Summerinsiam

As usual started by the Israelis! All because 'bibi' needs to keep his job and avoid his well deserved reckoning. Good on the Iranians.

Keep on drinking that kool aid.

There is no real evidence that Russia would attack another country. It is mostly hyperbole and propaganda pushed by the likes of Zelenskey, the baltic states, and those Nato generals who want more money for defence. Putin rightly fears Nato and despite the western narrative, is not a madman. The danger lies in miscalulation, the rest is smoke and mirrors. The conflict has reached a stalemate and with the Russian economy unexpectedly resilient and on a war footing, it is looking increasingly unlikely that the Ukrainians can regain their territory, let alone win. Reality is dawning, despite the Ukrainian and western mantra, and something will have to give.

The elites are terrified of him, and the potential upheaval of the status quo that the policies of his progressive party represent. Its not just section 112, which is something of a smokescreen. Think, genuine reform of the military and police, eradication of corruption, reducing centralisation and the power of the conservative civil service, educational reform and the breaking up of big business monopolies. The vested interests; who benefit enormously from the current semi-feudal, authoritarian, corrupt system, that are lined up against him are daunting.

Yet more scaremongering. Earlier we had NATO preparing for war with Russia, when in fact the key word is deterrence. Both sides are well aware that a war can never be fought between two nuclear armed sides. In this case, neither the US or Iran want a direct confrontation. Iran is content to use its proxies and the Biden administration will do anything to avoid one. While the situation is volatile, most analysts concur that it remains unlikely.

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. Ask Nelson Mandela. Even Ariel Sharon admitted that if he was a Palestininian he would take up armed resistance.

According to some estimates more civilians have been killed than during the entire duration of the Russian Ukrainian conflict. But that's ok? The double standards and hypocrisy are off the scale.

Blinken is wasting his time. He may have good intentions but Netanyahu is clearly not listening. Indeed, the war criminal daren't stop in case he is removed from his position by the Israeli people, with whom he is now deeply unpopular, or faces a corruption trial. He is blinded by self-interest, and doesn't care if he sets the whole region on fire. Until the Americans back up their rhetoric with actions, or the war criminal is replaced, nothing sadly will change. Blinken can visit every week if it takes his fancy.

One of his many eclectic views. He also thinks covid was largely a hoax, and pushes a number of other conspiracy theories.

Kennedy is a Democrat, but analysts believe that with some of his bizarre views, he could appeal equally to or more to the Republican voters.

Can you imagine the outrage of the west if this was in Ukraine? It would be off the scale. In Ukraine, its genocide and requires an immediate investigation from the International Court. In Gaza, no. In Ukraine, civilian deaths are an outrage. In Gaza, collateral damage. When the Russians target critical infrastructure, its a war crime. In Gaza, no. When the Russians remove children, Putin is a war criminal. In Gaza, the Israelis just murder them. I could go on. The double standards and hypocrisy of the west are staggering, and speak volumes about their true motivations.

Its not real. Why dont you get it!

Although it can never be ruled out, it is highly unlikely there will be another coup. There is simply no need currently as all the dirty work is done by the bent extra-judicial agencies: election commision, constitutional court etc. It won't be long before the MPP is disbanded. what will detetmine things is the strength of the backlash. Somethings gotta change and eventually it will.

Prayut is nothing but a hapless stooge, who was installed to maintain the corrupt status quo and protect the interests of the elite. His 'advice' echoes that of his backers, who are desperate to maintain the feudal apparatus that allows them to thrive at the expense of progress for the people. He broke the highest law of the land and according to all objective observers has not one achievement to his name. His duplicity and failure to keep promises led to him being christened Pinocchio. He has been a disaster for the overwhelming majority of Thais and should be behind bars not laughing and joking. But of course, sadly this is Thailand.

As the de facto leader of his party it is inevitable that he will still wield influence behind the scenes. But he won't be standing in an election again. It remains to be seen if he can maintain his popularity after breaking pre-election promises and leaving the MFP out in the cold.

Its obvious that he has struck a backroom deal and consequently will not serve any time. He wouldn't come back otherwise. I expect he will get a royal pardon. He alays had a close relationship with the man who bestows these. While the details are unknown, it is likely the price was allowing the 'military parties' into the coalition, in order to get a slice of the pie, and promising to stay out of politics. The new faultline in Thailand is now between the conservative and reformist camps. The red versus yellow conflict is old news, and clearly Thaksin is now seen as the lesser of two evils. Pheu Thai will suffer for their betrayal but it has always been Thaksin's party, and their primary focus, even when in government, has always been to bring him home.

He is the 'caretaker' Prime minister and as such should be keeping a low profile. The country voted overwhelmingly to get rid of this incompetent stooge. The sooner that wish is fulfilled the better.

I am surprised it doesn't happen more often. In my estimation, the vast majority of these so called live-streamers and thai-bloggers have a lot to answer for and are a complete waste of space.

Its patently nonsense. The Republican obsession with Hunter Biden is laughable, especially when you take into account the documented behaviour of their hero. Truly pathetic.

They won't need that many because the Senate expires next May.

Judging by their comments yesterday, it seems that both Ben Wallace and Jake Sullivan are in agreement that Zelenskey should tone down his act. As I said, he should understand that there are limits to NATO support, and that countries face domestic pressure. They answer to their electorates and not him. Being treated as an 'Amazon warehouse', has unsurprisingly rankled them. I, for one, are glad that they are sensibly trying to err on the side of 'strategic caution', despite Zelenskey and his drmands.

Sadly, many countries are at war, but looking at the headlines you wouldn't know it. Sovereignty and democracy seem to grow in importance when they are aligned and coincide with US and western interests. Ukraine was not a formal ally before the war and the allies have already gone further than many predicted. Zelenskey should understand that there are limits to what support can be offered, without triggering World War 3. At least Biden and the germans seem to grasp this.

Good that they have fudged the decision and not given in to Zelenskey's incessant, never- ending demands. After all, it was the expansion of NATO eastwards that helped create this mess.