What drives Putin

 Yesterday, Donald Trump revealed that he had an extensive telephone conversation with Putin regarding several topics, including Ukraine's much publicised successful attacks on Russia's strategic military assets, and Putin's prized bridge linking Crimea to mainland Russia. Putin threatened retaliation, of course. 

We are yet to see the response, but no one will be surprised, after all, Putin does not have the same values that we have in the West. Is it because he is crazy? It appears not. However, his actions over the past two decades show he is a ruthless dictator who does not hesitate to use force to achieve his ends. He has taken complete control of Russia, and all opposition has been vanquished by fair means or foul. Journalists, politicians, and those opposing his rule have been disappeared or poisoned. His military opposition had fatal accidents. He has used his military to attack his neighbours, with great success, prior to the current Ukraine invasion. What are his objectives? Most pundits believe he wants to recreate the glorious days of the USSR. He wants Russia to have the power and respect that the USSR, achieved in its heyday. Given what we now know about the hollow carcass that regime had turned out to be, this does sound hollow. It is hard for us Westerners to understand the Russian culture and how they can tolerate Putin's brutal dictatorship. Why don't they rebel? Some insight into the Russian mind was given by Konstantin Kisin in his short but forthright presentation titled  "Why Americans Don't Understand Putin".

Ukraine's second blow against Russia

It has only been a few days since Ukraine's remarkable surprise attack on Russia's strategic military assets, when it has pulled off another significant attack. This time it was an underwater drone that delivered structural damage to the Kerch bridge. The bridge that connects the Russian-annexed Crimea to Russia. 

The extent of the structural damage to the bridge is yet to be fully assessed, but the damage to Russia's military is clearly visible. Putin, instead of delivering his planned rapid takeover of the whole of Ukraine, has been bogged down in a war that is in its 4th year. Along the way, it has lost up to 1 million men, dead and wounded, many billions of roubles worth of armaments, and incalculable political capital. Russia's military has dropped from being regarded as one of the top military forces in the world, and is now considered as an outdated paper tiger. Its only asset is its nuclear arsenal, which, although untested, remains its major deterrent from NATO's even more aggressive actions.

Again, we have to be cautious about over-cheering Ukraine's success, as we can anticipate some reaction from Russia. 

In the meantime, here are some of the reports on the recent attack.

and 

Open questions on Biden's presidency

Given the Trump tornado's dismantling of Biden's 'legacy', it is not surprising that the news media have had their hands full. Never does a day pass without many opportunities for outrage at Trump's policies. Whether it be another on/off on a tariff, a district judge putting a stop order on an executive order, a failed ceasefire negotiation, the anti-Trump forces have been too busy attacking Trump to look for defending Biden's legacy. There are signs that that will change soon. There are many open questions on the Biden Presidency, including:- 

• Who was aware of Biden's cognitive decline and when?
• Who was 'running' the country over the period when Biden could not do so?
• What role did his immediate family, Dr Jill Biden, and his disgraced son, Hunter, have?
• Who was in charge of the auto-pen used for signing executive orders? Many were signed by auto-pen.
• Are the auto-pen executed orders legal? 
• Are auto-pen executed pardons legal?
• Did Biden's doctor do a PSA test? If not, why not? If yes, what was the result?
• When was Biden's prostate cancer diagnosed?
• Who was the source of the cocaine found in the White House? 

While Trump's Justice Department and FBI have been busy settling into their new roles and implementing the changes required by Trump's executive orders, there are now signs that the questions circling about Biden's presidency are receiving attention. Republicans in Congress, many of whom have been doggedly pursuing Biden's questionable business dealings, are pressing for more action, oft repeating the Democrats' mantra, 'no one is above the law. ' What goes around comes around.

I expect there will be plenty of circus in the coming months. 

Here is a discussion on these questions.

Russia suffers greatest military defeat since WWII

The mouse that roared

Yesterday's surprise ambush by Ukraine of Russia's strategic military assets reminded me of a movie from the 60s by that title. A small principality in Europe decides to declare war against the US. Why? It fully expects to lose the war, but then receive the generous aid that the US was seen to bestow on countries it conquered. Obviously, it is a comedy and pretty memorable for its premise. Ukraine is far from a small principality, and it certainly did not start this war, but yesterday it certainly roared. It pulled off a massive surprise attack on Russia's most strategic assets. The extent of the damage has yet to be determined, but the attack targeted 4 separate military sites and destroyed some 40 strategic bombers, some of which were located thousands of kilometres from Ukraine's border. By all accounts, and there are many, this was a military masterpiece, executed in total secrecy despite an 18-month implementation schedule. Experts cite this as the greatest military loss by Russia since WWII. 

Here are a couple of reports on the attack. 

and this; -

This is a major setback for Russia, but even a greater embarrassment for Putin. So we can expect a reaction. One could ask, "What is worse than an angry bear?", and the answer would be "A wounded bear"

CDC removes children and pregnant women from COVID Immunisation Schedule

CDC removes children and pregnant women from COVID Immunisation Schedule

It has been some time coming, perhaps late, but the US CDC has removed COVID mRNA vaccines from the CDC's recommended immunisation schedule for healthy children and healthy pregnant women. The announcement was reinforced on X. This is a short one, just 37 seconds.

Today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from @CDCgov recommended immunization schedule. Bottom line: it’s common sense and it’s good science. We are now one step closer to realizing @POTUS’s promise to Make America Healthy Again. pic.twitter.com/Ytch2afCLP

— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) May 27, 2025

I am guessing there will be more of these to come.