Posted originally on Jul 31, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
QUESTION: Mr. Armstrong, is the US in the hands of the Neocons all over again? Trump’s threats against countries buying Russian oil seem to violate international law, and Congress’s imposition of 500% tariffs for noncompliance with Trump’s demand appears to be fulfilling your computer forecast. Would you comment on this 500% tariffs bill?
FK
ANSWER: The two Neocons Senators who belong in prison for hate crimes in any other country, Lindsey Graham (R‑SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D‑CT), who introduced this bill for a sweeping 500% tariff on countries buying Russian oil/gas. This bill has not yet passed. Unfortunately, this is a measure gaining significant support. This is the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, which would authorize such steep tariffs on countries that continue buying Russian energy products. It has 84 co-sponsors, and it indeed proposes a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, or petrochemicals—even if those goods are otherwise unrelated. President Trump has publicly endorsed the bill, while retaining a waiver provision—meaning he could choose whether to apply or exempt countries if the bill is passed.
This is yet another nail in the coffin of destroying Western Civilization. As I explained, sanctions are always the tool of the Neocons that makes them feel powerful and all warm and fuzzy inside. As I mentioned, they imposed sanctions on Cuba in 1960, as Castro was a horrible communist leader. Well, he dies, and the sanctions are still there to this day. I am sure Trump’s 180-degree turn is transforming him into an economic dictator threatening the world economically, which is putting a big grin on Liz Cheney’s face.
Trump is now following the Neocon Rule Book. Threaten your opponent, call him hateful names, and do not talk to ensure there will be no possibility of peace. I am shocked at Trump’s 180 turn. He may think he can intimidate Putin, but he is DEAD WRONG! Worst yet, imposing sanctions on Russia is one thing. Now, threatening actions against anyone who buys energy or used shoes from Russia can be sanctioned up to the proposed 500%.
The sanctions of removing Russia from the SWIFT system were a red flag to the world. The US is becoming a dictator to the world. If you do not comply with the demands of the US, they will remove you from the SWIFT system, and you will be isolated from the world economy. They led to BRICS, especially after the Biden Administration threatened China that it would be removed if it helped Russia. Thus, BRICS was born from that geopolitical threat, and they destroyed the world economy. The dollar can no longer be used as a weapon.
Trump wants to destroy BRICS and protect the dollar’s role in the world economy, which is a joke. You cannot threaten countries that they must comply with US demands and expect them to follow you over the edge. BRICS was created in response to these strong-arm tactics of the Neocons. They are in charge of US foreign policy, and Liz Cheney is popping the champagne – they have Trump following their rule book.
Though the Neocon bill has bipartisan support because there are Neocons on both sides of the aisle, thanks to this strong sponsorship from two ruthless, un-American Neocons, this is a significant threat to international security. This bill has not yet passed Congress, and any person in Congress who votes for it should be dragged out of Congress, kicking and screaming, for they do not represent the people. Moreover, there is also a broad package requiring congressional approval for new tariffs—the Trade Review Act of 2025 (S.1272)—that is also under consideration. It faces opposition from the White House, which has threatened a veto.
Parallel to the legislative process, courts are examining whether Trump’s existing tariffs—imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—were lawful. A May 28, 2025, ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade struck down these tariffs, though enforcement is paused pending appeal. Then on July 31, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is currently reviewing the legality of President Trump’s tariffs, with judges expressing skepticism about his authority to impose them without congressional approval. A ruling is expected soon, which could have significant implications for trade policy and presidential powers. This could go to the Supreme Court.
The legal argument before the panel of 11 members of the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington was stunning. Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to circumvent Congress’s power to levy tariffs was, in fact, I believe, illegal. Neal Katyal, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, argued that Trump’s citation of a statute that doesn’t even mention tariffs to launch an unprecedented trade war was a “breathtaking claim to power that no president has asserted in 200 years.”
