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.
Reposted by CDL Associates
"The Grift Bubble: A Political Theory of American Collapse"
"Those who work against the grifters... may be acting from love, or from law, because they know that these things are real. And so they should also know, in acting thus, that they are the patriots."
snyder.substack.com/p/the-grift-...
"Those who work against the grifters... may be acting from love, or from law, because they know that these things are real. And so they should also know, in acting thus, that they are the patriots."
snyder.substack.com/p/the-grift-...
The Grift Bubble
A Political Theory of American Collapse
snyder.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
"The Grift Bubble: A Political Theory of American Collapse"
"Those who work against the grifters... may be acting from love, or from law, because they know that these things are real. And so they should also know, in acting thus, that they are the patriots."
snyder.substack.com/p/the-grift-...
"Those who work against the grifters... may be acting from love, or from law, because they know that these things are real. And so they should also know, in acting thus, that they are the patriots."
snyder.substack.com/p/the-grift-...
Reposted by CDL Associates
The fact that the American president’s former best friend is helping Russia blackmail the president should be a far bigger story than it is.
It should be on the front page of every major news outlet
It should be on the front page of every major news outlet
November 15, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The fact that the American president’s former best friend is helping Russia blackmail the president should be a far bigger story than it is.
It should be on the front page of every major news outlet
It should be on the front page of every major news outlet
Reposted by CDL Associates
🔴 NEW: A Russian oligarch praised by Vladimir Putin has amassed a property portfolio in the UK under the veil of secretive offshore trusts.
Anti-corruption campaigners say our investigation is a “shocking indictment” of the UK’s “dirty money” defences
www.theferret.scot/r...
Anti-corruption campaigners say our investigation is a “shocking indictment” of the UK’s “dirty money” defences
www.theferret.scot/r...
November 16, 2025 at 8:00 AM
🔴 NEW: A Russian oligarch praised by Vladimir Putin has amassed a property portfolio in the UK under the veil of secretive offshore trusts.
Anti-corruption campaigners say our investigation is a “shocking indictment” of the UK’s “dirty money” defences
www.theferret.scot/r...
Anti-corruption campaigners say our investigation is a “shocking indictment” of the UK’s “dirty money” defences
www.theferret.scot/r...
“Closing off the Russian segment of the Internet from the rest of the world and introducing complete state control over citizens' online activities is part of the preparations for war with Europe.”
Yes, Putin is paranoid.
>>>
Yes, Putin is paranoid.
>>>
November 14, 2025 at 6:29 PM
“Closing off the Russian segment of the Internet from the rest of the world and introducing complete state control over citizens' online activities is part of the preparations for war with Europe.”
Yes, Putin is paranoid.
>>>
Yes, Putin is paranoid.
>>>
Putin's real paranoid dream, several institutions in Russia are working on this (as in China).
Don't tell Trump, OK?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Don't tell Trump, OK?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Hot mic catches Xi and Putin discussing organ transplants and immortality
The Chinese and Russian leaders have been in power for 13 and 25 years respectively, with neither expressing any intention of stepping down.
www.bbc.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Putin's real paranoid dream, several institutions in Russia are working on this (as in China).
Don't tell Trump, OK?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Don't tell Trump, OK?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Our analysis of the Bank of Russia's latest statements, decisions and practical actions leads to the conclusion that Russia's banking/financial system is in deep crisis. Despite all the negativity, official statistics do not reveal the full depth of this crisis.
🧵 👇
🧵 👇
November 14, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Our analysis of the Bank of Russia's latest statements, decisions and practical actions leads to the conclusion that Russia's banking/financial system is in deep crisis. Despite all the negativity, official statistics do not reveal the full depth of this crisis.
🧵 👇
🧵 👇
Russian aluminum producer Rusal, which is under sanctions, has signed an agreement to build an aluminum plant in Ethiopia.
Rubio says there's not a lot left to sanction? What about Ethiopia (among many others)?
Rubio says there's not a lot left to sanction? What about Ethiopia (among many others)?
November 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Russian aluminum producer Rusal, which is under sanctions, has signed an agreement to build an aluminum plant in Ethiopia.
