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uncle tungsten's avatar

Trump team is mostly full of mirage and bluster and pumped up bovver boys. They will conduct their business under the banner of their black sun and yet they will be stuck with the wars they have and there will be little scope to make it three at once. The Trump team is a fractured, fantasmagoria of conflicting interests and will be alarming to watch. Sometimes amusing and certainly with a strong drink within reach.

The biggest battle is at home with a despairing voter base accompanied by suffering American citizens who don't vote. I doubt Trump will give that battle substantial attention beyond band aids for the next two years.

You got it right on with that money quote from Crook's conversation with the Judge: The Trump bovver boys are fundamentally certain that they are strong and those others, the enemies are weak.

Think of the Houthis who have been battling the UKUSA to a standstill for the past years and now, after Saudi defeat, intensely in the Red Sea and Israel. The Houthi victory is phenomenal. Think of the Palestinians who have been at war with the Illegal Occupier courtesy of UKUSA for the past 70 years. Think of Russia being harassed by the disturbed province of Ukraine and the rapidly emptying Western arsenals. Think of the US economy and the Fed and the inflation and the societal decay - who is strong and who is weak? Who is smart and who is stupid.

With any luck and some two years of Trump clownery and chaos until the midterms that same ignorant US Administration will continue, they will remain glued to the tar baby of Palestine and Ukraine and the people living on China's province of Taiwan might be spared from a wartorn assault courtesy USA.

With even better luck there will be a major intervention in Palestine to restore peace and confine belligerent illegal occupiers and settlers to their 1947 borders. The strong boys of UKUSA might then take time to meditate on the meaning of weakness, the sophistication of negotiation, the benefits of peace. Time will tell.

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Karl Sanchez's avatar

Thanks uncle! Not much for me to add. I did create a new national economic category in my closing comments to the Lavrov Presser.

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Don Firineach's avatar

Sinwar and Oct 7, especially taking out 350+ Zionist troops, shattered the Zionist aura of invincibility.

Hamas are militarily still fighting one year into a genocide; shattering Zionist reputation and further showing its military weakness in on the ground warfare.

Hezbollah continue to prevent the Zionists from ground invasion across Southern Lebanon - and Zionists resorts to carpet bombing infrastructure and civilian areas of Beirut while Hezbollah continues to fire missiles and drones deep into Zionist territory.

AnsarAllah forced the US navy to 'get out of Dodge' - Ouch!

NATO has failed miserably to weaken, let alone defeat, RF with its proxy war in Ukraine.

China is locked and loaded across the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

Iran has ballistic missile superiority over the Zionists and the US, and probably has a few nuclear bombs as well as strong ties with RF and China.

Diminishing returns globally for The empire. The US needs psychotherapy - as not a winnable war in sight. Psychology101. Rumour that CATO is hiring psychologists!

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richardstevenhack's avatar

"destroy Iran in order to cripple China’s energy supply source (90% from Iran), and thus weaken China"

Exactly as I've been saying for some time. This is (one) reason why a US-Iran war is inevitable. None of the US policy objectives can be achieved without it. And the hubris Karl speaks of is precisely why the US will never back down until it suffers a military and economy defeat that will force it to back down.

I'll continue to point out that a moronic narcissist of Trump's ilk - who is famous for being almost as big a failure as I am in life, despite the (paid for) trophy wife and some money (despite having nearly gone bankrupt nine times IIRC) - is completely incapable of achieving anything on the national stage except being a clown and eventually going down in a chorus of calumny like he did the first time as well as causing a variety of disasters such as the failed Covid response.

The best we can hope for Trump is that he actually does bail out of Ukraine and makes such a clusterfuck out of the Middle East war that the US will be unable to challenge China for the next decade or two and the public reaction will be to revolt to at least some minimal degree in turns of the next failed US election cycle.

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dornoch altbinhax's avatar

I'd agree, and my conclusion is that the US moves from being a failing state to failed state. To seriously impact the permanent state it's having them declared terrorists and sending them to Guantanamo. Can't see that happening, even with the RICO act.

