#EU-Turkey relations

[niveditaabaidya]

Hungary And Sweden Relations Must Improve. #sweden #hungary #nato #qatar...

[oodlenoodleroodle]

Azerbaijan has blocked all the roads to Nagorno-Karabakh for over 7 months now. People are starving, not receiving the medical help they need, there's no fuel... It is a "silent genocide."

The article above doesn't explain why other countries aren't doing anything, but my local paper where I saw this news did, and it is a combination of the following things:

– Azerbaijan is allied with Turkey, which "Western" countries are trying not to annoy at the moment, because of the situation at the Black Sea being a bit delicate rn.

– Azerbaijan also has a lot of natural resources related to energy, which the EU is horny for.

– BP has also invested massively in Azerbaijan energy stuff, so Britain is also not gonna do anything to endanger all that money.

– Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine, so it is not doing its part in keeping the road open as agreed in the cease fire between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

[mapsontheweb]

European Union, EEA and candidate states in July 2024

by DrNeutrino 

European Union (EU) contains 27 member states. There are 9 candidate states: Turkey (1999), North Macedonia (2005), Montenegro (2010), Serbia (2012), Albania (2014), Ukraine (2022), Moldova (2022), Bosnia-Herzegovina (2022) and Georgia (2023).

About states aspiring to join EU:

Kosovo is an applicant and recognised as potential candidate.

While Armenia is not officially neither an applicant nor a potential candidate, I have included it in the category, as the Armenian PM has stated that the country will apply to by fall 2024 and in 12 March vote at European Union it was confirmed that Armenia meets the requirements for applying.

Turkey’s accession negotiations were frozen in 2019 due to democratic backsliding. In 2023 EU rejected Turkey’s proposal to unfreeze the accession negotiations in exchange of letting Sweden accede to NATO.

The application of Ukraine and Moldova is in screening phase which is prerequisite to opening 35 acquis chapters.

North Macedonian application will proceed to opening acquis chapters once the country approves a constitutional amendment related to Bulgarian minority. Albanian application is tied to North Macedonia.

Georgia passed a foreign agent law on 14 May, which is viewed anti-democratic and contradicts the conditions for EU candidacy. Due to this, the accession process was suspended on 9 July and the money for accession assistance was frozen.

About states which are not aspiring to join:

Norway rejected membership in 1972 and 1994 referenda.

Iceland applied in 2009 and was on fast track for membership, but the application process was frozen after 2013 election and withdrawn in 2015. There has been discussion of referendum to resume application.

Switzerland applied to EU and EEA in 1992 but joining was rejected in a referendum on the same year. Instead Switzerland has bilateral treaties with EU.

United Kingdom joined EU in 1973 but membership was rejected in 2016 referendum, and UK withdrew in 2020.

EU has plans to reform before the next enlargement, which has a target year 2030.

[zvaigzdelasas]

Turkey has discreetly imposed a comprehensive ban on the export of weapons and defence-related items to India, one of the world’s leading arms importers, to show its support for Pakistan, India’s main rival in South Asia.[...]

“India, for example, is one of the world’s top five arms importers, a massive market, importing close to $100 billion. However, due to our political circumstances and our friendship with Pakistan, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not give us positive feedback on exporting any products to India, and consequently, we do not grant any permits to our companies in this regard,” he said.[...]

Turkey and India are at odds over a proposed initiative introduced by India, the United States and the European Union at the G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi on September 9, 2023. The initiative seeks to establish a substantial economic corridor linking Europe with the Middle East and India via rail and sea routes. It aims to connect India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan, Israel and the EU through strategically placed shipping ports and an extensive railway network.

Excluded from this corridor, Turkey openly expressed discomfort with the initiative, which it believes undermines its role as a trade hub and favors Greece and other regional competitors. Instead, Turkey supports China’s expansive Belt and Road projects.

Ankara is also advancing the realization of an alternative route, known as the Development Road, which aims to connect Europe and the Middle East through Turkey. “We say there can be no corridor without Turkey. The most suitable route for traffic from east to west must pass through Turkey,” said Erdogan on his return flight from India last year.

Erdogan said they are discussing a corridor that goes from Iraq, Qatar and Abu Dhabi through Turkey to Europe. The corridor is a 1,200-kilometer (745-mile) transportation route comprising railways, motorways and pipelines. It will stretch from Iraq’s Faw Port in Basra to the Turkish port of Mersin and is estimated to cost $20 billion.

Turkey’s anti-Indian policies have prompted New Delhi to seek alliances with countries where Turkey faces challenges in its neighborhood, such as Greece, Cyprus and Armenia, in order to send a message to Ankara that it is prepared to play hardball. As a result, security, military and intelligence cooperation among India, Greece, Cyprus and Armenia has been significantly enhanced in recent years.

18 Jul 24

[sgiandubh]

Keepers of the Quaich

This time, we're going to look at things a bit differently and this could very well be my most speculative post ever. So be it: it is a risk I am taking and warning you about from the get go.

The only thing Mordor understood about the next October 4 event organized by the US Chapter of The Keepers of the Quaich is something that probably gave them collective relief: S is not going to be with C on her birthday. Not together. Not on the same continent. Shut up, shippers, you are stupid.

As usually, Mordor takes things at a very primitive face value, without bothering for context. But they always focused on the lewd side of the story, not on its deep ramifications, of which there are many. Anything that denies S's halfwit manwhore image upsets them greatly.

The Scottish society of The Keepers of the Quaich is not one of those old, steeped in tradition clubs, but it is damn selective. It only dates back to 1988, which is almost five minutes ago, for Europe (and especially the UK) and is deeply rooted in Highlands' lore, celebrating excellence in whisky trade and promotion worldwide. General facts about it have already been discussed elsewhere, but with a bias and little to no context. Also, really LOL at Mordor's idiocy to think that was a fan promotion event and go ballistic for the members-only and by invitation access to it.

