Puppet MastersS


Dominoes

The shadow of the shadow

James Howard Kunstler
jameshowardkunstler.substack.com
Fri, 27 Sep 2024 00:00 UTC
HarrisBid
© Shutterstock/The Atlantic/Daily Mail/KJNShadow of the Shadow
You have to wonder: has there ever been a country that marched off to war with no head-of-state at the top of its war machine? It's exactly that bad in our country, with a broken animatronic Halloween scarecrow popping in-and-out of the White House to yell incoherently at election campaign events for a putative successor too scared of the predicament she's in to think straight. Really, no one is in charge — and if any of the leading actors on the scene really were, the situation could easily get worse.

Hence, the brainless wish roiling through the NSC, State Department, and the various shadow councils of the intel emeriti to lob long-range missiles into Russia, apparently heedless of any consequences. America, you are a headless horseman riding blindly into chaos.

In fact, the entire Democratic Party and its Deep State intel blob partners have melted down into a desperate mob of political criminals frantic to evade accounting for their acts. So then, setting the world on fire is all they have left, a fitting act of revenge for a faction thwarted in its mad drive to merely wreck the United States for the sake of "social justice" and "equity."
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Cell Phone

EU orders Apple to open up to rivals


RT
Thu, 19 Sep 2024 14:27 UTC
apple
© Drew Angerer/Getty Images
The US tech giant could face significant fines if it fails to make its operating systems accessible to competitors.

The EU has warned Apple to open up its iPhone and iPad operating systems to third parties or face hefty fines. Antitrust regulators at the European Commission launched specification proceedings against the US tech giant on Thursday.

The bloc's watchdogs have demanded that Apple comply with the EU's new Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires operating systems to be fully functional with other technologies.

Margrethe Vestager, the EU's antitrust chief, said in a statement:
"Today is the first time we use specification proceedings under the DMA to guide Apple towards effective compliance with its interoperability obligations through constructive dialogue. Effective interoperability, for example with smartphones and their operating systems, plays an important role in this."
The competition enforcer noted that the first proceeding targets iOS connectivity features and functionalities for smartwatches, headphones, virtual reality headsets, and other internet-connected devices.
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Putin

Russian nuclear doctrine update: Putin is sending a clear signal to the US

Vasily Kashin
RT
Sat, 28 Sep 2024 14:47 UTC
Putin
© Alexey Babushkin / SputnikRussian President, Vladímir Putin.
This week's proposed update of Russia's nuclear doctrine was signaled well in advance. According to President Vladimir Putin, it was under preparation for at least several months, and probably longer. The catalyst was, of course, Ukraine's expansion of both the list of Western weapons it uses and the geography of its military operations against Russia. Obviously, based on these experiences, the country's leadership decided to refine its doctrinal documents and ensure they reflect all the threats that were previously considered insignificant, but which have now come to the fore.

As this is a long process, experts from different countries have been discussing the possible development of the situation for a long time. There is an understanding among our friends that Russia's nuclear deterrence policy will evolve in the current unprecedented conditions. We should not expect any expressions of joy, but neither will there be any significant negative consequences.

Comment: See also: Kremlin reveals who nuclear doctrine change is aimed at

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Brain

Kremlin labels Zelensky 'delusional'


RT
Wed, 25 Sep 2024 13:27 UTC
Zelensky
© Stephanie Keith/Getty ImagesUkrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky during a meeting of the UN Security Council
Russia wants peace with Ukraine, but will not be forced into it, spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky is "delusional" if he believes Moscow can be forced into peace on Kiev's terms, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

In his address to the UN Security Council in New York on Tuesday, Zelensky claimed that the Russia-Ukraine conflict "cannot be calmed by talks" and that Moscow "can only be forced into peace."

Peskov told journalists on Wednesday:
"A stance that is based on an attempt to force Russia into peace is an absolutely fatal mistake because it is impossible to force Russia into peace. The Ukrainian leader's stated position is a profound delusion that will inevitably have consequences for the Kiev regime.

"Russia is in favor of peace, but on the condition that the foundations of its security are ensured and the goals of the special military operation are fulfilled."
Zelensky arrived in the US at the weekend to meet with President Joe Biden, members of Congress, and both presidential contenders - Kamala Harris and Donald Trump - and present them with his 'peace plan,' which he recently renamed a 'victory plan.'

