‘Trump Administration Asserts Ambition To Dominate Energy Sector’

February 9, 2026

The U.S. is trying to dominate the control global energy sector and to control the routes through which energy is delivered to global customer.

That accusation is made by Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov in an interview to the TV BRICS media network. The interview also touches on other aspects. The excerpts from the interview posted below are only the ones which regard to energy issues (emphasis added):

Multiple centres of rapid economic growth, power, and financial and political influence have thus emerged. The world is being reshaped through competition. The West is reluctant to relinquish its formerly dominant positions.

Moreover, with the arrival of the Trump administration, this struggle to constrain competitors has become particularly obvious and explicit. Indeed, the Trump administration openly asserts its ambition to dominate in the energy sector and harness their competitors.

Blatantly unfair methods are being used against us: the operations of Russian oil companies such as Lukoil and Rosneft are being banned, and there are attempts to dictate and restrict Russia’s trade, investment cooperation, and military-technical ties with our major strategic partners, including India as well as other BRICS states.
…
All of these geopolitical confrontations, along with the attempts to derail the objective course of history, inevitably affect bilateral relations. I am not going to mention them all; those include sanctions, the so-called “shadow fleet” invented by the West, attempts to detain vessels by military force in the open sea in blatant violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and much more. Tariffs imposed for purchasing oil or gas from certain suppliers have now become commonplace.
…
They tell us that the Ukraine problem should be resolved. In Anchorage, we accepted the US proposal. If we regard it “as men,” it means that they proposed it and we agreed, so the problem must be resolved. …

So far, the reality is quite the opposite: new sanctions are imposed, a ‘war’ against tankers in the open sea is being waged in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They are trying to ban India and our other partners from buying cheap, affordable Russian energy resources (Europe has long been banned) and are forcing them to buy US LNG at exorbitant prices. This means that the Americans have set themselves the task of achieving economic domination.

Furthermore, while they ostensibly made a proposal regarding Ukraine and we were ready to accept it (now they are not), we do not see any bright future in the economic sphere either. The Americans want to take control of all the routes for providing the world’s leading countries and all continents with energy resources. On the European continent, they are eyeing the Nord Streams, which were blown up three years ago, the Ukrainian gas transportation system and the TurkStream.

This illustrates that the US objective – to dominate the world economy – is being realised using a fairly large number of coercive measures that are incompatible with fair competition. Tariffs, sanctions, direct prohibitions, forbidding some from engaging with others – we have to take all of this into account.

A NY Times piece published today on Trump’s oil grab in Venezuela makes, in part, a similar point (archived):

In China, a foreign ministry spokeswoman said last month that Mr. Trump was “bullying” Venezuela to give up its oil. Spain joined with five Latin American countries, including Mexico and Brazil, in denouncing “the external appropriation” of Venezuela’s natural resources as illegal.

Mr. Trump has sought to turn the tables, charging that Venezuela “took our oil away from us” and “stole our assets” in 2007 when it increased state control over its oil industry and forced two of the three U.S. companies operating in the country to abandon their projects at considerable expense.

Whether that is Mr. Trump’s true motivation is unclear. He has asserted a U.S. right to “take the oil” from other countries, from Iraq to Syria to Libya, although he has not previously done so.

That is a sharp break from decades of precedent, …

A high gambit strategy to control global energy does not fall from the sky:

Where is the policy paper that has laid out the plans for doing this?
Who has written it?
Who is the point person in the White House that is driving this strategy?

Please point to answers for these questions.

Posted by b on February 9, 2026 at 18:07 UTC | Permalink

Comments

Posted by: IcyR7 | Feb 9 2026 20:22 utc | 55 I an truly amazed that neither Putin or any one else we we attack on a regular basis, Why do we do it because well just because, has hit us here yet. I would have long before now. The problem with the US is we think no one can reach out and fuck us up. Americans just don’t understand what a soft target this country is.
I know, and I’ll tell you why the others don’t fight back (Putin, Xi, North Korea, etc.):It’s because there are so many crazy people in power in the United States, addicted to exploiting the world, commanding several atomic bombs, that if anyone from outside wants to fight back, they know that these crazy people will not hesitate to cause a nuclear catastrophe (they already did it once in Japan), so they just swallow hard and wait for this evil empire to fall by other means, such as the economy.Do you know that story by Hegel about the Master and the Slave? The Master becomes addicted to luxury and comfort at the expense of others, the slaves, until he reaches a debt of 37 trillion… I don’t know if I’ve made myself clear.

Posted by: Salvar os Burros da Burrice | Feb 9 2026 22:11 utc | 101

Posted by: Blissex | Feb 9 2026 21:57 utc | 95 This is not foolishness but it does forget the US is not a commodities trading entity in the way this presumes. Such trade is still important to the US and the world, but financialization has revised what counts as a defensible area. The dollar must remain the top reserve currency (meaning the US financial power of the dollar as the preeminent source of liquidity, the Fed as lender of last resort, the US as arbiter of long term trade balances that undermine exchange rates, etc.) In terms of protecting the financial part of US economy, it is a difficult to say what counts as overextension. And this is even more the case when the costs of empire are paid by the working masses instead of the ruling classes. When somebody else pays the bills, it’s called moral hazard. Or perhaps it should be immoral hazard?

Posted by: steven t johnson | Feb 9 2026 22:11 utc | 102

Might be illuminating… Although, GDP numbers, especially in the US, are highly inflated.

Understanding Deglobalizaton: The Role of Diesel and Jet Fuel Our Finite World

We are starting to see the beginnings of deglobalization: Countries are increasingly at odds with each other. There is wider disparity among political parties. Trump is making what look to many people like unreasonable demands, both within the US and around the world. I believe that there is an underlying problem that most people are missing. A worldwide shortage of diesel and jet fuel is forcing international trade to begin moving into a new downward phase, relative to the recent share of GDP shown on Figure 1. While international trade grew as a percentage of GDP between the 1960s and 2008, it has been basically flat since then. Now the shortages of diesel and jet fuel are forcing the international trade percentage to start falling to a lower level.

2026: Expect a very uneven world economic downturn Our Finite World

Recently, many people have begun talking about the US having a k-shaped economy. In it, a handful of wealthy people are doing very well financially, while many others are falling further and further behind. I expect that the low wages of the majority of workers will soon lead to adverse impacts on businesses, governments, and international organizations. This phenomenon is likely to lead to a very uneven world economic downturn in 2026.

The world economy is subject to the laws of physics. The world economy seems to be reaching growth limits because there are too few easily extractable energy resources (as well as other resources, such as fresh water), relative to the world’s population. The Maximum Power Principle strongly suggests that even as limits are hit, the world economy cannot be expected to collapse all at once. Instead, the most efficient producers of goods and services will be able to succeed as long as resources are available, while less efficient producers will tend to fall by the wayside. Thus, the Maximum Power Principle somewhat limits the speed of the world’s economic downturn.

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 9 2026 22:22 utc | 103

Another day where all the power is given to Trump and the US.

Great cover again for the Epstein issue’s unravelling and the back off on attacks on Iran.

Blame Russia and China and all the other countries instead of the world’s largest kakistocracy that is nothing but bloviating once again.

Only yesterday it was falling apart.

Fear sells.

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 9 2026 22:22 utc | 104

Posted by: persiflo | Feb 9 2026 21:30 utc | 88

The practice of importing foreign elements mainly for the army was before the breaching of the Rhine frontier , which took place in the end of 407. The number of Germanics in the Roman armies as foederati, particularly in the west, was a fact before that event.

In the east this critical issue was resolved decisively during the events of Constantinople in 400. Thus, the eastern emperors would still utilize foreign elements, but to a level that they could be integrated. Further, they initiated a long effort to restore the native elements in the military. That would be a version of “import substitution”.

On the other hand, the western rulers continued to rely on the import of warlike tribesmen mainly form the Germanic nations, granting them territories to defend the empire as foederati. That short term solution was an important factor for the continued decline of the western Romans. The end eventually came when the commander of the thoroughly Germanized “Roman” army removed the last western emperor and installed himself as “Rex Italiae”. That fellow, Odoacer, still felt he had to send the imperial regalia to Constantinople to seek recognition, as the eastrn emperors commanded that level of repsect, prestige and authority.

