In the Bible, young David slew the mighty Philistine giant, Goliath, with a slingshot and stones.

Perhaps it’s a dim, distant memory of that parable that strikes fear in the heart of today’s Goliath — Russia’s Vladimir Putin — at the thought of the much smaller nations surrounding his country . . . most of whom are members of NATO and/or the European Union (EU) . . . adding yet another adjoining country to their alliances.

Why else would he continue to insist that, in addition to his proposed land grab, Ukraine must give up the idea of ever becoming a member of NATO or the EU if it wishes this war to end, and must also agree to a limitation of its military forces?

As recently as Sunday, Kremlin celebrity spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated the often-heard mantra that peace negotiations must be based on an agreement he says was reached in Istanbul in April of 2022 — an “agreement” that remains a subject of significant debate — and on what he called “current battlefield realities.” Once again placing the blame on Ukraine, he stated:

“Our position on Ukraine is well known; the conditions for an immediate stop of hostilities were set out by President Putin in his speech to the Russian Foreign Ministry in June of this year. It is important to recall that it was Ukraine that refused and continues to refuse negotiations.” [Dmitry Antonov, Reuters, December 8, 2024.]

Yet it is Putin who dogmatically refuses to give an inch . . . and, in fact, who has added still another condition: that Russia be awarded Ukrainian land to which it claims a right, and not only the territory it currently occupies.

But to return to this Russian fear of NATO — which, as they consistently overlook mentioning, is strictly a defensive alliance — what is the reason for it? Putin will tell you it is a security issue, necessary to prevent Russia’s being invaded by one or more NATO countries.

Sorry . . . I had to get that out of my system.

Now let me ask: When was the last time anyone invaded Russia or its predecessor, the Soviet Union, and who was foolish enough to do that? And the answer is:

1941; Nazi Germany. It was called World War II, and we all know how that ended.

Putin will, of course, tell you that Ukraine invaded the Russian territory of Kursk this year, conveniently ignoring the fact that it was Ukraine’s first counterinsurgency after nearly three years of being decimated by Russia’s troops and advanced weaponry. Can’t really call that an invasion, now . . . can you?

On the other hand, Russia’s record is not so clean. Just since the end of World War II, they have — to some extent, at least, and for various reasons — stuck their noses . . . and their military . . . into other nations’ business. For example: **

1950 – Korea
1955 – Vietnam
1956 – Hungary
1968 – Czechoslovakia
1970 – Israel
1974 – Eritrea
1975 – Angola
1977 – Somalia
1979 – Afghanistan
1981 – Nicaragua
1991 – Georgia
1991 – Abkhazia
1992 – Transnistria/Moldova
1992 – Ossetia
1992 – Tajikistan
1994 – Chechnya
1999 – Dagestan
1999 – Chechnya (second war)
2008 – Georgia/Ossetia (again)
2009 – Caucasus/Dagestan/Chechnya
2014 – Ukraine (Crimea)
2015 – Syria
2018 – Central African Republic
2022 – Ukraine (again)

** [Source: quora.com]

That’s positively exhausting: 24 invasions begun over the course of 72 years, many of them lasting for multiple years of warfare and subsequent occupation. One might more easily ask when they haven’t been at war.

And they’re afraid of . . . what? Or whom? A peaceable boy with a pocketful of pebbles?

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/10/24

And a dreary Monday at that. My plan for the day:

*. *. *

First: Go back to sleep for a couple of hours.

*. *. *

Second: A bowl of oatmeal sounds perfect for breakfast on a gray Monday morning . . . oops, nearly afternoon by now.

*. *. *

Third: Maybe get out of the cozy pajamas and crawl into some actual clothes, just in case someone rings the doorbell later.

*. *. *

Fourth: Get out the credit card and try to finish the online Christmas shopping before it’s too late to receive things in time for wrapping.

*. *. *

Fifth: Probably time to eat again. Soup . . . yes, definitely soup.

*. *. *

Sixth: Still plenty of time for a chair nap before dinner.

*. *. *

Seventh: Dinner. Not sure what. Maybe just ice cream, since lunch was so late.

*. *. *

Eighth: Write a blog chapter for tomorrow, which will require doing the one thing I’ve been avoiding all day: reading the day’s news reports. Oy!

*. *. *

Ninth: Back into cozy jammies and — hopefully, after reading the news — off to dreamland once more.

*. *. *

Yup — a perfect Monday. I should do this more often.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/9/24

It’s been a hell of a week and weekend for news. Briefly:

South Korea: President Yoon Suk Yeol declares martial law, orders the arrest of his own party’s leader . . . and backs off when the entire country goes batshit crazy. As of this writing, Yoon is still in office, but . . .

