Understanding the US - Again

[Jay]

Promethean Action@PrometheanActn

NEW: Rubio just confirmed what they've hidden for 50 years — deindustrialization was DELIBERATE.

In 1977, the CFR called it "controlled disintegration." Now Trump is ending it and the globalists at Munich are in open panic.

We have the receipts

https://larouchepub.com/eiw/public/1999 ... isinte.pdf

https://larouchepub.com/eiw/public/1979 ... _cfr_p.pdf

US benefitted the most since 1977 out of any monitory policy from that year onward and now little marco says that is unacceptable and wants to change it? OK... These are the new age luddites who want to lead the world while clinging on to their weird racial, ethnic, religious, and economic ideals in the name of realpolitik with the only goal being power and power alone. Fine...lets see where this goes.

[A_Gupta]

The Guardian reports:

Epstein files suggest acts that may amount to crimes against humanity, say UN experts

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 ... un-experts

Millions of files related to the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein suggest the existence of a “global criminal enterprise” that carried out acts meeting the legal threshold of crimes against humanity, a panel of independent experts appointed by the United Nations human rights council has said.

The experts said crimes outlined in documents released by the US justice department were committed against a backdrop of supremacist beliefs, racism, corruption and extreme misogyny. The crimes, they said, showed a commodification and dehumanisation of women and girls.

“So grave is the scale, nature, systematic character, and transnational reach of these atrocities against women and girls, that a number of them may reasonably meet the legal threshold of crimes against humanity,” they said in a statement.

The experts said the allegations contained in the files require an independent, thorough and impartial investigation, and said inquiries should also be launched into how it was possible for such crimes to be committed for so long.

[Lisa]

^So very strange to read. 80,000 died every month for over 5 years around the Great Lakes and not one public demand for responsibility but a substantive interest in Epstein! Same applies to Gaza. Less people have died in almost 2 years in Gaza than just ONE months worth of misery in the Great Lakes. Wow!

Some lives matter more.

[A_Gupta]

^^^ around the Great Lakes, 5 million deaths???????

[uddu]

U.S is turning to be a Imperial Britain 2.0 under Trump 2.0

https://x.com/KanwalSibal/status/2024172192020255088
@KanwalSibal
Which oceans are to be crossed today to re- assert the glory of western civilisation?

https://x.com/StateDept/status/2023925445822197871
Department of State
@StateDept
The United States and Europe belong to a civilization that stretches over continents, crossed over oceans, and persisted for thousands of years: from Athens to Rome to America.

Western Civilization must embrace its noble legacy if it is to reverse its decline.

[Lisa]

^^^ around the Great Lakes, 5 million deaths???????

Tragically true. Largest conflict driven mortality since WW2.

[uddu]

Diego Garcia Base: Trump Warns UK Not to ‘Give Away’ Diego Garcia Base | WORLD DNA
US President Donald Trump has strongly urged the United Kingdom not to “give away” Diego Garcia, as London moves forward with plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back the strategically vital military base.
Trump said the land “should not be taken away from the UK,” warning that such a move would be a “blight on our Great Ally.” His remarks come amid growing debate over the future of the British Indian Ocean Territory and the long-term status of one of the most important US-UK military facilities in the Indian Ocean.

[S_Madhukar]

US deindustrialised and that is why they have workforce to do all the fancy tech industry - including pharmaceutical and space and CEOs that earn 300x of the average worker. If they want to be great again, good start digging the earth and get all the rare earths , gold etc I doubt this generation is going to take orders like the ones in 20th century did. As if Rubio is sending his kids to war… even Bush shielded his brood

[chetak]

Finally got to read Rubio's speech in Munich: it is one of the most revisionist and imperialist speeches I've ever seen a senior American official make, and that's saying something.

The man literally laments the outcome of WW2 because it marked the end of the era during which "the West had been expanding", a "path" he "hopes [the US and Europe] walk together again."

And just to ensure you're clear about what he means: he wants to restore the building of "vast empires extending across the globe" and blames "anti-colonial uprisings" for what they did to "the great Western empires."

He also says that "we cannot continue" to allow "abstractions of international law" get in the way of US interests.

Basically the man is openly saying that the whole post-colonial order was a mistake and he's calling on Europe to share the spoils of building a new one.

Which is quite a pitch for an American to make given that their own country itself was born from revolt against European colonialism, but I guess expecting the Trump administration to understand their own history is too tall an order...

The most troubling part was the reaction of the audience: "half the hall in Munich gave US Secretary of State Marco Rubio a standing ovation" (https://chathamhouse.org/2026/02/west-v ... conference) and I'm pretty sure it wasn't the Global South half...

It just goes to show the complete absence of reflection in Europe. Rubio undoubtedly tried to appeal to some sort of latent nostalgia for Western imperial dominance among European elites. And it obviously worked (which is scary in and of itself).

But it also shows that Europeans remain naive to the extreme if they believe Rubio's pitch that he wants Europe to be strong in order to share the spoils of a new age of Western imperialism.

What's the thinking here? That Trump's America - "America first" - would suddenly become magnanimous and share with Europe just out of sentiment? That's not how imperialism works: the whole premise of it is that the strong dominate the weak.

When an imperial power is speaking to you of sentiments, of how much they like you and how they want to partner with you - the much weaker party - that's cause for worry, not applause...

[Cyrano]

Chetak ji,
I commented on this speech on the other US thread. Would love to get your views saar.

[A_Gupta]

^^^ around the Great Lakes, 5 million deaths???????

Tragically true. Largest conflict driven mortality since WW2.

Do you mean the Congo? In a thread about the US, the Great Lakes means something very different.

""The Second Congo War,[a] also known as Africa's World War[9] or the Great War of Africa, was a major conflict that began on 2 August 1998, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, just over a year after the First Congo War. The Second Congo War and its aftermath caused an estimated 5.4 million deaths, primarily due to disease, malnutrition and war crimes,[13] making it the deadliest conflict since World War II".

Well, here it is on recent events (2024):

UN Suspects All Sides in DR Congo Conflict Guilty of War Crimes
https://www.ictj.org/latest-news/un-sus ... war-crimes

And for the 1998-2003 period, e.g.,

International Criminal Court investigation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internati ... _the_Congo

The International Criminal Court investigation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is an ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into crimes committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the Second Congo War and its aftermath, including the Ituri and Kivu conflicts.[1] The war started in 1998 and despite a peace agreement between combatants in 2003, conflict continued in the eastern parts of the country for several years.[2] In April 2004 the government of the DRC formally referred the situation in the Congo to the International Criminal Court, and in June 2004, prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo, formally opened an investigation.[3] To date, arrest warrants have been issued for:

Thomas Lubanga Dyilo
Germain Katanga
Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui
Bosco Ntaganda
Callixte Mbarushimana
Sylvestre Mudacumura.[3]

Lubanga was imprisoned. Katanga was convicted, Chui was acquitted, and the pre-trial chamber declined to confirm the charges against Mbarushimana, currently a fugitive. Ntaganda turned himself in to the US Embassy in Kigali on 18 March 2013, requesting to be extradited to the ICC.[3][4] Sylvestre Mudacumura was considered a suspect at large[5] until his death in 2019.

and so on.

Is this adequate? Very likely not.

That the UN, etc., are rather toothless is part of the reason that the world order is changing. On the other hand, the toothlessness of the UN arises from the fact that it is controlled by a few WW2 powers, and where it is more democratic, results in absurdities like Pakistan heading the anti-terrorism unit in the United Nations Security Council.

[A_Gupta]

^^^ Rubio in short is - "We (Americans and Europeans) lorded over the world by force for a few centuries, using our military and technological prowess and wealth extracted from our colonies. Let's get back to that again".

[drnayar]

Finally got to read Rubio's speech in Munich: it is one of the most revisionist and imperialist speeches I've ever seen a senior American official make, and that's saying something.

The man literally laments the outcome of WW2 because it marked the end of the era during which "the West had been expanding", a "path" he "hopes [the US and Europe] walk together again."

Marco s and Rubio s talk look like those calls to a new age crusade against immigrants and Muslims and "protecting" country against invading hordes. Lots of bluster and no substance.

Western civilization is in terminal decline due to loss of cultural and moral values., their society is disintegrating and in free fall, America as usual due to it's vampirism his trying to live off economic blood lines from other countries, that is

Modis sabke Saath sabka Vikas has more promise than such rants.

[A_Gupta]

Via tradingeconomics.com:

US Trade Gap Higher Than Expected

The US trade deficit widened to $70.3 billion in December from $53 billion in November, above forecasts of a $55.5 billion gap. Considering full 2025, the country recorded a $901.5 billion shortfall, slightly down from $903.5 billion in 2024 and still among the largest since 1960.

[Lisa]

Tragically true. Largest conflict driven mortality since WW2.

Do you mean the Congo? In a thread about the US, the Great Lakes means something very different.

A_Guptaji,

This is now going Off Tropic

I was not getting at you but the Guardian and the Americans/West generally. They have so much time and enterprise to hand for the Epstein affair and Gaza but comparatively none for The Great Lakes event - refuse to call it the Congolese Civil War as its reach in terms of misery went way beyond Congo. The absence of a narrative means that I can say with reasonable certainty, you have never heard this matter being discussed over meal unlike Gaza, Epstein........etc despite 5 million.

