Geopolitical Focus #2 – February, 2024: The War & The Woke

February 23, 2024

Geopolitical Focus – February, 2024: The War & the Woke - Carlson/Putin Interview, Biden's rant, and the Ware in Ukraine.

What a series of events in the early months of 2024: Tucker Carlson interviews Putin, Special Counsel Hur sends Biden’s document report, the Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and the US Border Bill stall in Congress. Ukraine loses more ground, and global forces are fighting over War Crimes in Russia and Israel. No one wants peace. War is and will always be war, with atrocities and dead people, no matter who or where. But not talking and negotiating peace is the real crime.


To drum up more money for war, the timing of Mr. Navalny came at a very good time. Forget the crocodile tears of politicians and the press; it benefits their narrative, and judgments are made in seconds. And who believes that this was not an orchestrated act? (And do not claim Hollywood is not political.) The global press and Mr. Biden all used the dead for their agenda for more support.


No one knows what his activities were other than overthrow the Russian Government. Who paid him? What was his political motive? Perhaps his thinking is more of a hardliner than Western values, and so on. Was he a hero? Perhaps for the Russia haters, just as Julian Assange is for the free world but not for the leaders of the free press and democracy.

It is a sickening game that is played, not for a shared world but for world views. Iraq all over again, and we still do not know who blew up North Stream 2, and for what the
CIA is recruiting Russian agents. Epstein was hanging himself too, his security detail asleep. If anyone, Mr. Biden may be in control of all senses, but his stubbornness is manifest second only to either being played by the war mongers or corruptive forces he is part of. Perhaps they are all in the same boat? Together with the British, it's like the War on London propaganda, and peace is a distant thought for the US and the paranoid imperialist, Boris Johnson. They must have a lot to lose, perhaps land access to China.

Here are a couple of links related to Mr. Navalny; Was he a British agent? (translated)


Compared to the mainstream junk media, which has degenerated into a megaphone of transatlantic one-size-fits-all propaganda, KenFM represents an increasingly influential counterweight. For example, KenFM readers and listeners have learned that the racist rioter Navalny, of all people, had received an expensive "scholarship" from the US embassy in Moscow in 2010 for a course at the US university Yale, for a course that the CIA misuses to search for talent for its "future, global leaders". Can anyone report whether he or she has learned anything about this background in one of the self-proclaimed "quality media"? This is important, because Navalny's stay in the United States was not without consequences.


Was he a Right Wing radical, converted?

Navalny's first political engagement took place from 1999 to 2007. He was a member, sometimes even on the board, of the liberal party "Jablonko" and at the same time made a name for himself as a blogger against corruption. Navalny claims that there were personal reasons for his expulsion from the party, and that he criticized the party's founder, Grigory Yavlinsky, at the time. But he says that nationalist and racist statements have led to his expulsion.


And what about Gonzalo Lira? No one talks or writes about him. Was he on the wrong side of the media, so he deserved to die? Or Julian Assange, who simply published some truth. If you rot in jail, house arrest, or die, can only the person itself decide how it feels?


Navalny, a pawn sacrificed in the hope to fuel Russia hate and an internal revolution? He was a small price to pay, and his wife was already waiting in the wings together with Aleksei Miniailo. Better than losing support in the Western world or the war?


Is there any difference in the US or anywhere else? Just a question of who is in power. Unless you believe lawyers and judges are not of the same fabric. Call Soros (he probably fits the description of an insurrectionist; he does not use democratic but legal principles) or the Jan 6 insurrectionists?


Designation as extremist

On 16 April 2021, the Moscow prosecutor office requested the Moscow City Court to designate organizations linked to Navalny including the FBK and his headquarters as extremist organizations, claiming: "Under the disguise of liberal slogans, these organizations are engaged in creating conditions for the destabilization of the social and socio-political situation."[321] In response, Navalny aide Leonid Volkov stated: "Putin has just announced full-scale mass political repression in Russia."[322]


Compare, in a quiet minute, Tucker's interview with Putin and Biden's 5-minute rant after the Hur report. Look at the content; forget for a minute the Russian dictator or the demented President. Well, Putin may have put on a nice face, but that would only prove that he has one. On the other hand, Biden and the Western press simply run a demolition campaign and declare the US President the best ever. Perhaps an argument could be made that Russia’s and Biden's deep state are not much different? While Hunter is chastised, all journalists supporting Zelinsky unconditionally are heroes?


