Concerned Parties,
Moon of Alabama: Musing About Europe Without NATO
Tonight Trump will address Congress. There are unconfirmed rumors that he will announce a U.S. exit from NATO.Now that would be a bummer for the Europeans...
..Over the last eight decades NATO and the U.S. (and until 1990 the Warsaw Pact and Russia) have largely prevented wars between European countries. The continent - where nations have been at war with each other for centuries - could easily fall back into that bad habit. https://www.moonofalabama.
Actually nothing new: "America Is Back" - 12 Takeaways From Trump 47's First Major Policy Speech To Congress https://www.zerohedge.com/political/america-back-12-takeaways-trump-47s-first-major-policy-speech-congress
Andrew Korybko, Five Takeaways From Trump’s Fateful Decision To Freeze All Military Aid To Ukraine
1) Trump Is Serious About Brokering Peace ...
2) He & Putin Likely Have A Secret Agreement ...3) But It’s Not Yet A Comprehensive One ...
4) Poland Might Have A Pivotal Role To Play: About 90% of Western military aid to Ukraine transits through Poland so Trump might ask it to stop the Europeans from using its territory to arm Ukraine during a ceasefire in exchange for post-conflict perks...
5) The “New Détente” Is Trump’s Top Priority: Every major move that’s taken place since Trump’s call with Putin in mid-February has been predicated on advancing his grand strategic goal of a Russian-US “New Détente”, the gist of which is to revolutionize International Relations through a game-changing comprehensive partnership between them. https://korybko.
Time Magazine boasted that tech giant Palantir Technologies embedded its state-of-the-art analytics AI software into Ukraine's government operations in June 2022.
More than half a dozen Ukrainian agencies, including its Ministries of Defense, Digital Transformation, Economy, and Education, now rely on Palantir.
The company has access to virtually all Ukraine's data, from real-time satellite and drone footage to financial and economic records, according to the media.
Beyond its military AI solutions, Palantir is also tasked with "rooting out corruption" in Ukraine - effectively making it the Zelensky regime’s invisible watchdog. https://sputnikglobe.com/
More than half a dozen Ukrainian agencies, including its Ministries of Defense, Digital Transformation, Economy, and Education, now rely on Palantir.
The company has access to virtually all Ukraine's data, from real-time satellite and drone footage to financial and economic records, according to the media.
Beyond its military AI solutions, Palantir is also tasked with "rooting out corruption" in Ukraine - effectively making it the Zelensky regime’s invisible watchdog. https://sputnikglobe.com/
Somebody approved this decision: Norway fuel giant ‘refuses to fill US forces’ after Trump-Zelensky dispute in White House https://endtimeheadlines.org/
After the EU summit in London last week, Mr. Tusk said that there was no unified position among European countries regarding Russia's frozen assets. He said that some EU leaders did not want to seize them, fearing possible consequences for the euro and the banking system. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his readiness to transfer $2.84 billion from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. https://www-kommersant-ru.
Russia has informed the Trump administration on Tuesday that any normalization of relations with the United States must be accompanied by the lifting of sanctions against Moscow. https://www.zerohedge.com/
Ukraine Receives Large Batch of T-72 Tanks From Poland: How is Warsaw Sustaining Deliveries?
British Prime Minister Kier Starmer on March 2 announced that the United Kingdom and France were ready to lead a “coalition of the willing” to to support the ongoing Ukrainian war effort against Russia, including through deployment of ground forces and aircraft to secure the country’s positions on the frontlines. https://
Can Germany Revive Its Industry Without Cheap Energy?
Tulsi Gabbard questions if Ukraine is ‘aligned’ with US values
“When we actually look at what’s happening in reality in these countries, as well as with Zelensky’s government in Ukraine, it is the exact opposite,” she added. Gabbard pointed to the lack of elections in Ukraine, Kiev’s criminalization of opposition parties, the shutting down of Orthodox churches, and the complete government control over media outlets.
Trump tells Americans to worry about migrants not Putin
The US president has publicly acknowledged having positive communication and a good relationship with the Russian leader
Romania is by no means a passive country. The people will protest in mass when pushed – a good thing. There was a period of serious civil unrest between 2012 and 2015, which led to political reforms against pervasive corruption. That corruption is inherent in the Romanian government to a lesser degree than in Ukraine, but it is still offensive to the people who suffer from the highest poverty levels in the European Union. More than 30% of the population lives on less than $5 per day as the politicians take their bribes and stuff their pockets. https://www.
