"It's highly unlikely that the situation in Ukraine will spark World War 3 between the 'West' and Russia (sorry all you Armageddonites!) and for a very simple reason: money. What we are seeing in Ukraine is perhaps best described as 'squabbling Oligarchs', those of both the pro-Western and pro-Russian variety, although such 'ideologies' are merely a means to an end for such people (and they'd switch 'sides' in a heartbeat if it was financially expedient). None of the billionaires with vested interests in Ukraine have any desire to see their fortunes, or a large part of them, disappear, least of all into the public pursue of some delusional 'revolutionary people's government'. They're willing to endure (or play) the game of 'blood-soaked musical chairs loaded with money', played to the tune of 'oh what a lovely civil war', just as long as there are enough chairs for all players and only in the context that they, the ruling elite, remain the ruling elite. The point being, Putin and his monied supporters have far more in common with European and American billionaire businessmen (and billionaire politician businessmen) than they do with the ordinary people of any part of Ukraine (or anywhere else). And none of us 'little people' should forget it."

• Argentina - A political earthquake
• Pinochet wannabe? Argentina's president-elect is not the libertarian he claims to be
• Financial elites take one back - The IMF's Argentina coup
• Argentina enacts economic shock therapy with 50% currency devaluation, slashes subsidies & public works
• Don't cry for Argentina. It is not worthy of your tears

• Iran warns it could cut off Mediterranean Sea as France, Spain and Italy pull out of Red Sea Op - Israeli vessel hit off India's coast
• South Africa files case at ICJ over Israel's 'genocidal acts' in Gaza

• China-US high-level officials hold first talks in more than a year, Beijing remains 'wary of US inconsistency'
• EU leaders attempt to lobby China at Beijing summit fails miserably
• China's coast guard blasts Philippine boats with water cannons for 2nd day in South China Sea dispute

• US military to begin 2024 with lowest troops numbers in over 80 years
• To the last Ukrainian: Kiev begins doomed conscription scheme that includes people with significant disabilities
• Russia to increase troop number to 1.5 million in response 'external threats' - Shoigu
• 'Pacifist' Japan to supply patriot missiles to US after change in export rules, indirectly facilitating supplies to Kiev-junta

Russia will spend $160 billion on defense and security in 2024 and the Russian Finance Minister calls it the victory budget. Russia pays 75% less for similar or better weapon systems compared to the US / NATO because Russia doesn't allow its defense industry to rip them off.

So any plane, missile, tank or artillery ammunition costs Russia only 25% of what the US is paying. This means that a $160 billion Russian military budget is comparable to $640 billion in the United States.

It's also worth noting that Russia doesn't waste trillions on fancy Navy ships and fighter jets that don't work. Instead it has focused on building the most powerful nuclear arsenal in the world, long range hypersonic missiles that can sink airplane carriers and autonomous nuclear powered torpedoes that travers the oceans without ever needing to refuel. They carry the largest nuclear warheads known to men and are nearly undetectable.

Imagine the most powerful nuclear explosion on the shores of New York City generating a hundred meter tall tsunami of radioactive water destroying the entire city and turning it into an uninhabitable wasteland for centuries.

In addition Russia has a fleet of Super EMP satellites in a high orbit above Earth with nuclear payloads. When detonated they can destroy the entire power grid and all civilian telecommunication systems in the US in an instant.

The US military is used to fighting the least sophisticated enemies. It's easy to bully any nation that doesn't have peer capabilities. The US Govt killed over 20 million people in 37 victim nations since WW2 but it never bullied anyone who could destroy the United States, until now.

Americans and citizens of NATO countries need to understand that the West cannot win against Russia on the battlefield. Every day without diplomacy and peace negotiations is bringing humanity closer to self-destruction. You already know that the Biden administration is the most inept and embarrassing Government America has ever had.

Don't let those arrogant, corrupt and incompetent fools destroy the world. Demand peace. Don't wait until it's too late.