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Researcher & writer based in Hong Kong. Former academic. Longform articles archived at https://lauraruggeri.substack.com and https://laura-ruggeri.medium.com. Email: lauraru852@yandex.ru
#SCO - India blocks Azerbaijan’s bid for full SCO membership.
“Diplomatic sources indicate the decision is linked to Azerbaijan’s close relations with Pakistan". /channel/LauraRuHK/10442
Putin spoke at a meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State. Main statements:
▪️The understandings reached during the Alaska summit pave the way for peace in Ukraine
▪️The root causes of the Ukrainian crisis must be eliminated for a long - term solution
▪️The crisis in Ukraine arose not as a result of an "attack", but as a result of a coup d'etat
▪️The West 's attempts to draw Ukraine into NATO are one of the causes of the Ukrainian crisis
▪️The SCO dialogue helps to lay the foundations for a new security system in Eurasia to replace obsolete Eurocentric and Euro - Atlantic models
▪️The SCO is consistently increasing its influence in resolving international issues
▪️ National currencies are increasingly used in mutual settlements in the trade of the SCO countries. /channel/inosmichannel/25763
#SCO - The Russian and Turkish delegations before the meeting of Putin and Erdogan. /channel/rian_ru/313679
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#SCO - Xi Jinping:
"China supports Azerbaijan in joining the SCO, and stands ready to enhance multilateral coordination with Azerbaijan in a joint effort to safeguard the common interests of the Global South, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity."
#SCO - China and India should strengthen cooperation and deepen mutual trust, Chinese President Xi Jinping said during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tianjin.
As long as China and India remain committed to a partnership based on cooperation rather than rivalry, and view each other as opportunities for development rather than threats, their relations will steadily progress, Xi said, adding that border issues should not define their ties. @LauraRuHK
In Germany anti-war activists are taking part in the "Rheinmetall Disarm" camp. They have pitched their tents in Cologne to protest against the German arms industry and the German government's rearmament course. "War on war" is the motto that brings together participants from all over Germany and beyond. Before setting up the camp activists blocked access to Cologne military recruitment center to voice their opposition to the new military service law, which was passed by the government on Wednesday. Activists had also tried to reach Armin Papperger's villa in Meerbusch near Düsseldorf but were stopped by the police before getting too close to Rheinmetall's CEO.@LauraRuHK
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Kirill Strelnikov writes: Recently, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), a prominent American think tank, quietly published an article titled, “After the Summit in Alaska, Putin’s Terms for Peace Remain Unchanged.” The article’s key points are: ▪️Vladimir Putin remains unwilling to compromise on Ukraine but is optimistic about normalizing relations with the United States.
▪️There is no evidence that public opinion in Russia is pressuring Putin to end the war, nor that the public would support concessions that relinquish Russia’s perceived “victories.”
▪️Putin sees Donald Trump as one of the few American leaders genuinely interested in improving bilateral relations, betting that Trump prioritizes lucrative commercial deals over pressuring Russia to end the conflict on terms unfavorable to Moscow.
