An image of the wildfires in Rhodes, taken on July 23rd, showing the flames and the plume of smoke.
Greece, in late July, faced a heatwave in which over 8 million people experienced temperatures about 41C, with some areas reaching above 45C - all in all, both the longest heatwave in Greek history, as well as some of the highest temperatures on record.
Due to these high temperatures, Greece was then struck by hundreds of wildfires this summer, affecting nearly 200,000 hectares. About half of the total burned area was in the north-east of Greece, in the Dadia national park near the city of Alexandropoulis - the single largest blaze that the EU has recorded. Other parts of the country were also struck, such as Attica, Magnesia, and islands like Corfu and particularly Rhodes; the last one prompted an evacuation of 20,000 people, the largest evacuation operation the island had ever seen. Of course, this is just one country of many that have been caught in the European wildfires this year, of which the total burned area approached 500,000 hectares - the only consolation is that this was less than last year.
Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkiye were impacted in early September by flooding caused by massive storms bringing a deluge of water - in Greece, this mainly impacted Thessaly, in the centre of Greece.
Luckily for Greece, despite being a very earthquake-prone country, they have experienced no significant quakes lately to round out the four (I hope I haven't jinxed it) - though, of course, earlier this year, a major earthquake struck nearby Turkiye, killing 60,000 people and injuring 120,000.
The Country of the Week is Greece! Feel free to chime in with books, essays, longform articles, even stories and anecdotes or rants. More detail here.
Here is the map of the Ukraine conflict, courtesy of Wikipedia.
This week's update is here!
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.
Part 4
expand
Guatemala's progressive president-elect will face an uphill battle.Jacobin
Haitians want PM to step down due to crisis with Dominican Republic.MP The government reported that the Haitian National Police is coordinating a set of operations with the purpose of regaining control of the Carrefour-Feuilles area which is under the control of armed gangs.TS The government reaffirmed that the construction of the controversial canal on the Masacre River, this country's natural border with the Dominican Republic, must go ahead and has decided to support the works, despite the conflict that has arisen with Santo Domingo.TS
Trial of Honduran ex-president reveals Washington’s protection of ‘narco-state’.GZ
THe Ukrainian ambassador to Mexico became very angry after a Russian military contingent took part in Mexico's independence day parade.NC
Biden has relaunched Reagan’s murderous war against Nicaraguan democracy.MR
Uruguayan governor sees nothing wrong with child labor, saying ”It is much better to see a gurí (child) working than to see him or her walking around with a cell phone,“MP
Brazil to resume the electrical connection with Venezuela.TS Venezuela condemns EU's dismissal of an appeal filed by Venezuela against their sanctions imposed in 2017.MR Venezuela and Trinidad & Tobago to cooperate in hydrocarbons.TS Government to launch China-backed anti-poverty program.MR Maduro Says Venezuela’s domestic trade to grow 40% by 2023.TS
War:
Decoupling from China:
Why the West’s attacks on China’s Belt and Road Initiative are futile.SCMP A Western-led trade corridor that challenges China’s belt and road? Not so fast, analysts say.SCMP EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis says bloc doesn’t intend to decouple from China, saying "de-risking is not decoupling".SCMP It kinda fucking is if China is the sole producer, or at least produces the vast majority of, a shitload of different key products. There's no other country to get those things from and diversify your supply chains with. You can build those, but it'll take decades. China summons German envoy after foreign minister calls Xi a dictator.SCMP Chinese balloon was not spying, US government admits months after manufactured crisis.GPE
Diplomacy:
Joe Biden to meet Pacific Island nations as leaders seek to ‘capitalise’ on US-China attention.SCMP China, Russia find common ground against US hegemony as top diplomats compare notes in Moscow.SCMP China, U.S. launch economic, financial working groups.CGTN European Parliament supports increase in 2024 defence budgets.Euractiv Ukrainian leader holds meetings with Lula and Boric.MP Volodymyr Zelenskyy's whirlwind tour of Washington DC.EN US flouts international law with Pacific military claims.RS Henry Kissinger warns US-China decoupling would harm AI governance.SCMP
Technology and Military Exports:
Could China’s standard EV plants build super batteries for weapons?SCMP US continues to build Space Force strength with new base in Japan.SCMP US to help Philippines upgrade key defence bases amid rising South China Sea tensions.SCMP Ukraine will soon receive M1 Abrams tanks for counteroffensive, says US.EN Biden announces $325 million military aid package during a White House meeting with Zelenskyy.CGTN Not leaving empty handed: Zelensky gets his ATACMs.RS US to shift some military aid from Egypt to Taiwan.SP F-35 fighter jets can only fly 55% of time, US watchdog says.FT Taiwan is developing another, more destructive suicide drone. It won’t fit in a backpack.SCMP
