Jan 2-- the Widening Gyre

In the West the centre will not ohold

Today was January 1st in Japan. Now, it’s past midnight - so January 2nd. Looking at the “news” —it is all starting again. A “widening gyre”.

I will keep this post short— since I am tired having done more research on the “Special Article” ….and a whole year older— as I wrote yesterday.

The Russians continue to demilitarize Ukraine — one Ukrainian soldier at time . Maybe 1000 or more a day.

After that, comes “denazification”. One Nazi at a time. One politician at a time.

Trump is in a hurry to somehow get out of Ukraine - at least, to stop sending money into the black hole that is Europe. After all, he promised to do it more or less overnight.

Putin, however, is in no hurry to stop anything at all. And he is no mood to compromise.

“Denazifying” Ukraine is arguably a bigger challenge than “demilitarizing” it — and will take a long time —and perhaps be as complicated as the military operation.

Time, however, is on his side.

As is the intransigence of the West.

Reform is usually possible only once a sense of crisis takes hold.... In fact, crises are such valuable opportunities that a wise leader often prolongs a sense of emergency on purpose. -Charles Duhigg, The Power of Habit

Crisis—the “emergency” posed by the West’s war on Russia — has offered Putin opportunities to shape the Russia of the future in ways that would have been unimaginable before. It is Darwinian challenge. As the crisis continues— new opportunities emerge. It helps to be on the right side of history, as well.

It is not just Putin who is shaping Russia. Events have caused new leaders to appear in all walks of life in Russia. That is one of Putin’s gifts— to inspire leadership in such a way .

True leaders... do not make people into followers, but into other leaders. John Holt, Teach Your Own

As I said, Russia has time —and increasingly people with the “right stuff”.

The West, however, is out of time—and has only the “wrong’ stuff.

The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity. The Second Coming. W.B. Yeats

Something is coming.

What rough beast, its hour come round at last,

Slouches towards Washington to be born? (Apologies to WB Yeast)

Good Night

Once again, thank you all for your support and encouragement and many messages of good will.

Julian.

As usual coffee can be bought for Ichi and Chappy and the Old Guy HERE.