22 Comments

This is the kind of reporting that should be mainstream. I know they are all colluding (it's like a drunk Venn diagram at this point!) and it just seems like the US and others are in permanent meetings that lead to no actions.

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So, Biden forbids any direct involvement in UKR's defence against Russia YET, all these countries, listed including Spain, are a part of the support for RUssia thru illegal oil swapping. This is BullSh^$ at its highest level. The longer NATIO and the rest of the world sit on their hands & mull over this violation of trade that emboldens Russia - UKR is gone - then Poland - then France - then . . . Diane - if you know this 'stuff' I'm sure the leaders within Natio & Biden do - so - what seems to be the problem for action?

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Very Nice article again. Hard to do much on India buying Russian Oil. It is all politics and money. US does not want to push India for economic, political reasons so they turn the blind eye. AS for China the US needs China for economic and political reasons. Russia has a pact with its allies China, Iran, Nk with other countries following for Political and money. Russia and its allies will always find a way to make money best to find a better way to beat Russia.

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An excellent report Diane.

I'm not sure what control, if

any, NATO would have with

this situation, since the UN

is supposed to be in charge

of the sea courses. And, as

we've all learned over the

years; most recently in the

Gaza-Hamas/Israel War, they're becoming more and

more suspect.

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Excellent thank you

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I really appreciate and enjoy the scope and content of Diane's articles and pass them on to friends who may or may not also be subscribers. These article are well received.

However, one complaint I do receive, in return, is the lack of supporting source documentation.

I agree that this is a legitimate concern. As a comparator, I will reference Heather Cox Richardson and her "Letter From An American" which makes copious use of supporting reference and research documentation.

This is not to slag Diane Francis in any way but it would be helpful as additional background.

Earl H

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Nope. All my stuff is factual. Quotes are attributed. Her newsletter merely lists stuff that other people have published or broadcasted, thus the bibliography

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While Prof. Richardson's bibliographic links and her

daily Letters are a must read,

she doesn't compare on the

"world issues" that Diane Francis does getting to the

"nitty gritty".

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I have not always found RIchardson to be accurate in her comments and conclusions, regardless of "biblioraphy," which is why I prefer subscribing to Francis.

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She summarizes mainstream media items from America. I synthesize facts and info from all over the world, dozens of sources based on my 50 years of news analysis and reporting globally.

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Diane, you have done an excellent reporting job on this oil mess. As said, I wish other reporters would too.

Time for a series of visits to the National Iranian Oil Company headquarters - thru the front door on Tuesday at 9 am when they re-open. Lots of visitors.

Does Biden have the guts?

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Excellent reporting, thank you. As the old saying goes, War is Business. Many allies are prepared to take advantage of deep discounting to benefit the scoundrels and politicians in leadership roles. It seems that many are prepared to tank the West and democracies. As noted below, weak and naive Western leadership; what's the role of the UN?

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The UN environmental agencies have jurisdiction over the high seas and ports

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The this illegal trading that the UN must know about proves how inepy (disfunctional) NATO and UN are.

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UN is far more inept than NATO. Nato is a defensive alliance, so its remit is far smaller and more concentrated. The UN wants to do too much and ends up doing most things half-assed or against its own supposed interests and statutes.

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Totally agree - therefore one would expect more 'effective support' from NATO -

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If it didn't require unanimity, it would work better. All these organizations have to rethink their premise for power-sharing. Democracy means some people may not agree but the majority gets to decide. So the majority needs to be establlished at a certain level (say 2/3 or 3/4) to prevent a minority of one or two from blocking the functioning of the institution.

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Could this be the result of weak or naive, progressive western leadership?

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yes plus greed

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So depressing

Lovely job India under Modi. And China. Has Trudeau and his saintly green party said anything and the provicnce of Quebec which imports oil from Russia supported Venezuela? As for the UN as you so well tell us Diane.

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Oh it seems Quebec does not import oil from Venezuela, eh Diane? But not I think from Alberta.

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