Wolfowitz Doctrine - American Imperialism

Wolfowitz Doctrine is an unofficial name given to the initial version of the Defense Planning Guidance for the 1994–99 fiscal years (dated February 18, 1992) published by US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Paul Wolfowitz and his deputy Scooter Libby. Not intended for public release, it was leaked to the New York Times on March 7, 1992,[1] and sparked a public controversy about U.S. foreign and defense policy. The document was widely criticized as imperialist, as the document outlined a policy of unilateralism and pre-emptive military action to suppress potential threats from other nations and prevent dictatorships from rising to superpower status. Wikipedia

This imperialist doctrine formulated by Wolfowitz is the underlying assumption of American policy since the Bush Administration and privately promoted and put to practice by both the Bush and Obama Administration. It was all about the American Empire and no country is allowed to challenge that position. Once a potential challenger is identified, it would be put down at all cost. China, Russia and the EU are all considered as potential challengers to the dominance of the American Empire and must be put down. Japan used to be the target and was put down for good.

This hawkish policy means that the Americans would attack any country that comes near to challenging their number position, and war, destabilising countries and the use of might are what the Americans would do to protect their dominance. The American Empire will only be peaceful and accommodating if they remain sitting on top of the world but would swing the club when threatened.

The unceasing flow of anti China and anti Russia invective coming from the Americans are daily bread of the American Empire. The current crisis in Ukraine is engineered and conceived by the Americans to secure their number position. The Americans are the biggest beneficiary of this war. With one stroke, Russia and EU would be stuck in a war that would weaken if not, destroy both countries.  China too would be targeted and demonised for not lending a hand to support the devious American scheme to bring down Russia and Europe. In the process, China would be labelled as non cooperative, not supportive and an enemy of the American Empire. It would be China's fault though China is thousands of miles away and has nothing to do with it while the Americans, the mastermind in this war stood up as above the fray, the innocent party but the biggest winner in this crisis.

The European and Russians would be direct casualties of this war. Ukraine is just a pawn to make it happened. Thanks to the stupidity of Zelensky for making it so easy. When this war is over, China would be left alone to fend itself against the next onslaught from the Americans. China would be fighting the Americans in a much weaker position without the Russian backing. The dominance of the American Empire is assured. All 3 potential contenders would be knocked out in the cold.

PS. This scheme is so brilliant. The Americans started this war, dragging the whole of Europe into it, Ukraine and Russia, but no need to risk any American life. Everyone in Europe gonna die for the American Empire.

Clinton's top secret speech to Congress after the bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade in 1999.

'The goal of the new strategy I am going to describe will be that from now on, the United States will become the last and only empire of mankind. 

We have set a detailed goal: the first step: NATO's eastward expansion. You have seen that in the Kosovo war, we originally had lingering fears about him(Russia), Now, he has almost become a naked beggar....The purpose of our eastward expansion is to control the entire Eurasian plate....'

Ukraine - The last straw

The Russian assault in Ukraine was triggered on Nov. 10, when the U.S. and Ukraine signed a Charter on Strategic Partnership, which asserted America’s support for Kyiv’s right to pursue membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The pact made it likelier than ever that Ukraine would eventually join NATO—an intolerable prospect for Vladimir Putin. It was the last straw, and preparations immediately began for Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine.

The November agreement added heft to looser assurances Ukraine received at a NATO summit five months earlier that membership would be open to the country if it met the alliance’s criteria.

The moves offered Ukraine encouragement on the NATO question but gave no apparent thought to how such a tectonic move away from Moscow would go down with Mr. Putin. Nothing was done to prepare the Ukrainians for the kind of negative response that they would get.

Mr. Putin had in 2007 made a speech at the Munich Conference on Security Policy which raged against Ukraine ever joining NATO. In 2012, he made it clear again that “the Ukraine-NATO question wasn’t negotiable.”

On Saturday, Mr. Putin said that Western sanctions on Russia were akin to a declaration of war.

Also on Saturday, Singapore imposed unilateral sanctions against Russia, targeting financial measures on designated Russian banks and restrictions on cryptocurrency transactions - a move that was the first time in decades that the city-state was censuring a foreign nation, in this case a giant one, without backing from the United Nations Security Council.

So far, Singapore is the only Southeast Asian nation to dare impose sanctions against Russia.

The U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, Jonathan Eric Kaplan, described Singapore's sanctions as "courageous actions".

Good luck !! 

Anonymous

Noose Tightening Around Taiwan Separatists as New Chinese Law on National Reunification Proposed

A member of the Standing Committee of the 13th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, said he will submit a proposal that suggests the country formulate a law on national reunification during the upcoming two sessions.

