Yesterday the Alex and Alexander at The Duran had an excellent discussion of what the latest sanctions mean. I’ve done a partial transcript to cover that part of the discussion. However, the rest of the video is also very worthwhile, as they get into the latest $50 billion European “loan” to Ukraine. The Duran guys have a lot of fun with that, as they get into who the winners are—crooked
Very useful observation that "Trump wants to be a dictator!" is a ruse, not to elect Democrats per se, but to endow the permanent State (all registered Democrats) with more power in order to protect our sacred Democracy.
If I may recommend a good review of fascism by Codevilla, found on another substack, which gvies the history of this ruse:
The Duran talk was excellent. We are truly blessed to have so many great analysts on the alternative media circuit. It is indeed hard to fathom the sheer stupidity of the DC neocons. They must be the only people on the planet who haven't realised that sanctions have immeasurably strengthened the Russian economy, yet they double down for more of the same. They really are trapped in a 1991 mindset. I found their comments about the growing power of the permanent US Deep State even more interesting. It's going to take a POTUS of truly remarkable courage, foresight and cunning, backed up by some extremely tough and ruthless minions, to smash the bureaucracy and return power to where it belongs: with the executive and the people. Someone, in fact, rather like Putin. The tragedy for the US is that that person does not exist there. I'd love to be proven wrong and find that Trump has learnt his lesson and is going to get it right this time, but I highly doubt it.
Only one way to find out. At this point there is (obviously) no alternative candidate who would even pretend to take on the bureaucracy / deep state.
One unfortunate thing about Trump is that if he is elected he is promising to reimplement his policy placing very high tariffs on Chinese goods exported into the U.S. (as is noted by Alex@Alexander). In effect that is much like sanctions, with all of the negative implications for OUR economy (such as inflation) and the potential to push China away from trading with us and towards its BRICS partners.
Since Biden also believes in applying tariffs to China it seems we are inexorably going down the path of a trade war (potentially prior to kinetic war).
We've spoken frequently about congress abdicating its power to the executive. But, lately I've been thinking it's the opposite. Congress has taken power from the executive by investing it in the bureaucracy with vague mandates and the like.
Perversely, Congress has become all- powerful, with the usual caveats of foreign influence, deep state blackmail, etc.
The bureaucracy--Executive agencies--ARE part of the Executive Branch. At least from the standpoint of the Constitution. The agencies have asserted a largee measure of independence against Executive (POTUS) control, and Congress empowered the bureaucracy against the POTUS. However, Congress, by foolishly empowering the agencies against the Executive (POTUS), has to a great extent also put the agencies beyond Congressional oversight. Thus, in practice, the competition between the Executive and Legislative branches has created--for practical purposes, and not in all instances--something in the nature of a Fourth Branch. That Congress is NO LONGER as powerful as it should be with regard to the Executive agencies (which are also now largely beyond Executive POTUS control) is shown by how toothless Congressional oversight has become with regard to the NatSec agencies in particular.
All this was accomplished through complicated processes. Partly through the confirmation process, by ensuring that appointees would be in alliance with Congress. Partly by depriving the Executive of funding influence over the Executive agencies. Much of this was driven by interest groups guiding the Legislative Branch members through contributions.
I was trying to find how many countries have been sanctioned, but no luck.
Russia is the most sanctioned country. I remember 10,000 sanctions. And it’s the fourth largest economy on a ppp basis. The sanctions actually seem to be helping its economy by reducing capital outflows and imports, and increasing manufacturing and capital investment. As well as diminishing foreign influence in businesses in Russia.
2023 had the most growth in number of sanctions.
And the threat is used internally in the eu to keep leaders on the reservation. Hungary and Italy are examples. $200 million is being held from Hungary. And Italy’s support for Ukraine seems forced. Nice economy you have there, shame if we crashed it…
And there is a fear by Brazil and Indonesia for example, they could be sanctioned for environmental reasons.
1/3rd of all sanctions have been placed by the Biden Administration.
Yep, I couldn't believe it when I read that. After all the big talk, this is the reality. I also read that China produces around 80% (IIRC) of the antibiotics used by the US armed forces. I wonder how that works out vis-a-vis sanctions?
Very useful observation that "Trump wants to be a dictator!" is a ruse, not to elect Democrats per se, but to endow the permanent State (all registered Democrats) with more power in order to protect our sacred Democracy.
