Nothing happens in a vacuum, that should be very clear, and the India-Pakistan conflict has probably only just begun. That was the analysis we made right at the start, and I still hold on to that.
Trump doesn’t seem to be quite up to date – he is currently out there suggesting that Apple should not invest heavily in India at all, but rather in the USA, and that he soon will have a “superb trade deal with India.”
It is indisputable that India initiated the war after a terrorist attack, and they came out strong, with Pakistan responding in kind.
But we don’t know what events led up to that, do we?
However, we have seen enough information now to be able to connect the following:
-The USA visited India for a charm offensive.
-India chose the USA over China and imposed 10% tariffs on China.
-Trump has demanded that all manufacturing be moved from China, and India has been ready to receive a lot – for example, Apple, which Trump is now upset with. He seems to have a beef with Tim Cook because when he talked about moving, he meant to the USA.
-China is poking into the open wound of India-Pakistan.
-Now either China or Russia has started looking for divisions in India, and Islamophobia is a clear catalyst.
-We do not see the same subversive activity against Pakistan, other than India somewhat clumsily trying to stir something up.
-Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh seem to have a united front against India?
Old truths apparently went out the window – for example, Pakistan has sold huge amounts of ammunition to Ukraine and had almost empty crates when this started, so obviously they have leaned towards the West?
I saw that Russia immediately sent MANPADS to India – it seems like there are still good relations with them.
I can only conclude that this is a China-driven operation and that Russia simply has to comply.
And that it was initiated when India actively chose the USA over China.
I don’t have much good to say about JD Vance, but here he seems to be innocent.
So, we have reached the point where China has started to do exactly like Russia and incite war – let’s hope the world’s security services are taking notes 
The Istanbul negotiations are going something like this – the Russians sent some middle management who don’t have the mandate, so Rubio left. Then they sit there half-drunk and threaten Ukraine’s delegation, which included the defense minister and the head of the security service, when the president backed out of a forever war if they don’t get a bunch more provinces they don’t control today.
Moscow would damn well be bombed to rubble for this, but has anyone seen Starmer, Macron, or Merz in the past few days?
Have they taken a vacation?
At least Trump seems to want to go to Moscow and meet Putin directly – setting himself up to be humiliated by Putin once again, as he never seems to learn.
Europe is not ready 
And we have been holding back Ukraine since the turn of the year, making them retreat and not fight the Russian troop buildup, leaving Putin completely undisturbed
Now all that’s left is for them to try to poison the defense minister as well.
It’s strange that Europe and Trump still, after three years, or maybe Biden, act as enablers for Putin.
I simply can’t understand this – does it all boil down to weak leaders with weak parties backing them now?
We don’t hesitate for a second to throw Ukraine under the bus apparently, so we don’t turn a blind eye to genocide and murdered children, but standing up firmly against Putin simply doesn’t seem to be an option.
What are we afraid of?
My theory is that he can personally threaten the West through gang criminals and hit squads, as well as GRU defamation campaigns + opposition parties.
Western leaders simply seem to have an aversion to Putin, and those who haven’t had it have had to resign due to political or personal scandals.
Except for the center party member on the train because it was on film, the one who got 12 million SEK to expose himself to a minor.
Is it that scary?
Shouldn’t Europe have gotten its act together by now and know how to protect itself against GRU?
And for all of you who say that Europe is quietly preparing to stand up to Putin – does it really look that way?
Thyberg-gate continues, and to me, it’s very confusing.
-A diplomat arrested because the name on the email address that sent the pictures was his, I think it seems to be clarified, or not?
-Another one arrested at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
-One of the diplomats had to go to the hospital for physical and mental injuries in connection with the arrest.
-One of the diplomats is now dead in a suicide (world record in a quick police investigation ).
-Someone with connections to the Kurds was arrested in Gävle, but it now seems to have been in connection with the Medin case in Turkey?
-But other newspapers say that the “Gävle man” is linked to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and absolutely not the Medin case.
-And other newspapers write that it is independent – the “Gävle man” and the other arrest at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs are, however, linked but have nothing to do with either Thyberg, the first arrest at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, or the Medin case.
Someone is leaking a lot to the media right now, and all sorts of smokescreens are being put up.
SÄPO (Swedish Security Service) seems to have been taken by surprise at first.
Continued appreciation for the page is always gratefully received, and there is a QR code for that purpose, as well as a donation page with links to Swedish Rescuers, drones 2 Ukraine, and other organizations we have learned over time are legitimate and safe to donate to.