Zhang Lianqi said: "Over the past 17 years, the Anti-Secession Law has played an important role in curbing secessionist attempts for Taiwan independence and promoting the peaceful reunification of the motherland. Facing greater risks and challenges, conditions are becoming ripe to promote the reunification of the motherland by legal means, whether in a peaceful way or not."

Zhang said the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities are colluding with the US to incite confrontation and seek independence. The CCP must use law-based means to promote the reunification.

The Anti-Secession Law focused on fighting "Taiwan independence," while the proposed reunification law will focus on promoting reunification, Zhang said.

- RB News 

Anonymous

Covid19 - Is Omicron mild?

xoxo:
March 6, 2022 at 12:28 pm (Quote)

Omicron is mild,very mild.
Only about 15k to 20k per day.
And,only *INSIGNIFICANT(unimportant) number of patients die,we can afford.

g

The above is a comment in TRE. Many have been fed the narrative that Omicron is mild but very infectious. The infectious part we have all witnessed around the world. Many Asian countries that were doing quite well have been slam dunked by this Omicron and are now lost as to what to do next.

What about the mild part? Is this true? The deaths in Hong Kong and Singapore are mounting. We have never seen so many deaths in Hong Kong and Singapore since the start of this pandemic until now. And it is growing and the situation in Hong Kong is looking panicky. Can they be considered mild? Or was the mild part just a narrative to lull the mind, that it is ok, not serious, so can open up, open, open sesame, all back to normal, like a common flu. And with the help of world best vaccines, there is nothing to worry about. Let the people flow, it is the new normal.

How many think that everything is moving towards a new normal, to live with this very mild and very infectious Omicron? And keep our fingers crossed, no more new virus that could be worse than Omicron coming our way? Today's news, we are opening up. No need for VTL. We are free and life is going back to normal, with masks and boosters and whatever preventive protocols. .

What do you think?

PS.  The Omicron is as mild as the mRNA vaccines is the best. With such a mild vaccine, and such a world best vaccine, should not the pandemic be over by now? No contradiction?

Ukraine - When Indians are angry

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wkvv7zKSAI

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOkn3l7mddc

Above two videos, 5 min and 9 min, best described the feelings of the Indians in this Ukrainian War. The first clip lambasted the Americans for being unfit to lecture India on morality and questioning India's neutrality in the Ukraine War. The second accused the Americans for being very cruel, evil and immoral to prolong this war, to mislead the Ukrainians to fight to die when the Americans standing from far away shouting, go, go, go, but telling the Ukrainians they would not send any American soldiers to fight for them or to die for them.

Ukraine - Indians targeted by Ukrainian border guards

 What has not been reported on MSM in the West is the apparent holding of South Indian Students as hostage by Ukraine for whatever reason, which Modi had asked Putin for help during Putin's discourse with Macron just a day ago. This cannot be untrue, given that Modi had to take this up with Putin on this matter in particular.

Because India abstained from voting against the Russians at the UN, that is undoubtedly the prime reason that they took the students hostage. What Henry Kissinger said is so true that 'to be an enemy of the USA is dangerous, to be it's friend is fatal'

India, a member of QUAD, now knows the reality of sleeping with the Anglo Saxon White Curse. perhaps not having learnt their lesson from history. Japan and South Korea cannot ignore what is happening to India. The USA had already been antagonised by India buying Russian arms and this move by India of abstaining from voting, is a clear support for Russia but just left unsaid, and is the straw that has broken the camel's back. Confrontation between USA and India is imminent.

The other issue not reported or discussed much on MSM is the International Criminal Court now investigating war crimes by the Russians in Ukraine. The question people are asking is, where was the ICC when war crimes were being committed by the USA, Australia, Britain and other Whites in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and right now in Yemen.

Investigations cannot be cherry picked and should be fair and open in every conceivable circumstances and on all perpetrators. As I understand, the USA itself just ignored the ICC findings against it not too long ago. They just brushed that decision aside because it is against them. So, the ICC's action is just hogwash, uncalled for and tainted. The ICC should just go to sleep as it is no longer a credible global organisation, full of double standards.

In any case, using Ukraine civilians as human shield, just by issuing them guns and asking them to fight professional soldiers, is as much a war crime as any, no matter how well trained some of them may be. In any case they have to be considered as combatants and death is expected and a natural consequence. This is perhaps the constant interest and hyping about civilian deaths, all of which are combatants and have probably been classified as innocent civilian deaths and is nonsense and misleading. 