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Acco Hengst's avatar

The US public is tired of war of any kind. Trump has not started any war in his first Presidency. The war hawks he is appointing might just be allowed to talk tough and show a lot of bluster. A proxy war through Israel is not viable.

The failed MWD exercise left a bad taste and going after anything in the Middle East with boots on the ground is a hard sell. Airplanes do not win wars, Navies sometimes did, unlikely now.

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richardstevenhack's avatar

I'll reiterate - the ONLY reason Trump didn't start a war in his first term is he didn't want to be blamed for starting one. That does NOT mean that he WON'T start a war that he can divert the blame for on someone ELSE - especially if he thinks that NOT starting the war will result in his being blamed for NOT starting the war.

As far your second paragraph, I will reiterate AGAIN that the Pentagon is NOT afraid of a war in the Middle East because they DO still believe in air and naval power and do NOT understand that they can't win such a war. Not to mention that they will take the orders they're given and try to carry them out.

In short, both of your assessments are based on wishful thinking. Go back and read my "Armagaddon in the Middle East" Substack articles wherein I explain why a Middle East war is INEVITABLE - and the US will lose it. The fact that the US WILL lose it does NOT mean that it will not happen.

It's that simple.

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james's avatar

we'll know soon enough... as for what biden does at this point - how do we know for sure?? it doesn't seem to be the one making decisions - kamala harris being a case in point.. i am not sure it was him to suggested an okay to the long range weapons... more likely the same folks who work like vindman are behind what is happening here... so yeah - his first war is within the usa on the institutions and individuals who have gone rogue.. good luck with that..

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Karl Sanchez's avatar

Strictly speaking given how Russia interprets the act, NATO/Outlaw US Empire just declared war on Russia with this act of war, something strict constructionists will say must be done by Congress, and that the Executive has overstepped its authority. I think b ought to write on that point tomorrow.

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james's avatar

well how does russia interpret this act?? that remains to be seen at this point.. we know bozos like borrell are asking to 'bring it on', lol.. i suppose we'll find out soon enough... i thought b might do an article today, but that didn't happen.. it will be interesting to see how he analyzes this.... is it really a change here?? maybe.. bottom line does ukraine need outside support from nato to pull what they did off today? i think they do, thus i think nato is directly involved... all their idiot savants seem to want more of it too..

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Karl Sanchez's avatar

As Escobar noted in his talk today with Nima, the use of those weapons has been ongoing almost the entire SMO and drones have made it to Moscow; so, what's new? Well. Putin took the proxy part out of the equation last September with the updated nuclear doctrine now signed into law. This Sputnik article by a Russian "expert" is titled: "ATACMS Strike on Russia's Soil Equates Declaration of War - Expert," and a US Congresscritter has said the same, https://sputnikglobe.com/20241119/atacms-strike-on-russias-soil-equates-declaration-of-war-expert-1120935239.html

Escobar said Putin will remain calm and cool, but I still like my idea of depositing a hypersonic into DC's reflecting pool, which is next to the Washington Stele to press home my article's title.

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richardstevenhack's avatar

Not going to happen, despite Martyanov's repeated claim that Russia could "rearrange the stones" in Washington with a conventional warhead hypersonic missile. Brussels, Paris, London, maybe - not Washington - not while Washington still controls a couple hundred nuclear missiles subs.

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dornoch altbinhax's avatar

"..a couple hundred nuclear missiles subs". I don't know about the subs, but yes, many missiles. Has the US put all its nuclear armed subs to sea?

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richardstevenhack's avatar

I believe on average, they don't. Maybe half. When I referred to "couple hundred" I meant the total of missiles launch capable when all the subs are at sea. I forget the exact number, depends on how many missiles each sub has with how many warheads are actually loaded in each missile and how many of those warheads are decoys.

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Anna's avatar

Thank you!

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Alan's avatar

Glad you reiterated Alastair Crooke's important point. I'll push it more.

