International Relations

Iran seems to have been waiting for this war for years. Its leadership is hydra-headed, programmed to replace itself. It has so far proven surprisingly capable of responding to attacks with speed and strategy despite its enemies' claims it has been decapitated. - @SimCityAT

Yes, indeed.   

I wonder about the foreign prisoners aka hostages held in Evin prison on trumped charges.

Iran is a very different animal to Venezuela.

Words coming out of Trump's mouth seem to be suggesting he's going to pull out.   How typical.  Come in, screw it up and clear off.

BTW, adverts on Saudi Airlines are all about Trump's hotels and branding.   Talk about a turn off.  I can see that brand being poisionous for several generations.  If I were the Saudis I'd be running in the opposite direction from DJT.

EU/HU:

Hungarian foreign minister admits calling Russia's Lavrov during key EU meetings

"Hungarian FM Péter Szijjártó has confirmed he regularly contacts Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov during private EU meetings following reports alleging routine communication during breaks in Brussels meetings. Szijjártó said talking to other partners is the essence of diplomacy."

I'd call those phone calls reporting in to handlers.   He was speaking at election rallies and someone held up a banner which said, "Got your apartment in Moscow yet?"   

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg547ljepvzo

Traders bet hundreds of millions of dollars on oil contracts just minutes before US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the US would postpone strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure.

"So there has been some speculation about insider trading. We don't know if that's true, but hopefully there will be some sort of investigation into that," she (Rachel Winter), added.

Just a guess, but I suspect a number of people have bribed Trump

It goes like this:

1. Trump makes a post that tells the world of talks with Iran
2. Oil prices fall
3. Trump's mates buy low
4. Iran tells the truth that there are no talks
5. Oil prices go up
6. Trump's mate sell and make millions.

Trump gets his cut.

...Just a guess, but I suspect a number of people have bribed Trump - @Fred

That's not how you spell blackmailed.

HU:

PM Orbán: We will take over and transform Brussels

"Opening the event, Prime Minister Orbán described the gathering as a historic first, with patriotic parties convening in Budapest to adopt a common declaration in defense of European nations and freedom. Responding to claims that Hungary is isolated, the prime minister rejected the criticism, pointing to the presence of allied leaders as proof of a growing international alignment.....etc"

The delusion is in full swing as OV spirals towards the plughole. 

I remember a manifesto from one of the major parties in the UK.  At the time, it was considered completely delusional.   Some commentators labelled it "the longest suicide note in history".

I'm getting shades of that and deja-vu in Orban's increasing desperation and extremism. 

...Just a guess, but I suspect a number of people have bribed Trump - @Fred
That's not how you spell blackmailed. - @Aidan in HCMC

Someone on the radio said a $1.5B trade/bet was placed 5m before Trump's messaging.

More security holes than a swiss cheese plant.

...Just a guess, but I suspect a number of people have bribed Trump - @Fred

That's not how you spell blackmailed. - @Aidan in HCMC

Someone on the radio said a $1.5B trade/bet was placed 5m before Trump's messaging.
More security holes than a swiss cheese plant. - @fluffy2560

I suspect the "inside traders" will be, as we say in Newfoundland, busier than a dog with two dix.

...Just a guess, but I suspect a number of people have bribed Trump - @FredThat's not how you spell blackmailed. - @Aidan in HCMCSomeone on the radio said a $1.5B trade/bet was placed 5m before Trump's messaging.More security holes than a swiss cheese plant. - @fluffy2560I suspect the "inside traders" will be, as we say in Newfoundland, busier than a dog with two dix. - @Aidan in HCMC

In Hungary we have a political party called "the two tailed dog" (party).   

They parody the establishment but haven't really got any traction (or action so to speak).

They are quite popular.  Not sure what their "real" policies are.  We might find out on the 12 April (Election Day).

Their logo:

https://youtu.be/sjLg8WFU4bI?si=2mx-dMLYSUlhfxw-

Really?

The first world leader in history to crap himself on live TV.

That was one bubbly fart.

The president of the United State of his underwear 🤣

HU:

Intercepted, injected with substance, cash taken: Ukraine bank staff details Hungarian seizure

"Over €70 million in Ukrainian Oschadbank's cash and gold remain seized in Hungary as the details emerge for the first time about how the Ukrainian team were detained and questioned by Hungarian authorities.