Anonymous

Zelensky, acting too big for his shoes, now eating humble pie

"Good Lord, what do you want? Leave our land. If you don't want to leave now, sit down with me at the negotiating table. But not from 30 meters away, like with [French President Emmanuel] Macron and [German Chancellor Olaf] Scholz,” Zelensky said, according to a translation from journalist Max Seddon, the Financial Times’ Moscow bureau chief. The “30 meters” line appears to be a reference to the lengthy table Putin uses for meetings with foreign leaders and his own advisers.

“Sit down with me and talk. What are you afraid of? We're no threat to anyone,” Zelensky added.

The above is from Yahoo News. This boy President is the perfect example of a clown, not there but thinking he was there, or he thought it was a circus. After listening to the sweet talks, will promises of grandeur from the Americans, he believed that he was really in a position to talk tough and act tough with Putin. He thought with the Americans behind him, he could attack Donbass and Lugansk at will and Putin would not hit back. He thought he could join Nato, a military alliance against Russia and no one could stop him, because he had the Americans behind him. He thought he is a hero, a legend in the making, to defy Putin, to ignore the security interest of the Russians and could do whatever he wanted, with Americans encouragement. He thought he could get away with all his unfriendly and hostile acts against Russia.

Now the truth smashed down on him like a lightning rod. Help, where is everyone? I need help. This is real. Putin is real. What have I done? Please talk to me, please, I am no threat to anyone. I am just a comedian, just joking.

A small, country relative to Russia, though almost as big as India, thinking too big for his own good without knowing how heavy he is. Wanting to punch above his weight, taking on a super power like Russia. Now reality bites. He is feeling the pain and all alone to face the music for his own stupidity.

Where have all the toughness gone? 

Taiwan's Tsai Ing Wen better wise up and learn from the foolishness of Zelensky or she would be in the same shoe when Xi takes action to reunite Taiwan with China. Taiwan is even more precarious as there is no immediate neighbouring country to supply Taiwan with all its needs, all surrounded by sea and water. The sea and air would be fully under the control of China. Not a fly can get through without being swapped down.

MSM - The biggest culprit in providing fake news and disinformation

 I could not believe the amount of fabrication that is coming out of the MSM about the Ukraine standoff. War crimes, rape, bravery of civilians, Zelensky standing his ground and ready to be the last man standing etc etc etc. Believe in them if you will.

The spin is matching the fabrication trotted out before the Iraq War. Then, trucks carrying pipes were said to be carrying materials for making nuclear missiles and bombed. Any and all facilities making white powders were touted as evidence of chemical weapons manufacturing sites, blamed on Chemical Ali and were bombed. The story of the fabricated WMD and chemical weapons was so convincing that the doggies were conned and dragged into the invasion, using the UN rubber stamp to legalse the illegal war based on fabrication and lies. The USA knew it was illegal because the evidence were fabricated.

When inspectors and investigators entered Iraq to search for WMD, they found not even a shred of evidence of the existence of WMD. A fabricated chemical weapons factory, bombed during the war was found to be a milk powder factory, depriving millions of Iraqi children their feed. This is not a war crime? Washing powder was probably used by the USA to mislead the UN and to accuse Saddam Hussein of possessing chemical weapons. All proven fabricated, misleading and outright lies to invade Iraq.

Why is the USA still in Iraq today when no WMD existed? It was all about the oil from the beginning and regime change. The deaths of millions of innocents are just collateral damage as long as the benefits outweigh the loss of credibility. The Iraqi citizens supported the invasion at the beginning and now have to live in regret. They now have democracy? More like living hell.

And the ICC was deep asleep under the rug at the right time, and supposedly 'Principled' countries suddenly became blind and deaf. Standing up for justice my foot! 

Anonymous

Ukraine - The greatest robbery on earth, sanctioned by the American Empire

 The Ukraine crisis is not just about Ukraine, not just about Europe, it is about the whole world. The Americans are staging this for a big come back as the only uncontested, unchallenged Empire, and more ruthless and deadly. All its allies and lackeys have been told to tow the line and condemned Russia, must speak up and take actions, no sitting on the fence. This applies also to the so called neutral states in Europe like Switzerland and the Nordic countries. There is no room for neutrality. This is WW3 in the making.

Russia is the first cat to be skinned. The edict has been out, Russia, Russians and assets belonging to Russia and Russians are free to rob and loot. The European countries, allies and lackeys have started a robbery spree, snatching Russian assets, lands, properties, ships, private yachts belonging to rich Russians, and money in the banks. Just go and grab them. And they callously went as ordered by the Americans.

Is this lunacy at the highest level? Are the leaders of these countries mad or stupid? Do they think they could get away with these crimes against Russia and Russians in broad daylight scot free? There will be no repercussion, the Russians would take it quietly, to be robbed, looted and arrested, without hitting back? Russia and the Russians would be wiped out and dismissed into the wilderness of history?

