Substack SitRep: 9 August 2023

Gonzalo Lira, forbidden knowledge, Russia's new defences, and Victoria Nuland's holiday in Niger.

Thousands of people are likely talking (or screaming) after Scott Ritter posted an argument for the probability that Gonzalo Lira has been turned by Ukrainian Intelligence. Understandably, some of Lira’s friends are defending him.

I’ve posted a screenshot of my reaction comment at the bottom of this page. I’ll leave the real debate to the relevant parties in the hope that their logic is bigger than emotion (but without them becoming emotionless to the plight of Lira and those he interacts with).

Anyone notice Substack going down this morning? Hopefully they weren’t under attack as Naked Capitalism was by Ukraine after it posted about Lira.

If it wasn’t for the danger of the Lira controversy, I would’ve highlighted Julian MacFarlane’s ‘The Evolution of the 21st Century "Nation"‘ - it’s a history lesson that skillfully weaves itself into modern day Poland and Ukraine.

In the Outstack video section, it’s essential to watch Weeb’s update on Russia’s defences south-east of Bakhmut. And Tom Dispatch delivers an excellent criticism of the USA’s “exceptional military”.

WAKE UP!

THE WAR IN UKRAINE

Substack:

• Scott Ritter: Gonzalo Lira, the SBU, and Information Operations

• Postscript to the Ukraine peace gathering in Jeddah

• The Jeddah Talks backfired on Zelensky

• ‘The Evolution of the 21st Century "Nation"

• Young Poles’ Views Towards Ukraine Have Changed

• Oil, Heavy And Light

• The Illusory Truth Effect and the "Unprovoked" Invasion of Ukraine

Offstack:

• Georgia announces strategic partnership with China

• Europe backs Kazakhstan's efforts to sidestep Russian influence

• Russian Missiles and the European Sky Shield Initiative

• The West really believes Russia is on the verge of ‘collapse.’ This explains a lot of bad policy

• Russia advances 33km2 in northeast Ukraine

• India scoops up cheapest Russian oil since start of Ukraine War

• Zelensky Aide vows there will be ‘No Compromise’ with Moscow

AFRICA

Substack:

• Why Europe continues to get it wrong

• Victoria Nuland revealed interesting details about her discussions in Niger

• A public appeal to President Tinubu (Nigeria)

Offstack:

• We've reached the end of western colonialism

• Victoria Nuland meets with Niger junta leaders

• Washington’s Undemocratic Military Offspring [in Africa]

• State Department responds to pro-Russia leanings among Niger coup supporters (turn up volume)

ELSEWHERE

Substack:

• Forbidden knowledge - Stuff you don’t need to know

• The Great Unravelling: ‘For All That Is Ours, We Must Fight’

Offstack:

• An Exceptional Military for the Exceptional Nation !

• The West’s double standards in the Armenian crisis

• Urgent appeal to international community to prevent genocide of NKR people

• Israel: Doctors warn they won’t work if government scorns High Court ruling

• “Big Four” Banks in UK and Australia escalate their war of attrition against cash

• Tunisia in financial crisis as IMF bailout considered

• Eleven objectives of Neoliberalism

OFFSTACK PODCASTS & VIDEOS

• True Costs of a Naval War with China

• P.D. Lawton on Muammar Gaddafi’s threat to the West

• The Critical Hour: Trump Indictment, US Credit Rating

MY COMMENT ON COMMUNITY REACTION TO GONZALO LIRA SITUATION