Image is a frame taken from this video of Iranian missiles raining down on Israel without interception due to a weak and depleted air defense system after a year of war and genocide.
Mao, 1956:
Now U.S. imperialism is quite powerful, but in reality it isn't. It is very weak politically because it is divorced from the masses of the people and is disliked by everybody and by the American people too. In appearance it is very powerful but in reality it is nothing to be afraid of, it is a paper tiger. Outwardly a tiger, it is made of paper, unable to withstand the wind and the rain. I believe the United States is nothing but a paper tiger.
When we say U.S. imperialism is a paper tiger, we are speaking in terms of strategy. Regarding it as a whole, we must despise it. But regarding each part, we must take it seriously. It has claws and fangs. We have to destroy it piecemeal. For instance, if it has ten fangs, knock off one the first time, and there will be nine left, knock off another, and there will be eight left. When all the fangs are gone, it will still have claws. If we deal with it step by step and in earnest, we will certainly succeed in the end.
Strategically, we must utterly despise U.S. imperialism. Tactically, we must take it seriously. In struggling against it, we must take each battle, each encounter, seriously. At present, the United States is powerful, but when looked at in a broader perspective, as a whole and from a long-term viewpoint, it has no popular support, its policies are disliked by the people, because it oppresses and exploits them. For this reason, the tiger is doomed. Therefore, it is nothing to be afraid of and can be despised. But today the United States still has strength, turning out more than 100 million tons of steel a year and hitting out everywhere. That is why we must continue to wage struggles against it, fight it with all our might and wrest one position after another from it. And that takes time.
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Israel-Palestine Conflict
Sources on the fighting in Palestine against Israel. In general, CW for footage of battles, explosions, dead people, and so on:
UNRWA reports on Israel's destruction and siege of Gaza and the West Bank.
English-language Palestinian Marxist-Leninist twitter account. Alt here.
English-language twitter account that collates news.
Arab-language twitter account with videos and images of fighting.
English-language (with some Arab retweets) Twitter account based in Lebanon. - Telegram is @IbnRiad.
English-language Palestinian Twitter account which reports on news from the Resistance Axis. - Telegram is @EyesOnSouth.
English-language Twitter account in the same group as the previous two. - Telegram here.
English-language PalestineResist telegram channel.
More telegram channels here for those interested.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Examples of Ukrainian Nazis and fascists
Examples of racism/euro-centrism during the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Sources:
Defense Politics Asia's youtube channel and their map. Their youtube channel has substantially diminished in quality but the map is still useful.
Moon of Alabama, which tends to have interesting analysis. Avoid the comment section.
Understanding War and the Saker: reactionary sources that have occasional insights on the war.
Alexander Mercouris, who does daily videos on the conflict. While he is a reactionary and surrounds himself with likeminded people, his daily update videos are relatively brainworm-free and good if you don't want to follow Russian telegram channels to get news. He also co-hosts The Duran, which is more explicitly conservative, racist, sexist, transphobic, anti-communist, etc when guests are invited on, but is just about tolerable when it's just the two of them if you want a little more analysis.
Simplicius, who publishes on Substack. Like others, his political analysis should be soundly ignored, but his knowledge of weaponry and military strategy is generally quite good.
On the ground: Patrick Lancaster, an independent and very good journalist reporting in the warzone on the separatists' side.
Unedited videos of Russian/Ukrainian press conferences and speeches.
Pro-Russian Telegram Channels:
Again, CW for anti-LGBT and racist, sexist, etc speech, as well as combat footage.
https://t.me/aleksandr_skif ~ DPR's former Defense Minister and Colonel in the DPR's forces. Russian language.
https://t.me/Slavyangrad ~ A few different pro-Russian people gather frequent content for this channel (~100 posts per day), some socialist, but all socially reactionary. If you can only tolerate using one Russian telegram channel, I would recommend this one.
https://t.me/s/levigodman ~ Does daily update posts.
https://t.me/patricklancasternewstoday ~ Patrick Lancaster's telegram channel.
https://t.me/gonzowarr ~ A big Russian commentator.
https://t.me/rybar ~ One of, if not the, biggest Russian telegram channels focussing on the war out there. Actually quite balanced, maybe even pessimistic about Russia. Produces interesting and useful maps.
https://t.me/epoddubny ~ Russian language.
https://t.me/boris_rozhin ~ Russian language.
https://t.me/mod_russia_en ~ Russian Ministry of Defense. Does daily, if rather bland updates on the number of Ukrainians killed, etc. The figures appear to be approximately accurate; if you want, reduce all numbers by 25% as a 'propaganda tax', if you don't believe them. Does not cover everything, for obvious reasons, and virtually never details Russian losses.
https://t.me/UkraineHumanRightsAbuses ~ Pro-Russian, documents abuses that Ukraine commits.
