Macron gets slapped by the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo pic.twitter.com/iX0hZiM9lY
— Donbass Devushka (@PeImeniPusha) March 6, 2023
Thursday, March 30, 2023
This Twitter Vid shows why China has a huge opportunity in Africa and why the US/EU should alter course...
Republic Of Singapore's Naval Diving Unit Combatant Craft Large (CCL).
The #RepublicofSingaporeNavy's Naval Diving Unit has stepped up its game with the Combatant Craft Large (CCL). Designed for the conduct of Maritime Security operations, this locally built craft is a real beauty, super manoeuvrable and fast! pic.twitter.com/km3rm7H6Lj
— Ministry of Defence (@mindefsg) March 15, 2023
Is the dollar entering a death spiral with regard to international trade? Brazil, China strike trade deal agreement to ditch the dollar.
Thanks to Tim Edwards for the link!
via Fox
Brazil and China have reportedly struck a deal to ditch the U.S. dollar in favor of their own currencies in trade transactions.
The deal, announced Wednesday, will enable China and Brazil to carry out trade and financial transactions directly, exchanging yuan for reais – or vice versa – rather than first converting their currencies to the U.S. dollar.
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) said the new arrangement is expected to "reduce costs" and "promote even greater bilateral trade and facilitate investment."
China is Brazil’s largest trading partner, accounting for more than a fifth of all imports, followed by the United States, according to the latest figures. China is also Brazil’s largest export market, accounting for more than a third of all exports.
This is the economic version of the Roman issue of barbarians at the gates.
I've said it once and I'll say it again.
So many of you cheered like idiots when they piled on sanction after sanction after sanction on Russia.
I warned of the unintended consequences.
I warned that any sensible leader of a country would take steps to ensure that what we did to Russia, we wouldn't be able to do with their country.
China isn't over and what's worse is that China isn't acting alone in this.
Other countries are wanting in on an alternative market/banking system because the actions on behalf of Ukraine were so draconian they feel like they have no choice.
The death of the dollar begins.... China and France have completed an LNG gas trade using the Chinese yuan, thus ending the reliance on the US dollar for energy trades.
Thanks to J. Villain for the link!
via Watcher.guru
In what is a landmark development, China and France have completed an LNG gas trade using the Chinese yuan, thus ending the reliance on the US dollar for energy trades. Moreover, Reuters reported that the transaction involving 65,000 tonnes of LNG from the UAE marked the first yuan-settled LNG trade through the Shanghai Petroleum and Natural Gas Exchange.
Chinese National oil company, CNOOC, and France’s TotalEnergies completed the transaction on Tuesday, according to reports. Additionally, Energy World reported TotalEnergies confirmed the transaction “involved LNG imported from the UAE but did not comment further.”
The UAE is selling natural gas and using China as an intermediary to France...with France allowing it?
Alot to unpack here and I'm not sure I'm capable of doing it, but on the surface this is troubling.
France an ally of ours that is doing ops in the Pacific with our US Navy supposedly in an attempt to contain China is now allowing the UAE to use China as an intermediary and use the Yuan to do it?
That's huge.
The UAE that has been called an "ally", has participated in numerous exercises with us, has hosted US troops is suddenly in bed with China?
This seems bad...really bad.
Tell me I'm wrong.
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
If you care about the USMC then you need to read & subscribe to "COMPASS POINTS"!
Hey gents! Don't just read this article but go thru past articles and drink this in."COMPASS POINTS" is a must read for anyone with concerns about Force Design 2030! It cuts thru the fluff & chest thumping and spells out the issues with the concept!
— Solomon (@SnafuBlogspot) March 29, 2023
Compass Points - Led Astray by Falsehoods? https://t.co/Al0Pi8Q9V7
SPECIAL THANKS to CoffeeJoeJava for turning me on to these guys!
De-Dollarization Just Got Real
Thanks to Cogitans Iuvenis for the link!
via Rubino
African leaders travel to Moscow. Representatives of 40 African nations traveled to Rissia for the Second International Parliamentary Conference “Russia – Africa in a Multipolar World.” According to the press release, the attendees:
&
Brazil and Argentina announce a common currency. In February, the two dominant Latin American economies announced plans for a common currency called the “sur” for use in bilateral trade. South America is a big, resource-rich place with numerous grudges against its intrusive northern neighbor. So a de-dollarization movement there, while not as immediately consequential as what’s happening in the Middle East or Asia, is both plausible and potentially serious for the dollar.
