'Solid' peace disrupting Europe

By Manlio Dinucci (Grandangolo on Byoblu TV, Italy)  

President Macron convened some 30 ‘willing’ governments in Paris with the official aim of ‘building a solid peace for Ukraine and Europe.’ This was in fact not a peace summit but a war summit.

Before the summit Macron phoned Trump. He then held a press conference with Zelensky, declaring that ‘Russia shows a willingness to continue aggression’. During the summit, Macron said that "Moscow is pretending to negotiate" and that is why sanctions will be maintained, a decision that all participants agreed on.

Macron then announced the creation of a "reassurance force" to be "deployed in strategic locations in Ukraine in the event of peace," and that France and Britain would send a team to Ukraine to train Kiev's future army.  

Italian President Meloni reaffirmed "continued support for Ukraine in the Euro-Atlantic context, including on the basis of a model that can be partly modeled on Article 5 of the Washington Treaty". Since this states that if a NATO member is attacked, all other members must intervene in its defence, this means that Ukraine is de facto considered a member of NATO.

The Russian Foreign Ministry warns that 'the deployment of NATO countries' troops in Ukraine risks provoking a direct military confrontation between Russia and NATO'.

All this hinders and effectively nullifies the agreement between the Presidents of the US and Russia to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, so that both Russia and Ukraine can export grain, fertilizer and other products by sea.

The US and Russia, despite having reached such an agreement, remain distant on other important issues. While the US would like to take control of all Ukrainian nuclear facilities, including the Zaporozhye NPP now under Russian control, Moscow says it will never hand over the NPP to Ukraine or any other country. The Zaporozhye nuclear power plant is therefore at risk of being hit again by Ukrainian forces, putting the whole of Europe at risk.

In the Middle East, the US and Russia pursue diametrically opposed goals. The US, in synergy with Israel, is strengthening its military presence in the region and attacking Yemen with the aim of striking Iran, while Russia is implementing a strategic cooperation agreement with Iran.

In East and South-East Asia, the US is deploying forces and armaments, including nuclear weapons, against China, Russia's ally with which it forms the BRICS backbone. 

Ukraine not serious about partial ceasefire

 

Defeated on Russian territory in Kursk regions, stopped in the border areas in Belgorod, the Ukrainian military does not stop provocations. 

Another direction of a possible breakthrough across the border may be the Russian border Bryansk region.

Ukarine's US-NATO directed (armed, trained, funded) army also continues to violate the partial ceasefire with Russia that called for a suspension of attacks on energy facilities.

It's becoming quite clear that the British and French are now controlling Kiev's military operations since Trump has stepped a bit back. 

The French and British goal of creating a 'Coalition of the Willing' seems to be floundering due to a growing split in Europe on keeping the proxy war in Ukraine going. The citizens of Europe are increasingly seeing the war for what it truly is - a vain attempt to break Russia into smaller pieces like the US-NATO did to Yugoslavia during the Bill Clinton administration.

Trumps peace negotiations with Russia have thus hit the wall. 

Washington is ignoring Kiev’s violations of the US-mediated moratorium on attacks against energy infrastructure in the conflict with Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

Last month, US President Donald Trump successfully urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to pause strikes on energy sites. Moscow agreed and held back. 

While Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky publicly endorsed the moratorium, the Russian Defense Ministry has reported numerous attacks against Russian energy infrastructure since the agreement was announced on March 18.

Meanwhile, the German military has begun its first permanent deployment of troops on foreign soil since World War II. The 45th Armored Brigade is being positioned in Lithuania, near Russian ally Belarus, as Berlin prepares for a potential conflict in the coming years.

Many in Europe still dream of the day they can destroy Russia and take control of its vast resource base. For more than 500 years Europe has repeatedly invaded Russia with the hope of doing so. 

Successive attempts by Sweden, England, France and Germany have failed to conquer Russia.

It's ever more crazy to attempt to do so during the current nuclear age.

