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  • Trump's war in Venezuela? Or something?
    US lifts sanctions on several Russian defence suppliers
    — Caliber · Dec 19, 2025

    Iran-related Designations; International Criminal Court-related Designations; Russia-related Designations Removals; Foreign Sanctions Evaders Determination Removal; Issuance of Iran-related and International Criminal Court-related General Licenses
    — U.S. Department of the Treasury · Dec 18, 2025

    Meanwhile, the Kremlin is helping Maduro.
    Then again, Trump is a clown and his entourage a circus.
    What's the deal with Trump and Putin anyway? It's come up before. I don't buy Manchurian Candidate type theories myself. But something is going on, even if it's something like Trump having a personal obsession with Putin.
  • Donald Trump (All Trump Conversations Here)
    The Clown has much weight to throw around, yet something rings true here:

    Trump Broke America — Canada, Japan & EU Are Building the Future Without It | George Will
    — George Will Insights · Dec 16, 2025 · 20m:34s

    Japanese and other interests are broader, but the talk could easily get longer than 20 minutes.

    An odd observation is that American voters appear to have chosen this path deliberately and obliviously; it doesn't help them in the longer term, especially those who are not well-off.
  • Ukraine Crisis
    Kiure wrote (translated from Lithuanian):

    How the Kremlin's military propaganda has changed: from "we were forced" to "we are defending ourselves"

    Over the course of almost four years of war, not only the front lines have changed, but also why this war is supposedly happening. More precisely, it's not the reasons that have changed, but the versions of their retelling that have changed.

    2022.
    US intelligence warns: Russia is preparing for an attack. Putin is almost offended: "Are you completely crazy? We are peaceful people!" A few weeks later, a large-scale invasion begins. The reasons given are the demilitarization of Ukraine, denazification, the "defense" of Donbass, "we were forced", and only somewhere in the background is the promise: "We are not going to occupy Ukrainian territories."

    Spring 2022.
    Plans fail. Why? No, not because the "second army of the world" turned out to be less powerful. And not because Ukraine suddenly learned to resist. The answer is simpler – the West is to blame. From this moment on, the main narrative changes: "We are not at war with Ukraine, but with NATO and the US. Ukraine is just a mediator, a puppet."

    Summer 2022.
    A historical layer is added: "We must reclaim our ancestral lands!" So, the reason is no longer "they forced us", but "we came because we can do it and we want to".

    Autumn 2022.
    Referendums, annexations, and now we are talking about "defending Russia's territorial integrity". The war turns into an alleged "self-defense" regime.

    2023–2024.
    All these layers cement themselves into a single myth, in which the main enemy is America. Joe Biden becomes almost a metaphysical evil. In Russia, it is no longer politics – it is religion. Ukraine is almost erased from the narrative: "Ukrainians are good, they are brothers, they were just brainwashed."

    This is how Ukrainians are deprived of the right to be a subject: the right to have a will, a choice, the right to hate the occupier. Everything is explained away by bio-laboratories, combat mosquitoes, geese and the "inevitable NATO attack".

    And then Donald Trump enters the scene, who seems to have "consumed" the same propaganda content as diligently as an ordinary Russian television viewer. "It was Biden who started the war, I will stop everything in 24 hours", he said.

    Here comes the moment of truth.

    If America is the puppeteer and Ukraine is the puppet, if Washington decides everything, then the new US president should simply press a button and the war would end. But this does not happen. And this is the best spit on the whole tale of "external control".

    But the cotton-wool kids, with their propaganda-washed brains, do not notice this. They don't even think about a simple thought: Ukraine has wanted only one thing since 2014 - to be an independent and sovereign state. And that's exactly what Putin can't stand.

    The world's position here is simple - and it doesn't change:
    In 2014, Russia launched a hybrid war and annexed Crimea.
    In 2022, it launched a large-scale war.
    The reason is Putin and his decisions.

