Take no lip: Ben Tóth’s talking point outline will win you every discussion and debate!

I’ve already printed out my copy. Watch the show he co-hosted this week,

Blowback: Exposing Imperial Decline

https://www.youtube.com/@BlowbackExposingImperial-hh8ig

Outline

BATTLEGROUND 404

WAR PROSPECTS BLEAK

– 404: The situation in Avdiivka is extremely critical ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Things are going badly for Ukraine – really badly ( Business Insider )

– 404: Ukraine withdraws units from parts of Avdiivka, sends in crack brigade ( Reuters )

– 404: Ukraine set to lose key Donbass city – White House ( John Kirby > Kyiv Independent )

– 404: Ukraine on verge of losing Avdiivka, strategic city long targeted by Russia ( WaPo )

– 404: Syrsky: Ukraine shifts to defense to drain Russian troops ( Kyiv Ind )

– 404: Kiev to be unable to use NATO airstrips for deployment of F-16 planes – Ignat ( TASS )

– 404: President Zelensky signs bill legalizing medical Cannabis In Ukraine ( Forbes )

– RUC: Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov sunk off Crimea, says Ukraine ( UAF > BBC )

– RUC: Seven killed in Ukrainian missile strike on Russia’s Belgorod – governor ( Reuters )

– RUC: Adm.Viktor Sokolov removed from command of the Black Sea Fleet ( RU MoD )

AID LOBBYING

– 404: Elensky calls for House vote on Ukraine aid – who? ( Politico )

– 404: Ukrainian President Elensky invokes Judaism to rally support ( ‘Moscow’ Times )

– EUK: Biden must risk his party’s wrath to secure Ukraine’s future ( Telegraph )

– EUK: Ukraine’s war effort already affected by block on $60bn US aid – Stoltenberg ( Guardian )

– EUK: UK Foreign Secretary Cameron urges US congress to vote for Ukraine package ( Bloomberg )

– USC: US House Democratic caucus Chair warns of possible March Government shutdown ( Newsweek )

– USC: Biden urges house to vote immediately on Ukraine aid – failure is ‘What Putin Is Betting On’ ( RFE )

– USC: Lyndsey Graham, a longtime foreign policy hawk, bows to Trump on Ukraine ( WaPo )

SPACE NUKES!

– USC: House Intel chairman announces ‘serious national security threat’ related to Russia ( CNN )

– USC: The ‘disturbing’ intel roiling the Hill is about Russian nukes in space ( Politico )

– USC: Russia has obtained a ‘troubling’ emerging anti-satellite weapon, W.H. says ( AP )

– USC: White House confirms knowledge of Russian ‘anti-satellite capability’ ( FT )

– USC: Intelligence about Russia puts focus on new US Satellite push ( NYT )

– EUK: Putin’s nuclear arms race could make space the new battlefield ( Times )

– EUK: Putin‘s deadliest weapon yet has been revealed – and the West has no answer ( Telegraph )

NO AID FOR YOU

– 404: US House of Representatives goes on recess without considering Ukraine aid bill ( Ukrinform )

– USC: White House hits Johnson for going on recess without passing Ukraine aid ( The Hill )

– USC: Biden team struggles to reassure Europe that US won’t abandon Ukraine ( WaPo )

– USC: Another government shutdown looms in March as the House heads home ( Yahoo )

AND NOW, MUNICH

– 404: Ukraine‘s Zelensky to sign security pacts with Germany and France ( France 24 )

– 404: Ukraine and Germany forge security cooperation agreement ( Ukro Pravda, video )

– 404: Zelensky to sign security agreement in France, address leaders at Munich conference ( Ukrinform )

– USC: Anxious World leaders descend on Munich – Ukraine doubters / Trump fears dominate ( Foreign Policy )

– USC: Kamala Harris heads to Munich for high-stakes diplomatic trip – and meet Elensky ( CNN )

APPENDIX: MEDIA WARS

Putin Zarubyn interview:

Global fight against Nazi propaganda, regret not starting SMO in 2014, disappointed in Tucker, prefer Biden over Trump

Tucker shorts: 

He fell in love with Moscow Kievskaya ( Stalinitsa ) metro station, Russian McDonalds, Russian Auchan supermarket

APPENDIX: THE RUMOR MILL

– 404: Apparently Zaluzhny has joined Poroshenko’s ( European Solidarity ) party membership card shared.