Covid, climate change, woke culture, and war—the unifying forces of the West and a moralist system replacing democracies. The latest manifestation of such a world is Mr. Biden's comments in support of the latest Ukraine package, selling it as an investment in the defense industry, with 90 cents on the dollar, supporting the US economy. And this comes from the leader of the world's democracy, paid in death bodies and blaming Putin? Is this really the intelligence we can expect from our leaders, fear-mongering at its best? And, by the way, who is going to do the fighting? Ukraine may need a miracle like a migrant invasion.


All of this is a result of NATO, the EU, and Western leadership's total miscalculations and a total failure in negotiations over years, with a view of Stalin’s Russia in the 1930s. Yes, the current Russian Constitution calls for 4-year terms, and Putin has managed a basic lifetime term, making him a “dictator”. But does that call the constitution off, and what are the indications Russia wants to go to war with all the West? The argument could be made the other way as well; NATO has been expanding East since 1993, and the current rhetoric may sound like regrets that Germany did not win the war in 1945 against Russia. Read about the fabric of Russia and its government structure.


The stupidity of the Western political elite and its obsession with Russia, and the fear-mongering about a threat to the rest of Europe, is almost impossible to swallow for someone who lives—not only exists—on this planet. Perhaps a sit-down with Putin may resolve the conflict quickly, but that goes against the wishes of the Navalny’s. Germany, in unisono, now calls for unrestricted support with long-range missiles and ammunition, claiming it is a must to defeat Russia. Germany started WWI and WWII; now, do they see a chance to finally get to Russia after they lost in WWII? Will Russia rain missiles all over Europe?


When it is said that "President Putin and his regime must lose this war", it becomes clear what the policy envisaged by Germany will ultimately lead to: a direct war between NATO and Russia. Anyone who knows about Russia's motivation in the Ukraine war understands that, from their point of view, the country must not lose this war. Too much is at stake, both domestically and internationally.


And the Polish, still resenting some actions the Russians did, although Mr. Putin apologized, are among the biggest Fear Mongers, perhaps betting on more Military spending by the US for their defense?


WARSAW — Two decades ago, when Poland rallied behind the United States in the contentious lead-up to the Iraq war, the president of France chided Warsaw, saying it had “missed a good opportunity to shut up.


The latest sanctions on India and China by the EU will not help, and Europe will be in the Mincer between the BRIC and the Moralists? Neither India nor China want NATO or the US meddling in Russia. 


In reality, the security conference in Munich was nothing short of a War tribunal and a fear monger festival orchestrated by a misguided alliance that believes Russia will invade the World. No resolutions but accusations, and self-interest?


The other War in Israel and Gaza has basically become a side show, and why has the US has to pay billions, yes its an ally but really, are they listening to anyone about resolving the issues with their neighbors. Why are always the other at fault, and are Palestinians expendables as are the Russians? Here as well, we send the CIA, the Secretary of State, and others but they have no influence about Israels killing of people, but we give more money to kill and the end resolutions is, killing more people. There are always two parties to a conflict, and it is a pipe dream to kill all Hamas, everyone who lost a Hamas Soldier may create two. 


Israel’s assault in Gaza has killed more than 29,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7, the territory’s Health Ministry said Monday, marking another grim milestone in one of the deadliest and most destructive military campaigns in recent history.


Since the US economy is ‘booming,’ Trump haters still think he had it all wrong. The oil price was at $40 a barrel when Mr. Biden decided to help Iran and the rest of the world drive prices up to $100, stirring the inflation we still chew on. The intelligence globally makes a big fuss about Trump calling out NATO states for not paying, but they all forgot that with $40, Russia could never have afforded the war, and Iran could not finance attacks on Israel or the Red Sea. So, a circle closed in a circle economy?


