South Africa Confirms Likelihood of Saudi Arabia Joining BRICS Economic Alliance


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on October 17, 2022 | Sundance

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a two-day summit with Saudi Arabia on mostly economic matters.

At the conclusion of the summit, he confirmed the intent of Saudi Arabia to join the BRICS economic coalition, which should not come as a surprise given the previous statements by Saudi leader and Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman (MbS).

(MSM) Ramaphosa confirms Saudi Arabia wants to join Brics family.  This was revealed by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his two-day state visit to the kingdom on Sunday.

“The Crown Prince (prime minister Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud) did express Saudi Arabia’s desire to be part of Brics and they are not the only country,” said Ramaphosa. He confirmed this on Sunday during an engagement with the media.

Brics held its first summit in 2009, with SA joining the following year. The bloc has generally been seen as an alternative to the dominance of the western economies.

“We did say that Brics having a summit next year under the chairship of South Africa in SA and the matter is going to be under consideration.

“A number of countries are making approaches to Brics members, and we have given them the same answer that it will be discussed by the Brics partners and thereafter a decision will be made.” (read more)

Since the outset of the Western Alliance sanctions against Russia, we have been predicting an increased geopolitical influence from the BRICS team.  A global financial and economic cleaving is underway created by the western nations chasing ideological climate change energy policy, while the rest of the world remains pragmatic toward oil, coal and natural gas as energy resources.

We have been closely monitoring the signs of a global cleaving around the energy sector taking place.  Essentially, western governments’ following the “Build Back Better” climate change agenda which stops using coal, oil and gas to power their economic engine, while the rest of the growing economic world continues using the more efficient and traditional forms of energy to power their economies.

(July 2022) […] “This accession, if Saudi joins it, will balance the world economic system, especially since the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest exporter of oil in the world, and it’s in the G20,” Hamed said. “If it happens, this will support any economic movement and development in the world trade and economy, and record remarkable progress in social and economic aspects as Saudi Arabia should have partnerships with every country in the world.” (read more)

That would essentially be the end of the petrodollar, and -in even more consequential terms- the end of the United States ability to use the weight of the international trade currency to manipulate foreign government.  The global economic system would have an alternative.  The fracturing of the world, created as an outcome of energy development, would be guaranteed.

Keep in mind, in early June Federal reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated, “rapid changes are taking place in the global monetary system that may affect the international role of the dollar.”  {LINK}

The western alliance (yellow) would be chasing climate change energy policy to power their economies.  The rest of the world (grey) would be using traditional and more efficient energy development.  The global cleaving around energy use would be complete.

This is not some grand conspiracy, ‘out there‘ deep geopolitical possibility, or foreboding likelihood as an outcome of short-sighted western emotion.  No, this is just a predictable outcome from western created events that pushed specific countries to a natural conclusion based on their best interests.

You can debate the motives of the western leaders who structured the sanctions against Russia, and whether they knew the outcome would happen as a consequence of their effort, but the outcome was never really in doubt.  Personally, I believe this outcome is what the west intended. The people inside the World Economic Forum are not stupid – ideological, yes, but not stupid. They knew this global cleaving would happen.

For a deep dive on BRICS, as predicted by CTH, {SEE HERE}.  The bottom line is – the 2022 punitive economic and financial sanctions by the western nations’ alliance against Russia was exactly the reason why BRICS assembled in the first place.

Multinational corporations in control of government are what the BRICS assembly foresaw when they first assembled during the Obama administration.  When multinational corporations run the policy of western government, there is going to be a problem.

In the bigger picture, the BRICS assembly are essentially leaders who do not want corporations and multinational banks running their government. BRICS leaders want their government running their government; and yes, that means whatever form of government that exists in their nation, even if it is communist.

BRICS leaders are aligned as anti-corporatist.  That doesn’t necessarily make those government leaders better stewards, it simply means they want to make the decisions, and they do not want corporations to become more powerful than they are.  As a result, if you really boil it down to the common denominator, what you find is the BRICS group are the opposing element to the World Economic Forum assembly.

The BRICS team intend to create an alternative option for all the other nations. An alternative to the current western trade and financial platforms operated on the use of the dollar as a currency.  Perhaps many nations will use both financial mechanisms depending on their need.

