Pres. Biden: "If Russia invades...then there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it."

Reporter: "But how will you do that, exactly, since...the project is in Germany's control?"

Biden: "I promise you, we will be able to do that." [_link] pic.twitter.com/4ksDaaU0YC

— ABC News (@ABC) February 7, 2022

Poland's post-Gazprom strategy hinges on Baltic Pipe | Intelligence News |

'Sapere aude'

Of my recent diaries, comments and analysis.

New on MoA:
Whodunnit? - Facts Related to The Sabotage Attack On The Nord Stream Pipelines [_link] pic.twitter.com/xpNiC3I3wk

— Moon of Alabama (@MoonofA) September 28, 2022

Bernhard @MofA remembered this earlier attempt to blow-up Nord Stream 2 while under construction in 2015 ... in Swedish EEZ.

Munitions Object Found Near Nord Stream Pipeline has been Successfully Cleared | Gazprom Press Statement - Nov. 12, 2015 |

The Swedish Armed Forces have successfully cleared the munitions object found near Nord Stream Line 2. The works were safely completed, despite windy conditions in the Baltic Sea. Nord Stream AG appreciates the professional and prompt assistance by the Swedish Armed Forces. Line 2, which had been closed at inlet as a precautionary measure, was reopened and resumed gas transportation. The prompt and safe resolution of the situation with the unusual find confirms the efficiency of the operational structures and interfaces with authorities established by Nord Stream for ensuring reliable gas transport.

The piece of munitions was found in close proximity to the Nord Stream Line 2 on November 6, 2015 during routine survey operations as part of annual integrity assessment activities of the Nord Stream offshore pipeline system. The location of the object was in the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) approximately 120 km away from the island of Gotland. The relevant Swedish Authorities were informed and stayed in a direct contact with Nord Stream until the object was successfully cleared.

First report In media 07-11-2015

'Underwater drone with explosives' spotted near Baltic Nord Stream pipeline

An unmanned military underwater vehicle rigged with explosives was spotted on the seabed in the vicinity of the Nord Stream gas pipeline in the Baltics on Friday, Swedish media report. The device is expected to be disarmed on November 9.

An abandoned expendable remotely-operated mine clearance underwater vehicle allegedly with explosives onboard has been detected in multinational waters of the Baltic Sea by the Swedish Navy, Svenska Daglabet reports.

The military can blow up the mysterious craft

Swedish military may blow up the underwater vehicle at the Nord Stream gas pipeline near Öland. Nord Stream has asked for help and a decision is expected on Monday, according to information to SvD.

The Swedish Maritime Administration has issued a so-called safety distance of three nautical miles, just over five kilometers, from the place where the explosive device was found.

The Swedish Armed Forces make the assessment that it is a disposable craft used to clear mines.

We have looked at the images and have assessed that the craft has an explosive charge. But it is most likely completely harmless in its condition, says Johannes Hellqvist, spokesperson on duty at the Swedish Armed Forces.

'Sapere aude'

Nord Stream - sign of Russia's maturity? | Russia Beyond - Nov. 10, 2011 |

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was in Germany to take part in the official inauguration of Nord Stream, the new gas pipeline that runs along the bed of the Baltic Sea. As a result, Russia can now provide gas supplies directly to Europe and thus bypass third countries such as Ukraine and Poland.

In addition to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who is a member of the Nord Stream consortium, the French and Dutch Prime Ministers, Francois Fillon and Mark Rutte, also took part in the ceremony since firms from France and the Netherlands were involved in the construction along with Russian and German companies. On completion, Nord Stream will have an annual capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas, enough to supply some 26 million homes.

The pipeline cost 7.4 billion euros ($10.2 billion) and stretches for 1,224 kilometers (760 miles), so it was no surprise to hear Merkel say at the ceremony in the city of Lubmin on Germany's Baltic Coast that the pipeline was the biggest energy infrastructure "of our time" and an exemplar of cooperation between Russia and the European Union.

During the ceremony, Merkel called Russia the EU's leading energy partner.

Unfortunately in last election, no leader could fit the shoes she left. The new generation pushing PR narratives w/o economic fundamentals. Rutte is like Johnson and Truss weak w/o his army of legal advisers and dozens of PR consultants. The puppet show for big business will soon collapse and shut down.

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The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitriy Peskov responded to Western allegations. Describing the accusations against Russia as "stupid", Peskov said, "The voicing of such scenarios is highly predictable and at the same time predictably stupid and absurd."

Kremlin says Nord Stream explosions `a big problem for Russia'

Damage to the natural gas pipelines will bring nothing but ruin for both Russia and EU

Moscow has denounced as "stupid and absurd" any allegations of its being behind the suspected explosions of the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines earlier this week, stating that the incident actually creates many issues for Russia.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov explained that the damage to the pipelines posed a "big problem" for Russia as it had essentially lost its gas supply routes to Europe.

Both lines of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline were pumped full of gas and were prepared to deliver it to Europe at the time of the alleged explosion, said Peskov, adding that "this gas is very expensive and now it is all going up in the air."

Peskov also noted that neither Russia nor Europe had anything to gain from the destruction of the pipelines, especially Germany, for which this incident poses a threat to the future development of its industry, as well as its profitability and competitiveness.

American LNG suppliers, on the other hand, have been making incredible profits after having multiplied their deliveries to the European continent, Peskov pointed out, adding that these companies are "very interested in maintaining these super-duper profits in the future."

While no suspects behind the incident have officially been named, the Kremlin spokesperson advised against making any official announcements before a proper investigation into the incident is carried out.

'Sapere aude'

While all the eyes are on the Nord Stream saga, the TransMed pipeline, bringing 🇩🇿Algerian gas to 🇮🇹 Italy, goes into a planned maintenance and a total of 67 mcm/d will be unavailable from July 20 to July 27.
In 2022, 🇩🇿has become the 1st supplier of gas to Italy, overtaking 🇷🇺 Russia pic.twitter.com/yqcS1M4cEn

— Francesco Sassi (@Frank_Stones) July 22, 2022

Algeria agrees to boost annual piped gas sales to Italy by up to 9 billion cubic metres | Upstream Online - 12 April 2022 |

As Italy weans itself off Russian gas, Eni and Sonatrach plan to boost throughput in the TransMed pipeline

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi have witnessed the signing of a significant deal that is expected to see gas supplied from North Africa to Europe.

Europe is scouting the globe hunting for additional sources of gas to eventually replace the 180 billion cubic metres the continent imports from Russia.

Some 40% of Italy's gas demand is currently met by Russian supplies.

Eni and Snam Partner on Gas Pipelines Between Algeria and Italy | Energy Monitor - Dec. 6, 2021|

'Sapere aude'

Switzerland has recorded the worst snow melt rate of glaciers since monitoring began over a century ago, according to a new study.

Melting ice is one of the key threats of climate change.

More: [_link] pic.twitter.com/N79OHVlGQZ

— DW News (@dwnews) September 28, 2022

'Sapere aude'

They are testing the docility of the hivemind by asking people to believe that Russia blew up a pipeline which it had the power to turn on and off at will. [_link]

— Big Serge ☦️🇺🇸🇷🇺 (@witte_sergei) September 28, 2022

'Sapere aude'

Media following the NATO and Washington narrative of war with Russia ...

Anonymous sources and unnamed officials close to knowledge of the matter:

Some European politicians suggested Russia could have carried out the blasts with the aim of causing further havoc with gas prices or demonstrating its ability to damage Europe's energy infrastructure.

European security officials on Monday and Tuesday observed Russian navy support ships in the vicinity of the pipeline leaks on Monday and Tuesday, CNN reported, citing two western intelligence officials and another source familiar with the matter. The sources said it was unclear whether the ships had anything to do with the explosions.

Key quotation: "observed Russian navy support ships in the vicinity of the pipeline leaks"

Spain says Nord Stream gas leaks likely a deliberate act -- and points the finger at Russia | CNBC |

CNN News <> RFERL <> Newsweek

Two hours ago ...

The Kremlin said Nord Stream incidents look like state-sponsored 'terrorism' | Reuters |

Very, very brief article with no explanation or background ... even "Putin says" is absent.

Key quotation: "Nord Stream incidents look like state-sponsored 'terrorism'´

Much better coverage by SwissInfo combining both narratives with a debate in Brussels by the EU ...

Russia says Nord Stream 'sabotage' likely to be state-sponsored act | SwissInfo |

Asked to comment on the CNN report, Peskov said there had been a much larger NATO presence in the area.

Russia has also said the leaks off the coasts of Denmark and Sweden occurred in territory that is "fully under the control" of U.S. intelligence agencies. [which is very true with all running Baltic Sea exercises and strength of NATO forces in the Nordic region - Oui]

Escalation

EU leaders will discuss next week at a summit in Prague what the bloc has denounced as sabotage of the gas pipelines, an EU official said, as gas continued to spew into the Baltic Sea for a fourth day since leaks were first detected.

"The attack on strategic infrastructure means that the strategic infrastructure in the entire EU has to be protected," the EU official in Brussels said.

"This changes fundamentally the nature of the conflict as we have seen it so far, just like the mobilisation ... and the possible annexation," the EU official said, referring to Russia's mobilising of more troops for the war and expectations President Vladimir Putin will annex Ukrainian regions.

