Thread image created by yours truly, depicting Iran and Pakistan very impolitely not asking whether America, on the other side of the planet, is okay with them transporting gas around.
The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline has long been obstructed by American involvement in the region. Iran completed its section of the pipeline quite quickly, but Pakistan has been unable to finish its construction for a decade due to the fear of falling afoul of American sanctions on Iran. The United States has repeatedly tried to pressure Pakistan to give up the project and obtain gas from other countries instead. Recent articles on the state of the pipeline are contradictory, with some stating that Iran or Pakistan have given up on the pipeline while American sanctions persist. Pakistani officials reject this framing, saying that they are still working with Iran to try and get the project completed somehow. Nonetheless, Iran is becoming increasingly frustrated and is threatening a legal battle and a demand for reparations.
Meanwhile, back in Niger, the $13 billion under-construction pipeline connecting Nigeria and other West African countries to Spain and Italy will likely face delays due to the sanctions applied by the West and ECOWAS on Niger. Those following the European gas fiasco will be aware that while Spain and Italy have been impacted by the energy crisis, they have been very busy making deals with African countries to replace their Russian gas, and thus stand a better chance than Germany of making it through the crisis with their industries somewhat intact. The coup has thrown a wrench into their plans, though they can still obtain some gas from northern African countries.
And, last but not least, America tried for years to stop the construction of the Nord Stream pipelines between Germany and Russia, which culminated in them deciding to blow them up late last year.
All in all - the United States really does not like it when countries build up energy infrastructure and gain some independence from them.
Here is the map of the Ukraine conflict, courtesy of Wikipedia.
This week's first update is here in the comments.
This week's second update is here in the comments.
This week's third update is here in the comments.
Links and Stuff
The bulletins site is down.
Examples of Ukrainian Nazis and fascists
Examples of racism/euro-centrism during the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Add to the above list if you can.
Resources For Understanding The War
Defense Politics Asia's youtube channel and their map. Their youtube channel has substantially diminished in quality but the map is still useful.
Moon of Alabama, which tends to have interesting analysis. Avoid the comment section.
Understanding War and the Saker: reactionary sources that have occasional insights on the war.
Alexander Mercouris, who does daily videos on the conflict. While he is a reactionary and surrounds himself with likeminded people, his daily update videos are relatively brainworm-free and good if you don't want to follow Russian telegram channels to get news. He also co-hosts The Duran, which is more explicitly conservative, racist, sexist, transphobic, anti-communist, etc when guests are invited on, but is just about tolerable when it's just the two of them if you want a little more analysis.
On the ground: Patrick Lancaster, an independent and very good journalist reporting in the warzone on the separatists' side.
Unedited videos of Russian/Ukrainian press conferences and speeches.
Telegram Channels
Again, CW for anti-LGBT and racist, sexist, etc speech, as well as combat footage.
Pro-Russian
https://t.me/aleksandr_skif ~ DPR's former Defense Minister and Colonel in the DPR's forces. Russian language.
https://t.me/Slavyangrad ~ A few different pro-Russian people gather frequent content for this channel (~100 posts per day), some socialist, but all socially reactionary. If you can only tolerate using one Russian telegram channel, I would recommend this one.
https://t.me/s/levigodman ~ Does daily update posts.
https://t.me/patricklancasternewstoday ~ Patrick Lancaster's telegram channel.
https://t.me/gonzowarr ~ A big Russian commentator.
https://t.me/rybar ~ One of, if not the, biggest Russian telegram channels focussing on the war out there. Actually quite balanced, maybe even pessimistic about Russia. Produces interesting and useful maps.
https://t.me/epoddubny ~ Russian language.
https://t.me/boris_rozhin ~ Russian language.
https://t.me/mod_russia_en ~ Russian Ministry of Defense. Does daily, if rather bland updates on the number of Ukrainians killed, etc. The figures appear to be approximately accurate; if you want, reduce all numbers by 25% as a 'propaganda tax', if you don't believe them. Does not cover everything, for obvious reasons, and virtually never details Russian losses.
https://t.me/UkraineHumanRightsAbuses ~ Pro-Russian, documents abuses that Ukraine commits.
