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Porkins on Sputnik: China Defends 10% Military Budget Increase as ‘Proportionate and Low’

March 30, 2018 – 3:19 am

The Chinese government recently announced a near 10% increase in their military budget for 2018. Chinese state media have defended the decision, saying it is part of a modernization program, calling the increase “proportionate and low.”

The increase is the biggest jump in Chinese military spending in recent years. In 2014, the total was $132 billion, which grew to $145 billion in 2015, $147 billion in 2016 and will reach $175 billion next year. Zhang Yesui, a spokesperson for the first annual session of the 13th NPC, explained that the extra money is not to increase China’s overall military capacity, but to update and modernize their armed forces:

“A large part of the growth of the defense budget is to make up for the low military spending in the past and is mainly used to upgrade equipment and improve the welfare of servicemen and women and the living and training conditions of grassroots troops.”

Sputnik spoke to political analyst Pearse Redmond about the geopolitical struggles that are the underlying reasons for China’s consistently growing military expenditure:

“As China becomes more and more integrated in the global economy it understands that maintaining economic superiority requires more security. In Africa, where China has poured vast sums of money into various projects, they have also been quietly building small military bases and developing relationships with various African military and security forces. For example, in Djibouti, once the exclusive military domain of the US, China now operates a naval base adjacent to the Port of Doraleh, which is west of Djibouti City.”

Full article…

By porkinspolicyreview | Posted in Afghanistan, AFRICOM, drug war, drugs, Porkins Policy Radio, Xinjiang | Also tagged afghan war, Afghanistan, AFRICOM, America, badakhshan province, China, Djibouti, drug trafficking, East Turkestan Islamic Movement, ETIM, heroin, heroin trafficking, islamic terrorism, NATO, North Korea, radical islamic terrorism, Russia, sputnik, Tajikistan, terrorism, tom secker, traffik, uighur, United States, US, wahkan corridor, Xinjiang | Comments (0)

The Ochelli Effect: Gilded Age of the War on Terror

February 7, 2018 – 8:58 pm

The Prophets of death and destruction (AKA The Military Industrial Complex AKA The War State) are part of the American economy. Wall Street is in the “News” but the War Of Terror isn’t? Which thing is at the heart of Money matters? How do we put these issues in context? Which industry lets us read the bones, Or Tea Leaves? Prognostication on a Tuesday… along with a few history lessons. Mike Swanson The author of The War State and man behind WallStreetWindow.com takes us further into the Gilded age and moves beyond Jekyll island conspiracy. Gilded Age Financiers Ideas in 2018 involve many devices and methods of placing bets on the future , futures , and future earnings. Plus the nature of a point spread. Michael Swanson does his best to inform Chuck and you about all this and much more. Pearse Redmond From Porkins Policy Radio drops in for the second hour and does his best to tell us where ISIS has gone , and put many Rebels in context as regards the big bad wolf that is in mortal combat with the alleged American way of life we talked about in the first hour under the banner of The War on Terror? A great deal of physical and spiritual capital spent , but is it all an illusion? Listen and find out. PLUS we squeezed a repeat play of Uncle’s Superbowl Report in.

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Show Notes:

1st Hour
Jim Cramer Talks About Explosion in VIX ETF’s

Asian markets plunge after record Wall Street losses

My Take On The Real Reason The Stock Market Dropped

Dow jumps 567 points the day after its biggest point drop on record

2nd Hour
Syrian rebels down Russian plane, kill pilot

Syrian jihadist group downs Russian Su-25 jet

Al Qaeda and allies announce ‘new entity’ in Syria

Syria – Is The Turkish Attack On Afrin Intended To Split The U.S.-Kurdish Alliance?

25 ISIS militants killed in the latest airstrikes in Nangarhar

US military blocks release of key Afghan force development data

By porkinspolicyreview | Posted in Porkins Policy Radio | Also tagged Afghanistan, afrin, Al Nusra, al Qaeda, Assad, chuck ochelli, CIA, Harakat Nur Al Din Al Zanki, Hayat Tahrir al Sham, HTS, Iran, ISIS, Jabhat al-Nusra, Kurds, Michael swanson, Nangarhar, NATO, Pentagon, Russia, russian jet shot down, SU-25, Syria, the ochelli effect, Turkey, United States | Comments (0)

The Ochelli Effect: Trump Foreign Policy MAGA

December 23, 2017 – 1:55 am

On a Tuesday where North Korea launches another alleged Cyber-attack , Train wrecks beyond the White House are actually happening , and Trump wants a letter from the Special Prosecutor saying he has done nothing wrong , we attempt to unmask the method behind the madness that appears to be the newest normal in American Foreign Policy. The Author of The War State , and the host of a truly unique information radio show seem to be our best guides. So we enter the magical land of , Trump Foreign Policy MAGA

Mike Swanson joins us on a Tuesday night to really examine the Trump Foreign Policy attitude http://wallstreetwindow.com/node/13965 with his article at https://wallstreetwindow.com in hand Michael attempts to make sense of what is being said , and asks interesting questions about the unspoken portions that may only become obvious to all at a later date. Mike’s unique and solid analysis is as always welcome. In the second hour dealing with Trump Foreign Policy MAGA Pearse Redmond of Porkins Policy Radio joins us to take the conversation even further with hints at the actual origin of the ideas represented.

