Bulletins and News Discussion from March 10th to March 16th, 2025 - The New World Struggles To Be Born; Now Is The Time Of Proxy Wars

Yemen has BANNED the import of BURGERS. We salute the People of Yemen and Ansar Allah in their brave campaign against treatlerism.
- *comprador treatlerism, specifically.
- This seems to be more of a ban on imported pastries and bread than anything else for self sufficiency.
- 🍔
  Unlimited Genocide on international burgerism
- even imagining a burger can lead to ruin, many such cases
- import substitution time
- This is a human rights violation and I support US efforts to airdrop happy meals into the afflicted territories

- People already clowning on his corpse lmao
  what a piece of shit
  
  Yeah the fact that there are just random people who would do that in the street says a lot about this piece of shit.
- Good. Fuck im

https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3lk7377cm2i2r Trump: "Schumer is a Palestinian as far as I'm concerned. He's become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He's not Jewish anymore. He's a Palestinian."
- First ever Scumer W

I'm just going to comment on the leaked alleged "100 day US peace plan for Ukraine", because as events unfold, it is looking scarily accurate.
The leak was published first by Ukrainian outlet Strana Today, and dismissed by Ukraine as "Russian disinformation". But for supposed disinformation, it's looking more and more like accurate information.
So, according to the "schedule," Trump is said to be planning a phone call with Putin in late January or early February. In early February, he is planning to discuss the plan with Ukrainian authorities.
This has already happened. Trump had a phone call with Putin and communicated with Ukraine.
In February - the first half of March 2025, it is proposed to hold a meeting between Trump, Zelensky and Putin (a trilateral meeting or two bilateral meetings will be decided separately). The meeting should approve the main parameters of the peace plan, and then continue working on the agreement at the level of special representatives.
This happened, in two separate bilateral meetings in Saudi Arabia, albeit with delegations, and not Trump, Putin and Zelensky personally.
While negotiations are underway and hostilities continue, Trump does not block the sending of military aid to Ukraine.
From April 20, 2025 (Easter, which this year all Christian denominations celebrate on the same day) it is proposed to declare a ceasefire along the entire front line. At the same time, all Ukrainian troops must be withdrawn from the Kursk region.
We are here currently. A ceasefire across the entire frontline has been proposed. However, to help facilitate the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Kursk, the US had to pause the sending of military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine. Now that Ukrainian troops have been removed from Kursk so that the plan can move forward, the military aid and intelligence sharing will resume, as it has been reported.
At the end of April 2025, the International Peace Conference should begin its work, which will record an agreement between Ukraine and the Russian Federation on ending the war with the mediation of the United States, China, a number of countries in Europe and the Global South.
I can see this happening. Zelensky is set to meet with the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, this month, so that's the " Global South" participation there.
At the end of April, the exchange of prisoners will begin according to the formula "all for all".
Explains Zelensky's comments on a prisoner exchange. No comments on the "children kidnapped by Russia" in this leak though.
By May 9, the International Peace Conference is expected to issue a declaration on ending the war in Ukraine based on agreed parameters.
After May 9, Ukraine is offered not to extend the martial law regime and mobilization.
Presidential elections are held in Ukraine at the end of August, and parliamentary and local elections at the end of October.
This explains Zelensky's panic, and the posturing of certain members of parliament. Zelensky could be out of the picture as soon as August.
Now for the actual plan to end the war:
The proposed parameters of the agreement to be concluded within the framework of the International Conference:
Ukraine will not be a member of NATO and declares neutrality. The decision to ban Ukraine from joining the Alliance must be approved at the NATO summit.
Ukraine will become a member of the EU by 2030. The EU undertakes obligations for the post-war reconstruction of the country.
Ukraine does not reduce the size of the army. The United States is committed to continuing support for the modernization of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Ukraine refuses military and diplomatic attempts to return the occupied territories. But does not officially recognize the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over them.
Some sanctions against the Russian Federation will be lifted immediately after the conclusion of a peace agreement. Some - over the course of three years, depending on Russia's compliance with the parameters of the agreement. All restrictions on the import of Russian energy resources to the EU will be lifted. But for a certain period of time, Europeans will be subject to a special duty, the proceeds of which will be used to restore Ukraine.
Parties that advocate for the Russian language and peaceful coexistence with Russia must be allowed to participate in elections in Ukraine. All actions against the UOC and the Russian language must be stopped at the state level.
The point about the European peacekeeping contingent after the end of military actions is highlighted as particularly problematic. On the one hand, Kyiv demands this as a guarantee of security. On the other hand, the Russian Federation is categorically against it. Separate consultations between all parties should be held on this point.
There is already progress on point 1 and 4 (Hegseth - Ukraine cannot join NATO or take back the occupied territories). Zelensky also just made a comment on point 4, in line with not recognising Russian control over them, but carefully worded as far as not fighting back to take them anymore. The EU will likely be strong armed into point 2, 3 and 5. As for point 7, I could see peacekeepers from China and the Global South being used.
To be honest I think Russia will accept such a deal, if territory in the four oblasts not currently under Russian control is up for negotiation, and there are conditions set on arms supplies to Ukraine over the 30 day ceasefire. The big obstacle is Kherson city, though I could see Russia allowing Ukraine to keep it, provided that they get the territory in the other three oblasts not currently under Russian control.
- I dont see this one happening
  Ukraine does not reduce the size of the army. The United States is committed to continuing support for the modernization of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
  The whole war was about stopping a militarized ukraine
  
  If Putin accepts this, then admits defeat. This is essentially just another Minsk and that means another war five to ten years max and this time it will be a war against the rest of europe.
  
