Schaftlein Report

Zelenskyy Addresses the United Nations | Schaftlein Report ------------------ Guest: John Eidsmoe – Colonel Mississippi National Guard & Constitutional Lawyer Topics: 1) Colonel Eidsmoe discusses Ukraine 2) Zelenskyy says Russia soldiers are acting as a terrorist state, criminals not soldiers, and they are killing civilians, bombing civilian targets a. The military is stealing everything, people taken against their will to Russia b. Worst War Crimes since WWII c. UN needs to show how war criminals will be prosecuted and punished d. Crimea, Georgia and Ukraine - What is next? e. World has not seen all of Russia's atrocities 3) World leaders consider additional sanctions on Russia 4) Russian economy expected to decline by 10% with Inflation hitting 23% - Shortages of goods a. EU to ban imports of Russian coal b. Treasury Department bars Russia payments in dollars from U.S. accounts 5) Border Disaster 62K escaped border patrol and gained illegal entry into the U.S. last month *Title 42 removal looms in May which could lead to 18K people trying to cross every day 6) John discusses Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson nomination to the Supreme Court

Ukraine is a Crime Scene, Russia commits Atrocities | Schaftlein Report ---------------------- Topics: 1) Russia commits war crime with 300 confirmed Civilian deaths in areas liberated by Ukraine - This is not a battlefield but a crime scene of atrocities *Bound hands and legs, gunshot wounds to the head, signs of torture, mass graves - Rape by Russian soldiers 2) Russia deletes "Military" from Special Military Operation in another propaganda move to cleans its image in Russia away from war *Biden calls for Putin to be charged at trial as a war criminal with evidence gathering to continue 3) Ukrainian forces retake areas outside and near Kyiv where war crimes took place *U.S. vows continued weapons support 4) Pope blasts the Invasion - Sweden and Finland consider requesting membership in NATO *Lithuania becomes first of 27 European countries to cut off Russian gas imports 5) Even Democrats warn the Administration about the potential disaster of cancelling Title 42 as summer surge of illegal immigrants looms 6) Amid a surge in crime, NYC considers changing its NO bail laws *Crime in Chicago as Mayor's aid is in ICU after attack by three youths 7) Housing cost hit record median price of $405K up 13.5% from March 2021 *1 out of 7 homes are now owned by investors who have been buying up large chunks particularly in minority areas leading to more renters 8) FL Gov Ron DeSantis leads all potential Democratic opponents by 16-24 points *Sarah Palin to run for Alaska Congressional seat vacated by death of Republican Incumbent 9) "Wish casting instead of preparation" - Amy Walter of Cook Political Report on everything the Biden administration tries to do from Afghanistan, Build Back Better, Inflation, gas prices, border security and crime *Everything fails despite their hopes for resolution - A bright spot is unemployment is down to 3.6% and 431K jobs were added in March 10) Media panic in full melt down over prospect of a Democratic blood bath in the mid terms - CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS and NBC 11) Trump rips Biden on Iran Nuclear deal discussions and how he is ruining the country at Michigan rally

Russian Propaganda On Full Display | Schaftlein Report ---------------------- Guest: Jeffrey Dunetz - LidBlog Author ( LidBlog.com ) Topics: 1) Administration says Putin given incorrect information about the planning decision of the war? *Incorrect reports of success? Hiding bad results? **Sounds like a false off ramp hope - I don't believe an ounce of this leak 2) More propaganda from Russia - Putin approval at 80% - Very dubious? ...Baghdad Bob 3) Administration to release 180M barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve at a rate of 1.0M barrels a day *I have serious doubts this will help do anything other than a short-term drop in oil prices and medium to long-term could have serious consequences 4) Southern Border goes from bad to worse - 7K arrests per day - Biden to end Title 42 which allows immediate deportation due to public health concerns a. Illegal crossings could increase to 18K per day if this happens at the end of May b. Arizona poll shows only 33% support Biden's immigration and border policies and 57% oppose c. Illegals in Florida commit 4 murders and DeSantis is looking for reason why two were released with prior charges and convictions 5) Disney should be boycotted for their disgusting woke policies and people are taking notice - Embracing the Transgender ideology 6) The Biden administration has gone full hard core leftist with its policy of embracing Transgender Youth sex change operations via hormone therapy among numerous treatment - This is disgusting - Passports are now given out with an X, no gender identity 7) Heavy fighting in Kyiv suburbs expected - UN to investigate Russian War Crimes *Ukraine claims 17.5K Russian soldiers killed and 6K Tanks destroyed in addition to numerous other weapons destroyed 8) Only 39% of workers participated in vote to Unionize Amazon warehouse - NLRB to count ballots in 2nd vote after the previous effort failed 9) Inflation as measured by the Personal Consumption Expenditures Index jumped 6.4% in March, the highest since 1982 10) Hunter Biden Laptop scandal grows as even leading liberal papers admit mistakes. Why now?

