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The rouble is soaring and Putin is stronger than ever - our sanctions have backfired
The Guardian ^ | 29 Jul 2022 | Simon Jenkins

Posted on 07/30/2022 2:14:18 AM PDT by Mount Athos

Western sanctions against Russia are the most ill-conceived and counterproductive policy in recent international history.

World energy prices are rocketing, inflation is soaring, supply chains are chaotic and millions are being starved of gas, grain and fertiliser.

Defence analysts are dumb on the subject. Strategy thinktanks are silent. Yet, hint at scepticism on the subject and you will be excoriated as “pro-Putin” and anti-Ukraine.

The reality of sanctions on Russia is that they invite retaliation. Putin is free to freeze Europe this winter. He has slashed supply from major pipelines such as Nord Stream 1 by up to 80%. World oil prices have surged and eastern Europe’s flow of wheat and other foodstuffs to Africa and Asia has been all but suspended.

Britain’s domestic gas bills face tripling inside a year. The chief beneficiary is none other than Russia, whose energy exports to Asia have soared, driving its balance of payments into unprecedented surplus. The rouble is one of the world’s strongest currencies this year, having strengthened since January by nearly 50%.

Sanctions have promoted trade with China, Iran and India.

(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Russia; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: agitprop; economytankedthough; fakenews; lookwholovesguardian; ntsa; putinsbuttboys; putinworshippers; russia; russianaggression; simonjenkins; socialists; unitedkingdom; zot
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To: BeauBo

You’re still rearranging the deck chairs on you’re unsinkable LNG cruise ship, Beau.


41 posted on 07/30/2022 10:14:46 AM PDT by Navy Patriot (Celebrate Decivilization)
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To: BlackbirdSST

He will only be happy when this nonsense ushers in the “Great Reset” with ensuing depopulation and bug consumption.


42 posted on 07/30/2022 10:29:07 AM PDT by yuleeyahoo (The nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one. Hamilton)
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To: familyop

Lots of ink spent saying how little effect sanctions have, lol.


43 posted on 07/30/2022 10:31:46 AM PDT by Textide (Lord, grant that I may always be right, for thou knowest I am hard to turn. ~ Scotch-Irish prayer)
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To: SmokingJoe

Not necessarily but possibly

There have been numerous widely separated fires in Russia that are very destructive in result.

Recently there was a large fire that destroyed the manufacture of the S 300 anti aircraft system production. Also recent are I believe two separate fires that destroyed major gas production and transmission facilities. One of the gas fires was of immense proportions and seemingly very great damage

I can’t remember details exactly but buildings containing military command and control facilities burned. It was I believe back in May

These fires are not closely spaced in time or geography and are therefore strategic in nature

It reminds me of the Israeli attacks on various Iranian nuclear infrastructure. It is surreptitious and extremely effective and can’t be blamed on anyone. No one is claiming credit


44 posted on 07/30/2022 11:15:37 AM PDT by bert ( (KWE. NP. N.C. +12) Juneteenth is inequality day)
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To: Mount Athos

Depends on their ultimate goal. If that is to destroy Western civilization, to kill and starve off 95% of the population through economic and agricultural productivity collapse, “small wars,” in order to replace it with the “Great Reset” totalitarian global government, then the sanctions make excellent sense. So does the Ukrainian war and our involvement in it.


45 posted on 07/30/2022 2:47:06 PM PDT by Hiddigeigei ("Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish," said Dionysus - Euripides)
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To: Hiddigeigei

But then I should add, thinks are not always the way they seem. There are not always ulterior motives behind what can be ascribed to simple stupidity.


46 posted on 07/30/2022 2:51:24 PM PDT by Hiddigeigei ("Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish," said Dionysus - Euripides)
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To: Textide

Sanctions are causing some important effects and will cause more towards the end of the year. Russia has more difficulty getting many of the parts for new military equipment and maintenance. India and China are paying a fraction of the price for oil as what Russia received before. Car prices are way up for quality cars. Some kinds of new cars are unavailable. Small businesses are suffering. Unemployment is much higher in Russia with wages for many also reduced with reduced work hours. Product prices are higher in spite of the artificially propped ruble. Flights are greatly decreased. International trade with Russia is greatly decreased.


47 posted on 07/30/2022 5:59:24 PM PDT by familyop ("For they that sleep with dogs, shall rise with fleas" (John Webster, "The White Devil" 1612).)
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To: Textide

There’s also the new Iron Curtain. Russians who were until recently middle class are complaining about not being able to get foreign visas. They fully expect Russia to also prevent them from leaving the country before long. Many have already left.


48 posted on 07/30/2022 6:02:41 PM PDT by familyop ("For they that sleep with dogs, shall rise with fleas" (John Webster, "The White Devil" 1612).)
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To: familyop

Yep, I know several of the Russian Vloggers I watch have left.


49 posted on 07/30/2022 6:04:19 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Mount Athos

It’s ‘’ruble’’.


50 posted on 07/31/2022 12:03:26 AM PDT by jmacusa (Liberals. Too stupid to be idiots. )
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To: familyop

Yeah and they’re coming here.


51 posted on 07/31/2022 12:04:07 AM PDT by jmacusa (Liberals. Too stupid to be idiots. )
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To: jmacusa

It’s рубль.

The bank of russia uses ruble, the government of Russia on their english language website (and often the British press) uses Rouble.


52 posted on 07/31/2022 12:09:21 AM PDT by Mount Athos
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To: familyop

Yes. In case you couldn’t tell, I agree with you. My previous comment was about the original article.


53 posted on 07/31/2022 11:07:37 AM PDT by Textide (Lord, grant that I may always be right, for thou knowest I am hard to turn. ~ Scotch-Irish prayer)
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To: Textide

Yes. It was a good comment. My replies were also for other readers.


54 posted on 08/01/2022 12:17:14 PM PDT by familyop ("For they that sleep with dogs, shall rise with fleas" (John Webster, "The White Devil" 1612).)
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To: BeauBo

Looks like that a-hole Putin shot himself in the foot with a shotgun.


55 posted on 08/03/2022 8:17:25 AM PDT by Jacob Kell (Asking celebrities to analyze politics is like asking Jeffrey Dahmer to be a judge at a cook-off.)
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