– 404: Slaughter of Selidovo grouping of 3rd assault brigade ( AZOV ) via cluster munitions, no official confirmation.

– 404: Avdiivka is basically a Bakhmut, Mariupol, even Debaltsevo 2.0

APPENDIX: NAVALNY DISTRACTION

– 404: Elensky blames Putin for Navalny’s death as leaders voice outrage ( Politico, EU )

– EUK: Alexei Navalny’s wife says Putin will ‘bear responsibility’ ( Times of London )

– EUK: David Cameron: Hold Putin accountable for Navalny‘s death ( Telegraph )

– EUK: Western officials and Kremlin critics blame Putin and his government for Navalny’s death in prison ( AP )

– EUK: Navalny laughed and cracked jokes a day before his death ( Reuters )

– EUK: Conspiracy theories, repression and sycophancy define Putin’s Russia ( FT )

– EUK: Alexei Navalny: UK and US hit out at Putin over critic’s death in prison ( Guardian )

– USC: Alexei Navalny, Putin’s Most Ardent Critic, Dies in Prison ( WSJ )

– USC: Alexey Navalny, Jailed Activist Who Defied Putin, Dies at 47 ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Kamala Harris decries ‘Putin‘s brutality’ after Navalny‘s death ( Newsweek )

– VIDEO: Navalny’s wife already speaking to Munich Security Conference ( video )

“Russia must answer serious questions regarding Navalny’s death” – Stoltenberg

“The fiercest advocate for Russian democracy, Navalny demonstrated incredible courage”- Sunak

“Navalny is a victim of Russian fascism, will be remembered as the best president Russia ever had” – Sikorski

“Putin fears nothing more than dissent from his own people – a grim reminder of what his regime is all about” – Ursula

“The fear of one man underscores the weakness and rot at the heart of the system that Putin has built” – Blinken

“Let’s be clear: Putin killed Navalny bc. he was the opposition leader in Russia that Putin feared the most” – McFaul

“The instant reaction of NATO leaders to Navalny’s demise, direct accusations of Russia are self-exposing” – Maria Z

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HOUSE SLAVES IN DISORDER

NATO ANXIETY

– RUC: Russian forces destroy over 15,000 tanks in Ukraine operation, top brass reports ( TASS )

– RUC: Putin visits Uralvagonzavod factory, in Nizhny Tagil ( TASS, videos )

– EUK: Can Europe defend itself? It may have three years to find out ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: US and Europe are desperate to sign weapons deals for Ukraine. They just can’t get started. ( Politico )

– EUK: Russia can withstand years of equipment losses at current levels – report ( IISS > Business Insider )

– EUK: ‘A lot higher than we expected’: Russian arms production worries Europe’s war planners ( Guardian )

– EUK: Yes, Donald Trump’s Putin comments were unhinged – but he’s right to question NATO’s future ( Guardian )

– EUK: The west has not gone far enough in sanctioning Russia – can’t help Ukraine outproduce it ( FT )

– EUK: France and Germany can’t agree on how to fight Europe’s wars ( Politico )

– EUK: Europe wants to stand on Its own, militarily. Is it too little, too late? ( NYT )

– USC: A self-absorbed America means disorder for the World – Edward Allen ( Foreign Policy )

– USC: Trump’s awful truth: the US can go it alone – Europe cannot ( FT )

NATO PROVOCATO

– EUK: How Britain is rehearsing a NATO war with Russia – completely open about it! ( Times )

– EUK: NATO chief rebukes Donald Trump and announces record defense spending ( Guardian )

– EUK: Germany will spend nearly €72b on defense this year, highest in history ( FT )