Topics: 1) Mike discusses Jobs, the Economy, Inflation and the war in Ukraine as an Army veteran a. Home prices up 19% year over year - Mortgage rates at 4.8% are the highest in 3 years b. Gas is above $6 in California - Inflation is the number 1 issue for voters c. No breakthrough on Peace talks with Russians 2) Safety - Mike supports the Police, Military, the 2nd Amendment and Border Security 3) Mike will defend the country against all efforts to impose Socialism and socialistic efforts of the Democrats 4) Mike's Christian values are Pro-God, Pro-Family and Pro-Life 5) Mike is fiscally conservative and he discusses the recent Biden budget plan *Sen. Joe Manchin says NO to taxing unrealized gains 6) Mike discusses his support for Veterans, Health Care, Educating our kids and the environment 7) Generic Ballot favors Republicans as voters turn against Biden policies *In Florida, Republicans now outnumber Democrats by 100K - When DeSantis was elected, that number was Democrats +280K

Peace Talks in Turkey | Schaftlein Report ------------------------ Guest: Andrew Crapuchettes - CEO of RedBallon.work, a company that connects employers who value freedom with employees who value it too. Topics: 1) Russia says it will scale down military operations in Kyiv and other cities while Ukraine says it would become a Neutral state *Watch their actions, NOT what they say 2) Biden press conference fallout - Walk back or no walk back - Biden caught reading answers to reporters questions off CUE cards *We've said it all along, figuratively, he is not playing with a full deck of cards 3) Comments raised eyebrows: a. "In kind chemical weapons?" b. "82nd Airborne division in Ukraine?" c. "Remain in power?" 4) Ukraine releases the names of 600 Russian spies working in Europe 5) Consumer Sentiment Index hits an 11-year low as the view of the future falls primarily due to Americans concern over Inflation 6) Biden budget calls for $32B increased funding for police and an additional $31B for the military? 7) The lies in Biden's budget proposal which is the most reckless budget proposal EVER: *False assumptions on interest rate cost to borrow as interest rates rise, lowered inflation 2% next year assumptions -Ballooning 4.8% deficit to GDP forecast - The post war normal is 2.6% 8) Taliban breaks promise and will not allow girls to go to school past the 6th grade - Another Biden blunder

War and Inflation Driving Biden to All Time Low in Polls | Schaftlein Report ------------------------ Topics: 1) Biden speaks the truth saying Putin cannot remain in power - The White House and official *Washington push back for stating the truth - Biden calls Putin a butcher *We support what the President said and we'll explain why 2) Devastating bad poll numbers for the President in NBC news and Reuters polls a. Biden approval at 40% while 54-55% disapprove in both polls b. Generic ballot has Republicans up 46-44%. c. Women have gone from 51% approval to 44% d. Latinos have gone from 48% to 39% e. He is upside down 30 points on the economy f. These are potential landslide election results for Republicans in the fall 3) 70% disapprove of Biden's handling of the war 4) 71% say the country is going in the wrong direction 5) War update - 40K Ukrainians have been forcibly deported to Russian camps a. Russians launch rocket attack toward Lviv b. ariupol is now 85% destroyed c. Civilian deaths now total above 1,100 in Ukraine according to a United Nations Report d. China cancels $500M gas deal wit h Russian company for fear of sanctions 6) Zelinskyy says Ukraine willing to become a Neutral country as part of Russian Peace Deal *The next round of "peace talks" scheduled to begin Tuesday in Turkey 7) Biden to announce effort to raise taxes on people with new worth over $100M 8) Trump: "Biden's leadership is one train wreck after another" 9) Biden and Blinken push ahead on Iran Nuclear deal to a pessimistic Middle East audience 10) Biden gaffe - "Sending the 82nd Airborne to Ukraine"

