Thank you for this, I really laughed out loud (I don’t do LOLs of course, there are limits). This findings should of course be followed by some other actions than conferences. However they are not loosing money for their taxpayers. They are using them to support the travel and catering and service and similar businesses. This is how EU works. We travel around at conferences and workshops and whatnot. Since you are not a scientist (think you said so in a previous message) you haven’t seen how this works at our Framework programs. We collect a bunch of people in a project, organize kick off meetings, work shops, project meetings, general assemblies and whatnot visiting different parts of Europe and speaking broken English. And that’s the beauty of it. Peaceful, friendly, travelling circus. In between the meetings we do some work (need to have something to report at the next meeting). It isn’t efficient. But we don’t invade others, we have dropped the imperialism (mostly); we respect each other etc. so conferences are the lifeblood of the European Union. You can’t avoid it. You just have to hope something happens in between.
Thanks as always Tom. I have a question though. NATO didn't allow new members when there wasn't 'a peaceful, stable, situation'. And by doing so, invited russia to cause mayhem (Donbass, Georgia). NATO probably didn't want to irritate the sensitive russians to maintain the peace that reigned for decades. As there is no longer need to appease russia, as they invaded a neighbour and threaten others, why doesn't NATO change it's criteria and allow Ukraine and for instance Georgia (once they are ready) to join? The way NATO and Europe dealt with Russia has become obsolete, isn't it?
Yes, and that shows that NATO is obsolete and should be replaced by a European initiative. US can't be trusted anymore and the old security framework, based upon the 'after WW II reality', has come to an end.
Dang it this is the third time I'm writing this comment! Righto..... to be fair on The Telegraph, Joe Barnes is reporting on what the ZombieIdiots™️ are saying. He's not necessarily behind the times like they are. Also there are some voices at The Telegraph such as Francis Dearnley who have been quite vocal about the true state of the affairs with the US and European security.
But yeah, the people Joe is reporting about... need to pull finger!
Hi Tom, What are the implications of purchasing a Link16 for the F-16 and a CRC System Interface? I'm asking as a noob. :-) Will you be writing an article about it, or is it not worth it? Thx in advance
'Defence review to send 'message to Moscow' – Healey'...
Wow.
I think the message has been clear enough for a decade and more: Hey Vlad, we love to talk tough but as you know that's all we're good at. Don't let us get in the way of your land grab. And now your man's in the White House, don't you worry: we'll talk tough till the cows come home...
The Telegraph report you cite and John Healy's appearance on the BBC this morning are relatively positive developments, as it shows that Europe has abandoned any idea that a ceasefire is imminent so they don't need to agree on how they would guarantee it. Instead they are focussing on providing additional military support to Ukraine.
Am I missing something? All the talk of a ceasefire in my perception originated with Trump's blowharding. Trump will do anything to get world wide attention and to keep that attention and the "conversation" essentially centered around him personally. I don't see how, for example, European political leaders ever thinking--even from the beginning of all the talk and publicity about a potential cease fire--that Putin was serious about a cease fire, however temporary, given Putin's opening negotiation gambit, essentially the surrender by Ukraine of the Donbas, etc. The rest of it all is just public relations hoo-haw and not meant seriously to engage in negotiations that would result actually in some sort of cease fire, not to mention end to the war.
Meetings for the sake of meetings... Still I believe many of us Ukrainians are thankful for all the support from the allies so far. It would be way harder without it.
Dear Tom, hopefully we'll get another interesting review from you in the nearby future. It seems that SBU (SSU) conducted yet another drone attack. This time on some Russian airfields, where strategic bombers were kept. Many Ukrainian Telegram channels claim 4 airfields were hit so far: Belaya, Diagilevo, Olenya, Ivanovo. 41 planes are claimed to be damaged, some of them might be destroyed. Hopefully the numbers are true, since we've seen exaggerated numbers from both sides so far. But judging by some comments from the pro-Russian bloggers, this attack was unexpected and successful indeed.
Of course you're thankful. You're decent people (well: minus your oligarchy, the government and all the corrupt officials).
...no bunch of corrupt incompetents that can't make their minds about the obvious.
...which is bringing me to the SBU's claims about this operation: while it's certainly a nice success to strike four air bases this way, I do not trust any of SBU's claims without clear visual evidence. Have been 'vaccinated' against all such claims over the last 3,5 years.
All I've seen as confirmed so far were 3 Tu-95MS' and 1 An-12 - all destroyed at Olenya AB.