Membership is by co-opting and with a five-year proven performance history only (ten years, if you step up to Master level). You need not one, but two recommendations, which makes it harder to join than a Masonic lodge or the Rotary Club (and I know what I am saying, heh). That S could actively seek to be inducted, rather sooner than later, is pretty much clear, as he could use the network it readily provides, along with the prestige:

(Sourced at: https://www.diffordsguide.com/encyclopedia/341/people/keepers-of-the-quaich)

I first had a look at the list of its International Chapters and it is interesting to notice Muslim countries as Turkey or the Emirates each having their own chapter, which clearly tells me it's all about luxury and more specifically, luxury hospitality business, in that case. If inducted after the customary five years' wait, S could also make good use of the German chapter's (a market that proved to be very problematic for him) network, along with the Nordics and Netherlands, if he would think about cleverly expanding his trade in the EU. Last but not least, I would keep an eye on Brazil and India (along with the more predictable South Africa and Australia), because he already has a solid fanbase in the first one and well, Asia is always interesting, when it comes to alcohol business.

I did not really bother with the list of the Patrons, which spells a good and prestigious sliver of Debrett's Peerage's Scottish section. But I also looked at the list of the Management Committee, who does all the hands-on dealings and is directly responsible for the induction ceremony of new members. Aside from representatives of Diageo and Pernod Ricard (giants of the alcohol business world), a familiar name popped right at the bottom of the page:

Annabel Meikle, Director of The Keepers of the Quaich and as such, directly involved in the management of its activities (and probably also in all the underground shenanigans leading to the induction of new members, too). A great contact to have in your rolodex, judging by her public CV on LinkedIn:

Glenmorangie (also a member of the Keepers) - keep that reference under your sleeve, we are going to need it soon :).

Could she be related to...

I am leaving this without an answer, because I don't know and I will always refuse to go data mining for anything, but that sure as hell is not a common surname, as Smith or Martin!

At any rate, Mrs. Meikle is also (along with the Duke of Argyll, the current Keepers Grand Master) a member of The Scottish Committee of something very, very prestigious: The Worshipful Company of Distillers (https://www.distillers.org.uk/), based in London and founded in 1638, by Royal Charter (for “Body Politique and corporate” to govern the “Trade Arte and Mystery of Distillers of London” - how I love history, people!) granted by Charles I, a Stuart (of course). I am speculating and having visions of Livery status and Freedom of the City, followed by Knighthood for S (no bong needed, this particular narrative writes itself and believe it or not, it's not entirely without logic). And it is my strict constitutional right to be a poetic coo about it - that guy is smarter than we thought and I would curate that contact to death if I were him (but I am not, I am just a benevolent and intrigued observer, as you all know). Back to Earth from these optimistic conjectures, I will keep a tab on it, as I dutifully took note that one of their current interests is tequila:

Onwards to the US. We can have a fair idea of October 4th event just by looking at one of their few press releases on the occasion of the Chapter's launch gala, on September 25 2019, in New York (https://www.distilledspirits.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/KOTQUSA-Release-10.04.19.pdf - with quotes selected by me):

Moët Hennessy. Another reference to keep under our sleeve, for it will be soon very relevant. So yes, what has been speculated by Miss Marple is partially true: more business than aristocratic. But this is only if we do not consider as American aristocratic the venue of the next event. The Metropolitan Club is a very East Coast, WASP old money and (well, technically yes) Republican (but not MAGA Republican and this, to me, is very important for some reason) organization:

That was the state of play on Friday, folks, and I was already excited to share my optimistic findings with you. And then, C went to Paris and more dots started to speculatively connect. Bare with me for this long passegiata, I think it's worth it.

It was particularly important that C would be seen in a very friendly-casual pose with Delphine Arnault, out of all the other people attending that event. Not because Arnault is currently the big boss of Dior and Loewe (as I already explained here: https://www.tumblr.com/sgiandubh/729801825900953600/city-of-lights?source=share). And not only because C suddenly seems very interested to renew and expand her fashion days' old network. But also, because, as I already said, Delphine Arnault is also the daughter of her father and in France, business and family are always closely entwined. Always.

The French luxury market is roughly split between two behemoth players: Bernard Arnault (LVMH Moët Hennessy • Louis Vuitton S.A) and Antoine Pinault (Kering, ex- Pinault-Printemps- Redoute). These people and their businesses are number 1 and 2, respectively, on the global market. And out of these two, the only one very interested in the alcohol business is Arnault (Pinault does not deal in this sector).

So I took a look at his very diverse alcohol and spirits brand portfolio (25 references - https://www.lvmh.com/houses/wines-spirits/): rhum, brandy, champagne, tequila, wines (Argentina and even China). Two Scottish whisky brands: first Ardberg (the graceful peat from Islay). And - oh, hello, Mrs. Meikle - Glenmorangie, acquired by Arnault in 2004, after a bitter battle with Pernod Ricard (https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/21/business/world-business-briefing-europe-france-scotch-maker-acquired.html):

Back at Mrs. Meikle's CV - hers was a pivotal role in the post-acquisition reshuffle, as part of LVMH:

Coincidence? I think not.

And then also a bourbon reference. Woodinville (based in the state of Washington, USA) with a pitch that made me grin again like the Cheshire Cat:

Sounds familiar? Rings a bell? See a pattern? You should: no, it's not S in disguise, but it could be SS in a couple of years, if S decided to sell it for a hefty profit.

But I was also interested in what is missing from this catalogue.

NO GIN.

Who knows? Maybe these French people could be enticed? In that case (and remember: I am SPECULATING), it would have to be a brand with a proven track record. You see, Arnault is famous for always buying only brands with a proven history and proven recognition (Tasting Alliance, anyone? LOL). Up until now and as is, FMN is just a pet project and a virtual endeavor. Nothing more and we shall see. But that little wild Scottish gin which could win hearts and already an award in Frisco is something completely different.

Now, then. You connect the dots. You draw your own conclusions. I see something very intriguing here and, as I already told you, the business underground situation is completely different from the bland façade.

You see, this is not about papers or checking a pulse or awkwardly grabbing a fist on some stairs. This is show me the money time. This is all about finding unexpected connections, at a very high level and on a very narrow niche.

So you think S and C can't stand each other anymore?

Humbug. They have each other's back from Day 1. And more. Ship on, ladies. Whatever clownery these days might bring, I know what I know. And by now, you should start asking yourselves the real questions, not if Waldo is with Carmen Sandiego (we KNOW), nor if they were online at the same time or not. I mean, that's cute: but to be honest, I think we're past that... uh... waypoint?

Next on my list is that Lallybroch trademark thing. This is the most complex one and I will take my time. I may speculate, but never without a logical base. And I always take these things very seriously.

Keepers of the Quaich, indeed. :)

[girlactionfigure]

🔅Mon morning - ISRAEL REALTIME - Connecting to Israel in Realtime

Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day - in Israel today.

🔻ROCKET BARRAGE - from Hezbollah - at the GOLAN: Kidmat Zvi x2, Neot Mordechai, Kidmat Zvi, Katzrin - Industrial Zone, Katzrin

(What’s a ‘barrage’?  10 or more.)

🟡 NO DEAL..  Senior Hamas official, Musa Abu Marzouk: "The leaders of the occupation have already admitted defeat to Hamas and only Netanyahu is still insisting. The positions of the American government are related to the interests of elections and therefore the government makes contradictory statements.

Our demands are to stop the war, withdraw the occupation, restore the Gaza Strip, lift the blockade and release prisoners.  The other groups insist that there be a permanent ceasefire.  As far as we are concerned, the American guarantees cannot be trusted . We aim to add Russia, Turkey and China as guarantors."

.. Defense Minister Gallant told American Defense Minister Austin last night: “Hamas' refusal of the deal and the killing of the soldiers left no choice and the meaning is the beginning of the Israeli operation in Rafah.��

.. The head of the CIA, Bill Burns, is expected to arrive in Israel today for talks on the hostage deal.

🟢 RAFAH PREP.. The IDF is expanding the humanitarian zone in Mawasi. The expanded humanitarian zone includes field hospitals, tents and increased quantities of food, water, medicine and other supplies.  The IDF is calling on residents in the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah to temporarily evacuate to the expanded humanitarian zone through announcements, SMS messages, phone calls and media broadcasts in Arabic.

.. Targeted airstrikes on Rafah overnight.

.. Israeli security officials informed Egypt early this morning of the beginning of the expected evacuation of civilians from Rafah, a few hours before the evacuation began.

❌ Details of the Kerem Shalom attack.. 14 rockets were fired from Rafih at IDF posts and assembly points in the Kerem Shalom area.  Two hit in Camp Amitai, near Kibbutz Kerem Shalom, on a squad that was guarding equipment.  The IDF is investigating: why no interceptions, they were aware of this possibility as it is within visual range of Gaza (meaning Hamas could see it), so the troops were minimized and defensive positions set up - how was there such a large hit?

♦️TULKARM (Samaria - Arab city on the Green Line).. IDF forces launched a wide operation. Forces raided the city and engineering teams began detonating charges buried under the roads via combat bulldozers.

▪️EU COMMANDER SAYS (Red Sea).. "The danger arising from attacks from Yemen has become more acute than ever. The Yemenis managed to overcome the air defense of the EU ships using swarms of drones, and hit a merchant ship that was under the protection of the mission ships.”

[daughterofthetwopomegranates]

Please reblog this!

These are testing times for Armenian-Israeli relations, but we should navigate these rough waters to harness our many shared assets.

Last week, Armenia became the 145th country to recognize the state of Palestine – even as Israel continues its difficult fight against Hamas in Gaza. Last year, Armenians suffered a terrible ethnic cleansing at the hands of Azerbaijan, which was armed to a significant degree by Israel. You’d think two nations are at odds – and indeed a Jerusalem Post editorial presented things that way. But look beneath the surface and a different story appears.

There is a deep sense of shared history, affinity, and like-mindedness between Armenia and Israel, which endures despite Israel’s military dealings with Azerbaijan and Turkey. There is no underlying antisemitism in Armenia, just as there is no inherent Armenophobia in Israel. Both nations have faced persecution and genocide, defining themselves not territorially but through a duality that exposes them to tough choices during international crises.

These are testing times for Armenian-Israeli relations, but we should navigate these rough waters to harness our many shared assets. Our global communities collaborate in combating extremism and in developing innovations, such as vaccines created at Moderna, a company with Armenian roots. The significant Israeli-Armenian community can serve as a bridge for mutual understanding and cooperation. There is also a growing Jewish community in Armenia, consisting of Russian and Ukrainian citizens who have fled hostility and military drafts. Many of them are contemplating settling down in welcoming Armenia and starting their new lives.

Strategically, Armenia is undergoing a dramatic geopolitical reorientation, moving closer to the United States and contemplating EU membership while joining regional integration and transport projects that will shape the future Eurasian trade. Israel should consider supporting US policies in this region to help Armenia strengthen its democratic institutions and contribute to reshaping its security strategies. This cooperation will enhance both countries' footprints in the region and beyond, including in India and the Gulf states.