When you are big and flabby, and haven't fought anyone else in the same imposing looking (with your clothes on) shape, but who has been training and fighting bouts for almost 3 years, having overconfidence will lead to a loss.

Trash talking to antagonize 3 guys who are each able to best you in a fight, so they fight you together, is masochistic.

It might be distressing to contemplate that one's country is no longer the strongest militarily, but appreciation of the fact and acting accordingly, may save your family's life.

It is not only Israel in this situation.

It is also the US.

Those in the Pentagon know it is not wise to go head to head against the countries the propaganda has make the average person hate, more than fear...much less to war with all of them simultaneously. The most expensive military is not the strongest the war wars are fought these days.

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Jams O'Donnell's avatar

A minor point to add to this is that the rest of the 'western' world is in a similar state to the US with regard to both military and economic strength, and delusions of grandeur, although of course starting from a lower level all round than the US. Maybe this is lucky for it, as it doesn't have so far to fall. However, the shock will be just as great.

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uncle tungsten's avatar

I just caught up with this fine report on the strength of the Koch brothers: https://wallstreetonparade.com/2024/11/trumps-nominees-are-being-hand-picked-to-enact-a-dangerous-platform-the-koch-brothers-made-public-44-years-ago/

So when it comes to measuring strength in the usa, I guess the Koch team have the Trump team on the mat and their fully funded referee in the pocket.

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Garry Gerskwotiz's avatar

Caitlin Johnstone has been pounding this fact for what seems like forever. The Empire is based on narrative and narrative only, look behind the curtain and there is no one there.

Musk and Vivek is nothing but a sick joke being played against the people. Musk without both amerikan and Chinese govt largess would be homeless, Vivek probably the same

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Douglas Jack's avatar

INTERNAL CULTURE & THE PUPPET SHOW: The USA has never been a sovereign country with its people in control. The so-called 1776 fake white, slave-owning, genocidal Revolution was financed by Oligarch fake 'money' through different Oligarch agents. Part of my own Judah family lore is our ancestral cousin financing of George Washington an immense amount of 1776 $$. The Oligarch plan for Turtle-Island (N. America) has always been one of a resource area to be extracted & exploited for Oligarch 'exogenous' (Latin 'Other-generated') designs of world control. All humanity's worldwide indigenous ancestors include COUNCIL PROCESS or 'Both-sided, Equal-time, Recorded & Published Dialogues as one of the three pillars of the 'Great-good-way-of-kindness' to build understanding, agreement, contract-delineation & Conflict Resolution. This propensity to attack with monologue Media control or physically rather than engage in formal Dialogue is a disease of Intellectual-Cowardice based in Oligarch submission. https://sites.google.com/site/indigenecommunity/d-participatory-structure/1-both-sides-now-equal-time-recorded-dialogues

The core centre of Oligarch desire is Palestine, as the LAND-BRIDGE for control of resources, energy, people, goods & services between the Mega-Continents of Eurasia & Africa. USA is but one of a long 7000 year world Oligarchy history of repeated Empire failures, with this same primary goal in mind. To understand Jewish & Zionist religious fake religious-empire longing, one must understand the 4000 years (4000 - 0 BC) of the Phoenician (Kingdom-of-Israel + City-states of Tyr, Sidon, Byblos & Beirut) Empire's genocide, colonization, desertification of the Sahara & Sahel deserts & extractive control of the Mediterranean & Black Seas Ukraine is the centre of the Ashkenaz & Khazarian Empires today with dual-citizens Poroshenko & Zelensky promised glory. While governance control changed by 0 BC 0 AD, the same Oligarchy control of the minting of fake money, never changed in the succession of failed people & biosphere destructive empires.

