Trump's threat to Iran - Update

Guardian: Reports in its 10.27am post the following,  " Trump says US may be 'forced' to 'complete the job' "

Let's Get Real:

Trump should finish the WAR he started, losers do not look good in the history books! Trump is a chicken, he writes cheques he can't pay.  HOW many times has Trump threatened to erase Iran, he always bottles it, the Allies WW2 destroyed Axis powers, not talk to them as VP Vance suggested on Meet the Press.  Obama had the Assad Regime in Syria, they crossed his red line and he did not ACT.  Trump is another Obama, WEAK.

US to reduce 5,000 Troops in Germany - Update

BBC News: Reports the fallowing, " The US Defence Department plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, amid a spat between President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the war with Iran. " 

Let's Get Real:

This what happens when the German Chancellor stated that the US was being humiliated by the Tehran Regime.  Other Presidents would have let it go, Trump has very thin skin, Spain and Italy could face the same wrath, Allies are a two way street for Trump, the UK PM has suffered of late, it took a Royal Visit to mend fences.  IRAN is the problem that won't go away, talks are going nowhere, will the US strike again, it could be on the cards.

Trump's correct TACO moment - Update

Guardian: Reports in its 11.38pm post the following, " Trump agrees to suspend bombing of Iran for two weeks "

Let's Get Real:

Trump has followed example of JFK over the Cuban Missile Crisis, as you will recall Kennedy did a secret deal with the USSR over their missiles in Cuba, in that deal the US would remove its missiles in Turkey and Italy after a few months, but in secret, the secret was kept for decades, while in public have the appearance of winning, such a deal is not possible in this day and age, Trump still has the problem of Iran's nuclear stockpile, if he lets them keep it, his Presidential Credibility will go up in smoke. The clock restarts, one assumes that Trump will declare victory, will Iran gives up its nuclear stockpile?

US and Russian talks bring no solution to Ukraine War - Russia

BBC News: Reports in its 10.14pm post that the US and Russia have not reached a compromise deal on the Ukraine in talks in Moscow.

Lets Get Real:

The 28 point plan produced by Moscow is in the bin, there is no way that Zelensky in Kyiv could have agreed, his Government would have fallen, thus the European version has also been rejected by Moscow.  The Kremlin is sabre rattling again, they want to divide Europe from the US.  Italy is going through panic attack, as in WW1 and WW2, you cannot trust Rome, they had been supporting the Ukraine, now they have frozen arms supplies to the Ukraine.   This endless war carries on in Europe.

Russia and North Korea to support either if faced with aggression - New Cold War II - Ukraine - Russia War

BBC News: Reports "  Putin and Kim pledge mutual help against 'aggression'....Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un have signed an agreement pledging that Russia and North Korea will help each other in the event of "aggression" against either country.  "

Lets Get Real:

This could be the most important story of the day, the West knowns that Russia is getting ammunition from North Korea for its WAR with the Ukraine, in return it is though that Russia is helping North gain ICBM ability.   It could be worry if North Korea was to send troops to the Ukraine as stated in the above article, or that Russia could help North Korea should it try action with South Korea.   As stated many times in this blog and by other, we could be on the road of 1930s again, the Italian, Nazi Germany and Japan pact or the Nazi - Soviet Pact, other centres of power to the West.  At some point Putin is going to try his luck for a quick win in the Ukraine or to divert attention an attack on the Baltic States.    The decision could be down to who wins in November in the United States, a Trump win could be a clear signal for Putin to try something, or a weak Biden under the eye of a Republican Congress.  International Politics is always on the move. 

Tehran/Moscow Military Pact - Ukraine - Russian War - Biden Era

BBC News: Reports " US says Iran now Russia's 'top military backer'....Russia and Iran's relationship has warmed to a fully fledged defence partnership, the US has said.  "

Lets Get Real:

The development of a military pact between the US and Iran should worry the whole WORLD.  This is a threat to the national security of the West and the Middle East.  The EVIL Tehran Regime is giving Drones to Moscow, and the Kremlin is using them to attack the Ukraine civic and military structure.  One would very much like to know what the Russians are giving to the Tehran, information on how to place a nuclear warhead on a missile, could be one of the things that Moscow trades.  One does hope that the CIA, NSA have their eyes and ears open and can prevent the EVIL Moscow Regime from getting these drones from Tehran, there was a report that Moscow and Tehran were coming together to build drones in Russia, this would cut the time needed from their building to their use in the Ukraine.  This has the feeling of the 1930s, when Germany, Italy and Japan were allies, the build up to World War 2.

