Tag: II

  • Department Of War?

    Department Of War?

    Authored by Ron Paul via the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity,

    Last week President Trump took steps to re-name the Department of Defense the “Department of War.”

    The President explained his rationale for the name change:

    “It used to be called the Department of War and it had a stronger sound. We want defense, but we want offense too … As Department of War we won everything…and I think we…have to go back to that.”

    At first it sounds like a terrible idea.

    A “Department of War” may well make war more likely – the “stronger sound” may embolden the US government to take us into even more wars. There would no longer be any need for the pretext that we take the nation to war to defend this country and its interests – and only as a last resort.

    As Clinton Administration official Madeleine Albright famously asked of Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell when she was pushing for US war in the Balkans, “What’s the point of having this superb military that you’re always talking about if we can’t use it?”

    So yes, that is a real danger. But at the same time, the US has been at war nearly constantly since the end of World War II, so it’s not like the “Defense Department” has been in any way a defensive department.

    With that in mind, returning the Department of Defense to the Department of War, which is how it started, may not be such a bad idea after all – as long as we can be honest about the rest of the terms around our warmaking.

    If we return to a “War Department,” then we should also return to the Constitutional requirement that any military activity engaged in by that department short of defending against an imminent attack on the US requires a Congressional declaration of war. That was the practice followed when it was called the War Department and we should return to it.

    Dropping the notion that we have a “Defense Department” would free us from the charade that our massive military spending budget was anything but a war budget.

    No more “defense appropriations” bills in Congress. Let’s call them “war appropriations” bills. Let the American people understand what so much of their hard-earned money is being taken to support. It’s not “defense.” It’s “war.” And none of it has benefitted the American people.

    Trump misunderstands one very important thing in his stated desire to return to a “War Department,” however. A tougher sounding name did not win the wars. Before the name change, which happened after the infamous National Security Act of 1947 that created the CIA and the permanent national security state, we won wars because for the most part we followed the Constitution and had a Congressional declaration of war.

    That way the war had a beginning and end and a clear set of goals. Since World War II the United States has not declared war even though it has been in a continuous state of war. It is no coincidence that none of these “wars” have been won. From 1950 Korea to 2025 Yemen and everything in between.

    So go ahead and change it back to the “Department of War.” But let’s also stop pretending that maintaining the global US military empire is “defense.” It’s not.

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  • Trump-Putin Talks Raise Key Question: Is Russia Challenging US Sovereignty Over Alaska?

    Putin’s Skeptical Stance on Alaska: A New Twist in the US‑Russia Friendship

    Why the talk of Alaska’s ancient “sale” is finally grabbed by real‑world politics

    When world leaders head to Juneau for a friendly pow‑wow, the news tickers and comment stacks are already buzzing.
    Rumors are floating that President Vladimir Putin, the man who practically wrote a book on “why the West overpossible‑claims our heritage”, might be calling the 1867 transfer of Alaska a “historical fabrication”.
    Seems the dusty annexation of a peninsula is getting a fresh look‑over in the age of social media.

    How it all started

    Back in the 19th‑century era, when “sell” meant dollar‑stuff and the Russians were still holding onto their North‑American fishing rights, a deal surfaced.
    The United States paid $7.2 million for that vast, snowy land‑ticket, and the U.S. name tag switched from “Russian America” to “Alaska”.
    Fast forward to 2025 – a tiny peninsula that’s become the birthplace of the last wolf on the planet obviously keeps a mysterious allure.

    Key reasons the spark smolders again

    • Political theatrics. The Kremlin loves to throw a witty litany over foreign policy questions, so suddenly the sale has been reexamined.
    • National pride. Every country’s leaders love to fish for images that stir patriotic feelings – “We lost our rightful land!” cries the Russian press.
    • Diplomatic cool‑no. By pointing out a silly 19th‑century sale, the Russian side hopes to show they’re not backing down in their own narrative about sovereignty.

