theduran--2020-03-27--Boris Johnson tests positive for Covid-19 as UK lockdown tightens

Submitted by InfoBrics , authored by Johanna Ross , journalist based in Edinburgh , Scotland… Make an unnecessary journey and you could face a fine of £60 : that ’ s the message the UK government is sending as it tightens up its restrictions in light of the current coronavirus pandemic .
On Monday night , Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation , and in truly unprecedented manner for this liberal politician , informed people that their rights and freedoms would have to be temporarily curtailed ; he instructed the British public to stay at home unless absolutely necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest victim of Covid-19 , along with Prince Charles : this virus does not discriminate .
Boris Johnson has been trying to get his message across for weeks now – that self-isolation is the key to tackling the pandemic .
Yet not everyone has been paying attention .
Just a few hours after his announcement on Monday for people to remain indoors , people could be seen socialising outside and the London underground was still jam-packed , even though there is now a limited number of places people can gather in .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ignore the advice on social distancing , leading to the PM ’ s decision to give the police powers to fine and even arrest those who disobey the rules .
UK residents may only leave their homes for essential reasons : to buy groceries , once a day for exercise ( or walk the dog ) , to fulfil a duty of care , to travel to essential work or for medical reasons .
The police are already taking their enforcement powers very seriously , using drones and roadblocks to catch out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already caused some controversy however as a couple walking their dog in the Peak District were exposed by a police drone .
Police claimed that the couple had driven 30 miles away to walk their dog in a way that was ‘ not essential ’ .
However when the UK cabinet office was approached about this the response was that it is not in fact forbidden to drive somewhere to take a walk .
It ’ s not clear why the police thought that this couple , walking in a remote part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could possibly be worth highlighting as an example .
This case emphasizes the extent to which this law is open to interpretation and that problems could arise as a result .
The measures that Boris Johnson has taken however are undoubtedly necessary , and if nothing else have perhaps not been implemented early enough .
The number of deaths in Britain to Covid-19 is now 578 with over 11,600 cases and the country is on a steeper trajectory than either Italy or Spain – the two worst affected European countries – have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientific advisor , Walter Ricciardi , who called his nation ’ s lockdown has even said that the UK government should have shut down the country earlier – 10 days earlier in fact – to halt the spread of the virus .
He has suggested that as a result , the UK may go on to have a higher infection rate than that of Italy and that it will have to endure lockdown conditions for a longer period .
Scenes of struggling hospitals in Italy and exhausted medical staff have shocked the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now over 8000 with morgues bursting at the seams and stadiums transformed into makeshift hospitals .
Spain is not far behind with over 4000 deaths and the largest number of deaths in one day amongst nations : 718 in total .
Things have got so out of hand that an ice rink in Madrid has had to be used as a temporary morgue .
The President of the Madrid region has said she expects around 80 % of the population to contract coronavirus .
Across the world people are getting used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of globalization , our freedom of movement has been the key to the current crisis .
Now we must learn to live without it for the time being .
At least , most of us have the ability to stay connected through the internet .
Without that convenience , the current lockdown would be much bleaker .
One thing is for sure , this period in our history will have a profound effect on all of us .
When it is over , we will all be changed in some way .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : for some of us , we will have lost loved ones ; for others , we will learn to appreciate the things we take for granted : meeting with friends and family ; exercise , entertainment , holidays .
Things we deemed an essential part of life now don ’ t seem so essential after all…

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Submitted by InfoBrics, authored by Johanna Ross, journalist based in Edinburgh, Scotland…
Make an unnecessary journey and you could face a fine of £60: that’s the message the UK government is sending as it tightens up its restrictions in light of the current coronavirus pandemic. On Monday night, Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation, and in truly unprecedented manner for this liberal politician, informed people that their rights and freedoms would have to be temporarily curtailed; he instructed the British public to stay at home unless absolutely necessary. The Prime Minister has become the latest victim of Covid-19, along with Prince Charles: this virus does not discriminate.
Boris Johnson has been trying to get his message across for weeks now – that self-isolation is the key to tackling the pandemic. Yet not everyone has been paying attention. Just a few hours after his announcement on Monday for people to remain indoors, people could be seen socialising outside and the London underground was still jam-packed, even though there is now a limited number of places people can gather in. Despite the warnings, some people have chosen to ignore the advice on social distancing, leading to the PM’s decision to give the police powers to fine and even arrest those who disobey the rules.
UK residents may only leave their homes for essential reasons: to buy groceries, once a day for exercise (or walk the dog), to fulfil a duty of care, to travel to essential work or for medical reasons. The police are already taking their enforcement powers very seriously, using drones and roadblocks to catch out anyone flouting the law. This has already caused some controversy however as a couple walking their dog in the Peak District were exposed by a police drone. Police claimed that the couple had driven 30 miles away to walk their dog in a way that was ‘not essential’. However when the UK cabinet office was approached about this the response was that it is not in fact forbidden to drive somewhere to take a walk. It’s not clear why the police thought that this couple, walking in a remote part of the country far from anyone else, could possibly be worth highlighting as an example. This case emphasizes the extent to which this law is open to interpretation and that problems could arise as a result.