    And more. At first, it was said (this mantra was also repeated by the Russian "opposition" in emigration): this is Putin's war, not all Russians'. Later, it became obvious that a large part of society is not only silent, but also justifies, applauds and supports the war. Therefore, today no one seriously considers that "there is only one human war here".
    — Vilma Fiokla Kiure (Dec 20, 2025)

    Might have come up before.
  • Ukraine Crisis
    Someone applied Techniques of Neutralization to speeches from 1939, Reichstag, and 2025, Kremlin, and found similarities across the 86 years.

    Reichstag, 1939: We attempted peaceful proposals, all rejected
    Kremlin, 2025: No more wars if you respect us

    1. Denial of responsibility. The offender insists that they were victims of circumstance, forced into a situation beyond their control.

    Reichstag: We have no choice but to meet force with force
    Kremlin: We were forced to use our armed forces

    2. Denial of injury. The offender insists that their actions did not cause any harm or damage. "We're not really hurting anyone."

    Reichstag: Liberating Germans from Polish oppression
    Kremlin: We're liberating, not occupying

    3. Denial of the victim. The offender insists that the victim deserved it. "They had it coming."

    Reichstag: Germans in Poland are persecuted with bloody terror
    Kremlin: The Kyiv regime unleashed war on Russian-speakers

    4. Condemnation of the condemners. The offender maintains that those who condemn the offence do so out of spite, or are unfairly shifting the blame off themselves. "We're judged by hypocrites."

    Reichstag: Versailles was signed with a pistol at our head
    Kremlin: You deceived us with NATO expansion

    5. Appeal to higher loyalties. The offender claims the offence is justified by a higher law or higher loyalty such as friendship.

    Reichstag: Providence chose Germany to defend civilization
    Kremlin: Dying in Ukraine washes away all sins

    Playbook'ish. Maybe coincidental. These are the usual dubious justifications.
  • Donald Trump (All Trump Conversations Here)
    What is truth? — frank

    True and false are properties of statements.
    If you're looking for truth, then you go for the true ones.

    I'd imagine they'd prefer to look toward Germany and maybe BRICS countries for regional community. — frank

    Europeans prefer Germany and BRICS?
    That's doubtful (to put it mildly).
    How have you come to that conclusion?
  • Donald Trump (All Trump Conversations Here)
    Kremlin picks US government staff?

    White House Defends Witkoff After Leak of Conversation With Russian Official (archived)
    — The Wall Street Journal · Nov 25, 2025
    How Putin Got His Preferred U.S. Envoy: Come Alone, No CIA (archived)
    — The Wall Street Journal · Dec 19, 2025

    ↪frank
    , no particular concern with the truth of the matter...?
  • Donald Trump (All Trump Conversations Here)
    ↪NOS4A2
    , there's more to the story than those 14 articles.
    Make of it what you will:

    Germany, more Wende and less Zeit, please
    — Jamie Shea · Friends of Europe · Mar 23, 2023
  • US Crusade against the EU: 2025 National Security Strategy of the US
    ↪ssu
    :up:
    Russia is quite low in this one, at 171.
    I would have guessed Ukraine lower, being under invasion, yet at 62.
    Palestine was included at 163.
  • Ukraine Crisis
    Some Russopeople dressed up as Ukrainian Nazis in Austria:

    Chats: Wie Putin seinen Krieg der Desinformation auf Wiens Straßen führt
    Chats: How Putin is waging his war of disinformation on Vienna's streets
    — Max Miller · Profil · Dec 12, 2025

    Similar stuff has been reported before in other countries.
    Some subsequent reports:

    Austria Exposes Russian FSB Network Posing as “Ukrainian Nazis” to Sway Public Opinion Against Ukraine
    — Roman Kohanets · UNITED24 · Dec 14, 2025
    In Austria, an FSB network disguised as "Ukrainian Nazis" was exposed
    — SPRAVDI — Stratcom Centre · Dec 14, 2025
    Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation Network Posing as ‘Ukrainian Nazis’ Exposed in Austria
    — Roman Pryhodko · Militarnyi · Dec 14, 2025

    There are a number of other reports on related topics.
    The FSB cosplays as evil people and works to sow unrest wherever.
    The Kremlin circle is a tad preoccupied with Nazism.
  • US Crusade against the EU: 2025 National Security Strategy of the US
    ↪ssu
    , good question. :grin: You can get a lot of Gill-bribes for the price of a tank. A dozen tanks might buy a fair bit of division/polarization.

