Catherine West withdraws Leadership Challenge - Update

Noted: REAGAN on Netflix, excellent movie, just felt it left out, the Reagan dark horse candidacy for the 1968 Republican nomination.  The electrifying 1976 Speech to the Republican Convention.  The the Reagan visit to Moscow and his walk with Gorbachev in red square in 1988.

BBC News: Reports in its 12.06pm post that the Labour backbencher has withdrawn her challenge.

Let's Get Real:

The Labour Party has flunked the leadership challenge to Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour MPs are out of touch with voters, Cabinet Ministers care more about the perks of being in the Cabinet. The cars and civil servants to protect Ministers from making fools of themselves.  If Reform win the next General Election, today is the road that started the process.

New START (Treaty) to Expire on Thusday - Update

BBC News: Reports that the New START ( Treaty ) is to expire on Thursday.

Lets Get Real:

This is the end of the era for treaties to control the nuclear arms of both Russia and the US.  As the article notes Trump wants a new Treaty that includes China, no chance, Russia wants to include the UK and France, no way that will happen, France is only a player on the World Stage because it has Nukes, the UK on the whole is a dependable ally of the US on the ground, of late Afghanistan and Iraq.  The Treaty that outlawed different kinds of Nukes, was the INF Treaty signed by Reagan and Gorbachev, that was allowed to expire, thus Europe would be a battle front should WW3 break out.  The Old order is gone, Nukes were meant to prevent Mutual Assured Destruction in Europe, the Trump Era has destroyed that, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine has shown that Nukes do not prevent Wars, Ukraine gave up its Nukes, after security guarantees from the US and Russia, the assurances were not worth the paper they were written on.   The Coalition of willing and the US are willing to give security guarantees to the Ukraine, and troops on the ground, the Russians object, we are back to pre WW2 days, Russia is Germany and the Ukraine is brave Poland.  The result is still unknown.

Is Greenland an ISSUE because the Donald "The Wimp " did not Get the Nobel Prize

BBC News: Reports in its 9.13am post the following, " Trump references lack of Nobel Peace Prize in letter to Norway's PM "

Lets Get Real:

So this is down to the Donald not getting the Nobel Peace Prize, POTUS is the last person who should get this prize, the Nobel Committee makes mistakes, it gave it to President Gorbachev but not to Reagan, on other hand they gave it Henry Kissinger, without Nixon, let's be fair they were a double act.  So the Donald does not think International law is a concerned to him or the role of Allies.   The US Cabinet and the US Congress should think about invoking the 25th Amendment, to replace Trump, he has lost the plot, his wanting Greenland could be a threat to NATO, one is sure VP Vance would not mind replacing a crazy President.  What about the Ukraine, they need a stable POTUS, and World Security is at stake.

Biden Reckless to run in 2024 - VP Harris

CNN:  Reports  "Kamala Harris says it was reckless to let Biden make reelection decision on his own "

Lets Get Real:

The VP is looking for someone to blame, she has such a short period to get her campaign ready and she also complains that the White House did not see her as part of the team, she suggests that her success would have been a success for the President.  One can not think that Bush 41, the most loyal Vice - Presidents in history making such remarks.  It could be that former VP Harris is thinking about 2028, she would be able to say that she did not get a fair crack of the whip due to the late drop out of Biden after the debate.   At the end of the day its down to the President should he run again, Nancy Reagan did not want Ronald Reagan to run for 2nd term, but Gipper wated it and it was successful with the exception of Iran - Contra, the Cold War came to end in Iceland, almost all nuclear weapons were nearly banned, Reagan was more of a dove than people give him credit for.  Within a year of Reagan leaving Office, the Berlin Wall came down and then the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, under Reagan's chosen successor, Bush 41.

Trump not happy with Putin - Trump47

Sky News: Reports in its 11.12pm post that President Trump is not happy with Russian President Putin over attacks in the Ukraine.