  Not part of NATO but absorbed directly into the US command and control structure instead
  And Europe pays for all of it, of course
  Making Germany pay war reparations even when they weren’t directly party to the war lmao just doing it for old times sake
  
  I don't think Russia is in the position on the battlefield to demand a de-militirised Ukraine. To do that, Russia would have to be knocking on Kiev's door again. Putin also said in July last year that Russia would be willing to enter negotiations if Ukraine agrees to withdraw from the four oblasts, with an emphasis on Donetsk and Luhansk.
- Ukraine will become a member of the EU by 2030. The EU undertakes obligations for the post-war reconstruction of the country.
  I just don't see this happening voluntarily, so you're right that the EU will have to be strong armed into accepting a country they likely have no realistic plan to integrate (probably can't just plug that shit into the german car industry), it's not even a "when ukraine is ready to be fully integrated" situation it's BY 2030, if ukraine is still a shitshow that will need nearly 100% of EU structural funds to integrate that's gonna be hugely problematic for the EU, the process can also be derailed by ukranian politics (whenever that comes back).
  Also who knows in what state the EU will be in by that time, austerity driven rearmament compounded by all EU money going to a single state would cause major issues to enough countries for a structural crisis
  
  All restrictions on the import of Russian energy resources to the EU will be lifted. But for a certain period of time, Europeans will be subject to a special duty, the proceeds of which will be used to restore Ukraine.
  The EU will not be allowed to recover, helped by cheap energy. Instead they're going to pay reparations.
  
  yeah im not sure that the EU wants a Poland/Greece/Romania/Hungary in one packag
  
  German car industry is dying and is there really a will to rebuild Ukraine? Nope, especially the more fiscal-conservative states will not stand for it. You think Poles will accept not getting the largest slice? And to pro-Bandera Ukraine?
  It will cause major instability amongst EU countries.
- Number 3 is unacceptable. De-militarized Ukraine is one of the goals of the SMO and Russia has stated hundreds of times that all goals will be met
  
  What Russia states, and what can be accomplished, are two different things. Unless Russia can get themselves in a battlefield position to demand the de-militirisation of Ukraine, there can't be any de-militirisation. Russia was last in this position in early 2022, which is why Russia demanded Ukrainian de-militirisation in the Istanbul peace talks back then. Getting into such a position again will either require a rapid collapse of the Ukrainian frontlines over the next few months (basically what happened in Kursk over the past few days, but across the entire front), or years more of war, with Russia grinding Ukraine down until Ukraine is forced to accept the demand of de-militirisation.
  Given that the frontlines outside of Kursk are not collapsing and US military aid and intelligence sharing have resumed, is Russia prepared to fight the war until 2026, or 2027, or even longer until Ukraine collapses? Or will Russia accept the deal that they can get now, and try to negotiate some more concessions? That is the most important question to ask right now...
- Ukraine will become a member of the EU by 2030. The EU undertakes obligations for the post-war reconstruction of the country.
  Ukraine does not reduce the size of the army. The United States is committed to continuing support for the modernization of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
  I really don't think Russia would accept these. Ukraine aligning itself further towards the West in any way, even if it's just the EU and not NATO, is bad for Russia. Add on the fact that the EU has recently been talking about having a military, and it might as well be the same as Ukraine joining NATO.
  And Ukraine keeping its army at size plus modernizing makes things even worse.
  
  An EU military (without US support) is not equivalent to NATO because it does not have the conventional capabilities or nuclear umbrella of NATO, which mostly belongs to the United States. It would take the EU decades to build the industry required to even attempt to replace what the United States brings to the table. Sure it's not ideal, but it's not close to what NATO offers.
  
  Plus the valuable intel and experience they'd have after fighting russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Nicholas Maduro, President of Venezuela, to attend the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9th.
Telegram

Pentagon tasked with providing ‘military options’ to ensure US access to Panama Canal, memo says - CNN

Baathist constitution was better?

https://x.com/RamiJarrah/status/1900236515059351674

A lot of libs are mad at the Dems and Schumer right now, even absolute ghouls like Neera and Stencil. In a few days they will calm down and realize they have nowhere else to go - the only alternative to the establishment Dems is the left and the libs would rather destroy the party than give in to the left. So we will be back to business as usual.

Chrystia Freeland getting demoted to transport minister. This is legitimately good news.

