conflict – Page 43 – Lone Candle

‘Already in 1993/1994, [Russia] had begun to make threatening language and gestures toward its neighbors. In 1994 the president of Estonia made a speech about how happy Estonia was to be a member of Europe and about the reemergence of a threat from Russia. He was already hearing language from Russia threatening Estonia sovereignty and whether Estonia was really an independent country. At this speech, the deputy mayor of Saint Petersburg, Vladimir Putin, walked out. The language of threat from Russia began in the 90s. In 2005 there was a large cyber attack on Estonia. This is why these countries wanted to join NATO, because they felt a reasonable direct threat from Russia.’

NATO is not a direct threat to Russia’s homeland, and it is only a threat to Russia’s interests if Russia has the intention of dominating its neighbors. Russia’s interest in Ukraine is not primarily defensive, but imperial.

There was almost no U.S. military presence in Eastern Europe until Russia stole Crimea with military force.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKdpLFvxJxg

Israeli Embassy Staffers Killed

Posted on May 22, 2025 by Lone Candle

“Last night, outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., two Israeli embassy staffers were shot and killed by a gunman who yelled “Free, free Palestine” after being taken into custody. The deceased—Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26—were set to get engaged to one another; Lischinsky was planning to propose next week in Jerusalem.”

https://reason.com/2025/05/22/israeli-embassy-staffers-killed/

Israeli Embassy Staffers Killed

Posted on May 22, 2025May 22, 2025 by Lone Candle

“Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” passes the House…It passed narrowly, 215–214, with one voting present, and now faces the Senate.”

…

“This bill will extend the 2017 tax cuts that were passed during the first Trump administration.”

…

“The old $30,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions will be raised to $40,000 (a bit of a concession to Republican representatives and constituents from New York and New Jersey). Border states will get big chunks of change to offset extra immigration enforcement costs under the Biden administration (or so the framing goes). There’s some reduced Medicaid and food stamp spending, cutting federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by $267 billion over the next decade. The child tax credit will be expanded.”

https://reason.com/2025/05/22/israeli-embassy-staffers-killed/

Should Borders be Redrawn? | Europe’s Future Frontiers? | What is “The West” Now? | April 2025 Q&A

Posted on May 21, 2025 by Lone Candle

The global south’s response to Russia’s invasion has been disappointing because it is not just a European issue. The invasion violates the global norm that you don’t change borders by force.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BlVVXH_qpU

Hegseth briefly paused cyber ops against Russia as part of negotiations, GOP Rep. Bacon says

Posted on May 20, 2025 by Lone Candle

“U.S. Cyber Command paused offensive operations aimed at Russia for a day earlier this year as a negotiating tactic, House Armed Services Committee cyber subcommittee Chair Don Bacon (R-Neb.) confirmed Friday.”

…

“While Bacon did not elaborate on the negotiations, the pause likely happened around the time Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was visiting the White House to negotiate a minerals deal with President Donald Trump — a deal that fell through after a contentious Oval Office meeting.”

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/16/hegseth-cyber-operations-russia-pause-00354072

Could American PIRATES help win a war with China?

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Lone Candle

Cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgGVttwEi1I

Opinion | Europe Needs Its Own Nukes

Posted on May 11, 2025May 11, 2025 by Lone Candle

“If Washington truly abandons its role as the world’s police officer, Europe would struggle to counter Russian President Vladimir Putin’s army, at least in that time frame. Many European countries, especially Germany, have neglected their own military in recent decades. While Russia has converted everything to a war economy, parts of Europe have only just woken up from the dream of a peaceful world. Military experts proclaim that it will take more than four years to manufacture an arsenal of conventional weapons of the size needed to counter a Russian invasion. While most observers consider a Russian attack on Germany unlikely, even this is not an impossible scenario.

That’s why, to deter Russia, Germany and Europe need their own nuclear shield.”

…

“relying solely on France seems risky especially with French nationalist Marine Le Pen, a known Russia sympathizer, or another figure from her nationalist party potentially taking over the Élysée Palace in the near future. A broader European solution also involving Britain’s nuclear capabilities — and possibly Poland as a front-line state — would be far more prudent.”

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/04/08/nuclear-weapons-europe-defense-trump-00278754