Rubio says there's not a lot left to sanction? What about Ethiopia (among many others)?
Rubio says there's not a lot left to sanction? What about Ethiopia (among many others)?
Reposted by CDL Associates
In fact, as Chinese leaders see it, the US president is ushering in a world that Chinese strategists have long been preparing for, writes Mark Leonard @ecfrasia.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/4qTSGXo
https://bit.ly/4qTSGXo
What Chinese leaders really think of Trump
According to Chinese academics, economists and retired military officers, the country’s leaders are not losing any sleep over Donald Trump’s America First agenda. In fact, as they see it…
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 10:57 AM
In fact, as Chinese leaders see it, the US president is ushering in a world that Chinese strategists have long been preparing for, writes Mark Leonard @ecfrasia.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/4qTSGXo
https://bit.ly/4qTSGXo
In Venezuela, Trump will stage a small fireworks show, similar to the one in Iran, which will not solve anything strategically, but will make the US look completely ridiculous.
November 13, 2025 at 7:55 PM
In Venezuela, Trump will stage a small fireworks show, similar to the one in Iran, which will not solve anything strategically, but will make the US look completely ridiculous.
Reposted by CDL Associates
With what? Stolen washing machines? Doctrine on how to shoot your own retreating soldiers?
www.newsweek.com/russia-ready...
www.newsweek.com/russia-ready...
Russia "ready" to help Venezuela military
There are no barriers to Russia providing friendly countries, like Venezuela, with new Russian technology, a senior official said.
www.newsweek.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:56 PM
With what? Stolen washing machines? Doctrine on how to shoot your own retreating soldiers?
www.newsweek.com/russia-ready...
www.newsweek.com/russia-ready...
OK, Trump was financed by the Russians through several channels. Oligarchs, the Russian mafia in NY, Florida played a major if not the main intermediary role. Deutsche Bank and some others would need to be turned inside out (DB/Russians is a big story), they know a lot, but who is going to do that?
Trump’s mansion money laundering with Russian #Rybolovlev.
Deutsche Bank funded broke dicktator Trump scam that landed Epstein in jail. Epstein, in turn, threatened trump with release of photos. That's how, why Acosta got Epstein off.
bsky.app/profile/love...
Deutsche Bank funded broke dicktator Trump scam that landed Epstein in jail. Epstein, in turn, threatened trump with release of photos. That's how, why Acosta got Epstein off.
bsky.app/profile/love...
3/ Epstein Trump breakup: Florida property, Maison de L'Amitié: "There is little public record of them interacting after the 2004 real estate dispute.
Trump later sold the Palm Beach mansion he acquired in the 2004 auction to a Russian billionaire in 2008." Dmitry Rybolovlev
bsky.app/profile/rgoo...
Trump later sold the Palm Beach mansion he acquired in the 2004 auction to a Russian billionaire in 2008." Dmitry Rybolovlev
bsky.app/profile/rgoo...
November 13, 2025 at 10:12 AM
OK, Trump was financed by the Russians through several channels. Oligarchs, the Russian mafia in NY, Florida played a major if not the main intermediary role. Deutsche Bank and some others would need to be turned inside out (DB/Russians is a big story), they know a lot, but who is going to do that?
Reposted by CDL Associates
The most feckless and morally bankrupt administration in US history.
November 13, 2025 at 8:58 AM
The most feckless and morally bankrupt administration in US history.
Well, it wasn't just Russian Ambassador Churkin, who had been in contact with Epstein, who died. A representative of the Russian mafia in Florida, whom the FBI had forced back to Russia, also died in strange circumstances shortly after his return. The guy knew a lot about ... Florida and NY.
Boy do I wish I could have a chat with all the naysayers when I posited that Epstein was a dirt factory for Putin. How many times have we asked "what does Putin have on Trump?" www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Jeffrey Epstein claims he gave Russians insight into Trump
Newly released emails show the late convicted sex offender’s extensive network of foreign contacts, whom he corresponded with about Trump’s policy decisions.
www.politico.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Well, it wasn't just Russian Ambassador Churkin, who had been in contact with Epstein, who died. A representative of the Russian mafia in Florida, whom the FBI had forced back to Russia, also died in strange circumstances shortly after his return. The guy knew a lot about ... Florida and NY.