Love the sarcasm! And comments. It’s patently apparent that US and EU are following the path of Chamberlain. It’s also apparent that they all need a refresher on Clausewitz, On War. I fail to understand why we continue to operate at these thresholds. We should have crossed the redline on Putin back in 2014 and 2009. Here is what they missed : “ it might be thought that policy could make demands on war which war could not fulfill; by that hypothesis would challenge the natural and unavoidable assumption the Policy knows the instrument it means to use.” From page 607 of Howard and Paret indexed 1984 version, Princeton, of On War and from the bottom of page 596, “ …Political unity is a matter of degree.” And if they are pursuing/hedging its bets. How much oil does EU still get from Russia ??? They haven’t learnt from the first time.
And from looking at the picture, Zelenskyy is probably talking to himself- should I just slap these idiots?? What are they thinking!! Another WTF Conference!!!
Given the daily neck pain I had, when shaking my head for month, since following you and as individuals in charge are constantly demasked as highly incompetent (to be diplomatic)), such articles do not trigger much.
Must be much harder for you though, following such nonsense much closer than me (I remember “Godzilla face palm” very well).
Quick question: Have you heard/seen any substantial evidence about the news of about 40+ Russian planes been destroyed in a drone strike?
Any glimpse of hope, individuals in charge may have learned a tiny little bit and start coordinating their (drone) strikes in a fashion, where more than two brain cells are used?
While it's certainly a nice success to strike four air bases this way, I do not trust any of SBU's claims without clear visual evidence. Have been 'vaccinated' against all such claims over the last 3,5 years.
All I've seen as confirmed so far were 3 Tu-95MS' and 1 An-12 - all destroyed at Olenya AB.
While it's certainly a nice success to strike four air bases this way, I do not trust any of SBU's claims without clear visual evidence. Have been 'vaccinated' against all such claims over the last 3,5 years.
All I've seen as confirmed so far were 3 Tu-95MS' and 1 An-12 - all destroyed at Olenya AB.
It's has been a busy day. A cut and paste from the BBC...
Key developments in the last 24 hours: Russia claims sabotage as top Ukrainian army official quits
published at 14:43
14:43
Let's recap some of the other developments from Russia and Ukraine in the last few hours.
Russian investigators have blamed sabotage for the collapse of two separate bridges near the Ukrainian border
In the Bryansk region, a road bridge collapsed, sending heavy trucks crashing down on to a moving passenger train and killing at least seven people
Pictures below show mangled carriages - officials say passengers helped each other climb out of the wreckage in the dark
Hours later in neighbouring Kursk, a railway bridge collapsed while a freight train was passing over it, injuring one of the drivers
Ukraine's military intelligence says a Russian military train has been derailed outside Melitopol, southern Ukraine
Without taking credit, the agency said an explosive device was set off as the train was passing, loaded with fuel and goods bound for occupied Crimea
In the last few moments the commander of Ukraine's land forces has announced he is resigning, citing a lethal strike on Ukrainian military training facility
I can think of one logical reason why NATO might not admit Georgia, for example, into NATO. Now I write this as no expert on geography and the logistics requirements for the NATO defense of Georgia from a Russian invasion (from any invasion). It seems to me that Georgia cannot be defended easily from such an attack for the very reasons to which I have alluded in my second sentence: geography. E.g., there is no continguous border with a NATO nation-state. The logistics would also appear to be beyond super challenging.
OPERATION SPIDER WEB: A complete paradigm shift in warfare. Alas, as World War II taught us, surprising operational tactics that were used by 'Resistance' movements against the Nazis would turn into something a little different after the war; they would become Doctrinal Terrorist Tactics. I have my own little feeling in 'my big toe' that this type of attack will become routine soon enough...or we could be hit by a comet and that would solve everything. It would be WORLD PEACE all over again. (my wife said it might be a "World in Pieces")
Thank you for this, I really laughed out loud (I don’t do LOLs of course, there are limits). This findings should of course be followed by some other actions than conferences. However they are not loosing money for their taxpayers. They are using them to support the travel and catering and service and similar businesses. This is how EU works. We travel around at conferences and workshops and whatnot. Since you are not a scientist (think you said so in a previous message) you haven’t seen how this works at our Framework programs. We collect a bunch of people in a project, organize kick off meetings, work shops, project meetings, general assemblies and whatnot visiting different parts of Europe and speaking broken English. And that’s the beauty of it. Peaceful, friendly, travelling circus. In between the meetings we do some work (need to have something to report at the next meeting). It isn’t efficient. But we don’t invade others, we have dropped the imperialism (mostly); we respect each other etc. so conferences are the lifeblood of the European Union. You can’t avoid it. You just have to hope something happens in between.
