United Kingdom: Home Secretary Suella Braverman letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (24.05.2023)

Russia: The “Special Military Operation” came home to Belgorod oblast…

“We are now completing a house-to-house inspection of the border villages and Hraivoron itself. Most of the population has left the area. We are helping those who are unable to do so with our vehicles, and those who are able to do so are leaving by personal vehicles” – Governor of Belgorod Vyacheslav Gladkov (22.05.2023)

“The situation in Russia’s Belgorod region intensifies. Governor Gladkov confirms a sabotage group has crossed from Ukraine into Russian territory, with most residents now evacuated. He claims that the current casualties stand at eight. In response, Belgorod has launched a “counter-terrorist operation.” Strict security measures are in place, including enhanced document verification and control of telecommunications. Amid tensions in Belgorod, Russia acts swiftly evacuating a strategic nuclear munitions depot, Belgorod-22. This pivotal move underscores the gravity of the situation on the ground” (Artur Rehi, 22.05.2023)

“The Free Russia Legion, made up of Russians fighting on the side of the Ukrainian Army, has crossed into Russia in the Belgorod region and has taken control of three settlements Kozinka, Glotove, Gora-Podil Heavy fighting is taking place for control of Greyvoron” (Visegrad 24, 22.05.2023).

The art of war isn’t an easy one and when you have started it… you never know how it will finish. Especially long after the moment of surprise and sudden attacks are over. The strategic enterprise of war becomes more important. The war in Ukraine that was supposed to last for three days are now over a year and few more months. The Russian Army was supposed to conquer Kyiv in three days and it never happened.

Now, after all this time… the Russians are getting a taste of their own medicine. It isn’t happening within Ukraine or that the defensive war is taking it’s toll. No, the war is now inside of Belgorod Oblast. Russian insurgency and militia are now targeting areas there.

The Free Russia Legion and Russian Volunteer Corps are the ones behind it. They are certainly seen as not only rebels, but terrorist. The Russians are calling them “Ukrainian” but these are Russians themselves. Meaning this is a new issue for Kremlin to solve. As they already stretched military in Ukraine. While they also have to fight and attack on its own soil now against their own.

We are now seeing two different militias fighting together for the same cause. A cause that is against the warfare of the Russian Federation. It is causing internal issues and the Kremlin must be shocked by this. However, when you start a war and the ramifications of that comes home. There are possibilities of rebellion and mutiny. That’s what is possibly happening here, but this could also be used to intensify and give more excuses for more harsh laws or forced subscriptions to the Russian Army.

This is how a war comes home. We have no idea how this will be played out, but it is striking. The strategic placement of the rebels and their plans are said out loud and clear. The Kremlin wasn’t prepared for this, because they counted on endless Z Patriots to stand guard. However, there are changes and the winds are turning in every direction.

Belgorod oblast will be in the spotlight for a long time. The rebel, militia or as the Russians say the “terrorist” will cause a stir and controversy in the hinterlands of the Federation. Nevertheless, it begs to question if others will follow their acts or if this will be a lonely crusade. Because if they are alone and not vastly supported. The fight will die down quickly. However, if more takes to arms and prolongs the agony. Then you have a new stalemate that will weaken the Russian army substantial and doing so from within. That will be very beneficial for Kyiv and the Defensive warfare of Ukraine.

When the smoke clears and the verdict is out. We will know more. The coin is yet to be tossed. What is certain is that the Russian leaders and Belgorod oblast wasn’t prepared for this. It is already talk of panic, fleeing and leaving the areas too. That shows what sort of ammo the rebels has and what they are capable of. It must hurt the pride of the mighty nation to see that…

Well, Putin didn’t see this one coming and his strategies in Ukraine haven’t worked. Now it is coming home. I wonder if he will use the same annihilation tactics at home, as he has done on every other battlefield under his reign. Peace.

Opinion: Medvedev is explaining Russian imperialism…

“A geopolitical loss?

It was back in 2022 that NATO was lazily shooing us away when the matter concerned the security guarantees. Like, leave us alone, no time for you. And now, all of the NATO member states go to bed at night, and wake up in the morning thinking of Russia. Moreover, some of the especially cowardly and suffering from phantom pains, like temporarily occupied Poland and our Baltic provinces, have well soiled themselves.

So, if there has indeed been a loss, it is that of the primitive NATO politics, with its underlying ambition to play the exceptional role in the 21st century” (Dmitry Medvedev, 16.05.2023).

If you thought Kremlin had forgotten about their former territories and stopped considering invading or annex former Soviet Republics. Certainly, there is high ranking officials like Dmitry Medvedev spelling it out.