The measures that Boris Johnson has taken however are undoubtedly necessary, and if nothing else have perhaps not been implemented early enough. The number of deaths in Britain to Covid-19 is now 578 with over 11,600 cases and the country is on a steeper trajectory than either Italy or Spain – the two worst affected European countries – have been on to date. Italy’s scientific advisor, Walter Ricciardi, who called his nation’s lockdown has even said that the UK government should have shut down the country earlier – 10 days earlier in fact – to halt the spread of the virus. He has suggested that as a result, the UK may go on to have a higher infection rate than that of Italy and that it will have to endure lockdown conditions for a longer period.
Scenes of struggling hospitals in Italy and exhausted medical staff have shocked the world. The death toll in the country is now over 8000 with morgues bursting at the seams and stadiums transformed into makeshift hospitals. Spain is not far behind with over 4000 deaths and the largest number of deaths in one day amongst nations: 718 in total. Things have got so out of hand that an ice rink in Madrid has had to be used as a temporary morgue. The President of the Madrid region has said she expects around 80% of the population to contract coronavirus.
Across the world people are getting used to a new reality. In the age of globalization, our freedom of movement has been the key to the current crisis. Now we must learn to live without it for the time being. At least, most of us have the ability to stay connected through the internet. Without that convenience, the current lockdown would be much bleaker.
One thing is for sure, this period in our history will have a profound effect on all of us. When it is over, we will all be changed in some way. It will have both negative and positive effects: for some of us, we will have lost loved ones; for others, we will learn to appreciate the things we take for granted: meeting with friends and family; exercise, entertainment, holidays. Things we deemed an essential part of life now don’t seem so essential after all…
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theduran--2020-03-27--G20 social distance summit: Globalist system breaking down (Video)

The Duran ’ s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss the virtual , video G20 summit of world leaders .
Subscribe to The Duran on YouTube – Find us on BitChute .
The Duran Audio Podcast : Follow on Soundcloud – Subscribe on iTunes .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged the creation of ‘ green corridors ’ to transport essential goods and technologies without sanctions as the world continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic .
Speaking to a video-summit of G20 leaders on Thursday , Putin said a common plan was needed to support the global economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many countries are taking a major hit amid the coronavirus crisis .
The Russian leader said joint research between all G20 countries would quicken the process of finding a successful vaccine for the novel coronavirus .
He also said the main risk of the pandemic would be long-term unemployment and estimated that unemployment globally will exceed 2009 levels “ under any scenario.
” G20 leaders are meeting for the virtual crisis call eight months ahead of the summit scheduled to take place in Riyadh in November .
It ’ s all in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of policies ” to alleviate the impact of the Covid-19 crisis and “ safeguard the global economy.
” The suggestion of a teleconference-style summit was first put forward by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other members were quick to support the idea .
In a joint statement on Thursday , the leaders said they were “ gravely concerned ” about the risks posed by the crisis — particularly to developing nations and the least-developed countries in Africa , as well as small island states .
They also noted that refugees and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss the virtual, video G20 summit of world leaders.
Support Free Speech:
Subscribe to The Duran on YouTube – Find us on BitChute.
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Via RT…
Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged the creation of ‘green corridors’ to transport essential goods and technologies without sanctions as the world continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking to a video-summit of G20 leaders on Thursday, Putin said a common plan was needed to support the global economy. Right now, he pointed out, many countries are taking a major hit amid the coronavirus crisis.
The Russian leader said joint research between all G20 countries would quicken the process of finding a successful vaccine for the novel coronavirus.
He also said the main risk of the pandemic would be long-term unemployment and estimated that unemployment globally will exceed 2009 levels “under any scenario.”
G20 leaders are meeting for the virtual crisis call eight months ahead of the summit scheduled to take place in Riyadh in November. It’s all in an effort to agree a “coordinated set of policies” to alleviate the impact of the Covid-19 crisis and “safeguard the global economy.”
The suggestion of a teleconference-style summit was first put forward by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other members were quick to support the idea.
In a joint statement on Thursday, the leaders said they were “gravely concerned” about the risks posed by the crisis — particularly to developing nations and the least-developed countries in Africa, as well as small island states. They also noted that refugees and other displaced persons faced “particular risk.”
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theduran--2020-03-27--U.S. – China Cold War has officially started (Video)

The Duran ’ s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss how the Covid-19 virus has turned what was a manageable trade and tariff war into a full scale propaganda Cold War between the United States and China .
Subscribe to The Duran on YouTube – Find us on BitChute .
The Duran Audio Podcast : Follow on Soundcloud – Subscribe on iTunes .
On March 18 , China marked a milestone in its “ people ’ s war ” against the new coronavirus .
For the first time in three months , there were no new local infections in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 60 million people remain confined to their homes as part of a nationwide effort to control the deadly outbreak .
The respiratory illness caused by the new pathogen , first detected in late December in Wuhan , the capital of Hubei , has spread rapidly across the world , infecting more than 465,000 people and killing more than 21,000 as of March 26 .