BLACK ACADEMICS ON JEWISH CAPITALISM & WEALTH BASED IN SLAVERY OVER 6 MILLENNIA SINCE KEY ROLE IN PHOENICIAN COLONIAL CONQUEST. 19Nov’21 2h56m47s https://youtu.be/S3mr0rsNyGs

UNDERSTANDING A HEALTHY HUMANITY

In order to understand the perversions we are living in, one must understand the worldwide 'indigenous' (Latin 'self-generating') heritage we all come from, before we all suffered from Oligarch commanded genocide. The Indigenous CIRCLE-of-LIFE is an interdisciplinary chart to conceptualize the real culture of being human in complex societies going back many 10s of 1000s of years found in every nation on every continent. https://sites.google.com/site/indigenecommunity/a-home/3-indigenous-circle-of-life

With Zionist control of most all of US 'S'elected representatives, the people & biosphere are here but to be extracted, exploited & destroyed as desired.

A BAD CASE OF PARASITES: Oligarchs previously financed the invasion, genocide, murder & displacement of ~110 'indigenous' (Latin 'self-generating') 1st Nations organized in ~25 Confederacies across Turtle-Island (N. America) with the Continental Constitution known as the 'Great-Good-Way-of-Kindness' & 'Great-Law-of-Peace'.

TICKET PRICE? When Netanyahu received over 50 standing ovations in Congress, the Senator, Representative & President puppets were bowing to their fake 'money' (Greek 'mnemosis' = 'memory') Master of Social & economic Amnesia representative. Real control of the USA is found in the minority but hidden triangulated shareholders of the US-Federal-Reserve, Bank-of-England/City-of-London & Bank-of-International-Settlements. With control of the western world's minting (digital or physical) of fake 'money', Oligarchy easily controls its Finance, Media, Religion, Education, Military-Industrial, Legislative, Judicial & Agri-business Complex. Those of us in these fake superficial 'democracies' are simply a disposable audience to their fake power machinations.

To understand real 'money' one must understand Time-based, Equivalency Accounting on the worldwide String-Shell value system used for 10s of 1000 of years in every nation on every continent. (eg. 'Wampum' on Turtle-Island / N. America, Quipu in S. America & Cowrie-shell in indigenous Celtic-Slavic Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia & all islands). Imagine an international system way-back? https://sites.google.com/site/indigenecommunity/c-relational-economy

String-shell represented the contributions of everyone starting in the collective Domestic 'Economy' (Gk 'oikos' = 'home' + 'namein' = 'care-&-nurture') in ~100 (50-150) person Multihome-Dwelling-Complex (eg. Longhouse-apartment, Pueblo-townhouse & Kanata-village). The collective Domestic economy, being the most essential, effective & personally appropriate tended to be attended to more by women. In today's fake system, collective domestic labours are unaccounted-for, un-recognized & not-empowered. Except for the extended family, collective Domestic economy is inappropriately institutionalized delivering cold 'service'. https://sites.google.com/site/indigenecommunity/c-relational-economy/1-extending-our-welcome-participatory-multihome-cohousing

Industrial & Commercial economies (mostly male) were considered as subset, supportive economies. ~100 people is an intimate, intergenerational, female-male, interdisciplinary, critical-mass, economies-of-scale unit, which can support specialized professionals within each set of task specialties. Each person's specialty joined with other specific specialties in Production-Society-Guilds. String-shell integrates: 1) 'Capital' (L 'cap' = 'head' = 'collective-intelligence'), 2) 'Currency' = 'flow' of contribution, experience, expertise & decision-making acumen, 3) 'Condolence' = 'Social-Security', 4) Collegial mentored-apprentice 'education' (L 'educare' = 'to-lead-forth-from-within') Credit, 5) time-math Communication, 6) professional Costume plus more.

Women were most powerful within the Guilds of the Domestic economy, from the home, multihome, village, city, region, nation, confederacies, continental & hemispheric councils. Men held more sway within the Industrial & Commercial economy, but in support of the primary Domestic altogether in a worldwide system of ECONOMIC DEMOCRACY. Men will never find peace until they respect & support the empowerment of women as core decision-makers in our governance systems. Economic Democracy is meant to underlie Political Democracy as its subset. https://sites.google.com/site/indigenecommunity/c-relational-economy/8-economic-democracy

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