There is a price, a heavy price for such thoughtless lunacy. The war has just begun. Anyone committing such heinous lunacy against Russia and Russians must know that the acts are as good as declaring war on Russia. They are now full combatants in this American war against Russia and cannot claim innocence, that they are not involved. They are in, with Russian assets and properties and Russian citizens in their hands, and slipping out of their pockets. They are behaving no better than lawless rioters robbing and looting a supermarket and shopping complex, no respect for rule of law and human decency.

When Russia hits back, Russia is morally right to hit back when attacked unprovoked by these thoughtless hooligans. They cannot expect any self pity, any forgiveness, any restraint from the Russians in their unilateral actions against Russia in an undeclared war.  They are all at war with Russia. 

Why would countries that have nothing to do with the war in Ukraine, nothing to do with Russia, have no quarrels with Russia, want to plunge in to declare war on Russia? Yes, the arresting of Russians and robbing of Russian assets are hostile acts, acts of war against Russia. They have taken sides.

The warmongering Americans have started this world war against Russia, and China is next on the list. The stakes have been raised and it is too late to pull back from the brink of WW3. All the chips are being poured into this cauldron of fire. 

Ukraine will change the face of the earth. Ukraine will change the history of mankind. There will be no Ukraine to talk of about this massive conflict on Ukrainian soil. The winners have yet to be decided.

Singapore Has Made Russia Its Number One Enemy

Singapore spells out the details of its arbitrary sanctions against Russia and the Russian people as follows:

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said Singapore will impose sanctions on Russia “in concert with other like-minded countries (meaning arm-twisted by USA and EU)”, and cited the “unprecedented gravity” of the Russian invasion.

“While we continue to value good relations with Russia and the Russian people, we cannot accept the Russian government’s violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of another sovereign state,” said the ministry. (This is double-talk with fork tongue just like the Whitemen)

“For a small state like Singapore, this is not a theoretical principle, but a dangerous precedent. This is why Singapore has strongly condemned Russia’s unprovoked (Russia has been provoked and threatened for past 7 long years, you see the tree and miss the wood) attack on Ukraine.”

The restrictions are aimed at constraining Russia’s capacity to conduct war against Ukraine and undermine its sovereignty.

It detailed the sanctions and measures Singapore will take in response to the Ukraine invasion.

EXPORT SANCTIONS

The Singapore Strategic Goods Control System regulates the transfer - export, transit, and transhipment - of strategic goods which are generally military weapons or their parts as well as high technology goods that could be used for both commercial and military purposes.

Items subject to strategic goods control are listed in the Strategic Goods (Control) Order (SGCO) 2021.

In order to “constrain Russia’s capacity to conduct war in Ukraine and cyber aggression”, all permit operations to Russia involving all items on the list of military goods under the SGCO will be rejected.

All category codes under Category 3 (Electronics), Category 4 (Computers) and Category 5 (Telecommunications) and Information Security on the List of Dual-Use Goods under the SGCO will also be rejected.

FINANCIAL CONTROLS

Singapore will impose financial measures targeted at Russian banks, entities and activities in Russia, as well as fundraising activities for the Russian government.

Digital payment token service providers are specifically prohibited from facilitating transactions that could help to circumvent these financial measures.

Financial institutions in Singapore will be prohibited from entering into transactions or establishing business relationships with four Russian banks: VTB Bank Public Joint Stock Company, The Corporation Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs Vnesheconombank, Promsvyazbank Public Joint Stock Company and Bank Rossiya.

Where there are existing business relationships, financial institutions must freeze any assets and funds of these four banks.

Financial institutions in Singapore will also be barred from providing financing or financial services relating to the export from Singapore or any other jurisdiction of goods subject to Singapore’s export controls on Russia.

These goods comprise all items on the Military Goods List and specified categories in the Dual-Use Goods List in the SGCO.

Financial services in relation to designated Russian non-bank entities that are involved in such activities will also be prohibited by Singapore.

Where there are existing business relationships, financial institutions must freeze any assets and funds of these designated entities. Details on the designation of non-bank entities will be provided subsequently.

Financial institutions in Singapore cannot enter into transactions, arrangements or provide financial services that facilitate fundraising by: The Russian government; the Central Bank of the Russian Federation; any entity owned or controlled by them or acting on their direction or behalf.Singapore spells out the details of its arbitrary sanctions against Russia and the Russian people as follows:

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said Singapore will impose sanctions on Russia “in concert with other like-minded countries (meaning arm-twisted by USA and EU)”, and cited the “unprecedented gravity” of the Russian invasion.

