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Theme: Bigger and bigger lies

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130 Comments

  1. 1:18:05 Story: Australia’s Pulse on Covid
    What’s even more interesting than the fact that 45% of the people had NO shot, was that only 1% got ONE shot. Very interesting. This is the first data I’ve ever seen on ONE shot anywhere.

  4. Catherine and John,

    To your point about weapons sent to Ukraine winding up in Europe, see this point made in a Rand Corp. report from 2019 entitled “Extending Russia” (pg 129 in the pdf here https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR3063.html):

    “There is also some risk of weapons supplied to the Ukrainians
    winding up in the wrong hands. A RAND study conducted for the
    President of Ukraine found reasons for concern about the potential
    misuse of Western military aid. While Ukraine has been tarred by
    Russian propaganda claims that it mishandled Western military aid,
    the RAND team also found that “Ukraine’s paper systems for tracking
    equipment are outdated and vulnerable to corruption.” Moreover, the
    RAND team also expressed concern that, absent reforms to Ukraine’s
    defense industry, Western military equipment might be reverse-
    engineered and enter the international market in competition with
    U.S. suppliers. Ultimately, the team concluded, “The perception of
    misuse or corruption, whatever the reality, is sufficient to deter donors
    that might otherwise provide free equipment or supplies, and to make
    U.S. or other officials concerned that Ukraine cannot be trusted with
    high-tech systems.”…’

    They were well aware this “lethal aid” would leak out of the Ukraine. My question is this: How do the kickbacks work, nuts-and-bolts wise? Are they smuggling weapons out of Ukraine? This takes organization and structure. To the Devil’s advocate, this seems like too much exposure.

    There is no doubt to whether or not the kickback system exists, and it appears to be tied to these weapons contracts, but it eludes me how they could set this up. Sort of like dealing drugs out of a large franchise store…

    Thank you

    1. Jack, from my understanding the Ukrainian military was notorious in selling off military hardware during the collapse of Soviet Union. That is only anecdotal. But one famous example is the sale of the aircraft carrier to China in 2011:

      https://www.rferl.org/a/ukrainian_experts_say_kiev_correct_in_selling_carrier_to_china/24293430.html

      I am guessing this made news because, well, it is not really possible to hide the sale of an aircraft carrier. I bet there are other instances which never saw the light of day. So there is precedent for this type of business.

      As to the nuts-and-bolts, I don’t presume to know, but this book lays out a potential way quite nicely:

      https://www.amazon.com/Red-Mafiya-Russian-Invaded-America/dp/0316294748

      You can read the review from Publisher’s Weekly to get an idea.

      But I imagine folks with three passports and residences in New York City, Tel Aviv and Kiev would have a better idea on the nuts-and-bolts.

    2. Hello Jack, who says that the arms are going to Europe only? Or that they ever entered Ukraine in the first place? Not much going on in Europe, maybe in Kosovo, but that’s small country, so it makes no sense. Maybe they were derouted on the way from any NATO country, at least partialy?
      An example of DR Congo as obvious war torn country very rich in minerals and exploited for decades – below you can see my previous comment with info from locals.
      If you read these links regarding a case that was exposed during last few years, you will see how the mechanism works with kickbacks – its really international, very Mr Global kind of thing:
      https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/13275/Bank_officials_%27expose_money-laundering_network

      https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/corruption-and-money-laundering/undermining-sanctions/

      Also keep in mind that different rebel groups want to get hold of mineral rich areas. Rwanda and Uganda want the same thing and also do it thru rebels. Mind you, Rwanda is one of the biggest exporters of cobbalt and coltan, even though they don’t really have these mines – minerals are taken and smuggled over the border from DRC and processed. Hence many “artisanal” mines with children working.
      I hope this helps to get a picture on one real example.
      All the best

  5. Can anyone here give me their opinion on Jim Rickards, if you have heard of him?
    Positive or negative.

    1. If somebody would know what markets will do they could make as much money as they want. No need to sell predictions. If somebody gives me the chart for next week, I can retire.
      Jim has some good and some bad stock picks; like everybody. You will still have to think for yourself. Stock market is more and more like a casino. It only matters which stock the house is betting on.

  6. New subscriber here, and Money & Markets alone is well worth the subscription price! I truly appreciate the quick walk through so many current important news topics, and the relevance for us all. Thank you for this feature on Solari!

  7. I LOLed at Titus’s Butterbean wrestling reference. Great presentation as always, so many thanks to you both!

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