Image is from @Parsani@hexbear.net, who got it from @RNAi@hexbear.net, who got it from Discord.
Thread update: Prigozhin's fucking dead.
The BRICS summit will begin on Tuesday and end on Thursday, with various world leaders, politicians, and representatives meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.
America's anxiety about the summit has been obvious. They have been complicating the event by pushing for the arrest warrant for Putin to be upheld if he steps foot in the country. While this is a remarkably dangerous and unhinged thing to do - even by America's standards - to the leader of a nuclear superpower who could end the world within an hour, it does betray their desperation. Unfortunately, for those of us who wanted to see Putin surrounded by an army of security guards fending off people holding handcuffs, he has sent his Foreign Minister, Lavrov, in his place. Additionally, America has likely been spreading rumors about the lack of interest in gaining new members in the organization.
With apparently 20 countries formally seeking membership and another 20 informally doing so, the bloc has been elevated, whether they like it or not, to the position of the international vanguard of the non-western world. It is extremely important to say that this is not the same as it becoming an anti-American bloc, and many of them (including original members Brazil and India) wish to keep a friendly relationship with the United States. Nonetheless, with the United States' policy of "if you are not with us, you are against us," and as the US seeks to weaken China, in coming years many of them might find themselves under hostile pressure.
BRICS has to try and solve many problems if they are going to chip away at America's stranglehold of the world economy. These problems - like mitigating the dollar's status as a global reserve currency, and America's dominant role in the world economy - are extremely complicated, and will takes years, even decades, to be overcome. Therefore, one should temper their expectations and excitement for this summit. It took tens of millions of deaths in cataclysmic wars, and then several more decades, for America to reach its current position. I see no reason to believe why its downfall will be any less bloody and elongated.
To end on a less depressing note, I've been searching for appropriate anagrams given the list of countries that seek to join BRICS. Obviously not all of them will make it in, but even so. The best I've come up with is HIBISCUS EMANCIPATES BBBBKKRVV.
(also, "bulletins and news discussion" can be rearranged to "libidinous newsstands uncles".)
Here is the map of the Ukraine conflict, courtesy of Wikipedia.
This week's first update is here in the comments.
This week's second update is here in the comments.
Links and Stuff
The bulletins site is down.
Examples of Ukrainian Nazis and fascists
Examples of racism/euro-centrism during the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Add to the above list if you can.
Resources For Understanding The War
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.
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.
Telegram Channels
Again, CW for anti-LGBT and racist, sexist, etc speech, as well as combat footage.
Pro-Russian
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
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.
Last week's discussion post.
Update for August 21st
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Global
Scientists raise alarm over global spread of new highly-mutated COVID-19 variant^WSWS^
Dramatic report on world water resources, four billion people affected^MP^
China urges Brics to become geopolitical rival to G7^FT^
According to an unidentified Chinese official. Hmm.
Cyril Ramaphosa seeks to avoid global powers ‘contest’ over Brics expansion^FT^
Chinese Automakers Prominent at BRICS Summit^CGS^
Ukraine and Russia tussle for attention and influence at BRICS summit^EN^
Given what the 'R' stands for in BRICS, I think I might know who's gonna win this one.
China-led de-dollarisation gains traction among emerging economies ahead of Brics summit^SCMP^
Europe
Pursuit of a modern-day US steel industry leader will test Biden’s trustbusters^FT^
‘We’re in the lap of the gods’: UK farmers contend with extreme weather^FT^
UK wage growth cannot conceal escalating cost-of-living surge and social inequality^WSWS^
Understanding the belated rise of Portugal’s new far right^GL^
Nearly two-thirds of Germans want new government, poll says^DW^
Study: Czech economy falls into middle-income trap^Euractiv^
Poland is becoming Washington's gateway for regional energy diplomacy^EN^
Western Asia
'Like rain': Saudi forces killed hundreds of Ethiopian migrants^AM^
Israeli police accused of branding Star of David on Palestinian man's cheek^MEE^
Iran, Brazil to launch direct shipping line^AM^
Orchestrating coups integral part of US, UK policies: Kanaani^AM^
No lies detected.
Central Asia
Russia's Luna-25 has smashed into the moon^CGTN^
For all we know, there was a Ukrainian ammo dump right there.
Turkmenistan signals major change in energy-export stance^BNE^
Tajik women turn to polygamy for survival^DW^
Pakistan Events Confirm that Washington Prefers Compliant Autocrats Over Feisty Democrats^AW^
Eastern Asia and Oceania
China points to CIA again in second case of alleged spy recruitment^SCMP^
China surprisingly holds mortgage rate, underwhelming move raises easing outlook concerns^SCMP^
China’s property-driven economic crisis is real but it’s not facing a ‘Lehman moment’^SCMP^
I know what they mean but I read it like you might read "Reddit moment" and found it quite funny.