[Jay]

They have so much time and enterprise to hand for the Epstein affair and Gaza but comparatively none for The Great Lakes event - refuse to call it the Congolese Civil War as its reach in terms of misery went way beyond Congo. The absence of a narrative means that I can say with reasonable certainty, you have never heard this matter being discussed over meal unlike Gaza, Epstein........etc despite 5 million.

That's because in a given context, the number of deaths alone does not dictate if it gathers eyeballs and news clicks for that event to be at the top of everyone's "to-solve" list. This is true for western nations, and also for all other cultures. For someone in the west, the epstein files. gaza troubles will feel a lot closer to their day to day relevance and connections that make or break because of these issues. In this sense, the problems around congo will never register with these audiences throughout the globe. Lamenting that people are not paying attention to one specific issue means they should not be paying attention to any other issue is a losing cause.

[A_Gupta]

Now it is eleven!

Trump repeats claim of 'stopping' India-Pak war with new twist: '11 expensive jets shot down'

Speaking at his Board of Peace event, Trump once again brought back his claim of warning both countries using trade deals as leverage.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne ... 92850.html

[Cyrano]

May be they have better information about paki losses

[drnayar]

May be they have better information about paki losses

probably more F16s were written off !

[Tanaji]

This Board of Peace is a money laundering con. Apparently OM has transferred $10B of US tax payer money into this board. All controlled by him and no oversight that we know of. This level of fraud will make Laloo Yadav blush….

OM for third term!

[Cyrano]

Hope the pakis and turks already paid up

[A_Gupta]

Supreme Court says Trump global tariffs are illegal
https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump- ... rt-illegal

[saip]

But how about the refunds? Nothing about them, it appears. The OM may keep the tariffs and reimpose them under a different head. The usual suspects (A & T) said they are OK.

[Jay]

This Board of Peace is a money laundering con. Apparently OM has transferred $10B of US tax payer money into this board. All controlled by him and no oversight that we know of. This level of fraud will make Laloo Yadav blush….

OM for third term!

It's not APPARENTLY sir ji....He did it.

I have not seen this level of naked corruption at this level any where in the world.

[A_Gupta]

While the President does not have the authority to use IEEPA (emergency power) to impose tariffs, does he have the authority to negotiate trade deals in which tariffs are set? Or does the India-US trade deal, and all the other trade deals lapse without Congressional approval?

[SRajesh]

May be they have better information about paki losses

probably more F16s were written off !

Yes
Probably those in the Hangar or on the ground.
Over a period of time our Govenment has given the Pakis multiple oppurtunities to Off-Ramp.
There has been strict instructions to the Services not reveal exact damage, except talking in innuendo's
Over the period of time OM has been changing his statements after getting more finer details of what has been hit and how badly.
Hence neither NaMoji or any other hig ranking government official has not taken OM head on
Nuclear sabre rattling was probably done, but check the date anbd time of Kairana hit!!
Pakis are hurting badly but cant do anything as OM has not agreed for anything, inspite of investing in Crypto trying to sell mines etc.

[saip]

One issue will be refunds.
Refunds of billions of dollars would have significant consequences for the U. S. Treasury

Justice Kavanaugh
Silly reasoning. So, if a man murders his wife he can not be sent to jail because his children would be orphans?

[Tanaji]

OM has announced a new global 10% tarif

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/20/trump-g ... court.html

Shows the Supremes who is the boss!

[drnayar]

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/19/us-trad ... riffs.html

U.S. trade deficit totaled $901 billion in 2025, barely budging despite Trump’s tariffs

For the full year, the U.S. ran a $901.5 billion trade deficit, down slightly from 2024 but only by 0.2%, or $2.1 billion.
The report follows a year in which President Donald Trump implemented a series of aggressive tariffs aimed at leveling the global playing field.

[saip]

While the President does not have the authority to use IEEPA (emergency power) to impose tariffs, does he have the authority to negotiate trade deals in which tariffs are set? Or does the India-US trade deal, and all the other trade deals lapse without Congressional approval?

A second issue is the
decision’s effect on the current trade deals. Because IEEPA
tariffs have helped facilitate trade deals worth trillions of
dollars—including with foreign nations from China to the
United Kingdom to Japan, the Court’s decision could
generate uncertainty regarding various trade agreements.
That process, too, could be difficult
Justice Kavanaugh

[saip]

So basically Justice K is OK even if POTUS is blackmailing (illegally now it seems) other countries with these tariffs.

[A_Gupta]

Talkingpointsmemo reports:
The Fix Is In: Lutnick Family To Make Killing On Tariff Demise
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/th ... iff-demise

The tariffs were illegal. The government had no legal authority to collect them. So it should be a simple matter for importers to go to court and compel the government to refund their money. But set all that aside. Is it really so uncertain? I’ll bet the White House is going to find a way to issue those refunds. Why? Because Trump insiders, especially the family of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, made huge, huge bets on the tariffs being tossed. They and their clients now stand to make tens or even hundreds of billions on those refunds. Given that Lutnick is a primary player in White House tariff policy I’m pretty confident that they going to find a way to issue those refunds.