Hungarian customs authorities had all the necessary documents and had approved Ukraine’s Oschadbank cash and gold transit in advance, before the convoy was stopped and detained by Hungary’s anti-terrorism police, bank employees and officials said.

For the first time since the incident on 5 March, a member of the cash-in-transit team revealed more details about what happened that day on the Budapest ring road."

Report implies OV has personally ordered the money/valuables to be held for 60 days.  Obviously no-one in their right mind believes this is an anti-money laundering investigation.

HU:

Went to the petrol/gas station today and got 15,014 HUF (37.32 EUR) of petrol for my 2.5T 4L 4WD hobby car.  It's a gas guzzling monster but an agile performer in stressful conditions.

Anyhoo, I got 21.76L for my 15K HUF.   That's 690 HUF / litre (1.72 EUR/litre) .

Now the vaguely interesting part, the discount on 95 unleaded is 95 HUF (0.24 EUR, 595 HUF / litre), so I paid 12,947 (EUR 32.19 total) for the 21.76L.

So, we're being "subsidised" (or not ripped off) by 0.24 EUR/litre.

And for those in neighbouring countries, they did NOT ask to see the local registration documents.  They didn't seem to care.  Interesting in itself.  Deja-vu back from previous days on fuel subsidies that were widely enjoyed by drivers from AT and SK etc. 

I read that Slovenia (click for article) now has fuel rationing.  Makes me wonder if Melamine is going to be asking Herr Peace (Trump) what he's up to, screwing with her relatives. 

I expect we'll see people stockpiling fuel soon enough and visiting the stations with jerry cans.

IR/US:

Why Marines and The 82nd Airborne Division Are Being Sent to Iran

"Paratroopers leaping down from Osprey choppers and swarming onto the shores of Kharg Island under a hail of gunfire...could this be the next phase of fighting in the Iran war?

The Pentagon is sending its prestigious 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East— elite soldiers trained to parachute into hostile foreign territory and take control of the area.

The deployment, leaked to media on Tuesday, is just the latest round of forces being directed to the region as the U.S. gears up for a potentially huge escalation in the war — a possible invasion of Iran's oil export hub."

Article describes scenarios for troop deployment. 

The potential attacks as described above are guaranteed to see serious injuries and deaths amongst the invasion forces.

Trump will have to explain that to his voter base.

You remember them, the voters who were promised no more wars.

If I'm being honest, I would like to see mass US casualties amongst their invasion force. The US needs a big, and preferably embarrassing,  defeat in order to put them off more wars.

Something like Vietnam, but more sudden.

Trump's tweets this morning smack of massive hysteria as his "plan" circles the plughole.  Not dissimilar to the hysteria going on here as the HU government implodes.

I cannot see anyone coming to help the US or doing anything at all if he puts boots on the ground on Kharg Island.   NATO is not for waging war on Iran, even if they are reprehensible Islamic fascists. Or Cuba or Venezuela for their equally questionable belief system.

Trump fails to understand that money is not everything where fanaticism is involved.  In other words, people do not think like him.  He'll never be able to understand.  He hasn't got it in him.

I think he thought a war would revive his poll numbers.  It has worked before - like for Thatcher and the Falklands.  But this is a whole different ball game.

If he does put boots on the ground, perhaps this is the time for China to menace Taiwan again.  Apparently they have only 11 days of oil left.

Hegseth asked for $200B a while back, so we're looking at 6 months more fighting at a cost of $1B a day.

BTW, there was a report the Russian ships enroute to Cuba that would break the blockade have changed course.  Presumably Trump traded something with Putin.  Again! Putin says Jump and Trump says "how high?".   

...Trump will have to explain that to his voter base.
You remember them, the voters who were promised no more wars...
- @Fred

After serving 2 terms, he's a "lame duck" president. He cannot be re-elected for a third term.

I'm thinking that he might not give a flying-fiddlers-f**k about his voter base or public opinion in general. I mean, he literally has no skin in the game, unlike the men he's sending into battle.

