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NSC Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby Says The US Will Reject To Any China-Led Ceasefire in Ukraine
Kirby on Xi meeting Putin: “If there's some sort of call for a ceasefire well that's just going to be unacceptable.”
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) March 20, 2023
-> Only US mediated ceasefires are good! pic.twitter.com/4SrnKLBu3o
Newsweek: As Xi Heads to Russia, U.S. Says No to Any China-Led Ceasefire in Ukraine
As Chinese President Xi Jinping prepared to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for the first time since weeks before war erupted in Ukraine, the White House has expressed opposition to any effort by Beijing to broker a ceasefire in the conflict.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Kremlin confirmed reports Friday that Xi will visit Russia from Monday through Wednesday, with conversations expected to encompass the ongoing war in Ukraine. The visit follows a 12-point peace plan put forth by China last month on the anniversary of the conflict, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire accompanied by talks and an end to sanctions against Moscow.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: There are reports today that Putin may announce a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine to show support for Chinese President Xi's peace efforts to end the war in Ukraine. This US announcement rejecting any proposal for a ceasefire was made Friday. You do not have to be a brilliant analyst to know that Washington is trying its best to circumvent any Chinese progress on this front.
Report Says Germany's Military Is In A Mess. Not Enough Tanks For Training. Short Of Everything
German Armed Forces and US Army troops. Photo: Visual Information Specialist Markus Rauchenberger/US Army
Högl’s report details the disastrous condition of the Bundeswehr, which lacks not only the boats, planes, tanks, and military equipment but also the necessary education and training for its personnel.
In February 2022, Scholz pledged €100 billion (US$107 billion) in funds to create a “capable and ultra-modern” force that he said would be Europe’s most powerful conventional military.
However, Högl said that €100 billion would not be enough and called for additional funding for the armed forces.
“The 100 billion euros won’t compensate for all the deficiencies. Military experts estimate that a total sum of 300 billion euros is necessary,” she said.
Read more ....
Update #1: German military revamp 'too sluggish,' says commissioner (DW)
Update #2: German Military Has ‘Too Little of Everything’ (AFP)
Update #3: German military boost fails to spend single euro (BBC)
WNU Editor: The German Parliamentary Commissioner is blunt .... German Military in Worse Shape Than Before Russia's Invasion -Official (Reuters). The German Defense Minister has a different opinion .... Defense minister denies German military is 'a mess' (AP).
Germany's Justice Minster Says 'If Putin Comes To Germany, He Will Be Arrested'
German Justice Minister Marco Bushman
Anadolu Agency: Arrest warrant against Putin to be executed if he comes to Germany, says German justice minister
On Friday, International Criminal Court issued arrest warrant for Russian president
German Justice Minister Marco Bushman has said that he will execute an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin if he sets foot on German soil.
"I expect that the International Criminal Court in The Hague will swiftly approach Interpol as well as the contracting states and ask them for enforcement," Bushman told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper on Sunday.
According to Bushman, Germany would then be obliged to detain Putin if he enters German territory and hand him over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Even before Bushman, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had welcomed the ICC arrest warrant against Putin during his trip to Japan on Saturday, saying that "no one is above the law."
Read more ....
Update #1: 'If Putin Comes To Germany, He Will Be Arrested', Says German Justice Minister (Republic World)
Update #2: If Putin comes to Germany, he will be arrested – German Justice Minister (Euromaidan Press)
WNU Editor: The Kremlin is saying that they are "unfazed" by this arrest warrant .... Kremlin ‘unfazed’ by Putin arrest warrant (RT). Former Russian President Medvedev is more blunt .... Putin arrest warrant shows international law is collapsing – Medvedev (RT).
French Government Facing A No-Confidence Vote Over Pension Reforms Amid Nationwide Protests
CNBC: France’s Macron faces no-confidence vote as protestors arrested, refinery strikes continue
* The government of French President Emmanuel Macron faces a no-confidence vote Monday afternoon.
* If the no-confidence vote fails, a bill which will see the retirement age rise from 62 to 64 for most workers by 2030 will go through. If the vote passes, Macron will either appoint a fresh government with a new prime minister or dissolve parliament, triggering new elections.