Of course, in the situation room. Trump is a small (albeit very important) part of a huge problem for US national security and not only. Many people completely overlook THIS part of the mind-boggling story: the global money laundering network. Pay attention to this phrase: >>>
“.. in the Situation Room.” 👀
Q: "Why are White House officials…meeting with Rep. Boebert in an effort to try to get her to not sign this petition calling for the release of the [Epstein] files?"
Leavitt: "I'm not going to detail conversations that took place in the situation room."
Leavitt: "I'm not going to detail conversations that took place in the situation room."
November 12, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Of course, in the situation room. Trump is a small (albeit very important) part of a huge problem for US national security and not only. Many people completely overlook THIS part of the mind-boggling story: the global money laundering network. Pay attention to this phrase: >>>
Reposted by CDL Associates
Vice article on the initiation of #Opdeatheaters in 2014 (following OpGabon in 2012) interview with Heather Marsh.
www.vice.com/en/article/b...
www.vice.com/en/article/b...
Behind Anonymous’s Operation to Reveal Britain’s Elite Child-Rape Syndicate
Online activists are working hard to stop the media from ignoring a possible child-molestation scandal that could involve high-ranking political figures.
www.vice.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Vice article on the initiation of #Opdeatheaters in 2014 (following OpGabon in 2012) interview with Heather Marsh.
www.vice.com/en/article/b...
www.vice.com/en/article/b...
Reposted by CDL Associates
Trump is part of the story, not the full story. The Epstein Network is not a solitary criminal network but a cluster of many intersecting criminal networks. It’s one string to pull on for an entire web. This is what @opdeatheaters.bsky.social is about.
The objective of #OpDeathEaters is an independent, international, victim-led tribunal and inquiry into trafficking and paedosadist industry.
November 12, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Trump is part of the story, not the full story. The Epstein Network is not a solitary criminal network but a cluster of many intersecting criminal networks. It’s one string to pull on for an entire web. This is what @opdeatheaters.bsky.social is about.
It should be noted that in order to sell a business in Russia, companies from “unfriendly countries” must meet several conditions, including paying a large commission to the federal budget, from which the war in Ukraine is financed.
Putin approves sale of Citi’s Russia business on.ft.com/4oCOf1N
Putin approves sale of Citi’s Russia business
Wall Street bank accelerated its move out of country following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022
on.ft.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:38 PM
It should be noted that in order to sell a business in Russia, companies from “unfriendly countries” must meet several conditions, including paying a large commission to the federal budget, from which the war in Ukraine is financed.
Of course, it is important to understand that this is not just about Putin's pathological paranoia. The whole Russia is in a state of collective paranoia, except for a few, like this girl, who are torn apart by deranged beastly mass.
Significant issue for Europe.
Significant issue for Europe.
'A Russian court extended the jailing of an 18-year-old street singer on charges seen as punishment for performing anti-war songs. Music student Diana Loginova was ordered held for another 13 days by a court in St. Petersburg on charges of violating public order' apnews.com/article/russ...
Russian court extends jailing of teenage singer over street performance of anti-war songs
A Russian court has extended the jailing of an 18-year-old street singer on charges seen as punishment for performing anti-war songs.
apnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Of course, it is important to understand that this is not just about Putin's pathological paranoia. The whole Russia is in a state of collective paranoia, except for a few, like this girl, who are torn apart by deranged beastly mass.
Significant issue for Europe.
Significant issue for Europe.
Reposted by CDL Associates
'Trump Admin Pushes to Weaken Ukraine Resolution on Russian Occupation at UN, Sources Tell Kyiv Post' www.kyivpost.com/post/63999 'Western allies are warning that the White House push to strip references to “territorial integrity” and “aggression” will undermine the international consensus.'
www.kyivpost.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:41 AM
'Trump Admin Pushes to Weaken Ukraine Resolution on Russian Occupation at UN, Sources Tell Kyiv Post' www.kyivpost.com/post/63999 'Western allies are warning that the White House push to strip references to “territorial integrity” and “aggression” will undermine the international consensus.'
