is currently sulking in the Sin Bin
Just faidin away!
There is a large population of Jewish people living in Argentina:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish...ion_by_countryOriginally Posted by Katman
Hardcore Biker
It's been an interesting fortnight watching some of the happenings
outside of the US. In particular, Turkey and Greece, whose history
seems to have been forever intertwined.
1. Turkey
Erdogan and Turkey still seems to be trying to steer a "middle path"
between US/Europe and Russia/China. Because of his/its positions on
various issues like:
- Threat of release of refugees into Europe,
- Purchase of S400s from Russia,
- Not supporting the US re the Kurds in Syria,
- Imprisoning a Christian pastor,
it is on the receiving end of US economic sanctions (not to mention
"doubled" product tariffs on steel and aluminium exports to the US).
The following article is interesting not only because of discussion
of Turkey's current financial problems, but also the mention of USD
denominated loans and how rising US interest rates (along with lower
trade volumes) could affect Turkey - and other countries in Asia.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opini...a-infected-too
Challenges ahead for countries heavily dependent upon oil (needing
to settle oil purchases in USD), and/or having to service previously
cheap loans denominated in USD.
The article also points to :
- A knock-on effect - Not only the direct effect upon China (due to
the current US trade war), but also upon Asian countries that had
had taken out loans for the building of infrastructure tied to Chinese
OBOR) --> A useful way for the US to constrain spread of new OBOR
infrastructure throughout Asia.
Witness recent effects upon Laos and Malaysia (the Malaysian PM
Mahathir Mohamad is in Beijing at the moment). The following article
makes their view regarding future Chinese loans to Malaysia:
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1116133.shtml
Mahathir Mohamad will also have good memory of what happened to
Malaysia in the late 1990's during the Asian "currency crisis", and
what US banks, hedge funds and the IMF did to the "Asian Tigers"
during that period.
- One reason why China is in no hurry to liquidate its 1.3Tr holding
in USD (regarding fighting a trade war with the US ) --> Its USD
holding will be a useful "diplomatic tool" for buying influence within
Asian, African and Latin American countries (not to mention the
South Pacific) via low-interest loans and aid.
2. Greece
Greece has always been a country of interest to me, not only because
of its history, but having worked on a project with an international
Greek company in the past, and knowing several local Greek families
very well.
I have recently been doing some more reading on the IMF, and on
some recent IMF interventions (including both Greece and Cyprus,
where the latter is split between Turkey and Greece).
So it was "surprising" to read two new articles today talking about
a related subject (i.e. the end of the scheduled Greek bailout cycle),
but which highlighted the difference between various news sources
quite graphically.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-e...-idUSKCN1L40OG
If you had read only the article above, you'd have thought it was a
marvelous success (I believe "Mission Accomplished" is the phrase).
Without any notable social issues or pain. And no mention of forced
sell-off of state assets.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...been-a-failure
The Guardian article is much closer to the truth, but even it does
not begin to give an appreciation on really what happened to Greek
society over the past years while the economy was "under IMF/ECB
management".
Which leads me to the last point.
3. The IMF (and recent Bail-In Provisions)
If you want to read an informative book on the IMF and some of its
interventions (from Russia in the 1990's through to Cyprus in 2015),
can I suggest: "Pillaging the World - The History and Politics of the
IMF", written by Ernst Wolff. 200 pages and very well written and
readable.
https://www.amazon.com/Pillaging-Wor.../dp/B00PQQC7D6
It is not only a good book re its recounting of some modern history,
but it also outlines some of the banking skulduggery going on in the
background.
Which strangely either never made it to the front page of most major
western newspapers, or if it did, the "truth" was often quite sparse.
While I found the whole book interesting, one of the most important
pieces was near the end of the book, when it discussed depositor
"bail-in" provisions. Where bond and depositor funds are "taken" in
order to rebuild a banks balance sheet.
Which had been "trialed by the IMF in Cyprus, and was deemed
by the IIF to have worked very well for recapitalisation of banks"
(read "worked well for bank shareholders").
And that once the Swiss IIF (Institute of International Finance) had
made its recommendation on bail-in, "the US, Canada, UK, Australia
and NZ hastened to follow the Swiss example, and immediately made
arrangement to incorporate it into their legal systems".
In our case, see OBR or "Open Bank Resolution".
While the following NZ Reserve Bank document has obviously been
written to avoid causing undue worry for NZ depositors, rules will
likely be applied regardless of the cause of the "bank failure" (e.g.
whether local or overseas ; arising from imprudent bank lending or
economic down-turn).
https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/-/media/Res...0579.pdf?la=en
It was interesting to note that IMF/ECB bail-in provisions applied in
Cyprus (in response to reckless bank lending) did not treat either
bond-holders and small depositors at all well.
And that some larger banks and financial parties had received "ample
warning and time", allowing them to make transfer arrangements from
affected banks and so shift their funds "out of harms way".