Resumption of Ansarallah naval blockade on isntreal ::: spoiler Statement in Arabic بيانٌ صادرٌ عنِ القواتِ المسلحةِ اليمنية
بسمِ اللهِ الرحمنِ الرحيمِ قال تعالى: { وَإِنۡ عُدتُّمۡ عُدۡنَاۚ وَجَعَلۡنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلۡكَـٰفِرِینَ حَصِیرًا } صدق الله العظيم
إسناداً وانتصاراً لمظلوميةِ الشعبِ الفلسطينيِّ ومجاهديهِ الأعزاءِ وبعدَ انتهاءِ المدةِ المحددةِ للمهلةِ التي منحها السيدُ القائدُ عبدُالملك بدرِالدين الحوثي يحفظه الله للوسطاءِ لدفعِ العدوِّ الإسرائيليِّ والضغط عليه لإعادةِ فتحِ المعابرِ وإدخالِ المساعداتِ إلى قطاعِ غزةَ ونظرا لعدمِ تمكنِ الوسطاءِ من تحقيقِ ذلك فإنَّ القواتِ المسلحةَ اليمنيةَ تؤكدُ على ما يلي:
أولاً: استئنافُ حظرِ عبورِ كافةِ السُّفُنِ الإسرائيليةِ في منطقةِ العملياتِ المحددةِ بـالبحرينِ الأحمرِ والعربيِّ وكذلك بابُ المندبِ وخليجُ عدن.
ثانياً: يبدأُ سريانُ هذا الحظرِ من ساعةِ إعلانِ هذا البيان.
ثالثاً : إنَّ أيَّ سفينةٍ إسرائيليةٍ تحاولُ كسرَ هذا الحظرِ سوفَ تتعرضُ للاستهدافِ في منطقةِ العملياتِ المعلنِ عنها.
رابعاً: يستمرُّ هذا الحظرُ حتى إعادةِ فتحِ المعابرِ إلى قطاعِ غزةَ ودخولِ المساعداتِ والاحتياجاتِ من الغذاءِ والدواءِ.
تحيي القواتُ المسلحةُ اليمنية الشعبَ الفلسطينيَّ الصامدَ في قطاعِ غزةَ وكذلكَ في الضفةِ الغربيةِ وتؤكدُ أنَّها بعونِ اللهِ ستكونُ إلى جانبِ المقاومةِ الفلسطينيةِ الباسلة.
واللهُ حسبُنا ونعمَ الوكيل، نعمَ المولى ونعمَ النصير
عاشَ اليمنُ حراً عزيزاً مستقلاً والنصرُ لليمنِ ولكلِّ أحرارِ الأمة
صنعاء 11 من رمضان 1446للهجرة الموافق للـ 11 مارس 2025م
صادرٌ عنِ القواتِ المسلحةِ اليمنية :::
In support of and triumphing for the oppressed Palestinian people and their Mujahideen, and following the expiration of the deadline granted by Sayyid Abdulmalik Badr al-Din al-Houthi (may Allah protect him) to mediators to pressure and persuade the Israeli enemy in order to reopen the crossings and allow back the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip, and given the mediators' inability to achieve this, the Yemeni Armed Forces affirm the following:
First: Resuming the ban on the passage of all Israeli ships in the designated operations zone in both Red and Arabian Seas, as well as Bab al-mandab strait and the Gulf of Aden.
Second: This ban shall take effect from the time this statement is issued.
Third: Any Israeli ship attempting to violate this ban shall be targeted in the declared zone of operations.
Fourth: This ban shall continue until the crossings to the Gaza Strip are reopened and aid, food, and medicine are allowed in.
The Yemeni Armed Forces salute the steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and affirm that, with Allah's help, they will stand by the valiant Palestinian resistance.
Sanaa, Ramadan 11, 1446 AH March 11, 2025 AD
Issued by the Yemeni Armed Forces.
http://t.me/army21ye

@xiaohongshu@hexbear.net I have a question for you, my dear comrade.
China, as we know, undervalues its currency in order to be more appealing to exports and to secure a better position in the international market. On the other hand, China recently confirmed that the public deficit will grow to be of 4% for the year 2025. Seeing as China is systematically devaluing its currency in the international market, is there any reason why it doesn't just ramp up expenditure a lot further? Social services could certainly be improved and there is a growing concern for unemployment. Is there anything other than neoliberal brainworms preventing the government from doing this?
Thank you in advance

Schumer announces he will vote to keep Hitlerism open

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/us-citizen-child-recovering-brain-cancer-deported-mexico-undocumented-rcna196049
A family that was deported to Mexico hopes they can find a way to return to the U.S. and ensure their 10-year-old daughter, who is a U.S. citizen, can continue her brain cancer treatment.

China has trapped the Taklimakan in the green cauldron. now it will advance along benefitial Axies to cut it into ever smaller Isolated Pockets until its Insolance is Punished.

Something I'm wondering: during the election, all of Trump's wrath seemed to be aimed at Mexico, with a campaign promise to invade it, using the cartels as a pretext. Now all of his ire towards Mexico seems to be gone and he's become fixated on Canada instead. What gives? Is Claudia Sheinbaum just that damn good?

comprador moment when the suzerain can't complain themselves
- Imagine talking about a not having a national mandate when even in September last year 89% of Palestinians wanted Abbas to resign and more than 60% supported the dissolution of the entire Palestinian Authority.

There is almost no fucking movement in the UK to oppose assisted dying and I am pulling my hair out what the fuck why is everyone so apathetic about this.
I'm scared shitless about where this goes.
It's going to be a eugenics program here in the UK just like it is in Canada. It's going to play out exactly the same fucking way. They will use it to kill the disabled and clear up the benefits system.
- doing Aktion T4 but as sensible and rational public policy for 100% humanitarian reasons and definitely not the reification of social murder this time no it's good and sensible and there's no fascism in sight please do not look under the rug
  
  but its #freemarket doing these policies, the state didnt force people to do this11!!!!11!
- You're absolutely right. I've been saying this is literally the capital class / state building a eugenics programme for a while and it's only this week that a few people even in my cynical, lefty circles have started treating it as anything except silly hyperbole - despite the fact that we've had people who literally went to eugenicist conferences pushing this stuff in government for years.
  The Trussel Trust said earlier today that calls to suicide hotlines have fucking exploded with people really scared and hopeless over Labour's new eugenecist welfare cuts. And while I have complicated feelings about the moral and practical implications of assisted dying, the one thing I'm absolutely certain of is that a state already actively killing disabled people & trying to increase the pace at which they do it cannot be trusted with euthanasia laws.
  
