megastalin: (Default)
[personal profile] megastalin
In the end, the so-called nation builders wrecked far more nations than they built and the interventionalists were intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand themselves
From: https://x.com/america/status/1922364912447131973

Okay, obviously, not he, but whomever the speechwriter was. However, the implications are, forgive me for this, absolutely yuge if true.

Are we going to see a new era of American isolationism? Or is this a signal that the US may actually be willing to participate in the newly emerging so-called "multipolar" world? 

It's not, or shouldn't be, controversial to say that American involvement in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, etc, has been an unmitigated disaster. The Taliban are back in power, Iraq's an unstable shithole despite more than a decade of efforts to the contrary, Syria has an extremist Islamist president or; at least what's left of Syria does. And the less said about Libya the better.

Here's a provocative question for you, would these countries have eventually stabilized and grown economically had the US not intervened? Trump certainly seems to think so.

It's almost bizarre to consider, but could President Trump be remembered not for all the covfefe and Big Mac dinners but for being a consensus-maker of a new international world order? 





profiterole_reads: (Default)
[personal profile] profiterole_reads
Hello! There are only 4 days left for EU citizens to sign the European Citizens' Initiative petition to ban conversion therapy in the European Union.

- 570,000 signatures are still needed (with the massive mobilisation currently happening, we're getting ~100,000 new signatures a day, so there's a chance)
- 2 countries still need to reach the threshold: Slovenia and the Netherlands are in good position

Please share on all your social media! Here's a Tumblr post and a Bluesky one, for a start. If you have friends in Slovenia and/or the Netherlands, please message them. A lot of people don't have the time to catch up on their dashboards/timelines and can easily miss the information. Thanks a lot!
airiefairie: (Default)
[personal profile] airiefairie
The US involvement in Ukraine's post-war peace and reconstruction efforts is not solely humanitarian or ideological. It is also heavily influenced by strategic economic interests, especially access to Ukraine's vast reserves of critical minerals. These resources are vital for US goals related to clean energy, defense and technology, including the production of batteries, semiconductors and renewable infrastructure. Ukraine's resource wealth positions it as a linchpin in America's broader geopolitical and economic strategy.

In early 2025, the US and Ukraine formalised their cooperation with the Ukraine - US Mineral Resources Agreement. This pact includes the creation of a joint Reconstruction Investment Fund, into which Ukraine will contribute 50% of future revenues from its state-owned natural resource assets. In return, the US commits to long-term financial backing aimed at stabilising and rebuilding Ukraine's economy. The deal reflects a deliberate US move to secure influence over resource flows while supporting Ukraine's post-war reconstruction.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine–United_States_Mineral_Resources_Agreement

Critics, however, raise concerns about the implications of this arrangement. Organisations like Global Witness argue that binding Ukraine's economic recovery and sovereignty to its resource exploitation risks turning the country into a commodities supplier beholden to foreign interests. There are fears that peace negotiations and reconstruction efforts could be skewed to benefit multinational corporations and donor nations, sidelining the interests and rights of Ukrainian citizens, particularly those in resource-rich regions.

Ultimately, the US appears to be intertwining its support for Ukraine's peace process with a longer-term strategy to secure mineral supply chains and extend its influence in Eastern Europe. While framed as mutual cooperation, the economic structure of the deal suggests a deeper scramble for control over the region's natural wealth, raising ethical and geopolitical questions about the nature of foreign involvement in post-conflict rebuilding.
mahnmut: (Albert thinks ur funny.)
[personal profile] mahnmut
Most were about that white smoke. My fave one:



Anyway. Here are some others:

LINK1

LINK2
luzribeiro: (Default)
[personal profile] luzribeiro
Well we heard rumors of this before, but apparently there's actual planning for this:

Army plans for a potential parade on Trump’s birthday call for 6,600 soldiers, AP learns

An actual American: "But, but, well, who cares what the commies do? This is America, and we love parades!"

Oh yes yes you sure do! Case in point: VIDEO

Well, we must've all realized by now that there's nothing "American" about MAGA. Besides, I thought MAGA was about cracking down in waste. Now Trump wants to spend millions on a Stalin-like military parade in his honor? But you might find me dumb for still expecting an ounce of integrity for these guys.

Still... worry not, it's Donald and Pete we're talking about. They'll find a spectacular way to screw it up.
fridi: (Default)
[personal profile] fridi
In Western Australia's rocky deserts, previously overlooked mining companies such as Albemarle have become pivotal due to the soaring demand for lithium, essential for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This surge has thrust these miners into the spotlight as the EV industry seeks reliable lithium sources.

Australian lithium producers are experiencing a surge in interest from banks and industry stakeholders. Discussions are underway for investment deals totaling over $40 billion, aiming to expand production and develop new mining sites. Global automakers are transitioning from traditional supply agreements to direct investments in mines, securing long-term access to this critical metal.

