I do miss posting about things happening around the world, so thought I would start this thread. Obviously, if that is of no interest to you then you know not to read this thread. And yes, there will be some politics involved because I love to

Latest from the two "wars."

Ukraine is winning. In recent months they have liberated over 250 square miles from the Russian invaders. Putin has nothing left and is just trying to hold on to power. The "Orcs" (which is how Ukraine refers to the Russians) tried the old tactic of using APCs to rush troops forward...stupid. Ukrainian recon drones can track a rabbit trying to cross No Man's Land (NML). The Ukrainian drone operators watched 24 Russian morons load into APCs miles behind their lines and tracked the vehicles until they crossed about a mile of NML and neared a tree line, then Bam! All APC's destroyed, all Orcs KIA. Turns out they were Russian commandos with explosive devices they had intended to plant on a bridge, or at least that's the speculation.

This war, and all future wars, has changed. It is all about technology.

The Middle East "war" is expanding. Saudi Arabia has had enough of the Houthis and even the Yemen government is allying with SA to rid their nation of the scumbags. SA jets have been attacking Houthis bunkers, outposts, and anti-aircraft positions for several days clearing the way for SA ground troops to go into Yemen. Yemen has pledged troops to work with Saudi Arabia.

The Middle East is a mess right now and unfortunately won't be totally cleared up in a month (midterms) but will be eventually. I think history will be very kind to President Trump for his bold action to deal with the Iranian regime, the #1 exporter of world terrorism. This had to be done.

I invite comments, please add your opinions. And, there is more to come.

Throughout history presidents who have had to make a tough call during their time are usually remembered better down the road. The way politics is digested and polarized now is different though. I would say that rational folks will look back on hard calls an understand them more or even appreciate them. Rational people are become the exception not the rule anymore though.

(10-06-2026 10:58 AM)Austindog Wrote:  Throughout history presidents who have had to make a tough call during their time are usually remembered better down the road. The way politics is digested and polarized now is different though. I would say that rational folks will look back on hard calls an understand them more or even appreciate them. Rational people are become the exception not the rule anymore though.

Most people consider Abraham Lincoln as the greatest of all presidents. Whether you agree he is the GOAT or not one has to give him a nod. Today people think highly of Lincoln...no doubts, no controversy. Must have always been that way, right? Nope!

During his four years MOST of the 35 million Americans living back then gave him a thumbs down. There were calls for his impeachment. Of course, the vast majority of Southerners hated his guts, but even among the 28 million Northerners there was a strong dislike for him and that grew to a roar after two years of the war. Young men coming home in caskets and no sign the North would/could win the war.

Now, with the advantage of 20/20 hindsight most people say Lincoln made tough decisions and he had to save the Union.

I am not saying Trump will take a seat next to Lincoln as one of the "greatest" (although some of us think he's right up there close) but that history will weigh all of the circumstances and judge him by the results.

The plague outbreak in central Russia has spread. Growing concerns about it spreading not only throughout Russia but crossing borders too. As usual the Kremlin is in all-out damage control denying anything and everything. They started out blaming it on a few cases of pneumonia, then said, it was a simple flu outbreak. But, apparently, it has been confirmed by independent sources and echoed by several anti-Putin bloggers that a 28-yr-old female lab technician in some secret Russian lab died from Bubonic Plague, the "Black Death." Some are claiming this is a Russian biological weapons lab and much like the lab in China that released COVID-19, "The China Virus" there has been a release of some kind of very dangerous biological agent. Kremlin sources now admit 200 people have been hospitalized, none in critical danger. Yeah right!

European agencies are closely monitoring the situation believing this was an accident in a biological weapons lab.

A second confirmed death of a lab worker in that Russian biological weapons lab, and more fatalities expected as there are more lab workers in critical condition in the hospital.

A Russian oil tanker was struck by Ukrainian drones and is burning and sinking off the coast of Sochi, Russia, which is on the Azov Sea. One of Putin's palaces is on a hill overlooking the coast exactly where the tanker is wallowing. Probably not coincidence that that is where Ukraine chose to attack the tanker, as they could have struck anywhere. Of course, the TDS sufferers who dismiss Trump's statement that the Ukraine-Russia war is affecting world oil markets (prices) find it difficult to applaud Ukraine's systematic destruction of Russia's O&G industry, which by latest count is 55% kaput, and reconcile that against their attaching all the blame on the closure of Hormuz.

