Geopolitical Economy Report

The Geopolitical Economy Report provides analysis and journalism on global financial, political, and military affairs, with a focus on the dynamics of geopolitical conflicts, the critique of Western hegemony, the exploration of new power centers like China, and the impact of economic policies on worldwide inequality.

Geopolitical Conflicts Western Hegemony Economic Inequality Military Affairs Global South International Relations US Foreign Policy China's Rise Media and Propaganda Sanctions and Economic Policies

The hottest Substack posts of Geopolitical Economy Report

And their main takeaways

US pressures Saudi Arabia to sell oil in dollars, not Chinese yuan, amid Israel negotiations

717 implied HN points β€’ 13 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics Oil trade China relations
  1. The US is pressuring Saudi Arabia to continue pricing its oil in dollars, not Chinese yuan, as part of negotiations involving Israel.
  2. The petrodollar system plays a key role in maintaining the hegemony of the US dollar, ensuring steady demand for the currency worldwide.
  3. Saudi Arabia's relationship with China is strengthening, leading to discussions about potentially selling oil in yuan, which could impact global economic dynamics.

Russia leaves neoliberal West to join World Majority - Economists Radhika Desai and Michael Hudson explain

717 implied HN points β€’ 20 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Neoliberalism Global South
  1. Russia is turning away from the West and moving towards integration with the 'World Majority' in the Global South.
  2. There is a shift towards a multipolar world order, with countries like China and Russia promoting a move away from Western finance capitalism towards a more socialist global majority.
  3. Keynes' proposals for a new international financial system, including bancor and International Clearing Union, are being revisited by China and show a push away from the dominance of the US dollar.

Michael Hudson: Why the US bank crisis is not over

717 implied HN points β€’ 14 Mar 23
πŸ’° Finance Banking Interest Rates
  1. When interest rates rise, bond prices fall, and banks can hold onto securities without marking down their assets, showing the decline only during a run on the bank.
  2. Depositors withdrew money as banks acted greedily, paying low deposit rates while making high profits, causing a shift towards more fair market returns elsewhere.
  3. The US bank crisis involves a mix of deregulatory corruption, political influence, and economic imbalance in the face of financial claims surpassing economic ability to pay.

China report excoriates 'US hegemony', war crimes, CIA coups, 400 foreign interventions

777 implied HN points β€’ 25 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Political Military Economic Cultural
  1. The Chinese government criticized US hegemony and its destructive impacts around the world.
  2. China highlighted the US history of violence and expansion through military means, including hundreds of interventions and wars since independence.
  3. The report also addressed the economic, technological, and cultural aspects of US hegemony, pointing out coercive tactics and manipulation in various fields.

Mexico's AMLO sent Biden letter blasting US 'interventionism' and funding of opposition groups

697 implied HN points β€’ 10 May 23
🌍 World Politics Interventionism Regime Change Opioid Crisis
  1. Mexico's President AMLO criticized US 'interventionism' and funding opposition groups, feeding tension between the two countries.
  2. CIA-associated organizations like USAID have a history of supporting right-wing opposition groups in various countries to challenge governments that challenge US foreign policy interests.
  3. AMLO advocates for cooperation and friendship in US-Mexico relations, opposing far-right US politicians who push for military intervention in Mexico over issues like drug trafficking.
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Atomic bombing of Japan was not necessary to end WWII. US gov't documents admit it

697 implied HN points β€’ 09 Aug 23
πŸ’Ύ History World War II Cold War Nuclear Weapons War Crimes
  1. US government documents admit that the atomic bombing of Japan in WWII was not necessary
  2. The decision to use nuclear weapons against Japan was aimed politically at the Soviet Union, rather than solely to end the war with Japan
  3. Many top US military officials, like General Eisenhower, opposed the use of atomic bombs on Japan, suggesting it was unnecessary and could have been avoided

China & Russia pledge 'changes not seen in 100 years': Xi & Putin take aim at US dollar hegemony

677 implied HN points β€’ 26 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Trade
  1. China & Russia are challenging US dollar hegemony by promoting trade in yuan and national currencies
  2. Bilateral trade between China and Russia is rapidly growing, hitting record highs and expected to surpass $200 billion in 2023
  3. Russia is expanding energy cooperation with China, exemplified by projects like the Power of Siberia gas pipeline

US Congress plots to save dollar dominance amid global de-dollarization rebellion

677 implied HN points β€’ 28 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Global Economy International relations Financial system
  1. The US Congress held a hearing about the global movement toward de-dollarization, with concerns over challenges from China and Russia to the US financial system dominance.
  2. Lawmakers discussed how aggressive US sanctions weakened dollar dominance, pushing countries to seek alternative financial systems.
  3. Experts highlighted the economic benefits of the dollar's dominance, like lower borrowing costs and savings for the US economy, while warning about potential threats.

