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Aug 8·edited Aug 8Liked by John Varoli

This is classic poker scenario, a raise or call (ie put up or shut up) political squeeze play on the Americans.

Kiev's move signals their desperation and anger at the Americans for not continuing to openly back their continuing money laundering scheme.

On the other hand this kind of move isn't going to be a surprise in Moscow, they're experienced enough to know how American policy works in an election year.

The fact that Biden has been unseated and Harris put in his place isn't lost on Putin and Co. and I wouldn't be surprised if the Russians haven't factored that in their strategic planning.

I don't think the Kursk attack is going to gain another inch, the PR disaster for Kiev is such that even the European's are going to take an even colder stance towards them.

Remember, the Russians have a history of baiting traps for their enemies to walk into and the Kursk nuclear plant is a tempting target. Too bad Zelensky seems to be acting like Hitler, playing at being a military commander but knows nothing about strategy and tactics.

This attack has cost Kiev dearly in manpower and resources with nothing gained from it except more bad press.

I think Ukraine will fall by Dec. if not earlier, their military is at a complete standstill, there are no reserves to commit, their supply situation is critical and the political goodwill towards Zelensky has all but evaporated in the US and EU. If the photos of Zelensky's attendance at western political meetings are anything to go by he's even more toxic than Justin Trudeau is, nobody is going to shake his hand after the attacks in civilians.

Washington and the Democrats are 100% focused on stopping Trump and Zelensky isn't even a consideration, in fact he's a political liability who's gone rogue, so don't be surprised if "regime change" happens in September and Zelensky wakes up dead...

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Excellent comment. Thank you. Greater poker analogy. Spot on.

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I hope his death is not to sudden.

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