Ukraine has developed an AI-controlled machinegun, mounted on towers, to deal with Russian drones. The system appears to be effective, and they are deploying more of them, just as fast as they can be built. But the Ukraine propagandists are proclaiming this as a technological break-through, the likes of which the world has not seen. Awesome! so now the US Navy can mount these to protect our ships...just have to remove the goofy Phalanx systems...oh, wait.

Ukraine took out the Chonhar Bridge which connects Crimea to mainland Ukraine, the Kherson Oblast (province), and is on the major highway critical to Russia's movement of supplies, troops, equipment. There is also an important rail line that uses that bridge. The bridge has been struck before, but only damaged which temporarily closed to traffic for repairs. This hit landed a 200-foot section in the river. Russia has built a lower bridge on an earthen dyke but that is a very vulnerable target which has been closed for repairs more times than it has been opened. They also have brought in a vehicle ferry boat to try to help traffic flowing but talk about an easy target!

Russia continues to lose 1,000+ soldiers per day, and recently suffered 2,200 KIAs in a single day.

(10-06-2026 06:39 AM)Tech80 Wrote:  Ukraine is winning.

That's good. Russia under Putin is terrible for the world and I feel for all the innocent Russians caught under his authoritarian fist.

(10-06-2026 06:39 AM)Tech80 Wrote:  This war, and all future wars, has changed. It is all about technology.

I can only hope that our military is getting lots of valuable info and expertise regarding this war. We have entered a completely new age of warfare. Technology and drones are what is needed now and if this war has to happen (due to Putin's invasion and unwillingness to give up), then I can only hope that along with weakening Russia, our military is prepared for the next age of warfare.

(10-06-2026 06:39 AM)Tech80 Wrote:  The Middle East is a mess right now

I feel like we would have to go back to colonial times for this to not to be true.

The good thing about Y. Pestis is that if you catch it early, we can usually knock it out with treatment. There is a point of no return though medically for the most part. Also, if this is a genetically modified version of the bacterium (which it likely is) then that's a different ballgame. Especially, because you know they didn't make an antidote for whatever they were messing with.

Countries looked at weaponizing it years ago and realized there were way more affective biological and chemical elements available now.

(10-08-2026 07:37 AM)Austindog Wrote:  The good thing about Y. Pestis is that if you catch it early, we can usually knock it out with treatment. There is a point of no return though medically for the most part. Also, if this is a genetically modified version of the bacterium (which it likely is) then that's a different ballgame. Especially, because you know they didn't make an antidote for whatever they were messing with.

Countries looked at weaponizing it years ago and realized there were way more affective biological and chemical elements available now.

Just watched a video made by an American apologist for Putin and the Russian Federation. A woman who claims to be a biological researcher and is in the affected city in Irkutsk. The lab tech who died is Daria Shipilova and the official cause of death is pneumonia brought on by "an unknown cause." That's the Russian propaganda covering the truth.

What is curious is this American woman is walking around the city where the lab is located, showing ordinary Russians going about their business and saying, "See, no plague, nothing to see here." Yet! she also shows and admits there are now FIVE complexes closed to the public and under strict military guard and quarantine. These are the lab itself, a special treatment center, a hospital located outside of the city in a remote area, and where Daria Shipilova was taken and died, and THREE public hospitals inside of the city. She says 200 "people" have been taken to one of these hospitals, are in no danger, as it is a just a cautionary measure. I put people in quotes because it is thought these are all workers from that lab, and not just average citizens.

No question something has happened and it is more involved than the Russians are willing to admit.

GREAT NEWS from the war fronts!!

First, in Ukraine, the elite 1st Azov Corps has launched an attack to clear the forest east of the city of Lyman. Included in the 1st Corps is a battalion of international volunteers, including a company of Americans. They have completely cleared a swath of the forest totaling 60 square miles, 15 miles north-south, by 4 miles deep, east-west. Most of the Russian soldiers manning the defenses there were conscripts and quickly surrendered when challenged. There were few killed or wounded among the Russians, and the good guys suffered zero casualties.