Bruce

It's an old story: Cutting Social Security to fund Mars missions

By Between The Lines

January 27, 2004

Interview with Bruce Gagnon, coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, conducted by Melinda Tuhus

Last week, President Bush announced his goal of sending Americans back to the moon by 2020 and then on to Mars. He promised only $1 billion in new funds for the project over the next five years, saying $11 billion in that period will come from a redeployment of money already allocated to NASA, the U.S. space agency. While some see this as a political move by Bush to sound Kennedy-esque as his campaign for re-election gears up, others foresee a scenario unfolding that could boost the fortunes of the controversial "Star Wars" anti-missile defense system, as the U.S. seeks to extend its superpower status into space.

Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Bruce Gagnon, coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space. Gagnon has worked on space issues [since 1982] and was organizer of the Cancel Cassini Campaign, an effort to stop the launch of 72 pounds of plutonium into space onboard a satellite in 1997. Though ultimately unsuccessful, the campaign attracted worldwide attention and support.

Gagnon discusses the Bush administration's space proposal, how much it will likely cost, where the funds will come from and who stands to profit. He also lays out his hope for the world community to take space exploration in a different direction.

Elon Musk's favorite T-shirt

Bruce Gagnon: I think it’s part of a long, long-time plan to begin to build the infrastructure to use space to control the earth and then ultimately to create a 50-year, 100-year plan to control the shipping lanes between the earth and planetary bodies. There’s a plan to actually mine the skies. They’ve discovered gold on the asteroids. On Mars, there’s magnesium and cobalt and uranium. That little rover driving around Mars today, it’s not looking for the origins of life like we’re told; they’re doing soil identification and they’re trying to identify what is where on that planet. There’s helium-3 on the moon. In fact, there’s a New York Times story where they say that it will replace fossil fuels when they are gone on the earth, and helium-3 will be used for fusion reactors. Coincidentally, the U.S. never signed the 1979 Moon Treaty that outlaws permanent bases on the moon, military bases, and most importantly, says that no country or corporation or individual can claim ownership of the moon. The U.S. didn’t sign that treaty because we’ve always intended to have military bases on the moon. I have a copy of a secret Army study from 1952 that says the U.S. has to control the moon. They long ago realized that whoever controls the moon actually will be able to control the pathway on and off the planet Earth - they call it the earth-moon gravity well; whoever is at the top of the well will control who can get on and off the planet. And a congressional study in 1989 entitled, Military Space Forces: the Next 50 Years, stated that with our bases on the moon, we would be able to 'hijack rival shipments upon return', so that if anyone else tried to mine the sky but they weren’t authorized, we would be able to take them out on the way back. It's high-tech piracy.

Between The Lines: Is the money, then, going to come in the future, because it seems like a very modest proposal right now.

Bruce Gagnon: The first thing they’re going to do is to close down the international space station and the shuttle program, and move that money in. But once they get the commitment from Congress that yes, we’re going to go forward with this, it’s institutionalized in the budget, then the real bucks are going to kick in. The estimates for the collective costs of these Mars missions and moon missions is about $750 billion over time [in 2004 dollars]. Well, this is a massive, massive flow of funds into the aerospace corporation coffers, at the same time, remember, that they’ve also come out with, about a year ago -- the Bush administration did -- the Nuclear Systems Initiative, a $3 billion, five-year program to develop Project Prometheus, the nuclear rocket with nuclear reactors for engines, and other nuclear technologies [which will soon be tested over our heads in Lower Earth Orbit]. Those little rovers that are driving around Mars today are powered with plutonium. They are talking about having nuclear powered mining colonies on the moon and Mars. So all these… increasing the number of launches with nuclear materials on rockets with ten percent failure rates is going to ensure that sooner or later there will be a nuclear accident at the time of launch.