“While we continue to value good relations with Russia and the Russian people, we cannot accept the Russian government’s violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of another sovereign state,” said the ministry. (This is double-talk with fork tongue just like the Whitemen)

“For a small state like Singapore, this is not a theoretical principle, but a dangerous precedent. This is why Singapore has strongly condemned Russia’s unprovoked (Russia has been provoked and threatened for past 7 long years, you see the tree and miss the wood) attack on Ukraine.”

The restrictions are aimed at constraining Russia’s capacity to conduct war against Ukraine and undermine its sovereignty.

It detailed the sanctions and measures Singapore will take in response to the Ukraine invasion.

EXPORT SANCTIONS

The Singapore Strategic Goods Control System regulates the transfer - export, transit, and transhipment - of strategic goods which are generally military weapons or their parts as well as high technology goods that could be used for both commercial and military purposes.

Items subject to strategic goods control are listed in the Strategic Goods (Control) Order (SGCO) 2021.

In order to “constrain Russia’s capacity to conduct war in Ukraine and cyber aggression”, all permit operations to Russia involving all items on the list of military goods under the SGCO will be rejected.

All category codes under Category 3 (Electronics), Category 4 (Computers) and Category 5 (Telecommunications) and Information Security on the List of Dual-Use Goods under the SGCO will also be rejected.

FINANCIAL CONTROLS

Singapore will impose financial measures targeted at Russian banks, entities and activities in Russia, as well as fundraising activities for the Russian government.

Digital payment token service providers are specifically prohibited from facilitating transactions that could help to circumvent these financial measures.

Financial institutions in Singapore will be prohibited from entering into transactions or establishing business relationships with four Russian banks: VTB Bank Public Joint Stock Company, The Corporation Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs Vnesheconombank, Promsvyazbank Public Joint Stock Company and Bank Rossiya.

Where there are existing business relationships, financial institutions must freeze any assets and funds of these four banks.

Financial institutions in Singapore will also be barred from providing financing or financial services relating to the export from Singapore or any other jurisdiction of goods subject to Singapore’s export controls on Russia.

These goods comprise all items on the Military Goods List and specified categories in the Dual-Use Goods List in the SGCO.

Financial services in relation to designated Russian non-bank entities that are involved in such activities will also be prohibited by Singapore.

Where there are existing business relationships, financial institutions must freeze any assets and funds of these designated entities. Details on the designation of non-bank entities will be provided subsequently.

Financial institutions in Singapore cannot enter into transactions, arrangements or provide financial services that facilitate fundraising by: The Russian government; the Central Bank of the Russian Federation; any entity owned or controlled by them or acting on their direction or behalf.
 

The prohibitions apply to buying and selling new securities, providing financial services that facilitate new fundraising, and making or participating in the making of any new loan to the entities owned or controlled by the Russian government and the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.

The Singapore Government and Monetary Authority of Singapore will also cease investing in newly issued securities of the above entities.

The ministry added that financial institutions in Singapore will be prohibited from entering into transactions or providing financial services in the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, in the sectors of: Transport; telecommunications; energy; and prospecting, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources.

They also cannot enter into or facilitate any transactions involving cryptocurrencies, to circumvent any of the prohibitions.

The prohibited cryptocurrency transactions cover all transactions that involve cryptocurrencies and extend to the payment and settlement of transactions that relate to digital assets, such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), said MFA.

These measures apply to all financial institutions in Singapore, including banks, finance companies, insurers, capital markets intermediaries, securities exchanges and payment service providers.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore will issue directions to all financial institutions, setting out the details of the measures.

Singapore is a consistent and staunch supporter of international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. Not true. What about the invasion of Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Egypt, Yemen by USA and EU? They are also independent states. Hypocrisy of the highest order. 

Anonymous

Avatar Collection: NFT - Portraits of Women

 

These are 6 of 27 portraits in my Portraits of Women Collection available in NFT. Framing them up and lined in a corridor would make an impressive sight. All the portraits are the back views of women donning some headdresses.

The portraits were done using the Art of RAR technique ie created from pictures taken of light reflecting and refracting from water. They are the creation of Mother Nature. 

The full collection can be viewed at https://opensea.io/collection/rarart-portraits-of-women or click at the top right picture of the blue woman portrait on this blog.

Ukraine - 21 minutes of truth by George Galloway

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe7q2UhzrRQ

 The war that needed not happen. The solution, Russia's security condition, is very simple. Ukraine just declared itself as a neutral country, not becoming a member of the military organisation set up to oppose Russia, called NATO. This is all Russia is asking for. Is it that demanding, that difficult?

