zachistka (13. 556)

Taking place on this day in 2001, Russian forces in Alkhan-Kala undertook a special military operation known by the above euphemism as зачистка, the equivalent of “mopping up” as part of the Second Chechen War to eliminate insurgent separatists and organised crime. Chechnya (the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, named after tje river that was the line of demarcation) had secured de facto independence from Russia in 1996 but Moscow found the arrangement increasingly less acceptable, accusing Georgia of foment unrest, when the gauged the country as ungovernable, overrun by armed gangs and ultimately proclaiming itself as a Islamic republic and accused of invading neighbouring Dagestan. The siege of the small town, the door-to-door slaughter of civilians in search of the warlord is characteristic of suppression of rebel elements and ethic cleansing and has been repeated in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine and in other breakaway republics, all territories along the Caspian corridor annexed from the Persian Empire under Peter the Great.

the green mile (13. 555)

In the forest near the settlement of Klevan, Rivne Oblast, in northwestern Ukraine there is a leafy green corridor referred to as the Tunnel of Love (Тунель Кохання), a favourite spot for couples to take a romantic stroll, a section of industrial railway as their walk is only interrupted by freight trains three or four times a day. The verdant arches owning their existence to these routine crossings rather than the design of any intentional Edward Scissorhands landscaping—the track’s shoulders of this three-kilometre section not maintained relying on the locomotives to do the trimming of any errant growth blocking the path. More impressions from Kuriositas at the link above.

synchronoptica

one year ago: a stroll along the beach (with synchronoptica)

two years ago: a visit to a historic hermitage  

three years ago: Belarusian intervention halts march to Moscow, the struggle to keep journalism solvent, The Firebird (1910) plus the primary confessions of the Lutheran faith (1530)

four years ago: assorted links worth the revisit 

five years ago: jimoto Starbucks,  McDonaldland and other trippy ads plus word jazz

six years ago: demonyms,  Rhode Island renamed, Blade Runner (1982), butterfly spotting plus a repatriated painting

day one-hundred fourteen (13. 549)

US senate narrowly votes to halt conflict in Iran without congressional authorisation, though Trump is expected to veto the war powers resolution. The US president announces that IAEA nuclear inspectors will go to Iran at “an appropriate time”—Tehran countering the claims on commitments made earlier by Trump and Vance, whilst secretary of state Rubio maintains that Hormuz must remain toll-free as UN takes action to evacuate sailors stranded in the Strait. Russia puts the annexed territory of Crimea under lockdown as a swarm of drones approaches. Belarus strives to remain neutral after Kiev issues an ultimatum and warms of consequences.

9x9 (13. 539)

criterion collection: a roundup of dirigible-themed movies, featuring, among others, Fay Wray and Ronald Reagan as secret agent Brass Bancroft  

the camelot of africa: a tour Ethiopia’s Gondar castles 

binomial coefficients: some numbers in Pascal’s triangle make very few cameos and no one is sure why  

lost world: museum docent Louis Gratacap pioneered the genre—see previously  

fast-track enlargement: talks begin for EU accession for Ukraine and Moldova  

ger:gre: Monty Python’s Ancients v Moderns football match  

planetary-mass companion: the famous Pink Planet may be a failed binary star system  

a tisket, a tasket: an update on the headquarters building of Longaberger baskets—see previously  

sac pour mal de l’air: a collection of air sickness bags from a variety of airlines

day one-hundred ten (13. 531)

