International Relations

Justice and fairness, but we'll sanction you if you try to prosecute our war criminals, or those of our friends.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/ … rime-probe

The US has decided that criminal investigations into those who mass murder civilians is a crime.

Ukraine:

EU to issue €90 billion in joint debt for Ukraine after hitting a wall on reparations loan

"EU leaders fail to strike a deal on an unprecedented reparations loan for Ukraine, turning to joint debt instead to finance a €90 billion loan. Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia will not participate in the scheme.

European leaders will raise €90 billion in joint debt to fund Ukraine for the next two years after hitting a wall on a plan to issue anations loan.

Faced with a stalemate over Belgian demands to obtain unlimited guarantees before tapping into the immobilised Russian assets hosted in the country, EU leaders turned to issuing joint debt to keep Kyiv afloat next year and in 2027 against the bloc's common budget.

Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia will not participate in the scheme."

Finally they managed to get something over the line in this year.   It's still not enough for UA (Ukraine) but it buys time.  And it could be enough time to eventually block the US benefitting from their (Russia and US) "peace plan" seizure of Russian funds held in Europe.   I couldn't believe anyone would take that seriously. 

Epstein:

Frustration mounts at Justice Department as it races to redact some Epstein files, sources say

"Frustration is mounting inside the Justice Department as it races to redact thousands of pages of files related to Jeffrey Epstein before they must be released Friday, multiple sources familiar with the process told CNN.

A substantial number of redactions are needed, one of the sources said, and the documents each attorney is processing since Thanksgiving week can number more than 1,000 — a time-consuming task that likely will come down to the wire. The sensitivities of executive and legal privacy, victims’ protections and other concerns all could play in to the choices the lawyers must make when it comes to potential redactions."

It's about time. Today (19 December 2025) is the day for release of the Epstein files.   If they aren't released, US DoJ is in big trouble for contempt of congress.  We've seen a lot of photos but there's nothing sufficiently salacious to gossip about.  Or to involve the very rich and powerful.  That's what we all want. To see people implicated. 

Ukraine:EU to issue €90 billion in joint debt for Ukraine after hitting a wall on reparations loanloan.Faced with a stalemate over Belgian demands to obtain unlimited guarantees before tapping into the immobilised Russian assets hosted in the country, EU leaders turned to issuing joint debt to keep Kyiv afloat next year and in 2027 against the bloc's common budget.Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia will not participate in the scheme.". - @fluffy2560

In the real news, Belgium wanted proof the EU weren't going to be landed with a massive bill to replace the stolen cash when the mess is over - The EU were unable to show that

Given they stole the money, it's not much of a surprise.

The new plan, if it's worthy of that designation,  is to borrow a fat sack of cash that amounts to around 20% of the EU's yearly defence budget,  but on a non-EU country.  At  the end of the day, the loan is down to the EU's taxpayers to fund.

I wonder how many individual tax payers would agree to paying for that.

I see three countries have shown common sense in so much as they have both rejected the massive financial debt AND refused to be part of an idiotic scheme that could easily drag many European countries into direct conflict with Russia.

This stupidity has the potential to start a far wider war, perhaps even a world War if the US uses the opportunity to attack China.

The level of idiocy is stunning,  and that is not just the political stupidly,  but includes the ordinary people who blindly support such moronic causes because they believe the lies about this not being about control of the oil industry and armaments companies' profits.

Share prices:

I reckon defence and resource stocks is a sector worth understanding. I've been looking at these companies and their involvement around the world.

1. Rheinmetal (Germany) - tanks, armoured vehicles etc
2. BAE (British Aerospace) - armaments including aircraft, guns and missiles
3. Rolls-Royce (defence parts, not the cars) - engines and turbines and nuclear energy
4. Rio-Tinto (mining all over) - copper and iron
5. BHP/Broken Hill (mining mainly down under) - various

With war potentially on the horizon and large injections of cash into these businesses, shares may rise quite some amount.   Even if there is no war, there's the deterrent investment. 

Obviously on the one hand there are ethical considerations in so many ways. On the other hand one might be seen as patriotic to support European and Allied industry (not including the USA) to defend one's country. 

I'm not convinced by the "AI boom" at all.  I think it's like the dot.com bubble. 