On the other hand, Germany, willingly bowing to the US President's demands to support Ukraine, with some voices even calling for the elimination of Russia, may suffer an actual economic collapse. There are endless bureaucratic and regulatory decisions and a green coalition that defies any growth factors from the past but has not established a base for a solid future. Therefore, the German and European economy may suffer at least through 2024. Here are the current PMI, 2023, and economic forecast.


BRICS, on the other hand, seems to be doing well—perhaps another concern for the US? I wonder if these countries would ditch Russia for the USA. Perhaps all the money buried in wars should be spent on diplomatic and economic efforts, as they have a better prospect of lasting peace.

May 23, 2025
86 – 47 : No more drinks for the President - That was Mr. Comey’s message from the beach .
May 20, 2025
As the tariff negotiations with China are currently underway in Switzerland, it appears the US and UK have agreed to a deal that seems to be an icebreaker in the ongoing saga of tariffs. However, in the end, there will be changes to the world order and a shift in focus toward more discussions about saving the planet rather than war. As of this writing, a 90-day pause with China was agreed , lowering tariffs, while China will likely have to consider some of the US demands. Here is a lesson in journalistic economies ? Friend shoring demonstrates that there are no friends or foes in politics , only interests. Even when the world’s resources were not material but simply dirt—more or less fertile—even in agricultural societies, wars and contests were common, whether for territory, ideology, or personal gain. So when people promote friend shoring, it’s more complicated these days. Just look at rare earths—it's not just dirt, is it? Friend shoring for military technology is another example; read about it for yourself. Still, there is ongoing dialogue but no long-term resolution. After Trump’s plan to control Gaza, Israel appears set to take charge instead, once again negotiating for the release of hostages and the evacuation of civilians , while the world looks on as bystanders . If trade can solve the problem , then make a deal. Here’s some food for thought —liberals may be rebellious about it, but the trend all over Europe is clear: MAGA is going global, especially with an economy in tatters and failing negotiations with Ukraine. There are more sanctions, but what can they sanction that the rest of the world cannot counter? The EU is simply a bureaucratic ideology serving its own interests. The EU wants more liberal students —which is fine, as long as we keep the STEM talent. They need more protesters , as long as the UK remains the leading provider of education ? European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday slammed U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign against American higher education as she unveiled a half-billion-euro plan to attract foreign researchers.
May 16, 2025
May 8, a day in history, marks the end of WWII in Europe with the surrender of Germany , but was it really an ending? As with many wars, especially the ongoing Ukraine and Gaza conflicts, and the renewed animosities between India and Pakistan, one might wonder: have enough people died in wars? Perhaps some wars are justified, but often only after provocation. If you consider the basics of relationship building, communication is a key concept, but there is a difference between communication and simply talking. Perhaps we need more communicators and unified voices in government, whether rooted in realism or liberalism . Are these better choices, or in the end, are NGOs and individual voices the problem after all? We hope that reason will prevail—the only lasting fundamental principle—but is it really, or is it just another cause or excuse? Reason, the cause of an event or situation , or something that provides an excuse or explanation : War forever, according to this lawyer, yes . The UN Security Council is another voice that only speaks after the war, sometimes fueling the fire. Consider the Oxford Guide to Treaties —are these more sources of conflict than resolution? And historians—well, some of them are just presenting a version of their own vision of the world. How was Germany rebuilt after WWII ? Was it help on one side, and taking what you can on the other? The USSR suffered greatly and had to rebuild on its own, but why was the offer of the Marshall Plan rejected—was it due to mistrust, as we see today? Perhaps the reset button requires talks among all, but please, let the haters and ideologues out of the room—only communicators and stakeholders should be present, haters out, which probably means no Selinsky. Beginning immediately after the German surrender and continuing for the next two years, the United States pursued a vigorous program to harvest all technological and scientific know-how, as well as all patents in Germany. John Gimbel comes to the conclusion in his book, Science Technology and Reparations: Exploitation and Plunder in Post-war Germany, that