What's next for NATO? | Schaftlein Report ---------------------- Guest: Jeffrey Dunetz - LidBlog Author ( LidBlog.com ) Topics: 1) Biden and NATO meet to determine next steps in war - Civilian casualties mount 2) U.S. considering sending Anti-ship missiles to Ukraine *Russia threatens Poland 3) U.S. to allow 100K Ukrainians into the country 4) Senior Putin adviser quits due to war and others may also leave *Central Bank chief tried to leave and Putin said no, giving her a new 5-year-term 5) What steps will Russian elites take next if any? 6) An EU ban on crude could lead to much higher prices *U.S. is producing 11.7M barrels a day down from 13.0M in 2020 7) The U.S. can supply Europe with Liquefied natural gas but that will take time - We have lots of gas in this country 8) Jobless claims fall to the lowest level since 1969 at 187K 9) Judge Jackson hearings end and confirmation is likely the first week in April 10) Mayor Eric Adams lifts vaccine mandate for athletes and performers in NYC 11) Madeline Albright passes at 84 - First woman Secretary of State under Clinton

Biden Energy Policies Are Failing | Schaftlein Report --------------------- Guest: Gary Demar - American Vision President ( AmericanVision.org ) Topics: 1) 80% of Americans want MORE Fossil fuels while only 20% want Green Energy 2) Only 2% believe Climate change and the environment are a top priority 3) Americans feel worse off due to "Climate Progressives" and believe Democrats embrace of these policies are causing energy prices and inflation to go up significantly 4) Voters are really ticked off at Democrats for their soft on crime policies and the Southern Border fiasco 5) Biden is paying the price for cool relations with the Saudi's and the Iran deal is a major sticking point 6) War in Ukraine rages as a stalemate for now - 3 possible outcomes? a. Protracted war with continued fighting and loss of life and property b. A peace deal of some sort c. Putin overthrown 7) Biden to sanction 300 Russian lawmakers - Why not do more? 8) EU plans to curb Russian gas purchases where they current rely on for 40% - Goal is to fill storage to 80% 9) Biden under water in polling average at 41%-53% - A recent poll had his approval rating at 34% 10) Trump has a +12 on favorability over Biden, however in head to head match up Trump leads 45-42

Economic Impact of Russia's War | Schaftlein Report ------------------ Guest: Dave Brat – Liberty University Dean, School of Business Topics: 1) Russia and Belarus produce 40% of the worlds ingredients such as potash - Ammonia, nitrogen and phosphates are also used in fertilizer which is soaring up 30% this year - this and more leads to significant increase in food prices 2) The risk to both developing and developed countries of the possibility of a global food shortage crisis looms as the cost to make food rises *Supply chain bottlenecks are likely to worsen - Wheat is up 60% since February 3) A negative feedback loop is starting with chaos in commodity markets leading to chaos in the real world as conflicts increase - It potentially compounds and gets worse a. Anticipation of chaos can lead speculators to price in that risk and escalate risk premiums and costs b. Historically as cost of living increases across the globe, governments are replaced or collapse c. We are seeing another refugee crisis in eastern Europe - What other risks are pending? 3) Additional sanctions are being considered against Russia - 40% of all Russian trade is with the EU - China is 17% *Could Russia become more reliant on China as the western countries move away from doing business with Russia? 4) The Federal Reserve has lowered the 2022 growth projections to 2.8% - In December they were saying 4% growth *Just like inflation, their projections have been off lately 5) The 10-year-note is now yielding 2.38% reaching its highest level in 3 years, up 50 basis points in about a month - The 30-year-Note is at 2.59% *Mortgage rates are back above 4% 6) With Inflation still running hot, the Fed is openly telegraphing a 50 basis point increase at the next meeting - What are the implications? 7) The Fed is also considering reducing its $9T balance sheet - Will they do this simultaneously with raising interest rates? 8) What is the possibility of a 2022 Recession with all of the above items taken into consideration? 9) It appears the current strategy of NATO and the U.S. is a protracted stalemate in Ukraine bleeding the Russian economy and supplying just enough military equipment to keep the war going? 10K dead Russian soldiers and 16K wounded? How long can this be sustained?