So why did Armenia recognize Palestine?

This recognition came after decades of similar acknowledgments by former Soviet and Warsaw block countries, all of Armenia’s neighbors, and several EU member states. While this move may seem ill-timed, especially for those who have long advocated for closer ties with Israel, it is essential to understand the underlying principles guiding Armenia's decision.

Armenia emerged from the wreckage of the Soviet Empire as an independent nation in a challenging and hostile neighborhood. Historically, Armenia has struggled to ensure its survival and preserve its distinct identity as a representative of Western civilization in the Middle East. Poor in resources and militarily outpowered by regional rivals, Armenia has heavily relied on international legitimacy - the right to self-determination, the prevention of genocide, and the non-use of force in disputes as cornerstones of its foreign policy.

Last September, Azerbaijan attacked and invaded the ethnic Armenian-populated enclave of Artsakh, ending the self-government which had been in place since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and indeed was in effect during the communist period and indeed was in effect during the communist period and before. Heavily reliant on Israeli weaponry, the Azerbaijani forces compelled the exodus of the entire population of over 120,000 people.

But the tragic even is not, despite what Israelis might suspect, the reason for the recognition of Palestine.

Rather, this had to do with the country’s self-declared obligations regarding internationally recognized self-determination cases, including Palestine, and potentially Kosovo, South Sudan, and others in the future.

The timing of Armenia's recognition of Palestine has stirred controversy both at home and in Israel. Many perceive that the act during the Gaza conflict sends wrong signals to the belligerents. If this is the case, it is a regrettable externality not anticipated by Armenian policymakers. Armenia's decision might have been influenced by powerful regional actors, highlighting her increased susceptibility to pressures from invigorated neighbors like Turkey after the 2020 Armenia-Azerbaijan war.

The reaction in Israel has been particularly vehement, with media backlash and stern warnings from the Israeli MFA about potential deterioration in bilateral relations. This reaction contrasts sharply with the responses to similar recognitions by Spain, Slovenia, and Belgium. It raises the question of why Armenia's recognition is perceived as less forgivable than that of the 144 other countries.

Armenia’s recognition of Palestine aligns with its long-standing principles and should not be viewed as a detriment to future Armenian-Israeli relations. Instead, both nations to reaffirm their shared values and work towards a more stable and prosperous future together.

*once again please reblog!*

[ritchiepage2001newaccount]

Kakistocracy #CorpMedia #Idiocracy #Oligarchs #MegaBanks vs #Union #Occupy #NoDAPL #BLM #SDF #DACA #MeToo #Humanity #DemExit #FeelTheBern

JinJiyanAzadi #BijiRojava SDF’S ARAB MAJORITY RANK TURKEY AS THE BIGGEST THREAT TO NE SYRIA. [UPDATES]

Of all the actors in the Syrian conflict, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are perhaps the most misunderstood party. Five years after the United States decided to partner with the SDF, gaping holes remain in our knowledge about the women and men who defeated the Islamic State (IS)…

RELATED UPDATE: US researcher Amy Austin Holmes visits North and East Syria: “It requires international pressure to prevent Turkey from continuing its crimes”

https://syriacpress.com/blog/2021/10/08/us-researcher-amy-austin-holmes-visits-north-and-east-syria-it-requires-international-pressure-to-prevent-turkey-from-continuing-its-crimes/

RELATED UPDATE: “We will defeat the Turkish occupation with our will”

RELATED UPDATE: YPG: The Kobanê resistance makes us more determined to defend the Rojava revolution

RELATED UPDATE: With All Eyes on Palestine, Don’t Forget Rojava

RELATED UPDATE: Iranian journalist jailed for investigating death of Kurdish teen

RELATED UPDATE: Protests across Europe denounce the Paris massacre

RELATED UPDATE: Iranian authorities stop Jina Amini's lawyer, seize EU Parliament Sakharov Prize

RELATED UPDATE: KCK: The guerrilla proved its superiority over the occupying Turkish army

FURTHER READING:

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 9.13

Holidays

Bald is Beautiful Day

Barbershop Day

Battle of Fort McHenry Anniversary Day

Be Different Day

Blame Someone Else Day

Boy Heroes Day (Mexico)

Breakaway (Space 1999)

Clymene Asteroid Day

Corn Day (French Republic)

Day of the Children Heroes (Mexico)

Day of the Programmer

Defender’s Day (everywhere except Maryland)

Defy Superstition Day

Día de los Niños Héroes (Mexico)

Eleven Days of Global Unity, Day 3: Environment

Engineer’s Day (Mauritius)

European Heritage Day (EU)

International Legacy Giving Day

International Mountain Chicken Frog Day

International Slow Loris Day

Jimi Hendrix Day (San Francisco)

John Barry Day (Pennsylvania)

Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day

Land Development Specialist’s Day (Tajikistan)

National Celiac Awareness Day

National EV Charging Day

National Hug Your Boss Day

National Jose Day

National Juan Day

National Odd Sock Day of Adventure

National Twilighters Day

National Urban Eden Day

9 x 13 Day

913 Day

Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day

Positive Thinking Day

Programmers' Day (a.k.a. Day of the Programmer) [256th day]

Roald Dahl Day

Scooby Doo Day

Soap Day

Supernatural Day

Swiftie Day

Thimphu Tshechu (Bhutan)

Uncle Sam Day

Victoria Asteroid Day

World Indigenous Rights Day

World Sepsis Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Fortune Cookie Day

Gluten Free Beer Day

International Chocolate Day

National Cachaca Day (Brazil)

