Mene, Mene, Tekel Putin

Titianna “Suzy” Sukovski is a commerce attaché at the Russian Embassy here in Washington, specializing in foodstuffs, principally caviar, as she represents the interests of Ryva Yaytso Prodavets Zagovor, the Russian caviar exporters’ association, which funds her post and pays the invoices for her appointments with me. She has been exploring strategies to get the… Continue reading Mene, Mene, Tekel Putin

Up, Up and Away in Xi’s Beautiful Balloon

Another working Saturday for Gretchen and me, although she, having completed her administrative duties and all of my consultation bookings in jig time, only needed to stay through noon. She got paid for the whole day, of course. I, on the other hand, had to remain in the office until six-thirty, dispensing advice to all… Continue reading Up, Up and Away in Xi’s Beautiful Balloon

Feds Jump on Trump’s Secret Document Dump

As frequent readers of this Web log know, I have pretty good security at my office in Washington DC. This includes a SCIF-rated environment, which is accessible by a door to the left of, and behind my desk. It opens onto a corridor where the SCIF clone is accessible through one of several doors there.… Continue reading Feds Jump on Trump’s Secret Document Dump

Pelosi’s Taiwan Talk Sparks Chinese Fire Drill

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China does not have much use for American consultants, a notable exception being I.M. Pei, who, although from Shanghai, became an American, but nevertheless consulted on the design and construction of China’s new embassy at International Place, in the Forest Hills neighborhood. I say new only to distinguish… Continue reading Pelosi’s Taiwan Talk Sparks Chinese Fire Drill

End of World May be Less Imminent than Many Believe

Spring started today with the vernal equinox at 11:33 AM. But with temperatures in the sixties (Fahrenheit, of course) it was still a bit too cool for Cerise and I to enjoy our duck eggs Benedict with artisanal apple wood smoked Canadian bacon in goat butter hollandaise with Dom Perignon blood orange mimosas and Kona… Continue reading End of World May be Less Imminent than Many Believe