U.S. warns allies of potential Russian invasion of Ukraine
UPDATE November 24, 2021 Strategic Overview Sww, Sylvie Kauffmann, “Obsédée par la Chine, la diplomatie américaine se trouve contrainte d’opérer un retour en Europe dont…
Vladimir Putin
Afghanistan today, October 21, 2021
See Jacques Follorou((avec Benjamin Barthe), “Les talibans cherchent à briser leur isolement diplomatique; La Russie organise une conférence internationale le 20 octobre à Moscou censée…
International Law and Russian harassment of a British warship near Crimea
See, 1) Dan Sabbagh (Defence and security editor), “Royal Navy ship off Crimea sparks diplomatic row between Russia and UK; MoD and Moscow disagree over…
Biden’s disastrous decision to withdraw all troops from Afghanistam–with links to best opinion pieces
The decision to surrender to the Taliban and abandon our Afghan allies and supporters is among the most craven and dastardly decisions in U.S. military and foreign policy history. One searches in history for a decision of such dishonorable magnitude.
The comparison that comes to mind is the agreement by Neville Chamberlain of England and Ėdouard Daladier of France with Adolf Hitler at Berchtesgaden in Bavaria in October, 1938. The agreement, known as the Munich Pact, has become synonymous with betrayal and appeasement
That will be Joe Biden’s legacy, unless he changes course, which seems unlikely.
China and Russia form common front against the West
One such mistake has been to grant unscripted interviews on television. In his interview with George Stephanoupoulis, on ABC-TV, Stephanapoulis asked him if he thought Vladimir Putin was “a killer”. Biden, unaccompanied by his handlers and off-script, naively answered, “Yes.”
The answer enraged Putin, who at a press conference, said,
“What would I answer him? I would tell him: be healthy,” Putin said. “I wish him good health. I say this without irony, no jokes. This is first of all.”
—CNN
So, Biden’s first big mistakes vis-à-vis Russia and China were to publicly call Putin a “killer” and to adopt a confrontational attitude at the first bi-lateral meeting between foreign ministers with China.
In both cases, Buden and Blinken were playing primarily to their domestic audience. The point is not that Biden and Blinken should not have spelled out in detail their criticisms of China. The point is this was the wrong time and the wrong place.
The common front against the West should come as no surprise. Its timing has at least symbolic significance.
Khashoggi assassination: To really sanction MBS, minimize U.S. and allied dealings with him
Now, the U.S. can send a subte message to King Salman and the Saudi Royal family by having minimal contact and interaction with the Crown Prince.
The Saudis can choose whoever they want to be King. But they should know that Americans will never forget or forgive the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi.
If the Saudis enthrone MBS they are likely to have one kind of relationship with the United States. 8ut if they choose someone else to be King, they could have another kind of relationship.
Trump’s future
Anne Applebaum: “Trump’s adventure is over. He will spend the rest of his life in court.”
America seems to be suffering from some kind of collective Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). It is as if the entire nation, having been held captive by a terrorist for four years, cannot believe that the power of the terrorist over them will go away when he is removed from power in two days.
How else can one explain all the speculation in the media about Trump’s continuing political and societal influence after he leaves office at noon on January 20, 2021?
Pelosi and House Democrats should not falter in impeaching Trump
When an attempted coup d’état is undeway, defenders of democracy must act swiftly, without hesitation, and decisively.
The principal instigator of the attempted coup which included the insurrectionist invasion of the Capitol, on January 6, 2021, is the President of the United States, Donald Trump.
Trump remains in office, holding all of the powers and emergency powers of the Presidency, including the secret, classified Emergency Powers invested in his office.
So long as the instigator of the attempted coup remains in office, we should all understand that a continuing, ongoing attempted coup d’état is underway.
Trump must be removed immediately in order to end this threat to American democracy.
Trump must be viewed as a criminal who is armed and dangerous.
He is armed with all of the powers of the Presidency, including his secret, classified Emergency Powers and his Powers as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, and commander of federal authorities under the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security.