But no, the Americans would not allow it. The Americans are pouring, oil, diesel, kerosene, whatever available to make sure Ukraine burns and burns, to destroy Russia. The agenda of the Americans is to start this war to destroy Russia, and destroying Ukraine is just a collateral. Stupid Ukrainians have fallen into this evil scheme to kill and destroy them.

The robbing of Russian Oligarchs and their assets in the West is the most hypocritical thing to do. The Oligarchs are Putin's enemies, running away from Putin. Now the order is to rob them of their wealth on the excuse that they are Russians. What hypocrisy can be worse? It is just daylight robbery, plain and simple.

PS. This is a very powerful plea by George to the good conscience of good men and women to bring down the hypocrisy of white supremacy in Europe and around the world. Africans and Muslims and Arabs and coloured people must see the last 5 minutes of George's speech on the abuses of the white men against coloured people, especially the Africans and Muslims in Gaza strip in Palestine.

Ukraine set up to be wrecked - John Meissheinmer. Taiwan is in an exact situation as Ukraine

Kim Iversen: ”Ukraine Will Be Wrecked." OMINOUS Warnings Of NATO-Provoked War Given For DECADES - YouTube (16 minutes clip)

 

Listen to what Professor John Mearsheimer said about how the Americans set up Ukraine to be wrecked by Russia. ( From 3 minutes onwards) And this setup was a piece of cake given a boy President in Zelensky, wet behind the ears and swallowed hook, line and sinkers what the Americans sweet talk him into it, to be tough against the Russians thinking that the Americans would back him up should Putin invade Ukraine.

What ever happened to Ukraine and Zelensky is being played out in exactly the same way to the dot, in Taiwan and Tsai Ing Wen. Taiwan is being set up like Ukraine, to be wrecked when Xi decided that she had gone too far and there is no other way out.

Taiwanese better listen to what Mearsheimer said carefully, word for word, before it is too late down the road of no return. The ending can be very painful, and may even cost a lot of unnecessary death to the people in Taiwan. Taiwan is being coaxed, encouraged, misled into being tough with China and believing that the Americans would come to their aid when China attacked. The Americans would not come to you aid just like they would not come to Ukraine's aid.

Believing in the devil would not have a good ending. Zelensky is a living testimony of this blind belief.

Both Chinese, Indian Netizens Decried Double Standards, Hypocrisy of US and West

Twitter has witnessed thousands of posts with hashtags like #StandWithRussia and #StandWithPutin in recent days from Indian netizens after some media cited US officials as saying that the US is considering sanctions on India, over the purchase of a missile defense system from Russia, after India abstained from a vote at UN General Assembly condemning Russia over Ukraine conflict, China's Global Times reported.

The discussions started by Indian netizens have seen even more netizens from around the world join in to criticize the US and Western countries' hypocrisy for their full support of Ukraine while keeping silent to the deaths caused by themselves and NATO around the world.

Many pointed out the hypocrisy and double standards of the US and Western countries for criticizing Russia despite their blatant invasions of countries in the Middle East. America bombed Afghanistan for 20 years and even bombed civilians before leaving but no one questioned the US over committing genocide.

Some praised Russia President Vladimir Putin for fighting for his country and fighting for the destruction of the monopoly of US and Western countries.

Indian netizens' actions have also attracted the attention of Chinese netizens with related topics and hashtags a hit on China's social media platform Sina Weibo since Thursday. Given the ongoing China-India border standoff, it is so rare to see that both Chinese and Indian netizens stand in the same trenches to lash out at the double standards and hypocrisy of the US and Western countries.

The discussions have expanded to how the current situation between Russia and Ukraine has unveiled the West and US' monopoly and their racism.

More netizens from around the world, especially from countries that have suffered wars led by the West and US, are expressing their disappointment and opposition against the double standards of the West.

One posted pictures of a bombed building and an overview of streets in Kiev, saying that the first picture was Syria after US attacks, and the second was Ukraine. "You tell us you worry about the latter but not the former? Shameless!"

Another commented that "If you support Ukraine, but not Palestine, Syria, Libya, Lebanon and Iraq; If you condemn Russia, but not Israel, US and NATO, then congrats mate, you're on the highest tier of hypocrisy." 

