23952

I think the thing that China does quite effectively is deliver a lot of investment and assistance to countries in the third world who are otherwise somewhat neglected by global capitalistic investment and foreign aid. From personal experience I can see the influence that China has in a country like Ecuador, influence they buy through aid, loans, foreign investment, infrastructure projects, and even things like free or nearly free COVID vaccines.

I’m not sure that Russia does to the same extent, because they just don’t have the economic clout to make a big difference.

23953

Russia doesn’t do a lot in terms of economic help, at least beyond it’s immediate neighborhood like Armenia or Belarus. But it doesn’t need to; it works with some big names in international organizations and politics which is much cheaper.

From what I understand about Chinese foreign policy is they truly don’t care about the political structure of the country as long as it’s stable. Or unstable but cheap.

Belarusian dictator really hoped to get friendly with China. A lot was done to facilitate relations with China. Minsk airport has signs in Russian, English and Chinese. But alas, currently China invests in Belarus less than (not joking) Ukraine.

23954

I think that’s right; I think they’re buying the relationship with the country as a source of natural resources and a market for Chinese goods and services. And they can do it strategically, at the national level, because of the kind of country that China is. The US can’t force any US company to invest in e.g. Angola, but the Chinese government certainly can direct it.

23955

Not sure if I said it here, but I totally agree. Unlike 1941: Russia did likely deploy their best units when the war started & what’s left now is mostly crap.

23956

what’s up

23957
23958

They’ve clearly hit hard times, probably lasting more than four hours even.

23959

False Flag op inbound again…

23960

Sanctions must be working and they can’t outsource their ammo supply anymore…I’ll be here all week.

23961

Another Russia military official has been shown the door, er, window.

23962

Also one of the guys who stood behind Putin in a military uniform for his New Year speech died.

A lesson for you all: don’t use actual cannon fodder in such instances.

23963

Wagner mercs begging for ammunition on video:

I would guess, given all the signs of Wagner losing favour in Moscow, that this is deliberate.

23964

I don’t know what do they expect to happen. PMCs are forbidden by Russian laws so the best they can hope for is a benevolent trial because of a confession.

23965
23966

Given the Russian crushing of the Hungarians in 1956 it is really strange that people aren’t upset with Orban about his pro-Russian attitude.

23967

I can’t claim any real knowledge let alone expertise of Hungary, but from what I understand their democracy isn’t in the greatest state. Similar to Turkey and Erdogan’s hold on power. To paraphrase Erdogan, Orban’s train arrived and he’s getting off at the station.

23968

Yes, I understand that, but Poland’s isn’t in great shape but they can’t stand the Russians, I’m not sure why the Hungarians don’t feel the same.

23969

True! It’s a good question.

23970

All is going according to plan:

23971

I’d suspect Russian disinfo and behind the scene political moves didn’t work as well in Poland as Hungary.

I work with several Poles and they hate the Russians/Putin.