Minus Western propaganda what's the real story on the Ukraine?

[King Salvo]

Let's go by paragraphs.

1. I doubt it, the msm is defeatist after the US quit.

2. What do you assume Russia's objectives are? Not the conquering of the whole country surely? This is a special military operation with limited objectives territorially - the eastern oblasts that were set upon by the Ultra Nationalists. Politically, they would want regime change for obvious reasons.

3. Reported on SBS news. SBS is stridently pro Uke. Are you saying don't believe the MSM? You do.

4. Not Cold War. The machinations of the US worldwide as the only Superpower, is plain to see. No, it's not rounding up bad guys and putting things right as we all used to naively believe, it's aggressive and has been at war for 93% of its history. It has 800 bases around the world! It wasn't goading Russia you think? I have more to say on your benign view of Nation States later.

5. No, you miss the point. You completely discount the events leading up - the CIA assisted coup (it's not at issue, it happened. The installation of a neo fascist government (again, not at issue). The broken US promises in the 90s re eastern expansion of NATO. This invasion didn't occur in a vacuum my friend. It is facile to think that it's all down to evil Russia as you seem to. Where was your outrage re Iraq, Serbia, even Vietnam. You were probably all for them, naturally, because you'd drunk the Cool Aid like most of us but these days the benign USA mask is off.

6. Consistently wrong only if you believe Western propaganda. You're disappointed because the end is in sight and it's not the result that you've invested a lot of emotion in. I see a level of emotion in the idea that governments and people are similar - the "We're outraged and determined to defend democracy!" lumping government and people as one. States aren't concerned neighbours wanting to do right, they're cunning ruthless hypocrites fo the most part. Their motives are light years away from the hopes and aspirations of the sheeple.

I think your school report would have said "easily influenced by others and easily distracted " - How you become a teacher is pretty easy to see but not sure how you became a history teacher though - must have taught ancient history as you are absolutely clueless when it comes to Modern History.

Even admitted you knew nothing about Russian politics and I dare say Ukrainian either.

Mrs Salvo and I were in Ukraine during the Revolution of Dignity/ Maidan Revolution in 2014 - The People voted for the integration with Europe - Political Association and Free Trade Agreement with Europe - even the Ukraine Parliament ( Verkhovna Rada) voted overwhelming for it but the President at the time Viktor Yanukovych didn't sign it under pressure from Moscow.

Ukrainians were fed up with being controlled from Moscow and took matters into their own hands - Not CIA instigated at all- Show us all real proof of CIA involvement - not swirls and deviations articles either.

When you say sheepie you are a classic example of this though - someone brainwashed by propaganda from the sites you frequent - Swirls and Deviations and Full Moon over Alabama

[ism22]

Classic old mate—still can’t work out whether he’s backing Trump, Putin, or just whichever flag isn’t flying over a Pride parade. One minute you’re raging about CIA coups, the next you’re parroting Kremlin press briefings like they’re leaked gospels from Julian Assange himself. Pick a lane, mate.

And as for this “Russia’s limited objectives” fantasy—Putin’s been very publicly licking his lips at the idea of reabsorbing the old Soviet sphere for years. Georgia, Crimea, Belarus, now Ukraine. It’s not subtext, it’s literally been the text. Acting like this all kicked off because of some broken handshake in the ‘90s is like blaming the arsonist’s childhood trauma while the house is still burning.

Let’s follow your logic through a little more, shall we? Nation-states are cunning, yes, agreed. But pretending Russia is some reactionary saint reluctantly dragged into war by NATO leaflets is laughable. It’s revisionism dressed up as nuance. You’re not deconstructing propaganda—you’re just wearing different colours.

[ism22]

The “Senior Fellow at Prestigious Sounding Institute” Tactic
Many writers on Pearls and Irritations (and similar outlets) list affiliations with obscure or opaque institutions like:

• “Senior Fellow at the Centre for Global Dialogue, Shanghai”
• “Research Professor at Moscow Eurasian Strategic Forum”
• “Advisor to the Silk Road Cultural Exchange Foundation”

These entities:

• Often don’t have an academic presence, curriculum, or meaningful peer-reviewed output.
• Have unclear or unverifiable funding sources.
• Rarely appear in global academic rankings or databases.

This sort of credentialing mimics the authority of Western think tanks or universities, giving the impression of academic legitimacy without the same rigor or scrutiny. It can mislead readers into assuming impartial expertise.

