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]M
    ·
    1 year ago

    Update for August 23rd

    expand

    Global

    Ignoring BRICS is no longer an option for WashingtonTS

    Difference on what BRICS should be visible in the summit's first dayBNE
    Why India doesn’t want BRICS to dismantle the world order built by the WestRT

    By Bhadrakumar.

    Is a BRICS currency feasible?CGTN

    Xi refused Macron's attendance at BRICS summit: Intelligence OnlineAM

    In late June, the French President had made it known through French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna that he was interested in joining the BRICS summit. And Intelligence Online claimed that according to its sources, "diplomatic authorities in Pretoria and New Delhi alike had given their green light to Macron attending."

    BRICS: Brazil President Lula da Silva defends closer ties with AfricaAN

    The Inclusion of Argentina in the BRICS is Important: LulaTS

    Leaders kick off BRICS summit with Business ForumAN

    BRICS leaders in S.Africa seek to end USD hegemony over global economyAM

    South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for fundamental reform of the global financial system. During his speech at the 15th BRICS summit, Ramaphosa said the bloc's countries represent a quarter of the global economy, a fifth of trade exchanges, and 40% of the world's population.

    New Development Bank Moves Forward With Local Currency Bonds in Bid to Reduce Dependence on the U.S. DollarCGS

    “We expect to lend between $8 billion – $10 billion this year,” Dilma Rousseff, the former Brazilian president who leads the NDB, told the Financial Times in an interview. “Our aim is to reach about 30% of everything we lend... in local currency.”

    Benefits of joining BRICS could come at political cost for IndonesiaANN

    Europe

    Fruit, vegetable sector plagued by extreme weather as EU takes actionEuractiv

    With several regions struggling with the impact of heavy rainfalls and crops in many parts of Europe still affected by severe drought, Brussels is taking steps to soften the blow for the fruit, vegetable, and wine sector.

    Keir Starmer’s Labour Party Is Abandoning Workers’ RightsJacobin
    Over half of UK houses did not turn on heating during winter: StudyAM

    Which? energy editor, Emily Seymour, said, “It’s hugely concerning that an estimated 13 million households have not switched the heating on when it’s cold due to fears of high energy bills.”

    UK cannot ignore calls for slavery reparations: UN judgeAM

    Czech coalition drifts towards defeatBNE

    He was greeted by a CVVM opinion poll that showed his five-party coalition government is one of the most unpopular ever, with only 2% of Czechs saying they have a lot of trust in it. Such dire numbers have only been recorded during major political crises in the past.

    As everybody knows, the more unpopular the government, the more democratic it is, because you have the freedom to disagree with it unlike in tankie countries. Czechia is EXTREMELY democratic.

    Spain's king begins meeting parties to form new governmentDW

    Germany set to miss net zero by 2045 target as climate efforts falterCCN
    German Business Leaders Against Decoupling From ChinaTS

    Romania to step up investments to increase Ukraine grain transitBNE

    At a bilateral meeting in Bucharest on August 18, the prime ministers of the two countries said they aimed to export 60% of Ukraine’s grain to international markets via Romania.

    Western Asia

    2023 is already the deadliest year on record for Palestinians in occupied West Bank, says UN envoyMR

    Six Tropes to Look Out for That Distort Israel/Palestine CoverageFAIR

    *These are: citing Israelis and their organizations more than Palestinians; using the language of "clash" as if fights can exist without two groups of people in them (with Palestinians almost universally at the disadvantage); passivity and copspeak; talking about deaths in a vacuum, without saying whose deaths they are (usually Palestinians) and the ages (sometimes very young); not mentioning Israel's violations of international law; and deliberately obfuscating who the victim is by only reporting things when Palestine responds to an initial attack, and then Israel "protects itself" by firing back.

    China And Russia Execute A Pincer Movement Around Iraq’s Biggest Oil AssetsNC

    As Yves says, the author might be wrong in other fields but he knows his shit and has deep connections in the oil industry, so is worth taking seriously.

    Through a large number of smaller deals, Russia and China are looking to increase their influence in the crucial Iraqi upstream oil sector. The exploration and development contracts for China are done through a backdoor method, with firms that are less well-known than the big state players that attract little or no publicity. China regards TotalEnergies’ $27 billion deal as a huge threat to its plans to close the net around Iraq’s oil and gas sector.

    ‘Bridges with everyone’: how Saudi Arabia and UAE are positioning themselves for powerFT

    I was expecting worse from the Financial Times but this article doesn't seem bad. S.A., the UAE, India, Turkiye, and probably others are the new "Non-Aligned Movement" I feel, where they're basically just playing both sides for their own gain with no real belief in the idea of multipolarity except where it benefits them. Pure opportunism and nationalism. I guess it makes them easier to analyze though, because for any issue you can just ask the question "Which side would they benefit more from supporting?" and predict the future perfectly. Whereas with Russia or China, it's a little more complicated than that sometimes, as they have a long term plan.

