Russian Tensions
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Interesting BBC article on the declining fortunes of Ukraine’s oligarchs (the same might be said of Russia’s oligarchs) as a result of the capitalist war. Particularly interesting is the relationship between the central state and the oligarchs.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64075087
The article contends that “The war has only intensified the loss of earnings for Ukraine’s super-rich. But will their demise strengthen Ukraine’s democracy?” Of course, as with Russia, Ukraine hardly qualifies as a democracy – more an autocracy – but the idea that the oligarchs or super-rich are facing their demise (particularly in a country as corrupt as Ukraine which shares with Russia the dubious honour of being one of the most corrupt countries in the world) is utter nonsense. Some of these superrich have simply gone into exile and will no doubt return once the war is over. Zelensky himself has made quite a fortune. Capitalism inevitably produces an oligarchic or superrich capitalist class
This part is particularly of interest:
“The next blow came in late 2021, when Ukraine passed what was known as the “de-oligarchisation bill”.
President Zelensky’s new law defined an oligarch as someone who met three of the following four conditions:
Holding influence over the media or politics
Owning a monopoly
Making millions of dollars a year.All those who qualified were exposed to extra checks and banned from funding political parties.”
Stephen Shenfield’s take on the latest developments.
Stephen, a Russian speaker, has taken a special interest in the situation since 2014.
A Pentagon-commissioned Rand Corporation study examines U.S. options for responding to four scenarios in which Russia attacks a range of NATO targets.
These four scenarios are all hypothetical and premised on a Russian escalation beyond the borders of Ukraine. But the analysis reveals just how fine and precarious the line is between limited and proportionate military responses to Russian escalation and a spiral of escalation that can spin out of control and lead to nuclear war.
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/perspectives/PEA2000/PEA2081-1/RAND_PEA2081-1.pdf
Summary and interpretation at
https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/finding-diplomatic-progress-in-ukraineIn a podcast, Prof Mark Conversino, chief academic officer, and provost of Air University in Montgomery, Alabama; Anna Batta, associate professor of International Security Studies at the university’s Air War College, and Andy Akin, assistant professor of National Security Studies at the university’s Air Command and Staff College discuss the war and also whether it could turn nuclear. (starts 14.40)
This seems plausible (even if it comes from a Trotskyist site). Ukrainian nationalism has always been nasty and there’s nothing like a war for making nationalism nastier.
Essay from Weekly Worker on the respective nationalisms of Ukraine and Russia.
https://www.weeklyworker.co.uk/worker/1424/mongols-versus-vikings/
“… while no-one knows what will emerge out of the Russo-Ukrainian far-right ideological stew, one thing is certain: mutual nationalist radicalisation will lead to more war rather than less.”
According to a White House official there were indications that monetary motives in taking control of its salt and gypsum from mines were driving Russia’s and Prigozhin’s “obsession” with Bakhmut.
Not sure I am convinced.
Out of its force of nearly 50,000 mercenaries, Wagner has sustained more than 4,100 deaths and 10,000 wounded, including over 1,000 killed between late November and early December near Bakhmut
A helpful essay promoting a negotiated settlement
https://countercurrents.org/2023/01/ukraine-crisis-must-come-out-of-the-impasse/
“…Both parties must understand and accept the fact that ultimately there is no military solution to the Ukraine crisis. Hence the process for a diplomatic solution with a give-and-take mentality should be started right now. Delays will only increase the suffering not only of the people of Ukraine and Russia but also of the entire world…The stalemate and uncompromising attitude lead nowhere except further destruction, heavy tolls on both sides, and infliction of further miseries on ordinary people all over the world…It is a no-win situation for both sides…”
“The stalemate and uncompromising attitude lead nowhere except further destruction”
There is no stalemate. Read analysis like that above and you’re actually dumber from having done so. Garbage in, garbage out.
Russia is grinding NATO’s proxy Nazi army to dust.
‘Russia is grinding NATO’s proxy Nazi army to dust.’
Your celebration of the working class murdering each other in the name of their respective oligarchs just illustrates how disturbed you really are TS.
Alas. It seems the way of some.
Workers killing workers seems fine for some, even if it goes against their class interests.
Not sure if TS is an oligarch, hegemony is a funny thing (permission to be oppressed), yet he/she/ver certainly writes in support for a sadistic elite class.
Time out, pause, try not to do any harm to others nor to self.
Breath, in and out.
Do no harm. Do not promote harm
… And exhale!
In the deepest of love: what!, yes in love, do not wish harm.
Too many have died in this war… too many brothers and sisters and vers.A short essay from Bhabani Shankar Nayak, University of Glasgow,
https://countercurrents.org/2023/01/war-and-left/
“…unconditional opposition to Russian invasion of Ukraine, NATO and the neo–Nazi Azov battalion in Ukraine is central to left politics for peace, solidarity and internationalism. It is ideological bankruptcy and reactionary politics to choose one over the other in the name of fighting the enemy and protecting the territorial sovereignty… Territorial nationalism is a ruling class ideology…”
“…unconditional opposition to Russian invasion of Ukraine, NATO and the neo–Nazi Azov battalion in Ukraine is central to left politics for peace, solidarity and internationalism. It is ideological bankruptcy and reactionary politics to choose one over the other in the name of fighting the enemy and protecting the territorial sovereignty… Territorial nationalism is a ruling class ideology…”
_____________________________That´s refreshing to hear! Why is it so difficult for some people to comprehend that opposing one side does not have to mean supporting the other? We are under no obligation to support either side. To do so means in effect you are supporting capitalism, anyway.
I like the author’s qualification, “territorial” nationalism, which distinguishes it from those who accuse socialists of being against cultural identities and unique local customs and ways of living, no matter how often we state we are supportive of diversity and against the McDonaldisation of people.
Shame there are no fuller contact details
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