Xi Jinping and Joe Biden at the G20 summit in Bali 2015

 

 

 

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. (born November 20, 1942) is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 under President Barack Obama and represented Delaware in the United States Senate from 1973 to 2009.

 

Joe Biden gained office at a time when World War Three seemed far off, but is now a stark reality. With Chinese communist ambitions engulfing the planet, it is imperative that Vladimir Putin is defeated - or - working together with Xi Jinping, the Red-Perils may actually succeed in their world domination agendas. And that will surely lead to WWIII, but no doubt at tremendous additional cost to the earth in terms of loss of human life and raising global temperatures. Maybe even, leading to all out thermonuclear annihilation.

 

Well done chaps. Why not just hand the key of the White House to Jinping. Talk about taking your eyes off the ball.

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden moved with his family to Delaware in 1953. He graduated from the University of Delaware before earning his law degree from Syracuse University. He was elected to the New Castle County Council in 1970 and to the U.S. Senate in 1972. As a senator, Biden drafted and led the effort to pass the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act and the Violence Against Women Act. He also oversaw six U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings, including the contentious hearings for Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas. Biden ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988 and 2008. In 2008, Obama chose Biden as his running mate, and he was a close counselor to Barack Obama during his two terms as vice president. In the 2020 presidential election, Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, defeated incumbents Donald Trump and Mike Pence. He is the oldest president in U.S. history, and the first to have a female vice president.

As president, Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recession. He signed bipartisan bills on infrastructure and manufacturing. He proposed the Build Back Better Act, which failed in Congress, but aspects of which were incorporated into the Inflation Reduction Act that he signed into law in 2022. Biden appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. He worked with congressional Republicans to resolve the 2023 United States debt-ceiling crisis by negotiating a deal to raise the debt ceiling. In foreign policy, Biden restored America's membership in the Paris Agreement. He oversaw the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan that ended the war in Afghanistan, during which the Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban seized control. He responded to the Russian invasion of Ukraine by imposing sanctions on Russia and authorizing civilian and military aid to Ukraine. During the Israel–Hamas war, Biden announced military support for Israel, condemned the actions of Hamas and other Palestinian militants as terrorism, and ordered US military to build a port to facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. In April 2023, Biden announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 2024 presidential election.

 

UKRAINE VS RUSSIA

 

As Russia’s war on Ukraine continues without a clear end in sight, Ukrainians are facing a cold reality. While President Joe Biden is in close contact with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Biden’s support of Zelenskyy does not necessarily signal continued financial support of Ukraine by the U.S. government.

The U.S. has been the largest single donor backing Ukraine since Russian troops invaded the country in February 2022. Since then, the U.S. has sent Ukraine approximately US$113 billion in a combination of cash, military supplies and machinery, as well as food and other humanitarian supplies.

Biden has asked Congress to approve another $95 billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel and other allies. About $60 billion of this would be spent on Ukraine.

While the Senate passed this foreign aid bill in February 2024, it is stalled in the House of Representatives. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has not allowed a vote on the measure.

Zelenskyy laid out the stakes for continued U.S. support on April 8, 2024, saying, “If the Congress doesn’t help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war.”

Russia has increased its bombing of Ukraine in recent months, and the battle lines between Russia and Ukraine have moved little in the past year.

It is not entirely clear when and how the House will vote on Ukraine. Still, as a scholar of Eastern Europe, I think there are a few important reasons why the U.S. is unlikely to cut funding to Ukraine. 

REPUBLICANS ARE DIVIDED OVER UKRAINE AID

Johnson is facing pressure to delay voting on the Ukraine foreign aid bill for a few reasons. One major factor is fighting between Republicans, who hold a slim majority in the House.

While some centrist Republican politicians support Ukraine funding and are pushing for a vote on the foreign aid package, others – hard-right Republicans – want a bill that prioritizes what they say are American interests, meaning more of a focus on domestic U.S. problems.

