In today’s Vatnik Soup, we’ll introduce an American conspiracy theorist, podcaster & antisemite, Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO). She’s best known for spreading conspiracy theories, attacking Ukraine, promoting pro-Kremlin BS, and becoming a favorite of Russian state media.
1/21
🇳🇴 Completely agree. Been to Norway several times - easily the worst grocery market in Western Europe. The Finns call it the last Soviet Union, and they’re not wrong. Four chains carve up the country like a planned economy, hiding behind tariff walls that slap 277%+ on European cheese to protect an agricultural sector that couldn’t compete with a mid-sized Danish farm. One of the richest countries on earth, eating like it’s 1987.
George W. Bush: “It turns out the country is starved to see a white center right Republican and an African-American center left Democrat having fun, and being able to converse”
If the United States truly thinks about withdrawing from NATO, then European security will be based solely on the European Union. But not in its current form. I think that the EU is in a situation where it needs more countries.
The UK, Ukraine, Türkiye, and Norway. These are four strong countries, which are part of Europe. Together, the UK, Ukraine, and Türkiye have armies that are stronger than Russia's army. Without Ukraine and Türkiye, Europe can’t match Russia. With the four countries on board you can wrest control of the seas, have secure skies and the largest land forces.
It’s not about offense, because when Russia makes the decision to have an army of 2.5 million people by 2030, Europe has to think about security and how to preserve its independence. The UK once was a member of the EU. There are concerns about agriculture when it comes to Türkiye. But you can manage all of this if you have a really great economy. But security comes first, economy second. Not vice versa.
From an interview on The Rest Is Politics podcast (5/5).
We cannot simply speak about withdrawing from Donbas as a matter of compromise. Our withdrawal from Donbas would open up opportunities for the Russian Federation to occupy our most fortified territories without losses.
Some people say it would take a year to a year and a half to build new fortifications. But everyone forgets: first and foremost, that is a year and a half. And even if it were less, fortifications in an open field are a completely different matter from those in urban areas. They can never provide equally strong protection.
A withdrawal would give the Russian Federation room for large-scale maneuver. They could advance either toward Kharkiv or toward Dnipro, destroying our cities. And two major cities would be at risk – cities that, incidentally, generate a significant share of our GDP.
So many people have died there… The morale of our army would certainly decline. There would undoubtedly be a rift in society. The army – which would surely not support such steps – on one side, and society on the other. And division within society is precisely what Putin is aiming for.
Moreover, there are currently 200,000 people living in the territories of Donbas that we are defending. Withdrawal does not mean preserving anything. You leave, and without any guarantees, you risk losing everything. And that is a major risk.
From an interview with Rai Radio 1 (2/3).
Question: Don’t you see Venezuela as a success?
Christie: No. The fact that you have the vice president running Venezuela, a woman who participated in the very same acts Maduro did, that is a great success?
Q: Better than expected
Christie: We have the exact same regime in place except for Maduro. This is Trump's problem because he thinks a man is the problem. It very rarely is just one person
Today, President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush welcomed Ukrainian First Lady Mrs. Olena @ZelenskaUA to the Bush Center.
“We admire your country’s bravery and ingenuity,” said President George W. Bush. “We want the people of Ukraine to know that we continue to stand with America’s ally, Ukraine. You are fighting for freedom, and I believe you will prevail.”
Ukraine’s defense against an unprovoked full-scale invasion from Vladimir Putin has now entered its fifth year. Vladimir Putin is responsible for the gravest security crisis on the European continent since World War II. The Bush Institute continues to believe that now is the time to stop him – and to do so, the U.S. must continue its support of Ukraine.
The Ayatollah was taken out on the first day.
His son, who replaced him, is in a coma in Moscow.
The son’s stand in was eliminated this morning.
But apparently we’re supposed to believe that Iran is winning.
Admitting that you were texting with Iran while you were lobbying the president in the White House against fighting Iran, and expecting to be seen as the victim…might be the new definition of insanity.
Valiant Heroes of the Immortal Guard,
I salute you for your courage and your sacrifice. In the past three months, thousands of you, in small but effective cells throughout Iran, have created brilliant displays of valor. What you have done will be told for centuries. The Iranian nation will never forget your sacrifice and the price you paid for the liberation of the homeland, above all on the 8th and 9th of January.
I told you that help was on the way. Now that help has arrived.
I call upon you, the bravest and most devoted sons and daughters of Iran, as the nation’s vanguard force, to further wear down and weaken the Islamic Republic’s repressive apparatus, now under heavy blows from the sky, in every way possible, in order to pave the way for its ultimate collapse.
Bear in mind that this is not a call for street demonstrations, it is a call to you, the Immortal Guard, to deliver intelligent and effective blows against the exhausted and worn-down oppressors, so that the path for the millions of the Iranian nation to flood the streets is further cleared.
At the same time, make preserving your own lives a priority, for your presence in the final battle, to protect the onrushing torrent of millions of Iranians claiming their freedom, is vital and indispensable.
You are of the lineage of Rostam and Kaveh, and your enemies are of the ilk of Zahhak. In this battle of good against evil, of light against darkness, you stand on the right side of history, and the hopes and prayers of a great nation see you on your way.
I eagerly await the day when I will stand beside you in the first liberated city of Iran, and together we will seal the final victory.
Long live Iran,
Reza Pahlavi