This should have been a lesson for the Russian government too, that relied for far too long on imports for the military (and not only), belatedly integrating foreign contributions to its arsenal and the war industry. That was a lesson that should have been learned from the Soviets and lately the PRC leaders who, apparently, took heed of the vicissitudes of Roman history and other examples.

Posted by: Constantine | Feb 9 2026 22:24 utc | 105

Posted by: steven t johnson | Feb 9 2026 22:11 utc | 99
it does forget the US is not a commodities trading entity in the way this presumes. Such trade is still important to the US and the world, but financialization has revised what counts as a defensible area. The dollar must remain the top reserve currency (meaning the US financial power of the dollar as the preeminent source of liquidity, the Fed as lender of last resort, the US as arbiter of long term trade balances that undermine exchange rates, etc.) In terms of protecting the financial part of US economy, it is a difficult to say what counts as overextension. And this is even more the case when the costs of empire are paid by the working masses instead of the ruling classes. When somebody else pays the bills, it’s called moral hazard. Or perhaps it should be immoral hazard?

Posted by: Blissex | Feb 9 2026 22:34 utc | 106

Posted by: steven t johnson | Feb 9 2026 22:11 utc | 99
“it does forget the US is not a commodities trading entity in the way this presumes. Such trade is still important to the US and the world, but financialization has revised what counts as a defensible area.”
Whether the US *is* “a commodities trading entity” matters a lot less than whether the USA government can *deny* oil and cereals to other countries, either by controlling militarily or financially the exporting countries and/or the overseas shipping routes. That is sufficient for it to have paramount power.
Regardless of the ability to deny oil and cereals to others, being self-sufficient in oil and cereals is the very foundation of being independent (physically independent) of other powers. The German Empire in WW1 was strangled because it was not independent in cereals, the Nazi Empire and the Japanese Empire in WW2 were strangled in large part because they were not independent in oil, the USSR collapsed in large part because it was not independent in cereals, etc.
Sure financial power matters as for example in 1956 the UK and France folded over USA financial threats and the USSR collapsed also because it could not get loans to pay for imports. But strategists especially if considering the possibility of industrial wars of some duration look at supplies and stocks of oil, cereals and vital commodities (the USA military keep indeed war reserves of many such commodities and manufactured products).

Posted by: Blissex | Feb 9 2026 22:36 utc | 107

Meantime Russians should just stare at their collective navels while the “west” destroys every link Russia has to the world economy.

Those cheerleaders been wrong for almost 4 years running.

Posted by: S Brennan | Feb 9 2026 20:01 utc | 41

####

1. That is the point. The Western economy is no longer fit for the rest of humanity.

2. Who has been wrong and about what? I was right 3 years ago, and I continue to be right about Ukraine/NATO/Russia/attrition.

Again, it is hard to take an American seriously on military matters. Y’all got whupped by Ansar Allah.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 9 2026 22:39 utc | 108

Who’s Plan? Answers? Usual Suspects?

Condoleeza Rice was talking tough about the plan back decade plus. telling Europeans they would have to buy US LNG. Fracked even.

the Lavrov statement is a precursor to a war declaration. It is not quite saying what is demanded, just what is unjust.

I guess it’s pointing to red lines. Like before the SMO started.

Feels like the clock ticking a second nearer to midnight.

Posted by: DunGroanin | Feb 9 2026 22:39 utc | 109

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 9 2026 22:22 utc | 101

Yeah. I’m pretty fucking sick of this place, too. All Hail the Great Fat Child Rapist! “Might makes right” should be the site motto. Goddamn I’m glad I’m old.

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 9 2026 22:41 utc | 110

Posted by: Blissex | Feb 9 2026 22:36 utc | 104

Fucking idiot. The US has very. very little chance of controlling global energy and cereals trade. It’s not even close to doing so. It will need to start a world war to accomplish that and then nothing will matter because this iteration of civilization will be finished. Stop believing the global domination fantasies.

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 9 2026 22:45 utc | 111

Blissex | Feb 9 2026 21:57 utc | 95

How much do you know about the USSR as an empire? How do you think it functioned, and why couldn’t it maintain its status as an empire? Forget the satellites when analysing this. Consider how the US attempted to facilitate the failure of that “empire” and how it ultimately failed to achieve that goal. Now, instead of facing one adversary, the US is confronted with two major adversaries and a few others that could become significant threats. The US empire is either dead or on the verge of collapse.

The US dollar will struggle to maintain its dominance in the near future, especially with so many different adversaries emerging. Oh, let’s overlook the Japanese and the South Koreans as US allies. One can also disregard the EU.

Posted by: ostrr | Feb 9 2026 22:45 utc | 112

As for what appears to be Lavrov’s policy assessment change, before his most recent interviews by RT and BRICS TV, last Friday the 6th there was a Security Council meeting that had essentially no readout, which IMO was ominous. IMO, it was very much like the one held almost four years ago that decided to move forward with the military technical operation that was promised in the December 2021 security proposals to the Outlaw US Empire and NATO–one in the same, essentially. As with Medvedev recently, Lavrov counseled there was still a chance a constructive response to the proposals would be made; but as with the New Start Treaty, none was forthcoming. I again remind people that Russia isn’t a dictatorship; it’s governed by a collective with Putin as the titular head just as Xi is in China. So, a discussion ensued on the 6th that resulted in a change in Russian relations with the Trump Gang. Today’s interview was the first real unwrapping of that change, a change many of us have awaited for several months. It’s now arrived.

Another policy area is China’s reaction to the Japanese elections where Takaichi’s party won big and is now strong enough to alter Japan’s Peace Constitution as Trump desires. Chinese Analyst’s Hawkish Response to Japanese Election. The Outlaw US Empire is weak and has yet to attempt regaining its power; so, does that mean it must be challenged before its status can be altered?

Posted by: karlof1 | Feb 9 2026 22:46 utc | 113

It is the height of provincial supremacist nonsense to equate the Western economy with the “world economy”.

No one needs the Western economy for anything. The West has no truly exclusive value propositions left.

There is nothing that only say, Americans can make, or only the British can make, due to their access to cheap energy or some unique element.

Russia (and China) at the head of BRICS is positioned to be a dominant force in the world economy. The economy of “real things”.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 9 2026 22:46 utc | 114

The U.S. has used the world’s oil trade for 40 years. I worked on this strategy in the 1960s as a specialist in the oil industry ands U.S. foreign policy, and further in there 1970s weaponization of the oil trade.
I have written most recently in the article for Democracy Collaborative, and it is on my website. So this is not something new. I give the background below.
Washington Uses Energy as a Weapon
By Michael Monday, January 12, 2026 Articles energy, Venezuela Permalink
Weaponizing the World’s Oil Trade is the Bedrock of the U.S. Rules-Based Order

Posted by: Michael Hudson | Feb 9 2026 22:48 utc | 115

Posted by: karlof1 | Feb 9 2026 22:46 utc | 110

#####

The US has used Japan as an abstraction to generate opportunities to expand debt (Yen carry trade, borrowing in “cheap” Yen to buy USD securities).

With the push to militarize Japan, that will be lost, as war-making is destructive to an economy over the long run (see America). A military “economy” is essentially Bastiat’s Parable of the Broken Window.

Japan is already in bad economic shape, and ramping up military spending when capital is fleeing elsewhere is as pointless as the 21st round of EU/Russia sanctions will be.

Governance by press release.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 9 2026 22:55 utc | 116

I should have added that my article on U.S. weaponization of the world’s oil trade — including the petrodollar and control of OPEC savings — was published on Naked Capitalism on Jan. 13 and was picked up on numerous other sites.
So the idea really has been out in the open for a long time. It’s one of the reasons for America’s war in Iran and the rest of the Near East.

Posted by: Michael Hudson | Feb 9 2026 22:57 utc | 117

Posted by: Michael Hudson | Feb 9 2026 22:48 utc | 112
“Weaponizing the World’s Oil Trade is the Bedrock of the U.S. Rules-Based Order”
IIRC Michael Hudson has also written about the USA weaponization of the agricultural trade.
Note: the above contains the usual misspeling, the correct spelling is “Ruler-Based Order”. 🙂

Posted by: Blissex | Feb 9 2026 23:01 utc | 118

Michael Hudson | Feb 9 2026 22:57 utc | 114

How long do you think that petrodollar would last?

Posted by: ostrr | Feb 9 2026 23:05 utc | 119

Russia should stop whinging and get on with the job.