  It's so fucking scary. We need to do a MASSIVE push to educate people in the UK on the left about Canada's program, how it has expanded and how it's even gotten to the point where people who are 27 and only diagnosed with ADHD and Autism can be eligible for it. This family lost their case to prevent their daughter from using it. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-maid-father-daughter-court-injunction-judicial-review-decision-1.7154794
  This is exactly what the program would become here too. The right won't oppose it. The neoliberals won't oppose it. It will expand every year with every proposal to make new groups eligible for "dignity" and stupid ass liberals will agree how great that is while literal fascists cackle as it expands more and more into a eugenics program.
  I have absolutely no doubt that this is what the program would become here in the UK. 100%. We need people to take it fucking seriously and it has to start with showing people Canada's program because they literally no NOTHING about it.
  Everyone says "I'm ok with it as long as it stays just the terminally ill blah blah blah" IT FUCKING WON'T WE ALREADY KNOW WHAT HAPPENS IT'S ALREADY HAPPENED.
  Nobody thinks it will be that bad because nobody has seen the horror of Canada's system.
- It's really disturbing how anglos advancing eugenics, just one century ago shit, with only people mildly protesting are christians, who torpedoed their arguments on the altar of abortion.
- I kinda wish we had an option for AD. In the US if you're poor you have to go on Medicaid, part of being accepted means you have to have less than 2000 dollars and sign your house over to the state who will liquidate your estate upon death to recoup costs spent (even though people pay through payroll taxes their whole lives). The states administer a Medicaid estate recovery system and it's essentially a way for the state to steal property from the poor in order to get health care for the elderly. Out of pocket expenses would be around 10,000 a month which only the very wealthy can afford... I'm definitely not for eugenics on the disabled but if I live to be 85 plus I would rather use AD rather than impoverish my family more so.
  
  I would rather use AD rather than impoverish my family more so.
  I did see articles previously where Canada's MAID program has been offered to those in poverty.
  Literal kill the poor program.

Got some clarity on the Canada tariffs;
- Oh nice so it's an inverter.
  If the Trump admin keeps up like this soon we'll be able to get some sick sounds if we put this through a motor
- stock market open: tariffs on
  stock market closed: tariffs off
  this is good for the stock market
- Maybe he's trying to make a pair of glasses
  
  Toad worshiper Don

Supposedly the man who assassinated that Ukrainian neo-nazi turned himself in to police.
https://x.com/Alex_Oloyede2/status/1900557278882758886
https://xcancel.com/Alex_Oloyede2/status/1900557278882758886
Video of that Ukranian Neo-Nazi getting double tapped
:::spoiler CW: Gore/NSFL
https://x.com/PhantomRE66/status/1900491218410213613
https://xcancel.com/PhantomRE66/status/1900491218410213613

Peru: Former president Pedro Castillo was hospitalized in Lima due to a health decompensation after starting a hunger strike to protest against his trial.
Telesur

The weather is looking particularly dangerous tonight in the Mississippi valley. Stay safe, any comrades that live in the highlighted areas!

The United States is set to resume shipments of long-range Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB) to Ukraine, purchased under President Biden's administration through the 'Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.'
Telegram

Australia warns the US it has other buyers for critical minerals.
"There's got to be a whole lot less America and more Asia… and a whole lot more international engagement."

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent: 'On a scale of zero to ten, the Biden administration's sanctions on Russia were probably a three; on the way out the door, they took them to a six. And I can tell you, we wouldn't hesitate to take them up to a ten.'
Telegram

I think Ukraine is gonna lose the war

Trump Administration launches CBP Home, a new “self-deportation” app

I think Noah Kulwin just got arrested occupying Trump Tower

When your brain only sees tariffs. He’s become addicted to it. Somebody needs to stop him.

Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, to Trump: 'Now that you've started threatening us, I'll definitely not negotiate. Do whatever the hell you want. Trump is mentally challenged'
Telegram
- mentally challenged
  by avoiding the obvious word that is now actually cool, good and based to say under the trump imperium, pezeshkian has proven that he is woke
  
  To be fair, carpoftruth, most people don't directly translate "Marg bar Amerikkka" in diplomacy, if they translate it at all. They just translate it as "down with America".
  So I suppose the meaning was minced oath in translation
- he shouldn't say that
  
  It's all theatrics anyway, Iran has been setting up for negotiations since October last year. However, Iran weren't going to approach the United States first, they wanted the United States to approach Iran first. By Trump sending that letter to Iran, that has happened, the US have approached first with an initial offer.
  
  Aye, but t'was not unwarranted, it seems.
- 'Do whatever the hell you want': Iranian president fires back against US threats | The Cradle

https://xcancel.com/african_stream/status/1899747333723587019
CHINA BUILDS HOSPITAL IN BURKINA FASO
China and Burkina Faso are working hand in hand to build a brighter future. At least, that is the case with their collaboration on a teaching hospital on the outskirts of Bobo Dioulasso. The hospital, set to open in 2025, would be West Africa's largest.
Karim Démé, president of the Focal Point of the People's Republic of China in Burkina Faso, initially proposed the project and contacted Chinese authorities to develop the idea. Chinese doctors will train Burkinabé physicians for the first three years, after which the Burkinabé people will run the hospital by 2028.
As of 2020, Burkina Faso had 0.2 hospital beds per 1,000 people compared to the global average of 3.3 beds per 1,000 people.

Schumer says he will vote for the GOP Continuing Resolution that keeps the government funded and also gives the Trump admin further discretionary powers to redirect some of the funding and budget. Also, it includes the usual stuff like;
Overall, the measure would boost defense spending by $6 billion compared to fiscal year 2024 and decrease nondefense spending by $13 billion.

