Xerxes

improvise is what the German did in 1940 by going through the Ardenne forest. round 2. I maybe wrong, but earlier in 1939, Polish defenders, some of them were charging Germans with old school cavalry. PS: there we go. Thank god for Wiki https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_at_Krojanty

I have read so many world war books (40+ no jokes) that I cannot recall if I read this one. But if I recall (and if I have indeed read it) the book gives an impression of an Europe slowly sleepwalking into a world war in the last glorious sunny days of August and not knowing what was about to happen. On the Schiefflan Plan, it needed two elements. A very strong General Staff , which the Germans had, and a strong leader, which they did not, for alas Moltke the Younger was not his great uncle. I don’t recall details on the crown prince, but I would say that they were backed by very able general staff. Even on the eastern front, which was under the titular leadership of Hindenburg, a military man, it was Lundendorff that lead the armies, and even then it was really Colonel Hoffman the glue.

At this point, the battle lines has been drawn, blood has been spilled, brothers have killed brothers, so unlikely that negotiation would lead anywhere. Historical inertia is doing most of the work, and things need to get worse and mood needs to get darker, before there is tangible interest from either side. And that won’t be before 2023 winter. But not talking also doesn’t lead anywhere. I will also add that “negotiation will not lead anywhere” narrative (which is definitely true now) wasn’t the case right at the beginning of the conflict. But there was too much emotional investment by the West to let that happen. We needed to humiliate Russia. Now lets see things from the other side (Kremlin). Let forgot about NATO mishaps, promises etx. All water under the bridge. knowing everything we know now, do you really feel that Kremlin would allow some strategic pause for Western countries to fill Ukraine with all the military h/w they can and have another go at it (Ala Punic Wars). The answer is a clear no. They rather have a perpetual conflict (with different level of intensity) that gives them free reign, in this perpetual conflict Ukraine (backed by western countries, sometimes wavering sometimes not) will be pitted against Russia’ long game and its reserves. I know I know I know. We overestimate Russia. But just because they botched the short game don’t underestimate their capacity to absorb pain, and inflict similar pain on Ukraine, which may not be able to absorb. all this to say it is real shit show.

Retreat has become a rout. With Newmont dropping 12% in one day ! I guess I am next with Barrick

very impressive SD. I always figured I ll be doing an overland trip in Africa. But in today’ world it always seems to be far in the future. (Time, investment needed)

@Blugolds11 what I found impressive (or rather what I remember) about Kyoto was the well preserved Nijo castle. Unlike the phony rebuilt castle in Osaka. Istanbul is beautiful. Collision of west and east, locked in time forever.

Not sure where to put this. Looks like it belongs to the “sell thread”

Half way through. this is really good. the show is about the power brokers managing between different sides inside a US prison and their affiliates outside

Thanks Spek. unrelated to Ukraine, I think the most effective donation are the ones people are doing in their own local community. Effective defined as “close to full worth of dollar” making a difference. the further is the geographical distance between the donor and the destination, more gets shaved off that one dollar donation. Perhaps 15 cents for every 1,000 miles.

soldiers get a free pass from me for signing up those bombs etc. as they are the one doing the fighting. commercialization to the masses is a no for me.

Here is one way to tap into the Western desire for gamification without the “sign my rocket” bullshit nonsense. Come up with different avenues for people to donate that shows credible tangible output. For instance, if folks watching on TV the Donbas front crumbling, they could say this donation will help release XX munitions badly needed on this front (obviously w/o being explicit). This way folks would feel to donate knowing they are making a specific donation to where a emotional link has been established. instead of one big pot going to Ukrainian military. now of course the reality is that in the background it could be all bullshit. But that doesn’t matter, it gets the money flowing.

^^^ On a different note, I just bought a copy of “Peter the Great” and “Catherine the Great” books, written by Robert Massie.

Personally I find this lame and disappointing. But that is me. donations of all kinds to the Ukrainian military, civilian infrastructure, Red Cross etc is one thing. But this “sign my ticket” “marketing” idea by the Ukrainian PR brain trust tapping into Western needs to feel important, to gamify, says more about Ukraine than it does of the west.

^^^ amazing. In 2018, I did the Rainbow mountain, went as far 5,100 meters. Came back to Cusco for the night. And did 4-day hike in Manuch Pichu the day after. you are picking my interest with Salkanty. Just came back from a 2 weeks from Sicily. Spend 7 days of it bicycling and seeing 7 different cities. Did about 450 km over 7 days, each day with 700-900 meter elevation. First 3-4 days temperature ranged 35-36 degree.

Anyone read this. Seems interesting. I read its review on The Economist book section. Nazi Billionaires: The Dark History of Germany's Wealthiest Dynasties: de Jong, David: 9781328497888: Books - Amazon.ca

Haven’t read this column yet but probably belongs here :

@SalukiI never read “guns, germs steel etc” how did you find the book ?

^^^ I think both defence stocks and oil stocks have bullish secular trend with a front-loaded cyclical bull. so they will disappoint in the short term as that cyclical bull rolls over. But the underpinning secular trend is there.

in fact, this thread doesn’t even belong in this forum. This should go to the political section.

“Mayor of Kingstown” looks very interesting watched the first episode(Paramount+)

And i still have not seen “Dances with the Wolves”

And you are all missing the most important one. can’t beat this : Once Upon Time in the West

Finished 1883. impressed by the storytelling, landscape, horses, how unrelated this is to the Soap Opera Yellowstone and last but not least Elsa’ accent (southern I guess)

in 2014-15, the obsession was about the Baker-Hughes measure of rig count. market locks in on one thing every now and then and gets obsessed about it

On a GS Talk podcast with the head of Norwegian Wealth Fund, I heard that the latter has its own podcast with its investee. I haven’t listened to it yet, but thought sharing: