The imperial core is continuing the process of self-cannibalization as the interimperial wars between Europe and the US over resource and territorial control continue. Greenland, populated with less than a hundred thousand heavily exploited people, is the newest territory to fall under Trump’s gaze. The main draw is the mineral resources present there, of which it boasts nickel, copper, cobalt, and platinum, and much more than remains unexplored under the ice. But the ice is melting, and profit must be made. There is an additional element of wanting Arctic territory to counter Chinese and especially Russian interests and aims; Russia is increasingly eyeing the northern Arctic route as an alternative to more vulnerable routes through the Suez Canal or around Africa, and is investing heavily in icebreakers for that purpose.
However, even if Europe possessed the desire to resist American annexations - and they absolutely do not, at the end of the day - they do not even have the ability. Denmark may, to a lesser or greater extent, make angry sounds and talk about national honour or some such, but their military would be trampled underfoot by even the New York Police Department, let alone a concerted military effort by the US. If Trump wants Greenland, he will have it. This will naturally increase the grumbling in Europe about reconsidering the Transatlantic alliance, and that grumbling may, in the medium-term future, as the American Empire continues its decline, lead to meaningful results. But in the short term, Europe shall have to bear whatever Trump throws at them, for they obviously cannot now ally with Russia, who was the natural counterweight to American interests for decades before 2022.
Last week’s thread is here.
The Imperialism Reading Group is here.
Please check out the HexAtlas!
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.
Part 3
Article 20
With the aim of increasing the volume of mutual trade, the Contracting Parties shall create conditions for the development of cooperation between credit institutions of the Contracting Parties, taking into account international legal instruments on combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism, to which the Contracting Parties are parties, the use of various instruments of trade financing, the development of joint projects for the support of mutual exports, the increase of investment potential, the expansion of mutual investments between individuals, state and private enterprises, and shall ensure appropriate support for mutual investments.
The Contracting Parties will cooperate to create a new payment infrastructure independent of third countries, transition to bilateral payments in national currencies, strengthen direct interbank cooperation and promote national financial products.
The Contracting Parties shall expand their cooperation with the aim of developing trade and encouraging investments in the Special/Free Economic Zones of the Contracting Parties.
The Contracting Parties shall assist the Special/Free Economic Zones of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation in carrying out measures aimed at establishing joint ventures in areas of mutual interest and shall pay attention to the establishment of industrial zones.
The Contracting Parties declare their readiness to develop mutually beneficial cooperation in the gold mining, gold processing, diamond and jewelry industries.
Article 21
The Contracting Parties, taking into account their capabilities and capacities, will support close cooperation in the field of transport and confirm their desire to comprehensively develop partnership in the field of transport on the basis of mutual benefit.
The Contracting Parties shall provide favorable conditions for transport operators of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation, facilitate the process of transportation and movement of passengers using all modes of transport and increase their volume, and ensure the effective use of road and border infrastructure.
The Contracting Parties shall expand cooperation in the field of road, rail, air, sea and combined transport, as well as in the training of specialists in the field of transport.
The Contracting Parties shall actively cooperate in the development of international transport corridors passing through the territories of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation, in particular the North-South International Transport Corridor. This cooperation shall include the promotion of goods originating from one Contracting Party in the markets of third countries, as well as the creation of conditions for the development of integrated transport through transport corridors, both through bilateral transport and through transit transport on their territories.
The Contracting Parties will employ new developments in the field of digital transport systems.
The Contracting Parties shall support close coordination within international transport industry organizations, establish mutually beneficial cooperation between transport executive bodies and enterprises, and facilitate their participation in international transport industry events.
Article 22
The Contracting Parties shall expand cooperation in the oil and gas sector on the basis of the principles of equality and mutual benefit and shall take measures to increase the energy security of the Contracting Parties through the optimal use of fuel and energy resources.
The Contracting Parties shall expand bilateral cooperation in the field of energy in the following areas:
The Contracting Parties shall enhance the level of cooperation, exchange of views and experiences in the field of renewable energy sources.
