Mediated By China Iran And Saudi Arabia Restore Ties – There Are Winners And Losers

March 10, 2023

This is huge!

Regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia agree to restore ties after years of tensions
The deal, which will see the two countries reopen embassies in each other’s capitals, was sealed during a meeting in China and announced Friday in a joint communique.

Archrivals Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed Friday to restore diplomatic relations, a dramatic breakthrough brokered by China after years of soaring tensions between the regional rivals.

The deal, which will see the two countries reopen embassies in each other’s capitals, was sealed during a meeting in China — a boost to Beijing’s efforts to rival the United States as a broker on the global stage.

The agreement also may put a dampener Israel's ongoing efforts to normalize relations with its Arab neighbors.

The talks were held because of a “shared desire to resolve the disagreements between them through dialogue and diplomacy, and in light of their brotherly ties,” according to a joint communique from Tehran, Riyadh and Beijing that was published by the Saudi Press Agency, the country’s official news agency.

The agreement followed intensive negotiations between Ali Shamkhani, a close adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, according to the statement.

It added that the foreign ministers from both countries would “meet to implement this, arrange for the return of their ambassadors, and discuss means of enhancing bilateral relations.”

The joint statement by Saudi Arabia, Iran and China is here:

In response to the noble initiative of His Excellency President Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, of China’s support for developing good neighborly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran;

And based on the agreement between His Excellency President Xi Jinping and the leaderships in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, whereby the People’s Republic of China would host and sponsor talks between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran;

Proceeding from their shared desire to resolve the disagreements between them through dialogue and diplomacy, and in light of their brotherly ties; …

Congrats to China for nudging this deal forward and making it possible.

There are winners and losers in this.

The winners are:

Iran, which will now be even more able to break through the sanctions wall the U.S. has put up around it.
Saudi Arabia, which now will likely be able to end its disastrous and costly war on Yemen.
China, for outplaying the U.S. State Department by achieving this.
Iraq, Syria, Yemen as they will become more peaceful as the two middle powers influencing policies on their grounds end their rivalry.

The losers are:

Israel, because the chances for its attempts to get the U.S. into a war with Iran are now diminished. Its hoped for coalition with the Saudis will not come into being.
The U.S. for having been outplayed on its traditional 'home grounds' in the Middle East.
Anti-Iran hawks everywhere.
The Emirates for losing at least some of the sanction busting trade with Iran to Saudi Arabia.

This renewal of relations will change the Middle East:

Tensions between Sunni Muslim powerhouse Saudi Arabia and Iran, which is majority Shiite, have dominated the region for decades.

The two countries have been locked in an intensifying struggle for dominance, their rivalry exacerbated by proxy conflicts, including the war in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and the site of its two holiest cities, has historically seen itself as the leader of the Muslim world. The Iranian Revolution of 1979 shook Saudi Arabia and other Gulf kingdoms, which saw the regime in Tehran as a rival.

While tensions brewed for years, Saudi Arabia broke off ties in 2016 after protesters stormed Saudi diplomatic posts in Iran and set fire to the embassy in Tehran.

Days earlier, Saudi Arabia had executed the prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

“Clearing up the misunderstandings and looking to the future in Tehran-Riyadh relations will definitely lead to the development of regional stability and security and the increase of cooperation between the countries of the Persian Gulf and the Islamic world to manage the existing challenges,” Shamkhani said Friday after signing the deal, according to Press TV.

In 2016 I describe the killing of Nimr al-Nimr as a smart move in the sense of Saudi domestic realpolitik. But I also said that it would lead to escalating costs in Saudi Arabia's regional policies, predominantly in Yemen. That indeed proved to be the case.

Reviving relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran will make a lot of new things possible.

That Iran and Saudi Arabia accepted China's mediation is a recognition of Beijing's new standing in world policies. That alone is enough reason for the White House to hate the deal.

Posted by b on March 10, 2023 at 14:17 UTC | Permalink

Comments

Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Ukrainian World Congress – Свiтовий Конґрес Українців 🇺🇦
Posted by: Irish | Mar 11 2023 1:12 utc | 189
VERY impressive list. I knew Ukraine was big but didn’t appreciate the great natural wealth there. Thank you.

Posted by: Scorpion | Mar 11 2023 2:39 utc | 201

It’s all about the Great Game, but this time the People are The People, not the elite, and the competition is for a world where people are ascendent as opposed to profit and wealth accumulation. There’s also a program on Russia’s TV1 called The Great Game and today Lavrov returned to its stage for an interview. I’ll just provide the opening Q&A for they’re outstanding both the Q and the A:

Q: I’ll start with a question about the latest news. The situation in Tbilisi: the government actually met all the demands of the protesters, without any restrictive conditions, without any concessions from the protesters. Nevertheless, we hear that the protests will continue. The demands of the protesters are only growing. It’s starting to resemble the Kiev Maidan of 2014. And how far, from your point of view, can this go?
Sergey Lavrov: It is very similar to the Maidan in Kiev. There is no doubt that the law on the registration of non-governmental organizations receiving foreign funding in the amount of 20% of their budget was only an excuse to start an attempt at a violent change of power.
If you take the law itself and compare it (as many political scientists have done in recent days, when the riots began in Tbilisi), then it “pales” in comparison with how the activities of non-profit organizations are regulated in the United States, France, India, and Israel. You can watch it all.
For violation of a similar law in the United States, a fine of up to 250 thousand US dollars and up to 5 years in prison as part of a criminal prosecution. In Georgia, immeasurably smaller amounts: about 9 thousand US dollars and no criminal prosecution.
Despite the fact that in a number of European countries there are much more cruel norms on this topic, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy J. Borrell, without blinking an eye, said that the law that Georgians are promoting (the ruling Party “Georgian Dream”), contradicts European values, puts the bloc on the way to Georgia’s accession to the European Union. The hypocrisy is obvious.
The government, the ruling coalition, the ruling parties announced that they were finally withdrawing the law (as I heard) and that they were releasing about 170 arrested rioters. This is despite the fact that there are video evidence of the violence they have shown. It is a violation of all democratic norms and deserves prosecution. Nevertheless, the government released them. And the opposition, without any respite, said, like, no, you met us halfway only on the first issue, and now you are resigning.
The position of the West, the same US State Department, in a pathetic tone declaring the inadmissibility of such an attitude towards civil society, causes a smile. These are the very “rules” that the West is talking about. We are talking about international law, and it is talking about the “rules” on which the world order can be based. In Georgia, the opposition is not only able, but obliged to do what it wants, and in Moldova, protests against the current government are condemned. Because the opposition in Georgia reflects the interests of the West, and the opposition in Moldova reflects others, and the Western interests in this country are reflected by the government and the president.
Literally before our eyes, two similar situations with protests are unfolding. In Tbilisi, the protests were far from peaceful. As you can see, the demonstrators overturned cars, used tear gas, smoke bombs. I don’t remember that in Chisinau. Even if it were a similar action, the attitude to this is fundamentally different. It seems to me that all countries located around the Russian Federation should draw conclusions from how dangerous the policy of involving the interests of the United States in the zone of responsibility is. This zone now extends to the whole world. We’ve talked about this before. It is no coincidence that when the United States and its NATO allies comment on the events in Ukraine, our special military operation, they demand a strategic defeat for the Russian Federation on the battlefield, directly recognizing that this is an existential conflict. Its outcome determines the interests of the West in the field of global security, the prospects for its hegemony led by the United States and the prospects for its dominance in world affairs.

It’s a long transcript with the Russian video at top of page–an hour and fifteen minutes. I’m still working my way through the transcript, and from Reading TASS I know there’re more gems.

Posted by: karlof1 | Mar 11 2023 2:43 utc | 202

With “Saudi” trending on twitter… this popped up….
For a handshake on a $5 billion deal…. Why does the sultan look like a whipped dog….?
https://twitter.com/esrbillgic/status/1634262958531289088

Posted by: My | Mar 11 2023 2:50 utc | 203

Posted by: My | Mar 11 2023 2:50 utc | 204

I have this image in my mind of Haynes, Burns, Nuland, Blinken, Sullivan and the rest of the Deep State Tribe in apoplectic spasms as they struggle to find somewhere – or someone – to drop bombs onto in response to this development.