Europe has become the new epicentre of the disease , also known as COVID-19 , with the death toll in Italy and Spain higher than China and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned on Tuesday that the United States might be next .
But in China , the outbreak appears to be under control , with less than 5,000 patients still undergoing treatment and new cases confirmed only among people returning from overseas .
Authorities in Beijing , who were widely criticised for initially covering up the outbreak , are now hailing their success , highlighting the unparalleled measures that helped quell the outbreak within the country and positioning China as a global leading power in the fight against the coronavirus – all while engaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US .
Prior to the slowing of local transmissions in China , the country ’ s highly controlled state media was almost exclusively pushing one narrative : the supremacy of the so-called “ system with Chinese characteristics ” in fighting the outbreak .
News anchors and online reporters praised the central leadership for utilising measures unthinkable in other countries in their bid to contain the virus , including a nationwide quarantine , the use of mass surveillance to track infections bringing the world ’ s second-largest economy to a near-halt .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth , China has bought enough time for the world to prepare itself for this pandemic , ” Geng Shuang , the spokesman for China ’ s Ministry of Foreign Affairs , told reporters on March 19 , suggesting that China ’ s draconian measures had slowed down the transmission of the disease worldwide .
As the domestic pressure to contain the outbreak eased , state media shifted their focus to featuring China ’ s recent effort to deploy medics and resources to areas most hard-hit by the virus , particularly Italy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader in the battle against the virus .
China has sent planeloads of medical equipment , including the much sought-after masks , ventilators , and other personal protective equipment to the worst-hit countries in Europe , the Middle East and elsewhere .
CCTV , the official state broadcaster , continuously plays videos of Chinese medics arriving in Bergamo in northern Italy and Iran ’ s capital , Tehran .
CGTN , the international wing of CCTV , and Global Times , a state-owned English language tabloid , are two of the many state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generosity ” and “ leadership ” during the pandemic .
Positive feedback from global leaders , such as Serbia ’ s President Aleksandar Vucic , and officials from Venezuela and the Philippines – mostly comments applauding China ’ s support and leadership – have also been prominently featured in the state media coverage .
Meanwhile , the social media accounts of government-backed media institutions are at the front line of the propaganda push , including on Twitter and Facebook , which are both banned in China .
By doing so , Beijing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from the pent-up anger in the country towards the central government for an initial cover-up of the outbreak that many say paved the way for the rapid spread of the virus .
“ By pushing for this narrative , China is avoiding the blame and successfully dodging culpability for its role in spreading the coronavirus , ” said Shadi Hamid , a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington , DC .
“ In suppressing information about the virus and allowing it to spread unchecked in the crucial early days and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 100 nations now facing their own potentially devastating outbreaks.
” Some analysts say what triggered the propaganda machine in China is the deterioration in relations between Beijing and Washington , which are also locked in a bitter trade dispute .
Last week , tensions escalated after China expelled more than a dozen American journalists working for the Wall Street Journal , New York Times , and Washington Post newspapers , in a tactic seen as retaliation for the US designating China ’ s state media as diplomatic missions .
Now officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the current pandemic .
Since early March , Chinese officials and state media have been pushing the idea that the new coronavirus could have originated somewhere else – notably the US .
Lijian Zhao , a spokesman for China ’ s foreign ministry , has been particularly vocal in questioning the US ’ s role in the viral outbreak .
On March 12 , Zhao posted a tweet saying : “ It might be the US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan ” .
And despite widespread criticism over the unsubstantiated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Articles with titles along the lines of The virus didn ’ t come from China : the US brought the virus to China as a bioweapon are widely shared across China ’ s tightly-controlled internet .
Some of these pieces filled with conspiracy theories say the US army brought the virus to China during the Military World Games held in Wuhan in October last year .
State media is also calling for an “ inquiry ” into the US ’ s role in the emergence of this outbreak , publishing articles that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the US was behind the spread of the virus .
The WHO and leading medical experts say the virus jumped from an animal host to humans , stressing that the suggestion that the pathogen did not have a natural origin are “ dangerous ” to the effort to contain the pandemic .
But Chinese academics are also supporting the narrative of US involvement .
Chen Xuyan , a scientist based in Beijing , appeared on CCTV on March 18 and suggested that the fast speed of research on COVID-19 vaccines in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Washington had already obtained the virus long before , by extension implying the US might have sent the virus to China .
“ The Xi government is following a very aggressive foreign policy now , engaging in what Mao Zedong called a ‘ tongue war ’ – the propaganda war , ” said Anne-Marie Brady , a professor at the University of Canterbury who specialises in Chinese politics .
The resentment in China has been exacerbated by US President Donald Trump ’ s decision to use terms like “ foreign virus ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , to refer to the new pathogen .
Images posted online show that during a recent news conference , Trump crossed out the word “ corona ” and wrote “ CHINESE ” in front of the word “ virus ” in the script of his speech .
The Chinese foreign ministry has called the moves “ irresponsible ” and “ racist ” .
