Politics

[AimSmall]

The migrant is either running from pain, or towards (what he perceives as) pleasure.

Change his perception.

 

[cash_tx]

Zeihan's latest Ukraine update as of this morning:

RE: border security- Not to make light of the situation (and as a lifelong Texan who spent my first 20 years in Central and South Texas, I have a very vested interest in it), but I've sometimes said that we should make the south side of the border wall into one giant mirror. That way it doesn't look any better over here than it does ever there. ;-)

 

[Red Leg]

Zeihan's latest Ukraine update as of this morning:

RE: border security- Not to make light of the situation (and as a lifelong Texan who spent my first 20 years in Central and South Texas, I have a very vested interest in it), but I've sometimes said that we should make the south side of the border wall into one giant mirror. That way it doesn't look any better over here than it does ever there. ;-)

The initial probes and now Ukraine beginning to ferry light armor across the river to the bridgeheads have taken place over about a month. It is almost as if Ukraine has been surprised by their initial success and are taking a while to determine how best to exploit it. I would simply note that any sizable element striking east from south of the Dnieper will have enveloped the main Russian defensive belt. The challenge for Ukraine would be keeping such a force fully supplied across that river, and I am sure that is reinforcing their caution.

 

[Red Leg]

Strieff's latest update was posted overnight. It is the usual excellent summary of the week's events from geo-political through tactical levels. I recommend both supporters and opponents of US support to Ukraine read it weekly. It may or may not change any minds one way or another, but it would make the discussion here and elsewhere far better informed.

I was bemused by Tucker Carlson's latest diatribe against Zelensky and Ukraine for not holding national elections while under strategic bombardment, followed by young "Innocence Abroad" Vivek Ramaswamy calling the Jewish Zelensky a Nazi. Strieff had much the same reaction - somehow the Dictator in the Kremlin about to preside over a sham election where he will garner 95% of the vote - gets a total pass from both.

At the strategic level, the most important decision was made by the EU to actually open accession negotiations for Ukraine membership - an action the usual suspects were certain would never happen until perhaps after the conflict. I suspect that also signals a more decisive role for the EU in the confrontation with Russia.

Putin's War, Week 89. Zelensky Gets an EU Invitation, the EU Looks East and the Russians Have a Timetable

redstate.com

 

[Red Leg]

And finally, a moving motivational harangue begging for more Palestinian civilian blood brought to you by Ismail Haniyeh from his lush headquarters in Qatar. With 4 billion in personal assets, I suspect that ominous black on black outfit didn't come from Nordstrom Rack.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1722968143474073978

 

[bowjijohn]

And finally, a moving motivational harangue begging for more Palestinian civilian blood brought to you by Ismail Haniyeh from his lush headquarters in Qatar. With 4 billion in personal assets, I suspect that ominous black on black outfit didn't come from Nordstrom Rack.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1722968143474073978

I don't think he should trouble himself with any LPs or long books .......

 

[Wheels]

Sources in the Arab media report the cooperation of thousands of Gazans with the IDF in handing over locations of Hamas forces, locations of tunnels and IDF warehouses and launch sites.The cooperation began after the IDF distributed leaflets calling for the provision of information about the location of the Israeli abductees while promising financial compensation and safety for informants.The sources report that, most of the information transmitters do not demand money but safe passage for them and their families.- Al-Alam Al-Arabi

https://x.com/IsraelWarRoom/status/1722905897179943384?s=20

 

[PARA45]

And finally, a moving motivational harangue begging for more Palestinian civilian blood brought to you by Ismail Haniyeh from his lush headquarters in Qatar. With 4 billion in personal assets, I suspect that ominous black on black outfit didn't come from Nordstrom Rack.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1722968143474073978

Surprises me that no one has tried to take him out.

 

[Red Leg]

Surprises me that no one has tried to take him out.

A major issue is the location. Qatar is an important regional ally to the US. Our largest CENTCOM headquarters, Al Udeid Airbase, is there. That is more important to our national interests than this fellow's demise. Were Mossad to take him and some of his pals out, the Arab assumption would be it was with our permission. That would be very problematic for us. I would assume we have an understanding with regard to that with Israel. Should Biden go all wobbly on support for Israel, that could potentially change.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

The initial probes and now Ukraine beginning to ferry light armor across the river to the bridgeheads have taken place over about a month. It is almost as if Ukraine has been surprised by their initial success and are taking a while to determine how best to exploit it. I would simply note that any sizable element striking east from south of the Dnieper will have enveloped the main Russian defensive belt. The challenge for Ukraine would be keeping such a force fully supplied across that river, and I am sure that is reinforcing their caution.