A majority of the panel from both camps, Democratic and Republican, expressed varying levels of skepticism about Trump’s position. Any decision will likely take weeks and would almost certainly be stayed to give the US Supreme Court time to consider a request for review. I believe this is in part behind the pending legislation to grant this authority that Trump has usurped.
The NEOCON of the 17th Century was King Louis XIV, who waged endless wars, bankrupted France, and only on his deathbed did he finally lament: “I have been too fond of war.” It is hard to get into their head to come up woth some logical explanation of their thought process.
Here is Lindsey Graham talking about just killing Russians and how that puts such a smile on his face. This is, I believe, a psychopath. There is just no explanation for what has caused his deep-seated hatred of the Russian people. They care nothing for human life or all the people who must die to carry out their objectives. That includes our troops who die on the battlefield to put that smile on Graham’s face, along with Cheney’s.
Posted originally on Jul 30, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
Ukraine was well-known as the most corruptnation in Europe, if not the world. This is why Ukraine was not permitted to join the European Union, as the bloc determined that the country needed to implement harsh anti-corruption measures if it wanted to join. The EU decided to give that same corrupt government endless funds in their proxy war with Russia. Now, the EU is threatening to freeze funding to Ukraine if government corruption continues.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) lost their independent statuses last week after President Zelensky signed a law to usurp these agencies that are tasked with investigating high-level corruption. The EU has insisted since the 2014 Revolution of Dignity that these agencies remain independent. The promise was a main component of Ukraine’s accession into the bloc, but Zelensky is using martial law to consolidate power. EU officials warned that these actions “cross a red line,” and they are now reluctant to provide unconditional funding.
This is an issue that the people of Ukraine have been speaking out on. They realize that their government is corrupt, and many initially voted for Zelensky as he campaigned on the promise to end government corruption. My sources have said there are ongoing protests over Zelensky’s recent actions that have not been aired on any mainstream media outlet.
The EU is now holding off on providing $20 billion of the $50 billion promised to Ukraine under the Russian asset confiscation scheme. If corruption continues, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plan to pause funding. The next package to Ukraine’s Facility Program has been reduced to 3.05 billion euros ($3.5 billion) from 4.5 billion euros ($5.2 billion) as a direct result of ongoing corruption. “Everything has been put on hold until the situation is corrected,” EU officials stated to Ukrainska Pravda.
The European Union has provided Ukraine with $48.6 billion in funds since the war began, and provided another $9.3 billion through frozen Russian assets. Yaroslav Zheleznyak, deputy chairman of the parliamentary tax committee, admitted that Ukraine has only fulfilled 5 of the 11 requirements to join the European Union in a move that could cost Ukraine 3 billion euros. Ukraine is anticipating a 17.2 billion euro ERA loan and a 12.5 billion euro loan to the Ukraine Facility in 2025, but none of that will happen if Zelensky continues down his current path.
Ukraine’s government has no checks and balances for how it spends these loans or donations. The government claims it is operating at a $19 billion deficit despite the large increase in aid. Analysts estimate that the deficit will rise to $40 billion if EU aid ceases. Now, the IMF stipulated that Ukraine needs to reduce its budget deficit to 10% of GDP in 2026 to continue to receive financing.
Several parliament members voting on the future of the NABU and SAPO are currently under investigation by those agencies. They’re going to vote in their best interest, as no government employee is actually a public servant. The Verkhovna Rada will reconsider the future of these anti-corruption agencies on July 31. Rest assured that the corruption will continue, but Zelensky cannot be as blatant about his dealings now that funding is on the line.
Posted originally on Jul 30, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
Where have we seen this before? President Volodymyr Zelensky is wiping through troops so rapidly that he is encouraging men and women over 60 years of age to enlist in the military. Previously prohibited, Zelensky signed the measure into law under the premise of martial law.
The new law encourages people over 60 to sign up for one-year military contracts if they are cleared to serve. There is now no maximum age of service. The Ukrainian military will place seniors under a two-month probationary period to see if they are fit to fight. I fear where they would place these individuals on the battlefield.
Last April, Zelensky also lowered the draft age from 27 to 25. Casualties outnumbered estimates, and in February 2025, Zelensky implemented one-year military contracts for teens and young adults aged 18 to 24 on a voluntary basis. The youngest and oldest among the population are encouraged to fight voluntarily, for now—again, where have we seen this before in modern history?
The Kyiv Independent recently published an article regarding the manpower shortage. Ukraine began a military campaign to specifically target women. They believe women are discouraged from fighting due to “Soviet-rooted prejudice” and are firing up the propaganda to encourage women to enlist. There are currently 70,000 women serving in Ukraine’s military, but the nation needs more women to replenish the ranks.
Ukraine’s military was slated to be around 1 million strong at the beginning of the year, but Zelensky wants to increase that number by 50%. “The Ukrainian army is the largest in Europe. The second place after us (France) is four times smaller than us,” Zelensky attempted to brag. “I think the French have about 200,000. We have 980,000.” Russia allegedly has 1.5 million troops but actual data is opaque.
Zelensky needs everyone in Ukraine to prepare for battle. Children are learning about firearms and ammunition in school. There will come a time when service is no longer voluntary for women, seniors, teens, and young adults. The entire civilian population is expected to sacrifice itself for the deadliest European conflict since World War II, which could have been prevented.
Posted originally on CTH on July 29, 2025 | Sundance
The terms Ukraine and government corruption are synonymous regardless of who is funding the schemes. After Volodymyr Zelenskyy grabbed more power by stripping two key anti-corruption agencies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP), of their independence, protests erupted.
European leaders immediately noticed the intent of the power move and threatened Zelenskyy with a withdrawal of support. The current dictatorship of Zelensky and his small team then quickly reversed course. However, the damage is done, and once again Ukranian corruption is center stage.
It doesn’t matter how much western intelligence agencies and pro-Ukraine western govt officials try to hide the nature of the duck represented by Zelenskyy by calling him a swan, eventually the quacking returns – the mask drops.
UKRAINE – […] Some also cautioned that the agitation could spark a popular uprising like the one that toppled then-President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014. “We are now in the face of the most dangerous development in all the years since Maidan,” wrote Sevgil Musayeva, editor-in-chief of the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper. And like others, she hazarded that Zelenskyy’s powerful Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak was behind the move, amid signs that NABU is preparing cases against presidential insiders.
Eventually, with public uproar mounting, Ukraine’s president bowed to the pressure and agreed to restore the independence of the agencies — a new law turning back the clock is meant to be voted on Thursday.
Among the insiders currently under investigation are former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov and former Deputy Head of the Office of the President Rostyslav Shurma. Shurma was dismissed last year, after it emerged his brother was receiving green subsidies from the Ukrainian government for solar plants operating in Russian-occupied Donbas. Coincidentally, Shurma’s Munich home was raided by NABU investigators and German police in mid-July.
“It is critical not to lose the unity. To listen to people, to have dialogue, and so on,” Zelenskyy told reporters at a press briefing on Friday, explaining his about-face and consequent decision to restore the independence of the agencies in question.
QUACK!
[…] some civil society leaders think targeting the agencies is a sign that Zelenskyy and his clan-like group of aides are starting to panic about his poor polling numbers. As it stands, his chances of winning the next election, when it is eventually held, appear remote, with former armed forces commander General Valery Zaluzhny, who Zelenskyy fired after clashing over war strategy, seen as most likely to get elected.
[…] The street protests in Ukraine have put Zelenskyy on notice, and they’re an indication that patience is wearing thin. (read more)
Everywhere you travel in Europe the one constant amid the ordinary working-class is their knowledge that Ukraine is a bastion of political corruption. The summer coastline of Europe is full of Ukrainian govt officials and very wealthy Ukranian businessmen spending money, a lot of money, that everyone knows is coming from USA and European subsidy.