    Actively destroying everything older generations have worked for since WW2 isn't facing reality, it's sheer stupidity. — ssu

    And it's playing into the hands of adversaries. Seems like the Coalition of the willing works well as a supplement.
  • US Crusade against the EU: 2025 National Security Strategy of the US
    A former leader of the Reform party in wales. Is starting a 10yr jail term for accepting Russian bribes. — Punshhh

    For the uninitiated:

    Reform UK and Russian bribes: a Nathan Gill timeline (Nov 21, 2025)

    Somewhat related:

    Exclusive: Voters Should Be 'Worried' About Farage Becoming PM, Says Cabinet Minister (Dec 16, 2025)
  • Ukraine Crisis
    Just read "Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting media corporation, Moscow, December 15, 2025", and counted the string "Nazi" 13 times, "Napoleon" 3 times, "Hitler" 4 times.

    As to Europe, Lavrov pats Trump on the back for some anti-Europe moves. Kyiv is decidedly not a Nazi rule, but Lavrov still repeats that. In this round, he more or less extends the accusation to the better part of Europe, incidentally those that support Ukraine.

    Baffling if anyone can take this crap seriously. Who's the target?

    Also read "The war and the Russian imperial consciousness" (Mar 21, 2023).

    Kind of discouraging, assuming it (still) holds up.
  • Ukraine Crisis
    Not particularly surprising.

    They Droned Back
    — Digital Digging · Dec 10, 2025

    It's been suggested that European intelligence is lacking.
    Some follow-ups and such...

    German investigators have found a link between mass flights of unidentified drones and ships connected to Russia
    — NEXTA · Dec 10, 2025
    Suspicious drones from Russian ships: young reporters’ trail leads to Rosatom
    — Eunews · Dec 12, 2025
    How seven students unmasked Russia’s ‘drone motherships’
    — IO+ · Dec 12, 2025

    With a Kremlin shill in the White House, and Europe generally paralyzed (i.e. mostly just babbling about, say, 2030), I'm not really expecting much.
    Hire Ukraine as a European defense force against Putin's Russia, give them what they need; at least they'd act (they've converted Russoboats to submarines before). ;)
  • Donald Trump (All Trump Conversations Here)
    I'm guessing that Rubio is rehearsing excuses periodically

    State Department to identify DEI policies and mass migration as ‘human rights infringements’
    — CNN · Nov 21, 2025
  • Donald Trump (All Trump Conversations Here)
    Apart from the CDC stuff, I haven't confirmed this report:

    Partnership for Public Service releases new resources measuring the impact of President Trump’s federal government reforms during first 100 days
    — Partnership for Public Service · Apr 29, 2025

    If true, DOGE is quite the fiasco.

    Trump's mass layoff threat drives US government workers to resign
    — Reuters · May 20, 2025
  • Donald Trump (All Trump Conversations Here)
    Imedo opines...

    Imagine China occupying half of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Oregon and then the EU telling America:
    “Make a deal with the occupier or we won’t support you.”
    Absurd, right? No country would accept that.

    Yet this is exactly what Ukraine is being told today.

    And let’s not forget: Ukraine gave up the world’s third largest nuclear arsenal under U.S. and U.K. security guarantees.
    They trusted the West.
    Now they’re being pushed to surrender their land to the same aggressor that invaded them.

    This isn’t “peacemaking.”
    This is betrayal and the world knows it.
    — David Imedo (Nov 22, 2025)

    tewhxihgk359gjxp.jpg
  • Donald Trump (All Trump Conversations Here)
    Landsbergis opines...

