[Amrik Singh]

Originally Posted by digitalnirvana

The beauty of the Internet is that all voices are amplified. Anyone can write anything without the slightest knowledge, and yet come across as an expert.

The beauty of the Internet is that all voices are amplified and the most amplified are the Fake news.
A video showing a reporter in front of several bodies on a road has gone viral on social media. Many assumed the video was from Ukraine. During the clip, one of the bodies, wrapped in black plastic, was spotted moving, leading to backlash on social media with some people calling the reports of civilian deaths in the Ukrainian war a ‘propaganda by the West’.

[AJITHAAA]

Some perspective and insight from 4 years ago. This war was foreseen but none bothered to avert it. Hope it stays confined within the current area with minimum loss of life, although it seems to be wishful thinking.

https://youtu.be/8X7Ng75e5gQ

[Poitive]

Originally Posted by AJITHAAA

This war was foreseen but none bothered to avert it.

Not just foreseen, IMO this war has very likely been planned at least a decade ago. Right from an Orange Revolution being nurtured, to regime change, to pushing Russia with the knowledge that it will react in such a manner. Slight more perspective in this post.

One can't have proof of such things, but it is reasonable to expect at least affluent countries to game possible options for the future, and then try to influence things to their favour. (Some are said to have built models for over a100 years). Influencing other countries by various means is a part of how the world works. Wars are often a result of such influencing and gaming (gaming, as in game theory; note below).

That said, they can get out of hand and present less expected challenges and opportunities.

Global politics has little to do with morality. It is harshly practical. Morality and sentiments of the people at large are only tools in the hands of those influencing events.