Drills:
Russian fleet conducts drills to protect the northern sea route.TS
Poland vs Ukraine:
An absolute fucking saga has unfolded between Poland and Ukraine after the EU grain sale ban expired; the short of it is that as Poland enters election season, the government needs to ensure the support of farmers and so is not allowing Ukrainian grain transit through Poland (as it brings Polish grain prices down). Ukraine intends to sue Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia over this.DW Poland has said they don't fear this.Euractiv The back-and-forth arguing temporarily culminated in Poland saying they won't give weapons to Ukraine any more, before they predictably walked back those statements. Poland has additionally hinted that Germany is to blame for its dispute with Ukraine.NC Slovakia is in a similar but different position; it is likely that their next government will be more pro-Russia and doesn't want to get involved in the war as much, though farmers still benefit from high profits while Ukrainian grain is kept outEuractiv. Bulgaria seems to accept Ukrainian grain, while Romania plans a 30 day ban.BNE Commission stuck in between going after, defending unilateral Ukraine import bans.Euractiv
Sanctions:
Coal from the Russia-occupied Donbass is being exported to Turkiye, which the West isn't very happy about.Euractiv Poland proposes ban on Russian diamonds, LPG in new sanctions package.Euractiv Dutch defence ministry official arrested for evasion of Russia sanctions.Euractiv Diamonds are not forever, as Belgium ready to ban Russian stones.Euractiv
Ukraine:
Ukrainian grain ship leaves Odesa despite Russian blockade.FT Nearly 10 million Ukrainians have fled to EU.RT The West must prepare for “a long war” in Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg declared.RT NATO admiral warns of ammunition shortage.RT Czechia struggles to finance arms for Ukraine.Euractiv Denmark to encourage NATO ammunition production.Euractiv Ukraine urgently needs air defenses, including ammunition, spare parts and maintenance for the systems the Ukrainian military already has, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.Euractiv EU says up to 70% of hi-tech imports ‘killing Ukrainians’ are reaching Russian military via China.SCMP
Almost nine out of every ten Ukrainian draftees who enlisted in the army a year ago have either been killed or injured in combat, Ukrainian media reported.MR All deputy defense ministers of Ukraine dismissed.PD The Coming Ukraine Collapse and the “Rebuilding” Headfake.NC Naked Capitalism's 2942th article on how Ukraine will soon collapse. Despite that, some good info in there.
Truth Shines Through:
NYT’s Incredibly Low Bar for Labeling Someone ‘Pro-Putin’FAIR For NYT, Cluster Munitions Are Completely Wrong—When Russians Use Them.FAIR Did Thomas Friedman forget about the Iraq War?Jacobin
NYT exposes Zelensky lie about Donbass missile strike.RT
When officials say the quiet part about Russia and NATO out loud.RS
Part 5
expand
Labour:
Europe:
Portuguese teachers begin a week-long strike.TS VW in Germany cuts at least 2,200 jobs at its Zwickau plant and threatens other sites.WSWS
Anglos:
UK retail chain Wilko collapses, threatening 12,500 jobs.WSWS 3,000 job losses planned at Tata Steel as company receives £500 million subsidy from UK government.WSWS NHS consultants and junior doctors begin historic joint strike in England.FT Doctors and nurses in England could be forced to work during strikes.FT Australia’s Offshore Alliance union continued the rolling 24-hour stoppages at Chevron’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants in western Australia for a second day.RT
America and Canada:
Work Extra During a Strike? Auto Workers Say ‘Eight and Skate’LN Canadian auto workers’ strike at Ford engine plants could cripple Big Three.PW Auto Workers Strike Spreads to 38 Parts Depots.LN UAW President Fain’s “expanded strikes” will have zero impact on automakers’ production or sales.WSWS The Trots at WSWS are always such a ray of sunshine and positivity. (/s)
GOP lend their ‘support’ to an autoworker strike that doesn’t exist.RNN Biden, Brazil’s Lula unveil joint deal to promote workers’ rights.PW College athletes are being exploited. It’s time to unionize.RNN Unifor announces sellout tentative agreement for 5,600 Ford Canada workers to block strike.WSWS
Everybody Else:
Contract fight begins for 150,000 metal, auto workers in Turkey.WSWS Mexican Auto Parts Workers Face Blacklist After Union Campaign.LN Indian and Sri Lankan auto industry workers support US autoworkers.WSWS South Korean union pushes through sellout deal at Hyundai Motors.WSWS
Left and Right:
Hammerskins: German branch of US-based neo-Nazi group banned.DW Paraguayan forensic psychologist causes uproar with swastika tattoo.MP
Georgia RICO Arrests Are A Declaration of War on All Socialists.RC Degrowth and ecosocialist revolution.MR degrowth: a remarkable renaissance.MR
LGBTQIA:
Content Warning - this section is not usually good news.
