North Korea REMINDS the World that it is a Problem - Biden Era

BBC News: Reports " North Korea fires suspected ballistic missile into the sea "

Lets Get Real:

This is NORTH KOREA reminding the US and the rest of the WORLD that it is still a problem, the ONLY reason the US has not taking action against North Korea is the simple FACT that is a nuclear armed power that even CHINA cannot control even if it wanted too.  The NK Regime has seen that the Biden Administration has been diverted by the Crisis between the Ukraine and Russia and the on going talks in Vienna between the US and Iran.  The ballistic missile test is a reminder to the Biden Oval that they are also a rogue nation and need Presidential attention, they cannot feed their own people and expect the US to help them out with no concessions on their part.  On the whole the Biden Oval can put North Korea on the back burner, its most recent and urgent problem is the tensions on the Ukraine and Russian border.  The North Koreans will never give up their nuclear arms, its the only thing they have that get the attention of the powers, one doubts they will ever go to WAR, at this would mean the end of the REGIME.

President Biden Speaks to President President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine - Biden Era

The White House: Has a readout of the call between President Biden and President Zelenskyy of the Ukraine on Sunday, " President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. President Biden made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine. The leaders expressed support for diplomatic efforts, starting next week with the bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue, at NATO through the NATO-Russia Council, and at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. President Biden underscored the commitment of the United States and its allies and partners to the principle of “nothing about you without you.” He reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also expressed support for confidence-building measures to de-escalate tensions in Donbas and active diplomacy to advance the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, in support of the Normandy Format.  "

Lets Get Real:

The ball is now in the Russian COURT, what will they do, will they really force the issue and invade the Ukraine, the economic hit might to be to much even for Putin, so how does Putin save face without looking WEAK.  As suggested in my previous post the US could lobby the Ukraine not to ask to join NATO for between  5 to 10 years, in that time Putin might get over the issue or get overthrown by his own people.  The question is will the Ukraine buy in to that, they might think the wait will allow them to reform their government, and get rid of the open corruption in the system, this would show that the Ukraine was ready to do what was needed to become part of NATO and the EU.   The hot issue is will Putin accept such DEAL, he has also demanded that NATO remove NATO troop in Eastern Europe Countries that have joined NATO, that is a non starter, it would create the impression that the West was appeasing Putin and the Russians, a half loaf is better than no loaf, will that do for Putin, he cannot keep his soldiers on alert at the Ukraine border for months, they will get irate and angry at being so far from home.  This blog predicts that Putin would take the DEAL, of course the question when it comes to Putin, what next will he try, he is following the same route as Hitler. 

Doctor Who and the Eve of the Daleks - Overnight ratings

 A bit of light relief from the Ukraine and Iran - Biden Era:

The Doctor Who News: Reports " Doctor Who - Eve of the Daleks has an audience of 3.21 million viewers, according to unofficial overnight figures.  "

Lets Get Real:

This was a great stand alone episode, a great show for New Year's Day.  The Doctor and the Tardis fam were caught in a time loop, it all started with the Doctor trying to fix the TARDIS, that meant a reboot, that caused the Tardis to land in Manchester, Dan was not happy, a he is from Liverpool, some friendly rivalry, Liverpool FC  of course being the best Football team in the World.  The Tardis was tracked by the Daleks, they were not happy, the Daleks are never happy but they were not happy that the Doctor had destroyed the Dalek Fleet, the Doctor tried to blame our favourite potato heads villains but that did not work.  The the Doctor had to deal with two civilians, Sarah (Aisling Bea) and Nick (Adjani Salmon) who had to die a few times before they admitted they had feelings for each other, the time loops got shorter by a minute, so there were endless plans that did not work and deaths of all of them.  It was nice to see Dan tell the Doctor that Yaz had feeling for her, someone should really tell her about Rose and River Sung, one had a human Doctor, the other is stuck in a massive Library, the Doctor saved her there.  This is a big shout for Aisling Bea to be considered for the NEXT Doctor, she connects on screen and is a great dramatic and comedy actress.  If you have a choice of either watching the Flux series, or this episode, then  watch this episode, it was kick butt time and the Daleks had a proper and meaty role.  I liked the actress from Father Ted popping up on the mobile, offering tea ( not sure I am merging the two shows ), that was funny. 

