For decades, countries like Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were tied to Russia’s power grid—a system built during the Soviet Union. But in recent years, they’ve been working hard to break free and join Europe’s power network instead. This shift isn’t just about electricity; it’s about independence, security, and even war.

Ukraine’s Big Switch—And Russia’s Invasion

On February 24, 2022, Ukraine made a bold move: they disconnected from Russia’s power grid for the first time to test their ability to operate independently. That same day, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Was the timing a coincidence? Maybe not. Being connected to Russia’s grid gave Moscow leverage over Ukraine, allowing them to cut power or cause blackouts. Ukraine’s move toward energy independence weakened that leverage, so Russia attacked before Ukraine could fully join Europe’s grid.

Despite the war, Ukraine successfully linked up with Europe’s power grid (ENTSO-E) just a few weeks later in March 2022. This gave them access to European electricity and reduced Russia’s ability to disrupt their power supply.

The Baltic States Cut the Cord

Now, in 2025, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have finally disconnected from Russia’s power grid for good and fully joined the European grid. This is a huge step for their security.

For years, these countries worried that Russia could use its control over their electricity as a weapon—shutting off power or even launching cyberattacks on their infrastructure. By switching to Europe’s grid, the Baltic states protect themselves from Russian energy blackmail and reduce the risk of power disruptions.

Why It’s Not as Simple as Flipping a Switch

Some might wonder, why didn’t they switch sooner? The answer is it’s not that easy.

• Different Technologies: Russia’s grid operates differently from Europe’s. Switching over means rebuilding parts of the power system so they work with the European network.
• Balancing Power Supply: Power grids need to stay perfectly balanced—too much or too little electricity at any time can cause massive blackouts. Making sure everything is stable takes careful planning.
• Russia’s Interference: Russia strongly opposed these moves because it loses influence over these countries when they switch.

Does This Hurt Russia?

Not really. The Russian power grid is huge, and losing Ukraine and the Baltic states doesn’t cause major damage to their electricity supply. However, it does hurt Russia strategically because they can no longer use energy as a weapon against these countries.

A Win for Energy Security

By cutting ties with Russia’s grid and joining Europe’s, Ukraine and the Baltic states have taken big steps toward energy security and independence. They are now less vulnerable to Russian cyberattacks, power cutoffs, and energy blackmail—giving them one less thing to worry about as they stand against Russian aggression.

This is more than just an energy decision—it’s a step toward freedom from Russian influence and a stronger, more secure future.

Not sure a 3rd-world failed state is the best option, but it might be the only place that will take them.

There’s talk that Israel and the U.S. are looking at Morocco, Somaliland, and Puntland as possible places to relocate Gazans under Trump’s proposed plan. But an Israeli official is saying it’s way too early to be discussing specific locations.

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Reports from Channel 12 and The Telegraph say these regions are under consideration. An Israeli diplomat mentioned that Morocco and two Somali regions—Somaliland and Puntland—are being looked at. Puntland’s deputy information minister said they’d welcome Palestinians, but only if they come voluntarily.

That said, Trump’s push to relocate Gazans has been widely rejected by Arab nations and the international community. Morocco, despite having ties with Israel, hasn’t responded and is unlikely to go for it. Somaliland and Puntland, which have been trying to gain international recognition, might see this as a chance to make a deal with Israel.

Critics argue that moving traumatized Gazans to Somalia—where instability and violence are still major issues—is a terrible idea. For now, it's just speculation, but it’s already stirring up a lot of debate.

While we are in the habit of renaming things, I am going to call on President Trump to rename USAID to USWAMP - The United States Wealth Appropriation & Misallocation Program

Because in reality, USAID Drains taxpayer money to fund inefficient globalist pet projects while ignoring domestic needs.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was established with noble intentions: to prevent global conflicts, promote democracy, protect human rights, alleviate suffering, foster sustainable economic growth, and safeguard the environment. However, over the decades, USAID has morphed into a sprawling bureaucracy, often channeling taxpayer money into inefficient projects that do little to advance American interests or global stability.

A History of Waste and Mismanagement

Numerous instances highlight USAID's inefficiencies and missteps:

• Afghanistan Reconstruction: The U.S. invested hundreds of billions in Afghanistan, with USAID overseeing significant portions. Reports indicate that substantial amounts were lost to waste, fraud, and abuse, with projects failing to deliver intended outcomes.

  cnn.com

• Iraq Community Stabilization Program: USAID awarded $644 million to International Relief and Development Inc. (IRD) for a jobs and public works program in Iraq. Audits revealed that millions of dollars may have been siphoned off by insurgents, leading to the suspension of IRD's work due to evidence of phantom jobs and possible financial support to insurgents.

  en.wikipedia.org

• Peru Sterilization Scandal: In the 1990s, USAID was implicated in funding programs in Peru that led to the forced sterilization of approximately 300,000 indigenous women, raising serious ethical concerns about the agency's oversight and the unintended consequences of its initiatives.

  en.wikipedia.org

Misaligned Priorities

Beyond financial waste, USAID has often pursued agendas that many Americans find contentious. For instance, the agency has been involved in promoting specific social policies abroad, such as LGBTQ+ initiatives and environmental projects, which rarely align with the cultural values of the recipient countries or the priorities of U.S. taxpayers. This not only leads to ineffective use of funds but can also foster resentment towards the U.S. - the opposite of USAID's stated purpose.

A Call for Reform

Given these challenges, it's imperative to reconsider how the U.S. engages in international aid. Instead of funneling billions through a centralized government agency susceptible to waste and political agendas, we should empower individual Americans and private organizations to lead charitable efforts.

Harnessing American Generosity

Americans are among the most generous people globally. By providing tax incentives, subsidies, and other support mechanisms, the government can encourage private citizens, faith-based groups, and non-governmental organizations to take the lead in international aid. This approach offers several benefits:

• Efficiency: Private organizations often operate with lower overhead and can respond more swiftly to needs on the ground.

• Alignment with Donor Intent: Individuals can choose causes that resonate with their values, ensuring that aid aligns with the diverse perspectives of the American populace.

• Building Genuine Goodwill: Aid delivered through private channels can foster authentic relationships between Americans and global communities, free from the political baggage that government-sponsored aid might carry.

It's time to rethink America's approach to foreign aid. By downsizing or reorganizing USAID and promoting private charitable initiatives, we can reduce waste, respect the diverse values of American taxpayers, and build genuine goodwill worldwide. Empowering individuals and communities to lead in generosity not only reflects the American spirit but also ensures that aid is effective, ethical, and aligned with our nation's true interests.