The article suggests that Russia has withstood unprecedented pressure from the West and is on a path to victory in Ukraine. It argues there’s little hope for internal dissent fracturing Russia and advocates for draining Ukraine’s resources while simultaneously restoring profitable economic ties with Russia, which Putin appears open to. The significance of this message lies in its source and intended audience. Critics label the CFR the “general staff of globalism” and a cornerstone of the U.S. “deep state.” As the founder of the Bilderberg Club and the World Economic Forum, the CFR is a leading force in shaping U.S. foreign policy, influencing the American administration, and consolidating the positions of the U.S. political and business elite. Its influence stems from a coalition of financial and industrial elites, including the Rockefeller and Morgan families, formed in the early 20th century. Today, the CFR remains a central hub for strategic decision-making, impacting not only U.S. policy but also global processes.The CFR’s discreet publication signals the “deep state’s” stance on future U.S.-Russia relations, with the Rockefeller family playing a prominent role. The appointment of Steve Witkoff as the chief U.S. negotiator on Russia has reassured some, given his close ties to Donald Trump. However, few know that Witkoff is also actively involved in CFR activities. In a recent Fox interview, he stated, “We are hopeful that a peace deal will be reached by the end of this year, or perhaps sooner.” The question remains: who is “we”?Coincidentally, on the day of Putin’s talks with Trump in Alaska, Putin amended a decree transferring the Sakhalin-1 project to Russian jurisdiction, potentially paving the way for ExxonMobil, a former 30% stakeholder, to return. ExxonMobil, one of the world’s top energy companies, is closely tied to the Rockefeller family. Reports also suggest that Rosneft and ExxonMobil have agreed to form a joint venture for hydrocarbon production on the Alaska shelf, a multibillion-dollar project seen as a geopolitical game-changer in the global energy sector. Furthermore, since last fall, Western media has speculated about U.S. negotiations with Russia to restore the Nord Stream pipelines for joint operation. American businessman Stephen Lynch, who specializes in distressed Russian assets, reportedly sought U.S. government approval to participate in the Nord Stream 2 bankruptcy auction to bring the project under American jurisdiction and lift anti-Russian sanctions. Notably, Lynch is a lifelong CFR member, suggesting his motives may extend beyond commercial interests. Conspiracy theorists urge a long-term perspective. Historically, the Rockefellers held significant oil concessions in Tsarist Russia, which were nationalized after the revolution. Undeterred, they struck a deal in 1926 with the Soviet government, allowing Standard Oil (ExxonMobil’s predecessor) to sell Russian oil to the West. Ivy Lee, the Rockefellers’ spokesperson at the time, remarked, “One day, Russia will return to the family of nations, and we should help it do so, not force a great nation like Russia to come on its knees in sackcloth and ashes. (1/2)
The genocidal and terrorist entity known as "Israel" murdered Ahmed al-Rahawi, the prime minister of the Houthis’ government along with several other ministers in Thursday strike on Sanaa, the capital of Yemen.
Yet, the international response appears disturbingly muted, as if such an act carries no significant consequence. This reflects a troubling pattern: leaders and people from the Global South are dehumanized or overlooked by Western powers, except when they are vilified to serve a narrative. @LauraRuHK
Ukronazi Andriy Parubiy has been eliminated in Lvov. The killer fired about 8 shots at the target, then hid the pistol in a bag and fled the scene on an electric bicycle, eyewitnesses claim.
Parubiy died before the medics arrived.
Zelensky confirmed the death of the former head of the NSDC and the Rada.
/channel/Slavyangrad/139226
Vladimir Putin's interview with China's Xinhua news agency ahead of his official visit to China:
▪️In Russia, we will never forget that China's heroic resistance was one of the crucial factors that prevented Japan from stabbing the Soviet Union in the back during the darkest months of 1941–1942. This enabled the Red Army to concentrate its efforts on crushing Nazism and liberating Europe.
▪️The peoples of the Soviet Union and China bore the brunt of the fighting and suffered the heaviest losses. It was our citizens who endured the greatest hardships in the struggle against the invaders and played a decisive role in defeating Nazism and militarism. Through those severe trials, the finest traditions of friendship and mutual assistance were forged and strengthened – traditions that today form a solid foundation for Russian–Chinese relations. ▪️Russia and China resolutely condemn any attempts to distort the history of the Second World War, glorify Nazis, militarists and their accomplices, members of death squads and killers, or to defame Soviet liberators. The results of that war are enshrined in the UN Charter and other international instruments. They are inviolable and not subject to revision. This is our shared, unwavering position with our Chinese friends. ▪️Economic relations between Moscow and Beijing have reached an unprecedentedly high level, China is Russia's leading partner in terms of bilateral trade.
▪️Russia-China transactions are carried out in rubles and yuan, with the dollar or euro share "reduced to a statistical discrepancy".
▪️Russia firmly retains its position as a leading oil and gas exporter to China. Since the Power of Siberia pipeline began its operation in 2019, cumulative deliveries of natural gas have already exceeded 100 billion cubic metres. In 2027, we plan to launch another major gas route, the so-called Far Eastern Route. We are also working together effectively on LNG projects in Russia's Arctic region.
▪️Russia is one of the world's main markets for Chinese car exports.
▪️Cooperation between Russia and China in the UN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS is a significant factor in global politics.
