CDL Associates
@cdlassociates.bsky.social
Watching the Clash of Civilizations, the Fall of Russia and the U.S. Four decades of Foreign Policy & International Security, Intelligence, Crude Oil, Energy. Inside knowledge. All retired or not much.
Someday someone will write a good book about what happened to America.
December 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Someday someone will write a good book about what happened to America.
We keep on saying: strike Russian railway bridges across rivers, it will be even more effective than striking Russian oil refineries.
The moment a Shahed hit the bridge in Odesa.
December 18, 2025 at 3:52 PM
We keep on saying: strike Russian railway bridges across rivers, it will be even more effective than striking Russian oil refineries.
Reposted by CDL Associates
Have we lost our minds as a country? Where does this abject cruelty come from? Who normalized this? What is to become of us & our country if we can’t protect women & children!
Daily videos of women being beaten & dragged by ICE agents. These are horrific scenes of brutality/excessive use of force.
Daily videos of women being beaten & dragged by ICE agents. These are horrific scenes of brutality/excessive use of force.
How ICE raids are impacting children's wellbeing
YouTube video by NBC News
www.youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Have we lost our minds as a country? Where does this abject cruelty come from? Who normalized this? What is to become of us & our country if we can’t protect women & children!
Daily videos of women being beaten & dragged by ICE agents. These are horrific scenes of brutality/excessive use of force.
Daily videos of women being beaten & dragged by ICE agents. These are horrific scenes of brutality/excessive use of force.
This is how the Russians act while the EU debates what it should do about Russia and how to do it. Raiffeisen could not (and did not want to, until the US threatened sanctions) close its business in Russia and leave without incurring heavy losses.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Russian Court Orders Raiffeisen to Pay €339 Million in Damages
A court in Russia ordered Raiffeisen Bank International AG’s unit in the country to pay €339 million ($397 million), another ruling forcing payments since the beginning of last year.
www.bloomberg.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:27 PM
This is how the Russians act while the EU debates what it should do about Russia and how to do it. Raiffeisen could not (and did not want to, until the US threatened sanctions) close its business in Russia and leave without incurring heavy losses.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Statement by the Bank of Russia:
In connection with the ongoing attempts by the European Union authorities to illegally seize/use, without the consent of the Bank of Russia, its assets held in EU financial institutions, including through the establishment of indefinite immobilization >>>
In connection with the ongoing attempts by the European Union authorities to illegally seize/use, without the consent of the Bank of Russia, its assets held in EU financial institutions, including through the establishment of indefinite immobilization >>>
December 18, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Statement by the Bank of Russia:
In connection with the ongoing attempts by the European Union authorities to illegally seize/use, without the consent of the Bank of Russia, its assets held in EU financial institutions, including through the establishment of indefinite immobilization >>>
In connection with the ongoing attempts by the European Union authorities to illegally seize/use, without the consent of the Bank of Russia, its assets held in EU financial institutions, including through the establishment of indefinite immobilization >>>
Yes, of course, it's GRU's textbook from the Soviet times. "Preparation for war measures".
December 18, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Yes, of course, it's GRU's textbook from the Soviet times. "Preparation for war measures".
Don't even think twice, Putin really thinks of European leaders as piggies, all of them without exception, even Orbán, because he knows his inner side and a lot of other things, and he treats him with disgust. Putin is a man with a severely disturbed psyche, for many reasons: >>>
December 18, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Don't even think twice, Putin really thinks of European leaders as piggies, all of them without exception, even Orbán, because he knows his inner side and a lot of other things, and he treats him with disgust. Putin is a man with a severely disturbed psyche, for many reasons: >>>
When Russia threatens to respond to the confiscation of sovereign assets in Europe by confiscating the assets of European companies in Russia and initiating international legal proceedings around the world to arrest European assets, keep in mind the following (if you didn't know):
>>>
>>>
December 18, 2025 at 1:19 PM
When Russia threatens to respond to the confiscation of sovereign assets in Europe by confiscating the assets of European companies in Russia and initiating international legal proceedings around the world to arrest European assets, keep in mind the following (if you didn't know):
>>>
>>>
Reposted by CDL Associates
The more likely explanation is that surrounded by sycophantic advisers caught in a Russia-US discourse feedback loop that routinely misreads the EU the circle around Putin assumed the Europeans would do nothing and did nothing to prepare for the things Europeans would do
Moscow had 3 years to prepare retaliation for an eventuality where the EU uses the frozen assets to fund Ukraine.
