Just a Thought

This thought below is my {Diane Sori) thought alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.or google.com

   

[[[ With Iran and Oman reportedly near to making their own deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz with both countries collecting “service fees,” and with the Saudi's seemingly now part of the alliance referred to as “STEP”... as in Saudi Arabia, (Israel hating) Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan,,,we are being made fools of as Saudi Arabia, was one of those this past weekend who told Trump NOT to keep bombing Iran. 

 

We are going to lose this war if Trump doesn't put on his big boy pants and STOP with the on again, off again bombing threats and does what needs to be done...or at the very least stop telling Israel 'NO.' ]]]

 

Copyright @ 2026 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All Rights Reserved.   

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...Podcast 

Here's the podcast of last nights LIVE radio broadcast where Right Side Patriots Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discussed 'Truths Untold...A Reality Check'; 'Bombs, Boots or Booth'; Wednesday's Artemis moon launch; Trump's latest threat to Iran; new alliance signals growing threat to American power in the Middle East; and the latest on the partial government shutdown. Listen to it on https://rspradio1.podbean.com or on our Right Side Patriots website at https://rspradio1.com/?page_id=39 

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE! 

Today, Tuesday, March 31st from 7 to 8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'Truths Untold...A Reality Check'; 'Bombs, Boots or Booth'; Trump's latest threat to Iran; new alliance signals growing threat to American power in the Middle East; and the latest on the partial government shutdown. Tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE.'

Op-ed:

The Doomsday Clock Ticks Loudly

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / Right Side Patriots / Right Side Patriots Radio

The article posted here is the authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google

...So how do we sever, if you will, what seems to be a still growing and dangerous Russia/China love fest or what President Trump has rightfully said is “Russia and China uniting.” Simply, the three “superpower” nations must, for the sake of the world, put their internal politics and personal hatreds aside and start looking at the much larger global picture, for the fact remains, whether for better or worse, that we are indeed all in this together.

Besides, with the U.S., Russia, and China forming what would then be known as the “superpower alliance”...said “alliance” could become if not the key catalyst for lasting peace per se, at least it could be the touch off point that leads to some semblance of global “stability”...including “stability” of the economic kind. And with said “stability” in place we would see world economics actually starting to right itself on its own, thus helping to end what many still see as the “inequities” between rich and poor nations, the very thing that at times tends to be one of the main reasons for war...Read entire article here.

Op-ed:

The Doomsday Clock Ticks Loudly

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / Right Side Patriots / Right Side Patriots Radio

The article posted here is the authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google.

 

“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”

 - J. Robert Oppenheimer's words spoken as he witnessed the first detonation of a nuclear weapon on July 16, 1945.*

Over the past few months I've briefly mentioned in some op-eds and on Craig Andresen and my “Right Side Patriots Radio” show about how the world's top three “superpowers”...the United States, Russia, and China... need to join together to help in calming down the still escalating tensions that have become the mainstay of today's international political discourse, especially in regards to Iran and its widely dispersed, terrorist driven, proxy armies. And why is such an alliance needed now more then ever before...because without it, it's only a matter of time before any given nation or rouge operatives in possession of nuclear weapons decides to take matters into their own hands.

Simply, a resetting of the “Doomsday Clock” needs to happen post haste for there are way too many “bad actors”...most especially the mullahs in Iran...still calling the ever volatile “geopolitical” shots. How so? For starters it's important to remember that while the United States is the world’s most powerful nation with the most advanced overall military capabilities to date, Putin's Russia is right behind in the number two position, and what some don't know is that they actually possess more nuclear weapons than we do...as in 5,580 armed nuclear missiles with 1,710 of them being deployed, to our 5,044 and 1,670 nukes respectively. And while this leaves China behind in third place not to be forgotten is that China has the largest numbers manpower wise...as in two million active duty military personnel...in addition to their having 500 armed nukes with 24 of them being deployed, plus the fact that they do have the world's largest economy no matter that we have a higher per capital GDP. And when the economic factors are melded into China's still formidable military capabilities, one can see why we three nations must learn to work together before the “doomsday clock” hits zero.

And so with Russia’s increasing dependence on Chinese imports, their respective leaders are getting a wee bit too close for our comfort as what can become a “locked in stone” economic and military alliance between these two nations could well propel that alliance...what some are calling an “axis of power”...into a jointly held number one “superpower” position. Not good folks, not good at all nor is the fact that with the numbers I just stated, leads one to wonder why did we...as in the world leaders...allow the proliferation of nuclear weapons to reach the numbers that it did for the reality is that those numbers dictate that we are no longer talking just about a possible nuclear war between a few nations, but about the total destruction of planet Earth, our collective home.