West vs the rest: World opposes sanctions, only US & Europe support them

677 implied HN points β€’ 09 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Sanctions International Law Human Rights
  1. The UN Human Rights Council voted overwhelmingly to condemn sanctions, with only the US, UK, EU member states, Georgia, and Ukraine expressing support for unilateral coercive measures.
  2. Sanctions, violating international law, have a negative impact on human rights, especially affecting vulnerable populations like women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
  3. Global opposition against sanctions, with the majority of UN member states standing against unilateral coercive measures, demonstrates a clear West versus the rest divide in international relations.

Debunked: Media falsely claims China is building spy base in Cuba

677 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics China Diplomatic Relations
  1. The Pentagon confirmed that the media story of China building a spy base in Cuba is false, debunking claims made by anonymous US intelligence officials.
  2. China and Cuba denounced the false reports of a spy base as part of US spy agency information warfare to sabotage diplomacy and demonize them.
  3. The Pentagon's concern about the US losing a potential war with China, highlighted in recent war games, adds complexity to the information war waged on China by US intelligence agencies.

BRICS Bank de-dollarizing, promises 30% of loans in local currencies, new chief Dilma Rousseff says

657 implied HN points β€’ 18 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics BRICS De-dollarization Global South Foreign Exchange
  1. The BRICS New Development Bank is moving away from the US dollar and intends to provide 30% of loans in local currencies to member countries.
  2. The initiative to de-dollarize loans is seen as a step towards helping member countries avoid exchange rate risks and finance shortages that can hinder long-term investments.
  3. There is a push within BRICS, led by figures like Dilma Rousseff and Lula da Silva, to challenge US dollar dominance in global financial transactions and promote fairer systems of monetary exchange.

Brazil's Lula travels to China and calls to end US dollar dominance

657 implied HN points β€’ 16 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Economic Cooperation International Trade Global Development
  1. Brazil's President Lula da Silva visited China to deepen strategic partnerships and challenge US dollar dominance by signing cooperation agreements, focusing on trading in local currencies.
  2. China is Brazil's largest trading partner, with significant trade surpluses, and both countries have seen substantial growth in bilateral trade over the years.
  3. Political coups in Brazil, backed by the US, led to economic downturns, but under Lula and Dilma, the country advanced, lifting millions out of poverty and shaping key economic relationships.

Trump boasts he wanted to take Venezuela's oil after overthrowing its government

637 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Sanctions
  1. Former US President Donald Trump openly expressed his desire to control Venezuela's oil reserves, showing a clear motive behind the 2019 US coup attempt.
  2. The Trump administration's focus on Venezuela's oil resources was evident from various high-ranking officials' statements and actions, aiming to exploit the country's natural wealth.
  3. Venezuelan officials reacted strongly to Trump's statements, condemning them as evidence of US intentions to exploit their country's resources and urging for international legal action.

Sanctions 'undermine hegemony of dollar', US Treasury admits

637 implied HN points β€’ 21 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Sanctions Geopolitics Global Economy International relations Humanitarian Issues
  1. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen acknowledged that unilateral sanctions could weaken the dominance of the dollar.
  2. Sanctions have caused millions of deaths around the world, with examples like Iraq and Venezuela.
  3. Yellen implied that US plans involve using some of Russia's seized foreign exchange reserves to fund Ukraine reconstruction, which could have geopolitical implications.

Criminals welcome as US recruits foreign proxies to wage 'irregular war' on adversaries

637 implied HN points β€’ 18 May 23
🌍 World Politics Military operations International relations Foreign Policy Human Rights
  1. The US military recruits foreign fighters as proxies for irregular warfare but does not vet them for past atrocities.
  2. Special Operations Command plays a significant role in secretive shadow wars across the globe.
  3. US special operations forces have been active in the majority of countries worldwide, focusing heavily on irregular warfare.