Mr. President, a second judge ruled to temporarily reinstate federal workers, this time across 18 departments and agencies

UK, US and Israel have been doing fighter and bomber exercises together. Likely target is Iran.
https://skwawkbox.org/2025/03/11/uk-fighter-jets-conduct-joint-exercise-with-us-israeli-aircraft-likely-target-iran/

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-0fnAud1YIM It appears zionist propaganda failed in china

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/qa-craig-baird-us-mckinley-1.7477340 Q&A: Historian says U.S. tried to annex Canada with tough tariffs before — and it didn't work

Jolani hugs and daps up former director of Turkish intelligence and current foreign minister Hasan Fidan

Trump on Settler Colonialism:

"Denmark is really far away and really has nothing to do. What happened is a boat landed there 200 years ago or something and they say they have rights to it. I don't know if that's true. I don't think it is...."

Mildly interesting financial news: gold is growing to 3k, seems weird though, detached from other commodities and bitcoin. So no coherent explanation outside of paranoia of goldbugs i guess. Think iwas wrongo @GaveUp@hexbear.net

Trump accidentally Defunds his own Campus gestapo

I've just checked what Zizek was up to nowadays

I shouldn't have
CW: SA
(from the end of January)
This romanticized notion of Russia is often combined with another leftist dogma: that NATO is the ultimate evil. According to this view, anyone in conflict with NATO must have something good or virtuous about them. By this logic, Ukraine is disqualified from support because it’s seen as merely fighting a “proxy war” on behalf of NATO.
when I pointed out that treating Ukraine’s defense as a proxy war for NATO essentially insults Ukrainians, people don’t seem to grasp it. Ukrainians are being portrayed as if they could choose peace but instead decide to engage in a war that displaces a quarter of their population, just for the sake of a proxy war. But in reality, it’s a matter of their survival.
So, as of mid-march, not a proxy war at all
I once made this comparison: it’s like a woman, Ukraine in this case, being brutallyremovedd. In despair, she tries to do something — what would you do if you were in that situation? I can only imagine as a man, maybe you would scratch, try to hit his eyes, or do whatever you could to survive. And then the West’s response would be to say to this woman, "It’s too painful, don’t provoke him."
I truly, deeply deplore this analogy, not that war is nice, but someone who has been writing about Marxist aesthetics should know better, should know that metaphors are ideological constructs, and explaining war with sexual assault is straight out of the trashcan of ideology
For propagandistic purposes, sure, but this is just trash, and not worthy from a "marxist philosopher"
- Yep, Zizek is a "Marxist" in the same way that AOC is a "socialist."
- This romanticized notion of Russia is often combined with another leftist dogma: that NATO is the ultimate evil. According to this view, anyone in conflict with NATO must have something good or virtuous about them. By this logic, Ukraine is disqualified from support because it’s seen as merely fighting a “proxy war” on behalf of NATO.
  No Zizek. Anyone in conflict with NATO is not necessarily good. But anyone in conflict with NATO is good for us. There is a difference.
  When we have a revolution who are we going to be fighting against Zizek? Who is going to be our enemy and who is going to be the likely potential sources of supply and weapons that we might be able to tap into? Enemies of NATO.
  NATO are not going to be allies when revolution occurs.
  when I pointed out that treating Ukraine’s defense as a proxy war for NATO essentially insults Ukrainians, people don’t seem to grasp it. Ukrainians are being portrayed as if they could choose peace but instead decide to engage in a war that displaces a quarter of their population, just for the sake of a proxy war. But in reality, it’s a matter of their survival.
  They don't survive by fighting a war. And they aren't being exterminated. Palestine is being exterminated, the two wars look COMPLETELY FUCKING DIFFERENT and he's insulting everyone's intelligence by continuing to try to pretend this is a war of extermination or a genocide perpetrated by Russia, it obviously is not.
  but someone who has been writing about Marxist aesthetics should know better
  He does know better. He's just a deeply dishonest dickhead and a piece of shit.
- an anticom grifter who has always had trouble hiding his misogyny
  
  Despite famously having a younger, attractive wife for a time, he's basically an incel. He stayed on a friend's couch when visiting their university and he fucking reeks in person and is very obviously a pornography addict with serious sexual impulse control issues.
- Hearing Zizek speak on nuclear proliferation really just solidified my opinion that he has no clue about what he's talking about half the time. Even pro NATO analysts called him out for being ignorant.
  A Nuclear Ukraine Accomplishes Nothing
  Note the paragraph about Zizek's comments. Zizek doesn't even understand the difference between compellence and deterrence.
- he told you to get the bag, he getting it himself
  something something believe them
- living through balkanization and carrying water for NATO is wild
  
  he was a 'disident' in Yugoslavia. he wrote in the anti yugoslav slovene magazine Mladina, he ran for president in independent Slovenia in 1990 as the candidate for the liberal democratic party, and was widely involved in many liberal organisations that pushed for the breakup of Yugoslavia. balkanisation was a proud moment of his career, not a dark time of suffering
  
  It makes sense, if you know that he was an active participant in that balkanization on the side of the west "bravely defending liberal dissidents from government repression".
- Zizek had been effectively banned from the “mainstream” presses since 2015. Then during the Ukraine war, suddenly he had a piece in the Guardian and another in the New Statesman, both of which he had never written a piece for in years. I’ll leave you to decide why would that be the case.
- NATO is the ultimate evil. According to this view, anyone in conflict with NATO must have something good or virtuous about them. By this logic, Ukraine is disqualified from support because it’s seen as merely fighting a “proxy war” on behalf of NATO.
  I mean ... yea?
- He also gave an interview to Süddeutsche Zeitung, published yesterday (in German). Shitty hot takes include:
  But we must not forget that the origin of the Enlightenment is humility. Humility in the sense that Europe is the only great civilization to expose itself to permanent self-criticism.
  So humble.
  The worst thing in Trump's eyes is for Europe to say: yes, we should significantly increase our military spending. That would be an example of principled pragmatism. Of course I am in favor of peace. But there are situations in which the only way to make peace a little more likely is to arm ourselves and prepare for a possible war.
  So doing want Trump says he wants (increase the military budget) is actually the best way to own him, because he doesn't actually want that. Also why? Then something something "principled pragmatism", probably just trying to confuse people with that. I hope he chokes on this sophistry.
  At the end of the interview he starts blaming migrants for not wanting to be integrated.
  
