Image is from @Parsani@hexbear.net, who got it from @RNAi@hexbear.net, who got it from Discord.

Thread update: Prigozhin's fucking dead.

rip-bozo

The BRICS summit will begin on Tuesday and end on Thursday, with various world leaders, politicians, and representatives meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.

America's anxiety about the summit has been obvious. They have been complicating the event by pushing for the arrest warrant for Putin to be upheld if he steps foot in the country. While this is a remarkably dangerous and unhinged thing to do - even by America's standards - to the leader of a nuclear superpower who could end the world within an hour, it does betray their desperation. Unfortunately, for those of us who wanted to see Putin surrounded by an army of security guards fending off people holding handcuffs, he has sent his Foreign Minister, Lavrov, in his place. Additionally, America has likely been spreading rumors about the lack of interest in gaining new members in the organization.

With apparently 20 countries formally seeking membership and another 20 informally doing so, the bloc has been elevated, whether they like it or not, to the position of the international vanguard of the non-western world. It is extremely important to say that this is not the same as it becoming an anti-American bloc, and many of them (including original members Brazil and India) wish to keep a friendly relationship with the United States. Nonetheless, with the United States' policy of "if you are not with us, you are against us," and as the US seeks to weaken China, in coming years many of them might find themselves under hostile pressure.

BRICS has to try and solve many problems if they are going to chip away at America's stranglehold of the world economy. These problems - like mitigating the dollar's status as a global reserve currency, and America's dominant role in the world economy - are extremely complicated, and will takes years, even decades, to be overcome. Therefore, one should temper their expectations and excitement for this summit. It took tens of millions of deaths in cataclysmic wars, and then several more decades, for America to reach its current position. I see no reason to believe why its downfall will be any less bloody and elongated.

To end on a less depressing note, I've been searching for appropriate anagrams given the list of countries that seek to join BRICS. Obviously not all of them will make it in, but even so. The best I've come up with is HIBISCUS EMANCIPATES BBBBKKRVV.

(also, "bulletins and news discussion" can be rearranged to "libidinous newsstands uncles".)

Here is the map of the Ukraine conflict, courtesy of Wikipedia.

This week's first update is here in the comments.

This week's second update is here in the comments.

Links and Stuff

The bulletins site is down.

Examples of Ukrainian Nazis and fascists

Examples of racism/euro-centrism during the Russia-Ukraine conflict

Add to the above list if you can.

Resources For Understanding The War

Defense Politics Asia's youtube channel and their map. Their youtube channel has substantially diminished in quality but the map is still useful.

Moon of Alabama, which tends to have interesting analysis. Avoid the comment section.

Understanding War and the Saker: reactionary sources that have occasional insights on the war.

Alexander Mercouris, who does daily videos on the conflict. While he is a reactionary and surrounds himself with likeminded people, his daily update videos are relatively brainworm-free and good if you don't want to follow Russian telegram channels to get news. He also co-hosts The Duran, which is more explicitly conservative, racist, sexist, transphobic, anti-communist, etc when guests are invited on, but is just about tolerable when it's just the two of them if you want a little more analysis.

On the ground: Patrick Lancaster, an independent and very good journalist reporting in the warzone on the separatists' side.

Unedited videos of Russian/Ukrainian press conferences and speeches.

Telegram Channels

Again, CW for anti-LGBT and racist, sexist, etc speech, as well as combat footage.

Pro-Russian

https://t.me/aleksandr_skif ~ DPR's former Defense Minister and Colonel in the DPR's forces. Russian language.

https://t.me/Slavyangrad ~ A few different pro-Russian people gather frequent content for this channel (~100 posts per day), some socialist, but all socially reactionary. If you can only tolerate using one Russian telegram channel, I would recommend this one.

https://t.me/s/levigodman ~ Does daily update posts.

https://t.me/patricklancasternewstoday ~ Patrick Lancaster's telegram channel.

https://t.me/gonzowarr ~ A big Russian commentator.

https://t.me/rybar ~ One of, if not the, biggest Russian telegram channels focussing on the war out there. Actually quite balanced, maybe even pessimistic about Russia. Produces interesting and useful maps.

https://t.me/epoddubny ~ Russian language.

https://t.me/boris_rozhin ~ Russian language.

https://t.me/mod_russia_en ~ Russian Ministry of Defense. Does daily, if rather bland updates on the number of Ukrainians killed, etc. The figures appear to be approximately accurate; if you want, reduce all numbers by 25% as a 'propaganda tax', if you don't believe them. Does not cover everything, for obvious reasons, and virtually never details Russian losses.

https://t.me/UkraineHumanRightsAbuses ~ Pro-Russian, documents abuses that Ukraine commits.

