Posted originally on Feb 17, 2026 by Martin Armstrong |
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has reported that Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, is now in the “successor nomination stage,” a phrase indicating not just symbolic visibility but active internal positioning as the next leader. This marks the clearest signal yet that Pyongyang is preparing for a fourth-generation transfer of power within the Kim dynasty.
Kim Ju-ae first appeared in state media in November 2022, accompanying her father at a missile test, and over the subsequent three years, she has been featured at military parades, significant weapons unveilings, and national ceremonies. The world did not know that the dictator had a daughter until his close friend, American basketball star Dennis Rodman, leaked the information to reporters. Seoul believes Ju-ae will be treated as the de facto second-highest figure in official protocol. There is no official record of her age, but based on the information from Rodham, she is believed to be in her teens.
North Korea has survived isolation, economic contraction, sanctions that exceed anything applied to the Soviet bloc during the Cold War, and ongoing famine. The notion that North Korea will “collapse” because a teenager is at the helm is not a reality. The Kim Dynasty is seen as immortal, and the people have an unwavering, albeit forced, loyalty to the family. The people will accept her as their leader, but the true question is whether there will be a “North Korea” to rule over. The answer largely depends on China.
North Korea’s existence is heavily dependent on Beijing’s strategic tolerance. China acts in its own national interest and will not sacrifice stability lightly. If China weakens internally during the coming sovereign debt cycle or shifts policy direction post-2030, North Korea’s long-term structure could change. Socrates shows heightened geopolitical volatility around the Korean Peninsula into 2026–2028, with another major structural inflection point into 2032. That does not imply disappearance, but it is not out of the question.
Posted originally on Feb 17, 2026 by Martin Armstrong |
A court in Russia’s Arctic Murmansk region has fined a pensioner 30,000 rubles (€325) for “discrediting” the army by liking videos on YouTube. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/c6qPg9vj9o
A Russian court fined a 72-year-old pensioner for the act of “liking” two YouTube videos. The court found the man guilty of discrediting the Russian government and supporting content produced by a Ukrainian propagandist. In the modern age, social media usage can lead to criminal charges.
In this latest case, the court imposed a 30,000-ruble fine (€325) simply because the pensioner pressed a button under content deemed by authorities to be produced by so-called “foreign agents” and critical of official narratives.
This development is not a stand-alone incident. For years, Russian authorities have tightened their grip on online spaces, blocking independent news, throttling platforms, and criminalizing not only the publication of dissenting views but even the private consumption of information viewed as dangerous by the state. The regulatory and legislative infrastructure now enables courts to treat simple digital engagement as a punishable act, and to assign criminality to what in any open society would be protected speech. Russia’s internet environment has been described as among the most controlled in the world, with agencies developing “sovereign internet” plans and deploying powerful content-control systems that monitor, filter, and remove material at the state’s discretion.
Hence, we are witnessing governments attempt to repeal VPN access. Websites are demanding user ID for access. Anonymity on the internet does not bode well for government surveillance and control. The West wanted to believe that this blatant control could only be carried out by the likes of Russia or China.
Every click, every search, and every like can be tracked, judged, and punished. A society that fines a pensioner for a digital gesture is essentially saying that the state owns not just territory and resources but thought itself. Opinions can now be weaponized. Most importantly, the internet was once a free medium of communication exchange, but now, it has become a tool for censorship and control.
Posted originally on Feb 17, 2026 by Martin Armstrong |
The Dutch House of Representatives on last week voted to pass the Actual Return in Box 3 Act (Wet werkelijk rendement box 3), a reform that will tax residents at a flat rate of 36% on the actual returns they earn from savings and investments, but not only to income that has actually been received, but also to the annual increase in value of assets like stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies, even when those assets have not been sold. This will be effective January 1, 2028.
The bill replaces a system that taxed investment income based on assumed returns, a framework the Dutch Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional in a series of decisions beginning in December 2021.
Under the new regime, this illustrates the crisis facing Europe not only that they need money, but that such a drastic disparity between the EU states promotes migration within the EU if not the flight from the EU. With taxation like this, aside from war, this will transform the Sell America Trade to Migrate to America Trade.
So a wave of inflation comes and your house has risen in value, they will have some independent appraiser determined the value of your house and you will have to pay 36% in cash on that increased value. How do you pay such a tax if you do not have the cash? You will then be compelled to sell your house to pay the tax?
And you wonder why the Computer is forecasting the end of Republics by 2032? They pass more and more socialist policies to bribe people to vote for them always targeting those who actually produce like the Democrats vowing to stop Voter ID so illegal aliens can vote for them when you cannot get on a plane or drive a car without ID, but you can vote for a Democrat no matter where you are from. What’s next? They send absentee ballots to the Dutch Parliament asking for help?