Another issue is the rising threat of other Republicans trying to remove Johnson from his leadership role.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia filed a motion on March 22, 2024, to prompt a vote that could push Johnson out of his House leadership position if he tries to advance an aid package.
Delays on Ukraine benefit Putin

As the House continues to stall on a vote, Ukraine is rationing ammunition and supplies. This, in turn, provides an opportunity for Russia to strengthen its arsenal.

Delays with foreign aid to Ukraine give Putin time to move forward with plans to purchase ballistic missiles from Iran. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby expressed concerns in early January 2024 that Russia was close to acquiring short-range ballistic weapons from Iran.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RUSSIA ALREADY BUYS DRONES FROM IRAN & BALLISTIC MISSILES FROM NORTH KOREA

In February, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan pointed out that Ukrainian forces lost a major center of resistance in the east of Ukraine called Avdiivka to Russia because of a shortage of ammunition.

Without foreign aid from the U.S., Ukraine will face a strategic disadvantage that could lead to Russia winning the war. That could lead to Russia increasing its threats on nearby NATO countries.
The US needs Europe to compete with China

There are other reasons why many experts think it helps the U.S. to back Ukraine. One factor is U.S. global power competition with China.

Russian and Chinese leaders declared a military and political partnership days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. They announced on April 9, 2024, that they want to find ways to strengthen their joint security work across Asia and Europe.

U.S. political and military leaders have noted that supporting Ukraine and pushing back against Russia is one clear way to deter China from strengthening its global political power and military reach.

Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo said in February 2024 that Russia’s potential loss in Ukraine is “a deterrence in the western Pacific and directly reassures partners.”

The admiral said that China is studying the Ukraine invasion for its own purposes, in order to “effect a short, sharp conflict that presents a fait accompli to all of the world.” He called for the U.S. to continue to fund Ukraine’s war.

The U.S. needs its long-standing allies in Europe to help push back against China – and deterrence is only as effective as the size of the force doing the deterring.

Ely Ratner, the U.S. assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, recently explained this principle and how it relates to China: “We believe deterrence is real and deterrence is strong, and we’re working every day to keep it that way.”

 

FOREIGN AID BENEFITS US ARMS INDUSTRY

Most of America’s military aid to Ukraine consists of arms and ammunition from existing U.S. stockpiles. If Congress approves an additional $60 billion for Ukraine, more than half of this money would go to U.S. factories that manufacture missiles and munitions.

In December 2023, Biden signed a U.S. defense policy bill that authorizes a record-high $886 billion in spending from July 2023 through June 2024. This includes a 5.2% pay raise for troops, $11.5 billion in support of initiatives to help deter China and $800 million to support Ukraine’s counteroffensive war.

But it also allows for the purchasing of new ships, aircraft and other types of ammunition. For defense stocks, that means a promising start to 2024, as the military will be likely to boost defense contractors’ revenues looking to restock supplies shipped to Ukraine.

AMERICANS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT UKRAINE AID

A majority of Americans still favor U.S. support of Ukraine, though about half of Republicans said in December 2023 that the U.S. is giving too much money to the country.

Even though politicians do not always follow public opinion, there are clear reasons why it is not in the U.S.’s best interests to cut funding to Ukraine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFTER ELECTION TO OFFICE

 

In his first two days as president, Biden signed 17 executive orders. By his third day, orders had included rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, ending the state of national emergency at the border with Mexico, directing the government to rejoin the World Health Organization, face mask requirements on federal property, measures to combat hunger in the United States, and revoking permits for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

On March 11, the first anniversary of COVID-19 having been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus and relief package that he had proposed to support the United States' recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The package included direct payments to most Americans, an extension of increased unemployment benefits, funds for vaccine distribution and school reopenings, and expansions of health insurance subsidies and the child tax credit. Biden's initial proposal included an increase of the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, but after the Senate parliamentarian determined that including the increase in a budget reconciliation bill would violate Senate rules, Democrats declined to pursue overruling her and removed the increase from the package.

Also in March, amid a rise in migrants entering the U.S. from Mexico, Biden told migrants, "Don't come over." In the meantime, migrant adults "are being sent back", Biden said, in reference to the continuation of the Trump administration's Title 42 policy for quick deportations. Biden earlier announced that his administration would not deport unaccompanied migrant children; the rise in arrivals of such children exceeded the capacity of facilities meant to shelter them (before they were sent to sponsors), leading the Biden administration in March to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help.

On April 14, Biden announced that the United States would delay the withdrawal of all troops from the war in Afghanistan until September 11, signaling an end to the country's direct military involvement in Afghanistan after nearly 20 years. In February 2020, the Trump administration had made a deal with the Taliban to completely withdraw U.S. forces by May 1, 2021. Biden's decision met with a wide range of reactions, from support and relief to trepidation at the possible collapse of the Afghan government without American support. On April 22–23, Biden held an international climate summit at which he announced that the U.S. would cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 50%–52% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. Other countries also increased their pledges. On April 28, the eve of his 100th day in office, Biden delivered his first address to a joint session of Congress.

 

 

 

 

 

Boris Johnson (Bojo the Clown of Europe) with President Joe Biden and Antonio Gutteres

 

 

 

 

INFRASTRUCTURE & CLIMATE

As part of Biden's Build Back Better agenda, in late March 2021, he proposed the American Jobs Plan, a $2 trillion package addressing issues including transport infrastructure, utilities infrastructure, broadband infrastructure, housing, schools, manufacturing, research and workforce development. After months of negotiations among Biden and lawmakers, in August 2021 the Senate passed a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, while the House, also in a bipartisan manner, approved that bill in early November 2021, covering infrastructure related to transport, utilities, and broadband. Biden signed the bill into law in mid-November 2021.

The other core part of the Build Back Better agenda was the Build Back Better Act, a $3.5 trillion social spending bill that expands the social safety net and includes major provisions on climate change. The bill did not have Republican support, so Democrats attempted to pass it on a party-line vote through budget reconciliation, but struggled to win the support of Senator Joe Manchin, even as the price was lowered to $2.2 trillion. After Manchin rejected the bill, the Build Back Better Act's size was reduced. It was comprehensively reworked into the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, covering deficit reduction, climate change, healthcare, and tax reform.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 was introduced by senators Chuck Schumer and Joe Manchin. The package aimed to raise $739 billion and authorize $370 billion in spending on energy and climate change, $300 billion in deficit reduction, three years of Affordable Care Act subsidies, prescription drug reform to lower prices, and tax reform. According to an analysis by the Rhodium Group, the bill will lower US greenhouse gas emissions between 31 percent and 44 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.[403] On August 7, 2022, the Senate passed the bill (as amended) on a 51–50 vote, with all Democrats voting in favor, all Republicans opposed, and Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie. The bill was passed by the House on August 12 and was signed by Biden on August 16.

Before and during the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), Biden promoted an agreement that the U.S. and the European Union cut methane emissions by a third by 2030 and tried to add dozens of other countries to the effort. Biden pledged to double climate funding to developing countries by 2024. Also at COP26, the U.S. and China reached a deal on greenhouse gas emission reduction. The two countries are responsible for 40 percent of global emissions. In July 2023, when the 2023 heat waves hit the U.S., Biden announced several measures to protect the population and said the heat waves were linked to climate change.

AID TO UKRAINE

 

In late February 2022, after warning for several weeks that an attack was imminent, Biden led the U.S. response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, imposing severe sanctions on Russia and authorizing over $8 billion in weapons shipments to Ukraine. On April 29, Biden asked Congress for $33 billion for Ukraine, but lawmakers later increased it to about $40 billion. Biden blamed Vladimir Putin for the emerging energy and food crises.

On February 20, 2023, four days before the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Biden visited Kyiv and met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. While there, he promised more military aid to Ukraine and denounced the war.

In 2022, Congress approved about $113 billion in aid to Ukraine. In October 2023, the Biden administration requested an additional $61.4 billion in aid for Ukraine for the year ahead.

