Posted on 12/31/2022 6:00:01 AM PST by marcusmaximus
Megalomania induced by cancer drugs was a factor in Vladimir Putin's decision to launch his disastrous war in Ukraine, new Western intelligence analysis claims.
-snip-
The analysis comes as the Kremlin yesterday admitted that concerns over Putin's health are now a matter of 'state security' amid Covid mutations and emerging flu strains.
This means the Russian leader may retreat even further from public gaze in early 2023 after having cancelled a series of events and appearances in recent months.
-snip-
The Kremlin has paved the way for Putin to retreat for health-related reasons soon after his annual prerecorded New Year message to Russian citizens.
His spokesman Dmitry Peskov yesterday indicated there were now 'state security' concerns in Russia over Putin's medical condition.
'You see virus mutations, you see strong epidemiological waves of flu of various strains,' he said.
'All of this, given the lessons from the pandemic, obliges those responsible for the security of the president and for his health to take precautions, because in such conditions the health of the president is a matter of state security.'
Peskov said there would be no return anytime soon to Putin's modus operandi before the pandemic, when he regularly held public events and spoke with the media.
'To be honest, it is unlikely that [communication with journalists] will be quite the same as it used to be before the pandemic in the foreseeable future,' Peskov said.
'To expect things to return to what used to be would be a mistake. I would say - no it won't be [back to the same].
'But as these waves subside to their lowest points, then it would be possible to communicate in a freer mode.'
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
“Fine, I channel Ronald Reagan on a regular basis and he says we have NO BUSINESS messing around in Russia’s backyard in this way, reminding me that he didn’t do it, nor did his predecessors.”
Son, you need to learn some history: Ronald Reagan very much “messed around” in Russia’s backyard in the 1980s when he armed the Afghanis to fight against the Soviet invasion. And I for one am damn glad he did.
“Son, you need to learn some history: Ronald Reagan very much “messed around” in Russia’s backyard in the 1980s when he armed the Afghanis to fight against the Soviet invasion. And I for one am damn glad he did”
I don’t remember the Soviets ever telling us to keep out of Afghanistan, or else, as the Russians had done in Ukraine.
“Your obsession with him is unhealthy. People around you should be concerned.”
I had to laugh at your comment. If anyone has an obsession it is the pro-Russia and pro-Putin FReepers who constantly post photos of Zelensky (or however his name is spelled) and befoul the threads with their homoerotic fantasies.
“China doesn’t have an expansionist history, and no one has made a case for China wanting to take Siberia.”
You may want to talk with China about that: China has long claimed that Siberia is Asiatic and a part of historical China.
“You may want to talk with China about that: China has long claimed that Siberia is Asiatic and a part of historical China”
When was Siberia part of China?
“...Western intelligence source claims”
One of the 51 who claimed Hunter’s Laptop was actually planted by the Russians, or one of the 17 (or whatever) ‘Intelligence’ Agencies that said Trump colluded with Russia?
“Strangely, Putin is actually a more popular figure in some other countries than he has been in Russia. In Vietnam his popularity continues to hover around 89%. Who knows why.”
Not strange at all. It was the Soviets who armed, supplied, and provided intel to the NVA, as well as provide the NVA with Soviet “experts” to fly Migs and operate AA batteries against US forces. That was very much Russia’s proxy war against the US.
Well, tell them about it. Not me. I couldn’t care less.
I loathe them both.
My comment stands. Obsessive posting about Putin, Putin, Putin, and anybody who criticizes Zelvis such as Tucker Carlson is weird. And obsessively tracking their daily activities and movements is unhealthy.
So are most, if not all, of us.
I think you misunderstood the whole gist of his comment. Reagan would not support the US throwing billions of our dollars at a corrupt country.
Then again, if Reagan were in charge today, this wouldn’t be an issue. Reagan wasn’t a crook and didn’t need a corrupt backwater nation to launder billions of dollars to profit his elite circle and fatten his buddies’ election campaign funds.
As is so common with you, you run away from your own comment when it is proved wrong, and you segue into something only tangentially related, or completely unrelated.
You said that Ronald Reagan never “messed around” in Russia’s backyard. I proved you were wrong (Reagan armed the Afghanis in the 1980s in their war against the Soviet invasion). Then, without even having the maturity to admit you were wrong, you trot out that you “don’t remember” the Soviets ever telling the US to butt out. I can only assume you were either an infant in the 1980s or you were born in the post-Reagan era. That could explain why you “don’t remember,” because you weren’t around then (or, if you were, you were just barely past the embryonic stage of development). Because any sentient being alive back then was aware of the Soviets bitching about the US arming the Afghanis, and resorting to their standard — and toothless
— threats. Reagan saw the Soviets as the blowhard bullies that they were, and he called their bluffs, time and again.
“When was Siberia part of China?”
Siberia or parts of Siberia were part of the following Chinese dynasties, in whole or in part: Han; Tang; Yuan; Qing.
The events that you are referring to happened 50 years ago. The median age in Vietnam is 32. The vast majority in Vietnam would not know what you are talking about. Putin's popularity in Vietnam, India, and other countries containing 80% of the world's population that are completely ignoring Western “sanctions” has very little to do with events that took place 50 years ago. His current popularity is because of perceptions formed much more recently.
Too long ago...not relevant now.
Prove that Afghanistan was a ‘red line’ for Russia. I haven’t heard such, and without that, it’s no different than Vietnam, or El Salvador.
“I think you misunderstood the whole gist of his comment. Reagan would not support the US throwing billions of our dollars at a corrupt country.”
I well understood his comment; perhaps it is YOU who did not. His comment was, “Fine, I channel Ronald Reagan on a regular basis and he says we have NO BUSINESS messing around in Russia’s backyard in this way, reminding me that he didn’t do it, nor did his predecessors.”
Please pay attention to the latter part of that statement. He said that Reagan “reminded” him that he (Reagan) didn’t mess around in Russia’s backyard. And I responded accordingly.
“The events that you are referring to happened 50 years ago.”
And Russia continued to fund and support and supply Vietnam for many years afterward.
“Too long ago...not relevant now.”
Tell that to the Chinese.
BTW: The Qing dynasty lasted from 1644 to 1911. Not that long ago, all things considered.
“Prove that Afghanistan was a ‘red line’ for Russia. I haven’t heard such, and without that, it’s no different than Vietnam, or El Salvador.”
You keep changing the criteria to avoid having to admit you were wrong. That’s what little kids do, Bob. Come on, son; just admit I showed you were wrong. Hell, you don’t even have to admit it was me! Just admit that you were wrong.
I believe Bob’s comment had a tongue-in-cheek aspect that you missed, regarding the Zeepers claiming their wife’s sister’s uncle’s dog reporting things from Crimea, etc. but I’ll let him speak to that.
I’m enjoying myself today, so I’m not going to continue this conversation with you. You’re all insecure, condescending and ankle-nippy and there are too many of that type around these days. 🥱
You may have the last word. Carry on.
I channeled Reagan again, just now, and he told me that he reminded me that there weren’t any Russian speakers in Afghanistan, and that it was never part of Russia, the Soviet Union, and the Soviet Empire. I think that’s why he didn’t bring it up.
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