Posted originally on Feb 16, 2026 by Martin Armstrong |
QUESTION: Marty, I just moved to Florida. I bought an old teardown from the ’50s. It’s hard to find contractors here. Everyone is really busy. Any recommendations?
GK
ANSWER: I have been looking for a contractor to add a 3rd floor for me. It’s hard to find someone. If you are in the construction business, tired of state income taxes, and with Governor Ron DeSantis looking to eliminate property taxes on your place of permanent residence, this seems to be the place to move to.
Posted originally on Feb 16, 2026 by Martin Armstrong |
QUESTION: Ukraine is clearly on the verge of losing this stupid territorial war. Zelenskyy is again trying to engulf Europe in total war. He is telling Europe it must attack Russia now. He said conciliatory gestures won’t work.
“You can’t stop Putin with your kisses or flowers.”
You were correct. This is the guy hand picked to start World War III. He cares nothing about his own people and is willing to destroy all of Europe for his personal hatred of Russians. The media will never interview you because they want World War III and put this guy as some champion of freedom.
God help us.
I am leaving Europe taking my family to safety. I see no hope here for Europe.
Thank you for your honesty. After what they did to you, you could have just hid away someplace. I admire your courage.
Uri
ANSWER: The fact that the media will never interview me also gives me the freedom to speak behind the curtain more intensely. If the media actually reported on me truthfully, they would probably suicide me to silence me.
I have been warning about Zelensky. The Minsk Agreement which all of Europe signed with Ukraine and Putin told Zelensky when he came to power how important it was to honor the Minsk Agreement and let the people of the Donbas vote on their freedom from Ukrainians who hate their guts.
Sources continue to say that the Neocons are working on biological weapons for Ukraine to use against Russians while others claim there are also covert operations trying to figure out how to get nukes into Ukraine for this madman Zelensky.
The media lies about everything. They claim Russia invaded “UNPROVOKED” and they claim Russia launched a full scale invasion to take all of Ukraine. They have insisted on Europe send troops to Ukraine and put out the BS that if Ukraine falls, Putin will take all of Europe. Even Hillary was spinning that narrative at the Munich Security Conference.
The head of NATO, Mark Rutte, has come out and lectured these stupid European Leaders who are on the ropes economically and think conquering Russia will keep their failed EU federal government alive. Rutte blasted these morons telling them that Europe is incapable of defending itself without America.
Emmanuel Macron is now France’s least-popular president in the past 50 years. His approval rating is just 11%. The latest Gallup Poll puts trust in TV mainstream reporters at 13%, Macron is now below the trust in media. TheTimes referred to Sir Keir Starmer as “themost unpopular prime minister in history“, while Andrew Neil wrote in the Daily Mail that Mr Starmer is “themost unpopular Prime Minister with voters since modern polling began.” In January, Starmer had a negative 47% approval rating.
These EU leaders are so upset that Trump will not fund their intended war against Russia while they grab the assets to regain their global importance and rise above the US, this ungrateful colony, to lead the world in their delusional state of gaining old glories. Perhaps they switched from cocaine to Amanita Muscaria, the psychedelic mushroom some believe the Vikings took before going into battle, which is the origin of the word “berserk” from the Old Norse term “berserkr.” Over time, it evolved to describe someone who is out of control or frenzied, reflecting the wild behavior of these ancient Scandinavians.
A warmonger is typically a leader or individual who advocates for or engages in war, often seen as promoting conflict rather than seeking peaceful solutions. This term carries a negative connotation, suggesting manipulation and exploitation of societal tensions for personal or political gain. Zelensky, Macron, Starmer all fit this profile among others.
The term “warmonger” has roots dating back to the 1580s. It has evolved to describe those who seem eager to escalate conflicts rather than seek peaceful resolutions. The concept of warmongering can also be examined through psychological lenses. Some theories suggest that inner conflicts and fears within individuals can lead to aggressive behaviors, including the promotion of war. This inner turmoil may manifest as a desire to project power or control over others.
There is only one way to create peace. Honor the Minsk Agreement, let the people of the Donbas VOTE who they want to join. Remove all sanctions and embark on free trade. Government will have to be overthrown to achieve that for they have vested so much into this hatred of Russia as a distraction from their failing Marxist-Socialist philosophies. You cannot create social justice materially without violating human rights and sacrificing economic growth and efficiency. This is why EU growth is only about one-third of the US rate.
Trump must realize that the auto industry left Detroit because of TAXES, not cheap labor overseas. The City of Detroit abused their power and chased everyone out and then defaulted on their debt in 1937. All four cities that were raising taxes to redistribute wealth were collapsing in 1933, Detroit, Milwaukee, Boston, and Chicago. Nothing has ever changed and these four cities are incapable of ever learning from the continued mistakes in fiscal management. They bribe people for votes and rob anyone who produces to retain power.
Europe is following the same path.
