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[personal profile] nairiporter
Three months into Donald Trump's second term, it's becoming clear to foreign leaders that a visit to the Oval Office can come with a high risk of public embarrassment. As the BBC reports, such meetings often turn into spectacles of criticism, provocation, and even humiliation:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c753rlw4430o

Read more... )
nairiporter: (Default)
[personal profile] nairiporter posting in [community profile] talkpolitics
Three months into Donald Trump's second term, it's becoming clear to foreign leaders that a visit to the Oval Office can come with a high risk of public embarrassment. As the BBC reports, such meetings often turn into spectacles of criticism, provocation, and even humiliation:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c753rlw4430o

The latest example came during South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's visit. In a highly choreographed episode, Trump ambushed his guest with dimmed lights, a dramatic video presentation, and numerous media clippings. The presentation centered around discredited claims of a "white genocide" in South Africa - allegations that white farmers were being systematically targeted and killed.

When a journalist asked Trump what it would take to convince him these claims were false, Ramaphosa responded first, calmly suggesting the US President "listen to the voices of South Africans". Trump then asked a staff member to dim the lights and turn on a television to "show a few things" to the South African leader.

Sitting quietly nearby was Elon Musk, the South African born billionaire and Trump adviser, observing the exchange.

Read more... )
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[personal profile] abomvubuso
 


nairiporter: (Default)
[personal profile] nairiporter posting in [community profile] talkpolitics
I came across this article in the Wall Street Journal titled "Rare-Earths Plants Are Popping Up Outside China," which delves into the global efforts to diversify rare earth mineral production away from China's dominance. Given the strategic importance of these minerals in modern technologies, this piece offers valuable insights into the shifting geopolitical landscape.:

https://www.wsj.com/business/us-brazil-rare-earth-mineral-plants-7ea22068

The article highlights how countries like the US are investing heavily in rare earth projects in nations such as Brazil, which boasts the world's second-largest reserves. Companies like Canada's Aclara Resources are developing mines in Brazil to supply US-based processing facilities. This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on China, which currently controls a significant portion of the global rare earth supply chain.

What struck me is the emphasis on environmental considerations. Aclara's mining process in Brazil aims to minimise ecological impact by avoiding tailings dams and reducing water usage. This contrasts with some of the environmentally detrimental practices observed in other parts of the world. It's encouraging to see that sustainability is being factored into these strategic initiatives.

However, I can't help but feel a sense of urgency. While these developments are promising, the transition away from China's dominance won't happen overnight. The geopolitical implications are vast, and the race for resource independence is intensifying. It's a complex issue that requires careful navigation to balance economic interests, environmental concerns, and national security.

Hiraes - Under Fire

17 May 2025 22:00
abomvubuso: (Over the Edge)
[personal profile] abomvubuso
 


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[personal profile] luzribeiro
Ranking all major urban transport modes based on their carbon-emission output:
SOURCE - https://tnmt.com/infographics/carbon-emissions-by-transport-type/

INFOGRAPHIC )
megastalin: (Default)
[personal profile] megastalin posting in [community profile] talkpolitics
In the end, the so-called nation builders wrecked far more nations than they built and the interventionalists were intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand themselves
From: https://x.com/america/status/1922364912447131973

Okay, obviously, not he, but whomever the speechwriter was. However, the implications are, forgive me for this, absolutely yuge if true.

Are we going to see a new era of American isolationism? Or is this a signal that the US may actually be willing to participate in the newly emerging so-called "multipolar" world? 

It's not, or shouldn't be, controversial to say that American involvement in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, etc, has been an unmitigated disaster. The Taliban are back in power, Iraq's an unstable shithole despite more than a decade of efforts to the contrary, Syria has an extremist Islamist president or; at least what's left of Syria does. And the less said about Libya the better.

Here's a provocative question for you, would these countries have eventually stabilized and grown economically had the US not intervened? Trump certainly seems to think so.

It's almost bizarre to consider, but could President Trump be remembered not for all the covfefe and Big Mac dinners but for being a consensus-maker of a new international world order? 





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