LINK

This marks a significant shift from a few years ago when mining proposals struggled to gain traction. Now, companies that were once overlooked are partnering with major automakers, securing funding and long-term contracts. For instance, a project largely ignored in 2020 has become one of the world's most prominent lithium deposits, with its operating company's stock price increasing more than 20-fold.

LINK

Lithium prices have also experienced a dramatic rise, increasing nearly 500% in the past year. Despite some volatility, the market is expected to remain tight, with continued high prices driven by global demand. Meeting this demand will require tens of billions in new investment by the end of the decade.

LINK

In this competitive landscape, deals are becoming more complex and creative. The race for lithium is no longer optional, it's a strategic imperative for companies aiming to secure their position in the evolving energy market.

LINK
abomvubuso: (...I COULD MURDER A CURRY.)
[personal profile] abomvubuso
Hi again, fellers! Time for the new monthly topic. The one you chose for May was:

The Scramble for Resources



And here's the poll for June:

What should be the next monthly topic?

1) Emerging Superpowers
2) Failed States
3) Migration Policy
4) The Middle East
5) Historical Revisionism

Feel free to suggest more...
nairiporter: (Default)
[personal profile] nairiporter
Assuming you are not retired, do you use AI tools in your work, and how often do you use them?

Examples: Daily, weekly, seldom, or never.

I use it once a day or so, mostly for editing and clarity. It does concern me that kids won’t have to learn how to write because of it. Missed brain connections and all that.
oportet: (Default)
[personal profile] oportet
To buy or not to buy Greenland, that is the question. I think it's unlikely it will ever be a possibility, but let's assume for a moment it is.

Recent history tells us that Presidents get one good stupid shopping spree with the nation's already maxed out credit card. Biden had the Inflation Reduction / Infrastructure acts, not sure where that money went. Trump 1 spent all his on a covid response, and I'm being generous to call that shitshow a response. Obama care, failure. W had some wars, possibly the benchmark for wasteful fuckups this century.

If you accept that Trump 2 is going to get to spend a ton of money on something eventually...

For the righties - would you really want this to be it? All that talk of america first and you want him to give that much money and attention to a piece of land a few thousand miles away?

For the lefties - would you really want to close this door, having no clue what's behind door 2? What's behind door #2? Sit back a minute and let your Trump-hating imagination run wild. Not only could it be worse, it probably couldn't get much better.
airiefairie: (Default)
[personal profile] airiefairie
Well, they aren't exactly direwolves.

And naming one of them Khaleesi was an affront to the entire Game of Thrones fanbase, duh!

No, the dire wolf has not been brought back from extinction
Colossal Biosciences claims three pups born recently are dire wolves, but they are actually grey wolves with genetic edits intended to make them resemble the lost species

asthfghl: (Слушам и не вярвам на очите си!)
[personal profile] asthfghl
As global tensions intensify, the geopolitical landscape is shifting dramatically. While China asserts itself with growing confidence, and global powers compete for influence, Trump is taking an active diplomatic approach toward Putin, aiming to broker an end to the war in Ukraine. Though talks have reportedly led to a proposed 30-day ceasefire and reduced strikes in the Black Sea, the broader implications suggest something more complex: a reordering of global power reminiscent of post-war summits like Yalta:

Trump's approach reflects a worldview in which powerful nations divide spheres of influence and avoid interfering in each other's regions. This realpolitik mindset raises concerns about the future of Ukraine and, by extension, Europe. If Ukraine's fate is decided without its input, it signals a troubling shift: Europe's autonomy and security could be negotiated away behind closed doors.

Read more... )
airiefairie: (Default)
[personal profile] airiefairie
The rule of power, when unchecked by democratic norms and institutions, often manifests as a consolidation of authority that undermines civil liberties and the rule of law. In the United States, President Donald Trump's recent actions exemplify this trend. His administration has targeted Democratic-aligned organizations such as ActBlue and Indivisible with threats of criminal investigations, raising concerns about the use of federal agencies to suppress political opposition. Also, Trump's public admiration for authoritarian leaders like El Salvador's Nayib Bukele and Hungary's Viktor Orban, coupled with his dismissal of judicial orders, signals a troubling shift towards autocratic governance:

https://www.vox.com/on-the-right-newsletter/408798/trump-nayib-bukele-authoritarian

https://apnews.com/article/democrats-trump-actblue-indivisible-legal-threat-fbi-42f502bcb5888b12628629710c6eb21b

Read more... )
luzribeiro: (Holycow)
[personal profile] luzribeiro
Dipshitty dipshits keeping on doing dipshitty stuff.