After increasingly deadly clashes in the wake of the US-Iranian truce that threatened to sabotage the peace settlement before talks (postponed with the US vice president delaying his departure to Switzerland, despite proclaiming that the sixty-day period for negotiations had started) could even begin, Hezbollah and the IDF declare a ceasefire. The term made increasingly Orwellian in practise, we will see if it plays out like the ceasefire arrangement in Gaza, the opposite of an armistice that’s seen a thousand Palestinian deaths and the population squeezed into a smaller and smaller area as Israel occupation expands. Ukrainian forces launch a retaliatory drone attack on Moscow, the largest yet during the four year conflict, aim to bring the realities of war to the home-front for the Russian people. Trump, messy drama queen that he is, scripts his own Italian soap-opera, claiming that Giorgia Meloni begged him for a picture together on the sidelines of the G7 summit. The prime minister called out his made up story and cancelled a trip to America scheduled for her foreign minister. Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz surges, from a trickle to approaching a quarter of pre-war crossings. The MOU stipulates that Iran will keep the waterway open to all for a thirty-day period in order to clear the backlog of ships stranded, but leaves open the possibility to impose tolls or restrict certain vessels flying under the flag of enemies in the future. Quite a few other significant concessions to Tehran are emerging, amplified by Trump’s attempts to defend his grand deal—claiming without him Israel wouldn’t exist and he saved the world economy from sliding into a depression. The Supreme Leader says the settlement was reached out of desperation and panic in Washington.

day one-hundred eight (13. 522)

As politicians and the press debate the merits and durability of Trump’s grand deal with Tehran (the administration hinting it will publish the terms of the MOU ahead of the formal signing ceremony), a Russian frigate, known to escort its shadow fleet of oil tankers through the Channel, fired warning shots at a pleasure yacht off the Island of Wight. The G7 vows for new sanctions against Russia amid optimism for peace in Ukraine. Elon Musk threatens to sue German public broadcaster ZDF for its reporting on how he is stoking anti-immigrant sentiment in Belfast. Scepticism mounts—everyone is angry and dissatisfied for different but overlapping reasons—over the peace plan with Iran insisting that any accord is contingent on IDF withdrawal from Lebanon—the rift between Washington and Tel Aviv apparently widening as Trump criticises Netanyahu and says that Syria would do a better job in extracting Hezbollah without killing everyone else in the process. Destruction in Beirut persists but many displaced Lebanese are trying to return home.

8x8 (13. 520)

bff: open-source branding for fast foods and convenience stores  

slopaganda: the fake Canadians behind Alberta’s separatist movement  

painting with light: a look back at the pioneering Quantel Paintbox system that debuted in 1981  

it is long since i saw you: the flying monk Eilmer of Malmesbury who witnessed Halley’s Comet twice  

jam handy to the rescue: The Girl on the Magazine Cover (1940)—say do you mind if I take a picture?  

biosphere: the unrealised spherical, utopian architecture of nineteenth century France—via Messy Nessy Chic  

homefront: mapping all Russian casualties in the Ukraine war in order to expose the human costs of the fighting  

at participating locations: a 1977 commercial for the McFeast

synchronoptica

one year ago: assorted links to revisit (with synchronopticæ) plus photographer Lycien-David Cséry

day ninety-seven (13. 488)

Hezbollah categorically rejects US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and its unspecified pilot security zones. Putin rebuffs Zelenskyy’s request for an in-person meeting with the Russian ruler to bring about settlement to the ongoing war in Ukraine.  Amid frustration and lack of progress over the extension of a truce and restoration of maritime traffic in the Persian gulf, American and Iranian forces continue to exchange fire, with more attacks on US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.

8x8 (13. 433)

marathon du médoc: get in shape for the annual event combining wine tasting and running at the Bordeaux château and vineyard—via Messy Nessy Chic 

of mice and men: the difference between singing rodents and the non-verbal variety maybe similar to the evolutionary split that humans took from other primates 

net exporter: Ukraine sees drone demand from eleven countries as manufacturers expand production  

childlore: a growing list of popular adolescent myths that have passed from generation to generation  

thirty-eighth parallel: North Korea abandons goal of reunification with the south—see previously  

scope of work: the ingenious design of the screwdriver handle  

gravitational constant: geometers including surveyor Charles Mason (of Mason-Dixon line fame) conducted the Sciehallion Experiment in the Scottish Highlands to determine the mean-density of the Earth, weighing the mountain Sith Chailleann—fairy hill of the Caledonians  

holztrompete: Richard Wagner fused a brass and a woodwind instrument for Tristan und Isolde—via Clive Thompson’s Linkfest

day seventy (13. 413)