...Trump will have to explain that to his voter base.
You remember them, the voters who were promised no more wars...
- @Fred
After serving 2 terms, he's a "lame duck" president. He cannot be re-elected for a third term.
I'm thinking that he might not give a flying-fiddlers-f**k about his voter base or public opinion in general. I mean, he literally has no skin in the game, unlike the men he's sending into battle. - @Aidan in HCMC

"A lot of you may die, but it's a sacrifice I'm prepared to take" - Lord Farquaad in Shrek.

I was hoping there could be damage limitation as it's a long time to wait until he's fully hobbled.

Propaganda is fun, or at least trying to sort out the truth can be.

The first thing to assume is that both sides are liars, it being a case of how much they are lying rather than if they are telling the truth.

Iran claims to have shot down an F18 - Plausible, but I would like to see solid evidence. The US says they have not lost any aircraft, but we know that's a lie.

Iran claims to have hit the Abraham Lincoln- Possible but all I've seen so far looks unconvincing. Some mainstream news is reporting it, but the evidence is dodgy at best. We'll have to wait and see.

The Ford claims to have retired from the battle due to a Non-combat related fire - I don't fully believe that one either. These things are designed for battle and have fire suppression systems all over the ships, but a kitchen fire got out of control???? Sounds fishy.

UKR/KSA:

Ukraine and Saudi Arabia sign defence cooperation deal, Zelensky says

"Ukraine and Saudi Arabia signed an “agreement” on defence cooperation that lays the foundation for future contracts and technological cooperation, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday during a visit to the oil-rich Gulf nation that has come under attack since the February 28 launch of the war in Iran. "

Well done Ukraine.  I wonder how much that deal is worth?  €90B maybe?

HU:

Hungarians' growing anger at living in EU's 'most corrupt state'

Last statement in the article:

"Opposition leader Peter Magyar, Orban's top rival in the upcoming vote, has pledged to recover the funds if elected and to investigate how the current leaders and their families have grown so rich."

Post-election, assuming, Tisza are winners, I cannot see the OV groupies retaining their wealth of which Mezaros and OV's Hatvanpuszta are the most obviously stated by media as in your face, visible corruption examples.

RU/Cuba/USA:

Russian Oil Tanker nears Cuba in test of US resolve on blockade

"Russian officials confirmed Wednesday that Moscow is sending fuel to Cuba as humanitarian aid, intensifying geopolitical tensions as a Russian oil tanker likely bound for the island approaches the Caribbean. Moscow’s announcement comes amid a US effort to choke off oil supplies to Havana that has led to a worsening energy crisis and an unfolding humanitarian disaster.  "

Commentator says Cuba generates about 50% of its energy needs via solar/renewables.  They lack any capacity to store energy.   Tanker on the way has 750K barrels which would be several weeks of consumption.

US/UKR/RU:

Ukraine: US tied guarantees to Donbas withdrawal — Zelenskyy

"Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has said the United States linked future security guarantees to Kyiv's withdrawal from the Donbas region. The comments have gone down well in Russia, which is stepping up its offensive."

Once again, the US kisses Putin's rear end.

US/UKR/RU:
Ukraine: US tied guarantees to Donbas withdrawal — Zelenskyy

"Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has said the United States linked future security guarantees to Kyiv's withdrawal from the Donbas region. The comments have gone down well in Russia, which is stepping up its offensive."

Once again, the US kisses Putin's rear end. - @fluffy2560

That's a Russian speaking region that were not allowed to vote after the CIA led coup that removed the democratically elected government of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian dictatorship should be happy to let them go as it guarantees no pro-Russian government will ever be elected should they return to democracy.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy … 026-03-27/

The Ukrainian regime is adding to the world oil crisis by attacking Russian oil producers.

Perhaps it's time to stop supporting the coup government of that country and see democracy restored.

The righteous side in any war, the US in this case, always tries to subdue news that shows what their attacks are doing to civilians.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DXqmdVlNciQ

The reports show a lot of what really happens when an idiot starts a war, but this is the Beeb talking about US attacks.

It's not how many children the US is killing, but the fact it's being reported that's important.

The US grip on the world, gained through bribery and threats,  is slipping fast.

We are at a turning point in history - The collapse of the state that has started more wars than any other.