I have just noticed a typo that is significant. When I was reporting on Le Pen's arrest and ban from politics I said that this was 'usual' in a country that allows convicted criminals to vote. It should have been 'unusual'. And it is unusual. It could be the case that no one who is part of the ruling class is discouraged from being corrupt or immoral. This enables the Deep State (i.e. the globalists) to pick and choose who they expose and who is not exposed. It facilitates blackmail. But maybe Le Pen has done nothing wrong. The same sort of thing happened to Trump - as you know.
I think if I was Iran I would do a deal with North Korea and have some missile systems and nuclear technology in store in exchange for tankers of oil. I would also encourage China to have a 'home' port or two in Iran and have naval ships escort tankers to China just to dissuade anyone from interfering.
Trump railing against and threatening the Russians for not agreeing to a toothless ceasefire while continuing to supply weapons that kill Russian civilians is the height of arrogance (or perhaps stupidity)
Thanks for the update Rob and the new format is great.
Trump and his team are like a bull in a China shop running around offending people and adopting a radical impatient approach to everything.
Its sick that they support the genocide in Israel and would like even more war with Iran.
I agree with your opinion on Trump's attitude to the ceasefire.
For all his words on achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine-as the days go by it looks more and more like that is not what he wants.
The minerals for loans/ aid deal is capitalism at its worst.
With the US starting the war in attempts to weaken Russia and now planning on leaving the bag with the Euro moron/sycophants while you pick up the resources/ assets is devious.
I think his plan to tackle the US trade deficit with tariffs, is again, too radical.
If it wasn't for the capitalists off shoring everything there would be far more jobs in traditional industries. But that ship has sailed a long time ago.
While it is a good idea to bring some trade protection in. Setting tariffs on the whole world could be risky when they hold most of your national debt.
Just when you think our 'leaders' have a bad week they come up with an even worse one.
Thanks for that Anthony. I was actually looking for a cartoon of Trump as a bull in a China shop so I could use it. That's just how he appears at the moment as you say. From what I've heard of the minerals deal, it appears more appropriate Slavery than Capitalism ( as a 'mode of production') but we still don't know what sort of deal - if any - will be agreed eventually. I agree that the Trump's tariff policy is a little dangerous and unpredictable - I have no idea whether it will work or not but I'm not optimistic - which is unusual.
Thanks Rob. After studying some economics myself the one thing that I would think you need before increasing external tariffs is a relatively strong home industry.
Is US industry robust enough to increase for new demand? If not that will be inflationary.
But there are also deflationary aspects to the tariffs and the two togather can be quite messy.
Something had/has to be done to reign in the uneven trade balance in many countries in the world-but just not so radical or all at once.
With respect to the US they are the largest victim with a trade deficit of over a Trillion.
Around a third of that deficit is to China alone.
With the trade war started and US un-stability present, I can see a lot of US treasuries being dumped. With a few heads rolling here or there.
Thanks Anthony - I think you know more about economics as it applies to the current situation than I do - but it is is all very unpredictable. Interesting times.
Although Switzerland has presented an extremely shameful image in recent years, losing its trust as a neutral country, I dare to report:
The Swiss media, government, politicians, and virtually all other influential figures in the country lament the US's "punitive tariffs" and disregard for free trade, while subserviently, in line with EU and NATO, it unhesitatingly damages the economies of other countries with sanctions and also imposes (punitive) tariffs. In subservient, shameful, preemptive obedience to the EU and NATO, it imposes even more sanctions against Russia than the EU itself.
It is an unprecedented level of incompetence, lack of insight, incompetence, economic self-harm, political self-destruction through disregard for neutrality and thus the destruction of the trust of other countries—in other words, an unprecedented level of fanatical delusion.
But that's not all. Even now, when a general lifting of sanctions would be beneficial to the Swiss economy, the Swiss elites, in their inflexibility and infantile subservience to the EU and NATO, have no intention of abandoning the sanctions regime.