Now FT reports Moscow has not revealed yet what steps it might take and officials are looking into X Y Z.
Years of prep and that's it - so there are no options?
Now FT reports Moscow has not revealed yet what steps it might take and officials are looking into X Y Z.
Years of prep and that's it - so there are no options?
I love the articles with member-states being scared of Russian retaliation and then the articles go on to say that Russia has nothing to retaliate with yet.
Reuters implied Moscow is looking at options? They've seen this coming for months and now look at options? Aha.
www.ft.com/content/616d...
Reuters implied Moscow is looking at options? They've seen this coming for months and now look at options? Aha.
www.ft.com/content/616d...
December 18, 2025 at 1:01 PM
The more likely explanation is that surrounded by sycophantic advisers caught in a Russia-US discourse feedback loop that routinely misreads the EU the circle around Putin assumed the Europeans would do nothing and did nothing to prepare for the things Europeans would do
Of course, the entire propeller shaft-hull system which includes bearings, shafts, base, motor propeller, as well as hydroplanes and vertical rudder are damaged there.
"The Russian submarine in the port of Novorossiysk, hit by a drone from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), started leaking. Literally. Fuel and lubricants are leaking from the "Varshavyanka"-class submarine into the sea. In addition, the rear part of the boat is partially flooded."
December 18, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Of course, the entire propeller shaft-hull system which includes bearings, shafts, base, motor propeller, as well as hydroplanes and vertical rudder are damaged there.
They’re interested in returning to Russia 😂
EXCLUSIVE: The Trump administration is asking U.S. oil companies if they’re interested in returning to Venezuela once Maduro is toppled, per sources familiar with the discussions.
So far, the answer is a hard “no.”
So far, the answer is a hard “no.”
Trump administration asking US oil industry to return to Venezuela — but getting no takers
The administration’s outreach to the industry, previously unreported, is the latest sign the White House is dreaming of a post-Maduro future for Venezuela.
www.politico.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:46 AM
They’re interested in returning to Russia 😂
No need to start a hot war: How Russia learned to weaponise Western freedoms, legal system, business and politics to undermine democratic states from the inside.
open.substack.com/pub/shaunpin...
My latest Substack: The Space Between Peace & War
The uncomfortable truth about propaganda hiding in plain sight
My latest Substack: The Space Between Peace & War
The uncomfortable truth about propaganda hiding in plain sight
December 18, 2025 at 11:39 AM
No need to start a hot war: How Russia learned to weaponise Western freedoms, legal system, business and politics to undermine democratic states from the inside.
Putin envoy to hold talks with Trump aides on US peace plan in Miami this weekend
www.msn.com/en-us/politi...
www.msn.com/en-us/politi...
MSN
www.msn.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Putin envoy to hold talks with Trump aides on US peace plan in Miami this weekend
www.msn.com/en-us/politi...
www.msn.com/en-us/politi...
Reposted by CDL Associates
This is powerful - I had similar thoughts in my post last week about the powerful but false nature of the Russia is winning narrative sianushka.substack.com/p/russias-gr...
December 18, 2025 at 9:52 AM
This is powerful - I had similar thoughts in my post last week about the powerful but false nature of the Russia is winning narrative sianushka.substack.com/p/russias-gr...
Reposted by CDL Associates
The Belgians not wanting to seize frozen Russian assets also being threatened by a Russian intelligence campaign seems like kind of important context for everyone involved
Belgian politicians and finance bosses targeted by Russian intelligence over seized assets
Exclusive: Key figures at frozen assets depository among targets of intimidation campaign, say European intelligence agencies
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:20 AM
The Belgians not wanting to seize frozen Russian assets also being threatened by a Russian intelligence campaign seems like kind of important context for everyone involved
Reposted by CDL Associates
Reposted by CDL Associates
Russians sunk several barges at the entrance of their naval port pier in Novorossiysk, so that no other Ukrainian drone can enter it.
This also confines the remnants of the Russian Black Sea Fleet to this little basin. Russians literally barricaded themselves. Embarrassing..
This also confines the remnants of the Russian Black Sea Fleet to this little basin. Russians literally barricaded themselves. Embarrassing..
December 17, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Russians sunk several barges at the entrance of their naval port pier in Novorossiysk, so that no other Ukrainian drone can enter it.
This also confines the remnants of the Russian Black Sea Fleet to this little basin. Russians literally barricaded themselves. Embarrassing..