France: The government collapses following a vote of no-confidence in the Prime Minister. President Macron, like President Yoon, also remains in office; but that’s two U.S.-allied countries whose leaders are facing uncertain futures.

Romania: Another NATO ally in turmoil when a Russia-friendly, ultra-nationalist candidate, Calin Georgescu, shockingly wins the first round of the presidential election, and the country’s constitutional court immediately annuls that round upon a finding of “aggressive hybrid Russian attacks.” The whole election process now remains in limbo, while the current president promises to stay put until the whole mess is settled.

Syria: The Russian-backed, barbaric regime of Bashar al-Assad is finally toppled by Syrian rebels. Assad and his immediate family wind up in Moscow, where they have been granted asylum by Vladimir Putin. (Ed. Note: Don’t they make a lovely couple?) All of Syria is celebrating . . . until they wake up tomorrow, realize that the happy occasion has left a serious vacuum in place of the Assad regime, and begin asking what’s next.

Russia: Putin is presumed to be hunkered down with Assad while both lick their wounds and begin trying to propagandize their way out of an embarrassing — to say the least — situation.

Turkey: President Erdogan is seen drooling and licking his chops over the developments in Syria.

Israel: Momentarily turning aside from Hamas in Gaza, Benjamin Netanyahu orders the Israeli military to seize the Syria-Israel buffer zone. Boy, that was quick!

Ukraine: President Zelensky, in Paris for the re-opening of Notre Dame Cathedral, meets with French President Macron and not-yet-U.S.-President Donald Trump. We don’t know what was discussed, and can only hope that Trump remembers our U.S. Constitution provides for only one President at a time . . . and he’s not it. Not for another 42 days (but who’s counting?).

United States: On the home front, the weather has been unseasonably cold here in the southeastern U.S.; there was a 7.0 earthquake off a sparsely-populated area of the northern coast of California yesterday, followed by a tsunami warning that (happily) never materialized; and . . . as seems to happen every year around this time, despite anything else that may be going on . . . it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

So I recommend doing what I’m trying to do: push the bad stuff to the back of your mind, have another hot toddy, and concentrate on the joys of the season. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/9/24

On April 28th, I reported on four journalists working for RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty (RFE/RL), who were being held as political hostages in prisons in Russia, Belarus and Russian-occupied Crimea.

One of the four — Alsu Kurmasheva — happily was freed in the prisoner exchange of August 1st. But the other three remain prisoners of the corrupt Russian and Belarusian regimes. They are:

They are just three of some 150 Belarusian prisoners being held — on various specious charges — as part of Moscow’s continuing roundup of journalists and other political dissidents.

Andrey Kuznechyk recently “celebrated” his third anniversary in prison. He was initially arrested on November 25, 2021, on a charge of hooliganism . . . a favorite excuse of Russian and Belarusian authorities seeking to hold a target while manufacturing other, more serious charges. He denied the accusation, but served the ten days, expecting to be released thereafter. But he was instead charged further with “creating an extremist group,” tried, found guilty, and sentenced on June 8, 2022, to six years in prison. [RFE/RL, November 25, 2024.]

Ihar Losik, a blogger and contributor to RFE/RL’s Belarus Service, was convicted — also three years ago — in December 2021, on multiple charges including the “organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order” — whatever that’s supposed to mean. His sentence was 15 years in prison. [Id.]

And Vladyslav Yesypenko is a dual Ukrainian-Russian citizen who contributed to RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service. He was convicted of “possession and transport of explosives” — a charge he categorically denied — and sentenced to six years in prison by a Russian judge in occupied Crimea following a closed-door trial. [Id.]

*. *. *

And while the Russian hierarchy continues its paranoid purge of alleged dissidents, the American and other hostages remaining in prison on specious political charges continue to await their turn to be released. Now numbering sixteen, they are:

David Barnes
Staff Sergeant Gordon Black
Marc Fogel
Robert Gilman
Stephen James Hubbard
Ksenia Karelina
Andrey Kuznechyk (in Belarus)
Michael Travis Leake
Ihar Losik (in Belarus)
Daniel Martindale
Farid Mehralizada (in Azerbaijan)
Robert Shonov
Eugene Spector
Laurent Vinatier
Robert Romanov Woodland
Vladislav Yesypenko (in Crimea)

We must ensure that the new administration being inaugurated in Washington in January continues, without interruption, the work that has been underway up to this time. These hostages, and all the others whose names have not yet made it onto the list, must be brought home.

No excuses.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/8/24

That was a news alert received just moments ago. The rebel forces claimed that Bashar al-Assad had fled the capital, stating in a post on Telegram from the Military Operations Command:

“We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad. To the displaced all over the world, a free Syria awaits you.” [CNN Breaking News, December 7, 2024.]

