Rarely have I seen a realpolitik misread as glaring as this from last week. It was so bad it needed quoting and a thread about all of the different Laws of Power that Zelensky has no grasp of. I will try to duplicate the thread here in a single post.
At a press conference in Kiev, Zelensky offers to step down in exchange for peace and NATO membership.
Putinists simply don’t understand the man. They’re cynical and self-interested, and lose their minds in the face of real patriotism. pic.twitter.com/yxegvgHGMx
– Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) February 23, 2025
Zelensky is a pimp. This is weakness on full display, not patriotism. This is the same fundamental mistake that Sonny made in the meeting with Sollozzo at the Don’s office. #48LawsOfPower
Law 3: Conceal Your Intentions: Always hide your true intentions. Create a smokescreen. If you keep people off-balance and in the dark, they can’t counter your efforts.
Law 4: Always Say Less than Necessary: Say little and be ambiguous, leaving the meaning to others to interpret. The less you say, the more intimidating and powerful you are.
Law 11: Learn to Keep People Dependent on You: Make your superior dependent on you. The more she needs you, the more security and freedom you have to pursue your goals.
Law 13: When Asking for Help, Appeal to People’s Self-Interest, Never to their Mercy or Gratitude: When you need help from someone in a position of power, appeal to their self-interest. They’ll be glad to help if they’ll get something in return, and you’ll get what you want without seeming desperate or irritating.
Law 29: Plan the Ending: Make detailed plans with a clear ending. Think far ahead, take into account all possible developments, and don’t be swayed by wishful thinking. Then pursue your plans and don’t be tempted from your path.
Law 47: Know When to Stop: The moment of victory is a moment of danger because you’re tempted to press your luck. Don’t let emotions push you past your goal. Stop, consolidate your gains, and prepare for new, different circumstances.
The game of power is a game of appearances. This is also why there have been two attempts on Trump’s life.
The critical point in the video above that relates directly to @realDonaldTrump is at the 13 minute mark. Sometimes it is important to speak or say something outrageous to judge the reactions of others, however small.
Donald Trump is a master of the @48LawsofPowerr and the sooner people understand that, the sooner they’ll understand Trump. #48LawsOfPower
From Monday to Friday, and scene.
Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova reacts to her boss self immolating in the Oval Office
Here is my entire thread on X from last Monday. This is why Zelensky’s behavior on Friday was not a surprise and went down about like I called it.
🧵Zelensky is a pimp. This is weakness on full display, not patriotism. This is the same fundamental mistake that Sonny made in the meeting with Sollozzo at the Don’s office. #48LawsOfPower 1/ https://t.co/YeiF7xxCSR
– James K Bishop (@James_K_Bishop) February 24, 2025
