I got home this afternoon and there was no air conditioning. Please note that the heat index at my house today at the time I got home was 104 Fahrenheit. So a wee bit toasty. While I was fortunately able to get a service call on short notice and even more fortunate that it was something small and easy to fix – something caused one of the two fuses to go, which tripped the breaker, but there was nothing else wrong with any other part of the A/C unit – I’ve got a stonker of a heat and humidity induced head ache. So I’m just going to run through the basics tonight so once the house finishes cooling off I can get cleaned up and rack out. And before you ask, the girls are fine. The ceiling fans helped until the A/C repair tech could get here.
Since I mentioned the girls, both Rosie and Ruby are doing great. Rosie is now 7 months post chemo and all her monthly checks are good. She’s got 14 and 1/2 year old lab/shepherd mix hips, but she’s active, wants to go for walks, wants attention, her appetite is back to normal. And with the heat and humidity, I’ve got dog hair everywhere! Ruby is Ruby. As long as she’s with me and her sister and, sometimes, her grandma, she’s a happy camper.
Last night Gin & Tonic asked:
Adam, I know how busy you are with this, but any comments on what appears to be a rapprochement (at least developing) between Armenia and Azerbaijan?
My professional assessment on this is that necessity is the mother of detente and potential rapprochement. Both the Armenians and the Azerbaijanis, especially their leaders, have learned over the past almost three and a half years, that despite what Putin might claim, he cannot continue to wage his genocidal re-invasion of Ukraine and serve as the arbiter of disputes and guarantor of the status quo in what he considers Russia’s historic sphere of influence and near abroad. Russia just does not have enough national power left over and the Armenians and Azerbaijanis, as well as the Qazakstania, Uzbeks, etc. Since the EU also doesn’t seem to have enough bandwidth as a conglomeration of states and the US, both under the previous administration and the current one, just doesn’t seem to care about either state, which is a huge strategic failure and lack of foresight, the Armenians and Azerbaijanis have to go it alone. And it will be easier to do that if they can at least get to a point where hostilities are less and less likely.
President Zelenskyy addressed the plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
Speech by the President of Ukraine at the Plenary Session of the Verkhovna Rada
17 July 2025 – 13:00
Glory to Ukraine!
Dear Ruslan, Honorable Mr. Speaker!
Dear Attendees, Esteemed People’s Deputies of Ukraine, Esteemed Members of the Government, and all those present!
Today marks the already 1,240th day of the full-scale war.
Ukraine has been standing against Russia in this war for its independence longer than anyone in the world expected. At the same time, from day one, we have maintained full control over our national institutions and all the systems of a truly functioning state. We are supplying the front, which is very important. We are only expanding our domestic Ukrainian weapons production. We are conducting our own defense operations on the enemy’s territory and inflicting tangible pain on Russia for this war. We have already made it through three winters of full-scale war and defended Ukraine from Russia’s ambition to destroy our energy system. We have preserved all the logistics Ukraine needs. We have built and continue to maintain, despite all turbulence, a global coalition in support of our people, in support of Ukraine, and we now have the largest number of friends and partners of Ukraine with the deepest ties in our state’s history, in every part of the world. We have secured EU candidate status for Ukraine and have begun accession negotiations. Ukraine must be ready on all negotiating clusters, and the future course of accession talks will depend solely on the European Union’s ability to deliver on its promises. For the first time in Ukraine’s history, new models of intergovernmental defense cooperation have been established and are functioning – such as the Danish model, which involves foreign investment in Ukrainian defense production. And these are large-scale projects worth billions of dollars. We are fulfilling all our social obligations, and even in a time of full-scale war, we are implementing pension and other social payments indexation. Ukraine has sufficient gold and foreign exchange reserves and all the foundations necessary to pursue an independent policy and continue defending our statehood, sovereignty, and independence.
Every one of these facts is the result of the patriotism and effectiveness of specific people.
