Freed American hostage Marc Fogel lands in US after years in Russian captivity
'MARC FOGEL IS BACK!!! PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT!!!' the White House said
Landon Mion / FOX NEWS
Marc Fogel, an American who had been detained in Russia since 2021, landed back in the U.S. on Tuesday.
Fogel,
a history teacher who was working at the Anglo-American School in
Moscow, returned to the U.S. after his release from Russia following
talks with the Trump administration.
He was serving a 14-year sentence after his arrest in August 2021 at a Russian airport for possession of drugs, which his family said was medically prescribed marijuana.
Fogel was seen in a picture posted by the White House on social media smiling and raising his fist while wrapped in an American flag as he walked off the plane on U.S. soil.
"MARC FOGEL IS BACK!!! PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT!!!" the White House wrote on X.
Making the Trump Tax Cuts Permanent? Some Senate Dems Say They'll Play Ball.
Matt Vespa / Townhall Tipsheet
The budget wars are about to begin. Yet, in January,
moderate Senate Democrats offered an olive branch as the Trump tax cuts
expired: they’d be willing to work with Republicans on tax cuts without
going through the reconciliation process. They promised they would
deliver enough votes to break filibusters (via Politico):
"A group of eleven moderate Senate Democrats say they want
to work with Republicans on addressing the GOP's expiring tax cuts and
raising the debt ceiling.
In a new letter to Republican leaders,
they say they are willing to cut spending, protect family-oriented tax
policies, have “competitive” rates on businesses — and that they can
provide enough votes to allow Republicans to overcome a filibuster in
the Senate without having to resort to so-called reconciliation. Read more here
Tom Homan Has a Clue Where the ICE Leaks Are Coming From...and It's Not Surprising Matt Vespa / Townhall Tipsheet
President Donald J. Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, has a leaker problem. It
reared its ugly head when Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in
Aurora, Colorado, were made public. It happened again over the weekend,
with The Los Angeles Times being tipped off on a massive ICE raid in the
city in the coming days and having sensitive documents to corroborate
the operation.
Leaks in government aren’t new, and they were pervasive under the
first Trump presidency. With the Left’s affinity for illegal
immigration, there was no doubt some self-righteous and unelected clown
was going to tip off the public. Homan says that in the search for the
leaker, some of the trails lead back to the FBI. The person who leaked
the Aurora operation has been identified.
"Well, look, we think it's coming from inside. We know the first leak
of Aurora is under current investigation. We think we identified that
person.
Dem Donor Alleges That Joe Biden Was Doped Up Before Campaign Events
Matt Vespa / Townhall Tipsheet
Former Democratic donor-tuned-MAGA supporter
Lindy Li dropped more details about Joe Biden and her former party’s
shenanigans during the 2024 election. Li has been eager to spill all the
things about the delusions that engulfed the Democrats, to the point
where some thought they could win Iowa. Over $2 billion was raised and
blown on Kamala Harris’ shambolic campaign for the White House. After
some expenditures were made public, some megadonors warned they’d never
write a check again.
Ms. Li said that after Joe Biden’s disastrous CNN debate that June, Hunter Biden commandeered the White House and sat in on sensitive meetings without a security clearance.
“That’s who was basically running the show. So, Hunter
basically batten down the hatches after the debate to make sure his
father would only receive intel he pre-approved,” she told Shawn Ryan. Read more and see video here.
Monday, February 10, 2025
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.comor 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 garneringboth “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 alikely 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 Chinesecustoms data, total imports into China stood at U.S.$ 2.16 trillion in 2023-24.
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.
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.
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Trump wants a deal for Ukraine’s natural resources as ‘payback’ in exchange for aid stopping Russia attack: envoy
Caitlin Doornbos / NEW YORK POST
The US won’t repeat the mistakes of the Iraq War by failing to secure valuable resources
from Ukraine in exchange for help ending Russia’s nearly three-year-old
invasion, President Trump’s special envoy to the conflict exclusively
told The Post.
“When you look at the mineral deposits in that country, we’re not
talking millions of dollars. We’re talking — virtually every region,
we’re talking about billions, and then some regions are [worth]
trillions,” retired Gen. Keith Kellogg said this week.
“You can come up with a deal, and that’s what [Trump] has the
Treasury looking at: ‘OK, how do you make a deal where aid is predicated
off of the payback [of] precious metals?'”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday signaled support for a reciprocal resource deal with the US in exchange for security guarantees as part of a potential peace settlement.
If
you missed last nights 'LIVE' broadcast where Craig Andresen and Diane
Sori discussed how DOGE is able to find government waste so fast; Trump EO unblocks critical project blocked by Biden; Democrats week gets worse as Russel Vought confirmed as OMB director; Marco Rubio heads back to the Middle East, and BREAKING NEWS regarding Trump's newest EO... listen to it directly on https://rspradio1.podbean.com/ ... or on our Right Side Patriots website at https://rspradio1.com ... go to podcasts.
