~ Today’s Water Cooler ~
Saturday, February 7, 2026
German General Kujat Warns the Ukraine War Is Lost, Revives the Stab-in-the-Back Charge Against the US and NATO for “Exposing Germany to Russia”
Retired German general, former chairman of NATO Military Committee, warns Ukraine war is lost, accuses US of trying to supplant the German arms industry with their own companies.
Monroe Doctrine Redux: US Military Trying to “Box Out” China and Russia from Strategic Resources in Latin America
“In a lot of our countries in this region, [the PRC] is the number one trade partner, with the United States number two in most cases.”
German Greens on the Warpath
Washington’s favorite foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, undermines Scholz again and helps the US back the chancellor into a corner on Leopard tanks.
Abortion Debate Ramps Up in States as Congress Deadlocks
States across the country are either moving to protect abortion rights or further restrict them.
2:00PM Water Cooler 1/23/2023
~ Today’s Water Cooler ~
Washington Ratchets Up Maritime Disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean
Pressure on Türkiye continues as US pushes F-16 deal that would see Ankara drop opposition to Sweden NATO bid, which became a long shot after Quran burning in Stockholm. Greece says it will expand its waters around Crete, enraging Türkiye.
‘Global Catastrophe’ Coming If West Keeps Arming Ukraine, Top Russia Official Says
Duma Speaker warns of powerful retaliation for weapons supplies to Kiev for attacks on Russia.
Debt Ceiling Arm Wrestling Targets Ukraine Spending
The upcoming debt ceiling fight has an unusual feature: Republican opposition to military pork, or at least the Ukraine variety.
Pests: Of Squirrels and Deer and Other Beasts of Burden
Yves here. Urban dwellers due to their limited contact with nature, are less afflicted by animal nuisances, with rats and pigeons as exceptions. However, given that focus, this post omits some favorites, like geese and invasive species such as rabbits in Australia. Animals routinely try to steal food from their fellows or other species; it’s […]
Notice re Short-Term Change in Coverage
Yves needs to cut back on her coverage for a few weeks, but Lambert, Conor, Nick and KLG are already revving their engines!
Viewing Ukraine Through the Davos Lens
The World Economic Forum, which concluded on Friday, provides clues as to why European leaders would sacrifice their national economies for the war in Ukraine.