It is the result of our warriors, who are heroically fighting for our state and destroying the occupier.
It is the result of every man and woman in our state who is working for Ukraine’s defense and resilience – for the sake of making it possible for Ukrainians to live.
It is the result of all those who save and protect lives in Ukraine.
I am proud of all our people – of the millions of Ukrainians who stand with their state.
And it is the result of the work of the state itself.
I thank the Government officials led by Denys Shmyhal. Thank you very much, Denys, for going through this path and doing so with dignity.
And I thank each of you, esteemed People’s Deputies of Ukraine, who have supported and continue to support the work of the Ukrainian Government.
I want to repeat once again: today marks the already 1,240th day of the full-scale war.
We all want peace as soon as possible, and we want that peace to be truly just for Ukraine.
At the same time, we all see how difficult it is to maintain sufficient global support, and how many other wars and crises are flaring up around the world, truly scattering global efforts.
Therefore, Ukraine needs more of its own strength.
We are transforming the management of the defense sector and weapons production so that within six months, the share of Ukrainian-made weapons available to our warriors will noticeably increase.
Currently, about 40% of the weapons in the hands of our warriors are made in Ukraine. In six months, it should be no less than 50%.
The renewed Ukrainian Government must audit all agreements, contracts, and memoranda with partners in defense, arms production, and all resilience programs to fully implement all commitments in Ukraine’s interests.
There will also be new agreements with the United States of America that will strengthen Ukraine’s positions, and for which changes in diplomatic work with America are needed.
We must guarantee our warriors’ confidence in the supply of the Defense Forces, and for this, we are increasing, in particular, Ukraine’s internal economic potential. And this is impossible without three things.
First, maximum deregulation, elimination of all bureaucratic barriers, and unnecessary state institutions whose functions simply duplicate each other.
Second, maximum unleashing of Ukraine’s social forces and involvement of partner potential for economic growth in Ukraine.
Third, justice, meaning, in many ways, new, stronger approaches to punishing those who encroach on Ukrainian statehood and who steal Ukraine’s potential.
The renewal of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the overall Ukrainian Government system will ensure the implementation of these tasks.
Ukraine will gain more of its own strength.
I am grateful to Yuliia Svyrydenko. Thank you, Yuliia, for effectively operating programs that support Ukrainian manufacturing and Ukrainian entrepreneurship. This experience, Yuliia has gained in advancing our Ukrainian resilience and economic growth, must be continued and scaled up as a priority for the Government of Ukraine
I count on the Government’s action plan to be presented as soon as possible and implemented on a daily basis. Each day must bring results for Ukraine.
The Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine will continue to receive all the necessary resources to defend our state and to protect our people.
We will strengthen the negotiation track to ensure a just end to the war and guarantee real security for Ukraine.
The digitalization of all processes and public services will be further advanced.
I expect the Government to offer more specific content within the Heroes’ Policy: support programs for veterans and families of Ukrainian warriors.
I also expect the Government to streamline and adopt a much more realistic approach to social policy in Ukraine.
Also, together with Government officials, our diplomats, and the National Security and Defense Council, we are preparing a new level of defense cooperation with key partners. Ukraine will be among the world’s leading security donors and weapons manufacturers.
With the aim of fully and promptly implementing these tasks, I have submitted, at the proposal of the parliamentary faction that holds the rights of the coalition of parliamentary factions in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, a motion for the appointment of Yuliia Svyrydenko as Prime Minister of Ukraine. And I ask that this motion be supported. I also ask that the relevant candidacies for other members of the Government of Ukraine, which will be submitted by the Prime Minister of Ukraine, and the candidacies for Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense of Ukraine, be supported as well.
I thank everyone who stands with us, who stands with Ukraine!
I thank all who work for the sake of our state and our people!
Glory to Ukraine!
