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Image is from this article, of a Chilean copper quarry.
Title is a reference to Trump's social media post about copper, which was, as usual, mostly deranged.
Trying to follow Trump's administration is pretty difficult, but as of right now, he is threatening 30% tariffs on Mexico and the EU starting on August 1st, as well as new tariff announcements on a bunch of other countries (including, bizarrely, a 50% tariff on Brazil), and also apparently a 50% tariff on copper, which the US imports half its supply of and is, of course, a very important metal in many applications.
I'm not sure what the plan is to bring back domestic copper production beyond hoping that it just sorta works out, but prominent copper producers, such as Chile and Canada, seem both concerned and confused. Reuters had a line that made me chuckle:
Boric said he was awaiting official communication from the U.S. government, including whether the tariffs would include copper cathodes, and questioned "whether this will actually be implemented or not."
Big mood, Boric.
Last week's thread is here.
The Imperialism Reading Group is here.
Please check out the RedAtlas!
The bulletins site is here. Currently not used.
The RSS feed is here. Also currently not used.
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Sources on the fighting in Palestine against Israel. In general, CW for footage of battles, explosions, dead people, and so on:
UNRWA reports on Israel's destruction and siege of Gaza and the West Bank.
English-language Palestinian Marxist-Leninist twitter account. Alt here.
English-language twitter account that collates news.
Arab-language twitter account with videos and images of fighting.
English-language (with some Arab retweets) Twitter account based in Lebanon. - Telegram is @IbnRiad.
English-language Palestinian Twitter account which reports on news from the Resistance Axis. - Telegram is @EyesOnSouth.
English-language Twitter account in the same group as the previous two. - Telegram here.
English-language PalestineResist telegram channel.
More telegram channels here for those interested.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Examples of Ukrainian Nazis and fascists
Examples of racism/euro-centrism during the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Sources:
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.
Simplicius, who publishes on Substack. Like others, his political analysis should be soundly ignored, but his knowledge of weaponry and military strategy is generally quite good.
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.
Pro-Russian Telegram Channels:
Again, CW for anti-LGBT and racist, sexist, etc speech, as well as combat footage.
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 Telegram Channels:
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.
So, as I understood, Turkey and the gulf states were OK with the Julani comprador state if it meant stability in the region and kicking Iran out.
I can't imagine they are too happy at the destabilization taking place in Syria. Will they spring into action?
US attacks on Iran damaged only one of three nuclear sites targeted: Report
Full Article Text
US attacks on Iran damaged only one of three nuclear sites targeted: Report
President Trump reportedly called off a sustained, multi-week US bombing campaign that would have been needed to destroy Iran's nuclear program
A new US intelligence assessment has concluded that only one of the three Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities targeted in last month’s US airstrikes was seriously damaged, casting doubt on US President Donald Trump’s claims that Iran’s nuclear capabilities were completely obliterated, NBC News reported on 17 July.
According to five current and former US officials, the Fordow facility sustained significant damage, setting back enrichment activities there. However, the other two sites – Natanz and Isfahan – suffered only partial degradation. Intelligence suggests that Iran could resume operations at those locations within several months.
The findings, shared with US lawmakers and allied governments in recent days, indicate a more nuanced picture than the Trump administration initially presented. Following the strikes, President Trump declared the operation “a spectacular military success” and asserted that Iran’s “key enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.”
However, the internal assessment suggests otherwise. While Fordow’s setback is considered major, analysts believe that the other facilities could quickly return to operational status, especially if Iran decides not to re-engage in nuclear negotiations.
A White House spokesperson maintained the administration’s line, stating, “Operation Midnight Hammer totally obliterated Iran’s nuclear capabilities.” The Pentagon echoed that stance, with spokesman Sean Parnell dismissing media reports as “fake news” and reiterating that Iran’s nuclear program had been “destroyed, in the dirt.”
Despite such rhetoric, planning documents reveal that US Central Command had originally developed a broader military operation that included additional targets and a prolonged campaign that could have lasted weeks. President Trump ultimately rejected that plan, reportedly due to concerns over potential casualties and his desire to avoid further entanglement in the region.
“We were willing to go all the way in our options, but the president did not want to,” one of the sources with knowledge of the plan told NBC News.
On the Iranian side, officials have offered conflicting responses. On 27 June, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged “excessive and serious” damage to some facilities following the US attack. But Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, dismissed the strikes as ineffective, stating that they “failed to accomplish anything significant.”
Several reports have emerged suggesting Iran was able to move much of its stockpile of enriched uranium to new locations in advance of the bombing.
Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi explained that the extent of the damage done in the actual strikes was not crucial.