CHINESE RELATIONS

China's assertiveness, particularly in the Pacific, remains a challenge for Biden. The Solomon Islands-China security pact caused alarm, as China could build military bases across the South Pacific. Biden sought to strengthen ties with Australia and New Zealand in the wake of the deal, as Anthony Albanese succeeded to the premiership of Australia and Jacinda Ardern's government took a firmer line on Chinese influence. In a September 2022 interview with 60 Minutes, Biden said that U.S. forces would defend Taiwan in the event of "an unprecedented attack" by the Chinese, which is in contrast to the long-standing U.S. policy of "strategic ambiguity" toward China and Taiwan. In late 2022, Biden issued several executive orders and federal rules designed to slow Chinese technological growth, and maintain U.S. leadership over computing, biotech, and clean energy.

On February 4, 2023, Biden ordered the United States Air Force to shoot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The State Department said the balloon carried antennas and other equipment capable of geolocating communications signals, and similar balloons from China have flown over more than 40 nations. The Chinese government denied that the balloon was a surveillance device, instead claiming it was a civilian (mainly meteorological) airship that had blown off course. The incident was seen as damaging to U.S. and China relations.

ISRAEL & HAMAS

In October 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel that devolved into a war, jeopardizing the administration's push to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Biden stated his unequivocal support for Israel, deployed aircraft carriers in the region to deter others from joining the war, and called for an additional $14 billion in military aid to Israel. He later began pressuring Israel to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Biden rejected calls for a ceasefire but said he supported "humanitarian pauses" to deliver aid to the people of the Gaza Strip. He asked Israel to pause its invasion of Gaza for at least three days to allow for hostage negotiations; Israel agreed to daily four-hour pauses. Biden has said he is a Zionist.

2024 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Ending months of speculation, on April 25, 2023, Biden confirmed he would run for reelection as president in the 2024 election, with Harris again as his running mate. The campaign launched four years to the day after the start of his 2020 presidential campaign. On the day of his announcement, a Gallup poll found that Biden's approval rating was 37 percent. Most of those surveyed in the poll said the economy was their biggest concern. During his campaign, Biden has promoted higher economic growth and recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. He has frequently stated his intention to "finish the job" as a political rallying cry.

 

 

 

 

DICTATORS AND COMMUNISTS - WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

 

It's nothing new, and is well reported in the media, that China's 'Adolf Hitler,' and his Imperial expansion agenda, may not be directly linked to climate change, though inevitably is diverting resources away from tackling global warming. A situation that Xi Jinping will have been enjoying, the global temperature rise benefitting Russia's war criminal, in thawing the cold landscape and freezing permafrost.

 

For sure, Europe and the US should have predicted and be wary of purchasing cheap imports from a cold and calculated world domination agenda. The proof of which is the special alliance with communist Vladimir Putin, who is supplying cheap supplies of energy to China and India and Narendra Modi.

 

Xi Jinping is the mastermind of a different kind of World War Three. They are building nuclear submarines and securing port access to support their aggressive commercial export policy. Thus, China is strengthened by supporting Russia in fighting Ukraine. Not least in the supply of cheaper oil, petroleum and gas. Presumably, it would not bother them if the US and Russia wiped each other out, leaving China and India to battle it out with Japan, Australia and South America. Though, some South American states are already being snake charmed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the subject of NATO and climate change, and how the war between Russia and Ukraine may be affecting climate change, as in escalating global warming. Here are some key points to consider.

We should consider some background information on the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and its implications for regional and global security, and the part of NATO in addressing environmental challenges and climate change, as well as the recent Climate Change and Security Action Plan adopted by NATO Allies [1].

 

 

 

 

 

It takes a lot of pot warming to walk into another country, so that nobody lifts a finger. Having done it once with Crimea, and after cajoling all the usual political allies, blinding them with reliance on cheap fossil fuels, and how powerful the former USSR is, with plenty of military displays and much talk of nuclear dominance. One might imagine from Hitler's example in Europe, with Blitzkrieg tactics, that Putin believed Ukraine was a Cakewalk.

 

The International Criminal Court (ICC), located in the Hague, is the court that prosecutes individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

As of March 6, 2024, the ICC has issued arrest warrants for two individuals in connection with the situation in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin is accused of the war crime of unlawful deportation of children from occupied Ukrainian territories. Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova: is also accused of the responsibility for the same war crime.