This also confines the remnants of the Russian Black Sea Fleet to this little basin. Russians literally barricaded themselves. Embarrassing..
Those who have carefully studied Putin's personality know very well that no persuasion, argument, or threats will help. He grew up and developed in a security service/gangster environment, worked with gangsters, learned a lot from them, and therefore follows the rules of a racketeer and a fighter. >
‼️ Zelenskyy: EU summit decision should convince Russia to drop war plans
Zelenskyy: EU summit decision should convince Russia to drop war plans
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he hopes that an EU summit decision in Brussels will make Russia see no point in continuing the war into next year. Zelenskyy also called the EU l...
www.pravda.com.ua
December 17, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Those who have carefully studied Putin's personality know very well that no persuasion, argument, or threats will help. He grew up and developed in a security service/gangster environment, worked with gangsters, learned a lot from them, and therefore follows the rules of a racketeer and a fighter. >
Reposted by CDL Associates
🚨Former Special Counsel Jack Smith, in a closed-door House Judiciary Committee hearing:
“Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the
results of the 2020 presidential election & to prevent the lawful transfer of power”
“Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the
results of the 2020 presidential election & to prevent the lawful transfer of power”
December 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
🚨Former Special Counsel Jack Smith, in a closed-door House Judiciary Committee hearing:
“Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the
results of the 2020 presidential election & to prevent the lawful transfer of power”
“Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the
results of the 2020 presidential election & to prevent the lawful transfer of power”
Reposted by CDL Associates
The red line is what Russia views as its own border (from today's presentation of the defense minister Belousov). I think negotiations are hopeless at this point. First, the frontline needs to be stabilized.
December 17, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The red line is what Russia views as its own border (from today's presentation of the defense minister Belousov). I think negotiations are hopeless at this point. First, the frontline needs to be stabilized.
Reposted by CDL Associates
Jack Smith Testifies DOJ Had Proof Trump Tried to Overturn 2020 Election. ~ Newsweek
www.newsweek.com/jack-smith-d...
www.newsweek.com/jack-smith-d...
Jack Smith testifies DOJ had proof Trump tried to overturn 2020 election
Smith complied with the subpoena despite having volunteered more than a month earlier to testify publicly before the committee.
www.newsweek.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Jack Smith Testifies DOJ Had Proof Trump Tried to Overturn 2020 Election. ~ Newsweek
www.newsweek.com/jack-smith-d...
www.newsweek.com/jack-smith-d...
Reposted by CDL Associates
“It’s a country that feels like a train coming off the rails, led by a driver whose own derangement was again laid bare in that contemptible assault on the Reiners, may their memories be for a blessing.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/o...
Opinion | Our Petty, Hollow, Squalid Ogre in Chief
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:03 PM
“It’s a country that feels like a train coming off the rails, led by a driver whose own derangement was again laid bare in that contemptible assault on the Reiners, may their memories be for a blessing.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/o...
Quick question(s) to Meloni: Does Russia comply with values and rules on which the rule of law is based? If not, why should an asymmetric approach be applied to Russia? If Russia spits on international law, why should Europe be guided by it in its relations with Russia? WTF?
🇮🇹 Meloni: "Italy considers it a sacred principle that it is Russia that should pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine, but this must be done on solid legal basis. Any instrument of support for Kyiv must always comply with our values and rules on which the rule of law is based."
December 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Quick question(s) to Meloni: Does Russia comply with values and rules on which the rule of law is based? If not, why should an asymmetric approach be applied to Russia? If Russia spits on international law, why should Europe be guided by it in its relations with Russia? WTF?
Reposted by CDL Associates
The reason Trump, Vance and the rest of the MAGA crowd are so dangerous is not because they have the strategic skill to become architects of a new global order but rather because they are so corrupt and inept that they have the potential to become agents of global chaos.
December 17, 2025 at 12:34 PM
The reason Trump, Vance and the rest of the MAGA crowd are so dangerous is not because they have the strategic skill to become architects of a new global order but rather because they are so corrupt and inept that they have the potential to become agents of global chaos.
More from Putin: "Work on modernizing the Armed Forces must continue at a rapid pace and to a high standard, primarily within the framework of the new State Armament Program for 2027–2036, which is currently being developed."
December 17, 2025 at 12:36 PM
More from Putin: "Work on modernizing the Armed Forces must continue at a rapid pace and to a high standard, primarily within the framework of the new State Armament Program for 2027–2036, which is currently being developed."