Briefly Noted: US Takes The Moral Low Ground

The Zhou regime seems to miss no opportunity to tell the rest of the world that the US position is that no other country has any legitimate interests. Rules-Based Order means what we say goes—like it or lump it.

For example …

US Threatens African Nations With Sanctions If They Buy Russian Products Other Than Grain

The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, warned African countries last week not to purchase anything from Russia besides grain and fertilizer, or else they could face sanctions.

Bullying the poorest of the poor is just not a good look for America—land of the free and home of the brave. Of course, most people in the US are utterly oblivious to these events. It’s an especially bad look because it’s well known that the sanctions against Russia were structured to allow the US to continue to obtain strategic materials from Russia. Moreover:

"We caution countries not to break those sanctions because then… they stand the chance of having actions taken against them," she added. Thomas-Greenfield said that purchasing Russian oil risks sanctions, even though many of the United States' European allies are still buying Russian crude before a ban takes effect at the end of the year.

And we don’t even let Africans ask questions:

Kawsachun News @KawsachunNews

“Do you have something against African reporters?” A day after the U.S. announced its new strategy towards Sub-Saharan Africa, and with a new Commander assuming command of AFRICOM today, African reporters say they have to "beg for questions" from Biden's Press Secretary.

Thomas-Greenfield’s warning demonstrates the US approach of using force to get the results that it wants, which has been backfiring on Washington, and drawing countries closer to China and Russia.

Using force to get the results we want. Isn’t that like being a bully?

Along those lines, file this one under: Now you tell us …

Xi Pleaded With Biden "Now Is No Time for A Crisis" Just Ahead Of Pelosi Taiwan Visit

Previously undisclosed details behind the July 28 phone call between President Joe Biden and China's Xi Jinping have been revealed Thursday, wherein the Chinese leader urged "Now isn't the time for a bull-blown crisis."

A fresh Wall Street Journal report relates that while Xi warned Biden of unspecified consequences should House Speaker Nancy Pelosi follow through with her visit to Taiwan, making her the highest US official to do so in 25 years, he stressed he had no intention of entering a war with the United States. Citing people briefed on the call, Xi emphasized that both sides must "maintain peace and security" while reiterating Beijing's longstanding position on the Taiwan question. 

You might think that the US might go the extra mile to avoid humiliating a major power that is trying to go the extra mile with us, but no:

Beijing in the lead-up to the crisis thought a last-ditch personal appeal by Xi was worth it, even though "China’s foreign-policy establishment has historically been careful about scheduling leader-to-leader engagements, concerned about a loss of face should the other side do something contrary to Beijing’s interests soon after the bilateral exchange."

Further, we heard this from Pelosi today:

In a separate interview Tuesday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Pelosi said Xi is "in a fragile place."

"He has problems with his economy. He is acting like a scared bully," she said, adding that Xi is focused on securing an unprecedented third term in office.

And this:

Stephen Gowans @GowansStephen

The US “is vowing to continue sailing warships through the Taiwan Strait and to conduct air operations in the region in response to Chinese military drills” around Taiwan. Translation: The US will respond to China’s response to US provocations by continuing to provoke China.

What’s the problem with doing diplomacy?

China responded by issuing a statement openly siding with Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine. That can’t have been unforeseen. The implication is that the US is purposely and purposefully attempting to antagonize China. Shouldn’t there be, like, a national conversation about these kinds of policies?

And then there’s this:

Electric Vehicles May Present Major Problem During Natural Disaster Evacuations: Experts