Instead of sweeping Trump ’ s comments under the rug , which is usually what the state media does for comments that go against the Communist Party line , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarks as a tactic to incite public anger towards the US leader and as an extension , the US as a whole .
“ With the US facing its own credibility issues in recent years , China ’ s false narrative threatens to spread as quickly as the coronavirus , ” wrote Matthew Karnitschnig , the chief Europe correspondent of Politico .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss how the Covid-19 virus has turned what was a manageable trade and tariff war into a full scale propaganda Cold War between the United States and China.
Support Free Speech:
Subscribe to The Duran on YouTube – Find us on BitChute.
The Duran Audio Podcast:
Follow on Soundcloud – Subscribe on iTunes.
Via Al Jazeera…
On March 18, China marked a milestone in its “people’s war” against the new coronavirus. For the first time in three months, there were no new local infections in the central province of Hubei, where more than 60 million people remain confined to their homes as part of a nationwide effort to control the deadly outbreak.
The respiratory illness caused by the new pathogen, first detected in late December in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei, has spread rapidly across the world, infecting more than 465,000 people and killing more than 21,000 as of March 26.
Europe has become the new epicentre of the disease, also known as COVID-19, with the death toll in Italy and Spain higher than China and the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday that the United States might be next.
But in China, the outbreak appears to be under control, with less than 5,000 patients still undergoing treatment and new cases confirmed only among people returning from overseas.
Authorities in Beijing, who were widely criticised for initially covering up the outbreak, are now hailing their success, highlighting the unparalleled measures that helped quell the outbreak within the country and positioning China as a global leading power in the fight against the coronavirus – all while engaging in an acrimonious war of words with the US.
Prior to the slowing of local transmissions in China, the country’s highly controlled state media was almost exclusively pushing one narrative: the supremacy of the so-called “system with Chinese characteristics” in fighting the outbreak.
News anchors and online reporters praised the central leadership for utilising measures unthinkable in other countries in their bid to contain the virus, including a nationwide quarantine, the use of mass surveillance to track infections bringing the world’s second-largest economy to a near-halt.
“With utmost determination to curb the outbreak growth, China has bought enough time for the world to prepare itself for this pandemic,” Geng Shuang, the spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters on March 19, suggesting that China’s draconian measures had slowed down the transmission of the disease worldwide.
‘Global leader against coronavirus’
As the domestic pressure to contain the outbreak eased, state media shifted their focus to featuring China’s recent effort to deploy medics and resources to areas most hard-hit by the virus, particularly Italy and Iran, labelling itself as a global leader in the battle against the virus.
China has sent planeloads of medical equipment, including the much sought-after masks, ventilators, and other personal protective equipment to the worst-hit countries in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere.
CCTV, the official state broadcaster, continuously plays videos of Chinese medics arriving in Bergamo in northern Italy and Iran’s capital, Tehran.
CGTN, the international wing of CCTV, and Global Times, a state-owned English language tabloid, are two of the many state media outlets praising China’s “generosity” and “leadership” during the pandemic.
Positive feedback from global leaders, such as Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic, and officials from Venezuela and the Philippines – mostly comments applauding China’s support and leadership – have also been prominently featured in the state media coverage.
Meanwhile, the social media accounts of government-backed media institutions are at the front line of the propaganda push, including on Twitter and Facebook, which are both banned in China.
‘Shifting domestic anger’
By doing so, Beijing is trying to shift domestic and international attention away from the pent-up anger in the country towards the central government for an initial cover-up of the outbreak that many say paved the way for the rapid spread of the virus.
“By pushing for this narrative, China is avoiding the blame and successfully dodging culpability for its role in spreading the coronavirus,” said Shadi Hamid, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC.
“In suppressing information about the virus and allowing it to spread unchecked in the crucial early days and weeks, the regime imperilled the more than 100 nations now facing their own potentially devastating outbreaks.”
Some analysts say what triggered the propaganda machine in China is the deterioration in relations between Beijing and Washington, which are also locked in a bitter trade dispute.
Last week, tensions escalated after China expelled more than a dozen American journalists working for the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Washington Post newspapers, in a tactic seen as retaliation for the US designating China’s state media as diplomatic missions.
‘Blame game’
Now officials in the two countries are blaming each other for the current pandemic.
Since early March, Chinese officials and state media have been pushing the idea that the new coronavirus could have originated somewhere else – notably the US.
Lijian Zhao, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, has been particularly vocal in questioning the US’s role in the viral outbreak.
On March 12, Zhao posted a tweet saying: “It might be the US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan”. And despite widespread criticism over the unsubstantiated claim, Zhao continues to blame Washington.
Articles with titles along the lines of The virus didn’t come from China: the US brought the virus to China as a bioweapon are widely shared across China’s tightly-controlled internet.
Some of these pieces filled with conspiracy theories say the US army brought the virus to China during the Military World Games held in Wuhan in October last year. State media is also calling for an “inquiry” into the US’s role in the emergence of this outbreak, publishing articles that question Washington based on an unfounded assumption that the US was behind the spread of the virus.