The objective of the BRICS group is simply to present an alternative trade mechanism that permits them to conduct business regardless of the opinion of the multinational corporations in the ‘western alliance.’

The BRICS team, especially if Saudi Arabia, Iran and Argentina are added creating BRICS+, would indeed be a counterbalance to the control of western trade and finance.  This global cleaving is moving from a possibility to a likelihood.  If Saudi Arabia joins BRICS the fracture becomes almost certain.

Elon Musk Revoking Ukrainian Aid


Armstrong Economics Blog/War Re-Posted Oct 17, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. SpaceX founder Elon Musk came to Ukraine’s rescue when they lost access to the internet. Musk’s sent Ukraine 20,000 Starlink satellite units at the cost of $80 million. After Elon Musk posted a poll regarding allowing the Ukrainian people to vote on the matter of joining Russia and upholding the referendum, Ukrainian diplomat Andri Melnyk publicly tweeted, “Fuck off is my very diplomatic reply to you.”

So now, Elon is considering doing what Melnyk proposed. Musk was concerned about the cost of operations long before Melnyk’s insult. “We are not in a position to further donate terminals to Ukraine, or fund the existing terminals for an indefinite period of time,” SpaceX said in a letter to the White House dated September 8. The company was urging the Pentagon to fund the project, which they estimate will cost $120 million for the remainder of 2022 and $400 million for the next 12 months. Ukrainian General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, meanwhile, is requesting 8,000 additional Starlink terminals.

Now Musk is considering back peddling and removing his funding to Ukraine. He stated that his company could no longer afford the costs to fund this endless war. When he received negative feedback online, he replied, “We’re just following the recommendation,” and replied directly to Andri Melnyk. This is what happens when you bite the hand that feeds you.

Putin is Not the Madman – Biden is Just Senile


Armstrong Economics Blog/Russia Re-Posted Oct 16, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

I feel sorry for you for those who believe the propaganda put out to justify a war that Putin is this madman. Be careful what you believe and wish for. You probably think the government really cares about you and your future. You probably still wear masks driving alone, or even when you sleep, and possibly a condom just in case for good measure.

There are those of us who have REAL contacts and who understand REAL geopolitics and the way governments create wars by filling the minds of their people that there are weapons of mass destruction. Now even a former MI6 agent has come out and said the same thing. You better be careful what you wish for. Putin was selected by Yeltsin BECAUSE he was not a Communist and was moderate. Yeltsin was under siege from the communists who did want to resurrect the USSR and the oligarchs who wanted to strip mine Russia for themselves. If Putin was a communist, Yeltsin and his family would have been in prison.

I have all the declassified documents from the Clinton Administration that CONFIRM that Putin was nothing that the propaganda is all about. He NEVER sought to resurrect the USSR. As far as the KGB, he was never high-ranking and quit in 1991 as soon as Russia fell. All of the comments put out there by John McCain were outright lies. I have the security briefing he read and said the opposite because he was a Neocon who just wanted endless wars.

So you can believe all the BS. They need you to do that to wage war and offer your life on their altar of political agendas. If you think you will be an armchair general and watch this war on CNN, sorry. It will come to a neighborhood near you. I just thank God I am not 18. The future these people want is total insanity. The Weimar Republic in Germany took place because it was a revolution against the imperial government that always waged war. We face the same fate when the people realize this has been a mountain of lies for a political agenda. When Zelensky came to power, he promised peace. He was then instructed by the West that was not acceptable. The West promoted the civil war in Ukraine.

It is the hardliners putting pressure on Putin because he has been “too soft” on Ukraine. Replace Putin and we will get World War III. Zelensky better pack his high-heels in an emergency exit bag.

Zelensky Still Pushing to Start World War III


Armstrong Economics Blog/Ukraine Re-Posted Oct 16, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

Ukraine is doomed unless it removes Zelensky from power. I have warned that this guy whose only qualification is to dance in high heels, is a threat to the entire world. The West has cheered him and has been using the Ukrainian people as cannon fodder for their war to conquer Russia is endangering everyone, everywhere. His latest plea is for the West to send troops to guard the border with Belarus. Vladimir Makei, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs, has responded that deploying a mission of representatives of Western countries on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border would be equivalent to “these third countries directly engaging in the Ukrainian conflict.” Indeed, Zelensky knows what he is asking for and has already said many times that World War III has already begun.

