This podcast from the ICG takes a look at something that’s not often on the front pages, and that is Russia’s aims in Africa.
Over recent years, Moscow has bolstered ties with countries all over the continent, particularly those plagued by internal violence and disillusioned with Western powers. Russia remains a leading arms supplier and Russian private military contractors continue to expand their presence, most recently in Mali. Whether Russia is successfully pursuing a broader strategy, or merely engaging in tactical power plays, remains a matter of debate. Russia has long sought a naval base on the Red Sea and wields its permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for influence on the continent.
This week on The Horn, Alan is joined by Samuel Ramani, author of an upcoming book on Russia in Africa. They talk about Russia’s historic goals and current strategy on the continent, differing reactions to the invasion of Ukraine, and why some African leaders pursue closer relations with Russia. They also discuss the new significance of African relations for Moscow today and how the war in Ukraine is already changing power dynamics on the continent.
It is all about the vacuum and there are only two countries in the world not only willing, but eager to fill it – China and Russia.
Dictators, Mines, Mafiosi & Blood….
How else would Putin and his Gang not “love” Africa…?
Globalism has a problem: globalism has been adopted by elites as the path to a golden future.
In economics they have a thing called the “Production Possibilities Frontier.” This is basically the ultimate limit of efficient economic production. It everything was going right and economically maximized, what is the theoretic maximum amount of value that a nation’s economy can produce? That is the PPF.
Once a nation has adopted a free market economy, the way that country can expand the PPF is pretty limited. You can increase immigration, increase trade, or increase technology.
The neo-liberals in power virtually everywhere in the Western world want to increase free trade and free immigration to expand the PPF and so potentially increase GDP growth.
But man is not economic man. People want to hold on to their nations and their loyalty to their nation, regardless of the fact that the growth curve of their country’s PPF is thereby hampered.
But there can be no globalist future. The Russians and the Chinese don’t care about making the whole world a wealthier place — that seems to be an obsession of the Western bourgeois. The idea that some super-national elite social class can smooth things over and make Americans, for example, accept a lower living standard because it will mean that Asians and Africans are raised from poverty is absurd. It will not happen.
It’s not a matter of “messaging” or “information control.”
It will not happen. People aren’t stupid, they know when they are being screwed.
Uh-oh. From the WaPo: “U.S. provided intelligence that helped Ukraine sink Russian warship”
Everyone who thinks that Slow Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, and Jake Sullivan are capable of managing Nuclear brinksmanship with the Russians raise your hand.
I would suggest reviewing Slow Joe’s remarks re: Afghanistan that there would be “no circumstance where you’ll see people lifted off the roof” of the roof our embassy in Kabul while you watch a Youtube video of people being lifted off the roof of our embassy in Kabul.
Now it has been leaked to the NY Times that we are giving the Ukranians intelligence that will allow them to assassinate Russian Generals in Ukraine.
This is madness.
Providing real time military intel to a combatant is a casus belli.
I’m not fighting for this fucked up, degenerate country, and neither are my kids.
Y’all want to fly the Ukrainian flag? Cool. Sew it on to your plate carrier and get your ass to the front.
On May 9th Russia’s Victory Day — Putin is rumored to be declaring war on Ukraine and calling for the mobilization of Russia’s reserve forces. If this were true it would be a mistake for a few reasons:
The first is that he would be sending untrained kids to the slaughter. When you consider how Ukraine has chopped up elite VDV and naval infantry units, this could be disastrous for Russia, and teenagers coming back in multiple pieces never sits well with the public.
The second is that it wouldn’t make a difference. Untrained units are not combat effective. The last is that it would expose hundreds of thousands of normal Russians to a very different reality to what they are being told on TV by the propaganda. These soldiers would then relay the news to their families back home etc: it would be opening the gates to entirely different views of the war for the Russian public, from your average (untrained) Russian fighting a losing war far from home.
Let’s see what comes of it next week but considering the national TV and Russian pundit commentaries just adding fuel to the fire, Putin has his back against the wall, and it’s hard to tell what he’ll do.
It appears that Putin genuinely believes Russia is a Great Power, and seizing the Ukraine, in the face of the West’s disapproval was meant to cement that status. Now, not only does he need some sort of win to secure his political survival, he also needs it to pacify his inner demons.
If Russia is unable to conquer even part of Ukraine — a smaller country right next door, what happens to his dream of Greater Russia? A failure in Ukraine literally would mark the end of everything he has worked for for 20 years, even if he is able to cling to power.
Uh-oh. From the WaPo
Those are REAL fighting words and basically a declaration of war. Was there someone here who was touting the superiority of western forces? How about this headline? Get Woke Go Broke: Army Chief of Staff Admits Recruiting Difficulties Will Leave Force Too Small
Intelligence and secrecy are one of the largest advantages military can use, and US keeps blowing them with utmost regularity. When US gave Israel help with SR71 surveillance missions during Yom Kippur war, those missions were not made public for what, 50 years? Now, 5 minutes later… Does the greatest Diplomat™ in charge of the adults in the white house™ realize the implications? Oh wait… nevermind… intended consequences, here is another headline: Is the left agitating for war with Russia so it can cement domestic tyranny?
It may not be possible for woolly to grasp…
Everyone can see: dead Russian generals over here.
Everybody knows: super sophisticated US satellites up there.
Regarding U.S. assistance, including intelligence, is anyone here under the impression that Reagan didn’t provide the same to the Afghans when it was the USSR invading there? Yes, we have some traitors in Foggy Bottom, something we’ve known since the 1950s or before. A biography of Julia Child I’ve read mentions this. So it’s not like such assistance is a surprise to anyone, no?