– EUK: NATO’s frontline nations are digging 1,000 bunkers. Will it deter Putin? ( Times )

– EUK: Russia to double military presence along NATO border, Estonia warns ( FT )

– EUK: Moscow laying groundwork for Moldova invasion, warn ‘experts’ – ISW ( Telegraph )

– USC: US secretary of state assures Western Balkans of support for path toward EU integration ( AP )

RECESSION UNION

– EUK: UK economy fell into recession at the end of 2023 ( BBC )

– EUK: Britain suffers longest hit to living standards since records began ( Telegraph )

– EUK: Inflation has sent German pay back to 2016 levels, study shows ( Bloomberg )

– ASO: Japan slips into recession allowing Germany to overtake as world’s third largest economy ( CNN )

context: Recession list = UK, Germany, Luxembourg, Ireland, Moldova, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Japan

WHEN IN HOLE, KEEP DIGGING!

– EUK: EU sees no need to extend deal on Russian gas transit via Ukraine ( Reuters )

– EUK: Von der Leyen calls on EU to subsidize defense production ( FT )

– EUK: UK Post-Brexit watchdog ‘ready’ to investigate flood of cheaper Chinese EVs ( Guardian )

– EUK: EU proposes sanctioning North Korea for sending Russia missiles ( Bloomberg )

– USC: The plan to make Russia pay for Ukraine‘s weapons – from fucking Bill Bowder ( ABC )

CONTRADICTIONS GALORE

– EUK: Debt, migration, green deal – why von der Leyen‘s time is up ( Focus DE )

– EUK: Euroclear warns against G7 plan to backstop Ukraine debt with Russian assets ( FT )

– EUK: Why Hungary is again blocking the latest round of Russia sanctions – because China!! ( FT ) 

– EUK: Elections threaten to upset Europe’s centrist apple cart – far-left, far-right, ‘eurosceptics’ ( FT )

– EUK: Piotr Zgorzelski warns the mayor of Lviv. “I suggest you drink a glass of water” ( Polsatnews )

– EUK: How the US broke Kosovo and what that means for Ukraine – not good at finishing wars ( Politico )

– EUK: Three pro-Palestine protesters found guilty of terror offense over paraglider images ( Independent )

– USC: Seizing Russian assets: A feel good bill that will absolutely boomerang – Rand Paul ( Resp. Statecraft )

– USC: Did the West ‘crush’ Russia’s economy for invading Ukraine? No ( Responsible Statecraft )

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BATTLEGROUND WEST ASIA

THE GENOCIDE

– ISR: Israeli forces storm the main hospital in southern Gaza, saying hostages were likely held there ( AP )

– ISR: IDF rehab center forecasting another 16,000 wounded this year ( TO Israel )

– ISR: Netanyahu warns Putin that Iran wants to destroy 6 million jews ( Bloomberg )

– ISR: More than half of Israelis suffer from psych. problems – no money or therapists ( Jpost )

– ISR: Palestinian arrests in Westbank exceeds 7,000 since 7 October ( rights groups > Cradle )

REACTIONS

– WEA: UAE ( Qatar, Kuwait, Oman ) restrict US ability to launch retaliatory airstrikes against Iran proxies ( Politico )

– WEA: Erdoğan makes rare Egypt visit as talks continue over Gaza ceasefire deal ( Guardian )

– WEA: Egypt ditches US Dollar in trade with the Bloc ( BRICS news )

– WEA: Egypt builds Walled Enclosure as Israeli offensive looms ( WSJ )

– WEA: Azerbaijan planning ‘full-scale war’, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan warns ( AFP )

– WEA: Indian-made Israeli ‘killer’ drones set to make their way to Gaza ( MEE )

– WEA: Gas pipeline explosion in central Iran caused by sabotage – no loss of life ( Mehr > Cradle )

– WEA: IRGC simulates destroying Israeli F-35 hangars with ballistic missiles ( IRNA )