The European Union on Wednesday warned of a "robust and united response" should there be more attacks and stressed the need to protect its energy infrastructure, but EU officials have avoided pointing a figure directly at possible perpetrators.

France, Italy, Poland and 12 other countries urged Brussels on Tuesday to propose a wholesale gas price cap to help rein in surging inflation. Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark are among those opposed.

The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines were not supplying gas to Europe when the leaks were first detected on Monday but still had gas in them. Russia had halted deliveries via Nord Stream 1, saying Western sanctions had hampered operations. Nord Stream 2 had not started commercial operations.

Next week, EU leaders will discuss an eighth sanctions package on Russia which European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has proposed, including tighter trade restrictions, more black listings and an oil price cap for third countries.

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From the think tank of war hawks, founded in the eighties as a peace institute during the Cold War ... split from Institute Clingendael.

De explosie in de beide pijpleidingen NS 1 en 2 is een geweldige illustratie van wat ⁦@hcssnl⁩ in 'The High Value of The North Sea' heeft beschreven. Feitelijk hoef je niet verbaasd te zijn. Probleem: we kunnen er weinig aan doen. [_link]

— rob de wijk (@robdewijk) September 27, 2022

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Unbelievable ...

Karaganov, die ik goed ken, is nu helemaal de spreekbuis van Poetin geworden. Zelfs Russische wetenschappers radicaliseren. Treurig. [_link]

— rob de wijk (@robdewijk) September 27, 2022

Translate:
Karaganov, whom I know well, has now completely become Putin's mouthpiece. Even Russian scientists are radicalising. Pathetic.

'Sapere aude'

Would be nice .. Peace!

The U.S. and Europe are running out of weapons to send to Ukraine | CNBC |

In the U.S. weapons industry, the normal production level for artillery rounds for the 155 millimeter howitzer -- a long-range heavy artillery weapon currently used on the battlefields of Ukraine -- is about 30,000 rounds per year in peacetime.

The Ukrainian soldiers fighting invading Russian forces go through that amount in roughly two weeks.

That's according to Dave Des Roches, an associate professor and senior military fellow at the U.S. National Defense University. And he's worried.

"I'm greatly concerned. Unless we have new production, which takes months to ramp up, we're not going to have the ability to supply the Ukrainians," Des Roches told CNBC.

Europe is running low, too. "The military stocks of most [European NATO] member states have been, I wouldn't say exhausted, but depleted in a high proportion, because we have been providing a lot of capacity to the Ukrainians," Josep Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said earlier this month.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg held a special meeting of the alliance's arms directors on Tuesday to discuss ways to refill member nations' weapons stockpiles.

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Zijn de explosies bij de pijpleidingen dreigementen richting een belangrijke Noorse pijpleiding, vraagt @beatricedegraaf zich af? @robdewijk: "Je moet eerst weten wat hierachter zit. Als dat het geval is, dan is het zo ernstig. Dat is een oorlogsverklaring." #Op1 pic.twitter.com/cBCchtyyfv

— Op1 (@op1npo) September 28, 2022

Translation:
Are the explosions at the pipelines threats towards an important Norwegian pipeline, wonders @beatricedegraaf? @robdewijk: "First you have to know what's behind this. If that's the case, then it's so serious. That is a declaration of war." #Op 1

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Rob de Wijk on the rise of AI in geopolitical context | TNO - Sept. 27, 2022 |

The Scientific Council for Government Policy said last year that we really need to see AI as a system technology that will affect all domains and sectors. Would you like to say something about that?

'Artificial intelligence is part of the new industrial revolution, the so-called data revolution. We must recognise that whoever wins this data revolution will be able to set the rules of the international game. This makes it fundamental to the future of the world. You can compare it to what happened with the British in the 19th century. At that time, the United Kingdom became the leading player in the industrial revolution. This allowed them to set the rules of the game. In the 20th century, that was the United States. The big question now is: "Who will it be next?" It could be China. But the United States will try to prevent that. As a result, we're now seeing that because of that data revolution - a new industrial revolution - a trade war has erupted. First under Trump, and now, in a higher gear, under Biden.'

'Data are simply a new raw material that allow us to develop new products. For the most part, we don't yet know what these products will be.'

• AI Build In The Mirror of Mensch
• Third and Deciding Phase for Europe

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'Catastrophic consequences for Russia' if they use nuclear weapons: Full Jake Sullivan interview [_link]

— rob de wijk (@robdewijk) September 26, 2022

You have produced mini-nukes not to age in military stock ... the US aimed its use for small battlefield strikes under field commander's decision. Perhaps a small neutron bomb that takes out satellite communication and GPS network, nothing to worry about as it detonates outside our atmosphere.

