Found this in US politics out of all places. Check this article out if you want a more (moderately) long form analysis of US tariffs from a systematic and South African perspective.

I thought it was more interesting than many (mainstream English-language) articles. Beyond the core topic, I learned who Egyptian political economist Samir Amin is and that Maynard Keynes’ last project was something called ‘Bancor’ International Currency Union, which by modern standard sounds like a radical Utopian approach to international trade.

Sounds like there won’t be any good faith negotiations with the US.

This sounds like BS, does the US even have enough capxitt or export $350 billion worth of energy (oil, LNG?).

“The US threat to escalate tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake,”

The threat “once again exposes the blackmailing nature of the US,”

“China will never accept it. If the US insists on its own way, China will fight to the end.”

I don’t speak Chinese and I’ve never lived in China, but I get the impression that official statements in Chinese culture (language?) tend to be very measured and diplomatic. This time they are not mincing words. Fight to the end? They are calling the Americans’ bluff.

No, they are backed by the economies of the issuing countries.

Gold standard is not viable in a modern economy.

They should have done this in 2008 when the russians invaded Georgia.

Instead Merkel kept promoting and enabling russian genocidal imperialism.

If there are no guarantees around security, there is no point in signing a deal with the Americans.

Then of course there is the issue that the US cannot be trusted in principle…

I lived in russia for many years (as a minor), while I speak fluent russian and have an understanding of local culture, I and my family (everyone speaks russian) constantly got harassed by security goons, including some almost comical situations where their reflexive racism almost made the outcomes worse for the cops/security. There was also some really mean-spirited stuff; a completely wasted cop aggressively harassing me on a major street without any reason at all other than me walking by, I was in my pre-teens, it got to the point where his colleague had to drag him away and tell me to leave.

But it seems that the Americans (no disrespect to sane Americans) have decided to enter in a competition with the russians. Week long interment without any real reason? This is insane.

The funny thing is that I’ve also lived in the US and travelled there a lot when I moved to Canada; while there was a lot of what I call “cowboy roleplay”, it never got this bad.

This is some super fucked up shit.

Americans, you’ll need make sacrifices and deal with very difficult and scary choices if you want to deal with this and everything else that is happening in your country. Freedom isn’t a mere polemic.

The US is such a corrupt country. This was basically a kangaroo court, but with typical American-style pomp and self-absorption.

Why was this individual not jailed for rape and battery?

I am conflating anything. I am basing my statements on reality.

As per research spanning 30+ plus years, covering multiple methodologies and sources, a solid 65% of russians support genocidal imperialism with another 20% being supporters of imperialism with less genocidal tendencies. This holds true across the history of modern russia (with some variations, but minor ones).

So around 85% of the population are either genocidal imperialist or regular imperialists (with most being genocidal imperialists).

Keep in mind that most seemingly intelligent counter arguments “they are all afraid, most russians oppose putin, they are just forced to answer in this way” or “it’s all due to propaganda” can actually be tested and either outright discredited or shown that their impact is irrelevant.

I will add that ignoring these facts and trying to white-wash deep rooted support for genocidal imperialism among at least a strong majority of russians benefits no one. Including the russians themselves. You’re not doing them any favours by playing into their victimhood narratives.

Send his family to the frontline near Pokrovsk. I guarantee you, he’ll start acting in a more sober manner.

Hilarious to see my comment removed.

Russians need a taste of their own medicine. You have to treat them like they treat others. If they bring up “human rights”, you must let them know that you can see through their ruse and you know they don’t care about human rights and they are lying.

This is the only way to deal with russians.

Sure, not every russian is a genocidal imperialist, but when any and all research (quantitative, qualitative, preference falsification adjusted etc.) shows that something between 65% to 85% of russians are genocidal imperialists, you have to approach them in a sober manner. The world doesn’t always work as one wants it to work. White-washing russian genocidal imperialism benefits no one, including the russians themselves.

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Yet support for increased defense spending is limited. I guess there may be a change in attitudes once the Americans enact tarrifs against the EU and/or formally leave NATO.

The put down was always part of the plan.

Realistically, Trump can’t bring about a ceasefire because the russians have no incentive for good faith negotiations. They can easily press demands that will never be accepted in Ukraine (no army, micro-management of internal laws, surrendering Ukrainian controlled parts of Kherson, Zaparozye, Donetsk). This means Trump needs to position Zelenskyy as the bad guy for internal audiences (many Americans cannot comprehend that the russians are acting in bad faith, or they simply don’t care).

Fascinating stuff. You can’t really fight back against a criminal, oligarch regime if you’re not interested in upholding the rule of law and are open to working with oligarchs.

They have the economic and military capabilities. It’s a lack of courage and genuine desire.

I find it fascinating that there are still regular references to Watergate in American political reporting/commentary. It just doesn’t seem relevant.

From my contacts with Americans, it seems that anti-trump Americans are in a state of shock (understandable), but still clinging to the hope that their institutions will save them (debatable considering global examples with the rise of authoritarian/corporate regimes in democratic environments; generally a “second term” tends to be a make or break period).

The pro-trump group seems to be doubling down on trump and even low key trying to justify statements like the Gaza annexation proposal by claiming “that’s just Trump, he says things.” Some of the stuff I’ve heard honestly made me a bit uncomfortable (these are people I know well for 15+ years) and I don’t discuss internal US matters with the pro-trump camp.

Thanks for the kind words! We have to collectively makes the most out of a bad situation.