Posted by: Drake Schroeder | Mar 11 2023 2:53 utc | 205

The moment it became known that both Saudi Arabia and Iran made a firm committment to join BRICS this development was inevitable. BRICS doesn’t have the series of hoops which must be jumped through that nato or the eu does, nevertheless it would be completely untenable to have to sworn enemies at meetings that everyone was to work co-operatively at as the points of conflict between the two are going to cause friction every time.
From the instant SA signalled their desire to join BRICS (I believe Iran was first outta the starters gate) it would have been made clear that without rapprochement joining was impossible.
The amerikan state department must have known this as that is the question I have been asking myself ever since SA launched their bid and I’m no international politics geek.
What will be interesting is whether this formal indication of friendship is more than skin deep, does SA intend to fully commit to BRICS or is it just trying to have two bob each way (win/show), in which case SA will need to be closely watched to ensure that they are not leaking information or being disruptive.
I suspect that SA is being fair dinkum about this, or rather the current MBS administration is, although I have no doubt that there are still powerful elements with the SA royal family and administration who side with amerika and if that is the case SA’s presence within the group could turn out to be more trouble than it’s worth for the other members.
Yemen will be make or break time for SA, as all the other BRICS member nations have been extremely critical of the unholy coalition (USuk, SA, Gulf States & Occupied Palestine)’s aggression in Yemen.
To me that indicates SA will have been told to quit that aggression immediately if SA is serious about being a BRICS member, therefore there will be relatively fast changes in what SA is up to vis a vis Yemen especially regarding the oilfield just across the border from SA or we can take it that SA is just sitting on the fence, not fully pledged to the BRICS organisation or worse that a deal has been done by BRICS & Iran which sells Yemen down the river in the name of realpolitik.

Posted by: Debsisdead | Mar 11 2023 2:55 utc | 206

I dunno, people have mentioned possible “trojan horse” earlier in the thread. And others pointed to the long-standing poodle status of Saudi Arabia. And others mentioned that SA always does what US and Israel demand (until today). Is this really, truly “huge!”? Or is it a dictated fake, a psyops? Long history of KSA doing USA bidding (for big $$$).

Posted by: Wisco | Mar 11 2023 3:17 utc | 207

@karlof1 #203
Need stable Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan — for the rail and sea route Russia, Iran, India …
Politics and Economics – US is messing with both Georgia and Armenia – Turkey swung the recent war in favour of Azerbaijan – Armenia not happy with Russia and hates Turkey due to genocide in WWI – EU into Azerbaijan for fuel … a complex region to stabilize and easier to de-stabilize …
The map: https://eurasiangeopolitics.com/south-caucasus-maps/

Posted by: Don Firineach | Mar 11 2023 3:27 utc | 208

Part II of a CBDC article series:
https://iaindavis.substack.com/p/central-bank-digital-currency-is-359
From which a brief excerpt illustrating how several countries supposedly now at profound odds with each other are all headed in the same direction (one which decidedly does NOT support ‘we the people’ as the esteemed Karlof1 said above):

The BoE wishes to impose the most oppressive form of retail CBDC possible, but they aren’t alone. The Russian CBR’s model is another, among many others, that is just as tyrannical. The Russian’s CBDC is also constructed upon a “platform” model that is uncannily similar to the UK’s.
Just like British citizens, Russian’s behaviour will be monitored and controlled by their private central bank and its partners through their CBDC “wallets.” The CBR’s “Model D” CBDC is also a “a retail two-tier model with financial institutions [private corporate partners] as settlement participants.”
The CBR states:
Digital rubles are unique digital codes (tokens) held in clients’ electronic wallets on the digital ruble platform. [. . .] The Bank of Russia opens wallets for financial institutions and the Federal Treasury while financial institutions open wallets for clients [businesses and individuals] on the digital ruble platform. Only one digital ruble wallet is opened for a client.
Every Russian business and private citizen will each have one CBDC wallet allocated to them by the CBR. Russian commercial banks will enable the “client onboarding” to speed up adoption of CBDC. The commercial banks and other “financial institutions” will then process CBDC payments and act as payment intermediaries on the CBR’s Model D “platform.”
The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are among those considering programming expiration dates into their CBDC’s. This will ensure that Chinese and Indian CBDC users can’t save and have to spend their issued “money” before it expires and ceases to function. Thereby “stimulating” economic activity in the most “going direct” way imaginable.

I believe this is a very serious and extremely important topic which is being successfully buried by distractions of all sorts. But unless and until clear verifiable evidence is presented showing how the CRB and CBChina and CBEngland and CB Iran (also cited in the article) are somehow truly separate and not some sort of seamless one-ring system (with various regional characteristics no doubt for the end-user experiences but not at the uber-sys-admin levels) surely we have to assume that these will be all interlinked somehow in some sort of ‘virtual one world’ system in which democracy and individual rights will no longer be regarded as quintessential priorities.
Personally, I think we are about to enter a period during which the largest changes in over a millenium as to how societies are organized will be taking place. I also suspect that those who are happy with the Chinese model will be very happy with what finally emerges. Maybe. At least for a while. Maybe….
PS. On TV tonight a story relating how Gov Christie Noem (sp) of South Dakota just vetoed a bill that would have made all other digital currencies unlawful in her State. I found it interesting that this was slipped in as an addition to existing Universal Commercial Code law, the primus inter pares international Law extant since Roman times (and arguably genius-level stuff in many ways IMO). So a single Governor vetoed what her Legislature had rubber-stamped. Wonder how many other Governors have already or will soon be signing this. Wonder how many newspaper articles there will be about this. Main point though: this stuff is ACTUALLY happening, it is not fringe conspiracy theory material. And I suspect it is FAR more important than most of what is being covered in the news because if this stuff is finally put in place and replaces normal money, you can kiss all our constitutions goodbye, they are rendered useless and irrelevant immediately (whether or not this is acknowledged). Such huge changes should not take place without consent after discussion.
Anyone willing to bet that this will happen? At 100 to 1 odds? (You win 100 if it DOES happen!)…..
2030…. seven years…. not long now….

Posted by: Scorpion | Mar 11 2023 3:30 utc | 209

Such huge changes should not take place without consent after discussion.
Anyone willing to bet that this will happen? At 100 to 1 odds? (You win 100 if it DOES happen!)…..
2030…. seven years…. not long now….
Posted by: Scorpion | March 11, 2023 at 03:30
That didn’t come out right. What I meant was: anyone willing to bet that this will only happen after considerable discussion and full consent? Even if you get really nice 100 to 1 payback? I think the actual odds are more like 100,000 to 1, or maybe even more like 0. Zero chance that this huge change will happen only after informed consent. aka: pretty much certain.

Posted by: Scorpion | Mar 11 2023 3:37 utc | 210

https://web.archive.org/web/20220917101738/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/cbdctracker/
List of countries status viz CBCD development…
“105 countries, representing over 95 percent of global GDP, are exploring a CBDC. In May 2020, only 35 countries were considering a CBDC. A new high of 50 countries are in an advanced phase of exploration (development, pilot, or launch).”

Posted by: Scorpion | Mar 11 2023 3:45 utc | 211

Wonder if countries/banks heretofore dependent on the U.S. dollar are in the same position as SVB, holding long term U.S. treasuries that are now a losing proposition, and whether that has an impact on their approach to Empire?

Posted by: Wilhelm | Mar 11 2023 3:49 utc | 212

The reason for the collapse is not bad loans to failed businesses, but the bank’s holdings of US Treasury bonds! The rise of interest rates has caused older bond holdings to lose a large proportion of their value. T-Bonds — once the gold standard in asset valuation — have become the poison pill that kills banks.
Posted by: Petri Krohn | Mar 10 2023 22:39 utc | 158
Is this a fact, or summary of your honest opinion ? Could you elaborate further please. MSM calling T-Bonds a poison pill, is unheard of…

Posted by: Alex Vadim | Mar 11 2023 4:01 utc | 213

@ Wilhelm 213
an impact on their approach to Empire
A fabulous understatement if I was to hazard a guess…
Will empire even be an option?
The US is being held together, barely, by a thread called Rules Based Order.
It is rapidly fraying.
Good for the world…eventually.
But the in-between part, as necessary as it is going to be to shed that fucking skin, is going to have to be lived through.

Posted by: Irish | Mar 11 2023 4:03 utc | 214

Posted by: Wisco | Mar 11 2023 3:17 utc | 208
“Long history of KSA doing USA bidding (for big $$$).”
If one were cynical one would say, That’s true! And who has the money now? An old system that has run its course, no longer viable, forever indebted, or a fresh start?
But I hold out the hope that this is indeed the first tender, wobbly steps of a better world. I just think of all the hardware and weaponry, the thought and time it took learn, study and develop new and more efficient ways to kill each other when we could be reaching for the stars, literally; finding cheap ways to get energy food and water, giving every person the access and resources to let them develop themselves to their full potential instead of a check, for doing nothing. The next Einstein could be the small girl that is literally starving in a dark corner of the detritus of any large city. These are who we are aching for, crying for, trying to birth a new world for…
I am under no illusion of the difficulties ahead. Indeed, it is the tale of mankind. Greed, money, power, from the one individual to the State. But what gives me hope is the language being used. No more military bases outside your own country, a common Vision and Brotherhood, Equality of all, Indivisible security…the cynic comes roaring from the dark confines of my mind but this time, I will stop, be silent, and say a most heartfelt prayer instead.
We need a global Vision…and the cynic, stirring once again, is hushed with the words… at least we have this.

Posted by: Azscout | Mar 11 2023 4:05 utc | 215

Irish #189
>”Ukraine used to be:”
How ignorant and stupid must Nuland, Blinken and all be to have lost all of that.
They had it completely in their hands and all they had to do to keep it there and the Russians at bay was to get down to productive business, conserve expenditure on wasteful stuff like armies and quietly shut NATO belligerents in their cells.
Instead they chose to goad the bear, filch the wealth and fill Joe Biden’s cellar with gold. Morons all.
Reminds me of the cartoon character Scrooge McDuck.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Mar 11 2023 4:10 utc | 216

Scorpion | Mar 11 2023 3:45 utc | 212
wrt CBDC Pepe Escobar has piece just published
https://strategic-culture.org/news/2023/03/10/moveable-multipolarity-in-moscow-ridin-the-newcoin-train/
and Catherine Fitts at Solari.com has good info imho in this regard

Posted by: crone | Mar 11 2023 4:14 utc | 217

My #204

With “Saudi” trending on twitter… this popped up….
For a handshake on a $5 billion deal…. Why does the sultan look like a whipped dog….?
https://twitter.com/esrbillgic/status/1634262958531289088

That is because the man in the suit is eyeing off the bonersaw in the sultans robe.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Mar 11 2023 4:18 utc | 218

karlof1 #203

It’s a long transcript with the Russian video at top of page–an hour and fifteen minutes. I’m still working my way through the transcript, and from Reading TASS I know there’re more gems.

Thank you brother karlof. Lavrov nails it but what in heaven is going down next week? I am looking forward to more transcript.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Mar 11 2023 4:21 utc | 219

https://julianmacfarlane.substack.com/p/us-cannot-win-a-war-with-china-or?utm_source=twitter&sd=pf
The US prioritizes all the wrong things. China is prioritizing the right things, as Russia is. For the US, “capital” is financial. For Russia and China it is human, so they invest more in their people. The US throws money at things they don’t need. That’s why they cannot win against Russia or China.

Posted by: julianmacfarlane | Mar 11 2023 4:49 utc | 220

almost afraid to acknowledge this for the outstanding news that it is, plus the call to exit syria. as so many have said, grateful i made it long enough to live in these “interesting” times.
i have faith that someone will keep the crazies from a nuclear hissy fit.
thank you, dieties, one and all, and every one of us.

Posted by: polarbear4 | Mar 11 2023 5:01 utc | 221

China, today, became – leader, among equals, of the world. Hallelujah.

Posted by: slim | Mar 11 2023 5:22 utc | 222

Aah voila! Que les Français on besoins d’un Napoleon et non pas un Macron, Putin ni Zelemski!https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/3893871-why-the-west-fears-victory-in-ukraine/

Posted by: Bienne | Mar 11 2023 5:28 utc | 223

outraged @103
Arab Studies Institute’s ‘Jadaliyya’ has partnered with George Mason University’s Middle East and Islamic Studies Program and the Schar School of Policy and Government to host discussion panels. The Arab Studies Journal is an affiliate of the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service(SFS) at Georgetown University, Washington DC.
___
yes. first thing i noticed is how bad edorgan is. while that may be, he’s better than the u.s. backed opposition. i exited and then read your post. ty.

Posted by: polarbear4 | Mar 11 2023 5:34 utc | 224

Posted by: Irish | Mar 11 2023 0:51 utc | 186
Don’t tell you still believe in all the shit put out by the US about Tibet, Tiananmen Square protester being run over by a tank, Next you will be telling me the Muslims in Xinjiang are being persecuted and millions put in concentration camps to be brain washed and America cares about the muslims so much they will send terrorists in the free the Uyghurs. Tibet is being developed now like never before people are happy and their standard of living and education improving in ways it never would have if supporting the west. I still don’t get India fighting China and joining the west in the Quad when we British murdered, robbed and stole everything worth having in India taking them for 25% of the world trade to 4%. A partnership of Russia, China, India, Iran in the BRICS would be the best outcome for world peace.

Posted by: Les | Mar 11 2023 5:49 utc | 225

Put New Zealand in there too we have sent money and intelligence officers to assist with information gathering and targeting to Kill Russians, unless we wake up we will be at war with China, Since the death of Labour Prime minister David Lange in 2005 we have always toe the line and support American propaganda I bet he is turning over in his grave at what the current Labour Government has done.

Posted by: les | Mar 11 2023 5:58 utc | 226

Always ask the next question: On The Duran today, Alex asked Alexander “What can the US do about this?” Alexander basically punted saying that it would be complicated to upset MBS in Saudi Arabia and that it seems to him that the rest of Saudi Royal House have probably united around MBS in regard to drifting away from the US. Plus Biden is too obsessed with Ukraine.
Well, I’ve been predicting the US and Israel starting a war with Iran for the last 16-17 years. The US can still do it, no matter how messed up that would make things for both the US and Israel in economic terms and probably in military terms as well. The neocons don’t care about that and Iran has always been their second main target after Russia (or on par with China, at least.) If you want to throw a grenade into the Middle East, now would be a great time. It would bring the entire area into total chaos, from Lebanon and Israel through Syria to Saudi Arabia to Iraq to Iran.
Best to keep an eye on that possibility. Just sayin’.

Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Mar 11 2023 6:02 utc | 227

Posted by: malenkov | Mar 10 2023 23:22 utc | 169
Fair enough. Sanders has, in the past, talked a good game on Palestine. But in practice I’m sure his record is miserable. That said, he’s also commonly smeared as an anti-Semite or self-hating Jew and dual Merkin Israeli citizen, none of which he is.
Let’s then say that he’s committed the “crime” of saying nice things about Palestinians and less than nice things about right wing Zionist Israel.

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Mar 11 2023 6:26 utc | 228

Posted by: Sakineh Bagoom | Mar 11 2023 2:36 utc | 200
Yep. I grew up in the desert southwest of the USA and we had GIANT wasps called “Tarantula Hawks” flying all around. My high school band director once quipped that “Batman” was hovering over us due to the size. They do exactly what you say with a certain species of spider. There are probably many funguses and wasps that target different species of insects with such behavior. Nevertheless, I think we probably agree on my initial analogy?

