In what follows, the links were inserted by me. While we wait to figure out what the Fed 25bs rate hike means for the big picture, let’s consider Alastair Crooke’s latest. As I read Crooke, he’s arguing that the big picture is the global economic shift away from King Dollar and US hegemony toward a multi-polar economic system. Every day seems to bring news that confirms this shift. Today we read that Egypt’s parliament has approved a plan to join BRICS. Earlier this week both Brazil (a BRICS member) and Argentina (a wannabe member) told Olaf Scholz to pound sand—neither country is interested in sending weapons to Ukraine. Russian - Iranian - Indian relations continue to develop, and Saudi Arabia has placed itself firmly within the Eurasian scheme.
Now the claim that we don't have enough Abrams tanks in storage is a lie, we can provide them to Ukraine if we want to. But do we want to? Is this intended to protect advanced tech in the Abrams? If so, an extensive redesign will be required, since the armor is itself classified. (The Brits, who have promised Challengers, are now wanting assurance that the tanks won't be used in operations where they might be captured) This whole Ukrainian tank project is starting to feel like the promise that Colonel Fannin will reach the Alamo in time.
EDIT: It's been suggested that the tanks we're sending will have no depleted uranium mesh in he armor. That will sharply degrade the protection against Russian sabot rounds.
I was just listening a bit to Alex Mercouris. He was saying that his impression from remarks Putin made today--I was unable to locate them--is that Putin is determined to "see this thing through, all the way to the Polish border." I have to say, I've always been very skeptical about the idea of Russia allowing Poland even an inch of territory to the east of their current borders. For various historical and national reasons, but especially given Poland's performance in this crisis.
This is all very intelligent and I am sure Davos, the IMF, the Swiss bankers and our government has highly intelligent people keeping the ship afloat, but even well-trained adolescents are taught not to exceed their allowance, and it might be good to get a job on the side. The markets cannot go down because, well, it is unthinkable, and of course we are prosperous. Only, all of a sudden, lettuce and eggs are expensive and in short supply. Wall Street runs on Greed and Fear, and as long as Greed is prevalent....
A little history. Business was booming in the 1920s, with many new technologies and highly profitable enterprises sprouting up. At one point it overheated and the markets crashed. There was little public or private debt, and yet the economy tanked. FDR and the 'new deal' didn't help, but those in charge were geniuses compared to now.
The debt ceiling debate is upon us, and we have a tremendous political problem here as it is so important that whatever side we are backing doesn't get the blame, but meanwhile the Titanic has hit the iceberg and lifeboats are in short supply. Trump spent money and got productivity for the buck. It would be nice if we were still producing oil and gas and selling at current prices rather than buying for our strategic oil reserve at these prices. There are laws of economics and heading into a Depression with massive public and private debt is not a good thing. But not to worry, as we can blame our misery on Trump, Putin or the tooth fairy.
There is an amazing global dichotomy at work here: The West pouring all its economic wealth into the Ukrainian blackhole while the East is creating a whole new economic universe. And Ukraine is the dividing wall between the two rapidly diverging worlds. It's staggering to witness.
On the coming Ukraine collapse, I'm trying to figure out what to make of the Zelenskyy goverment's anti-corruption raids (allegedly, with US pressure) on Ihor Kolomoisky's properties today. Kolomoisky, as you know, is Z's biggest backer and, effectively, his sponsor, and, as such, one of the (if not THE) most-powerful men in Ukraine. Certainly, more influential than Z himself.
Does Z get rolled in with the Kolomoisky stink and, ultimately, get replaced by a more "agreement capable" leader who could credibly negotiate with Putin? I have no idea, but the timing is curious. It would be a nice face-saving option if the US were to be able to say, "we're here to support Ukraine, and have to honor their wishes toward a resolution of this conflict."
Russia, Iran, and China are slowly replacing the US Financial control mechanisms, such as Swift, that were used to strong arm countries into agreeing to us demands.
What happens if Western Green demands in energy and agriculture result in higher prices and less supply. And pressures non Western countries affected by the Wests actions.
Sri Lanke was just the start, but Pakistan and South Africa seem fragile. The green push against coal in South Africa is causing major problems. And the anti fertilizer push will cause food shortages. The end results will be regime changes. How much longer can the West afford the bribes needed to push their green agenda outside the West?