Anonymous

US & Western Allies Use Ukraine to Contain Russia, Similar to Using Taiwan to Contain China

Sergey Lavrov: For eight years, we've been appealing to the collective conscience of the West while desperately trying to reason with Zelensky's government, which has developed all the hallmarks of an ultraradical, neo-Nazi regime. And the West failed to stop it. Honestly, I don't even think the West was trying to stop it, because to the West, Ukraine has always been a tool to contain Russia – even before 2014. This entire situation has come about because the West refused to recognise that Russia has equal rights in constructing the European security architecture.
This is also supported by the reaction of leading NATO countries – the United States in particular – to the initiatives put forward by President Putin last December. Back then, he talked about the need to act in good faith and honour one's agreements: more specifically, he was referring to the idea that any country, even when it chooses to join a military alliance, must never pursue any policy that would infringe on the security of any other country. That was a commitment approved and signed by the presidents and heads of government of all #OSCE countries, and it is also enshrined in NATO-Russia Council documents.
The West has flat out refused to comply with this principle.
Then we heard President Zelensky say that if Russia continues pushing Ukraine to fulfill some of its obligations, he would consider the option of Ukraine restarting its nuclear weapons program – that was a step too far.

Question: Was that the tipping point?
Sergey Lavrov: No, it has been building up over time. Our patience has its limits, you know. But all the things I've outlined are everyday events, small developments that have convinced us, step by step, that the West has adopted a strategy of using Ukraine to contain Russia. The plan is to create an 'anti-Russia', a belt of hostile states around us.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s #interview with Al-Jazeera TV channel, Moscow, March 2, 2022

- Russia Embassy in Singapore FB

Anonymous

COE for degrees? A university degree may expire after 5 years?

 PAP MP Ang Wei Neng proposed in Parliament today that a “time stamp” be put on local university degrees which can be renewed by graduates as they attend upgrading courses every 5 years or so. And if they don’t, the degrees will ‘fade over time’.

Have you heard of anything more preposterous than this suggestion????

Is this supposed to be an advanced version of skillsfuture which the PAP are so desperate to promote??????

Now why should local graduates be discriminated against???? So a University Of Mumbai graduate does not have to go for upgrading courses but an NUS, NTU, SMU, SUSS graduate etc has to? What is the logic in that????

Does he mean that if the local graduate does not go for the upgrading course, he will no longer be considered a graduate in due course????? So the degree becomes ‘bo pa kei’ ?????....

Lim Tean 

Above is part of a post by Lim Tean in TRE.  I was kind of ah, ah, what is this? Refresher courses to keep the skill or knowledge or expertise up to date. They did this in some industries and if one does not attend refresher courses, the licence would not be renewed. If the knowledge and skills in some industries are turning topsy turvy, in some fields it makes sense. But in many fields, the knowledge and skills are basically the same, some may be for life. The only people benefiting from such upgrading or refresher courses would be the trainers. Other than that, most of the time it would be a waste of time, doing the same thing all over again as if it is something new.

What about university degrees getting expired after every 5 years, like COEs? Some technical courses may change quite a bit, but some courses that taught thinking skills don't vary much. New concepts may evolved but to demand compulsory refresher courses? And to pay for it again and again? KNN.

What about refresher courses for politicians?

As Lim Tean pointed out, is this only applicable to the handful of world class universities in Singapore, or only for Singaporeans or foreigners working in Singapore? If it is just for our world class university graduates, or for Singaporeans only, how would this impact their careers and job prospect? Get sacked or retrenched if no refresher courses, and foreigners happily taking over their jobs?

Even if the idea could be relevant in some fields, it has to be applied internationally or else Singaporeans mesti mati when made to compete with foreigners that did not have to go through this uniquely Singapore wise crack.

What do you think?

All doctors, lawyers, engineers etc etc must take refresher courses every 5 years or else degrees tak pa kai? Brilliant, simply brilliant.

Chicken rice stall, wantan mee, nasi lemak, satay stalls, all must go for refresher courses or else licence cannot renew?

This would be a very good topic for the Ah Peks in the kopitiams to talk cock and sing song when they have nothing better to do.

PS. How much would the refresher courses cost? If like COE, bee tang, huat ah! The poor graduates would have to pay and pay again. Another new normal from our super talent. See bay khiang. Deserves to be paid a few more millions in bonus. How many hundred thousands of graduates out there to pay for refresher courses?

Cannot called such idea as senseless or even stupid. It creates a lot of jobs and revenue.  Very good for the economy, especially a captured or controlled economy. 

And the universities in the whole world would also think this is a great idea and would adopt it for uniformity with Singapore so that Singaporeans would not lose out or look like a soh chai. 

Hhahahahahahahahah....oops, oops, why am I laughing?

I think this is all a joke. Or Lim Tean must have misquoted him. I cannot believe this is for real.

PS. In today's paper, Ang Wei Neng has apologised for this proposal.

Warning - Do not park your money in US or western banks

 The world better wake up fast. In recent years, the USA has been using regime changes to create unrest, forcing legitimately elected Governments to crack down on protestors instigated by them, and then using human rights as a reason to punish those Governments.

