Politics Russia - the Bear has become the world's bully again (China, Iran, N Korea too)

Mikhail S. Gorbachev, Reformist Soviet Leader, Is Dead at 91

Thank you very much to this man.
He released Russia from a self-set purgatory...and triggered an integration with the rest of the world.

Too bad Putin twisted it...but at least Gorby showed the light for awhile.
Which Putin cannot put back in the bottle. He will sooner or later fail because many inside know it can be different.

 

Russia buying weapons from North Korea to use in Ukraine
The chips are down: Putin scrambles for high-tech parts as his arsenal goes up in smoke

Oh, now Russia has gone there...
They don't have enough weapons...so now the actual NK.

It's not the blind leading the blind, it's the blind begging the blind.
Putin must be getting desperate.

Quit! You motherfuckin' shit. Quit Ukraine. KISS.

And now this... It doesn't bode well. A serious Russia/China alliance. 2 dick countries doing dick moves together.
Russians set up method to convert wire currency into Chinese yuan, sparking fears of alliance

 

Moscow Officials Urge Putin to GTFO: ‘Everything Went Wrong’

I hope this is true.
I hope Putin loses it all...and is ousted in complete humiliation. Jailed for his abuses.

AND I hope he doesn't freak and use a nuke. (or launch nukes).

Russia could be so much more, if they got rid of the oligarchs...or at least the way it was under Yeltsin.
The people deserve better. Especially after the past centuries, despite brief 10 years of relief in the 90's.
Let Russia actually be for Russians. Not just a few elite.

 

Followup...
As Russians Retreat, Putin Is Criticized by Hawks Who Trumpeted His War
Putin loyalist Kadyrov criticises Russian army’s performance over Ukraine retreat

Seems that even the ultra conservative supporters are starting to say WTF!
Not that they object to the war at all...just that it's being done ineptly.

AND some of them are actually on the front lines...blogging about it, giving real time info.
BUT contradicting the spin the Kremlin is putting out.

Putin's blocked FB and Insta...but there's other online communication ways...and it's getting around the byline.

How ironic, the some of his staunchest supporters are actually undermining him.
Doing play by play horse race critiques of the war, as if they were sport announcers giving opinion pieces.

And Putin doesn't want to upset his "easy" win spin...being forced to do a draft.
Ukraine brave stand and kickass counters are making him sweat.
"Don't look at the man behind the curtain"

Looks like Putin is a better spymaster than general.
And his generals are poor excuses for one, when actually confronted with a foe that will punch back HARD.
And his troops are more like F-Troop. (ol' school ref)

As said before, let's hope that Putin's woes increase until he crashes. (but NO NUKES - cross our fingers)
The scariest part will be when he becomes desperate...

 

View: https://twitter.com/christogrozev/status/1569044030272454663?s=20&t=ewilQTAFpUxFyjXaPomwLw


From Z to P

Oh, snap!!

Y’gotta luv the balls on this guy.

Hollywood should take notes.

 

Russian Officials Demand Putin Resign Amid Ukraine Losses

HMMM...I think I see a pattern here...
The Russian spin doctors claim anything against their own narrative and propaganda, "fake news"!
Methinks Mr. T shouts the exact same thing...often.

I never thought that T was smart enough to do his own thinking in all this.
Seems like Russia might be feeding him tips and coaching...exactly like a couch/mgr does to a on field player...
OR dialog, like a Hollywood or Times Square actor.

I wonder if we can feed this idea to the media and/or govt.
Anonymous call, anyone??? Point out the fox to the hunters...
Hmmm...

-----

Meanwhile, the tentative dogpile adds more player atop of Putin.

 

Russia spent millions on secret global political campaign, U.S. intelligence finds

Uhhh, yeah...duuuuhhhh
Y'all as bad as "crack reporter" Lois Lane who can't tell Clark is Superman from a friggin' pair of glasses.

It's been obvious what's been going on for YEARS!

And it's more likely BILLIONS.
Best investment that Putin ever made.

