Author Archena Posted on August 28, 2023August 29, 2023Categories MondayTags , , ,

What Else is Wrong with BRICS?

All three of you following this blog – thanks, so much! – were probably wondering if the enlargement of BRICS matters, especially after I just got through dismissing BRICS as a potential challenger to the US Dollar. In a word, no. In a much longer word: Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha! <Giggle> Okay, okay, let’s start with the elephant in the room. Saudi Arabia. Give me a sec, I can’t do this with a straight face. Yes, yes, Saudi Arabia has all that oil. … Continue reading “What Else is Wrong with BRICS?”

Author Archena Posted on August 22, 2023August 23, 2023Categories Current, MondayTags , ,

Throwing BRICS

Yes, yes, I know. The US is being overthrown as the sole superpower. The dollar is being dethroned. ACK! Run for the hills! I believe I’ve mentioned this before but nation states are resilient little buggers. I may not have mentioned that the US invented resilience. Okay, so we didn’t invent it but we did corner the market. We’re that rare nation state that has a hard time destroying itself. Not for the lack of trying but as a nation, … Continue reading “Throwing BRICS”

Author Archena Posted on August 2, 2023August 2, 2023Categories Current, MondayTags , , ,

Russian Desperation

If you think the coup attempt in Niger is unrelated to the Ukrainian War, you’re sadly mistaken. We’re getting kinda used to the nuclear saber rattling. It barely gets a reaction any longer. But what, you ask, does a coup in Niger have to do with anything? Well, everything. France has close ties to Niger. Niger is a former French colony. At the moment protestors are flying the Russian flag. Russian? Yep. As most of you probably know Russia’s pet … Continue reading “Russian Desperation”

Author Archena Posted on July 25, 2023July 25, 2023Categories Current, MondayTags , , , , ,

Winning is the Best Way to End a War

It amazes me that so many people forget the lessons of history so very quickly. We were all taught how foolish appeasement had been in the lead up to World War II. So why are so many so convinced that appeasing Russia will end any better? Mostly, because we stink at keeping up with current events that don’t involve celebrities and our favorite entertainment. Name off your ten favorite movies, no problem. Name ten wars going on in the world … Continue reading “Winning is the Best Way to End a War”

Author Archena Posted on July 17, 2023July 18, 2023Categories MondayTags , , , ,

Banning Cows and Building Coal Fired Power Plants: Climate and World Political Leadership

People tend to act on what they believe. That shouldn’t be a controversial statement. This one might: people tend to act in accordance with what they believe to be true. That isn’t to say that people always act in perfect rational accord with their beliefs. First off, no one is perfectly rational. Second what seems a reasonable response to a belief to one person may be silly to another. However, on the whole, people will tend to act in accord … Continue reading “Banning Cows and Building Coal Fired Power Plants: Climate and World Political Leadership”

Author Archena Posted on July 3, 2023July 3, 2023Categories MondayTags , , ,

We Still Don’t Understand What Happened in Russia?

They had a mutiny. Probably. Didn’t we cover this already? Y’all do know real life isn’t resolved in an hour, right? It also doesn’t come with a reset button. Okay, okay, so it’s been a week and you’re thinking we’re supposed to actually know something by now. Modern media is not good for humans. That’s what we know. We know that because it’s silly to expect anyone to really know what is going on this early with so many people … Continue reading “We Still Don’t Understand What Happened in Russia?”

Author Archena Posted on June 26, 2023June 26, 2023Categories MondayTags , , , ,

Russian Coup: Is It All Over Now?

Yes, no and maybe. I’m not being snarky. That’s the real answer right now. I know it’s not the answer you want but it’s the answer you need. I started this blog/podcast/video thing because I was seeing so many people in comment sections scared to death of nothing at all. Make no mistake, Boomers weren’t as well educated as we should have been but we came out a lot better off than the generations behind us. Millennials and Gen Z … Continue reading “Russian Coup: Is It All Over Now?”

Author Archena Posted on June 24, 2023June 24, 2023Categories SpecialTags , , , , , , ,

Coup or No Coup?

We don’t know. I’m not just being snarky for once. Russian analysts, who are all probably massively underpaid, have trouble figuring out Russian actions under the best of circumstances. These are the worst of circumstances. That means that anyone saying they ‘know’ what exactly is happening in Russia is either lying or delusional. It’s just too early and we have too little reliable information. Peter Zeihan pointed out in one of his videos today that you will be hearing a … Continue reading “Coup or No Coup?”

Author Archena Posted on June 20, 2023June 20, 2023Categories Current, MondayTags ,

Which is Dying? Globalism or Corporatism?

Corporatism. See you guys Wednesday… You’re kinda addicted to the detail thing, aren’t you? Oh well, can’t accuse me of burying the lead. So, here goes: Like every good little political scientist, we start with definitions. Since I’m a cranky old political scientist, we skip all the boring stuff and just hit the highlights. When I am talking about globalism I’m just talking about the economic version. The political version is probably not nearly as long for this world as … Continue reading “Which is Dying? Globalism or Corporatism?”

Author Archena Posted on May 24, 2023May 24, 2023Categories Current, MondayTags , , , , , , , , ,

Why Hasn’t China Collapsed Yet?

Because nation-states are resilient little devils. See y’all Wednesday! You’re looking at me like you want details. You know I hate details! Okay, okay, so here goes. Despite all the YouTube videos swearing that China will collapse in 38 days, China hasn’t collapsed after nearly eight months. Well, first off, if some kid in his basement can figure out when China is going belly up, so can China. The CCP is kinda attached to staying in power so once they … Continue reading “Why Hasn’t China Collapsed Yet?”