Ukraine Watch...

[PS_RalphW]

Russia now fully in control of the first half of Donbas region, with the last city falling. Shelling of cities in the second half has already intensified.

Although Ukraine can probably maintain this slow rate of retreat militarily, they are increasingly economically ruined. Putin may have failed in his plan A, but his plan B of 'if I can't capture Ukraine I will destroy it as a successful democracy which makes me look bad' is succeeding slowly but steadily.

Which has accelerated military spending by Nato countries, which will accelerate the decline of industrial society as more demands are made on ever fewer physical resources.

[clv101]

Which has accelerated military spending by Nato countries, which will accelerate the decline of industrial society as more demands are made on ever fewer physical resources.

Indeed, luring the west into spending (wasting) ever more treasure on the military can only hasten collapse.

[kenneal - lagger]

..................Which has accelerated military spending by Nato countries, which will accelerate the decline of industrial society as more demands are made on ever fewer physical resources.

They might have to find a way to tax the giga economy like the "Big River Company.". Not a moment too soon for the rest of the economy!

[Vortex2]

'if I can't capture Ukraine I will destroy it as a successful democracy

.. err .. but it isn't and wasn't a democracy ...

[PS_RalphW]

I think the current president would disagree with you

On the democratic index (Wikipedia)


UK. 0.89
Ukraine 0.54
Russia 0.26

[PS_RalphW]

UK reports that Russia is making rapid advances in the Donbas.

[Vortex2]

I think the current president would disagree with you

Wed, 07/06/2022 — legitgov
Zelensky's court bans another Ukrainian opposition party --A court has banned two more parties, including the communists, bringing the total number of outlawed political groups to 15
A Ukrainian court on Tuesday banned the country's Communist Party (CPU), marking the end of an eight-year saga, and adding the communists to the blacklist of 15 allegedly 'pro-Russian' political movements that are outlawed in Ukraine. The Eighth Administrative Court of Appeal in the western city of Lviv announced "the activities of the Communist Party of Ukraine are prohibited." "Funds and other assets" of the party will be nationalized.

Neither side is democractic.

[Default0ptions]

Ah democracy - the best government that money can buy

[Vortex2]

An interesting analysis of Zelensky

The real Zelensky: from celebrity populist to unpopular Pinochet-style neoliberal

https://thegrayzone.com/2022/04/28/zele ... eoliberal/

[invalid]

Will Russia Win?

Last not least, beginning with the Enlightenment the West has long preened itself on being a fortress where liberty, law and justice prevail. Now the repeated, highly publicized, requisitioning of the property of so-called oligarchs is beginning to make some people wonder. First, no one knows what an “oligarch” is. Second, the fact that some “oligarchs” have been in more or less close touch with Putin over the years does not automatically turn them into criminals. Third, supposing they are criminals, it is not at all clear why they were left alone for so long and only began to be targeted after the war broke out. Could it be that, in combating the oligarchs, the West is undermining the justice of its cause?

https://www.martin-van-creveld.com/

[BritDownUnder]

A Pyrrhic victory maybe.

I would like to see a lot more lethal weaponry sent by NATO including anti-personnel and anti-artillery missiles over there. An ideal test ground for the next major world conflict.

[kenneal - lagger]

From what I have seen Zelensky is far from unpopular but if it suits your pro Russian narrative, you go with it!

How do you think, in-valid, that the oligarchs got their wealth in the first place if it wasn't because they wee close to Putin and would look after his cut from the deal. The reason that some are now being targeted is because they aren't close enough to Putin anymore.

If the oligarchs have a problem let them take it to court, something they couldn't do in Russia with any hope of success. The only oligarchs who have gone to court in Russia are the ones who end up there on "Tax Evasion" charges. The only tax that they have probably avoided in the one paid to Putin to be allowed to trade. At least they would get listened to in a UK court.

[Vortex2]

Yet another important video on Ukraine ... this time from Jordan Peterson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxdHm2dmvKE


He also references this older (2015) but very significant video on Ukraine by John Mearsheimer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrMiSQAGOS4

[Vortex2]

I am buying a Geiger counter ... seriously

Russia is being hit hard by HIMARS.

Apparently 10 to 20 arms dumps in a week have been hit by US HIMARS rockets using US provided intelligence.

See: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/po ... ar-AAZq0AH

This may drastically affect Russian shell supply.

Do we REALLY want to push Putin into a corner .. especially if the US is essentially causing his defeat?

[Vortex2]

Chris Hedges has an interesting viewpoint

https://chrishedges.substack.com/p/nato ... s-military