Russian Atrocities Grow | Schaftlein Report ------------------------ Topics: 1) Russians suffer up to 14K combat deaths, stalemate in Ukraine, Civilians being targeted 2) Russia uses Hypersonic missile to attack a munitions depot 3) Zelenskyy calls on Putin to speak directly 4) Mariupol is leveled, an Arts school bombed with 400 kids sheltering 5) Mariupol citizens are being captured and taken to camps in Russia 6) NATO secretary General dodged repeated questions about what constitutes crossing a red line in the attacks on civilians and possible use of chemical weapons - He looked weak and his response was pitiful - He basically said he would NOT do ANYTHING that MIGHT escalate the war into Europe 7) Mercenaries are being sent into Ukraine to kill the leadership by Putin - Belarus amassing soldiers if called upon by Putin 8) Diesel tops $7 in CA 9) Biden polling: Handling of Ukraine -8, Strong leader -16, Economy -20, Crime -23, Border -24, Inflation -29 10) Soaring prices for everything to make food brings more inflation: a. Fertilizer comes from Canada #1, Russia #2 and Belarus #3 b. $715 an acre to plant corn - chemicals, seed, machine equipment fuel and labor all up substantially 11) Biden slammed for pursuit of Venezuelan oil while shunning U.S. energy producers bowing to the Climate nut jobs *The problem is the U. S. uses 19M barrels a day and produces 12M - the gap is 7M 12) Germany cuts deal with Qatar for Liquefied Natural Gas

Mass Grave in Mariupol | Schaftlein Report -------------------- Guest: Jeffrey Dunetz - LidBlog Author ( LidBlog.com ) Topics: 1) Biden calls Putin a War Criminal 2) Zelenskyy speech moves bi-partisan effort to secure more weapons - Biden to provide long range anti-aircraft systems and munitions *Scolds Germans for not doing more to help Ukraine 3) Russians kill 10 civilians waiting in a bread line 4) Media and Biden blame Putin for high gas prices - The public is not buying what they are selling 5) Democrats fume over high gas prices as they are being blamed - Progressives want less drilling and normal Democrats want more drilling 6) Biden to waive sanctions and allow Russia to build a nuclear power plant in Iran 7) DOJ criticized as soft on crime when federal arsonist (who supported BLM) is only given 10 years after killing someone in the fire *BLM leader and husband hit by federal fraud and conspiracy charges

Zelensky pleads to Congress for more Planes and Weapons | Schaftlein Report -------------------------- Guest: Joe Visconti - Emmy Award Winning Producer Topics: 1) An emotional film followed by urgent requests for offensive weapons *Biden approves $800M in immediate aid including anti-aircraft weapons and drones 2) Russians continue attacks on Civilians in Kyiv - They are trying to surround the city and starve and bomb the population into submission as they have done in other conflicts in Chechnya and Syria 3) Polish President calls for Peacekeeping Mission in Ukraine? 4) Russians take 500 hostages in Mariupol from locals and hospital workers 5) Oil prices fall 30% from the recent high above $130 *Russia owes $115M interest payment on $150B of dollar debt 6) Insanity - House Democrats want Biden to declare a national climate emergency and bad all drilling on federal lands in the midst of a war - These people are CRAZY 7) In a further sign of cognitive decline, Biden refers to VP Harris as the First Lady? God help us for the next 2.5 years he is in office 8) China's zero Covid policy is failing badly as outbreaks in 28 Provinces escalate 9) Raskin withdraws her name as a Federal Reserve Governor as we predicted yesterday