Lets Get Real:

Has POTUS finally woken up, being nice to the Russians never works and is a vote loser.  How can Trump have Reagan's picture in the Oval Office and not worked that out.  PUTIN is no Gorbachev, Putin is a WAR CRIMINAL, power is the only thing that matters in Putin's Russia.  Even a mass murder, Stalin is being sold as a Russian hero.  The invasion of the Ukraine in 2022 and the refusal to stop the War is a WAR CRIME. POTUS needs to place sanctions on Russia.

UK and EU place more sanctions on Russia - Ukraine- Russia War

Sky News: Reports that the UK and EU are placing more sanctions on Russia, all told it will be 100 new UK sanctions.

Lets Get Real:

The Russian economy is a total war economy, as the article states, 40% of its budget goes on the War, the West needs to spend more, it did during the Cold War, thus the West won the Cold War, this lead to the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.  PUTIN seems to have forgotten that lesson, WW1 lead to the downfall of Imperial Russia and the Russian Revolution of  1917.    Its time to remind the Russian Bear, that it can be beaten.

US and Russia talks to start Immediately on the Ukraine - Trump47

Sky News: Reports that the US and Russia are to start talks immediately on the War in the Ukraine:

Lets Get Real:

POTUS had the cheek to have the portrait of US President Ronald Reagan on his wall, the Gipper will be rolling in his grave, Reagan won the Cold War, Trump has given Putin a WIN in the New Cold War II, he should have portrait of Neville Chamberlain on his walll, the last great appeaser in 1938.  Sad day for Western Security.  Also the US Secretary of Defence has stated that Europe is not US first priority, another win for Putin.

Capitol Rotunda Oath for Donald Trump - Trump47

BBC News: Reports that the 47th President, Donald Trump will be inaugurated in the Capital Rotunda, due to the expected Cold weather on the day.

Lets Get Real:

The Donald will not be happy, he likes big crowds, the Inaugural will follow the format of Reagan's Inaugural in 1985.  Lets hope Trump47 is half as good as Reagan, the Gipper was a great President,  specially in the 2nd term, ending the Cold War in 1986, there was Iran - Contra, nobody went to jail or was impeached, as Lady Thatcher said in 2004, won the Cold  war without firing a shot, this lead to Russia leaving Afghanistan and lead to the downfall of the USSR. We shall see what happens with Trump.

Ukraine not told of call between Trump and Putin- Trump47

 Sky News: Reports that the Kyiv Governmemt was not told about a  call between Trump47 and President Putin.

Lets Get Real:

IS the sell out of the Ukraine starting, to be a fly in the room as Trump appeases Putin, Trump47 likes strong men, so does the American people it seems from the recent election.  What will Trump give to Putin, the Crimea and parts of Eastern Ukraine, what the Ukraine get out of it, the dead! The lessons of Munich 1938 are lost on Trump, I want the 1980s back, Ronald Reagan in the US and Margaret Thatcher in the UK and Gorbachev in Russia.   The giants of politics.

Dead Iran President was Terrorist Supporter and had BLOOD ON HIS HANDS - The White House

BBC News: Reports " Iran declares five days of mourning for president.........However, the White House said the late president had been responsible for Iran’s support for "terrorist networks throughout the region" and that he had "a lot of blood on his hands".  "

Lets Get Real:

The late President of Iran was a EVIL SOB, who deserved what he got, HELL has another tyrant in its fold, Hitler, Stalin, Gaddafi, Putin to follow one day one hopes. There is always Evil in this World, thank God we had Churchill during WW2 and Reagan in the 1980s. Who is our hero today?

The World Reviews Biden's STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS - 2024 candidates/2024General Election

BBC News: Reports " State of the Union: What the world made of Biden's big speech....In his State of the Union address, he referred to Hitler being "on the march" in 1941 in Europe and then said that the Russian leader was "on the march" himself, warning that Russian aggression would not stop at Ukraine.  "

Lets Get Real:

If the Biden Oval has to talk to Russia in the end, it will not look good that you are doing another Munich 1938.   If you follow the Biden logic this can only end in two ways, a coup in Russia, Putin will not withdraw or World War 3.  As noted in my previous post, the fist part of the Biden Address was strong, went all the way back to 1941 when the US entered WW2 after Pearl Harbour and Germany declaring WAR on the US.  Also BIDEN stated that a President Reagan stood before the Berlin Wall and asked Mr Gorbachev to tear it down.  The question is will the American people buy it, there mind set is very much like after WW1, enough of foreign WARS, also the crisis at the BORDER with Mexico is seen as a national security THREAT.  TIME WILL TELL.