In their arrogance, conceit, and contempt for their own population, the Swiss elites act as if two popular initiatives weren't pending: one obliging the government to maintain neutrality and prohibiting sanctions, while the other establishes direct democratic participation in in-ternational treaties and prevents passive EU membership (EU membership through the back door). (Google translation)
Schriftdeutsch:
Obwohl die Schweiz in den letzten Jahren ein äusserst beschämendes Bild abgegeben hat, ihr Vertrauen als neutrales Land verloren hat, wage ich es daraus zu berichten:
Die schweizerischen Medien, Regierung, Politiker und weitgehend alle übrigen im Lande Bestimmenden bejammern die «Strafzölle» der USA und die Missachtung des Freihandels während sie unterwürfig, EU- und Nato-konform, bedenkenlos die Wirtschaft anderer Länder mit Sanktionen schädigt und ebenso (Straf)Zölle erheben. In unterwürfigem, beschämendem, vorauseilendem Gehorsam zur EU und Nato gegen Russland gar mehr Sanktionen als die EU selbst.
Es ist ein beispielloses Ausmass an Inkompetenz, Uneinsichtigkeit, Inkompetenz, wirtschaftlicher Selbstschädigung, politischer Selbstzerstörung durch Missachtung der Neutralität und damit Zerstörung des Vertrauens anderer Länder, also an beispielloser fanatischer Verblendung.
Doch damit nicht genug. Selbst aktuell wo eine generelle Aufhebung der Sanktionen zum Wohle der schweizerischen Wirtschaft wäre, denken die schweizerische Eliten in ihrer Uneinsichtigkeit und infantilen Unterwürfigkeit zur EU- und Nato nicht daran, das Sanktionsregime aufzugeben.
In ihrer Überheblichkeit, Arroganz und Verachtung gegenüber der eigenen Bevölkerung tun die schweizerischen Eliten so, als wären nicht zwei Volksinitiativen anstehend, welche die eine die Regierung zur Einhaltung der Neutralität und zu Verbot von Sanktionen verpflichtet, während die andere direktdemokratische Mitsprache bei völkerrechtlichen Verträgen festlegt und eine EU-Passivmitgliedschaft (EU-Mitgliedschaft durch die Hintertür) verhindert.
It sounds as if the situation in Switzerland is complicated. You are right of course: the people who govern us are not competent and this has led to much self-harm - especially with regard to sanctions on Russia. But leaders don't care about the population. Annalena Baerbock demonstrated her disdain for her people when she said she would ignore their wishes to arm Ukraine. Here in the UK, Starmer has also shown that he has no regard for the British people. They are all serving a globalist master not those who vote for them.
Money seems to be the only force to slow down the Trump train.
He has lost a couple state level elections in the US recently as a revolt against his policies.
The super elites will shut him down if they are threatened.
and they might be threated by a widespread anger in the inflation and failing US economy
The democratic party is part of the uniparty so don't expect much from them
Pepe Escobar, and others, make a strong case that Yemen is the Moral Force against genocide and Yemen will not stop. There has been too little media attention of the attacks in Israel, for example at the airport, and how that is unsettling their state.
I just realised that I hadn't responded to your last sentence which is important. From the Palestinians, I think the world is learning the importance of being a human fighting against inhumanity. The Houthi provide the same lesson. Whereas the weak moral system available to Westerners allows for deviation in order to pursue material or other benefits, this option is not available to the Palestinians or the Houthis. Both have challenged injustice even though they know that their very existence is imperiled by their challenge. The Palestinians did this for themselves and for those who will come after them but the Houthis took risks because they could not turn away from an injustice inflicted on close relations. We can learn from this because it provides a guide to the true nature of humanity. I think we can also learn that victory can be understood as 'resistance'; it is the cry of the oppressed. So long as resistance continues in Yemen or Gaza, the Israelis and the American haven't achieved victory according to their understanding of the term - since victory for these people involves the end of resistance - i.e. annihilation - they can never be victorious. The US can bomb the infrastructure in Yemen and the Israelis can do the same in Gaza but they do not have the strength to end resistance. As long as we Westerners, as oppressed people, continue to resist, the elites will never achieve victory over us.