U.S. and NATO MUST Aggressively Increase Support for Ukraine | Schaftlein Report -------------------------- Guest: Attorney Teisha Powell - Political and Legal Analyst, Author of the book "Liberal Lies: Discover The Lies Being Told By the Liberal Media and the Establishment" Topics: 1) Russians increase shelling in Kyiv *Fox News camera man killed 2) Anti-war protester disrupts live Russian TV on their number 1 show 3) Various reports indicate Russian advantage in the war could cease in 14 days - Loss of equipment, poor morale and mounting loss of life 4) Ukraine asks for more weapons to fight the Russians - Speech to congress tomorrow *Negotiations continue with the Russian delegation - 3M refugees have fled the country 5) Economic fall out from the war - Ukrainian farmers are running out of fuel - Agricultural prices are likely to spike in Europe *Food shortages in Europe and the Middle East are coming 6) Russia is the world's largest wheat producer at approximately 30% - Ukraine produces 10% *If the conquest goes to the Russians, more control over food supplies will be in the hands of the Russians **The U.S. used to produce 30% and over the past 30 years, it has declined to 13% due to increased corn production with massive subsidies from the government for ethanol 7) Producer Price Index climbed 10% in February in the U.S 8) U.S. and Russia continue to engage in Iran Nuclear Deal talks - What a disaster policy initiative 9) Saudia Arabia considers accepting Chinese Yuan for oil purchases - U.S. and China have intense discussions over China's role supporting Russia 10) Sen. Joe Manchin says no to Fed nominee Raskin over her radical energy positions - Excellent *Fed to begin interest rate hikes **Conclusion - U.S. and NATO are ALREADY at War with Russia - We must recognize this and quit discussing non expansion of the war

Humanitarian Crisis in Mariupol | Schaftlein Report --------------------- Topics: 1) No food, water or medicine in Mariupol as over 200K residents are at risk - Bodies in the streets - Russia shoots at unarmed civilians *International rules of law are being systematically disregarded - Even rules of war! 2) Russian airstrike kills 35 at military base in western Ukraine 3) 2.8M have left the country out of 45M people 4) Biden gives $200M of aid to Ukraine and congress passes $13B in additional aid *Bi-partisan members of Congress want airplanes delivered 5) So far the war has been a Strategic Disaster for Putin - He is escalating atrocities 6) Poll: 52% believe Biden's actions are not enough toward Russia, 36% say OK and 12% say too strong 7) Poll: 59% support No Fly Zone, while 41% Oppose 8) Poll: 65% want tougher Economic Sanctions, 61% more weapons but only 21% support direct military action against Russia 9) Poll: Summary 46% approve of Biden's handling of the war and 54% Do Not 10) Germans have doubled their defense budget 11) Commentary: a. Why are only 70% of Russian banks off the SWIFT system? It should be 100% b. Europe needs to rapidly reduce dependency on Russian gas c. More Oligarchs need to to have their assets frozen d. Recognize the fact that Putin is a murderous Dictator and potentially a psychopath 12) Retired General Barry McCaffery: "Russia would be squashed by an attack on a NATO country" 13) Spill over effect - China warns of consequences for military support for Taiwan 14) Tom Brady unretires and the NCAA Basketball Tournament Field is set

Putin Fires 8 Generals | Schaftlein Report -------------------- Guest: Jeffrey Dunetz - LidBlog Author ( LidBlog.com ) Topics: 1) Cease Fire discussions go nowhere 2) U.S. scraps sending MIG jets from Poland to Ukraine - Another weak effort by NATO and Biden *Fear of escalation - Get with the program! The Russians are escalating 3) VP Harris again is an embarrassment by laughing on the world stage with Polish President - She can't answer a simple refugee question 4) Russian Barbarians bomb a hospital and deny it 5) Kremlin accuses the U.S. of waging Economic war - Yes they are correct 6) Mariupol under siege with no power, no water or food 7) 6,000 Russian troops killed in action 8) Russian propaganda lies to their people intensify a. Blames Neo Nazis for war crimes they committed b. Says they are protecting nuclear facilities c. Says Ukraine shelled their own civilian neighborhoods d. Says civilian casualties are actors 9) U.S. Inflation raises to 7.9% highest in 40 years thanks to poor Biden policies 10) Average gas price is now $4.38 - In CA it is $5.75 11) 11.3M job openings in the country - Pay up 5% and inflation at 7.9%