If a publication:

• Regularly features ex-diplomats, bureaucrats, or “fellows” from unaccredited institutions,
• Presents critiques only of Western governments while excusing or ignoring parallel abuses by China or Russia,
• Frames global issues through language that echoes official CCP or Kremlin talking points (e.g. “multipolar world,” “US hegemony,” “colour revolution” framing),

…it’s fair to question the editorial independence and to view the content as part of a soft influence strategy.

This type of credential-padding is often a rhetorical disguise, intended to make state-aligned positions appear dispassionate, intellectual, and neutral. It’s a subtle, effective method of laundering bias.

[ism22]

Figures like Phil Gaetjens and Simon Atkinson, both stepped down when the Albanese government came in as they had previously worked as Liberal Party staffers. Regardless of whether you liked their policy influence under the previous government, their resignations respected the convention that senior public servants serve at the pleasure of the current administration. That’s how it’s supposed to work in a healthy democracy.

John Menadue, by contrast:

• Was a political staffer before becoming a top bureaucrat—a trajectory that already raises questions about independence.
• Was appointed by a highly polarising PM (Whitlam), at a time when the public service was undergoing radical change.
• Clung to his position when the political winds shifted, arguably putting institutional self-interest above democratic transition.

And rather than resign with dignity, he ended up being shuffled sideways to Qantas, which—at the time—was still a government entity. Many interpreted this not as recognition of capability, but as a soft exit.

Menadue cultivated a Teflon-like political persona and leveraged it to entrench influence well beyond his official tenure. Just because someone worked in senior government roles doesn’t mean their motives were pure—or their accolades legitimate. The missing record of the 'Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure' (which all of his self-drafted bios claim he holds) in Japanese government databases definitely casts a shadow on his claims of farfetched accolades.

His post-retirement activities—especially running Pearls and Irritations, which some allege has a soft spot for authoritarian regimes—haven’t helped his image. There’s a sense he uses his “elder statesman” status to push personal or ideological agendas, often with little pushback.

[ism22]

Oh and then there's Menadue's temporary successor... Aaron Martin (AKA 'Aran Khan').

Wayback Machine versions from late 2022 explicitly referred to Aran Martin as “Aran Khan”, sometimes even alternating the two. That’s not a typo or casual nickname—it appears deliberate. Combined with the now-deleted reference to being a “lead convoy driver” for Mohammad Khatami (a deeply symbolic role in Iran), it strongly suggests he was engaging in personal mythmaking.

That alone raises flags. If someone was proudly promoting this kind of identity narrative but then scrubbed it post-appointment or post-tenure, the question isn’t just about credibility—it’s about why it was removed. People usually only revise their histories that aggressively when they’re trying to clean something up.

Regarding his claim of serving as a “lead convoy driver for the former President of Iran, Mohammad Khatami,” this detail was included in his biography on the Pearls and Irritations website in October 2022. However, this information has since been removed from his current author profile on the same website.

Given that Mohammad Khatami served as President of Iran from 1997 to 2005, and considering Dr. Martin’s age, he would have been between 13 and 21 years old during Khatami’s presidency. This raises questions about the plausibility of his role as a “lead convoy driver” during that period.

[ism22]

On their current 'editor'... when you see someone go from being a communications director at a uni, to CEO of a niche lobby group, to editor of a self-published opinion blog, the career path makes more sense viewed as network-maintenance and relevance-preservation than as a series of escalating achievements.

[Paddo Colt 61]

I think your school report would have said "easily influenced by others and easily distracted " - How you become a teacher is pretty easy to see but not sure how you became a history teacher though - must have taught ancient history as you are absolutely clueless when it comes to Modern History.

Even admitted you knew nothing about Russian politics and I dare say Ukrainian either.

Mrs Salvo and I were in Ukraine during the Revolution of Dignity/ Maidan Revolution in 2014 - The People voted for the integration with Europe - Political Association and Free Trade Agreement with Europe - even the Ukraine Parliament ( Verkhovna Rada) voted overwhelming for it but the President at the time Viktor Yanukovych didn't sign it under pressure from Moscow.

Ukrainians were fed up with being controlled from Moscow and took matters into their own hands - Not CIA instigated at all- Show us all real proof of CIA involvement - not swirls and deviations articles either.

When you say sheepie you are a classic example of this though - someone brainwashed by propaganda from the sites you frequent - Swirls and Deviations and Full Moon over Alabama

Google Victoria Nuland and you'll introduce yourself to the CIA's role in Uke-land.

You talk about great power influence as if only Russia exerts it on her neighbours. Our government, whatever persuasion, is reluctant to ever criticise the USA on any matter whatsoever and is totally in thrall to US power. Arguably, the US toppled Whitlam with the help of those whom Keating calls "Austral Americans", those who put America's interests before our own country's. Compliance to great powers is nothing new.