Zelensky has his hundred of millions stashed offshore. The Ukrainian people better wake up. Their country will be left in total ruin and the flow of billions will come to an end. War ALWAYS costs more lives of civilians than soldiers. That is true of every war from World War I to Vietnam. This is a proxy war by Neocons who just hate Russia and push for its extinction. I have been warned that their designs will fail. They think they can conquer the world like Napoleon waging war neatly one at a time. That will fail. China will NOT stand by and allow Russia to be defeated for they know they will be next. This is total insanity, and there seems to be no leader anywhere who dares to even suggest peace. China has also told its citizen to leave Ukraine now. The window is closing and if the Ukrainian people think this high-heel dancing head of state will stand there with the last man, they are dreaming. He will have his private jet waiting to take him to his blood money.

To those Ukrainians living in Germany and thinking there will be something to return to, you better think again. Beware of November.

Crimea


Armstrong Economics Blog/Ukraine Re-Posted Oct 16, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

The Plot to Seize Russia


Armstrong Economics Blog/Police Re-Posted Oct 15, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

The latest book, The Plot to Seize Russia, will be handed out at the WEC. This work has been made possible by the declassification of the documents from the Clinton Administration. This book contains even the transcripts of phone calls between Yeltsin and Bill Clinton thanks to the Freedom of Information Act. This book will change what we thought was history. NATO even invited Russia to join in 1991 which led to the coup against Gorbachev. Before you sign of to World War III, you better wait until you finish this book. You can download the introductions here:

The Plot to Seize Russia-Intro

This book will be available for purchase AFTER the WEC on November 13th, 2022

Russell Brand Discusses the Common Sense and Pragmatism of Trump on Subject of Ukraine


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on October 15, 2022 | sundance 

It appears our friend Neil Oliver has the week off. So, we will visit another, albeit saltier, U.K. voice who is also grounded in pragmatic common sense.  Russell Brand recently discussed how “President Trump is Right” about the issues around the Ukraine war and the conflict with Russia.

Mr. Brand notes a few bold nuances that are mostly lost in the media conversation and uses his sarcastic humor to point out the current reality. WATCH:

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New Interview: The Plot to Seize Russia


Armstrong Economics Blog/Armstrong in the Media Re-Posted Oct 14, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

Watch the video above or click here to listen to my latest interview.

Commentary from Rico Potkaars:

"Historian and Economist Martin Armstrong, as a computer programmer created the system called socrates that analyses history, current affairs and the flow of money and extrapolates to what may lie ahead. It gave him the nickname ‘the Forecaster’ and a documentary that to this day is forbidden in the USA.

Armstrong through FOIA retreived information from the Clinton Library about what happened after the Soviet Union fell. He’s written that down in a book called ‘the Plot to Seize Russia.

In this interview we discuss his upcoming book, the current state of collapsing global finance and the inescapable war on Russia as a result of that.."

America Quietly Prepares for Nuclear War


Armstrong Economics Blog/War Re-Posted Oct 12, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

I mentioned in a prior post that the US was purchasing anti-radiation medication. The media is urging the public not to fear as this is simply a precaution. Yet, the US would not have shelled out $290 million on a drug if the intelligence agencies did not fear the potential of a nuclear attack.

The US Department of Health and Human Services downplayed the severity and said that this is part of its “long-standing, ongoing efforts by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response to better prepare the U.S. for the potential health impacts of a wide range of threats to national security.” Of course, Joe Biden fanned the flames of panic by stating there was a risk for a “nuclear Armageddon” not seen in 60 years. “We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis,” Biden said. Obviously, no nuclear weapons were used then, and America is the only nation to have used one during war. However, the US is certainly taking the threat of nuclear war with Russia seriously.

The government is purchasing a drug called Nplate that was approved by the FDA in 2021 to treat radiation syndrome. “Nplate is indicated to increase survival in adults and in pediatric patients (including term neonates) acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation,” the company notes. Although not a worthy source, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) occurs in four stages.

