It Is THE EVENT.

It is, of course, smeared with FIFA corruption and a shitload of other failures, not least Trump himself. But still, it remains the main sports event for humanity whether we want it or not, and venues are, actually, magnificent with the exception of ... yep--Metlife arena in New Jersey which was selected to host the final. The worst possible logistics and public accessibility. 

Seattle, however, has a hugely strong football tradition with Seattle Sounders being a cult locally and selling out all 68, 000 seats at Lumen Field often. 

Will I be watching it? When I have time. Who I will be rooting for? I generally support American boys, but my two favorite teams--Russia and Italy are not the part of it, and geopolitics still casts a long shadow over this event. I wish Iranian team all the success--they will be playing for the country in a hostile environment in the US. 

So, Mexico started with a bang at newly renovated and stunning historic Azteca today. Seattle Mexicans have been hanging out since 07-00  AM at the Barge. 

And please, let's not go into this innuendo of "bread and circuses". 

Now They Worry.

And they should (plus for the first time I support Lukuyanov). Suddenly, (this is a gist) one of the khohols who are still allowed at major Russian networks (this time it is TVC) Vakarchuk (Vakarov) complains that all references to "brotherly people" and "one people" have disappeared from Russian media. You see, Vladimir Putin doesn't use these terms anymore either. To which Lukuyanov responds that such terms do not exist in international relations. 

I was writing for years that 404 and its population DID form a political nation long time ago--it is ugly, it is despicable but it is nation nonetheless and it is NOT Russia. These people differ dramatically from Russians in their culture, values, outlook and these people are enemies of Russia and Russian people, period. In fact, the realization of this fact came too late, but it is better late than never that for a holder of 404 passport to get into Russia--it is an arduous process to finally make sure that Russia doesn't import anymore as was the case in 2010s sleeping cells of CIA, MI6 and GUR terrorists, who pretend to be "one people" with Russians. 

404 will never recover now, but the remnants will continue to bear the grudge (same as Germans did) against Russia who literally pulverized 404 into oblivion and continues to aggravate the situation for 404 and its Western curators. So, it is gratifying to see this myth (with roots in the Soviet Union) of "brotherly nation" dead and decomposing. Those Ukrainians who wanted to become Russians are for the most part in Russia already and in a generation they will become fully Russian culturally. So, 404 and its population should worry, because now there is very little sympathy to its plight on Russian side. 404 richly deserved it. Per Europe--its turn is coming. 

Rats Are Leaving ...

 ... a sinking ship. British people had enough, it looks like. 

Zubr and Others.

A reality check for those who still believe UAVs hype. They are, of course, a danger, but then again--the level of competencies of Russia in anti-drone technologies is beyond the grasp of all kinds of fanboys. Here are some technologies in serial production. For MOGs (Mobile Fire Groups) et al--Zubr (Bison). 

Anti-drone drones are also in massive use by Russian military in SVO zone.

As practice has shown--average NATO military "planner" is rigid, lacks (not surprisingly) serious tactical and operational depth due to an extremely weak STEM (as applied to warfare) education and the only thing he (she) knows is "leverage". The only "leverage" they think they have are drones, they are wrong. They lack understanding of scales. And they are butthurt--Maria Zakharova stated as much today when commenting on these barbarians' from London and Paris attack of Defense of Sevastopol 1854-55 Panorama. Losers. 

Nima and Me ...

 ... live in 15 minutes. 

Again, I Do Not Exaggerate ...

... when I speak about the US (NATO) de facto not having real air defense. Random AD complexes such as Patriot PAC3 here and there the real air defense is not. So, Ben Hodges suddenly arrives (on his hilarious YT channel) to the conclusion of which I write for decades really: 

American Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems were unable to resist Russian missiles, said the former commander of US forces in Europe, Lieutenant General Ben Hodges. "Nine missiles were fired at Kyiv. Nine missiles reached their targets. None were intercepted. None were hit by Patriot batteries, which the United States provided specifically to protect Kyiv from strikes of this kind," Hodges said in a video for his blog. According to him, other Western systems that have become part of the Ukrainian multi-level air defense system did not work either. "It failed because Russia has created a missile capability that the current generation of air defense systems provided by NATO cannot handle. It is unpleasant to admit, but it is so," the general said.

As I repeat ad nauseam, US Armed Forces TOE is that of the force from 1990s designed to fight "fairy tales" wars against supremely backward, corrupt and incompetent opponent. This IS NOT just technological problem, it is a cultural one and because of that it cannot be fixed by applying band aid here and there. Doctrine is a system of the views, the US has views but not the system. 

Per NATO (inspired by British) on Sevastopol's Panorama, as it turned out the magnificent Roubaud's painting of 30 000 square meters is generally safe.  The building will be restored. Not the first time, Nazis destroyed it before. 

NATO, being impotent and seeing its own demise lashes out at kindergartens, schools, hospitals and museums. British cannot rest while this magnificent historic art piece, depicting 349 day defense of Sevastopol during Crimean War where British-French-Turkish forces have been bled white, stands. 

The Parmesan Has Fallen ...

 ... yep, import substitution as tried on Italians. No need to know Italian.