Free Republic

The Russian strongman began his invasion refusing to accept the legitimacy of Ukrainian nationhood and identity. The past year has proven how wrong he was. After a year’s wait and just hours before a speech by President Joe Biden in Poland, Vladimir Putin gave his first “State of the Nation” speech since the invasion of Ukraine. In the nearly two-hour address, the Russian autocrat promised to press on in Ukraine, calling the “existential” conflict a “war” for the first time and asserting that the West had started it. He attacked the leaders of the Ukrainian government as “neo-Nazis,” and addressed...

Mostly what we hear from the mainstream corporate media about the Ukraine War is that Russia simply must be defeated, even if it means sacrificing the lives of every last man, woman and child in Ukraine. But few of the pundits, politicians and think tankers promoting this program have much of an idea about whether this outcome is remotely possible. Guest host Aaron Maté and Americans’ Comedian Kurt Metzger speak with retired U.S. Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor about the collective delusion among Western nations that Ukraine can defeat Russia on the battlefield.

As the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine approaches, Russia is increasingly under pressure to claim a big victory, notably the capture of the important city of Bakhmut, according to the UK Ministry of Defence. The ministry said in an intelligence update on Monday that no matter how the fight for the city is faring, Russia intends to declare a victory there by February 24, or the country's leadership faces the risk of increasing domestic tensions. "It is likely that Russia will claim that Bakhmut has been captured to align with the anniversary, regardless of the reality on the...

Clayton Morris: Washington's Dangerous Policies Have Put U.S. and Russia on the Brink of Direct Clash - Diplomat. All out war and it sounds from the United States side that they are ramping up this rhetoric instead of trying to tamp it down. What do you make out of these words coming out of Moscow over the past 24 hrs. Scott Ritter: Well, I mean we have to understand where the United States is coming from first. We're losing in Ukraine. We have double downed; we've taken the mortgage, the kid's college fund and everything and we have placed it...

Great interview by an excellent military historian.

According to Scott Ritter, the Ukrainians deliberately launched the Ukrainian S300 missiles into Poland. NATO knows it is a Ukrainian missile, and it was deliberately fired into Poland. But Zelensky might not know the truth. There are elements in the Ukrainian military who would do it unilaterally, Ritter believes. The Ukrainians want Patriot missiles and a no-fly zone since they are losing badly, especially under the barrage of missiles from Russia. They’re losing their energy systems. Zelensky and his military don’t seem to care if they start World War III.

Click to skip to bottom of this long transcriptransomnote: I copied the computer generated transcript of Clayton Morris’ interview with Colonel MacGregor. I made many corrections to help improve readability as the transcript contains phonetic and spelling errors. I recommend watching the video if you have time.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bePModNEzUU~TRANSCRIPT BEGINS~ Interviewer Clayton Morris: Well theWestern media, in particular TheWashington Post, today calling thesestrikes on Ukraine overnight and intothis afternoon a ‘turning point’ in the war and Icouldn't help, when I saw that, wondering.I couldn't wait to ask you this question,you know, is that a rhetorical devicedesigned to elicit some sort ofemotional response...

The knockout blow is being prepared MacGregor claims that Mark Milley has warned Biden that Ukraine is at the end of its rope and that nothing good could come of allowing the conflict to continue.

Unfortunately, I think there is serious planning going on about the use of U.S. forces in Ukraine. I think it is very dangerous. I think it is ill conceived but, it's going on.

Colonel Douglas MacGregor interview on Judging Freedom Ukraine slams Crimea bridge arrests; power restored at occupied nuclear power plant

Dimitri Simes On our pilot episode of «Against The Trend» we will focus on the conflict in Ukraine and the geopolitical implications that it poses. Our guest today is Douglas Macgregor, Colonel of U.S. Army (Ret.), Ph.D.

22 min. podcast current state of the battle who blew up pipelines confirmed info that Ukraine and Russian generals talked about how to end the war expectation for expanded fighting in October and end of conflict by December

George Szamuely and Peter Lavelle sat down for one The Gaggle's regular conversations with Scott Ritter. Much of the highly informative discussion focused on what took place in Kharkov last week.

The S&P 500 extended gains from the regular trading session on Tuesday. The Nasdaq outperformed, with technology shares climbing as Treasury yields paused after a recent run-up. The benchmark 10-year yield eased back from its highest level since November 2019. .... But an otherwise strong set of earnings results has helped underpin stocks in recent weeks, with the S&P 500 pacing toward a third straight weekly gain. Aggregate S&P 500 earnings per share (EPS) are currently exceeding consensus expectations by 6% so far for the latest quarter, according to Bank of America's update Tuesday. S&P 500 earnings are tracking toward...

WH official this am: “B lockdown speech being drawn up this week…they’re planning to make it sound like one of the most solemn in history, real Bush on the night of 9/11 type stuff. Would start stocking up if I were y’all”

The coronavirus that emerged from Wuhan, China, last year is causing alarm across the world, with fear that this could become the next pandemic. Late last month, the World Health Organization declared the virus, named COVID-19, a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" and urged an immediate international response. It advised its member states to put in place national preparedness plans and procedures for identifying and responding to any COVID-19 cases that might present. The death toll of more than 2,600 people far exceeds that of the SARS outbreak nearly 17 years ago.

New York Times Keynesian economics columnist Paul Krugman as has been having a hard time ever since Donald J. Trump was elected President in November 2016. However, the "conscience of liberalism" told Twitter today that he is "terrified" and suffering from a “state of existential dread.” Primarily because, as Krugman puts forth in a bizarre theory, Trump "enjoys seeing others hurt." Krugman believes the 45th President may soon be impeached or removed from office by the 25th amendment. Because of that, the President has nothing left to lose. "He can't save his presidency. He can, however, still hurt a lot...

Dear Friend, In this video commentary, I discuss how Obama’s game plan is becoming clear…and what we must do to counter it. Tune in!

In Iowa, there is evidence that Rick Santorum may be surging ahead. In the Tea Party Patriots (TPP) telephone poll of 23,000 supporters nationally, Newt led with 31% of the vote, followed by Bachmann at 28%, Romney at 20% and Santorum with a surprising 16%. But on the ground in Iowa, where it counts, Gingrich has gone through $10 million of negative TV ads sponsored by Romney, Paul, and the others. Without funds to defend himself, he has seen his vote share drop. Ron Paul’s has risen, Bachmann’s has fallen, and Santorum has increased quickly. Gingrich’s and Bachmann’s drop, Cain’s...

On September 29, with thanks Google Translate and some links in Chinese sent by a reader, I reported China Loan Shark Market Crashes; Scores of Chinese Business Owners Unable to Pay Black Market Loans Commit Suicide or Disappear That story has now gone mainstream. the New York Times reports As China’s Economy Cools, Loan Sharks Come Knocking The 300 employees of Aomi Fluid Equipment here were delighted recently when the owner offered an all-expenses-paid, two-day trip to a mountain resort three hours away. The owner, Sun Fucai — or Boss Sun, as he’s known — was so insistent that his...