It's important to note that having an arrest warrant issued doesn't equate to being declared a war criminal, it is simply an allegation. A trial would be needed to determine guilt, and if found guilty, would then be a convicted war criminal.

 

 

 

The environmental impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has targeted Ukraine’s energy system, starting in October 2022, has been particularly damaging to the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, forest fires, oil depots, gas power plants, and renewable energy sources. You can imagine the estimates of the first year of war’s carbon footprint in the region.

The geopolitical implications of Russia’s aggression for climate action, the invasion of Ukraine may undermine the international cooperation and trust needed to address climate change effectively. Many have compared Putin’s actions with those of Hitler, who also used historical disquisitions and nationalist rhetoric to justify his expansionist ambitions, despite the efforts of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that was designed by the parties to prevent such aggressions, and a similar scenario from happening again. But here we are again, with Putin just waiting for the right moment to take advantage of the West's apparent weaknesses, having built up a suitable stash of cash and arms, to wage his expansionist plans, almost exactly as Adolf Hitler, leading up to World War Two.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We can thus imagine a World War Three scenario, unless the Imperialist dictator is stopped dead in his tracks. The problem being how to do that without the Russian loon, from pushing the nuke button. Clearly, his age is one trigger, lest his career dream elude him completely as he succumbs to old age. Where he cannot be sure his successors will be so foolhardy in the modern internet age, knowing the Russian population are more enlightened. And voting might actually count one day. Especially concerning international issues such a warming of the planet, biological diversity and plastic pollution; poisoning our fish stocks.

 

The problem being that Vladimir Putin is a relic of the Cold War. It appears that he cannot get his head out of that particular cloud. Taking lessons directly from Adolf Hitler's pocket book on world domination. On that score, Vladimir Putin is not even original, as you might agree on reflection of the Führer's approach.

 

 

 

 

 

Adolf Hitler fought in the First World War, then took advantage of the utter carnage of a depression, to promise the German people the earth. There is no doubting his skills as a master orator. 

 

On 30 January 1939, Nazi German dictator Adolf Hitler gave a speech in the Kroll Opera House to the Reichstag delegates, which is best known for the prediction he made that "the annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe" would ensue if another world war were to occur.

Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels helped write the speech, which was delivered on the sixth anniversary of Hitler's seizure of power in 1933. The speech lasted two or two-and-a-half hours. It dealt with both the foreign and domestic policies of the Nazi government.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hitler accused Jews of having "nothing of their own, except for political and sanitary diseases" and being parasites on the German nation, turning Germans into "beggars in their own country". He asserted there had to be an end to the misconception that "the good Lord had meant the Jewish nation to live off the body and productive work of other nations", or else the Jews would "succumb to a crisis of unimaginable severity". Hitler claimed that the Jews were trying to incite "millions among the masses of people into a conflict that is utterly senseless for them and serves only Jewish interests". Hitler then arrived at his main point:

"I have very often in my lifetime been a prophet and have been mostly derided. At the time of my struggle for power it was in the first instance the Jewish people who only greeted with laughter my prophecies that I would someday take over the leadership of the state and of the entire people of Germany and then, among other things, also bring the Jewish problem to its solution. I believe that this hollow laughter of Jewry in Germany has already stuck in its throat. I want today to be a prophet again: if international finance Jewry inside and outside Europe should succeed in plunging the nations once more into a world war, the result will be not the Bolshevization of the earth and thereby the victory of Jewry, but the annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe."

Today, a speech like this would be illegal. Inciting racial prejudice and hatred. He would be arrested, tried and imprisoned. With all the build up, and wealth creation in rearming Germany, and with the help of the Gestapo, few would stand up to be counted, for fear of being eliminated, sometimes permanently.

 

 

ADOLF HITLER

 

Founder and leader of the Nazi Party, Reich Chancellor and guiding spirit of the Third Reich (New World Order) from 1933 to 1945, Head of State and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Adolf Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn, Austria, on 20 April 1889. The son of a fifty-two-year-old Austrian customs official, Alois Schickelgruber Hitler, and his third wife, a young peasant girl, Klara Poelzl, both from the backwoods of lower Austria.

