There are times when history stretches out like a long road, as far as the eye can see. But there are other times when long historical processes shift almost overnight, for good, or for ill. We find ourselves in the latter type today, where the world is gripped between an unfathomable horror of global war, and the birth of a new era which has the potential to move beyond the traps which cause wars. In times like this, old routines and habits become far worse than useless—they become deadly.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov today alluded to this when he spoke bluntly about the danger the world faces over the proxy war in Ukraine. Warning the Global NATO crowd about its reckless escalation, right up to Russia’s doorstep, Ryabkov said: “We are not mincing words here, either. Our adversaries simply have to be realistic about what is going on around them, and to refrain from any escalation or provocations against us. Because otherwise something may happen that for now can be discussed only hypothetically.” He reminded people that nuclear deterrence “has always been and is still present” for use by Russia’s military.
This follows the statement on April 4 by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who explained that Russia has been forced to adopt the policy of “preventive warfare,” just as Western countries have for years. “The current developments, aggressive developments around us just make it necessary to reserve such a right as well.” Then, also this week, the sixth wave of NATO expansion took place, this time sweeping in Finland—a move that doubles the previously existing border between Russia and NATO. Russia promised it will take countermeasures, “both tactically and strategically.” New pronouncements about the deployment of nuclear capabilities into Russian ally Belarus were also announced.
These events and others show that the danger of global confrontation is increasing—the historical horizon is rapidly approaching.
Against this backdrop, the breakdown of the trans-Atlantic economies is continuing, where decades of speculative finance and delusional economic theories are hitting a brick wall. Stuck between a self-made paradox, of either printing or constricting money—both with terrible effects—banks are continuing to stumble and credit markets are freezing. The trend of countries around the world retreating from using the dollar is rising, a trend that will only be increasing if its value continues to fall as it has over the recent months.
The case of Malaysia illustrates the changing dynamic, and a thoughtful response to it, as their new prime minister has chosen to move away from trade with the dollar, and towards a stronger relationship with China—especially with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Prime Minister Anwar had also raised the idea of an Asian Monetary Fund at last week’s Boao Forum for Asia in China in order to have increased credit for development in Asia.
The choice between collaboration and mutual economic development, or war and confrontation has never been clearer. Just ask Saudi Arabia and Iran, which chose to hold their first in-person bilateral foreign ministers meeting in Beijing this week.
With the roiling banking crisis across the trans-Atlantic, it would be an obvious opportunity for a needed reorganization of the system and implementation of the long-overdue Glass-Steagall Act—and this before the next bank goes down. Can the unwillingness to address this obvious reality be related to the unwillingness to take a step back from the brink of a global nuclear confrontation with Russia? Of course it is! That is the importance of an all-out mobilization from the general public, demanding a halt to this madness, and the agreement to collaborate in exactly such a new system as is currently being discussed among the so-called Global Majority.
Slivers of reality are breaking out, as can be seen in the moves for a Glass-Steagall-style reform in Switzerland, now increasingly being discussed, or in the case of the feared truth about the Nord Stream bombing—an inconvenient reality that refuses to go away, despite ludicrous cover stories.
Another major inflection point will be the upcoming Schiller Institute conference over the weekend of April 15-16, where these topics will be discussed with participation from around the world. All efforts must be made to grow this breakout process over the next week-and-a-half leading into that event. (https://schillerinstitute.nationbuilder.com/conference_20230415)
There is a such a thing as too late, and your voice is needed immediately.
