The big boys are all gathering this week…in St. Petersburg, Russia! The G-20 aka the Group of 20 are the world’s biggest 20 economies that send their actual heads of state to pow-wow once a year over all matters fiscal, economic…and sometimes even political! And that certainly will be the case this year in Russia, as the SYrian situation deepens, the US is contemplating action, a move that the Russians will certainly try to discourage. WHile they mostly are a talking shop of world economy, this summit is going to be getting Syri-ous on military maneuvers as well! Watch out Obama! Putin has home field advantage!
Keywords: G-20, Russia, St. Petersburg, USA, Putin, Obama, Syria, G-7, G-8
Russia just agreed to ship the S-300 missile defense system to Syria, and has also pledged to support the Assad regime of Syria to the bitter end. Damn! Why they gotta be like that? Just being haters to Team West and freedom in general?
Not really. These moves are actually an extension of hundreds of years of Russian foreign policy in this region, and also are indicative of a re-assertive Russian entree back into Middle Eastern affairs in general…a move that counters the influence of their adversaries, strengthens the hand of their allies, and attempts to keep a lid on Islamic extremism and/or sectarian independence movements that might spill over into Russia itself. Putin power ain’t done in the Middle East just as yet….and it actually may be on the rise.
Keywords: Russia, Syria, S-300, missile defense system, Turkey, USA, Israel, Arab, Saudi Arabia, GCC, Black Sea, Crimean War, Russo-Turkish War, Iran, Chechnya, Dagestan, Caucuses, Islam, extremism, terrorism, Muslim Brotherhood, Arab Spring, Cold War
The 5th summit of the BRICS group is going down in Durban, South Africa….and the actual heads of state of these rapidly growing economies have plans to evolve the group into much more than a talking shop! A possible BRICS development bank, a currency swap, and even a broadband cable between these countries displays a rapid evolution of this block into a competing source of economic….and political….power on the planet! Dig this BRICS rant to see the seriousness of these shenanigans!
Keywords: BRICS, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, bank, currency swap, broadband cable, IMF, World Bank, UN, Security Council, developing countries, emerging economies, multipolar world, rising powers, capitalism, structural adjustments
With all the hype and grotesque amounts of money swirling around the all-important US election, the Professor offers a rant on the problems with the US system, which has morphed into a democratic monarchy, along with some comparative alternatives of elections and democracy and leadership systems around the world. Join the conversation, and take this country back from the royals!!!!
And if you enjoyed this rant at all, suggest a topic for tomorrow, and also pledge some dollars and get some prizes from the Plaid Avenger’s project at: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/johnboyer/interactive-educational-comic-app-plaid-avenger-in
Keywords: USA. election, President, democracy, political parties, corruption, monarchy, UK, Prime Minister, parliament, India, Australia, Canada, Japan, Russia, one-party state, China, Democrats, Republicans, Communist, Labor, Tory
The Russian throw-down has officially occurred:! Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it crystal clear (through words, actions, and official visits) that he sees Russia’s future in the East, not the West. Listen as the Professor points out all the Puin moves that make this assessment entirely obvious….including multiple disses of Team West on the G-8, on Syria, and on missile defense, while further embracing China, the SCO, and a “Eurasian Trade Union.”
Putin sez: “The fundamental interests [of Moscow and Beijing] coincide broadly both in international and economic affairs.”
Hu Jintao sez: “I am firmly convinced that your visit will contribute to further development of all-embracing strategic partnership and cooperation.”
Can you feel the love? I can smell it from here.
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