the "intellectual reparations" taken by the U.S. and the UK amounted to close to $10 billion, equivalent to around $150 billion in 2024, [3] [4] concurrent to Operation Paperclip . The plea for a two-party political system (translation needed) stands in contrast to the idea of a global one-party or multi-party system as seen in European countries. Attempts at a global one-party system were made by the Romans and some other early cultures , but none proved sustainable by force or government—though that was before the advent of modern communications. Would things be different today? There are still forces hoping that may be realized, for global peace or power, as reflected in Elon Musk’s warnings about a single world government, Einstein’s global perspective , and people attempting to establish it, such as government by AI and supercomputer . Compare that to today’s European coalition building —for example, in Germany, Black/Blue coalitions seem politically unfeasible. In multi-party systems, the need to form coalitions to gain power may end in stalemates and concessions to the detriment of the people. Here is an overview of global systems and drivers of globalization . The ongoing cat-and-mouse game between advocates for peace and war continues as representatives try to negotiate an end to the Ukraine conflict. Does it matter that Europe seems unified in the effort to defeat Russia with sanctions and arms, while the US seems to favor a negotiated peace? You can argue endlessly that Putin is the aggressor and invaded, but he will counter that with claims about NATO expansion and broken treaties by the West . Is Germany evolving into the powerhouse of Europe, as it should be? After the election and the ousting of Chancellor Scholz, Friedrich Merz has somehow managed to establish himself as the new leader and has immediately begun to exert influence over Europe—at least, that’s what the German “Democrats” are hoping for. So, when Trump appoints loyalists, it's called a dictatorship, but when Germany does it, it's considered democratic? Also worth noting: another Carnegie piece—and apparently every member of the German Cabinet favors war? Expect Germany's defense Minister to keep Kaja Kallas as informant, hating in politics is never a good start. Imagine, 5 years to build up the military and then eliminate the hate, for good, using the Ukraine invasion as a reason. Merz has deliberately centralized foreign and security policy coordination in the chancellery. To start, he has done away with the long-standing tradition of giving the Foreign Office to the main coalition partner, a practice that baked in foreign-policy dysfunction by setting up a separate power base held by a different political party. Now, for the first time since 1966, the chancellor and foreign minister will be from the same party—in this case, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). New Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is a party loyalist who will ensure alignment rather than competition with the chancellor. Within the chancellery—where all important foreign-policy decisions are made—Merz has appointed close confidants to key posts: Jacob Schrot, a trusted trans-Atlanticist, as head of the newly created German National Security Council; veteran diplomat Günter Sautter as foreign-policy lead; and Michael Clauss to handle European Union affairs, which Merz wants to make a core strategic portfolio and to which Clauss brings credibility and experience, including significant work on China.
May 9, 2025
Remember the Biden-era stock market jubilations ? It was all about the Magnificent Seven —overhyped and overvalued. The tariff talk came at just the right time to disguise an overdue market correction. The administration framed it as “uncertainty over tariffs.” But no worries, like COVID, it will be “cured” by the same people who created it . Political noise on both sides continues to serve as distraction— like whistling at a referee during a soccer match. Are lawyers and investors the most destructive forces in America? On one side, there are legal maneuvers that deter people from investing. On the other, roll-up acquisitions concentrate wealth that was once shared broadly. Bernie Sanders is on his “Oligarchy Tour,” pointing fingers at Elon Musk—but what about private equity groups (PEGs) ? Are they not a form of oligarchy? And PEGs owning law firms is legal—and mostly supported by Democrats. Try buying a house and living in peace ; your appreciation goes to investors. Under Bernie, it might become a kleptocracy ; under Kamala, a kakistocracy. There are a variety of flavors of corruption. Currently, the most concerning kind is grand corruption . Grand corruption is when public institutions are co-opted by networks of ruling elites to steal public resources for their own private gain. It involves a wide variety of activities including bribery, extortion, nepotism, favoritism, cronyism, judicial fraud, accounting fraud, electoral fraud, public service fraud, embezzlement, influence peddling, and conflicts of interest. The “party of youth” —as someone once said, “If