Chuck Holton
Politics • Culture • News
Chuck Holton is an American war correspondent, published author, and motivational speaker.
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The Tactics Behind Russia's Global Influence: How They’re Playing the World Stage

Let’s face it: when you think of Russia in global geopolitics, you probably picture an aggressive country, flexing its military muscles. But Russia is playing a much deeper game. They’re not just about military might; they’re about disruption. From fueling conflicts to stoking global instability, Russia is carefully crafting a web of chaos to achieve its objectives.
Let’s break down how Russia’s actions are shaping the world.

Russia’s Influence in Ukraine and Beyond: A Well-Calculated Distraction

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was only the beginning. As tensions rise in the region, Russia has been leveraging its military and political influence to spark conflicts in places you wouldn’t expect. Take Israel, for example. Russia’s involvement there isn’t as direct, but by fueling the Gaza conflict, they’re creating a smokescreen to distract from their own actions in Ukraine. The more the West is preoccupied with other crises, the better it is for Russia.
And it doesn’t stop there. Armenia, Venezuela, Guyana — Russia has been stirring up trouble in all of these countries, looking for opportunities to destabilize regions that may pose a threat to their long-term objectives. It’s not just about brute force; it’s about manipulation, misinformation, and keeping the West’s attention diverted.

Is China the Next Puppet in Russia’s Hands?

There’s another piece to this puzzle — China. While the world watches the tensions in Ukraine, Russia has been quietly nudging China to act on its longstanding desire for Taiwan. Beijing has wanted to annex Taiwan for decades, and the prospect of using Taiwan’s advanced tech industry as leverage is too tempting to ignore. If China moves on Taiwan, Russia can add another level of chaos to the global stage.
But here’s the kicker: Taiwan is ready. They’ve installed kill switches on their tech systems to render them useless to any invader. China might not get the high-tech goodies they’re after, but they’ll certainly be able to claim the island, and that’s exactly what Russia is betting on. A China-Taiwan conflict would further destabilize the Pacific region and shift global attention away from Europe, giving Russia more room to maneuver in Ukraine.

The Role of America and Global Leadership: Trump’s Potential Impact

As this geopolitical chess match continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the next US president could have a significant impact on how these conflicts play out. Donald Trump, for example, has a history of strong leadership, and his election could shift the balance of power.
But the real question is: will he be the one to stop Russia’s schemes? Trump’s strong, no-nonsense approach might be the very thing that deters Kim Jong-un from making rash decisions. And while some might argue that his foreign policy is unpredictable, the truth is that unpredictability can sometimes be a powerful deterrent.
Russia is playing a long game, and it’s not just about military might. It’s about creating chaos, distracting the West, and seizing opportunities when the world is looking the other way. How the US and other global players respond will determine if Russia’s tactics succeed or fail.

A Dangerous Game: Russia, North Korea, and the Global Domino Effect

When you connect the dots, the world’s current situation looks like a massive geopolitical jigsaw puzzle. North Korea, Russia, China, and the United States — all moving pieces in a game of global domination. And while the West focuses on defending Ukraine, Russia’s influence is expanding elsewhere.
In the coming years, we’ll see just how deep this web of conflicts runs. Whether it’s in Taiwan, Ukraine, or even within the borders of Russia itself, one thing is clear: the stakes are higher than ever. And understanding the connections between these players is key to predicting what comes next.

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Is the U.S. Training Syria’s New Jihadist Army?

Very few media outlets are talking about this, but they should be — urgently.

While most of the world is distracted, U.S. troops are conducting live training exercises in Syria with the forces of the country’s new interim government, now led by Ahmed al-Sharaa — a man widely known as a former Al Qaeda affiliate.

Let that sink in.

Recent reports confirm that U.S. personnel at the Al-Tanf garrison have been training members of the so-called 70th Division, a unit formed from remnants of the Syrian Free Army, which now pledges loyalty to this new government. This comes right on the heels of a massacre of Druze civilians, allegedly carried out by those very same government-aligned forces.

Aiding the Next Generation of Jihadists?
This isn’t just a questionable policy — it could be morally catastrophic.

Druze communities, who have long sought neutrality in Syria’s civil war, were brutally attacked.

Christian populations in the region are living in fear, as radical factions become emboldened ...

