#Western Economies

[tmarshconnors]

STOP HELPING UKRAINE!

The war between Russia and Ukraine has dragged on for over a year now, and the West, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, has poured billions into military aid, equipment, and financial assistance for Ukraine. The argument has been that Ukraine needs our support to defend itself against Russian aggression, which, in theory, could pose a broader threat to Europe and even global security. But is this endless funding truly in the best interest of our nations? I argue that it is not.

Unintended Consequences: Economic Strain on the West

Let’s start with the practical issue: the economic toll on our countries. We are facing significant domestic challenges – from economic recessions and rising inflation to unemployment and energy crises. Yet, despite these struggles, billions of taxpayer dollars and pounds continue to flow out to fund a conflict halfway across the world.

Consider the impact on everyday citizens. Energy prices have skyrocketed, in part because of sanctions on Russian oil and gas, but also due to our funding of this seemingly never-ending conflict. Instead of investing in infrastructure, healthcare, or education at home, we’re propping up a country that, quite frankly, needs to take responsibility for its own survival.

What’s Really at Stake?

While it's easy to frame this war as a moral crusade against tyranny, it’s far more complex than that. Ukraine is not a perfect democracy, and its issues with corruption are well-documented. Are we truly supporting a nation based on democratic ideals, or are we merely caught in a geopolitical tug-of-war with Russia? Either way, the continued funneling of funds is draining resources that could be better spent elsewhere.

Moreover, the West has already armed Ukraine to the teeth, providing advanced weaponry and training. The Ukrainian military is now well-equipped to hold its own. So why are we still providing an endless cash flow? At what point do we say, "Enough is enough"?

Ukraine's Responsibility to Defend Itself

At some point, we must allow Ukraine to stand on its own two feet. Nations throughout history have had to fend for themselves in times of crisis, and Ukraine should be no exception. This is their fight, after all. If they wish to preserve their sovereignty and independence, it’s their duty to do so.

One might argue that cutting off funding would be abandoning Ukraine to a Russian takeover. But that's an oversimplified view. Ukraine has proven its resilience time and time again. They have the will to fight; what they now need is the determination to do so without relying on endless Western support. The question isn't whether they can defend themselves – it's whether they will if left to their own devices.

Western Nations Need to Prioritize Their Own Citizens

The well-being of our own citizens should always be our primary concern. Our governments are elected to serve ourinterests, not to act as the world's police force or charity. With millions struggling to make ends meet, is it really fair to continue sending our hard-earned money to a foreign conflict?

We need to refocus on issues that matter at home: rebuilding our economies, strengthening national security, and addressing the energy crisis. Instead of being distracted by far-off wars, let’s direct our efforts toward solving our domestic problems.

The Risk of Prolonging the Conflict

Finally, there's the risk that by continuing to fund Ukraine, we are merely prolonging the conflict. If both sides know that Western money and weapons will keep flowing, where's the incentive for peace? By stepping back, we encourage diplomatic solutions rather than an endless military stalemate.

It’s time for the West to rethink its role in the Russia-Ukraine war. While supporting Ukraine was initially seen as a moral and strategic necessity, the continued funding is proving to be more of a burden than a benefit. Ukraine has the means to defend itself. Now it must find the resolve to do so independently. Our priorities should shift back to addressing the needs of our citizens, and it's high time we let Ukraine face Russia on its own terms.

After all, every nation must ultimately be responsible for its own survival.

[lindseyarchive]

[ignatiusteto]

i think sacred music in the kryn dynasty would be very cyclical and repetitive in form to symbolize the idea that life is a continuous thing (at least those who are consecuted right right) and is a cycle across lifetimes and yeah

[sarroora]

A Sudanese content creator made this as a reminder for everyone to B O Y C O T T.

[antiling-but-simic]

(to the tune of we didn't start the fire): spaghetti western, Autodale, Richard Nixon, Oregon Trail, Suburbia Overture, Economy Boom, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

[caffeccino]

Turnip, the Greatest Prairie Chicken, and chicken chickens (and Hushpuppy)

🤠💖Yeehaw

[priafey]

things the US needs to address:

the collective psychosis that leads people to make posts like these

[mishkakagehishka]

And forever thinking ab the Hungarian who got sick of arguing with me (ran out of arguments) so he just called me an Albanian in Hungarian. It was really telling on what immigrants he had a problem with.