Aggressive foreign policy
The WHO and leading medical experts say the virus jumped from an animal host to humans, stressing that the suggestion that the pathogen did not have a natural origin are “dangerous” to the effort to contain the pandemic.
But Chinese academics are also supporting the narrative of US involvement.
Chen Xuyan, a scientist based in Beijing, appeared on CCTV on March 18 and suggested that the fast speed of research on COVID-19 vaccines in the US could be attributed to the possibility that Washington had already obtained the virus long before, by extension implying the US might have sent the virus to China.
“The Xi government is following a very aggressive foreign policy now, engaging in what Mao Zedong called a ‘tongue war’ – the propaganda war,” said Anne-Marie Brady, a professor at the University of Canterbury who specialises in Chinese politics.
The resentment in China has been exacerbated by US President Donald Trump’s decision to use terms like “foreign virus” and more frequently, “Chinese virus”, to refer to the new pathogen.
Images posted online show that during a recent news conference, Trump crossed out the word “corona” and wrote “CHINESE” in front of the word “virus” in the script of his speech.
The Chinese foreign ministry has called the moves “irresponsible” and “racist”.
Instead of sweeping Trump’s comments under the rug, which is usually what the state media does for comments that go against the Communist Party line, the government is using Trump’s remarks as a tactic to incite public anger towards the US leader and as an extension, the US as a whole.
“With the US facing its own credibility issues in recent years, China’s false narrative threatens to spread as quickly as the coronavirus,” wrote Matthew Karnitschnig, the chief Europe correspondent of Politico.
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theduran--2020-03-27--Montenegro being accelerated to the European Union in a face-saving regime

Submitted by InfoBrics , authored by Paul Antonopoulos , Research Fellow at the Center for Syncretic Studies… Italians furious at the lack of help and solidarity from the European Union began removing flags of the Union throughout the country and replaced them with Chinese and Russian ones .
As this is happening in a long-time member of the European Union , the small Balkan country Montenegro went in the opposite direction and began praising the bloc .
Refusing to assist Italy , the credibility of the European Union was dealt a huge blow , and Brussels decided to set aside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mitigate the effects of the spread of coronaviruses .
There is no doubt that the promised European Union assistance for Montenegro is certainly welcomed and valuable in the aftermath of delaying all assistance to the European Union ’ s worst hit countries , Italy and Spain .
But this is merely a reaction to the increased popularity of China and Russia in these countries who have all provided assistance in a timely and unbureaucratic manner .
As part of a face saving exercise when many European Union members are questioning the necessity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prioritized Western Balkan countries to legitimize itself again by fast tracking the memberships of not only Albania and North Macedonia , but also Montenegro .
The European Union Ambassador to Montenegro , Aivo Orav , announced on Twitter that Brussels is allocating €3 million in emergency assistance to the Montenegrin health sector and €50 million for the health sector , the economy and business .
This assistance to Montenegro , an aspiring European Union member , is an attempt to salvage the shaky reputation of the European Union .
Attempting to regain credibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to what extent this move by the European Union can change the overall impression that the current crisis has shown a complete collapse of European solidarity .
Montenegrin Prime Minister Duško Marković described the European Union assistance to Montenegro as “ European values and solidarity in action.
” Montenegro will continue to work diligently with the European Commission and the delegation to jointly address the effects of the crisis , Marković said .
Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović then said on Twitter : “ A great decision for our neighbours North Macedonia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in fighting COVID-19 !
EU keeps standing with Western Balkans in the hard times !
” The official Twitter account of the Montenegrin Government went to Twitter to say : “ The EU , in the difficult moments of fighting against coronavirus , stands by Montenegro and provides urgent help for procurement of equipment and protective supplies worth €3 mil through the UN system while working on defining the model for an additional €50 million to help overcome the socio-economic effects of the crisis .
We have also agreed to accelerate a € @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the most vulnerable categories of society and the unemployed.
” The pro-Western Đukanović helped steer Montenegro into full NATO membership in 2017 and is on track to make his country soon join the European Union .
The European Union gives the illusion that it is an alliance of liberal democracy , efficient and free of corruption .
However Đukanović is alleged to have strong links to the mafia , as well as involved in smuggling , organized crime and unnecessary privatizations like the Prva Banka , which went to his family .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of European Union membership which supposedly united Europe that has been cited as crucial in media close to Montenegrin authorities .
Today however , we see that there is nothing of such in the European Union as it quickly turned realist with the coronavirus pandemic .
The member states of this organization have been left to fend for themselves in the most difficult and critical situations .
From these different treatments of allies , by the EU and NATO on the one hand , and China and Russia on the other , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerge at the end of the coronavirus pandemic .
Although Serbia has blasted so-called European Union solidarity , it remains a lonely voice of the non-member countries of the Balkans .
North Macedonia , Albania and Montenegro on Serbia ’ s southern flank are serving the Western agenda and acting as willing agents to inhibit Russian influence in a region that is overwhelmingly Slavic and Christian Orthodox .
Despite the clear corruption of Đukanović , who should be the antipathy of so-called European values , Montenegro was not only fast-tracked into NATO , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Union in a face-saving regime .