Georgia:
Day 232 of unyielding, consistent #GeorgiaProtests
📷 Giorgi Mumladze
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 4:11 PM
1/ GD continues to respond with propaganda narratives to the European Union’s demand to uphold fundamental rights as the European Commission sent a letter to the ruling party listing eight specific points that must be addressed by the end of August.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:25 AM
2/ Failure to comply may result in the suspension of visa-free travel for Georgian citizens to EU countries.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:25 AM
3/ The EU’s eight recommendations align with those outlined in the European Commission’s seventh report on the visa suspension mechanism.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:25 AM
4/ The EU is calling for the protection of freedom of assembly and expression, the right to privacy, the right to participate in public life, and the prohibition of discrimination in Georgia.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:25 AM
5/ It also demands the repeal of any legislation that restricts fundamental rights and freedoms, violates the principle of non-discrimination or contradicts European and international standards.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:25 AM
6/ Specifically, the letter mentions the so-called “first Russian law” and the homophobic law.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:25 AM
🟥Irakli Kobakhidze’s Statements on Visa-Free Travel with the EU: Then and Now (2017 vs. 2025)
#Georgia faces the risk of losing visa-free travel unless it takes meaningful steps to reverse democratic decline and fully implement the #EU’s recommendations.
#RepressionInGeorgia
#GeorgiaProtests— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) July 17, 2025 at 11:38 AM
1/ Up to 40 Georgian civil society organisations issue a joint statement on the letter sent by the EU to Georgian Dream. The organisations state:
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:17 AM
2/ “Georgian citizens earned the right to visa-free travel not because of the government, but through the effort of the entire society — this was a historic decision grounded in democratic reforms, respect for the rule of law, and the protection of human rights.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:17 AM
3/ “It is clear to everyone that in recent years, the actions of Ivanishvili’s government have fundamentally exceeded the framework agreed upon for implementing reforms with the EU”.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:17 AM
4/ “The persecution of critical media, civil society, and political opponents poses a serious threat to the country’s democratic future and European path”.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:17 AM
5/ “If visa-free travel for Georgian citizens has been suspended, full responsibility lies with Ivanishvili’s government, which has undone decades of hard-earned progress and deliberately harms the country’s Western future against the will of the Georgian people.”
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Well, not to mention that their main propaganda point about the suspension of the Schengen visa-free is “they want us to become gays and that’s why they are now punishing us.” This is because one of the points from the EU is to restore anti-discrimination laws.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Illegitimate PM Kobakhidze says the GD will address the Constitutional Court to declare all 4 major democratic coalitions unconstitutional. Participation in the local elections won’t save Lelo and Gakharia, according to him, as they are still foreign spies and “collective UNM.”
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 6:41 AM
1/ Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has entered Mtavari Arkhi TV and its partner sales company, seizing all financial documents.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:21 AM
2/ The investigation was launched after a complaint from Gogi Kurdadze, a director appointed by co-founder Zaza Okuashvili. Kurdadze accuses the channel’s management and other co-founders of financial misconduct.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:21 AM
3/ Mtavari Arkhi responded, saying that Okuashvili’s accusations are false and serve the interests of the Russian regime. They claim the ruling party, Georgian Dream, used Okuashvili to shut down the main critical media outlet and is now continuing its pressure campaign through this investigation.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:21 AM
4/ The channel insists there is no crime in its finances and argues that a fair prosecution wouldn’t have started this case. They believe the real goal is political revenge, not justice.
The case involves possible abuse of power, embezzlement, and money laundering.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:21 AM
5/ Mtavari Arkhi, ceased broadcasting on May 1 due to a financial crisis allegedly caused by co-founder Zaza Okuashvili.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:21 AM
6/ Mtavari was founded in 2019 by former Rustavi 2 journalists after the Strasbourg Court upheld the ownership transfer of television to businessman Kibar Khalvashi.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:21 AM
7/ Following the decision, Khalvashi replaced Nika Gvaramia as director with his lawyer, Paata Salia, who is now a member of the ruling Georgian Dream party and the Minister of Justice.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 5:21 AM
A voice of freedom from prison.