* Ongoing strikes and protests over the bill have rocked the country.
The government of French President Emmanuel Macron faces a no-confidence vote Monday afternoon, as furious opposition lawmakers contest his decision to force changes to the pension system through parliament without a poll.
Two no-confidence motions have been filed — one by a coalition of centrist and left-wing parties, and a second by the far-right National Rally, which is expected to also back the former.
Analysts told CNBC on Friday that Macron’s opponents were unlikely to reach the required 287 out of 577 votes.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The expectation is that the government will survive this no-confidence vote. But the protests and strikes will continue.
French Government Facing A No-Confidence Vote Over Pension Reforms Amid Nationwide Protests
France pension reform: Macron's government faces no confidence vote -- BBC
French government fights to survive 2 no-confidence motions -- AP
Macron's government faces 'moment of truth' over pension reform -- Reuters
Macron faces no-confidence votes amid nationwide protests -- Politico
North Korea Claims 800,000 Have Signed Up To Fight Against The U.S.
Troops take part in a military parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea's army, in Pyongyang, North Korea on Feb. 8, 2023, in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency. (KCNA via REUTERS)
Business Insider: North Korea claims that in 1 day, 800,000 youths just up and decided to voluntarily join its army and fight the US
* North Korea on Sunday claimed that 800,000 young people signed up to join the military in one day.
* State media claimed the youths all volunteered out of fervor to fight the US and South Korea.
* Even if this were true, it doesn't necessarily mean Pyongyang's army has 800,000 new soldiers, an expert says.
North Korea has claimed that 800,000 young officials and students volunteered to join its military — all in one day.
"According to a tally, more than 800,000 youth league officials and students across the country volunteered to join and rejoin the Korean People's Army (KPA) on March 17 alone," wrote Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea's ruling party, on Sunday.
The state newspaper described the enlistees as the "young vanguard," claiming that all 800,000 had "turned out at once in the struggle to defend the country and annihilate the enemy." Among them are university students, working youths, and youth leaders, Rodong Sinmun wrote.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: In total, North Korea is saying that it has 1.4 million in uniform .... North claims 1.4 million have enlisted, re-enlisted in armed forces (The Korea JoongAng Daily)
North Korea Claims 800,000 Have Signed Up To Fight Against The U.S.
North Korea claims almost 800,000 have signed up to fight against U.S. -- Reuters
North Korea claims almost 800,000 people have signed up for its military to fight US -- CNN
North Korea claims 800,000 join army in a single day to fight the US -- FOX News
N Korea says 800,000 youths volunteer to fight ‘US imperialists’ -- Al Jazeera
North Korea's tall claim that 8,00,000 civilians ready to join military to counter US -- Republic World
President Biden Denies Chinese Million Dollar Payments To His Family Despite Bank Records
‘THAT’S NOT TRUE’: Biden denies China-linked payments to family members ... https://t.co/51u7OISKSc via @YouTube
— War News Updates (@WarNewsUpdates) March 20, 2023
FOX News: Biden denies $1M in payments to family from Hunter associate, despite bank records: 'Not true'
President Biden denied that his family received more than $1 million in payments from accounts related to Hunter Biden’s business associate Rob Walker and their Chinese business ventures in 2017, even though financial records indicate otherwise.
On Thursday, GOP lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee revealed that they had obtained bank documents showing that Hunter Biden, the president's brother Jim, and Hallie Biden, the widow of his son Beau, received payments from Hunter's business associate Rob Walker and their joint venture with Chinese energy firm CEFC.
A spokesperson for Hunter Biden's legal team confirmed the payments Thursday but emphasized that the recipients' accounts "belonged to Hunter, his uncle and Hallie – nobody else."
However, Biden denied that the payments were made when confronted by a reporter on the White House lawn Friday. "That's not true," the president said, when asked about the GOP lawmakers' findings.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The US House committee investigating these payments are now saying there were more payments .... Top Republican says there could be ELEVEN more deals between China and the Bidens: Claims first family received 'millions' from 'adversaries' - and Trump's possible arrest is an 'effort to distract' from Hunter probe (Daily Mail).
