Not a word in the article about the vast amounts of money laundering by western elites, most notably JRB? I'd say that is mostly what the hell was going on.
It is indeed disgraceful that Trump helped Russian criminals to launder money through his properties and that he still wants to do business with that corruption-riddled country.
Zelensky has no power. Putin is recalcitrant. Europe misled, oblivious.
Gotta get Putin to sit down first. Pretending Putin is OK will probably work. Trump knows Putin is a thug, and a pretty harmless one. Putin’s army could not defeat a 5th rate power and get to Kyiv.
Zelensky picked up on the minerals deal (semi-effective umbrella of protection).
Slow, stupid, feckless Europe agreed to send peacekeeping troops.
Trump is doing fine.
Stop taking things literally, start taking them seriously. Who cares who started the war, US interests are focused on China.
Try to warm Russia. Find ways to separate them from China. “You know, Vladimir, that Belt and Road runs right under your belly.” “Vlad, how are you going to stop China from taking Siberia — they claim it like they claim Taiwan.” “Vladimir, would you like to sell gas to Europe again, … good for the oligarchs and cash flow you need, no?”
Glad to see an open mind towards something Trump is doing, especially given some of your colleagues you consulted. As I say to most Trump critics, let's just wait and see. No Ukraine NATO membership is commonsense (why would the US and allies agree to do something in the future they refuse to do today - come to the complete defense of Ukraine?). Don't see how you are going to oust Putin from not only post-2014 gains but also post-2022 gains. Problem with US coming to full defense of Ukraine is that we don't have a vital national security interest there - but give us access to vital necessarily resources and that changes. [Separate note: appreciate your snakiness, but "And in response to the Bessent deal, apparently drafted by a lawyer Bessent found from a billboard on the NJ Turnpike". Please.]
Good lord, a column in which the author debates the uncertainties with herself. Has this ever happened in the journalistic world of political discussion in our day? What a novel approach. Thanks. I'm going with the positive take on these uncertainties. Friday will tell a lot, I think.
I believe he said Ukraine “started the war” not even the slight shading of “caused them to invade”. This equates with the equally preposterous claim that the J6 attack was a peaceful tour and day of love.
Fingers crossed indeed. Strange that during Reagan's stand against the Soviet Union I never felt a catastrophic danger from his policy. I knew where he was coming from. I can't have confidence that Trump has a strategy or is winging it. I rely more and more on your analysis.
How many of Obama's fireing of flag officers where legitimate? I read conflicting accounts. Good stuff.
It is possible that Trumps premise is the art of the deal. I have never read it but……consider that ending the war without the end of Ukraine means either Ukraine wins militarily or Russia backs down. Winning by Ukraine can only happen with NATO or US forces or both and more US aid. Russia taking Ukraine means a destabilized Europe. So Trump figures pumping up Putin and publicly reducing Zelensky and Ukraine gives Putin a way out of the war saving face both in Russia and globally. Trump sells. That is what he has always done and his psychology of behavior even on the world stage is so motivated and styled. That is why the comments on Ukraine seem so off………they are deliberately provactive to achieve the desired result.
Talk about trying to polish a turd. You're making a lot of assumptions about Trump's noble, long-term intentions with little to support it but a lot of hand waving.
I don't think it is four-dimensional chess being played here. Not sure how much more obvious Trump needs to be on where this is headed. It is disgusting and grotesque. How far America has fallen from the days of Reagan and Evil Empire speech.
"In politics, stupidity is not a handicap." – Napoleon Bonaparte
Agree today was better news but I doubt if anything Starmer or Macron said to him will stick. If by some miracle Ukraine and Taiwan are still intact in 4 years it will not be on account of any diplomatic moves by the felon in chief. He is such an idiot. Putin won the lottery with him.
during a summer vacation in Kiev in 1972 I was pleasantly seduced by a beautiful russian spy as I was sun bathing near to the Dnieper River. She was setting me up I was told to divulge certain information based on the KGB awareness that I had worked for the Kennedy brothers, and had finished writing a book called "Lucky Conversations:Visits with the Most Prominent People of the 20th Century, including, President Kennedy, Gromyko, Kruschev. So the Russians sent a beautiful spy golden blonde for information and as a courtesy to sleep with me. I signed a copy of my best seller "Lucky Conversations"for her, and my real name Morris Wolff, and she was thrilled to have a signed copy for herself, and then a second one for her "sponsors".She was a love indeed.
