"He weaponizes food and fuel..." ...and fleeing refugees from Russia's bombing in the Middle East. They flee to the west where they tax every major country economically, culturally, politically, and spiritually. Putin uses them just like he uses his own invasion forces.
WoW, what a wonderful (terrifying) summary of where we, the World, stand in dealing with Putin / Russia. Destabilizing the West / World on so many fronts is essentially World War III. Diane, you have written about many of these challenges in the past and it's amazing how so many have not connected to pressure points that have developed over the past 20+ years. Putin's playbook must be stopped / curtailed and let's hope China is not emboldened to attack Taiwan. The other wild card, and a very dangerous one, is what happens if Trump wins in 2024? Similarly, what happens if he runs and losses again? When will the UN, the EU, NATO, etc... begin to openly accept / acknowledge Putin's playbook and take action (outside of the UKR initiatives)?
Your article is a clarion call for a coordinated Realpolitik response from the West against Russia’s revanchist imperial policy. Sadly, I don’t think the West will get it together until it is too late. We lack the political and cultural resolve to deal with what is happening and will act belatedly and we will pay a terrible price for this.
BULLS-EYE!!! I have been disappointed by the lack of structured warnings to Russia by Biden. The UN (as Zenlenskyy stated) is useless. The EU has only 'the paper its written on'. NATO is under the idea that they are doing 'good ' by arming up to their teeth & sit and watch UKR get destroyed. The WEST is soft, careless, politically stripped of credibility, & not only 'looks' lame, the WEST IS lame! WW III is, as you said, already upon us. We're in for a 'bumpy' ride.
Thank you once again for your high level analysis of the current state of the world.
As a Canadian subscriber I continue to be alarmed by the way our Liberal Government has opened the doors to what seems to be unlimited and uncontrolled immigration that is flooding the country and causing economic, political and social chaos.
Trudeau is a fool for adopting such policies and boasting that Canada is supposedly a post-national state. He is being manipulated by Putin whether he understands it or not. Canadians are fools for following Trudeau's logic.
Sounds like the beginning of WW I where a relatively small conflagration led to a hideous global war. We are at a perilous state and the lackeys at the UN and other "think" tanks need to understand that it is not climate change that will eradicate us.
I so appreciate your concise review of, really, the geo-politics of the entire world. The breadth of your essay invites me to revisit the alliances in areas that are vague to me, such as the players of the Middle East. Your piece is one to return to again. I am also aware of my own personal relationship with your analysis of 'World War III.' I must keep a healthy perspective, I tell myself, so ...
I am aware of tending to my personal garden, and the community garden. So, today and tomorrow, I will advocate on behalf of a grand referendum here in Maine. I will stay attuned as to how I can be helpful in 2024 in my community. We all can have a significant role in the '24 election, in joining with community efforts at education and turnout, for instance. This is my activity on the community garden.
Re: the personal garden, I tend to the hearth with our pellet stoves, exercise with the myriad and colorful fallen leaves, take a clear look to the winter budget, etc. And, most importantly, I have to catch a great movie and other enjoyable times with ones close and dear ...
In this way, I feel can return to your overview of ... World War III.
I love your writing and knowledge. So happy I was introduced to this platform by a longtime childhood friend and writer M. Judge. No agendas, and trustworthy knowledge gives me a little peace of mind. Lol.
It is outstanding that you used your platform to expose the actuality behind of the deterioration of “civilization” throughout our planet. It is World War 3 and it can be summarized as the “good guys” against the “bad guys”. Our “good guys” may have not all yet woken up to the reality that the bad guys are on the move - your message will be noticed!!! Bad guys have to be eliminated early and decisively. When bad guys are allowed to succeed at all they only expand their own insatiable horizons and inspire more bad guys who then pop up creating unlimited chaos. Let’s hope that this reality has taken hold with “our” leadership who have built a fantasyland that is absolutely unsustainable… thank you once again for what you do!!!
Oh dear. So much truth here and I am so sad about the lack of attacks now on a fascist brutal Hamas and instead attacks on Israel. You wrote Israel 'could have conducted a surgical counterattack with fewer civilian casualties. But now the West and Israel have been undermined, American politicians divided, Arab and Muslim allies alienated, and the possibility of a two-state solution postponed indefinitely." Well no Diane. Israel at last atacked with vigour its unending enemy. I am not clear what you mean by 'a surgical attack'? Perhaps you would explain this to me in military terms? Was Israel to turn the other cheek? And well a 'two state solution' is dreamland with Hamas in control. Arab and Muslim allies are not prepared to attack Hamas and instead send it support. It is the Arab nations that are not democratic and strongly mysogisnist and anti-homosexual. So not only is Putin the enemy of the west but also the Middle east, save Israel. A strong enemy and I have worked and travelled widely all over the Middle East. And yes you are so right about the refugees now undermining the west. Mankind is deply flawed don't you think?
I SO agree with you - and Diane's analysis from the start of this RU invasion of UKR should have been read to all the leaders of the West AND Biden. Poor advisors and analysis has been crippling the West's understanding of just HOW dangerous this situation is.
"He weaponizes food and fuel..." ...and fleeing refugees from Russia's bombing in the Middle East. They flee to the west where they tax every major country economically, culturally, politically, and spiritually. Putin uses them just like he uses his own invasion forces.