China & Canada Retaliate Against Trump's Tariff War As Global Stocks Slide
He can invade Egypt in a pinch. Israel's Netanyahu takes stand for 14th time in his corruption trial Israeli prime minister appears 3 days weekly before court to respond to corruption charges https://www.yenisafak.com/en/
Pro-Israel Think Tank WINEP Outed as “Dark Money” Operation Driving US Wars
Israeli government approves call-up of 400,000 reserve soldiers amid uncertainty over Gaza ceasefire
Call-up comes fears of renewed fighting in Gaza after expiry of 1st phase of Gaza ceasefire deal, according to Israeli media https://www.aa.com.tr/en/
Israel mulls extending service for reserve troops as renewed war looms https://www.ynetnews.
Israeli premier rejects 2nd phase of Gaza ceasefire, admits use of starvation against Palestinians
‘I want to make one thing clear: There will be no free meals,’ Netanyahu says at weekly Cabinet meeting https://www.aa.com.tr/en/
Outrage as Israel cuts off Gaza aid to pressure Hamas to accept new ceasefire proposal
Israel’s Smotrich calls for ‘opening gates of hell’ on Gaza after halt of humanitarian aid
Israel Preparing ‘Hell Plan’ for Gaza That Would Cut Electricity and Water
Israel is also preparing for the full-scale resumption of its genocidal war within 10 days if Hamas doesn't accept its terms https://news.antiwar.com/
Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli decision to block humanitarian aid to Gaza as ‘blackmail’ https://www.arabnews.com/
Poland’s capacity to supply T-72s to Ukraine has continued to increase rapidly due to the sustained deliveries of M1 Abrams tanks by the United States and K2 Black Panther tanks by South Korea, which are re-equipping Polish Army units and thus facilitating the divestment of T-72s on a large scale. https://
Send Sir Kier to lead the charge. Britain Announces New Western Coalition to Deploy Ground Forces to Ukraine
A "loan"? Payable how? EU Proposes €150BN Defense Loan As US Commitment Wavers Under Trump https://www.zerohedge.com/
So there is no tomorrow? EU’s von der Leyen proposes $840bn rearmament plan https://swentr.site/news/613676-eu-defense-spending-increase/
Doesn't Britain secretly have these rights already? France and EU move to secure Ukraine minerals as US pushes for deal
France and the European Union are mobilising to secure access to Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources, despite pressure from Washington, which is pushing for mineral deals with Kyiv as a form of repayment for military aid. https://www.rfi.fr/en/Bringing energy costs down will be key to Germany’s economic recovery.
Businesses are urging the incoming government to act swiftly and decisively to lower energy costs and boost energy security in order to help Germany regain competitiveness.
Siemens CEO Bruch called for major investment in new gas-fired power plants. https://oilprice.com/Energy/
Businesses are urging the incoming government to act swiftly and decisively to lower energy costs and boost energy security in order to help Germany regain competitiveness.
Siemens CEO Bruch called for major investment in new gas-fired power plants. https://oilprice.com/Energy/
Gabbard was asked about last week’s heated exchange at the White House involving Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and Trump and his vice president, J.D. Vance... The incident has sparked a backlash from Trump’s critics, including several EU leaders, who have accused him of “bullying” Zelensky.
However, according to Gabbard, anyone who has criticized Trump over his interaction with the Ukrainian leader is merely showing that they are “not committed to peace.”
“Many of these European countries, and Zelensky himself, who claim to be standing and fighting for the cause of freedom and democracy” are actually acting contrary to these values, Gabbard stated.“When we actually look at what’s happening in reality in these countries, as well as with Zelensky’s government in Ukraine, it is the exact opposite,” she added. Gabbard pointed to the lack of elections in Ukraine, Kiev’s criminalization of opposition parties, the shutting down of Orthodox churches, and the complete government control over media outlets.
“It begs the question. It’s clear they’re standing against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin. But what are they actually really fighting for, and are they aligned with the values that they claim to hold in agreement with [the US], which are the values of freedom, peace and true security,” Gabbard said.