Look what's coming up in of all places Ukraine... https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/01/ukraine-war-live-updates-latest-news-on-russia-and-the-war-in-ukraine.html
Wonder if there are any pyrotechnics planned to rustle the guests.
"What's distracting attention from this shift is the hubbub about tanks and other Western weapons for Ukraine. Looking past the noise, however..."
Yeah, let's look past that noise for a minute.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3279948/deputy-pentagon-press-secretary-sabrina-singh-holds-a-press-briefing/
Now the claim that we don't have enough Abrams tanks in storage is a lie, we can provide them to Ukraine if we want to. But do we want to? Is this intended to protect advanced tech in the Abrams? If so, an extensive redesign will be required, since the armor is itself classified. (The Brits, who have promised Challengers, are now wanting assurance that the tanks won't be used in operations where they might be captured) This whole Ukrainian tank project is starting to feel like the promise that Colonel Fannin will reach the Alamo in time.
EDIT: It's been suggested that the tanks we're sending will have no depleted uranium mesh in he armor. That will sharply degrade the protection against Russian sabot rounds.
I was just listening a bit to Alex Mercouris. He was saying that his impression from remarks Putin made today--I was unable to locate them--is that Putin is determined to "see this thing through, all the way to the Polish border." I have to say, I've always been very skeptical about the idea of Russia allowing Poland even an inch of territory to the east of their current borders. For various historical and national reasons, but especially given Poland's performance in this crisis.
This is all very intelligent and I am sure Davos, the IMF, the Swiss bankers and our government has highly intelligent people keeping the ship afloat, but even well-trained adolescents are taught not to exceed their allowance, and it might be good to get a job on the side. The markets cannot go down because, well, it is unthinkable, and of course we are prosperous. Only, all of a sudden, lettuce and eggs are expensive and in short supply. Wall Street runs on Greed and Fear, and as long as Greed is prevalent....
A little history. Business was booming in the 1920s, with many new technologies and highly profitable enterprises sprouting up. At one point it overheated and the markets crashed. There was little public or private debt, and yet the economy tanked. FDR and the 'new deal' didn't help, but those in charge were geniuses compared to now.
The debt ceiling debate is upon us, and we have a tremendous political problem here as it is so important that whatever side we are backing doesn't get the blame, but meanwhile the Titanic has hit the iceberg and lifeboats are in short supply. Trump spent money and got productivity for the buck. It would be nice if we were still producing oil and gas and selling at current prices rather than buying for our strategic oil reserve at these prices. There are laws of economics and heading into a Depression with massive public and private debt is not a good thing. But not to worry, as we can blame our misery on Trump, Putin or the tooth fairy.
There is an amazing global dichotomy at work here: The West pouring all its economic wealth into the Ukrainian blackhole while the East is creating a whole new economic universe. And Ukraine is the dividing wall between the two rapidly diverging worlds. It's staggering to witness.
On the coming Ukraine collapse, I'm trying to figure out what to make of the Zelenskyy goverment's anti-corruption raids (allegedly, with US pressure) on Ihor Kolomoisky's properties today. Kolomoisky, as you know, is Z's biggest backer and, effectively, his sponsor, and, as such, one of the (if not THE) most-powerful men in Ukraine. Certainly, more influential than Z himself.
Does Z get rolled in with the Kolomoisky stink and, ultimately, get replaced by a more "agreement capable" leader who could credibly negotiate with Putin? I have no idea, but the timing is curious. It would be a nice face-saving option if the US were to be able to say, "we're here to support Ukraine, and have to honor their wishes toward a resolution of this conflict."
Just speculating, of course.
Russia, Iran, and China are slowly replacing the US Financial control mechanisms, such as Swift, that were used to strong arm countries into agreeing to us demands.
What happens if Western Green demands in energy and agriculture result in higher prices and less supply. And pressures non Western countries affected by the Wests actions.
Sri Lanke was just the start, but Pakistan and South Africa seem fragile. The green push against coal in South Africa is causing major problems. And the anti fertilizer push will cause food shortages. The end results will be regime changes. How much longer can the West afford the bribes needed to push their green agenda outside the West?