According to our sources in Moscow the number of casualties is close to 3 million, but no one knows for sure (according to the old Soviet “tradition”). Discrepancies arise due to those missing in action. >>>
www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4...
www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4...
British intelligence estimates overall Russian casualties in the Ukraine war at 1,118,000
Russia has likely sustained approximately 332,000 casualties (killed and wounded) in the Ukraine war so far in 2025, and approximately 1,118,000 casualties since launching its full-scale invasion of U...
www.ukrinform.net
November 12, 2025 at 11:34 AM
According to our sources in Moscow the number of casualties is close to 3 million, but no one knows for sure (according to the old Soviet “tradition”). Discrepancies arise due to those missing in action. >>>
www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4...
www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4...
Reposted by CDL Associates
🇺🇦❗️ Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned Ukraine is running short on soldiers as many men flee abroad, - POLITICO
He said Russian forces attack in relentless "waves" and urged lowering the draft age from 25 to around 22.
He said Russian forces attack in relentless "waves" and urged lowering the draft age from 25 to around 22.
November 12, 2025 at 9:07 AM
🇺🇦❗️ Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned Ukraine is running short on soldiers as many men flee abroad, - POLITICO
He said Russian forces attack in relentless "waves" and urged lowering the draft age from 25 to around 22.
He said Russian forces attack in relentless "waves" and urged lowering the draft age from 25 to around 22.
Reposted by CDL Associates
The collective wealth of the top ten billionaires in the United States soared by $698 billion in the past year with massive gaps in wealth distribution between the rich, and the majority of everyone else. shero.substack.com/p/americas-b...
America's Burgeoning Oligarchy
“The data confirms what people across our nation already know instinctively: the new American oligarchy is here,” said Abby Maxman, president and CEO of Oxfam America.
shero.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:16 PM
The collective wealth of the top ten billionaires in the United States soared by $698 billion in the past year with massive gaps in wealth distribution between the rich, and the majority of everyone else. shero.substack.com/p/americas-b...
Reposted by CDL Associates
❗️Putin's next plan is to occupy Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv regions to completely cut off Ukraine from the sea, — Foreign Affairs.
November 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
❗️Putin's next plan is to occupy Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv regions to completely cut off Ukraine from the sea, — Foreign Affairs.
Kazakhstan President Tokayev arrived in Moscow today. Tokayev's plane was escorted by Su-35 fighter jets over Russian territory.
In an article for Rossiyskaya Gazeta yesterday, Tokayev wrote: "The energy sector occupies a special place in our cooperation. >>>
In an article for Rossiyskaya Gazeta yesterday, Tokayev wrote: "The energy sector occupies a special place in our cooperation. >>>
Central Asia is adapting its entire ideological agenda to impress one man: Donald Trump.
The recent C5+1 summit was a new high point in US-Central Asian ties. But is this rapprochement real, or just risk? 🧵🧵🧵
The recent C5+1 summit was a new high point in US-Central Asian ties. But is this rapprochement real, or just risk? 🧵🧵🧵
November 11, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Kazakhstan President Tokayev arrived in Moscow today. Tokayev's plane was escorted by Su-35 fighter jets over Russian territory.
In an article for Rossiyskaya Gazeta yesterday, Tokayev wrote: "The energy sector occupies a special place in our cooperation. >>>
In an article for Rossiyskaya Gazeta yesterday, Tokayev wrote: "The energy sector occupies a special place in our cooperation. >>>
Reposted by CDL Associates
‼️ Ukrainian forces retreat from five settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast
Ukrainian forces retreat from five settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast
The Defence Forces of Ukraine's South have reported a withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from positions near five settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast in order to preserve personnel following intensified Ru...
www.pravda.com.ua
November 11, 2025 at 2:20 PM
‼️ Ukrainian forces retreat from five settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast