NATO War Planning -- In 2021 Ukraine | 68 comments (68 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: NATO War Planning -- In 2021 Ukraine (none / 0)

Frank's diary - The Irish Times: Neutrality and military alliances

Ireland is ranked 97 of 142 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 2.3147 just ahead of Mali and Cambodia. Same level as Ghana, Armenia, Bahrain. Why complain?

Compare Aerial, Naval and Ground Assets of Major World Powers and View Force Index of Countries Ranked by Military Strength.

Russia ranks 11th by economic strength - mainly fossil fuels and mining precious metals.

Top 15 Countries by GDP in 2022

No, I do not fear the red wave across Europe ...

Europe's dependence on the United States for its security means that the United States possesses a de facto veto on the direction of European defense. Since the 1990s, the United States has typically used its effective veto power to block the defense ambitions of the European Union. This has frequently resulted in an absurd situation where Washington loudly insists that Europe do more on defense but then strongly objects when Europe's political union--the European Union--tries to answer the call. This policy approach has been a grand strategic error--one that has weakened NATO militarily, strained the trans-Atlantic alliance, and contributed to the relative decline in Europe's global clout. As a result, one of America's closest partners and allies of first resort is not nearly as powerful as it could be.

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Tue May 24th, 2022 at 03:53:15 PM EST

parity watch (none / 1)

IMF Raises Yuan's Weighting in SDR Basket Amid [JPY, EUR, GBP] Weakness, 16 May

BRICS GDP: USD 33.4
ASEAN GDP ...
SCO GDP ...

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on May 20, 2022

Shenzhen TV: Foreign ministers of BRICS countries had a video conference yesterday. Can you share the outcomes of the meeting?
Wang Wenbin: On the evening of May 19, foreign ministers of BRICS countries held a video conference. President Xi Jinping delivered a video address at the opening session of the meeting. He noted that BRICS countries need to increase mutual understanding and trust, tighten the bond of cooperation, and deepen the convergence of interests. He also said BRICS countries should oppose hegemonism and power politics, reject Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation, work together to build a global community of security for all and contribute still more to the lofty vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted the video conference and elaborated on China's position on strengthening BRICS cooperation. He said that BRICS countries should strive to find the common denominator of universal security, strive to draw "concentric circles" for common development, strive to build a firewall for human health and strive to pool positive energy of global governance. We should strive to translate the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation into concrete actions, deepen the building of BRICS partnership and inject more BRICS strength into global development. State Councilor Wang Yi stressed that BRICS countries should further strengthen strategic communication and coordination and set an example of political mutual trust, further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and set an example of pragmatic actions, and further demonstrate openness and inclusiveness and set an example of strength through unity. ...

climbing up the value chain ...

by Cat on Tue May 24th, 2022 at 11:57:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

parity watch (none / 1)

la lucha sigue

DAWN | Back to bedlam, 25 May

After initially signalling it would allow the march to proceed, its policy significantly hardened after a Monday meeting attended by the prime minister and his elder brother from London. The PML-N reportedly decided that an early election would not be `dictated' by Imran Khan and gave Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah carte blanche to 'deal' with the PTI marchers.
The minister promptly ordered police parties to 'raid' key PTI leaders' homes in the late hours of Monday and make arrests. Videos and pictures of the police action were uploaded to social media, inviting widespread anger and condemnation.

Worlds Apart | Bridge too far? - Muhammad Athar Javed, 24 May A/V (EN)

India and Pakistan, Russia, and Ukraine. At first glance it might seem that these two pairs of countries have little in common with each other, but scratch beneath the surface and you'll find there are actually quite a few parallels. Both duos were once part of a larger whole, both share many cultural similarities, and both now find themselves in conflict. Could their paths to reconciliation also be somewhat similar?

archived and Pakistan is broke, Ruble and Rupee

by Cat on Wed May 25th, 2022 at 05:10:28 AM EST
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parody watch (none / 1)

APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Statement of Chair, 21-22 May

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) met in Bangkok, Thailand, from 21-22 May 2022, under the chairmanship of H.E. Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce. The Statement of the Chair reflects the Chair's assessment of the prevailing views of all APEC member economies as expressed during the course of the two-day meeting.
The meeting welcomed the participation of the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat.
Varying views were expressed on the prevailing situation. The meeting expressed its concern over the still fragile-recovery from Covid-19 on our region, including global supply chain disruptions, inflation, food and energy crisis on this nascent economic recovery, as well as the achievement of APEC's vision for an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community. Views were expressed on the need to ensure peace and stability in our region as well as upholding international law, recognizing that these are preconditions for the inclusive and sustainable economic growth for which APEC strives. ...

KR, PH, ID, SG, VN, CN, CN-hk, CN-tw, RU, TH, MX, PE, CL, BN, PG, MY
Commentary by MFA Spokesperson Maria Zakharova on the Meeting of Trade Ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, 25 May

The aggressive pro-Western minority in the multilateral associations of the Asia-Pacific countries does not abandon attempts to impose a confrontational agenda on the regional community.
This was once again clearly demonstrated by the meeting of trade ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum on May 21-22 this year. in Bangkok. The unfriendly demarche against Russia by the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan, which has joined them, has failed: APEC is dominated by a depoliticized, constructive, future-oriented interaction. The demonstrative exit from the hall of the delegations of the countries of this "five" during the speeches of the Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation M.G. Reshetnikov was not supported by the rest of the participants and only allowed them to focus in a calm atmosphere on discussing key issues of the development of the global and regional economy. Most of the APEC members also did not miss the attempt. ...

AU, NZ, US, CA, JP
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on May 25, 2022

Global Times: US Senator Michael McCaul recently said to CNN that the Chinese delegation to the World Economic Forum did not stand in ovation for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after his video speech and instead walked out of the venue. But the photo the Senator presented as proof turned out to be a picture of Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai and his delegation according to some media. And the photo was later confirmed by Vietnam. I wonder what is China's comment?
Wang Wenbin: The Chinese delegation has issued a statement for clarification. During President Zelenskyy's speech, the Chinese delegation was not at the venue as they were meeting with Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency. We urge the US Senator to make a correction, and stop spreading disinformation.

by Cat on Wed May 25th, 2022 at 08:38:07 PM EST
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parity watch (none / 1)

+ LAC GDP ...

CRS update 4 May 2022, "China's Engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean"

CELAC Forum, 6 May 2022 update: Wang Yi Puts Forward Four Suggestions on Developing China-Caribbean Countries Relations

WaPoo Company Newslitter, 17 May

The Treasury Department on Tuesday issued a "narrow" license to Chevron that will allow the company to begin previously prohibited talks with Venezuela's socialist government over a possible restart of production that had ceased under U.S. sanctions, according to officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity under rules imposed by the White House. ... If the government returns to negotiations with the opposition, aimed at guaranteeing free and fair elections in 2024, the United States could permit Chevron to begin shipping equipment to Venezuela. If the talks are successful, Chevron could be allowed to extract and sell Venezuelan oil.

Foreign Policy | Washington loosens its sanctions on Cuba and Venezuela ahead of a critical summit, 20 May 2022
crisis management

China goes on the offensive in US' back yard, calls Latin American countries for global security!
22 May A/V minority report

by Cat on Wed May 25th, 2022 at 01:48:49 AM EST
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parity watch (none / 1)

OPEC+ GDP ...

tabloid India | Saudi Arabia Speaks Out Over Ukraine, 24 May University d'OH BULLETIN

Saudi Arabia will maintain its extensive trade relations with both Ukraine and Russia, Economy and Planning Minister Faisal Al-Ibrahim said on Tuesday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Speaking to Japan's Nikkei newspaper, the minister said Western sanctions against Russia are "unilateral" and will remain as such.
Al-Ibrahim also praised Moscow's role in the OPEC+ format, which unites major oil exporters. The minister said [, AGAIN,] Saudi Arabia does not plan to increase oil output in order to lower prices, explaining that Riyadh is currently focused on supply stability rather a potential increase. He argued that the situation on international energy markets would be "much worse" if not for OPEC's efforts.

menafn | Saudi Arabia sustains extensive exchange ties with Russia, Ukraine, 24 May

Reuters | Stocks tumble on ["]growth concerns["], bond yields slip, 24 May
Anything but

by Cat on Wed May 25th, 2022 at 03:22:10 AM EST
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Re: parity watch (none / 0)

Ouch!

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Wed May 25th, 2022 at 04:13:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

NATO War Planning -- In 2021 Ukraine | 68 comments (68 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)