The Lead
Double Catastrophe Threat: War Blow-Up, Financial Blow-Out
by Marcia Merry Baker (EIRNS) — Aug. 05, 2024
We face a double crisis today: The stage is set in Southwest Asia, centered on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—backed to the hilt by the United States, for regional escalation to world war; and there is also the crack-up of the Western casino-financial system, which, unless replaced, means financial-economic chaos.
In reviewing the double crisis with associates today, Helga Zepp-LaRouche, leader of the Schiller Institute, called for voices and forces to come forward, visibly and strongly, to mobilize to counter these threats, and make way for a new course. An invitation is going out soon for a special session on Aug. 9 of the International Peace Coalition, to augment world initiatives for diplomacy, peace and development.
There are forces in motion. For example, tomorrow is the commemoration of the Aug. 6, 1945, dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, 79 years ago, a needless action of mass destruction. There are demonstrations for peace set in many locations around the world this week. Likewise, focussed on the UN General Assembly, there is the mobilization of multiple groups seeking for the UNGA to intervene with forces to stop the genocide in Gaza, under the power of the UN Resolution 377, “Uniting for Peace.”
Zepp-LaRouche noted that if the United States would stop its backing for the Israeli genocide in Gaza and the Israeli assassinations and attacks on Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iran, the world’s prospects would improve immediately and drastically. This is a profound responsibility of Americans to face and undertake.
This afternoon at the White House was the National Security Council meeting on the U.S. response to what Israel has unleashed with its double assassinations of Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut (July 30), and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran (July 31). In the last 48 hours, Secretary of State Tony Blinken made a round of calls to the six other member nations of the Group of Seven, to express sham “concern” for what might happen if Iran retaliates on Israel, while at the very same time, U.S. Central Command head Gen. Michael Kurilla flew on Aug. 3 to Israel to be there in person to defend whatever Netanyahu will do. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke by phone with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, promising complete U.S. support. Austin announced on Aug. 2 a buildup in the region of U.S. forces. In the latest move, destroyers USS Laboon and USS Cole have been moved into readiness position in the Red Sea.
In Israel’s latest action, the IDF announced it has assassinated Hamas Economy Minister in Gaza Abdul Fattah Al-Zeriei. The latest count is at least 39,550 Palestinians killed in Gaza, without counting the multi-thousands of missing and deaths from “secondary” causes.
In Tehran today, Russian Federation Security Council Secretary Gen. Sergei Shoigu was present for meetings with the Iranian leadership. First reports are that President Masoud Pezeshkian told Shoigu that Tehran will be expanding relations with Russia, “its strategic partner.” Iran is a key regional member of the BRICS, along with Egypt, the U.A.E., and Ethiopia. Iran is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Iran is the geographic linchpin of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), from Russia, to India, to East Africa, with many nations along the way. Iran is a principal in the Astana Process to bring about peace and prosperity in Syria.
All of this is in the cross-hairs of the current U.S.-Israel axis, bent on stopping development and peace, and threatening all-out war. In fall 2023, a war-simulation game took place in Washington, with staff members of Congressional and government offices, whose final result “showed” that Israel could use its nuclear weapons against Iran and “win.”
We are in a world red-alert situation. The other part of the picture is indicated in today’s stock exchange drama. Japan’s Nikkei index fell more than on Black Monday 1987. On Wall Street, the Dow closed down over 1030 points. The Nasdaq dropped 3%. European exchanges saw big drops. There are several proximate “causes” for this, but the principal feature of the Western financial instability is the disconnect between the money and speculation side, and the physical economic side. The U.S., the German and other Western economies are physically breaking down. Meantime, the “paper” demands in debts and derivatives of all kinds are out of sight. Researcher Ellen Brown reported global derivatives valuation may be in the range of $610 trillion (Bank for International Settlements) to up to even $3.7 quadrillion.
In the U.S. in the first six months this year, 16 hospitals and emergency clinics shut; another 320 in rural areas may shut at any time. Whole communities are hit by the spreading layoffs in all sectors. For example, a wave of shutdowns of farm machinery capacity has been announced with sweeping job cuts, due to the farm income crisis in the U.S. and Europe. These include long famous international brands, John Deere, Massey Ferguson (Agco), Fendt (German, Agco), and Kinsey. Demand for new farm equipment has dropped over 15% in one year, as farm income in the U.S. and Europe is down over 40%.
These threats—economic breakdown and warfare—cross feed each other. The London, Wall Street, Washington, Brussels political complex is the same as the NATO military complex, and economic/financial complex. This reality means that there is no possibility of solving one “issue”—however important, without facing the whole, big picture.
Zepp-LaRouche, terming the whole reality a red-alert situation, said, “Either we get a new paradigm, or we are on a journey to Hell.” We need to mobilize opposition. Make it visible. Intervene to support the emergency formation of a world Council of Reason. The invitation to the 62nd meeting of the International Peace Coalition is headlined, “Final Call Before World War Three—Or First Steps to a New Peace Paradigm?”
Contents
Strategic War Danger
- Israeli Genocide in Gaza Continues, with New Hit on Gaza City School (↓)
- U.S. CentCom Commander Is on Site in Israel; Austin Promises Full U.S. Military Support (↓)
- Russia’s Shoigu in Tehran for Talks on Military Cooperation (↓)
- U.S. War Gaming in 2023 Concluded Israeli Nuclear Strikes against Iran Are Possible (↓)
U.S. and Canada
- Official in Charge Reports on Seven U.S. Nuclear Weapons Programs (↓)
- Sixteen U.S. Hospitals and Emergency Rooms Have Shut Down Since January (↓)
New World Paradigm
- Egyptian President el-Sisi Met with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan (↓)
- Russian and Egyptian Foreign Ministers Discuss Need for Gaza Ceasefire (↓)
- More Calls from German Political Figures for an End to the War in Ukraine (↓)
Collapsing Imperial System
- Austria Wants To Exit from Russian Natural Gas (↓)
- Global Stock Market Ructions Show a System in Grave Crisis (↓)
- Planned Pension Cuts Would Increase Poverty in Germany (↓)
Harley Schlanger Update
Watch The Daily Update with Harley Schlanger, a short video update available every weekday morning from The LaRouche Organization.