▪️Russia expects South Africa's G20 presidency to consolidate the achievements of the Global South. @LauraRuHK Read more 👉https://english.news.cn/20250830/db2fc32491a7448cb2249adbbb9adde9/c.html
The US State Department has approved the potential sale of over 3,000 ERAM (Extended Range Attack Munition) air-launched missiles and related equipment to Ukraine for $825 million, according to the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees the delivery of military equipment and weapons abroad under intergovernmental contracts.
According to the statement, Ukrainian authorities had previously requested up to 3,350 of these missiles, along with compatible navigation systems. Kiev may use funds provided by Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway to cover the cost of the weapons. (Source: TASS) @LauraRuHK
Several world leaders, including Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, are scheduled to join President Xi Jinping at a military parade in Beijing next week.
According to China’s Foreign Ministry, no Western leaders will be among the 26 foreign heads of state and government attending, except for Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, the sole representative from an EU member state.
Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei announced that attendees at the parade will include Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, Iranian President Masoud Pezashkian, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, and South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik.
On the day of the event, Xi will inspect tens of thousands of troops at Tiananmen Square, joined by senior Chinese officials and foreign dignitaries. The highly choreographed display, one of China’s largest in years, will showcase advanced military hardware, including fighter jets, missile defense systems, and hypersonic weapons.
CHINA & CENTRAL ASIA Investments under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) surged in the first half of the year – particularly for projects in Central Asia related to metals and mining – leading some analysts to conclude Beijing is seeking access to critical natural resources as a precaution against escalatory trade restrictions from the United States.
The 150 countries taking part in the global infrastructure initiative received a combined US$124 billion in investments and construction contracts from January to June, more than the US$122 billion reported for all of 2024, the US-based China-Global South Project research organisation said on its website Tuesday.
The organisation noted an “unusually high concentration” of funding allocated to Central Asia, a region it said Chinese investors were “keen” on for mining projects, particularly those extracting aluminium and copper.
Kazakhstan was the primary destination for Chinese capital, with US$23 billion invested there in the first six months of 2025. The largest project in the country in terms of investment size was a US$12 billion aluminium complex led by the Chinese conglomerate East Hope Group.
“China’s decision to commit such an enormous investment in Kazakhstan’s aluminium sector is the product of both internal economic pressures and shifting global trade dynamics,” the China-Global South Project said.
A shift to mineral and metal-related projects in Central Asia makes sense, because transport infrastructure has already been built in that region under the BRI, said Andy Xie, an independent Chinese economist in Shanghai. Minerals could be shipped to China by railway.
Kazakhstan has reserves of 15 rare earth elements, plus several metals used for making computers and cars.
Its president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, together with heads of the other four Central Asian countries, will participate in a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin on Sunday. (Source: SCMP) @LauraRuHK
German weapon manufacturer Rheinmetall will build two factories in Bulgaria — lower energy prices (thanks to Russian gas), lower labour costs — to produce artillery shells and gunpowder, CEO Armin Papperger says.
The leader of the Bulgarian GERB party, Boyko Borisov, who met with Papperger in Dusseldorf, has said that the gunpowder plant will be the largest in Europe. See also 👉 /channel/LauraRuHK/10420
The German welfare state is no longer financially sustainable, Friedrich Merz said on Saturday.
Merz argued for a fundamental reassessment of the benefits system as spending continues to soar past last year’s record of € 47billion. “The welfare state as we have it today can no longer be financed with what we can economically afford.” 🔺Two days later, German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor, Lars Klingbeil arrived in Kiev on an unannounced visit.
📢🎤"We remain Ukraine's second-largest supporter worldwide and the largest in Europe," Klingbeil said. "Ukraine can continue to rely on Germany."
According to Klingbeil's ministry, the German government has provided Ukraine with €50.5 billion in support since the start of the war. @LauraRuHK
#SCO - The Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization adopted the Tianjin Declaration.
Key points:
▪️Geopolitical confrontation, challenges and threats to security are escalating in the world, including in the SCO region. The members of the organization oppose unilateral coercive measures, including those of an economic nature.
▪️The SCO condemned the strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran, as well as the actions that led to casualties and a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. Peace in the Middle East is possible through a just settlement of the Palestinian question.
