Thank you Shankar. Thursday Morning- too soon to start holding ones breath. I am with the arrest of Putin while he is on US SOIL.
"trump is a laughing stock after a meeting that hasn't happened yet", a quote from Keith Olbermann this morning which has caught my ear.
Another excellent essay. Thank you . Hope springs eternal that Europe will stand strong and unified with Ukraine and Get that ammunition. I have now long been saying our Allies Will Save us-adding all. It's in their and our best interest.
As for yesterdays Newsom Rocks. I just saw Newsom and other Dem Governors are holding a press conference 11:30 Pacific time - calling it a HUGE HISTORIC EVENT to COUNTER ABBOTTS MAPS
Sadly for Gaza the feeling about Ukraine is different. Orientalism may factor in feelings toward both, but Europe has put its stamp firmly on Ukraine. Putin will have a harder time selling the notion of Nazi terrorists when so many countries are backing Ukraine with big bucks.
The kidnapping of huge numbers of Ukrainian children is something Trump cannot afford to overlook right now. His Epstein scandal will cause that issue (if not addressed) to trigger the Epstein scandal again.
But Trump really wants mineral deals. And he wants Nordstrom Two. Question is can his military advisors persuade him that a cleaner effort toward peace is more likely to get a positive reaction from the Nobel Prize. Might he be persuaded that the weaker Putin becomes, the stronger Trump’s bargaining position gets for natural resources?
Following all of your excellent analysis it is easy to see Russia being unable to back up any successes in Pokrovsk with h ongoing success after success. They may have people, but without China they have little besides. And being too closely allied with China is a dangerous game. Meanwhile Ukraine is getting excellent weapons from outside and continues to ratchet up the quality and quantity of what it produces at home. Coupled with ongoing strikes on oil fields, etc. Ukraine should be gaining ground in leaps and bounds.
Lastly, this is an existential crisis for Europe. Even Orban seems aware of that. Can they collectively bring enough pressure on Trump to make a difference?
I have to refrain from my happy dance whenever Trump is involved. From outside one can only speculate what will finally motivate him on any given day. He is an existential crisis for the whole world (think global warming, economics, lack of health sciences and ready vaccines, and on and on.) Recent losses of substantial contracts will mean huge pressure from the military industrial complex. We will see.
“I was pleasantly surprised that Germany moved money into the PURL scheme before the Alaska meeting.”
In view of Trump apparently being seriously cognitively impaired, this was IMO timed precisely right. Any earlier, and the matter would probably have dropped out of Trump’s mind before the brief window of time when the leverage matters.
If I was Trump, I would be offering Putin an out: political asylum.
From all accounts, Putin is in huge trouble in Russia - a wrecked economy, a failing military venture, falling oil sales, several oil refineries offline, a crumbling social and physical infrastructure, a sovereign wealth fund nearly empty, and his crown jewel, Crimea, is all but under siege.
Also begs the question: if someone who is indicted sends a doppelgänger, can he still be arrested? The real Рu is probably sorely tempted to go, but I'm pretty sure we're going to see the smiling, apple-cheeked body double.
Speaking of N. Korea, have you heard of any updates as their participation and funding for the war? Are they still sending soldiers? I haven’t heard much in the news.
“But just because Trump is aware does not mean the danger is over. Putin will be coming into the meeting armed with this knowledge. The KGB would have already told him where Trump stands. He acutely understands Trump's weakness for optics and MAGA GOP's commitment to error.
He will try to exploit.”
Excellent News Shankar, great analysis, once again. And as you stated in the above quote; the real issue isn’t whether Trump gets it or not; for one, he’s prone to listening to the last person in the room; in this case his mentor, who he greatly admires and respects.
And secondly, as you have so eloquently stated, “he will try to spin a nothing-burger into the greatest deal on earth; he truly is a PT Barnum, and all I can see is another spectacle: All Pomp, and no Circumstance!”
And let’s not forget the elephant in the room: the Epstein files and a cratering economy for which his approval rating are underwater. This should also give us cause for concern; Trump is vulnerable domestically, so he needs to deflect and project; his two default modes. iMHO…:)
Thank you, but I’m not alone. I think we all understand who and what Trump represents at this point; at least those of us who are in complete control of our metal faculties…:)
I wish we could be sure that someone in Trump's coven is reading the CONCIS and passing on Shankar's extensive details of Putin's financial as well as military desperation. As a braggart and a bully, if DJT realizes that Putin is desperately trying to play a scam, he would see the weakening of a rival power figure as an opportunity to score major narcissistic points by backing Ukraine against Russia.
We must hope that there is an American interpreter sitting in, not relying on a putinesca.