Pro-Ukraine
Almost every Western media outlet.
https://discord.gg/projectowl ~ Pro-Ukrainian OSINT Discord.
https://t.me/ice_inii ~ Alleged Ukrainian account with a rather cynical take on the entire thing.
Last week's discussion post.
Update for August 16th
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Global
Putin Points to Steady Development of Multipolar World Order^TS^
Europe
UK unemployment on the rise despite record wage growth^AM^
Raw sewage, farming pollution blight 90% of England’s rivers^AM^
Student living costs reach ‘historic’ highs in France^Euractiv^
Wild boar 'invasion': Another Italian city faces a particularly porcine problem^EN^
Poland displays military might in huge parade as elections loom^Euractiv^
Latvia’s prime minister announces resignation^Euractiv^
Who must go?
Western Asia
Middle East's groundwater shortage: Will it soon run out?^DW^
Nobody can really say because the studies haven't been done.
Azerbaijan: Authorities smash unionization efforts for gig workers^EN^
Khashoggi murder: Tony Blair Institute kept advising Saudi Arabia after killing^MEE^
As long as I am breathing in air... I wish the trial of Tony Blair.
US F-35s come 'dangerously' close to Russian Su-35s in Syria's Al-Tanf^AM^
Central Asia
Any attempt to sabotage CPEC, friendship with Pakistan will not succeed: Chinese foreign ministry^Dawn^
In relation to an attack on a Chinese convoy in Gwadar Port.
China calls for greater international support for Afghanistan, but tells Taliban world has ‘some expectations’ on progress^SCMP^
Eastern Asia and Oceania
Latest China satellite Ludi Tance to survey one-third of Earth in high-orbit breakthrough^SCMP^
China stocks Iranian oil, highest imports volume in a decade^AM^
China suspends release of youth unemployment rate^ANN^
China chip output growth slows in July as self-sufficiency drive continues^SCMP^
I'm hearing China is a mere 8 days from collapse.
Is China’s property crisis at breaking point? Country Garden heads for debt workout while Sino-Ocean misses payments^SCMP^
Apparently the troubled country is just 5 days from collapse.
China’s maritime ambitions boosted, claims largest shipping fleet title from Greece^SCMP^
No Breakthroughs But Lots of Good Vibes After Two Days of Chinese, Indian Border Talks^CGS^
And isn't good vibes what life's all about, after all?
Taiwanese investing more in South Asia, Asean than mainland China amid global supply chains reshuffle^SCMP^
Philippines sees risk of conflict over Taiwan as a ‘major concern’^TST^
US soldier entered DPRK seeking refuge from "unequal American society"^AM^
ADHD diagnoses in South Korea rise by 80% compared to 4 years ago^ANN^
Indonesia’s quartz sand export ban seen to push domestic solar panel manufacturing^ANN^
Government to start random emission tests as poor air chokes Jakarta^TJP^
Vietnam eyes sustainable development of coastal cities^ANN^
Africa
Mali's president engages Putin on phone about Niger coup^AN^
Ghana opposition warn president on Niger troop plans^AN^
Nigeriens call for mass recruitment of volunteers as the junta faces possible regional invasion^AN^
Beyond Niger: How ECOWAS became a tool for Western imperialism in Africa^MR^
The Corporate Make-up of the Mining Industry in South Africa: Profit Survey 2023^MR^
The World Bank funding freeze will harm the queer Ugandans it claims to defend^OD^
Angola's president inspects Chinese-built dam^PD^
China and Russia pursue Eritrea for its strategic location in Africa, resources and transport potential^SCMP^
The Pentagon must surely hate Nuland - another distraction.