National Peanut Day

Snack-A-Pickle Day

Independence & Related Days

Republic of Drew Star Line (Declared; 2005) [unrecognized]

Venda (from South Africa, 1979) [unrecognized]

2nd Friday in September

Carry Nation Festival begins (Holly, Michigan) [Friday after 1st Monday thru Sunday]

Comfort Food Friday [Every Friday]

Farmer-Consumer Awareness Day (Washington) [2nd Friday]

Fiesta de Santa Fe begins (New Mexico) [1st Friday after Labor Day]

Fish & Chips Friday [2nd Friday of Each Month]

Fisherman’s Walk Day (Scotland) [2nd Friday]

Five For Friday [Every Friday]

Flashback Friday [Every Friday]

Follow Friday [2nd Friday of Each Month]

Friday Finds [Every Friday]

Friday the Firkenteenth (Grey Lodge, Pennsylvania) [Every Friday the 13th]

Frugal Friday [2nd Friday of Each Month]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

Great Canadian Beer Festival (Victoria, BC) [2nd Friday & Saturday]

International Skeptics Day [1st Friday the 13th of the Year]

King Turkey Race (Minnesota) [2nd Friday]

Knabenschiessen begins (Switzerland) [2nd Friday thru Sunday]

Nae Nae Day [2nd Friday]

National Dog Walker Appreciation Day [1st Friday after Labor Day]

National Folk Festival begins [2nd Friday thru Sunday]

National 401(k) Day [Friday after 1st Monday]

Popeye Picnic begins (Chester, Illinois) [2nd Friday thru Sunday]

Stand Up to Cancer Day [2nd Friday]

TGIF (Thank God It's Friday) [Every Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning September 13 (2nd Full Week of September)

National Days of Prayer and Remembrance (thru 9.15) [Friday to Sunday closest to 9.11]

National Eczema Week 9thru 9.21)

Festivals Beginning September 13, 2024

Apple Days & Market To Go (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) [thru 9.15]

The Big E (West Springfield, Massachusetts) [thru 9.29]

Bloody Scotland (Stirling, Scotland, UK) [thru 9.15]

Brewfest at the Beach (New London, Connecticut)

Cajun Food Fest (Lydia, Louisiana) [thru 9.14]

Cordova Fungus Festival 2024 (Cordova, Alaska) [thru 9.15]

Devine's Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch (Harrodsburg, Kentucky) [thru 11.3]

Downtown Boulder's Fall Fest (Boulder, Colorado) [thru 9.15]

Grape Stomp Festival (Alexandria, Minnesota) [thru 9.15]

Harvest Moon Festival (Clearwater, Manitoba, Canada) [thru 9.15]

Hinkelfest (Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania) [thru 9.15]

Irish Festival (Milford, Connecticut) [thru 9.14]

Kentucky Bourbon Festival (Bardstown, Kentucky) [thru 9.15]

King Turkey Day Festival (Worthington, Minnesota) [thru 9.14]

Long Island Fair (Old Bethpage, New York) [thru 9.15]

Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival (Natchitoches, Louisiana) [thru 9.14]

National Barrow Show (Austin, Minnesota) [thru 9.16]

Neptune's Fall Wine Festival (Virginia Beach, Virginia) [thru 9.14] [thru 9.15]

Newport Oktoberfest (Newport, Kentucky) [thru 9.15]

Ohio Pawpaw Festival (Albany, Ohio) [thru 9.15]

Okawville Wheat Festival (Okawville, Illinois) [thru 9.15]

Pacific Meridian Film Festival (Vladivostok, Russia) [thru 9.19]

Rising Sun Navy Bean Fall Festival (Rising Sun, Indiana) [thru 9.14]

Slunce ve Skle Beer Festival (Plzen, Czech Republic) [thru 9.14]

Snowmass Wine Festival (Snowmass Village, Colorado) [thru 9.14]

Telluride Blues & Brews Festival (Telluride, Colorado) [thru 9.15]

Wine Harvest Festival in the Czech Republic (Znojmo, Czech Republic) [thru 9.15]

Feast Days

Aimé (a.k.a. Amatus; Christian; Saint)

Ame (Christian; Saint)

Arnold Schoenberg (Artology; Humanism)

Aristides the Athenian (Christian; Saint)

Barry Fell Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Basil of Iberia (Christian; Saint)

Bob Eggleton (Artology)

Ceremony of Lighting the Fire (Ancient Egypt)

Cornelius of Baden-Olonets, Dionysius, and Misail (Christian; Saints)

Cornelius the Centiurion (Christian; Martyr)

Cronides and Serapion in Alexandria (Christian; Martyrs)

Daniel Defoe (Writerism)

Dave the Human (Muppetism)

Day of Anubis (All Souls’ Day; Ancient Egypt)

Egyptian All Souls’ Day (Everyday Wicca)

Elias, Zoticus, Valerian, Macrobius, and Gordian at Tomi in Romania (Christian; Martyrs)

Emain Abhlach (Celtic Book of Days)

Epulum Jovis (Feast of Jove; Ancient Rome) [Ides of September]

Eulogius of Alexandria (Christian; Saint)

Feast of the Cross (Assyrian Church of the East)

Ketevan, Queen of Georgia (Christian; Martyr)

Hierotheus of Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos (Christian; Saint)

Hierotheus of Kalamata (Christian; Saint)

Ides of September (Ancient Rome)

John Chrysostom (Christian; Saint)

Lictisternia (Old Roman festival to Jupiter, Juno & Minerva)

Livia Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Make a Corn Dolly Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Marcellinus of Carthage (Christian; Saint)

Maurilius of Angers (a.k.a. Maurille) of Angers (Christian; Saint)

Molly Crabapple (Artology)

