Geopolitical Conflict News

[mfte]

It is my understanding that Crimea is essentially a barren wasteland, propped up by a steady water supply flowing from up north. Ukraine cut off this water flow after the annexation and Crimea's fresh water reserves have been dwindling ever since. Without control of specific parts of Ukraine, Crimea becomes nearly useless.

[allegro]

It is my understanding that Crimea is essentially a barren wasteland, propped up by a steady water supply flowing from up north. Ukraine cut off this water flow after the annexation and Crimea's fresh water reserves have been dwindling ever since. Without control of specific parts of Ukraine, Crimea becomes nearly useless.

Russia wants the entire coastline, for Russia’s access to the sea:

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...ines-next-week

[MrLobster]

[fillow]

I find this analysis very interesting. Some of it certainly rings true, even if none of this (re: resources) has been said aloud by either side

[cdm]

There's your no-fly zone.

EDIT: “not so fast” -US

[burnmotherfucker!]

Well, the U.S. just cut off Russian oil imports.

[allegate]

[elevenism]

So
"we should all be on the lookout for Russia to use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine, or to create a false flag operation using them." -@PressSec

Before this, a US State Dept Official was testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee, and was asked about Russia and China accusing the US of having/funding bioweapons facilities in Ukraine, by Marco Rubio, who SEEMED to be expecting "oh, no, that's bullshit."
INSTEAD, State Dept official said something like "ummm, welll, yeah, they're RESEARCH facilities, but there IS a concern that Russia will take them over."

THEN, we got the above statement by Psaki.

SO. Russia, AND the west, are likely to bring up the good ole' WMD argument.

I didn't like Biden a whole HELL of a lot until now. I think he's doing a GREAT job at, you know, NOT creating a no fly zone (aka WW3) even as most Americans want it. I don't think people really understand what they're asking for.

But this ain't good. The chemical weapon bit...it's REALLY not good, whatever the truth is.

Edit: also, i'm gonna say this AGAIN, as I've been using 98% of my free time (and 99% of my time is free), following this shit from all angles:

It's HARD to tell what's really going on. It isn't just Russia using propaganda. I mean, fuck Russia, of course. But there's propaganda coming from every direction.
This is war.

[allegate]

[elevenism]

To be fair, I happened to see Marco Rubio questioning the Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, on C-Span, via youtube.
(I'm not sure if that's the original clip, and forgive me if it has any spin).

B. To me, three countries have agendas and vested interests, here. Is Russia the worst offender?
Yes, generally.
But that doesn't mean there aren't half truths and propaganda coming from Ukraine and the US.
I'm just being realistic.

I learned PRETTY damn quickly not to trust even THIS country when it comes to war rhetoric and coverage and such.

[cdm]

To me, Rubio's lack of "gotcha" follow-up is most telling here. They'd love to pin something like that on a Democratic admin. Biolab can mean a lot of things and most explanations are not nefarious. Unless more specific info comes out it seems like hullabaloo over nothing.

[elevenism]

To me, Rubio's lack of "gotcha" follow-up is most telling here. They'd love to pin something like that on a Democratic admin. Biolab can mean a lot of things and most explanations are not nefarious. Unless more specific info comes out it seems like hullabaloo over nothing.

see I felt like it was the other way round, honestly.

I thought Rubio was expecting her to say "no."
I felt like he wanted to QUELL such rumors.

And his follow up question WASN'T about pinning things on anyone but Russia.

[elevenism]

Oh. Well, fuck. This isn't good.



They've also got that WNBA star, US Olympic Gold Medalist (they don't likey that), and lesbian (they REALLY don't like that part), Brittany... Griner, I think?
They're holding her in Russia for what was PROBABLY some CBD oil.

And then there are other two poor bastards being held there from the US: their names escape me, but one of them ostensibly has tuberculosis and isnt being treated.

[cdm]

I don't know shit about shit regarding this whole biolab thing but Tulsi is going hard on the story and her reputation speaks for itself. Aside: apparently this "regime change war" is one she can get behind.

Edit:

[allegate]

[elevenism]

ANNNNNNNNND:

Tucker Carlson/Fox News is being used by Russian State TV as Pro Russian Propaganda

also, this is fucking great, and shows a bit of America's Own Newsboy's disturbing pro Putin bullshit.
(also, subscribe to Brian Tyler Cohen)

[Erneuert]

Putin comparing the way the West is treating Russia akin to how Germany treated the Jews. Give me a break.

[Erneuert]

LOL. Can I flip the NIN logo sideways and use it for my band?

Logo of Russian fast-food chain touted to replace McDonald's looks familiar

https://www.9news.com.au/world/russi...?app=applenews

[MrLobster]

[allegate]

[mfte]

Putin Fears Poisoning and Replaces All His Staff

https://www.insideedition.com/fearin...al-staff-73847

[allegate]

What's that, you want more propaganda? let's go then.

[allegro]

Clinton and GW Bush in Chicago, Kyiv’s sister city.

[MrLobster]

[allegro]

This is awesome:

[MrLobster]

This is awesome:

I had posted the original version to the "What Are You Listening to?" thread but they've since marked the video as private. It was powerful.

[allegate]

edit:

[Frozen Beach]

https://pitchfork.com/news/devo-dona...kraine-relief/
More bands should do this

[elevenism]

So, returning to the original title of this thread, day before yesterday, Zelensky said he was ready for peace talks with Russia, but if they fail, "it's gonna be motherfucking WW3 up in this bitch."
(my translation might be off slightly as i'm a bit rusty with Slavic languages, but i know he said something along those lines).
SO. i wonder: is Ukraine preparing to meet Russian demands, and this is one last ballsy statement?

That being said, i don't see Ukraine ceding a bunch of land, but it's possible.
BUT, reading between the lines, i'm PRETTY damn sure Russia insists on making a puppet state of Ukraine.
i DON'T see THAT happening.

And now, Japan is in the mix.
Eerier and eerier.

This talking, self aware turkey that's been in the news for decades was apparently trying to help broker a peace deal.
Per usual, as of today, the turkey seems to be sort of playing both sides.
Today, the turkey warned banks not to lend to banks trading liras offshore.

Turkey jokes aside, this financial warfare is a trip. It's obviously horrifying, but it's also interesting to watch.

[ickyvicky]

Last night they were saying Belarus is looking to join Ukraine in fighting.