Pro-Ukraine Telegram Channels:
Almost every Western media outlet.
https://discord.gg/projectowl ~ Pro-Ukrainian OSINT Discord.
https://t.me/ice_inii ~ Alleged Ukrainian account with a rather cynical take on the entire thing.
Ok,I will say that I did put the disclaimer that that "outlet" was western owned, basically I wanted to show people what the western narrative is.
Second,I disagree that Moldova is a "colony" of Romania. They are definitely distinct in their identity,but to classify them as a different people is quite frankly ridiculous. However,you are correct when you say that Romania practically colonized Transnistria during WW2 and that it has no legitimate claim to the area.
I just can't see how the "parent" nation of modern day Moldova,the Principality of Moldavia,and which is part of official Moldovan national history,is somehow not connected also to Romania,which it practically is a founding member of. I don't deny that Moldova has its own history or culture,but I just can't square the circle that they're not at all connected to Romania (which has more Moldova than actual Moldova now).
Also,people not familiar with the history of the region?I live next to the point where Romania,Moldova and Ukraine meet,I admit, Romanian education on our national history is a bag filled with shit spreading nonsense propaganda,but to say that Moldova,who literally speaks the same language,but with more Russian loanwords and an accent is not connected to Romanian is frankly hilariously ahistorical. Again,I will fully admit that this is my one China realpolitik take,by which I mean cozying up with the west is beneficial to Romanian national interests,I don't want the immiseration of Moldovans,far from it,but the idea that they'd be doing worse than small towns and villages in Romania already are I think is overblown.
Also,you can't sit there with a straight face and tell me Moldova has a future as an independent state.Either we get it or Russia does,and frankly I'm with my country's interest on this one.Not like the whole modus opperandi of the region wasn't shifting allegiances from way back to the Ottoman times.We take what we can from the west and then when they start looking less and less attractive as an option we go to the next power,which will most likely be Russia.
Again, let me reiterate,I do not condone the west's actions,but if Romania was not captured by the West,id be saying the same thing if it would engage in a tug of war with Russia over Moldova. I don't agree with the Soviet efforts to distance the Moldovan identify from the Romanian one,but it was done to liberate the territory from the Nazi aligned government,so it was ultimately beneficial.
Now,the USSR is gone and a capitalist Russia remains, so I'm not too inclined to attach a territory that is mostly populated by people way more culturally similar to Romania to the RF,just because we're in the pocket of the West for now.
Of course,if Moldova wants to take a chance at independence,let them,but they have no economic potential.
I'm really curious as to how this is any different from Belarus and Russia?Belarus is culturally distinct and yet it seems to be more and more integrated into Russia by the day. That's not a bad thing,is it? I agree that us being under the boot of the West will make this messy and cause a lot of pain,but you can't tell me Moldova is viable as a state.
What would you prefer?A "Moldovan federation" where Gagauzia and Pridniestrovie get to boss over Chisinau and Balti? That'd just be annexation by Russia in a different manner. I don't believe Russia taking over would necessarily be a bad thing,hell,if they do something with the region, godspeed to them,but I'd prefer it if we reunite as we are brotherly peoples.
Ok,let's say Romania wasn't under NATO,and Moldova wasn't under the thumb of the US. Would you be against unification if say,Dej's Romania unified with Moldova?
Also,I'm not campaigning or anything,I'm not cheering this on, basically I'm saying I wouldn't complain if they just happened to unite with us
I want my take on this one issue to be challenged,so I appreciate your comment,this is just my perspective and I will fully admit it most likely is deeply ingrained chauvinist brainworms,but I think this one is the hardest to budge on
The western narrative which conveniently aligns with yours, and like every fascist and liberal ever.
Romanians and Moldovans are similar, yes, I'm not denying that, but Moldovans do not consider themselves Romanian. Polls continously show even after Chisinau changed the official language to Romanian that people identify as Moldovan and as speaking Moldovan. Even older Moldovan sources, Grigore Ureche, say Moldova is not Wallachia.