    “The fundamental strategic dilemma for them remains that their security is in the west, their energy politics is with Russia and their prosperity is increasingly with China and the rest of Asia,” Hokayem says. “It requires careful footwork and constant engagement to manage these complex relationships. They have to massively invest in all those capitals, in political, economic and geoeconomic terms. It’s a delicate game.”

    Erdogan to visit Russia to meet Putin in SeptemberMEE

    Central Asia

    Water shortages alarm sounded in southern Kazakhstan and IstanbulBNE

    A state of emergency was on August 22 declared in parts of drought-hit southern Kazakhstan due to a lack of irrigation water transferred by neighbouring Kyrgyzstan and abnormally high temperatures.

    The move comes just days after authorities in Turkey requested that inhabitants of Istanbul cut their water consumption—with major cities across Turkey facing a drought crisis amid extreme summer heatwave temperatures—and reports that the Irtysh River, which originates in China and then flows into northern Kazakhstan and Russia, is experiencing its lowest water levels since the late Soviet era.

    Eastern Asia and Oceania

    UK FM's possible Beijing trip a 'tentative contact' to reboot ties; necessary atmosphere need to be createdGT
    Is China flooding Europe with fake biofuels?DW
    Why China is targeting the corruption tumour at the heart of its ailing health systemSCMP
    Chinese tech could break barrier to making crucial defence and aerospace materialSCMP

    China has developed technology for the mass production of ultra-strong carbon fibre, which could help break international monopolies to supply materials for the aerospace and defence industries. Changsheng Technology Co Ltd, based in the northern province of Hebei, worked with Shenzhen University to produce high-performance carbon fibre on a production line that can make 1,700 tonnes (1,874 tons) of the material per year.

    Indian spacecraft Chandrayaan-3 successfully makes historic landing on the moonEN

    Indonesia approves ASEAN deals on food safety, building materials, manufacturingANN
    Indonesia signs deal for 24 Boeing F-15EX fighter jetsANN

    North Korea plans satellite launch amid South Korea-US military drillsANN

    Sri Lankan inflation halves to 4.6%TDS

    Cambodia: Lawmakers elect Hun Manet as new prime ministerDW

    Cambodia's parliament endorsed military general Hun Manet as the new prime minister, marking a historic transfer of power in the country his father ruled for almost 40 years. Little is known about Hun Manet's vision for Cambodia, but after getting the unanimous backing of the National Assembly on Tuesday, he said "today is a historic day for Cambodia."

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

      Africa

      [Erdogan:] Military Intervention in Niger Will Fuel Instability in AfricaTS
      Ex-Niger FM sees no alternative to military intervention in countryAM
      Power cuts in Niger threaten to spoil millions of vaccines as sanctions take their toll, UN saysAN
      African Union suspends Niger due to military coupAN
      Algeria denies French planes passage to attack NigerAM
      Crisis in Niger: Algeria begins mediation in three Ecowas countriesAN

      Algeria, firmly opposed to any military intervention in Niger, on Wednesday sent its Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf, on a tour of Nigeria, Benin and Ghana, to help find a way out of the crisis, Algerian diplomacy announced.

      This crisis really swings between extremes. One day I'm sure an invasion will happen; the next, I'm sure it won't.

      Russian army officials received in Libya after Khalifa Haftar inviteAN

      Russian military officials including Moscow's deputy defence minister arrived in Libya on Tuesday after receiving an invite from pro-Moscow military strongman Khalifa Haftar.

      Zimbabwe: Polls open in crucial presidential and legislative electionsAN

      Egypt discovers new oil field in Gulf of Suez: Petroleum MinistryAM

      Somalia orders ban on TikTok, TelegramDW

      Somalia ordered a ban on TikTok, Telegram, and gambling site 1XBet to curb the spread of indecent images and propaganda, the communications minister said.

      North America

      Fed Ponders How Quickly to Try to Inflict More Pain on the Economy to Get Inflation to 2%NC

      The Wall Street Journal, in its lead story, features various economists debating how how long the central bank should keep interest rates high in order to bring inflation from just over 3% to the Fed target of 2%. Most US consumers are likely to challenge the notion that inflation really is at that level, and as we’ll soon discuss, wage demands support the idea that the supposedly paramount factor of inflation expectations are higher than experts, or at least the ones the Journal consulted, believe.

      Let us first point out that the Journal tacitly accepts the bad conventional wisdom that the Fed deserves credit for inflation falling from 9.1% to 3.2%. As we and others pointed out, the inflation resulted from supply constraints, particularly in key sectors like automobiles, and other Covid-related demand whipsaws, such as consumers spending what would have been vacation dollars on home improvement projects. The big accelerant of inflation was sanctions blowback, particularly increased in energy prices. Again, the Fed can’t take credit for them falling back in the US to something approaching old normal levels.

