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JameSmace's avatar

With Syria and now Iran no longer able to act as Putin's puppet, the days of paying hefty Kremlin premiums for oil/gas are over. Let that industry enjoy conventional market forces just like every other industry. And thankfully, it will also put an end to the folly of "green" energy on which billions of $ and millions of lives (mostly bats) have been lost.

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Leigh Horne's avatar

Is it only me, or does anyone else shudder at the vast tentacles of the petrochemical stranglehold on this struggling planet? And all of us, natch. The up to the armpits involvement in and dependence on the industry by not only international corporate, but governmental entities is truly, truly frightening. Especially given how many of the players are autocrats? Is one reason--perhaps a major reason--for the growth of autocracy throughout the world to be found in this incestuous partnership?

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Patrick's avatar

Stealthy B2 bombers and B52s sit waiting at Diego Garcia to deliver bunker busting bombs. This should be done so as to avoid having to take out the two major oil export terminals. The USA should do it and quickly.

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Tim Long's avatar

Most helpful summative here Diane, thanks. If either the papers I read, the Quad City Times or the other Times from New York could get past their more usual 'Soap Opera Digest' reporting, and dare to dig in to the particulars as you have here, maybe we, as a public, as actual citizens, could alter our behavior to further deep-six the process of mindless 'consumerism' from sucking the very life and soul out of us all.

Your reporting, generally, and here harmonizes with those other troublemakers from the edges: Peter Zeihan and today's writer in the Atlantic ("Putin's Not Enjoying This"), and to a degree, writer Sarah Kendzior.

So, I've worn out a couple tires and a chain on my 50-year-old English bicycles for transportation the past four years in doing my part, and am building a better wood shed for the two cords of free-fall hardwood for my little bungalow's wood-stove. I'd suggest folks make sure they've got a good and sturdy pair of shoes broke in. Winter's coming. Thanks, again, from over here on the Big River.

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Rene St. Cyr's avatar

Thank you, Diane. What a weary web we weave. It looks like Israel is taking charge of neutralizing Iran on behalf of the US and the World. We also need to neutralize Putin's endeavours to save Ukraine (other Nations) and prevent a World War, which is so close. I'm not confident Trump is capable of handling these problems without lining his pockets, self-interest.

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Robin Bury's avatar

Superb analysis Diane.Good for Israeli attacks. Trump again failed to move against Iran and fails to take on Putin invasion of Ukraine. Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs made comment on Israel's attack which gave moral equivalence to Iran!

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John Maton's avatar

Very interesting as always. Thank you

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