you’re still a socialist at 40, you have no brain.” Harsh? Maybe. But look at the Democratic Party: do they seem to get wiser with age? “If a man is not a socialist by the time he is 20, he has no heart. If he is not a conservative by 40, he has no brain.” — Winston Churchill Why is fake news so persistent? It follows the same rule as bad customer service—the reputation sticks. On fake news, consider Isaiah Berlin and Friedrich Hayek , knights of classical liberalism. Maybe that’s why Trump won—elites don’t put food on the table. Liberalism and the Pursuit of Happiness The root of fascism, communism, and all totalitarian ideologies lies in the naïve belief that there is only one correct way to live and that intellectuals can determine it with the certainty of natural sciences. Liberalism, by contrast, does not prescribe a singular way of life and this is its strength. It enables individuals with diverse beliefs, goals, and ambitions to coexist. This principle is embodied in the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims the “pursuit of happiness”—a pursuit meant for individuals to discover, not for the state to dictate. This is the core belief of liberalism. With the Pope absent from climate advocacy, perhaps churches can fill the role . Whether lawyers act out of conviction or cash is debatable, but climate lawfare is on the rise. Are we heading back to gladiator justice—only with no one to fight? The public trust doctrine had little to do with environmental law until the 1970s, when Joseph Sax argued it could support lawsuits to defend public resources. Are law firms above the law ? Consider the government’s action against Perkins Coie , blocked by Judge Beryl Howell , an Obama appointee. Will we ever find answers to the big questions—like assassination attempts? President Trump’s executive order against Perkins Coie was ruled unconstitutional and retaliatory. It cannot be enforced. This ruling marks the biggest legal setback in Trump’s campaign against firms representing his political adversaries— many of which challenged the order in court . It’s all in the family. Once lawyers secure a case , the food chain never ends. Knowing the system matters—justice is second. And sometimes the lawyers themselves become the story. Abbe Lowell’s communications were ruled outside attorney-client privilege in a 2020 opinion by Judge Howell. The reason: potential evidence of crimes and involvement of non-lawyer third parties. And finally, on tariffs: if your population can’t afford the goods they produce, your export model collapses. Without a home market , tariffs eventually hit hard. Two years from now, Democrats may still hate DJT—but maybe they'll admit he saw it coming.
May 7, 2025
The betrayal of the American school system is evident when education becomes a secondary priority—supplanted by sports and social wellbeing. While some countries prioritize STEM in their education systems, the U.S. seems increasingly focused on “alternative” social issues. The value system now places lawyers, judges, and welfare programs front and center—paving the way for more lawfare, entertainment, and injustice dressed as justice. Yes, football players generate revenue , but so do scientists and engineers. Imagine if every ambulance chaser became an engineer designing fault-proof devices—the only downside? An hourly rate of $50 versus $250–$1500. Where is Congress in setting the tone? Nearly all members are lawyers. And while student loan debt exceeds $2.8 billion , we’re still debating whether to pay a third-grade volunteer assistant coach. It’s legal insanity. Next up? Pool, pickleball, darts, and cricket just to earn a buck. Maybe we should only have Division I colleges—and let sports fund all education. That, of course, would be a myth for the ACLU . Claudia Wilken is the jurist who will have the final say on the pending $2.8 billion settlement of a class-action lawsuit that is set to end the NCAA’s decades-old rules that have prohibited players from getting paid. It’s no exaggeration to say that the future of college sports rests on her decision. The deal Wilken is scrutinizing would award back pay to thousands of athletes, while allowing schools for the first time to pay their athletes directly from the billions of dollars they help generate. For an NCAA that had long sold the public on unpaid amateurs as central to the appeal of college sports, it is an earthquake. To athletes, it’s a revelation. European countries with apprenticeship systems educate roughly 60% of their college-age population. Even China implemented apprenticeships to address labor skill gaps. Meanwhile, the U.S. nurtures a college-for-everyone model, wasting millions for the profit of lenders and sports leagues that draft “free” talent. Sports are not an academic curriculum. The education and sports industries must be separated—eliminating the need to “draft” students to fill classrooms. The NFL could easily run junior leagues with the money colleges spend on coaches . Adopting apprenticeship programs in the U.S. would have clear benefits. But what happens to colleges that lose 60% of their