Russian General in Charge of Ukraine WAR - Sacked - Sky Breaking News

Sky News: Reports "  'General Armageddon': Russia replaces commander of Ukraine war after three months in job...Sergei Surovikin, nicknamed "General Armageddon", has been removed from his role as head of Russia's war in Ukraine only three months into the job.  "

Lets Get Real:

This is what happens when a WAR is going very wrong and you need a mercenary army of ex prisoners to backup your Army.  This General was in Syria, it seems the General cannot cope with the other side fighting back and that the plan to destroy the civic industry of Ukraine has not made the people rebel against their government, in fact it has made the people of the Ukraine fight harder.  Putin must be worried, his mercenary army is claiming wins without the support of the Russian Army, a Army within a Army they can become a threat, thus Putin must be worried about his future, the Russian people have overthrown leaders who fail them, Tsar Nicholas II in 1917 and in 1991 the end of the USSR.  Thus Putin must be worried he will find himself in a House of Special Purpose, and the fate of the Tsar and his family. President Putin does not have all the time in the world.

Iran DRONES to be BUILT on Russian Soil - Ukraine - Russian War - Biden Era

Sky News - Live Blog: Reports in its 12.09pm post the following, " Russia reaches agreement with Iran to build drones for Ukraine war - reports....Russia has reached an agreement with Iran to start making hundreds of drones on its home soil for use in the Ukraine war, according to The Washington Post.  "

Lets Get Real:

This DEAL shows how Russian is no longer a SUPER POWER, it has to cap in hand to Tehran and North Korea, the Putin invasion of the Ukraine has shown that the billions that Putin has spent on defence was a mirage, also when does a super power have to get people from jail to fight their WARS. Putin is on thin ice, one has to ask how long the Russian people will put up with WEAK LEADERSHIP from the Kremlin, if they demonstrate in 1917 and 1991, what is stopping them NOW, they now bear the guilt of the WAR CRIMES committed by Russia and Russian Soldiers.  If the people really cared about Russia, they would be out on the streets, trying to get rid of Putin, all they do is watch the PR from the Kremlin on their TV.  The Axis of Evil, Russia, Iran and North Korea have to be stopped, we need a new Reagan and Thatcher, great leaders who faced down the USSR and led to its downfall. 

Is the nuclear Russian Bear on the Move - Ukraine - Russian War - Biden Era

Daily Mail: Reports " Russian nuclear military train is seen on the move in 'possible warning to the West' that Putin is prepared to escalate his Ukraine war...Military analysts claimed this could be a sign of escalation in Ukraine conflict on behalf of Moscow, or preparation for large-scale nuclear readiness tests  "

Lets Get Real:

This could be Putin's move to counter the success of the Ukraine in areas that were under Russian control since their invasion of February.  The Kremlin might be thinking that their Army is not up to much, and their partial call up of troops has frightened Russian males, from published photos of those called up show old men in their 40s and 50s, if the Russian Leadership has to scrap the barrel for Soldiers then they have a problem.  Also it must be hundred of thousands of Russian men are heading to the borders to get hell out of dodge.  It is somewhat of shock that the Kremlin has not closed the borders, one must postulate that Putin would rather have the opposition outside of the Country than on the streets calling for Putin to go.  The question is will Putin really set of a low yield tactical nuclear weapon in the Ukraine, the West would react, but the land lost to Ukraine would be clouded by radiation, thus no one can live there, much like Chernobyl after 1986.  The forests around Chernobyl are still full of radiation, it would take years to clean up an area if a tactical nuclear weapon was used in the Ukraine, Putin might call that a WIN, no one could use the land, is Putin really that MAD ?  What would the NATO DO, that is the question at the moment. 