Both of the events highlighted above should be of immediate concern to the US. Add everything covered in the article and Congress, the American people and the idiots in the White House should be extremely concerned.
Note. Why the focus on economics on a military blog? Because war is politics was once the famous phrase. In the modern era it should be war is politics & economics.
China creates a new world order as Biden ignores the threats
via NY Post
In the opening weeks of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European Union foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell placed his hopes in China to resolve the conflict.
“There is no alternative,” Borrell said. “We cannot be the mediators, that is clear. And it cannot be the US either. Who else? It has to be China, I trust in that.”
Note. I felt the same. China missed a massive opportunity with that one but I'm sure they balanced playing peace-keeper vs weakening the US. Weakening the US won.
A year later, Borrell’s faith has proven misplaced, as China has only disappointed Western policymakers. Once the repository of American and European hopes, Beijing has shown no interest in restraining Russia and restoring the pre-war European order.
Instead, it has leveraged the Ukraine war to begin building an alternative, Sino-centric system.
Its efforts are bearing fruit: As Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of their three-day summit in Moscow last week, “Right now we’re seeing a change we haven’t seen for 100 years, and we’re driving this change together.”
The change Xi references is most evident in the Middle East, where Russia’s war on Ukraine is driving America’s Gulf ally Saudi Arabia into the embrace of China.
China this month brokered the normalization of ties between Riyadh and Tehran in a diplomatic coup that shocked Washington.
How weak is our diplomacy? So weak that the State Dept is an afterthought internationally and the Pentagon has become our foreign diplomatic corps.
Traditionally, Riyadh would have looked to Washington for support as Tehran wields its Russian bayonet, but the Biden administration has shown little interest in deterring Iran. With war in Europe, it has little appetite for another hard-power competition in a second theater.
Unable to rely on the United States, Saudi Arabia is open to China as an alternative.
As China flexes its diplomatic muscle, it will work to establish an energy, trading and financial system in the Gulf that sits apart from the United States: an international protection racket under the aegis of Beijing.
China’s similar strategy for Europe explains why Beijing has shown no interest in constraining Russia.
Just as Iran’s attacks on the US-dominated Middle Eastern order have prompted the Gulf states to hedge their bets, China believes Russia’s attack on the US alliance system in Europe will make countries there think twice about their transatlantic ties.
If the war leaves Moscow entrenched in Ukraine, China will sell itself as an alternative partner for securing the European order.
If that wasn't bad enough then check out this last part.
If the war drags on and Russia’s dependence on China increases, some Westerners may look to China as the conflict’s indispensable interlocutor.
So instead of cracking down on Russia, China is intervening on its behalf.
Beijing has assisted Moscow with sanctions evasion and supplied parts for weapons. Most recently, it also shipped assault rifles and body armor to Moscow despite Western warnings against such transfers.
To test Western redlines even further, China could ramp up its provision of parts with military applications or send large numbers of weapons to third countries with friendly ties to Russia.
This would confront Washington and Brussels with a dilemma they would rather not face.
.jpg){kind=icon}
Ukrainian Offensive Begins In April or May
Wow.The Minister of Defense of Ukraine stated that the counterattack by the AFU will begin in April or May. pic.twitter.com/0OBQHvCxBu
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 29, 2023
So now its announced that a major assault will occur? Weird war ... weird fucking war.
Boxer Dragoon
The "Boxer Dragoon" now has a customised mission module based on the UK ICV with a strengthened roof.
— Nicholas Drummond (@nicholadrummond) March 29, 2023
It features an updated version of @kongsbergasa's RT60 remote turret which is now lighter and more compact with modular protection.
The weapons fit includes an XM813 30x173… pic.twitter.com/cytRaIuWIn
75th Ranger Regiment @ the US Army Jungle Course
Glad to see the 75th Ranger Regiment at the @USArmy Jungle Course in Hawaii training and preparing for operations in the Indo-Pacific.
— USARPAC CG (@USARPAC_CG) March 25, 2023
As a Theater Army, @USARPAC is increasing partnerships with @USSOCOM to deliver integrated deterrence against our adversaries.
One Team! pic.twitter.com/ZZ99DVRHI8
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Planned obsolescence...