I am constantly told around here that Russia has ALREADY WON in Ukraine – if that is the case – why don’t they get on and deal with these issues the United States is causing in other parts of the world.

The fact they CAN’T suggests to me they have indeed NOT ACTUALLY WON in Ukraine.

Get on with it, clear the Ukrainian battlefield, dictate terms to Ukraine and The West, and stop pointless and wasteful negotiations in and around Ukraine.

And stop whinging. It looks weak, it projects weakness, and it is weak.

Posted by: Julian | Feb 9 2026 23:09 utc | 120

Here’s the link to Dr. Hudson’s article, noted as permalink in his above comment. Yes b, here’s confirmation he does read your articles.

Posted by: karlof1 | Feb 9 2026 23:10 utc | 121

Posted by: Blissex | Feb 9 2026 23:01 utc | 115

We all know about the fascist world domination strategy. The real question is whether it is even feasible without global nuclear war and why aren’t their efforts doing anything to stop the obvious decline of the US economy? It’s quite clear that poverty, bankruptcy, unemployment are growing here at home. As a result, all of these fantasies about controlling global energy and food, etc., appear to be rather absurd to most Americans. We really don’t care and we won’t fight your wars.

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 9 2026 23:10 utc | 122

«The US has very. very little chance of controlling global energy and cereals trade.»
Then please write to Chairman Xi JinPing to inform him that he and the whole top level of the PRC are “fucking idiots” because they worry too much about USA control of the large amount of food and oil that the PRC has to import and should not spend so much effort in becoming less dependent on USA-controlled food and oil imports, I am sure that he will be very grateful for your revelations from on high…
https://asiatimes.com/2021/12/xis-food-self-sufficiency-call-marks-latest-turn-inward/“The more food we have, the more we have to think about when there is no food,” Xi said. “I’ve repeatedly said that Chinese people must firmly hold their rice bowls in their own hands at all times and should never let others grab our necks in the matter of food supply, a basic survival issue.”
http://www.scio.gov.cn/zfbps/ndhf/2019n/202207/t20220704_130642.html “Food Security in China […] October 2019 Since the CPC’s 18th National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping as its core has treated food security as a top state issue. The central leadership has introduced a food security policy of `ensuring basic self-sufficiency of grain and absolute security of staple food’”
https://en.qstheory.cn/2025-01/24/c_1065997.htm“Selected readings from the works of Xi Jinping: ENSURE CHINA’S FOOD SECURITY December 23, 2013 […] We have to allocate resources rationally, and focus on the most fundamental and the most important aspects first – to ensure basic self-sufficiency in grain and absolute security in staples. The whole Party must be clear about this need. We must never think that we can lower our guard for a moment on food production as it is no easy task to achieve the necessary quantity and quality of both.”

Posted by: Blissex | Feb 9 2026 23:16 utc | 123

@ Michael Hudson | Feb 9 2026 22:48 utc | 112 who is gracing MoA with his presence…..thanks
Welcome to the bar and thank you for all you have written about our world.

I see weaponizing the trade of oil as only part of the equation. The other part is that the trade be done in US dollars and not the new rage of the axis of resistance trading in their nations currencies.

I would be curious Michael, why you think that more effort has not been made to force countries to go through the Bretton Woods agreement of trading all in dollars? I don’t recall reading much, if anything specifically in the media about the migration away from pure US dollar in the middle trade……I guess more my question is why hasn’t empire made a big public stink about it?…afraid to bring it up?

Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 9 2026 23:18 utc | 124

Extreme wealth creates mentally deranged monsters. My country did this.

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 9 2026 20:07 utc | 48
…and Minsters…

Posted by: Mann Friedmann | Feb 9 2026 23:20 utc | 125

Please delete abortive comment #122

Posted by: Mann Friedmann | Feb 9 2026 23:23 utc | 126

Posted by: Blissex | Feb 9 2026 23:16 utc | 120

You’ve proven nothing. How, specifically, is the US starving China or anyone else? You just posted some random statements.

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 9 2026 23:24 utc | 127

Posted by: Julian | Feb 9 2026 23:09 utc | 117
I am constantly told around here that Russia has ALREADY WON in Ukraine – if that is the case – why don’t they get on and deal with these issues the United States is causing in other parts of the world.
Russia does what is good for Russia. She has no desire to be the world’s policeman. You should stop demanding that Russia and her peoples do what you want. You’re not Russian and have no say in her actions. So basically, FUCK OFF!

Posted by: Peter Williams | Feb 9 2026 23:26 utc | 128

Posted by: Blissex | Feb 9 2026 23:16 utc | 120

You also stayed away from my comments about the rotting US domestic economy.

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 9 2026 23:27 utc | 129

Posted by: Peter Williams | Feb 9 2026 23:26 utc | 125

Psychopaths. They think everyone else on the planet is like them.

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 9 2026 23:28 utc | 130

The first snag on the road to the US energy victory is actually plain for us all to see. It is called the practically unlimited supply in the Venezuelan oil fields. Since VZ was already part of the long-term energy strategy that we are talking about, it should be a red flag for the US strategists that as of mid-February 2026, the strategy is already facing multiple snags that slow or limit progress. I do not understand why some people are in such a hurry to get Russia or China to do something. Then again, what is happening in Cuba as we speak is not a happy development. The governments of the said states issuing statements does seem a bit weak and a regime change in Cuba would be a symbolic victory for the US, which might conceal the rather dismal prospects for its long-term strategy as a whole.

Posted by: Princess Bodica | Feb 9 2026 23:32 utc | 131

As to USA control of *suppliers* of cereals here are the biggest exporters of wheat: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_wheat_exports
Except for Russia and Kazakhstan the top 10 are the USA and USA vassals, and Russia is “sanctioned”. It is niot that different for maize exports: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_maize_exports
As to USA control of *suppliers* of oil, here are the biggest exporters: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_oil_exports
Except for Russia the top 10 (buy volume or price) are the USA and USA vassals, and again Russia is “sanctioned”.

Posted by: Blissex | Feb 9 2026 23:32 utc | 132

Posted by: Blissex | Feb 9 2026 23:32 utc | 129

Which appears to be making no difference to the sinking US economy and moves away from the dollar. Why is that? China doesn’t seem to be starving, at all, and the Russian economy is just fine.

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 9 2026 23:37 utc | 133

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 9 2026 22:41 utc | 107

Look at the logic from some of the comments here:

Apparently because Lavrov is old (76 and younger than Trump) it is his fault ( and by default Russia’s fault) that the US wants to dominate the world’s energy market. Sure………let’s all gossip on about that and have a nice tea party with cakes.

The US has been dominating the energy market ever since oil was traded in US$. And even before. When did it not dominate the energy market? It has also done this increasingly with Europe since gas and oil became short due to the war in Ukraine.

Its presence in the Middle East, via Israel and military bases in Arabia is all about oil and gas dominance. So is Canada and Greenland as much about Artic oil and gas as it is strategic importance for the same.

It is also why they disposed of Saddam Hussein, then took over of the oil wells illegally in Syria which they have milked for years. No Saddam meant access to Iraqi oil and protecting Israel since naughty Saddam was sending a few Scud missiles in its direction and Saudi Arabia’s too when it was under a more compliant regime. (Saudi Arabia used to have the world largest oil deposits so no one ever noticed the human rights violations or non existence of democracy). So an entire war was fabricated by Bush family it would appear to get the oil for their US buddies.

And we are pretending the US wants to dominate energy now today? What has changed since yesterday? Oh sorry, silly me, Lavrov got old!

Sabotage par excellence has always been the US’s favoured method of making a buck for its elites. Who was it other than the US/CIA and UK/Mi6 that facilitated a coup and rolled a democratically elected government in Iran in 1953? It wanted to nationalize its own oil, a resource in its own country. We are still playing that one out as we speak.

People have short memories.

Who smashed Nord Streams I and II? The uniparty under Biden, now it’s the uniparty under Trump. That’s if you don’t believe the three men in a boat story.

What has really changed? Answer: what the media salted into everyone’s heads in 24 hours giving Trump all the power again.

Have a nice day.

This will lead to that – it is still approaching crunch point.

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 9 2026 23:37 utc | 134

Trump is 79.

