Trump

[reohn2]

......So I guess it might be held to be an attempt to make Trump anxious. Wonder why he'd be anxious...

Hmm makes one wonder........

[reohn2]

Yes. Wonder what max sentence for "malicious communications" is? Let's hope not "extradited".

Can the projection of something that's simply an image whose veracity isn't contested by any party be held to be an offence I wondered. AI came to the rescue:

This covers the projection of images if they are indecent, grossly offensive, or threatening and are sent or projected with the intent to cause distress or anxiety to an intended recipient or audience.

So I guess it might be held to be an attempt to make Trump anxious. Wonder why he'd be anxious...

Wider than Trump I think. A threat to national security by way of upsetting him and thus causing distress to senior politicians and indeed all "right-thinking" citizens.

The "special relationship" is rapidly moving to a new level, economic colonialism, if not yet militarily enforced. That will come - I seriously expect USA "boots" on our ground within 2 years.

Meanwhile, Trump's "genoseaside" plan for Gaza takes shape:

From Jerusalem Post (Smotrich is Finance Minister).

"Smotrich: Gaza real estate 'bonanza' could finance war, rehab northern towns
“There’s a real estate bonanza there. This is how it pays for itself. I’ve started negotiations with the Americans. I’m not joking. I had a serious conversation with them," Smotrich said."

Follow the money.......

^^^This!

[Nearholmer]

I raised the possibility of US troops being used as enforcers here months ago, either in this thread or the politics thread, and I still think it’s a realistic possibility.

But, I think it needs as a precursor the coming to power of a government close enough to the current US regime that such troops could be invited in to “help restore order” or for some similar (confected) reason, and/or for the boiling-up of popular support for unification with the USA to have progressed a great deal further than it has up to now. The annexation of Austria by Germany, and advancement of annexation techniques by Russia in the past c25 years probably provide the templates. Thinking about the latter, US access to NHS, social security, etc data are probably key - capture of such data are integral to how Russia subjugates populations.

[Mike Sales]

By putting up with the orange boor Charlie is earning his keep for once.

[Bonefishblues]

Not safe for work, but it made me giggle...

https://youtu.be/7vRX-BQAjeE?si=QTLg7HSFHGv1dQ6l

[djnotts]

^ me too, giggle that is!

Meanwhile, as Putin "probes" NATO's flanks (and commitment).....Trump once again displays his personalisation and incisive analysis of world affairs.

BBC News:

"It is the second time this month that a Nato member has requested Article 4 consultations. Poland did so on 10 September after Russian drones entered its airspace.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said "Nato's response to any provocation must be united and strong".

"We consider it essential to consult with our allies to ensure shared situational awareness and to agree on our next joint steps," Michal said.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday: "I don't loveIt is the second time this month that a Nato member has requested Article 4 consultations. Poland did so on 10 September after Russian drones entered its airspace.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said "Nato's response to any provocation must be united and strong".

"We consider it essential to consult with our allies to ensure shared situational awareness and to agree on our next joint steps," Michal said.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday: "I don't love it. I don't like when that happens. Could be big trouble."

"...big trouble"? Yeah, quite, well, big.

[Carlton green]

If Trump wants real estate then he need not bother with small nations. Russia is truly massive and worn out by years of war in Ukraine, there would be some war damage but a USA led NATO response could sweep through Russia and ‘liberate’ it. Trump would be loathed to do it, having a bogeyman in place suits a lot of people, but it’s perfectly possible to do. Putin’s a clever man, but even clever men make the occasional slip.

There could be a carve up, western Russia to the USA and in the east China (with its massive army) also taking opportunities to secure and increase its own land mass.

[Nearholmer]

Not sure if it’s available on iplayer or something, but if you can find it, have a listen to Sir Max Hastings’ interview on the Today programme just before 0900 on Friday.

I’ve seldom heard so much good sense packed into a few minutes!

[djnotts]

^ Carlton green: "...there would be some war damage but a USA led NATO response could sweep through Russia and ‘liberate’ it."

"...some war damage..." could be something of an understatement if Putin decides to go for broke and obliterates a few European capitals!

The deal with China would need to be VERY secure.

[Jdsk]

Not sure if it’s available on iplayer or something, but if you can find it, have a listen to Sir Max Hastings’ interview on the Today programme just before 0900 on Friday.