Comment: See also: Biden drains remaining Ukraine aid funds

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Arrow Up

UK debt level jumps to 60-year high


RT
Fri, 20 Sep 2024 14:18 UTC
tipsy
© nicolamargaret/Getty ImagesThe Tipping Point
Government borrowing has reached 100% of the country's GDP, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The UK's national debt stands at 100% of the country's annual economic output and is at its highest level since the 1960s, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed on Friday.

Government borrowing surged to £13.7 billion ($18.2 billion) in August, equaling to the annual value of total economic production, according to the ONS. Its chief economist Grant Fitzner said:
"Borrowing was up by over £3 billion last month on 2023's figure, and was the third highest August borrowing on record."
The data reflects the alarming state of public finances left by the Conservatives, according to Treasury Chief Secretary Darren Jones. He warned that the Labor Party would have to make "tough decisions" to rebuild the economy:
"When we came into office, we inherited an economy that wasn't working for working people. Today's data shows the highest August borrowing on record, outside the pandemic. Debt is 100% of GDP, the highest level since the 1960s."
Government debt ballooned during the global financial crisis in 2008 and then again during the Covid-19 pandemic. Weak economic growth since then has also contributed to the increase in the deficit.

Comment: Economies are on the chopping block! Another financial alarm goes off:
The German economy has been shrinking over the past two years and will remain stagnant for the rest of the year as it continues to grapple with economic malaise, Bloomberg reported on Friday.

According to a survey conducted by the outlet, the EU's top economy has been stalling in the three months through September, marking a deeper-than-expected decline.

Economists have already started downgrading their forecasts for this year, with some now seeing protracted stagnation or even another downturn.

Martin Belchev, an analyst at FrontierView told Bloomberg:
"While we expect the market to see a mild recovery at the end of 2024 and in 2025, much of it will be cyclical, with downside risks remaining acute."
He warned that the faltering automotive sector will further exacerbate downward pressures on growth as the top four German carmakers have seen double-digit declines.

The country's central bank said on Thursday in its monthly report that the German economy may already be in recession. According to the Bundesbank, gross domestic product (GDP) "could stagnate or decline slightly again" in the third quarter, after a 0.1% contraction in the second quarter.

Economic sentiment in the country has suffered due to weak industrial activity, Budensbank President Joachim Nagel said on Wednesday.
"Stagnation might be more or less on the cards for full-year 2024 as well if the latest forecasts by economic research institutes are anything to go by."
German industry is struggling amid weak demand in key export markets, shortages of qualified workers, tighter monetary policy, the protracted fallout from the energy crisis, and growing competition from China.

The Eurozone's largest economy has been falling behind its peers over the past years, largely due to a prolonged manufacturing downturn. Germany was the only Group of Seven economy to contract in 2023.


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Target

Kremlin reveals who nuclear doctrine change is aimed at


RT
Thu, 26 Sep 2024 10:14 UTC
building
© yulenochekk/File/Getty ImagesRed Square • Moscow
Putin's proposal to update Russia's nuclear doctrine should discourage the West from supporting aggression against Moscow, the Kremlin says.

A proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin to update the national nuclear doctrine should serve as a warning to Western states of what could happen if they support aggression against Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

On Wednesday, Putin suggested that the new nuclear strategy should treat "aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state" as a "joint attack" that would cross the nuclear threshold.

The implication is that the new rules would apply to a possible Ukrainian attack deep inside Russia with advanced weapons supplied by the US, Britain or France.

According to the Russian leader, Moscow would also "consider" resorting to a nuclear option if it gets "reliable information" about a "massive" missile strike launched by another state against Russia or its closest ally, Belarus.

Comment: Clearly and succinctly the stakes have risen.

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USA

The stage is being set for the greatest period of chaos in U.S. history

Michael Snyder
themostimportantnews.com
Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00 UTC
USA drain
© UnknownAmerica Going Down The Drain
If chaos is what they intended, everything is coming together beautifully. Major wars threaten to throw the entire planet into a state of turmoil, criminals are running wild in our streets, and in a little over a month the outcome of the presidential election is likely to cause an unprecedented explosion of anger. If all of this wasn't bad enough, our politicians have been allowing millions of desperate people to come pouring over our wide open borders. Some of these "new arrivals" belong to international criminal gangs, and members of these gangs are being arrested for violent acts, theft, drug dealing and sex trafficking all over America. Other "new arrivals" belong to terror groups in the Middle East, and you would think that this would be a major national security concern. Russians have also been crossing the border illegally, as have very large numbers of military-age Chinese men. The stage is being set for the greatest period of chaos in U.S. history, and this should deeply alarm all of us.