US to defend Taiwan Against Chinese Attack - POTUS - Biden Era/King Charles III Era

Sky News: Reports "  US forces 'would defend Taiwan' in face of Chinese invasion, Joe Biden says in candid interview....The United States has long stuck to a policy of "strategic ambiguity" and not made clear whether it would respond militarily to an attack.  "

Lets Get Real:

This is not the first time that POTUS has putt his foot in his mouth, the Chinese will not be happy, they might even try more military drills close and around Taiwan.  The US policy is either strategic ambiguity over what the US would do should China take action, or that the US will defend the Island. If your in China you are getting a CLEAR MESSAGE, that as long as Biden is POTUS, any action by them will be meet by a US reaction.  The White House can only walk back so many times a remark by the US President, either POTUS keeps his mouth shut or US policy has changed, and the US will protect Taiwan against any Chinese action. In trying not to be CLEAR, the US Foreign Establishment is causing more problems that could lead China to take action.  Who is in charge of US Foreign Policy, the American President or State Department diplomats, who should not be trusted, they did not want President Reagan to say in his famous Berlin Speech that Mr Gorbachev should tear down the Berlin Wall.  Its the same with the FCO in the UK, they tend to appease, and cannot be trusted to follow the orders of No 10.  On this POTUS is right, the US should defend Taiwan with troops, that is a clear warning to China. 

No Official State Funeral for President Gorbachev - Putin's Russia

Sky News - Live Blog: Reports " Vladimir Putin will not attend Mikhail Gorbachev's funeral due to 'work schedule', Kremlin says....Mr Gorbachev was a strong critic of the Russian president and said corruption had reached "colossal proportions" under his leadership.  "

Lets Get Real:

The funeral will not be a STATE FUNERAL as noted in the article, but there will be aspects such as a honour guard, the fact that Putin went to see Gorbachev in his open casket but will not attend the funeral is very odd, it just might be a Russian thing.  There was no love lost between Putin and Gorbachev, Putin has reversed the Gorbachev agenda when it comes to Russian democracy, reform and freedom.  If you call the War in the Ukraine a WAR you get thrown in to prison.  The Free press has been shutdown, the Western Nations are backing the Ukraine, while Russia has the backing of China and Iran. In other words the other rogue nations.  The Russians action in the Ukraine has shown that the Russian Soldier is a WAR CRIMINAL, and that the Russian leadership are following in the footsteps of Stalin. Hostility to the West and repression at home.  Putin has ruined the Gorbachev legacy.  As Putin is not going to the funeral, it means that the Western Leaders do not have to go, they are banned anyway.  One does wonder, what Reagan, Thatcher will be saying to Gorbachev on his arrival up stairs. 

A State Funeral for Gorbachev ? - Putin's Russia

Daily Mail: Reports " Gorbachev funeral poses potential nightmare for the West - and Putin - with Ukraine war preventing statesmen or world leaders travelling to Moscow to pay respects "

Lets Get Real:

The above article is right, the idea of Western Leaders going to Moscow is out of the question, how could they go with the WAR IN THE UKRAINE, also this blog does not trust that the leaders would be secure in Moscow, Putin does not play fair or understand the rules.  Of course Putin could play games with the West, declare that Gorbachev will have a State Funeral, thus forcing Western Leaders to decline going, so Putin gets the benefit of looking to Russians like a Statesman.   The Western Leaders should hold a memorial for Gorbachev either in Washington D.C, London or Berlin.  This would show that the West was showing respect to a great leader, while showing to Russians that their leader is a rogue leader in charge of a rogue nation.  Reagan, Thatcher had a State Funerals, so Gorbachev deserves his to be a State Funeral, the West was lucky in the 80s to have Reagan in the Oval, Thatcher in No 10 and Gorbachev in the Kremlin, what ever the majority of Russians think. 