So how do we sever, if you will, what seems to be a still growing and dangerous Russia/China love fest or what President Trump has rightfully said is “Russia and China uniting.” Simply, the three “superpower” nations must, for the sake of the world, put their internal politics and personal hatreds aside and start looking at the much larger global picture, for the fact remains, whether for better or worse, that we are indeed all in this together.

Besides, with the U.S., Russia, and China forming what would then be known as the “superpower alliance”...said “alliance” could become if not the key catalyst for lasting peace per se, at least it could be the touch off point that leads to some semblance of global “stability”...including “stability” of the economic kind. And with said “stability” in place we would see world economics actually starting to right itself on its own, thus helping to end what many still see as the “inequities” between rich and poor nations, the very thing that at times tends to be one of the main reasons for war.

And here let me state that I am not looking at the situation we're all facing through rose colored glasses, but through the tangible reality that encompasses both common sense and logic, for the fact is that if we stay the course that we're now on it will be too late to reset the always ticking “doomsday clock.”

"The time has come now, when man must give up war. It is no longer rational to solve international problems by resorting to war." - so said Albert Einstein shortly after the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.

So knowing this, the all important question now becomes, how do we get the United States, Russia, and China to put aside their differences and talk of war, and actually form the aforementioned “superpower alliance?”

First, I would think that above all else we must be willing to accept the similarities between our three nations as being more important than are our political and ideological differences. And what are some of said similarities? To start with, we, Russia, and China want to expand our international influence along with our trade options while at the same time hoping to increase communication and much needed transparency between our nations through the art of diplomacy.

Second, the governments of our respective nations must openly acknowledge that war itself, even for the victor can, at times, come with a caveat...a caveat that actually negates ones victory by turning what was physical success into unsustainable, costly, and long term economic dependency for both sides.

Third, while the U.S., Russia, and China also want to generate economic growth and prosperity at home, President Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping must know that securing economic growth alone is not necessarily the only conduit for peace because war itself tends to be the number one drainer of what was a given country's economic success.

Fourth, the “superpowers” must understand that any sanctions imposed are but one side's short term fix that unfortunately helps to mask the real problem(s) at hand.

Fifth, and lastly, while we know that for some nations western style democracy...as we deem said democracy to be...is not now nor will it ever be the “one size fits all solution” to their given country's problems for certain core ideologies and beliefs have been ingrained too deeply within that country's societal and governing norms to suddenly be replaced by concepts as foreign to them as their concepts are to us. But that does not mean we cannot accept those differences...minus the inclusion or acceptance of physical violence of course...while the “superpower alliance” moves forward in its “stabilization” endeavors to eventually help secure a lasting peace.

In other words, with what would be the combined power of the United States, Russia, and China working together as one cohesive unit the chance for peace and “stability” increases ten fold for few nations would be willing to take on such a triad of power...few nations except for Iran that is. But why would Iran do so...simply because the world's largest sponsor of terrorism believes they are fighting a “Holy War” against not only the West but against all non believers. Remember, uncontrolled religious fervor of any kind is seen by its followers as both a justification for war and for unbridled violence, thus making “Holy Wars” particularly dangerous, destructive, and hard to squelch. And this is the type of war Iran's mullahs are fighting...this is the war the“superpower alliance” would be fighting against whether at this point in time they would be willing to admit it or not.

 

“The greatest threat facing humanity is a radical Islamist regime meeting up with nuclear weapons.” - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's words of truth first spoken on July 11, 2010.

 

And so here it's important to remember that while Russia and Iran have currently solidified their military and their political ties to some degree, there are caveats attached to those ties. First, Putin's primary reason for catering to the mullahs revolved around Russia's flaying economy, and its desperate need for Iranian oil. And second, it was because Putin was desperate to find any means by which to circumvent the imposed Western sanctions. But, if you were to take away Russia's need to depend on Iran for its oil...say with the U.S. selling Russia oil at a much lower price than Iran ever could while also lifting some of the sanctions...with our selling oil to Russia actually becoming the first step...then Russia having ties to Iran would actually become a political liability to them, Why so...because any country having ties to the world's leading sponsor of terrorism is seen as a willing obstacle to peace.

Simply, it not only makes economic sense for Russia to be part of the “superpower alliance,” but it makes sense logistically as well. How so...because Russia...because Vladimir Putin...knows well that a nuclear armed Iran would not only change the delicate balance of power and influence in the Middle East, but would see Russia's already huge investment...militarily and monetarily wise...in the area basically being either neutralized, negated, or replaced.