Unless one has more direct access to happenings (which is extremely rare), one often realises this with fair conviction only after several years of observation, understanding, questioning, studying+exploring+researching things.

~~~~~~

Note for those unfamaliar with Game Theory:

Game theory, also known as interactive decision theory, studies the behavior of decision makers in situations of strategic interdependence. Its founders are John Von Neumann and Oskar Morgenstern who published the book The Theory of Games and Economic Behavior in 1944. The relevance of the theory for international relations (IR) goes undisputed; it is a truism to assert that states interact by trying to predict other states’ reactions to their decisions.

Source: Link

[SnS_12]

Crude prices continue to rise and being a oil producer Russia stands to gain the most. They had a budget surplus of almost $7 billion thanks to high gas prices and with Brent Crude at $116 currently they just stand to gain more and the price touching $150 looks like a reality. Some estimates say high oil prices will help Russia make a profit of $60 to $70 billion just over oil sales.








Looks like Russia was planning for this day from the time Crimea was annexed in 2014.

[JithinR]

Originally Posted by Amrik Singh

A video showing a reporter in front of several bodies on a road has gone viral on social media. Many assumed the video was from Ukraine. During the clip, one of the bodies, wrapped in black plastic, was spotted moving, leading to backlash on social media with some people calling the reports of civilian deaths in the Ukrainian war a ‘propaganda by the West’.

WUGs (Whatsapp University Graduates) post a video. WUGs then debunk it. WUGs then claim the whole thing was fake.

Meanwhile, 2s of Google search leads to

Original Video :

https://youtu.be/2o3Rph8DcUY

Articles debunking it:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile..../idUSL1N2UJ1W9
https://theprint.in/hoaxposed/video-...vienna/854759/

People seem to forget that just like the west propaganda is running at full steam so is the Russian one.

[skanchan95]

The Romanian Air Force lost a MiG-21 LanceR & a IAR-330 helicopter last night in an area not far from where the Russian Navy is operating its ships in the Black Sea in support of the Ukraine invasion.

On March 2, at 20:03, a MiG-21 LanceR of Romanian Air Force from the 86th Air Base, carrying out an air patrol mission over Dobrogea, disappeared from the radar. The aircraft had taken off from Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base 57 at 19:50 and crashed in an area between Gura Dobrogei and Cogealac, west of Costanta, in the eastern part of Romania, not far from the Black Sea.

An IAR-330 (the Romanian built version of Aerospatiale SA 330) helicopter took off on a rescue mission to locate the pilot and headed towards the area of the possible crash, looking for the missing pilot. The helicopter lost the radio contact with the base around 20.44LT and crashed in the area of Gura Dobrogei, Constanta county, about 11 km from the airport.

The Romanian Air Force later announced that 7 military aboard the helicopter had been killed in the incident, including two rescuers of the Romanian Naval Forces. Search and rescue operations of the pilot of MiG 21 LanceR aircraft are still underway.

Weather was reported to be pretty bad in the area of the two crashes, with snow/rain and low ceiling. The bad weather and the darkness may have contributed to one or both incidents.

Meanwhile, FOUR Russian fighter jets violate Swedish airspace while military exercise with Finland takes place – days after Putin warned the countries they face military action if they joined NATO

While such interceptions were routine pre-Ukraine invasion, recent events and threats by Russia have made the situation tense. One wrong move could result in a catastrophe.

[thanixravindran]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I think the word would be domination, not influence. Yes, America wants, Russia wants, China wants. That doesn't make it right that they should get.

OK, so what about the next bit...

How about using 'dominant' influence when competing forces act?

If I remember correctly during Stalin times, in the Communist Party apparatus, the (Political) power of Satellite states should not be greater than that of Soviet Socialist Republics (SSRs) which in turn cannot be greater than of the CPSU. I guess this would have extended to the military aspects as well.

On the other question, India has pretty much dropped its 'Forward' policy in the aftermath of 1962 war. Over the years, allowed multi party democracy in Nepal with communist party coming to power, recognized the 'One China' policy without reciprocation, diluted the Bhutan position from guidance to independent foreign policy, etc. Not sure whether these can be considered concessions to China.

[CarNerd]

Originally Posted by akhil_007

Of course, once in a while, we can indulge in Ice Cream/Party/Pizza (read: Surgical Strikes) but not frequently. Because the kids(read:Citizens) will ask for more(POK,Aksai Chin) and we cant let our economy derail because of that.

Comparing Surgical Strikes with Ice creams or Pizzas is not right in my opinion. They are done out of sheer necessity for the purpose of retaliation or threat elimination/reduction. Unlike Parties, Nobody enjoys doing them as it involves a great deal of risk with no guarantee of outcome.

[mayukh42]

Originally Posted by JithinR

People seem to forget that just like the west propaganda is running at full steam so is the Russian one.

True, but considering all mainstream social media (WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Youtube/ Google) are US companies, apart from traditional media like NYT, WaPo, CNN, which are as well, along with the latest entry in propaganda machine, Wikipedia (yes, you read that right, based on the "Editorial Cartel" that it employs since a few years now, at least in the context of history, politics and current affairs, not STEM topics for which it is still good enough), the probability of a "hit and run" fake news and getting away is much higher on the other side.

The propaganda by the West is subtle, not in-your-face videos that might garner lot of views. It is not always incorrect news either. but rather, "incomplete" news which does not tell the full story. They cover selective facts to suit their propaganda.

As one BHPian above mentioned that first casualty in war is information, it is further amplified by social media. They want people to get addicted to their platforms so that they can control the information. Not different from the very ideologies they seem to be against.

[skanchan95]

Bangladeshi sailor dies in missile attack on ship 'Banglar Samriddhi' at Ukraine port

A Bangladeshi sailor has been killed after Bangladesh Shipping Corporation's ship Banglar Samriddhi, which is stranded at the Olvia seaport due to war, came under missile attack in Ukraine.

"The deceased is Hadisur Rahman, third engineer of the ship," fellow sailor Salman Sami told The Business Standard on Wednesday night (BDST).

"The ship caught fire during the attack around 9:25pm. We were able to put out the fire immediately. Hadisur Rahman was killed in the attack. Everyone else is okay," he said.

Despite several attempts made by TBS reporter, BSC Executive Director (Commerce) Pijush Dutta could not be reached over the phone for comments on the incident.

Russian and Ukrainian troops have been firing missiles at each other over Buh River. Sami could not confirm whose missile hit the ship.

Banglar Samriddhi with 29 crew members -- all Bangladeshis -- reached the outer anchorage of Ukrainian port Olvia on February 23 to load ball clay.

As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia deteriorated, the ship's owning company Bangladesh Shipping Corporation cancelled the cargo load plan and directed the master of the ship not to berth at the port and shift to international waters.

