Month: April 2022

Le Pen’s Proposal To Divide Russia From China Is Unrealistic

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

It’s unimaginable that Le Pen can devise a rapprochement plan with Russia that’s attractive enough for it to simultaneously distance itself from China while abandoning its decree demanding that newly designated unfriendly countries pay for gas with rubles. That being the case, it’s possible that she had some ulterior motives behind publicly sharing her provocative proposal.

Le Pen’s Proposal To Divide Russia From China Is Unrealistic

Pakistan’s US-Backed Coup Regime Stirs Up Pashtun Hornet’s Nest

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

Pakistan’s US-Backed Coup Regime Stirs Up Pashtun Hornet’s Nest

Related:

Taliban’s Military Opposition and Civil War or Peace in Afghanistan

On the other hand, for several months, the opposition has been trying to lobby for military and economic equipment, people’s aid from the West and the United States, military and strategic support, and recognition of their legitimacy.

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In addition, the trend of former forces joining the opposition increases the risk of civil war in Afghanistan’s complex and mountainous geography. In the meantime, some foreign actors may strengthen their position on helping the opposition.

China’s Embrace of the Taliban Complicates US Afghanistan Strategy

Beijing is pursuing two main objectives through its outreach to the Taliban. The first is assurance from the Taliban that they will mitigate threats posed by extremist groups that operate close to China’s borders. In particular, Beijing wants the Taliban to stop the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which supports Uyghur separatism, from expanding and potentially carrying out attack targeting Chinese interests [AKA BRI] in the region.

Second, Beijing wants to protect the investments it has already made in Afghanistan and plans to make through programs like the BRI. Proposals by Chinese companies to extract and develop Afghanistan’s copper and oil deposits have been on hold for more than a decade due to political instability. With the United States gone, China hopes the Taliban can stabilize the country enough to resume these projects.

China’s willingness to partner with the Taliban undermines American efforts to influence the extremist group’s behavior through pressure campaigns and sanctions. Beijing has directly lobbied on Kabul’s behalf, demanding that Washington return Afghanistan’s frozen assets, a step that would only weaken U.S. leverage. At the aforementioned foreign ministers meeting, Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s statement called for more aid for Afghanistan and made no mention of the Taliban’s human rights record.

Although Washington cannot stop China from working with the group, the United States and likeminded partners can take steps to mitigate China’s growing influence in Afghanistan.

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To be sure, India has historically been reluctant to serve as the balancing power to China that Washington seeks in South Asia. Yet the Biden administration should understand India’s national interest in preventing regional dominance by Pakistan and China. A hostile Afghanistan supported by Pakistan and China would diminish India’s positive regional influence and further place New Delhi at the mercy of its rivals. China’s outreach to the Taliban also reaffirms the necessity for future conversations about mitigating Chinese influence in the broader Indo-Pacific as part of continuing dialogue among Australia, India, Japan, and America, also known as the Quad.

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Recent meetings between representatives from Beijing and Kabul threaten to subvert American [corporate] interests for peace [😂] and stability [😂] in Asia. China’s actions undermine U.S. leverage and further legitimize the Taliban’s control of Afghanistan.

No chance for peace, and stability, with the US and their vassal states [Pakistan, etc] involved!

America Is Headed for Class Warfare + More

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

Nothing has revealed the class divide in the U.S. quite like runaway inflation and skyrocketing gas prices. But in addition to the economic impact the staggering incompetence of the Biden administration is having on the working class, there is a political one; it’s undeniably driving working class voters even further from the Democrats and toward the GOP.

America Is Headed for Class Warfare

Related:

“Workers aren’t getting bailed out like the billionaires”: Detroit workers livid over surging gas prices

“It’s just really hard to live”: Chicago workers describe impact of surging food and gas prices

British SAS deployed to train Ukrainian soldiers in anti-tank warfare

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

British SAS operators are training Ukrainian Armed Forces in anti-tank warfare and for the first time on the ground in Ukraine since Ukraine War began. They have been deployed to train Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv to use NLAW anti-tank missile launchers; it has been reported.

Since the Ukraine War began, it is the first time that British or any other NATO forces have instructed their Ukrainian counterparts on Ukrainian soil. Two Ukrainian Armed Forces officers from separate battalions stationed both in and around the country’s capital told The Times that British Special Special Air Service operators had trained their troops on two occasions over the last fortnight.

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British military trainers have had a presence in Ukraine since Russia invaded Crimea in 2014 but were withdrawn in February as the likelihood of Russian president Vladimir Putin ordering an all-out invasion of Ukraine increased. Reports of the British training came after Russian TV warned that Western involvement in the war – such as supplying weapons to Ukraine and training its military – meant that World War Three had already begun.

British SAS deployed to train Ukrainian soldiers in anti-tank warfare