Update: Of course it does not look good .... Has the penny finally dropped for CNN? Anchor Erin Burnett admits bank transactions revealing Biden's family members received more than $1m in Chinese cash 'don't look good' (Daily Mail).
US Drone Flights Over The Black Sea Have Resumed But They Have Changed Their Flight Routes
An RQ-4 Global Hawk takes off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson)
FOX News: US drone flights over Black Sea resume after Russian collision
RQ-4 Global Hawk drone flew through region Friday, US officials say
The United States has resumed its normal flights through international waters over the Black Sea following the crash of a drone due to Russian interference.
U.S. officials said Friday that a RQ-4 Global Hawk flew through the region — the first U.S. aircraft to do so since the skirmish, according to Reuters. Military officials assured the public that the Russian harassment of the US drone on Tuesday would not affect regular operations in the region.
Read more ....
Update: US Changed UAVs Flight Routes After MQ-9 Incident: Tracks Analysis (Sputnik)
WNU Editor: I am sure their transponders are also on.
What Is The Current State Of The US Navy?
The Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Admiral Samuel Paparo, tells 60 Minutes if the president & Congress orders it, “the bulk of the U.S. Navy will be deployed rapidly to the Western Pacific,” to aid Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. https://t.co/7Eh9glwwfb pic.twitter.com/Q5ZjiklvdZ
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) March 19, 2023
CBS 60 minutes: The state of the U.S. Navy as China builds up its naval force and threatens Taiwan
The United States Navy helped secure victory in two world wars and the Cold War. Today the Navy remains a formidable fighting force, but even officers within the service have questioned its readiness.
While the U.S. spent 20 years fighting land wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pentagon watched China, its greatest geopolitical rival of the 21st century, build the largest navy in the world. China has threatened to use that navy to invade Taiwan, an important American ally.
As tensions with China continue to rise, we wanted to know more about the current state of the U.S. Navy, and how it's trying to deter China, while preparing for the possibility of war.
Admiral Samuel Paparo: The Navy's always on alert. One third of the Navy is always deployed and operating at all times. The Navy's mustering right now about 300 ships, and there are about 100 ships at sea right now all around the globe.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Only 100 US navy ships deployed worldwide at anytime? That is not a big number. Will it be big enough to deter a Chinese invasion/blockade of Taiwan? You tell me.
Picture Of The Day
Chairman of the Board of Directors of UBS, Colm Kelleher and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Credit Suisse, Axel Lehmann attend a news conference on Credit Suisse after UBS takeover offer, in Bern, Switzerland. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
WNU Editor: The above picture is from this photo-gallery .... Top Photos of the Day (Reuters).
NATO Considering The Deployment Of 300,000 Soldiers To The Russian Border
© AFP 2023 / WOJTEK RADWANSKI
Politico: NATO is racing to arm its Russian borders. Can it find the weapons?
Allies are worrying about dwindling war chests just as NATO seeks commitments for new stockpiles and troops along the eastern flank.
BRUSSELS — Add NATO’s military planners to the list of those concerned about having enough shells.
In the coming months, the alliance will accelerate efforts to stockpile equipment along the alliance’s eastern edge and designate tens of thousands of forces that can rush to allies’ aid on short notice — a move meant to stop Russia from expanding its war beyond Ukraine.
To make that happen, though, NATO must convince individual countries to contribute various elements: Soldiers, training, better infrastructure — and, most notably, extensive amounts of pricey weapons, equipment and ammunition.
Read more ....
Update: NATO considering deployment of up to 300,000 troops on border with Russia (Ukrayinska Pravda)
Update #2: NATO Reportedly Mulling 300,000-Strong Force on Russia's Borders Amid Fast-Dwindling War Chests (Sputnik)
WNU Editor: After indicting Russian President Putin as a war criminal, thereby ending any hope that there will be a negotiated settlement to the Ukraine war, Russia would see such a NATO deployment of forces to its border as a prelude to an attack and invasion.