On Substack – there is still a chance to become subscribers and it is valuable to me.
https://bsky.app/profile/johanno1.bsky.social
Don't forget to donate, Ukraine's cause is ours! Support Ukraine!
NOTE: Those of you who do NOT want to allow automatic translation of your comments, please go to your profile page and set it.
Hover over your name at the top right, select edit profile, and you will then find the setting under the language settings heading.
“-one of the diplomats had to go to the hospital for physical and psychological injuries in connection with the arrest.”
Psychological injuries? From being arrested? Where are our dialogue police?
Dialogue police will probably be good, and if the suspected spies resist, you should back off and come back another day when they are more receptive. Arrests must be made on a voluntary basis going forward.
Operational information as of 08.00 on 17.05.2025 on the Russian invasion
165, 168, 163, 166, 155, 161, 196, 193, 196, 171, 200, 269, 253, 216, 199, 199, 177, 178, 168, 174, 156, 175, 168, 144, 165, 96, 127, 162, 143, 125, 111, 99
6, 3, 4, 7, 3, 3, 6, 4, 11, 18, 4, 5, 5, 6, 8, 2, 2, 9, 6, 0, 0, 0, 4, 4, 0, 1, 2, 7, 1
4, 1, 2, 5, 2, 3, 3, 4, 6, 3, 5, 7, 6, 6, 5, 6, 9, 7, 3, 4, 5, 4, 1, 3, 2, 1, 7, 11, 4
16, 24, 29, 20, 25, 8, 17, 27, 24, 21, 31, 22, 16, 27, 27, 36, 21, 18, 20, 22, 19, 15, 20, 14, 25, 12, 14, 17, 20
3, 5, 3, 6, 8, 4, 8, 5, 6, -, 0, 3, 3, 1, 4, 2, 4, 6, 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2
8, 8, 4, 4, 9, 10, 6, 10, 5, 4, 10, 6, 8, 6, 6, 13, 10, 16, 13, 8, 13, 1, 6, 4, 5, 7, 6, 8
In total, 145 combat engagements were recorded over the past day.
#Kharkiv 5
#Kupyansk 4
#Lyman 17
#Siverskyi 4
#Kramatorsk 2
#Toretsk 19
#Pokrovsk 52
#Novopavlivka 18
#Huliaipil 0
#Orikhivsk 2
#Prydniprovsky 0
#Kursk 13
Over the past day, the aviation, missile forces and artillery of the Defense Forces
Thank you! A bit calmer, matching the loss report.
Tnx 205
.
Take a morning drink Johan and everything will work out, I promise.
The West and the USA (not the same thing anymore) unite and together crush Russia in 3 months.
It has to be like that, otherwise it will be the opposite.
If it doesn’t work out (even if you give them a few more months), you have to start taking double, if not triple, morning drinks.
Do you think the grave is too deep,
well then, have a drink,
have another one, another two, another three,
and you’ll die happier!
Then the USA crushes themselves
!
Good morning!
In a thousand KWIA! Where is the world heading when you can’t even trust AFU?
910 KWIA
6 Tanks
7 APVs
34 Artillery systems
1 MLRS
155 UAVs
96 Vehicles & Fuel tanks
Glory to Ukraine!
https://bsky.app/profile/matsextrude.bsky.social/post/3lpdt7m4pic2o
Must have been a long time since we were below 1000. Difficult to grasp the numbers otherwise. A lot fewer vehicles, a decrease larger than the decrease in both KIA and number of attacks. At the same time, almost as many tanks as APVs, which we also saw just over a week ago. One might conclude that there has been an unusually high proportion of unprotected meat attacks (though fewer attacks overall) but this has been compensated for with some tanks. What is behind this is difficult to assess.
Jo, I don’t remember the last time we were below 1000, it must have been a long time ago. I’ll check when I’m at the computer.
Why are you blaming AFU?
I have seen on TV how the lottery works, it’s you who have drawn the wrong balls in the tombola.
Good morning
Quiet, you must not reveal how I come up with the lottery numbers!
Strange that a guy who doesn’t have any cards (ace up his sleeve) has been holding back the Russians for three years? Is it the Russians voluntarily slowing down to be kind to Ukraine, as they have no cards themselves?
It is roughly what the pro-Russian propaganda claims, that the reason Russia has not yet taken over all of Ukraine is because they want to proceed cautiously and spare the population… Trump is obviously listening to the wrong sources.
My cat is more intellectually consistent than this president.