The four stages of ARS are:

  • Prodromal stage (N-V-D stage): The classic symptoms for this stage are nausea, vomiting, as well as anorexia and possibly diarrhea (depending on dose), which occur from minutes to days following exposure. The symptoms may last (episodically) for minutes up to several days.
  • Latent stage: In this stage, the patient looks and feels generally healthy for a few hours or even up to a few weeks.
  • Manifest illness stage: In this stage the symptoms depend on the specific syndrome and last from hours up to several months.
  • Recovery or death: Most patients who do not recover will die within several months of exposure. The recovery process lasts from several weeks up to two years.

It is peculiar that the drug was approved for radiation a year prior to the war breaking out in Ukraine. The drug has never been tested on humans, and the results are not guaranteed. They certainly were not testing monkeys with a radiation dosage even close to that of a nuclear weapon. Of course, this was another NIAID-funded research project. They were testing mRNA drugs and COVID vaccines before the pandemic began too.

“In the study, 80 monkeys exposed to a life-threatening dose of radiation were randomly assigned to receive a single injection of either romiplostim or placebo one day after radiation exposure. All animals were given standard supportive care, including fluids, anti-ulcer medication, anti-nausea medication, pain medication, and antibiotics. After 60 days, 29 of 40 monkeys in the romiplostim group had survived compared to 13 of 40 in the placebo group.”

How could they top the fear-mongering of COVID-19? Nuclear war. Stay inside because of radiation and take your shots to survive. The nuclear Armageddon could occur at any moment! After 2020, anything is possible.

The Ukraine War is Really the Start of World War III


Armstrong Economics Blog/War Re-Posted Oct 11, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

I have close personal friends on all sides of this Ukrainian nightmare — Kyiv, Donetsk, and Moscow. The Russian translation for the film on me, “The Forecaster,” was done by a Ukrainian Russian-Speaking person in Donetsk. I have listened to all the sides, and all I can say is that the hatred there is engrained and will not be eliminated any time soon.

Perhaps I am old school like Kissinger. What I can say is I have studied war. In contrast, about 50,000 Americans died in battle in Vietnam, including some of my high school classmates. North Vietnam lost up to 1,489,000, and South Vietnam lost up to 1,119,000. In World War I,  the total deaths included 9 to 11 million military personnel, with 6 to 13 million civilians. Some have estimated the total number debt of up to 40 million during World War I. In World War II, it is estimated total of 70-85 million people died.

My point is that war is made by politicians causally because they are never the people who die. The best a soldier can hope for is to come home uninjured and alive, and his home and family are still intact. The Neocons always want war. They exist in all countries. Their purpose in life is to hate their imagined enemy. John McCain hated Russians, period. He hated them before Putin as well and always preached war. He may be dead, but there are plenty of Neocons still cheering World War III, like John Bolton and John Brennan, not to forget Hillary.

For the life of me, war just seems to be inherent in our species. Only the Romans ever discovered how to create peace through free trade. Discussing the war in Kyiv, the response to let the Donbas go, which is occupied by Russians anyway, the response is, “No way, they will then want the rest of the country.” But at the same time, they expect the ethnic Russians in the Donbas and Crimea to return to Russia and leave their homes that have been in their families for centuries.

Meanwhile, in Russia, they realize that this is NOT a war against Ukraine, but against the United States. With the 2014 Ukrainian Revolution, the West installed an interim government that was NOT elected by the people. It was that government that sent the army to attack the Donbas — not any Ukrainian elected government. This is the Neocons still waging war, hiding behind Ukraine.

This is an attempt to explain the Minsk Agreement to Zelinsky. In Washington, NOBODY gives a DAMN about the Ukrainian people. The more that die, the better to justify war with Russia. No matter what I say, write, or even try to talk to people on each side, it is in vain. They will not be satisfied without war.

Denmark and Estonia are rejecting any Russians and canceling their visas. The scary part is that China, North Korea, Iran, and Syria, just to name a few, know that Russia cannot be allowed to fall, for they will be next. There seems to be nobody even contemplating a world if Russia was to be defeated or if the world divides. All of this for a strip of land occupied by Russians for centuries? No. It is about a long-seething hatred that has existed for more than a century, and Ukraine is the excuse. There is no resolution until the death count rises substantially. This will NEVER end; even if Putin withdrew, the West would move in for the kill.