Newspapers of letters from regime prisoners were distributed in Tbilisi today, Day 232 of #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 2:51 PM
🔴Two Ukrainian defendants in the case of 11 political prisoners detained during pro-EU protests, Serhii Kukharchuk and Ruslan Sivakov, requested that the media be allowed to film court hearings again.
🔴According to them, this is the only way their families can follow the proceedings.
#Georgia— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) July 17, 2025 at 9:48 AM
The US:
The people of America need Ukrainian technology. The people of Ukraine need American technology. The solution is right there 😏
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 11:32 AM
As I wrote way back in early 2022, when all is said and done, it won’t be that Ukraine needs the US, the EU, and/or NATO, it will be that the US, the EU, and NATO will need Ukraine.
“Diplomatic solution” is when crazy neighbor invades your home, kills part of your family, keeps other part of your family hostage in the kitchen, and you are pushed on to be diplomatic, cause if you’d get firepower to defend yourself what if you “wouldn’t want a deal anymore”?
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Leaving aside that the White House spokeswoman doesn’t have the foggiest notion of what she’s talking about, she’s making the same category error that far too many who do know what they’re talking about make. I have read far too many articles and op-eds arguing that since all wars must one day end and even though Ukraine will decide when it is ready to stop fighting this one, those who really care about Ukraine and Ukrainians must begin nudging them to negotiate a conclusion. This argument makes two major strategic mistakes. The first is that Putin and Russia will stop. Putin, as well as all of his surrogates and aides, have made it clear that Russia is not going to stop because Ukraine doesn’t belong to the Ukrainians, it belongs to Russia, specifically to Putin, and the Ukrainians aren’t really Ukrainians, they’re just somewhat lesser Russians who are deluded about their identity and culture. This sets up the next strategic error, which is usually articulated as either Ukraine is fighting a war of choice against Russia or a war for its independence. The reality is that Ukraine is not fighting a war of choice, nor a war for independence. Ukraine is defending itself against Putin’s and Russia’s genocidal re-invasion. The reality is that unless Russia is stopped, then if the Ukrainians stop fighting, they will cease to be.
“Well, we negotiated with them. Hundreds of times. And every time they violated it.” – Commander of the Sheikh Mansur Battalion, Cheberloevsky.
t.me/c/1377735387…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 3:28 PM
The US has informed Switzerland that the delivery of its Patriot missile systems will be delayed due to a shift in priorities towards Ukraine. – The Guardian
Switzerland had ordered five systems in 2022, with expected delivery between 2027 and 2028, now these timelines will be pushed further back.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 9:28 AM
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2…
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 9:29 AM
NATO has confirmed that it will transfer additional Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine as quickly as possible, according to its top military commander, General Alexus Grynkewich. www.reuters.com/world/transf…
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM
The Grynch strikes again! For those wondering, Gen Grynkewich, who is the Commanding General of US European Command and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe is a F-16 and F-22 pilot and his call sign is Grynch. This decision was probably made in DC, but since the reporting mentions him I get to use “Grynch” and “strikes again” in the update.
Germany:
“Ukraine will receive the Patriot system in the coming weeks.” – said German Chancellor Merz.
According to Ukrainian media, he made this statement during a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on July 17.
www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polyt…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 1:38 PM
It’s a start.
Back to Ukraine.
Girl prime minister hell yeah
— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Secret is out. Olha Stefanishyna will be Ukraine’s next ambassador to the US. Zelensky has now confirmed. Until Washington approves her, she will serve as Zelensky’s special envoy for US cooperation. She was previously vice PM for Euro integration & key to fulfilling requirements for EU membership.