And as for China, who in their eyes sill considers itself to be “non-interventionist in nature,” they would benefit from such an “alliance” because with their current economy actually thriving on dealing with countries in conflict, their being in said “alliance” would actually not cause injury to China's own interests, but would actually see their own economy growing even stronger than it would by either standing alone or with a nuclear armed and ever so dangerous Iran. After all, self preservation does trump both world opinion and misplaced political ideologies.

And here it's important to know that war itself, sadly, is part of human nature...man's history itself proves that to be true...but there is a difference between a war and possible total nuclear annihilation. And so, at this point in time, we do need to take a step back and start focusing on our aforementioned similarities and common grounds, and less on our differences and what are usually indoctrinated hatreds.

So the only way to speed that process up, in my opinion, is for a “superpower alliance” to remove from the world discourse those whose mission is to perpetrate hate and violence as the means to their personally decided end. Countries like Iran, from which most of the hate and violence in today's world originates from, must either institute a change in leadership on their own or face the consequences of nations united together who will do it for them. And while nuclear weapons are not needed to do so, the threat of using them is. And that alone should wake up those still slumbering in their own brand of “nuclear winter” delusions.

Always remember, the words of Albert Einstein who wisely stated that, “I don't know how World War III will be fought, but I can tell you what they will fight the fourth World War with — sticks and stones.”...that is if anyone is left alive to throw them. Case closed.

Copyright © 2025 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All rights reserved.

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For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article, Liberals Say the Dumbest Things.

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RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!                                           

Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 15th from 7pm to 8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'The Doomsday Clock Ticks Loudly'; 'Liberals Say the Dumbest Things'; and important news of the day. Hope you can tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE' starting at 6:50pm EST, show begins at 7pm EST.

Op-ed:

Turning The Economic Page On War

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / Right Side Patriots / Right Side Patriots Radio 

The Op-ed posted here is this authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google. 

On January 20, 2025...the same day he took office... President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order stating that all foreign aid programs that depend on the U.S. for funding will need to “temporarily halt” their operations for 90 days...the only exceptions being aid to Israel and Egypt, as well as emergency food aid. And to that Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a waiver also exempting “life-saving humanitarian assistance.” 

In other words, the economic dynamics of us giving monetary and/or military aid to foreign countries and their accepting said U.S. aid...except in certain aforementioned instances... will become secondary to Trump's “America and Americans First” policies and rightly so.

And to that effect, Trump has stated many times that he knows how and why to end Putin's war with Ukraine, which I truly hope he does for even Ukraine's President Volodymir Zelenskyy seems to think that the war will likely end in 2025 not long after Trump assumes office. And while many experts seem to agree that the only way to end this war is for Trump to deal directly with Vladimir Putin...which I do agree with...I believe the best way to do so is more on an economic level than trying to up the military game. And while that, for the most part, leaves Zelenskyy to be but an observer both before and after the fact, that might not be such a bad idea what with all the seemingly “blank checks“ Joe Biden had been sending him, and yet even now he still asks for more...more monies and more equipment to fight a war he most likely cannot militarily win.

Now please understand that we all know Zelenskyy did not want nor start this war...Putin did...or to be more precise this newest conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been brewing since Obama was president. Remember, Obama defended Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea...an annexation done after Putin held a “phony election” citing Russian “nationalism“ as his reason for doing so. And while Obama and our allies placed economic sanctions against Russia for this deemed hostile takeover, these sanctions failed to weaken Putin nor prevent any further Russian incursions into Ukraine. 

So why did sanctions fail...Because at that time neither Obama nor our allies provided Ukraine with any direct support...neither monetary or equipment support... to help in their fight against Russian aggression nor did Obama object to Russia's annexation. Simply, to Obama no “red lines” were crossed as no official “red lines” had yet been drawn.

So we were left in a standoff of sorts what with Joe Biden having no direct “one-on-one” talks with Vladimir Putin, thus leaving the war and our seemingly open-ended Ukraine pocketbook to basically accomplish nothing in helping to end this monetarily draining war. Direct talks between now President Trump and Vladimir Putin is what's needed...which Putin has agreed to in principal...but while talks themselves are always a good thing, it's actions that are what's needed for when all on the surface is pushed aside there's more to this war than it being just a war between Russia and Ukraine, and between Putin and Zelinskyy. How so...because this war is also about garnering both “political gains” not only for Russia and Ukraine, but for the U.S. as well as we cannot economically continue to help keep this what is a foreign war going. And why...because thanks to the ineptitude of the Obama/Biden puppet administration not only has the Russia/Ukraine war been dollars cents wise expensive for us, but we as a nation lost a great deal of respect on the world stage...the very thing Trump intends to get back.

