One of the things I wonder about is how long Russia will survive as an economic entity. Losing Syria puts a crimp in its looting of Africa and it doesn't have too many other options. This is particularly the case if Iran collapses too, which certainly wasn't on my calendar for 2025 until I learned about how the place is literally out of gas, and hence electricity since their generators are all gas powered
If (when) Iran collapses Russia becomes dependent on the PRC and I can't see the PRC not taking ruthless advantage of that situation and de facto if not de jure annexing large chunks of Siberia. That in turn means less revenue for Moscow so making the rest even more unstable.
Another excellent column providing information that is very hard to unlikely to find anywhere else, especially not in major media. Fascinating information as well. It would appear that Kim Jong-Un cares as little for the lives of his soldiers as Killer Putin does for his own troops. They're just bodies thrown into the maw of battle.
I remember reading how anti-personnel laser weapons were used by Vietnam in their brief war with China, and to devastating effect. It seems that lessons were learned.
The mysterious sinking of that crane carrying Russian ship in the western Mediterranean is another blow. Speculation is that it was on its way to eastern Libya to help set up a replacement naval base in the Mediterranean to replace the one Putin lost in Syria.
Hopefully the South Koreans will ship lots of high-quality ammunition to Ukraine. Would they consider sending troops to combat the North's troops? It would be provocative, but Russia and the North have already escalated, so it would only be a response to that escalation.
The North's troops seem unlikely to ever come home. Apart from them probably being killed on the battlefield, they would also have tasted life outside North Korea and might be restless if allowed back home.
South Korea has great military manufacturing facilities and has several contracts with our Australian military. The South could really help Ukraine.
SK is currently a rudderless ship. Until they have new elections, there is too much chaos in the upper reaches. That includes a second impeachment yesterday.
All this is a very bad news. Number of casualties is not among the KPIs that would concern Kim. This means that Russia just gotten an infinite supply of soldiers. Just like the second world war, they will win this war too because their value of human life imply that their resources are practically infinite.
My first thought regarding N Koreans collecting their dead was as you say, partly for their families to achieve "war gain" status. I'm assuming a nice slice of celebratory benefits will encourage more young men to join for their family's sakes, much as the families of ISIS suicide "martyrs", benefit substantially from the deaths of their sons.
And yes, I also believe that Kim Jong Un is throwing these kids into battle for data collection purposes.
What a world. It's morally depressing for me to imagine how the west, with all its military standards of behaviour and international laws of war can demolish insane despots like Putin and Un who have zero scruples. It would take an exceptional leader to bring western forces together with a common goal and a willingness to engage. That certainly won't be anyone from the US.
One of the things I wonder about is how long Russia will survive as an economic entity. Losing Syria puts a crimp in its looting of Africa and it doesn't have too many other options. This is particularly the case if Iran collapses too, which certainly wasn't on my calendar for 2025 until I learned about how the place is literally out of gas, and hence electricity since their generators are all gas powered
If (when) Iran collapses Russia becomes dependent on the PRC and I can't see the PRC not taking ruthless advantage of that situation and de facto if not de jure annexing large chunks of Siberia. That in turn means less revenue for Moscow so making the rest even more unstable.
Russia will collapse long before the Islamic Republic.
That's an interesting thought. I want to see Putin crushed, but not in a way that benefits China.
Another excellent column providing information that is very hard to unlikely to find anywhere else, especially not in major media. Fascinating information as well. It would appear that Kim Jong-Un cares as little for the lives of his soldiers as Killer Putin does for his own troops. They're just bodies thrown into the maw of battle.
I remember reading how anti-personnel laser weapons were used by Vietnam in their brief war with China, and to devastating effect. It seems that lessons were learned.
The mysterious sinking of that crane carrying Russian ship in the western Mediterranean is another blow. Speculation is that it was on its way to eastern Libya to help set up a replacement naval base in the Mediterranean to replace the one Putin lost in Syria.
Hopefully the South Koreans will ship lots of high-quality ammunition to Ukraine. Would they consider sending troops to combat the North's troops? It would be provocative, but Russia and the North have already escalated, so it would only be a response to that escalation.
The North's troops seem unlikely to ever come home. Apart from them probably being killed on the battlefield, they would also have tasted life outside North Korea and might be restless if allowed back home.
South Korea has great military manufacturing facilities and has several contracts with our Australian military. The South could really help Ukraine.
SK is currently a rudderless ship. Until they have new elections, there is too much chaos in the upper reaches. That includes a second impeachment yesterday.
Yes, they have problems, but they are dealing with them and the courts are acting, unlike in America.
All this is a very bad news. Number of casualties is not among the KPIs that would concern Kim. This means that Russia just gotten an infinite supply of soldiers. Just like the second world war, they will win this war too because their value of human life imply that their resources are practically infinite.
Thank-you for this article.
My first thought regarding N Koreans collecting their dead was as you say, partly for their families to achieve "war gain" status. I'm assuming a nice slice of celebratory benefits will encourage more young men to join for their family's sakes, much as the families of ISIS suicide "martyrs", benefit substantially from the deaths of their sons.
And yes, I also believe that Kim Jong Un is throwing these kids into battle for data collection purposes.
What a world. It's morally depressing for me to imagine how the west, with all its military standards of behaviour and international laws of war can demolish insane despots like Putin and Un who have zero scruples. It would take an exceptional leader to bring western forces together with a common goal and a willingness to engage. That certainly won't be anyone from the US.
Thanks fr ypus work wes! And merry christmast to you