AMLO says Mexico is more democratic than oligarch-run USA, condemns State Dep't 'meddling' against electoral reform

637 implied HN points β€’ 09 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics US Relations Media bias Democracy
  1. Mexican President AMLO believes Mexico is more democratic than the US, highlighting that the people govern in Mexico while the oligarchy governs in the US.
  2. AMLO is pushing for popular electoral reforms in Mexico, aiming to simplify the voting system and reduce corruption in the electoral process.
  3. AMLO criticizes US meddling in Mexico's affairs, denouncing the Monroe Doctrine and highlighting the negative coverage of his reforms by US media.

'Mexico is not a US colony!': AMLO condemns invasion threats, celebrates nationalization of oil, lithium

617 implied HN points β€’ 25 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Foreign Relations International Conflicts National sovereignty Geopolitics Ideology
  1. AMLO condemns US invasion threats on Mexico and emphasizes national sovereignty
  2. AMLO honors the revolutionary legacy of LΓ‘zaro CΓ‘rdenas and his focus on social justice
  3. AMLO highlights the government's unprecedented social spending to support working-class Mexicans

US post-9/11 wars caused 4.5 million deaths, displaced 38-60 million people, study shows

617 implied HN points β€’ 23 May 23
🌍 World Politics War Displacement Humanitarian Economic
  1. Post-9/11 wars led by the US caused 4.5 million deaths and displaced 38-60 million people, impacting countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Pakistan.
  2. The report highlights the long-lasting consequences on children's health, with 7.6 million kids under 5 suffering from malnutrition, especially in countries like Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia.
  3. Economic devastation and destruction of infrastructure have contributed to widespread poverty, food insecurity, and death, significantly impacting the lives of civilians in war zones.

Poverty is growing in Puerto Rico, under US colonialism: 57.6% of children live in poor households

598 implied HN points β€’ 28 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Colonialism Poverty Inequality Economy Migration
  1. Poverty in Puerto Rico is on the rise, with over two-fifths of the population and nearly three-fifths of children living in poor households.
  2. Despite more people being employed, poverty continues to worsen in Puerto Rico.
  3. The US colonial status of Puerto Rico has contributed to its extremely high poverty rates and income disparities compared to the rest of the United States.

BRICS bloc is adding members, planning new currency to challenge US dollar

598 implied HN points β€’ 06 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Global Economy BRICS
  1. BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are expanding and gaining economic and political influence globally.
  2. BRICS members are considering creating a new global reserve currency to challenge the dominance of the US dollar.
  3. The BRICS economies collectively represent a significant share of the global economy, with China contributing the highest share.

US corporations cash in on Ukraine's oil and gas

578 implied HN points β€’ 28 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Privatization Conflict resolution Neoliberalism International Organizations
  1. US corporations like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Halliburton are in talks to take over Ukraine's oil and gas industry as Ukraine sells off its public assets.
  2. The Ukrainian government is using the war as an excuse to implement aggressive anti-worker laws, treating the country as a for-profit company and pushing for privatization.
  3. Ukraine aims to attract US companies like Halliburton for oil production projects, even as the country seeks to drill for offshore natural gas off Crimea, with the help of the IMF imposing neoliberal reforms.

US admits weather pushed Chinese balloon off course, US shot down hobbyists' $12 balloon in $2M missile attack

637 implied HN points β€’ 19 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Military Diplomacy Espionage
  1. US officials acknowledged the Chinese balloon they shot down was likely blown off course by unexpected weather.
  2. The US Air Force spent roughly $2 million using missiles to destroy a $12 hobbyist balloon, causing unnecessary expenditure.
  3. US intelligence officials later admitted that the Chinese balloon may have been diverted off course by weather, leading to a potential misunderstanding and an unnecessary military response.

US makes up c 40% of global military spending, 10x Russia, 3x China

558 implied HN points β€’ 06 May 23
🌍 World Politics
  1. The United States spent $877 billion on its military in 2022, nearly 40% of the global total, surpassing Russia by 10 times and China by 3 times.
  2. The US military expenditure was larger than the combined spending of the next 10 biggest military spenders, including China, Russia, India, and Japan.
  3. The US-led NATO alliance accounted for over half of global military spending, with the US also investing significantly more in the military than in education, as highlighted by a huge difference in allocated budgets.

Ukraine's Zelensky admits he sabotaged Minsk peace deal with Russia, West blocked negotiations

637 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics International relations Conflict resolution Diplomacy
  1. Ukraine's Zelensky admitted to sabotaging the Minsk peace deal with Russia, using it to prepare for war instead of implementing it as agreed.
  2. The West, including former Israeli Prime Minister Bennett, has been reported to have blocked peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, favoring escalations over peace talks.
  3. Prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the West rejected Moscow's demands for written security guarantees, sparking tensions and contributing to the conflict.