I’ve seldom heard so much good sense packed into a few minutes!

I heard him explaining calmly why he would be joining the protest.

Jonathan

[Jdsk]

If Trump wants real estate then he need not bother with small nations. Russia is truly massive and worn out by years of war in Ukraine, there would be some war damage but a USA led NATO response could sweep through Russia and ‘liberate’ it. Trump would be loathed to do it, having a bogeyman in place suits a lot of people, but it’s perfectly possible to do. Putin’s a clever man, but even clever men make the occasional slip.

There could be a carve up, western Russia to the USA and in the east China (with its massive army) also taking opportunities to secure and increase its own land mass.

And previous land invasions of Russia have gone so well: 1812, 1918, 1941...

Jonathan

[roubaixtuesday]

If Trump wants real estate then he need not bother with small nations. Russia is truly massive and worn out by years of war in Ukraine, there would be some war damage but a USA led NATO response could sweep through Russia and ‘liberate’ it. Trump would be loathed to do it, having a bogeyman in place suits a lot of people, but it’s perfectly possible to do. Putin’s a clever man, but even clever men make the occasional slip.

There could be a carve up, western Russia to the USA and in the east China (with its massive army) also taking opportunities to secure and increase its own land mass.

And previous land invasions of Russia have gone so well: 1812, 1918, 1941...

Jonathan

Also the US has a tremendous track record of success as an occupying army of far off places.

[Jdsk]

If Trump wants real estate then he need not bother with small nations. Russia is truly massive and worn out by years of war in Ukraine, there would be some war damage but a USA led NATO response could sweep through Russia and ‘liberate’ it. Trump would be loathed to do it, having a bogeyman in place suits a lot of people, but it’s perfectly possible to do. Putin’s a clever man, but even clever men make the occasional slip.

There could be a carve up, western Russia to the USA and in the east China (with its massive army) also taking opportunities to secure and increase its own land mass.

And previous land invasions of Russia have gone so well: 1812, 1918, 1941...

Also the US has a tremendous track record of success as an occupying army of far off places.

!

Jonathan

[Carlton green]

^ Carlton green: "...there would be some war damage but a USA led NATO response could sweep through Russia and ‘liberate’ it."

"...some war damage..." could be something of an understatement if Putin decides to go for broke and obliterates a few European capitals!

The deal with China would need to be VERY secure.

When Russia falls China will take its opportunities …

Putin is the master of soft power and bullying, when he’s in the room the rest are but children. However I’m not inclined to think that his forces are as strong as he suggests, and he knows that the west hasn’t the determination to suffer losses in the pursuit of freedom.

If Trump wants real estate then he need not bother with small nations. Russia is truly massive and worn out by years of war in Ukraine, there would be some war damage but a USA led NATO response could sweep through Russia and ‘liberate’ it. Trump would be loathed to do it, having a bogeyman in place suits a lot of people, but it’s perfectly possible to do. Putin’s a clever man, but even clever men make the occasional slip.

There could be a carve up, western Russia to the USA and in the east China (with its massive army) also taking opportunities to secure and increase its own land mass.

And previous land invasions of Russia have gone so well: 1812, 1918, 1941...

Jonathan

Also the US has a tremendous track record of success as an occupying army of far off places.

It’s hard to argue with the truth of that and hence Trump is loathed to throw the USA’s war machine into action. However there’s a great difference between invasion and liberation, as things stand in Russia at the moment they’re a captive people who might be rather pleased with facilitated regime change. Trump’s best response is in strength and brinkmanship, more arms to Ukraine and permission to use the devastating and long range stuff would send the right message all across Europe (including Russia).

I’m inclined to think that a drip feed of large missiles landing in Moscow’s Red Square plus other parts of that City would see Russia withdrawing from Ukraine and maybe a change of leadership in Russia too. Some long range missiles destroying Russian airfields would be a good idea too, there’s nothing like boots on the ground but to get there you need air superiority.

[djnotts]

^ Wikipedia (but I've never seen significantly different estimates):

"Russia possesses a total of 5,459 nuclear warheads as of 2025,[2] the largest confirmed stockpile of nuclear warheads in the world. Russia's deployed missiles (those actually ready to be launched) number about 1,718, also the largest confirmed strategically deployed arsenal in the world as of 2025.[4][5]"

Surely some of then are fully functional.