Russian Lies are Everywhere | Schaftlein Report ---------------------------- Guest: Joe Visconti - Emmy Award Winning Producer Topics: 1) Russian airstrikes kill 21 civilians as war crimes continue 2) 4,600 protestors detained in Russia on continued crackdown 3) 20 years of progress in Russia has collapsed - Russia moves from an Authoritarian regime to a Totalitarian state 4) Congress approves $13.6B in aid to Ukraine 5) Cold snap expected to push wind chills to -20 causing 40 ton tanks to become freezers - What will Russian troops do? 6) $1.5T government spending bill appears headed to Biden's desk 7) Biden approval receives small bump to Average of 42% approve and 52% disapprove - A 3-4 point gain 8) What's the story with Polish Russian made Mig Jets going to Ukraine? 9) U.S. Intel suggests 4,000 dead Russian soldiers 10) Radical Green New Deal Democrats rally around $5-6 gas - They have always wanted higher prices *If the US expanded Natural Gas to export to Europe, they could gradually get away from Russian gas as Trump predicted 11) Trump leads Biden by 15 points in GA poll

Matt Gunderson - Candidate for CA State Senate | Schaftlein Report ------------------------ Guest: Matt Gunderson - Candidate for CA State Senate district 38 ( GoWithGunderson.com ), endorsed by Pt Bates and Mimi Walters Topics: 1) High Taxes 2) Job Creators leaving the state 3) Homeless Problem 4) Crime 5) Democratic Super Majority in Sacramento

Oil spikes to $130, Civilian Casualties Mount | Schaftlein Report -------------------------- Topics: 1) White House rejects boosting domestic oil production to lower gas prices *The world produces 95M barrels per day and Russia is the #2 producer accounting for 11% **Environmentalists in Biden administration holding this back - U.S. consumers are hostage to this insane policy - Bowing to an irrational climate change ideology 2) The average price of gas hits $4.00 in the U.S - In CA it's $5.25 as oil trades at $118 per barrel 3) The U.S. considers banning import of Russian oil 4) Americans want Biden to stand up to Russia, end the slaughter in Ukraine *80% approve banning Russian oil, 81% more penalties on Russia - 74% no fly zone **Ukraine backs away from no fly zone request shifting to request for planes 5) Russia continues shelling of residential ares bombing civilians, businesses and stores 6) Russia demands the following: a. Stop all Ukrainian military action b. Reject joining NATO and the EU c. Acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory d. Recognize the two breakaway territories so Donetsk and Lugansk as Independent states 7) Stagflation is upon us - Higher inflation and slower economic growth estimated to now be 1.5% in Q-1 *Wage price spiral is a risk **Oil spike risk 8) U.S., Iran and Russia continue working on the Iranian nuclear deal? Insane

Explosions Rock Kyiv - NATO Needs to Increase Weapons to Ukraine! | Schaftlein Report ---------------------- Guest: Jeffrey Dunetz - LidBlog Author ( LidBlog.com ) Topics: 1) French President Macron speaks with Putin and the call goes nowhere - Putin's goal is to take control of the entire country of Ukraine - Putin lies to the Russian people in a televised speech in full propaganda onslaught 2) Russia takes the port city of Kherson choking off supply lines to the South 3) Refugees top 1.0M 4) Western Economic War takes hold - Americans will pay much higher prices for gas - A Fight for Freedom is well worth it 5) U.S. to send Stinger missiles to kill Russian choppers - Biden seeks $10B in aid *Will next steps include sanctions on oil and gas? Import taxes? **Fast Track LNG plants 6) Zelinsky says he wishes aid had come prior to the invasion - NATO and U.S. slow to react? 7) U.S. Experts: "Militarily, Russian invasion has not been effective - sub optimal at best" 8) Wesley Clark: "Putin is a War Criminal. We need a No Fly Zone" 9) France seizes Oligarch yacht