Mosquito Avoidance Day (Pastafarian)

Nectarius of Autun (Christian; Saint)

Otway (Positivist; Saint)

Peter of Atroe (Christian; Saint)

Robert Indiana (Artology)

Roald Dahl (Writerism)

Seleucus in Scythia (Christian; Martyr)

Sherwood Anderson (Writerism)

Venerius the Hermit (Christian; Saint)

Wulfthryth (a.k.a. Wilfrida) of Wilton (Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Unlucky Day (EU, US) [Friday the 13th] (1 of 2 for 2024)

Unlucky Day (Canada, Germany, Ireland, UK, US) [Friday the 13th]

Premieres

After Hours (Film; 1985)

Agnes of God (Film; 1985)

Almost Famous (Film; 2000)

The Amityville Horror, by Jay Anson (Novel; 1977)

Audrey the Rainmaker (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

The Awful Tooth (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Barbershop (Film; 2002)

Batman Unlimited: Mchs vs. Mutants (WB Animated Film; 2016)

Benson (TV Series; 1979)

Bones (TV Series; 2005)

By Leaps and Hounds (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Candle in the Wind, Diana Version, by Elton John (Song; 1997)

Cat Carson Rides Again (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Cat-Choo (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Cat Tamale (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Centerfold, by The Cars (Song; 1981)

Children of the World, by The Bee Gees (Album; 1976)

City Kitty (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Clerks III (Film; 2022)

Clown on the Farm (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Come Dancing (UK Musical Show; 2008)

Crime of the Century, by Supertramp (Album; 1974)

Dogfight (Film; 1991)

The Dreaming, by Kate Bush (Album; 1982)

The Drew Carey Show (TV Series; 1995)

Easy-Duz-It, by Easy-E (Album; 1988)

Everybody Loves Raymond (TV Series; 1996)

The Ginger Man, by J.P. Donleavy (Novel; 1955)

The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood (Novel; 1985)

Hard Rain, by Bob Dylan (Album; 1976)

Highway Star. Written by DeepPurple (Song; 1971)

In Utero, by Nirvana (Album; 1993)

Law and Audrey (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Law & Order (TV Series; 1990)

Mishima (Film; 1985)

The Muppet Show (TV Series; 1976)

The Nitty Gritty, recorded by Shirley Ellis (Song; 1963)

One More from the Road, by Lynyrd Skynyrd (Live Album; 1976)

The Other Wind, by Ursula Le Guin (Novel; 1968) [Earthsea #5]

Pee-Wee’s Playhouse (TV Series; 1986)

The Popeye Show (King Features Syndicate/Hanna-Barbera Animated TV Series; 1978)

Ready to Die, by The Notorious B.I.G. (Album; 1994)

Scooby-Doo Where Are You (Animated TV Series; 1969)

Scout Fellow (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Skinny Legs and All, recorded by Joe Tex (Song; 1967)

Soap (TV Series; 1977)

Solid Gold (TV Series; 1980)

The Spectacular Now (Film; 2013)

Star-Spangled Banner lyrics written, by Francis Scott Key (Lyrics; 1814)

Supernatural (TV Series; 2005)

Take Me to Church, by Hozier (Song; 2013)

Thud!, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 2005) [Discworld #34]

Truth and Soul, by Fishbone (Album; 1988)

Undone (Animated TV Series; 2019)

Yesterday, by The Beatles (Song; 1965)

Yojimbo (Film; 1961)

Today’s Name Days

Tobias (Austria)

Ivan, Ljubo, Zlatko (Croatia)

Lubor (Czech Republic)

Cyprianus (Denmark)

Ervi, Ervin, Ervo (Estonia)

Orvo (Finland)

Aimé (France)

Johann, Notburga, Tobias (Germany)

Aristeides, Aristeidis, Cornelius, Kornelios (Greece)

Kornél (Hungary)

Crisostomo, Giovanni, Maurilio, Regina (Italy)

Iza, Izabella, Izanda, Izīda (Latvia)

Barmantas, Barvydė, Mangailis (Lithuania)

Stian, Stig (Norway)

Aleksander, Aureliusz, Eugenia, Filip, Lubor, Materna, Morzysław, Szeliga (Poland)

Ctibor (Slovakia)

Amado, Crisóstomo, Juan (Spain)

Ambjörn, Sture (Sweden)

Arlando, Milton, Orlando, Roland, Rolanda, Rolando, Stone, Stoney (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 257 of 2024; 109 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of Week 37 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Muin (Vine) [Day 13 of 28]

Chinese: Month 8 (Guy-You), Day 11 (Geng-Chen)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 10 Elul 5784

Islamic: 9 Rabi I 1446

J Cal: 17 Gold; Threesday [17 of 30]

Julian: 31 August 2024

Moon: 75%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 5 Shakespeare (10th Month) [Lessing]

Runic Half Month: Ken (Illumination) [Day 7 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 86 of 94)

Week: 2nd Full Week of September

Zodiac: Virgo (Day 23 of 32)

[darkmaga-retard]

Michael Corbin

Sep 06, 2024

On September 4, Kommersant reported that Yuri Ushakov, aide to President Vladimir Putin, confirmed that Turkey is requesting full membership to the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and that the organization would begin reviewing the request in advance of the BRICs Summit this fall.

The event will be held in Kazan, Russia, on October 22-24. Ushakov also underscored that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will attend.

The Russian aide’s announcement ended months of speculation and followed a Bloomberg article on September 2 claiming the country had “formally asked to join the BRICS group of emerging-market nations.” Erdoğan administration officials, speaking under anonymity, noted that one reason for the formal application was that the “geopolitical center of gravity is shifting away from developed economies.”