 

The young Hitler was a resentful, discontented child. Moody, lazy, of unstable temperament, he was deeply hostile towards his strict, authoritarian father and strongly attached to his indulgent, hard-working mother, whose death from cancer in December 1908 was a shattering blow to the adolescent Hitler.

Hitler's saber-rattling tactics bludgeoned the British and French into the humiliating Munich agreement of 1938 and the eventual dismantlement of the Czechoslovakian State in March 1939. The concentration camps, the Nuremberg racial laws against the Jews, the persecution of the churches and political dissidents were forgotten by many Germans in the euphoria of Hitler's territorial expansion and bloodless victories. The next designated target for Hitler's ambitions was Poland (her independence guaranteed by Britain and France) and, to avoid a two-front war, the Nazi dictator signed a pact of friendship and non-aggression with Soviet Russia. On 1 September 1939 German armies invaded Poland and henceforth his main energies were devoted to the conduct of a war he had unleashed to dominate Europe and secure Germany's "living space."

The first phase of World War II was dominated by German Blitzkrieg tactics: sudden shock attacks against airfields, communications, military installations, using fast mobile armor and infantry to follow up on the first wave of bomber and fighter aircraft. Poland was overrun in less than one month, Denmark and Norway in two months, Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg and France in six weeks. After the fall of France in June 1940 only Great Britain stood firm. Leading to the Battle of Britain.

The Battle of Britain, is where the Royal Air Force prevented the Luftwaffe from securing aerial control over the English Channel. This was Hitler's first 'setback,' causing the planned invasion of the British Isles to be postponed.

 

The 'setback' for Vladimir Putin, was the fighting spirit of the Ukraine, at last supported by the EU and USA, where he simply walked in Crimea, unopposed. Indeed, Putin's saber-rattling, nuclear rhetoric, and military displays of power (marches) have failed. The Ukraine has a leader with gusto, the size of a brass space-hopper.

 

Depending on his mood swings and level or perceived desperation, the 'Red Peril' may finally punch the nuclear bag. We imagine this threat is real, spoken of many times as a threat in case Russia starts losing ground seriously, politically and geographically. Meaning that everyone, all over the world should not be shocked if it happens, and should be preparing for the worst case scenario. Mainly, to ensure survival in sufficient numbers to be able to stage a comeback. Not to waste that opportunity, should the indescribable be forced upon us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take a leaf out of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs, that effectively ended WW2. If Putin is rash enough to unleash thermonuclear hell, the West should take that opportunity to completely neutralize the Russian threat, so sending a clear message to potentially fanatical adversaries like Iran and North Korea. No matter what the cost. It will be cheaper for planet earth in the long run.

 

Indeed, as allies of Russia, Iran and North Korea may care to enjoin. Giving the remainder of the developed world, NATO allies and even UK allies who are not members of NATO, the opportunity to obliterate those threats. From which (relatively) clean slate, the world, as Nations United, might rebuild from a more stable starting point. Barren, but stable; a clean canvas. Unthinkable that such a confrontation represents, every cloud has a silver lining. Leaving only China and India, to come to terms with. Who may then see reason, in curtailing their present nuclear ambitions. Not least because the cheap coal, gas and oil will have evaporated. Putting their economies into a nose dive, save for rice, tea and spices as exports. But when? When will the land be washed sufficiently to farm, and how many farmers will be able bodied enough to tend the crops?

 

Fingers crossed, the world will not be too polluted, and that any nuclear winter might be survivable. Though this goes against all that the Cleaner Ocean Foundation stands for, in the real world, one should be prepared. In the words of Sir Winston Churchill: "Speak softly, but carry a big stick."

 

What is clear, is that any nation treading a similar path to Adolf Hitler, will eventually come up against some serious competition for survival. In any nuclear conflict, cannibalism will be rife. Pork pie anyone?