    What’s next for the trans‑polar simmer

    Westward leaders will now face the delightful taste of wet‑n‑dry diplomacy – including a briefing about a land that’s already on the map.
    Expect a light-hearted debate in Juneau’s winter – because “Alaska’s history ain’t a simple present‑person.”
    Meanwhile, social media stars can still add some meme‑fuel into the mix, just in case the leaders need a laugh over the old manuscript.

    Conclusion – Still Yukon‑tail or taking on Captain America?

    Hints of hypocrisy could be plain old politics, or maybe it’s a new form of friendly sarcasm that will keep the press hungry for more.
    Either way, the next sleepy day in Juneau might become one of the most entertaining episodes of 2025 – and yes, we’ll keep a cold mug of soda close because the conversation might get hot.

    Big Deal in the Last Frontier: Trump Meets Putin in Anchorage

    Picture this: The U.S. president and the Russian boss sit side‑by‑side in a cozy Alaskan army base while the world watches these two big‑shots swap stories about the Ukraine war.

    Why Anchorage? Because distance matters.

    • Alaska sits a hair’s breadth from Russia – just 90 kilometres across the Bering Strait.
    • Little Diomede, Alaska, is less than 4 km away from Big Diomede in Russia.
    • It lets Mr. Putin dodge Western radar and, dare we say, avoid the ICC’s question mark over the flight route.

    More than a Practical Choice
    — It’s a Historical Throwback

    Alaska used to be a full‑blown Russian colony. Back in 1867, Tsar Alexander II turned Alaska over to the U.S. for $7.2 million – a payment to quell those pesky debts from the Crimean War.

    For the Kremlin, the state of Alaska was never the gold‑mine of its empire. Still, the location gives the meeting a dash of “once‑Russia, now‑USA” romance that feels like a passport to the great outdoors.

    Thoughts on the Meeting

    Logistics: The base cuts down travel hassle and keeps the flight out of Western airspace.

    Cultural Nod: Anchorage straddles a point where Russia and America once shared a border, lending the talks a bit of historic flavor.

    Side‑by‑Side: Well, we just can’t brainstorm about war from a more scenic spot than a rugged, snow‑bitten Alaskan outpost.

    That’s the scoop. The world might just be expecting common ground – or at the very least, a better coffee than what they’d find in a Moscow office on a cold day.

    With this check, the United States completed the purchase of almost 600,000 square miles of land from the Russian Government.

    From Moscow to Anchorage: Alaska’s Epic Journey

    Picture this: the United States snagged almost 600,000 square miles of land from Russia, finally sealing the deal that turned a giant box of wilderness into a full‑blown state. It’s a little-known but awe‑inspiring chapter that almost feels like a fairy‑tale conquest (without the dragons, of course).

    Why This Move Matters

    • Massive Territory: About 600,000 sq. mi. – that’s more land than the entire continental U.S. combined.
    • Alaska becomes the largest state in the country, flanked by Canada on the north and the Pacific Ocean on the south.
    • From 1930s negotiations to a formal 1949 admission, the timeline is a real saga.

    1949: Alaska Becomes the 49th Powerhouse

    When Alaska officially joined the Union in 1949, its “nowhere” landscapes suddenly got a seat at the American table. The state’s population then was a neat 700,000 people, a fraction of what you’d find in Seattle, yet its geographic impact is colossal.

    Key Highlights of Alaska’s Statehood

    • Adopted its own flag and an unofficial anthem that boasts bright blue skies.
    • Found the first U.S. capital on a peninsula that isn’t a straight line but a mermaid’s tail.
    • Introduced the world to North‑pole science after more than 200 years of scientific curiosity.

    The Political Twist: Putin’s First Anchorage Visit

    Rumor has it that Vladimir Putin will be the first Russian head of state to stroll the streets of Anchorage. It’s going to feel like a giant “Hello Russia!”–made‑in‑Alaska handshake, complete with a hug from a fisherman and a sled pull.

    Imagine the power couple: one giant Russian leader, one gigantic state, both showing off a massive footprint across the globe. It’s a scenario that even the coolest geopolitics blogs are buzzing about.