This is excellent news, thank you. So there is a plan and some forward momentum, let’s hope it keeps moving.

 

[Tanks]

That is my fear as well. Though W. Virginia is otherwise about as red as possible. As long as Trump stays out of it, the state Republican leadership can likely coalesce around a candidate that should easily win.

The real sad thing is that a moderate republican or democrat are approaching extinction.

There was an article I read today where it credited McConnell with causing Manchin to decline to run by recruiting the W. Virginia governor to run for that seat and even arranging via third parties for Trump to support him.

 

[Wheels]

There was an article I read today where it credited Mconnell with causing Manchin to decline to run by recruiting the W. Virginia governor to run for that seat and even arranging via third parties for Trump to support him.

Hopefully McConnell's choice in WV does better than his hand picked choice in Kentucky. I definitely think he will.

 

[Ray B]

Surprises me that no one has tried to take him out.

If his primary contribution is financial support, then killing him would have little positive effect- the money is still there and his heir could continue support, possibly at an even higher rate for retribution. Plus there would be the propaganda aspect used to alienate neutrals against US.

 

[cash_tx]

A major issue is the location. Qatar is an important regional ally to the US. Our largest CENTCOM headquarters, Al Udeid Airbase, is there. That is more important to our national interests than this fellow's demise. Were Mossad to take him and some of his pals out, the Arab assumption would be it was with our permission. That would be very problematic for us. I would assume we have an understanding with regard to that with Israel. Should Biden go all wobbly on support for Israel, that could potentially change.

I'm curious as to why Qatar would be inclined to provide quarter to the leaders of Hamas. Is it purely a money thing, or something more?

 

[Red Leg]

I'm curious as to why Qatar would be inclined to provide quarter to the leaders of Hamas. Is it purely a money thing, or something more?

They are a tiny, but very rich country so they try and balance or appease everything and everyone. Their two primary allies are the US, to whom they essentially have given ownership to the nation's most modern airbase as our major regional headquarters, and Iran with whom they share one of the largest proven natural gas fields on the planet. Like every other bureaucracy in the region, it's government hosts hundreds of expatriate Palestinians.

 

[MD Driver]

Knowing several people who’ve worked as military attachés and now in the Dept of State gives a whole other perspective of things compared to what’s on TV. More than a few Gulf states especially, don’t like factions over there any more than we do. But, what’s given publicly for worldwide consumption is done for appearances. No matter your leanings….. Fox or CNN, the real world is just not as binary or easily explained or understood.

I know, nothing new. Just good to hear it from people who know.

 

[Hunt anything]

That is my fear as well. Though W. Virginia is otherwise about as red as possible. As long as Trump stays out of it, the state Republican leadership can likely coalesce around a candidate that should easily win.

The real sad thing is that a moderate republican or democrat are approaching extinction.

You are correct again except that Trump can’t stay out of anything, I think Obama’s word about Biden are applicable to Trump as well. Don’t underestimate his ability to fuck things up!

 

[wesheltonj]

A major issue is the location. Qatar is an important regional ally to the US. Our largest CENTCOM headquarters, Al Udeid Airbase, is there. That is more important to our national interests than this fellow's demise. Were Mossad to take him and some of his pals out, the Arab assumption would be it was with our permission. That would be very problematic for us. I would assume we have an understanding with regard to that with Israel. Should Biden go all wobbly on support for Israel, that could potentially change.

I don't think the Arab's care. Now the Persians, that's another story. Which is why he's sitting safe and sound in Qatar.

 

[Brent in Az]

For those that don't like Trump. Some well said words by Carl over the current state of the Republican party.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

There are so many of you on here who are veterans. Soooo... THANK YOU!!!!!! Frankly, I think that's one thing that makes this site so freaking wonderful: there are so many of you on here who have had skin in the game with regards to protecting our country's freedoms. I never served. I am damned grateful to those of you that have. Have a blessed weekend.