– USC: US won’t punish Israel for Rafah op that doesn’t protect civilians – Sources ( Politico )

– USC: US probes Israeli strikes that killed civilians in Gaza ( WSJ Exclusive )

– USC: Mike Pompeo dances with IDF soldiers near Gaza border ( video )

– EUK: Pressure mounts on Israel not to attack Palestinians‘ last Gaza refuge ( Reuters )

– RUC: China demands Israel halt military operations in Rafah ( mFA statement > Cradle )

PERIPHERY: AFRICA

– AFR: South Africa deplores Israel for ignoring ICJ verdict on Gaza ( FM > Cradle )

– AFR: South Africa’s foreign minister seeks extra security due to threats after Israel genocide case ( AA )

– AFR: Nigeria to join BRICS, sell crude Oil in local currency, not USD ( Channels TV )

– RUC: Moscow announces second high level Russia-Africa summit ( Sputnik )

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THE HEGEMON

ELECTIONS

– USC: After fighting Ukraine aid, Trump says Biden will ‘give’ Ukraine to Putin ( NYT )

– USC: Trump eyes NATO makeover, hurried peace in Ukraine if elected ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Democrats unveil new hip hop task force to tackle racial inequity ( The Hill )

– USC: West Virginia AG urges Harris to invoke 25th Amendment to remove Biden ( The Hill )

– RUC: Putin says he prefers Joe Biden over Donald Trump in US election ( FT )

ECONOMY

– USC: Boeing employee reveals manufacturer has taken shortcuts ( Simple flying )

– USC: US Porsche, Bentley and Audi imports held up over banned Chinese part ( FT )

– USC: Uber, Lyft drivers strike across US, demanding fairer pay ( Reuters )

– USC: US House to vote on Biden’s LNG pause Friday, White House defends move ( REuters )

– USC: Apple fans are starting to return their Vision Pros ( the Verge )

– USC: To save money, maybe you should skip breakfast ( WSJ )

– RUC: Putin says Russia is close to creating cancer vaccines ( Reuters )

PERIPHERIES: NORTH / SOUTH

– USC: Canada refuses to extradite wanted Nazi ( RT )

– LAT: Venezuela suspends UN H/C and H/R activities in country, 72 hours to leave ( FM statement )

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THE HEARTLANDS

CHINA

– RUC: China preparing for ‘protracted’ war – learning from Ukraine – think tank ( Nikkei )

– RUC: Beijing condemns Taiwan after two Chinese fishers die in speedboat crash ( Guardian )

– RUC: Hollywood is out, Chinese movies are in ( GT ) 

– USC: US Air force announces major shakeup to prep for war with China ( Defense One )

– USC: US to deploy 5 aircraft carriers in western Pacific in show of strength to China ( SCMP )

– USC: Blinken, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to meet Friday at Munich Security Conference ( Politico )

– USC: Forced labor still haunts China‘s Xinjiang – Zenz – report finds ( Politico )

– EUK: UK Foreign Secretary Cameron to pressure China over Red Sea attacks ( Telegraph )

PERIPHERY: ASIA

– ASO: Palau’s president raises threat of pivot to Beijing if US funds are delayed further ( SCMP )

– ASO: As Japan pledges more aid to Ukraine, is Tokyo turning into an ATM for a war-torn nation? ( SCMP )

– ASO: Mr Xi, only change will help China weather the storm – LOL ( Japan Times editorial )

– ASO: Godzilla minus the United States – a film about anxiety of American abandonment ( The Atlantic )

– ASO: Former general linked to human rights abuses claims victory in Indonesian presidential election ( AP )

– ASO: Ex-army strongman Prabowo Subianto claims victory in Indonesian presidential election ( CNN )

context: Political and military family, son-in-law of Suharto, westernized, ultra-rich

APPENDIX : Legend

USC = United States + Canada

EUK = Europe + United Kingdom | 404 = Ukraine

WEA = West Asia, formerly Middle East | ISR = Israel

ASO = Asia + Oceania

AFR = Africa

LAT = Latin America