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Debunked

Debunked: Following several accusations that Israel is causing famine in Gaza, COGAT has released drone footage of the hundreds of truckloads of supplies waiting to be delivered to Gaza by the UN. A statement accompanying the footage claims that 'There is enough food here to feed all of Gaza, if the UN ever came to pick it up.

00:00:39
Did Jewish Settlers Burn a Church?

See for yourself

00:02:32
Episode 622 - Field Producer Dennis Azato and Chuck Reminisce

My erstwhile field producer and cameraman Dennis Azato has accompanied me on ten years of adventures across the globe. Today he joins me in Ukraine and we spend some time remembering our many trips together.

Episode 622 - Field Producer Dennis Azato and Chuck Reminisce
The Best Feeling Ever

“It is no small thing, when they, who are so fresh from God, love us.” - Charles Dickens

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Live Call with Chuck on Saturday!

Chuck will be hosting an exclusive members-only live call this Saturday at 11 AM Eastern. He’ll share behind-the-scenes updates, take your questions, and talk openly about what’s happening on the front lines, stuff we can’t always say publicly.

If you’re already a supporter here on Locals, you’re in. Just watch for the link on Saturday morning.

Not a supporter yet? Join now to be part of this private call and support the work we’re doing at The Hot Zone: https://chuckholton.locals.com/

We need strong voices. We need community. And we need people like you who care about the truth.

See you Saturday.

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Check Out My New Project

I've been quietly working on a new venture in my spare time (snort!) for the last couple months.

I am priviledged to see so many beautiful places in my travels around the world, and as an avid hiker and nature lover, I started filming some of my walks and drives. Many people seem to enjoy the serene sounds of nature (punctuated by my ragged panting, unfortunately) and find the first-person views soothing.

So please subscribe to my new youtube channel, which I'll update from time to time with new content from some of the most beautiful places on earth.

https://www.youtube.com/@Holtonadventures

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The Next 10/7 Is Coming — And the World Isn’t Listening

There’s a storm coming and most people are too distracted or deceived to see it. I’ve been in war zones around the world, from Gaza to Ukraine, and I’ve seen what happens when hatred festers unchecked. Today, I want to raise the alarm, because the next October 7-style attack may not happen in Israel, it may happen in your backyard.

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Putin’s Puppet Threatens Armageddon — Trump Hits Back: Nuclear Showdown and the Battle for Ukraine

A Propaganda War at Home and Abroad

Inside Russia, the narrative is tightly controlled. Russian state media and pro-war bloggers carefully spin battlefield setbacks into stories of heroic advances. The Russian public, fed only state-approved information, sees a war effort progressing in Russia’s favor. Meanwhile, real figures tell a very different story.

In the last year alone, according to Western intelligence estimates, Russia has lost over 100,000 soldiers, with total casualties, including wounded and missing, surpassing 250,000. In contrast, Ukraine’s losses are significantly lower, estimated at around 13,000 for the same period. The disparity underscores Russia’s Soviet-style tactics: costly human wave assaults that sacrifice soldiers to gain just meters of ground.

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Weaponizing Aid: Why Gaza’s Suffering Persists

Well folks, I was supposed to be on my way to Thailand right now to cover the war there. But thankfully, that war ended before I had to board a plane—praise God for that. Not just because it spared me 24 hours of cramped flights, but because it spared countless people the devastation of another conflict. So instead, I get a few extra days here in northern Armenia with my grandbaby before Nathan and I take off on our next adventure.

But let’s get to it—the big headline today is humanitarian aid. Everywhere you look, the narrative is the same: “More aid must go to Gaza. People are starving. Israel is to blame.” That’s what the media wants you to believe.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: aid is rarely just about saving lives. Too often, it’s a weapon—used to control populations, prop up corrupt regimes, and advance political agendas.

Billions of Dollars, Decades of Aid – No Change

Global humanitarian aid tops $60 billion a year, yet places like Gaza, Haiti, Afghanistan, and much of sub-Saharan Africa remain locked in poverty and dysfunction. Why? Because aid has become an industry, not a solution.

As Graham Hancock writes in Lords of Poverty, it’s a “self-perpetuating complex” that feeds salaries, conferences, bureaucracy—and never gets judged on results. Billions pour in, but nobody asks, “Did this actually help anyone?”

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