Pumpkins and Ooze Discussion for October 30th to November 5th, 2023 - The International Ghouls-Based Order - COTW: Lebanon

Weekly Update for October 23rd to October 29th:

Summary:

The US and Israel ate shit at the UN but it doesn't matter anyway. The US increasingly regrets not doing the BRI with China, as it amps up deals with countries in Central Asia, etc. Hungary still blocks Sweden entering NATO. The EU declining, the Schengen Zone is becoming nonfunctional, and racism is increasingly. The UK Labour party is fragmenting over Starmer's kowtowing of Israel. China vows closer co-operation with Iran; isolation of Iran now appears impossible. The Karabakh conflict has been "settled". Pakistan continues to expel tens of thousands of Afghan refugees; the deadline for all 1.7 million of them being moved out is 2 days away. Internal economic battles in Russia between neoliberals and nationalists continue. Anti-China sanctions backfiring as China develop their own semiconductor industry, and Xinjiang trade skyrockets. Lots of tensions with the Philippines. IMF debunks the China debt trap myth.

Conflict with M23 rebels in DRC flares up after six month pause. France withdraws from Niger; EU very unhappy about Niger coup while US is willing to work with them; nonetheless sanctions are having very bad impact on Nigerien people. Latin American countries meet to discuss migration problem. Drought in the Amazon as American troops visit. Hurricane Otis slams into Mexico, mass destruction and death. Nicaraguan education thriving despite claims to the contrary. Venezuela agrees to freer elections in deal with US. Argentinian liberals might snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as the Final Boss of Libertarianism has a mental breakdown.

Protests everywhere over Israel-Palestine, fracturing the West from the Global Majority, fracturing pro-Israel factions from pro-Palestine factions in organizations like the EU, and fracturing various electoral parties, particularly left-wing ones. Death toll climbs and humanitarian situation reaches cataclysmic levels; Palestinian resistance competently attacks and repels Israeli raids into Gaza while Hezbollah ramps up attacks on northern front. Meanwhile, Ukraine receives funding and more military equipment and tries and fails to attack Crimea in mass drone strikes; successfully hits radioactive storage in ZNPP with a drone. US working with East Asian vassals on defence technology. China limits graphite exports; western graphite companies' shares soar. China boost strategic reserves of critical minerals.

Anti-Russia states begin to ditch some anti-LGBTQIA laws as they're seen as Russia-inspired. Good news in Japan for trans rights. Mike Johnson becomes Speaker and is a complete dipshit on many issues, as expected. Fossil fuel companies engage more and more with carbon capture as it can help them extract more oil while making themselves look good. Oil and mining companies suing governments en masse.

Part 1