Polish Ambassador To France Says Poland Will Be Forced To Enter The War If Ukraine Cannot Defend Itself
🇫🇷🇵🇱🇺🇦🇷🇺Polish Ambassador to France Jan Emeryk Rościszewski: "Either Ukraine will defend its independence today, or we will be forced to enter into this conflict." pic.twitter.com/nzeInQhizR
— AZ 🛰🌏🌍🌎 (@AZgeopolitics) March 19, 2023
Ukrayinska Pravda: Polish Ambassador to France: Poland will be forced to enter war if Ukraine fails to defend itself
Poland’s Ambassador to France Jan Emeryk Rościszewski said in an interview that a situation could arise in which Poland would have to enter the war. The embassy urged audiences to refrain from sensationalising his words.
Source: Rościszewski in an interview with LCI, a French TV channel; Rzeczpospolita, a Polish media outlet, citing Poland’s Embassy in France
Quote from Rościszewski: "It is not NATO, Poland or Slovakia that are mounting ever more pressure, but Russia, which has invaded Ukraine. Russia, which is seizing its territories. Russia, which is killing its people. And Russia, which is abducting Ukrainian children.
Therefore, either Ukraine will defend its independence today, or we will have to enter this conflict. Because our main values, which were the basis of our civilization and our culture will be threatened. Therefore, we will have no choice but to enter the conflict."
Details: Following the ambassador’s remark, Poland’s Embassy in France issued a statement saying that it has been interpreted by some media "out of context".
Read more ....
WNU editor: Poland’s Embassy in France has issued a statement saying that the ambassador's remarks were interpreted by some media "out of context". I am not sure about that. I speak French, and the Polish ambassador was very blunt in explaining the conditions that Poland may enter the war.
Global Central Banks Are Trying To Stop A Possible Liquidity Crisis
CNN: Fed and other central banks try to head off crisis by keeping dollars flowing
The US Federal Reserve and several other major central banks announced a coordinated effort Sunday night to boost the flow of US dollars through the global financial system with the aim of keeping credit flowing to households and businesses.
“The Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, and the Swiss National Bank are today announcing a coordinated action to enhance the provision of liquidity via the standing US dollar liquidity swap line arrangements,” the central banks said in a joint statement.
Sunday’s statement came just hours after Swiss authorities orchestrated an emergency takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS. Credit Suisse — one of the 30 most important banks in the global financial system — was bleeding money last week after investor and customer confidence collapsed.
Read more ....
Update #1: Central banks try to calm markets after UBS deal to buy Credit Suisse (Reuters)
Update #2: Fed Panics, Announces "Coordinated" Daily US Dollar Swap Lines To Ease Banking Crisis (Zero Hedge)
WNU editor: When “The Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, and the Swiss National Bank are forced to put out an announcement on a Sunday to calm markets, that is when you know that we are in the middle of a global banking crisis.
UBS To Buy Credit Suisse To Quell The Growing Global Bank Crisis
Washington Post: Swiss banking giants combine to quell growing global bank crisis
Credit Suisse, the battered Swiss bank, has agreed to an emergency takeover by its rival UBS, Switzerland’s largest bank, a move engineered by the Swiss government to stave off immediate concerns of a global financial crisis.
The hasty deal, which was announced Sunday following a weekend of negotiations, offers a temporary reprieve after days of panic in global markets triggered by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.
But it does little to ease longer-term worries of instability in the banking system. A “swift and stabilizing solution was absolutely necessary,” Alain Berset, president of the Swiss Confederation, said during a Sunday afternoon news conference.
The UBS deal, he added, was “the best solution for restoring the confidence that has been lacking in financial markets recently.”
Read more ....
WNU Editor: These people are really pissed-off .... Credit Suisse says $17 billion debt worthless, angering bondholders (Reuters).
Sighhhh .... they say it is not a bailout, but it is a bailout.
UBS To Buy Credit Suisse To Quell The Growing Global Bank Crisis
UBS to acquire Credit Suisse -- UBS
UBS to buy Credit Suisse for nearly $3.25B to calm turmoil -- AP
UBS buys Credit Suisse for $3.2 billion as regulators look to shore up the global banking system -- CNBC
UBS chairman on Credit Suisse deal: We hoped this day would not come -- Yahoo Finance
Russia - Ukraine War: Military Summary And Analysis For 3.19.2023 (Video)
WNU Editor: A lot of updates on the Russia - Ukraine war from the Military Summary channel. Alexander Mercouris gives his updates on the war below.