Russia Escalates Bombing - Further Isolating Itself | Schaftlein Report --------------------- Guest: Tom Amenta - Chief Development Officer of United Valor and Author of the new book "The Twenty Year War" ( TheTwentyYearWar.com ) Topics: 1) Biden State of the Union Condemns Russia but nothing new in the speech - Biden pushes Build Back Better but Manchin says NO again *While Inflation runs hot, liberal democrats continue to push MORE spending - It will go nowhere 2) NATO countries pour weapons into Ukraine - The invasion has brought European countries together more in the last 6 days than the previous two decades 3) Missiles rain on Ukraine cities as Russia steps up bombardment campaign 4) Oil surges past $110 per barrel and the Federal Reserve is poised to raise interest rates 25 basis points 5) Russian stocks crash 98% on London Indexes as sanctions bite wiping out $572B *European energy companies distance themselves from Russian energy giant Gazprom **Exxon pulls out of a major Russian project 6) U.S. expands sanctions by closing all airspace to all Russian flights 7) Ukraine Foreign Minister reaches out to China in an effort to mediate a diplomatic solution - Don't hold your breath 8) Abbott and O'rourke easily win primaries and will square of in Texas Governors race - 100K more Republicans voted in the primary 9) Border towns in Texas flip from Blue to Red as we have predicted for months as a result of Biden's failed border policy

Conflict Escalates - Ukraine Requests Additional Help from NATO | Schaftlein Report --------------------------- Guest: Retired Major General Jeffrey Schloesser – Commander of the 101st Airborne Division for 33 months including 15 months of combat in Afghanistan – Author of the book “Leadership in Combat in Afghanistan” ( JeffSchloesser.com ) Topics: 1) Should and will the U.S. and NATO supply more offensive and defensive weapons to Ukraine? Russia threatens retaliation *Are we willing to risk escalation? What are the dangers and unintended consequences of greater U.S. and NATO confrontation of Russia? **What is the risk of NOT addressing Russian aggression? 2) Why is NATO in this position? Was Ukraine joining NATO the core issue that lead to the invasion or was Russia planning this regardless? *Both Obama and Trump viewed Ukraine as NOT in the U.S. strategic interest 3) 40-mile convey headed to the capital Kiev - Shelling is escalating and significant more destruction is pending *500K refugees have fled Ukraine 4) There are reports of Vacuum bombs being used which is a war crime - Civilian buildings are being targeted 5) Ukraine calls for no-fly zone - Conventional wisdom says this leads to war with Russia over Ukraine 6) The effect of Economic Sanctions - The Ruble is down 30% and interest rates are now at 20% in Russia *What is the risk of Economic collapse in Russia? 7) There is a risk of global stagnation - Allies agree to 60M barrel release from strategic reserves *This is a very short-term effort that will not be effective in the long run - There is a risk of liquidity drying up globally 8) Russia is a 3rd world economy with a 1st rate nuclear arsenal - Financial markets across the globe are reeling 9) Turkey to restrict transit of Russian warships through the straights it controls *How much pressure should be turned up on the Russians by other NATO countries? Norway considers sending weapons 10) WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Russia Continues to Attack, Allies Slow but Finally Engage | Schaftlein Report ----------------------- Topics: 1) Russia attacks airfields and fuel depots - 300K refugees flee *Germany shifts policy to deliver anti-tank weapons and increase defense spending to 2% of GDP 2) 3000 Russians arrested in demonstrations across Russia - Discontent grows at home 3) European skies are closed to Russian aircraft - Putin puts forces on Nuclear alert in an effort to intimidate the allies who call it reckless 4) Russian financial markets roiled as additional sanctions add to stress *SWIFT is partially utilized to hurt the Russian economy - Russian Central Bank cannot access foreign reserves ($600B frozen) **Russian central bank raised interest rates from 9.5 to 20% to halt the slide in the Ruble 5) Russia and Ukraine negotiators begin discussions at Ukraine/Belarus border while fighting continues 6) China calls for a halt to the violence as concern grows over global economic disruption 7) Washington Post/ABC News poll shows Biden at the lowest approval number ever at 37%, with 57% Disapproving *Harvard/Harris has similar numbers 38% Approval and 55% Disapproval 8) Control of Congress 50% Republican and 40% Democrat Economy 37% Approval and 58% Disapproval Pandemic 44% Approval and 50% Disapproval Border and Immigration 66% Disapproval and only 34% Approval from Biden's personnel polling company *62% believe Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if Trump was President 9) Consumer Price Index up 7.5% year over year in January - No surprise here 10) Trump hints at 2024 run in CPAC speech - Trump (59%) and DeSantis (28%) run 1-2 in CPAC straw poll - Pompeo 3rd at 2% 11) Biden's energy policy disaster under the microscope at gas prices increase across the country