Influencers 'new' threat to uncontacted tribes, warns group after US tourist arrest

Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, allegedly landed on North Sentinel Island in an apparent attempt to make contact with the isolated Sentinelese tribe, filming his visit and leaving a can of coke and a coconut on the shore.
.....Mr Polyakov blew a whistle off the shore of the island in a bid to attract the attention of the tribe for about an hour.
He then landed for about five minutes, leaving his offerings, collecting samples and recording a video.
It is illegal for foreigners or Indians to travel within 5km (three miles) of the islands in order to protect the people living there.
......such visits pose a threat to a community which has no immunity to outside diseases.


Or hey, maybe you can contract something from there and bring it back to the rest of the planet! Wait... nevermind that.
In November 2018, John Allen Chau, also a US national, was killed by the tribe after visiting the same island.
Mr Chau was shot with bows and arrows upon landing:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46293221

That's part of a wider problem of course. Influencers are having to engage in more and more outrageous activities to attract attention. As a result one has been shot, several have fallen off cliffs and many have suffered well deserved punches to the face. There have been some high profile arrests as well including in Asia where some countries have strict laws against causing offence.

A 'click' is a powerful thing. Seems it's like social media heroin.
abomvubuso: (Groovy Kol)
[personal profile] abomvubuso
The global trade war that has just escalated has already had ripple effects, and its long-term consequences are still unfolding. While the immediate impacts were widely analysed, here are some likely long-term effects:

Read more... )

So in brief, the long-term effects of the trade war sparked under Trump will include fractured global supply chains, weakened international trade rules, rising protectionism, and a shift toward economic nationalism. While some industries will adapt and new will alliances form, global trade will become more fragmented overall, less efficient, and more politicised, potentially slowing global economic growth and innovation significantly.
luzribeiro: (Rabbit!)
[personal profile] luzribeiro
Social media has become flooded with penguin memes after Trump slapped 10% tariffs on all exports from the Heard and McDonald Islands, barren sub-Antarctic Australian territories. Both islands are uninhabited by humans, but home to thousands of penguins.

Nothing can stop you from being dumb, I guess.






airiefairie: (Default)
[personal profile] airiefairie
On March 25, Rumeysa Öztürk, a Turkish PhD student at Tufts University, was heading to iftar when six masked Homeland Security agents in unmarked vehicles grabbed her off the street. They took her phone, handcuffed her, and transported her 2,300 kilometers away to a detention center in Louisiana—without charges, without a lawyer, and without an explanation for days:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt5asWzmaNA

Her so-called crime? Writing an article for the university newspaper criticizing Tufts' weak response to Israel’s war on Gaza. That’s it. She wasn’t armed, she wasn’t involved in criminal activity - she just used her right to free speech. But in the America we’re watching unfold, that’s enough to make you a target.

Officials justified her detention by claiming she was engaged in “activities supporting Hamas.” What activities? They didn’t say. They didn’t have to. Because in authoritarian regimes, an accusation is enough. No evidence is required, no explanation is given, and no apologies are made.

Read more... )
abomvubuso: (...I COULD MURDER A CURRY.)
[personal profile] abomvubuso
Hi again, dudes & dudettes! Time for our new installment of the monthly topic. The one you guys chose last time was...

The Rule of Power



And here's the poll for May:

What should be the next monthly topic?

1) Migration Policy
2) Capitalism and Consumerism
3) Hybrid Warfare
4) The Scramble for Resources
5) Failed States

Feel free to suggest more...
mahnmut: (ROFL MAO!)
[personal profile] mahnmut
'Shining anus' volcano in Tonga coughs up cloud of smoke during recent eruption — Earth from space

A 2022 satellite photo shows smoke rising from a caldera on Tofua, highlighting the "looming threat" of the volcanic island.

airiefairie: (Default)
[personal profile] airiefairie
Hmmm. Greenland possesses significant, largely untapped, mineral resources, inc. rare earth elements, graphite, lithium, and other critical minerals:

PDF MAP

A lot of that is in areas that hold special value and rights to the locals. I know ethnic cleansing for resources is an American tradition, but I kinda hoped that was in the past. But alas.

Trump's lust for taking Greenland is so obvious. It has nothing to do with the security of the US. It is nothing more than a land grab for Greenland's resources. Worse, he is willing to use force, he says, to take Greenland.

The arm-twisting for Ukraine's resources for the sake of a stop of the Russian attacks is also quote telling.
kiaa: (Default)
[personal profile] kiaa
You'd think these guys have gone to tremendous lenghts for nothing. Well, if you count proving a point about fact-checking and scientific veritability as "nothing", that is.

It's not just about the true total length of blood vessels in the human body, mind you:

Credits & Style Info

Talk Politics.

A place to discuss politics without egomaniacal mods

DAILY QUOTE:
"Clearly, the penguins have finally gone too far. First they take our hearts, now they’re tanking the global economy one smug waddle at a time. Expect fish sanctions by Friday."

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