Ukraine has also launched an attack to clear the hills east of Pokrosvk, with tremendous success. If you have been following the war you know Pokrosvk was the epicenter of intense fighting for over a year. The Russians managed to enter the city and caused much angst for Ukraine, as this is a key location along the defense line in Donetsk Oblast. But, the Russians couldn't hold it and now have been driven more than 5 miles away, and now this recent Ukrainian offensive is driving them further away.

And, in Yemen! HUGE news! Saudi Arabian units attacked and wiped out 1,747 Houthis, by actual count. Awesome video of Saudi armored vehicles chasing Houthis across the beach and open desert and running over them with the 30-ton wheeled armored cars. No mercy. Many of the Houthis dropped their weapons and stood there trying to surrender but, crunch! The Saudis were not in the mood for taking prisoners. This is the way to deal with the Iranian-backed cockroaches. Good job! and keep it rolling.

Forgot to mention the continued contribution of the elite Columbian commandos who are renowned for their jungle fighting. For well over a year these volunteers of Columbian soldiers have been kicking ass in the thick forests all over eastern Ukraine. These guys cut their teeth ridding Columbia of drug cartels operating in the mountains and jungles and where no rules for battle existed. It was kill or be killed and it was brutal.

These Columbians have ambushed Russians, attacked remote outposts, and even infiltrated many miles behind the lines and wiped out a Russian garrison, destroyed ammo dumps and supply depots. The Russians fear them and there was an episode months ago where a Russian contingent surrendered to Ukrainian troops because the rumor of the presence of those "brutal" Columbians caused those Orcs to just quit the war.

The Columbian company, said to number about 130 soldiers, is also part of the international battalion serving in the elite 1st Azov Corps.

More on the fight in Yemen. The Houthis have retaliated by firing missiles at Saudi Arabia striking a civilian airport claiming the Saudis were using it as a staging site for their army operating in Yemen. Early reports one civilian killed, and 12 more injured in the attack. The Saudis deny having any military assets at that airport.

Then the Saudis retaliated against that retaliation with their own cruise missile attacks and more air strikes as Saudi Typhoon fighter-bombers escorted by F-15 Eagles, attacked the Houthi bases where those strikes came from. This brings to 1,600+ aerial and missile attacks by the Saudis since this "war" began. During these air strikes the Houthis claim over 800 of their civilians have been killed, including women and children. These claims have not been independently verified, but neutral observers state it's likely there have been some casualties of civilians who were in the immediate vicinity of Houthi bases.

My question is, who exactly are the Houthis trying to appeal to with these claims of the loss of women and children? Do they actually expect worldwide sympathy? They are terrorists who themselves have murdered women and children. Yeah, I know, George Soros types will pay a bunch of morons to protest outside of Saudi embassies or outside of the UN in New York, but it is clear the Saudis are pissed off and will not stop attacking until the Houthis are wiped out completely. If anyone doubted their resolve, they shouldn't after seeing them run over surrendering Houthi soldiers. The Saudis mean business. Period.

Many TDS suffering morons try to make the case that the "Middle East is in total chaos," that Iran is winning and/or "Trump is losing." Well, they get their jollies saying that, but the facts prove otherwise.

If not for Trump's actions, Iran would have now have enough enriched uranium to make 2 or 3 nuke bombs, depending on how powerful they chose to make those warheads. And we now know for sure Iran has, or had, missiles that could easily reach Israel and also some European countries too. As well as several American bases located in the Middle East. What, we are supposed to believe Iran wouldn't have used them?

In the bigger picture look at all the great things occurring in the Middle East now. Iran's ability to wage war and threaten their neighbors has been thwarted if not completely eliminated. Saudi Arabia and Yemen have FINALLY! gotten the balls to utterly destroy the Houthis...about frickin' time. And...and this is a biggie...Oman and Dubai are leading the way to completely rendering the Strait of Hormuz irrelevant. Oman is building out three ports located on the Indian Ocean which will allow oil and other goods to traverse the region without passing through Hormuz. Yes, there's still a long way to go to build all the infrastructure needed, but you know how RICH those countries are, and when motivated (which they now are) they can build things very quickly. Already truck traffic carrying cargo from Dubai to those ports in Oman has increased 15X compared to last year's numbers. An oil pipeline and oil terminals are under construction connecting the Oman ports, three of them, to the rest of the Middle East.

