Understanding the US - Again

[A_Gupta]

Comment from a despairing American:

Have you heard of “kettling”? It’s a protest-control tactic: push the crowd toward what looks like an exit, then seal it off. Do it again and again until there’s only one way out — straight through the choke point. In theory, it’s for safety. In practice, the cordon snaps shut. Panic builds. People not even part of the protest get trapped. I’ve been in it. You feel dread in your bones as every escape closes.

That’s what this administration is doing — with policy.

Cut funding to universities — and block every path to replace it. Scientists try to save their data — and are told it must be destroyed or it’s “theft.” Universities lose the ability to recruit international students — crippling their intellectual and financial future.

Health researchers, following the rules in good faith, find themselves maneuvered into committing what the law defines as a crime against humanity — exactly that, with no qualifier. Human research rendered scientifically useless by erased data meets the definition word for word. The kettling works: every way out turns into a dead end.

It’s happening in climate policy, economic policy, foreign policy, journalism, the law, civil rights, the military, public service. Kettling, everywhere. Good-faith actors backed into corners until quitting seems the only option left.

[drnayar]

I am told why Switzerland was hit with a 39% tariff is that Trump did not know that Switzerland was not part of the EU, and felt they had tricked him.

I am told that the Swiss refused to move the gold they have in their vaults (much of it belonging to their clients) to the US for "safe keeping" and therefore attracted Trump's wrath. FWIW.

the robber country will just take it !!

[Rudradev]

Attack on the Centers for Disease Control HQ in Atlanta by a deranged gunman.

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/arch ... dy/683814/

[hanumadu]

Trump is a deep state trojan horse inside MAGA. He will not stop till he destroys MAGA. No one will ever go against the establishment ever again and USA will once again happily be a uniparty.

[Vayutuvan]

Trump is a deep state trojan horse inside MAGA.

There is circumstantial evidence to support that theory. Orangebandar was a democrat at one time.

[Jay]

Outstanding...

https://media1.tenor.com/m/iLh0EuM7fJcA ... sh-hai.gif

[anmol]

Trump is a deep state trojan horse inside MAGA.

There is circumstantial evidence to support that theory. Orangebandar was a democrat at one time.

IMO he defected to Deep State after the two assassination attempts. He is unusually silent on that. Since then he has rebuked people like Tucker Carlson and doing everything Lindsey Graham is saying.

[Cyrano]

The US mindset: Have no illusions about how they see India.

[vera_k]

Looked this up because of the graphic posted earlier. Wasn't aware of the connection to India.
The Tea Act

The Tea Act, passed by Parliament on May 10, 1773, granted the British East India Company Tea a monopoly on tea sales in the American colonies.

The Tea Act was not intended to anger American colonists, instead it was meant to be a bailout policy to get the British East India Company out of debt. The British East India Company was suffering from massive amounts of debts incurred primarily from annual contractual payments due to the British government totaling £400,000 per year.

[saip]

Where is Alaska guys? While no one is watching did the Orange Monkey sign an executive order transferring it to Russia? During the presser he said he is going to Russia to meet Putin.

[Vayutuvan]

IMO he defected to Deep State after the two assassination attempts.

While we are at it, let me float another [c] theory.

This is a Orangeman clone clone. The original sona bandar is in the basement of WHOTUS in a coma (ala the movie Dave). Deep state brainwashed the clone and parading it as the presi. Same with Melania too.

[Vayutuvan]

Outstanding...

You don't believe in deep state? See above.

[Tanaji]

It is amazing how much the world can change in such a short period of time. US Americans have always boasted how distrust of the government is ingrained into them and that an authoritarian government was impossible. People have guns we were told and they would use it to resist an unjust government…. Instead we haven’t even had a single riot, let alone mass protests. If the Dems think Trump is so immoral and unjust, where are the protests?

Indians and the French would have set things ablaze by now…

[Ambar]

It is amazing how much the world can change in such a short period of time. US Americans have always boasted how distrust of the government is ingrained into them and that an authoritarian government was impossible. People have guns we were told and they would use it to resist an unjust government…. Instead we haven’t even had a single riot, let alone mass protests. If the Dems think Trump is so immoral and unjust, where are the protests?

Indians and the French would have set things ablaze by now…

Abhi time hain ji..its just been 7 months, things did not go "fiery but peaceful" until the fourth year of his first term.