A. What the world is learning from the Palestinians:
1. That western governments are totally corrupted by the Zionist lobbies. Their collective failure to sanction the genocidal, apartheid state of Israel shouts loudly that they have been compromised by Zionist money and corporate power.
2. That the Palestinians are the bravest people on the planet.
3. That the Gulf states have to get out from under the US boot heel, and start militarily supporting the Axis of Resistance. Failure to do so could jeopardise their own safety, as Israel's ruthless expansionist ambitions know no bounds.
I studied economics quite extensively a long time ago but I have forgotten all but the basics. But Trump's tariff war doesn't sound feasible to me. I can see where he's coming from but it seems to be a huge gamble to me. I'll leave dissection and speculation to the experts. We live in interesting times do we not.
Hi Rob, you say “Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar have insisted that the US will not be allowed to use their territory to launch an attack on Iran.”
I myself fully expect them to betray Iran at some stage.
Backstabbing is the Middle Eastern name of the game and one they play so well.
Did you read about the Greence air fighter drills that took part amongst various countries?
Israel along with fighter pilots from The UAE and most surprisingly Qatar.
Thanks Pete. Middle East countries such as Saudi Arabia, etc. along with Turkiye will realise at some point that they are backing the wrong side. I think that the Saudis etc. may not have a sense of loyalty towards Iran but if this thing explodes into a conflict with the US and Israel attacking Iran from their soil, their palaces and their oil field will be trashed. For this reason, I think they will continue to prevent their airfields being used.
I have just noticed a typo that is significant. When I was reporting on Le Pen's arrest and ban from politics I said that this was 'usual' in a country that allows convicted criminals to vote. It should have been 'unusual'. And it is unusual. It could be the case that no one who is part of the ruling class is discouraged from being corrupt or immoral. This enables the Deep State (i.e. the globalists) to pick and choose who they expose and who is not exposed. It facilitates blackmail. But maybe Le Pen has done nothing wrong. The same sort of thing happened to Trump - as you know.
Thank you.
I think if I was Iran I would do a deal with North Korea and have some missile systems and nuclear technology in store in exchange for tankers of oil. I would also encourage China to have a 'home' port or two in Iran and have naval ships escort tankers to China just to dissuade anyone from interfering.
Bill
It would seem, that if Iran had a few nukes, that the US would back off. It sure worked for N.Kore.
Cheers Bill. I think all the things you say could happen but I have no idea whether they will or not.
Great write up as usual, Rob. Thank you.
Trump railing against and threatening the Russians for not agreeing to a toothless ceasefire while continuing to supply weapons that kill Russian civilians is the height of arrogance (or perhaps stupidity)
So True.
Thanks for the update Rob and the new format is great.
Trump and his team are like a bull in a China shop running around offending people and adopting a radical impatient approach to everything.
Its sick that they support the genocide in Israel and would like even more war with Iran.
I agree with your opinion on Trump's attitude to the ceasefire.
For all his words on achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine-as the days go by it looks more and more like that is not what he wants.
The minerals for loans/ aid deal is capitalism at its worst.
With the US starting the war in attempts to weaken Russia and now planning on leaving the bag with the Euro moron/sycophants while you pick up the resources/ assets is devious.
I think his plan to tackle the US trade deficit with tariffs, is again, too radical.
If it wasn't for the capitalists off shoring everything there would be far more jobs in traditional industries. But that ship has sailed a long time ago.
While it is a good idea to bring some trade protection in. Setting tariffs on the whole world could be risky when they hold most of your national debt.
Just when you think our 'leaders' have a bad week they come up with an even worse one.
Thanks for that Anthony. I was actually looking for a cartoon of Trump as a bull in a China shop so I could use it. That's just how he appears at the moment as you say. From what I've heard of the minerals deal, it appears more appropriate Slavery than Capitalism ( as a 'mode of production') but we still don't know what sort of deal - if any - will be agreed eventually. I agree that the Trump's tariff policy is a little dangerous and unpredictable - I have no idea whether it will work or not but I'm not optimistic - which is unusual.