Posted by: Process Bodica | Feb 9 2026 23:39 utc | 135

“Trump is 79.”
Posted by: Process Bodica | Feb 9 2026 23:39 utc | 132
If you are referring to my comment I said:
“Apparently because Lavrov is old (76 and younger than Trump)”

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 9 2026 23:42 utc | 136

Lavrov will be age 76 in March.maybe he’s anticipating retirement?
Posted by: Melaleuca | Feb 9 2026 21:59 utc | 96

Trump is 79.

Posted by: Princess Bodica | Feb 9 2026 23:44 utc | 137

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 9 2026 23:37 utc | 131

Yeah. What I’m beginning to realize is the US is now having to use military force and extreme trade policies to control what it has controlled for almost a century without these extreme actions.

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 9 2026 23:45 utc | 138

80 in June

Posted by: Princess Bodica | Feb 9 2026 23:45 utc | 139

How, specifically, is the US starving China or anyone else? You just posted some random statements.
Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 9 2026 23:24 utc | 124

They are preparing the groundwork. They have all the shipping routes into China surrounded with military bases. The one pipeline from a sea port in Myanmar to China has been stopped by “Terrorists”, They are using Ukraine to launch small attacks on oil facilities in Russia. They attacked Venezuela, Iran under pressure,, grabbed the Panama canal, looking to control the strait of Hormuz–

That is EVIDENCE IMO.

Posted by: arby | Feb 9 2026 23:46 utc | 140

michael hudson has shown up at moa before.. just not often enough, lo!!

@ Constantine | Feb 9 2026 22:24 utc | 102

i find your posts very interesting and informative.. thanks for them…

Posted by: james | Feb 9 2026 23:48 utc | 141

Posted by: steven t johnson | Feb 9 2026 22:11 utc | 99 and Blissex

Surely the USA is simply behaving like all dominant hegemons at the peak of their power and more so during their decline. There is an order to things.

First comes economic rise,
second then military growth,
third challenge the rival,economically
fourth challenge rivals militarily,
Become stronger than dominant power unofficially
Win a conflict (usually military)
economic, military and also diplomatic dominance,(lasts many years)
a new rival(s) emerges at stage 4 of cycle,
long economic and diplomatic battles
lose economic dominance
use military power in an attempt to regain status
chaos at home disunity
a real war lose military dominance even if officially winning. May include invasion but not generally
a new dominant empire takes over
important still via diplomacy, links with former empire states and moderate economic strength (second order power)
slow decline in status but denial and pretend still important
a) Accept loss of status and build alliance with other second/third order powers ORb) Collapse into chaos and warring factions, civil war of break up
Consolidate and attempt to rise again (repeat stages)

Sometime steps may be missing

The USA has been the dominant empire since 1944. It wielded its power wildly until 1990, but was constrained (to an extent) by a major rival ie the USSR. Economically however it reigned supreme. After 1990 until about 2010 it had no constraints (wobble mid 70s with OPEC) and went after oil and resources everywhere using military power, economic power and diplomatic power. It is now in about stage 11/12 of the above trajectory.

China went through all those stages, reaching collapse (17 b) in the first half of the 20th century, reached stage 18 and is rising again. It is now at stage 5. Stage 6 is looming because USA is now in stage 11

Russia (inc USSR) has already been through the cycle twice and in its USSR iteration never quite made 3 and skipped to 12, then 15 (b) and then stage 18. it is now at stage 2 again, with elements of stages 3 and 4.

The UK had a similar trajectory. After defeating Napoleon, it had few constraints to using gun boat “diplomacy” ie raw military power to dominate the world. The only major power constraining them was probably Russia and to an extent other European powers. Hence the Crimean war. The sun never set on the British empire etc. However following German unification suddenly there was a new power to confront UK so it had to adjust. WWI and WWII were UK’s last hurrah (stage 11), trying to retain its dominance. It failed. Technically won the war but lost the economic battle. It is now in stage 16. It does not matter much but still pretends it does.

History shows the France, Spain and the Ottoman empires all had relatively similar patterns, growth, dominance, exploitation, military domination, challenges, lashing out, war with major rival, loss of status. France seems stuck in stage 16, Spain moved on to 17 a, Turkey perhaps is at 18, but is struggling to get past stage 1 of any rebirth

The USA is at the lashing out using military might stage (stage 11) but the seeds of stage 12 are growing daily -With China and potentially Russia, now at stage 5, the end is nigh (Winter is coming etc).

Posted by: watcher | Feb 9 2026 23:53 utc | 142

That’s if you don’t believe the three men in a boat story.

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 9 2026 23:37 utc | 131

To say nothing of the dog…

(sorry, couldn’t resist!)

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 9 2026 23:55 utc | 143

Could oil tanker ships be equipped with a way to spray very slick foam and make boarding very difficult if not impossible?

Posted by: JaimeInTexas | Feb 10 2026 0:03 utc | 144

Posted by: arby | Feb 9 2026 23:46 utc | 137

The US has always had control of these areas. It looks like desperate clinging to what actually was widespread global domination.

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 10 2026 0:03 utc | 145

Posted by: watcher | Feb 9 2026 23:53 utc | 139

That is essentially my argument. In no way does the US look like an empire ascending.

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 10 2026 0:06 utc | 146

The USA is at the lashing out using military might stage (stage 11) but the seeds of stage 12 are growing daily -With China and potentially Russia, now at stage 5, the end is nigh (Winter is coming etc).
Posted by: watcher | Feb 9 2026 23:53 utc | 139
That is optimistic. One factor is who the US is lashing out against and the truly stupefying thing is that the US has decided to lash out against its own allies as they are the only ones left that still trusted it until some time ago. The US is currently alone, capisce? and can only make itself accepted by force.

Posted by: Princess Bodica | Feb 10 2026 0:15 utc | 147

Posted by: Princess Bodica | Feb 10 2026 0:15 utc | 144

Ascending
Descending
The holes and frayed threads need mending

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 10 2026 0:20 utc | 148

That’s not true. There’s no such power plant, and even if it did, it wouldn’t be able to produce any useful amount of electricity.
Posted by: kammamuri | Feb 9 2026 19:44 utc | 34

****************************

Strangely enough, it is true. Hot Carl throws a cunning decoy by referring to the Moon’s tidal effects on Earth as “moon beams” (perhaps he is not a physicist 🙂 ). A nice image, very effective – and the Rence tidal barrage power station works very well. I know – I’ve been there and seen it operating.

Posted by: General Factotum | Feb 10 2026 0:21 utc | 149

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 9 2026 23:55 utc | 140

“A butcher, a baker, and a candlestick maker.” But one was a woman if I recall correctly.

I wonder what the dog did? Maybe it chewed holes in the Nord Stream pipelines at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Entirely plausible IMHO.

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 10 2026 0:28 utc | 150

Posted by: Hagen | Feb 10 2026 0:32 utc | 151

Posted by: General Factotum | Feb 10 2026 0:33 utc | 152

The sad reality is that they (the US) are getting away with this. And since they seem to be doing everything they want and get away with it, then it is right of them to do so. “Right” as in morally right, because if they succeed, they’ll get to be the ones defining what is morally right and wrong. They behave like an empire should behave.
I am watching in disbelief what’s happening in Venezuela, Greenland, Iran, and hearing what Lavrov says here, and cannot but clearly see that no one is considering DOING something about it. There was not a single proper action against the US, except for maybe the small twist of arms that China did with rare earths when the US pushed them too far. But this is nothing compared to the kinetic energy the US is using and threathening to use. Is everyone around really that weak, I am asking myself?
The US seems to be looking for war, it would do wonders to their piling mountain of debt. That makes it very dangerous, because it can go around now threatening – implicitly or explicitly – to start a war, and either their counterparties fold, or the US actually gets the war it wanted. In both cases they win.
This, to me, is the best explanation for their current behavior from a game theory perspective. They’ll continue going about ransacking the entire world, profiting the whole time, until they get a war, which is jackpot for them.
What is the optimal strategy of their opponents?

Posted by: chudon | Feb 10 2026 0:33 utc | 153

@ GeorgeWendell | Feb 10 2026 0:28 utc | 147

Actually I was referring to this comic novel, and I thought you were too!