  Great civilizations comes from humility!
  This dude has gone full trash can of ideology

https://rangemedia.co/federal-ice-breaks-windows-arrests-men-without-warrant/
More ICE violence. Just the video

With regards to the cease fire proposal agreed on between Ukraine and the US, it's hilarious but also indicative of western arrogance on the world stage to think the west has anything to dictate in peace negotiations. A 30 day cease fire, all the while EU lackeys are banging the war drums and screaming they want to give ukrainians more wunderwaffe.. i mean, how did they think russia would react?
The sooner these morons realise that its a war, and russia is winning it, the better. They need to get over themselfs ffs
- A 30 day cease fire, all the while EU lackeys are banging the war drums and screaming they want to give ukrainians more wunderwaffe..
  "If Putler rejects this honest proposal, it just goes to show how the Russians don't want peace!"
- Russia should stop referring to it as a peace deal and call it what it is, surrender. No need to sugar coat it any longer, if Ukraine wants to stop losing territory they must surrender and abide by terms dictated by the victor.
- Especially when Europe explictly and admittedly used the Minsk agreements just to bide time in order to increase Ukraine's military build up. I'm pretty sure Putin remembers that fellas.
  
  Putin remembers it even if the western liberals that actually did it don't remember it.
  
  They shot themselves in the foot with that, like Angie you know that it will basically not make russia trust any deal the Euros propose? But back then they thought that russia would be balkanized by chrismas.

The UK’s technology secretary, Peter Kyle, has asked ChatGPT for advice on why the adoption of artificial intelligence is so slow in the UK business community – and which podcasts he should appear on.
"oi chatgpt, what race makes the best laundry servants?"

USDA cuts leaving West Michigan food bank in state of unease

Intel appoints chip industry veteran Lip-Bu Tan as CEO
March 12 (Reuters) - Intel (INTC.O), opens new tab on Wednesday named former board member and chip industry veteran Lip-Bu Tan as its CEO and signaled the struggling but storied chipmaker was unlikely to split up its chip-design and manufacturing operations.
The appointment, effective March 18, comes three months after Intel ousted CEO and company veteran Pat Gelsinger, whose costly and ambitious plan to turn the company around was faltering and sapping investor confidence.
Tan, a former Intel board member, had been seen as a CEO contender thanks to his deep experience in the chip industry as well as a longtime technology investor in promising startups. He was approached by Intel's board in December to gauge his interest in taking up the job, Reuters had reported.
"Together, we will work hard to restore Intel's position as a world-class products company, establish ourselves as a world-class foundry and delight our customers like never before," Tan said in a letter to Intel employees on Wednesday.
…
Tan, 65, is a Malaysian-born executive who grew up in Singapore and holds degrees in physics, nuclear engineering and business administration.
He served as CEO of Intel supplier and chip-design software Cadence Design Systems (CDNS.O), opens new tab from 2009 to 2021. During his term, the company's revenue and stock surged.
Tan left Intel's board last year over disagreements on how to turn around the company. He grew frustrated by the company’s large workforce, its approach to contract manufacturing and Intel’s risk-averse and bureaucratic culture, Reuters previously reported.
Tan will rejoin the board, Intel said.
Tan "brings stability and experience to a role that needs someone of his caliber, which is why I believe the company will likely stay the course with his appointment and continue to develop foundry and product," said Anshel Sag, principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy.
Tan's appointment comes as Trump pushes for more manufacturing in the country, threatening tariffs on imports that have roiled global markets for weeks. While Trump has made no direct comment about Intel publicly, he has said that Asian countries including Taiwan have snatched away the United States' edge in chipmaking.
lol, Nvidia, AMD and Intel CEOs are all ethnic Chinese now.

Brandon Johnson at like 10% approval (even lower than Eric Adams wtf? Does he just never leave his house or smth?)
all the standard centrist rats of Chicago local politics are crawling out of the gutter (Paul fuckin Vallas is a frontrunner again, just behind the generic IL Secretary of State)
Is Chicago city politics just permanently irredeemable and fucked up? Is it a safe bet never to have hope in it?

https://youtu.be/ejBarhExkSc Freeze Peach

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa-city-council-x-vote How they banging the drums of war against America talking about boycotting all their products when they won't even get rid of one the biggest spreaders of misinformation on the net and frankly a shitty site? Shit doesnt even work right
Information war is still a thing you know and Americans are bloody good at it.
- I've been saying Canadians aren't serious about opposing US revanchism, Trump is rattling the handle to an unlocked door, if US elites played their cards with a baseline level of imperial competence they would actually pull off an annexation
  
  i dunno tbh, I think american underestimate how much the average canadian dislikes americans

