Thank you, David Livingstone, for explaining that the proposal for the purchase of eight nuclear submarines has “taken on a life of its own” and is “divorced from disciplined considerations such as cost, effectiveness, and alternatives” (“Sub deal an exercise in futility and should be sunk”, January 18). As Livingstone clearly explains there is no rationale in the argument that the purchase would have a bearing on any action China may take and is “militarily meaningless. Now and into the future.” As he points out at a cost of at least $170 billion, probably much more, the same amount of wealth could be used domestically on health, education, infrastructure, national debt and more meaningful defence capabilities. 

On January 4, Putin announced a Christmas truce in the Ukrainian conflict. Orthodox Christmas takes place on January 7, according to the Julian calendar, in use since 45 BC, rather than the more commonly used and astronomically accurate Gregorian calendar, introduced in 1582 by the Pope Gregory XIII. The gap between the two is now 13 days, but it is the nature of Orthodoxy not to change no matter what, let alone follow what the pope says.

“Here’s something you must understand. We were not given any opportunity to act differently.” Vladimir Putin

The plan to engage Russia militarily is a tacit admission that the United States can no longer maintain its global dominance through economic or political means alone. After exhaustive analysis and debate, western elites have settled on a course of action aimed at dividing the world into warring blocs in order to prosecute a war on Russia and China. The ultimate strategic objective of the current policy, is to tighten the grip of western elites on the levers of global power and to prevent the dissolution of the “rules-based international order.”

In times of peace as well as in times of war, the Western domination over the rest of the world, as much as that of the United States over its allies, passes through the instrumentation of Law. Thus, the international tribunals do not seek to render justice, but to confirm the world order and to punish those who challenge it. U.S. law and European law also serve to force the rest of the world to comply with the policies of Washington and Brussels. This system is beginning to fade.

Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, first took office at the very start of the 21st Century, when he hoped and intended for there to emerge a real partnership between Russia and the rest of The West. He then interpreted The West (U.S.-and-allied countries) to be motivated by basically benign intentions, which he shared himself.

BY Eric Zuesse

I am about to do what old people have done throughout history: call those younger than me lazy, entitled, selfish and shallow. But I have studies! I have statistics! I have quotes from respected academics! Unlike my parents, my grandparents and my great-grandparents, I have proof.

Australian soldiers depart Darwin for the United Kingdom this week to join partner nations in providing critical training to Ukrainian recruits.

A contingent of up to 70 ADF personnel will deploy as part of ADF Operation Kudu to assist with the UK-led and based training program, supporting Ukraine's defence in response to Russia’s illegal invasion.

Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh said Australia’s experience and support was vital for the Ukraine and its armed forces.

“Our people are our greatest defence capability. That’s why it’s important our soldiers, alongside a number of partner nations, provide essential skills to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, supporting Ukraine to end the conflict on its own terms,” Mr Keogh said.

As Julian Assange awaits a decision by the High Court in London whether it will accept his appeal against the home secretary’s decision to extradite him to the United States, the focus of the story has shifted here to his native Australia, where the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has said for the first time that he has discussed with the United States bringing Assange’s ordeal to a close. 

A prominent television journalist here, John Lyons, of the Australian Broadcasting Corp., shortly afterward said he understood that Assange would be back home in Australia within two months.

IN ITS 9 DECEMBER ISSUE, SCIENCE (AAAS MAGAZINE) HAD A SERIES OF ARTICLE PRAISING THE RESISTANCE OF UKRAINIAN SCIENCES AGAINST THE RUSSIAN “AGGRESSION” — ESPECIALLY IN KHARKIV.

IN UKRAINE, LIKE IN RUSSIA, THERE ARE PEOPLE DEDICATED TO UNPOLITICAL ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCES. THERE ARE SOME GOOD AND SOME BAD PEOPLE. 

PRESENTLY WE HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE: WERE THE UKRAINIAN AS A WHOLE DEDICATED TO THE ERADICATION OF THE RUSSIAN CULTURE AND THE ELIMINATION OF THE AUTONOMOUS REGIONS? NO. MANY PEOPLE IN UKRAINE ARE (WERE) DECENT PEOPLE. SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO DIED OR SURVIVED RUSSIAN “ACCIDENTAL” BOMBINGS MAY NOT HAVE HATED THE RUSSIANS BEFOREHAND. SIMILARLY, PEOPLE LIVING IN THE DONBASS DID NOT HATE THE UKRAINIANS PER SE, NOR EVEN THOUGHT OF SECESSION, UNTIL THE FATEFUL EVENTS STARTED IN 2004 THAT CULMINATED IN THE 2014 MAIDAN REVOLUTION.

INVESTIGATE..... "TRADITIONAL & FAMILY VALUES" SOUNDS MORE RUSSIAN TO ME...... AND SOME OF THESE ACTIVITIES (I.E. DEVELOP COMPLEX MISSILES) WERE CONDUCTED WITH SPECIALISTS FROM THE UNITED STATES... THE K-22 MISSILES USED BY THE RUSSIANS NOW (X-22 AND BETTER) ARE NOT THE SAME AS THOSE OF THE LATE 1950s....

FREE JULIAN ASSANGE NOW....

UNLIKE THE WHITE HOUSE SHITHOUSE INFANTILE BRIEFINGS, THE RUSSIAN EQUIVALENT ARE COMPREHENSIVE, INTENTIONAL AND INTENSE. VERY FEW WESTERN JOURNALISTS AND THEIR NEWSPAPERS WOULD GRASP THE SCOPE AND SERIOUSNESS OF THE CAPER BEFORE HAVING TO TAKE REFUGE BEHIND SIX PAGES OF ADVERTISING HARVEY NORMAN'S INTEREST FREE REPAYMENTS.

SO HERE WE GO:

Table of contents

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, the highest-ranking officer in the American armed forces, met with Ukrainian soldiers undergoing Pentagon training at a base in Germany, where Washington recently stepped up efforts to prepare foreign troops for combat.

The general visited the US Army’s Grafenwoehr Training Area in the German state of Bavaria for just shy of two hours on Monday, overseeing training operations with Ukrainian soldiers and their American instructors. 

“This is not a run-of-the-mill rotation. This is one of those moments in time where if you want to make a difference, this is it,” Milley said during a meeting with commanders.

In the United States, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day is observed annually on the third Monday in January. The day commemorates the life and work of Dr. King, who was a Baptist minister and prominent leader in the American civil rights movement. People are encouraged to use the day to “reflect on the principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change espoused by Dr. King.” The holiday is typically observed with events such as marches and rallies and speeches by politicians and civil rights leaders.

The presence of a Russian flag in the stands at the Australian Open has prompted organisers to ban them from Melbourne Park.

The Swiss escort agencies near Davos are already fully booked ahead of this year’s World Economic Forum, the elite gathering that brings together heads of state, corporate executives, and influential non-profiteers, Austrian outlet Exxpress reported on Sunday, citing a missive purportedly sent from one such agency.

In a message to unnamed hospitality staff and published by Express, escort agency Sensuallounge Escort urges readers to book their “fine selection of ladies and gentlemen” ahead of time to ensure “the best possible care and company during the World Economic Forum.”