“Russian drone blows up civilian shuttle bus, leaving nine dead in Sumy border town
Bilopillia’s mayor called the strike a targeted war crime, noting that the shuttle carried fleeing civilians, mostly women over 60.”
https://bsky.app/profile/euromaidanpress.bsky.social/post/3lpdybznqgy2y
I really hope that we do not lose another country to the axis powers of evil.
“Much indicates that the far-right nationalist George Simion is set to win when the second round of the presidential election in Romania is held on Sunday. Simion won the first round in a big way and has a comfortable lead in the polls against the mathematician and centrist politician Nicusor Dan.”
https://omni.se/a/jQ2QAb
Romania has a similar type of system as the USA, the president’s power can be limited if the parliament is dominated by parties other than the president’s party.
Simon is more pro Trump than openly pro Putin?
Although he has talked about approaching Russia and wanting to stop supporting Ukraine.
… Well, that’s what Trump has been suggesting as well, so you’re probably right.
Regarding Romania. Johan Westerholm at ledarsidorna.se has a post now titled “Yes, but it doesn’t work”. It addresses the rise of high-nationalist parties in Europe. It’s about the phenomenon of Maga and Peter Thiel and Steve Bannon, both of whom were staunch Democrats well into their old age. The secular liberal elites in Brussels only have pointers and condemnations to offer. They do not listen to what concerns people out in Europe. Good insights by Johan Westerholm.
Yes, Westerholm, who was a true concrete socialist and who had quite limited views on why the Sweden Democrats entered the parliament, has made a significant political shift.
“
Polish PM Tusk blames Russian hackers for cyberattacks ahead of presidential election.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the cyberattacks hit the website of his Civic Platform party, as well as those of its coalition partners, the Left and the Polish People’s Party (PSL).”
https://bsky.app/profile/kyivindependent.com/post/3lpdzc5c6ok25
“
The 
Netherlands will replace outdated 
German Panzerfaust 3 anti-tank grenade launchers with more modern 
Swedish Carl Gustaf M4.”
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3lpdy5x46ck2f
“Enough playing games with Russia,” — Senator Graham on the results of the negotiations in Istanbul. He proposed to “impose 500% tariffs on Russian exports (!) if Putin does not stop his attacks on Ukraine.” Graham was with Rubio in Turkey, he knows about the negotiations from the spot.”
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3lpe2qeimtc2u
“Ukraine lost $770M on fake arms contracts, according to the FT. Advance payments were sent to foreign intermediaries, but no weapons were delivered—amounting to a major hit to the $6–8B annual defense budget. In 2022, some deals involved 120mm mortars from Sudan via middlemen linked to Russia.”
https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3lpe2p5oeus25
“Loss of a Russian Tank of Unknown Model”
https://bsky.app/profile/specialkhersoncat.bsky.social/post/3lpe2kstrs22k
“Yesterday afternoon, a fire was recorded right on the runway of the military airfield Kushchevskaya in the Krasnodar Krai, – Krymskyi Veter”
Good initiative.
https://euro-stack.eu/
– Europe must build, not regulate.
https://www.svd.se/a/JbAMJ6/varnar-for-beroendet-av-usa-europa-har-blivit-en-digital-koloni
Sounds good! (SVD was unfortunately locked for me).
No kill switch but other concerns regarding American weapons!
https://yle.fi/a/7-10077390
It seems that Finland has made some progress towards self-sufficiency and independence from American delivery of spare parts and maintenance (I assume also the software), together with Norway. Interesting that Israel, Taiwan, and South Korea are mentioned but not Poland, which are independent in their defense.
Thank you, interesting reading!
“Air strike on Russian deployment point!”
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3lpeeuqhdwk25
It is clearly seen when 2 fat bombs come down in the movie
A bit busy today, waiting for SVT and Hänt i Veckan to get in touch for a home visit report and in-depth coverage after receiving the medal and the highly coveted appointment as Substack’s 96th most influential writer in “world politics”.
I guess they don’t have my phone number, so if anyone talks to them, could you please give it to them or tell them to send a DM on Bluesky.
I’ve been cleaning the house all morning and bought a new shirt, so now they better get in touch.
Are all traces of the landlord gone?
Good story to explain why you have cleaned the whole house with bleach and bought new clothes
He received two copper coins as rent
You came in 96th place in Most Influential Writer in World Politics. Great achievement I must say.
Almost – on Substack’s platform, they are in place 96 in a subject no one writes about
But it’s not far from the whole world now, waiting for SVT
“U2’s Bono, walking down the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, invited Sean Penn and the Ukrainian military to join him. When actions speak louder than a thousand words. Thank you, friends!
