French and turned inward, we then tried to pivot to become the peacemaker in the hopes that we could keep our presence there. All of that is clearly not working. We are now out. Russia is now in."
The larger story of U.S. neoimperialism is amplified in this statement. Calmly, a CIA expert on Africa spells out how America stepped into the role of French colonialists/opportunists/pirates. He went on to mirror what we've been saying for years now, that African nations no longer want to be "told what to do." Our role in Niger, in fact, across Africa and the world, could not be magnified more clearly. Politico quoted another U.S. official who punctuated this for us with his admission, "There's a long history of the West telling African countries how to govern, and they're finally saying 'enough." https://www.sott.net/article/491119-US-admits-failed-Africa-strategy-But-theres-more
"When all of these countries kicked out the French and turned inward, we then tried to pivot to become the peacemaker in the hopes that we could keep our presence there. All of that is clearly not working. We are now out. Russia is now in."
The larger story of U.S. neoimperialism is amplified in this statement. Calmly, a CIA expert on Africa spells out how America stepped into the role of French colonialists/opportunists/pirates. He went on to mirror what we've been saying for years now, that African nations no longer want to be "told what to do." Our role in Niger, in fact, across Africa and the world, could not be magnified more clearly. Politico quoted another U.S. official who punctuated this for us with his admission, "There's a long history of the West telling African countries how to govern, and they're finally saying 'enough." https://www.sott.net/article/491119-US-admits-failed-Africa-strategy-But-theres-more
Thanks Oxymoron in Oz. Are Putin, Xi and Khamenei really puppets? The global world order is centralized at levels above the nation-state. The illusions of a transition from a "unipolar" U.S. to "multi-polar" BRICS order https://neofeudalreview.substack.com/p/the-global-world-order-is-centralized
This keeps coming up, but will there be an election this year? Six Reasons Why Tulsi Gabbard Is Donald Trump's Best Choice As A Running Mate
Reason Number Six: I’ve saved the best for last. Can you imagine Gabbard again on a debate stage in October, as early voting is starting, across from Kamala Harris? https://www.zerohedge.com/political/six-reasons-why-tulsi-gabbard-donald-trumps-best-choice-running-mate
Professor Anthony Hall, Israel Lobby in Canada Pushing to Criminalize Pro-Palestinian Free Speech , The Tyrants Are Getting Desperate. https://anthonyjhall.substack.com/p/israel-lobby-in-canada-pushing-to
On Wednesday May 1st, the House overwhelmingly passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act by a 320-91 vote, with only 21 Republicans joined by 70 Democrats against it. Expanding the scope of what is legally considered antisemitism, this is another bipartisan uniparty trap to ensnare the thousands of protesters exercising their free speech against the apartheid Israel’s extermination of Palestinians, in effect criminalizing those that are critical of the genocide.
This is piece of legislation is a betrayal of our First Amendment rights and a betrayal of the American people... Foreign national influence is outlawed in the United States except with one exception, the American Israel Political Action Committee (AIPAC) that allows Zionist Israel money and bribery control to essentially own the treasonous US Congress. Through intelligence agencies Mossad, CIA and MI6 in addition to AIPAC, US politicians are systemically coerced, bribed and blackmailed into unconditional support for Israel. https://www.globalresearch.ca/antisemitism-law-critics-israeli-genocide/5856331
Notice the ambiguous catch-all wording indicating the law would target not just education programs, but also be “for other purposes.” Well, that’s certainly a dangerously open-ended mandate. https://uppityupstart.substack.com/p/mayday-mayday-us-has-soft-coup-detat
Because the "Truth setting you Free" is a non-starter for our "owners". Red Herrings, Transhumanism and well… Pitchforks , The Honest Sorcerer
Metals, sand, stone, even nutrients used up by our crops are all extracted or “produced” by burning diesel, coal and natural gas. Out of the many energy resources only fossil fuels provide us with the necessary amount of work and high heat needed to mine and refine these raw materials at scale, and at a reasonable energy return on investment… Something which is also worsening as rich metal and fossil fuel deposits deplete and being replaced with ever lower quality ones. We have found ourselves in an energetic conundrum. The energy demand of mining every resource (including fossil fuels and the metals needed to build “renewables”) are just going up and up, while the energy returned to society is falling. We are approaching a technological tipping point where it will be impossible to power all these activities, let alone growing the economy. https://thehonestsorcerer.substack.com/p/red-herrings-transhumanism-and-well
Oil Analyst Art Berman, Technology and Innovation are Overrated–Implications for AI
Most people believe in the progress narrative—that almost all of society’s advances are because of technology and human ingenuity. Clever machines have increased human productivity far beyond what was possible a generation or two ago.