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Show Notes:

Predators on the Frontier

The new US National Security Strategy: implications for UK National Security Policy

By porkinspolicyreview | Posted in Porkins Policy Radio | Also tagged a wess mitchell, Center for European Policy Analysis, CEPA, chuck ochelli, donald trump, foreign policy, HR McMaster, Israel, jakub grygiel, MAGA, neocon, North Korea, rimland, rimland imperative, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the ochelli effect, the unquiet frontier, trump | Comments (0)

The Ochelli Effect Tuesday 8/8/2017

August 14, 2017 – 5:12 pm

From Ochelli.com
The Host of Porkins Policy Radio joins us for the first hour where North Korea Fire and Fury The Likes of Which The World has never seen is discussed. One insane regime to another , we compare the Trumpster to K.J. Un.

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By porkinspolicyreview | Posted in Porkins Policy Radio | Also tagged chuck ochelli, CIA, donald trump, hugo chavez, JP sottille, kim jong un, North Korea, nuclear war, nuclear weapons, ochelli, Ochelli Effect, oil, trump, Venezuela | Comments (0)

Porkins Policy Radio episode 102 South Asian Scandals and Trumps Foreign Policy

July 25, 2017 – 9:51 pm

On this solo episode I discuss two major geopolitical situations and their possible impact in the region and on the US. I begin by breaking down the political crisis that is unfolding in Afghanistan with Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum and the allegations that he ordered the beating and rape of a political rival. I explain the back story of these allegations and how they have presented a serious political challenge for Afghan President Ghani these past several months. I also discuss Dostum’s attempts to return to Afghanistan from Turkey, and his new political alliance with the power provincial governor, Mohammad Atta Noor. Later I offer up my own analysis as to how Trump may or may not handle this particular geopolitical situation, while also focusing on the ongoing campaign of violence being perpetrated by the Taliban.

In the second hour I focus on Afghanistan’s next door neighbor Pakistan and the political crisis that it is facing. I explain how the Panama Papers are very close to ousting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. I also look at how this is similar in someways to the continuous scandals involving Trump and his immediate family. I attempt to analysis how both these geopolitical situations will be a serious test of the Trump administration and why we should pay more attention to foreign affairs.

Download PPR episode 102

Show notes:

Afghanistan orders arrest of vice-president’s guards amid rape claims

Vice-president leaves Afghanistan amid torture and rape claims

Where in the world is Abdul Rashid Dostum

Plane carrying Abdul Rashid Dostum ‘denied landing’

Court Set to Hold First Legal Session on Dostum Case: Sources

A gathering storm

Taliban suicide bomber strikes in Kabul

Son of Taliban’s emir kills himself in suicide attack on Afghan forces

The Panama Papers and a Microsoft font could bring down the government in Pakistan

Pakistan Court Concludes Sharif’s Corruption Hearing

PM Nawaz will not resign, says spokesman

Analysts, politicians weigh in as SC reserves ruling on Panamagate case

As Sharif clings on in Pakistan, smooth transition unlikely

Lahore in the crosshairs of terror

Support AFR (PayPal)

Support AFR (Patreon)

By porkinspolicyreview | Posted in Porkins Policy Radio | Also tagged Abdul Rashid Dostum, Afghanistan, ahmad ishchi, ashraf ghani, balkh, benazir bhutto, Bhutto, corruption, donald trump, dostum, faryab, fontgate, Imran khan, ISI, jowzan, maryam nawaz, Mohammad mohaqiq, Mohammed Atta Noor, money laundering, Nawaz Sharif, northern alliance, Pakistan, pakistani taliban, panama papers, panamagate, pervez musharraf, PMLN, PPP, PTI, rape, suicide bombing, Taliban, trump, Turkey, vice president, virgin islands | Comments (0)

Porkins Policy Radio episode 75 My 2017 Predictions with Chuck Ochelli

January 4, 2017 – 8:18 pm

On today’s episode I lay out my predictions for 2017. In the first hour I look at geopolitics and the places I think will be important in 2017. I begin by focusing on a possible resolution in Syria and how this may play out for the future. I also talk about a few other hot-spots in the middle east to pay attention to: Israel and Yemen. I discuss why these are both important for the future of the region and on a global scale. I also explore Asia, focusing on China and North Korea. I discuss how president Trump may handle these countries and how geopolitics and foreign policy will change under his administration. I also touch on the idea that the CIA will become even more bold and out of control under Trump.