"Easily influenced by others"? So your prognostications are all your original thoughts? Don't think so buddy.

[Paddo Colt 61]

The “Senior Fellow at Prestigious Sounding Institute” Tactic
Many writers on Pearls and Irritations (and similar outlets) list affiliations with obscure or opaque institutions like:

• “Senior Fellow at the Centre for Global Dialogue, Shanghai”
• “Research Professor at Moscow Eurasian Strategic Forum”
• “Advisor to the Silk Road Cultural Exchange Foundation”

These entities:

• Often don’t have an academic presence, curriculum, or meaningful peer-reviewed output.
• Have unclear or unverifiable funding sources.
• Rarely appear in global academic rankings or databases.

This sort of credentialing mimics the authority of Western think tanks or universities, giving the impression of academic legitimacy without the same rigor or scrutiny. It can mislead readers into assuming impartial expertise.

If a publication:

• Regularly features ex-diplomats, bureaucrats, or “fellows” from unaccredited institutions,
• Presents critiques only of Western governments while excusing or ignoring parallel abuses by China or Russia,
• Frames global issues through language that echoes official CCP or Kremlin talking points (e.g. “multipolar world,” “US hegemony,” “colour revolution” framing),

…it’s fair to question the editorial independence and to view the content as part of a soft influence strategy.

This type of credential-padding is often a rhetorical disguise, intended to make state-aligned positions appear dispassionate, intellectual, and neutral. It’s a subtle, effective method of laundering bias.

Bollocks!!

[Paddo Colt 61]

Figures like Phil Gaetjens and Simon Atkinson, both stepped down when the Albanese government came in as they had previously worked as Liberal Party staffers. Regardless of whether you liked their policy influence under the previous government, their resignations respected the convention that senior public servants serve at the pleasure of the current administration. That’s how it’s supposed to work in a healthy democracy.

John Menadue, by contrast:

• Was a political staffer before becoming a top bureaucrat—a trajectory that already raises questions about independence.
• Was appointed by a highly polarising PM (Whitlam), at a time when the public service was undergoing radical change.
• Clung to his position when the political winds shifted, arguably putting institutional self-interest above democratic transition.

And rather than resign with dignity, he ended up being shuffled sideways to Qantas, which—at the time—was still a government entity. Many interpreted this not as recognition of capability, but as a soft exit.

Menadue cultivated a Teflon-like political persona and leveraged it to entrench influence well beyond his official tenure. Just because someone worked in senior government roles doesn’t mean their motives were pure—or their accolades legitimate. The missing record of the 'Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure' (which all of his self-drafted bios claim he holds) in Japanese government databases definitely casts a shadow on his claims of farfetched accolades.

His post-retirement activities—especially running Pearls and Irritations, which some allege has a soft spot for authoritarian regimes—haven’t helped his image. There’s a sense he uses his “elder statesman” status to push personal or ideological agendas, often with little pushback.

Bollocks again. All off the top of your head. Actually, Fraser wanted Menadue to stay on after the coup. The ALP wasn't happy that he did and for some time he was anathema to progressives. He actually became a Fraser staffer, apparently held in high esteem by the crazy gazier

So CEO of QANTAS a multi billion corporation was down grade? C'mon ffs. Later he was hired by Murdoch to head up News - another glaring testament to his incompetence you'd say?

"Some allege"? You mean those Rightist old farts, now irrelevant Libs. You know, those reactionaries who were anti Gay coupling, anti morning after pill, anti apology, anti yes and anti female. Are their opinions still respected? You are are a curious ALP supporter - right wing, gullible and agonisingly MOR in that dumb, follow the leader, platitudinous Australian way.

[ism22]

Ah yes, the classic “Google Victoria Nuland” opener — because nothing says geopolitical insight like regurgitating half-baked conspiracies from 2014.

You’re right that great powers exert influence. That’s not the revelation you think it is. But parroting Cold War tropes and pretending it’s nuance doesn’t make you some kind of renegade truth-teller — it just makes you a mirror image of the thing you’re ranting against.

Also, if you’re going to accuse others of being unoriginal, maybe don’t drop Keating quotes and reheated CIA-toppled-Whitlam takes like you just discovered a Crikey article from 2006.

Try again, buddy. Preferably with a thought of your own next time.

[ism22]

Ah, the irony of accusing others of being “middle of the road” while spouting revisionist fan-fiction like it’s gospel. Menadue’s career wasn’t brilliance — it was bureaucracy playing musical chairs. He wasn’t appointed to Qantas for corporate genius; he was shuffled off there because privatisation meant his tenure as a mandarin was over. A polite exile, not a promotion.