The DNI chief further criticized Washington’s EU partners, recalling Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference, where he accused European countries of implementing policies that “undermine democracy” and show that they “don’t actually believe in the voices of the people.” https://swentr.site/russia/
The DNI chief further criticized Washington’s EU partners, recalling Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference, where he accused European countries of implementing policies that “undermine democracy” and show that they “don’t actually believe in the voices of the people.” https://swentr.site/russia/
The US president has publicly acknowledged having positive communication and a good relationship with the Russian leader
The American leader has dismissed concerns about his relationship to Putin, emphasizing that Washington has more pressing matters to address.
“We should spend less time worrying about Putin, and more time worrying about migrant rape gangs, drug lords, murderers, and people from mental institutions entering our Country – So that we don’t end up like Europe!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday. https://swentr.site/news/
“We should spend less time worrying about Putin, and more time worrying about migrant rape gangs, drug lords, murderers, and people from mental institutions entering our Country – So that we don’t end up like Europe!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday. https://swentr.site/news/
Martin Armstrong, Romanian Uprising thanks to EU & US Interference in Their Election
The AIPAC-aligned Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP), which often refers to itself simply as The Washington Institute, was recently outed as a “dark money” think tank for its lack of transparency on donors and is continuing to push the United States to engage in conflicts overseas to Israel’s benefit. Its case raises questions about how the Israel Lobby functions through think tanks across the board, shaping U.S. foreign policy behind closed doors.
WINEP has a long history of shaping U.S. foreign policy. It was deeply involved in the neoconservative push for regime change in Iraq, joining calls for the Clinton administration to topple Saddam Hussein as early as 1998. They also pushed for U.S. military intervention and helped justify the eventual invasion in 2003. https://www.mintpressnews.
WINEP has a long history of shaping U.S. foreign policy. It was deeply involved in the neoconservative push for regime change in Iraq, joining calls for the Clinton administration to topple Saddam Hussein as early as 1998. They also pushed for U.S. military intervention and helped justify the eventual invasion in 2003. https://www.mintpressnews.
Call-up comes fears of renewed fighting in Gaza after expiry of 1st phase of Gaza ceasefire deal, according to Israeli media https://www.aa.com.tr/en/
‘I want to make one thing clear: There will be no free meals,’ Netanyahu says at weekly Cabinet meeting https://www.aa.com.tr/en/
The International Criminal Court said there was reason to believe Israel had used “starvation as a method of warfare” when it issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu last year
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher called Israel’s decision “alarming,” noting that international humanitarian law makes clear that aid access must be allowed https://www.arabnews.com/
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher called Israel’s decision “alarming,” noting that international humanitarian law makes clear that aid access must be allowed https://www.arabnews.com/
“The decision we made last night to completely halt humanitarian aid to Gaza until Hamas is destroyed or completely surrenders and all our hostages are returned is an important step in the right direction,” Smotrich, the leader of the Religious Zionism Party, said in a statement.
Describing the move as the “threshold of the gates of hell,” he added: “Now we need to open those gates as quickly and lethally as possible on the cruel enemy, until absolute victory.”
The first six-week phase of the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on 19 January, officially ended at midnight on Saturday. However, Israel has not agreed to move forward to the second phase of the deal to bring an end to the war in Gaza. https://www.
Describing the move as the “threshold of the gates of hell,” he added: “Now we need to open those gates as quickly and lethally as possible on the cruel enemy, until absolute victory.”
The first six-week phase of the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on 19 January, officially ended at midnight on Saturday. However, Israel has not agreed to move forward to the second phase of the deal to bring an end to the war in Gaza. https://www.
Israel is also preparing for the full-scale resumption of its genocidal war within 10 days if Hamas doesn't accept its terms https://news.antiwar.com/
Putin Agrees to Mediate U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks
Israeli military launches airstrikes near Syria's Tartus city
It’s now common knowledge that DeepSeek’s development was not a product of Silicon Valley labs showered with billions of dollars of research funds. Liang Wenfeng himself revealed it: “I won’t lie, our AI was created on the basis of Soviet developments – the OGAS system of Academician Glushkov.”
The wonders of History: a Soviet marvel auctioned off for a pittance, $15,000 in 1995 possibly because it was considered worthless, is now the backbone of China’s new digital revolution.
Physics heavyweight Quantum Bird, formerly with the CERN in Geneva, is adamant: “The Americans lost the plot. It’s all about models employing less computing power and less data. Nvidia high-performance GPUs costing $40,000 consume too much energy..."