Since Joe Biden has been in the White House, we have witnessed a spike in migration that is absolutely unprecedented in our history.

Millions of people have been allowed in, and once they get into this country they can go wherever they want.
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Arrow Down

Biden drains remaining Ukraine aid funds


RT
Thu, 26 Sep 2024 14:03 UTC
Zelbiden
© Michael M Santiago/file/Getty ImagesUkrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and US President Joe Biden
The US president's authorization from Congress to spend the money expires next week.

US President Joe Biden announced nearly $8 billion in military aid to Ukraine on Thursday, releasing the remaining funding authorized by Congress. Lawmakers recently declined to extend the availability of certain funds beyond next week's deadline.

The funding includes $2.4 billion under the Pentagon's Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and $5.5 billion under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA). The mechanisms allow payments to arms manufacturers and permit weapons to be drawn directly from American military stockpiles. The latter sum was set to expire at the end of this month, which marks the end of the fiscal year in the US.

The White House had hoped that the US Congress would allow the PDA money to be spent at a later point. However, legislation passed on Wednesday did not include any such clause, reportedly following resistance from Republicans skeptical of the continued bankrolling of Kiev.

Comment: Another US cash flush - down the Ukraine drain.

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Cult

US intel agencies fear 'lethal retaliation' from Russia - NYT


RT
Fri, 27 Sep 2024 13:05 UTC
FILE PHOTO: A test-launch of the Russian Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile.
© Sputnik / Russian Defense MinistryFILE PHOTO: A test-launch of the Russian Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile.
Moscow could "covertly sabotage" American bases if Ukraine is allowed to strike deeper inside Russia, the newspaper has claimed

US intelligence agencies have warned that Moscow may directly retaliate against Kiev's Western backers if they permit Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia, the New York Times reported on Thursday.

According to an intelligence assessment cited by the newspaper, analysts believe that even if Ukraine is allowed to use Western-supplied missiles freely, it will not significantly impact the conflict due to their limited numbers. Furthermore, after initial strikes, Russia would likely relocate vital functions out of range, making it harder for Kiev to achieve any military objectives.

Moreover, such a decision would be a high-stakes gamble, as it could lead to "lethal" attacks on US military assets worldwide, the NYT reported.

Russia's potential responses could range "from stepped-up acts of arson and sabotage targeting facilities in Europe to potentially lethal attacks on US and European military bases," according to the assessment. US officials reportedly believe that if Moscow decides to retaliate, it will likely do so "covertly" rather than through overt attacks to reduce the risk of a wider conflict.

Comment: It appears that some in the Western power circles still have some sort of intact self-preservation instinct.

See also:



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Penis Pump

British army is too small - House of Lords report concludes


RT
Fri, 27 Sep 2024 10:46 UTC
British army
Junior soldiers take part in their graduation parade at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, England, August 8, 2024
The UK's armed forces would get "chewed up" in a large-scale conflict, a House of Lords report has found

The British military does not have enough troops to fight a modern war and is "unprepared" for a potential conflict with Russia, a report compiled by the House of Lords has concluded. The report is the latest in a long line of publications and statements casting doubt on Britain's ability to engage in warfare.

The British Army currently fields 72,500 active-duty troops, down from a peak of more than 163,000 in the early 1980s. This downsizing was deliberate, and was based on the belief that "the use of advanced technology" would compensate for fewer personnel in uniform, the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee stated in a report published on Thursday.

"The war in Ukraine, however, has shown that in a conflict between two technologically capable states, technology is not a magic bullet that can swiftly end a war," the report warned. Sheer numbers still matter, and despite the use of drones and electronic warfare, whichever side fields "small, lean, boutique forces" will find that these forces "get chewed up over time," the committee wrote.


Comment: 70000 thousand soldiers is roughly equal to the Ukrainian losses per week in Ukraine according to Russian MOD weekly/monthly reports.


Comment: Monty Python didn't think much of the British army and that was decades ago:

See also:

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