US ambassador arrogantly lectures China β€˜threat’: β€˜We’re the leader in this region (Asia)’!

578 implied HN points β€’ 04 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics China US Diplomacy Foreign Relations Global Leadership
  1. US Ambassador Nicholas Burns showcased an arrogant and aggressive attitude towards China, declaring the US as the leader in the Indo-Pacific region.
  2. The US is focusing on competing with China in military power, economy, technology, and human rights, reflecting a rising tension between the two nations.
  3. There is a close relationship between US corporations and the State Department, with US diplomats highlighting the importance of collaboration with the private sector.

Europe pays more for banned Russian oil, resold by India - as EU wages fall

538 implied HN points β€’ 05 May 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Sanctions Energy Inflation Wages
  1. Europe is indirectly purchasing Russian oil through India at higher prices despite sanctions, contributing to de-dollarization and falling wages.
  2. Russian oil exports to Asia, particularly China and India, have increased significantly due to Western sanctions, shifting away from Europe.
  3. Real wages in the EU have fallen by 6.5% from 2020 to 2022 due to rising energy costs and a severe cost-of-living crisis, impacting poorer households the most.

Countries worldwide are dropping the US dollar: De-dollarization in China, Russia, Brazil, ASEAN

538 implied HN points β€’ 13 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics De-dollarization China Russia Brazil
  1. Countries like China, Russia, and Brazil are moving away from using the US dollar in trade deals.
  2. Southeast Asian nations are also shifting towards local currency payments in trade, reducing dependence on the US Dollar.
  3. Global financial newspapers are recognizing the trend towards a more diverse, multipolar currency world as an alternative to the dominance of the US dollar.

Inside Russia: Economists describe impact of Western sanctions and Ukraine war

538 implied HN points β€’ 17 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Russia Ukraine war Neoliberalism Economic Impact
  1. Economists in Russia observe the country's deepening integration with Asia and its shift away from neoliberal economics.
  2. Despite Western sanctions and the war in Ukraine, Russia's economy has been relatively resilient with only a minor decrease in growth.
  3. Russian economists are increasingly adopting anti-neoliberal positions, emphasizing state controls and redistribution as crucial for economic survival against sanctions.

Corporate profits were biggest driver of inflation in Europe, IMF admits

538 implied HN points β€’ 27 Jun 23
πŸ’° Finance Inflation Corporate Profits Central Banks Monetary Policy
  1. Corporate profits have been a major driver of inflation in Europe since 2021, with companies increasing prices more than the rising costs of imported energy.
  2. The IMF suggests that companies may need to reduce profit margins to help keep inflation in line with targets set by the European Central Bank.
  3. The study challenges the traditional view that inflation is solely caused by demand-pull factors, highlighting how excessive profit increases by corporations can also drive inflation.

Terror attacks on Cuba's embassy fueled by aggressive US policy

538 implied HN points β€’ 28 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics US Foreign Policy Terrorism International Law
  1. Cuba's embassy in Washington has been targeted in terror attacks twice in three years, reflecting a history of US-backed terrorism against Cuba and ongoing economic warfare.
  2. The lack of accountability for these attacks and the US government's aggressive policies contribute to the hostile situation faced by Cuban diplomats in the United States.
  3. The US government's silence and failure to address these acts of terrorism highlight the ongoing tensions between the two countries and the impact of aggressive US policies on Cuba.

'World War 3 has already started' between US and Russia/China, argues French scholar

697 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Global Economy Military conflict Foreign Policy
  1. French scholar Emmanuel Todd argues that World War III has begun between the US and Russia/China due to the Ukraine proxy war.
  2. Todd points out that Russia's resilience against Western sanctions challenges the American imperial system and its hold on Europe.
  3. Todd criticizes the overreliance on GDP as a metric, highlighting the adaptive capacity of the Russian economy due to a significant role for the state compared to the US neoliberal economic model.

Geopolitical game changer: China's Iran-Saudi peace deal is big blow to petrodollar and US economic hegemony

518 implied HN points β€’ 23 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy Global Economics Peace
  1. China's successful sponsorship of peace talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran deals a significant blow to the petrodollar system that has supported US economic hegemony.
  2. The peace deal encourages stability and economic cooperation in the region, potentially leading to the integration of Saudi Arabia and Iran into systems like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
  3. The agreement reflects a growing shift towards a multipolar world where countries like China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran are seeking closer economic and strategic ties, challenging traditional US dominance.