And my immediate response was:

“Now what?”

If the reports are accurate, then — as always — we wait and see, while the world’s political giants jockey for position. Meanwhile, we hope for the best.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/8/24

Oh, happy day! I’ve started my Christmas/Chanukah shopping, and found the perfect gifts for seven of the thirteen people on my list.

Yes, I do shop online. But those catalogs that fill up our mailboxes at this time of year are not merely a waste of trees — they really are helpful in finding just the right gift for the right person, something you might never have thought of yourself.

And now that I’m in the right mood, it’s onward to find the other six.

Happy Chanumas prepping to all,

Brendochka
12/7/24

Sorry, Santa . . . I just haven’t been able to come up with a list this year. Not only for myself, but — more importantly — for my family and friends.

I just don’t have a clue.

I have figured out what to send to the folks at a distance, which is lucky, because I can just order those and have them delivered directly to each one.

But the nearby family members are a total mystery . . . and not one of them has submitted a wish list this year. They’re all saying there’s nothing they need or especially want, which makes us sound as though we’re rich and spoiled, which we most definitely are not. Comfortable, yes; but rich?

And did I mention that I have expensive taste? I mean, for someone with a limited income, it’s really, really expensive. I like quality. So I am royally screwed this year, because . . . well, have you seen the prices of almost everything? A simple down jacket for $396? Seriously? Even sweaters — and we’re not talking about cashmere — are over $100. Sure, you can get cheaper ones, but I’m a firm believer that you get what you pay for, and I’d really prefer that something didn’t fall apart after a couple of uses.

Oh, and forget about electronics, which seem to be at the top of everyone’s list — those who have made lists, that is. (That’s a hint, family.) I remember when the only phone you had was a house phone, and the phone company provided that — free! — with your home service. You can bet that those days are never coming back.

The easiest one on this year’s list is the new baby in the family. She’ll just be a month old at Christmas, so she won’t know what’s going on anyway. I’m thinking a soft, cuddly toy and a month’s supply of diapers will make Mom and Dad happy. She’ll be more fun next year.

So, as I said, I’m stumped. If anyone out there has any unique suggestions, I’m all ears and eyes. And in the meantime, I’d better start leafing through all those catalogs that were jammed into the mailbox today.

But that brings me to the biggest problem of all. Many, many years ago, I somehow managed to develop a method of Christmas shopping that I call my “One for you, one for me” method. I’m sure I don’t have to explain.

And yes, it was a shock when those bills came through in January. But oh, what fun it was in December!

As you can imagine, that’s been a hard habit to break.

Anyway, happy shopping, everyone. And in all the rush of buying, wrapping, decorating, baking, etc., don’t forget the other joy of Christmas: the office party. Behave yourselves . . . because you have to face those same people on Monday.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/7/24

On December 6, 1941, U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt received a report that the Royal Australian Air Force had sighted Japanese warships headed for Thailand — just after the Australian pilot who radioed the report was shot down by Japanese guns. Word also quickly circulated to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, whose country was already at war with Nazi Germany, and who called a meeting of his chiefs of staff to discuss the new crisis.

Some thought the convoy headed toward Thailand might have been a red herring — a diversion — but no one was sure. In fact, Britain was already preparing to launch its 11th Indian Division — on what was code-named Operation Matador — to counter any Japanese invasion.

And in Washington, President Roosevelt — still believing that the Japanese were about to attack Thailand — sent a telegram to Emperor Hirohito requesting that the Emperor intervene, “for the sake of humanity . . . to prevent further death and destruction in the world.” [“This Day In History, History.com, December 6, 2024.]

The following morning — December 7th — the Japanese Air Force laid waste to the U.S. Naval Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, then a territory of the United States. On the same day, Japan also attacked Guam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaya. But not Thailand.

The United States had been brought, against its will, into World War II. Four days later, on December 11th, the U.S. declared war on Germany as well. And it would not end until Adolph Hitler was dead (April 30, 1945), and Japan had received a punishment the world would never forget . . . when the first two atomic bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima (August 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (August 9, 1945).

*. *. *

So, yes, let’s remember Pearl Harbor . . . and pray that, after nearly 80 years, we have learned something from that long-ago lesson.

Because the alternative is simply not acceptable.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/7/24

And this feels like one of those days.