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 10 2026 0:42 utc | 154

Your inability to answer your questions is not shred by historians. Posted by: Constantine | Feb 9 2026 21:11 utc | 77 ********* Yes it is, was, and has been; shred to pieces, and cast into the dustbin of history…
Posted by: General Factotum | Feb 10 2026 0:33 utc | 149

Well, I misspelled “shared”, but you actually made good use of the word that resulted by accident…

Posted by: Constantine | Feb 10 2026 0:43 utc | 155

Blablabla! And as usual, the Russians, the Chinese, the Iranians, and all those who hate Americans will crawl and lick Trump’s ass. The BRICKS are nothing, only storytellers of stories that do in their pants.
Posted by: Hagen | Feb 10 2026 0:32 utc | 148

Speaking of storytellers, there was this story that the US would now stick to the Western Hemisphere. We had that story just a few weeks ago. Before the story was even told, the US was found provoking Iran (again) and making a deal with India. You see the structural problem here. The US may decide to go alone against the whole world but you can already see what tremendous stress it puts even on the US military capabilities across the globe. Hence these wild tergiversations (hope I spelled that right) from Ukraine to Venezuela to Greenland and then back to Iran again in the space a few weeks!

But there is also another story. A year or two ago Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Ross Pyatt, who made his mark in Ukraine and had that notorious phone call with Nuland, suggested that the US should rely more on renewable resources to deprive Russia of its oil revenue. A year late the US strategy now relies on expansion of fossil fuel exports. With all the animus now directed against the US the slow shift to renewable sources is slowly becoming a political statement at the grass-roots level. Maybe I am speaking for myself but you can see the shift in opinion polls toward imported Chinese EVs turning overwhelmingly favorable.

Posted by: Princess Bodica | Feb 10 2026 0:45 utc | 156

Posted by: arby | Feb 9 2026 23:46 utc | 137

And try as they may, it’s making very little difference to Chinese trade and GDP. Many of the bases in the region have been there for years, some since WWII like Okinawa, and rebuilding in Guam. Obama’s Pivot To Asia was already advancing the threat. It’s what Taiwan-US meddling is about too. But China is extremely resilient and determined and is also fighting very strongly back sticking the boot in, but you’ll read nothing about that in Western media. They seem to have forgotten the Islands China built in the South China Sea for defence purposes too. Trump tried to mess things up down in the South Pacific in the Solomon Islands and other countries but that largely failed. Indonesia has gone with Belt and Road, New Guinea in 2024.

https://www.inat.fr/map/belt-and-road-initiative-map/

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 10 2026 0:52 utc | 157

Trump is 79.
> and my neighbour is 94.
Posted by: Princess Bodica | Feb 9 2026 23:44 utc | 134
Both irrelevant.
not everything must be filtered through the prism of trump.
especially not Lavrov

Posted by: Melaleuca | Feb 10 2026 0:55 utc | 158

Princess Bodica | Feb 10 2026 0:15 utc | 144
*** …. the truly stupefying thing is that the US has decided to lash out against its own allies as they are the only ones left that still trusted it ***

But that is what they like. To be part of an exclusive heirarchy of …….
It echoes their own contempt for the ordinary people over whom they are franchised (from above) to rule.
And as at least associate members of the Establishment Politics club (even if not the Establishment itself) the USA’s “own allies” (ie. top foreign political strata) are of course greately superior to the duped electorates of their base countries, including their own voters. They must be, since they are clever enough to be winners and the duped are just stupified losers.
So there is the reward for being Yankland’s fags (feel the class there!) … lots of money …. Zionists of course, so there’s another bonus bung …. and if the fags are really good little promotion-worthy cestodes they might even be invited to engage in some one-on-0ne rape, torture, sacrifice or murder as was enabled by the now retired Epstein, and no doubt still is via several other suppliers.
All jolly good fun, with no damage to anything that’s not disposable; promotion earning its deserved loyalty bonus.
They don’t have to trust the USA – only pretend to – and be sure to keep doing what it wants.

Posted by: Cynic | Feb 10 2026 0:58 utc | 159

Trump is 79.> and my neighbour is 94. Posted by: Princess Bodica | Feb 9 2026 23:44 utc | 134
Both irrelevant.not everything must be filtered through the prism of trump.especially not Lavrov
Posted by: Melaleuca | Feb 10 2026 0:55 utc | 155

Wow, well I am not going to ask how old you are but I remember distinctly you yourself posting the following:

Lavrov will be age 76 in March.maybe he’s anticipating retirement?
Posted by: Melaleuca | Feb 9 2026 21:59 utc | 96

Posted by: Princess Bodica | Feb 10 2026 1:00 utc | 160

Posted by: Nobody Special | Feb 9 2026 19:01 utc | 17

for no real reason that any historian can seem to discover.

<=Over and over again, it has been recited the reason..

It began when whaling and slavery dried up (whale oil) in the 1840-1860s or so.. Who were in the slaving and whaling business? Why none other than the East and West Indies companies. Heaven forbid..

One day at a slave action in New Orleans whalers were telling slavers.. that the demand for oil and gas was far outstripping the ability of the whaling ships to supply and the Slavers were saying it was getting too dangerous to continue slaving.

About the same time oil was discovered in Pennsylvania.. after the American Civil war, they killed Lincoln.. but by then the whalers understood the largest pool of recoverable and producible oil and gas lay beneath the Ottoman Empire (basically the Middle East). This created two problems The Germans were building roads and railroads through the Ottoman empire in exchange for the right search for, produce and refine the Ottoman oil and gas. Like Iran today, the X indies companies were no match for the Germans. The European countries under control of the x indies companies were too broke to engage in a war with Germany or the Ottoman.. The whalers and slavers had to get the USA to finance the war they needed in Europe (WWI) IOT take the Ottoman owned oil and gas and to weaken competition from the German Empire.

After Lincoln was assassinated (1865) came first the First Zionist Congress 1897, then President William McKinley was assassinated on September 6, 1901,.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_William_McKinley the Young Turk rebellion failed in 1904, and Russia was attacked by the Schiff bankers via the SinoJapanese war, The Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC; Persian: شرکت نفت ایران و انگلیس) was a British company founded in 1909 following the discovery of a large oil field in Masjed Soleiman, Persia (Iran). The British government purchased 51% of the company in 1914,[In 1913 the 16th amendment to the US constitution proposed in 1909 was ratified in 1913, that provided the financing for the war the Whalers needed in Europe to take the Ottoman empire’s oil and gas and to destroy the ever growing competitive power of Germany.

The Federal Reserve Act 1913 provided the incomes of the American taxpayer as collateral for the loans (gifts) needed to finance the Whaler and Slaver’s attack on the Ottoman and the Germans.

The UK City of London vested interest were behind this whole series of events from start till today.. you can take it from here and fill in the blanks..

Posted by: steven t johnson | Feb 9 2026 19:48 utc | 38

the role of oil in general and the desire to control the flow of oil or oil revenues—-which is not the same as legally owning the oil field, much less formally colonizing the oil producing countries—has been implicit in US foreign policy since the days of WWII.

<=Truman claimed the USA owned all of the lands and the minerals beneath that subsurface under the sea and twenty miles inland.

continuation of this historical track is Posted by: BlindSpot | Feb 9 2026 21:40 utc | 91

and by the great post of Blissex | Feb 9 2026 21:57 utc | 95

Weaponizing the World’s Oil Trade is the Bedrock of the U.S. Rules-Based Order and by the Posted of Michael Hudson | Feb 9 2026 22:48 utc | 112
Thanks to all for this very interesting thread.

Posted by: snake | Feb 10 2026 1:03 utc | 161

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 10 2026 0:42 utc | 151

I was referring to the story below that was given the nickname at the time of Three Men in a Boat by bloggers (like the novel), but I thought the added dog sounded cute – (I’ve never read the book). This particular story of how Nord Stream I and II were destroyed always sounded like a fictional children’s novel to me anyway, when it was reported in the press. Not that different to the Butcher, Baker, and Candlestick Maker, the nursery rhyme.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/investigates/nord-stream-pipeline-explosion-ukraine-diver-1.7296527

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 10 2026 1:07 utc | 162

‘What is the optimal strategy of their opponents?’

Ian Welsh just wrote a piece addressing this very issue:

America Psychopathy Continues To Stun (Cuba Edition)

‘This is the problem with the fall of the USSR.

No one these days has the balls, desire and ability to stand up to the US when it pulls shit like this.

Russia’s busy and a lot weaker than it used to be, plus they’re basically just off-brand capitalists now.