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 17, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Eleven years on from MH17: It was obvious from day one that fascist Russia was responsible for the atrocity, the mass-murder of 298 people, but it has now been proved in a court of law: The ECHR on July 9 ruled that Russia was responsible for downing MH17.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 3:38 AM
The man holding up the toy at the MH17 crash site was Sergey Nikolaevich Petrovsky, also known by the nom de guerre ‘Grumpy’ (‘Khmury’ in Russian), identified as a Russian national and a former officer of the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU).
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 3:43 AM
This specific image is something I really don’t want anyone to ever forget
— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 12:20 PM
An acquaintance was on the scene reporting on this. A while back she posted a story that stuck with me. In front of the press, they were loading the bodies into refrigerated containers, to preserve them. An apparent act of humanity, despite eveything.
When most of press left, they turned them off.
— John Oxley (@joxley.jmoxley.co.uk) July 17, 2025 at 8:37 AM
We stand with the free world in mourning 298 innocent souls lost to russia’s #MH17 atrocity.
russian aggression is a cancer — it will keep growing until stopped by strength and resolve.
— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Column of the Russian BMPs destroyed in a bottleneck while attempting to cross a small canal. By the 54th Brigade of Ukraine.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 6:33 PM
A close flyby of a Russian Strela-10 air defense missile near a Ukrainian drone.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast:
In Nikopol, russia struck emergency workers responding to an earlier attack. Three rescuers were injured, along with two civilians.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Dobropillia, Donetsk Oblast:
Death tall in russian attack on Dobropillia rises to 4. Search and rescue efforts are concluded.
Russians struck the downtown market area of the city during busy early evening hours. Bastards.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Kharkiv:
Kharkiv region is under russian drone attack right now ‼️ explosions reported in Izum.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 4:48 PM
“A baby was found in a washing machine, with his parents nearby,” – a psychologist talks about russian war crimes during the occupation of Kharkiv Oblast.
📹via Suspilne Dnipro
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Kramatorsk and Kostiantynivka:
Russian attacks on Kramatorsk and Kostiantynivka killed 2 , and injured 7.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Dnipro:
At least 1 person was killed, and 5 others were injured in russian attack on Dnipro last night.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Kupyansk:
Russians again shell ambulance in Kupyansk on July 17
“On the morning of July 17, an ambulance in the city of Kupyansk was hit again. Russian FPV drone dropped ammunition on it as its driver was pulling it out of the garage. Fortunately, no one was injured,” police reported.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Kyiv:
Fascist Russia has in recent days restricted itself to harassing Kyiv by day with air alert threats from ballistic missiles and MiG-31K Kinzhal aero-ballistic missile carriers.
The Russian Blitz of terror air attacks against other Ukrainian cities continues unabated, however.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 3:00 AM
The problem with “the Kellogg shield” concept is that it really isn’t a shield. Russia hasn’t stopped it’s bombardments, nor has it lessened the intensity of the strikes, it’s just redirecting them to other parts of Ukraine.
Russian attack UAVs have been striking Kryvyi Rih since early morning.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 4:50 AM
The Kinburn Spit, (the sort of) Russian occupied Mykolaiv Oblast:
A Ukrainian flag has appeared in Pokrovs’ke on the occupied Kinburn Spit. It’s still unclear whether this is a symbolic ‘flag drop’ or part of a larger effort to secure a permanent foothold. Notably, FIRMS data shows multiple fire detections in the area over the past 24 hours.
— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) July 17, 2025 at 6:53 AM
The largest field of wild orchids in Ukraine is located on the Kinburn Spit, in the Mykolaiv region, within the “Beloberezhya Sviatoslav” national park.
— Mila Alien (@mila-alien.bsky.social) July 8, 2025 at 6:28 AM
The Kursk cross border offensive:
On the Kursk front, fighters from the border guard brigade “Steel Border” used drones to destroy a Russian assault group, preventing the enemy troops from even approaching Ukrainian positions.
t.me/wartranslate…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Tula Oblast, Russia:
Ukrainian drones struck the Shchekinoazot chemical plant in Russia’s Tula region overnight. Known for producing methanol, caprolactam, fertilizers, and sulfuric acid, the plant saw debris fall on its premises, according to the regional governor.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 7:37 AM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.