It is therefore unsurprising that anti-Serbian sentiment is being pushed by the ruling class in Podgorica to demonstrate to the West that Montenegro will be a partner to pressurize Serbia .
Therefore , the accession of Montenegro , Albania and North Macedonia to the European Union and NATO is being used by the West as a mechanism to contain Serbia and halt Russian influence into the Balkans , and also to save their own legitimacy .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Submitted by InfoBrics, authored by Paul Antonopoulos, Research Fellow at the Center for Syncretic Studies…
Italians furious at the lack of help and solidarity from the European Union began removing flags of the Union throughout the country and replaced them with Chinese and Russian ones. As this is happening in a long-time member of the European Union, the small Balkan country Montenegro went in the opposite direction and began praising the bloc. Refusing to assist Italy, the credibility of the European Union was dealt a huge blow, and Brussels decided to set aside a significant amount of assistance for Montenegro to mitigate the effects of the spread of coronaviruses. There is no doubt that the promised European Union assistance for Montenegro is certainly welcomed and valuable in the aftermath of delaying all assistance to the European Union’s worst hit countries, Italy and Spain. But this is merely a reaction to the increased popularity of China and Russia in these countries who have all provided assistance in a timely and unbureaucratic manner.
As part of a face saving exercise when many European Union members are questioning the necessity of such a bloc, Brussels has prioritized Western Balkan countries to legitimize itself again by fast tracking the memberships of not only Albania and North Macedonia, but also Montenegro. The European Union Ambassador to Montenegro, Aivo Orav, announced on Twitter that Brussels is allocating €3 million in emergency assistance to the Montenegrin health sector and €50 million for the health sector, the economy and business. This assistance to Montenegro, an aspiring European Union member, is an attempt to salvage the shaky reputation of the European Union. Attempting to regain credibility is understandable, but the big question is to what extent this move by the European Union can change the overall impression that the current crisis has shown a complete collapse of European solidarity.
Montenegrin Prime Minister Duško Marković described the European Union assistance to Montenegro as “European values and solidarity in action.” Montenegro will continue to work diligently with the European Commission and the delegation to jointly address the effects of the crisis, Marković said.
Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović then said on Twitter: “A great decision for our neighbours North Macedonia and Albania. Today – support to Montenegro in fighting COVID-19! EU keeps standing with Western Balkans in the hard times!” The official Twitter account of the Montenegrin Government went to Twitter to say: “The EU, in the difficult moments of fighting against coronavirus, stands by Montenegro and provides urgent help for procurement of equipment and protective supplies worth €3 mil through the UN system while working on defining the model for an additional €50 million to help overcome the socio-economic effects of the crisis. We have also agreed to accelerate a € 18million collaborative programme to help small businesses, the most vulnerable categories of society and the unemployed.”
The pro-Western Đukanović helped steer Montenegro into full NATO membership in 2017 and is on track to make his country soon join the European Union. The European Union gives the illusion that it is an alliance of liberal democracy, efficient and free of corruption. However Đukanović is alleged to have strong links to the mafia, as well as involved in smuggling, organized crime and unnecessary privatizations like the Prva Banka, which went to his family.
It is precisely the Western liberal aspect of European Union membership which supposedly united Europe that has been cited as crucial in media close to Montenegrin authorities. Today however, we see that there is nothing of such in the European Union as it quickly turned realist with the coronavirus pandemic. The member states of this organization have been left to fend for themselves in the most difficult and critical situations. From these different treatments of allies, by the EU and NATO on the one hand, and China and Russia on the other, a different composition of the global order will emerge at the end of the coronavirus pandemic.
Although Serbia has blasted so-called European Union solidarity, it remains a lonely voice of the non-member countries of the Balkans. North Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro on Serbia’s southern flank are serving the Western agenda and acting as willing agents to inhibit Russian influence in a region that is overwhelmingly Slavic and Christian Orthodox. Despite the clear corruption of Đukanović, who should be the antipathy of so-called European values, Montenegro was not only fast-tracked into NATO, but is now being accelerated to the European Union in a face-saving regime. It is therefore unsurprising that anti-Serbian sentiment is being pushed by the ruling class in Podgorica to demonstrate to the West that Montenegro will be a partner to pressurize Serbia. Therefore, the accession of Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia to the European Union and NATO is being used by the West as a mechanism to contain Serbia and halt Russian influence into the Balkans, and also to save their own legitimacy.
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theduran--2020-03-27--Crisis and Opportunity: A Positive Spin on the Current Coronavirus Pandemic

The past weeks have seen the world swept up by a maelstrom of hysteria , misinformation , and confusion under the guise of a new global pandemic .
The over-saturation of information overwhelms the senses and is almost designed to inflame the mass panic , which has taken a life of its own and even threatens to trigger a total financial blowout of the trans Atlantic bubble economy .
What people thought the American elections were just a few weeks ago has profoundly changed and the crisis has induced even Tulsi Gabbard to step down and endorse creepy Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into oblivion .
In the midst of this disorder threatening to turn nation states upside down , some perspective is in order .