China doesn’t care and doesn’t have a navy with enough projection power yet.

The EU are spineless (that may be changing somewhat, but not fast enough.)

Everyone else is too weak and too scared.

An international convoy system, with each convoy guarded by military ships from multiple countries might work, but I see no sign anyone is even talking about it, let alone organizing.

So Cubans will starve if Trump keeps this up and Cuba doesn’t capitulate and let America choose its government…

China could simply cut off all access to some key manufactured goods like magnets or any of hundreds of other goods where they’re the only supplier, including goods that the US has to have to make weapons.

But this doesn’t really matter to them, so they aren’t.

Or a coalition of other countries could all sanction the US at the same time, but again, no.

Perhaps your question is “why should they?”

I’m glad you asked, imaginary but helpful reader.

Because Trump started with Venezuela, then went to Cuba. Who will he go to next? There are four strategies for dealing with bullies:

1) Join them and beat up their victims. (We’ll call this the NATO strategy.)

If you help them, and kiss their ass enough, maybe they won’t attack you. Works surprisingly well, until it doesn’t. Ask Denmark about that. Or Canada. Or, well, the EU as a whole.

2) Fight back. If you’re too weak, get together with your friends. Even if you lose, make them hurt. And you might win (Vietnam says “Hi! America still cringes every time they hear our name!”)

3) Scurry like rats into corners and hope they don’t pick you as their next victim.

4) Ignore them if you’re as strong or stronger than them.

Bullies only attack those weaker than them. You aren’t. Who cares who they beat up as long as it isn’t you?

Most of the world is picking #3: “scurry like rats!”

China isn’t, they’re picking #4 “Who cares if they beat someone else up, they can’t do it to us!”

There’s a lot to be said for #4, as long as you’re sure you’ll never be weaker than the bully (a safe bet for China right now) and don’t give a damn about anybody but yourself.

But #3, “scurry like rats, hoping you aren’t the next victim” is stupid.

Each successful victimization just whets the bully’s appetite and the more cowardice he sees, the more he pushes people around.

Victims multiply.

Don’t want America, under Trump or another President to revisit the Denmark situation with an amphibious assault one fine morning?

Send those convoys to Cuba or find some other way to hurt America in general and Trump in specific.

Not because you care about Cubans or, heck, human welfare.

Gaza has revealed you don’t give a shit.

But because you’re protecting yourself by protecting others, setting the precedent that the powerful can’t just pick you off one by one.

But that would require statesmen with guts, wouldn’t it?

https://www.ianwelsh.net/america-psychopathy-continues-to-stun-cuba-edition/

Posted by: Dan Kelly | Feb 10 2026 1:07 utc | 163

“everything must be filtered through the prism of trump.especially not Lavrov ”

Posted by: Melaleuca | Feb 10 2026 0:55 utc | 155

Exactly.

Besides Lavrov wanted to retire last election from what I read from Russian sources, but Putin convinced him to stay on due to his professional expertise, hard working manner, and deep understanding of all diplomatic issues.

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 10 2026 1:13 utc | 164

How U.S. Imperialism Actually Takes Money Out Of YOUR Pocket! w/ Christian Parenti

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 10 2026 1:14 utc | 165

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 10 2026 1:14 utc | 163

Interesting. Christian Parenti is the son of the late Michael Parenti, who passed away just a couple of weeks ago at the age of…92. Fun facts all.

Posted by: Princess Bodica | Feb 10 2026 1:26 utc | 166

All of which just goes to show the truth of the unspoken adage, which is nevertheless very well-known among military strategists: You can’t wage (modern) war without (cheap) oil, [so] to stop oil (and climate change) you must (first) stop war! Which is, of course, easier said than done.

Posted by: ThisOldMan | Feb 10 2026 1:26 utc | 167

Lavrov’s entire interview is now translated and commented upon, Lavrov’s Critical Interview with BRICS TV – by Karl Sanchez

Posted by: karlof1 | Feb 10 2026 1:42 utc | 168

Posted by: ThisOldMan | Feb 10 2026 1:26 utc | 165

Exactly. It’s a very badly timed disaster.

The US military is the largest emitter of CO2 of any institution on Earth. Besides that, masses of CO2 and N2O, other nitrates, and possibly many other greenhouse gases, are produced by explosive ordnance. A tank like the Abrams consumes a US gallon (nearly 4 litres) per km from what I have read, that’s if it is not in a hurry or pushing through mud.

https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/us-military-carbon-footprint

Exponential emission of measured CO2
https://gml.noaa.gov/ccgg/trends/

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 10 2026 1:42 utc | 169

Note: the above contains the usual misspeling, the correct spelling is “Ruler-Based Order”. 🙂
Posted by: Blissex | Feb 9 2026 23:01 utc | 115

******************

Misspelling ‘misspelling’ as ‘misspeling’ makes it one of the words that are most commonly misspelt; closely followed by misspelt, which is frequently misspelled as misspellt, but less frequently as mispellt, mainly because most people get confused and choose to use misspelled instead, which seems more intuitive, rather than the more grammatically correct misspelt, because they ackshuly know where their fur jacket is…

Posted by: General Factotum | Feb 10 2026 1:50 utc | 170

Posted by: karlof1 | Feb 10 2026 1:42 utc | 166

Thanks karlof1

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 10 2026 1:51 utc | 171

Blissex @ 129 and elsewhere. Agree that sufficiency/security of food production/supply is fundamental (and strategic) for any nation. But focusing on a single grain’s national export totals can be misleading. First look at total production vs population’s needs for that grain—that is total production vs internal use. Link to world national total production for last 25 years at link below. Don’t know if y’all recall the late 70s and early 80s when US wheat exports to USSR was a political football. It was spun in the US that USSR’s need for US wheat was evidence that communism could not compete and couldn’t even feed its people. False however, though never publicized, wheat production there exceeded US production nearly every year. Imports of U.S. wheat were used to feed Soviet cows, not people. Then as now the MSM distorted actual world realities. Certainly Russia and the former SSRs have improved agricultural production of all necessary grains since those time. Yes food exports can play vital humanitarian needs and a nations’ geopolitical strategy as well. This was demonstrated in the Ukraine conflict, as all sides made allowances for grain and vegetable oil exports to less developed parts of the world—see negotiations on this issue from 2022 on. Grain and oil trade and control are but two of many aspects composing a nation’s strategic strengths for competition….
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_wheat_production

Posted by: mjh | Feb 10 2026 2:02 utc | 172

Well, I misspelled “shared”, but you actually made good use of the word that resulted by accident…
Posted by: Constantine | Feb 10 2026 0:43 utc | 152

****************

Thanks. I’ve done a lot of proof-reading, which I find easy, as the slightest spelling mistake or awkward grammar sticks out like stubbing one’s toe on a grain of sand (and I love those ‘poetic typos’). I was frequently the ‘final filter’ on research grant applications, where the assessors’ priorities (in Australia, at least), were firstly weight in kilograms, followed by nice presentation… Reviewing papers was hard work, as content is much more important.

Posted by: General Factotum | Feb 10 2026 2:04 utc | 173

I can see some big holes in this Neo Hegemon idea. Russia and China control the Arctic Passage and the thought of the US sending carriers up there looks silly. Could you break a path for us to dominate you, please? China’s well on its way to being an electrostate. After that, they can get whatever oil they need from Russia, Iran, Kazahkstan.
Cuba and Venezuela are just weak nations being bullied. Many BRICS types have much of their own oil, anyway. If you’ve been following the story, the US has been stunningly incompetent as to building naval vessels – the Zumwalts, the LCS and deals with Italy for ships that didn’t work out. And they lack ship building workers.
I tend to agree with opinions expressed on Seeking Alpha that we may be seeing investment shift away from AI and the like and towards gold, commodities, maybe real estate. A guy at MIT said 95% of AI ventures will fail. I’m looking for the 5% – perhaps more narrow exceptions in health or finance. Tech dominance will shift to China in most advancing fields – while the US dreams of gunboat diplomacy.

Posted by: Eighthman | Feb 10 2026 2:06 utc | 174

Where is the policy paper that has laid out the plans for doing this?
Who has written it?
Who is the point person in the White House that is driving this strategy?

