The Price of Xi´s and Putin's Game Is Paid by Ordinary Russians

Chinese President Xi Jinping told the head of Russia’s Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, that China and Russia should continue to strengthen their cooperation on international and regional affairs.

This development is, in a way, a continuation of the recent trend of China and Russia growing closer in foreign policy. However, it can also be interpreted as China seeking to increase its own influence over Russia in order to eventually turn it into a mere raw material supplier for its own industry.

Nevertheless, due to the war in Ukraine and the resulting Western economic sanctions, President Vladimir Putin—who has driven Russia’s economy into distress—is likely willing to accept Xi’s offers. He is also aware that his own time in power is nearing its end. Therefore, he needs to keep the Russian people satisfied for as long as possible to prevent any revolutionary threats against him and his administration.

In other words, Putin is willing to sacrifice his country’s and his people’s future for the sake of his own security and benefit. And there is little doubt that he will succeed in doing so—or that the price for ordinary Russians will be heavy.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Greenland's Future: A Battleground of Global Powers?
Highlights of the BRICS Meeting in Kazan, Russia
Resisting Putin’s Foolish Dreams

Does Germany’s Ban on Arabic-Language Posters Signal a CDU/CSU-AfD Coalition?

Germany has banned Arabic-language posters in protests taking place on its soil. This decision stems from the fact that disruptive behavior and even outright crimes have increased in demonstrations held in support of Palestine.

Additionally, Arabic-language slogans have called— in Arabic— for the destruction of Israel and Jews, essentially advocating for a continuation of the Holocaust.

The police have acted swiftly, having already interrupted a protest in Berlin where the Palestinian cause was being promoted with Arabic slogans and music. At the same time, some protesters were arrested.

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The ban on the Arabic language should be seen as a reaction to all the events (example, another) that have recently shaken Germany. It is also part of a shift in the political climate, which may ultimately allow Europe to retain its fundamental character despite the reckless immigration policies of recent decades.

For Germany, this has meant growing support for the immigration-critical AfD and BNW parties, as well as a shift in the Christian Democrats’ stance in the same direction. However, the CDU/CSU leader has stated that under no circumstances will he form a government relying on AfD support.

This is a strange promise because, without the AfD— which currently enjoys around 22% support— it is impossible to form an immigration-critical government in Germany. Any other government program would be tantamount to betraying the voters, which could lead to a collapse in CDU/CSU support.

I believe that Chairman Merz understands this as well and will therefore not betray the will of the people. Instead, he will ultimately form a government with the AfD, provided the parties can agree on other issues and current polling numbers hold.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Javier Milei and the Great Western Opportunity
Friedrich Merz Needs the AfD – A Precedent from Finland
Citizen Journalism, Free Speech, and EU Challenges

Sanna Marin´s decision benefits both her and Finland

Former Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin (SDP), decided to leave the parliament because she got a well-paying job at an international company founded by the former left-wing Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom. The purpose of this company is to support politicians in combating the populism that has arisen as a result of the adverse effects of globalization.

Marin's decision immediately brought to mind the fact that this is a clear win-win situation. It's obvious that leaving the parliament for a high-paying position is beneficial for our former Prime Minister, but considering her track record as Finland's Prime Minister, it is also a great advantage for the entire Finnish nation.

On the other hand, it is also true that 35,628 people supported Marin in continuing to represent their interests as a Member of Parliament. The trust of these people has now been betrayed, even though a new female Social Democrat will take Marin's place in the parliament.

Johanna Vuorelma, a political researcher at the University of Helsinki, also noted that Marin's resignation request seems unpleasant, as it creates an image of a politician advancing their own career. This image is certainly accurate but not at all unusual.

It is quite natural that virtually every politician, like other people, seeks to advance their own career alongside their political goals and is willing to take on better opportunities if they arise.

In conclusion, I would like to point out, in Marin's own words, that she will continue to be a social democrat and will act based on the values she has worked with in the past. Apparently, this aligns well with her new employer, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, which originates from the British political left.

The original thought in Finnish:
Marinin lähtö eduskunnasta on onneksi sekä Sannalle että suomalaisille

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
The people long for strict economic policy
The Guardian misleads its readers
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin is quickly losing her national credibility

Victims of Russian leaders

According to the BBC, Russians are reportedly buying cheap apartments from Ukrainians in the captured city of Mariupol. However, the news does not specify who the sellers are.

Based on recent military events (example and another), it's evident that the city won't remain under Russian control for long, and the Ukrainian army will eventually take over, sooner or later. This means that those who have purchased property in Mariupol will inevitably lose their investments, sooner or later.

Both Ukrainians and even Russia's leadership, including Vladimir Putin, are aware of all of this. However, it seems that this information hasn't been conveyed to the Russian populace seeking inexpensive housing in prime locations.

The question arises whether this implies that the sellers are either the Russian government or the leadership of the Russian military, or individuals close to them. Thus, could this be the final cashing in for these entities before the ultimate downfall of their "special operation"? A scheme in which the victims are the misled citizens of their own country?

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Should Putin´s regime be overthrown by supporting Russian opposition?
Russian standard of tanks
Incapable of learning but capable of genocide