▪️Members of the association adhere to a line that excludes bloc and confrontational approaches to solving problems. The sustainable development of international relations is based on the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and the non-use of force.
▪️The members of the organization oppose the militarization of space and the field of information and communication technologies.
▪️It is necessary to preserve the historical memory of World War II. Members of the organization condemn attempts to rehabilitate the ideas of Nazism and justify genocide, as well as actions that distort the meaning of the victory and the role of their peoples in the defeat of fascism.
▪️The organisation's development strategy until 2035 has been agreed upon, which defines priority tasks and main areas for deepening cooperation. A decision was made to establish the SCO Development Bank.
▪️An agreement on the Universal Center for Countering Security Challenges and Threats to the Member States of the Association and the Anti-Drug Center was approved, and a roadmap for the development of energy cooperation until 2030 was approved.
▪️The organization combined the statuses of "observer" and "dialogue partner" into the status of "SCO partner", which was received by Laos.
▪️The Member States will continue to jointly fight terrorism, separatism and extremism.
The declaration noted the commitment to the establishment of Afghanistan as an independent, neutral and peaceful state.
(Source: RIA Novosti) @LauraRuHK
#SCO - Member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization have decided to establish the SCO Development Bank.
“Reaffirming the importance of establishing a SCO Development Bank, the interested member states decided to establish it and intensify consultations on a range of issues related to the functioning of this financial institution,” according to the declaration of the SCO summit in Tianjin.
#SCO - The nearly hour-long tête-à-tête in Putin's Aurus is driving Western media mental.😅
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Lukas Unger's update on the ‘Disarm Rheinmetall’ protest camp in Cologne:
After days of repression the final demonstration was stopped without any further elaboration, beat down violently, and surrounded by hundreds of cops. We have been in here for about 6 hours now, without access to any toilets or other facilities.
Now, people are being violently pulled out by the cops, while they refuse medics access to people who collapsed.
This is how the German state treats a peaceful demonstration against imperialism and the war monopolists. Disarm Rheinmetall and the other war monopolists! End support for the genocide in Gaza!
Israeli-U.S. right-wing megadonor Miriam Adelson and German media mogul Matthias Döpfner, known for amplifying Israeli propaganda in his outlets, will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor for their "unique contribution" to the genocidal and terrorist entity known as "Israel". @LauraRuHK
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(2/2) Trade with Russia is vital for our country.” Recently, French outlet Le Point, citing official sources, reported that “Donald Trump is focused on restoring working relations with Russia, with the Ukrainian issue as the main obstacle.” There’s a chance this position was first articulated not in the White House but in a private, high-level meeting—perhaps over cigars—where the Ukrainian situation might understandably cause unease for many. @LauraRuHK https://ria.ru/20250831/ukraina-2038545344.html
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Protests in Serbia have decreased in size but grown more radical, with financially motivated militants increasingly involved, according to Milovan Drecun, head of the Assembly’s Defense and Internal Affairs Committee. In an interview with RIA Novosti he stated
The protests are systematically organized, indicating clear leadership. They have now entered a violent phase, with the use of Molotov cocktails and the potential for firearms,
“The organizers are trying to overcome this challenging phase when fewer people are showing up on the streets,”
“The organizers failed to mobilize workers from large state-owned enterprises, which has been a significant setback. As a result, they’ve resorted to funding individuals and small groups to create the illusion of mass participation,”
In an article published today Pyotr Akopov writes:
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is often compared to BRICS, but in recent years, the latter’s rapid expansion has overshadowed the former. This is unfair, as the SCO pioneered the construction of a new world order. Now in its 25th year (or 30th, if counting its origins), the SCO has evolved from a Russian-Chinese partnership focused on stability in Central Asia into a comprehensive pan-Asian structure. Its membership has grown from five to ten countries, and with the inclusion of rapidly increasing "dialogue partners," the total reaches 26. While key nations like China, India, and Russia are members of both BRICS and the SCO, the SCO is uniquely positioned to ensure security across most of Eurasia. This remains a significant and ambitious goal, but the participants recognize that Asians must take responsibility for securing their own region. This stance challenges the West, or more precisely, it reflects disagreement with the West—particularly the United States—unilaterally claiming responsibility for global security. The colonial era of direct Western domination in Asia is long over, but Western influence, opportunities, and interests persist. Atlantic powers still seek to "guide" Asian nations, exploiting contradictions and sometimes openly pitting them against each other. The West’s combined military, financial, personnel, and informational power provides significant leverage for this. Moreover, numerous conflicts exist among Asian countries, and regional integration, while successful in groups like ASEAN (which unites Southeast Asian nations), is not universally effective. This year alone, limited military conflicts occurred between SCO members Pakistan and India, as well as between Thailand and Cambodia (the latter a dialogue partner). Additionally, SCO member Iran faced attacks from Israel and the United States, with the organization merely expressing dissatisfaction. Far from diminishing the SCO’s role, these challenges highlight the need to address and resolve conflicts within its framework. Doing so would prevent manipulation by non-Asian countries and forces. The SCO’s multilateral structure also facilitates finding mutually acceptable solutions, which is often more effective than bilateral negotiations. For example, the Indo-Pakistani conflict is exacerbated by the United States and Britain, who exploit tensions to advance their own agendas, such as countering China by leveraging India’s concerns about Pakistani-Chinese cooperation. Within the SCO, Russia, which maintains strategic ties with India and is building long-term relations with Pakistan, can help mitigate these tensions.Ahead of the Tianjin summit, Russia, through Security Council Secretary Shoigu, proposed resuming the SCO’s engagement with Afghanistan, one of two states (alongside Mongolia) with observer status. Mongolia avoids full membership due to its neutral stance, while Afghanistan’s status has been effectively frozen since the Taliban came to power four years ago. In 2025, following Russia’s recognition of the Afghan government—and with the Taliban ambassador already active in Beijing—this situation is expected to change. Restoring Afghanistan’s participation and eventually admitting it as a full SCO member would send a powerful signal: if the previous U.S.-backed Kabul government could engage with the SCO (though denied full membership for that reason), an independent Afghan government deserves that right even more. Rebuilding Afghanistan’s economy and integrating it into transport, resource, and trade corridors aligns with the interests of all SCO members—China, India, Russia, Pakistan, and the Central Asian republics. This would demonstrate the ability of Asian nations to independently and collectively address their challenges after Western withdrawal from the region.
The 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, set to be held in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, carries exceptional significance amid global uncertainties exacerbated by trade protectionism, according to Shen Shiwei, founder of the China Briefing newsletter and a non-resident fellow at Zhejiang Normal University.
“This will be the largest SCO Summit in its history, with more than 20 national leaders and 10 heads of international organisations attending.”
“The summit aims to consolidate the SCO’s role as a stabilising force in an increasingly fragmented world, offering both security cooperation and economic integration as counterweights to unilateral tariff measures that disrupt supply chains,” he said, hinting at Trump’s tariff regime that has unsettled global trade.
The SCO has grown rapidly since its founding in 2001. Today, the SCO countries – including 10 full members, two observer states and 14 dialogue partners – represent more than 41 percent of the world’s population, over 34 percent of global GDP (PPP), and about 24 percent of world’s land area.
In light of Trump’s tariffs and a new wave of divisive policies from the Global North, the SCO "provides much-needed alternatives vis-à-vis development, trade, and overall economic stability… sending a strong message of unity amidst diversity, showcasing itself as cooperative rather than coercive, offering certainty at a time when the US seems to be burning bridges,” Shen added.
The agenda for this year's summit centres on three pillars: security, economic connectivity, and digital transformation. “Leaders will address both traditional threats, such as terrorism and new challenges like cybersecurity and biosafety. Economically, the focus will be on trade facilitation and synergy with the Belt and Road Initiative to improve connectivity across transport corridors,” noted Shen.