There is no need for policy papers etc when the Anglo-American empire’s primary directive is capable of being implemented. This implementation has only one driver – political expediency. Presidents and politicians pass but this primary directive endures
The empire faces little opposition domestically, and it’s agents – overtly the NED/NGO complex and covertly CIA, MI6 NSA etc etc have immense power – witness the grim and titanic struggle in Hong Kong between the sovereign government and dissenters backed by the full offensive power of the various agencies and organisations of the Western regime change complex.

China has a grip on manufacturing etc, but the Anglo-American empire has a maritime advantage currently. Maybe an analogy can be made to the rivalry between the British Empire and the Second Reich – a besieging naval power versus a fast growing, technologically advancing land power. Like the Second Reich, China has to import oil, maybe 8 million barrels annually. Adding Venezuelan oil production to US oil production leaves China far more dependent on Russian supplies and gives the Anglo-Americans leverage as they “pivot to China”.
Lavrov knows the history of “the Anglo-Saxons” so this a very diplomatic rallying cry (“we have take all of this into account” lol)to BRICS nations. What are they going to do? International Law is optional it seems currently.
Here is an excerpt from an oil history book from 1990, quoting Churchill that puts the issue clearly and I feel still apply today.

“Appointed First Lord of the Admiralty immediately after Agadir…. One of the most important and contentious questions he faced was seemingly technical in nature, but would in fact have vast implications for the twentieth century. The issue was whether to convert the British Navy to oil for its power source, in place of coal, which was the traditional fuel. Many thought that such a conversion was pure folly, for it meant that the Navy could no longer rely on safe, secure Welsh coal, but rather would have to depend on distant and insecure oil supplies from Persia, as Iran was then known. “To commit the Navy irrevocably to oil was indeed ‘to take arms against a sea of troubles’ ” said Churchill. But the strategic benefits—greater speed and more efficient use of manpower—were so obvious to him that he did not dally. He decided that Britain would have to base its “naval supremacy upon oil” and, thereupon, committed himself, with all his driving energy and enthusiasm, to achieving that objective. There was no choice—in Churchill’s words
“Mastery itself was the prize of the venture”
With that, Winston Churchill, on the eve of World War I, had captured a fundamental truth, and one applicable not only to the conflagration that followed, but to the many decades ahead. For oil has meant mastery throughout the twentieth century.”
The Prize – Daniel Yergin

Posted by: will moon | Feb 10 2026 2:38 utc | 175

I don’t see American naval dominance existing or being able to last for long trying to control shipping all over the world.

Is there still a carrier group near Venezuela? Does it get to leave and expect Venezuela to stay a pawn?

I expect if America is stupid enough to attack Iran they will lose one or more floating tin cans and they don’t have the ability to make more so the China/Russia axis holds the naval cards for long term…..maybe not for short term….< year?

I want the bully to go down financially because that to me is the crux of the problem with our current form of social organization…private finance as a jackboot and class maker instead of finance as a public utility and social leveler like China is trying to do.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 10 2026 2:49 utc | 176

Is there still a carrier group near Venezuela? Does it get to leave and expect Venezuela to stay a pawn?

Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 10 2026 2:49 utc | 174

Good question. Yes, a U.S. carrier strike group is still operating in the Caribbean near Venezuela as of early February 2026. The USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group remain deployed under Operation Southern Spear, which the Trump administration continues to frame as a counter–“narco-terrorism” mission: disrupting drug networks, enforcing sanctions and an oil quarantine, and maintaining pressure even after Maduro’s capture on January 3, 2026. The carrier has stayed active in the SOUTHCOM area, with ongoing interdictions and strikes, and no drawdown has been announced.

What stands out now is the growing frustration inside the Navy itself. Senior leadership has been signaling that using a supercarrier for prolonged interdiction and policing missions is overkill. Admirals have openly argued for shifting to smaller, cheaper, and more tailored assets—destroyers, helicopters, Coast Guard units, and unmanned systems—citing crew fatigue, maintenance strain on the Ford after an extended deployment, and the opportunity cost as other global theaters compete for ships. In short: the carrier is still there, the “narco-terrorism” justification persists, and the Navy is increasingly unhappy with how inefficient this deployment has become.

Posted by: Princess Bodica | Feb 10 2026 3:13 utc | 177

Helping yourself to anything is nothing new from the US:
Hawaiians were delighted when the “The Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown in a coup d’état against Queen Liliʻuokalani that took place on January 17, 1893, on the island of Oahu. The coup was led by the ‘Committee of Safety’, composed of seven foreign residents and six Hawaiian Kingdom subjects of American descent in Honolulu.” Annexed under president McKinley, Trump’s favourite imperialist president in 1898. It was made the 50th State in 1959.

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 10 2026 3:13 utc | 178

China is integral to the war machine in that it supplies the vast majority of ‘rare earths’ necessary for the weapons and technology the US uses in its operations.

China recently used its rare earth dominance as clout to lower/eliminate Trump’s ridiculous tariffs.

Yet it continues to feed the war machine with the building materials vital to its operation.

Why?

Posted by: Dan Kelly | Feb 10 2026 3:19 utc | 179

More from the leader of the free world. This is not satire but breaking news:

U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, poised to become the newest border crossing between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit.

“I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve,” Trump wrote in the post on Monday.

CBC News has asked the White House for further clarification, but did not receive a response Monday night.

Posted by: Princess Bodica | Feb 10 2026 3:34 utc | 180

GeorgeWendell@176:

“Helping yourself to anything is nothing new from the US…”

‘I Will Not Allow This Bridge To Open!’

https://x.com/Ben_oharabyrne/status/2021000940908917222

“Trump’s latest Canada target: the Gordie Howe bridge, which Canada paid for because the US refused to split the cost. Now Trump is seeking half US ownership…”

Americans. Please do something about your evil kiddy-diddling zio flunky & grifter ‘n thief!

Posted by: John Gilberts | Feb 10 2026 3:35 utc | 181

why hasn’t empire made a big public stink about it?…afraid to bring it up?
Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 9 2026 23:18 utc | 121
The answer is simple: Any US attempt to try to force the use of dollars would be ineffective, and therefore embarrassing to the US. There’s no way of preventing dealings with non-dollar currencies. The US retaliates in other ways — such as Trump’s tariff threats to threaten BRICS members from (his fantasy) creating their own currency, or of other countries turning to China and each other.

Posted by: Michael Hudson | Feb 10 2026 3:38 utc | 182

A very ominous development in the USA is receiving very little attention, but is highly worthy of note. To wit: https://expose-news.com/2026/02/09/digital-currency-act-now-law-in-us-changes-everything/ .Assuming this is true, de-dollarization becomes a more pressing issue for many both within and beyond the USA. The wheels may be coming off the juggernaut, but nevertheless it must be stopped and stopped soon!
Posted by: Montefrío | Feb 9 2026 21:20 utc | 84

Probably not true. Seems to confuse Stablecoin with anti-CBDC legislation currently in legislative process.

Posted by: mrh | Feb 10 2026 3:41 utc | 183

Excellent posts. Geopolitical, economic everything fully covered. Felt might be good to point out how it will end.

When Apostle John wrote Revelation in Bible, all countries were mentioned by name except the most dominant one in future which was named mystery Babylon. Could it be because, that country [US] was not in existence at that time two millennium ago. Revelation 18 is the sudden destruction of this great city/state in one hour which we now know nuclear attack. Only Russia has the firepower to do it now. Not clear China, NKorea or any other nations join in.

Won’t be surprised if Canada betray in Norad and Aegis neutralized somehow. Don’t think any NATO allies including UK as Watcher @139 excellently depicted as in stage 16 will come to the fight. Regarding the financial condition of Babylon, it is in its prime and not after some dollar crash as evident from the monologue of container ship captains/exporters lamenting from verse 15 onwards as to who will buy their goods, and they are financially ruined.