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Mar 11 2023 6:29 utc | 229

Posted by: Irish | Mar 11 2023 0:51 utc | 186
Wow you just proved how successful brainwashing warps reality like being in a fun house. The infamous tankman was never mowed down. In fact, the tank driver did every possible to avoid him.

Posted by: Jun | Mar 11 2023 6:39 utc | 230

@ Don Bacon 50
I cut my thumb with a hacksaw once and shortly afterwards found I couldn’t move my knee. That works for me as a metaphor for Russia’s standing up to the Empire of Lies mysteriously connects to other problems far-away.
I told the nurse my theory about the thumb cut and knee problem being connected and she replied that my knee had no connection whatsoever with my thumb.
‘ But you’ve just given me an injection in my arm for the inflammation in my knee.’ I replied.
However many million times the West says Russia’s SMO is illegal, it isn’t, but deliberate deception over Minsk and stealing Russia’s assets is illegal.
The interconnection of US warmongering and its loss of diplomatic influence is obvious, but the US Democrats team are a very stupid bunch of liars, even without the zioneocons.

Posted by: Giyane | Mar 11 2023 6:58 utc | 231

It’s obvious that “Israel”/Zionists control the content and context of news among the hi-profile players in the Western MSM. This was pointed out and illustrated by Elon Musk in a 2018 tweet headed “Who do you think owns the press? Hello.”
So this morning, just for fun, I tuned in to a few international News outlets to see which ones did and did not mention the Saudi-Iran raproachment.
Unsurprisingly, Zio BBC and Zio abc Amerika ‘forgot’ to mention it. PBS Newshour gave it a minute or so AND explained the potential significance of the bromance.

Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Mar 11 2023 7:00 utc | 232

“Wonder if countries/banks heretofore dependent on the U.S. dollar are in the same position as SVB, holding long term U.S. treasuries that are now a losing proposition, and whether that has an impact on their approach to Empire?”
Posted by: Wilhelm | Mar 11 2023 3:49 utc | 213
Good question.
OT misc related reply:
As the dollar increases in value under the current circumstances of interest rates rises by the Fed, commodities costs hit many of the world’s peoples double hard because their currency weakens compared to the dollar in which commodities are often priced whilst commodity still prices rise.
Previously, when interest rates were low, commodity prices may have gone up, but since the dollar usually weakened as that occurred, people in dollar-dependent economies did not experience as much pain.
Capital fleeing from troubled economies that don’t have capital controls (neoliberal edict), seeking higher rates elsewhere, intensify economic woes. The new twist is there are other options than USTs coming into view. The ‘choices’ are now less class-aligned dependent. Nobody likes a bully.
Countries locked into empire’s IMF contracts, like Pakistan, are being seriously wrangled, contorted & extorted, their people suffering from severe IMF-mandated austerities — will it escape from the empire’s rules-based order? The harder empire twists, the faster the quickening? That seems to be a trend now.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka also printed money under so-called ‘flexible inflation targeting’ and triggered currency crises long before money printing showed up in the consumer price index.
As interest rates rose sharply – as they usually do after policy rates are held down on various excuses – banks were hit by mark-to-market losses on domestic bonds bought a low prices [like SVB].
Due to the lack of a cut off date, bond yields have soared amid fears of IMF Debt Sustainability Analysis driven domestic debt default (DSA-DDR).
(Colombo/Mar10/2023)
The World Bank’s private sector funding arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is lending the trio [of private banks] the funds with Sri Lanka’s economic crisis still rumbling on.
The South Asian nation of 22 million has been enduring severe hardships since it ran out of foreign exchange to finance essential food, fuel, medicines and fertiliser in late 2021. It defaulted on its debt in April 2022.
Months of protests forced the president to resign in July and the new government of Ranil Wickremesinghe sought a $2.9 billion rescue from the IMF a month later…
The IFC said its loan arrangement with Commercial Bank of Ceylon, Nations Trust Bank and Sampath Bank will “support the private sector with critical financing, contributing to the country’s urgent need to stabilise the economy”.
Ratings agencies have said Sri Lanka’s entire financial sector was under severe stress, with the sovereign debt default undermining the credibility of all local banks.
A government ban on non-essential imports remains in place in a bid to save foreign exchange.
Wickremesinghe has doubled taxes and raised fuel prices and utility tariffs three-fold in line with IMF demands to raise government revenue before a bailout. He is facing widespread trade union protests as a result. AFP feb 27, 2023

Posted by: suzan | Mar 11 2023 7:07 utc | 233

Posted by: Jun | Mar 11 2023 6:39 utc | 231
That woman that waved an EU flag (how mush does one cost?) in Georgia in front of the water cannon. The water cannon was careful not to hit her. And Of course she was wearing a covid mask.

Posted by: Vikichka | Mar 11 2023 7:12 utc | 234

This is a b blog classic post, the quality of 90% of the posts outstanding.
Thank you b, as you say… this is huge.
Thanks debsisdead @ 207 good comments.
Thanks Irish @ 215… ditto.
Both the above reminded me of a song.
Sometimes you can find the right song for a momment in time, this is that song. And I think.. Georgia and other countrys should heed.
The stranglers skindeep youtube.

Posted by: Mark2 | Mar 11 2023 7:45 utc | 235

“..
Hopefully the moderates in Israel, along with the not inconsiderable number of Israelis who genuinely embrace peace and inclusivity with Palestinians..”
Posted by: Babel-17 | Mar 11 2023 0:52 utc | 187
That observation concerning the “shitty little country” (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1721172.stm did Daniel Bernard say it in French or English?) means I won’t take your comments seriously.

Posted by: Ново З | Mar 11 2023 7:57 utc | 236

Posted by: Mark2 | Mar 11 2023 7:45 utc | 236
I’ve always had a soft spot for this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ11O5W21Xo

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Mar 11 2023 7:59 utc | 237

@Alex Vadim | Mar 11 2023 4:01 utc | 214

Is this a fact, or summary of your honest opinion ? Could you elaborate further please. MSM calling T-Bonds a poison pill, is unheard of…

I responded on the older non-Ukraine thread. There is more discussion on the Silicon Valley Bank collapse there.
My primary source was @The_Real_Fly on the iBankCoin blog

FDIC Closes SVB — Sunday Night Bailout Looms

Posted by: Petri Krohn | Mar 11 2023 8:28 utc | 238

China has a sun on its flag, right ?
China the land of the rising Sun i’v heard it called. So…..
The Stranglers always the sun
I recommend and on topic.

Posted by: Mark2 | Mar 11 2023 8:31 utc | 239

@Mark2 | Mar 11 2023 8:31 utc | 240

China has a sun on its flag, right ?
China the land of the rising Sun i’v heard it called. So…..

That’s Japan …

Posted by: Norwegian | Mar 11 2023 8:35 utc | 240

Norwegian @ 241
Whoops !
Thanks for that, early morning hang over from the party.

Posted by: Mark2 | Mar 11 2023 8:49 utc | 241

What’s the American reaction to the restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as mediated by China?
Caitlin Johnstone and Arnaud Bertrand aptly describe it:
Caitlin Johnstone @caitoz ·6h
Aww, did somebody get addicted to fueling endless war and division in the middle east?
Arnaud Bertrand @RnaudBertrand
“Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based research institute, described the renewed Iran-Saudi ties resulting from Chinese mediation as ‘a lose, lose, lose for American interests'”
https://twitter.com/caitoz/status/1634384985238142979
The rug chewing and teeth gnashing by all the Washington war criminals must be completely unhinged right now…

Posted by: ak74 | Mar 11 2023 8:51 utc | 242

Posted by: ak74 | Mar 11 2023 8:51 utc | 243
It was good of you to post the viewpoint of Mark Dubowitz, the South African-born Jewish venture capitalist with degrees from Canada……….I was missing his input……….do you have any other fringe think tanks which could inform us as to the hardline Zionist viewpoint on world affairs ?

Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Mar 11 2023 8:59 utc | 243

Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Mar 11 2023 9:03 utc | 244

Jebus weeps yet again.
“I can hear the wailing now, ‘China completely shut out the U.S. [shudder, only the U.S. is allowed to do that] to become a major actor in the M.E. to displace the U.S.'”
Given that the US has not had diplomatic relations with Iran since Khomeini, the chance of a US lead deal was zero.
Lastly, for more of the utterly delusion, meaning, wrote no sane human ever:
“Thank God for Xi Jingping and Putin who are genuinely interested in Peace.”

Posted by: Paul | Mar 11 2023 9:06 utc | 245

The Osraelis killed Solomeini and the US took the wrap. As usual. Thos deal is a foreingn policy nuclear weapon of genius level of negotiations. This has wiped out 50 years of Anglo Zionist diplomacy, if you can call killing millions of people diplomacy.Thus deal is what Wang was referring to when he said synchronise watches. The dollar has been mortally wounded. It is wise to prepare.

Posted by: Jj | Mar 11 2023 9:07 utc | 246

“do you have any other fringe think tanks which could inform us as to the hardline Zionist viewpoint on world affairs ?
Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Mar 11 2023 8:59 utc | 244”
Pick any random think-tank in Washington DC and you can have your pick of a hardline Zionist viewpoint.
Hell, try the United States Congress–Republicans and Democrats or Red Staters and Blue Staters alike–for a spawning ground of hardline Zionism.

Posted by: ak74 | Mar 11 2023 9:12 utc | 247

@ Petri Krohn | Mar 11 2023 8:28 utc | 239
Thank you for sharing a link. You are correct. I was simply curious for confirmation of your statement…
During four quarters of 2022 total amount of unrealized gains in securities reaches 2T figure. This is going to hurt…

Posted by: Alex Vadim | Mar 11 2023 9:27 utc | 248

“Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based research institute, described the renewed Iran-Saudi ties resulting from Chinese mediation as ‘a lose, lose, lose for American interests’ ”
On this issue, I would be the last to doubt an expert from FfDoD. But it truly begs the questions:
A what are “American interests”
B how are they connected to interests of the segments of USA populations that do not work in MIC, think tanks etc., which, at last counting, is the majority.

Posted by: Piotr Berman | Mar 11 2023 9:28 utc | 249

Posted by: ak74 | Mar 11 2023 9:12 utc | 248
Precisely !!! USA was settled by Protestant Dissenters from England and Netherlands and is now run by tribal factions of the Jewish Diaspora such that no Protestant sits on the US Supreme Court.
USA is run by an Oligarchy which has developed into a land-owning Aristocracy with global reach – as Christopher Lasch wrote in “Revolt of the Elites”
It does not matter what think tanks or media or politician-puppets in USA opine – the doctrine of the USA is cast in stone – it is Weltherrschaft oder Untergang

Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Mar 11 2023 9:37 utc | 250

Some people think that poking the bear and pulling the dragon’s tail is the same as killing the bear and the dragon.
Evolution tends to take care of them quickly…

Posted by: Marvin | Mar 11 2023 9:39 utc | 251

[247]
The Osraelis killed Solomeini and the US took the wrap.
NB. …. in English the word is rap
Soleimani was assassinated on 3 January 2020 around 1:00 a.m. local time (22:00 UTC 2 January),[144] by U.S. drone strike near Baghdad International Airport.
How crackpot do you have to be to decide Israel micro-manages US drones ? The Drones Israel controls in USA sit in White House Oval Office or on Capitol Hill

Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Mar 11 2023 9:41 utc | 252

Good morning brethren -as this weekend of doom progresses to the meltdown Monday … when many will be sticking their heads between their legs and kissing their arses goodbye…
I saw a senior German military commander had been allowed to say something in the press about the true motives of these involved in the Minsk peace talks. Macaroon and drunken cowboy Sunak, the banker bros are playing their last cards. Orban has openly stated the booing frog strategy of going from supplying helmets, to tanks, to fighter jets … to boots on the ground – German boots on Russian lawns. The resurrected zombie natzos last ditch necromancy.
That can of worms can no longer be contained… the biggest divergence of attentions is underway – the meltdown of the artificially inflated stock market assets and with that the destruction of the deluded wests Pension and Savings Pots along with stagflation to destroy even these in Cash! Including whatever ‘property wealth’ we think we own!
The daily pantomime of the twatterati.
The reduction of the Old Worlds (our) purchasing power and disposable incomes that has kept a lid on the gross inequalities in the world. That has given us minions the ‘I’m alright Jack and devil take the hindmost’ attitudes.
The centuries of enslavement and robbery of resources and wealth , the violence of armed occupation of these far away peoples and lands through simple racist labelling. The root causes of migration from these horrors.
The Saudis have finally realised that Aramco partially listed on the western stock markets is not any guarantee of inclusivity or security. That all their $ bonds are illusionary as is shown by the bare faced daylight robbery of ‘sanctions’ – the simple pocketing of the bank accounts and bonds by the mafiosi of the western cabals. That their mansions and estates in Parklane, Mayfair and Scottish highlands are not rock solid castles but just made of sand.
So …
The squirrel pointing has just escalated – it will all be Russia and Chinas faults, along with all others who have resisted the WB, IMF and their hegemonic owners who couldn’t care less for anyone one of their minions. When India flips – there will be no more cards to play by the gangsters. They will upturn the table and start a mass brawl ( we are already there !)
These shitheads will go and Shapeshift and name change again, through the next few generation’s hoping to emerge metamorphosed into some grand Chinese, Russian, African, Asian, South American dynasties… let’s not forget that these awakening Saudis and Israelis have been entwined for a very long time since the birth of both ‘countries’ ever since Teddy Roosevelt and the Seven Sisters planned their American Century.
Well a hundred years are done they are moving on. As planned.
We really need to be putting names and faces on these vile murdering robber barons of the ages, once and for all. They must be defanged and all their stolen wealth removed from their implacable jaws. Or we will sacrifice our youth with pointless boots on the ground based on some fairytales they have created and sell us daily like a prayer! And if we don’t remember them they will line the grand necromancies rise again to feed off our great grandchildren who will be fooled again.

Posted by: DunGroanin | Mar 11 2023 9:43 utc | 253

Caitlin Johnstone @caitoz ·6h
Aww, did somebody get addicted to fueling endless war and division in the middle east?
https://twitter.com/caitoz/status/1634384985238142979
Posted by: ak74 | Mar 11 2023 8:51 utc | 243
Thanks Ak74.
One of the reasons I appreciate CaitOZ is that she doesn’t buy into convoluted conspiracies . She looks at what countries such as Russia and China have been doing for oooh lets say the last 70 years and reckons if they say they want peace and support the UN process, they mean it.
Amazingly the capacity for discriminative intelligence also allows for the apparent connundrum that neither country is without faults or serious problems.

Posted by: K | Mar 11 2023 9:59 utc | 254

Oh god it’s only going to get worse unless there are some very brave people around.

Posted by: Inki | Mar 11 2023 10:02 utc | 255

re les | Mar 11 2023 5:58 utc | 227
I dunno what you think that David Lange had to do with stopping amerika’s control of Aotearoa since it was his government which caused this control to happen.
While Lange was poncing about the planet acting like the PM who showed amerika the middle finger, his government was signing deals with amerika, the IMF & the World Bank (two amerikan controlled string pulling entities) to privatise billions of dollars worth of publically controlled assets and ‘floating’ the kiwi dollar which enabled all the wellington merchant banksters to buy up kiwi assets for a couple of cents on the dollar using amerikan funds.
This was why amerika largely ignored all the anti-nuke twaddle, sure a coupla senators would grandstand on it now and then if it increased their domestic profile but nothing serious happened because amerika knew that the Lange government had handed them the keys to Aotearoa.
I can remember visiting home in the mid 80’s trying to convince Labour dickheads that this anti-nuke thing was a mere bagatelle compared to the loss of sovereignty that Lange & co visited upon us, but the fools were so lost in the anti-nuke claptrap they didn’t see the bigger picture.
Consequently Nania Mahuta is fighting like buggery to stop the country from being dragged into the blue with China, but amerika doesn’t give a flying fuck cos the Lange government’s stupidity means that they’ve told Ardern she had to quit or never get the big gig in a globalist agency she’s been dreaming of just like Clark so she did, reducing the chance of another Labour government hugely.
Consequently no one can stop a whole bunch of foreign NGO’s tipping millions into the Nats campaign this year. The Nats will win maybe without needing NZ First parasites and Aotearoa/NZ will commit economic suicide by pissing off China. The nats are gonna do whatever amerika demands because amerika will own the government here. Watch & learn.
I liked David Lange, he was a family friend but I could never work out if he was stupid or corrupt, a bit of both when his ego got the better of him I reckon.
Kiwi pols are just like pols anywhere, too stupid & greedy to resist a takeover of their nation if the takeover makes them personally a ‘winner’.

