Europe at War

[drogulus]

     I think defense and nondefense are provocative in different ways. Nondefense is more likely to lead to war. Defense leads to outrage and "no to war, no to NATO". I prefer the latter.

[drogulus]

     The Japanese are watchful.

     

     The one on top is an amphibious landing ship that would be useful somewhere near Odessa (just a guess). The picture was taken around March 15-16.

     I'm of the opinion that Russian warships off the southern coast of Ukraine need to be sunk. So, Admiral Nevelskov, don't be in a hurry.

[Karl Henning]

Do you think it's good that Biden's objective is not peace in Ukraine but regime change in Russia, i.e. the Ukrainians must suffer war until Putin is gone?

Either that, or Biden's a POTUS who doesn't mean what he says.

You're being rather harsh on a slip. As a result, I don't think any of your post gets traction.

[Karl Henning]

Without action to achieve an end, the word objective is meaningless and what one is left with is called a wish. And yes, it's stupid to have said it.

As I read elsewhere: more a prayer than a policy statement.

Okay, in a perfect world, the POTUS isn't someone prone to the odd gaffe. In a perfect world, the U.S. Electorate gets a better choice than between two white guys already past their prime, and one of whom is a racist autocrat wannabe. That was still a damned good speech. And if I find myself fixated upon a gaffe, maybe the problem is not Biden.

[drogulus]

     My favorite gaffe of all time is.....

      "Wound my heart with a monotonous languor"

      OK, that's just a wild speculation on my part, totally irresponsible and plusungood.

[Mandryka]

You're being rather harsh on a slip. As a result, I don't think any of your post gets traction.

He was reading the teleprompter!

[Karl Henning]

He was reading the teleprompter!

As if people reading a teleprompter never go off-script.

[Mandryka]

As if people reading a teleprompter never go off-script.

Of course, but I just don't think that comment was unplanned and spontaneous. It's a really well crafted speech. That comment at the end `this man cannot remain in power' is the climax -- quite good oratory in fact.

I just played it back! Maybe you don't hear it that way -- here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqNPTzb5T7c

Listen to the speed change, the dynamic change, the body language -- he slows it down so everyone will hear that this man cannot remain in power loud and clear. It's the main message. If that's deviation from the autocue, I'm a Dutchman.

[drogulus]

     I don't think the TrumPutinist gaffes about the 2020 election are calls for assassination. Biden should not be in power. He must be removed, not necessarily legally but not violently as far as I can tell.

[Gurn Blanston]

I'm good with my President being truthful,  whether it was intentional or not.  I am 100% in favor of regime change in Russia,  and if that's something you aren't supposed to say out loud,  well I guess that's just some hard cheese for Vlad to chew on. 

Just quoting myself because I totally still agree with what I first said.  I don't think it was a gaffe and I am in full agreement with it. I hope he doubles down on it.

😎

[drogulus]

     China's Sinopec pauses Russia projects, Beijing wary of sanctions

Beijing has repeatedly voiced opposition to the sanctions, insisting it will maintain normal economic and trade exchanges with Russia, and has refused to condemn Moscow's actions in Ukraine or call them an invasion.

But behind the scenes, the government is wary of Chinese companies running afoul of sanctions - it is pressing companies to tread carefully with investments in Russia, its second-largest oil supplier and third-largest gas provider.

[MusicTurner]

Interesting.

[Que]

If that's deviation from the autocue, I'm a Dutchman.

Welcome, my brother!   

[Que]

FSB agents avail themselves to some expensive watches:

Russia seizes Audemars Piguet watches in apparent retaliation for Swiss sanctions


Are we close to large scale confiscations of the property of western companies?

[Gurn Blanston]

FSB agents avail themselves to some expensive watches:

Russia seizes Audemars Piguet watches in apparent retaliation for Swiss sanctions


Are we close to large scale confiscations of the property of western companies?

They're already doing it so it seems to be beyond close.  2 or 3 weeks ago they announced that any western business that left the country would forfeit all their holdings.  Companies will whine but if they couldn't take the loss they wouldn't have left to start with.

🤠😎

[drogulus]

     What happens when the new Russian regime tries to get desperately needed foreign investment? How's that going to work?

     
     

[Que]

     What happens when the new Russian regime tries to get desperately needed foreign investment? How's that going to work?

Then they'll call Bejing or New Dehli, at least that seems to be Putin's plan. Might even work...?

[Todd]

Then they'll call Bejing or New Dehli, at least that seems to be Putin's plan. Might even work...?

That, plus after hostilities end and a fairly short period of time has elapsed (a few years or so, less for critical extractive industries), sanctions have been removed or reduced to acceptable levels, and people have moved on, some companies will venture back into Russia to make some tidy profits in select sectors.  Nationalizations occur from time to time, as do wars.  It is unlikely that the future business environment returns to whatever the good old days may have been, but profits must always be made, and practices will adjust.

[drogulus]

     

Then they'll call Bejing or New Dehli, at least that seems to be Putin's plan. Might even work...?

      Putin doesn't have a plan. He never thought this would happen. The question is what Russia will do to persuade investors that it's safe to return. Russia can barely function without help. China will do the minimum if it does anything. They have their own decline to manage. Some companies will see an opportunity, but many companies won't return until their confiscated property is returned to them.

[drogulus]

     China can do one big thing to invest in Russia, and its the sort of thing that happens in a country that loses a war. Japan, too, may seek opportunities.