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Manul's avatar

The BRICS countries are being drawn together because of the weaponization of the dollar (obvious from the US sanctions on Russia). They want the freedom to trade without constraints imposed upon them from the greatest debtor nation. They will succeed, despite Trump's bluster.

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Mark Wauck's avatar

My guess is that Trump's deal making scheme is to bluster publicly but offer reasonable concessions behind closed doors. The general public won't distinguish which part of the shtick worked.

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Cosmo T Kat's avatar

Oh you so smart. I think you have grasped the shtick.

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Manul's avatar

Since we can't seem to figure out what's going on in Syria, and who the good guys are and who the bad guys are, and what they are trying to accomplish - other than provoke general mayhem and chaos and killing - then for sure the US should leave immediately and let everyone fight to their deaths.

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Eoin Clancy's avatar

While the mighty dollar is indeed a major concern for the US as is its economy, the global majority on the other hand are not too bothered about both. 20 years ago, the fiscal concerns of the US would have had the global south very interested and worried.

Trump seems to be stuck in 1990s Manhattan.

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aDoozy's avatar

C.Kushner sounds like a ruthless slimeball.

His actions that he was convicted for years ago are reprehensible.

That he has been rewarded by PDJT twice now for his bad behavior is disappointing and wrong.

As father of Jewish Jared, CK must be Jewish as well. So I am wondering if he is a Zionust Jew. I wonder if he was rewarded twice by PDJT because he is his in-law. Has he been rewarded also because he is Zionist and has connections to the murderous, lunatic regime in Israel?--that PDJT seems to favor by some of his announced appointees.

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Mark Wauck's avatar

Per the NYT, the Kushners are members of a synagogue known for its "religious Zionism."

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Mark Wauck's avatar

Sharmine Narwani

@snarwani

Russian newspaper Izvestia: The major terrorist attack on #Aleppo was coordinated between Turkish, Ukrainian and French intelligence with Israeli support and American approval. The planning was two months ago and the attack was supposed to be next March, but the events in Lebanon contributed to the urgency.

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Ray-SoCa's avatar

So Turkey is trying to take out Assad again, hmm…

The Israeli support of Al Queda types to throw Syria into more chaos is ruthless and slimy.

And I’m sure oil is still flowing through Turkey to Israel, enriching Erdogen.

Is Lyndsey Graham going to compare the Syrian resistance to our founding fathers? McCain would, if he was still around.

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Jeff Cook-Coyle's avatar

I just read the Treehouse article. His trade rep team is strong. What you said about teasing to reduced hostilities and empire footprint makes sense. "Make deals, not War," right?

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Jeff Cook-Coyle's avatar

I wouldn't count on Trump understanding everything perfectly.

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Brother Ass's avatar

That’s an understatement.

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History Lass's avatar

Based on recent events in Syria and who is behind it all, I don't think Trump has any chance of a ceasefire in the SMO, especially before 20 January.

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History Lass's avatar

Kushner appointment odd. Maybe to appease Jared ? Some days it's hard to figure anything out.

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Ray-SoCa's avatar

Or a middle finger to Chris Christie?

The Senate still needs to confirm, so he may be a sacrificial goat.

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Mark Wauck's avatar

A reader writes:

"Stronger dollar means that anything made in the US or sold from the US is going to cost more overseas. I.E., More expensive. Following classical economics laws of supply and demand, as prices rise, demand falls (except for those goods that are “inelastic”). **Stronger dollar, though, means we can continue running deficits, i.e., foreigners buy our Treasuries, which puts money into our account and we promise to pay them back at some point in the future."**

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Sarcastic Cynical Texan's avatar

The captive European market for US LNG created by the Nord Stream sabotage plays into this somehow. All I can say for sure is the domestic price of gas is considerably higher than it could/should be.

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Eoin Clancy's avatar

Only the European market is buying overly expensive US LNG, the price will come down as Europe goes down.

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Mark Wauck's avatar

I think this is one example of how Sundance's scenario is overly rosy.

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Dec 1
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John Stanchak's avatar

When you say, “the Rothschilds want the ‘Europeans to lead,’” surely you meant to say “Jews.” ???

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