Pro-Ukraine

Almost every Western media outlet.

https://discord.gg/projectowl ~ Pro-Ukrainian OSINT Discord.

https://t.me/ice_inii ~ Alleged Ukrainian account with a rather cynical take on the entire thing.

Last week's discussion post.

  • SeventyTwoTrillion [he/him]
    ·
    1 year ago

    Update for August 21st

    expand

    Global

    Scientists raise alarm over global spread of new highly-mutated COVID-19 variantWSWS

    The latest wastewater data from the US released Thursday shows that over the past eight weeks, the level of viral transmission has increased by 227 percent nationally, more than tripling. At present, it is estimated that nearly 610,000 Americans are being infected each day, and 6 million are currently sick with COVID-19, near the peak levels reached during the Delta wave in 2021. This surge is largely being driven by Eris, which became dominant last week and now accounts for 20.6 percent of sequenced cases.

    Dramatic report on world water resources, four billion people affectedMP

    Additionally, about four billion people live in conditions where they have high water stress for a minimum of one month out of the year, a report from WRI said.

    China urges Brics to become geopolitical rival to G7FT

    According to an unidentified Chinese official. Hmm.

    Cyril Ramaphosa seeks to avoid global powers ‘contest’ over Brics expansionFT
    Chinese Automakers Prominent at BRICS SummitCGS
    Ukraine and Russia tussle for attention and influence at BRICS summitEN

    Given what the 'R' stands for in BRICS, I think I might know who's gonna win this one.

    China-led de-dollarisation gains traction among emerging economies ahead of Brics summitSCMP

    Europe

    Pursuit of a modern-day US steel industry leader will test Biden’s trustbustersFT
    ‘We’re in the lap of the gods’: UK farmers contend with extreme weatherFT
    UK wage growth cannot conceal escalating cost-of-living surge and social inequalityWSWS

    Understanding the belated rise of Portugal’s new far rightGL

    Nearly two-thirds of Germans want new government, poll saysDW

    Only 22% of those surveyed by the polling agency INSA said they thought an election would not benefit Germany. The same percentage said they were satisfied with the work of Olaf Scholz as chancellor, with 70% saying they were not.

    Study: Czech economy falls into middle-income trapEuractiv
    Poland is becoming Washington's gateway for regional energy diplomacyEN

    Western Asia

    'Like rain': Saudi forces killed hundreds of Ethiopian migrantsAM

    Hundreds of Ethiopian migrants, or possibly "thousands", have been killed by Saudi border guards since 2022, who opened fire "like rain" on the civilians trying to cross through Yemen into the Kingdom to escape the atrocities of regional wars, Human Rights Watch said in a report Monday.

    Israeli police accused of branding Star of David on Palestinian man's cheekMEE

    Iran, Brazil to launch direct shipping lineAM
    Orchestrating coups integral part of US, UK policies: KanaaniAM

    No lies detected.

    Central Asia

    Russia's Luna-25 has smashed into the moonCGTN

    For all we know, there was a Ukrainian ammo dump right there.

    Turkmenistan signals major change in energy-export stanceBNE

    Turkmenistan has signalled its readiness to develop a Trans-Caspian pipeline that potentially could increase natural gas deliveries to the European Union. The westward shift in Ashgabat’s export intentions is not expected to impact Turkmenistan’s ability to fulfil existing export commitments to China. The Central Asian state is believed to have more than enough reserves to send large volumes of gas eastward and westward.

    Tajik women turn to polygamy for survivalDW

    High poverty rates and a tough job market have contributed to nearly 1 million of the country's approximately 9 million citizens finding employment outside of Tajikistan. Their remittances are a key source of income for many families and make up roughly 20-30% of the country’s GDP, according to data from the World Bank and World Economic Forum.

    This is one reason why many divorced Tajik women apear to support the right of men to marry multiple times: polygamous marriages are mainly sought by high- and middle-income men and many women see this as their only way to secure financial security for themselves and their children.

    Pakistan Events Confirm that Washington Prefers Compliant Autocrats Over Feisty DemocratsAW

    Eastern Asia and Oceania

    China points to CIA again in second case of alleged spy recruitmentSCMP
    China surprisingly holds mortgage rate, underwhelming move raises easing outlook concernsSCMP
    China’s property-driven economic crisis is real but it’s not facing a ‘Lehman moment’SCMP

    I know what they mean but I read it like you might read "Reddit moment" and found it quite funny.