And let’s not forget: it’s precisely because of his fumbling that we now have fixed 4-year terms for department heads — to prevent that kind of soft-landing nonsense ever happening again.

But sure, keep yelling at imaginary conservatives while defending a bloke who got shuffled from post to post because nobody could sack him — a bureaucratic hot potato with tenure, not talent.

You’re not the resistance. You’re the press release.

[ism22]

Old mate Menadue’s been clinging to relevance like a VHS in a Netflix world. Once shuffled around the upper tiers of government because no one could quite work with him or sack him, he’s now reinvented himself as some kind of elder statesman of foreign affairs — despite having been out of any serious strategic role since before most voters were born.

Let’s be real: he was never a foreign policy heavyweight, and even his bureaucratic career ended in a polite dumping to Qantas — not as a promotion, but because privatisation made his role redundant and nobody wanted to deal with the dead weight. His legacy? We literally changed the rules to stop long-term mandarins like him from hanging around out of sheer inertia.

Now? He’s running Pearls and Irritations, a glorified Substack blog wrapped in delusions of policy influence. It’s a who’s-who of washed-up apparatchiks and fringe academics claiming “senior fellowships” at Chinese and Russian “think tanks” that don’t have campuses, students, staff, or even working websites. They’re Potemkin institutions — empty shells that exist solely to give their contributors a fake sense of legitimacy while they launder soft power narratives into Western discourse.

Menadue’s commentary increasingly mirrors CCP and Kremlin talking points — all while pretending it’s some brave counter-current to groupthink. In reality, it’s just the same tired contrarianism dressed up in foreign influence cosplay.

This isn’t thoughtful dissent. It’s boomer nostalgia for a relevance long gone — and the only “seat at the table” he’s got is the one he dragged into the echo chamber himself.

[ism22]

Pearls and Irritations is just one of many farcical pro-China/Russia blogs pretending to be serious policy platforms. We’ve all seen the formula by now: slap on a vaguely respectable name, wheel out a handful of retired public servants or self-described “independent thinkers,” and fill the site with rambling essays that just happen to align, coincidentally, with the external narratives pushed by Beijing and Moscow.

There’s no peer review, no editorial oversight, no accountability — just a revolving door of contributors who brandish phoney “senior fellowships” at think tanks no one’s ever heard of. These “institutions” often don’t even have a physical office, let alone students or staff. They exist purely to project a façade of credibility for people who couldn’t get a platform anywhere else.

And the pattern? It’s always the same.

• Russia’s not the aggressor, it’s misunderstood.
• China’s rise is peaceful, and the West is the real provocateur.
• NATO = bad. AUKUS = reckless. Western media = brainwashed.
• And any dissenters? Brave truth-tellers silenced by the ‘mainstream’.

It’s not “contrarian” or “critical thinking” — it’s content laundering. These sites function as soft power proxies, giving Western audiences the illusion that appeasement and retreat are the only intellectually honest options. Meanwhile, actual experts with real-world credentials are dismissed as warmongers or ideologically captured.

Menadue’s blog is just the Australian arm of this same tired routine: coasting on legacy clout while providing a polite front for foreign-aligned narratives. It’s not debate — it’s influence operations with better grammar.

[ism22]

Aran Khan — sorry, Martin, or is it Aaron this week? — is the classic case of a suburban kid so desperate to be interesting he tried to rebrand himself like a failing startup. First, it was the surname switch to “Khan” — because nothing says cultural depth like self-assigning a vaguely exotic identity in your twenties to seem worldly at uni tutorials.

Then came the bizarre claim that he was a “lead convoy driver” to a dictator during his teenage years — when he was, what, 13? Unless he was running logistics for Tonka Trucks, it’s hard to take that seriously. But hey, it’s easy to rewrite your bio when the only people fact-checking are the other cranks at Pearls and Irritations.

He even dabbled in Islam for a hot minute — not out of faith, but performance. Just enough to tick the “mysterious outsider” box before quietly shelving it when the optics stopped being useful. Now he’s back to Aran Martin, trying to pivot to respectability like the past fifteen identity resets didn’t happen.

His most recent role? Volunteer editor of a fringe blog with no real traffic, no professional credibility, and a contributor list that reads like the rejected guest list for a UN cosplay convention. And outside of that? Utterly unemployable. No track record in academia, no meaningful publications, and a résumé that screams “guy who peaked during a student union debate.”

He’s not a thinker. He’s a chameleon without a habitat — always reinventing himself to stay relevant in circles that don’t even matter.

[Barron's Dream]

Old mate has written War and Peace oi ay