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerosp … 025-12-19/

This is getting dangerously close to a far more serious conflict.

Ukraine has once again attacked a civilian tanker from a third country.

The vessel is owned by a company on Oman.

The ship has been transporting oil from Russia to India.

It is purely civilian with no weapons of any sort.

When it boils down, Ukaraine has attacked a civilan vessel owned by a country that is not engaged in the war.

A clear crime.

Share prices:
I reckon defence and resource stocks is a sector worth understanding. I've been looking at these companies and their involvement around the world. - @fluffy2560

I agree

https://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/20 … v22_EN.pdf

Corrupt EU politicians get bribes from armaments companies to keep up sales - in the latest case - the Ukraine war.

There you go - You now have understanding.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VorME7I6- … Jmcg%3D%3D

These protesters know what the real score is. The EU is pushing for a war, but at least some people know what that will mean.

Trump won't rule out attacking a country that has no serious ability to attack the US.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/19/crude-o … zuela.html

The US has started many wars over the years, many were about stealing oil, but this is the most blatant ever.

https://en.yenisafak.com/world/putin-of … ia-3712114

Putin has offered a ceasefire if free and fair elections are held in Ukraine.

Many don't know because it doesn't suit the 'truth' as we are fed, but Ukraine refused to allow most of the east of that country to vote in its post-revolution elections.

They couldn't because they would have lost and the pre-revolution, freely elected government (elections held under international observation) would have returned to power.

Ukraine, not surprisingly, has refused. They know they can't because they will lose to the pro-Russian majority in their country.

Perhaps the best way to end the war is for all the pro-Russian areas to become part of Russia, and leave the rest of Ukraine to their corrupt government.

Time to stock up on beans and rice, iodine tablets as well.

No, they would use those weapons that take out all life but leave the buildings standing.

Trump said he was anti war, big liar.

Everything they say, is opposite of what they do.

Saw a video of the US Navy going aboard an oil tanker and taking it over.

Out right thief. Just murdering anyone in the way. Think so far at least 100 have lost their lives from these US raids. That number is probably higher .

The world currency, the Dollar is weak so they are using their military to make things even Steven.

No gold behind the dollar but a strong military. Bullies really.

I am American but can see this is not the way to go.

Most people want zero to do with war.

Time to stock up on beans and rice, iodine tablets as well.
No, they would use those weapons that take out all life but leave the buildings standing.
Trump said he was anti war, big liar.
Everything they say, is opposite of what they do.
Saw a video of the US Navy going aboard an oil tanker and taking it over.
Out right thief. Just murdering anyone in the way. Think so far at least 100 have lost their lives from these US raids. That number is probably higher .
The world currency, the Dollar is weak so they are using their military to make things even Steven.
No gold behind the dollar but a strong military. Bullies really.
I am American but can see this is not the way to go.
Most people want zero to do with war. - @Marilyn Tassy

From the European perspective, I think it would be fair to say many view the US as now an unreliable partner.   

The Venezuela thing is an easy win because of Trump's belief in the spheres of influence vis-a-vis Monroe doctrine:

Americas: Trump

Europe: Putin

Asia: Xi

Africa: Don't know

It's such a shame, we always viewed the US as friends and allies but now I am not so sure.   On the other hand, it could be swinging the other way against Trump so maybe in 4 years, we return to  an approximate balance.  The mid-terms will give us a good indication.   European defence industries are being given a serious investment boost.  Hence my previous posting on watching the sector.

Americas: Trump
Europe: Putin
Asia: Xi

Africa: Don't know
- @fluffy2560

America - Trump if he kills a bunch of people in yet another illegal war.

EU -  An EU dictatorship because Putin has nothing to gain from war, much as many EU governments are trying to start one.

Asia - Local governments because China knows war is nothing when compared to working with other countries. The UK and US tried and failed, but Chinese planners have more common sense than to try failed tactics.

Africa - Local governments in close trading relationships with the rest of the BRICS block, probably using Indonesia's QRIS as a payments method.

Africa - a lot of African countries were bitten by Chinese financing and hence indebtedness. Djibouti is one example.   

I've travelled extensively in Africa for work and it's all SWIFT based and central banks use traditional and well trusted commercial systems. Nothing wrong there for payments.   