      MAGA fascists are taking over sheriffs offices across the countryPW

      U.S. colleges spend like there is no tomorrowPD

      "The spending is inextricably tied to the nation's 1.6 trillion U.S. dollars federal student debt crisis," said the report. "Colleges have paid for their sprees in part by raising tuition prices, leaving many students with few options but to take on more debt. That means student loans served as easy financing for university projects."

      Latin America

      Taiwan condemns China, Nicaragua over Central American body removalAM

      Taiwan criticized Nicaragua and China on Tuesday after it was removed from the Central American Parliament and its observer status was given to Beijing.

      Taiwan's foreign ministry issued a statement on Tuesday stating that Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega government was willing to align with China to further its interests and "manipulate the concept of the "one-China principle," thereby infringing on Taiwan's rights within Parlacen."

      lol.

      Argentine President not attending BRICS SummitMP

      Argentine President Alberto Fernández called off his trip to Johannesburg after learning that his country would not be -at least for now- joining the BRICS (a trade bloc made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) during the ongoing XV Summit, it was reported in Buenos Aires.

      Argentina: Sharp drop in mass consumption reportedMP

      Montevideo’s Freshwater Reserve Recovers From Historic LowsTS

      Uruguay's main fresh water reservoir, Paso Severino, has reached 52 percent of its capacity as a result of the rains recorded in the last few days, whereas at the beginning of July it was barely 1 percent.

      Unemployment keeps dropping in UruguayMP
      Uruguayan unions go on strike, again demanding shorter working hours and wage increasesMP

      Ecuadorians Vote Against Mining in Choco AndinoTS

      Ecuadorians reject Amazon oil drilling in historic referendumCCN

      Oil makes up a solid quarter of their exports, for context.

      The War Against The West

      Prigozhin's dead.

      Are US officials signaling a new ‘forever war’ in Ukraine?RS

      Neocon Dark Money Front Launches Desperate Ad Blitz as Support for Ukraine Forever War CratersSP

      A PR offensive to inundate the American public with pro-Ukraine war advertisements during the 2024 election is the latest initiative of neocon chickenhawk Bill Kristol. While targeted at GOP voters, the campaign appears to be another Democratic Party front.

      Russia fires ‘General Armageddon’ in Wagner crackdownFT

      Mozart Group training Ukrainian troops to 'kill Russians': CEOAM

      Weren't you guys fucking owned in Bakhmut?

      American F-35s not stealthy enough for Iranian radarsAM

      In another blow to the US military, an Iranian army official revealed that Iranian radars have been monitoring the 'stealthy' F-35s over the Gulf.

      Poland suspends benefits for thousands of Ukrainian refugees who leftEuractiv

      China Schizophrenia: Jake Sullivan Makes Demands, Press Fulminates Its Ambitions as While Overhyping Current Economic WobblesNC

      I don't agree with the use of "schizophrenia" here, of course. But it's otherwise a decent summary of why China probably isn't going to collapse in 6 days, and the US's constantly contradictary messaging on China.

      Retrospectives, Analysis, History, Theory, and Technology

      1.2% of adults have 47.8% of the world’s wealth while 53.2% have just 1.1%MichaelRoberts

      S&P Downgrades Credit Ratings on Five Banks, Puts Three Others on Negative OutlookWSoP New Court Documents Suggest the Justice Department Under Four Presidents Covered Up Jeffrey Epstein’s Money Laundering at JPMorgan ChaseWSoP

      Nothing to lose but your supply chains: IPEF and the resilience agendaBilaterals

      This is a very good headline and I might steal it for a news megathread at some point.

      How Rupert Murdoch Destroyed the NewsCA

      Murdoch’s vast empire of toxic right-wing propaganda, from the British tabloids to the Wall Street Journal to Fox News, has poisoned the brains of millions and made the world dramatically worse.

      ‘Erasure of Content Can Be a Problem for the Public and for History’FAIR

      Patrick Lawrence: Biden’s Pointless Asian SummitSP

      Dipshittery and Cope

      Correcting Mandel: Why arming Ukraine is the road to peaceCD

      This is a very long and very bad article.

      LGBTQIA+

      Ugandan Police Arrest Four People for 'Acts of Homosexuality'Advocate

      In Uganda, which has one of the harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the world, police arrested four people Sunday for “acts of homosexuality” at a massage parlor.

      Uganda adopted the Anti-Homosexuality Act in May. It provides for the death penalty for what it calls “aggravated homosexuality,” including sex with a minor, sex while HIV-positive, and incest. Those convicted of having same-sex relations that are not of the “aggravated” variety can be imprisoned for life.

      Climate and the Environment

      Campaigners Sued an Oil Major For Climate Deception. Now the Company Is Preparing to Sue Them Back.DeSmog

      The Water Transition: A Conversation with Author Peter GleickCoB

      Rich countries breach climate promises, increase fossil fuel spendingAM

      The world's richest countries breached their self-proclaimed climate commitment to limit fossil fuel investments and spent a record $1.4 trillion in subsidies on coal, oil and gas in 2022.

      I Love My Trans Comrades!