    China’s largest quantum computing cloud platform opensANN
    Mainland China bans Taiwanese mangoes in latest trade barb, Taipei hits out at ‘one-sided’ actSCMP
    Vietnamese workers growing in numbers, contributing to Taiwan’s economy, as island seeks labourSCMP

    North Korean hacking group targets Korea-US combined exerciseANN
    Kim oversees DPRK cruise missile test ahead of Seoul, US drillsAM
    China approves restarting North Korea commercial flightsDW

    China announced on Monday approving the restarting of commercial flights between Beijing and Pyongyang, for the first time since North Korea closed its borders in early 2020 as a precautionary measure against the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Indonesian ministry decries EU trade ‘colonialism’ amid biodiesel investigationANN

    Disputes between the two parties have developed into a World Trade Organization tit for tat involving several of Indonesia’s main commodities, such as biodiesel, steel and nickel.

    Forget world domination, India won’t catch up with China any time soonSCMP
    Modi emerges as preferred candidate for PM’s post, Rahul Gandhi distant second TS

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged as the front runner among preferred candidates for the post among respondents from Chhattisgarh, as per the ABP-CVoter Chhattisgarh Opinion Poll.

    Bangladesh’s Rooppur nuclear power plant will be ready on time, but power generation delayedANN

    One of the two projects for power evacuation from Rooppur, which was taken up in April 2018 for completion by December this year, saw 63 percent physical progress and 47.78 percent financial progress as of June, according to the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB). The Tk 10,981 crore transmission project is unlikely to be completed before the middle of next year, according to officials.

    The physical progress of the other project, which was taken up in July 2022 for completion by June 2025, is just 5 percent and the financial progress is 7.47 percent as of July 3, according to PGCB.

    [Australian] Unemployment is up and the Reserve Bank will make sure it gets worseGL

    Survey shows majority of New Zealanders struggling financiallyWSWS

    Africa

    S.Africa receives funds from BRICS bank, China supports bloc expansionAM
    Chinese Company Expands Footprint in South Africa’s Energy Sector With New Solar ProjectCGS

    West African bloc says 'D-Day' set for possible Niger interventionCGTN
    Chinese weapons supplier Norinco expands influence in West Africa, challenging Russia and FranceSCMP
    Moscow unlikely to give up Niger toehold as threat of ECOWAS military action loomsBNE
    Niger's junta warns against military intervention, vows return to civilian rule within 3 yearsAN
    ECOWAS envoys in Niger to find peaceful solution to crisisAN
    Niger junta, ECOWAS talks yield littleAM New US envoy arrives in Niger, no policy change yet: State DeptAM

    The stalled decolonizationMR

    Yet another (relatively short) piece on Niger, though I like this one a lot and I learned new things from it.

    Sudan: aid official urges international community to provide fundsAN

    Cuban leader reaffirms support for AngolaMP

    There are 2,056 Cubans in Angola, including 1,058 men and 998 women, including 1,171 healthcare practitioners.

    • SeventyTwoTrillion [he/him]
      ·
      1 year ago
      expand

      North America

      Challenges are marring the semiconductor boom in the U.S.CGTN

      Failing to find buyers not afraid of Iran, US unloads stolen oil cargoAM

      Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

      Museum Workers Are Tired of Being paid in Cultural Cachet - So They're UnionizingJacobin

      Trump not to partake in Republican primaries, citing 'legendary' leadAM

      Folks, it's humongous. It's the best lead anybody's ever had. Believe me. (honestly it probably is, Meatball's not doing so great.)

      Hurricane Hilary downgraded as Mexico, California brace for 'catastrophic' impactCGTN

      Russian firm escalates dispute with Canada over seized cargo planeBilaterals Wildfires in Canada's BC intensify, doubling evacuations to over 35,000CGTN

      Latin America

      Leftist Gonzalez leads Ecuador polls, heads to runoff with businessmanAM

      With 80 percent of the votes tallied, Gonzalez, a lawyer with close ties to the polarizing former socialist president Rafael Correa, held the lead with 33 percent of the vote.

      Leftist Arevalo with anti-corruption program Guatemala's new PresidentAM

      In an unexpected turn of events, Bernardo Arevalo has secured a resounding victory in Guatemala's presidential election with his "anti-corruption" agenda.

      Kenya deploys reconnaissance mission to HaitiAN

      Ecuador: Government Rejects Accusation of Villavicencio MurderTS

      Javier Milei plans to give a “prominent role” to Mauricio Macri in his future governmentMP

      Brazil to restore trade, political ties with Cuba, says Lula aideAM

      The War Against The West

      Ortega reportedly allowing Russian military to establish bases, cruise missile batteries in NicaraguaBNE

      West not willing to negotiate with Russia: Russian FMCGTN

      The West held multilateral meetings on Ukraine in Jeddah and Copenhagen without inviting Russia, hoping to persuade developing countries to back the Ukrainian president's peace plan, said Lavrov in an interview with the International Affairs magazine, adding that Moscow's vital interests were ignored.