The Tianjin Declaration, expected to be the summit’s central outcome, will set the SCO’s priorities for the next decade. The last SCO Development Strategy was adopted at the summit in Ufa, Russia, in 2015. “The new strategy will update priorities to reflect today’s challenges, including economic fragmentation, security risks, and technological shifts. In addition, more than 20 documents and decisions are expected to be signed, setting both short- and long-term goals for cooperation,” Shen elaborated. (Source: TRT) @LauraRuHK
"Europe is following the wrong lead, down the wrong path, in the wrong direction." The Global Times points out the strategic missteps behind economic woes in major European economies. Caught between the Russia-Ukraine war, the Gaza conflict, and a trade war with the US, Europe is following the wrong lead, down the wrong path, in the wrong direction. Blindly following the US-led NATO expansion strategy against a neighbor spanning the Eurasian continent is the first strategic misstep. European countries lost the Russian market and energy supplies, are faced with deindustrialization and capital flight, while the refugee crisis has deepened societal divides. The second battlefield is the trade war. "America First" is the cornerstone of the current US administration's foreign policy, and Europe is obviously no longer treated as an equal partner but as a target for manipulation, pressure, and extraction of direct benefits.
The question of whether Europe will awaken, shift its course, move beyond outdated dependencies, and explore new avenues for economic cooperation is largely rhetorical. Europe needs regime change. @LauraRuHK https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1341965.shtml
During a mass drone and hypersonic missile strike on Kiev, the British Council building on Zhylyanska Street was hit. According to reports its facilities were severely damaged.
A property housing the European Union’s delegation to Kiev was also damaged. And so was a production facility of the Turkish drone company Bayraktar, under construction near the Ukrainian capital. Production lines were nearing activation when the attack struck, dealing a severe blow to ongoing preparations. @LauraRuHK
Trump's robbery of Europe - EU countries will be paying nearly $1,000 billion a year to the United States through an agreement that includes tariffs, the mandatory purchase of hydrocarbons, forced investments in American industry and massive arms purchases. For the first time in two decades, Europe accounted for the largest share of American arms exports, increasing from 13% to 35% in 2020-2024.
▪️The US is cannibalizing its vassals in a desperate attempt to bolster its power and forestall the loss of its global dominance. @LauraRuHK https://www.valeursactuelles.com/clubvaleurs/economie/trump-braquage-sur-leurope
From the memory vault. As a teenager growing up in Italy i had this poster pinned behind my bed. When Thatcher and Reagan came to power (1979-1981) they had one mission: wage war against the working class. It really felt as if a nuclear bomb had been set off. Its toxic fallout is still poisoning us. By prioritizing markets, imposing austerity measures, cutting taxes for the rich, dismantling the welfare state’s foundations and declaring trade unions “the enemy within”, they reshaped the West’s socio-political-economic system to the benefit of the financial elites that had supported their political ascent. The neoliberal regime they imposed led to a redefinition of what society values—individual gain over shared prosperity. The West is still holding on to this paradigm. @LauraRuHK
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What we are witnessing in the West is not "Military Keynesianism", which was rooted in the post-World War II economic boom, but "War Thatcherism" — governments hype national security concerns to implement far-reaching neoliberal restructuring and fiscal austerity that would otherwise encounter significant resistance. This approach entails a deliberate reallocation of resources, shifting budget priorities from social welfare programs to military and defense-related expenditures, thereby fostering a reconfiguration of the economic landscape.
War Thatcherism involves more deregulation, privatization, and labor market flexibility under the pretext of national security threats while governments reduce their social obligations.
Take Germany as an example. Berlin is touting investment in defense R&D and manufacturing as a path to economic growth and competitiveness. It may promote growth in countries that have access to affordable energy resources, which is definitely not the case of Germany after losing Russian gas.
Cuts to welfare programs will only exacerbate socioeconomic inequalities and undermine the foundations of societal cohesion, fostering alienation, resentment and dissent. Dissent, whether expressed through protests, strikes, or other forms of collective action, provides authorities with a convenient justification for imposing draconian measures to curb political freedoms. In the name of maintaining public order, EU countries will continue to expand surveillance, restrict the freedom of assembly, limit free speech, and enhance their repressive powers. These measures, while framed as necessary to restore stability, serve to entrench state authority and further erode democratic norms and accountability.
@LauraRuHK
The Japanese government has reportedly requested that European and Asian countries refrain from attending China's 80th victory day celebration and military parade. ▪️During the 14-year Japanese invasion of China, the Chinese suffered more than 35 million military and nonmilitary casualties, accounting for a third of the total casualties of all the countries in World War II.
Military casualties during the invasion totaled 3.8 million. @LauraRuHK