 

 

 

         

 

 

Portrait of a war criminal, trained by Russian's secret service, where their job constituted an apprenticeship for what was to come, the mass murder of Ukrainian citizens, as a butchering psychopath. Vladimir Putin is pictured above as a child, and then clawing his way up the power ladder as a KGB officer, with who knows how many assassinations ordered by his then superiors, or himself, along the way, as he developed a circle of alliances based on fear. The KGB being the right training ground for political success, for those ruthless enough to quash opposition the old fashioned way. Much as with Adolf Hitler and his Gestapo. That is why it is dangerous to keep anyone in any position of power for too long. Change is essential to prevent cozy relationships developing into a full blown dictatorship. And that means free elections is a true democracy, with complete transparency. The only exceptions to this rule, being a few very well balanced individuals, who don't have an axe to grind, and respect geographical boundaries. Holding life to be precious, and human rights sacrosanct.

 

The KGB was a military service governed by army laws and regulations, in the same fashion as the Soviet Army or the MVD Internal Troops. While most of the KGB archives remain classified, two online documentary sources are available. Its main functions were foreign intelligence, counter-intelligence, operative-investigative activities, guarding the state border of the USSR, guarding the leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the Soviet Government, organization and security of government communications as well as combating nationalist, dissident, religious and anti-Soviet activities. On 3 December 1991, the KGB was officially dissolved. It was later succeeded in Russia by the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) and what would later become the Federal Security Service (FSB). After becoming president, Vladimir Putin launched a major reorganization of the FSB. First, the FSB was placed under direct control of the President by a decree issued on 17 May 2000.

 

 

SURVIVING A NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST

 

While the threat of nuclear war is a critical concern, it's important to understand that preventing nuclear conflict is paramount, the exception being when fired upon, thus a retaliatory second strike and up to date defence system is essential.

 

A nuclear winter is a hypothetical scenario with devastating consequences, and preparing for it can only offer limited and uncertain benefits in the face of an event that must first be actively prevented through diplomacy and global cooperation, if at all possible.

However, if the unthinkable were to happen, it's crucial to note that there is no guaranteed way to survive a nuclear winter. There are no grants for bunkers or stocks of food.

 

The severity of its impact would depend on numerous factors, including the scale of the nuclear exchange and the prevailing environmental conditions. If Iran and North Korea don't turn chicken, the thermonuclear fallout will be expansive, potentially all encompassing. Meaning longer in bunkers, on stored foods and H2O. That the ordinary citizen cannot afford. And the armed forces have not provided or stocked for sufficient after event combat. Presumably, if an aggressor is nutty enough to push the red button, they will have a follow up invasion plan.

 

Here are some general precautions that might be considered if such a catastrophic event were to occur:

Immediate Shelter:

1. Seek immediate shelter in a subterranean location like a basement, underground bunker, or subway station. These offer some protection from the initial blast, heat, and radiation.

 

2. Remain indoors for at least 24-48 hours as this allows radioactive fallout to settle, significantly reducing its immediate threat.

 

 

 

 

 

Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi, no doubt shaking hands on some deal, one of which could have been the continued supply of fossil fuels to underpin the rapid industrial expansion of India's economy, nuclear navy and space program. Despite, those exports financing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Does that make India an enemy and a risk?

 

 

Long-Term Survival:

- Food and water stockpiles: Having access to non-perishable food and water is crucial for long-term survival. Aim for a minimum of two weeks' supply per person, and ideally much longer if possible.

- Air filtration: Filtering the air you breathe is essential as radioactive dust can be present for weeks or months. Consider purchasing HEPA filters or improvising filtration systems using available materials.

- Medical supplies: Maintaining a basic stock of first-aid and medical supplies is important to address potential injuries and illnesses.

- Community and communication: Establishing communication channels and cooperating with others is crucial for sharing resources, information, and emotional support.

It's crucial to emphasize that these measures are highly speculative and offer no guarantee of survival. The consequences of a nuclear winter would be catastrophic, with widespread environmental damage, food shortages, and societal collapse.

Therefore, preventing nuclear war is the only truly effective way to avoid the horrors of nuclear winter. This necessitates continued efforts towards diplomacy, non-proliferation, and risk reduction. Individuals can contribute by supporting organizations dedicated to peace-building and global security and advocating for policies that promote dialogue and understanding between nations.

