Critically Linking NATO'S War (48) June 22 2022
Discussion
Apocalypse Soon
The tone of discussion on Ukraine in many quarters has turned quite alarming. Ellsburg considers that the dangers of nuclear conflict are now at least as high and probably higher than during the Cuban missile crisis of 1962; and because both sides are indicating this could be a long conflict, then the longer it lasts the greater the likelihood of nuclear exchange, intentional or accidental. Scott Ritter last Saturday was even doubtful we would get to the end of the year without nuclear war. He notes that the Russian-Chinese alliance has become a great deal stronger just recently, and he considers the chances of a Chinese recovery of Taiwan now very high. Back in Europe, where at one level Russia is winning, (pay careful attention to Putin’s St. Petersburg speech, which puts the lid on NATO propaganda about Putin’s mental and physical health and demonstrates real statesmanship that puts Zelenskiy’s military T-shirt posturing to shame). Many voices are also noting how the current crisis is further fueling the appetite in the South for nuclear weapons. Greater proliferation, the great the risks. Putin’s speech does however confirm the transition from a unipolar to a multipolar world, which is essentially very good news given what a total and obscene mess the USA has made of the historically unprecedented opportunity it was unintentionally gifted by Mikhail Gorbachev in 1990-1991. In place of that came the new Authoritarian Liberalism, and what a monster that has turned out to be.
There are other ways we can see things spiraling further out of control, given the destabilizing impact of Polish involvement, Lithuania’s attempt to cause trouble by blockading transportation between Russia and Kalingrad, Finland’s signing up for NATO membership, the continuing flow of western weapons into Ukraine and their likely diffusion to criminal and other third party groups, and even the criminalization of the conflict as mafia-type groups exploit the mess (adding pressure to those who see an advantage in continuing the conflict), and western governments learn to bottom-feed from the migrant crisis. The energy crisis has helped make Russia even more critical to the future of technological civilization than it was a few months ago, while Europe’s now typically insane response is to boost coal production and hasten the end of the world through climate change whose warming emissions are now higher than ever. The only good news is that death by climate change will be slower than death from nuclear war and nuclear war is even more imminent. The manifest incompetence of US and European leadership is deeply troubling. On this issue of existential importance it does not augur well that some of the wiser heads are in other respects very unpleasant: I think back to Trump, whose position with respect to Russia was sensible, even though Russiagate was a Clinton hoax. In France, Macrons’ weak attempt at moderation is now outflanked by Le Pen.. The chances of perpetual war are delightful to the war profiteers (MICIMATT first amongst them), until they are exterminated by blast, fire and radiation. In the economic sphere matters are very threatening. There is absolutely no sign yet of a reduction in the economic threat. Rising gas prices and food insecurity, in particular, will generate revolutions in the Global South, not necessarily revolutions of the left, and create immense tensions in the Global North.
1. Atrocities
The United Nations Slams Ukrainian Attack on Donetsk Maternity Hospital
Western Media and Politicians Prefer to Ignore the Truth about Civilians Killed in Donetsk Shelling
2. Donbass
To distract your attention from Ukrainian undercounting of their own killed and wounded (not to mention huge numbers of “missing in action,” so that Kiev doesnt have to pay death benefits)
Ukraine-Russia War: Over half of DPR troops killed or injured - UK intel
Half of DPR troops killed or injured
Eastern Donbas ‘extremely difficult’ for Ukrainians as Russia intensifies attacks
Britain Says Ukraine Used US-Made Harpoon Missile to Sink Russian Tugboat
‘Everything is engulfed in fire’
In eastern Ukraine, some stand against the defenders
Ukrainian missiles hit Black Sea gas platforms, say Russian officials
3. Economic Dimension
Russian Oil Flows to Europe Have Quietly Started Creeping Up
US Sanctions Help China Supercharge Its Chipmaking Industry
Sri Lankan prime minister: Island’s economy ‘has collapsed’
The Russian ruble keeps rising, hitting a seven-year high.
Dutch Government Activates ‘Early Warning’ Because of Russian Cutbacks on Gas
Germany to fire up coal stations as Russia squeezes gas supply
4. Empire
U.S. and Iran have tense encounter at sea
France Views Terrorists in Paris as Enemies, but Allies in Syria
Iran Reports Mossad Cell Captured in Assassination Plot
Report: Israel Keeping US In the Dark on Its Covert Attacks Inside Iran
Israel Keeps US in Dark about its Murders
Putin’s iron grip on Russia is a legacy of empire
5. Making Sense of the War
VLADIMIR PUTIN’S ADDRESS TO THE ST. PETERSBURG INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM
Right between the eyes: Putin to the West at the St Petersburg Economic forum
Russia and China Will Win, Chances of Nuclear War before 20l23 are High
War With China, Nukes in Ukraine
Alfred McCoy, Playing with Fire in Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine-USA/NATO Part III: From Peace to War
GRAHAM E. FULLER: SOME HARD THOUGHTS ABOUT POST UKRAINE
Europe. which will be weaker, looks at US as superpower in decline
The Bush and Obama Administrations, a Continuation of Policy? Russia and China Hemmed in Close to Their Borders
Explain It to Me, Please. If You Want a War with Iran, Russia, China and Venezuela, Tell Me Why and How It Would Benefit Americans
INTERVIEW: George Eliason talks to Patrick Henningsen about Ukraine, Poland and NATO
War in Ukraine Triggers New International Non-Alignment Trend
6. Media, Censorship and Propaganda
CYBER SPOOKS
THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF TWEETS: TWITTER IS HIRING AN ALARMING NUMBER OF FBI AGENTS
Whose Disinformation Is It Anyway? BBC vs Critical Academics
Getting at Dissident British Academics
ACURA ViewPoint: James W. Carden: Neocon Think Tanks Are Driving Biden’s Ukraine Policy
Leaked emails expose Paul Mason’s collusion with senior British intelligence agent
Europe’s “Ministry of Truth 2022”: Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Microsoft, Google Enlisted by the E.U. “to Fight Disinformation”
Ministry of Disinformation Friends
INDEPENDENT GERMAN REPORTER FACES PROSECUTION FROM GERMAN GOVERNMENT FOR HER REPORTING FROM DONBASS
Whenever Johnson has a problem, he calls Zelenskiy – and the bill is rapidly mounting
7. NATO and EU
INTERVIEW: George Eliason talks to Patrick Henningsen about Ukraine, Poland and NATO
Lithuanians Stick New Finger in Eye of Russian Bear
Germany’s New Resolve on Russia Is Already Flagging
Germany’s Resolve on Russia and Defense Is Already Flagging (foreignpolicy.com)
NATO’s Baltic blockade opens new front in war against Russia
Russia Demands Lithuania Lift “Openly Hostile” Blockade of Kalingrad; Panic Buying Ensues
Kalingrad Crisis
EU Commission President Wants To Drop Unanimity in Foreign Policy Decisions
Trying to Dodge the Turkey Bullet
8. Nukes
Daniel Ellsberg on Nuclear War and Ukraine (video)
Ellsberg Says It is Very Dangerous
German Air Force chief calls for the use of nuclear weapons against Russia
What is Westinghouse Doing in Ukraine?
Westinghouse Wants to Build More Nuke Reactors in Ukraine