In the second hour Chuck Ochelli (and Frankie) joins me for more 2017 predictions. We talk about where the alt-media is headed. Whether or not Wikileaks is actually going to release some bombshells this year. If Trump really knows any secrets about cyber security. The future of marijuana legalization and the drug war. Will comedy get better? And the possibility of Ivanka as First Lady.

Download PPR episode 75

By porkinspolicyreview | Posted in Porkins Policy Radio | Also tagged 2017, 2017 predictions, Al Nusra, ali abdullah saleh, alt-media, Assad, China, chuck ochelli, CIA, comedy, cyber security, donald trump, first lady, ICBM, Israel, Ivanka trump, jihadists, Julian assange, marijuana, marijuana legalization, North Korea, nukes, Pakistan, Palestine, peace deal, peace process, Syria, syrian war, wikileaks, yemen | Comments (0)

Themes and Memes ep36 Stranger Things

August 26, 2016 – 12:36 am

From Themes and Memes:

On this episode, we welcome special guest Pearse Redmond from Porkins Policy Review to discuss the new Netflix Original series, Stranger Things.

Comprising one season of eight episodes thus far, the show is one of many recent productions that are made exclusive to on-demand platforms, and has fast become a sentimental sensation among its thirty-something target audience; thanks to its pastiche of 80’s pop culture references and nostalgic plot devices.

We start by establishing the beginnings of the story, where strange events begin to unfold in 1980’s small town America. Set against the backdrop of a secretive Cold War experiment at a local government facility, the series blends real world references to geopolitics and conspiracy culture with a heavy overlay of fantasy, horror, and science fiction – staying true to the aesthetic and screenplay of the classic 80’s sub-genre.

We also explore one of the most interesting aspects of the series, in looking at the target marketing of customised entertainment, where tools like analytics and meta-data seem to be driving the production of on-demand, niche-marketed TV series. Is a merge between Hollywood and Silicon Valley going to be the next big tech revolution?

Finally, we discuss some of the archetypes, roles, and cultural dynamics being presented in the show, and explore the question of how mass culture can influence our perceptions of history, where memories are continuously filtered through an emotional overlay of sentimental entertainment.

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By porkinspolicyreview | Posted in Porkins Policy Radio, Uncategorized | Also tagged 11, 1980's, 80's Aesthetic, Addictive Nature of TV Shows, Akira, Alphabet Agencies, Altering History, Analog Synth Music, Analytics, aspen, Binge Watching, BMX Bikes, children, Children of the 80's, CIA, cold war, conspiracy culture, Demagorgon, Demographics, Department of Energy, DOD, Duffer Brothers, Dungeons & Dragons, El, Epic Dramas, Esalan, ESP, ET, Font, George Lucas, Graphics, Hawkins Indiana, Hollywood, Homage to classic 80's films, Horror, J.J Abrams, jay dyer, Labyrinth, LSD, Mainstreaming of Conspiracy, Men in Black, Men who Stare at Goats, Meta-Data, mind control, MK Ultra, NASA, Netflix Original, Nostalgia, Nostalgia as Bait, Novelty Factor, NSA, On Demand, Paranoia, Paranormal, Pentagon, Poltergeist, Pop Culture, Project Stargate, remote viewing, Ronald Reagan, Sentimentality, Shadow Government, silicon valley, Social Norms, SRI, Stand by Me, Stephen King, Steven Spielberg, Stranger Things, Super-8, Supernatural, surveillance, Synchronicity, Target Marketing of Culture, Telekinesis, The Goonies, The Neverending Story, The X-Files, UFO's, United Earth Army, Upside Down | Comments (0)

ClandesTime 060 Homeland Season 5 episode 2

October 14, 2015 – 9:49 pm

From ClandesTime:

Continuing our review series of the 5th season of Homeland Pearse joined me to discuss the second episode. We dwelt on the coinciding of real news events and storylines and dialogue in Homeland, asking how the show manages to pull this off so consistently. This episode establishes that former CIA black operations officer John MacGaffin is still working on the show, and we expanded on many of the topics from episode 1 – Syria, ISIS, Laura Poitras, the Snowden affair – showing how each real life topic is an explicit inspiration for this fictional series. The conversation also touched on the concept of hyperreality which is as relevant to Homeland as it is to any other TV show out there. We wrap up by asking for more of your comments and predictions for this new season.