    Closing Thoughts

    From a sprawling pact with Russia to a state as huge as a continent, Alaska’s history is a tale of bold moves and grand scales. And with Putin’s upcoming visit, it’s clear this state isn’t just a cold, isolated corner of the world—it’s a living, breathing piece of geopolitical pride. What’s next? Perhaps Anchorage becomes the next big hotspot for international scent‑scented souvenir stamps, who knows?

    Choice of venue re-ignites imperialist narratives

    Alaska’s Whimsical Russian Dream (And Why It’s Just A Good‑Old Tale)

    Why the Kremlin’s Personalities Keep Mentioning “Russian Alaska”

    Recently, the Anchorage summit sparked a wave of headlines claiming that Alaska was once “historical” Russian territory—neither new nor unprecedented, but oddly catchy. Here’s a rundown of the Kremlin’s most colorful supporters:

    • Olga Skabeyeva – Russian TV’s own “propaganda queen” who, last year, casually called Alaska “our Alaska.”
    • Dmitry Medvedev – Deputy chair of the Russian Security Council, who cheekily posted on social media that escalating into a war over the state is “one possible outcome.”
    • Kirill Dmitriev – Kremlin’s top negotiator & head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund. He described Alaska as a “Russian American” and hinted the summit could actually improve ties with Washington in the Arctic (fancy, right?).

    How a 2022 Billboard Became a Hot Topic Again

    Fast‑forward to 2022: a billboard boldly declared “Alaska is ours.” The slogan stoked a wildfire of outrage among a handful of U.S. senators. The ad’s message resurfaced during the summit, adding fuel to the rumor mill.

    Is There Any Real Threat of Re‑claiming Alaska?

    In plain language, no. The idea that Moscow might one day annex Alaska is a relic of the past—a whimsical notion that occasionally pops up in political banter. While a few neophytes enjoy spinning the story, the reality is far from imminent.

    Bottom Line

    Alaska’s “Russian heritage” hype remains a good‑old nostalgia story, not a looming geopolitical crisis. The Kremlin’s chatter may make headlines and spark social media debates, but as far as actual territorial claims go, the U.S. keeps its own state well intact.

    No publicly available evidence Moscow has nullified 1867 sale of Alaska

    Alaska or Russia? The Great Mixed‑Up Controversy

    Remember the day President Trump got his geography wrong? It didn’t just stop at bragging about Alaska—he accidentally referred to it as “Russia.” This goofy mix‑up sparked a fresh wave of speculation that Moscow might be trying to reclaim its lost frosty corner of the world.

    What’s the Story?

    1. Trump’s Blunder – In a press briefing, the former POTUS declared he would voyage “to Russia” to meet Vladimir Putin, yet Alaska was clearly the back‑drop. The mix‑up made headlines and gave conspirators ammunition.
    2. Social Media Rumors – Users began claiming a 2022 Russian Supreme Court decision nullified the 1867 sale of Alaska to the United States. Eyeball checks, however, found no official court document supporting this.
    3. The 2024 Decree – Another claim surfaced that a new Russian decree expressly declared the 1867 Alaska sale illegal. The decree does exist, dated 18 January 2024, but it is solely about funding research on Russia’s historic overseas claims, and it doesn’t mention Alaska.

    So What’s the Reality?

    • There is no evidence that Moscow has the legal right to re‑claim Alaska.
    • The 2024 decree could represent only the Kremlin’s interest in reopening past disputes elsewhere; it’s not a direct call-out on the 1867 sale.
    • Politico fans (and other analysts) think the Kremlin is using the decree as a “packaging” effort—basically, a sneaky way to get Russia’s historic overseas assets under the spotlight again.
    Bottom Line: The Red Carpet Is Still for Alaska, Not Cold‑War Russia

    In the grand scheme, the claim that Moscow wants to stitch Alaska back into its quilt is a hot topic that ends up being more of an internet joke than a serious geopolitical move. Still, it’s a reminder that even the most trivial mix‑ups can spark global speculation—so check your facts before you start making grand claims!