Russia TURNS UP THE HEAT on the WEST - Ukraine Crisis - Biden Era

Guardian: Reports " Russian foreign minister warns west over ‘aggressive line’ in Ukraine crisis....Sergei Lavrov says Moscow may be forced to ‘eliminate unacceptable threats to our security’ following Biden-Putin call  "

Lets Get Real:

There is a difference between making THREATS and carrying them out, the Russians want something as a way to dial back the crisis,  they have developed this crisis, NOW under Western THREAT of economic sanctions they want to back off, the question is HOW.  The Biden Oval cannot agree to any of the Russian demands, if he did Biden would kiss his re-election goodbye, after Afghanistan Biden and the Democrats cannot afford another major foreign policy failure.  Thus what can the West give to Putin that does not cost anything, could Ukraine agree not to formally apply for NATO membership for ten years, by then either the Ukraine joins or Putin does not make an issue of it.   What Biden cannot do is another Munich 1938, he cannot sell out the Ukraine State, they cannot be the new Czech and Biden does not want to be the new Neville Chamberlain.  One does wonder if Putin has lot the plot, is he really serious with these threats?

Putin WARS Biden over Ukraine Sanctions - Biden Era

BBC News: Reports " Ukraine tensions: Putin tells Biden new sanctions could rupture ties "

Lets Get Real:

It can be postulated that Russia has blinked, why wait for the January talks to fail, if your going to invade, it takes a lot of money to keep troops on the border, also they will want to be HOME for the Russian Christmas and New Year.  One can also postulated that Putin under the threat of heavy sanctions and the US and NATO supplying the Ukraine with military kit does not fancy the odds if the US is supporting Kiev Government, what would take for the US to become part of the War, a missile going wrong and hitting a NATO Country, the Russian troops after to much vodka crossing the borders of the Baltic States, small thing could lead to ALL OUT WAR, and no wants that, one hopes Putin is on the same page as the rest of the World on that. If this blog is right that Putin has blinked, what spin will he give the Russian people, and will they believe it, that is open to question. 

US Position on the Ukraine and Russian Tensions - Biden Era

White House: Presser by Senior Administration Official, view on US actions on Russian reactions to the Ukraine, " President Biden laid out two paths, two aspects of the U.S. approach that will really depend on Russia’s actions in the period ahead.  One is a path of diplomacy leading toward a de-escalation of the situation, and the other is a path that’s more focused on deterrence, including serious costs and consequences should Russia choose to proceed with a further invasion of Ukraine.  And those costs include economic costs, include adjustments and augmentations of NATO force posture in Allied countries, and include additional assistance to Ukraine to enable it to further defend itself and its territory, as we’ve laid out previously.  "

Lets Get Real:

It can be postulated that Russia has blinked, the Russians asked for the CALL, they might feel uneasy with the FACT that the West can bring the Russian economy to its knees and that the Russian people might not want more Western sanctions, however much PR that Putin creates for himself.  There are always ways to get information in this modern age, its not the OLD USSR, were people had only access to the TV and Radio.  It might be that Biden has made it CLEAR that the US will supply the Ukraine with ALL it needs defend itself, that means ARMS, MILITARY EQUIPMENT, AIR TO AIR MISSILES, GROUND DEFENCES, also the US could give the latest Satellites information to the Kiev Government.   On the other hand Putin could be waiting for the JANUARY talks to fail and then go in to the Ukraine, he would be showing that he tried everything before invading.  Interesting MONTH ahead. 

What the US will do if Russia INVADES the UKRAINE - Biden Era

White House: A Presser with a Senior Administration Official, the Official stated what the US would do should Russia invade the Ukraine, " We have coordinated with our allies to impose severe sanctions on the Russian economy and financial system, far beyond what was implemented in 2014.. We have made plans to reinforce NATO’s force posture in Allied states in the event of a further invasion, which would destabilize the security situation in Europe and demand adjustments to NATO forces and capabilities, especially on the eastern flank...And we are prepared to provide Ukraine with further assistance to defend its territory and respond to a potential Russian occupation should a further invasion proceed in the coming weeks.  "

Lets Get Real:

Its the last bit that is interesting, the US has stated for some time that a great economic cost would befall Russia if it invaded the Ukraine, the statement that the US would supply the Ukraine is interesting, that would mean military kit, missiles, satellite information on Russian movements in the Ukraine, even supporting   Insurgence operations against the Russian, that was the policy of the Reagan Administration in the 1980s, this forced the Russians out of Afghanistan in 1989.  IF Putin invades and he fails, this could mean the end of his oppressive regime in Russia.  There would be thousands of DEATHS, the people of the Ukraine would suffer and Putin would face having to deal with thousands of Russian body bags, does Putin really want to make the same mistake as the USSR did when it invaded Afghanistan in 1979, that was one of the factors that lead to the fall of the USSR in 1991.  As stated it will be interesting to hear the US readout of the call and also the Russian one, let's see if they match up and who blinked.