One of the most interesting thing is the rise of Chinese farming in places like Zambia.  It's been called a land grab but others refute that.  I was in Zambia 20 years ago when that was starting up and even then there were concerns.

There were concerns recently over the amount of cash being held in mobile companies (who are not regulated banks) due to the rise of M-Pesa like transfer systems.  That was mainly in Kenya but M-Pesa type systems exist all over Africa.   There's a division in Africa between Anglo-, Franco- and Luso-phone countries over technology and not a lot of crossover but SWIFT for external settlement is common.

No-one has heard of QRIS in Africa.  Most African (and other) countries have highly centralised government systems. Latitude of local governments (cf. federalised states)  is minimal to strike own deals or use external finance systems.   

Time to stock up on beans and rice, iodine tablets as well. No, they would use those weapons that take out all life but leave the buildings standing.Trump said he was anti war, big liar.Everything they say, is opposite of what they do.Saw a video of the US Navy going aboard an oil tanker and taking it over.Out right thief. Just murdering anyone in the way. Think so far at least 100 have lost their lives from these US raids. That number is probably higher .The world currency, the Dollar is weak so they are using their military to make things even Steven.No gold behind the dollar but a strong military. Bullies really.I am American but can see this is not the way to go.Most people want zero to do with war. - @Marilyn Tassy

Not really sure Putin has the depth to take on a combined NATO force.  NATO outguns him by a long way.  The US is the biggest problem.  If the US was properly on board instead of brown nosing Putin, it'd be all over quickly.   Collapse of the new Soviet Union Putin style can only be a good thing in the long term.  Trump is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Putin.   The rewards downstream of Putin are going to be huge.  But it needs Russia to break up into (properly independent or) federated states.

I see this morning Steve Witless is going to hang out with his Putin handlers again. Gimme a break.

From Europe, I don't really think anyone cares about Venezuela other than the oil price. And even then influence of oil is likely to wane in the longer term.  There's always oil to find elsewhere.

As for the US dollar, I would personally tell people to steer clear of it.  Not least because US dollar transactions, all pass through the Federal Reserve and are monitored.  Not to say others aren't monitored too.  But it adds to the cost.

While the US Dollar is a (world) reserve currency, the Euro, Japanese Yen, even the Australian Dollar is likely to be a better bet.  Donny is adding to the US national debt for short term gain to pay for tax cuts.  It's ultimately unsustainable but Donny doesn't care. He knows his days are numbered - he's enriching his family as a legacy as he knows he'll never stand trial for it.

I like the Euro because if someone pays you Euro account to Euro account (anywhere), it's pretty much instantaneously settled.

Epstein:

Looks like DOJ have lost the plot over the Epstein Transparency Act.

5 takeaways from the Justice Department’s Epstein files release

It seems impossible Trump isn't in some of these photos.

What we need to see is Maxwell out of jail, on a plane to France (she's a citizen), and fully deposed there.  France doesn't extradite its citizens.   Maxwell is the only one who truly knows who, what, where,, when and why things were going on. Trump isn't going to let her go until the last minute of his term as President.  If she was able to give evidence without being leaned on, then it could bring TACO man down.

Maybe there needs to be Maxwell Freedom Act with parole while she gets deposed in another country, e.g France.  Then maybe there's Epstein transparency.

What we need to see is Maxwell out of jail, - @fluffy2560

You might very well support releasing an evil feeder of children to paedophiles, but I would prefer she rot in gaol until she dies.

Each to his own, but I have no time for such people.

Africa - a lot of African countries were bitten by Chinese financing and hence indebtedness. Djibouti is one example. 
I've travelled extensively in Africa for work and it's all SWIFT based and central banks use traditional and well trusted commercial systems. Nothing wrong there for payments.
- @fluffy2560

https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/djibouti

Djibouti has a score of 31 this year, with a change of 1 since last year, meaning it ranks 127 out of 180 countries.

As with the previous government of Sri Lanka, the problem isn't servicing debt from loans, it's corruption.

Telling part of a story and publishing fake conclusions in order to suit your hate for the Chinese simply exposes your racism (again).

As for Swift, the reason countries are ditching it isn't inefficiency - it's the way the US weaponised it when they stole Russia's money. Countries that trade with BRICS nations have to limit their risk so they ditch Swift. Indonesia's QRIS system is exceptionally well designed so is spreading abroad very quickly.