Excellent analysis thank you
WoW, what a wonderful (terrifying) summary of where we, the World, stand in dealing with Putin / Russia. Destabilizing the West / World on so many fronts is essentially World War III. Diane, you have written about many of these challenges in the past and it's amazing how so many have not connected to pressure points that have developed over the past 20+ years. Putin's playbook must be stopped / curtailed and let's hope China is not emboldened to attack Taiwan. The other wild card, and a very dangerous one, is what happens if Trump wins in 2024? Similarly, what happens if he runs and losses again? When will the UN, the EU, NATO, etc... begin to openly accept / acknowledge Putin's playbook and take action (outside of the UKR initiatives)?
Your article is a clarion call for a coordinated Realpolitik response from the West against Russia’s revanchist imperial policy. Sadly, I don’t think the West will get it together until it is too late. We lack the political and cultural resolve to deal with what is happening and will act belatedly and we will pay a terrible price for this.
BULLS-EYE!!! I have been disappointed by the lack of structured warnings to Russia by Biden. The UN (as Zenlenskyy stated) is useless. The EU has only 'the paper its written on'. NATO is under the idea that they are doing 'good ' by arming up to their teeth & sit and watch UKR get destroyed. The WEST is soft, careless, politically stripped of credibility, & not only 'looks' lame, the WEST IS lame! WW III is, as you said, already upon us. We're in for a 'bumpy' ride.
Thank you once again for your high level analysis of the current state of the world.
As a Canadian subscriber I continue to be alarmed by the way our Liberal Government has opened the doors to what seems to be unlimited and uncontrolled immigration that is flooding the country and causing economic, political and social chaos.
Trudeau is a fool for adopting such policies and boasting that Canada is supposedly a post-national state. He is being manipulated by Putin whether he understands it or not. Canadians are fools for following Trudeau's logic.
Sounds like the beginning of WW I where a relatively small conflagration led to a hideous global war. We are at a perilous state and the lackeys at the UN and other "think" tanks need to understand that it is not climate change that will eradicate us.
Yes. Everything you said. Sharing.
I so appreciate your concise review of, really, the geo-politics of the entire world. The breadth of your essay invites me to revisit the alliances in areas that are vague to me, such as the players of the Middle East. Your piece is one to return to again. I am also aware of my own personal relationship with your analysis of 'World War III.' I must keep a healthy perspective, I tell myself, so ...
I am aware of tending to my personal garden, and the community garden. So, today and tomorrow, I will advocate on behalf of a grand referendum here in Maine. I will stay attuned as to how I can be helpful in 2024 in my community. We all can have a significant role in the '24 election, in joining with community efforts at education and turnout, for instance. This is my activity on the community garden.
Re: the personal garden, I tend to the hearth with our pellet stoves, exercise with the myriad and colorful fallen leaves, take a clear look to the winter budget, etc. And, most importantly, I have to catch a great movie and other enjoyable times with ones close and dear ...
In this way, I feel can return to your overview of ... World War III.
I love your writing and knowledge. So happy I was introduced to this platform by a longtime childhood friend and writer M. Judge. No agendas, and trustworthy knowledge gives me a little peace of mind. Lol.
It is outstanding that you used your platform to expose the actuality behind of the deterioration of “civilization” throughout our planet. It is World War 3 and it can be summarized as the “good guys” against the “bad guys”. Our “good guys” may have not all yet woken up to the reality that the bad guys are on the move - your message will be noticed!!! Bad guys have to be eliminated early and decisively. When bad guys are allowed to succeed at all they only expand their own insatiable horizons and inspire more bad guys who then pop up creating unlimited chaos. Let’s hope that this reality has taken hold with “our” leadership who have built a fantasyland that is absolutely unsustainable… thank you once again for what you do!!!
Diane, your WW3 thesis is interesting. I think world balance is shifting too - global currency, economic power, geo politics, and "humanity".
Why is Russia exporting almost eight mbd; Iran three mbd. China importing up to 10 mbd cheaply? Money funds wars. (Russia gets $82 barrel now!!)
Why are people misrepresenting the truth about Palestine? Why is it ok to take a nine month old hostage? In war, life has little value.
Because world leadership is missing in action.
Thank you, Diane. Bravo.
Oh dear. So much truth here and I am so sad about the lack of attacks now on a fascist brutal Hamas and instead attacks on Israel. You wrote Israel 'could have conducted a surgical counterattack with fewer civilian casualties. But now the West and Israel have been undermined, American politicians divided, Arab and Muslim allies alienated, and the possibility of a two-state solution postponed indefinitely." Well no Diane. Israel at last atacked with vigour its unending enemy. I am not clear what you mean by 'a surgical attack'? Perhaps you would explain this to me in military terms? Was Israel to turn the other cheek? And well a 'two state solution' is dreamland with Hamas in control. Arab and Muslim allies are not prepared to attack Hamas and instead send it support. It is the Arab nations that are not democratic and strongly mysogisnist and anti-homosexual. So not only is Putin the enemy of the west but also the Middle east, save Israel. A strong enemy and I have worked and travelled widely all over the Middle East. And yes you are so right about the refugees now undermining the west. Mankind is deply flawed don't you think?
I SO agree with you - and Diane's analysis from the start of this RU invasion of UKR should have been read to all the leaders of the West AND Biden. Poor advisors and analysis has been crippling the West's understanding of just HOW dangerous this situation is.