Romania has no legitimate claim to Moldova. The "reunification" of 1918 was done to counter a Soviet Moldova. Romanian troops went in to protect the Moldovan boyars in 1918, there was no peaceful reunification, it was annexation like the Soviets have insisted for so long.
Also, for example, in WW2, the Romanian army had over 60.000 Bessarabian defectors. Moldovans didn't want to fight on the side of Romania. There was widespread celebration and happiness as Romanians got kicked out of Moldova with the Soviet arrival
I haven't stated Romania and Moldova are not connected, of course the countries are next to each other and influence each other. The problem is that even if Romania and Moldova are similar that does not give Romania a right to annex Moldova under the pretense of gathering all Romanians from everywhere.
I wasn't referring to you, I was referring to other Hexbear users.
I agree that Moldovan and Romanian are 95% similar, yet people insist they speak Moldovan. I doubt Romanians know better than what the Moldovan people themselves say in numerous surveys
Taken from fedipedia
Yes they are similar. No that doesn't mean they are the same. Even if you understand everything being spoken that doesn't override the autonomy of those people. Language is a highly political thing and saying Moldovans speak Romanian only furthers Romanian interests in the region, in this case taking over Moldova via "reunification".
Sigh, what the fuck? Can you stop with the whole "letting them pillage the whole country is actually beneficial cause we can get the land muh soviets stole from us" that the fascists also did in WW2?
Small villages and towns are dirt poor and getting depopulated and actively brain drained. EU and Schengen would further the brain exports.
Identifying with liberal US compradors that would send you to the frontlines to fight for NATO?
NATO is building one of the biggest bases in Romania. NATO is occupying Romania, you cant just go to the next power.
I have never stated this. You seem keen to integrate Moldova in either Romania or Russia. By this standard many countries of the world shouldn't exist.
Moldova is being hollowed out by the literal US embassy. Joining Romania would make that worse as the plunder will happen by the national comprador burgeois and by the EU way easier due to reduced tarrifs and being in the same country etc.
Belarus has the Union State with Russia, they are neighbors and are integrating due to NATO aggression.
This is totally different from Belarus and Russia cause Russia isn't trying to literally annex Belarus into itself, the union state isnt that. Also look again at what you are advocating for.
Suddenly the minorities in Moldova boss around the majority, come on.
That would be up for Moldova to decide on. The current liberal narrative is that bad Stalin made up a whole language and culture just to shit on Romania, which is absurd. I can link to more pro-Moldovan historiography if you wish.
Oh,I almost forgot
I would like to explain my "Russia or Romania" stance
You are correct,I do believe many countries in the world today should not exist,either because they are colonial constructs or because they just aren't viable as states
Basically,let's take for example the Caribbean islands
There are many nations there,but they basically exist as puppets of the US,sans Cuba, wouldn't it make more sense for them to unite into a federation to be able to become stronger together and combat US influence? The other example I have in my mind is Nasser's UAR. To me it just makes more sense for countries to band together into larger entities to combat US influence. You have made a valuable point when you pointed out that as it stands,it would be more like an annexation of Moldova than a true unification. But I personally do think that the European microstates shouldn't exist,not should the Gulf States,or Singapore,with the latter two being products of colonialism and the other ones pointless anachronisms.
Let me just say first off that i agree with you about the microstates issue, and i do think that you are right about it being beneficial for countries to unite together to better resist imperialism and colonialism. That being said, the idea of present day Romania absorbing Moldova is deeply horrifying to me, it would be a catastrophe for the people of Moldova as they would immediately become NATO's new front line in the war against Russia. So long as Romania is a loyal vassal of Brussels and Washington and so long as its ruling class is top to bottom Atlanticist, russophobic compradors who do nothing but worship American and German boots any sort of unification is unacceptable and should be prevented at all costs.
If any kind of reunification is to take place there it should be with Russia so that Moldova can join the Eurasian sphere which is where the future is and where the most economic development will be happening going forward. That way Russia can help them like they are helping the liberated Donbass now to start to recover from the economic devastation of the last 30+ years since the destruction of socialism. Because its only future with the "West" and "Europe" is as yet another neocolony to be exploited and drained of everything of value by the big western European powers while being turned into a militarized NATO outpost like so many other eastern European states that were absorbed into the neoliberal EU abomination.