    The 28 point plan marks the end of the end
    — Landsbergis · 2025 Nov 21
  • Donald Trump (All Trump Conversations Here)
    Not new, but neat to see details:

    Prominent MAGA Accounts Exposed as Foreign-Run as X Reveals Countries of Origin Feature (— TheWrap via Yahoo · Nov 23, 2025)

    Many prominent Maga personalities on X are based outside US, new tool reveals (— Guardian · Nov 23, 2025)

    Some of the pro MAGA Twitter accounts outed as foreign agents yesterday (— Edmond Bertrand · Nov 23, 2025)

    X's new location feature exposes political accounts based outside the U.S. (— Axios · Nov 24, 2025)
  • Ukraine Crisis
    Came across this one:

    A proper answer to Trumps 18 points on my point of view: States of the European Union are sending together 18 battalions to secure Ukraine’s border with Belarus, a move deemed legal under the UN Charter. This deployment will free up 18 Ukrainian battalions for the frontline. — TM (2025 Nov 23)

    How might that fare?
  • Ukraine Crisis
    ↪unenlightened
    :/ Have to wonder how much Chinese companies are making


    The Putinistas continue their raving and rambling to whip up Russians:

    Putin’s propaganda flips reality on flights over NATO nations, as Russian public tires of war
    — Eva Hartog · POLITICO · Oct 1, 2025

    Paraphrasing, they're under dire threat from Finland, Poland, and whomever else, NATO, "the West", ...
    They don't talk much about the threat posed by the daily bombings of Ukraine (nor of whatever other hostilities (incursion, election interference, ai/chatbot pollution + dis/mal/misinformation campaigns, sabotage, migrant abuse)).
    Has anything changed to the Kremlin?
  • The End of Woke
    The US Department of Labor has been running a campaign for some time, American taxpayer money at work. Below are some live examples (they're from 2025).

    White men, few women, no other ethnicities, inconspicuous blue collar recognition, stereotypical, roles, clean(-shaven), interchangeable, uniform, non-inclusive, anti-woke, Christian, nationalism, ...

    Aug 11, 16, 19, 21, 23, 28, 30, Sep 2, 4, 6, 15
    23, 27, 29, Oct 18, 21
    23

    Similar campaigns have been seen before (e.g. Italy and the USSR came to mind). Personally, I don't find blue collar recognition particularly suspicious, more that they determine "the good" and "the enemies". You won't find anything feminist in there, for example. What is included and what is excluded is telling. As government campaigns go, I (personally) find it beneath a top-tier democracy, but, much more importantly, what do you think?
  • What Are You Watching Right Now?
    Watched A House of Dynamite (2025).
    Similar theme as The Day After (1983) released 42 years earlier, different angle, well, angles, literally.
    Danger hasn't dissipated since then (Piper (2022), Andersen (2025)).
  • The End of Woke
    ↪praxis
    , saw that. :D
    Up-and-coming politicians that I wouldn't want for mayor, or other representative.
    They picked up some of that Trump.

    Outcry after US strips visas from six foreigners over Charlie Kirk remarks (— Guardian · Oct 15, 2025)

    18 of Charlie Kirk's alleged quotes, investigated (— Snopes · Oct 11, 2025)
  • Donald Trump (All Trump Conversations Here)
    Make America Sick Again

    The CDC has been gutted. (— Neil Stone · Oct 11, 2025)

    How can anyone think that RFK Jr is helping Americans?
  • Banning AI Altogether
    Interacting with AI doesn't require other humans.
    Anyone can do so on their own time; I mostly do by coincidence when doing google queries (I think).

    Here at the forums, I kind of expect interacting with humans.
    Or, at least, if interacting with AI by proxy / indirectly, that it's relevant (and checked) summaries or the like.

    How to distinguish, though?

    ↪Metaphysician Undercover
    :D I could use a memory upgrade
  • Banning AI Altogether
    It does seem like a competitive situation of some sort is emerging.

    We lost chess to the machines some time ago.

    Large language models can write well-formed summaries, based on a lot of data, faster than humans.
    Can be combined with whatever else, like automated theorem provers, natural language processing, ...

    Can AI out-compete homo sapiens in a kind of discourse war, though...?
  • Hate speech - a rhetorical pickaxe
    With all the commotion about consequences of negative comments about Charlie Kirk, would/should this then have consequences?

    Here is the same woman — the one with the “Z Crimea” car.
    First of all, if you live in Virginia, you can file a complaint with the DMV. I know some of you have already done so — thank you.

