Substack SitRep: 1 September 2023
China's economy troubles real or propaganda, 74 dead in Johannesburg fire, ‘Mitch McConnell's brief flash of humanity‘, US military promises ‘hellscape’ of drone swarming in future China war...
The state of China’s economy has been non-stop news. The health of the engine of the world is major factor in determining our well-being, no matter whether we live in Knysna, Reykjavik, Leeds, or Tallahassee. Considering the tsunami of articles in pro-USA media, propaganda must be considered. But there’s undoubtedly change and challenges in China. It deserves our attention. Consequently, I’m hoping you read the links I’m providing today.
HOT QUOTE
“Capitol Hill is where warmongers and principles go to die. It’s an assisted living facility for psychopaths - a nursing home where people who receive sexual gratification from dropping military explosives on foreigners go to wait for their decomposition. The whole place smells like night terrors and urine. Capitol Hill is a gerontocratic command center where miserable octogenarians in wheelchairs and adult diapers keep pulling the levers of ecocide and nuclear brinkmanship like retirees at a Vegas slot machine as a final fuck you to younger generations who are still capable of enjoying life on this planet. It’s where they warehouse souls too atrophied and mummified to take a stand against the empire to give Americans the illusion of living in a democracy. Joe Biden called McConnell his good friend, and of course they are good friends; they are the same kind of monster…” – extract from ‘Mitch McConnell's brief flash of humanity‘.
HOT GRAPH
A blatant example of the effect of sanctions on Russia is seen in this remarkable graphic presented by Adam Tooze in his article ‘Russia's Long-War Economy’.
CHINA
AFRICA
‘The fire ruined everything’: Lives, livelihoods lost in Johannesburg blaze
Gabon: How the Bongo family’s 56-year rule has hurt the country
An Indo-French conspiracy isn’t why Algeria didn’t join BRICS
It’s premature to conclude that Gabon coup was anti-imperialism
THE HOT WAR
Maria Zakharova lectures Italy / Lavrov's Turkish talks results
Ukrainian journalists protest army censorship of reporting on the counteroffensive
“All signs point to Ukraine,” German investigation into Nord Stream 1&2 pipelines bombing finds
Poland’s latest effort to repair its soft power in Ukraine offended everyone
THE COLD WAR
US military promises ‘hellscape’ of drone swarming in future China war
US Marines’ deaths highlight secretive military exercises in Australia
THE WEST
EVERYWHERE ELSE
Iran says Israeli sabotage plot against ballistic missile programme foiled
Russia’s Medvedev warns Georgian breakaway regions could be annexed
Nagorno-Karabakh residents block Azerbaijani humanitarian aid delivery
Option of exporting Armenia goods via Iran to Arab countries, India under discussion
SOMETHING ELSE
PODCAST
DOUBLE WAKE UP!
VIDEO NEWS
SHORT DOCUMENTARY
MEANINGFUL MUSIC
Prime Creation, a straight-up heavy metal band, has a new album with a title appropriate for our times - ‘Tell Freedom I Said Hello’. It includes songs such as ‘Dystopia’ and ‘State Dominion’.