[S_Madhukar]

Trump is a deep state trojan horse inside MAGA.

There is circumstantial evidence to support that theory. Orangebandar was a democrat at one time.

Totally agree, he is saving up the coins early this term, securing himself then will do as asked rest of the term. If he gets enough points then may be he is gifted the Nobel

[gakakkad]

It is amazing how much the world can change in such a short period of time. US Americans have always boasted how distrust of the government is ingrained into them and that an authoritarian government was impossible. People have guns we were told and they would use it to resist an unjust government…. Instead we haven’t even had a single riot, let alone mass protests. If the Dems think Trump is so immoral and unjust, where are the protests?

Indians and the French would have set things ablaze by now…

There have been several anti ice protest and riots One should wait for inflation to fully kick in and you'll see more .

[Ambar]

What inflation? He fired the former BLS chief and is hiring a guy from the Heritage Foundation! Gone are the days of "Shanghai Statistics", it is time for "DC Statistics" !

[Vayutuvan]

DC is Dupli-City not for nothing.

[gakakkad]

Had an epiphany. Sriharikota is in the east . They are planning a terror attack at the space center . Has to be. "Key assets in the east ". 99% sure that's what they mean .

[drnayar]

IMO he defected to Deep State after the two assassination attempts.

While we are at it, let me float another [c] theory.

This is a Orangeman clone clone. The original sona bandar is in the basement of WHOTUS in a coma (ala the movie Dave). Deep state brainwashed the clone and parading it as the presi. Same with Melania too.

Ot but Melania was a high class call girl who was introduced to trump by Zampolli who was in the "high class" business, they have whitewashed the entire background now

[hanumadu]

There is circumstantial evidence to support that theory. Orangebandar was a democrat at one time.

Totally agree, he is saving up the coins early this term, securing himself then will do as asked rest of the term. If he gets enough points then may be he is gifted the Nobel

Is Trump's desperation for the Nobel caused by the urge to rival Obama? I think it all started with Obama mocking Trump at the white house correspondents' dinner and other instances. Now he is also a two time president like Obama. He just needs a nobel.

[S_Madhukar]

Had an epiphany. Sriharikota is in the east . They are planning a terror attack at the space center . Has to be. "Key assets in the east ". 99% sure that's what they mean .

Could also be N plant or base

[A_Gupta]

August 7th - the market does not think that buying of Russian oil will stop.
Better than the original headline.

Why the oil market believes Trump will back down from tariffs on Russian crude buyers
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/07/trump-p ... raine.html

John Bolton: Trump is an idiot is a better headline than the given one.
Trump doesn’t understand Pakistan at all
https://youtu.be/Y79eREukn24?si=I602W8V5ZVxTqhHr

[Jay]

You don't believe in deep state? See above.

Who is in this "deep state" categorization?

[Jay]

Had an epiphany. Sriharikota is in the east . They are planning a terror attack at the space center . Has to be. "Key assets in the east ". 99% sure that's what they mean .

My thoughts too. Either Sriharikota or Vizag naval installations.

[Rudradev]

Make no mistake. Pakistan has nothing with which it can hit India anywhere, north south east or west. Even Sirsa, as we saw, is too far "east" for them.

Whatever hits targets in India once Sindoor Part 2 begins is going to be supplied, and quite possibly operated, by the US (likely CENTCOM).

Meaning, if you live & work in the US, Trump will be using YOUR tax dollars to pay for it.

Much like everything bigger than small-arms fire that has been targeted at Russia, or at Russian forces in Ukraine, since 2022.

[gakakkad]

short of BMs what does US have that can hit India.

i think it'll be some combination of 10/7 terror attacks (find it hard to believe that happened without US being aware) and smuggled drone strikes in russia. reason i think Satish dhawan is likely target is that its an island. unlike a nuke powerplant it does not have hardened shelter. and the budget optics ratio is poor.

[Vayutuvan]

Much like everything bigger than small-arms fire that has been targeted at Russia, or at Russian forces in Ukraine, since 2022.

By Biden at that time. Then all the wars and color revolutions during Clinton (Bosnia, giving advance notice to Shittistan before leveling empty tents of AQ), Bush (Iraq), Obama (color revolutions, Libya, pallets of cash to Iran, kneeling to China, and making deals with Medvedev just at the end of his first term), Trump 1st (not much was done by him because he was opposed tooth and nail by YNW), Biden (pull out from Afghanistan, southern border, refugees from slummist countries), and now Orangemonkey 2nd term this.