What We Know So Far… Whether or not the coronavirus is a bioweapon as some analysts ( and certain government officials ) claim , or whether it is a wind egg as was outlined poignantly by Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg , the fact remains that powerful forces have made an effort to steer governments into chaos in a global putsch for a new fascist dictatorship .
Evidence of the open conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the October 19 , 2019 “ global pandemic exercise ” called Event 201 co-sponsored by the Michael Bloomberg School for Public Health at John Hopkins , Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , the American Central Intelligence Agency and World Economic Forum .
The forum stated that “ Event 201 simulates an outbreak of a novel zoonotic coronavirus transmitted from bats to pigs to people that eventually becomes efficiently transmissible from person to person , leading to a severe pandemic.
” December 11 , 2019 Coverage of Event 201 on Contagion Live stated “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced with a pandemic that involved more than 10 million cases , with the disease spreading rapidly through low-income districts of “ mega-cities ” around the world .
Governments had issued travel bans , crippling the global travel and tourism industries .
Thanks to these and other factors , the global economy was in ‘ freefall ’ with financial markets in tatters.
” This is a bit jarring as we compare these October 2019 scenarios to the events unfolding today .
One invariant of the many presentations that occurred during Event 201 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the official website ) is the conspicuous absence of nation states playing any guiding role to solve this “ hypothetical ” global crisis .
Representatives of the deep state performing at the event continuously emphasized the need for new regimes for global governance , data and perception management , financial distribution and crisis management by the private sector and civil society .
But sovereign nation states had hardly any role to play in any of this .
Harkening back to the memories of the neocon manifesto Project for a New American Century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harbor-like ” crisis to polarize the population months before 9-11 was unleashed , a leading figure at the event named Dr. Eric Toner stated “ We want to show policymakers , business leaders , and global public health organizations that a severe pandemic may be as disruptive to a country as a national security event can be.
” Just as we saw in the days and weeks preceding 9-11 , the oligarchy wants chaos and they want nation states to crumble in the midst of the emerging storm .
The obvious maliciousness of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question should be asked : is there a positive angle anywhere to be found amidst this desire for controlled chaos ?
In the Chinese language , “ crisis ” and “ opportunity ” are expressed by the same word and this ironical dual meaning applies as much to today ’ s global crisis as anything else .
The reason is that a race is being waged between those forces representing legitimate nation states of the world in defense of the people vs. those Malthusian technocrats who are committed to managing this crisis in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known since ancient times that in periods of crisis such as we are currently experiencing , great sweeping changes can occur both for the good ( as we have seen in the case of FDR ’ s war with Wall Street during the Great Depression ) , or for evil ( as with Wall Street ’ s “ fascist economic miracle solution ” called Hitler ) .
Hitler and FDR both promised “ economic solutions ” when they gained power in 1932 , but the principles emanating from either system were as opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Uni-polar cage of the Trans-Atlantic today .
In spite of the 70 years of moral decay since FDR ’ s untimely death , elements of national reflexes are being felt across the Trans Atlantic- from Spain ’ s nationalization of their healthcare system to President Trump ’ s efforts to invoke national controls to remobilize America ’ s decayed industrial base in order to begin to produce materials that are in the national interest and which decades of free trade nation stripping have destroyed .
Mexico ’ s President Lopez Obrador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banking in his announced national bank plans for his country , which if successful , would create new mechanisms to finance the long-term infrastructure which Mexico ( and all western nations ) so desperately needs .
In demonstrating what a real nation does when it is guided by leaders who actually care about their people , President Xi Jinping recently said “ China will act prudently from beginning to end and strive for an early and complete victory over the epidemic , so as to provide other countries with confidence in their prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with Italy to contribute to international cooperation in combating the epidemic and to the construction of a Health Silk Road ” A recent press release by Executive Intelligence Review provided a four-fold remedy currently in circulation across western governments and very much worth reviewing now : “ 1 .
A system of bank separation must be introduced immediately on a worldwide scale , based exactly on the model of the Glass-Steagall Act signed by President Franklin Roosevelt on June 16 , 1933 .
Commercial banks must be put under Federal protection under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firewall from speculative investment banking firms and units , which will no longer have any access to the assets of the commercial banks , nor have the privilege of being saved by taxpayers ’ money .
The toxic paper of these banks , including their outstanding financial derivatives contracts , must be written off .
Legitimate receivables that are connected with the real economy or with pensions and other assets of working people should be classified as valid in the new system as well .
Some types of claims for payment must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal institutions.
” “ 2 .
A national bank must be founded in each country , in the tradition of Alexander Hamilton or on the model of the German Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau ( Reconstruction Finance Corporation ) after World War II .
Their purpose is to supply Federal credit for productive investments that will provide the physical economy with the necessary funds .
The issuance of these credits must be guided by the principles of high energy-flux density and an optimal increase of the productivity of productive capacities and the powers of labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technological progress.
” “ 3 .
Among the participating countries , a system of fixed parities must be established , and cooperation treaties must be established among sovereign states for the purpose of well-defined infrastructure and development projects .