 

The war between Russia and Ukraine has undoubtedly presented a complex situation for NATO member nations, with potential implications for both climate change and defence spending. Let's take a look at some of the main points.

 

 

 

 

China has a long established relationship with Russia, to include satellites for space wars, apart from the import of cheap fossil fuels, to underpin a massive building programme that would end in tears, and bankruptcy. China has been lending money to strategic projects such as port developments, all over the world, as part of their expansion and export drive. They have also invested in wind turbine generation to allow for such loans.

 

 

CLIMATE CHANGE

Increased Focus on Energy Security: The war has exposed Europe's dependence on Russian energy sources, particularly natural gas. This has sparked renewed efforts to diversify energy supplies and accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources. While this long-term shift could ultimately benefit climate change mitigation, short-term solutions might involve increased reliance on fossil fuels from other sources, potentially offsetting some of the progress made on emissions reduction.

 

Potential Disruption of Climate Action: The war is diverting significant resources and attention from other pressing global issues, including climate change. This could disrupt international cooperation on climate action initiatives and hinder progress towards achieving emissions reduction targets.

DEFENCE SPENDING

Increased Defence Expenditure: The war has heightened security concerns among NATO members, leading to calls for increased defence spending. Many member states have committed to raising their defence budgets to meet the alliance's target of spending 2% of GDP on defence. This shift in resources towards defence comes at the expense of other budgetary priorities, potentially including investments in climate change initiatives.

 

Potential Long-Term Impacts: The war could have long-term consequences for NATO's strategic direction. If the conflict persists or escalates, it may necessitate continued high levels of defence spending, creating a persistent tension between security needs and climate action.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEMBER NATIONS PERSPECTIVES

Balancing Act: Member nations face the challenge of balancing their response to the war with their commitments to address climate change. This could involve seeking solutions that address immediate security concerns while still promoting long-term sustainability.

 

Diversity of Views: There will likely be divergences in member states' perspectives on how best to navigate this complex situation. Some countries might prioritize immediate security needs, while others might emphasize the importance of maintaining focus on climate action.

It is important to note that this is a rapidly evolving situation, and the long-term consequences of the war for NATO and climate change are still uncertain. However, the above points highlight some of the potential challenges and opportunities that the war presents for member nations.

It's also worth noting that some argue that increased defence spending can coexist with climate action.

 

Some propose investing in "green defence" technologies to improve efficiency and minimize environmental impact. Additionally, some believe that by addressing the root causes of conflict, such as poverty and resource scarcity, NATO can contribute to a more stable and sustainable future.

Ultimately, how individual member nations and NATO as a whole navigate this complex situation will depend on their evolving priorities and the trajectory of the war in Ukraine.

 

Ukraine represents the fight for freedom and the rights of every human to live a full life, free from oppression.

 

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_223084.htm

https://theconversation.com/house-of-representatives-holds-off-on-ukraine-aid-package-heres-why-the-us-has-a-lot-at-stake-in-supporting-ukraine-227420

https://theconversation.com/house-of-representatives-holds-off-on-ukraine-aid-package-heres-why-the-us-has-a-lot-at-stake-in-supporting-ukraine-227420

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_223084.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

NATO CONTACTS

At present, NATO has 31 member countries. These countries, called NATO Allies, are sovereign states that come together through NATO to discuss political and security issues and make collective decisions by consensus.

NATO was created by 12 countries from Europe and North America on 4 April 1949. Since then, 19 more countries have joined NATO through nine rounds of enlargement (in 1952, 1955, 1982, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2017, 2020 and 2023). Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty sets out how countries can join the Alliance. It states that membership is open to any "European State in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area".

 

Any decision to invite a country to join the Alliance is taken by the North Atlantic Council, NATO's principal political decision-making body, on the basis of consensus among all Allies.

The Secretary General is the principal spokesperson of the Alliance and represents the Alliance in public on behalf of the member countries, reflecting their common positions on political issues.

The post is currently held by Jens Stoltenberg, former Prime Minister of Norway, who took up his responsibilities on 1 October 2014. 

 

https://www.nato.int/

https://www.nato.int/