I sometimes wonder if Maria Warrior Princess isn't a likely successor to Putin? She's younger than the more obvious candidates such as the bear guy and Lavrov. Apparently she speaks Mandarin, so I'm sure the Chinese would like her. She's clearly capable and I'd vote for her on looks alone, but I'm not sure Russia is ready for a female leader. Definitely the best pick from who's available IMO, save Lavrov obviously, who's a couple of years older than Putin.
I remember the gerontocracy of the later USSR. Don't want to see that again.
A popular joke from that era: Ivan: so Sergui, are you going to attend the state funeral? Sergui: Naw, I'll wait for the next one.
She's been discussed, but IMO and those of others, she's very happy with her current position and expects to go to higher within the MFA. I expect her to become a Deputy Foreign Minister on the way to Lavrov's position. The ones I'm looking at as potential successors are on Team Putin now. I hope the armed conflict is over by election day 2030.
That makes sense. I admit, I don't follow the internal politics as much as their foreign policy and economics. She just seems like someone who'd be very good at leading her country. An inspiration to young women as well, which of course she already is.
Steve, do you understand what the functional difference is between Jean-Pierre and that Rear Admiral guy? I get the impression that the Rear Admiral handles all the tough questions, and punts the softball ones to Jean-Pierre; or is it more formalized than that?
maria sure cuts to the chase!!! i love her blunt and brutal portrayal of the west at this point in history... she covers so many bases and this is only in the abbreviated 3 hour talk you've pulled from... thanks karl! we don't have long to wait for the moldova elections - oct 20th i believe... i wonder if they will be successful in their propaganda... sounds like the imf is laughing all the way to the bank regardless...
Moldova is an interesting trading entrepot, something along the lines of Shanghai under the British Colonial Rule. Moldova produces little of value, but its import of stolen cars from Canada and STDs from Ukraine nearly perfectly balance its export of car parts and Ukrainian Sex Workers to the EU.
Lots of interesting points in that briefing. Feeling somewhat lyrical today so thought I'd focus on the Moldovan/EU.
WRT EU loans: Advice to Moldovans “The lady in slacks just bought some new hats with the profits she made on your dreams” and from Traffic to Peter Tosh “You're just a brand new second hand gal… … You think it's the slacks you wear That make you a lady Get that out of your mind gal You must be crazy”.
And finally, Maria “Western transnational corporations (as the EU ambassador in Chisinau openly said) will have the right to buy up the country's land fund.”
Then in a somewhat Bowiesque chorus she finishes with (This ain’t rock and roll) “This is neocolonialism. This is the same slave trade, only in a new way.”
A Frenchman, a Turk, an Israeli, a Scotsman and an Iranian walk into a bar. Bartender says what can I get you folks? Israeli girl asks. "Is anyone playing here tonight?" Bartender says "no, sorry." Girl says, '"well they are now!"
This is the kind of world I want to live in, where a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman can dance the Kalinka, and people from all over the world can make music together.
I sometimes wonder if Maria Warrior Princess isn't a likely successor to Putin? She's younger than the more obvious candidates such as the bear guy and Lavrov. Apparently she speaks Mandarin, so I'm sure the Chinese would like her. She's clearly capable and I'd vote for her on looks alone, but I'm not sure Russia is ready for a female leader. Definitely the best pick from who's available IMO, save Lavrov obviously, who's a couple of years older than Putin.
I remember the gerontocracy of the later USSR. Don't want to see that again.
A popular joke from that era: Ivan: so Sergui, are you going to attend the state funeral? Sergui: Naw, I'll wait for the next one.
She's been discussed, but IMO and those of others, she's very happy with her current position and expects to go to higher within the MFA. I expect her to become a Deputy Foreign Minister on the way to Lavrov's position. The ones I'm looking at as potential successors are on Team Putin now. I hope the armed conflict is over by election day 2030.
That makes sense. I admit, I don't follow the internal politics as much as their foreign policy and economics. She just seems like someone who'd be very good at leading her country. An inspiration to young women as well, which of course she already is.
Also, you don't see this very often....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R33wWOf49yA
The contrast in competency and honesty compared with the US is stark.
Putin - Biden
Lavrov - Blinken
Zakharova - Jean-Pierre
The US isnt fielding serious people at the top level.
Steve, do you understand what the functional difference is between Jean-Pierre and that Rear Admiral guy? I get the impression that the Rear Admiral handles all the tough questions, and punts the softball ones to Jean-Pierre; or is it more formalized than that?
maria sure cuts to the chase!!! i love her blunt and brutal portrayal of the west at this point in history... she covers so many bases and this is only in the abbreviated 3 hour talk you've pulled from... thanks karl! we don't have long to wait for the moldova elections - oct 20th i believe... i wonder if they will be successful in their propaganda... sounds like the imf is laughing all the way to the bank regardless...
I hope her words are seen by many people, especially those in Moldova, Italy and Japan. Thanks for posting this, Karl.
She is so sharp!
Moldova is an interesting trading entrepot, something along the lines of Shanghai under the British Colonial Rule. Moldova produces little of value, but its import of stolen cars from Canada and STDs from Ukraine nearly perfectly balance its export of car parts and Ukrainian Sex Workers to the EU.
Its people would like to return to normalcy. IMO, they have no desire to become like Ukrainians.
Lots of interesting points in that briefing. Feeling somewhat lyrical today so thought I'd focus on the Moldovan/EU.
WRT EU loans: Advice to Moldovans “The lady in slacks just bought some new hats with the profits she made on your dreams” and from Traffic to Peter Tosh “You're just a brand new second hand gal… … You think it's the slacks you wear That make you a lady Get that out of your mind gal You must be crazy”.
And finally, Maria “Western transnational corporations (as the EU ambassador in Chisinau openly said) will have the right to buy up the country's land fund.”
Then in a somewhat Bowiesque chorus she finishes with (This ain’t rock and roll) “This is neocolonialism. This is the same slave trade, only in a new way.”
Great. Here's the link to the latest Hudson/Wolff show, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz5-PtkUw9s
Watching it now ;o)
Excellent piece, Karl. Look forward to the next one!
I DO love her sharp wit! Beautiful blouse, stylin'!
Thanks again.
ebear that was my thought also but as KS points out the DFM sounds like the right spot for her
OT but still relevant.
A Frenchman, a Turk, an Israeli, a Scotsman and an Iranian walk into a bar. Bartender says what can I get you folks? Israeli girl asks. "Is anyone playing here tonight?" Bartender says "no, sorry." Girl says, '"well they are now!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH7223-OKx0
This is the kind of world I want to live in, where a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman can dance the Kalinka, and people from all over the world can make music together.