Noted Russian political scientist Alexander Safonov offered insight into the rationale for Ankara’s decision:

"Turkey is one of the states that is conveniently located in terms of global trade routes, including between Europe and Asia. This factor forces the government of the republic to seek as many contacts as possible through which these logistical features can be used. And, of course, BRICS as one of the modern leading economic platforms gives it more opportunities in this regard, including for establishing relations with China, Russia, and Iran."

Membership clearly would provide Turkey with the opportunity to increase its already high level of imports from China and Russia. It would also offer greater access for exports to these countries and lower the Ankara’s reliance on the United States and European Union.

[hadleysmis]

Türkiye's protest

If you're interested in "do you hear the people sing" used in contemporary politics, here's one of Türkiye:

This protest was done during the Gezi Park protests in 2013, lasting for just over 2 months: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gezi_Park_protests

According to Wikipedia, the goals of the protesters were:

- Protecting Gezi Park and the public places

- Defending freedom of speech and right to assembly

- Banning the usage of chemical gas by state forces against protesters

- Resignation of Erdoğan's government

- Free media

- Fair elections

With the subsequent results:

- Occupation of the park and adjoining Taksim square ended by force, smaller scale protests gradually die out, the park remains open to the public and plans for its destruction are cancelled

- EU-Turkey relations deteriorated

- Government passed several bills to increase the government's ability to control the Internet, to expand the police's abilities and to criminalise the provision of emergency medical care during protests.

- Court acquits Gezi Park protest leaders

To see current political state, see:

[mariacallous]

The government of Bosnia’s Serb-dominated entity, Republika Srpska, has withdrawn a Law on the Special Registry and Publicity of the Work of Non-Profit Organisations from a vote in parliament without much explanation. 

The National Assembly was supposed to vote on the much-criticised law on Tuesday, but Milos Bukejlovic, the Minister of Justice, told deputies near the end of the session that they were withdrawing the law from the agenda, without explaining why there will be no vote.

Shortly after, the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, stated on X that after “several days of consultations with the government and deputies”, they had decided to withdraw the law due to objections related to European standards.

“Since Republika Srpska is committed to the European path, we agreed to withdraw this law and further harmonise it with the laws that some European countries have and apply, in order to align it with European legal practice,” Dodik stated, adding that the law will be reintroduced in the near future. 

The so-called “foreign agents law” would restrict non-profit organisations from engaging in “political activities”, mandate their enrolment in a special registry and subject them to increased legal oversight.

In practice, they would have to submit regular financial reports detailing how much money they receive and from whom. With the law, the government could declare them “agents of foreign influence”.

The Venice Commission, the Council of Europe’s constitutional law experts, and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, ODIHR, warned in June last year that the law “contains serious deficiencies”. They urged the authorities to “reconsider its adoption entirely”.

Turkey plans to implement a similar law, threatening prison for those who make propaganda for a foreign actor. Experts have warned it would be a major blow to media freedom, free speech and civil society.

Elsewhere, MPs in Georgia have voted to override a presidential veto on a similar “Transparency of Foreign Influence” law, despite weeks of mass protests and sharp criticism from the EU and US.

[sevaghves]

I see some misunderstanding among Armenians about the capabilities our state, the Republic of Armenia, has had in the last two decades.

The corruption of the previous governments left the army in a really bad shape. Their incompetence and subjugation to Russia lowered our position in the Karabakh negotiations to 0. Same about relationship with the West. US and EU were very favorable to Armenia in late 1990s but grew to mistrust us due to Sargsyan and Kocharyan's loyalty to Putin.

Russia has been arming Azeris more heavily than us for over a decade. It is no secret that Putin's plan is to recreate the Russian empire and the only reason Putin isn't touching Azerbaijan is that it already belongs to Turkey.

In these circumstances, we entered the 2020 war without the things we needed the most: a well-armed and trained army, and good relations with world powers.

Nikol Pashinyan's government was well aware of Russia's intentions and pledged to maintain the same foreign policy as the previous governments to prevent bloodshed in Artsakh. It didn't work because Putin already knew how weak our country was. Why negotiate with someone you can easily outpower? The West didn't react to Pashinyan's signals, because they had a bad experience in Georgia and didn't want to interfere if things went south again in the South Caucasus.

After the 2020 disaster, Pashinyan's government faced the same external threats, but with even less resources. In the negotiations, every independent move that protected Armenia's sovereignty was punished by Russia through Azeri attacks on our borders.

The war in Ukraine changed a lot. The West grew very concerned with territorial integrity of states. Azerbaijan couldn't make more land grabs without consequences. Artsakh thus remained the only leverage Russia had on Armenia, which gave Armenians hope that the ethnic cleansing of 2020 would not resume as it would mean the end of legal Russian presence in this region.

For the West, it is far more convenient to work with Armenia without Artsakh. Russia's apparent betrayal is also in the West's favor.

Could Pashinyan's government have done more?

The problem isn't that they aren't making reforms and correcting the foreign policy. The problem is that they are too slow and they lack political foresight to be proactive. Unable to fight for Artsakh now, they seem to have chosen to let the ethnic cleansing happen to justify severing ties with Russia and turning towards the West.

This government chose to fight in 2020 when they had no chance of winning. They chose not to repeat that in 2023. Only the lack of a coherent and competent political force that could compete with this government in the elections has kept Pashinyan in power. Everyone else is just worse than his team.

But we as citizens must admit our own share of blame. We underestimated the danger. We didn't prepare for war. We put all responsibility on the government we knew wasn't effective enough.

This is our chance to unite and reunite as a nation. Train and prepare for conflicts. Be better educated about foreign affairs. Demand higher standard from politicians. Stop criticizing each other for having a different opinion. Work together to become stronger and produce a better political elite.

