Author Archena Posted on Categories Current, MondayTags , , , , ,

Ups and Downs: Politics are Never Smooth

Nation states are resilient. That should be no surprise. People are amazingly resilient – otherwise human history would have ended long ago. Nation states are just really large groups of people so they have the traits of people. They can be incredibly resilient and incredibly stupid, often at the same time. Humans are fun. If you’re used to playing computer games where you get to be a character or you’re from the TV generation, this basic fact is hard to … Continue reading “Ups and Downs: Politics are Never Smooth”

Author Archena Posted on Categories Current, MondayTags , , , , ,

Is the Ukrainian War Important to the World?

In a word, yes. Sure, sure, I hear South American, Indian and African leaders complaining that the war has nothing to do with them. They’re wrong. Oh, it’s understandable – the threat isn’t direct. It’s not like Russia is invading Africa. Oh, wait. Okay, so Russia isn’t in a declared war on Africa. Ukraine certainly won’t be declaring war on Africa. Neither is sending troops to fight in South America or India. Case closed, right? Not really. Let’s start with … Continue reading “Is the Ukrainian War Important to the World?”

Author Archena Posted on Categories Current, MondayTags , , , ,

Is Ukraine Important to America?

/ Yes. Oh, you wanted the why part? Why didn’t you say so? Russia wants to be the sole superpower. Russia is going to be a pain in the neck until it either gets what it – and no one else sane – wants or until it gets smacked hard enough to come to its collective senses. We seem to be in the middle of that latter one with Ukraine right now. Let Russia bash its brains out on Ukraine. … Continue reading “Is Ukraine Important to America?”

Author Archena Posted on Categories Current, MondayTags , , , ,

Will China Attack Russia?

Probably. I know what you’re thinking – China will invade Taiwan. That’s all anyone talks about! Of course they will attack Taiwan! Russia and China are friends! China will definitely invade Taiwan! It’s possible but getting less likely by the day. Maybe by the minute. On paper, China would be a pain in the backside for the US and her allies to fend off and keep out of Taiwan. In reality, China stands no chance whatsoever of defeating Taiwan, let … Continue reading “Will China Attack Russia?”

Author Archena Posted on Categories MondayTags , , ,

What Else is Wrong with BRICS?

All three of you following this blog – thanks, so much! – were probably wondering if the enlargement of BRICS matters, especially after I just got through dismissing BRICS as a potential challenger to the US Dollar. In a word, no. In a much longer word: Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha! <Giggle> Okay, okay, let’s start with the elephant in the room. Saudi Arabia. Give me a sec, I can’t do this with a straight face. Yes, yes, Saudi Arabia has all that oil. … Continue reading “What Else is Wrong with BRICS?”

Author Archena Posted on Categories Current, MondayTags , ,

Throwing BRICS

Yes, yes, I know. The US is being overthrown as the sole superpower. The dollar is being dethroned. ACK! Run for the hills! I believe I’ve mentioned this before but nation states are resilient little buggers. I may not have mentioned that the US invented resilience. Okay, so we didn’t invent it but we did corner the market. We’re that rare nation state that has a hard time destroying itself. Not for the lack of trying but as a nation, … Continue reading “Throwing BRICS”

Author Archena Posted on Categories Current, MondayTags , , ,

Russian Desperation

If you think the coup attempt in Niger is unrelated to the Ukrainian War, you’re sadly mistaken. We’re getting kinda used to the nuclear saber rattling. It barely gets a reaction any longer. But what, you ask, does a coup in Niger have to do with anything? Well, everything. France has close ties to Niger. Niger is a former French colony. At the moment protestors are flying the Russian flag. Russian? Yep. As most of you probably know Russia’s pet … Continue reading “Russian Desperation”

Author Archena Posted on Categories Current, MondayTags , , , , ,

Winning is the Best Way to End a War

It amazes me that so many people forget the lessons of history so very quickly. We were all taught how foolish appeasement had been in the lead up to World War II. So why are so many so convinced that appeasing Russia will end any better? Mostly, because we stink at keeping up with current events that don’t involve celebrities and our favorite entertainment. Name off your ten favorite movies, no problem. Name ten wars going on in the world … Continue reading “Winning is the Best Way to End a War”

Author Archena Posted on Categories MondayTags , , , ,

Banning Cows and Building Coal Fired Power Plants: Climate and World Political Leadership

People tend to act on what they believe. That shouldn’t be a controversial statement. This one might: people tend to act in accordance with what they believe to be true. That isn’t to say that people always act in perfect rational accord with their beliefs. First off, no one is perfectly rational. Second what seems a reasonable response to a belief to one person may be silly to another. However, on the whole, people will tend to act in accord … Continue reading “Banning Cows and Building Coal Fired Power Plants: Climate and World Political Leadership”

Author Archena Posted on Categories Current, MondayTags , ,

In It To Win It

Yes, breaks the title rules but all small letters annoys me. I have a crazy idea. How about actually letting Ukraine win this thing? We keep – rightly – spending money to keep Ukraine in the fight, what about spending the money to let them win it? Before you guys even get started, I know what the Sunk Cost Fallacy is. This isn’t a fallacy. Sunk cost assumes that more money will not change the outcome in reality despite the … Continue reading “In It To Win It”