Note. Not verified. I thought it was cool. This is for entertainment purposes only. Fact check? Do it your own fucking work, otherwise enjoy the ride.
Monday, March 27, 2023
Never heard of a judge being this brutally honest with a murderer...
The judge is right though. He is greenlit and no one is gonna step in to keep what's going to happen from happening. Too much danger of collateral damage. The Aryans, Mexican Gangs, etc...will step aside cause first it ain't there business and second because its good for business if there is future beef with one of the black gangs.No joke ladies and gents, the judge said:
— TANIZZLE.com (@iTanizzle) March 27, 2023
"Once he gets to state prison, he's a target. It's greenlight on him from all the gangs. All the people that loved Nipsey Hussle. His life in prison is going to be hell. For as long as it lasts" 😳 pic.twitter.com/wRRXDZow8S
They could KINDA protect him a county.
At state he's done.
Dead man walking.
Might not be this year. Might be two years. The second he drops his guard some street punk is gonna try and earn his stripes by killing this dude.
SNCO singing a lullaby!
Too funny.....How many times did he say "fuck"? Like music to my ears.A bunch of people on FB were shocked by this but like...pretty mild. There were no death threats. pic.twitter.com/8Xkzq8oX7H
— The Devil is a Part-Timer (@AllegedKurd) March 27, 2023
Sunday, March 26, 2023
Bodies of victims along the Qinhuai River, out of Nanjing's west gate during the Nanking Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanjing.
A little mudballing. Do you realize how batshit crazy our military strategy is? We went from penetrating A2-AD to now setting up one ourselves!
A Strategy of Denial for the Western Pacific
The above article from Proceedings has me spinning like a top. It just dawned on me that for more than a decade, military planners from ALL SERVICES were talking about how we needed to be able to penetrate China's anti-access/area denial zone.
NOW in 2023, we have those same brilliant fucks describing how we need to setup our own AREA DENIAL zone for China!
How do you think that would work if some idiot on this planet tried to set one up against us...The United States Of America!
Do you think that would work?
Exercise Slovak Shield 2023
Troops from NATO’s multinational battlegroup in Slovakia are participating in an exercise aimed at defending the country from attack.
Synopsis
Troops from NATO’s multinational battlegroup in Slovakia are participating in an exercise aimed at defending the country from attack.
Soldiers from Czechia, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United States participated in Slovak Shield, an annual exercise that focuses on integrating the firepower and capabilities of Allied forces in a collective defence scenario. Mechanised infantry, helicopters and ground troops worked together over the course of two weeks, sharing tactics while streamlining communications.
Led by Czechia, the battlegroup includes troops from Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United States.
Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, NATO decided to establish four new multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, while upgrading other battlegroups into brigade-sized formations. These actions significantly bolster NATO's ability to deter and defend against any aggression in the eastern part of the Alliance.
Slovak Shield 2023 runs from 12 to 24 March.
Transcript
---SHOTLIST—
(00:00) VARIOUS SHOTS – CZECH SOLDIERS FROM THE 71ST MECHANISED BATTALION MANOEUVRING ON FOOT THROUGH WOODLAND
(00:27) WIDE SHOT – TWO US ARMY CH-47F CHINOOK HELICOPTERS FLY OVER TRAINING AREA DURING EXERCISE SLOVAK SHIELD 2023
(00:53) CLOSE SHOT – SLOVAK AIR FORCE UH-60M BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER
(01:34) WIDE SHOT – SLOVENIAN PATRIA VEHICLES FIRING
(01:55) CLOSE SHOT – SLOVAK JOINT TERMINAL ATTACK CONTROLLER RUNNING
(02:10) CLOSE SHOT – CZECH PANDUR II VEHICLES ON THE MOVE DURING EXERCISE SLOVAK SHIELD 2023
(02:27) CLOSE SHOT – CZECH SOLDIER
(02:32) WIDE SHOT – GERMAN BOXER APC VEHICLES ON THE MOVE DURING EXERCISE SLOVAK SHIELD 2023
(02:39) CLOSE SHOT – CZECH SOLDIER
(02:55) VARIOUS SHOTS – SLOVAK SOLDIERS INSIDE EXERCISE SLOVAK SHIELD’S MAIN COMMAND POST
(03:11) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) – CZECH ARMY LIEUTENANT COLONEL JIŘÍ STANĚK, COMMANDER, MULTINATIONAL BATTALION OF NATO’s MULTINATIONAL BATTLEGROUP IN SLOVAKIA
“The Czech Republic is the leading nation. We are in charge of this multinational battalion and our international partners, we have the units from Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia and also from United States of America.”