Nord Stream 1 & 2 pipelines Sabotaged - EU

BBC News: Reports " The EU has said leaks in two major gas pipelines from Russia to Europe were caused by sabotage - but stopped short of directly accusing Russia.  "

Lets Get Real:

Thus the West has Russia in the FRAME for the leaks in the Nord Stream pipelines 1 &  2, the operation is complex at that depth, either the Russians sent expert crew down to place the explosions or they sent a bomb through the pipelines, either way it benefits Russia, the Kremlin will want to divert attention from the 4 referendums in the Ukraine that will allow Russia to annex 15% of the Ukraine.  The question why would the Russian sabotage their own pipelines, that is easy, there is no gas going through them at the minute, the Russians want the West to have extreme economic pain when it comes along, they can say, if the West had not placed on sanctions on Russia, then the Russians would have made sure that no accidents happened to the lines, thus making the point, if you want gas for the winter, for individuals and business you have to play ball with the Kremlin.  One can expect the French, Germany, Italy to buckle, there people from individuals and business need Russian Gas while they look for gas in other areas.  Thus the Kyiv Government will come under pressure to do a DEAL with Putin, the question is will the US and the UK back Ukraine, it could be a very cold winter. 

Russian Gas and the Western Europe - Russian - Ukraine War - New Cold War 2

BBC News - Live Blog: Reports the following in its 11.34am post, " Russian gas accounts for about 40% of the EU's natural gas imports but the bloc says it is working to reduce its dependence. If this supply was halted, Italy and Germany would be especially vulnerable.  "

Lets Get Real:

As long as the WEST funds the Putin Government the war in the Ukraine will not come to an end, Germany and Italy must be forced to see the TRUTH, their consumption of Russia Gas is leading the killing of innocent people.  If Berlin and Rome turn off the gas they will need support from the rest of the Western Europe when it comes to a replacement, the Germany and Italian economy will take a major hit, but it will STOP the war in the Ukraine, as Moscow will run out of money.  The banking sanctions, freezing the assets of banks, the sanction of those rich close to Putin ha snot worked so far, the Russians are still causing havoc in the South East Ukraine, they want o create land corridor between the Crimea and East Ukraine.  The West has to arm the Ukrainian Forces, with all that they need, the Russians must lose and be seen to lose.

The West is addicted to Russian Oil and Gas - Russian - Ukraine War - New Cold War 2

BBC News - Live Blog: Reports in its 1.53pm post the following, " Now the taboo of taboos, known as energy security, looks like it may be smashed too. Russian violence against Ukraine is heaping pressure on the EU to impose energy sanctions. The bloc depends on Russia for 40% of its natural gas and a quarter of its oil imports....What’s the point of all the EU’s financial sanctions, if Vladimir Putin’s war chest is filled on a daily basis with oil and gas revenues, you might ask?  So here we are: the US and Ukraine’s indefatigable President Zelensky are leaning on Brussels to slap sanctions on oil imports at least.  "

Lets Get Real:

As noted in the article Germany, Italy might have a problem with the banning of Russian gas and oil, today oil is running $130 dollars, what might happen if Western Europe has to go and look for other area for oil.  It can be postulated China will take the extra oil, they might get it at a lower price from Putin, thus spurring on the ECONOMY of China as the WORLD comes out of COVID - 19.  The West has to make Putin lose in the Ukraine, otherwise the Russian Federation will be up to the Polish border, how long before Putin's complains about that and we risk Putin placing pressure on Poland and the NATO States, thus a chance of World War 3,so whatever happens in the Ukraine, Russian and PUTIN must be stopped whatever the cost to the consumers of OIL AND PETNROL, its that on World War 3 down the road.  The economic sanctions of the West will hurt Russia and the Russian people, but half of the population support the action in the Ukraine, they have been feed Russian lies by Putin, he controls TV and the Press.  The word INVASION and WAR has been declared illegal by the     Russian Duma and men, women and even children are being arrested if they oppose the WAR.

The THREAT to THROW Russia out of SWIFT - Ukraine - Russian War - New Cold War 2

Guardian - Live Blog: Reports 6.13pm post the following, " Germany has suggested it could support banning Russia’s access to Swift, the world’s main international payments network, after previously opposing the measure.....Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s foreign minister, said on Saturday that it was working on a “targeted and functional restriction” on Swift. Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, previously said cutting Russia off from the payments network should not be part of sanctions.  "

Lets Get Real:

The Germans have been shamed in to this, the Italians also reversed themselves, one should recall that the Germans sent five thousand caps to Ukraine, that really helps against the might of the Russian Army.  The Germans have stated they will send arms to the Ukraine, a bit late but its a start.  The question ALL these Countries who have woken up to the threat of Russia and what might happen should Russia win in Ukraine, Poland the Baltic States could come under threat, and then there is no hiding, they are members of NATO, even sleepy Biden would have to ACT and get something right in his fifty years of being a POLITICIAN.   The question is how will the WEST gets its arms to Kiev and other other areas in the Ukraine, is there some secret airport they have? Or will the WEST have to use roads, that could place them in target range of Russian fighters.  Also the Russians have stated that should others come to help Ukraine they will suffer extreme reaction, the implication being nuclear.  The West has to win and as the PM stated in the HOUSE OF COMMONS, Putin must lose and be seen to lose. 