I would wager that the EU are looking at it with jealous eyes. Indonesia has created an extremely easy to use international payments system that has been adopted by every bank in Indonesia, and pretty much 100% of the population. QRIS has moved smoothly into several countries because of how useful it is to the people and banks alike - Something the EU's somewhat pathetc version - The EPI - has failed to do in the same timeframe.

I can walk into a shop in Malaysia and use the same payments apps as I do in Wonderful Indonesia. No admin fees and no messing around changing money. Tourists from both countries are on a serious winner there - We have made the EU look more than a little pathetic.

The same will apply in every other country that adopts QRIS, but without the risk of  theft by the US of A.

Yet another pirate attack

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0mpy1ynnzzo

The unarmed civilian, Hong Kong owned tanker, imo 9206310, was attacked and  boarded by US combat troops earlier today. The hijacked ship will likely end up in the US where its stolen cargo will be offloaded and used in US refineries.

It really is time for an international force to run an anti-pirate convoy system in order to deter this threat to civilian vessels.

Just for readers information:

From a consumer angle, having an app that users QR codes seems like all there is but I can assure readers that there is a lot more going on behind the scenes.  And much of what happens behind the scenes is entirely normal and standard.  Only the app appears different.  I am extremely familiar with this subject matter.

Applications for instant payments are commonplace and nowadays international banking is being challenged by instant payment newcomers like Revolut (operates in many countries) and Wave (pan-African). Other regions have their own version doing similar things.  Some operate widely - Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, whatever pay.  All doing the same things.  Interesting note how Visa and Mastercard are involved at the back end processing of many retail payment systems. Card or touch or mobile payments are part of this eco-system.  These are small value as far as the consumer sees.   

Transactions in the billions are not processed this way. Large amounts are treated differently in bank settlement and national and international payments are also processed differently. 

Some regional retail system for banking transactions are not going to work internationally and other mechanisms are used.  And that mechanism, at least in Europe and universally is available elsewhere is SWIFT.   It's not a government system but it is subject to laws where it operates and it can be ordered to behave in certain ways. 

The US has its own system run by the Federal Reserve (their Central Bank).  Other places like Japan, Australia and New Zealand also have their own versions but there is a common factor everywhere in the world and that is their central bank.  All settlement systems are directly run or directly regulated by central banks.   It's the same in Indonesia.  I looked at their central bank web site.  All standard settlement software.

Anyway, just to say, SWIFT is a messaging system.  It does not hold any money. Banks themselves do it on receiving correctly formed instructions via SWIFT.   

There's nothing to stop a country converting its currency into gold or diamonds or oil some other tradeable commodity and transporting it elsewhere to pay a debt.  Awkward, sure, but possible.

Crypto is another matter.

Just for readers information:
From a consumer angle, having an app that users QR codes seems like all there is but I can assure readers that there is a lot more going on behind the scenes. And much of what happens behind the scenes is entirely normal and standard. Only the app appears different. I am extremely familiar with this subject matter..

There's nothing to stop a country converting its currency into gold or diamonds or oil some other tradeable commodity and transporting it elsewhere to pay a debt. Awkward, sure, but possible.
- @fluffy2560

Clearly your familiarity with such systems is more than a little in your own head.

QRIS is totally different from other payment methods. It is run by the central bank (as you were lucky enough to guess correctly), but it is entirely compatible with every bank and payment app in Indonesia.  It doesn't matter which bank you use, or even if you don't have an account at all, you can pay at any shop that uses any bank or app. You can also accept payments from anyone using any bank or wallet that's based in Indonesia.

Even better, the system is spreading to other countries so I can use it there as well.

As for the extremely inaccurate bold red, ask Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela how it works for them. ... oh, and some ICC judges.

US based payment methods leave you subject to theft by the US government,  so it's clearly a very good idea not to use US systems.

As for your erroneous statement about non-US Dollar transactions being awkward- What a load of old rubbish. Something short of 50% of world trade is non-Dollar, so I would be bold enough to suggest the possibility you are talking out of a hole much lower than your mouth.

Well, whatever you want.   

There is nothing special about QR code based transactions managed on a smartphone.  It's just normal and increasingly universal.  I can tell you that no-one is using a smartphone app to transfer billions of a reserve currency.