A day of fury under milei's regime:
AP: Argentine retirees and soccer fans clash with police during protests against austerity measures
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentine retirees and fans of several soccer teams clashed with police Wednesday during a protest in front of Congress in the capital, Buenos Aires, against the economic policies implemented by the government of President Javier Milei.
What started as a peaceful demonstration escalated into violent clashes as police deployed water cannons, tear gas, and pellets against stone-throwing protesters.
For weeks, Buenos Aires retirees have held weekly protests demanding higher pensions, citing a precarious standard of living. While previous demonstrations involved minor incidents, including tear gas use against the elderly, Wednesday’s protest was unprecedented in scale.
The government of far-right President Javier Milei, who has championed a policy of public spending cuts since coming to power a year and a half ago, had warned of restrictions on entry to stadiums for those who cause disorder.
Police deployed shotguns and water hoses before the scheduled 5:00 p.m. protest.
Clashes erupted when a large group of Boca Juniors soccer fans, waving flags and chanting in support of the retirees, arrived. Police formed a cordon to block their advance toward Congress.
At the rear, a group of elderly protesters were pushed back by high-pressure water cannons fired by two tanks at the perimeter closest to the Legislative Assembly.
In an unprecedented show of unity, fans from Boca Juniors, River Plate, and other Argentine soccer clubs joined pensioners who gather outside Congress every Wednesday to protest the government’s austerity measures.
Surrounded by police, protesters chanted, “Don’t touch the elderly.” A man draped in the Argentine flag held a sign that read “Help me fight. You’ll be the next elderly person.”
A resolution published Wednesday by Argentina’s Ministry of Security bans anyone who engages in violent behavior, disrupts security, traffic, or public order from entering soccer stadiums. This means that fans involved in Wednesday’s riots will be barred from attending their team’s games for a period set by the authorities.
The repression today was really big, probably the worst since milei took power. It all began when a number of fans and Barras (Our equivalent to Hooligans or Ultras) of Chacarita Juniors, a second-division football team with roots on Anarcho-Communism, started to escort the elderly people who hold a demonstration each wednesday to protest against the regime's cuts on pensions. A week ago, they clashed with police. A call was made for all fans and Barras who wanted to join the struggle to attend the protest this wednesday, and so many did, including rival Barras like Boca Juniors and River Plate, Racing Club and Independiente and Chacarita Juniors and Atlanta, among many others. The idea was to escort and protect the elderly as they protested.
However the police, as always, reacted with violence. Over a thousand police officers from all branches were deployed, from normal cops to Gendarmería (militarized police) and Airport Security. About 150 people were arrested, some of whom had nothing to do with the protest, the status of all detained people is unknown. One cameraman had his skull cracked open by a police tear gas shot, he's in very critical condition. An old lady was hit by a riot police and she hit her back of her head, she's also hospitalized. Many more suffered wounds due to rubber bullets fired by the pigs. A shitton of undercover cops joined the protest to agitate. One police officer curiously dropped his service fiream in the street as his line advanced, maybe to plant it for someone to pick it up and use against them. One cop sustained a firearm wound to his arm, not sure who fired, don't really care either, but I hope he dies soon anyways.
Meanwhile a session in Congress was being held (Discussing, among other things, an investigation on milei's role in his crypto scam), but was called off after a number of pro-milei congressmen began to brawl with each other.
Now it becomes completely apparent that we're not living under a democratic regime of any kind, not even the shit bourgeois "democracy". Milei's answer to pretty much all protests is to crush them with sheer force. I hope this sparks a bigger response, there's an urgent need for a nation-wide strike, we should have had one at least a year ago. Meanwhile, the economic situation is NOT improving, there are more and more people falling into homelesness, prices are still high and wages are very low. If you have your elderly people out in the streets fighting for better pensions you know you're in the shit as a country.
To me there's one thing that is guaranteed: The future holds nothing but pain and misery. Milei's regime is at war with us, and is one of attrition, we'll see who lasts longer.
oh and eternal suffering and death to "israel" and all zionists in the world including and not limited to javier milei.

If anyone is wondering where Steve Witkoff is after his no show in the bilateral negotiations between the USA and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia: It turns out he didn't fly with the government delegation, he flew on his own private plane to Abu Dhabi, UAE; and never made it to Saudi Arabia, which is why his reserved seat in Saudi Arabia was empty. Witkoff then flew to Doha, Qatar; to negotiate with the mediators of the hostage exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel. This coincided with Trump saying that Palestinians will not be forcefully removed from the Gaza Strip. So some sort of agreement was reached there.
As for where Witkoff is now, this is the big news: Witkoff has flown to Moscow, Russia; as of a few hours ago, to present the ceasefire proposal for the Russia - Ukraine war and negotiate with the Russian delegation and Vladimir Putin. This is Witkoff's second trip to Russia, the first was to begin negotiations in February where the prisoner exchange for Marc Fogel was arranged as a gesture of goodwill. So this second trip now is the big negotiation, the fate of the 30 day freeze on the current frontline, and any immediate concessions to Russia, depends on the outcome of this negotiation. Witkoff is Trump's enforcer and there are no other US delegates present, so this is coming right from the top from a US perspective. And the Russian delegation has said that the final decision is with Vladimir Putin. So it's effectively a one to one negotiation between Trump and Putin, with Trump sending his right hand man to carry out the work of negotiating for him.
Putin has given his opening statement before meeting Witkoff, during a press conference with the Belarusian delegation during Lukashenko's visit to the Kremlin. I just watched it. ~~If anyone has a full video link, feel free to provide it in the replies.~~ Full 7:30 video of Putin's response, with English subtitles
Xcancel mirror
In summary:
Russia agreas with plans to end hostilities long term, as long as they adress the root causes that caused the conflict to start in the first place and lead to a permanent peace.
Putin is in favour of a 30 day truce, as long as the following conditions/nuances are worked out:
Sorting out the situation with Ukrainian remnants in the Kursk region, they either have to "surrender or die". The Kursk salient is under complete Russian fire control, so retreat is not possible. Therefore, is Russia supposed to just left them go back to Ukraine, even though they've committed crimes against Russian civilians?
Russia has questions if Ukraine will use the 30 day truce to mobilise their army, recruit/conscript and train soldiers, or rearm, or if nothing of the sort will be allowed. If Ukraine is not allowed to mobilise and arm itself during the 30 day truce, who controls that?
Russia wants clarity on where exactly the freeze across the frontlines will take place and when it will be implemented, given Russia is currently advancing on the frontlines. In other words, how much longer will Russia be allowed to advance for before the freeze is in place. Where will the demarcation line be?
Russia has questions on how the ceasefire will be policed and who will enforce it across the +-2000km frontline. Who will determine any potential ceasefire violations, and what the consequences of violating the ceasefire will be? Both sides will have to research this.
Russia supports a peaceful end to the war in general, but many issues have to be discussed. Maybe in a phonecall with President Trump.