And we must worry about the possibility of geopolitical extortion if Putin really does possess videos of "Trump depravities," golden showers, or whatever....
I’m with you in being frustrated by our media’s eagerness to report any Russian success whether to drag out the conflict or to cover their butts by doing the classic act of just reporting what both sides say is happening equally without doing any research.
Unfortunately Trump doesn't understand diplomacy but the coalition sent him the right message yesterday. Trump will fold tomorrow TACO style but it should be mostly irrelevant. The USA weapons industry should be pushing him hard not to kill their sales. Follow the money in the USA.
Ukraine has done everything, EU has done what could be and the US majorly helped.
Given EU and Ukraine involvement with the current administration, hope we are looking at end of mass killings. About the land division we shall see. Putin is a psychopath!
Not sure if Ukraine and Europe framed it that way, but overall they made the right calls—so, all good. I just wish the PURL commitment had been the full €5 billion instead of €500 million. Still, this one will keep the chord, since it’s coming from Germany. Germany still has tens of billions in orders waiting to be placed for its own needs.
Trump is desperate for headlines. Peace in our time would be a good one. His binoculars start with him looking through them, and him on the other end. He does what he thinks gives him the best PR. He doesn't give a damn about Ukraine, likes strongman Putin. More could follow, but why?
Thank you Shankar. Thursday Morning- too soon to start holding ones breath. I am with the arrest of Putin while he is on US SOIL.
"trump is a laughing stock after a meeting that hasn't happened yet", a quote from Keith Olbermann this morning which has caught my ear.
Another excellent essay. Thank you . Hope springs eternal that Europe will stand strong and unified with Ukraine and Get that ammunition. I have now long been saying our Allies Will Save us-adding all. It's in their and our best interest.
As for yesterdays Newsom Rocks. I just saw Newsom and other Dem Governors are holding a press conference 11:30 Pacific time - calling it a HUGE HISTORIC EVENT to COUNTER ABBOTTS MAPS
Sadly for Gaza the feeling about Ukraine is different. Orientalism may factor in feelings toward both, but Europe has put its stamp firmly on Ukraine. Putin will have a harder time selling the notion of Nazi terrorists when so many countries are backing Ukraine with big bucks.
The kidnapping of huge numbers of Ukrainian children is something Trump cannot afford to overlook right now. His Epstein scandal will cause that issue (if not addressed) to trigger the Epstein scandal again.
But Trump really wants mineral deals. And he wants Nordstrom Two. Question is can his military advisors persuade him that a cleaner effort toward peace is more likely to get a positive reaction from the Nobel Prize. Might he be persuaded that the weaker Putin becomes, the stronger Trump’s bargaining position gets for natural resources?
Following all of your excellent analysis it is easy to see Russia being unable to back up any successes in Pokrovsk with h ongoing success after success. They may have people, but without China they have little besides. And being too closely allied with China is a dangerous game. Meanwhile Ukraine is getting excellent weapons from outside and continues to ratchet up the quality and quantity of what it produces at home. Coupled with ongoing strikes on oil fields, etc. Ukraine should be gaining ground in leaps and bounds.
Lastly, this is an existential crisis for Europe. Even Orban seems aware of that. Can they collectively bring enough pressure on Trump to make a difference?
I have to refrain from my happy dance whenever Trump is involved. From outside one can only speculate what will finally motivate him on any given day. He is an existential crisis for the whole world (think global warming, economics, lack of health sciences and ready vaccines, and on and on.) Recent losses of substantial contracts will mean huge pressure from the military industrial complex. We will see.
Thanks.
Nordstream is dead AB. buried under EU dysfunction (yes, it can be used and they used it). No one can release it anymore. DEAD.
Thanks.
“I was pleasantly surprised that Germany moved money into the PURL scheme before the Alaska meeting.”
In view of Trump apparently being seriously cognitively impaired, this was IMO timed precisely right. Any earlier, and the matter would probably have dropped out of Trump’s mind before the brief window of time when the leverage matters.
Ĺol. I would have never thought that..
Good point!…:)
If I was Trump, I would be offering Putin an out: political asylum.
From all accounts, Putin is in huge trouble in Russia - a wrecked economy, a failing military venture, falling oil sales, several oil refineries offline, a crumbling social and physical infrastructure, a sovereign wealth fund nearly empty, and his crown jewel, Crimea, is all but under siege.
Putin is a man in increasing need of a bolt hole.
Yep. Full show. 0 substance. He is still running because of China and and little bit because of India.
So why help him? Why not arrest and extradite him?
He should have never been allowed. Now that he is, it is even worse to arrest him. Can't do that.