(03:29) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) – MAJOR GENERAL IVAN PACH, COMMANDER LAND FORCES COMMAND, SLOVAK ARMED FORCES
“With the nations participating here, they bring also additional capabilities and, as we call it, force multipliers or enablers, which also makes the Slovakian Armed Forces feeling better to defend our country.”
(03:45) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) – MAJOR GENERAL IVAN PACH, COMMANDER LAND FORCES COMMAND, SLOVAK ARMED FORCES
“Slovakia is one of the eastern flank countries at the NATO border, and as you know Ukraine, the war in Ukraine basically makes us really close to the war. So the exercise, although it’s been planned for already two years, reflects the situation on the ground and on the border with Ukraine. So we need to keep our forces ready to move, ready to fight and ready to defend our country. And with the support of Allies it makes it much easier for us than just alone.”
## END ##
Soldiers from Czechia, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United States participated in Slovak Shield, an annual exercise that focuses on integrating the firepower and capabilities of Allied forces in a collective defence scenario. Mechanised infantry, helicopters and ground troops worked together over the course of two weeks, sharing tactics while streamlining communications.
Led by Czechia, the battlegroup includes troops from Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United States.
Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, NATO decided to establish four new multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, while upgrading other battlegroups into brigade-sized formations. These actions significantly bolster NATO's ability to deter and defend against any aggression in the eastern part of the Alliance.
Slovak Shield 2023 runs from 12 to 24 March.
Transcript
---SHOTLIST—
(00:00) VARIOUS SHOTS – CZECH SOLDIERS FROM THE 71ST MECHANISED BATTALION MANOEUVRING ON FOOT THROUGH WOODLAND
(00:27) WIDE SHOT – TWO US ARMY CH-47F CHINOOK HELICOPTERS FLY OVER TRAINING AREA DURING EXERCISE SLOVAK SHIELD 2023
(00:53) CLOSE SHOT – SLOVAK AIR FORCE UH-60M BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER
(01:34) WIDE SHOT – SLOVENIAN PATRIA VEHICLES FIRING
(01:55) CLOSE SHOT – SLOVAK JOINT TERMINAL ATTACK CONTROLLER RUNNING
(02:10) CLOSE SHOT – CZECH PANDUR II VEHICLES ON THE MOVE DURING EXERCISE SLOVAK SHIELD 2023
(02:27) CLOSE SHOT – CZECH SOLDIER
(02:32) WIDE SHOT – GERMAN BOXER APC VEHICLES ON THE MOVE DURING EXERCISE SLOVAK SHIELD 2023
(02:39) CLOSE SHOT – CZECH SOLDIER
(02:55) VARIOUS SHOTS – SLOVAK SOLDIERS INSIDE EXERCISE SLOVAK SHIELD’S MAIN COMMAND POST
(03:11) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) – CZECH ARMY LIEUTENANT COLONEL JIŘÍ STANĚK, COMMANDER, MULTINATIONAL BATTALION OF NATO’s MULTINATIONAL BATTLEGROUP IN SLOVAKIA
“The Czech Republic is the leading nation. We are in charge of this multinational battalion and our international partners, we have the units from Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia and also from United States of America.”
(03:29) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) – MAJOR GENERAL IVAN PACH, COMMANDER LAND FORCES COMMAND, SLOVAK ARMED FORCES
“With the nations participating here, they bring also additional capabilities and, as we call it, force multipliers or enablers, which also makes the Slovakian Armed Forces feeling better to defend our country.”
(03:45) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) – MAJOR GENERAL IVAN PACH, COMMANDER LAND FORCES COMMAND, SLOVAK ARMED FORCES
“Slovakia is one of the eastern flank countries at the NATO border, and as you know Ukraine, the war in Ukraine basically makes us really close to the war. So the exercise, although it’s been planned for already two years, reflects the situation on the ground and on the border with Ukraine. So we need to keep our forces ready to move, ready to fight and ready to defend our country. And with the support of Allies it makes it much easier for us than just alone.”
## END ##
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)