How does this work? I discussed this in a post from September 1st of last year. The gist is this. When he became Commerce Secretary Lutnick gifted his sons his Wall Street firm Cantor Fitzgerald. (In the link above I explained how they structured this handoff – which as a bonus allowed Lutnick to pay zero capital gains on the entire transaction.) Twenty-something failson Brandon Lutnick is now chairman of the firm. Brother Kyle, apparently another business prodigy from the same family is vice chairman. Soon after Trump’s tariffs were announced last fall Brandon Lutnick – no doubt in a totally, totally arms length way – started buying up the rights to tariff refunds at about 25% of their sticker value.

To understand how this works, think of it like this. Corporation X pays $100 in tariffs to the federal treasury. Brandon offers them $25 for the right to collect any refund they might eventually be entitled to if the tariffs are rejected by SCOTUS. If the tariffs are overruled every quarter Brandon bet becomes a dollar.)

By mid-summer that percentage was getting closer to 30% and one imagines that the percentage went up a lot after an appellate court ruled the tariffs were illegal. It’s not clear just how many refund rights the Lutnick boys bought up. But last July Cantor Fitzgerald said it had “the capacity to buy the rights to hundreds of millions of dollars.” In other words, the payoff on these bets could be astronomical.

Elsewhere:

Cantor Fitzgerald is rejecting claims that it sold a product that would pay off if the Supreme Court ruled, as it did Friday, against tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, where Cantor’s founder is Commerce Secretary.

[A_Gupta]

Some more clarity, this via The Chosun:

Trump Imposes 10% Tariffs After Supreme Court Ruling
New tariffs under Section 122 face legal challenges as court deems prior basis illegal
https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en ... 2SB6YNW34/

Earlier, Trump was angered by the federal Supreme Court’s ruling on the same day that tariff imposition based on IEEPA was illegal. He stated, “We have alternatives. They are very good alternatives, and thanks to them, we will become much stronger,” showing his intention to utilize other legal bases.

The newly imposed 10% tariff is based on Section 122 of the Trade Act. Section 122 of the Trade Act allows the president to impose emergency tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days in response to severe balance-of-payments deficits or declines in the dollar’s value. It was first invoked by Trump since its enactment during President Nixon’s tenure in 1974.

Although the additional tariffs can remain in effect for 150 days until Congress approves an extension due to the legal basis, there is a significant possibility that they may again face legal challenges. This is because, in the ruling, the court viewed the recent situation as a “peacetime,” stating, “The U.S. is not at war with any country in the world,” in response to Trump’s claim of a “national emergency.”

The White House has announced an executive order confirming that various previously imposed tariffs are no longer valid. It includes the content that tariffs announced against countries identified as causes of illegal drug inflows into the U.S., such as fentanyl, countries importing Venezuelan oil, and countries deemed to harm U.S. national security, including Brazil, Russia, Cuba, and Iran, will be withdrawn as soon as possible. However, it stated that the “national emergency” declared in relation to these tariffs, which were a response to threats, will not be lifted.

The not being at war is readily rectified, if Trump should so desire.

[Cyrano]

They can start the war with Iran and lo we are in peace time problem is solved!

[Cyrano]

Soon after Trump’s tariffs were announced last fall Brandon Lutnick – no doubt in a totally, totally arms length way – started buying up the rights to tariff refunds at about 25% of their sticker value.

I can't imagine that such stuff could be securitized. Wah !

[chetak]

the trump govt is responsible for the refund of $175 - $200 billions to various countries from whom he had extorted the tariff

तेरा क्या होगा रे कालिया.....

[williams]

Soon after Trump’s tariffs were announced last fall Brandon Lutnick – no doubt in a totally, totally arms length way – started buying up the rights to tariff refunds at about 25% of their sticker value.

I can't imagine that such stuff could be securitized. Wah !

Not a big deal. They will print some more and give it back. It is a small drop in the massive inflation bucket Also OM will say - "Look, I was trying to do good, but this archaic constitution does not allow me to make America great again"

[williams]

They can start the war with Iran and lo we are in peace time problem is solved!

It should be a war that comes with congressional approval. Not going to happen in the current environment. Already some republicans are showing trends of jumping ship.

[Tanaji]

the trump govt is responsible for the refund of $175 - $200 billions to various countries from whom he had extorted the tariff

तेरा क्या होगा रे कालिया.....

You are falling for OMs propaganda saar. American citizens paid for the tariffs - that money is due to them.

He has effectively put in a sales tax at federal level without the authority to do so and convinced the faithful that its other countries that are paying it.

[Cyrano]

Agree, it's the importer and therefore the American consumers who pay.
By the way, up from 10% to 15% !