My sources today suggest that the firing of the German Defense Minister will lead Germany to permit other NATO countries to supply Ukraine with German Leopard tanks. The word is that Russia is now conscripting a real army of about 500,000 new troops to get ready for a spring offensive in the war in Ukraine. The Ukrainians will need some time, probably about two days, to learn how to use the German tanks, but the purpose of the tanks is to stop the coming Russian offensive. Although Russia has failed in every single effort, except rape and pillage, in the current war, there are those in the west who fear that Russia will send waves of troops into battle in the spring. The US and NATO partners are sending weapons to Ukraine to support the block the Russian invasion. Looks like Putin is holding a losing hand and can't accept it. The war will continue until Putin is gone or there are a million dead Russian soldiers left on the battlefield. It's going to get ugly.
Just a couple thought that were triggered in my mind -
I keep watching world events and see how words like "peace" are being bastardized. Zelensky’s 10-point peace plan has nothing to do with ending the war with Russia. It is all about weapons, NATO membership, being a member of the EU, receiving arms from the world to defend itself, and more points that have little to do with ending what is now a hot war. But the genius of the plan is Zelenskiy has defined the word PEACE and now can say the word openly and have the world praise him for seeking peace when the word “actually means” his 10-point plan leaving Ukraine in a position of strength they never were willing to purchase themselves as a sovereign state.
On the economic front, I have become aware of Bretton-Woods 3, and admit my ignorance in knowing such an agreement exists. However, I learned a year ago about Basil 3 which I think we all knew as the SWIFT system, and that it was to end on 31 December 2021 with Basil 4. However, the banking system gave a 1-year delay to provide the banks time to acquire the assets that Basil 4 demanded. I knew something was up in November 2022 when I went to my bank in the UK and wanted to withdraw £600.00. I was asked 20 questions like why do you want this cash?, who is going to receive the cash?, do you know this person?, How long have you known this person?, why are you not willing to take it out is smaller increments over time?, Are you going to take such sums of money out of other banks? Those are the ones I can remember, all of which I declined to answer, except the first question. My answer is it is my money, I have earned it legitimately and all taxes have been paid.
I then went to a currency exchange to change GBP into Euro for my stepson who was on his way to the Azores for a week. I was told they could not take my cash, I had to use a debit card for the transaction due to Basil 4 requirement that will begin next week. Of course, they could not tell me what Basil 4 was all about. Basil 4 in a nutshell is all financial institutions must have gold, silver, other precious metals, diamond, oil, rare earth, and more to meet a percentage of the financial institution’s cash and credit outflow. I am informed that financial institutions that don’t meet the requirements (and about ½ in the USA and a 1/3 in the UK do not) cannot extend credit or issue cash. So they are pushing the CBDC that is until the swift system vanished for the quantum system which replaced it beginning on 01 January 2023. Even cryptocurrency now must have actual value backing just like the bank. Many say this is one of the reasons that BITCOIN has had a sudden rise as it is compliant. Yet, many exchanges have slowed down their transactions due to higher KYC (know you customer) requirements.
I am not sure who is in charge anymore but the world is rapidly changing. Is it for the better?
Amazing. The Russians deny doing it. They lie about everything! Even the most obvious! They are the only ones who possess, and have used this X-22 munition during the war. Death toll is now 44, with 24 unaccounted for.
My sources today suggest that the firing of the German Defense Minister will lead Germany to permit other NATO countries to supply Ukraine with German Leopard tanks. The word is that Russia is now conscripting a real army of about 500,000 new troops to get ready for a spring offensive in the war in Ukraine. The Ukrainians will need some time, probably about two days, to learn how to use the German tanks, but the purpose of the tanks is to stop the coming Russian offensive. Although Russia has failed in every single effort, except rape and pillage, in the current war, there are those in the west who fear that Russia will send waves of troops into battle in the spring. The US and NATO partners are sending weapons to Ukraine to support the block the Russian invasion. Looks like Putin is holding a losing hand and can't accept it. The war will continue until Putin is gone or there are a million dead Russian soldiers left on the battlefield. It's going to get ugly.
Really enjoyed the article, Graham.
Just a couple thought that were triggered in my mind -
I keep watching world events and see how words like "peace" are being bastardized. Zelensky’s 10-point peace plan has nothing to do with ending the war with Russia. It is all about weapons, NATO membership, being a member of the EU, receiving arms from the world to defend itself, and more points that have little to do with ending what is now a hot war. But the genius of the plan is Zelenskiy has defined the word PEACE and now can say the word openly and have the world praise him for seeking peace when the word “actually means” his 10-point plan leaving Ukraine in a position of strength they never were willing to purchase themselves as a sovereign state.
On the economic front, I have become aware of Bretton-Woods 3, and admit my ignorance in knowing such an agreement exists. However, I learned a year ago about Basil 3 which I think we all knew as the SWIFT system, and that it was to end on 31 December 2021 with Basil 4. However, the banking system gave a 1-year delay to provide the banks time to acquire the assets that Basil 4 demanded. I knew something was up in November 2022 when I went to my bank in the UK and wanted to withdraw £600.00. I was asked 20 questions like why do you want this cash?, who is going to receive the cash?, do you know this person?, How long have you known this person?, why are you not willing to take it out is smaller increments over time?, Are you going to take such sums of money out of other banks? Those are the ones I can remember, all of which I declined to answer, except the first question. My answer is it is my money, I have earned it legitimately and all taxes have been paid.
I then went to a currency exchange to change GBP into Euro for my stepson who was on his way to the Azores for a week. I was told they could not take my cash, I had to use a debit card for the transaction due to Basil 4 requirement that will begin next week. Of course, they could not tell me what Basil 4 was all about. Basil 4 in a nutshell is all financial institutions must have gold, silver, other precious metals, diamond, oil, rare earth, and more to meet a percentage of the financial institution’s cash and credit outflow. I am informed that financial institutions that don’t meet the requirements (and about ½ in the USA and a 1/3 in the UK do not) cannot extend credit or issue cash. So they are pushing the CBDC that is until the swift system vanished for the quantum system which replaced it beginning on 01 January 2023. Even cryptocurrency now must have actual value backing just like the bank. Many say this is one of the reasons that BITCOIN has had a sudden rise as it is compliant. Yet, many exchanges have slowed down their transactions due to higher KYC (know you customer) requirements.
I am not sure who is in charge anymore but the world is rapidly changing. Is it for the better?
Amazing. The Russians deny doing it. They lie about everything! Even the most obvious! They are the only ones who possess, and have used this X-22 munition during the war. Death toll is now 44, with 24 unaccounted for.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/11213