Article 23
The Contracting Parties will undertake to develop and expand long-term and mutually beneficial relations for the purpose of implementing joint projects in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy, including the construction of nuclear energy facilities.
Article 24
The Contracting Parties shall develop cooperation in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, veterinary medicine, plant protection and quarantine, and seed production in order to increase trade and mutual access of agricultural products to the markets of the Contracting Parties and the markets of third countries.
The Contracting Parties shall take the necessary measures to ensure the health of agricultural products, raw materials and foodstuffs, which must comply with the requirements established in the field of sanitary and epidemiological surveillance, veterinary medicine, quarantine and phytosanitary control (supervision), as well as the requirements for the safe use of pesticides and agricultural chemicals or other requirements established by the legislation of the Contracting Parties.
Article 25
The Contracting Parties shall carry out customs cooperation, including the implementation of projects to create a facilitated customs corridor, mutual recognition of programs of authorized economic operators in order to encourage the creation of secure supply chains of goods, the organization of administrative cooperation and the exchange of customs information between their customs authorities.
Article 26
The Contracting Parties shall expand cooperation in the field of antitrust policy in order to promote fair competition in national markets and improve the welfare of the people.
Article 27
The Contracting Parties will develop cooperation on issues such as mutual recognition of standards, test results and certificates of conformity, direct use of standards, exchange of experiences and new developments in the field of ensuring measurement uniformity, training of experts, and expansion of recognition of test results between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation.
Article 28
The Contracting Parties shall cooperate in the fields of healthcare, science and medical education, including within the framework of relevant international organizations, in the following areas:
Organizing the state health system and managing activities in the health sector;
Prevention and treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases;
Protecting the health of mothers and children;
Establishing government regulations governing the distribution of drugs for medical use and medical equipment;
Promoting a healthy lifestyle;
Medical research;
Applying digital technologies in healthcare;
Professional training of medical specialists;
Other areas of cooperation of mutual interest.
Article 29
The Contracting Parties shall strengthen cooperation in ensuring the health and epidemiological well-being of the population on the basis of national legislation and state policies in the field of prevention and control of infectious diseases, as well as international treaties to which they are parties.
The Contracting Parties shall strengthen coordination in the field of health, epidemiological and food hygiene.
The Contracting Parties shall facilitate the harmonization of sanitary requirements and food safety standards and mutual participation in relevant events organized by them.
Article 30
The Contracting Parties shall develop and strengthen long-term and constructive relations in the fields of higher education, science, technology and innovation, implement joint scientific and technical projects, and encourage the establishment and development of direct contacts between interested educational and scientific institutions of the Contracting Parties.
The Contracting Parties shall assist in the development of direct cooperation between interested educational and scientific institutions of higher education, including in the development and implementation of joint scientific, technical and research programs and projects, the exchange of scientific and educational personnel and students, scientific and technical information, scientific literature, periodicals and bibliographies.
The Contracting Parties shall facilitate the exchange of experience and information on issues related to the regulation of legal regulations in the field of scientific, technical and innovative activities, the organization and holding of conferences, symposiums, meetings, exhibitions and other joint scientific events.
The Contracting Parties shall support the learning of official languages, the study of literature, history and culture of the other Contracting Party in their higher education institutions.
The Contracting Parties shall assist their citizens in continuing their education in educational institutions of the other Contracting Party.
Article 31
The Contracting Parties shall strengthen interaction and exchange of views and experiences in the field of exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.
Part 4
Article 32
The Contracting Parties will strengthen relations between the mass media, as well as in areas such as printing and publishing, promoting Persian and Russian literature, and expanding socio-cultural, scientific and economic relations by encouraging mutual acquaintance and communication between the peoples of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation.
Article 33
The Contracting Parties shall encourage their mass media to cooperate extensively in raising public awareness and supporting the free dissemination of information, in order to jointly combat fake news and negative propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation, and to counter the dissemination of false information of public importance that threatens the national interests and security of either Contracting Party, as well as other forms of media abuse.