💙😻 Fluffy lies on his back, spreading his paws out to the sides, as if to say, “Hey, why are you all running around? This is the right way to live!” His belly is exposed to the sun, his face is blissful, and his throat makes such a rumbling sound that the neighbors are jealous.
Odesa, Ukraine 🇺🇦— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Open thread!
Gin & Tonic
Thanks for addressing my question, Adam.
Adam L Silverman
@Gin & Tonic: You’re welcome.
HinTN
Glad you got your a/c fixed, Adam. There are NO words strong enough to express my revulsion for both the Ruzzian invasion and our tepid response. OTOH, that cat is wonderful. Too bad we couldn’t hear him rumble.
Bill Arnold
At least 4 Russian war crimes in just in the social media posts that you chose to share tonight, not counting MH17 (which could have been pure sloppiness).
Martin
Seems to me the biggest innovation Ukraine has made with their drone program is not giving it to US military contractors to make them expensive and hard to make. Seems to me the value to the US is on drone tactics, not on tech. The tech is very accessible – by design.
pieceofpeace
Thanks, Adam…love the cat…
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
Since this is an open thread, Syria is completely falling apart and the head of the provisional government has packed up his family and fled. Who knows where, who cares, I don’t. And half of Syria seems to want to massacre the Druze. Why I have no clue, but Israel is not having it.
Unlike some other heads of state, Zelensky doesn’t seem to have a problem with strong, intelligent women. Wild. /S
Thank you Adam. You really need to get out of Florida ASAP.
Jay
Thank you, Adam.
Westyny
Thank you, Adam.
Maccheerful
Thanks Adam,
For those living in the Seattle area, on Friday July 25, 7 pm, there will be a movie playing at Seattle International Film Festival theater in the Seattle Center in support of Ukraine – Soldiers of Song, about Ukrainian musicians.
ukrainedefensesupport.org/ev/soldiers-of-song-film-screening/
Gloria DryGarden
I’m so moved by the field of wild purple orchids. What a treat. The cat is fabulous,
and st kit of the protector cape is quite divine, too.
I’m trying to understand if the baby in the washer, was saved by being inside there. I can’t quite tell, and it’s too late at night for a crying spell.
thank you Adam.
Doug
Whatever Armenia and Azerbaijan are doing now, it’s more like a ceasefire than anything else. In 2020, Azerbaijan made Karabakh untenable and in 2023, it drove all of the Armenians from that region, ending at least 1500 years of Armenian presence in the area. (That’s roughly seven centuries more than the Turkic peoples who became modern Azeris, if anyone is counting.)
Aliyev has, at times, indicated that he considers southern Armenia — the part between Azerbaijan proper and its exclave of Nakhichevan — to be western Azerbaijan. From his point of view, it’s fine that Russia can’t maintain a status quo. His country has three times the population of Armenia, it has oil money, and it has decisively won the last two confrontations with Armenia. He can bide his time and decide on his own whether he wants to sever the one practical road that connects north and south Armenia.
Armenia is doing what it can to survive as a state.
Socolofi
I didn’t realize Azerbaijan and Armenia were trying to bury the hatchet. Thanks for the update Adam. I visited Tbilisi and Baku last year; Tbilisi was nice, and many people there clearly want to be past of the EU, but their geography makes it likely impossible. And while the wine is good, they aren’t rich. Azerbaijan however is rich, and the speak Turkish and Russian. It was pretty obvious that without Russia left to police the area, they were going to sort things for themselves – which they did in 2023 ending the Nagoro-Karabakh reign.
Gin & Tonic
@Socolofi: Tbilisi is in Georgia, not Armenia.