Media campaigns against Russia

The Media's Winter War

As of the time of writing, the White House has not confirmed media stories that Biden has explicitly authorized long-range missile strikes on Russian territory. Nor has it provided evidence of North Korean troops in Kursk.

Yet, the media campaign- and that is what it is — a campaign— seems to be have been taken as fact by most of the Internet.

Normally, in a situation like this, the White House would respond immediately with some kind of official clarifications of their policy. If there were Korean troops they would provide satellite photos and videos proving it.

The basis for these stories are the usual culprits — anonymous sources.

So why the hysteria?

And why the WH silence?

There are several reasons for Biden’s lame duck administration not reacting.

The main one being— it’s lame. They are not going to change their policy other than delivering a few extra ATACMs from their diminishing stockpile maybe.

All this media fuss is not orchestrated from inside the Oval Office —but by Critters in the Washington Swamp — to put pressure on Donald Trump – or to cause Russia to overreact. Biden simply doesn’t care anymore.

Well, maybe Blinken does. He has to move on, probably to a Think Tank or Academia or the Media where something like this would help him get a job as it Sticky Vicky Nuland.

Smoke and Mirrors

What does “authorization” of ATACMs strikes mean anyway.?

• The US has implicitly authorized Ukrainians to launch long-range precision missiles—ATACMS, SCALP, etc—at Russian territory. Wink, wink, nod, nod, blink, Blinken.

• The US and NATO have been manning and operating a variety of equipment in Ukraine-- not just ATACMS batteries— but Patriot launchers and the like. US involvement has been visible for years. Which the US and NATO have been de facto co-belligerents all this while.

• Ukrainians have been making extensive use of NATO AWACS and ISR. That’s obvious too, with AWACS aircraft escorted by NATO fighters over the Black Sea.

Russia has avoided responding to these acts of war in a reciprocal fashion – which would mean, example, shooting down AWACS aircraft or ISR satellites—because (I guess) the SMO is not supposed to be a “war” It wanted — wants to — avoid escalating the conflict in Ukraine.

All that changes if there is an attack on the Homeland, as Putin said three weeks ago.

In 2022, the Russians were not fully prepared for war.

Now, they have the world's second most powerful military – surpassing that of the US--and continuing to develop - -not to mention a booming economy and the industrial base to back them up if push comes to shove.

Ukraine? Banderite Ukraine was first a rogue state. Now a failed state.

ATACMS pose no real threat to Russia unless they got a lucky hit on a nuclear reactor. If that happened, the Ukrainians would stand to lose a lot of European support. Europe does not want clouds of radiation moving in their direction as was the case after Chernobyl. I would guess Ukraine would like to avoid a catastrophe .

How the Media campaign benefits Russia

For the Russian side, this media campaign is actually to their advantage.

If the US authorizes use of ATACMS explicitly, it commits an act of war as the Japanese did when they attacked Pearl Harbor. Then Russia can take advantage of international law and global opinion to attack AWACS aircraft and satellites even outside of Russian airspace. Finally…at long last…as Russians have been demanding for a long time.

The question rises : what happens when a NATO state is the aggressor? Answer: NATO is supposed to be a defensive alliance — and, in any case, Article 5 does not actually obligate NATO members to defend others.

So, if Russia shoots down an AWACS over the Black Sea or the Baltic after using it to attack Russia— why should other NATO states get involved. The same with Russia attacking ISR satellites.

It’s a can of worms NATO should not open.

Upping the ante

No reasonable president would or should authorize such an officially offensive policy which risks real war against a stronger adversary.

Of course, the Russians don’t want war. But they are not afraid of it either.

They are likely to temporize and use proxies to attack the Americans – specifically, the Houthis. They will reinforce their military alliances with Syria and Iran. And you can also expect them to recognize the Taliban in Afghanistan, as the Chinese have.

As for the disinformation about the Koreans-- the truth about that will come out -- just as the truth about WMDs in Iraq and Saddam's alliance with Al Qaeda, which were also stories in a Western media campaign that many people bought into.

Perhaps the Houthis sinking a couple of US destroyers in the Red Sea will offer a much needed dose of reality.

Egyptian Mau

Purebred Mau

The ancient Egyptians worshipped cats— and ancient images show tabbies with a “scarab” marking on the forehead—which is common to tabbies. Yet, the indigenous Egyptian Mau is a very rare cat—and almost became extinct. The Maus found on the streets of Cairo are mostly mixed. “Pure” Maus come only from breeders.

“Mau” just means “cat” in most Arab countries (“Meow”) .

I used to think Ichi was a Mau hybrid. J am not so sure now.

He has something like a “scarab” on the forehead—but not as defined, longer back legs like Maus—and his stripes break to suggest spots. All Mau-ish.

He is very people-centric like a Mau and hates to be left alone. And he talks a lot.

His two long-tailed, slender sisters were more gracile and very Mau-ish.

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