Similar to my observations of Mr. Trump. There are those among us who are the hero of their own story, often fictitious but held with certainty. This reads like a novel or screenplay. Be sure to write it all down.
The war in Ukraine has lost the support of the American people: Trump’s mandate was to end the war. Ukraine has not even fully mobilized its own male population, the war is so unpopular. Ukraine was never likely to win against the world’s third largest military power in toothless Europe, anyway. Moreover, Americans are sick of European repression of their own people. So for what reason should we risk the expense we can’t afford or the prospect of WW3? What does NATO and the UN do for Americans but seek to erode our individual freedoms with mass migration and fentanyl?
European leaders absolutely could have done more and sooner, as could have Americans. But in terms of aid delivered to Ukraine, it's roughly the same dollar value. And they're waking up further.
Not a word in the article about the vast amounts of money laundering by western elites, most notably JRB? I'd say that is mostly what the hell was going on.
It is indeed disgraceful that Trump helped Russian criminals to launder money through his properties and that he still wants to do business with that corruption-riddled country.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/03/trump-media-es-family-trust-2022-loans
https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/gangsters-at-war-russias-use-of-organized-crime-as-an-instrument-of-statecraft/
https://jamestown.org/program/moscows-war-intensifies-corruption-in-russia/
Mr. Trump only cares about money. When he stated that Ukraine started the war, and his MEGA supporters came to his defense, all I could do was laugh.
Zelensky has no power. Putin is recalcitrant. Europe misled, oblivious.
Gotta get Putin to sit down first. Pretending Putin is OK will probably work. Trump knows Putin is a thug, and a pretty harmless one. Putin’s army could not defeat a 5th rate power and get to Kyiv.
Zelensky picked up on the minerals deal (semi-effective umbrella of protection).
Slow, stupid, feckless Europe agreed to send peacekeeping troops.
Trump is doing fine.
Stop taking things literally, start taking them seriously. Who cares who started the war, US interests are focused on China.
Try to warm Russia. Find ways to separate them from China. “You know, Vladimir, that Belt and Road runs right under your belly.” “Vlad, how are you going to stop China from taking Siberia — they claim it like they claim Taiwan.” “Vladimir, would you like to sell gas to Europe again, … good for the oligarchs and cash flow you need, no?”
The notion of the US sacrificing existing alliances for the hope of enticing Russia against China is a road to failure.
https://leadingthoughts.substack.com/p/why-russia-wont-abandon-china
https://chinarussiareport.substack.com/p/attempting-a-reverse-kissinger-wil
https://thebismarckcables.substack.com/p/on-the-attempt-to-pull-russia-from
Glad to see an open mind towards something Trump is doing, especially given some of your colleagues you consulted. As I say to most Trump critics, let's just wait and see. No Ukraine NATO membership is commonsense (why would the US and allies agree to do something in the future they refuse to do today - come to the complete defense of Ukraine?). Don't see how you are going to oust Putin from not only post-2014 gains but also post-2022 gains. Problem with US coming to full defense of Ukraine is that we don't have a vital national security interest there - but give us access to vital necessarily resources and that changes. [Separate note: appreciate your snakiness, but "And in response to the Bessent deal, apparently drafted by a lawyer Bessent found from a billboard on the NJ Turnpike". Please.]
Not kidding about the lawyer. And I know it wasn't you :)
Good lord, a column in which the author debates the uncertainties with herself. Has this ever happened in the journalistic world of political discussion in our day? What a novel approach. Thanks. I'm going with the positive take on these uncertainties. Friday will tell a lot, I think.
I believe he said Ukraine “started the war” not even the slight shading of “caused them to invade”. This equates with the equally preposterous claim that the J6 attack was a peaceful tour and day of love.
Fair.