Appeasement Group over Ukraine ? - Biden Era

The White House: Read out of a telephone call between President Biden and Western Allies, here is the readout, " Today, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy, Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom, and President Biden of the United States held a call. The leaders discussed their shared concern about the Russian military build-up on Ukraine’s borders and Russia’s increasingly harsh rhetoric. They called on Russia to de-escalate tensions and agreed that diplomacy, especially through the Normandy Format, is the only way forward to resolve the conflict in Donbas through the implementation of the Minsk Agreements. The leaders underscored their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They agreed that their teams will stay in close touch, including in consultation with NATO allies and EU partners, on a coordinated and comprehensive approach.  "

Lets Get Real:

In other WORDS the Western Leaders will do nothing, Russia is already under sanctions, and lets recall that Russia was thrown out of the G7, the Kremlin does not care about sanctions, Putin has seen how weak Biden was over Afghanistan, he sees the Leader of the Free World as a empty suit, and any warnings from his and his allies will seems small beer with the hope of getting the Ukraine back in to Russia.  As stated by this blog and others, Putin sees the fall of the USSR as a major tragedy and is building up Stalin again, in other words he either invades the Ukraine or he gets concessions from the West, he does not want the Ukraine to join NATO and he wants to prevent former Warsaw Pack Countries from having Western NATO Forces close to the border.   In other words this the 1930s ALL over again and Putin is a wannabe Hitler, minus being MAD as Hitler.  The West as in the 1930s appeases him and one day he will go to far, invade Poland or the Baltic States, thus forcing the NATO and the US to act, better to to place a red line in the Ukraine, STOP PUTIN before he causes World War 3.  PM Johnson should know better, he has written a biography of Winston Churchill and Biden is OLD enough to remember Munich 1938, will Biden sell out the Ukraine as Chamberlain sold out the Czechs. 

COVID - 19 , UK Update - Update 3 - Health

Daily Mail: Reports " Boris Johnson brands coronavirus the 'worst public health crisis in a generation' and estimates up to 10,000 Britons are ALREADY infected and 'many more' will die - but STILL stops short of shutting schools and banning public "

Lets Get Real:

The right wing Daily Mail is getting rattled, it sees the tough measures in Italy, and how this has been followed by Ireland is closing down their Schools and Universities.  One of PM's science advisers stated that between five thousand and ten thousand people in the UK had COVID - 19, and the peak could well take 14 weeks.  One does wonder how Italy will cope will being in lockdown for months ahead.  Also the parents in the Republic of Ireland will have to take time off to care for their children, this could affect the public sector, from the Irish health service, Police to teachers in the education system.  The PM has been very honest, the next few weeks and months are going to be tough, people will die, looks like a grim time ahead. 

COVID - 19 Update - Health

BBC News: Reports " UK deaths related to virus rise to 10 "

Lets Get Real:

The article reports that there are 596 new cases of COVID- 19 and four more deaths since yesterday.   The economic markets have LOST the plot, the speech by Trump yesterday that will stop ALL FLIGHTS from Europe with the exception of the UK and the Republic of Ireland from Friday has gone down like a LEAD BALLOON.  In China the cases have gone down, but then China has enforced its rules, under penalty of death.  The Italians so far it seems are following the total lockdown with few exceptions.  The Republic of Ireland has stated it will close down all Schools and Universities, it can be argued that the Irish wants to be seen to be doing something, it can be argued that Ireland has jumped the gun on COVAD - 19.  The UK reaction has been more measured, don't panic, keep calm and carry on with normal life. 

Coronavirus Update - Health

Sky News: Reports " UK cases rise by 46 - taking total to 319 "

Lets Get Real:

In simple words, DO NOT PANIC, KEEP CALM and recall we are British.  The idea by some to hoard food, shows worry and lack of clear thought, what is the point of buying all the toilet rolls at your SUPER STORE, there is enough supply, and if you get Coronavirus a majority won't know or you get a mild flu symptoms.   Of course if you are older and have health problems you should follow the advice from the Government or from the NHS.  The economic markets have gone bonkers, thank goodness these traders were not around during World War 1 and the Spanish flu or during the bleak times of WW2.  The economic foundations of the UK are strong, the MARKETS need to CALM DOWN.

Coronavirus Update - Health

Don't Panic, outside of Italy and Asia, there is more chance will get the normal flu or get run over by the bus, DON'T allow the Media to push you in to crisis point!