Trump Pulls the Plug on Chevron’s Venezuela Play
Measles Mortality in the Armies of the Early 20th Century
For measles, R0 is often cited to be 12-18, which means that each person with measles would, on average, infect 12-18 other people in a totally susceptible population. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.
Texas Has Not Pinpointed Source Of Measles Outbreak: Official https://www.zerohedge.com/
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya Is Ready for His Close Up Confirmation Hearings for the NIH Nominee Begin March 5
Despite the order for stricter enforcement of sanctions, President Trump has signaled a willingness to negotiate a new nuclear deal with Iran.
“I would much prefer a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper. We should start working on it immediately,” President Trump posted on social media platform Truth Social, a day after restoring the “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran.
Commenting on the possibility that Russia could mediate or help broker possible U.S. and Iran negotiations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to questions sent by Bloomberg that “Russia believes that the United States and Iran should resolve all problems through negotiations” and that Russia “is ready to do everything in its power to achieve this.” https://oilprice.com/
“I would much prefer a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper. We should start working on it immediately,” President Trump posted on social media platform Truth Social, a day after restoring the “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran.
Commenting on the possibility that Russia could mediate or help broker possible U.S. and Iran negotiations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to questions sent by Bloomberg that “Russia believes that the United States and Iran should resolve all problems through negotiations” and that Russia “is ready to do everything in its power to achieve this.” https://oilprice.com/
The group's director, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP that the explosion occurred at a military base near the port.
The Israeli occupation military confirmed in a statement that its forces "struck a military site where weapons belonging to the previous Syrian regime were stored in the area of Qardaha."
The official Syrian news agency SANA also mentioned that three people were killed and 20 others injured in an explosion in Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor region. https://english.almayadeen.The Israeli occupation military confirmed in a statement that its forces "struck a military site where weapons belonging to the previous Syrian regime were stored in the area of Qardaha."
Pepe Escobar, Why Chinese models are stunning Americans in the tech catwalk
The wonders of History: a Soviet marvel auctioned off for a pittance, $15,000 in 1995 possibly because it was considered worthless, is now the backbone of China’s new digital revolution.
Physics heavyweight Quantum Bird, formerly with the CERN in Geneva, is adamant: “The Americans lost the plot. It’s all about models employing less computing power and less data. Nvidia high-performance GPUs costing $40,000 consume too much energy..."
..This July 2024 interview with Liang Wenfeng, originally published in China by An Yong, remains essential to understand what’s behind the Chinese drive to totally redefine the rules of tech innovation...
Liang Wenfeng is adamant: “We’re done following. It’s time to lead.” He sees competition in crystal clear terms: “I focus on whether something can elevate social efficiency (italics mine) and whether we can increase our strength in the value chain (…) It’s an honor (italics mine) to give back.”
As Chinese scholar Quan Le has noted, Liang Wenfeng’s “intention of enhancing personal and collective creativity, thus directly benefitting the society, is not at all on the same epistemological level” of a “mindless consumerism society”. It’s about the common good, not about a Wall Street killing. https://strategic-culture.su/
As Chinese scholar Quan Le has noted, Liang Wenfeng’s “intention of enhancing personal and collective creativity, thus directly benefitting the society, is not at all on the same epistemological level” of a “mindless consumerism society”. It’s about the common good, not about a Wall Street killing. https://strategic-culture.su/
The U.S. Treasury just gave Chevron Corp. a short 30-day eviction notice from Venezuela, cutting off its ability to pump and sell crude from the sanctioned country. The decision, following Trump’s vow to reverse Biden’s oil concessions to Nicolás Maduro and the cancellation of a sanction waiver just days ago, is a seismic shift that could slam both Venezuela’s already fragile economy and U.S. refiners relying on its heavy crude.
The standard wind-down period is 6 months, according to Bloomberg.
For Chevron, this is a hard stop after years of carefully maneuvering U.S. sanctions. The oil giant was responsible for about 20% of Venezuela’s total production, providing a rare source of economic stability and desperately needed hard currency. https://oilprice.com/Latest-
"Everything Is Going To Come Out": AG Pam Bondi Says She Received "Truckload" Of Hidden Epstein Documents From SDNY https://www.zerohedge.com/
The standard wind-down period is 6 months, according to Bloomberg.