Five years from now Iran will be a poor, pathetic place, poverty rampant and their international terrorism network nothing but a bad memory. And NONE of this would have happened if not for the bold actions of President Trump.

Ukrainian forces have once again crossed the border into Kursk. You may recall they did this two years ago and ended up holding a sizeable chunk of that oblast for 10 months. This incursion is apparently the work of local commanders, no confirmation that Kyiv authorized it or will allow those units to remain. But the Ukrainians in the Sumy region saw an opportunity after they 100% wiped out all Russians there and they just waltzed across the border unopposed. Another major embarrassment for Putin and his evil regime. No confirmation on any numbers or which units are involved.

The anti-Trump forces are having a hissy-fit over the US buying potash from Belarus after Canada got its panties in a wad and refused to deliver potash over a tariff dispute. Several ship loads of potash are headed to the Port of New Orleans. Belarus is a close ally of Russia, and this has caused angst from European bozos. And, to further throw gas on the fire, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a pending deal between the US and Russia over the Nordstream pipeline under the Baltic Sea. Rubio stated nothing will happen until after the Ukraine-Russia war has ended, but this still riled up all the Ukraine supporters who claim this is a "betrayal" to Ukraine. I support Ukraine in their war vs. Russia, but we do not need their permission or blessing to make deals with Russia, Belarus, or any other country.

I could care less about what Europe has to say when it comes to deals with Russia. They kept buying everything they could from Russia while saying the war in Ukraine was wrong. On the Saudi front... They don't care if someone protests, they are going to go what the royal family wants to do. The fact that anyone thinks protesting while even register on their radar is hilarious.

I guess it will give some Karen or pissed off college kids something to do.

(10-06-2026 02:33 PM)Tech80 Wrote:  

(10-06-2026 10:58 AM)Austindog Wrote:  Throughout history presidents who have had to make a tough call during their time are usually remembered better down the road. The way politics is digested and polarized now is different though. I would say that rational folks will look back on hard calls an understand them more or even appreciate them. Rational people are become the exception not the rule anymore though.

Most people consider Abraham Lincoln as the greatest of all presidents. Whether you agree he is the GOAT or not one has to give him a nod. Today people think highly of Lincoln...no doubts, no controversy. Must have always been that way, right? Nope!

During his four years MOST of the 35 million Americans living back then gave him a thumbs down. There were calls for his impeachment. Of course, the vast majority of Southerners hated his guts, but even among the 28 million Northerners there was a strong dislike for him and that grew to a roar after two years of the war. Young men coming home in caskets and no sign the North would/could win the war.

Now, with the advantage of 20/20 hindsight most people say Lincoln made tough decisions and he had to save the Union.

I am not saying Trump will take a seat next to Lincoln as one of the "greatest" (although some of us think he's right up there close) but that history will weigh all of the circumstances and judge him by the results.

Presidential Administrations shouldn't be rated until roughly 20 years after they left office to allow the full effect of their policies to come into play. An example of that was that in the early 1900's Woodrow Wilson was ranked just behind Lincoln as one of the best ever Presidents, but he's dropped to 15th in the last decade. Largely because he didn't believe Women should vote and because he supported Segregation. Americans change their opinions on major issues as time goes on, so someone who was really popular when they were in office are no longer popular today.

Many people fall for the trap that they believe a president they like will be in the Top 10 and they end up finding out that opinions changed over time and people no longer view them favorably.

Of course, it also can have the reverse effect where a president is unpopular and becomes popular over time. Reagan was rated in the Mid 20's in the early 2000's but is now in the Top 10.

Personally William Harrison is completely underrated.

Dang! poor ole Houthis. Now Israel is hitting 'em with air strikes in Yemen. Saudi Arabia, the Yemen government's army, and now the Israeli air force joining the fray, all picking on the Houthis.

tch, tch...too bad.

Need to be wiped out.

(10-09-2026 07:50 PM)dawgonit Wrote:  Personally William Harrison is completely underrated.

There are several. Several are scandal related. Many presidents left office mired in them, but the scandals they experience are mild compared to what we see now out of politicians.

Clinton is significantly underrated by today's modern republicans, who completely ignore that Clinton ran on policies that much of the modern GOP Embraces. He just did it as a Democrat. Lewinsky scandal drags him down, but honestly that was pretty tame to what we've seen out of this administration and the last one.