Americans are pretty divided when it comes to students using chosen names and pronouns in school, according to a new survey released earlier this week. Four in ten Americans believe teachers should be allowed to use a student's chosen name that aligns with their current gender identity without informing the student's parents. Younger adults aged 18-34 are more inclined to support this notion, with 49 percent backing it, compared to 36 percent of adults aged 35-64 and 40 percent of those aged 65 and above. When it comes to individuals who personally know someone who is transgender, the support increases, with 48 percent in favor compared to 34 percent of those without such connections.Advocate Most Americans are not concerned with legislation around transgender issues and harbor doubts about whether lawmakers are informed enough on matters related to trans lives to create fair policies about access to gender-affirming care, according to a survey released Monday.Advocate Right-wing forces have turned to using parental rights to obscure but reinitiate the fight against queer and trans lives.CD Millions of LGBTQ+ Americans Overlooked in Census Data May Soon Be Able to Share Their Experiences.SP The Associated Press reports that access to gender-affirming care is becoming increasingly difficult even in those states where it remains legal for those to continue on treatments.Advocate
Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdoğan complained that he was uncomfortable with the use of what he described as “LGBT colors” at the United Nations.Euractiv Kenya's anti-gay bill proposes 50-year jail term.AN Romanian LGBTQ+ community wants equal rights, not special conditions.Euractiv
Climate:
There will be no confirmation that rich countries have met their $100 billion a year climate finance promise until 2025 at the earliest.CCN UN to start ratifying historic deal to protect high seas.DW Is the UN carbon neutral? No, finds an investigation.MB A Guide to Six Greenwashing Terms Big Ag Is Bringing to COP28.DS The Era of Climate Migration Is Here, Leaders of Vulnerable Nations Say.ICN Study finds human-driven mass extinction is eliminating entire branches of the tree of life.MR Human Activities Increased Extinction Rate of Species Groups by 35 TimesSP At UN climate summit big polluters’ absence speaks volumes.CCN
Panama Canal drought: Rolling ecological crisis is raising prices everywhere.OD
In West Virginia, plan to clean up radioactive fracking waste ends in monster lawsuit.DS Headache for carmakers as UK backtracks on green agenda.FT
China sets world's first geothermal industry standard to boost green transition.CGTN China launches ‘Kuafu’ nuclear fusion research facility.SCMP China’s coal use set to rise until 2026, pushing world’s top carbon emitter ‘off track’ from Paris AgreementSCMP China's climate envoy opposes global fossil fuel phase-out, as fossil fuels should be kept as a flexible back-up, also saying that the emissions of burning fossil fuels can be reduced with carbon capture..CCN I support a more nuclear approach to back-up energy generation and don't think CCS is in any position yet to even PROMISE that it can match even massively reduced emission rates, let alone historical emissions - but at least he's honest and wrong, as opposed to promising net zero in 30 years and then pulling back a couple years later, ad infinitum.
Amazon countries lose 1 million hectares of water surface in 10 years.TS
Miscellaneous Analysis:
Professors Point to JPMorgan Chase as Poster Boy of a Financial System Dependent on Corruption to Sustain ItselfWSoP
Meet the Banking Cartel that Is Planting the Seeds for the Next Banking Panic and BailoutWSoP
The Lehman Disaster and Why It Matters Today.SP
A soft landing?MichaelRoberts
We shouldn’t call ‘peak China’ just yet.FT Holy hell Financial Times, you're suggesting that China ISN'T about to collapse? Calm down a little!
Why Barack Obama can’t shut up.MR
Suppressing negative thoughts good for mental health, UK researchers find.FT
Can humanity avoid the “nightmare scenario” that could be caused by mounting space junk?ET
Dipshittery
A Chinese military blockade of Taiwan would likely fail and nothing easy about an invasion: Pentagon.SCMP
Donald Trump Asked Joint Chiefs Chair Mark Milley, 'Are You Soft on Transgenders?'Advocate
One Billion People Will Die Without Oil Production, Kuwait Official Claims.DS
Why don’t people leave bad jobs?FT Okay, to be a little fair, she does in fact answer the question. Why it's in this section is that the Financial Times is such a fucking bougie hellhole that they need people to come along and tell them why people might not be able to be homo economicus.
I Love My Trans Comrades!
Hmm. Why do I doubt...
Ah, yes. There it is. Rhetoric, but absolutely nothing concrete. The "most labor-friendly U.S. president ever" strikes again. Just don't ask the targets of his fascist railroad-strike-breaking policy how well it actually pans out in practice.