Never underestimate your opponent. Especially where Russia is concerned. While they are rolling across boundary lines, EVERYTHING in our infrastructure is at risk for a cyber attack. And don’t think they haven’t had the benefits of learning “national secrets” while Trump and Jared Kushner were providing them with access to . . . All of it. Trump’s merry band answer to Mogilevich ; they are all TRAITORS. The GOP received laundered money from Russian contacts through the NRA. “Pings” from Russian entities were received at the DeVoss-owned hospital in Michigan and at Trump Tower, NY. Russians have been flying into the US through Salt Lake City, bypassing the usual channels. On and On…don’t underestimate this enemy. They have insiders.
Personally, I think this was a brilliant move by Biden and his team. Hit Putin and his fellows where it hurts. He is always “one-upping” us but I do think he has met a willing opponent. Ukraine is rich in oils and agriculture. That’s what he wants to gobble up. Also, there has been no mention of Zelensky. He is Jewish so, of course, Putin wants him out of power.
The question no one seems to ask is how Putin can pay for a war, or even putting down an insurgency in Ukraine? The Russian economy is smaller than Italy's, even though it has three times as many people. Indeed, Russian GDP is half that of California, which has a quarter of it's population and 2.5 percent of its land area.
Russia is a fraction of the USA in every department. I didn’t want to contradict Dawna, but I think over the years we have tended to overestimate Russia. TC keeps pointing out how decrepit their military is. Battleships accompanied by tugboats for when they break down. My personal feeling, taking into consideration that I am livid about this threat by this worm, is that Putin and all his associates, and I do mean all of them, should be hit hard and shut down completely. no mercy. With as little damage as possible to Russia and the Russian people and economy.
“This country has all but forgotten the sacrifices made during the great war in Europe ...”
I don’t know if that’s true, but I can see why you would say it, Lucian. I think the core factor here is that the war did not happen in continental North America. And those unexploded bombs they’re digging up over there? Downtown Frankfurt. Places like that. The big cities are where many of the bombs were dropped. So they couldn’t forget even if they wanted to.
This imminent conflict makes me very angry, given it’s being instigated by a single human being. The Russian people have no interest. They’re trying to get on their feet and have some basic security.
this is so hard to believe. I have been watching Foyle’s War (my father was a Royal Navy submariner in WWII) and am at the part where the war has just ended but the majority of the characters are questioning what has actually changed—and it is so little. My friends admire you, which is why I have begun to follow you. I appreciate your feelings and knowledge-but almost want to bury my head in the sand instead of thinking of all those poor countries-not to mention my grandchildren.
Putin can't win the greater war, but he is an astonishingly successful mischief-maker, inconveniencing the West and propping up strongmen like Trump and Orban.
Thank You So Much For This Lucian!!! I will sleep much better tonight. Even though we still have a precarious and dangerous situation, Putin is no longer our marionettist. We got this.
Yes, this is in error. I suspect the Baltic states were meant but a mix-up occurred (altho' the Baltic states were also part of the old USSR, and the Russian Empire before that, they have established identities as separate nations/languages/culture in a way that Ukraine does not). Crimea was also part of Russia proper until Kruschev gave it to Ukraine in 1954, so Putin decided to "take it back", altho' the majority of the population there is ethnic Russian and were glad for the swap.
I have great confidence in your assessment here. And great hope that if Russian oligarchs lose access to their material stuff, they’ll jump all over Vlad the Unstable!
Right now sounds like July 1914. Every power has arms, soldiers and a itch to show some muscle. Putin knows he is in the late years of his career. Getting another ten years does not erase the truth he will be seventy and tired. Russia clings to glory in WW2 and the Great Soviet Union while everyone else has moved on. What is tragic is August 1914 arrives, when everyone thought it would be a 6 week war. Weill, it lasted 4 years and bled Europe white. Only the power of America arms gave everyone an excuse to end it. Putin won't stop and he does not care about cars, microchips or real estate. He will fight until the last soldier is dead and then send mercenaries. For him, all that matters is former Soviet Glory. Lets hope the oligarch's and the Generals in Moscow instruct Czar Putin to wrap it up.
Never underestimate your opponent. Especially where Russia is concerned. While they are rolling across boundary lines, EVERYTHING in our infrastructure is at risk for a cyber attack. And don’t think they haven’t had the benefits of learning “national secrets” while Trump and Jared Kushner were providing them with access to . . . All of it. Trump’s merry band answer to Mogilevich ; they are all TRAITORS. The GOP received laundered money from Russian contacts through the NRA. “Pings” from Russian entities were received at the DeVoss-owned hospital in Michigan and at Trump Tower, NY. Russians have been flying into the US through Salt Lake City, bypassing the usual channels. On and On…don’t underestimate this enemy. They have insiders.