[aeolianblues]

In a world of micro-divides between like, different religions and castes and the rural/urban divides and colourism and nationalism and whatnot that's rotting our countries, sometimes all it takes is an old-fashioned dose of white-person ugly racism to remind you that bitch! Those guys don't know the fucking difference. They don't know your cast. They don't care that you're 'wheatish' or the 'most desired' or 'undesirable' skintone in the country. They don't know whether you're a hindu or muslim or sikh or buddhist or a kazhak or pakistani or sri lankan; girl they cannot pronounce those places. They can't place them on a map. They don't care, nor want to know your history. Their history begins and ends with the bridge of their nose and vague, unfounded prejudices fed to them as a placeholder blame for economic instability. They are irritated that your entire hemisphere exists, at best. At worst, they're sore that you remind them their imperialism failed. What tf are you fighting amongst yourselves for

[comradecowplant]

i'm surprised i haven't seen more people talking about the recent kate winslet show that deepthroats NATO & the U.S. state department so passionately that it must make even aaron sorkin blush. it was so incoherent and anti-communist that it even reaches into old school european anti-slav/balkan-coded white-on-white racist at times, twas truly a spectacle to behold!

[eileennatural]

this is so nothing but i'm reading the false dawn: the delusions of global capitalism by john gray and its really good !! but he repeatedly refers to the US, UK, and "other anglo saxon countries" (what others?) In a way that is both nonspecific and annoying, and also wrong. even if a good case could be made for calling the UK anglo-saxon, I really don't think, in the 21st century, the US can be described that way at all. it feels like what he's really trying to say is "anglophone" or "white" countries-- both of which also not good ways to describe these places !!

[kneedeepincynade]

The collapse of China is like Biden being pushed to the left,ain't happening, and the muricans should give up on it

The post is machine translated

Translation is at the bottom

The collective is on telegram

😂 Per mesi, i propagandisti anti-Cinesi hanno diffuso notizie fasulle ed esagerate contro la Cina sul Tema dell'Economia, riproponendo l'imbarazzante "China Collapse Theory" 🤹‍♂️

😂 Ogni ciclo della "China Collapse Theory" si è concluso con il collasso della teoria stessa, e anche questo ciclo non ha fatto eccezione 😄

🤩 这些小丑对所谓的 "中国崩溃 "早有准备。2001 年、2002 年、2003 年......、2023 年都没有发生，但也许 2024 年会发生！是的，它会发生在你们恶心可笑的梦里 😀

🤡 Nonostante tutti gli articoli dei 小丑 d'Occidente in stile terrorismo psicologico, con titoli come «Trema l'Economia Mondiale» o«Una nuova Lehman Brothers», l'Economia Cinese ha continuato a crescere nel Q3 del 2023, superando le aspettative e le previsioni degli economisti occidentali 📈

😂 Persino il FMI, non esattamente il circolo degli economisti di 乌有之乡, non esattamente l'organizzazione legata al Pensiero di 左大培, ha corretto al rialzo le previsioni sulla crescita dell'Economia Cinese per il 2023 nel Documento: "IMF Staff Completes 2023 Article IV Mission to the People’s Republic of China" - «The Chinese economy is projected to grow at 5.4 percent in 2023» 🤣

😂 E il "Collasso"?, e tutti gli articoli anti-Cinesi ricolmi di wishful-thinking su 恒大集团 - Evergrande Group? 哈哈哈哈哈 😂

😭 È davvero un giorno triste per i propagandisti anti-Cinesi. Ai propagandisti anti-Cinesi, dall'Italia del "miracolo economico" alla Germania in ginocchio, passando per gli USA in deficit di trilioni di dollari, consiglio l'articolo: 中医怎么缓解胃痛 中医7大偏方火速解决胃痛 - 7 Rimedi della Medicina Tradizionale Cinese per risolvere il mal di stomaco ☕️

😂 Si attendono con ansia i futuri articoli nello stile "[La Cina ha ottenuto un'altra vittoria], ma a quale prezzo?!" 😂