He has the authority to deliver critical classified information to Russia and Vladimir Putin, such as the identities of CIA personnel and other clandestine operatives, including Russian agents in Russia working for the United States. Such information could also include details for access to defense, intelligence, and communications systems.
To end the ongoing coup, the king must be removed from office.
This is no time for Nancy Pelosi and the House Democratic Caucus to falter.
Emergency responses to a Trump military coup
If the demonstrations lead to violence and Trump sends troops or other federal forces in to restore law and order, perhaps invoking the Insurrection Act, who knows what could happen amid the ensuing chaos?
If Trump reports there is a “terrorist threat” to e.g., blow up the Capitol, or undertakes military action against Iran, a military coup could be well underway.
Trump is desperate and unhinged, surrounded by lunatic advisers who have been talking about imposing martial law for weeks.
Democrats and everyone else should take the threat of a Trump attempted military coup seriously.
It is time to mount a full court defense of American democracy.
Trump might not and probably would not succeed in carrying out a military coup. But he is desperate enough and crazy enough to try.
Nashville blast: Attack on our communications infrastructure; potential relation to Trump’s attempted coup
On the risks of a military coup, see David Ignatius, “Until Biden’s win is certified, the U.S. remains vulnerable, Washinbgton Post, December 26, 2020 (4:51…
Where can Trump go to escape the law? Israeli settlements in the West Bank?
First, because it is occupied territory it is far from clear that the U.S. extradition treaty with Israel would be held to apply. In any event, if an extradition request were made to Israel, the treaty’s dubious applicability to the occupied territories would offer Trump and his co-conspirators ample opportunity for litigation and delay–and, if need be, escape.
Second, if Trump becomes the object of an extradition request, or an INTERPOL “red ticket” for his arrest, should his West Bank settlement refuge become risky, he can always slip over the border into Saudi Arabia.
…
If Saudi Arabia represents a strong and secure fall-back location for Trump and his co-conspirators, the West Bank represents a huge potential for real-estate and other developments by Trump and his minions.
One can easily imagine one or more West Bank Trump Tower and Golf Resorts in the West Bank. The weather is ideal during the winter months in Europe, which is a relatively short plane ride away (six or seven hours from Paris).
…
But it is time to act. The clock is ticking.
This loony President is the most dangerous man on earth
Should we be afraid of what Trump might do in the waning days of his presidency!
ABSOLUTELY. WE SHOULD BE ABSOLUTELY AFRAID.
This is not a joke.
This is not a joke: Trump’s mass hypnosis and attempted coup
Donald Trump exercises mind control over millions of people. This mind control amounts to mass hypnosis, in which Trump has succeeded in making millions of…
Trump and co-conspirators move to sow confusion, delay vote certifications, and win “contingent election” in the House (Updated November 19, 2020)
UPDATE November 19, 2020. Coup d’état underway For the latest news reports, see 1) Philip Rucker, Amy Gardner, and Josh Dawsey, “Trump uses power of…
When an outgoing President runs amok, is there nothing we can do?
See “How Trumo Wins (Updated November 15, 2020),” The Trenchant Observer, November 11, 2020. When a defeated incumbent President launches a vast criminal conspiracy to…
Where can Trump go to escape the law? Russia?
Where can he go? The thought of losing the election is rumbling around in Donald Trump’s mind. If he loses, where indeed can he go…
Fighting continues over Nagorno-Karabakh; ceasefire does not hold
Fighting continues in and over Nagorno-Karabakh. The Russian-brokered ceasefire agreed upon in Moscow on Saturday is not holding. It is time for the U.N. Security…
To shut down TV propaganda, re-establish FCC licensing requirement
Removal of President Trump: Forget the 25th Amendment
Armenia and Azerbaijan on the brink of war
Fighting has flared between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. The territory of some 150,000 people is controlled by Armenia and populated…
Trump dominates the news, and Democrats are losing
200,000 deaths from Covid-19 Tweet from Brian Klaas @brianklaas Thursday update New covid-19 deaths, yesterday: Spain: 239 Italy: 12 Japan: 10 Canada: 5 UK: 20…