Posted by: Debsisdead | Mar 11 2023 10:42 utc | 256

This time in history will be called “overreach of the self-chosen people”.
Too bad …

Posted by: Greg Galloway | Mar 11 2023 11:44 utc | 257

Israel was going to normalize relationship? (Rhetorical question) What does that even mean?

Posted by: Donald W | Mar 11 2023 11:44 utc | 258

Anybody any thoughts on this strange school girl poisonings in Iran?
Some german newspaper was insinuating that the goverment is “gasing the girls” out of hatred for woman. Now gas was at lmentioned as the weapon of choice – what else? Seems like some super desperate MEK action. I am almost sorry to bring it up, it is so ludicrous. But the poisonings seem to be happening.
I have been to Iran and i have seen Iranian Universities. At least 50/50 male female qouta. Its some time ago but i doupt much changed since than.
This story is so disgusting i barley can imagen it. But when it comes to Iran hypocricy has zero boundaries in the west.
Jalal Al-e-Ahmad’s book Occidentosis came back into my mind recently. Its a intresting read. Not very much for analytical reasons but as glimps into the way of feeling at this time. Some people call him the iranian Frantz Fanon.

Posted by: El. Lissitzky | Mar 11 2023 11:52 utc | 259

This is a seismic moment in world war 3 geo-politics,
The political tectonic plates are shifting.

Posted by: Mark2 | Mar 11 2023 12:28 utc | 260

Things are certainly on the move.
More good news – Tunisia to renew diplomatic relations with Syria.
Do read what the president reportedly said.
Source: https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/03/11/699658/Tunisia-Syria-Kais-Saied-decision-resume-diplomatic-ties-appoint-ambassadors

Posted by: JB | Mar 11 2023 12:31 utc | 261

Warning to Israel from Iran
https://t.me/ZandVchannel/55565
🇶🇦👉🇮🇷🇮🇱🇨🇭Qatari TV channel Al Jazeera reports that an “unspecified country” (presumably Switzerland) transmitted a warning message to Israel from Iran.
‼️ The message contained satellite images and maps of Israel’s nuclear, biological and chemical weapons stores. Tehran has warned that it will strike at these facilities in the event of an Israeli attack.

Posted by: Norwegian | Mar 11 2023 12:34 utc | 262

Despite the superficial geopolitical attraction of its anti-US and anti-Israeli feutures, the agreement between these two reactionary theocracies does not inspire me and is unlikely to lead to a better future for the world. I find B’s description of the execution of al Nimr as a ‘smart move’ repugnant.

Posted by: B. Wildered | Mar 11 2023 13:05 utc | 263

Also, a shout-out to Browser for posting that link to the Dmitry Polyanskiy interview – it’s a great interview and a detailed history lesson everyone should watch…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x63UCggfuLc
Posted by: zeke2u | Mar 10 2023 17:50 utc | 77
….i would have enjoyed the interview, but at 35 seconds in, the music introduction was still in play….i dont have time for this amateau shit.

Posted by: James j | Mar 11 2023 13:25 utc | 264

@ Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Mar 11 2023 6:02 utc | 228
Indeed.
And which major powers would fare “least worst” and “worst worst” in the event the ME suddenly can’t export oil?

Posted by: natokraine | Mar 11 2023 13:29 utc | 265

Despite the superficial geopolitical attraction of its anti-US and anti-Israeli feutures, the agreement between these two reactionary theocracies does not inspire me and is unlikely to lead to a better future for the world.
Posted by: B. Wildered | Mar 11 2023 13:05 utc | 264
—
Bingo! That hits exactly the sore spot. Without a secular, and thus truly binding, foundation, any agreement there is built on very loose quicksand.
Beijing should know that too.

Posted by: Nobody | Mar 11 2023 13:36 utc | 266

As impossible as it sounds and despite their costarring role in the western empire, Israel’s smartest play (for the benefit of their domestic people) is to make nice with Iran and the RoW.
Other Empire provinces lack sovereignty. We’ll see whether Israel does and has the brains to use it.

Posted by: natokraine | Mar 11 2023 13:39 utc | 267

@210
You are misrepresenting the Bof E proposal, which states that : “Individuals’ personal details and transaction records would be known only to their private sector
wallet provider in the same way they are for bank account providers today (and subject to the
same privacy protections). But individuals’ details and records would not be known by the
Government or the Bank of England. In this way, the digital pound would provide privacy while also
protecting against fraud and financial crime.”

Posted by: Paul Cockshott | Mar 11 2023 13:48 utc | 268

these two reactionary theocracies
really ? You astound me……….
Let us look at SECULAR Arab states – Libya, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt………..
What did the USA do ?
1) Destroyed Libya and let ISIS and Al-Qaeda operate
2) Destroyed Iraq and let Shia establish rule until Saudi Arabia objected and US created Sunni radicals by fusing Saddam’s officers in Camp Bucca with Wahhabis backed by Saudi to create ISIS
3) Destroyed Lebanon by letting Israel rampage across scene and having Ukrainian crooks with shiploads of nitrate impounded in Beirut (explosion)
4) Dismember Syria to let ISIS and assorted Islamicists take control funded by Qatar
5) Install Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt until Saudi arranged coup to remove it

Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Mar 11 2023 15:00 utc | 269

Posted by: Norwegian | Mar 11 2023 12:34 utc | 263
Dimona is a valid target if Israel attacks nuclear facilities in Iran – an IAEA gas never inspected Dimona

Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Mar 11 2023 15:01 utc | 270

You are misrepresenting the Bof E proposal, which states that : “Individuals’ personal details and transaction records would be known only to their private sector
wallet provider in the same way they are for bank account providers today (and subject to the
same privacy protections). But individuals’ details and records would not be known by the
Government or the Bank of England. In this way, the digital pound would provide privacy while also
protecting against fraud and financial crime.”
Posted by: Paul Cockshott | Mar 11 2023 13:48 utc | 269
If you are prepared to believe the Bank of England I have a very nice bridge to sell …
The entire raison d’etre of the digital currency issue is to control people and steal from people. You will own nothing and “you will be happy” (or we will pretend you are).

Posted by: BM | Mar 11 2023 15:01 utc | 271

I saw a [RETIRED] senior German military commander had been allowed to say something in the press about the true motives of these involved in the Minsk peace talks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harald_Kujat

Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Mar 11 2023 15:03 utc | 272

Gog and Megog have done everything in the power to divide and destroy Islamic nations in the mid east. Every poison carrot comes with an iou that you must takes sides in battles planned and designed by war profiteers. Now the EU has eaten of the poison carrot, what fools, if old men in the US and Russia want to have a pissing contest stand aside. Only a fool stands in the way of two fighting rogue elephants, let them destroy each other and then you can finish off the victor.
It is only a matter of time usual suspects turn to terrorism to undermine this deal.

