We have been watching an incredible game of chess being played out on the world stage with the latest sham election and annexation of Ukrainian territory by Vladimir Putin.\xa0 While some decry it as desperate measures by a desperate man, it can also be looked upon as a wily move to force the West into direct confrontation with Russia. \xa0 Whether we like it or not, we are on the board and with the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines (most likely by Russia) we are also looking at some more moves on the board by Putin.\xa0
Why now?\xa0 Well Putin has lost a lot of his pieces in this match over the last seven months.\xa0 Ukraine patiently moving pawns has now been able to masterfully start marching some of the larger pieces down the board.\xa0 \xa0
Analogies aside, the real concern is whether Russia will go nuclear (tactical or strategic nukes) to coerce Ukraine (and the West) to the negotiating table. \xa0 If that happens, all bets are off as to what the West can and will do.\xa0
Does anyone in Russia have the backbone (and the necessary support) to take down this regime?\xa0 Or will it ultimately have to be the West in some dark scenario?\xa0 Martin discusses this. \xa0
Martin also talks about the success of NASA's DART mission which hit the asteroid Dimorphos this past week. \xa0 NASA hopes DART moved the asteroid out of its current trajectory.\xa0 If successful, it spells a new era in asteroid avoidance.\xa0
Finally, Hurricane IAN moved across the Caribbean and ripped through Florida. \xa0 We can successfully combat climate change if our elected officials choose to move away from lobbies and carbon fuel companies that have the right to act as individuals.\xa0 \xa0
All of the above really boils down to YOUR MOVE.\xa0
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