Lest anyone become desensitized to the world’s woes by the never-ending wars in Ukraine and Gaza/Israel, allow me to share with you just some of the headlines from today’s news reports:

Ukraine Live Briefing: Local Official ‘Tortured to Death,’ Kyiv Says

Syrian rebels challenge Assad regime on two fronts as new uprising emerges in south

How Russia Prepares Children In Occupied Ukraine For War Against Their Own Country

Georgian Protesters Share Harrowing Accounts of Police Brutality

Romanian court annuls result of presidential election first round

South Korea’s ruling party leader calls for suspension of president’s powers in dramatic reversal

Police Secure Area After Mystery Drone Crash Near Tajik Capital

Macron resists calls to resign and vows to name new French prime minister in days

Australia synagogue fire condemned as clear act of antisemitism as police search for suspects

American vlogger abducted in Philippines presumed dead, police say

5 More Azerbaijani Journalists Detained Amid Crackdown On Media Freedom

UN Nuclear Watchdog Says Iran Planning To ‘Dramatically Increase’ Uranium Enrichment

Had enough? No? All right, here you go: Governments on the verge of collapse in France and South Korea; demonstrations turning into riots in Georgia (the country); Russia’s newest “Oreshnik” missiles being deployed in Belarus; Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour coming to an end.

Well, okay — that last one might not be the worst news. But other than that . . .

It’s really too much to take in all at once, much less to comment on. I quit for today, hoping for a better tomorrow. It is, after all, the holiday season.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/6/24

How we’ve missed it during this time since the Cold War (supposedly) ended in 1991. But it’s back, with a vengeance unseen in more than 30 years. And it’s all the fault of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

Not that he personally started it. But he did co-opt an unknown KGB officer from his job in St. Petersburg as Mayor Anatoly Sobchak’s fixer . . . or bagman . . . or whatever unsavory name you care to give him; then brought him to Moscow, where he could become so indispensable as Yeltsin’s own “Fagin” that he would quickly rise to head of the FSB (successor to the KGB), then to Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, and finally be handed the keys to the presidential washroom in 1999.

So, for lack of a better alternative, let’s blame Yeltsin. What’s he going to do . . . complain?

The name of that former KGB officer, by the way — for anyone who may not have guessed — was, and is, Vladimir Putin.

In any event, relations between Russia and the West have gone steadily downhill since then, and accelerated at an alarming pace since Putin decided to invade . . . excuse me, stage a “special military operation” (SMO) against . . . Ukraine in February of 2022.

But he wasn’t — as he had predicted — welcomed with open arms by the Ukrainian people, but instead met with greater-than-anticipated resistance from both the military and civilian population. And the SMO he had expected to end in total victory within days or weeks at the most dragged on . . . and on . . . and on, until now it is nearing the end of its third year.

What Putin also did not anticipate was the way in which the members of NATO and the EU came together to support Ukraine, which is not yet a member of either organization. And that really pissed him off. So he began the old blame game, trying to convince the world — and his own people — that Russia was simply defending herself against Western aggression.

So he upped the ante, bringing out more troops and bigger, more deadly weapons, laying waste to larger and larger swaths of Ukrainian territory. And when Ukraine — after more than two years of death and destruction, finally began firing missiles back onto Russian territory . . . well, that too was labeled Western aggression that had to be defended.

And the rhetoric, of course, had to match the actions. So for nearly three years we have heard from Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Kremlin spokesman (and still my all-time favorite) Dmitry Peskov, and a few non-governmental nut jobs for good measure, threatening increased retaliatory measures if we dare to . . . well . . . whatever.

The latest such warning came this week from Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who sat for an interview with CNN’s Fred Pleitgen in Moscow:

“Risks are high and they are growing, and that’s quite disturbing,” Ryabkov said, adding that the current geopolitical tensions had been unheard of even “at the height of the Cold War.” He continued, saying that there was “no magic solution” to the current conflict, and claiming that there is a lack of common sense and “restraint in the West, in particular the US, where people seemingly underestimate our resolve to defend our core national security interests.” [Frederik Pleitgen and Edward Szekeres, CNN, December 4, 2024.]

Likely in response to the U.S. announcement of an additional $725 million security assistance package for Ukraine this week, Ryabkov cautioned that the West should not underestimate the risk of military escalation, citing the United States’ “very obvious inability to truly appreciate that Moscow cannot be pressurized [sic] indefinitely. There will come a moment when we will see no other choice but to resort to even stronger military means.” [Id.]

He then seemed to moderate his tone slightly by adding that an escalation was unlikely to occur “. . . right away. But the trend is there.” [Id.]

*. *. *

Turning to the subject of the upcoming change in administration in Washington, and Donald Trump’s assertion that he could end the war in Ukraine in a single day, Ryabkov said, “We will be there when they come with ideas … but not at the expense of our national interest.” [Id.]

And as to direct peace talks with Ukraine, he maintained the positions of the two countries are incompatible:

“Chances for a compromise at the moment are zero. The moment people in Kyiv begin to understand there’s no way Russia will go the way they suggested — there might be openings and opportunities.” [Id.]

In other words, it’s Russia’s way or the highway.

So what else is new?

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/6/24