China’s largest quantum computing cloud platform opens^ANN^
Mainland China bans Taiwanese mangoes in latest trade barb, Taipei hits out at ‘one-sided’ act^SCMP^
Vietnamese workers growing in numbers, contributing to Taiwan’s economy, as island seeks labour^SCMP^
North Korean hacking group targets Korea-US combined exercise^ANN^
Kim oversees DPRK cruise missile test ahead of Seoul, US drills^AM^
China approves restarting North Korea commercial flights^DW^
Indonesian ministry decries EU trade ‘colonialism’ amid biodiesel investigation^ANN^
Forget world domination, India won’t catch up with China any time soon^SCMP^
Modi emerges as preferred candidate for PM’s post, Rahul Gandhi distant second ^TS^
Bangladesh’s Rooppur nuclear power plant will be ready on time, but power generation delayed^ANN^
[Australian] Unemployment is up and the Reserve Bank will make sure it gets worse^GL^
Survey shows majority of New Zealanders struggling financially^WSWS^
Africa
S.Africa receives funds from BRICS bank, China supports bloc expansion^AM^
Chinese Company Expands Footprint in South Africa’s Energy Sector With New Solar Project^CGS^
West African bloc says 'D-Day' set for possible Niger intervention^CGTN^
Chinese weapons supplier Norinco expands influence in West Africa, challenging Russia and France^SCMP^
Moscow unlikely to give up Niger toehold as threat of ECOWAS military action looms^BNE^
Niger's junta warns against military intervention, vows return to civilian rule within 3 years^AN^
ECOWAS envoys in Niger to find peaceful solution to crisis^AN^
Niger junta, ECOWAS talks yield little^AM^ New US envoy arrives in Niger, no policy change yet: State Dept^AM^
The stalled decolonization^MR^
Yet another (relatively short) piece on Niger, though I like this one a lot and I learned new things from it.
Sudan: aid official urges international community to provide funds^AN^
Cuban leader reaffirms support for Angola^MP^
expand
North America
Challenges are marring the semiconductor boom in the U.S.^CGTN^
Failing to find buyers not afraid of Iran, US unloads stolen oil cargo^AM^
Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.
Museum Workers Are Tired of Being paid in Cultural Cachet - So They're Unionizing^Jacobin^
Trump not to partake in Republican primaries, citing 'legendary' lead^AM^
Folks, it's humongous. It's the best lead anybody's ever had. Believe me. (honestly it probably is, Meatball's not doing so great.)
Hurricane Hilary downgraded as Mexico, California brace for 'catastrophic' impact^CGTN^
Russian firm escalates dispute with Canada over seized cargo plane^Bilaterals^ Wildfires in Canada's BC intensify, doubling evacuations to over 35,000^CGTN^
Latin America
Leftist Gonzalez leads Ecuador polls, heads to runoff with businessman^AM^
Leftist Arevalo with anti-corruption program Guatemala's new President^AM^
Kenya deploys reconnaissance mission to Haiti^AN^
Ecuador: Government Rejects Accusation of Villavicencio Murder^TS^
Javier Milei plans to give a “prominent role” to Mauricio Macri in his future government^MP^
Brazil to restore trade, political ties with Cuba, says Lula aide^AM^
The War Against The West
Ortega reportedly allowing Russian military to establish bases, cruise missile batteries in Nicaragua^BNE^
West not willing to negotiate with Russia: Russian FM^CGTN^
US ‘Fears’ Ukraine Is Too ‘Casualty Averse’^SP^
Is Erdogan’s High-Wire Act Running Out of Rope?^NC^
Ukraine, Sweden ink statement for cooperation on CV90 infantry vehicle^AM^
Outgoing Dutch PM criticised for F-16 deliveries to Ukraine^Euractiv^
The left's statement should have been as strong if not stronger than the right's, but alas.
New trilateral partnership^ANN^
Canberra inks $1.3bln Tomahawk deal, goes off-coast eyeing China^AM^
Taiwan, US commence second-round trade talks^Bilaterals^
PLA's sudden, swift joint drills around Taiwan island highlighted by live munitions, multi-source intelligence support^GT^
Documents Show Taiwan Working With FBI to Prosecute Chinese Americans, Intimidate US Politicians^MPN^
Poll: Two in five Americans believe direct conflict with China likely^RS^
Retrospectives, Analysis, History, Theory, and Technology
A Russian Paper on New Currency/International Reserve Options Finds No Magic Bullets^NC^
No way out but through.
Shawn Fain Is Right: The Workweek Should Be Shorter^Jacobin^
The US Destroyed Iranian Democracy to Uphold British Imperialism^Jacobin^
Uncommon Jacobin Ws.
70 years after Iranian coup, the British still won’t confess to their crimes^RNN^
How Privatization Robs Us of Our Most Precious Assets^CA^
Ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which humans and whose rights still matter?^ET^
LGBTQIA+
LGBTQ+ Ethiopians flee in the face of sudden crackdown^DW^
Climate and the Environment
‘Bidenomics’ aims for global green transition, but it’s hampered by anti-China strategy^PW^
WOW! It's almost like there's a contradiction between what they're stating vs what they're actually doing! The Democrats would NEVER do this to me!
Climate change: China’s hydrogen sector faces overcapacity risk as ambitious production plans outstrip demand, say analysts^SCMP^
Suffering from success.
Unusual Pacific Storms Like Hurricane Hilary Could be a Warning for the Future^ICN^
Frustrated by a Lack of Details, Communities Await Federal Decision on Protecting New York From Coastal Storm Surges^ICN^
For Florida’s Ailing Corals, No Relief From the Heat^ICN^
India government sets emission limit for hydrogen to qualify as ‘green’^Euractiv^
Regardless of whether that's a good limit, at least they're actually fucking stating it, y'know? The hydrogen colors have really just turned into "It means whatever I think it should mean".
I Love My Trans Comrades!