If I may recommend a good review of fascism by Codevilla, found on another substack, which gvies the history of this ruse:
https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/the-original-fascist/
The Duran talk was excellent. We are truly blessed to have so many great analysts on the alternative media circuit. It is indeed hard to fathom the sheer stupidity of the DC neocons. They must be the only people on the planet who haven't realised that sanctions have immeasurably strengthened the Russian economy, yet they double down for more of the same. They really are trapped in a 1991 mindset. I found their comments about the growing power of the permanent US Deep State even more interesting. It's going to take a POTUS of truly remarkable courage, foresight and cunning, backed up by some extremely tough and ruthless minions, to smash the bureaucracy and return power to where it belongs: with the executive and the people. Someone, in fact, rather like Putin. The tragedy for the US is that that person does not exist there. I'd love to be proven wrong and find that Trump has learnt his lesson and is going to get it right this time, but I highly doubt it.
Only one way to find out. At this point there is (obviously) no alternative candidate who would even pretend to take on the bureaucracy / deep state.
One unfortunate thing about Trump is that if he is elected he is promising to reimplement his policy placing very high tariffs on Chinese goods exported into the U.S. (as is noted by Alex@Alexander). In effect that is much like sanctions, with all of the negative implications for OUR economy (such as inflation) and the potential to push China away from trading with us and towards its BRICS partners.
Since Biden also believes in applying tariffs to China it seems we are inexorably going down the path of a trade war (potentially prior to kinetic war).
Unfortunately, Diss, I have very little faith in Trump. I hope I am proved hopelessly wrong.
We've spoken frequently about congress abdicating its power to the executive. But, lately I've been thinking it's the opposite. Congress has taken power from the executive by investing it in the bureaucracy with vague mandates and the like.
Perversely, Congress has become all- powerful, with the usual caveats of foreign influence, deep state blackmail, etc.
Question: can the executive sue itself?
The bureaucracy--Executive agencies--ARE part of the Executive Branch. At least from the standpoint of the Constitution. The agencies have asserted a largee measure of independence against Executive (POTUS) control, and Congress empowered the bureaucracy against the POTUS. However, Congress, by foolishly empowering the agencies against the Executive (POTUS), has to a great extent also put the agencies beyond Congressional oversight. Thus, in practice, the competition between the Executive and Legislative branches has created--for practical purposes, and not in all instances--something in the nature of a Fourth Branch. That Congress is NO LONGER as powerful as it should be with regard to the Executive agencies (which are also now largely beyond Executive POTUS control) is shown by how toothless Congressional oversight has become with regard to the NatSec agencies in particular.
All this was accomplished through complicated processes. Partly through the confirmation process, by ensuring that appointees would be in alliance with Congress. Partly by depriving the Executive of funding influence over the Executive agencies. Much of this was driven by interest groups guiding the Legislative Branch members through contributions.
I enjoyed the brief discussion about who gets to keep the interest from the $50B loan...
Link doesn’t work
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qt8ZAVW2qQ
I was trying to find how many countries have been sanctioned, but no luck.
Russia is the most sanctioned country. I remember 10,000 sanctions. And it’s the fourth largest economy on a ppp basis. The sanctions actually seem to be helping its economy by reducing capital outflows and imports, and increasing manufacturing and capital investment. As well as diminishing foreign influence in businesses in Russia.
2023 had the most growth in number of sanctions.
And the threat is used internally in the eu to keep leaders on the reservation. Hungary and Italy are examples. $200 million is being held from Hungary. And Italy’s support for Ukraine seems forced. Nice economy you have there, shame if we crashed it…
And there is a fear by Brazil and Indonesia for example, they could be sanctioned for environmental reasons.
1/3rd of all sanctions have been placed by the Biden Administration.
Summary created by an ai:
https://www.castellum.ai/insights/2023-sanctions-year-in-review
Older article has map:
https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/sanctions-by-the-numbers-2022-year-in-review
and now Russia is the largest supplier of natural gas to EU. LOL.
Exactly. Sanctions don't sanction. Most all trade continues as before, simply routed through at least one intermediate country.
Yep, I couldn't believe it when I read that. After all the big talk, this is the reality. I also read that China produces around 80% (IIRC) of the antibiotics used by the US armed forces. I wonder how that works out vis-a-vis sanctions?
Lord Bebo @MyLordBebo

 China must pay for supporting Russia in the war against Ukraine - Stoltenberg
They’re going full frontal against China and already prepared sanctions.
Get ready folks, the world is about to be divided again. This time by the west.
Except this time it will be 90% v 10%. We are no longer the "international community"