Fingers crossed indeed. Strange that during Reagan's stand against the Soviet Union I never felt a catastrophic danger from his policy. I knew where he was coming from. I can't have confidence that Trump has a strategy or is winging it. I rely more and more on your analysis.
How many of Obama's fireing of flag officers where legitimate? I read conflicting accounts. Good stuff.
It is possible that Trumps premise is the art of the deal. I have never read it but……consider that ending the war without the end of Ukraine means either Ukraine wins militarily or Russia backs down. Winning by Ukraine can only happen with NATO or US forces or both and more US aid. Russia taking Ukraine means a destabilized Europe. So Trump figures pumping up Putin and publicly reducing Zelensky and Ukraine gives Putin a way out of the war saving face both in Russia and globally. Trump sells. That is what he has always done and his psychology of behavior even on the world stage is so motivated and styled. That is why the comments on Ukraine seem so off………they are deliberately provactive to achieve the desired result.
Deliberately provocative? Or, instead, typical of a small set of us who believes their own misperceptions in favor of a vision.
Talk about trying to polish a turd. You're making a lot of assumptions about Trump's noble, long-term intentions with little to support it but a lot of hand waving.
Persuasive. I'm sold.
I don't think it is four-dimensional chess being played here. Not sure how much more obvious Trump needs to be on where this is headed. It is disgusting and grotesque. How far America has fallen from the days of Reagan and Evil Empire speech.
"In politics, stupidity is not a handicap." – Napoleon Bonaparte
I hope you're wrong and I'm right. As you read, I have doubts as well. Today, the news is better. But we'll see when we see.
Agree today was better news but I doubt if anything Starmer or Macron said to him will stick. If by some miracle Ukraine and Taiwan are still intact in 4 years it will not be on account of any diplomatic moves by the felon in chief. He is such an idiot. Putin won the lottery with him.
Do you have any thoughts on co-president Musk?
during a summer vacation in Kiev in 1972 I was pleasantly seduced by a beautiful russian spy as I was sun bathing near to the Dnieper River. She was setting me up I was told to divulge certain information based on the KGB awareness that I had worked for the Kennedy brothers, and had finished writing a book called "Lucky Conversations:Visits with the Most Prominent People of the 20th Century, including, President Kennedy, Gromyko, Kruschev. So the Russians sent a beautiful spy golden blonde for information and as a courtesy to sleep with me. I signed a copy of my best seller "Lucky Conversations"for her, and my real name Morris Wolff, and she was thrilled to have a signed copy for herself, and then a second one for her "sponsors".She was a love indeed.
Similar to my observations of Mr. Trump. There are those among us who are the hero of their own story, often fictitious but held with certainty. This reads like a novel or screenplay. Be sure to write it all down.
Well. We now know which side he's on.
The war in Ukraine has lost the support of the American people: Trump’s mandate was to end the war. Ukraine has not even fully mobilized its own male population, the war is so unpopular. Ukraine was never likely to win against the world’s third largest military power in toothless Europe, anyway. Moreover, Americans are sick of European repression of their own people. So for what reason should we risk the expense we can’t afford or the prospect of WW3? What does NATO and the UN do for Americans but seek to erode our individual freedoms with mass migration and fentanyl?
First of all, Trump was not exonerated of benefiting from Russian assistance in 2016.
https://www.reuters.com/article/world/mueller-says-trump-was-not-exonerated-trump-declares-victory-idUSKCN1UJ0DQ/
Trump's ties to Moscow in fact go much further back. At best, he's useful for Russian interests. At worst, he's outright their tool.
https://substack.com/@craigunger/p-158111461
https://substack.com/@craigunger/p-158183746
https://theeasternflank.substack.com/p/eastern-europeans-are-used-to-betrayal
European leaders absolutely could have done more and sooner, as could have Americans. But in terms of aid delivered to Ukraine, it's roughly the same dollar value. And they're waking up further.
https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/what-europe-should-have-done-to-prepare
https://crackingdefence.substack.com/p/nato-without-the-usa
Here's something I "know for a fact": Doing more of the same will result in more of the same.
Time to change what is being done.
Wow! I just got home from work and heard the drama from my wife. What the hell is going on!?