Job Security?
I’m never worried that the Israeli military will suddenly find itself out of a job. The same goes for Shin Bet, Mossad, etc. It appears that there is another target.
(Fox News) Iran has established a new military base in Syria and has plans to house thousands of troops at the location, according to multiple Western intelligence sources.
The classified Iranian project, called the Imam Ali compound, was approved by top leadership in Tehran and is being completed by the Iranian al-Quds Forces.
Naturally, the Israelis will wait until the Iranians are finished building the base before they blow it up.
Art of the Deal
President Trump warned China that the trade deal (currently being negotiated – that the Chinese have no intention of adhering to in any event) would get tougher if he’s re-elected.
“We are doing very well in our negotiations with China. While I am sure they would love to be dealing with a new administration so they could continue their practice of “ripoff USA”($600 B/year),16 months PLUS is a long time to be hemorrhaging jobs and companies on a long-shot….”
The Red China Blues is a real situation in Mainland China as they find their supply chain usurped by other nations such as Vietnam and Malaysia. And no matter how the trade deal is worked out, that erosion will continue as the grand Belt Road project that propelled President Xi into the role of “emperor-for-life” disintegrates.
I have a friend visiting Vientiene, Laos as I type, looking to relocate his Chinese factory there. It’s emblematic of the bleed. Manufacturing costs in China have more than tripled, and China is becoming more hostile to Westerners. Time to go.
Hong Kong
The question of who is helping fund protesters in Hong Kong is a big issue with the Communist Chinese. The money, influence, and weapons stockpiles that the Communists have yet to find, are coming in under the cover of Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s). The US National Endowment for Democracy has been speaking up for the people of Hong Kong. So the Beijing government blames the US. But it’s not just the US. It also comes from NGO’s in Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and Great Britain. Let’s face it. There’s not much to love about Red China.
There are also NGO’s within China that are under scrutiny. Some people associated with that activity have been hauled away by security police for ‘suspicion of subversion’. Keep in mind that there is no habeas corpus rule in China. Once you’re arrested, you stay in custody until the investigation is complete, no matter how long it takes (no statute of limitations either). Changsha Funeng, a public welfare NGO specializing on the rights of the disabled in China is one of those that was targeted because it received funds from outside China. There will be more.
China is going to have to build another Great Wall to keep outsiders away, but at what cost to the economy and social fabric of China?
The United Nations
When it comes to general loathing of an institution, nothing rises to the top of the list the way that the United Nations does. Hosting the representatives of nations (thieves, perverts and freaks for the most part) that comprise the UN opens the door for hundreds of spies with diplomatic passports who flood the nation – more particularly the Northeastern US. And the more galling part is that we have to pay to have them here. At present we pay nearly two billion dollars a year into the UN treasury. I realize that isn’t a particularly large amount but China pays a couple hundred million. Does anyone see a pattern here?
Some would argue that the presence of the UN in New York lends the nation and The Big Apple a sense of gravitas. I have a different take on it. What do we actually get for two billion? When it comes to sanctions on rogue states, other members of the UN inevitably cheat. Are they ejected from the club? No. That wouldn’t be diplomatic.
Thanks for the Monday update, LL.
AFAIC, we get *NOTHING* of value from having the UN in NYC.
And I'm sure that due to the malfeasance of those "diplomats", the cost is actually higher than the $2 billion we give them…..
We need to kick the UN out of NYC, let them go to one of those third world countries they love so much. Re the Iranian base, apparently there is already a 'pool' at a certain airbase in Israel on who is going to get to fly that mission… LOL China is disintegrating from within, whether they acknowledge it or not. The 'little people' have had a taste of capitalism, and they LIKE it…
I wouldn't fold up and throw away a perfectly good UN flag. Cut it into pieces and use it as rags.
Haha. I always lose a day on a Monday holiday. Oh well.
I still appreciate it.
Makes good bore patches.
Naturally, the Israelis will wait until the Iranians are finished building the base before they blow it up.
Naturally.
Israel watches Iran take over Syria and Lebanon on it's borders and knows it is already at war.
Honestly, the rest of the world should pay US for hosting that asylum for them.
Admittedly, all those "diplomats" probably spend a lot of money in NYC, but it probably mostly goes to the underworld for goods and services they require.
-Kle.
The Donald is playing hard ball, and the Chinese don't like it, after taking the US for chumps for 40 + years (since Ping Pong diplomacy with reclusive China initiated by Richard Nixon R-Ca).
Just wait until China runs out of money to build artificial islands, ICBMs and crappy air craft carriers that barely float. I wonder what kind of hissy fit the Chinese will throw when that inevitably happens under The Donald's heavy handed diplomacy?
2 billion? We could put that money towards the WALL.
And I don't know why but the UN reminds me of the EU. Maybe both will move to San Francisco.
"It also comes from NGO's in Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and Great Britain."
Viet Nam spent a thousand ( yes, that is 1,000 ) years fighting to get the Chinese out of their country before the French took them over. There is no love lost between the people of Viet Nam and the Chinese.
Thanks for the post.
Paul L. Quandt
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