Americans are a bunch of rube dupes. (as a whole...(
Just sad.

 

Putin tells Modi he'll 'stop' the Ukraine invasion he ordered 'as soon as possible' after the Indian leader criticized Russia's war to his face

Y'know, the real question is Putin sane?
Yes, he's urbane...but as I know with my own uncle being intelligent & articulate doesn't mean sanity or correct decision making...it's a subtle thing at times.
And he's so used to lying and manipulating, that it's his mask...

Sure an incredibly selfish person started this war...but now that it's truly backfired on him in so many ways...and getting worse
AND will have both leaders & the public going against him...
Will he have the sanity to stop???

Or like the orange wannabe Putin in America, will he refuse to see the coming storm and that he IS wrong...and double-down on stupid?
or worse, lash out like a cornered beast... (which is what I AM afraid of. No nukes, please. )

I hope for the best.
I hope for his sake...and everyone's he finally draws down.

BUT, the Ukraine is PISSED, justifiably so.
So the question also is...will they let him draw down...or will they scream for vengeance???
They have been exceptional heroes in all this. Truly.
But it's hard to put down the sword once it's been drawn. (even IF needed at the time)

 

Russia’s underperforming military capability may be key to its downfall

So basically, Russian military is like a company with a toxic environment with mgmt that is heavy handed in retribution, but no where when mgmt decisions must be made.
There's no career path...more about luck & back-stabbing.
Not what y'know, but who y'know.

 

Putin’s nuclear threats and war escalation, explained — Vox

Now THIS is something to truly worry about.
And question Putin’s sanity.

Whatever happens, pray NO NUKES!!!

Politics, communication, psychology & discretion are incredibly important here.

Because, first you can’t let Russia get away with taking over a country…and winning an outright unethical war.

Second, you cannot let Putin threaten the rest of the world.

Third, we’ve got to get Russia to stop the war and pull back to original borders. (yes, even the rebellion Ukraine areas)

Last, prevent Putin from feeling like a trapped rat and provoking a nuclear exchange.
(Even one would be tragic)

Now THIS is what leaders need to deal with
And somehow be very careful and delicate.

Even if you’re not religious, pray.
Because you can’t uncork that evil genie.
No going back if that trigger is pulled…

 

Analysis: Reports of Putin's problems are mounting — CNN Politics

Everyone is turning up the heat on P.

Question is…will he crack?
Back down?
Or is it all an illusion & role play by a master spy
Who normally has no empathy or care for others.

He’s so used playing others, manipulating and lying with impunity
Who knows what the real deal is.

I know Biden is seriously warning him
But does he even care???

IDK, it’s a crapshoot.
Spin the wheel, make your bet.
We’re playing global Russian roulette.

 

Even Russia’s friends are getting upset over its war — POLITICO

Well, it doesn’t help P’s position, he’s losing his allies’ faith.
Countries and countrymen.
Inside & outside

He’s not just being cornered, he’s being boxed in
And it’s starting to get prickly at home too.
Kitchen is getting HOT, more stifling
Can he stand it?

Still, IDK
I think he’ll double down on everything but nukes.
He’s got nothing to lose (if you’ve heard the health problem rumors) and it’s not his nature to back off.

He wants the Ukraine feather in his cap.
For “Mother Russia” and USSR nostalgia

 

Zelenskyy makes three promises to Russian soldiers who surrender

And here is his opposition...the leader of Ukraine, showing P how it's done.
Class act the whole way. Showing how to lead and be brave and still have empathy.
Even playing "by the rules", as much as wartime rules can apply.

P threatens nukes, Zelenskyy gives hope.

Not bad, for an ex-comic. No joke.

 

UN says Russia abuses prisoners in Ukraine — Reuters

Incredibly sad.
And what’s worse…what we’re actually going to find and find out about afterwards.

Only IF Russia does NOT win…and in those areas it doesn’t take over.
Otherwise Russia will suppress ANY event or situation if they have control.

Don’t look at the man behind the iron curtain.