😀 Al prezzo della sanità mentale degli occidentali anti-Cinesi 🤣

😂 意大利期刊与法国或德国期刊一样，都是美利坚合众国的奴隶。它们不断重复美国对中国的宣传。读意大利期刊对中国经济的 "分析 "非常有趣，因为意大利经济就是个笑话��被债务、可怕的基础设施和糟糕的市场环境摧毁了 🇮🇹 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 😂

🔍 Approfondimenti:

一 Q1: +4,5% | Q2: +6,3% | Q3: +4,9% 📈

二 "China will collapse!" / "China is the biggest World threat!" - il dualismo ridicolo della propaganda anti-Cinese 🤹‍♂️

三 Il (nuovo) collasso della "China Collapse Theory" | La Cina sconfigge la "deflazione" in un solo mese, e continua a crescere 📈

四 La Cina sarà il motore della crescita dell'Economia del Mondo nel 2023 📈

五 Ogni previsione Occidentale sul "Collasso della Cina" è fallita 😂

🌸 Iscriviti 👉 @collettivoshaoshan 😘

😂 For months, anti-China propagandists have spread fake and exaggerated news against China on the topic of the economy, re-proposing the embarrassing "China Collapse Theory" 🤹‍♂️

😂 Every cycle of the "China Collapse Theory" ended with the collapse of the theory itself, and this cycle was no exception 😄

🤩 这些小丑对所谓的 "中国崩溃 "早有准备。2001 年、2002 年、2003 年......、2023 年都没有发生，但也许 2024 年会发生！是的，它会发生在你们恶心可笑的梦里 😀

🤡 Despite all the articles from the Western 小丑 in the style of psychological terrorism, with titles like "The World Economy is Trembling" or "A New Lehman Brothers", the Chinese Economy continued to grow in Q3 2023, exceeding expectations and the forecasts of Western economists 📈

😂 Even the IMF, not exactly the circle of economists of 乌有之乡, not exactly the organization linked to the Thought of 左大培, has corrected upwards the forecasts on the growth of the Chinese Economy for 2023 in the Document: "IMF Staff Completes 2023 Article IV Mission to the People's Republic of China" - «The Chinese economy is projected to grow at 5.4 percent in 2023» 🤣

😂 And the "Collapse"?, and all the anti-Chinese articles full of wishful-thinking on 恒大集团 - Evergrande Group? 哈哈哈哈哈 😂

😭 It is indeed a sad day for anti-China propagandists. To anti-Chinese propagandists, from the Italy of the "economic miracle" to Germany on its knees, passing through the USA in deficit of trillions of dollars, I recommend the article: Traditional Chinese Medicine to solve stomach ache ☕️

😂 Look forward to future articles in the style of "[China has achieved another victory], but at what cost?!" 😂

😀 At the price of the sanity of anti-Chinese Westerners 🤣

😂 意大利期刊与法国或德国期刊一样，都是美利坚合众国的奴隶。它们不断重复美国对中国的宣传。读意大利期刊对中国经济的 "分析 "非常有趣，因为意大利经济就是个笑话，被债务、可怕的基础设施和糟糕的市场环境摧毁了 🇮🇹 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 😂

🔍 Further information:

一 Q1: +4.5% | Q2: +6.3% | Q3: +4.9% 📈

二 "China will collapse!" / "China is the biggest World threat!" - the ridiculous dualism of anti-Chinese propaganda 🤹‍♂️

三 The (new) collapse of the "China Collapse Theory" | China defeats "deflation" in just one month, and continues to grow 📈

四 China will be the engine of growth of the World Economy in 2023 📈

五 Every Western prediction about the "Collapse of China" has failed 😂

🌸 Subscribe 👉 @collectivoshaoshan 😘

[xtruss]

US Clinging To Cold War Delusions: The First Time a Tragedy, The Second a Farce

— John Pang, Former Malaysian Government Official | September 03, 2023

Illustration:Xia Qing/Global Times

Editor's Note:

The China-US bilateral relationship is one of the most important in the world. The trajectory of this relationship has attracted international attention. Still, the US is stepping up its efforts to suppress China on various fronts such as politics and diplomacy, economy, trade, technology, and military security, showing the true meaning of a cold war. The Global Times invites Chinese and foreign experts to expose the US' manipulation of the new cold war and reveal the damage it may potentially cause to the world.