We know he has already said Russians could access Berlin or even capture Poland. That has been said during the “Special Military Operation” in Ukraine. The prolonged “three days” enterprise that is lasting over 400 days now. The Russian war-machine isn’t as cracking as the rulers of Russia wants it too to be.

It is really striking how Medvedev speaks of both Poland and the Baltic Nations. That just shows the arrogance and the imperial thinking, which is lingering in the chambers of power in Kremlin.

They are really dreaming of a new USSR and saying that it’s only “temporary”. If you thought Ukraine was a “one-off”. It is apparently very wrong as certain ones are aiming for unification with all former USSR republics and even saying “NATO” and “EU” only occupied it for the time being. This means some has the ambition and wants to takeover them again.

It is a reason why Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia has been such allies of Ukraine in this war. They know what is coming and they have been worried for years. They are smaller and easier nation to attack. Only the strength of NATO can worry Russia. If they were alone without an alliance. They might as well be under the same fate as Kyiv today. Where the Russian forces are sending missiles and trying to annex their regions. That’s what Kremlin is busy doing and it shows.

If Medvedev thought this sentiment was wise to release… he must be stupid. Because his only showing what we all feared, but his verifying for the world to see. The Russians are dreaming of a new Soviet and wants to take back what is lost. They don’t value the independence of the former USSR republics. No, they want them under their spell again and be the overlords, yet again. Peace.

Joint Statement by First Nations, Indigenous Peoples, and Advocacy Groups of 12 Countries with the British Monarch as Head of State, on the occassion of the Coronation of King Charles III, May 6th 2023: Apology, Reparation, and repatritation of Artefacts and Remains (04.05.2023)

Russia: The Kremlin Drone Attack smells like a false-flag operation…

“Russian state-controlled media claims Kremlin attacked by Ukrainian drones. Russian state-controlled media RIA Novosti claimed on May 3 that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin residence was targeted by Ukrainian drones. RIA Novosti alleged that the drones were disabled “as a result of timely actions taken by the (Russian) military and special services with the use of radar control systems.”” (Kyiv Independent, 03.05.2023).

“As for the drones over the Kremlin. It’s all predictable… Russia is clearly preparing a large-scale terrorist attack. That’s why it first detains a large allegedly subversive group in Crimea. And then it demonstrates “drones over the Kremlin”. First of all, Ukraine wages an exclusively defensive war and does not attack targets on the territory of the Russian Federation” (Adviser to the Head of the Office of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Podolyak, 03.05.2023).

On the 18^th February 2022 there was a car-bomb in Donbass. That was mere days ahead of the invasion of Ukraine. When I saw the video and the released information about yesterday’s drone attack on Kremlin. It reminded me of the car that was split in pieces and done so to strike fear.

The sudden drone attack in the heart of Moscow only seems like a false-flag and an operation to galvanize troops. This is done to spike up the nationalism and the eager to continue the war in Ukraine. There is nothing else to benefit from it.

The defence and the armies of Ukraine wouldn’t earn a coin on this attack. Neither would this do Kyiv any favours. They would only weaken their own defence strategies. That’s why an attack on Kremlin seems far fetched and out of reach.

The drone attack seems not only like a false flag, but an Mission Impossible. It is a clandestine operation, which needs to travers Russian hinterland with drones. There need to be able to use spies and connections to bring the equipment into the capital. Secondly, the need to penetrate the air-defence and jam the defence systems in the heart of Moscow. That seems like a Hollywood movie and not real life.

I have a hard time believing a spy and a operational team of drone experts would be able to get in to Russia. Secondly, be able to travel the long road from the border of Russia to the capital with the equipment without being intercepted. Especially, when the Russian Army is attacking and operating in several oblasts of Ukraine. Therefore, it seems like a pipe-dream.

It is the perfect nightmare. Then after being able to reach to the Capital. The drones are able to skirt the jammers and the other military equipment to target the Kremlin. That just luck and lucky charms that gave them way.

This is why I don’t believe it and cannot understand the abilities of the Ukrainian supermen who brought the drones to Moscow. Because, if they were they had some supreme abilities and wisdom to bring it that far. Not only operate it and target such a guarded place. But they could transport, set-up shop and do it. If the Ukrainian Defence, did it now… why now? And not earlier in the war? Just to prove a point… alas, that is not case, and this is done to get more support and get sympathy for the cause.

That how I see this, and I feel about the same as when I saw the perfectly bombed vehicle in February last year. It is just too perfect and doesn’t seem legit. Because, of that I question it and think it serves another purpose. If they wanted to assassinate Putin. I doubt that they would do it this way but be more devious than this. Peace.

