A big Thank You to Eric D. Mertz for once again bringing us the Foreign News Debrief!!
**China**
China defends foreign exchange policies ater Trump vows to label them currency manipulators
Once more, Trump is half right and half wrong on an issue. Yes, China has been manipulating their currency for close to a decade, but it is the government instituted slave wages which drove the manufacturing boom.
China’s bullying instincts on display
Hong Kong Book Dealer kidnapped by Chinese government seaks out about mistreatment. Details reveal the PRC is operating in direct violation of the “One Country, Two Systems” policy implemented when Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997.
China angry at Japan’s “meddling” in the South China Sea
Japan has been sticking up for smaller nations whose economic and territorial interests have been threatened by China’s “Nine-Dash Line”. Unsurprisingly, China is rather thoroughly angry over the idea.
China participates in RIMPAC exercises
Does anyone else see the obvious problem here, or is it just me?
**Ukraine and Russia**
Merkel says EU will extend Russian Sanctions
Due to the failed cease-fire in Donetsk, the EU will be extending sanctions on Russia for a further six months. Expect to see a number of MEP’s who have either aligned with Russia or allowed themselves to be bought by Russia to begin decrying the sanctions and trying to push for a reversal of this course.
NATO carries out wargames in Ukraine
The latest in NATO wargames designed to train commanders in how to counter-attack a Russian push into Eastern Europe, Rapid Trident 16 is widely seen as a show of defiance to an ever more belligerent Russia. Ukraine, Georgia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Lithuania, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Turkey took part in the war games along side the US, Canada, and Great Britain. Expect Dugin to speak on this soon.
Speaking of the modern Rasputin, Russian media are hailing Putin’s recent visit to Greece’s Mount Athos – a monastic state run by the various Orthodox Christian Churches under the Ecumenical Patriarch – as another step on the path to forming Dugin’s dream of a Eurasian Union. Something which the humiliation of Georgia in 2008, the ongoing dissolution of Ukraine, and the recent retreat of the “Atlantean” Great Britain from the EU helps to bring about.
**Europe**
Sweden launched an eHighway
Sweden has opened the first electronic highway which will power electric vehicles from overhead power lines. Aimed at semi-trucks, this could allow for unlimited distance shipping for cheaper prices – assuming Sweden is willing to build nuclear power plants that is.
German people are calling for a Dexit n In/Out Referendum, citing Merkel and the EU’s immigration policies. However, the German constitution makes national referendums difficult due to worries over how the Nazis manipulated plebiscites in the past.
**Brexit and UK Politics**
Bank of England expected to cut rates
Following the Brexit, the Bank of England is expected to cut basis rates following the Brexit decision. The Governor of the Bank of England announced the BOE will continue holding qeekly liquity auctions.
Standard and Poor’s has cut the EU’s credit rating from AA+ to AA following the Brexit, citing the increased chance the EU itself may come apart under increasing stress from within.
LA Times lays out the divorce plan for the Brexit
The actual process is expected to take up to two years to complete, but it cannot begin until a New PM is chosen by the Conservatives before the end of August. From there, the UK and the EU will have to negotiate trade and movement deals with the EU. Assuming it still exists two years from now.
**North Africa and Middle East**
Algeria foils ISIS attack
Possessing one of the most feared domestic security aparatuses in the Middle East and North Africa, Algeria managed to foil an ISIS attack on a shopping mall in Setif, 300 miles south of Algiers. Sources in the nation’s security apparatus indicate this cell had links to the ISIS terrorists currently holding southern Libya.
Speaking of Libya, the New York Times has an indepth story on the siege of the ISIS stronghold of Surt by Libyan government aligned militias.
ISIS Convoys fleeing Fallujah hit by airstrikes
Coalition reports indicate 175 vehicles were destroyed by the airstrikes. Its believed as many as 250 militants may have been killed in the airstrikes due to the size of the vehicles hit. NPR has video
Turkey has announced arrests in recent bombing spree
Turkey has arrested 14 conspirators in the recent spate of terror attacks carried out by ISIS in the country.
US Navy personnel divulged sensitive information while in Iranian custody. Expect a spate of Courts Martial coming soon.
Iran hiring Afghan Shias to fight ISIS
“Recruit” may be the wrong word, but Pashtun fighters are appearing in Pro-Assad Militias in Syria. The tactics Iran is using rather closely resembles those of ISIS.
**India and Pakistan**
Pakistan getting serious about border security
After close to a decade of near-civil war in Pakistan, the government has gotten serious about internal and border security.
**South America**
Venezuela spirals into civil war
The unrest in Venezuela has given rise to banditry aimed at government food trucks. Worse predicted ahead.
**Financial**
How China Took Center Stage in Bitcoin’s Civil War
A majority of BitCoin nodes are now located on Chinese soil. 70% of all transactions are conducted through just four Chinese firms.
