It's pretty disturbing to realise that I will be automatically disliked because I hold a different view of #China. A post about my efforts in trying to find "balanced" information about the current US-China tensions and being exasperated by discussions around it, and how I feel the urge to self-censor lest I be labelled "pro-China". It has not been easy!
I want to talk about #Brics but I suspect I'll be attacked the moment I open my mouth because it isn't aligned with the current US narrative. 🙃
Better to talk about #CDramas on #mastodon. 😅
I may write a blog post of the notes I've made - I don't think I'm informed enough about #geopolitics to give a solid commentary, but the common topics I've seen around Brics:
Netanyahu says #Israel ‘at war’ after #Hamas attack; air force kills nearly 200 in #Gaza air strikes
Israeli PM Benjamin #Netanyahu said “we are at war, & we will win it” Saturday after Hamas launched an assault & took captives following the 50th anniversary of the start of the #1973YomKippurWar.
#Israel on Sunday issued a formal #DeclarationOfWar against #Hamas & pounded #Gaza w/ strikes, promising retaliation for an unprecedented attack by the #militant group that surprised Israeli #security forces. The #DeathToll has risen to 600 in Israel, & thousands have been injured…, while Palestinian authorities said ≥370 were killed & 2,200 injured in Gaza.
Thinking in scenarios, what would europe / NATO do if Russia decided to damage /destroy most undersea cables which are essential for our internet and networking in Europe? They have the undersea capabilities, it would not trigger a nuclear war. What would/could we do in response ? #Geopolitics@geopolitics#underseacables#internet#russia#eu#NATO
It does not accurately describe either the foundation of #Israel or the tragedy of the #Palestinians.
By Simon Sebag Montefiore
“…Whatever the enormous complexities…, one truth should be obvious among decent people: killing 1,400 people & kidnapping >200, including scores of #civilians, was deeply wrong.
Some people try to frame all demonstrations in western cities as supporting Islamic extremists and Hamas, while the overwhelming majority of protestors want to support the palestinian people is my impression. #geopolitics#gaza#hamas#israel#palestinians
This is hilarious that #Barbie is the middle of a #political#map fight in the South China Sea. The "Nine-Dash-Line" is an infamous point of contention between China and other governments, where China claims the entire South China Sea. Apparently no one at Warner Bros. keeps up on geopolitical hot potatoes. #GIS#China#geopolitics
Although Iran looks weak and Israel very strong i think Israel military planners are worried (as they should be) about Iran's response after the coming Israeli attack. How large will it be, will Hezbollah from Lebanon participate etc. They will not underestimate the uncertainty and chaotic nature of war i hope.
Let's not forget Iran's strategic position (geographically), they can seriously harm trade and oil supply routes for example.
Let's not forget Israel will never destroy the terrorist organisation Hamas by attacks on Gaza and/or by fully occupying it. Hamas can only be destroyed by offering the palestinians some alternative for their future, some perspective, which seems to be completely lacking until now. #israel#gaza#hamas#geopolitics@geopolitics
The "good" news is #Hezbollah doesn't seem to want to escalate in the fighting with Israel, also because US forces nearby will probably wipe them out quickly (my guess). Nobody else will come to Hamas rescue so Israel can execute it's military operations what remains a large problem, even if all plan succeeds, what to do with 2 million people, who will govern Gaza? Israel is responsible if they eliminate Hamas🤔 #geopolitics#hamas#gaza#israel@geopolitics
The Israeli military has conducted missile strikes against Iran, a snr #UnitedStates#military ofcl told NPR Thurs. There are also reports of explosions in #Iraq & #Syria.
Iran's Fars News Agency says explosions were heard in the central city of #Isfahan, according to the Reuters News Agency.
The extent of Israel's strikes & the weapons used weren't clear.
The #UnitedStates & #Qatar have agreed to revisit the Gulf state’s association w/ #Hamas after resolution of the high-stakes international hostage crisis involving >220 people in #Gaza. The agreement strives to balance the #Biden admin’s goal of rescuing as many #hostages as possible w/its desire to isolate the #terrorists after their rampage in #Israel
If you let the vice-chairman of the security council present this map, we can all agree Russia has an expansionist view with regard to Ukraine. So please ignore all people saying Russia wants peace etc. #Medvedev#Russia#Ukraine#geopolitics@geopolitics
This reminds us that #policing - in #SettlerColonial societies like Canada - has always been a central force for dispossession, displacement & containment.
"At least 100 Israelis have been arrested for social media posts supporting Palestinians in Gaza and 70 remain in detention, according to a legal advocacy group in the country. Adalah, which represents Arab Israelis in human rights cases, said the arrests are part of an unprecedented crackdown on freedom of expression in Israel."
Troops from Niger ousted the country’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, last week. One of the coup leaders had previously received training from the U.S. government, becoming the 11th coup in the region led by U.S.-trained officers since 2008.
#Russia justification for the war in #Ukraine number 315 is a fantastic mix of #geopolitics conspiracies involving volcanoes, and voiced not by a low-rank propagandist but by a top official from Putin’s administration:
The safest place on Earth, should the US dormant volcano Yellowstone erupt, would be Eastern Europe and Siberia. This is precisely why the West is keen to get hold of Heartland. Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said this in an interview with Izvestiya. “If it (Yellowstone volcano. - Ed.) wakes up, it will be an unprecedented catastrophe. It is capable of eruptions thousands of times greater than known to mankind. Observations show that the volcano is becoming more active as the years go by, with magma reaching the surface at a rapid rate. The number of earthquakes in the surrounding caldera is also increasing, reaching two thousand per year,” said Patrushev.
Niger Mutiny: Another U.S.-Trained Military Officer Led Coup (theintercept.com)
Troops from Niger ousted the country’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, last week. One of the coup leaders had previously received training from the U.S. government, becoming the 11th coup in the region led by U.S.-trained officers since 2008.