There was an editorial in one of the industry publications called Space News [in 1999], and the title was 'Mars missions are affordable.' And Space News went on to say, 'Look, we know that this stuff is going to be expensive, but we have a solution to the funding problem. So what we’re now doing is sending our lobbyists to Washington secure those funds from the Entitlement programs and moving the money into these space projects'.

Now, what are these entitlement programs that Space News was talking about? Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and what’s left of the welfare program today. So after the taxpayers would have paid all the years of space tech research and development, in the hundreds and hundreds of billions of dollars, when the day comes that they can actually turn profit mining the skies, in the future, what they’re going to do, and NASA has already said, they’re going to privatize everything, turn it over to the corporations who will make the money. And in fact there’s legislation pending in Congress to make all profits in space tax-exempt.

Between The Lines: Do you see any value in space travel, in space exploration done a certain way?

Bruce Gagnon: I’m not opposed to space exploration in general. I think we all have that curiosity about what’s out there, and I think it’s something that we as a planet, should over time, be expected that we’re going to want to pursue. But I think when it comes at the cost of our own life here on this planet, when it comes at the cost of our children’s education, our health care, and cleaning up our own planet -- these things should come first. And then when we do move off this planet, I think we really need to have a collective understanding on earth: What kind of seed will we carry with us when we go into the heavens? Will it be this bad seed of war and greed and environmental degradation, or will it be a different kind of seed, a more positive seed? And I think right now is the time to debate this question globally. And that’s the work of our organization, to create a global consciousness and a global constituency, around this question: What kind of seed should our space program carry? 

What's the deal with Trumps Tariffs?

 

Will inflation increase as companies importing goods increase domestic prices to recover the tariff impacts? 

Does the government want to drive the US and global economy downward?

Americans are now panicking as car prices are rising - up to $6,000 for some new cars. 

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during his 3 day visit to Moscow: “The US itself is sick but is forcing others to get treatment,” Wang said, emphasizing that Trump’s trade wars will “cause serious damage not only to the global market and trade order but the US’s reputation” as well. “‘America First’ cannot be achieved by American bullying, especially to the detriment of the interests of other countries,” he said.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov: “We recognize the responsibility of Moscow and Beijing to maintain close coordination in the international arena. The majority of countries perceive this as perhaps the most significant stabilizing factor during these challenging times in global politics”. 

 

Neo-feudalism warning....

 

Double Down News

 

Follow the money trail and find the rampage of capitalism.

Democracy being drowned before our eyes.

This video lays it all out.

It's the same story across the vast majority of 'liberal' western nations. 

Two-party politics is over.

April 12 Palestine solidarity protest in Ellsworth, Maine

Graphic created by Elizabeth Olbert - please share widely

Our statewide antiwar coalition will bring its monthly protest series back to Ellsworth in April.   The people in Gaza are suffering more than ever as Israel bombs their tents, hospitals, ambulances, and journalists' vehicles after cutting off all aid shipments for weeks.    Zionist violence against populations in the West Bank has also escalated dramatically -- all with U.S. support and complicity.       Saturday April 12 at 1:30pm     Ellsworth, Maine     Intersection of Main & High Streets     Bring your own signs and banners, or use ours        Our demands: Peace in Ukraine - No weapons, no money for the Ukraine War Abolish NATO – End U.S. militarism & sanctions! Fund people’s needs, not the war machine! No war with China! Protect Earth's environment from the deadly insult of war! End U.S. aid to racist apartheid Israel! Fight racism & bigotry not war! U.S. hands off Haiti! End AFRICOM       Co-sponsors:  Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, Maine Natural Guard, PeaceWorks of Greater Brunswick, Communist Party of Maine, Maine Green Independent Party, Citizens Opposing Active Sonar Threats (COAST), Party for Socialism & Liberation Maine, Libertarian Party of Maine, People’s Party of Maine, Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine, Veterans for Peace - National, United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC), and Maine Voices for Palestinian Rights (MVPR).