[Vayutuvan]

short of BMs what does US have that can hit India.
reason i think Satish dhawan is likely target is that its an island.

Can shittistan do it from the southernmost tip Beggardesh? Did China already supply missile parts to BD who can assemble in situ with Paki help and shoot at Chandipur on the sea or Vishakha Pattanam?

[Tanaji]

Any direct action in the form of BMs or air launched missiles is improbable. Pakis are pigs but not stupid, they know the retribution will be severe and unrestricted as they will have attacked a civilian target.

No, the more probable option is a multi drone attack launched from close to Sriharikota or whatever target they choose. This provides the fig leaf of deniability. The drones and explosives can easily be smuggled in or have been already. Plenty of jihadis available that can launch them.

The damage will be minimal unless strike is during a launch. Pappu and gang will be ecstatic and make sure the optics for Pak are favourable by doing the Mudi shiuld rejjine..

[A_Gupta]

The new head of CENTCOM replacing Kurilla is Admiral Charles B.(Brad?) Cooper. I couldn't find much about what he thinks. Just posting this excerpt from his written testimony to the Senate when being confirmed.
https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/i ... r-wars.com

8. What is your understanding of the 2025 Interim Nation Defense Strategic Guidance (INDSG) and its implications for the CENTCOM AOR?

The INDSG prioritizes defense of the American homeland and scopes the Department’s sole pacing threat as China. To accomplish its desired ends, the INDSG lays out a force planning construct and three lines of effort: defend the homeland, deter China, and increase burden sharing. The INDSG also emphasizes de-risking America’s defense industry. The INDSG establishes China as the sole pacing threat, while acknowledging that Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon and its proxies remain active, as do terrorist groups, such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda. These are threats which the United States cannot afford to ignore.
....
....
9. What is your understanding of U.S. strategic objectives in the CENTCOM AOR and what role do you believe CENTCOM should play in supporting these objectives?

The U.S. strategic objectives in the CENTCOM AOR, are (1) defend the homeland, (2) deter China, (3) increase burden-sharing, and burden-shifting (4) prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and (5) support Israel’s ability to defend itself.

[A_Gupta]

From the oral testimony, the only significant thing related to India or Pakistan (India was not mentioned at all):
https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/i ... script.pdf

Admiral, if confirmed, what will you do and how will you work with regional partners to deny extremist groups safe haven in South Asia?


Admiral Cooper: Senator, ISIS-Khorasan, also known as ISIS-K, operates principally on the Afghan-Pak border. The mechanism we use to address this issue today is through a mil-to-mil relationship with Pakistan, specifically focused on counterterrorism. We have seen the benefit of this
relationship in the last couple of months with the handover of the Abbey Gate mastermind to U.S. authorities several
months ago. And if confirmed, I would continue to invest in this mil-to-mil counterterrorism relationship with Pakistan. It is good for America, and it helps to keep America safe.

[gakakkad]

Seems like he is buying the isis-k snake oil . Pretty sure isis-k is isi main. They probably caught some random dude and gave it over .

It's the old playbook again and again . Fool me once shame on you , fool me twice shame on me . Fool me again and again and again , call me an american .

[chanakyaa]

New extortion racket

Nvidia and AMD to pay 15% of China chip sale revenues to US government

Nvidia and AMD have agreed to give the US government 15 per cent of the revenues from chip sales in China, as part of an unusual arrangement with the Trump administration to obtain export licences for the semiconductors.
….

[Vayutuvan]

New extortion racket

It is rumored that Xi asked Chinese AI companies not use nVidia anymore. Trump lifted the ban on H20 line of GPGPUs.

[drnayar]

New extortion racket

It is rumored that Xi asked Chinese AI companies not use nVidia anymore. Trump lifted the ban on H20 line of GPGPUs.

Apparently Chinese national security concerns! .. we need to give this term a nice name. As it is going to be used much often by both us and China in coming days.

[vijayk]

I don't think US/Trump stand on India/Pakistan has anything to do with trade/Russia. This is not just trade but a broader geopolitical rethink in US govt and state. Rubio made a comment , " we are newly entering into a period of strategic balance with China"... like a soft G2 situation. Pakistan is being used to contain India so that a new power does not emerge

https://x.com/d_extrovert/status/1955642179449164120