Gorbachev is DEAD at 91 - End of an Era - Biden Era

Guardian - Live Blog: Reports in its 10.45pm post the following, " ( Gorbachev ) ....won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 for negotiating a historic nuclear arms pact with the US president Ronald Reagan, and his decision to withhold the Soviet army when the Berlin Wall fell a year earlier was seen as key to preserving Cold War peace, AFP reports.  "

Lets Get Real:

Gorbachev was a great leader, who tried to reform and bring openness to the USSR, the USSR could not be saved, this is why the old Communists tried a Coup in 1991, Gorbachev was arrested, the Russian people rose up and defeated the Coup, Gorbachev on his return from arrest was to slow to see that the number was up for the USSR.  Thus the end of the USSR in 1991. In his short years in power he and President Reagan ended the Cold War and with their agreements on a INF Treaty, the first nuclear treaty to abolish nuclear weapons.   This Treaty Lasted in till the Putin Regime cheated on it.   Let's be honest, the old Russian Guard who appointed Gorbachev wanted to challenge Reagan on charisma, and Gorbachev had that in spades, the problem was that the USSR could never match the Reagan defence spending, thus threw in the towel, also they could not cope with the Reagan's ideas for taking the Cold War in to Space, with SDI or Star Wars as it was called by its critics.  Reagan, Gorbachev and Thatcher were the last great leaders of the 20th Century.  It has been reported that Gorbachev was horrified by the WAR in the Ukraine, Putin has thrown all the Gorbachev ideas for reform away, there is no democracy in Russia, also Putin controls the printed press and the airways.   One does hope that Gorbachev is given a State Funeral, he was a great leader, the World owes him and Reagan a great debt, ending the First Cold War with words and not a hot WAR.  Reagan trusted Gorbachev, Putin is not in his class at all. 

No More Russians in to Europe - Ukraine - Russian War

Guardian - Live Blog: Reports in its 1.55pm post the following, " The Financial Times is reporting that the EU is set to suspend its visa travel agreement with Russia this week......The plan to freeze the 2007 deal will make it harder and more expensive for Russians to get Schengen-area documents, the FT reports.  "

Lets Get Real:

The EU should have done this at the START, the Russian people must be forced on to the streets, with sanctions like this and economic sanctions, thousands have been arrested over the WAR in the Ukraine, the Russian people as a whole must be gotten on to the streets, they did this in 1917 at the end of Imperial Russia and in 1991 with the downfall of the USSR under Gorbachev, the Russian economy has recovered some since the sanctions, the Putin Government trying to developed its Asian contacts and in the Middle East, with China and Iran.   There can only be one ONE OUTCOME, Putin MUST LOSE AND BE SEEN TO LOSE, otherwise we face WW3 down the road, this is our late 1930s moment, failure cannot be allowed to happen, the Ukraine must be supported at ALL COSTS.  Even if this means that we have a " War Economy ", the Government should consider paying the extra 100 billion pounds to cover the costs of energy to the UK population.   This is OUR MOMENT to show the courage of our grandfathers and great grandfathers. 

Nuclear Arms Control between the US and Russia - Ukraine Crisis - Biden Era

This blog has not forgotten the WAR in the Ukraine, on the whole it has become a WAR attrition - 

Guardian - Live Blog: Reports in its 5.28am post the following, " Russia has suspended an arrangement that allowed US and Russian inspectors to visit each other’s nuclear weapons sites under the 2010 New Start treaty, in a fresh blow to arms control.  "

Lets Get Real:

The Russians BROKE the INF Treaty by cheating, one would not be shocked to LEAR that the Russians have or will cheat on the New Start Treaty.  The Russian word is no good with Putin in the Kremlin.  President Reagan said in essence in his farewell address to the American people in 1989, when the then USSR ( Russia ) pulls a stunt, pull your first punch, when they carry on pull the plug.  The Russians are daily making nuclear threats over the Ukraine,  the nuclear sabre rattling could go WRONG, what if the Russians use a low yield nuclear device does POTUS then move in, the Biden Oval would have too, it would send the WRONG message not to ACT.  As President Reagan said, " Trust but verify " when there is good relationship, but do not be afraid to see the truth.  Putin is a rogue Leader leading a rouge Nation, one cannot excuse the Russian people, they are hardly on the Streets in protest.  They are being feed lies and have swallowed the PR from the Kremlin.