Silicon Bites - #60 - The 10% Ally. Will Trump be Any Better? Is Stark Reality Better than Delusion?

Edition No60 | 07-11-2024 - This is a piece I had planned on writing as a rebuke to Biden administration, in the event of a Kamala Harris victory. Perhaps the topic becomes even more urgent now, as the US government enters a transition phase to a second Trump term of office. With the US apparently supplying only 10% of the promised and approved aid to Ukraine that was mandated in the April aid bill, we must ask, can Trump really be much worse than this?

It’s a point Ukrainians have been making for some time – that delusions and weakness under the Democrats may be more dangerous than facing the stark reality of a Trump presidency.
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SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISER
A project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's frontline towns.
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At the start of November Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Ukraine’s allies to stop just ‘watching’ amid the threat from North Korea, and before the troops sent to Russia by Pyongyang reached the battlefields of Kursk and Donbas. The geopolitical rubbernecking continued, and little seems to have been done of any impact. No new supplies to address the significantly escalatory threat and no lifting of existing of red lines.

Pathetically John Kirby announced that ‘no new red lines’ would be imposed in response to Russia’s successful attempts to drag North Korea into the war, a statement that has the deterrence power of brandishing a limp lettuce to deter a charging bull.
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SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:
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CHAPTERS:
00:00:00 US supplying only 10% of the promised and approved aid to Ukraine.
00:03:40 What does Pyongyang stand to gain from no-limits partnership with Moscow.
00:07:14 This is money that has been approved and mandated for use in Ukraine.
00:10:56 Don't give Trump campaign ammunition about being the global party of war.
00:14:14 Giving only 10% of what's needed was never going to give Ukraine advantage.
00:17:57 UK, German, French and Canadian weapons contain US components.
00:21:43 What does the Trump win mean for the international order?
00:25:01 Biden had ample chance to win with numerous opportunities to show strength.
00:30:30 There are no objectives set, so there can be no concept of a strategic defeat.
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NEWS SOURCES:
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USEFUL LINKS:
Vatnik Soup

Real World News

Analysis
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TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:
kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemysl

Save Ukraine

Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas

UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukraine

Come Back Alive

Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen

Ukrainian Freedom News

UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy

Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation

NGO “Herojam Slava”

NOR DOG Animal Rescue
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[gogudelagaze]

One of my main concerns ever since the starting days and the "as long as it takes" speech was of this becoming a second Potsdam, with the west abandoning the east to the Russians because how unpalatable it would be to do what is necessary. I can't put into words how sickened I've been by the west since 2023. Pete the medic said it very, very well.

[evanescentwave]

'People who cannot imagine a victory cannot create a victory." Well said!

[davidarthurrutter]

That should be heard by the whole world; brilliantly written. Jonathan, you have articulated the theme better than any leader or politician. Shame on them all!
Thank you so much.
David

[alabonefy]

I've been so sad as an American to see our response to russias invasion of Ukraine. It's never been sufficient, and we truly have failed as a leader of the free world.

[American-In-Mykolaiv]

Thank you, Jonason, for another "truth speak" episode. As an American, I am ashamed of the political "double speak" of my government. Not even close to JFK! Slava Ukraini!

[liberty_and_justice]

American who vehemently opposed Trump, but Trump was elected. My support for Ukraine’s victory is stronger than ever. Ignore what Trump says as it rarely translates to action. Will continue to contact my lawmakers to ensure that the US upholds its part in protecting democracy as well as donate to Ukrainian causes.

[MrBudgiejoe]

A very appropriate title. America the 10% ally!
Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦💪

[JackWoolsey-wd]

Mr. Fink, you are the voice of reason. Now please go rest your voice as it is too valuable to loose.

[karenrobertsdottir]

I just wanted to say that your recent videos have helped get me out of my post-Trump election gloom. The US was never a good ally to Ukraine - great help when it felt like it, but flaking out at the worst possible times, and tying Ukraine's hands behind its back. Europe now understands that we have to rely on ourselves for defense against Russia. Our defense industry is slowly grinding back to life. All hands on deck here - the future of Europe is in *our* hands.

[denkenhilft]

This is so spot on, it really hurts. I‘m so sick of it!

[jarettmeyer]

I agree with you on the USA being absurd. But I’d like to see the UK also help out a bit here…..

[kirstinevad]

Well lets try to keep Europe at least as democratic as we are now. 💙💛

[everettputerbaugh]

Winston Churchill once said that the Americans can always be counted upon to do the right thing... after doing everything else first. -- NATO (and also the U.N.) is a reflection of the American Bureaucracy. A debating society with little kinetic will.

[draganjagodic]

Get well soon dear Jonathan.
As for the fears and hopes we all share, starting to believe, only ""prayers" can help.

[spxram]

Deeply true and deeply sad. Europe, let's roll!

[x-tremex-wing]

This one hurts, who thought trump could possibly be Ukraine’s saviour? The democrats policy on Ukraine has been a disaster.

[nFoot]

You paint a very black picture, Jonathan. All true, but so depressing. November really is the most depressing month of the year...

[Sylvie_M]

It seems to me that if the last decade or so have taught us anything, it is that those of us in ROW should no longer depend on America for support of any kind. They have proven themselves to be an unreliable partner, and not just in Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!!

[Devin_Laugherin]

How many backstabs can Ukraine endure while facetanking entirety of soviet stocks?
- Yes

[clarkeorchard]

My question is. Why should we, from this point, purchase usa arms if you cant use them.
If they are not an ally.
I want the remainder of the west to abide by its WORD even if others will not
I want my country to invest in arms production and send to Ukraine.
I want usa to be considered a security threat until it is not a friend of terrorist states.
I want for xmas, my politicians to not talk BS and walk the walk
Slava Ukraine
🇬🇧🇬🇧