Moscow and Kiev agree to a seventy-two hour truce over the Victory Day observance. Labour faces stunning losses in UK local elections with the Reform UK party gaining significant seats in another act of generational self-harm that closely corresponds with Brexit. Expecting a response to Tehran regarding the US terms for a peace proposal, Trump promises settlement within the coming hours, hoping for “a serious offer” of concessions. Though absent from the public eye, it is believed that the new Supreme Leader is playing a key role in crafting Iranian strategy and ongoing negotiations with the US naval embargo a major sticking point that could lead to renewed military engagement, Tehran unwilling to submit to American demands under economic duress as Trump entertains the idea of restarting “Project Freedom”—like the mayor of Amity Island from Jaws insisting (like with all of his promises and solutions really) that it’s safe to go back into the water and keep the beaches open—though there have been few takers among shipping concerns to make the perilous crossing even under escort. Trump’s sons are major investors in a new drone-interceptor manufacturing company. 

synchronoptica

one year ago: know your Italian Brain Rot (with synchronopticæ), alchemy achieved plus interoperability problems

fourteen years ago: gas tank chirality plus Victory Day observances

fifteen years ago: quantum fuzziness 

sixteen years ago: getting a used camper 

but the bravest by far in the ranks of the shah (13. 411)

Observed the day after today’s V-E day celebrations, the Victory Day parade commemorating the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany will be a very much scaled back affair, featuring no marshalling of rockets and heavy equipment in Moscow for the first time in almost twenty years and no coverage by the foreign press (as well as an internet blackout, the increasing frequency finally grating on the Russian public seemingly more than any of the other hardships or sacrifices of the special military operation) as the war in Ukraine has dragged on longer than the Red Army’s action in WWII. The expected quieter streets of Red Square are owing to heightened security concerns due to the ongoing conflict, framed by the Russian leader as a continuation as the fight against fascism; exacerbated by the fact that neither Moscow nor Kiev would commit to a ceasefire for the public holiday, Putin alone with his ranks, to avoid a large gathering that may be vulnerable to attack. Russia has vowed to bomb the Ukrainian capital should they attempt any disruption.

day fifty-five (13. 376)

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized two cargo ships attempting to bypass their control of the Strait of Hormuz, releasing cinematic footage of their capture—marking the first such detainments since the start of the war at the end of February. The White House did not consider the action to be a violation of the ceasefire, indefinitely extended due to the stalemate in arranging peace talks—the major sticking point being the US blockade of the Persian Gulf—as they were not American or Israeli flagged vessels. The administration expressed satisfaction with the maritime embargo as the US secretary of the navy abruptly resigned, effective immediately, without explanation. The acting under-secretary is Hung Cao, a MAGA loyalist who ran two unsuccessful campaigns for a seat in Virginia on an extreme Christian nationalist platform. Türkiye says that the prolonged war is significantly weakening the EU, as with Hungarian opposition removed with the defeat of Orban the ninety billion euro aid package for Ukraine is approved by the bloc. Lebanese officials are requesting an extension of their ceasefire with Israel.

synchronoptica

one year ago: Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? (with synchronopticæ), assorted links to revisit plus more on The Peculiar Manicule

thirteen years ago: the fight for digital liberties 

fourteen years ago: Saint George 

fifteen years ago: German Beer Day 

sixteen years ago: voluntary electronic surveillance 

centre to centre-right (13. 346)

Fears that there would be no peaceful transition of power dissipating when the incumbent conceded defeat rather soon after polls closed and results came in and congratulated his challenger in the incoming prime minister Péter Magyar, Viktor Orbán and his Russian-aligned Fidesz party lost control of Hungary after a reign of sixteen years by a landslide with the voters turn-out the highest it had been since the fall of Communism in the early 1990s. The victory of Magyar’s Tisza movement, possibly securing a supermajority in parliament, whilst still socially conservative, is seen as a rebuke to far-right parties in Europe and aims for greater integration into the EU and signals cooperation with EU priorities, including aid for Ukraine and mutual defence, economically, militarily and environmentally and away from the regressive policies of illiberal democracy. JD Vance’s Thursday night political stumping for Orbán did not translate to a positive outcome and may be a preview of what’s to come for MAGA in the States.