Also begs the question: if someone who is indicted sends a doppelgänger, can he still be arrested? The real Рu is probably sorely tempted to go, but I'm pretty sure we're going to see the smiling, apple-cheeked body double.
Basically because Trump is what the Brits would call “a gutless wonder”.
Thanks for the update on the EU actions! I was wondering about it. On the lighter side: we could offer Putin asylum in Alaska!
No. North Korea
Speaking of N. Korea, have you heard of any updates as their participation and funding for the war? Are they still sending soldiers? I haven’t heard much in the news.
“But just because Trump is aware does not mean the danger is over. Putin will be coming into the meeting armed with this knowledge. The KGB would have already told him where Trump stands. He acutely understands Trump's weakness for optics and MAGA GOP's commitment to error.
He will try to exploit.”
Excellent News Shankar, great analysis, once again. And as you stated in the above quote; the real issue isn’t whether Trump gets it or not; for one, he’s prone to listening to the last person in the room; in this case his mentor, who he greatly admires and respects.
And secondly, as you have so eloquently stated, “he will try to spin a nothing-burger into the greatest deal on earth; he truly is a PT Barnum, and all I can see is another spectacle: All Pomp, and no Circumstance!”
And let’s not forget the elephant in the room: the Epstein files and a cratering economy for which his approval rating are underwater. This should also give us cause for concern; Trump is vulnerable domestically, so he needs to deflect and project; his two default modes. iMHO…:)
Robert, your writing about Trump is great!
You read Trump perfectly, - deflect and project!
Your expression that Trump is all “Pomp and no Circumstance “ is wonderful!
Lastly, I love your “spot on” observation that Trump will spin his “nothing-burger” into the “greatest deal on Earth!”
Keep it up!
Thank you, but I’m not alone. I think we all understand who and what Trump represents at this point; at least those of us who are in complete control of our metal faculties…:)
I wish we could be sure that someone in Trump's coven is reading the CONCIS and passing on Shankar's extensive details of Putin's financial as well as military desperation. As a braggart and a bully, if DJT realizes that Putin is desperately trying to play a scam, he would see the weakening of a rival power figure as an opportunity to score major narcissistic points by backing Ukraine against Russia.
We must hope that there is an American interpreter sitting in, not relying on a putinesca.
And we must worry about the possibility of geopolitical extortion if Putin really does possess videos of "Trump depravities," golden showers, or whatever....
I’m with you in being frustrated by our media’s eagerness to report any Russian success whether to drag out the conflict or to cover their butts by doing the classic act of just reporting what both sides say is happening equally without doing any research.
They just wont do the work but want the money.
The National media are now our democracy’s biggest enemy!
Their propaganda machine, built to protect their empires, keeps our citizens in the dark!
We are heading into a darkness -ruled by Wealthy Oligarchs!
Unfortunately Trump doesn't understand diplomacy but the coalition sent him the right message yesterday. Trump will fold tomorrow TACO style but it should be mostly irrelevant. The USA weapons industry should be pushing him hard not to kill their sales. Follow the money in the USA.
These way to guarantee delivery of US weapons is the same as in Russia: give dear leader a piece of the action.
A bit of relief there. Things falling into place as well as could be hoped for, at the moment. Wonderful writing Shankar.
Ukraine has done everything, EU has done what could be and the US majorly helped.
Given EU and Ukraine involvement with the current administration, hope we are looking at end of mass killings. About the land division we shall see. Putin is a psychopath!
Putin created a trap for Trump which Witkoff kindly dropped Trump. Then Europe and Ukraine set a trap for Putin and Trump which both just triggered.
Not sure if Ukraine and Europe framed it that way, but overall they made the right calls—so, all good. I just wish the PURL commitment had been the full €5 billion instead of €500 million. Still, this one will keep the chord, since it’s coming from Germany. Germany still has tens of billions in orders waiting to be placed for its own needs.
It might not be framed that way but it was a trap.
Just a thought that the promised money in the trade deal could include the PURL and similar orders to US defense contractors.
Trump is desperate for headlines. Peace in our time would be a good one. His binoculars start with him looking through them, and him on the other end. He does what he thinks gives him the best PR. He doesn't give a damn about Ukraine, likes strongman Putin. More could follow, but why?
Do you know him personally, that you know what he thinks? Always amazed by comments like yours.
Pay attention to everything the crooked pedophile has done his entire adult life. Reaching such conclusions are not difficult.
How so? Leopards don’t change their spots.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Trump will make promises he could never dream of keeping.
Must be scary going out on limbs two inches from the ground. 🙂
very well i would say
I do sleep like a well fed baby.
could you not do better