“Bombing cannot erase this knowledge – it will only come back stronger,” he stated.
Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful, while the US and Israel claim Tehran is seeking a nuclear weapon, which would help counter Israel’s nuclear capabilities.
press needs a month to figure out what hexbear newsmega knew right away
There's nothing really new about the intelligence assessment, it's been known since the attack took place that no attempt was made to bomb or penetrate underground into the Isfahan facility, where only Tomahawk cruise missiles were used to bomb the entrances and exits, entombing it. Whatever is inside there should be intact, if Iran wants to retrieve it. There was excavation work at one of the entrances, but there has been no further attempts to dig out any of the other entrances. At Natanz, only 2 of the GBU-57 MOP 30 000lb bunker buster bombs were used, vs 12 at Fordow. This was mainly contingency in case previous Israeli airstrikes at Natanz didn't have the expected outcome. All above ground infrastructure at Isfahan and Natanz, including the Natanz pilot fuel enrichment plant and Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility, were destroyed or severely damaged by both Israeli and US airstrikes.
Iran could reume operations at the underground site in Isfahan immediately if they wanted to for example, digging out a bunch of entrances is not difficult.
Syrian State TV coverage suddenly ends. Syrian local sources deny that the clashes have spread inside As-Suweyda and clarify that they are confined to the outskirts of the city. Reports of Israeli airstrikes in Homs. Reports that Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and his family have left Damascus – Al-Mayadeen
Al Mayadeen has claimed that an assassination operation targeted 3 major figures in the Syrian Transitional Administration, including Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra.
The TV station was stormed by a rogue Syrian military unit – Al Mayadeen
Israeli/Western backed Syrian coup?
Well, either way, the answer is yes, but who will emerge at the top is still unknown. We only know the bottom will be the workers and people who didn’t sell out their neighbors. Or this could all be fake and Jolani is chilling
Al Mayadeen reporting that Jolani has left the Syrian capital accompanied by his family.
Compradors realize that you are pawns that are always sacrificed in the end challenge (impossible)
It's more than that according to Al Mayadeen, here's the link to their post
- Syria's transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa left the Syrian capital Damascus with his family
- A military contingent enters the radio and television building in a surprise move to take over control of the television
- Assassination of 3 senior figures in the Syrian transitional administration, including Defence Minister Marhaf Abu Qusra
Al Mayadeen reporting on Syria so take it with a large grain of salt.
Another Coup in Syria?
Or Israel tried to assassinate him, who knows.
Israel probably doesn't want a stable Syria, so they are killing anyone who could at least unify Syria, even if that person is pro-West. Pretty sure they also tried to kill non-governmental Iranian political leaders during the air strikes.
he's going to moscow so he can start a podcast with Assad and Yanukovych.
the buddy comedy hollywood won't let us have because of woke
The Duran but Worse
Who knows what the fuck is going on in Syria rn. Further escalation, I think, and israel has continued bombing, including a strike on Homs in the last hour. No idea where this leads. Seems like Arab clans are pouring into the south to attack the Druze militias who have been carrying out their own mass killings. Erdogan is a watermelon seller and the son of a dog.
I always thought the whole "Russia is baiting Ukraine into a war of attrition what a smart strategy" thing was dumb, because who wants to get into a war of attrition? Especially when you're trying to make the land you're taking a part of your country, you're going to have to rebuild all of that depopulated land. I don't think they could have avoided it but it's not a good thing to spend years and thousands of lives grinding through fortifications, even if you're the Russian army and you have to go through a mandatory set of purges for incompetence in the first 2 years of any given war.
also who remembers the T-14 Armata? that was fun
Well, the war is about an existential threat to Russia, so they will do the fighting whatever it takes.
It just seems that they have taken the best strategic route that has allowed them to minimize casualties while methodically disarming NATO as a whole and while also avoiding excessively fast escalation, which is a major consideration in this nuclear armed world, see Iran-Israel.
I think that it is thanks to the experience of the SMO that Iran decided to go the way of attrition in its own war against the Zionist entity. It has proven effective to today's war doctrine of the West.
I don't think the primary plan was to go for a war of attrition. In my opinion the primary plan was to quickly enter Ukraine, encircle their capital city, and then Ukraine capitulates and signs the ceasefire/surrender document. The supply lines to Kyiv/Kiev, Kherson city, etc, were in no ways sustainable. Russia did not expect Ukraine to fight back (and a lot of this initial fight back from Ukraine was with minimal western military support), and that's where the initial invasion plan did not work. Russia is in a war of attrition now because that's the option available to them that has the greatest chance of succeeding, where Russia has the greatest advantages over Ukraine in manpower, stocks of equipment, self sufficient industry, etc.
The T-14 Armata tank fell into a lot of the traps military designs do, which is that it was designed to fight the "previous war". It took the lessons learnt from the US invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan/Global War on Terror, and applied them. Unfortunately, those lessons are irrelevant on the battlefield in Ukraine. There were also several serious problems with it, from the engine design to the planned optics. I think that Russia should scrap the project, which they've probably already done. Tanks need a rethink given what we've seen in Ukraine.
. Russia did not expect Ukraine to fight back (and a lot of this initial fight back from Ukraine was with minimal western military support), and that's where the initial invasion plan did not work.
weird how they didn't learn anything from the previous 50 years of wars
I mean, the Russian plan worked. Ukraine signed the capitulation documents in Istanbul.
Then the west directly intervened and made them back out, promised support and killed the negotiators.
They did. They just learned the wrong things.
Their first assumption was that Ukraine wouldn't fight back because most Russian (and Eastern Ukrianian) civilians consider them to 'brother-peoples'. In that way, they were legitimately able to take Crimea not only without a fight, but also without really any amount of internal resistance. Due to the general corruption of the Ukrianian government, they figured it would basically be the same deal, with them coming in as 'saviors'. In addition to this, they definitely believed the story of Desert Storm "Large mobile convoy with air support is able rush forward quickly to obliterate Iraq's army." without taking into account the two things that actually made it successful (which of course worked in Iraq but not Afghanistan due to the country being far less centralized, this also worked on Libya and Syria and to some extent Iran) which was, sanctions to impoverish the society and wide scale bribery to military officers with promises of clemency in the new administration to abandon their posts.
Russia did not perform sanctions on Ukraine even as they were in the middle of a low scale ethnic civil war, and this were not able to bribe a sufficient number of Ukrianian officers. It especially was not effective as cutouts in the U.S. have been bribing the Ukrianian government and military with funding and weapons for years, with promises of continued support if they sustained their aggressive ethnic policies towards ethnic Russian Ukrainians, and support if conflict ensued (even though no one in the Ukrainian government actually thought they were going to launch an assault on the country). Therefore, it was not, and could not be effective, and Russia fundamentally misunderstood the nature of their relationship with Ukraine.
"Large mobile convoy with air support is able rush forward quickly to obliterate Iraq's army." without taking into account the two things that actually made it successful.
Also, the US Air Force and Navy invested a ton of money, assets and resources into how to suppress and destroy air defences after taking enormous losses in Vietnam, even building hundreds of specialised aircraft designed just for that mission. The US also invested heavily into stealth aircraft and precision guided munitions. The Soviet Union, and by extension Russia didn't do this (because it was never essential to their military doctrine and it's extremely expensive), which is why over three years into the Ukraine war and despite decimating the Ukrainian Air Force aircraft at the start of the conflict, Russian aircraft rarely cross the line of contact into Ukrainian controlled skies/territory.
"we'll be greeted as liberators" doesnt ever work and especially not when you're fighting the side with the most advanced propaganda apparatus in history
I'm with you on this. The initial operation fucked up spectacularly and they lost a lot of very good soldiers, particularly in the Hostomel Airport operation.
Hostomel was fucking crazy. Really lame thing to say but the first few days of that war literally felt like watching clips from some Battlefield game.
The initial invasion went pretty well, all things considered. I'd say it was a military success. I think it was more of a political/intelligence failure that they didn't account for the US forcing Ukraine to continue the war at any cost.
After that fizzled out, they didn't really have a choice but a war of attrition.
Hostomel airport was a catastrophic failure.
If you have reasonably credible sources, I'd be interested to look at them. I'm aware of the Western propaganda, but I haven't seen much solid evidence.
To my knowledge, Russia held the airport until they realized that Ukraine wasn't going to capitulate and then they withdrew from the entire Kiev front.
In a direct reference to President Donald Trump, Lula was emphatic: "We don't accept anyone, from any country outside Brazil, meddling in our internal problems. This is the first time in the history of this country that we have three four-star generals in jail. And they're not in jail for nothing. They're in prison because they tried to stage a coup. And they're going to be tried, not because Lula wants them to be. They're going to be tried on the basis of the case file."
The president compared the Brazilian situation to the attempted coup in the United States in 2021: “If Trump had tried here in Brazil what he did on Capitol Hill, he could also be arrested.” Lula continued in a confrontational tone. "It's not a gringo who's going to order this president of the Republic. I know who I have to respect in this country. That person's name has only four letters: his name is the Brazilian people."
Trump has been diagnosed with Chronic venous insufficiency
Idk what that means though but I hope he suffers 
hopefully it kills him