Some of that must be true but it’s hard to support with productivity data. I was surprised to discover that departures from the long-term productivity average were surprisingly modest, and that they didn’t last very long.
Personal computers, the internet and associated advances only resulted in about a 0.5% increase in US productivity growth in late 1990s and early 2000s (Figure 1). Maybe that explains why the technology and dot-com bubble burst at the turn of the century.
An earlier increase in the 1950s and 1960s was greater (0.7%). It was unrelated to technology but to the greatest historical period of oil production growth. Other positive productivity departures were mostly because of recoveries from recession.
Some of that must be true but it’s hard to support with productivity data. I was surprised to discover that departures from the long-term productivity average were surprisingly modest, and that they didn’t last very long.
Personal computers, the internet and associated advances only resulted in about a 0.5% increase in US productivity growth in late 1990s and early 2000s (Figure 1). Maybe that explains why the technology and dot-com bubble burst at the turn of the century.
An earlier increase in the 1950s and 1960s was greater (0.7%). It was unrelated to technology but to the greatest historical period of oil production growth. Other positive productivity departures were mostly because of recoveries from recession.
That doesn’t mean that technology doesn’t matter—just that it’s probably less important than energy, and that it’s probably a lot less important than the progress narrative suggests.
That shouldn’t be surprising. An economy runs on work and work comes from energy. Technology and innovation arrange the deck chairs.
Fossil energy accounted for 82% of world energy supply in 2022 (wind and solar contributed only 6%). Productivity is therefore proportional to the amount of work that can be harnessed from fossil energy, at least for now...
..Goldman Sachs goes even farther and expects that AI could increase U.S. productivity growth by 1.5% annually. These forecasts imply that in two years, AI will exceed all previous periods of productivity. That does not seem reasonable. That shouldn’t be surprising. An economy runs on work and work comes from energy. Technology and innovation arrange the deck chairs.
Fossil energy accounted for 82% of world energy supply in 2022 (wind and solar contributed only 6%). Productivity is therefore proportional to the amount of work that can be harnessed from fossil energy, at least for now...
Another problem with McKinsey’s and Goldman’s forecasts is their narrow focus. They largely ignore the feedback loops introduced by the new layers of complexity that AI will introduce into society.
For example, Elon Musk recently warned that AI and EVs (electric vehicles) will produce an electric power shortage by 2025.
“The world will face supply crunches in electricity and transformers next year…However much electricity you think you need, more than that is needed.”
https://www.artberman.com/blog/technology-and-innovation-are-overrated-implications-for-ai/
Lawrence O. Gostin, who was hired by CDC 25 years ago to craft the laws that made governors dictators during the COVID pandemic, is now assisting the WHO to craft its new instruments of control, but this time on a global level. https://merylnass.substack.com/p/the-attempts-to-impose-control-over
States Move to Oppose WHO’s ‘Pandemic Treaty,’ Assert States’ Rights
Utah and Florida passed laws intended to prevent the WHO from overriding states’ authority on matters of public health policy, and Louisiana and Oklahoma have legislation set to take effect soon pending final votes. Several other states are considering similar bills. https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/states-oppose-who-pandemic-treaty/
Meryl Nass MD, WHO treaties get another gut punch from UK MPs and a former Attorney General/ the Telegraph
As I said from Day 1, you only have to read these treaties and you will hate them. The globalists only got them this far through secrecy, lies and misdirection. https://merylnass.substack.com/p/who-treaties-get-another-gut-punch
Head of Nonprofit With Ties to Wuhan Lab Should Face Criminal Investigation, House Committee Says
A House committee investigating the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday called for a criminal investigation into Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, and further investigation into failures in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant-funding procedures.
