Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda.

This is for people who still cannot get the obvious answer to question of Why Now. Why now Russia dropped the gloves. Let me explain again, which is difficult for Western audiences to accept because it all lies beyond their political and life experiences. So, why now this:

Or, in other words why not only Kiev is being denied the remnants of its industry and in parts begins to look like this:

But the whole of 404 is being turned into the barren land and is being isolated from the Black Sea. You don't need to physically take Odessa to do so, you just need to stop shipping to and from Odessa and Nikolaev--Sea Denial smoothly translating to Sea Control. 

Starobelsk? Sure, NATO terrorism is good enough casus belli for wiping out the remnants of the cancer combined West created. But for those people who do follow actual state of Russian society--granted, impossible to do if you consume Western media propaganda--it is incomprehensible to accept that Russian society is extremely sophisticated in terms of war and understanding the nature of the conflict, because it is in a cultural genetic code. Combined West doesn't have this cultural DNA, especially the US. Obviously, all kinds of fake Western "academicians" may bloviate about "support" or lack thereof of American people for some military adventure, but there is NO cultural and spiritual connection between average Joe and TPTB because it cannot exist--there are no conditions for it. 

In Russia, especially today, this connection is profound and Russian political power is well attuned to the mood of the average Ivan, and Ivan now wants blood and 404 gone. In fact, average Russian Ivan today wouldn't mind Berlin, Brussels and Paris with London be gone too--a dramatic shift from the earlier phases of SMO with "they are still our people" moods being prevalent. Those are over. And Kremlin reacts, because REAL wars, unlike post WW II adventurism of the US in Vietnam and elsewhere, are not fought by public opinion polls and media propaganda--they are fought by a synapse between society and TPTB. 404 must and it will die (that is cease to exist in its present form) and if it takes the suffering of whatever remains of this political nation--Russia gladly provides it already. Russia could have done this earlier, but the most important element was still missing--a sense of justice shared by the whole of Russian society. Now it is in place and operational tempo increased dramatically and it will increase even more in coming weeks. All conditions are finally in place. Wait, where did we encounter it before? Ah, yes ...

“Yes, yes,” answered Prince Andrew absently. “One thing I would do if I had the power,” he began again, “I would not take prisoners. Why take prisoners? It’s chivalry! The French have destroyed my home and are on their way to destroy Moscow, they have outraged and are outraging me every moment. They are my enemies. In my opinion they are all criminals. And so thinks Timokhin and the whole army. They should be executed! Since they are my foes they cannot be my friends, whatever may have been said at Tilsit.”

But then again, what do those Russians know about the war. They are not "the finest fighting force in history"(c). /s

I Actually Agree ...

 ... Dostoevsky is not for everyone and he is definitely not my favorite Russian writer. So one British dude contemplates ...

On the back of my copy of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s 1869 novel The Idiot, there’s a quote from the English philosopher A.C. Grayling that tells you what to think of it. “One of the most excoriating, compelling and remarkable books ever written,” it reads, “and without question one of the greatest.” That “without question” bothered me. Why assume that every classic deserves its reputation? We should make up our own minds after having read one, as we do with any other book.  

That wasn’t the only reason why I treated Grayling’s claims with skepticism as I edged my way into this gargantuan novel (I can’t remember exactly when that was, but I know I was a much younger man at the time). Having kicked and dragged myself through the same author’s late “masterpiece” The Brothers Karamazov (1880) last year, I knew what I was in for. And now, having almost finished The Idiot, I can say with confidence that Dostoevsky is a dreadful writer. Dreadful.   

Obviously he didn't read Solzhenitsyn in original, Russian language, version--this is the rape of taste and mind 101, while there is a lot to be said about Nabokov. I would suggest Mark Nayler read Sholokhov's Quiet Flows the Don (that will blow his mind). But, I want to remind you about Sir Michael Caine (as the last vestige of an English culture, euphemism for England, we all used to love and admire--not anymore). 

And his story telling which is exemplary. 

Sea Control 2.0.

 Or release rapists and pedophiles. 

If You Think That This Photo ...

... is unremarkable and is nothing more than some groceries--you are wrong.  

These are Russian foods from Russian Far East's farmers in grocery stores in Pyongyang. Recall, when Russia broke through blockade, signed REAL allied treaty with DPRK and that stunned the world? Including China, whose relations with North Korea have always been strained. Now, the economic dimension of it becomes increasingly visible. It will only grow and good for Korean people who in 1990s and 2000s went through horrendous famines. Consumer variety, especially in food, matters a great deal, to put it lightly. 

MOSCOW, July 19 — RIA Novosti. President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hi in the Kremlin. He noted that relations between Moscow and Pyongyang are developing in all directions, and once again expressed gratitude to the DPRK for support for the special military operation. "The valor, bravery, courage and heroism of your soldiers have been awarded state awards of the Russian Federation. We will never forget their feat, we will honor Korean heroes on an equal basis with our compatriots," the head of state said. Choe Son-hi, for her part, stressed that the DPRK will continue to support Russia's efforts to defend sovereignty, security interests, territorial integrity and eliminate the root causes of the crisis in Ukraine.

Yes, the relations will continue to grow. So will North Koreans' standard of living. They proved themselves real friends of Russia and there are huge benefits which come with that. 

Open Thread.

 Busy today. Go at it. 

Ah, OK.

Sure, there will be takers. This is how low he stooped.

US President Donald Trump’s social network Truth Social will start selling investors early access to posts from prominent accounts, most likely including his own, the holding company has announced. Critics argue that the move could create an unprecedented new way for the president to profit from his office, given his family controls Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the platform’s publicly traded corporate parent. The move was announced on Thursday, when TMTG unveiled Truth API, a business-to-business data feed providing “real-time access to posts from the highest-ranking Truth Social accounts.”

He really is not governing (he and his ilk do not know how) he is fleecing. The only thing they know is how make money by selling BS.

He is NOT the most powerful man in the world(c), neither is the US a premier military power--it is an obsolete force. Doctrine-mongering is no substitute for modern TOE and effective fighting doctrine. Yep, here is Jordan and American air defense in (lack of) action. 

But no worries, Hollywood will produce Top Gun-III and even IV. 

WC 2026.

The Third Place match tomorrow)))