Morning,

A feeling of Déjà vu hit me this evening. 2020 the first feedback from the government was everything is fine, under control, just trust the experts. Oh we need to make a few restrictions, slight inconveniences for a few days, then a few week, eventually 3 years and some changes still in place.

Last Saturday the strike on Iran was to be over in 4 days, by Monday estimate became 2 weeks. Description changed to War with Iran to be finished in 4 weeks, then 8 weeks and Thursday evening a few US sources mentioning September. The most worrisone projection was on a youtube channel BORZZIKMAN Larry Johnson mentioned as one of his sources of Russian information a few months ago. Been watching their videos fairly regular, yesterday their projection was possibly 2029 for the conflict to wrap up.

China lists five lessons from US-Israeli war on Iran Russia Times March 4, 2026.

China Military Bugle, the official press account of China’s armed forces, published a bilingual graphic on X on Tuesday with a commentary on the US-Israeli attack on Iran, which targeted government, military, and nuclear sites across the country. The strikes also killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several Iranian top commanders in Tehran, prompting Iranian retaliation against Israel and US military bases across the Gulf.

The account laid out five key takeaways. First, it labeled internal betrayal the “deadliest threat,” in an apparent reference to recent anti-government protests in Iran, which Tehran claimed had been fueled by the US and Israel. In addition, the Financial Times reported earlier this week that Khamenei’s assassination became a possibility after Israeli intelligence managed to hack nearly all the CCTV cameras in Tehran.

Second, the post called “blind faith in peace” the “costliest miscalculation.” Third came the “coldest reality”: that superior firepower “often dictates outcomes.”

Fourth, the post warned against the “illusion of victory,” in an apparent reference to the long-term blowback seen after US interventions in Iraq, Syria, and Libya.

Fifth, it declared “self-reliance” the only true guarantee of sovereignty.

A different way to express the importance of trade Routes between Persia and China.

The dance drama will showcase the Fujian Province’s rich history and enchantment through its intangible cultural assets. The story is set during the Song Dynasty, at a time of expanding trade between China and the rest of Asia, and even Africa and Europe. In the Song Dynasty, the city of Quanzhou, in present-day Fujian Province, was one of the largest ports in the world. Ships carrying silk, porcelain and tea were regularly setting sail for distant ports around the world. The Maritime Silk Road had a crucial role in linking the East and the West, and was a major source of revenue for Chinese dynasties.

Sign in Dance Drama "The Dream of the Maritime Silk Road" (1:46 min 11 years ago)

from the March 4 article at Leo’s Newsletter

Catherine Austin Fitts did a monumental interview with journalist Michael Yon just a couple of weeks ago that explains what the Iran war is all about.
...
The real reason for attacking Iran and trying to overthrow its regime has nothing to do with liberating the Iranian people or ridding the world of a dictatorship. Nor does it have anything to do with fighting Islam as so many conservatives foolishly believe. This war is being fought over who gets to control key shipping routes and resources (oil). Iran is positioned in a part of the world critical to both, and the fight for control of the emerging new digital economy precludes an Iranian regime that operates outside the Western global financial system, selling oil to China and India and selling drones to Russia, three countries the U.S. sees as rising competitors to its global hegemony.

“Wars are all about routes and resources,” Fitts said. “The Netherlands is in a strategic position on the North Sea at the mouth of the Rhine River, with Germany next door. They are trying to develop the Tri-State City at the German-Dutch border, which is a huge SMART City (prison city).”

After pausing for a moment, she thought of a better word to describe what Trump is creating in America and what the Europeans are creating in the E.U.

“It’s a digital concentration camp,” she said. “Physically and digitally designed for surveillance and control. What’s happening in Netherlands is very similar to what’s happening in US and North America. It’s the implementation of a digital control grid.”

She said there are 12 steps to total control. ...

Sign in Amazing Talk: Masako and Catherine Austin Fitts Feb 17, 2026 (1:48 min)

The MAGA split is almost complete. A growing number of influencers who were significant in helping build momentum for Trump's first term are no longer supporting him. The Neocons and MIGA who joined the Trump bandwagon for his 2nd term are in the poser seats. Watching the

The Federalist still has a small sliver of belief their guy could pull a success, but not much.

How Israel ‘Chain-Ganged’ The Trump Administration Into War Against Iran March 3, 2026

These remarks from Rubio and Johnson would seem to confirm recent reporting from the New York Times, which published a lengthy account Monday chronicling how President Trump decided to go to war. The article opens with this line: “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel walked into the Oval Office on the morning of Feb. 11, determined to keep the American president on the path to war.” It goes on to explain that amid weeks of U.S.-Israeli planning for war, Trump administration officials had begun negotiating with Tehran over the future of its nuclear program, “and the Israeli leader wanted to make sure that the new diplomatic effort did not undermine the plans.”
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And it’s not the first time Israel has tried to force the United States into such a conflict. As Daniel Sobelman explained in a 2018 article for Texas National Security Review, in 2011 and 2012, when Iran was hardening its nuclear program,
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The outcome of this attempt by Israel to entrap the United States in 2011-12 was a mixed bag. On the one hand, The U.S. caved to Israeli demands by imposing crippling economic sanctions on the Iranian regime, isolating Tehran internationally — something President Obama had been reluctant to do. On the other hand, The Obama administration resisted green-lighting an Israeli strike on Iran and refused to commit the U.S. to military action — and of course it signed the JCPOA, which Israel opposed. In the end, though, Israel did succeed in influencing U.S. policy on Iran somewhat, even if it didn’t manage to entrap the U.S. in a war.

This time around, however, Israel appears to have succeeded in such entrapment, forcing the Trump administration into a war not necessarily of its choosing or timing.

Continual push to reduce the need to use petroleum products as a transportation fuel.

Much more important than it sounds: Large-frame aluminum casting will transform manufacturing (3:43 min) (March 4, 2026)

The article Kevin is referencing: ‘World-first’ one-piece aluminium frame for EVs launched by two Chinese companies China has been casting metal

Maybe China will come to regret cancelling exclusive control of salt trade Jan 2017 after 2600 years as a method to partially fund their government.

I am seriously hoping this takes off quick in the market. Ideally the proposed lithium mine at the Oregon/Nevada border could become economically unfeasible.

China's newest battery runs on salt, and powers vehicles in extreme cold climates (4:20 min) (Feb 27, 2026)

The video Kevin is referencing.

Sign in THIS CAR RUNS ON SALT?! China Just Killed Lithium [2026] (14:10 min) (Feb 19, 2026)

Thanks for stopping by and reading.