Posted by: Atm | Mar 11 2023 15:18 utc | 273

In 2016 I describe the killing of Nimr al-Nimr as a smart move in the sense of Saudi domestic realpolitik.
It escapes me how Bernhard can openly praise the killing of a religious leader as a “smart move” and be proud of it – apparently on the mere basis of being a “rabble raiser”. I can see nothing smart about it whatsoever – on the contrary, it was a very stupid move, and typical of the sort of stupid move hubris-laden regimes tend to make. It may have had narrow short-term benefits, but inflaming the shiite minority cannot legitimately be described as an intelligent move for a regime that is itself an elite minority (i.e. the Saud family, majority non-Saud).
I have no background knowledge of Nimr, but on the basis of the cited quotation I fail to see anything intrinsically “undemocratic” about it. Literally, “democratic” just means “people’s government”, and to assume that this has to be Western-style “democracy” is pure hubris. The cited words of Nimr sound – at least to my untrained ear – in accordance with the Iranian conception of democracy – which I would consider infinitely more true (for all its real weaknesses) to the genuine meaning of the word democracy than that openly pro-nazi and massively authoritarian regime in Germany, or any almost any other European regime today. The western model of “democracy” is a pure fake, and always was – deliberately designed to deceive the uninitiated.

Posted by: BM | Mar 11 2023 15:27 utc | 274

White House: It is not about China, but it is about China
‘Not about China’: White House says it ‘welcomes’ Beijing-brokered Iran-Saudi rapprochement

WASHINGTON — A White House spokesman is downplaying Beijing’s role in brokering a new agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, saying that while the US is keeping an eye on its greatest geopolitical rival, “this is not about China.”
The comments came just hours after the governments of Iran and Saudi Arabia, the two rival power centers in the Middle East, announced the resumption of diplomatic relations after a seven-year rupture — and perhaps as eye-opening, used a joint statement to credit “the noble initiative” of Chinese President Xi Jinping. After days of talks in Beijing, the two countries vowed to reopen embassies, respect “the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs of state” and move forward with a “security cooperation agreement.”
“…[I]n the end, if this deal can be sustained, regardless of what the impetus was or who sat down at the table … we welcome that,” White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters today, adding that “any effort to deescalate tensions there in the region” is “in our interest.”
“As far as Chinese influence there, or in Africa or in Latin America, it’s not like we have blinders on. We certainly watch China as they try to gain influence and footholds elsewhere around the world in their own selfish interests,” Kirby said. “And you’re starting to see countries around the world wake up to the fact that China’s influence is in their own selfish interest.” . . .here

Posted by: Don Bacon | Mar 11 2023 15:52 utc | 275

Iran delegation in Bahrain to attend 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly – Presstv.ir, Mar11’23

Speculations are that Tehran and Bahrain would resume diplomatic relations following the Iran-KSA rapprochement.

Posted by: Outraged | Mar 11 2023 15:56 utc | 276

Dimona is a valid target if Israel attacks nuclear facilities in Iran – an IAEA gas never inspected Dimona
Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Mar 11 2023 15:01 utc | 271
Paul, even if this is valid target, I don’t think Iran will touch it. Reason being, it amounts to WMD and it will also affect the Palestinian cause which Iran holds dear. But then again, in war, everything is fair.

Posted by: Sakineh Bagoom | Mar 11 2023 16:01 utc | 277

Much of Israel’s current foreign policy is based around getting the Gulf states inside against Iran. This is a serious blow to that plan. Which leaves Israel in a tricky position. It can and will try to undermine the relationship but if it wants to attack Iran it has a window it must assume is closing, even if it can’t know how quickly. We probably have to assume that Saudi reaction to an Israeli attack on Iran was part of the discussion that led to the agreement, though what it might be and whether the KSA is a reliable partner on the issue is debatable.
However, with current internal tensions high in Israel, the last thing it can afford is a mistimed or failed military adventure. How much can it rely on its primary protector at the moment? The US is focused on Ukraine and plans for Taiwan. It’s already stretched, see removal of 300k 155mm shells from long term storage in Israel for Kiev. Joining Israel in an attack on Iran is full of negative possibilities for the US. Not to mention that in such a scenario the Syrian air defenses are almost certainly allowed to fire on Israeli planes.
Which means that Israel might well face conflict with Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Palestinians simultaneously. This isn’t the late 1960’s anymore. Can Israel be sure the US will go all in defending it? The US has a lot of valuable assets it can’t defend in the region. On the grand chessboard the US-Israel just got put in check.

Posted by: Lex | Mar 11 2023 16:08 utc | 278

@ Lex | Mar 11 2023 16:08 utc | 279 who wrote
”
On the grand chessboard the US-Israel just got put in check.
”
Yep! Thanks
I call it empire but your characterization will suffice

Posted by: psychohistorian | Mar 11 2023 16:16 utc | 279

@ Lex | Mar 11 2023 16:08 utc | 279
And 300k 155mm shells from forward deployed stocks in Sth Korea for Ukraine …

Posted by: Outraged | Mar 11 2023 16:23 utc | 280

I reckon MBS has received assurances from Moscow on how they could save his skin Erdogan style the day the local US base goes rogue against him. I wonder what intel and security has been put in place to that effect.

Posted by: Stéphane | Mar 11 2023 16:27 utc | 281

CGTN: Liu Xin recent interview with Seymour Hersh [30 mins]
On the phantom ‘pro-Ukrainian group’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKSTJKSCAZ0

Posted by: Don Firineach | Mar 11 2023 16:43 utc | 282

@76 Psychohistorian, who said:
“that social contract structure [finance at pinnacle of social order] is what the China/Russia axis are challenging…..and replacing”
Well-said, P.H. They’re not wasting effort trying to change the existing system. They’re investing all their effort building a new one.
That’s a big clue for those of us on the domestic front.

Posted by: Tom Pfotzer | Mar 11 2023 16:51 utc | 283

Putin may participate in the upcoming G20 summit in India, as his schedule this year is laid down by the Kremlin in order that he may attend regardless of the conflict in Ukraine. – Bloomberg

Posted by: Outraged | Mar 11 2023 16:54 utc | 284

scorpion, @242? multiple posts
i agree that the apparently planned digital currency will be awful, a control like we’ve barely imagined.
truly scary stuff.
i believe the west would take us further this way, though, if they won.the same halls that hear talk of “tactical nukes” hear talk of an economic system “like china,” for quite a while now.
hopefully, some powerful people will start fighting this, informing the grassroots. i
i apologize to all of our heirs. we tried and will keep trying. maybe russia will have second thoughts.

Posted by: polarbear4 | Mar 11 2023 16:58 utc | 285

Among your listed losers, please add the American people. China is winning the peace in the Southern Hemisphere, much as Russia was winning the peace in Europe. The Empire’s response to Russia was hybrid warfare attacking through Ukraine, and now more peripheral states. This is the only playbook they have, so expect some more of it, likely through the Kurdish clients. And, like Ukraine, the American tax mules will have to pick up the tab through higher rates and less domestic services. Biden has already shifted most spending from public goods to partisan patronage, and the MIC is the biggest among the corporate welfare black holes.

Posted by: jhill | Mar 11 2023 17:04 utc | 286

Irans Presstv.ir brief round-up of responses to Iran-KSA rapprochement:

World welcomes Iran-Saudi detente as Israel feels ‘fatal blow’ – Mar11’23
Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed on Friday to restore diplomatic ties after days of negotiations hosted by Beijing.
Various countries have welcomed the restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, while the regime in Tel Aviv seems to view the development as a “fatal blow” to its regional coalition building against the Islamic Republic.
…

Posted by: Outraged | Mar 11 2023 17:06 utc | 287

The Cradle has a News Desk posting up with the title
Saudi Arabia sets conditions for normalization with Israel
I think this story was written before China mediated deal announcement but interesting.
The sub-title is
The kingdom has asked for help developing a ‘civilian nuclear program’ and fewer restrictions on arms purchases from the US

Posted by: psychohistorian | Mar 11 2023 17:22 utc | 288

South Africa’s Parliament Votes to Downgrade Diplomatic Ties With Israel – Mar11’23

