Greetings Mark, I hope you are well. As you predicted the Middle East is well on its way to catching fire again, the US is blowing up boats and Iran is shooting down drones. I have a question about China: Before the chaos in the middle east the US was busy trying to contain China using "The Quad" and AUKUS and similar mini NATO arrangements. While I don't think they will be able to fully entrap India into serving as cannon fodder to fight China (personal opinion and yes, fellow followers, I am well aware I am an amateur and could be completely wrong about this) do you think the recent US attempt to gain a foothold in Indonesia viz a viz the hastily signed defense agreement indicates that the US is prepared to fight China with just the Japanese and the South Koreans as proxies? Is that feasible enough? On a minor note, what do you think is happening in the Chinese military structure with the recent arrests of senior officers? I find China hard to understand geopolitically. Thank you.

Thanks once again Mark for your insights. Theories abound with regard to the RU warnings re: attacks on Ukraine and particularly Kiev in future. 1. The Kremlin is capitulating to public opinion. 2. The Kremlin is now as angry as the public. 3. China has given the RU its blessing. 4. The recent attacks on RU energy infrastructure were far more damaging than you have told us. (I don’t believe this, but it’s out there.) 5. This was going to happen anyway, after the mud season ceased, and it just happened to coincide with Ukrainian atrocities. A combination? Something else? Again, thank you.

Hi Mark, could you give a quick rundown on how recruitment numbers are going vs battlefield losses? I keep hearing the usual BS about Russia not being able to keep up with the losses, and its hard to find credible sources to refute/confirm it here in the heart of Narrativeland. Also, like Andrew, I'd like some info on exactly how much effect these refinery hits are doing. Thanks.