You are way out of  your league on this one.   This subject area is often where I earn my daily bread. I know this subject intimately so don't even try to tell me how it works or how it is organised.

You're better off asking me questions to fill in the gaps in your knowledge and thereby get better educated.

Well, whatever you want. There is nothing special about QR code based transactions managed on a smartphone. It's just normal and increasingly universal. - @fluffy2560

I'm sure readers would love you to post a list of countries that use a QR payment system that works with every bank and payment app in that country, can be used in a number of other countries, and does not require a bank account to access.

Oh, and is independent from US systems.

Hang on, it must has a massive adoption rate to the point it's hard to find a shop that doesn't accept it, and it must be fee free for customers, and have automatic money changing at no cost if used in another country.

I'm sure a man of your claimed knowledge can jot them down in a jiffy, but one starts with a C. The list is very short.

I'm sure readers would love you to post a list of countries that use a QR payment system that works with every bank and payment app in that country, can be used in a number of other countries, and does not require a bank account to access.
Oh, and is independent from US systems.
Hang on, it must has a massive adoption rate to the point it's hard to find a shop that doesn't accept it, and it must be fee free for customers, and have automatic money changing at no cost if used in another country.
I'm sure a man of your claimed knowledge can jot them down in a jiffy, but one starts with a C. The list is very short. - @Fred

Ok, carry on believing as you wish.  It's my daily job to know about this subject in the real world.

There are plenty of these types of things the world over.  Even in the UK they exist.  The unbanked is a social problem as well as a financial one.   Most people in the UK just use retail touch payments without thinking what is going on behind it all. 

US settlement is Federal Reserve -  100%.  If one does not conduct transactions in USD, then they don't come into it. 

Hence the European Central Bank (ECB) deals with Euros,  Indonesian Central Bank settles that currency, the Rupiah.  Bank of England settles Sterling. And so on.   

And it is always organised like that as the issuer (the central bank) is often the regulator and they set the rules for participation in a national payment system.  No-one gets a national banking license without participation in the locally run settlement system.

What you mainly are talking about are retail payment systems that you see every day in your life. 

But that's just a part of it mainly characterised by large volumes of smaller amounts.  Large amounts in smaller volumes are not settled in retail situations.  They are handled elsewhere.  The reason is that transactions that are large will have impacts beyond the parties involved so there's an element of planning and negotiation in it, particularly in the public sector.

I can fill in gaps as you want but ask sensible questions. 

I can fill in gaps as you want but ask sensible questions. - @fluffy2560

So you can't manage the requested list.

That's OK - I know you are far too busy to google it.

US settlement is Federal Reserve - 100%. If one does not conduct transactions in USD, then they don't come into it. - @fluffy2560

That, of course, is the whole idea. None of my local banking has anything to do with the US of thieves. Essentially, they can't steal money from, or control, or place restrictions on, people who don't use their systems.

US settlement is Federal Reserve - 100%. If one does not conduct transactions in USD, then they don't come into it.  - @fluffy2560
That, of course, is the whole idea. None of my local banking has anything to do with the US of thieves. Essentially, they can't steal money from, or control, or place restrictions on, people who don't use their systems. - @Fred

That's just normal practice.  Nothing to see there.

I can fill in gaps as you want but ask sensible questions.  - @fluffy2560
So you can't manage the requested list.
That's OK - I know you are far too busy to google it. - @Fred

Ask a specific question about how it works.  I can tell you.   

BTW, we use QR codes here with "Yellow Cheques" (actually giro slips). And it's called Qvik codes (this would be Hungarian pronunciation of Quick).  It's not the only way, we can use Google Pay etc.  Here's a hint. Those aren't banks but payment processors.

US settlement is Federal Reserve - 100%. If one does not conduct transactions in USD, then they don't come into it. - @fluffy2560
That, of course, is the whole idea. None of my local banking has anything to do with the US of thieves. Essentially, they can't steal money from, or control, or place restrictions on, people who don't use their systems. - @Fred
That's just normal practice. Nothing to see there. - @fluffy2560

Not unless you are the US central bank and you're watching your currency's market share drop year on year, and you know you won't be able to service your debts if the trend continues. Whilst it's true the mighty Dollar is the king of forex, its position in world trade is dropping year on year.