The Military Summary channel's observation that the battle for the Avdiivka has the potential of becoming a huge disaster for Ukraine than Bakhmut is eye opening. For more information watch the above video.
Tweets On The Russia - Ukraine War
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 19 March 2023.
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) March 19, 2023
Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/6px8VoJGNP
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/QlZt6nxLdx
NEW: Tonight's report discusses growing Russian concern about a prospective Ukrainian counteroffensive near Bakhmut or in southern Ukraine and Russian efforts to prepare mitigations for these claimed efforts. https://t.co/e84fWxvjV3 pic.twitter.com/9KgsqplPZo
— ISW (@TheStudyofWar) March 20, 2023
TV Russia - 1. EXCLUSIVE!
— Victor vicktop55 (@vicktop55) March 19, 2023
Putin answered our question: "Was it not necessary to launch a special military operation in 2014?" Unfortunately, Twitter does not give me the opportunity to connect the tweeter-blue, my country is not suitable for this, so the video had to be cut. pic.twitter.com/jxMzd6ilXr
🇷🇺⚔️🇺🇦Putin held a meeting at the command post of the Special Military Operation with the top command of the Russian Army in Rostov-on-Don.There he held an operational meeting. pic.twitter.com/2MTIngXo6C
— AZ 🛰🌏🌍🌎 (@AZgeopolitics) March 19, 2023
As Chinese leader Xi Jinping begins his three-day trip to Moscow on Monday, all eyes are on how China positions itself in the ongoing war and experts describe the trip as “extremely delicate” for the Chinese President.https://t.co/l5c7WQxgW6
— DW News (@dwnews) March 20, 2023
Russia and Ukraine extend grain deal despite disagreement https://t.co/qhI3B3vaKW
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 19, 2023
#Ukraine: Everyone heard about the recent MQ-9 incident- but we received a recent video that shows a Russian fighter unsuccessfully attempting to take down a much lighter Bayraktar TB-2 over the Black Sea near the coast of Crimea using jet wash in a similar manner. pic.twitter.com/YFAxqaaLz9
— 🇺🇦 Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) March 19, 2023
Russia's Asia pivot spurs boom in Chinese classes
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 19, 2023
As Russia seeks to tighten ties with China amid Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine, the number of Chinese tutor Kirill Burobin's students has tripled over the past year ➡️ https://t.co/TWFdAGtzfu
Tweets Of The Day
The Swiss National Bank said at a press conference in Bern on Sunday evening that UBS would be taking over embattled lender Credit Suisse.
— DW News (@dwnews) March 19, 2023
The deal will see UBS acquire Credit Suisse for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.23 billion).https://t.co/EFY7gyf1qu
UBS will buy rival Swiss bank Credit Suisse for $3.23 billion and assume up to $5.4 billion in losses, in a shotgun merger engineered by Swiss authorities that won applause from central bankers keen to avoid more market turmoil https://t.co/KYWna0Ed7m pic.twitter.com/i5VPTb4iH5
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 20, 2023
Syrian President Bashar Assad on Sunday arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — his second trip to the Gulf in a month — in an attempt to restore ties with his country's Arab neighbors.https://t.co/RlgcOQ16Tn
— DW News (@dwnews) March 19, 2023
Sweden won't be in a vulnerable security situation even if Finland joins NATO first, the Finnish president said, as both Nordic membership candidates negotiate bilateral military pacts with the United States. https://t.co/Zzlzll1qht
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 19, 2023
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un led two days of military drills "simulating a nuclear counterattack", including the firing of a ballistic missile carrying a mock nuclear warhead, state news agency KCNA reported Mondayhttps://t.co/f3DgyxmduQ
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 19, 2023
Montenegrins are voting in a presidential election that will shape the small Adriatic country's attitude towards the West and its relations with neighboring Serbia.https://t.co/sMTCsHo8JD
— DW News (@dwnews) March 19, 2023
Prosecuting Donald Trump would be politically motivated, say Republicans https://t.co/GgfgGmvEfM
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 19, 2023
The United States invaded Iraq 20 years ago. The rationale for the war was a lie, and the consequences remain to this day.https://t.co/WEvN4NOMU0
— DW News (@dwnews) March 20, 2023
Mysterious streaks of light were seen in the sky in the Sacramento area Friday night, shocking St. Patrick’s Day revelers who then posted videos on social media of the surprising sight. https://t.co/Zpuu8G8q5P pic.twitter.com/N0x0AMuwV4
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 19, 2023
4 Minute Video Of Russian President Putin Driving Around Mariupol Has Been Posted
⚡️4 minute video of Putin driving around Mariupol.
— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) March 19, 2023
I will accept apologies under this. pic.twitter.com/xe4Uppfmbz
WNU editor: Other videos have been posted on Russian social media. They all show the same thing. Putin driving around Mariupol at night. Some are saying it is a Putin double. But I doubt it.
What surprised me is how light his security was when he was driving around. Basically a few cars that attracted no attention from other drivers who they passed or who were on the opposite side of the street. When he was walking around I could see that security was still around him, but not as much as I have seen before.
You would not think you were in a war zone. I will be posting more videos below.
🇷🇺Putin examines newly-delivered apartments in liberated Mariupol. pic.twitter.com/a3jhVFIQYX
— AZ 🛰🌏🌍🌎 (@AZgeopolitics) March 19, 2023
The U.S. Invaded Iraq 20 Years Ago
A U.S. soldier watches as a statue of Iraq's President Saddam Hussein falls in central Baghdad, April 9, 2003. REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic
USA Today: On the 20th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, these photos tell the story of the war
Sunday marks 20 years since American and coalition forces invaded Iraq on a mission to topple Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship and find weapons of mass destruction.
Former President George W. Bush and his administration wagered to the American public and the international community that Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction.
The coalition found no such weapons, and two years later the WMD Commission, established by Bush, acknowledged in a report that the "WMD" fiasco was “one of the most public – and most damaging – intelligence failures in recent American history.”
Forces did succeed in knocking Hussein out of power, clearing the way for a fraught nation-building project that would stretch for nearly a decade.
Read more ....
Update #1: 3 takeaways 20 years after the invasion of Iraq (NPR)
Update #2: Iconic images from the Iraq War, 20 years after it began (Reuters)
WNU Editor: What a difference 20 years make.
Update #3: Of course they do not want any comparisons made .... Tony Blair: Putin can't use Iraq to justify Ukraine invasion (DW).
First Flight Of The B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Has Been Delayed
FOX News: B-21 Raider stealth bomber’s first flight delayed a few months later than anticipated: Air Force
The B-21 Raider was first unveiled to the public in Palmdale, California in early December
The Air Force revealed last week that the debut flight of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber is delayed several months.
Speaking at the McAleese & Associates conference in Washington, Air Force secretary Frank Kendall said the B-21’s first flight "slipped from the original schedule" but is still within the baseline schedule and cost.
"There’s a baseline schedule, which is on the books," Kendall told reporters. "[B]ut there’s been no breach of that. But with the internal schedule, there’s been a slip of a few months."
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Even with this delay, there are calls for the US Air Force to buy even more B-21 bombers .... Air Force Should Double Its B-21 Purchase Plans, Think Tank Says (Defense One).
More News On The B-21 Bomber
B-21 first flight running ‘a few months’ behind -- Air Force Times
Maiden Flight Of B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Delayed -- Zero Hedge
Air Force Sees First Flight Delay of B-21 Stealth Bomber -- Bloomberg
Northrop eyes low-rate production contract for B-21 this year -- Defense News
China, Russia, Iran Wrap Up Joint Military Drills In Gulf Just Ahead Of Xi-Putin Visit
Iran, China, and Russia hold joint drills in Sea of Oman
— Highlights (@highlightsnews1) March 17, 2023
Dubbed "the Marine Security Belt 2023", the military maneuver aims to strengthen regional security.