For Chevron, this is a hard stop after years of carefully maneuvering U.S. sanctions. The oil giant was responsible for about 20% of Venezuela’s total production, providing a rare source of economic stability and desperately needed hard currency. https://oilprice.com/Latest-
"This Is Really Gonna Get Me Assassinated": Musk Issues Warning Over Exposing DC Corruption
FBI Refuses To Produce Evidence On Seth Rich Laptop
"It's more than just insider trading. The stock portfolio stuff is quite trackable, but it's a lot more than insider trading," said Musk.
"The way they're acquiring wealth?" Rogan asked.
...pause...
"Correct," replied Musk.
"And what other methods," asked Rogan.
"I mean this is really gonna get me assassinated," Musk replied. "It's like, I'm not lengthening my lifespan by explaining this stuff, to say the least. I mean, I was supposed to go back to DC. How am I going to survive? This is fucking going to kill me for sure," Musk continued.
"In fact, I do think like this... it's like, I actually have to be careful that I don't push too hard on the corruption stuff because it's going to get me killed." https://www.zerohedge.com/
"The way they're acquiring wealth?" Rogan asked.
...pause...
"Correct," replied Musk.
"And what other methods," asked Rogan.
"I mean this is really gonna get me assassinated," Musk replied. "It's like, I'm not lengthening my lifespan by explaining this stuff, to say the least. I mean, I was supposed to go back to DC. How am I going to survive? This is fucking going to kill me for sure," Musk continued.
"In fact, I do think like this... it's like, I actually have to be careful that I don't push too hard on the corruption stuff because it's going to get me killed." https://www.zerohedge.com/
Despite claiming to be "the most transparent administration in history", the DOJ under Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI under new director Kash Patel have issued a response indicating they will fail to follow through on the release of evidence concerning murdered DNC staffer Seth Rich. According to Texas-based attorney Ty Clevenger, the FBI and DOJ will not be disclosing records in response to his lawsuit made following a FOIA request by the March 10th deadline they were due. https://www.zerohedge.com/
Measles and Native Populations
Measles epidemics became particularly deadly when introduced to immunologically naive populations. Notable outbreaks include:
Faroe Islands (1846): 75% of the population infected, over 170 deaths.
Hawaii (1848): 30% mortality among Indigenous Hawaiians.
Fiji (1875): One-third of the population perished after exposure to measles through colonial contact. https://historyofvaccines.
Measles epidemics became particularly deadly when introduced to immunologically naive populations. Notable outbreaks include:
Faroe Islands (1846): 75% of the population infected, over 170 deaths.
Hawaii (1848): 30% mortality among Indigenous Hawaiians.
Fiji (1875): One-third of the population perished after exposure to measles through colonial contact. https://historyofvaccines.
Measles mortality in soldiers was largely (>80%) due to secondary bacterial pneumonia but this could be highly seasonal, as seen in US Army recruits at Columbus Barracks 1911–13.The UK Highland Division had a lethal (65 deaths / 529 cases, 12%) measles epidemic 1914–15 but this was highly variable within different battalions. https://jmvh.org/article/
Meryl Nass MD, Can measles vaccine cause measles? Yes, but hopefully a milder case of spots
Did you know that 38% of the 194 cases of measles that were sequenced by CDC in the 2015 outbreak were vaccine strains? https://merylnass.substack.Texas Has Not Pinpointed Source Of Measles Outbreak: Official https://www.zerohedge.com/
If I were unvaccinated and had not had measles, and was in an area with an outbreak, I would promptly get a measles vaccination.
RFK Jr. tells parents to consider MMR vaccine amid outbreak https://thehill.com/ Celia Farber, RFK Jr. Declares Anti-Semitism "Comparable To History's Most Deadly Plagues," With Universities As "Greenhouses."
I Give Up * [* This "I Give Up," Is A Turn Of Phrase Not To Be Taken As Final Word, But A Measure Of Transient Mind State.] [Ok?] https://celiafarber.substack.President Trump's nomination of Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has received a great deal of press attention due to Bhattacharya’s role as a leading critic of the Covid-era policies of former NIH director, Dr. Anthony Fauci. https://thekennedybeacon.
School lunches got worse? I always brought a bag or lunchbox as a kid. Is The US Last In The Lunch Line?
Cooking From Scratch (featuring grandson Atlas in sagging post-freeze garden)