Now seizing the assets of those other countries is becoming the norm. Venezuela, Afghanistan and now Russia's state and individuals have been targeted for seizure of their assets using 'frozen' to fool the world. This is daylight robbery, and using Mafia logic.

Countries of the world better think deeply and act with open eyes before putting their money in Western Banks, and keeping assets in Western countries, all of which are members of a Mafia gang lead by the USA.

The danger to any country is simple, and it is easy for them to target any country that they think is not towing the line, by supporting political opponents and using fake NGOs to instigate unrest, thereby forcing crackdowns which could lead to sanctions and seizure of assets. And we know they have doggies supporting their actions.

Those so called NGOs, like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, etc are devils in disguise, angelic in theory, but they conduct activities that are less than savory on behalf of the White Curse. Think of why the USA alone, apart from the Europeans, have to set aside US$300 million a year to fund those activities.

After Russia, the question is 'Who is next'? 

Anonymous

Greetings from America

 

Enjoy friends, enjoy. What war? There is no war here.

For those warmongers and war lovers, let them have a good time. Send them more weapons to make a bigger firework.

The weekend is coming. Enjoy. Peace, peace.

Peace in America, peace in Asia, peace in Africa, peace in SE Asia.  

What a life!

Covid 19 - Hong Kong again competing with Singapore for top honours

The Asian financial hub is in the grip of its worst coronavirus outbreak, registering tens of thousands of new cases each day, overwhelming hospitals and shattering the city's zero-COVID strategy.

More than 200,000 infections have been recorded in the last two months, compared with just 12,000 for the rest of the pandemic - while its death rate is currently four times Singapore's.

For two years, Hong Kong kept infections largely at bay using a strict zero-COVID strategy but an outbreak of the highly infectious Omicron variant has been tearing through the city since January....

In recent weeks, Hong Kong has seen overflowing hospitals and morgues, shortages of medics and ambulances, panic buying and a frantic expansion, with mainland China's help, of spartan quarantine camps and temporary hospitals to house the infected. CNA

Singapore is also have a surge with more than 20,000 cases a day. The latest was 24,000 in an island of less than 6m people.  If Hong Kong is left alone to its own doing, without China putting its foot down to stick to zero Covid policy, Hong Kong is likely to shoot pass Singapore in infection rate given the density of its population. Latest Hong Kong had 50,000 daily cases.  Clever, very clever.

China is getting angry with the situation in Hong Kong. Perhaps China can rethink its strategy about Hong Kong and apply the one country two systems policy, let Hong Kong has its way and do what it likes. It would be a win win situation. Hong Kongers would love to have their freedom and this would be something they could cheer for. They could then try to outdo China by curbing the virus the Hong Kong way. Maybe they could follow Singapore and promote the use of mRNA vaccines as the main vaccine to fight the virus, with boosters, and hopefully lower the infection rate and do better than China.

The other advantage is the economy. Hong Kong could be as free as Singapore and resume its key role as the gateway to China, adopts Singapore's live with the Covid policy, open the gate wide wide to do more business with the rest of the world. And compete with Singapore to see who is freer, who opens the gate wider, or else it would lose out to Singapore like what the western media said. 

China can maintain its zero Covid policy as this serves China very well with its factories all running in full steam, no need to open up to all Tom, Dick and Harry to come in to infect the whole country. But anyone coming into China from Hong Kong must go through the stringent control protocols. Hong Kong could be a hot bed for the virus as the virus would also enjoy the freedom like Hong Kongers in a western style democratic system.

When Hong Kong opens up like Singapore, Singapore would have a hard time chasing after Hong Kong again. Both would try to outdo the other.

No ASEAN country should trumpet own Ukraine stance

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has brushed aside a request from 25 ambassadors in Bangkok, asking his government to take a stand against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"We should maintain balance at this point," the prime minister told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

With the exception of Singapore, which has forcefully denounced the invasion, much of Southeast Asia has responded with little more than cautious expressions of concern. Thailand came under pressure to change that on Monday, when the envoys visited Thani Thongpakdi, the permanent secretary for foreign affairs.

The ambassadors represented a long list of nations: the U.S., U.K., Japan, Canada, Norway, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Hungary, Belgium, Czech, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Denmark as well as the European Union. Together, they urged Thailand, as a member of the United Nations, to speak up for the rules-based international order and denounce the invasion as a violation of the U.N. charter.

The kingdom has stuck to neutrality since the invasion began last Thursday. The Thai foreign ministry expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions while supporting a peaceful settlement through dialogue. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Saturday published a statement with a similar tone.

In rebuffing the ambassadors' request, Prayuth used the bloc's statement as cover. "It's a regional matter now," he said, arguing that countries should avoid trumpeting their own stance once ASEAN has clarified its position. 

Anonymous