Follow Press TV on Telegram: https://t.co/7h1TYXZOQt pic.twitter.com/cvuDJgBizb
Zero Hedge: China, Russia, Iran Wrap Up Joint Military Drills In Gulf Just Ahead Of Xi-Putin Visit
The Biden administration and National Security Council say they closely monitored multiple days of rare joint naval drills between China, Russia, and Iran held in the Gulf of Oman.
The "Security Bond-2023" exercises took place from Wednesday through Saturday, and were focused on deepening "practical cooperation between the participating countries’ navies ... and inject positive energy into regional peace and stability," according to China's Defense Ministry. The allies confirmed the exercises concluded Saturday and hailed their 'success'.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Not surprised these exercises ended today. The media attention tomorrow will be on the Putin - Xi summit in Moscow.
Iran's President To Visit Saudi Arabia To Improve Ties
Saudi Arabia and Iran announced the deal to restore relations in China [China Daily via Reuters]
DW: Iran's president to visit Saudi king in bid to thaw ties
The two traditional rivals agreed to normalize relations in a March 10 deal brokered by China. Iran's international outreach to its regional rival comes amid major domestic unrest.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday "welcomed" an invitation from Saudia Arabia's King Salman to visit the country, an Iranian official said.
"In a letter to President Raisi... the King of Saudi Arabia welcomed the deal between the two brotherly countries, [and] invited him to Riyadh," Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president's deputy chief of staff for political affairs, wrote on Twitter.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Before the announcement of Iran's President accepting an invitation to go to Saudi Arabia, Iran announced that the ministers of both countries are going to meet in another country to further talks and improve relations .... Iran proposes locations to Saudi Arabia for ministerial talks (Reuters).
Update: Here is another sign that the Middle East is quickly changing .... Syria’s Assad in UAE to mark ongoing thaw in relations (AP).
Iran's President To Visit Saudi Arabia To Improve Ties
Iran's Raisi 'welcomes' invitation to visit Saudi Arabia following reconciliation deal -- France 24
Saudi king invites Iranian president to Riyadh – official -- RT
Saudi King invites Iranian president to visit Riyadh – Iranian presidential office -- TASS
Chinese President Xi Is Heading To Russia
DW: Xi Jinping heads to Russia with focus on Ukraine
As Chinese leader Xi Jinping begins his three-day trip to Moscow on Monday, all eyes are on how China positions itself in the ongoing war and experts describe the trip as “extremely delicate” for the Chinese President.
After months of anticipation, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who just confirmed his third term, will finally begin his three-day trip to Moscow on March 20.
Beijing has characterized the trip as "a visit for peace" that will aim to "improve global governance" and contribute to "the development and progress of the world.”
Read more ....
Update: China's Xi to meet with Putin in Moscow Monday in show of support (ABC News)
WNU Editor: This is a 3 day summit, and the main focus on these talks will be on Ukraine, and the need to cooperate and work together to counter US foreign/economic/and military policies.
Both Russian and Chinese media are already extensively covering this story, and I agree with this article from China's Global Times that the outcome of this summit is going to be significant with geopolitical consequences .... Xi’s visit to Russia conveys great significance, injects certainty and positive energy (Global Times).
Bottom line.
Both countries are going to project to the world that they have agreed to form an alliance on a number of political/economic/and national security issues.
Russian President Putin Visits Mariupol In His First Trip To Occupied Ukraine
* Putin's visit comes after he made a surprise trip to Crimea earlier this week
* It is the first time Putin is known to have visited territory captured in the war V
ladimir Putin has made a defiant visit to Mariupol where he brazenly praised 'reconstruction' works of the city which he bombed to a shell of its former self, it was reported today.
It is the Russian president's first trip to the Ukrainian territory, which Moscow illegally annexed in September, since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict in February last year, and it comes a day after he travelled to annexed Crimea.
The timing of Putin's 'spontaneous' visit to contested areas will raise concerns for the West, as they took place just days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader accusing him of war crimes.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The official Kremlin line is that the decision to go to Mariupol was done at the last minute .... Putin’s trip to Donbass was 'spontaneous’ – Kremlin (RT). Russian President Putin is now back in Russia .... Russian president visits command post of special military operation — Kremlin (TASS).