Trump upped the ante on his annexation taunts saying the only way for Canada to avoid his attempts to torpedo the economy is for the country to "become our cherished Fifty-First State."
Very realistic opening demand, mister president. You are a master negotiator.
Trump placing 25% tariff on steel, aluminum after backing off 50% threat
And he's saying this in front of a Tesla, which he is hawking on the white house lawn. I'm sure Tesla sales in Canada will be great next quarter.
- If that pic doesn't capture the essence of neoliberalism I don't know what is. The president doing a sale on his front yard for a Nazi's government welfare project of a company and threatens the citizens who are getting hit by said nazi the hard not kick up a fuss
- I don't see how further cementing Tesla as the Nazi car like this was ever going to help sales
  
  It will give them a boost for a week while all the chuds with extra $$$ buy one. Hannity just bought a Model S. But it is not looking good in the medium and long-term. Even Tesla fanboys were forced to cut their 2025Q1 delivery expectations. It will probably be a negative quarter.
- I love the idea of chuds putting themselves in debt to own the libs. Can't not see that back firing. Oh, I bought a 60k dollar piece of shit that's constantly breaking down and then the whole dealership services flop once the bubble bursts.
- Very realistic opening demand, mister president. You are a master negotiator.
  The other idea is to make all the canadians US citizens and hope they'll move to Jacksonville or whatever and decide they like it so much they want to make Canada part of the USA.

This isn't news, but I thought this was an interesting essay from a longtime nakedcapitalism commenter. the author is some retired euro diplomat. his blog is worth reading as you can tell he's been around the block and paying attention for decades. fair warning that the author is not some diligent communist, but he's fairly clear eyed. I'd put him in a similar ideological camp as Mearsheimer.
this article is about how europe deeply papered over the nationalist tendencies of individual countries/populations through the EU and NATO, the impact of papering things over on european security, and how modern EU politicians are not capable of dealing with the re-emergence of those same tendencies. it's an interesting perspective about the value of EU/NATO to europe irrespective of deterring the USSR/Russia
https://aurelien2022.substack.com/p/a-swan-song-for-europe
a few snippets spoilered below

Putin getting played again.
From today’s nakedcapitalism

Damn:
https://xcancel.com/TVFreePalestine/status/1899569710288556172
https://xcancel.com/TVFreePalestine/status/1899841928239214963
The case of #MahmoudKhalil is a perfect example of the limits of Liberalism and collaboration with the Zionist Empire in hopes of gaining some equity or change in the power structures. For those who don't know, Khalil is a Syrian citizen who collaborated with the Imperialist plot against his homeland, and worked for the UK embassy in Lebanon coordinating destabilization programs. He also worked in the NGOs in the USA designed to drive the Syrian diaspora youth astray from decolonization, and into the arms of Wahhabi and Ikhwani collaborationist rule.
As for his role at Columbia University, he was a go-between agreed upon by the Zionist Administration and the Palestine liberation supporters; ie he was not a member of the movement, and only a messenger. He was also against the Hind Hall movement and actions.
So, here is Mahmoud Khalil, a man who sold his country to the wolves for a few measly dollars, who acted as reasonable messenger of Zionist power to the Palestinians at Columbia, and all he got in return was to be disappeared by Zionist Master in the White House.
Moral of the story here, as an Arab or Muslim, no matter how much you suck up to Zionists, they will never treat you as an equal human, and the more you suck up to them, the more they will humiliate you when you outlive your usefulness.
We hope Mr Khalil returns home safely to his family, but you should all know what you are supporting, and to do so in spite of his shortcomings, because his disappearing even though he is a tool, fool or even agent, signals that all Arabs and Muslims in the USA could be treated even worse.
Mahmoud Khalil was the program director of the Syria office at the UK mission in Lebanon, and had full security clearance on all the regime-change operations according to embassy staff; but somehow our post that also tells people to still support his rights, is being painted as conspiracy theory by both Jewish White Supremacist accounts and Wahhabi/Ikhwani/Liberal accounts.
- This directly goes against what protesters at Columbia said. People that protested said he was chosen as a representative. I'd like to see actual evidence of what this post is even talking about.
  Saying he worked at the British embassy in Lebanon is not evidence of anything they are saying like ?
  
  He definitely worked for the British embassy, had security clearance, and was part of a British "soft power" programme for their goals in the middle east. There was a more in-depth article about it this morning from Middle East Eye.
  Does that mean he didn't genuinely believe in the cause of Palestinian liberation or at least a stop to Israeli genocide? I don't think it has to, and as you said he was nominated by students for that position, but I wouldn't necessarily trust that to be true, especially if I was Palestinian, either.
  For the most part though, I think the point of the quote is less about whether he was a wolf in sheep's clothing, but the fact that no matter how much you assimilate, collaborate, and rationalise with the Zionist enemy, no matter how gentle and acceptably liberal your opposition to Israel is, fascist Zionism will come for you regardless.