[zvaigzdelasas]

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly is expected to attend the opening of a Canadian embassy in Yerevan in September. Canada is also set to become the first third-party state to join the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA), under which unarmed observers monitor conditions along Armenia’s side of the frontier with Azerbaijan. The mission strives to “contribute to human security in conflict-affected areas in Armenia,” as well as foster better Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. Canada’s observers will be drawn from the ranks of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a source with direct knowledge of the arrangement told Eurasianet. [...]

Canada’s interest in South Caucasus security appears connected to an ongoing diplomatic tussle with Turkey. Canadian officials announced their decision to join the EU monitoring mission just days after NATO’s annual summit in Lithuania, where Ottawa reportedly reopened talks with Turkey about the export of Canadian defense technology. Canada canceled military export permits to Turkey in 2021, after receiving “credible evidence” that Turkey transferred Canadian-made technology to Azerbaijan that was then used to great effect in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. “This use was not consistent with Canadian foreign policy, nor end-use assurances given by Turkey,” said former Canadian foreign minister Marc Garneau.  In exchange for supporting Sweden’s NATO bid, Turkey is demanding that its NATO allies, Canada included, drop embargoes on defense technology. A Reuters report cited an unnamed Turkish official as saying it was unacceptable for NATO allies to impose export restrictions on each other. [...] The main reason for Canada’s increased engagement with Armenia, Kilford says, is to exert a greater degree of influence over future developments, including the possible normalization of relations between Armenia and its Turkic neighbors. 

24 Aug 23

[beardedmrbean]

The Balkan country of Bosnia and Herzegovina is to begin EU membership negotiations, eight years after it formally applied to join the bloc.

The European Commission - the EU's executive arm - last week recommended that talks should begin.

EU leaders have now given the plan their approval.

European Council president Charles Michel congratulated the country's leaders, telling them: "Your place is in our European family."

He posted a photo of him shaking hands with Borjana Krišto, Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Today's decision is a key step forward on your EU path. Now the hard work needs to continue so Bosnia and Herzegovina steadily advances, as your people want."

Shortly afterward, Ms Krišto expressed her thanks, saying: "Mutual determination and effort have resulted in achieving the necessary level of compliance with the requirements and criteria."

Germany's chancellor, Olaf Scholz, described the thumbs-up for Bosnia as a "good message" for the entire region.

Croatia's prime minister Andrej Plenković said it was "a historic day for our neighbouring and friendly Bosnia and Herzegovina!"

EU to open membership talks with Ukraine

Is Europe doing enough to help Ukraine?

Bosnia has been waiting a long time to receive the green light for talks.

In 2003, the EU produced the Thessaloniki Declaration, saying they wanted Western Balkan countries to join them. Since then, only Croatia has completed the complex accession process.

After applying for membership in 2016, Bosnia was granted candidate status in October 2022.

Over the past year, it has been passing laws relating to priorities set out by the Commission that focus on democracy and the functioning of the state, the rule of law, fundamental rights and reform of public administration.

Some of these laws include clamping down on money laundering, conflicts of interest, and even approving negotiations on an agreement with EU border agency Frontex.

Bosnia is still ethnically and politically divided, even decades after the 1992-95 war that tore the country apart, leaving more than 100,000 people dead and millions displaced.

It could be many more years until the country formally joins the EU, as they would be required to implement more economic and democratic reforms.

Albania, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine have all applied to join the bloc and are at various stages of the application process.

The war in Ukraine has sharpened the EU's awareness that it needs to show commitment to the Western Balkans.

[torrilin]

Thanksgiving for two

This is something we do most years. I don’t mind a big spread if I’m cooking with my sister. But doing a “proper” family thanksgiving is exhausting.

For years the default was my usual roast chicken. Sorry, I don’t have a proper recipe for it. Basically, take vegetables that roast well, use them as a roasting rack for a chicken. Start it breast side down, flip when it’s almost done to crisp up the breast skin. You can go as low as 100C for the early phase on up to 450F. The crispy skin stage, turn the oven hot as it gets, and watch it like a hawk. I vary the seasoning a lot depending on the exact kind of thing we’re in the mood for, so it can be curried or lemony or orange glazed or 40 cloves of garlic style or clove heavy or or or.

Last year we got fancy. www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/recipes/roast-turkey-with-lemon-parsley-and-garlic/

This is a touch fancier than my usual, but not a huge challenge. The trickiest bit is the bacon, which can burn. Feel free to skip it and cook the bird breast down instead. Yes, it’s a turkey. It’s very easy to scale a full turkey recipe down to chicken size, especially if the chicken is a 5-7lb American one. If you have the standard EU 1.25kg little chicken, it’s maybe a touch trickier. Maybe cut the onions smaller before you stuff them in the cavity, and go with a bay leaf per breast vs the 3 for a turkey. The herb butter go with one to two sticks of butter rather than the around 3 of the recipe.

Mashed potatoes don’t need a recipe. It’s a popular side dish because it’s so hard to mess them up.

www.europeancuisines.com/Germany-German-Gefluegelragout-Roast-Chicken-Stew-Main-Dish-Entree

@dduane and @petermorwood list this as stew. It also works perfectly well as a gravy. I never made it in the US, and in the US I won’t touch beef bouillon with a barge pole. But it should work fine with chicken bouillon there since the main trick is you’re doing a brown roux. With onion. My vibe is the intended brownness of the roux is fairly golden brown. If you’re of the first you make a roux school of cooking, it can take a pretty dark roux though. For maximum dark, do browned onions separately because dark caramelized onions are kinda incompatible with a dark brown roux. If you just want lightly browned, do them together.