Thanks as always Tom. I have a question though. NATO didn't allow new members when there wasn't 'a peaceful, stable, situation'. And by doing so, invited russia to cause mayhem (Donbass, Georgia). NATO probably didn't want to irritate the sensitive russians to maintain the peace that reigned for decades. As there is no longer need to appease russia, as they invaded a neighbour and threaten others, why doesn't NATO change it's criteria and allow Ukraine and for instance Georgia (once they are ready) to join? The way NATO and Europe dealt with Russia has become obsolete, isn't it?
Of course it's 'obsolete'. But... sigh... try to explain anybody to the European part of NATO.
Most of member nations are still preoccupied with denying the importance of FPVs on the battlefield... :rolleyes:
Because the US would veto it. Unanimity is required to admit new members to NATO, as Finland and Sweden were admitted.
Yes, and that shows that NATO is obsolete and should be replaced by a European initiative. US can't be trusted anymore and the old security framework, based upon the 'after WW II reality', has come to an end.
Dang it this is the third time I'm writing this comment! Righto..... to be fair on The Telegraph, Joe Barnes is reporting on what the ZombieIdiots™️ are saying. He's not necessarily behind the times like they are. Also there are some voices at The Telegraph such as Francis Dearnley who have been quite vocal about the true state of the affairs with the US and European security.
But yeah, the people Joe is reporting about... need to pull finger!
Are some of reasons why am I still paying attention at The Telegraph.
Hi Tom, What are the implications of purchasing a Link16 for the F-16 and a CRC System Interface? I'm asking as a noob. :-) Will you be writing an article about it, or is it not worth it? Thx in advance
https://x.com/wartranslated/status/1928790423146782754
https://x.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1928730561838805271
This is the BBC this morning, June 1st 2025:
'Defence review to send 'message to Moscow' – Healey'...
Wow.
I think the message has been clear enough for a decade and more: Hey Vlad, we love to talk tough but as you know that's all we're good at. Don't let us get in the way of your land grab. And now your man's in the White House, don't you worry: we'll talk tough till the cows come home...
But DO anything practical? Gimme a break...
The Telegraph report you cite and John Healy's appearance on the BBC this morning are relatively positive developments, as it shows that Europe has abandoned any idea that a ceasefire is imminent so they don't need to agree on how they would guarantee it. Instead they are focussing on providing additional military support to Ukraine.
Yes it is a welcome change but too late
Am I missing something? All the talk of a ceasefire in my perception originated with Trump's blowharding. Trump will do anything to get world wide attention and to keep that attention and the "conversation" essentially centered around him personally. I don't see how, for example, European political leaders ever thinking--even from the beginning of all the talk and publicity about a potential cease fire--that Putin was serious about a cease fire, however temporary, given Putin's opening negotiation gambit, essentially the surrender by Ukraine of the Donbas, etc. The rest of it all is just public relations hoo-haw and not meant seriously to engage in negotiations that would result actually in some sort of cease fire, not to mention end to the war.
Very likely. But they didn't have the courage to call it out and move on with stopping Russia by force
11 years too late...
Meetings for the sake of meetings... Still I believe many of us Ukrainians are thankful for all the support from the allies so far. It would be way harder without it.
Dear Tom, hopefully we'll get another interesting review from you in the nearby future. It seems that SBU (SSU) conducted yet another drone attack. This time on some Russian airfields, where strategic bombers were kept. Many Ukrainian Telegram channels claim 4 airfields were hit so far: Belaya, Diagilevo, Olenya, Ivanovo. 41 planes are claimed to be damaged, some of them might be destroyed. Hopefully the numbers are true, since we've seen exaggerated numbers from both sides so far. But judging by some comments from the pro-Russian bloggers, this attack was unexpected and successful indeed.
Of course you're thankful. You're decent people (well: minus your oligarchy, the government and all the corrupt officials).
...no bunch of corrupt incompetents that can't make their minds about the obvious.
...which is bringing me to the SBU's claims about this operation: while it's certainly a nice success to strike four air bases this way, I do not trust any of SBU's claims without clear visual evidence. Have been 'vaccinated' against all such claims over the last 3,5 years.
All I've seen as confirmed so far were 3 Tu-95MS' and 1 An-12 - all destroyed at Olenya AB.