”
Everyone is happy about Medin, no one seems happy that the government really acted record fast because this kind of thing usually takes years and the last time it happened with NATO, Erdogan had the whole range of being difficult towards Ulf.
At least the least happy is probably the Kurd who was arrested a few days before Medin was released
One simply has to choose what is most important in the real world and I think that everyone who every day protects us from the Nazi government through their wild tweeting will choose Medin and not the Kurd from Gävle.
Israel’s major offensive in Gaza is met with condemnation from several parts of the world. According to the Hamas-controlled authorities, 250 Palestinians have been killed since Thursday in both bombings and ground attacks.
The Israeli army says the goal is to conquer Gaza, move the population southward, and take control of humanitarian aid.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk calls Israel’s actions a violation of international law and says it constitutes ethnic cleansing, according to the BBC.
A hell of a mess but we already wrote on October 7, 2023 that it would be.
Not so knowledgeable. But you don’t mess with Israel
…
Are you planning to cheer for KAJ tonight, or are you going to sauna (or do something else) instead?
“Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) invites the music group KAJ to Harpsund for a sauna bath this summer – regardless of how tonight’s Eurovision final goes. Kristersson writes on Instagram, next to a picture of himself in the sauna.”
https://omni.se/kristersson-bjuder-in-kaj-till-bastubad-pa-harpsund/a/Vzv61l
I am still waiting for SVT, have they possibly contacted you?
Yes, the wife cleaned the sauna, and I have Obolon wheat beer in the fridge. We live here in KAJ’s local area, and have seen their musicals and concerts, so we’ll probably be rooting for Sweden this year.
Belgian defense company Cockerill will deliver its Leopard 1A5BE test tank with the C3105 module to Ukraine for testing.
All do remo we usually write
Gripen G for REMO.
Or Hripen H then…
“Europe is fragile. Europeans are not ready for a major war. Most Europeans do not realize that the battle for Europe is already underway. Most Europeans do not understand the danger looming over them. Russia wants #Europe. Russia is ready for a major war and ready to kill.
Europe can stand only together with #Ukraine. Otherwise, Europe will become a zone of Russian influence. Russia will tear it apart piece by piece. #StandWithUkraine”
https://bsky.app/profile/antongerashchenko.bsky.social/post/3lpelcdyk7s26
Tjuvläser han tråden
He sneakily reads the thread
Causes for refineries to be spared?
Politically
This is so bad!
“Taking a step towards drastically increasing tariffs”
https://www.svd.se/a/Xj1gmm/ukraina-riskerar-hojda-tullar-om-inte-eu-fornyar-handelsavtal?utm_source=androidapp&utm_medium=share
There is an agreement that is now about to expire. Ukraine’s exports are at risk.
I get scared when I read this:
https://www.dn.se/varlden/kalla-ryssland-struntade-i-usa-vill-fa-ut-sa-mycket-som-mojligt/
“– Getting as much as possible out of the negotiations is more important than the relationship with the USA, says Russia expert Carolina Vendil Pallin.”
“During the peace talks, the Russians also reportedly threatened to take the regions of Kharkiv and Sumy, the latter to create a “security zone,” according to the Institute for the Study of War, referring to The Economist’s source with insight.”
Military expert and former SBU officer Ivan Stupak predicts that Russia may not return to the negotiating table until October, as they have the upper hand on the frontlines. With a summer offensive being prepared, talks are unlikely before a potential economic collapse later this year.
https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3lpf4jsjf6s2f
When you are weak, appear strong, a textbook example from the teachings of Sun Tzu.
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3lpf23iml722i
It will be excellent!
Can’t we annex Norway again so we can avoid this noisy May 17th?
Jo.
First Saturday binge drinking
Yes – I’m fully engaged here
Rosstat, the Russian equivalent of the Central Statistical Office, has stopped publishing detailed population figures after Russian birth rates have reached the lowest level in 200 years. This was reported by the independent Moscow Times. In the latest monthly report from Rosstat, published last Friday, the number of births, deaths, and data on divorces and marriages have disappeared. As recently as last month, these figures could be seen at both national and regional levels. Now, only figures showing the cumulative total in the different categories since the beginning of the year are available. Demographer Aleksey Raksha writes on Telegram that the latest figures paint a bleak picture for the Russian population development. Birth rates are at the lowest level in over 200 years, and the natural population decline is almost 600,000 residents per year.
https://omni.se/a/wg2rWA
Brilliant that the Russians are becoming fewer and fewer.