US President Joe Biden felt it necessary to deny that the US was waging a cold war against China at his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bali last year. Despite this, US actions against China, in the form of strategic encirclement, military escalation, propaganda and economic warfare, and its trespass of every red line of China over the island of Taiwan, show the US is intent on a new cold war.

The historical Cold War was fought between the US and the USSR from the end of World War II to 1991. It was "cold" because its principal antagonists did not fight each other directly, not because it was not violent. Millions died in its proxy wars, coups and purges in Latin America, Africa and Asia. "Cold War" was the umbrella concept for a bipolar struggle against an ideological, political and economic enemy. While the USSR was the ultimate adversary, the Cold War was in reality waged against peoples of the Global South fighting for independence and decolonization. The Cold War turned the world, especially the developing world, into a battleground.

Is the "Cold War" a useful analogy for what is happening today? Yes and no. There is the same mobilization, the same aggressive ambition; only this time it is attended by a delusional quality, an unmistakable air of unreality. History appears, said Karl Marx, "the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce."

The Cold War is back, above all, as the ritual re-enactment of the American Empire's foundational myth of heroic victory over Hitler and Communism. A gerontocratic US political class, some of whom are actually left over from the first Cold War, imagines itself in yet another apocalyptic struggle. Recycling Cold War tropes, reviving McCarthyism at home, and fighting Hitler once again, they have discovered in China a totalitarian octopus that must be defeated before it swallows Freedom and advanced semiconductors. The US has saturated the cultural space of the West with a propaganda campaign so relentless and malign that it has cretinized its pundit class. It has hammered its vassals into a set of NATO-like alliances, such as the Quad and AUKUS, in preparation for war on China. It is attempting a technological blockade to cripple China's development.

Yet This Is Not The Postwar World, China Is Not The USSR, And The US Is Not What It Once Was.

The US economy was way larger than the Soviet economy all through the Cold War. Against China, the disparity in economic and industrial capacity that won the Cold War runs in the other direction. Indeed it is China's increasing technological prowess that the US means to knee-cap. This time the US is making an enemy of a nation with an economy that is in PPP terms larger than its own, with an industrial capacity greater than of the US, EU and Japan combined.

The US and USSR led separate economic blocs. China and the US participate in one integrated global economy. They are so interdependent that some commentators dismiss the Cold War analogy, likening the relationship instead to a bad marriage. Meanwhile, China is not carving out a separate economic sphere. It is transforming the present one by bringing development and the common good to the center of the global agenda. To "Contain China," the US is hacking at the sinews of a new globalization for all humankind. In doing so it is also attacking the developing world, impoverishing its allies and hurting itself. What it cannot do is isolate a global economic presence larger and more dynamic than its own. Not everyone in the US is excited about Washington's efforts. US CEOs have lined up to speak against the suicidal ideas of decoupling from China.

The Cold War involved an ideological conflict between rival universalisms. This time all the fanatical universalism is on one side. In a sort of dumbed-down Manichaeism, the struggle is now between "democracies and autocracies." The rest of the world asks only that different paths be respected. In President Xi's words, at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg: "There are many civilizations and development paths in the world, and this is how the world should be. Human history will not end with a particular civilization or system."

The Cold War was fought to re-impose Western supremacy after WWII. The order it imposed continued to subjugate the nations of the developing world after they had won nominal independence. Today world order is again at stake, except these nations have risen and are acting upon their sovereignty. The world is already multipolar, post-American and post-Western.

BRICS, overshadowing the G7, has just been enlarged. A long list of countries waits to join. The US is fighting a war it has already lost. Clinging to Cold War delusions amid its collapsing domestic order, the US is pitting itself not just against China but against a second era of decolonization, with declarations of independence ringing out from Niger to Argentina to Saudi Arabia.

This Time It's Farce.

— The Author is a Former Malaysian Government Official and a Senior Research Fellow at Perak Academy, Malaysia.

[reconstructionbaby]

one thing thats crazy to think about is how the japanese economy has not really grown past its peak in the early 90s, meaning that it has experienced three decades of stagnation. but it was so wealthy then that, even after thirty years without growth, it remains one of the worlds largest economies

[mycological-mariner]

Hmm… Cornish Western story… hm

[microwavepopcorn]