Revelation 18 KJV – And after these things I saw another – Bible Gateway

Posted by: Michael J | Feb 10 2026 3:45 utc | 184

Posted by: Dan Kelly | Feb 10 2026 3:19 utc | 177

Not true. China stopped exporting rare Earths used for US military weapons last year. It allows other rare earths but not for that purpose.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/14/china-trump-xi-rare-earth-defense-critical-mineral-trade-war-tariffs.html
https://www.wionews.com/world/did-china-just-put-a-chokehold-on-us-defence-how-its-rare-earth-end-use-restrictions-could-hit-american-military-hard-1762857261164

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 10 2026 3:48 utc | 185

@ Michael Hudson | Feb 10 2026 3:38 utc | 180 with the answer to my question about nations not trading always in dollars…thanks

I am looking forward to your coming book about more recent economic history.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 10 2026 4:02 utc | 186

Hey Americans. Yet another criminal siege by your criminal in chief…

Air Canada, West Jet Halt Flights To Cuba Amid Jet Fuel Shortage

https://www.youtube.com/world?v=Nirrnw_YJpQ

“Air Canada and West Jet are suspending flights to Cuba as the island’s main airport in Havana has warned it will run out of jet fuel. Cuba has not received crude or refined oil products from its top ally Venezuela, since mid-December.”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Feb 10 2026 4:12 utc | 187

GeorgeWendell,

‘Contradictory reports have emerged from the US and China regarding how many exemptions were granted on rare earth exports. American statements suggested a broad relaxation, but official Chinese readouts confirmed only non-military exemptions.

Violations of the dual-use control list now carry fines of up to $700,000 or permanent export bans.’

You always have to ‘read the fine print’ so to speak.

There are enough holes here to drive a tank through.

Any ‘non-military’ uses still permitted are rather easily exploited. Alternative fronts have probably already been arranged,

A $700,000 fine is a drop in the bucket. Easily paid.

And a threat of permanenet export ban.

We’ll see.

Remember too that USNC strategy vis-a-vis China has been known for years – going on probably two decades in fact – and the US has been ‘doing its thing’ the entire time.

Why did it take until Spring of last year for China to even begin to do something about this?

Strange.

Posted by: Dan Kelly | Feb 10 2026 4:13 utc | 188

Posted by: John Gilberts | Feb 10 2026 3:35 utc | 179

Just another example of a nation run by thieves and con men. It started a long time ago and as soon as I heard Trump was going to going to change the name of Mt Denali back to Mount McKinley, I knew that was code for where the country was headed this time around. Same for Gulf of America.

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 10 2026 4:14 utc | 189

185 corrected:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nirrnw_YJpQ

Posted by: John Gilberts | Feb 10 2026 4:15 utc | 190

Posted by: Dan Kelly | Feb 10 2026 4:13 utc | 186

And as usual not a scrap of evidence to support any of your claims.

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 10 2026 4:20 utc | 191

I have said this here, MANY, MANY times, but I’ll say it again:
“Furthermore, while they ostensibly made a proposal regarding Ukraine and we were ready to accept it (now they are not), we do not see any bright future in the economic sphere either. The Americans want to take control of all the routes for providing the world’s leading countries and all continents with energy resources. On the European continent, they are eyeing the Nord Streams, which were blown up three years ago, the Ukrainian gas transportation system and the TurkStream.”
Ah. Russia is finally seeing what I’ve been saying: The objective of the US is to cut Russia and China from all land and sea routes, hence cutting off their resources wealth or gain (as in China).
Brian Berlectic has also been making the same claim. His New Atlas on YouTube is a channel worth watching
Btw, B, this strategy is available in US policy. I just cannot recall where, although I think Berlectic has pointed this out. I will research it tonight
Great article B!

Posted by: Kay | Feb 10 2026 4:29 utc | 192

Re: Rence tidal barrage power station

produces power that costs 12 cents/kwh at the plant. ( before adding grid, etc. Costs) That insanely expensive.

it runs at ~24% capacity.

A niche solution.

Posted by: Exile | Feb 10 2026 4:34 utc | 193

The end eventually came when the commander of the thoroughly Germanized “Roman” army removed the last western emperor and installed himself as “Rex Italiae”. That fellow, Odoacer, still felt he had to send the imperial regalia to Constantinople to seek recognition, as the eastern emperors commanded that level of respect, prestige and authority.

Posted by: Constantine | Feb 9 2026 22:24 utc | 102

Thanks for filling in these details. I have a feeling that the Germans had some serious reasons to pick that conflict, but also were in over their heads with the history, tradition and conduct that formed the ideological backbone of the Roman empire when they began to intermingle with the polity. Justininan as an example may shed some light on the progressing imbalance; he set up his court in Trier, near the frontline, but never saw Rome proper even once in his life.

Numerous consequences can be spun from this notion; the example you gave, quoted above again, fits perfectly. Another watershed arrives when Charlemagne embraces the Roman ~~mind control project~~ pope, minting a coin with himself on one side and him on the other, and later using a weird moment in hereditary succession of Constantinople (when a girl ‘illegitimately’ usurped) to become proclaimed Caesar himself. I would love to be able to tell apart if this was motivated by a christian sense of mission, or plain want of entitlement to power. But perhaps this question cannot truly be asked, because the Germanic concepts relating to spirituality were simply unprepared to grasp the Roman reality, and vice versa. It’s interesting to note that Karl learned to read as an adult, and liked to surround himself with a few intellectual advisors, a situation which spawns the filioque quarrel as the seed to the later schism between the Roman and Orthodox faiths.

Let me add some more anecdotal evidence here. After slaughtering the Saxon heathens and establishing his court at Aachen, Karl didn’t want his daughter to leave him being married off. Whatever his reasons may have been, she had quite the leeway at home for christian standards, with one of her lovers actually being sent as an envoy to Rome in official position by Karl about an important matter. This kind of pragmatic vibe may just be related to the lifestyle of that Germanic emperor who sought to gain admiration/trust by writing a theological treatise (I forgot his name now), as some of his acclaimed predecessors would.

Whatever is getting entangled there, it’s still not fully resolved to this day. I could go on and on, but since it is a thought borne mostly from intuition I shall keep it at that, at least for now

Posted by: persiflo | Feb 10 2026 4:36 utc | 194

..
Why?
..

Posted by: Dan Kelly | Feb 10 2026 3:19 utc | 177
So you can continue your antiChina shtik.
So they can continue persecuting the suck my tongue, vax to the max Dehli Banana and
the merry wiggas,

Posted by: tucenz | Feb 10 2026 4:46 utc | 195

GeorgeWendell,

The information I provided was quoted verbatim from one of the two links you yourself provided.

Evidently you didn’t read them yourself, or you didn’t read them discerningly.

Why would you even respond or communicate with me if you take me for a commenter who never provides evidence (‘And as usual not a scrap of evidence to support any of your claims).

In fact, I provide ample evidence for ‘my claims’ which are rarely if ever my own ‘claims’ rather they are simply neat little truisms that for some reason many can’t hanlde.

None of this is unique to my feeble brain. I’m just following the masters.

So, returning to the facts and the question.

The facts are that United States National Security strategy isn’t hard to unearth. China obviously knows about it and has for some time.

Yet China has only very very recently addressed this.

Why?

And again, please read discerningly. If you are going to communicate with an idiot like me please at least read discerningly. I may be dumb but I don’t have time for that sort of bullshit.

Posted by: Dan Kelly | Feb 10 2026 4:47 utc | 196

‘So you can continue your antiChina shtik.
So they can continue persecuting the suck my tongue, vax to the max Dehli Banana and
the merry wiggas,’

Good answer!

How do you define ‘anti-China’ and do you consider yourself ‘pro-China’ and if so how do you define that and why are you so?

Posted by: Dan Kelly | Feb 10 2026 4:52 utc | 197

private no-name | Feb 10 2026 1:05 utc | 159
the link you privided does not open for me

persiflo @ constantin 102 , 192 and previous
very good discussion -thank you – for the history of Roman empire and Germany . It “ties in” with my reading the novels about that era (Galla Placidia by Benrath, and others – don’t get me started… and transfer to open thread)

Posted by: fanto | Feb 10 2026 5:00 utc | 198

Nothing has changed in the last 100 years … Churchill and the Admiralty claiming oil in Mesopotamia … the Seven Sisters … Persia and Mossadeq … US Congress and policy to cut economic progress of the European Union … targeting cheap Russian gas to Europe …
Can’t we speed up the Fall of the Evil Empire … time is running short to stop this shit.

Posted by: Oui | Feb 10 2026 5:02 utc | 199

@Saint Jimmy #124 “How, specifically, is the US starving China or anyone else?”
Well, if a deranged junkie is pointing a loaded Glock at my head and ordering me and my family around, my first thought is not “it’s okay since he hasn’t shot anyone yet”.

Posted by: BillB | Feb 10 2026 5:05 utc | 200

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