Love the sarcasm! And comments. It’s patently apparent that US and EU are following the path of Chamberlain. It’s also apparent that they all need a refresher on Clausewitz, On War. I fail to understand why we continue to operate at these thresholds. We should have crossed the redline on Putin back in 2014 and 2009. Here is what they missed : “ it might be thought that policy could make demands on war which war could not fulfill; by that hypothesis would challenge the natural and unavoidable assumption the Policy knows the instrument it means to use.” From page 607 of Howard and Paret indexed 1984 version, Princeton, of On War and from the bottom of page 596, “ …Political unity is a matter of degree.” And if they are pursuing/hedging its bets. How much oil does EU still get from Russia ??? They haven’t learnt from the first time.
And from looking at the picture, Zelenskyy is probably talking to himself- should I just slap these idiots?? What are they thinking!! Another WTF Conference!!!
Have actually created a 'meme' from that photo... gonna use it sometimes in the future. :P
Hi Tom,
I trust this message finds you well!
Given the daily neck pain I had, when shaking my head for month, since following you and as individuals in charge are constantly demasked as highly incompetent (to be diplomatic)), such articles do not trigger much.
Must be much harder for you though, following such nonsense much closer than me (I remember “Godzilla face palm” very well).
Quick question: Have you heard/seen any substantial evidence about the news of about 40+ Russian planes been destroyed in a drone strike?
Any glimpse of hope, individuals in charge may have learned a tiny little bit and start coordinating their (drone) strikes in a fashion, where more than two brain cells are used?
Happy rest of your Sunday!
Please don't interrupt Tom's vacation!
While it's certainly a nice success to strike four air bases this way, I do not trust any of SBU's claims without clear visual evidence. Have been 'vaccinated' against all such claims over the last 3,5 years.
All I've seen as confirmed so far were 3 Tu-95MS' and 1 An-12 - all destroyed at Olenya AB.
Tom, can it be true about the Russian bombers?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cgrg7kelk45t
While it's certainly a nice success to strike four air bases this way, I do not trust any of SBU's claims without clear visual evidence. Have been 'vaccinated' against all such claims over the last 3,5 years.
All I've seen as confirmed so far were 3 Tu-95MS' and 1 An-12 - all destroyed at Olenya AB.
And Departy is out!? If the buck stops there (at that level of responsibility), obviously it should be Syrski
AFAIK, he just submitted his resignation. Haven't heard of this being accepted yet.
(BTW, it's Drapaty. 'Departy'... here in Austria we're using 'deppert' for somebody really dumb.)
It's has been a busy day. A cut and paste from the BBC...
Key developments in the last 24 hours: Russia claims sabotage as top Ukrainian army official quits
published at 14:43
14:43
Let's recap some of the other developments from Russia and Ukraine in the last few hours.
Russian investigators have blamed sabotage for the collapse of two separate bridges near the Ukrainian border
In the Bryansk region, a road bridge collapsed, sending heavy trucks crashing down on to a moving passenger train and killing at least seven people
Pictures below show mangled carriages - officials say passengers helped each other climb out of the wreckage in the dark
Hours later in neighbouring Kursk, a railway bridge collapsed while a freight train was passing over it, injuring one of the drivers
Ukraine's military intelligence says a Russian military train has been derailed outside Melitopol, southern Ukraine
Without taking credit, the agency said an explosive device was set off as the train was passing, loaded with fuel and goods bound for occupied Crimea
In the last few moments the commander of Ukraine's land forces has announced he is resigning, citing a lethal strike on Ukrainian military training facility
I can think of one logical reason why NATO might not admit Georgia, for example, into NATO. Now I write this as no expert on geography and the logistics requirements for the NATO defense of Georgia from a Russian invasion (from any invasion). It seems to me that Georgia cannot be defended easily from such an attack for the very reasons to which I have alluded in my second sentence: geography. E.g., there is no continguous border with a NATO nation-state. The logistics would also appear to be beyond super challenging.
"Die Lage ist hoffnungslos aber nicht ernst"
Zu minderst ist der Patient nicht tot.
...noch nicht...
OPERATION SPIDER WEB: A complete paradigm shift in warfare. Alas, as World War II taught us, surprising operational tactics that were used by 'Resistance' movements against the Nazis would turn into something a little different after the war; they would become Doctrinal Terrorist Tactics. I have my own little feeling in 'my big toe' that this type of attack will become routine soon enough...or we could be hit by a comet and that would solve everything. It would be WORLD PEACE all over again. (my wife said it might be a "World in Pieces")