Geo Political Risk

[Davexl]

Not irrelevant but since PM Lange's time, we are like a Southern Fiji.

That's when the rot set in.
Also, Fiji's army probably has more experience working with the UN Peace-keeping forces than NZ!

[BlackPeter]

That's when the rot set in.
Also, Fiji's army probably has more experience working with the UN Peace-keeping forces than NZ!

Don't underrate the NZ army - no other force has more experience in running MIQ hotels ... who knows when this skill might come handy ;

[Davexl]

Don't underrate the NZ army - no other force has more experience in running MIQ hotels ... who knows when this skill might come handy ;

Keep some of those future PLA members in "quarantine".
Now if only we could get our hands on some of those A10 Thunderbolts for close air support that the US are retiring...
That might keep us going and would fit in with the aggressive Kiwi character type

[BlackPeter]

Keep some of those future PLA members in "quarantine".
Now if only we could get our hands on some of those A10 Thunderbolts for close air support that the US are retiring...
That might keep us going and would fit in with the aggressive Kiwi character type

Maybe I even would be prepared to offer them my old trustworthy old TEA20 for a good price - only 15 years older then the Thunderbolts and just keeps humming ... they could use it to control the grass on the runways.

[Davexl]

Maybe I even would be prepared to offer them my old trustworthy old TEA20 for a good price - only 15 years older then the Thunderbolts and just keeps humming ... they could use it to control the grass on the runways.

That got me chuckling! Must've needed the laugh - things have got pretty serious round here...

[Davexl]

The sense of what's happening on the ground in Ukraine...

2m ago 00:00
No reason to trust representatives who 'continue to fight for our destruction' Zelenskiy cautions

Regarding recent peace negotiations, Zelenskiy called for caution.

Of course, we see all the risks. Of course, we see no reason to trust the words of certain representatives of a state that continues to fight for our destruction. Ukrainians are not naive people. Ukrainians have already learned during these 34 days of invasion and over the past eight years of the war in Donbas that only a concrete result can be trusted. The facts - if they change on our land.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine is willing to negotiate and will continue the negotiation process.

There must be real security for us, for our state, for sovereignty, for our people. Russian troops must leave the occupied territories. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be guaranteed. There can be no compromise on sovereignty and our territorial integrity. And there will not be any.”
Referring to sanctions, he added:

And certain countries should not even expect that certain negotiations will facilitate the lifting of sanctions against the Russian Federation. The question of sanctions cannot even be raised until the war is over, until we get back what’s ours and until we restore justice.

On the contrary, sanctions must be strengthened. Intensified weekly. And they must be effective. Not just for headlines in the media that sanctions have been imposed, but for real peace. Real.

[Davexl]

Russia-Ukraine war: 600 Russian spies busted in huge blow to Moscow's espionage war - paywalled

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/rus...MJUJVGLHFI7FU/

[fungus pudding]

Russia-Ukraine war: 600 Russian spies busted in huge blow to Moscow's espionage war - paywalled

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/rus...MJUJVGLHFI7FU/

You sure put in a massive effort there - going to the trouble of finding the only paywalled version of the article from well over fifty readily available free papers.

https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/wo...espionage-war/

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/worl...e-b991042.html

https://www.foxnews.com/world/ukrain...-russian-spies

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-b2046286.html

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world...igence-failure

https://cybernews.com/cyber-war/hund...a-data-breach/

https://www.bolnews.com/internationa...db9s-and-007s/

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/324842

Plenty more urls if you want them. All free.

[GTM 3442]

That's when the rot set in.
Also, Fiji's army probably has more experience working with the UN Peace-keeping forces than NZ!

The UAE probably learned a thing or two from their involvement with UN peacekeeping operations. However I have a sneaking suspicion that Fiji see their involvement as much as a source of revenue as anything else.

[Davexl]

China sounding all grown-up & responsible...

54m ago 03:38
China’s ambassador to the UN has addressed the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, describing a “worrying account of the situation on ground” and called for the protection of civilian lives and respect for international humanitarian law.

Dai Bing told the latest UN Security Council, according to a statement released by China’s permanent mission to the UN:

The conflict situation in Ukraine is persisting. Effectively protecting civilian lives and meeting their humanitarian needs is a must. China calls for respect for international humanitarian law to avoid civilian casualties to the maximum extent, protect civilian facilities, provide safe passage for evacuation and humanitarian access, and ensure a continuous supply of basic necessities, such as food, drinking water, and medicines. Protection of vulnerable groups such as women and children must be strengthened.”

Increasing sanctions on Russia will “give rise to new humanitarian problems”, Bing added.
We must also be cognisant that the ever-escalating, sweeping, indiscriminate sanctions have hit global energy, food, economic, trade and financial markets, and will continue to do so, affecting the lives and livelihoods of the general public, and giving rise to new humanitarian problems.”
Addressing global food security, Bing called for an “enhanced international coordination” to stabilise food supply and food prices and a “refrain from unjustified export restrictions”.

Sanctions and economic blockades will only artificially exacerbate food shortages and price distortions, further disrupt food production and food supply chain across the world, push up food prices, and put such burdens on developing countries as they do not deserve. We call for enhanced international coordination to stabilise food supply and food prices, refrain from unjustified export restrictions, keep the market working in a stable manner, and ensure global food security.
Finally, Bing cautioned that further damage is on its way if the crisis continues and escalates, describing such an event as being “not in the interest of any party”.

The most conclusive way towards a ceasefire to end hostilities is dialogue and negotiation. The international community should encourage and support continued direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine until a positive outcome is achieved and peace is restored.

Security is indivisible and seeking absolute security by pitting one bloc against another is precisely the most assured way to achieve insecurity. The United States, Nato and EU should also engage in dialogue with Russia, accommodate the legitimate security concerns of all parties, and build a balanced, effective and sustainable regional security architecture through dialogue and negotiation.”