Thanks Rob. After studying some economics myself the one thing that I would think you need before increasing external tariffs is a relatively strong home industry.
Is US industry robust enough to increase for new demand? If not that will be inflationary.
But there are also deflationary aspects to the tariffs and the two togather can be quite messy.
Something had/has to be done to reign in the uneven trade balance in many countries in the world-but just not so radical or all at once.
With respect to the US they are the largest victim with a trade deficit of over a Trillion.
Around a third of that deficit is to China alone.
With the trade war started and US un-stability present, I can see a lot of US treasuries being dumped. With a few heads rolling here or there.
Interesting times to live in.
Thanks Anthony - I think you know more about economics as it applies to the current situation than I do - but it is is all very unpredictable. Interesting times.
Although Switzerland has presented an extremely shameful image in recent years, losing its trust as a neutral country, I dare to report:
The Swiss media, government, politicians, and virtually all other influential figures in the country lament the US's "punitive tariffs" and disregard for free trade, while subserviently, in line with EU and NATO, it unhesitatingly damages the economies of other countries with sanctions and also imposes (punitive) tariffs. In subservient, shameful, preemptive obedience to the EU and NATO, it imposes even more sanctions against Russia than the EU itself.
It is an unprecedented level of incompetence, lack of insight, incompetence, economic self-harm, political self-destruction through disregard for neutrality and thus the destruction of the trust of other countries—in other words, an unprecedented level of fanatical delusion.
But that's not all. Even now, when a general lifting of sanctions would be beneficial to the Swiss economy, the Swiss elites, in their inflexibility and infantile subservience to the EU and NATO, have no intention of abandoning the sanctions regime.
In their arrogance, conceit, and contempt for their own population, the Swiss elites act as if two popular initiatives weren't pending: one obliging the government to maintain neutrality and prohibiting sanctions, while the other establishes direct democratic participation in in-ternational treaties and prevents passive EU membership (EU membership through the back door). (Google translation)
Schriftdeutsch:
Obwohl die Schweiz in den letzten Jahren ein äusserst beschämendes Bild abgegeben hat, ihr Vertrauen als neutrales Land verloren hat, wage ich es daraus zu berichten:
Die schweizerischen Medien, Regierung, Politiker und weitgehend alle übrigen im Lande Bestimmenden bejammern die «Strafzölle» der USA und die Missachtung des Freihandels während sie unterwürfig, EU- und Nato-konform, bedenkenlos die Wirtschaft anderer Länder mit Sanktionen schädigt und ebenso (Straf)Zölle erheben. In unterwürfigem, beschämendem, vorauseilendem Gehorsam zur EU und Nato gegen Russland gar mehr Sanktionen als die EU selbst.
Es ist ein beispielloses Ausmass an Inkompetenz, Uneinsichtigkeit, Inkompetenz, wirtschaftlicher Selbstschädigung, politischer Selbstzerstörung durch Missachtung der Neutralität und damit Zerstörung des Vertrauens anderer Länder, also an beispielloser fanatischer Verblendung.
Doch damit nicht genug. Selbst aktuell wo eine generelle Aufhebung der Sanktionen zum Wohle der schweizerischen Wirtschaft wäre, denken die schweizerische Eliten in ihrer Uneinsichtigkeit und infantilen Unterwürfigkeit zur EU- und Nato nicht daran, das Sanktionsregime aufzugeben.
In ihrer Überheblichkeit, Arroganz und Verachtung gegenüber der eigenen Bevölkerung tun die schweizerischen Eliten so, als wären nicht zwei Volksinitiativen anstehend, welche die eine die Regierung zur Einhaltung der Neutralität und zu Verbot von Sanktionen verpflichtet, während die andere direktdemokratische Mitsprache bei völkerrechtlichen Verträgen festlegt und eine EU-Passivmitgliedschaft (EU-Mitgliedschaft durch die Hintertür) verhindert.