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Pendant le « col roulé gate » de @BrunoLeMaire... la PM @Elisabeth_Borne ne veut pas être en reste et continue à arborer une doudoune lors de ses entretiens à Matignon (à l'intérieur). Ici hier avec le maire de Lyon @Gregorydoucet. #sobriétéenergétique pic.twitter.com/bH6s3MKzR1

— jean-christophe galeazzi (@jcgaleazzi) September 28, 2022

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The research vessel G.O. Sars found cable that was missing from Lofoten-Vesterålen sea observatory (LoVe)

LoVe is an infrastructure for research and monitoring of the ocean. Several platforms, or nodes, are located out in the sea, connected by a cable from land.

But the system has been without power and down for several months, after something or someone pulled the four kilometres long cable in the outer circuit.

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Ursula von der Leyen earns € 30,000 a month and has just received an increase of another € 2,500 a month to offset inflation. An affront to Europeans who live on € 1,000 a month and who are unable to pay bills because they have to feed their children. The EU must be dissolved. pic.twitter.com/ilO4ZJ3lWY

— RadioGenova (@RadioGenova) September 30, 2022

'Sapere aude'

well, here we are at USD:EUR. According to Joe Tzu, Oooorsula's gross monthly income slides in just below the ceiling of starving US American middle-class, $400K/yr.

NO NEW TAXES FOR HER!

heh.

Berlin previously embargoed weapons sales to Saudi Arabia over the war in Yemen Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shakes hands with Olaf Scholz after his arrival in Jeddah.

(Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) shakes hands with Olaf Scholz after his arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, September 24, 2022 ©  AP / Saudi Press Agency )

Germany's Scholz visits Saudi Arabia on hunt for energy partnerships

Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah on Saturday as part of a two-day visit to the Gulf region.

Scholz, accompanied by a sizeable industry delegation, was received at Jeddah airport on the Red Sea coast by Mecca region's governor Prince Khalid bin Faisal Al Saud.

Afterward, he went to Al Salam Royal Palace to meet with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The German chancellor hopes to agree new energy partnerships with the oil- and gas-rich Gulf states, following the loss of supplies from Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.

Germans with blood on their hands #Israel #Iraq #Libya #syria now add #Yemen

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Thwarting #Washington's attempts to enforce policies at the expense of the global economy is, in fact, a victory for common sense. #Peskov #Kremlin #OPEC #UnitedStates [_link]

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 9, 2022

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Politico.eu.com | Europe's American president: The paradox of Ursula von der Leyen, 6 Oct 2022 #MeToo gender balance

"I have been in politics now round about 20 years," she told the students, as the camera -- whether by accident or design -- silhouetted her against a giant American flag. "Never ever have I experienced such an intense, trustful and detailed cooperation with the White House."
[...]
They also speak to growing murmurs of discontent at home -- grumblings from officials in her own institution and among representatives of EU countries about her top-down approach. Von der Leyen's penchant for secrecy and her dependence on a small coterie of advisers, her detractors complain, runs counter to the EU's culture of consensus-driven decision-making.

"She doesn't trust anyone; she lives in a tower," said one member of a commissioner's Cabinet, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to speak freely about the institution's top official.  "She doesn't build alliances. Sometimes that can lead to mistakes as she doesn't sound people out enough."
[...]
A three-time Cabinet minister, von der Leyen became the first female European Commission president in 2019, after being catapulted into the job over the objections of many in the European Parliament who had favored the so-called Spitzenkandidat system, which proposes that the post be given to one of the candidates nominated by a pan-European party.

Her decision to ensconce herself on the 13th floor of the Berlaymont EU headquarters, where a former washroom was converted to a bedroom when she took office, has led some to complain that she has governed with a bunker mentality, with the help of only a small group of advisers....

props
Fran in LQD: Von der Leyen confirmed as new Commission president
Fran in Merkel for President?
archived Thu Nov 9th, 2017

Habeck is pushing the FDP in the nuclear power plant dispute | Welt |

"One cannot want longer terms and at the same time prevent the nuclear power plants from being able to run," says Economics Minister Robert Habeck in the direction of the FDP and his cabinet colleague Christian Lindner. Because of the Isar 2 nuclear power plant, time is now pressing.

'Sapere aude'

Die #Gaspreisbremse wird Bürger:innen und Unternehmen entlasten - gerade in Ostdeutschland ist Gas wichtiger als im Westen. Zur Wahrheit gehört aber auch: der Staat kann keinen allumfassenden Schutzschirm spannen. Mein Interview für @MDRAktuell [_link] pic.twitter.com/78HVkFebEe

— Andreas C. Goldthau (@goldthau) October 11, 2022

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