    A reminder about the realtor from Shepherd Homes Group (Virginia / Washington, D.C.) who openly supports Putin and the “special military operation.” Her name is Vasa Zenchenko (also known as Vasa Farafontova).

    After the second day of the Russian “bazaar,” this propagandist drove up to the protesters, including myself, turned on the Russian national anthem, and started proudly dancing. Her child was wearing a hat that said “Russia.”

    Her mother, Anna Ivanovna Zenchenko-Farafontova, is listed in the Myrotvorets database for: – Promoting war and Russian fascism and Nazism – Publicly supporting Russian aggression and the killing of Ukrainian civilians – Undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity – Being complicit in crimes committed by the Russian regime against Ukraine and its citizens Vasa continues her mother’s work here in the U.S., also using a church partly affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate as cover.
    — marisonechko · Oct 8, 2025 · 37s

    b1yi7veyr3iwxiiz.jpg

    DMV will deny applications for personalized license plates in accordance with the Personalized License Plate Issuance Guidelines set forth below. DMV will cancel and recall any personalized license plates which were issued and later discovered to be in violation of the Guidelines.
    • Used to condone or encourage violence — Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles: Personalized License Plate Guidelines and Restrictions

    I don't see a case myself. Technically maybe, but otherwise too wishy-washy. Then again, if you could be threatened/fired for airing something negative about Kirk, or get picked up by ICE for airing something against Israel?
  • The End of Woke
    That’s how I hold a discussion, how I debate.

    But then we have to elect leaders. Then we have to pick a platform (pick a team) and play fair to make a final selection of elected official.
    — Fire Ologist

    The process doesn't end with a vote, though.

    fyi, found the old quote on wikiquote

    Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. The government won't work without it. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them. — Barry Goldwater (1994)
  • The End of Woke
    The trick is to pick your team and [...] — Fire Ologist

    I do it differently.

    Decide on whatever topics/issues; work out who to vote for accordingly; if none found, then figure out if second best is good enough, or if there are additional concerns to take into account; ...

    Someone (Goldwater?) once mentioned that politics involves compromise.
  • The End of Woke
    No leftist hatred on the streets of Portland today? — Fire Ologist

    It may get there. (Though the incessant us-versus-them thing is getting old.)

    Federal agents knock down elderly couple during Portland protest (— The Oregonian / OregonLive · Oct 4, 2025)

    Anyway, these trends have raised some concerns. You don't see anything to worry about?
  • Donald Trump (All Trump Conversations Here)
    What the heck is wrong with that guy? Or did I miss something?

    The issue before is now is very simple and clear. There is a large and growing movement of leftwing terrorism in this country. It is well organized and funded. And it is shielded by far-left Democrat judges, prosecutors and attorneys general. The only remedy is to use legitimate state power to dismantle terrorism and terror networks. — Stephen Miller · Oct 4, 2025

    Another "Put up or shut up" type claim. Most reports over the past few years tell a different story. More erosion of the Trump regime's credibility; more still if no one calls him out on it. Goes along with Vance's and Trump's earlier comments, perhaps Hegseth's goings-and-doings as well. I guess we'll see what comes of it.

    Murder and Extremism in the United States in 2022
    — Anti-Defamation League · Feb 22, 2023
    Underrecognized: Extremist murders are usually from right-wing actors
    — The Washington Post · Feb 28, 2023
    What NIJ Research Tells Us About Domestic Terrorism
    — National Institute of Justice · Jan 4, 2024
    Is “radical-left” violence really on the rise in America?
    — The Economist · Sep 12, 2025
    Trump Called for a Crackdown on the ‘Radical Left.’ But Right-Wing Extremists Are Responsible for More Political Violence
    — TIME · Sep 16, 2025
    Trump administration says it will target far-left groups for Kirk's assassination. Prosecutors made no such link.
    — NBC · Sep 17, 2025
    Right-wing extremist violence is more frequent and more deadly than left-wing violence − what the data shows
    — The Conversation · Sep 17, 2025
  • The End of Woke
    You think the martyrdom of Kirk is somehow organic? — Jeremy Murray

    They sure are trying to make him a martyr.

    • Ashli Babbitt was one of the Jan 6 (2021) attackers. The Babbitts were gifted just under $5 million by taxpayers, and Ashli got a funeral service with all-out military honors.
    • In Jun 2025, Melissa and Mark Hortman (and their dog, Gilbert) were murdered. Melissa was an elected official. Not much to see here.
    • In Sep 2025, Charlie Kirk was murdered; he was not an elected official, but part of the Trump crowd. His casket was transported by Air Force Two (at taxpayers' expense); there's been much fanfare and propaganda. Propaganda channels more or less followed Russian patterns, but include his widow ("We Are Charlie", "Erika Kirk, not Taylor Swift", etc).

    They're not the only recent victims.

    Kirk did have a following of outraged Christian nationalists, if that counts as organic.
  • The End of Woke
    ↪Fire Ologist
    , that was your takeaway?

    if you ask me — Fire Ologist

    Ask the participants. Some have commented.

    Woke is: [...] — Fire Ologist

    Some possible examples have come up. (Addressed to you I mean.) Are they "woke"?
  • Donald Trump (All Trump Conversations Here)
    I know nothing about Project 2025. I have no idea who is behind it. I disagree with some of the things they’re saying and some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them. — Donald J. Trump · Jul 5, 2024

    I have a meeting today with Russ Vought, he of PROJECT 2025 Fame, to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which are a political SCAM, he recommends to be cut, and whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent. I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity. They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DJT — Donald J. Trump · Oct 2, 2025

    I guess everyone knew. At least it's confirmed that there's a Project 2025 element in the White House. Rambling about the others as radicals and scammers will trickle down and out to his herd.

    A Boston judge issues a blistering warning over free speech under Trump
    — Axios · Oct 2, 2025

    Should Young be worried about his future now?
  • The Members of TPF Exist
    ↪Michael
    , but Zeus does exist, he's just not real. ;)
  • The End of Woke
    they would shut her down and kick her out for not conforming on all issues — Fire Ologist

    That seems to be a government thing these days.

    Hegseth slams 'fat generals,' Trump touts cities as troop ‘training grounds’
    — Reuters · Sep 30, 2025
    If you don't like what I'm saying, you can leave the room. Of course, there goes your rank, there goes your future. — Trump

    Trump tells a roomful of silent generals to join a ‘war from within’
    — The Washington Post · Sep 30, 2025
    As Trump wrapped up his address, some officers stood and lightly applauded. Others remained seated.
  • The News Discussion
    ↪unenlightened
    :o
    Max (app) (— Wikipedia) :eyes:
    NSA, Mossad, and others can probably do something a bit similar, except on demand, not pre-installed.

    On that note, smartphone companies got a good deal, must be lucrative.
    These days, a personal smartphone is just about required for various purposes (e.g. authentication), including for other business (e.g. bank) and government, who don't pay for your phone.
    Not having a smartphone is becoming like a handicap/disability if not a hindrance.
  • The End of Woke
    Examples of how "woke" is used (the latter is recent):

    From women in combat to Trump’s border wall, here are the policies Pete Hegseth has spoken out on
    — POLITICO · Nov 13, 2024
    Veterans assail Pete Hegseth’s ‘clueless, self-aggrandizing’ leadership after remarks to military officials
    — The Independent · Sep 30, 2025
    Hegseth rails against 'woke,' lays out standards in speech to top generals, admirals
    — ABC News · Sep 30, 2025 · 4m:56s

    Is this how the term is generally understood?
    Hegseth is an appointed official after all.
  • Ukraine Crisis
    Despite the recent airspace breaches (Estonia, Poland, Romania), the most persistent fact remains that Russia continues to bomb Ukraine daily. That's a fact with consequences on the ground, wherever around the country. Some of the attacks are launched from Belarus.

    NATO, EU declared war on Russia through Ukraine, directly participate in it — Lavrov :down:
    — TASS · Sep 25, 2025
    Europe has never been so close to the start of World War III: Zakharova stated that Ukraine plans to strike NATO countries with Russian drones :down:
    — Ukrainian National News · Sep 26, 2025

    I'm not sure how accurate the following note is. (Anyone?) Supposing it's accurate enough, it becomes a worry that the Kremlin circle won't negotiate anything without some sort of victory to show at home to carry them through. (Including a worry for Russians.) I guess this concern is not particularly new.

    The Kremlin cannot end the war against Ukraine without a crisis

    The war that Russia started against Ukraine has changed the structure of the Russian economy. Over the past three years of militarization, the country has found itself in a trap: defense spending has risen to almost 8% of the GDP, and the military-industrial complex has become the main driver of demand. This has allowed the Kremlin to maintain growth in strategic sectors, but at the same time has ended the balance and left private business and civilian industries on the sidelines.

    It is impossible to return to a peacetime model without a sharp decline. After the war, Moscow will begin to cut defense spending. As a result, millions of people employed in the military-industrial complex will lose their jobs, and entire regions where defense enterprises are concentrated will be left without an economic base. In addition, the demobilization of hundreds of thousands of contract soldiers will also shock the labor market.

    At the same time, the budget is already showing signs of depletion. In the first half of 2025, federal treasury revenues fell by almost 17%, mainly due to lower revenues from oil and gas, which are now being sold at a significant discount. The growth in oil and gas revenues does not compensate for the losses. The Ministry of Finance is forced to raise taxes and introduce new fees, but this only puts more pressure on businesses.

    Sanctions and restrictions on technology imports are leading to the degradation of civilian production: Russian companies are forced to produce cheaper and simpler goods, which reduces their competitiveness. In the long term, this deprives the country of the opportunity to return to global markets with high-tech products.

    Thus, Russia has found itself in a "military rent trap". The Kremlin cannot sharply reduce military spending without collapse, but it is also becoming increasingly difficult to continue financing the war. This means that a new economic crisis is inevitable for the Russian Federation, and overcoming it will require a long and painful restructuring of the entire system.
    — Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine · Sep 19, 2025

    As an aside, propaganda channels have started talking about Odesa, which is in relative vicinity of Transnistria.
  • Donald Trump (All Trump Conversations Here)
    ↪Outlander
    , apologies, I just figured the thread had fair coverage by now, but it's tediously long, just like the lists out there. Hover, pick some:

    False or misleading statements by Donald Trump | List of conspiracy theories promoted by Donald Trump | Donald Trump's conflict with the media (Retaliatory lawsuits and federal government actions) | Targeting of political opponents and civil society under the second Trump administration | In Assault on Free Speech, Trump Targets Speech He Hates | The Right Takes Aim at Wikipedia | Donald Trump judicial appointment controversies | Government hiring and personnel of Donald Trump | Robert F. Kennedy Jr. | Inspectors general removed or fired by Donald Trump | Trump publicly urges US Justice Department to charge his enemies | Legal affairs of the second Trump presidency | U.S. Democratic Backsliding in Comparative Perspective | US democracy under siege | Trump sides with Putin over U.S. intelligence during remarkable press conference in Helsinki | The Cipher Brief: Report for Tuesday, June 17, 2025 | Under Trump, America’s New Friends: Russia, North Korea and Belarus | US vetoes G7 proposal to combat Russia’s shadow fleet of oil tankers | US Derails G-7 Condemnation of Russian Missile Strike on Ukraine | Trump Bans AP And Reuters But Invites Russian State Media To Zelenskyy Meeting | Trump has pushed America into a new “Axis of Evil” by aligning with dictators and betraying allies | 2025 Trump–Zelenskyy Oval Office meeting + Some responses | US popularity collapses worldwide in wake of Trump’s return | U.S. Image Declines in Many Nations Amid Low Confidence in Trump | Trump’s War on Science: How His Policies Affect Canadian Research | As USAID retreats, China pounces | Indictments against Donald Trump | Donald Trump quotes

    ↪Christoffer
    , oh, you're right, something about those evil immigrants eating cats... :D

    Racial views of Donald Trump (Springfield pet-eating hoax)

    At the moment, I don't have time to organize this stuff — tedious — but can be bribed. ;)

    and this is why I hate the masses more than the authoritarian leaders — Christoffer

    Yeah. I'm thinking better basic education might help.
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