So, where is the requested lists of countries with a system even close to Indonesia's QRIS system?

surely an expert like you can find a minute to google it.

Not unless you are the US central bank and you're watching your currency's market share drop year on year, and you know you won't be able to service your debts if the trend continues. Whilst it's true the mighty Dollar is the king of forex, its position in world trade is dropping year on year.
So, where is the requested lists of countries with a system even close to Indonesia's QRIS system?
surely an expert like you can find a minute to google it. - @Fred

You can Google it yourself.  I did mention Wave in African countries before.  And Revolut is common in Europe now. Look all those up and you'll see it's all ubiquitous and normal.

It'll take a long time before the USD is not dominant.   EUR, JPY, AUD are all good too.  These are reserve currencies.  It's common to sign contracts in a reserve currency to hedge against currency fluctuations.  This is why commodities are priced in reserve currencies.

US central bank is the Federal Reserve.   Best call it that as it's printed on their notes.

HU:

Ukraine's collapse would be a disaster for Hungary, says Orbán

The Hungarian Prime Minister said Hungary must help to prevent the collapse of Ukraine or order to "value its own piece of land."

The Hungarian Prime Minister - for the first time after 15 years in power - faces real resistance at the upcoming elections, and his campaign emphasising his experience in international politics.

"Make no mistake: Ukraine’s collapse would be a disaster for Hungary. So the collapse of Ukraine is not only in Hungary's interest, but we must do a great deal to prevent it from happening. Countryside people - and real estate speculators - understand perfectly that the value of your piece of land is influenced not only by the condition of that land, but also by the condition of the neighbouring piece of land, and also by who lives there."

Hard to know which direction OV is going on this.  He seems to be shifting, possibly because he's in very visible trouble before elections in April 2026.  Not sure what his point was beyond the obvious.

It looks like the US navy is about to attack and hijack another tanker off Venezuela.

Sanctions and seizures against US shipping in order to pay reparations are in order.

Yet another pirate attack
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0mpy1ynnzzo

The unarmed civilian, Hong Kong owned tanker, imo 9206310, was attacked and boarded by US combat troops earlier today. The hijacked ship will likely end up in the US where its stolen cargo will be offloaded and used in US refineries.
It really is time for an international force to run an anti-pirate convoy system in order to deter this threat to civilian vessels. - @Fred

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/china … la/3777368

China has complained about the pirate attacks, hijacking,  and theft.

The problem is that the US hijacked a Hong Kong owned ship that is nothing to do with the US.

The situation requires one serious miscalculation to start a shooting war.

Trump is building a fleet of new warships.

The Golden Fleet.Naming them after himself!

OK, let the games begin.

Trump is building a fleet of new warships.The Golden Fleet.Naming them after himself!OK, let the games begin. - @Marilyn Tassy

This is bizarre.  He's already renamed the Kennedy Center after himself and now he's working on Trump Class warships.   Hasn't he got other things to do? It makes me wonder how much gold, glitter and faux baroque accoutrements will be installed in the warship's ballroom. 

I am wonder if we're seeing some problem with his head.  It's a kind of twist on wanting to leave a legacy or worse, a cult.  He must know his days are numbered.  The guy is close to 80.  He's not going to live forever and he's looking quite dodgy healthwise.  There's the stumble on Air Force One steps, unable to walk in a straight line, swollen ankles, the unexplained MRI and wot not. 

What he doesn't seem to realise is the next President is going to reverse his changes.  That's going to be the process.

A few channels are doing reviews on the 1st Trump 2.0 year.    We forget the crazy nuts things he's done. We should not let those go.  They should form a kind of example of how not to run a government.  And how not to enrich yourself at others' expense.   I don't want to forgive and I don't want to forget.  I feel the same about the lunacy of Boris Johnson, Brexit, Orban and Putin's invasion of Ukraine. 

Oh, and there's more stuff on Epstein today.   Have to wait for the highlights on the latest.

Following up on my defence stocks posting, the Economist posted the following (today):

"Defence stocks explode...

The business of war is booming. Geopolitical tension and Europe’s race to rearm after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have fuelled demand for rocket-launchers, helicopters and submarines. McKinsey, a consultancy, reckons European defence spending will increase by a cumulative €700bn-800bn ($815bn-934bn) between 2022 and 2028. Germany alone plans to spend €215bn a year on its armed forces.....Rheinmetall's stock price is up from €37 in 2013 to €1900 in 2025"

Some people are going to make a lot of money out of death and destruction or at least the threat of it.  By 2030, maximum, maybe earlier, 2028, we'll know the answer if we'll be learning Russian (again, in HU anyway).

Some people are going to make a lot of money out of death and destruction or at least the threat of it. By 2030, maximum, maybe earlier, 2028, we'll know the answer if we'll be learning Russian (again, in HU anyway). - @fluffy2560

After a very nice explanation as to why the EU is supporting Ukraine (a non democratic revolutionary government that replaced an internationally recognised democracy), we then hear the unthinking acceptance of US propaganda.

The CIA has been following the same playbook since they overthrew Iran's democracy in 1953 (Operation AJEX).

Their spooks went over there with a sack of cash, paid well placed traitors to cause trouble,  then set a coup in motion so they could get the oil rights back.

The world believed the story.

The lies were effective because nobody had ever done anything quite like it before.

The Iraq war lies still convinced most because the vast majoroty of people were unaware of OPAJAX, but there were some mass protests.  The press were paid handsomely to paint the protesters as dangerous extremists with ultra-left ideologies.

We have a little to suggest the CIA were deeply responsible for the removal of Ukraine's demovracy.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26079957

(US officials deciding who should run Ukraine)

Before it became fashionable and profitable to be anti-Russian,  the press used to mention The CIA's attempts to remove governments, including Ukraine's democracy.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/ … kraine.usa

Now we have the unthinking trying to suggest Russia will take over Europe and force their language on the EU, but not a word about the US trying to steal Greenland and the US military threatening to invade Venezuela.

People letting the US and UK get away with starting the Iraq war was understandable in so much as we know their dictatorship was pretty nasty and the public were largely unaware of how intelligence services operate,  but now we are - and that takes away the excuse for epic dumbness.

Trump is building a fleet of new warships.The Golden Fleet.Naming them after himself!OK, let the games begin. - @Marilyn TassyThis is bizarre. He's already renamed the Kennedy Center after himself and now he's working on Trump Class warships. Hasn't he got other things to do? It makes me wonder how much gold, glitter and faux baroque accoutrements will be installed in the warship's ballroom. I am wonder if we're seeing some problem with his head. It's a kind of twist on wanting to leave a legacy or worse, a cult. He must know his days are numbered. The guy is close to 80. He's not going to live forever and he's looking quite dodgy healthwise. There's the stumble on Air Force One steps, unable to walk in a straight line, swollen ankles, the unexplained MRI and wot not. What he doesn't seem to realise is the next President is going to reverse his changes. That's going to be the process.A few channels are doing reviews on the 1st Trump 2.0 year.  We forget the crazy nuts things he's done. We should not let those go. They should form a kind of example of how not to run a government. And how not to enrich yourself at others' expense. I don't want to forgive and I don't want to forget. I feel the same about the lunacy of Boris Johnson, Brexit, Orban and Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Oh, and there's more stuff on Epstein today. Have to wait for the highlights on the latest. - @fluffy2560

Perhaps he knows something we do not.

Maybe he will score a 3rd term due to unseen events coming soon?

My husband says war is coming soon.

I have no idea if any place will be not effected if so.

What is best, to be in Hungary or somewhere else?

Maybe he (Trump) will score a 3rd term due to unseen events coming soon?
My husband says war is coming soon.
I have no idea if any place will be not effected if so.
What is best, to be in Hungary or somewhere else? - @Marilyn Tassy

I would be far from shocked if Trump decided to think of a reason not to hold the next election. Frankly, I expect him to try.

As for war, pretty likely - It's how big a war, not if one will happen. The second tanker that the US hijacked was Hong Kong owned and delivering oil to China. That could lead to a lot more if China decided to escort its oil shipments. Let's hope not.

As for safe places, it would depend upon who is shooting at whom. In a localised war close to the US, pretty much everywhere would be fine. If that war expanded to political blocks - Who knows?

If he was stupid enough to invade Greenland, that would be a different story as far as Europe goes, and NATO would be history.