So what do I believe should be in Trump's playbook as to how to end this war? First, one must understand that few wars are fought in the name of one country alone as both sides have allies, sympathizers, and enemies within who play a part in the very nature of war itself. Remember, no country can successfully fight alone and win a lasting, unshakable peace. And second, while the Russia/Ukraine war is seemingly between just these two nations, there is a shadow hovering over every rocket launched, every mortar being fired, and every dollar being spent...a shadow in that economics is the main driving force that plays a huge part in any given war fought.

How so...because a nation's economic policies can directly influence and be the motivation and catalyst for war itself, as well as being the determining factor in how long any given war can be fought. Simply, war not only disrupts one nation's economy but disrupts their enemy's economy as well, meaning economics can be the very factor that helps bring war to a successful end...successful for both sides that is. And with the Russia/Ukraine war being a perfect example, it becomes imperative for both sides to understand who really has the most to lose and who has the most to gain from this war continuing on, while helping to expose the instigator's shadow while rebuilding one's nation's economy at the same time.

And to that effect it's quite apparent that not only has said shadow been hiding in plain sight all along, but that said shadow is the one who will, in the end, be the winner in the Russia/Ukraine war unless Trump does have a solid, tangible, workable, and acceptable solution for both “face saving,” and for lasting peace. And know peace is hard to come by when the nations at war with each other are the very two nations whose shared heritage now cancels out common sense.

And while I have no idea what Trump's solution might be...probably nor does anyone else except maybe his “inner circle”...here's what I believe Trump should propose as a means by which to secure lasting peace not only for Ukraine and Russia's sake, but for our and the world's sake as well. Take it for what you will, but I believe that sometimes “thinking outside the box” is not only the right way to go, but the only way to go.

But before I get into specifics, remember how I stated earlier that economics plays a key role in almost every war fought, well it certainly does with the Russia/Ukraine war. How so...because with Russia and China still dependent on Iran for oil, not only does Iran now have “skin in the game,” but they could actually become the ultimate winner in this war if Russia is deemed the victor. Again how so...because without Iranian oil to fuel both their war machine and their nation's unsteady economy, Russia would have a hard time finding the monies needed to continue to wage war. Also, know that on January 18, 2024 Iran’s “Supreme Leader” Ali Khamenei, gave his “official approval” to a new 20-year “comprehensive cooperation deal” between Iran and what is communist Russia...a deal Putin happily signed...a deal for both Iranian oil and natural gas coupled with a deal on mutual defense.

And said deal also encompassed energy, additional military cooperation (including joint military research, weapons production, and military support of Iran), plus trade agreements, as well as Russia supporting a land passage across Syria linking Iran to the Mediterranean Sea. Not good folks, not good at all for this is a deal Putin willingly made with the world's number one sponsor of terrorism no matter his knowing that deals made with Iran sometimes come with unexpected consequences And making it worse is that Putin did so at the expense of Russia's domestic economy and the Russian people themselves, for Russia's economy is not nearly as strong as it once was.

What Putin has done is sell out Russia's economy for oil, as oil is the key commodity needed to help keep Russia's war machine up and running. But even more critical is the fact that this deal gives Iran an “in” that might change the political landscape of the Middle East, and also key parts of Europe as well. How so...because Iran, courtesy of Russia, now sees its military reach being extended which could well allow them to start making political demands of countries that were protected by America's military umbrella. So while Putin deems this deal as an economic, military, and political gain for the Russian home front, Russia's war with Ukraine will continue on as long as Iran continues to flex its oil-based muscle...that is unless Trump can deliver on his promise to end this war in “one day.”

But why exactly is ending “their war” so critical to us...because Putin's deal with Iran is not unlike China's deal with Iran...a deal which in the end could possibly see China and Russia controlling both the gas and oil reserves of Iran and Iraq, which could allow them to gain predominance and control in the all-important Gulf region. And whether some believe it or not this would leave us, Israel, and the world at large in a not very good place.

Now as for what I believe Trump should do...not just to end this one war but to help stabilize the entirety of the Gulf region both militarily and economically...is for him to sit down with the leaders of Russia and China, and work together to form a three member alliance against Iran for Putin and Xi know well that Iran could turn on their two communist nations as fast as they were welcomed into Iran's fold. Remember, the terrorists that are the mainstay of Iran's government aren't communists per se, for they have no loyalty to neither the Communist manifesto nor its ideologies for Iran's loyalty is to allah...to islam's tenets, dogma, and doctrines...to ultimate power and control. Simply, what the mullahs hope to achieve is the elimination of any and all...especially Israel and the U.S...who do not bow to allah or do their own self-serving bidding, leaving deals make with Russia and China tenuous and conditional at best.