Article 34
The Contracting Parties shall promote the development of greater interaction in the field of culture and art, including through the organization of mutual cultural events and the encouragement of direct contact between their cultural institutions with the aim of maintaining dialogue, deepening cultural cooperation and implementing joint projects with educational and cultural purposes.
The Contracting Parties shall facilitate the acquaintance of the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation with each other’s culture and traditions, encourage the learning of their official languages (Persian and Russian), and encourage contacts between educational institutions, including the exchange of experiences between teachers of Persian and Russian languages, their knowledge enhancement and retraining, the development of educational materials for learning Persian and Russian as foreign languages, taking into account national characteristics, and shall also encourage contacts between people of literature, art and music.
The Contracting Parties will provide favorable conditions for the activities of the Iranian Cultural Center in Moscow and the Russian Cultural Center in Tehran, based on the Agreement on the Establishment and Framework for the Activities of Cultural Centers between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Government of the Russian Federation dated 24 Farvardin 1400 AH (equivalent to 13 April 2021).
Article 35
The Contracting Parties shall support extensive cooperation in the public and private sectors in the fields of promoting cultural heritage, tourism, arts and crafts in order to increase public awareness of the socio-cultural richness and various tourist attractions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation, and shall encourage direct communication between their tourism organizations.
Article 36
The Contracting Parties shall encourage bilateral exchanges between young people, facilitate direct contacts between creative, sports, socio-political and other youth associations, and encourage the holding of joint meetings, conferences and thematic consultations on youth issues.
Article 37
The Contracting Parties will facilitate the strengthening of cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports through the exchange of coaches and other specialists in the field of physical education and sports, as well as expand direct contacts between their sports organizations.
Article 38
The Contracting Parties shall provide each other with possible assistance in preventing the occurrence of natural and man-made disasters, responding to them and mitigating their effects, as well as in developing and improving the crisis management system.
Article 39
The Contracting Parties shall cooperate in the field of environmental protection through the exchange of experiences in the rational use of natural resources, the provision of environmentally friendly technologies, and the implementation of environmental protection measures.
Article 40
The Contracting Parties shall facilitate cooperation, exchange of views and experience in the field of water resources management.
Article 41
The Contracting Parties may, if necessary, conclude separate agreements to determine the specific areas and components of cooperation contained in this Treaty.
Article 42
The Contracting Parties will exchange views on the implementation of the provisions of this Treaty, including at regular summits and high-level meetings.
Article 43
This Treaty shall not affect the rights and obligations of the Contracting Parties arising from other international treaties.
Article 44
Any dispute arising from the interpretation or implementation of the provisions of this Treaty shall be settled through consultations and negotiations between the Contracting Parties through diplomatic channels.
Article 45
This Treaty is subject to ratification and shall enter into force 30 (thirty) days after the date of the last written notification by which the Contracting Parties inform each other that the relevant internal procedures necessary for its entry into force have been completed, for a period of 20 (twenty) years, with the possibility of automatic extension for further periods of 5 (five) years.
This Treaty shall be terminated if one of the Contracting Parties notifies its intention to terminate it by issuing a written notification at least 1 (one) year before the end of its period.
Article 46
The termination of this Treaty shall not affect the rights and obligations of the Contracting Parties, as well as any ongoing projects, programs or agreements that were implemented during the implementation of this Treaty and prior to its termination, unless they agree otherwise in writing.
Article 47
This Treaty may be amended and supplemented by mutual written agreement of the Contracting Parties. Such amendments and supplements shall be an integral part of this Treaty and shall enter into force in accordance with Article 45 thereof.
This treaty, consisting of a preamble and 47 (forty-seven) articles, was concluded in Moscow on 28th of January 1403 AH, corresponding to 17th of January 2025, in two original copies in Persian, Russian and English, all versions being equally authentic.
In the event of any dispute in the interpretation or application of this Treaty, the English text shall prevail.
On behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
On behalf of the Russian Federation.