Splintering..

 

The Russian war with Ukraine wasn't a swift military strike, but this war has already been a success. The global economy is splintering, and the West’s conflicting imperatives as well as those of the developing world are slowly revealing themselves.

When it comes to imposing energy sanctions with teeth, Germany and Italy are dependent on Russia for roughly half of their natural gas imports and don’t have the infrastructure to implement a quick substitute. 

Berlin has even drawn up a three-phase plan if Russian gas is turned off, telling carmakers they may have to shut production lines to ensure families can heat their homes over winter. The Bundesbank has warned of recession if supplies are cut.

Italy has started rationing energy in public buildings. And France is equally leery, knowing from the Gilet Jaunes (yellow vests) protests the kind of social unrest that can result from high fuel prices. While Europe’s biggest powers say they plan to wean themselves off Russian imports, they need time. Hence renewed attempts to negotiate a ceasefire, even if it means asking Ukraine to cede even more territory to Russia.

Across the English Channel and beyond the Atlantic, the economic consequences of the war with the inflation taking over, are looking just as critical. 

The US is unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s resistance, supplying arms and munitions promises a bonanza for its powerful military industrial complex, while Americans struggle with oil, Gas and food higher prices and food shortage, This Administration is playing a dangerous game with people's life impacting the whole world as economic destruction is happening such a scary way.  Just a thought.