Russia Attacks Ukraine | Schaftlein Report ---------------------------- Guest: Jeffrey Dunetz - LidBlog Author ( LidBlog.com ) Topics: 1) Russia hits Airfields, takes control of Kyiv airport - Invasion from North, South and East 2) Ruble plunges to record low, Russian stock market crashes 40% - $70B in losses 3) Oil over $100 per barrel 4) 27% of Americans expect U.S. to play Major role in the conflict - 52% play a Minor role - 20% No role 5) Under Obama Russia annexed Crimea, Under Biden there is war in Ukraine - Peace under Trump 6) Former National Security Advisor to Trump Rick Grenell casts blame squarely on shoulders of President Biden, Secretary Blinken and Deputy Secretary Wendy Sherman - Blame also goes to Angela Merkel of Germany for Russian dependence on energy by Germany 7) Trump, DeSantis, Pompeo and Cruz to headline CPAC 8) DeSantis, Rubio and Abbott lead by wide margins in race for Governor and Senate 9) Jobless claims fall to 232K and Continuing claims at 1.48M are the lowest since 1970 - The labor market remains tight 10) Stock market rallies off a 3% down day

Back in the USSR | Schaftlein Report ----------------------------- Guest: Joe Visconti - Emmy Award Winning Producer Topics: 1) NATO is united against Russia 2) Biden sanctions Russian elites, banks and Russian Debt - Military aid to follow? *No sanctions against Putin? Just the first step? 3) Russia supplies 40% of Europe's Natural Gas - There are 2 pipelines that run through Belarus and Ukraine - Ukraine is paid $2B annually *The Russians view Ukraine joining or partnering with NATO as an economic existential threat 4) 60 of Russian exports are Oil and Natural gas - 40% of Russia's total budget comes from oil and gas 5) The U.S. now imports 4M barrels of oil a day to meet the refining needs of increased gasoline demand - Prices of energy will go up *Heavy oil is imported versus lighter oil produced here in the U.S **We produce 11.6M barrels per day which is up 6% over last year despite the Biden Administration's efforts to curb fossil fuels in their pursuit of green energy 6) 14 GOP Attorney Generals call for DHS Secretary Mayorkas to Resign for failing to secure the border 7) Sen. McConnell feels the 2022 midterms will be a reflection on the Biden Administration failures 8) Senator Rick Scott presents an 11-point plan including some of the following: a. Reduce the size of the Federal Government b. National Voter ID laws c. Border Wall named after Trump d. Recognize only 2 genders men and women e. Educate Kids, Salute the flag, no revisionist history, pledge of allegiance f. No discrimination based on color of skin g. Fight crime in cities

U.S. Reactive, not Proactive on Russian Sanctions | Schaftlein Report -------------------------- Topics: 1) Putin sends troops into 2 Eastern Ukraine regions of occupied territory 2) Senators of both parties demand sanctions be leveled now and not wait for the remaining Invasion to other parts of Ukraine - Biden looks weak and ineffective 3) The cost of the war and cost of sanctions will be weighed next by both sides *Oil at $94 a barrel and high gas prices basically allow Russia to finance the war with minimal additional cost 4) The Germans sanction the Nordstream Pipeline withdrawing Certification 5) Russian stock market falls 10% and the Ruble falls 3.4% *U.S. stocks down for third straight day 6) The problem for the EU is the dependency on Russian oil and gas especially during the winter 7) Biden average approval rating hovers around 42% and disapproval 54% - Some polls numbers are lower *Generic Ballot shows Republicans at +9, similar to previous polling results 8) The late Medina Spirit stripped of 2021 Derby win and trainer Bob Baffert suspended. Purse money awarded to 2nd place finished Mandaloun 9) Political Commentator Bob Beckel dies at 73