And one who is never mentioned from Slovenia. And her parents.
Putin has $billions in western banks. Just freeze his western assets immediately if he crosses the line.
Yes. Him and his cronies, everyone in the oligarchy. Especially freeze all overseas real estate holdings.
Take it all!
Absolutely. No mercy.
That sounds so simple and effective, and yet I will bet it will never be done.
Personally, I think this was a brilliant move by Biden and his team. Hit Putin and his fellows where it hurts. He is always “one-upping” us but I do think he has met a willing opponent. Ukraine is rich in oils and agriculture. That’s what he wants to gobble up. Also, there has been no mention of Zelensky. He is Jewish so, of course, Putin wants him out of power.
The question no one seems to ask is how Putin can pay for a war, or even putting down an insurgency in Ukraine? The Russian economy is smaller than Italy's, even though it has three times as many people. Indeed, Russian GDP is half that of California, which has a quarter of it's population and 2.5 percent of its land area.
Russia is a fraction of the USA in every department. I didn’t want to contradict Dawna, but I think over the years we have tended to overestimate Russia. TC keeps pointing out how decrepit their military is. Battleships accompanied by tugboats for when they break down. My personal feeling, taking into consideration that I am livid about this threat by this worm, is that Putin and all his associates, and I do mean all of them, should be hit hard and shut down completely. no mercy. With as little damage as possible to Russia and the Russian people and economy.
“This country has all but forgotten the sacrifices made during the great war in Europe ...”
I don’t know if that’s true, but I can see why you would say it, Lucian. I think the core factor here is that the war did not happen in continental North America. And those unexploded bombs they’re digging up over there? Downtown Frankfurt. Places like that. The big cities are where many of the bombs were dropped. So they couldn’t forget even if they wanted to.
This imminent conflict makes me very angry, given it’s being instigated by a single human being. The Russian people have no interest. They’re trying to get on their feet and have some basic security.
this is so hard to believe. I have been watching Foyle’s War (my father was a Royal Navy submariner in WWII) and am at the part where the war has just ended but the majority of the characters are questioning what has actually changed—and it is so little. My friends admire you, which is why I have begun to follow you. I appreciate your feelings and knowledge-but almost want to bury my head in the sand instead of thinking of all those poor countries-not to mention my grandchildren.
Foyle's War wonderful!
Isn’t it? Can’t believe it’s still continuing after the war ends. Again, so many things of which people were not aware.
Putin can't win the greater war, but he is an astonishingly successful mischief-maker, inconveniencing the West and propping up strongmen like Trump and Orban.
Thank You So Much For This Lucian!!! I will sleep much better tonight. Even though we still have a precarious and dangerous situation, Putin is no longer our marionettist. We got this.
Marionettist, I mean.
Bulgaria and Romania used to be part of the Soviet Union? I don't think so! Part of the Soviet *bloc* for sure, but not part of the USSR.
Yes, this is in error. I suspect the Baltic states were meant but a mix-up occurred (altho' the Baltic states were also part of the old USSR, and the Russian Empire before that, they have established identities as separate nations/languages/culture in a way that Ukraine does not). Crimea was also part of Russia proper until Kruschev gave it to Ukraine in 1954, so Putin decided to "take it back", altho' the majority of the population there is ethnic Russian and were glad for the swap.
I have great confidence in your assessment here. And great hope that if Russian oligarchs lose access to their material stuff, they’ll jump all over Vlad the Unstable!
Right now sounds like July 1914. Every power has arms, soldiers and a itch to show some muscle. Putin knows he is in the late years of his career. Getting another ten years does not erase the truth he will be seventy and tired. Russia clings to glory in WW2 and the Great Soviet Union while everyone else has moved on. What is tragic is August 1914 arrives, when everyone thought it would be a 6 week war. Weill, it lasted 4 years and bled Europe white. Only the power of America arms gave everyone an excuse to end it. Putin won't stop and he does not care about cars, microchips or real estate. He will fight until the last soldier is dead and then send mercenaries. For him, all that matters is former Soviet Glory. Lets hope the oligarch's and the Generals in Moscow instruct Czar Putin to wrap it up.
Excellent insight.
All hail to the semiconductor chips.
While he fiddles with ancient marbles, may we hope that NATO and our guy are playing three dimensional chess?
From your lips . . .
Don't forget who Putin would like in the White House again. I still despise him for his NATO insults!
Useless idiot
Useful PAID Idiot for Putin
Yes of course MaryPat. I was just sneaking in a little additional aside on his value as a human being.
And lack therof. So glad to have you back Roland!!
Thank you!! My life has been absolutely packed since last spring. I sneak in to Substack when I have room.
Thank you. Great article!