Sky News: Reports " Coronavirus outbreak spreads to every continent bar Antarctica...The deadly infection has now reached every continent besides Antarctica.  "

Lets Get Real:

The Coronavirus has spread, and Italy and Iran is off great concern, some sports fixtures have been cancelled, ( one can argue that the CRISIS level has been pushed by some of the news outlets).  On the other hand if they do not report currents events they will be accused of controlling the News as to prevent a panic.  When this blog starts to wear a Mask in public, then you should be concerned, as this blog has Severe OCD, it would tell you that it is really serious.   The current thought is that once we are out of winter the disease will be killed off by the sun, we shall see, I am not betting the house on that either.   STAY CALM and have a CUP OF TEA 

The UK and the coronavirus - Update 3 - Health

Guardian: Reports " Government to shut schools in event of UK coronavirus outbreak..No 10 planning for ‘all eventualities’ if number of coronavirus cases surge in UK   "

Lets Get Real:

If the Coronavirus does hit the UK, the Government should think about shutting the entire UK off, close ALL THE BORDERS, no flying, no travelling by sea, a complete STOP, think of it as an early no deal BREXIT.  MIGHT as well getting the planning in, it kills two problems at once,  no spread of the disease and we get ready for a NO DEAL BREXIT after 2020.   The UK has to be protected at all costs, does not matter how it goes down with the press or the people, if the disease becomes another Spanish Flu it could kill hundred of thousands, thus the first duty of government is to protect the people at all costs.   But and this is a very important BUT, this blog does not think it will happen.  One should always be prepared, that what the Scouts taught me before they threw me out for being lazy and not turning up.!!

The Italian Crisis - The EU

Daily Mail: Reports " Italy's 'populist' parties get MORE popular: Anti-EU League and Five Star coalition 'would win outright' in increasingly likely rerun election that is causing new crisis in Eurozone  "

Lets Get Real:

The crisis in Italy and the demand from Austria that the EU look again at freedom movement should be used by PM May to get  a better deal from the EU.   The UK should make it clear that we are ready for a no deal exit, that we will take out billions and put in to the NHS, that should shut up the remainers.  The PM has to be firm with the hard remainers and hard Brexit supporters. This blog still thinks that the UK should remain in the customs union and the single market, but that does not mean we should not play hardball, a crisis is a good time to place the pressure on the EU. 

Free Movement and the Single Market - Post Brexit

Sky News: Reports " Austria calls for overhaul of EU free movement..Vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache asks if allowing EU citizens to live and work in any other member state is "a smart rule". "

Lets Get Real:

The exit of the UK from the EU might be small beer if Italy or Austria leave, the debt of the Italian State is more than the EU could afford to bail out Rome, the Emperor Augustus must be looking down and thinking with sadness the present State of Italy.  The Governments of Rome and not steady and there is a extreme divided people, those that support the EU and those that want to get out of the Euro, it will be the EU next if Italy falls apart.  The EU has to reform or it will rot from the inside, the Euro has been a disaster, it helps Germany at the cost of other States.   The UK should be tough with the EU, no deal and the UK walks away with its money. 

The Freedom of movement is causing anti immigration and far right Parties to gain at the ballot box, the rest of the EU has to wake up to the fact, that perception is more important than reality, people tend to think that immigration is bad, of course it can be argued that it brings benefit to a host nation.  The German population is on the decline, the allowing of immigration brings more workers in to the workforce and brings cultures together over a period of time.   It is a debate about perception and reality, and perception is winning over reality. 

The EU vs. The UK - Brexit Update - Post Brexit

Sky News: Reports " Tusk: 'We do not want to build a wall between the EU and Britain'..The EU Council president strikes a conciliatory, but realistic, tone as he unveils draft guidelines for negotiating future ties. "

Lets Get Real:

The hung Parliament in Italy should allow the UK to be tough with the EU, the Italian election showed that people are unhappy with the economic structure of the EU.   The UK has to be firm with its aims and objectives.   The May plan keeps the UK very close to the EU, those hard remainers in the Conservative Party should accept YES, the hard Brexit supporters have been quiet due to the fact they just want out of the EU.  The May plan takes the UK out of the EU in name only, the UK will not STOP EU immigration and will obey the ECJ in some areas.   The one thing that is good for the UK Citizen is that we get out passport. 

EU Trench Warfare - Post Brexit

BBC News: Reports " EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has warned that a transition period immediately after Brexit in 2019 is "not a given". "

Lets Get Real:

This is the EU playing illegal trench warfare. they think the UK is another Greece or Italy, they are in bullying mode, they think they can do want they want.  The UK has to come back HARD, and make it clear to the EU that the UK could just walk away.   The EU is not democratic, its foundations are not democratic, thus this would not be the first time that the UK has gone  head to head with Europe, we always win, the EU should recall that history lesson.