Since the toppling of the apartheid regime in 1994, bilateral relations between the two countries have been complicated due to South Africa’s support for the Palestinians. In May 2018, the country recalled its ambassador to Israel. Since then, the embassy has been headed by a charge d’affaires.
The South African parliament has passed a draft resolution to downgrade the country’s embassy in Israel to a liaison office due to the Jewish state’s treatment of the Palestinians in the West Bank and purported abuses against them.
The result of the vote was announced by the National Freedom Party (NFP), a center-left party with two seats in the parliament, which introduced the resolution. It was passed by South Africa’s legislative body on Tuesday with 208 votes in favor and 94 against.
The resolution was supported by a majority of the parties, including the governing African National Congress (ANC). Many South Africans express solidarity with the Palestinians, saying the situation on occupied Palestinian territory is similar to what the African nation experienced during the apartheid era.
In a statement, the NFP claimed that “Israel was built through the displacement, murder, and maiming of Palestinians,” and it established apartheid to maintain the power and control over them. Thus, it was underlined, South Africans are not going “to stand by while apartheid is being perpetrated again.”
The NFP referred to the motion as a historic one that demonstrates the country’s commitment to “justice, human rights, and freedom.”
Ahmed Munzoor Shaik Emam, the NFP’s leader in the parliament, stated that following the parliament voting in favor of downgrading the embassy in Israel, he believes other countries will follow suit.
“We’re hoping that this is going to be the first step in putting pressure on Israel to comply with human rights, recognise the rights of the Palestinian people, their right to exist, and also go back to the negotiating table,” he was quoted as saying by local media.
…

Posted by: Outraged | Mar 11 2023 17:49 utc | 289

Restored Iran-Saudi relations equals a massive tectonic geopolitical shift.
That threw a huge wrench in the RAND 2019 plan.
RAND report 2019 – overextend, unbalance and destabilise Russia by…
1.Lethal aid/proxy war in Ukraine
2.Support Syrian rebels
3.Coup Belarus
4.Stir the shit in South Caucuses
5.Reduce Russian influence in Central Asia
6.Create chaos in Moldovia
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB10014.html
Hence, Mark Dubowitz, description of renewed Iran-Saudi ties as ‘a lose, lose, lose for American interests’.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/10/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-iran-reestablish-ties.html
In other words, peace is a “lose”.
So, simultaneous ‘organic’ uprisings in Eastern Europe/Balkans/Caucasus
https://twitter.com/PeImeniPusha/status/1634231241913532416/photo/1
and then this too…
A 2021 U.S. Army document announced that Washington must “regain Arctic dominance”. As long as the U.S. government clings to the megalomaniacal notion that it is entitled to global dominance, it will remain the most dangerous regime on earth.
https://portside.org/2023-03-09/arctic-next-frontier-new-cold-war?utm_medium=email&utm_source=portside-snapshot

Posted by: Irish | Mar 11 2023 18:00 utc | 290

Did he just say that?
“If I win the presidential elections in Ukraine [in 2024] then everything will be fine, guys. Ammo will not be needed.”
– Wagner conductor Prigozhin

Posted by: Irish | Mar 11 2023 18:01 utc | 291

@Irish | Mar 11 2023 18:01 utc | 292

Did he just say that?

Yes, he is a talented humorist.

Posted by: Norwegian | Mar 11 2023 18:03 utc | 292

Bienne | Mar 11 2023 5:28 utc | 224

Aah voila! Que les Français on besoins d’un Napoleon et non pas un Macron

Pas Napoléon, Talleyrand !

Posted by: Sarlat La Canède | Mar 11 2023 18:42 utc | 293

This is indeed huge thanks for the heads up, not much news about this if any in the UK, hopefully peace will now break out in Yemen.

Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 11 2023 18:45 utc | 294

M. K. BHADRAKUMAR has a new post up:

The cutting edge of the US sanctions lies in the restrictions on Iran’s oil trade and access to western banks. It is entirely conceivable that a backlash is about to begin as Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia — three top oil/gas producing countries start accelerating their search for payment mechanisms bypassing the American dollar.
China is already discussing such an arrangement with Saudi Arabia and Iran. China-Russia trade and economic transactions no longer use American dollar for payments. It is well understood that any significant erosion in the status of the dollar as ‘world currency’ will not only spell doom for the American economy but will cripple the US’ capacity to wage ‘forever wars’ abroad and impose its global hegemony.
The bottom line is that the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran is also a precursor to their induction as BRICS members in a near future. To be sure, there is a Russian-Chinese understanding already on this score. The BRICS membership for Saudi Arabia and Iran will radically reset the power dynamic in the international system.

https://www.indianpunchline.com/china-steps-up-a-new-era-has-dawned-in-world-politics/

Posted by: Zet | Mar 11 2023 18:54 utc | 295

Obviously this is a regional security deal that will impact the hole region as well as the rest of the MENA. Specially will have a profound impact on Iran’s security in the Sunni Arab world. As well as major security impact on fragile Saudi security in her north and south regions and Persian Gulf. Obviously, Saudis for thier security had a choice between alliance with Israel or peace with Iran. Looking at the Saudi choices is obvious in this new forming multi polar world peace with Iran is much more valuable and a win win than the alliance with Israel and US against The new coming world security structure. Saudis now not only will have more assured security in their north and south regions but also now with the reduction of American power in the world can better manage and maintain security without regional hostility with a much larger and more powerful regional power.

Posted by: Kooshy | Mar 11 2023 20:05 utc | 296

Posted by: B. Wildered | Mar 11 2023 13:05 utc | 264

the agreement between these two reactionary theocracies does not inspire me and is unlikely to lead to a better future for the world.

At the very least, the war in Yemen should come to a standstill soon. The petrodollar system, installed by H. Kissinger in 1973, is in shambles, Washington lost all of its influence in KSA, which used to be its most important vassal/ally, even when compared to UK. Now are you telling me these aren’t achievements? But let’s hope they don’t overreact in the White House…

Posted by: grunzt | Mar 11 2023 20:31 utc | 297

First open source sign this was coming was a month or three ago in Brazil, where Iran and Saud met quietly during the signature / textbook Soros-CIA disorders targeting Lula over “human rights.”

Posted by: The Rev. David R. Gr | Mar 11 2023 21:27 utc | 298

I questioned my wife who is a typical American in terms of news intake (i.e. she doesn’t frequent alternative media like I do) regarding the Iran-KSA agreement and her thought was this would be brokered by the US which to me reveals a core issue here in America. That just as Ukrainians have been brainwashed that Russians are bad, Americans have been brainwashed that America is good. She thought the US actually valued peace and cooperation in the world and didn’t realize that China (and as we also know Russia) are the main forces trying to move the world in that direction today. Most people in the US are truly ignorant of the absolute chaos their country has spread for years and the cognitive dissonance is overpowering. Both Ds and Rs are complicit in the blinding of Americans as to what their country has been up to and the true state of affairs and the true enemy.
It’s not that there aren’t Americans who understand and are trying to wake our country up. It’s that there are so many brainwashed people that a movement to change direction to one of sanity and justice just does not seem possible to me until reality drives us to our knees.
This country is bound for a crash that most of its citizens are blind to and there will be hell to pay. “As you sow you shall reap” and we have “sowed the wind and will reap the whirlwind”.

Posted by: mtw | Mar 11 2023 22:24 utc | 299

The only Palestinian right Bernie Sanders has ever supported is the “right” not to be bombed “disproportionately.”
Above Posted by: malenkov | Mar 10 2023 23:22 utc
I suggest that you be more careful making assertions like the above about subjects that you’re incompetent to discuss.
If you’d like to better educate yourself in this area you might benefit from scanning this pro-Israel Web site which prepared the following synopsis (https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/2016-u-s-elections-bernie-sanders-jewish-virtual-library which is reasonably accurate) about Bernie’s history as of 2016, including numerous examples of his support for Palestinian rights over the past 3+ decades (likely in order to make sure that pro-Israel U.S. Jewish voters weren’t inclined to support him just because he’s Jewish). IIRC when Bernie supported Jesse Jackson’s campaign in 1988 he became better acquainted with the Palestinian sitution.

Posted by: StirThePot | Mar 12 2023 0:03 utc | 300

Back to Main