Zelensky thinks if the EU attacks Russia, Trump Will Have to Come to the Rescue
Posted originally on CTH on February 17, 2026 | Sundance
While the government of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has inked a trade agreement with China to accept cheap imported vehicles in exchange for Beijing purchasing some agricultural products, President Trump has promised those cheap Chinese EVs will never cross the border into the USA.
The Canadian polling on the issue has done a remarkable chang in the past few years. Now, the majority of Canadians are willing to purchase cheap Chinese EVs. As outlined by Bloomberg, “More than half of Canadians, or 53%, say that knowing an EV was made in China would have no effect on their purchasing decision, according to a new poll by Nanos Research Group for Bloomberg News.”
Approximately 50,000 Chinese electric vehicles will enter the Canadian market in the first year. “The pact with China includes a provision that part of the quota will be reserved for electric vehicles priced at C$35,000 ($25,700) or less, the government has said.” {SOURCE}
The Canadian government wants a Chinese auto manufacturer, any Chinese auto manufacturer, to build factories in Canada to produce these electric vehicles. Canada wants the jobs and economic activity because Canada is currently bleeding jobs and economic activity due to the trade conflict with the U.S.
Building cheap Chinese EVs in Canada might help offset a few thousand job losses, but building Chinese EVs in Canada only further ensures there will not be a substantive trade agreement between the USA and Canada once the USMCA (CUSMA) is dissolved. [More on that coming]
Meanwhile, Chinese EV company Build Your Dream (BYD) has announced they sold 4.6 million vehicles worldwide last year, far surpassing Tesla and even surpassing all of the Ford global auto manufacturing. BYD is now the sixth largest auto manufacturing company in the world.
[Auto News] […] The 2025 sales figures place BYD at sixth largest among global automakers, meaning Ford slipped to seventh in total global deliveries. Toyota remains the dominant global seller with sales exceeding 10 million units followed by Volkswagen Group, Hyundai Motor (including Kia and Genesis), General Motors, and Stellantis.
BYD’s sixth position in the global automotive sales index is particularly notable for an auto maker that focuses almost exclusively on new energy vehicles (NEVs) — a category that includes battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). (more)
CTH previously outlined the specific explosion in BYD auto sales HERE. Europe, Russia, Asia and Australia are flooded with cheap Chinese EVs particularly from the BYD brand. Canada is now opening themselves to face the same issue.
NYT – Robert Duvall, who drew from a seemingly bottomless reservoir of acting craftsmanship to transform himself into a business-focused Mafia lawyer, a faded country singer, a cynical police detective, a bullying Marine pilot, a surfing-obsessed Vietnam commander, a mysterious Southern recluse and scores of other film, stage and television characters, died on Sunday. He was 95.
His death was announced in a statement by his wife, Luciana Duvall, who said he had died at home. She gave no other details. He had long lived on a sprawling horse farm in Fauquier County, Va., west of Washington. (more)
Posted originally on CTH on February 16, 2026 | Sundance
An interesting thing happened last weekend, President Trump went golfing with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. {SOURCE} Simultaneously, President Trump released the following statement from his Truth Social account.
(Via Truth Social) – “The Board of Peace has unlimited potential. Last October, I released a Plan for the permanent end to the Conflict in Gaza, and our Vision was unanimously adopted by the United Nations Security Council. Shortly thereafter, we facilitated Humanitarian Aid at record speed and secured the release of every living and deceased Hostage.
Just last month, two dozen distinguished Founding Members joined me in Davos, Switzerland, to celebrate its official formation, and present a bold Vision for the Civilians in Gaza, and then, ultimately, far beyond Gaza — WORLD PEACE!
On February 19th, 2026, I will again be joined by Board of Peace Members at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., where we will announce that Member States have pledged more than $5 BILLION DOLLARS toward the Gaza Humanitarian and Reconstruction efforts and have committed thousands of personnel to the International Stabilization Force and Local Police to maintain Security and Peace for Gazans.
Very importantly, Hamas must uphold its commitment to Full and Immediate Demilitarization. The Board of Peace will prove to be the most consequential International Body in History, and it is my honor to serve as its Chairman.” PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
I said a few weeks ago that I would not be surprised to see President Trump announce the appointment of Ron DeSantis to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Peace. DeSantis’ executive experience in combination with his relationship with Israel functionally makes him a good fit. Just a guess.
DeSantis is a political animal without much of a career path that does not lean heavily on his governorship. Ron and Casey DeSantis are the republican equivalent of Bill and Hillary.
DeSantis will need a job after his term expires this year. The traditional path would be to take a job as the CEO within a major company, make money then launch for the 2028 campaign later in 2027.
I have created this site to help people have fun in the kitchen. I write about enjoying life both in and out of my kitchen. Life is short! Make the most of it and enjoy!
This is a library of News Events not reported by the Main Stream Media documenting & connecting the dots on How the Obama Marxist Liberal agenda is destroying America