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Vimeo Version

Show Notes:

Watch Homeland season 5

FBI Consultant was Demoted by CIA

Homeland Season 5 Episode 2 credits screenshot – John MacGaffin as a consultant

A Death in Athens: Did a Rouge NSA Operation Cause the Death of a Greek Telecom Employee

By porkinspolicyreview | Posted in Porkins Policy Radio | Also tagged Berlin, Carrie Mathison, CIA, ClandesTime, Edward Snowden, Greece, Hezbollah, Homeland, hyperreality, ISIS, John MacGaffin, Laura Poitras, NSA, predictive programming, Russia, Snowden, Syria, tom secker | Comments (0)

BFP Roundtable: Who is Putin & Why has he let his nation become encircled by NATO

May 16, 2015 – 9:40 pm

FULL DISCLOSURE: I am no longer associated with Sibel Edmond, or BoilingFrogs/Newsbud. I think she is a con-artist and a petty and vindictive individual. If you want to know more about why I broke off all ties with Sibel you can find out more here:

In this second episode of the new BFP Roundtable series Pearse Redmond, Sibel Edmonds and Tom Secker discuss the recent “revelation” from Putin regarding Gladio B operations in Chechnya. They start with the basic facts that Putin has laid out: intercepts obtained by the FSB show that US officials in Azerbaijan were supporting and backing Chechen rebels during the early 2000’s. The panel each breaks down the interesting timing of these revelations, which come as a series of shake-ups in and around Russia have threatened Putin’s grasp on power. Is this a threat from Putin to the West or a bone to throw to the hardcore nationalists within the Russian Federation? Later they move on to the question of who Putin is as a leader and how he has managed to let his nation become completely encircled by NATO. The group then moves on to how the geopolitical chessboard has been reoriented away from ideological battles into one based on identity and media control. They finish off by looking at how Russia Today fits into this new geopolitical landscape.

For the full video please subscribe to BFP here.

By porkinspolicyreview | Posted in 9/11, Azerbaijan, BFP Roundtable, Gladio B | Also tagged 9/11, Azerbaijan, BFP roundtable, Boiling Frogs Post, chechnya, FSB, Georgia, Gladio B, ideological battle, ISIS, kebakov, NATO, putin, Ramzan Kadyrov, Russia, Russia Today, Sibel Edmonds, terrorism, tom secker | Comments (5)

Porkins Policy Radio ep. 34 Gladio B Roundtable Part 2

January 23, 2015 – 2:40 am

On this week’s episode we continued our roundtable discussion on Gladio B with Sibel Edmonds and Tom Secker. Picking up where we last left off, the three of us explored some of the reasons for Russia’s presumed intransigence in the face of mounting NATO and Gladio operations in their backyard. As a case study for this we looked at Ayman Al Zawahiri’s little-discussed imprisonment by the Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) in Chechnya in 1996 while traveling with four diplomatic passports and a laptop. We discussed why the FSB captured him as well as why they let him go. Tom provided the context of the geopolitical situation in Russia at the time, and how this directly relates to the FSB’s actions with Zawahiri; with a defeated Soviet Union, Russia had to bide its time and begin to piece together what the new NATO strategy represented. Sibel expanded on this by discussing similar “diplomatic” incidents that she saw take place while at the FBI, dealing with foreign nationals caught in counterintelligence operations in the US using “diplomatic passports” who, like Zawahiri, were quietly released back to their home nation.

Later we explored the recent uptick in violence in Chechnya and how this relates to an increase in NATO operations meant to destabilize Russia. I discussed how fragmented ISIS is and how easy it is to turn on the Chechen terrorist movement’s switch. Tom asked both Sibel and me how we thought we ought to feel towards the Chechen terrorist movement: Should we support them because of their desire to seek independence from an authoritarian state? Or instead, should we oppose them as they are a tool of NATO power? Sibel explained how the choices are always the lesser of two evils, and how both NATO and Russia are bad choices. Sibel explained Gladio’s desire to break up areas such as Chechnya and Dagestan into autonomous states so that ultimately chaos will reign supreme. We talked about the prospects for Chechnya to become one of these autonomous NATO-backed nations complete with Gulen-style schools and a Gulen power base. Sibel later spoke about the threat of Russian nationalism to Putin’s tight grip on power. Sibel explained that while NATO despises Putin, they ultimately need him in place as the alternative; strong Russian nationalism would be much more detrimental to the Gladio Deep State. We ended the conversation on a philosophical note when Sibel asked Tom and me whether we would want to live in a unipolar world dominated by NATO, or in a bipolar world dominated by NATO and Russia. This was a wide-ranging discussion that ended with more questions than answers, so we will be continuing our roundtables on these topics — and more — next month.Quick note: There is a special announcement at the end of the show about a new podcast series that Tom and I are working on. It will be dealing exclusively with our research on the CIA and Hollywood and should be out in about two months. Check out Porkins Policy Review for more updates on this.

Quick note: There is a special announcement at the end of the show about the new podcast series that Tom and I are working on. It will be dealing exclusively with our research on the CIA and Hollywood and should be out in a bout two months. Check out Porkins Policy Review for more updates on this.