students? And where does that leave the millions glued to TVs each March and fall? Education versus entertainment. With only 0.1% of college players turning pro, what happens to the 99.9% after graduation? Watching from the couch? In much of the world , especially in soccer, elite athletes are developed from a young age by professional clubs—not schools. Take Alan Carleton , as an example of how the system could succeed in the US.. The summer before his junior year, he became the first “homegrown” player to sign with Atlanta United FC in Major League Soccer. Atlanta United’s owner, Arthur Blank—who also owns the Atlanta Falcons—picked up Carleton from his Powder Springs, GA home in a Mercedes-Benz van to take him to a signing ceremony at The Varsity, a local Atlanta diner. Is it time for the U.S. to adopt a European-style model where pro clubs develop athletes and schools focus solely on academics? Another cultural debate making waves is the missed opportunity of not following seahorses in the sexual evolution cycle. Today, anything outside of “gender neutral” is treated as scientific radicalism. Gender ideology debates rage on, while perhaps Elon Musk has a solution he’d never use. Like it or not, we are male and female. Clothes and cosmetics don’t change biology. Feelings— no matter how intense —aren’t science. Ask Meta AI , or just be yourself—and be tolerant in both directions. But that's not their only oddity. Seahorses swim vertically, lack pelvic fins, have bony plates over their bodies, and move their eyeballs independently. Perhaps most distinctively, the males carry babies and give birth to them instead of females.
April 22, 2025
Generational divide, ideological alliance —the Democrats' dilemma. In the search for a new leader, Bernie Sanders with AOC may appear as the perfect ideological duo—but will their platform ever become mainstream? Probably not. Oligarchs exist on both sides of the political aisle—some overt, others working as lobbyists or influencers. George Clooney could be an intriguing candidate; he arguably has as much intellect as Joe Biden and could deliver a performance on par with Volodymyr Zelensky. Maybe someone will convince him. After all, Ronald Reagan became a great president. Clooney’s favorite, Wes Moore , could be the first president from Maryland—and that may be enough for Democrats. This thought is permeated by the fact that his wife, Amal Clooney, is a British-Lebanese activist who specializes in international law and human rights. She's known for representing high-profile clients like former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. She's also advocated for causes like the release of Al Jazeera journalists and the return of the Elgin Marbles. February 21, 2025: George didn’t think he’d have “much of a chance” with Amal when they first met. In an interview with The New York Times , Clooney said he didn’t expect Amal to be interested because of their age gap. “Then I didn’t really think I’d have much of a chance with her because I was 17 years older and she seemed to have everything she needed,” he said. He also admitted he wasn’t initially “in the market for being a dad,” but that quickly changed. “Then I met Amal, and we fell in love. I have to say that, after that, everything made sense,” he said. Then there's the infighting and wishful thinking. Take your pick. Maybe Thom Hartmann should run in 2028—he certainly offers the kind of fantasy-based commentary needed to stir debate. He’s from Grand Rapids, a town devastated by outsourcing to China. He could have starred in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” but instead, Amway revitalized the area, and now, the city is back on its feet. It’s time to retire some dinosaurs from Congress. Pelosi, Schumer, McConnell—their visibility is fading. While the rallying cry is to “save democracy,” what we often get is lawfare, not leadership. From immigration to budget battles, ideology seems to drive opinion polls more than solutions. The opposition seems more focused on ensuring the administration fails, just to say “I told you so.” Take tariffs —there’s a case to be made, but it requires action. Instead, it’s easier to redefine economics to fit a narrative or litigate the issue endlessly. The 50501 movement claims to speak for the people , but it dismisses the outcome of November 2024 and the agenda voters elected. Overall, the median age of House Democrats is 57.6, while House Republicans average 57.5. In the Senate, the median age of Democrats is 66.0, slightly higher than Republicans at 64.5. According to the Congressional Research Service, 170 House members and 60 Senators are lawyers. Out of 535 total legislators, lawyers make up 43% of Congress—60% of the Senate, and 37.2% of the House. There are 81 Republican lawyers and 123 Democrat lawyers who list "lawyer" as their profession. Some may also hold law degrees but work in other roles, such as doctor, industrialist, teacher, or real estate agent or broker. The medical and real estate professions are also strongly represented in Congress.
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