Opinion: Raab was destined to fall

The likes of Dominic Raab were bound to fail and be a utter tragicomedy of sorts. It couldn’t go any other way. That Prime Minister Rishi Sunak let him back into the fold and appointed him to his Deputy says a lot.

Especially knowing how he acted in the past. It wasn’t like Raab MP was a choirboy or a perfect example of how a Minister should behave. No, the guy who had a mistress, used leverage of questionable government tenders during COVID and broke the social distancing rules. Therefore, before even appointing him was an epic blunder.

A man with such a record and with such history. Not ancient history either. It is just mere months in between. The PM still had the guts to put faith in him and give him new privileges. That is saying something about the Tories and their inside “trading” favours.

The Tolley Report published yesterday states this about him: “In reaching and implementing this management choice he acted in a way which was intimidating, in the sense of unreasonably and persistently aggressive conduct in the context of a work meeting. It also involved an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates. He introduced an unwarranted punitive element. His conduct was experienced as undermining or humiliating by the affected individual, which was inevitable. It is to be inferred that the DPM was aware that this would be the effect of his conduct; at the very least, he should have been aware” (…) “On a separate occasion, the DPM referred to the Civil Service Code in a way which could reasonably have been understood as suggesting that those involved had acted in breach. This had a significant adverse effect on a particular individual who took it seriously. The DPM’s conduct was a form of intimidating behaviour, in the sense of conveying a threat of unspecified disciplinary action, and was experienced as such. He did not target any individual, nor intend to threaten anyone with disciplinary action. However, he ought to have realised that his reference to the Civil Service Code could well have been understood as a threat” (Tolley, P: 45, 20.04.2023).

Raab can act all out and try to downplay his actions. Nevertheless, this will stain his CV. Though he has already other aforementioned misgivings before appointed by Sunak. It is like the PM looked the other way and just had to pick the pick of the litter. Since it’s not like Raab oozes credibility or any credible achievements in the past.

No, it was just a job for one of the boys. That Raab himself wants to save face is all natural at this point. He just want to look good for himself and his future. That’s why his writing a long piece to the Tory friendly newspaper The Telegraph and acted righteous in his resignation letter. His on a PR tour to look grand again.

However, that ship has failed. It was already downhill after the scandal of the mistress in the middle of the pandemic. That he couldn’t hold his pecker for himself is the biggest one. Now he just has adjusted to another questionable field. As he has acted with a superiority complex and thought he was the next Julius Caesar. Nevertheless, he will never be crowned emperor, but just another court jester.

I’m not surprised he had to fall. Raab isn’t the likeable uncle or the friendly MP. No, his the self-righteous and braggadocious man wo thinks his supreme. He is the sound of the elites and the ones born with a silver spoon. That’s where Raab belongs and it shows.

He has no integrity or respect for others. Only looks out for himself and it shows. Peace.

United Kingdom: British Pakistan Foundation – Open Letter to Prime Ministe Rishi Sunak (11.04.2022)

Opinion: Rodgers will find a new home

Over the weekend, there was news that Leicester City had by mutual agreement accepted that Manager Brendan Rodgers would quit the job. This is said to be done over a direct sacking from the club. Leicester have struggled this season and looked relegation ready. This is because of the lack of new recruitment and loss of leaders in the dressing room.

Rodgers have delivered as a manager for Leicester. Just like he did what was expected of him in Celtic. Though he was underachieving as a Liverpool manager. While rising through the ranks of Swansea. Therefore, Rodgers got a name, and he has titles in his name. That being from the years in Celtic and in Leicester as well.

The end of Rodgers might seem abruptly and not as soft as anyone wishes. He has seemingly built a name, but also grown stale in the club. The club has lacked investment and had lots of injuries. Still, a seasoned manager and a skilled one should be able to balance it all. However, there is only as much one man can do.

Rodgers is now a free agent and ready for hire. A man who has a results and titles. Some might question that, but he isn’t that bad. Yes, this season was the worst he has had in some respects. Leicester has really underperformed and is dangerously close to relegation. They need a quick revival to ensure another season in the Premier League.

I will not pin the whole blame on him there, as the recruitment has been lacking and the release of key players has also damaged the club. That’s all been done and was right before the season start. While the club didn’t even try to buy in new after selling vital players to competitors. Therefore, this season was bound to be tough.

Rodgers couldn’t save the sinking ship and he had no squad to help him out either. Only trusting in Maddison and Vardy was bound to fail. Vardy is aging and this should be his last season in the Premier League. Unless, he has a magical change and suddenly starts to regain his youth. Maddison can’t carry the whole midfield and the defence has lacked support after the goalie Schmeichel left for Nice. This is why I cannot just say… it’s Rodgers fault and he should carry the cross.