Finish with the following article:
https://goldsurvivalguide.co.nz/bank...wrong-reasons/
Hardcore Biker
No doubt the US press will be full of praise for the man:
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-...mccain-dead-81
Though there are some who will query the story told:
http://www.unz.com/runz/american-pra...for-president/
https://www.theamericanconservative....-pow-cover-up/
https://www.greanvillepost.com/2018/...-this-asshole/
Hardcore Biker
Hardcore Biker
https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/09...om-apocalypse/
Mind you, if the likes of them are responsible for the next financial crisis,
and me living in penury during my retirement, I'd better go sharpen the
pitchfork right now.
Hardcore Biker
Just faidin away!
Why you should always wear good gloves? https://twitter.com/SportFailTV/stat...D&refsrc=emailOuch!
Hardcore Biker
It was interesting to see Trump's national security advisor (John Bolton) due to make a
speech Monday announcing US intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court
(ICC) in the Hague. Supposedly because the US might be at risk of being accused of war
crimes and being brought before the Court itself.
http://www.euronews.com/2018/09/10/b...ed-u-s-n908011
https://www.dw.com/en/us-threatens-t...obe/a-45435900
This announcement (intention to withdraw from an international organisation) is certainly
not the first in recent times, and certainly not by the Trump administration alone (i.e. US
intention to withdraw from UNESCO was reported in 2011 during the Obama administration,
although it was 2017 before that event actually occurred).
The ICC decision is perhaps to be expected, given earlier announcement in 2018 by the US
of its intention to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHR).
Even though the US signed (but not ratified) up to the treaty that established the ICC,
you might think given all the "success" the ICC has achieved (in the prosecution of various
individuals from Yugoslavia and dictators in Africa ( who wouldn't do as instructed), the US
would still be happy to continue supporting the ICC and its operation.
But apparently not.
Given that the current announcement is tied to its operation Afghanistan, you'd have to
wonder whether there was truth to some of the news stories about US forces bombing
Afghan wedding parties and civilian hospitals.
I suppose when you are so used to bombing targets and see another building with a large
red cross on the roof, you'd almost be forgiven for thinking X (or +) marks the spot and
dropping the payload. Anyone could easily make the same mistake - if they didn't already
know the hospital GPS coordinates.
It seems the US doesn't want to play (be bound) by the same rules as applied to everyone
else, but instead wants to proceed down the path of bilateral agreements with countries
that US forces are to operate within ( i.e. "we'll just keep this between ourselves, no-one
else needs to know").
I'm not quite sure how this will apply to countries like Syria, but that's a separate thread.
Perhaps they'll just bomb them anyway (without a UN mandate). With just a hint of white
phosphorus to spice up the standard recipe .
So, with withdrawal from UNHR and ICC, it almost seems that the US is clearing the way
to avoid its being held accountable for future human rights atrocities it might commit.
I was going to say the US will no doubt try to point the finger at either Russia or China
in some way (given their interest in Afghanistan), but Federico Pieraccini's article (following)
summarises it better than I can.
https://southfront.org/us-efforts-to...ing-miserably/
================================================== ======================================
Predicted US Withdrawal during Obama Administration
https://foreignpolicy.com/2011/11/01...organizations/
UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) - Withdrawal in 2017
https://theconversation.com/why-the-...peration-85692
UN Human Rights Council (UNHCR) - Withdrawal in 2018
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michael.../#6d4530f7de2b
World Trade Organisation (WTO) - Intention to Withdraw in 2018
http://fortune.com/2018/06/29/trump-wto-withdrawal/
Hardcore Biker
After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, and more recently
Hurricane Maria (which devastated Dominica and Puerto Rico in 2017), the
decision of the Trump administration to deny Climate Change and its effects
seems madness at best.
After the recent anniversary of 911, Trump's trumpeting of success (despite
a comparable death toll) seems incongruous. Or maybe, like illegal immigrants,
they don't matter.
https://www.commondreams.org/news/20...s-its-national
However, there might be a little more at stake this time.
https://www.commondreams.org/news/20...r-power-plants
So I watch with interest the next few days as Hurricane Florence bears down
on the Carolinas. Progress can be followed via the National Hurricane Centre
website:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
I doubt that I'll be the only one watching. Maybe they will be fortunate
enough to "dodge the bullet". One can only hope.
Hardcore Biker
This whole international relations (and sanctions) business is starting to
get complicated.
US in Afghanistan
The US is still present in Afghanistan (after 18 years), still seeking to
bring "democracy and peace", while supporting their human rights.
US and India
The US has recently concluded a new armaments deal with India (though
who knows what will happen if India still proceeds with planned purchase
of Russian S400 missile systems).
https://news.usni.org/2018/09/09/new...ty-cooperation
And even though India is (currently) a US ally, the US is still going to apply
a 25% levy on Indian steel. Because that's what friends do. But that shouldn't
be a problem for India as not much Indian steel is sold into the US market.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com...w/64978250.cms
All good so far.