And with economics usually being the root cause of most of the strife within and between nations, the key to just about any solution becomes finding shared economic commonalities...commonalities which can become a jump off point for peace. Why so...because war itself usually does not exist when economic success is shared amongst nations within any given alliance.

So here let's first discuss Russia and Vladimir Putin. While it might seem that Putin is in the pocket of the mullahs...especially since Russia desperately needs their oil to fuel both its Ukraine war and its Middle East interests...there remains key differences in ideologies between these two nations which could become leverage for Trump to use to drive a wedge between Putin and the mullahs...between Russia and Iran.

So, what are those leverages and how can Trump use them?

We know that Russia and Iran remain strategic allies in Syria and Iraq, but their religious ideologies differ greatly as the majority of Russians are Orthodox Christians, with Iranians being mostly Shiite Muslims...Christianity v. islam again coming into play with Russia being a secular albeit dictatorial government vs. a terrorist driven theocratic government whose leaders, in the name of allah, are willing to die and take the world down with them. And while Russia and Iran continue trying to counter U.S. Middle East interests by stressing the so-called “depravity of the West,” the mullahs aren't happy that Putin not only recognizes Israel's independence but her right to exist; and that Russia has an embassy in Tel Aviv and a “consulate general” in Haifa; while Israel has a “foreign mission” in Moscow. And that's in addition to Putin and Netanyahu sharing a “friendly” relationship, along with Israel and Russia having trade agreements in place...agreements benefiting both countries...agreements now extending into other economic, medical, and research sectors as well.

Trump can use this, to his advantage, by first reminding Putin that while Russia needs oil, Iranian oil comes at a steep price along with a serious price of conscience what with Putin having become subservient to Iran's demands in many Russian minds. Simply, “Mother Russia” is down on bended knee sadly doing the bidding of barbarians something not sitting well with a growing number of those unhappy with Putin's iron-fist rule. Second, Trump needs to assure Putin that by cutting ties to Iran we will sell him his needed oil at a much lower price. And third, Trump must highlight Putin's relationship with Israel and how it serves his and Russian economic interests better than the interests of Iran will ever do. And here is where Trump can play into Putin's not so veiled capitalistic nature for not only does money talk, but an alliance between Trump and Putin...between the U.S. and Russia...would equate to renewed economic success for “Mother Russia.”

Now as for China's relationship with Iran, Xi Jinping does know well that China's strong economy comes courtesy of our country not Iran; that it's America's middle class who are the biggest buyers of their goods;* and that China has much to lose if their relationship with Iran gets a bit too close for our comfort. In fact, Trump holds an economic “race card” if you will for if he decides to sever or cut back our economic ties with China, there's a likely possibly that China's economy would, if not collapse, at least be seriously compromised.

Remember, China as the world's largest exporter of goods sees their production and export levels influencing not only so-called “global trade flows,” but the actual prices and availability of goods, which when flowing at peak level attracts all-important foreign investment. And it's foreign investment that aids in China's overall economic development and growth which translates into the equation that a strong Chinese economy equals both a strong international standing and a growing geopolitical influence on the world stage. 

And with the U.S. being China's largest trading partner, losing that standing, courtesy of a swipe of Trump's pen, would leave China's economy in serious trouble which no amount of trade with Iran or Russia would help to negate.

But the bottom line remains that to turn the economic driven page on war requires new economic alliances being forged especially in these troubling times. Remember, when a nation's economy is strong they can say no to war...when a nation's economy is weak war tends to be the only factor left to help drive their failing economy as war itself always seems to translate into big business. Trump must keep his promise to help end this war between Russia and Ukraine if for no other reason than to show the world that we are closing the pocketbook on this war, which in turn can hopefully lead other nations to turn that page as well for a nations monies are always better spent in garnering the own economic success. Case closed.

_________________________________________________________

*As per China's export database, total exports from China stood at U.S.$ 3.73 trillion in 2023-24. Also, according to Chinese customs data, total imports into China stood at U.S.$ 2.16 trillion in 2023-24.

Copyright © 2025 / Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All rights reserved. 

 

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For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article, DOGE Like The Wind.

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RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!                                           

Tomorrow, Tuesday, January 14th from 7pm to 8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'Turning The Economic Page On War' 'DOGE Like The Wind'; and important news of the day. Hope you can tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE' starting at 6:50pm EST, show begins at 7pm EST.