But due to a delay in getting port clearance, the ship failed to leave the port immediately and it got stranded as the port's operations halted after the Russian invasion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4nx2Uvo-ec&t=43s

[Sran]

Over 10 lakhs Ukrainians are taking refuge in other countries, if this doesn't tells us about the situation then people just don't want to see the reality. Ukraine letting their countrymen pass the international borders before foreign nationals show that they do not possess righteous moral and ethics. Their countrymen themselves should have let foreigners pass first because it is not their country nor their war to fight.

The Global MSM is in full over drive mode to boost the morale of Ukrainians and feed false optimism which they need. Arms are being supplied by friendlies but that might not be of much use. There certainly is unrest about the Ukraine's puppet govt. but global news are refusing to show it as they never did and Indian news have no clue how to act and react. With Ukraine's defense units posting messages about their war crimes and world moral bearers uttering nothing about it shows the fake grandstanding by them over war crimes. It's always "The Animal Farm - All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

With their neo-nazi Azov battalion they have already lost many supporters around the world and now the command of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces warned on their fb that it will not spare Russian artillerymen. It says that there will be "no mercy" and that surrendering artillerymen will be "slaughtered like pigs" and not taken prisoner. Every single crew, whether it's a driver, or commander or loader - will be cut like pigs.

What is surprising is that a poor country like Ukraine offering upto 50 lakh rubles (33 lakh rupees) to every Russian soldiers. In a post by their Defense ministry on Feb,28 -We offer Russian soldiers a choice: to die in an unjust war or a full amnesty and 5 million rubles in compensation. If they lay down their arms and surrender voluntarily". This is some serious money and a army that claims that they may resist forever or even win the war seems suspicious of what they really believe. Some politicians from Poland who is also the chair of EU-USA delegation is offering 3,000 Euros and 3 year work permit for every Russian soldier on behalf of Poland. This is how egotistical maniacs try to solve their problem, by throwing money at it instead of acknowledging it and trying to find an amicable solutions.

In other words USA under democrats may soon sanction India for buying S-400 under their CATSAA law but will proudly boast that ukraine and other european countries are sovereign nations that are free to take their decisions (like Venezuela and 20 others aren't sovereign). Western world to others - Sanctions and sanctions are all I have to take your sovereignty away.

[NH08]

Some random thoughts:

1. As war rages, Uncle Sam is getting happier day by day. All the east/central European NATO countries must be lining up with their heavy purses open to purchase some 'gola barud' from Uncle Sam' shop.

2. Germany has decided to spend 100 billion euros on defense. Some of these will go for buying F-35. People at Lockheed Martin are going to have a double bonus this year and the company will be laughing all the way to bank.

3. Those who are non-NATO, please take out pen and paper and fill up the form for admission into NATO. Hurry, seats are limited. Thus spoke Uncle Sam.

4. Initially, the war seemed to be very imbalanced. A small country like Ukraine vs. giant Russia. It seemed an injustice towards Ukraine. But when I started reading more about countries neighbouring Russia, turned out that Russia is dangerously surrounded by NATO/US Forces. So, eastern Europe is having NATO/US forces whereas Japan, S. Korea having US forces. And Uncle Sam's moto is - East or West, Russia is (going to be) Waste.

5. Uncle Sam should also deploy some missiles in North Pole. Why leave Russia non-vulnerable from north side. Nothing can be done about south side where two Asian giants are sitting, one openly against Uncle Sam and another maintaining so fine balance that it is with both (Sam and Russia). Diplomacy (combined with economics) at its best.

6. Can Russia and Canada interchange their geographic locations? That will solve many problems. All S-400 directed towards south and all US missiles towards north.

Just some random thoughts.

[iamahunter]

Originally Posted by NH08

Some random thoughts:

6. Can Russia and Canada interchange their geographic locations? That will solve many problems. All S-400 directed towards south and all US missiles towards north.

Just some random thoughts.

This got me cracking up!

Ukraine is heavily supported by Nato and US forces and better we don't talk about social media!

I believe, the only true and honest opinions are coming from Team-BHP.

I was kind of neutral towards the war, but the Ukraine politics have got me tilted towards Russia.

[SnS_12]

Originally Posted by Sran

In other words USA under democrats may soon sanction India for buying S-400 under their CATSAA law but will proudly boast that ukraine and other european countries are sovereign nations that are free to take their decisions (like Venezuela and 20 others aren't sovereign). Western world to others - Sanctions and sanctions are all I have to take your sovereignty away.

In the case of the S 400 or the newer S 500, sanctions and made by Russia is just an excuse as the US is genuinely worried about the capabilities of this system and loosing their stealth and acquiring intel edge as their drones, F22, F35 and B 2 bombers can easily be located and targeted. US being the global leader when it comes to arms export these Russian systems will definitely dent their earnings..

[AltoLXI]

America defeats Germany for the third time in a century

It was rather interesting and eye catching title to the blog by Economics professor Michael Hudson. Many already are aware how the MIC dictates the US policies but the author has also mentioned how OGAM (Oil, Gas and Mining) and FIRE (Finance, Insurance and Real Estate) lobbies along with MIC control Europe.

The FIRE, MIC and OGAM sectors are the three rentier sectors that dominate today’s post-industrial finance capitalism. Their mutual fortunes have soared as MIC and OGAM stocks have increased. And moves to exclude Russia from the Western financial system (and partially now from SWIFT), coupled with the adverse effects of isolating European economies from Russian energy, promise to spur an inflow into dollarized financial securities

On how US tried to stop Germany getting supply from Nord Stream 2

U.S. officials first tried to stop construction of the pipeline from being completed. Firms aiding in its construction were sanctioned, but finally Russia itself completed the pipeline. U.S. pressure then turned on the traditionally pliant German politicians, claiming that Germany and the rest of Europe faced a National Security threat from Russia turning off the gas, presumably to extract some political or economic concessions. No specific Russian demands could be thought up, and so their nature was left obscure and blob-like. Germany refused to authorize Nord Stream 2 from officially going into operation.

On the counter moves by Russia

Russia’s longer term aim is to pry Europe away from NATO and U.S. dominance—and in the process, create with China a new multipolar world order centered on an economically integrated Eurasia. The aim is to dissolve NATO altogether, and then to promote the broad disarmament and denuclearization policies that Russia has been pushing for. Not only will this cut back foreign purchases of U.S. arms, but it may end up leading to sanctions against future U.S. military adventurism. That would leave America with less ability to fund its military operations as de-dollarization accelerates.

Link here