Romania and Poland are well on their way to becoming second and third Ukraines after the West has used up all the Ukrainians, why on earth would any sane Moldovan want to enter into this suicide pact? I think the whole discussion about whether or not Romanians and Moldovans are "one people" is irrelevant. That may even be the case, i grew up hearing that my whole childhood so the thought is hard to shake, but i really have no interest in having a whole ethno-linguistic debate about national identity, because regardless it does NOT justify unification under a Western puppet state that is currently locked without any foreseeable hope of escape in the neoliberal, totalitarian prison of the EU and being increasingly occupied and militarized by NATO.
Why would you want to doom the poor Moldovans to that fate? At least now they still have a hope of kicking out their US installed comprador government, even if they'd need a little help from Russia to do it. If they are our brothers then let's be happy for them that they have not yet been swallowed up by the Leviathan like we have.
P.S. I think the point where you are most wrong is the idea that Romania could just decide to turn away from the West once it has gotten what it wants from them. That's not how neocolonialism and imperial vassalage works. Point me to one instance where that has worked, where a country could just freely decide to exit US vassalage after its entire institutions and elite were captured and remade in the West's image. You think you're being clever bending the knee to the empire because you can opportunistically benefit from it but in the end it is always the empire that wins and you lose, and once they have you they won't ever willingly let go. For Romania to escape the EU and NATO at this point would take an all out war of decolonization.
Yeah,Im reconsidering my words, because god damn,after taking a second look I sound practically the same as a pro NATO polack
I guess it was a mix of ingrained chauvinism paired with some hope that maybe we could find a future together,but no, you're right
In an ideal world we'd have something like the Union State and we'd begin to reconcile,but this isn't that world
Now,for my verdict on whether or not the referendum will pass,I'm sorry to say,but I definitely think it will
Unless we see a similar SMO happen there,I believe the US and the EU have them by the gonads and this is the last twist before their subordination
Hopefully Transnistria and Gagauzia can peel away in the chaos,but the way I see it,the rot runs deep and they're on track to becoming a shittier Romania
I dunno,I just wanted to hope that we didn't sell our souls to Brussels for nothing and that at least we'd be reunited with Moldova
Edit:That was me having a vain hope that we could pull the same trick we did during our history,duping and playing empires against each other for our benefit,but you're right,the US is no Porte and there's no equivalent to Tzarist Russia or Austria now to use to our leverage just yet
God its depressing to think the fucking phanariots had more agency then our current ruling class does
In a different world things might be different, yes. I understand your sentiments, i even partly share them to some extent, but we can't just ignore the reality of present geopolitical conditions and act like this is something that would be happening in a vacuum. We can't just say "if reality was not what it is, then this and that would be the ideal course of action" - that is idealism and it gets us nowhere - at least nowhere good.
Unfortunately i think that we have done just that, and we have not yet seen the worst of the consequences of that disastrous deal with the devil, or if you'll pardon me bringing out a proverb from my grandma: "nu se fură tămâie de la dracu", you're never going to come out on top selling your soul even if you think you're being clever. This unification may very well happen and you may get your wish but i hope for both Moldova and Romania's sake that it doesn't, that the Moldovans will rise up to resist it, because otherwise it will only further entrench the power of Brussels and Washington over our two peoples while putting Romania on the front line of WWIII.
I wouldn't even make that comparison. Romania was never integrated with the Ottoman empire anywhere near to the extent that it is today in the Western imperialist system. Now the political, media and educational institutions are all so thoroughly captured in a way that the Ottomans never in their wildest dreams could have imagined doing. The reason why even the very idea of such "leverage" is nonsense is because to the empire, to Washington and Brussels, the notion of neutrality is anathema. They cannot and will not abide it, they are the blob, they will either absorb or destroy you.
We saw what they did to Ukraine when Yanukovich tried to play both sides and remain in the middle. Even a country as powerful as Turkey can only occasionally manage to demonstrate some semblance of opportunistic autonomy and that's only because they got lucky and even though they offered themselves up on a platter, the Europeans were still too racist to let them into the EU which would have meant complete subjugation.
Depressing but it is an important realization to come to. It is the starting point for a realistic understanding of the current situation that Romania finds itself in, and only once we understand how things are can we begin to formulate a plan to change them. When you understand what needs to be done is where the revolutionary optimism begins, so don't lose hope!