Israel on the Brink of Collapse: What the Media Won’t Tell You

Introduction

Since the beginning of the war, Israel has plunged into an unprecedented crisis on all fronts—economic, social, psychological, military and political. While mainstream media attempts to conceal the truth, the numbers paint a starkly different picture of a state that once claimed to be invincible.

This report will reveal the most critical indicators of Israel’s decline, based on the latest data as of March 21, 2025. 

1. Unprecedented Economic Losses 

Israel is facing a catastrophic economic collapse, the worst since its founding in 1948. 

• Military losses: $34 billion.
• Total economic losses: $67 billion.
• Budget deficit: $40 billion (the largest in Israel’s history).
• 60,000 companies shut down, resulting in massive job losses.
• Tourism sector declined by 70%, causing a $5 billion loss.
• Construction sector lost $4 billion, with over 70 construction firms ceasing operations.

These numbers indicate that Israel is on the verge of an economic meltdown, which could cripple its ability to sustain the war effort. 

2. Forced Displacement of Israelis 

Due to the ongoing war and fear of resistance retaliation, 143,000 Israelis have fled their homes, particularly from settlements near Gaza and the northern border. Even after temporary ceasefires, many are too afraid to return, fearing another escalation. 

This situation is not just an internal displacement crisis—it has triggered a mass exodus of Israelis out of the country, significantly impacting Israel’s demographic balance.

3. Unprecedented Psychological Crisis

The Israeli population is experiencing severe psychological trauma due to the prolonged conflict and fear of resistance operations: 

• 900,000 Israelis suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—a record-breaking figure.
• One-third of Israelis are struggling with depression or other mental health disorders.
• Alcohol consumption has risen by 25%, indicating a surge in substance abuse.
• Sleeping pill sales skyrocketed by 180%, meaning Israelis can no longer sleep without medical aid.
• In the Israeli army, 21 suicides were recorded in 2024—and the real number is likely much higher than reported. Soldiers keep refusing to go back to the front lines.

These statistics show that morale inside Israel is at an all-time low, directly affecting military preparedness and internal stability. 

4. The Reverse Jewish Exodus

 Israel today is the mass emigration of Jews from the country, with:

• 82,700 Jews leaving Israel in 2024, the highest emigration rate in decades.
• In contrast, 70,000 Jews moved to Israel in 2002 from abroad. Today, the trend has completely reversed—Israel is witnessing a mass exodus rather than an influx. 

This shift reflects a growing loss of faith in Israel’s future as a secure and stable state, which threatens its long-term viability.

5. Political and Moral Collapse

Israel is not just facing a military and economic crisis—it is also undergoing a severe political and diplomatic collapse:

• Its global image has been completely destroyed, as the world now recognizes its occupation and crimes against humanity.
• Many countries are distancing themselves diplomatically from Israel, with international condemnation rising.
• The illusion of a “democratic and peaceful Israel” has crumbled, revealing its true face as an apartheid state. 

These developments leave Israel weaker than ever on the global stage, increasingly isolated, and struggling to maintain international support.

6. Internal Revolt and Elite Divisions 

One of the least reported but most significant crises in Israel today is the internal revolt within its elite circles: 

• High-ranking officials, including a former Mossad chief and a former police commissioner, have openly turned against the government.
• Families of Israeli prisoners and captives have set up permanent protest camps outside the Ministry of Justice, demanding an end to the war.
• There is deep political division among Israeli leaders on how to handle the war, risking a potential collapse of the government itself. 

This proves that Israel is not only losing externally—it is also imploding from within. 

Conclusion: 

Are we witnessing the beginning of Israel’s end?

Israel today is not the same Israel the world knew a few years ago. Its economy is crumbling, its society is psychologically shattered, emigration is skyrocketing, its politics are in chaos, and internal dissent is growing. 

These indicators all point to a critical turning point, leaving many to ask: Are we witnessing the beginning of the end of the Zionist project?

While the final answer remains uncertain, one thing is clear—Israel is no longer invincible, and the resistance continues to drain it toward inevitable collapse.