Imperialism: How the struggle of both classes and nations creates our world

518 implied HN points β€’ 09 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Imperialism Capitalism Crisis Finance Economy
  1. Imperialism is a product of the struggle between classes and nations, impacting our world.
  2. Geopolitical economy helps in understanding international relations within the capitalist world system.
  3. The BRICS summit signifies an alternative economic vision based on cooperation and development, challenging traditional Western imperialism.

NY Times is wrong on dedollarization: Economist Michael Hudson debunks Paul Krugman's dollar defense

518 implied HN points β€’ 16 May 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Currency International Trade Global Markets US Hegemony
  1. Economist Michael Hudson debunks Paul Krugman's arguments on de-dollarization, highlighting historical economic misconceptions by Krugman.
  2. Krugman dismisses the importance of controlling the world's reserve currency, arguing it's overrated, but fails to address the impact of capital flows on currency values.
  3. Krugman's defense of the US dollar relies on tautological reasoning, stating the dollar is powerful because it's widely used, without acknowledging geopolitical shifts away from the dollar.

US invites authoritarian far-right regimes to 'Summit for Democracy'

518 implied HN points β€’ 03 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Authoritarianism Democracy Geopolitical BRICS
  1. The US organized a 'Summit for Democracy' where several far-right, anti-democratic regimes were invited, including leaders from Israel, Poland, India, and Pakistan.
  2. Western media outlets have acknowledged the authoritarian nature of regimes like Netanyahu's in Israel, Duda's in Poland, and Modi's in India, despite their participation in the summit.
  3. The summit aimed to create a bloc against China and Russia, pressuring nations to sign statements denouncing these countries, revealing the US strategy to advance its geopolitical interests.

US government bailout of Silicon Valley and banks is $300B gift to rich oligarchs

518 implied HN points β€’ 19 Mar 23
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ U.S. Politics Government Bailout Silicon Valley Federal Reserve Regulation
  1. The US government printed $300 billion in a week to bail out Silicon Valley and banks, ensuring all uninsured deposits were paid, benefitting wealthy oligarchs and venture capital firms.
  2. Silicon Valley Bank, while portrayed as supporting start-ups, actually catered mostly to venture capitalists and had risky practices, ultimately requiring a massive bailout.
  3. The Federal Reserve's $300 billion bailout exposed a double standard: the rich get bailed out while the government resists increased regulation that could prevent future crises, showing a system of privilege for the elite.

West tells Global South 'you can't be neutral' in Ukraine war: You are either with us, or against us

558 implied HN points β€’ 22 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Neutrality Global South Russia-Ukraine conflict
  1. The foreign ministers of the US, Germany, and Ukraine emphasized that neutrality is not an option in NATO's proxy war with Russia
  2. Majority of the global population, especially in the Global South, have remained neutral in the Ukraine proxy war
  3. There is a historical backdrop of Western attacks on the Non-Aligned Movement, with Western powers trying to paint neutral countries as supporters of the Soviet-led bloc

Xi blasts US β€˜containment, encirclement’ of China, Foreign Ministry slams 'hysterical neo-McCarthyism'

518 implied HN points β€’ 08 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Foreign Relations Geopolitics Diplomacy
  1. President Xi Jinping condemned the US-led Western attempt to contain, encircle, and suppress China.
  2. Foreign Minister Qin Gang criticized the US for pursuing 'hysterical neo-McCarthyism' and aiming to contain and suppress China in all aspects.
  3. Chinese leaders are making assertive statements, signaling a shift in their approach towards standing up against US policies and defending China.

German lawmaker denounces Ukraine 'proxy war' and US 'terrorist attack' on Nord Stream pipelines

538 implied HN points β€’ 24 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Diplomacy Security
  1. German lawmaker Sevim Dağdelen criticizes NATO's involvement in Ukraine as a 'proxy war' and highlights the EU acting as 'vassals' to the US.
  2. Dağdelen condemns the economic war against Russia and calls for Europe to assert its independence and prioritize diplomacy to end the conflict in Ukraine.
  3. The lack of outrage over the alleged US 'terrorist attack' on the German-Russian Nord Stream pipelines illustrates Germany's subservience to the US, revealing the need for truth and peace initiatives to counter war propaganda.