It sounds as if the situation in Switzerland is complicated. You are right of course: the people who govern us are not competent and this has led to much self-harm - especially with regard to sanctions on Russia. But leaders don't care about the population. Annalena Baerbock demonstrated her disdain for her people when she said she would ignore their wishes to arm Ukraine. Here in the UK, Starmer has also shown that he has no regard for the British people. They are all serving a globalist master not those who vote for them.
Money seems to be the only force to slow down the Trump train.
He has lost a couple state level elections in the US recently as a revolt against his policies.
The super elites will shut him down if they are threatened.
and they might be threated by a widespread anger in the inflation and failing US economy
The democratic party is part of the uniparty so don't expect much from them
Pepe Escobar, and others, make a strong case that Yemen is the Moral Force against genocide and Yemen will not stop. There has been too little media attention of the attacks in Israel, for example at the airport, and how that is unsettling their state.
What is the world learning from the Palestinians?
I just realised that I hadn't responded to your last sentence which is important. From the Palestinians, I think the world is learning the importance of being a human fighting against inhumanity. The Houthi provide the same lesson. Whereas the weak moral system available to Westerners allows for deviation in order to pursue material or other benefits, this option is not available to the Palestinians or the Houthis. Both have challenged injustice even though they know that their very existence is imperiled by their challenge. The Palestinians did this for themselves and for those who will come after them but the Houthis took risks because they could not turn away from an injustice inflicted on close relations. We can learn from this because it provides a guide to the true nature of humanity. I think we can also learn that victory can be understood as 'resistance'; it is the cry of the oppressed. So long as resistance continues in Yemen or Gaza, the Israelis and the American haven't achieved victory according to their understanding of the term - since victory for these people involves the end of resistance - i.e. annihilation - they can never be victorious. The US can bomb the infrastructure in Yemen and the Israelis can do the same in Gaza but they do not have the strength to end resistance. As long as we Westerners, as oppressed people, continue to resist, the elites will never achieve victory over us.
A. What the world is learning from the Palestinians:
1. That western governments are totally corrupted by the Zionist lobbies. Their collective failure to sanction the genocidal, apartheid state of Israel shouts loudly that they have been compromised by Zionist money and corporate power.
2. That the Palestinians are the bravest people on the planet.
3. That the Gulf states have to get out from under the US boot heel, and start militarily supporting the Axis of Resistance. Failure to do so could jeopardise their own safety, as Israel's ruthless expansionist ambitions know no bounds.
I studied economics quite extensively a long time ago but I have forgotten all but the basics. But Trump's tariff war doesn't sound feasible to me. I can see where he's coming from but it seems to be a huge gamble to me. I'll leave dissection and speculation to the experts. We live in interesting times do we not.
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Rob - the demonstrations in Istanbul are in support of the mayor - not the major....great report as usual.
Thanks for that John - well spotted. I've altered it.
Hi Rob, you say “Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar have insisted that the US will not be allowed to use their territory to launch an attack on Iran.”
I myself fully expect them to betray Iran at some stage.
Backstabbing is the Middle Eastern name of the game and one they play so well.
Did you read about the Greence air fighter drills that took part amongst various countries?
Israel along with fighter pilots from The UAE and most surprisingly Qatar.
https://www.newarab.com/news/israel-and-arab-states-carry-out-air-force-drills-greece?amp
Thanks Pete. Middle East countries such as Saudi Arabia, etc. along with Turkiye will realise at some point that they are backing the wrong side. I think that the Saudis etc. may not have a sense of loyalty towards Iran but if this thing explodes into a conflict with the US and Israel attacking Iran from their soil, their palaces and their oil field will be trashed. For this reason, I think they will continue to prevent their airfields being used.
Thanks for the O'Hara link. Not subscribed yet but have 'bookmarked'.
Cheers.
Thanks Rob, excellent as always. Cheers.