Russian President Putin Visits Mariupol In His First Trip To Occupied Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine war live: Putin visits Mariupol in first trip to occupied eastern Ukraine, says Russian state media -- The Guardian
Live: Ukraine blast Putin for coming to ‘admire the ruins’ of Mariupol -- France 24
Ukraine updates: Putin visits occupied city of Mariupol -- DW
Putin makes surprise trip to Mariupol, symbol of Ukrainian tenacity -- AP
Putin makes surprise trip to Russian-occupied Mariupol in wake of ICC warrant -- CNBC/Reuters
Putin Visits Mariupol in First Trip to Occupied Territory -- AFP
Ukraine war: Putin pays visit to occupied Mariupol, state media reports -- BBC
Vladimir Putin pays surprise visit to occupied Mariupol in Ukraine -- The Guardian
Vladimir Putin visits captured Ukrainian city for first time since invading -- FOX News
Putin visits occupied Ukraine, stopping in Crimea and Mariupol -- Business Insider
Has The U.S. Dollar Become An At-Risk Currency?
The ongoing global sanctions against Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine may have rightly isolated Moscow, but they've also weakened the standing of the US dollar in the process. Shutterstock
Jay Norton, NYPost: Why the US dollar has become an at-risk currency
Everywhere you turn there’s chatter about the ongoing US economic sanctions against Russia. The Russian Central Bank, Russian banks, Russian companies, Russian oligarchs — and anyone caught helping them — have seen their fortunes entangled since Moscow invaded Ukraine just over a year ago.
From Davos to Aspen, American Treasury officials tout the unprecedented scale and scope of this powerful economic weapon.
And why not? The effort has been impressive.
The US government task forces have beached scores of yachts, grounded planes, blocked hundreds of millions of dollars of central bank assets and cut Russian financial institutions off from the global SWIFT financial system.
Sanctions are an ancient game: in 432 B.C., Athens crushed its rival — Megara — by banning their traders from Athenian marketplaces.
For the US government in the 21st century, economic sanctions aren’t merely second nature, they’ve become a central tool of foreign policy. More than 10,000 people and dozens of countries are subject to sanctions worldwide.
Read more ....
Update: NYP: The US dollar has become an at-risk currency (Mordern diplomacy).
WNU Editor: A year before Russia's invasion of Ukraine I predicted that the US dollar will continue to exist as the global reserve currency for the next 2 to 3 decades (if not more). I do not believe this anymore.
Money printing followed by massive spending has created a debt and inflation crisis that the US shows no signs of stopping. Coupled with a sanctions war against the resource super power of the world (Russia), and the start of a sanctions war against the world's manufacturing super power (China), I do not have hope that the US dollar will continue to dominate as the world's leading currency. I now give it 5 to 10 years, and maybe less.
US Mid-Sized Banks Sound The Alarm On The Stability Of The US Banking System
Axios: Midsize banks plead for unlimited FDIC backstop for two years
A coalition of midsize U.S. banks is calling on the government to insure all deposits for the next two years, in the wake of Silicon Valley Bank's emergency rescue that insured all of the firm's deposits regardless of size.
Driving the news: The Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America sent a letter to regulators arguing that a temporary suspension of the FDIC's deposit insurance limit is necessary to ensure that smaller banks can navigate the current banking crisis, Bloomberg reported.
* "Doing so will immediately halt the exodus of deposits from smaller banks, stabilize the banking sector and greatly reduce chances of more bank failures," the letter said, according to Bloomberg.
* Tesla CEO Elon Musk also endorsed the idea in a Twitter post early Saturday, saying the move was needed to "stop bank runs."
Read more ....
WNU Editor: According to some reports an incredible 200 banks are now at risk .... Nearly 200 banks at risk for same fate as SVB: study (NYPost).
As to what do I expect next. The Biden administration has no choice. They will do everything in their power to make sure the banking system does not collapse. That is why I expect massive bailouts, a return to quantitative easing, and money printing. And while the banking system will be saved, high inflation is going to be the result for years to come.
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