9x9 (13. 340)

sen̓áḵw: the return of a Squamish Nation village exempt from zoning laws and an elegant solution to Vancouver’s housing shortage—first heard on NPR  

patience: a meditation on Solitaire—see previously  

tanker war: veterans of the 1981-1988 Persian Gulf crisis share flash-back inducing parallels  

granny shelf: an appreciation of the overlooked products in one’s grocery aisle—via Web Curios  

rückenfigur: a retrospective exhibition of Expressionist artist Gabriele Münter  

season ticket: brilliant vintage bus passes of the Milwaukee metro  

easter armistice: attacks continue as thirty-six hour truce for the Orthodox holiday between Ukraine and Russia approaches  

phreak box: an emulation of tones that hacked payphones—via Kottke—see previously  

diego garcia: US opposition forces UK to abandon plans to return the Chagos islands to Mauritius

day twelve (13. 254)

As global oil supplies are disrupted with the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz (contrary to earlier claims, the US navy had not escorted an oil tanker for safe passage, though Iran’s capability to deploy mines in the sea route seems to be hampered), many importers, particularly in the Far East and contemplating easing Russian sanctions to fill the gap and keep their economies running, replenishing the Kremlin’s war chest for its continued assault on Ukraine. US secretary of war announced that the next wave of strikes against Tehran will be even more intense as Trump again mulls over the idea of sending in special forces to secure Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, sticking to his demands of complete surrender. The American administration reportedly requested that Israel stop attacking energy infrastructure, signalling the first disagreement between the allied aggressors since the beginning of the assault after toxic smoke and acid rain from burning refineries blanketed the capital, precipitating an environmental disaster and making the populace ill. Differences also emerge between the US president and vice president on embarking on this military adventure. Iran’s chief of police announces that protesters will be treated as enemies, reigniting the crackdown on anti-government demonstrations and imposing curfews.

synchronoptica

one year ago: assorted links worth revisiting (with synchronopticæ), tariff tantrums plus renewed overtures for Greenland

twelve years ago: EU and US reactions to the annexation of the Crimean peninsula plus the hierarchy of security clearances

thirteen years ago: upcoming Pi Day 

fifteen years ago: funerary arts in Germany 

sixteen years ago: the Holy Sea’s chief exorcist 

day seven (13. 237)

Israeli defence forces issuing evacuation orders for neighbourhoods south of the Lebanese capital of Beirut, urging hundreds of thousands to leave the suburbs purportedly under control of Hezbollah, and in turn Hezbollah tells Israeli civilians living near the border to leave. Ukraine’s offer for technical assistance in thwarting Iranian Shahed drone attacks is accepted as Gulf states express discontent and frustration with the continued assault for hosting American assets, given no time to prepare little cover. The US grants Indian refineries a waiver to temporarily purchase Russian oil, just after pressured by the administration to extend sanctions to help end the war in Ukraine. A Democratic-backed measure to halt hostilities in the US congress without the consent of legislature was blocked by Republicans, allowing Trump to continue the expanding—Azerbaijan has been drawn in after an aerial assault on its Nakhchivan exclave, though Iran denies involvement—and chaotic fighting unimpeded by convention or formal declaration. Trump also insists to be part of the decision-making process for the appointment of Iran’s new Supreme Leader. 

7x7 (13. 205)

merrie melodies: Turner Movie Classics (TMC) has acquired Looney Tunes and will begin pairing the animated shorts with the main features from Warner Brothers studios as they were originally shown in theatres  

el mencho: Mexico deploys thousands of troops to quell violence after death of cartel boss 

taco tuesdays: Trump global tariffs come in at a lower ten percent rate 

there’s no grace period so that’s a way in which i see us losing the interstitial: arguments for deplatforming oneself 

slava ukraini: Zelenskyy’s address to the nation on the fourth anniversary since the Russia invasion, extending an invitation to Trump to see who the real aggressors are  

i’m sorry but you can’t just name a weather event bombogenesis: tracking the winter storm slamming the North American eastern seaboard and other news 

all ages: the concert archive of Lynn Fisher—via Waxy

synchronoptica

one year ago: the Ukraine war enters its fourth year (with synchronopticæ), assorted links worth the revisit plus Marbury v Madison

twelve years ago: revolutionary plaza plus positive psychology

thirteen years ago: Freistaat Flaschenhals plus the waning potency of pesticides

fifteen years ago: arch villains  

sixteen years ago: spending priorities 

transneft (13. 204)