Visible Ukraine corruption is a joke amid those who cannot afford pretending and those in the service industries in the vacation resorts all along the European coast.
Making it all worse, is the in-your-face aspect of it very visible from the Ukrainians staying in luxury hotels, villas and opulent residences while sneering through their designer sunglasses. “Meh, or she, is Ukrainian,” is the simple response to the rudeness when noted.
There may be no love for Vladimir Putin within the muscle memory of some older populations within some former Soviet states. However, amid the working-class and the portion of the younger generation self-inoculated from western propaganda, opinion of Zelenskyy is even lower.
Eastern European support for the Zelenskyy regime is akin to U.S. support during the Biden regime. The pretending exists in media and government officials’ proclamations only.
Posted originally on CTH on July 29, 2025 | Sundance
The reality of the U.S-Canada economic relationship and the position of President Donald Trump is not that difficult to understand if you take all the disparate datapoints and quotes from Trump and put them into context.
During a White House meeting with Mark Carney, President Trump essentially told the Canadian Prime Minister why he was in no hurry to get to a deal with Canada.
The 35% tariffs on non-USMCA goods are going to trigger on August 1st, because the main priority of Trump -looking toward Canada- is to dissolve the USMCA.
During the May 6th oval office meeting with Carney, President Trump was discussing the USMCA and said: “As you know it terminates fairly shortly. It gets renegotiated fairly shortly.” … “This was a transitional deal, and we’ll see what happens, we’re going to start renegotiating that” … “I don’t know if it serves a purpose anymore.” …. “And the biggest purpose it served was, we got rid of NAFTA.”
To understand why President Trump wants to dissolve the USMCA {SEE HERE}. To understand the technical value of dissolving the USMCA {SEE HERE}. It’s not a complicated economic analysis; it’s common sense.
Currently, approximately 60% of the traded goods and services between the U.S. and Canada are covered by the USMCA; the remaining 40% will be hit by tariffs on August 1st at a 35% rate.
When the USMCA is renegotiated, predictably dissolved in favor of two bilateral trade agreements – one for Mexico and one for Canada, all of the U.S-Canada trade sectors will be part of the enlarged free trade negotiation. As a result, there is absolutely no motive to engage in trade discussions now.
♦ President Trump’s position is essentially to talk about the details when the USMCA is dissolved; hence, the ambivalence.
Politico is noting the Canadian trade team simply doesn’t understand this. “[D]espite months of back and forth, the terms for a deal have not yet been set, a senior government source said, with the White House informing the Canadian side that Trump is more focused on securing deals with other partners like India.”
(Politico cont..) […] Earlier this month, Canada conceded that any deal with Trump is likely to include tariffs.
Carney’s government wants stability around the tariffs Trump invoked using Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.
They are crushing Canada’s auto, steel, aluminum and forestry industries. Trump also plans to hit imported copper with 50 percent tariffs starting Aug. 1 — with semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports likely to follow.
Canada ultimately wants the tariffs eliminated or lowered to a fixed level that doesn’t fluctuate, the senior government official said. “If we know what world we’re going into, then we can have better plans and policies to attract investment.”
Canada’s premiers say the unpredictability is punishing the economy.
“Private investment is not growing because everybody’s on pause,” Quebec Premier François Legault told reporters last week. “They are waiting to see what will happen. I’ve been in business — it’s about the worst thing you can have is uncertainty.” (read more)
The certainty the Canadians are looking for can be found easily if they stop pretending.
(1) U.S. tariffs against non-USMCA products from Canada will go into effect on August 1st. (2) As soon as the USMCA is reopened, it will be dissolved. (3) After the USMCA dissolution, a bilateral free trade agreement between the USA and Canada will be negotiated.
Every current effort by Canada to change the nature of the trade system, between now and the reopening of the USMCA (to dissolve it), is futile.
Again, I’m not exactly sure why this reality is so challenging for the Canadian govt to understand.
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