No, Rodgers did to the best of his abilities and wasn’t given proper tools to succeed. The club maybe worried or concerned about the FFP rules and wouldn’t dare to breach those. Still, to be in the league at this very moment. You need to adopt and recruit. There need to be continuously new blood and players who fits the bill. That hasn’t been the case and this is why Leicester also is struggling.

This is the fatigue of a club that has overachieved and was able to challenge the top four clubs. A club that has shown how to do it and become a force to reckon with. However, that doesn’t come without consequences or a price to pay. When you forget that… then the inevitable is bound to happen and it’s horrific. Especially, since it’s not that long ago since you won the FA Cup and won the Premier League title. It is just mere years ago and you even reached far in European Competition. However, the club didn’t in the hey-day invest or re-structure itself. No, it hoped for the same miracle and that cheap players would become starts, yet again.

That is living on hope and Rodgers couldn’t carry that. Leicester will struggle for the rest of the 10 games. The club will have a huge battle in fighting relegation. That’s all up to the owners and the board, who didn’t support or use the needed scouts to find the right players to come instead of the ones leaving the club. Therefore, they are in trouble.

Rodgers will find a new home. He isn’t totally stained by this, and his reputation isn’t in tatters. Yes, this is a bad record this season. Nevertheless, his still proven the other years that is a capable and a manager who can get results. That must count for something. Peace.

Opinion: The Potter experiment is over…

The ones who were for the hipsters and popular narrative that Graham Potter was the next in line. The hope of British Managers and whatnot, well, that ship has sailed. The 7-month journey at Chelsea Football Club has proven that Potter wasn’t ready for the big-league just yet. Just like the Nathan Jones wasn’t ready for Southampton either.

Potter might be a marvellous fellow, might be a genuine good guy and a gentleman. However, in the Premier League and in a hot mess like Chelsea. He was never there and never ceased the moment. It isn’t like it’s all his fault. The new project and new owners have their own vision. Which doesn’t coincide with the manager or the team surrounding him.

That’s why Potter was destined to fail. When you could sack Thomas Tuchel with no good reason or explanation. You just know your bound to go down eventually. Potter might have thought all the support and good words from the owners would save his skin. Nevertheless, there is just as much pain and losses a man can do. Especially, when the club has been a winning team and a challenger over the last decade.

Chelsea isn’t a run of the mill club now. It has been a contender and a club that has won things. That has been the nature and expectations is high. Managers are being sacked for just a dip of form or lack of results. Therefore, Potter was lucky to last 7 months with his lack of results.

The performance of Chelsea was abysmal under Potter. It was like they had a sickness against winning and scoring goals. The was a lack of moral and a lack of a proper philosophy. That is evident on the pitch and the policies of the transfer market haven’t helped him either. It is like a mismatch of player in combination with the ones that are already settled in. For a man like Potter that was a huge task, and he had no time to fail. Ironically, he failed again and again… and the fans will not miss him.

The task for the next appointment is to build a strong 11 and have one fixed philosophy on the pitch. The next manager needs to step up and deliver. It cannot be an unproven and unsolicited guy with no experience. That has already been proven and it doesn’t fit the bill. Chelsea needs a “serial” winner and someone who can push the club forward. Because right now… they are in the middle of the league and closer to relegation, than to reach Champions League. That’s not what Chelsea has been about over the last few years.

Some of us said that Potter shouldn’t have left Brighton this early. Now he has stained his reputation and possibly ruined his career. Potter was lucky to get this managerial role to begin with. The previous owner wouldn’t have hired him, and the board would have shunned it too. Nevertheless, the new American owner believed in him and gave him time. Now this season is wasted and it will cost for the next one too.

Chelsea will already have questions and we all can wonder if the club complies with FFP rules. The huge spending spree and long contracts are going to backfire. Just like the pay-outs to Potter will last for a long time. This will also be the case for the players bought in and if they fail. Well, they are on the payroll and the club cannot just “sack” them.

Now the club is wasting millions of pounds on Potter. A man who didn’t deliver and never seemed capable of doing so. A man who got the most expensive signings of the transfer windows, but still not able to deliver. That’s a story to tell. Others would have been giddied in his stead. However, Potter complained and was seemingly unhappy. He wasn’t made for it. Potter might never say that, but the results prove it.

Chelsea was too big for Potter. Potter wasn’t ready and seasoned for the job. That’s why it was bound to fail. The next manager better come correct and have experience. Because, this squad, this club and the ambition isn’t easy. Potter should have read the writing on the wall, but instead jumped into it.

Now his name is stained and his been found out. Instead of living in the hype and getting better by every year. He jumped high and now it is his inevitable fall… Peace.

Ukraine: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Costs to rebuild Ukraine increase sharply (24.03.2023)