But India still needs to source iron ore for internal manufacturing - and it seems
a large deposit in Afghanistan is potentially a good local source of iron ore. [Not
to mention other valuable minerals]
But if we look at the map, Afghanistan is landlocked, inbetween Iran and Pakistan.
https://www.google.co.nz/maps/place/Afghanistan/
India does not want to have to deal via its arch rival, Pakistan. And the US has
recently been threatening the new government of Pakistan with restrictions on
lending (via the IMF). So that option looks out of contention at the moment.
So the only realistic way to export iron ore from Afghanistan to India is via Iran,
specifically via the Chabahar port in southern Iran.
India has been busy developing the port with Iran. And China and Russia have
been heavily engaged with Iran building road and rail links down the east of Iran
to Chabahar, so the overland transport of ore might not be a physical issue.
Though it might become a political issue.
US and Iran
The US has recently pulled out of the JCPOA nuclear agreement with Iran,
and has both re-applied sanctions on Iran and has threatened it with social
unrest.
So the US may need to retrace some of its steps, and try and get Iran onside:
https://sputniknews.com/asia/2018091...-Iranian-Port/
Might still be do-able. Never say never.
Back to the US in Afghanistan (full circle)
But the Taliban have recently been reasserting themselves across Afghanistan
once again, and have a strong presence in the west of the country.
While the Hajigak iron concession (just to the west of the Afghan capital, Kabul)
is nominally within government control, much of the land further to the west on
the way to Iran is under Taliban control (at least subject to transport disruption).
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/in...083528213.html
And when we take a map for Afghanistan and look at its distribution of minerals,
it looks as if export of other minerals (of interest to the US) might be equally
challenging.
https://www.globalsecurity.org/jhtml...s%20Map%202012
Somehow, this looks like a good object lesson in the value of building good
political relationships and friendships with other countries, and not threatening
them financially or militarily?
And why do I think that the "negotiation" process might have only just started ?
is currently sulking in the Sin Bin
https://www.theguardian.com/environm...hers-placentas
But Ocean will have you believe that things have never been better.
Forum whore
The human race spent tens of thousands of years cooking over open fires in mud huts... possibly even whilst pregnant... particles of soot in the lungs have been around for a looooooooooooooooooooooong time.
Bogeyman
Dude, I'd have you believe whatever the fuck you like, but you proved years ago that you're completely immune to facts.
https://ourworldindata.org/child-mortality
Go soothingly on the grease mud, as there lurks the skid demon
Hardcore Biker
https://interactives.stuff.co.nz/201...-no-one-wants/
A friend of mine had been asking for background information on Chinese OBOR, and how a recent
online diagram had shown a line down through Indonesia and into the Timor Sea above Australia.
He was asking why this line was present, and conversation then got around to Timor Leste.
If you don't know exactly where it is: https://www.google.co.nz/maps/place/Timor-Leste/
I saw this morning's article on Stuff (above), and when I sent the link through to him, I bet him
(without having even read the article) that:
1. this article would be just a "feel good" story, to show what a good international citizen NZ is
being (coming on the back of NZ's recent extension of tour of duty for the NZ army in Iraq and
Afghanistan)
2. The article will gloss over the bloody period just after TL's independence from the Portuguese
in 1975 (the role of Indonesia), and the subsequent behaviour of Australia (dispute over oil and
gas rights).
Why should we (or you) be interested ?
Well, it's another story about foreign power greed and of human rights abuse, but in our backyard.
For those old enough and with long memory, some may remember NZ losing a TV camera man in Dili
back in 1975 (executed by the Indonesian military):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balibo_Five
The following is a cut-and-paste from an earlier email sent to my friend:
Timor Leste
There is oil and gas to be had from the Timor Sea (Timor Leste), now that there has finally been
some more signs of progress on recognition of Timor Leste's claim to oil and gas rights within its
territorial waters.
Australia was dragging the chain in that respect (since the 2000's), likely in the hope that Timor
Leste would agree to more favourable oil and gas allocation (in Australian favour), given that TL
badly needed that income stream to help facilitate internal development (after its independence).
A recent article shows all is not yet settled, and I would suspect unless TL agrees to "development
projects" favouring Australia and the US first (= no Chinese involvement), resolution of territorial
claims will continue to languish.
https://theconversation.com/australi...-and-gas-95303
If you think that Australia's behaviour in terms of refugees in Nauru and PNG is poor, you should read
a little history about Timor Leste and its fight for its independence through the 1980's and the 1990's
(where Indonesia occupied western Papua). A high death toll and a very sad story.
The Australian investigative journalist John Pilger made himself very unpopular with Australian and US
governments for exposing the brutality of the Indonesian regime. Nothing to be proud about.
http://johnpilger.com/articles/the-u...-of-east-timor
He wrote a book ("Distant Voices") which also includes a section on Timor Leste.
http://johnpilger.com/books/distant-voices
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