      US ‘Fears’ Ukraine Is Too ‘Casualty Averse’SP

      Is Erdogan’s High-Wire Act Running Out of Rope?NC

      The big announcement that emerged from the NATO Summit in Vilnius last month was that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had agreed to drop his opposition to Sweden joining the military alliance. The Turkish parliament would still have to approve such a move, but it was believed that was more of a formality after US President Joe Biden reportedly promised to sell F-16 fighter bombers to Turkiye and/or an $11-13 billion line of credit from the IMF.

      The supposed deal allowed the summit to avoid being labeled as much a failure as the collective West’s proxy war effort in Ukraine. And yet, ever since the agreement was announced there has been virtually no movement towards Swedish accession. In fact, in some ways it looks like the sides are even further apart.

      Ukraine, Sweden ink statement for cooperation on CV90 infantry vehicleAM
      Outgoing Dutch PM criticised for F-16 deliveries to UkraineEuractiv

      “Supply of F-16s to Ukraine is a far-reaching decision that must be discussed with the House of Representatives first. Especially when a government is outgoing,” Socialist MP Jasper van Dijk (SP/EU Left) tweeted. Van Dijk added a number of parliamentary questions he had for Rutte, including whether the F-16s may be used on Russian territory and how the decision is supposed to prevent a further escalation of the conflict.

      Meanwhile, the far-right Forum for Democracy (FvD/ID) expressed a preoccupation with Ukraine over potentially bombing Russian targets. “Madness. Dutch F-16s to Ukraine to bomb Russian targets with. Even now that Rutte is outgoing, he is dragging the Netherlands further into war. And he can because all parties in the House of Representatives support him in his warmongering,” the party tweeted.

      The left's statement should have been as strong if not stronger than the right's, but alas.

      New trilateral partnershipANN
      Canberra inks $1.3bln Tomahawk deal, goes off-coast eyeing ChinaAM
      Taiwan, US commence second-round trade talksBilaterals
      PLA's sudden, swift joint drills around Taiwan island highlighted by live munitions, multi-source intelligence supportGT
      Documents Show Taiwan Working With FBI to Prosecute Chinese Americans, Intimidate US PoliticiansMPN
      Poll: Two in five Americans believe direct conflict with China likelyRS

      However, Americans are more divided on questions of aiding Taiwan, with half of respondents wanting to provide Taiwan with the military resources to help deter an attack from China. A slight plurality opposes the deployment of U.S. troops to defend Taiwan from such an attack.

      Retrospectives, Analysis, History, Theory, and Technology

      A Russian Paper on New Currency/International Reserve Options Finds No Magic BulletsNC

      No way out but through.

      Shawn Fain Is Right: The Workweek Should Be ShorterJacobin
      The US Destroyed Iranian Democracy to Uphold British ImperialismJacobin

      Uncommon Jacobin Ws.

      70 years after Iranian coup, the British still won’t confess to their crimesRNN

      How Privatization Robs Us of Our Most Precious AssetsCA

      Ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which humans and whose rights still matter?ET

      LGBTQIA+

      LGBTQ+ Ethiopians flee in the face of sudden crackdownDW

      Gezahegn, who describe themselves as nonbinary, co-founded the LGBTQ+ activist group The House of Guramayle in Ethiopia before fleeing the country. They now live in Vienna, Austria, working with others who have found refuge in London and Washington to raise awareness for the plight of the LGBTQ+ community back home.

      Climate and the Environment

      ‘Bidenomics’ aims for global green transition, but it’s hampered by anti-China strategyPW

      WOW! It's almost like there's a contradiction between what they're stating vs what they're actually doing! The Democrats would NEVER do this to me!

      Climate change: China’s hydrogen sector faces overcapacity risk as ambitious production plans outstrip demand, say analystsSCMP

      China’s hydrogen sector is expected to see strong growth as local governments announce ambitious plans to produce quantities of the gas that far exceed the national target, analysts said.

      Suffering from success.

      Unusual Pacific Storms Like Hurricane Hilary Could be a Warning for the FutureICN

      Frustrated by a Lack of Details, Communities Await Federal Decision on Protecting New York From Coastal Storm SurgesICN

      For Florida’s Ailing Corals, No Relief From the HeatICN

      India government sets emission limit for hydrogen to qualify as ‘green’Euractiv

      The Indian government has set an emission limit of two-kilogram carbon-dioxide for every kilogram of hydrogen produced to be classified as “green” from renewable sources, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said on Saturday (19 August).

      Regardless of whether that's a good limit, at least they're actually fucking stating it, y'know? The hydrogen colors have really just turned into "It means whatever I think it should mean".

      I Love My Trans Comrades!