In a statement released after the hearing — accompanied by a 59-page report — the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic called for permanently terminating funding for EcoHealth Alliance, which has ties to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Both Republican and Democrat representatives explicitly called for defunding EcoHealth Alliance, which Daszak said receives about $16 million in government grants annually.
However, journalist Paul D. Thacker cautioned against allowing Daszak to become “the fall guy” — because the NIH and Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), aided Daszak “in this multi-year cover-up,” he said. https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/peter-daszak-ecohealth-alliance-wuhan-lab-congress-hearing/
FAA Opens New Probe Into Boeing Over Potentially Falsified Records, 787 Inspections
Meryl Nass MD, The attempts to impose control over us "for pandemics" are being implemented at the state, federal, and World level. Newest versions of the treaty and amendments included , All these laws need to be revoked or (at the WHO) stopped
Meryl Nass MD, How to Stop the W.H.O. NOW: 10 Tips for lawmakers
Important to share this, and I am happy to speak or zoom with any Parliamentarians or Congress members with questions https://merylnass.substack.com/p/how-to-stop-the-who-now-10-tips-forUtah and Florida passed laws intended to prevent the WHO from overriding states’ authority on matters of public health policy, and Louisiana and Oklahoma have legislation set to take effect soon pending final votes. Several other states are considering similar bills. https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/states-oppose-who-pandemic-treaty/
As I said from Day 1, you only have to read these treaties and you will hate them. The globalists only got them this far through secrecy, lies and misdirection. https://merylnass.substack.com/p/who-treaties-get-another-gut-punch
A House committee investigating the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday called for a criminal investigation into Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, and further investigation into failures in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant-funding procedures.
In a statement released after the hearing — accompanied by a 59-page report — the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic called for permanently terminating funding for EcoHealth Alliance, which has ties to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Both Republican and Democrat representatives explicitly called for defunding EcoHealth Alliance, which Daszak said receives about $16 million in government grants annually.
However, journalist Paul D. Thacker cautioned against allowing Daszak to become “the fall guy” — because the NIH and Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), aided Daszak “in this multi-year cover-up,” he said. https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/peter-daszak-ecohealth-alliance-wuhan-lab-congress-hearing/
In the span of two months, two Boeing whistleblowers have died under mysterious circumstances.
The first, 62-year-old John Barnett, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on March 9. He was found dead in his Dodge Ram truck holding a silver pistol in his hand in the parking lot of a South Carolina hotel after he failed to show up for the second half of his testimony for a lawsuit against the company. Barnett, who retired in 2017, warned that Boeing had cut corners to speed its 787 Dreamliners into service. He gave numerous interviews in which he described how he lodged internal complaints about serious security flaws.
The second, 45-year-old Joshua Dean, a former Spirit AeroSystems quality auditor, died last Tuesday from a fast-growing infection. In 2022 he raised the alarm over improperly drilled bulkhead holes for the 737 MAX, and was fired less than a year later.
"I think they were sending out a message to anybody else," Dean told NPR, adding "If you are too loud, we will silence you."
Now, Boeing faces 10 more whistleblowers - and attorneys for the deceased men are hoping that the deaths don't spook the rest away, the NY Post reports.
The first, 62-year-old John Barnett, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on March 9. He was found dead in his Dodge Ram truck holding a silver pistol in his hand in the parking lot of a South Carolina hotel after he failed to show up for the second half of his testimony for a lawsuit against the company. Barnett, who retired in 2017, warned that Boeing had cut corners to speed its 787 Dreamliners into service. He gave numerous interviews in which he described how he lodged internal complaints about serious security flaws.
The second, 45-year-old Joshua Dean, a former Spirit AeroSystems quality auditor, died last Tuesday from a fast-growing infection. In 2022 he raised the alarm over improperly drilled bulkhead holes for the 737 MAX, and was fired less than a year later.
"I think they were sending out a message to anybody else," Dean told NPR, adding "If you are too loud, we will silence you."
Now, Boeing faces 10 more whistleblowers - and attorneys for the deceased men are hoping that the deaths don't spook the rest away, the NY Post reports.
Unbowed (pictured recently with banana patch and some sweet-corn)
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