Whilst the EU has an embargo on the importation of Russia oil and gas since its invasion of Ukraine, landlocked Slovakia and Hungary have been granted a special carve-out to continue to receive fuel transiting through the besieged country from Tarastan via the Druzhba (Дружба, “friendship”) pipeline operating since 1964 in the spirit of mutual assistance for Eastern European satellites. Subject to frequent sabotage since the invasion, the latest supply disruption happening at the end of January, resulting from what Kiev maintains to be the result of a Russian drone attack on a pumping substation straining already tense relations among the neighbouring countries, the members Slovakia and Hungary accusing Ukraine of delaying repairs and the latter suspending electricity delivery and both vetoing materiel and financial aid and the prospect of future EU membership. Whilst putting pressure on Ukraine for resolution and restart the flow of oil from this principal artery, there was no justification for long-term exceptions to the sanctions and stalling Ukraine’s assistance or accession to the Bloc, logistic alternatives through Czechia possible. Now on the eve of the war entering its fifth year, facilities have been struck again—Moscow citing debris from a UAV attack, making the situation and unanimous support an even more fraught prospect.

the power of the people is stronger than the people in power (13. 192)

As we are informed by MetaFilter, for Ash Wednesday, Irish band U2 released a surprise extended play collection of six tracks called Days of Ash—their first recording since 2017 originally planned for later this year but decided that they couldn’t wait as the songs were growing more and more impatient and urgent by the day. The below lead is dedicated to Renée Good and the resistance of Minneapolis and others deal with the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, also paying tribute to Iranian teenager Sarina Esmailzadeh killed during protests and Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen. Postcards from the present moment, the album reaffirms the group’s political boldness and combines biblical allegory with partisan messaging. “The Tears of Things” and “Yours Eternally” was especially powerful.

[sic] semper tyrranis (13. 185)

Called “the slit-nosed”—ὁ Ῥινότμητος, ho Rhīnótmētos—though likely not to his face, Justinian II, last Byzantine emperor of the Heraclian dynasty, a period of transition that saw the cultural shift from Roman antiquity to medieval and Turkic and who first reigned from 785 to 695, exiled because of unpopular tax policies, deposed, his nose cut off and exiled to Cherson in Crimea and returned to the throne in 705 with the help of his supporters and Khazar authorities eager to be rid of this liability to the theme (θέμα, an administrative district of the Empire) who helped him to get back to Constantinople on a fishing boat, with the backing of Bulgarian dissidents and enthroned, fronting a nasal prothesis made of solid gold, on this day in 706, having tracked down his predecessors (the one before his first term and the one from his interregum) and political rivals, had them brought in chains to the hippodrome on this day in 706, trod on their necks and ordered them to be execution by beheading, along with multitudes of their partisans as well as blinding banishing the patriarch. His second reign marked by unsuccessful military adventures against the Khanate of Bulgaria and the Caliphate—with the former playing a pivotal role in his return to power and now Byzantium turning against his allies, whom had also provided Justinian with a bride, renamed Theodora after the wife of his namesake, and cruel suppression of his opposition, imposing the pope in Rome’s authority over the rump state of Ravenna and indirectly causing the Great Schism with puppet papacy. An uprising in Cherson itself saw Justinian taken capture and executed on the fourth of November of the year 711) five insufferable years later), his disembodied head being put on public display in Ravenna as well as in Rome. Upon hearing of his death, heir apparent Tiberius and regnant mother sought sanctuary in a church but were dragged from the altar and killed, thus ensuring the end of the family line.