These treaties together represent in fact a New Bretton Woods system as it was intended by Roosevelt , with the explicit intention of providing credit for the industrial development of the developing sector.
” “ 4 .
An urgent increase in the productivity of the world economy—to accommodate a world population of presently almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an international crash program for the realization of thermonuclear fusion power and other advanced technologies , in such fields as optical biophysics and life sciences , in order to find solutions for challenges such as the coronavirus .
This increase in productivity must also be enabled through international cooperation in space technology and travel , which can establish the necessary next higher economic platform for the world economy , as this concept has been developed by the economist Lyndon LaRouche.
” If America is going to avoid the fate of Germany in 1932 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pull thousands of American troops out of the Middle East under a genuine mobilization to start rebuilding the nation ’ s health care system , infrastructure and factories .
If a major banking reform is initiated as outlined in the above EIR proposal and if western nations heed President Xi Jinping ’ s brilliant calls for a global “ Health Silk Road ” then there is reason for great hope even amidst the despair of the current crisis .
Matthew Ehret is the Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Patriot Review , a BRI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authored 3 volumes of ‘ Untold History of Canada ’ book series .
In 2019 he co-founded the Montreal-based Rising Tide Foundation and can be reached at [ email protected ]

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
From Strategic Culture Foundation
The past weeks have seen the world swept up by a maelstrom of hysteria, misinformation, and confusion under the guise of a new global pandemic. The over-saturation of information overwhelms the senses and is almost designed to inflame the mass panic, which has taken a life of its own and even threatens to trigger a total financial blowout of the trans Atlantic bubble economy. What people thought the American elections were just a few weeks ago has profoundly changed and the crisis has induced even Tulsi Gabbard to step down and endorse creepy Joe Biden while Bernie’s campaign crumbles slowly into oblivion.
In the midst of this disorder threatening to turn nation states upside down, some perspective is in order.
What We Know So Far…
Whether or not the coronavirus is a bioweapon as some analysts (and certain government officials) claim, or whether it is a wind egg as was outlined poignantly by Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg, the fact remains that powerful forces have made an effort to steer governments into chaos in a global putsch for a new fascist dictatorship.
Evidence of the open conspiracy behind this agenda can be seen by the October 19, 2019 “global pandemic exercise” called Event 201 co-sponsored by the Michael Bloomberg School for Public Health at John Hopkins, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the American Central Intelligence Agency and World Economic Forum. The forum stated that “Event 201 simulates an outbreak of a novel zoonotic coronavirus transmitted from bats to pigs to people that eventually becomes efficiently transmissible from person to person, leading to a severe pandemic.”
December 11, 2019 Coverage of Event 201 on Contagion Live stated “by its end, worldwide leaders were faced with a pandemic that involved more than 10 million cases, with the disease spreading rapidly through low-income districts of “mega-cities” around the world. Governments had issued travel bans, crippling the global travel and tourism industries. Thanks to these and other factors, the global economy was in ‘freefall’ with financial markets in tatters.”
This is a bit jarring as we compare these October 2019 scenarios to the events unfolding today.
One invariant of the many presentations that occurred during Event 201 (which were recorded and are still available on the official website) is the conspicuous absence of nation states playing any guiding role to solve this “hypothetical” global crisis. Representatives of the deep state performing at the event continuously emphasized the need for new regimes for global governance, data and perception management, financial distribution and crisis management by the private sector and civil society. But sovereign nation states had hardly any role to play in any of this.
Harkening back to the memories of the neocon manifesto Project for a New American Century which called for a new “Pearl Harbor-like” crisis to polarize the population months before 9-11 was unleashed, a leading figure at the event named Dr. Eric Toner stated “We want to show policymakers, business leaders, and global public health organizations that a severe pandemic may be as disruptive to a country as a national security event can be.”
Just as we saw in the days and weeks preceding 9-11, the oligarchy wants chaos and they want nation states to crumble in the midst of the emerging storm.
An Opportunity Amidst the Crisis
The obvious maliciousness of this Dark Age agenda aside, the question should be asked: is there a positive angle anywhere to be found amidst this desire for controlled chaos?
In the Chinese language, “crisis” and “opportunity” are expressed by the same word and this ironical dual meaning applies as much to today’s global crisis as anything else.
The reason is that a race is being waged between those forces representing legitimate nation states of the world in defense of the people vs. those Malthusian technocrats who are committed to managing this crisis in defense of themselves. It has been known since ancient times that in periods of crisis such as we are currently experiencing, great sweeping changes can occur both for the good (as we have seen in the case of FDR’s war with Wall Street during the Great Depression), or for evil (as with Wall Street’s “fascist economic miracle solution” called Hitler). Hitler and FDR both promised “economic solutions” when they gained power in 1932, but the principles emanating from either system were as opposed then as the China-Russia Multi-polar alliance is to the Uni-polar cage of the Trans-Atlantic today.
In spite of the 70 years of moral decay since FDR’s untimely death, elements of national reflexes are being felt across the Trans Atlantic- from Spain’s nationalization of their healthcare system to President Trump’s efforts to invoke national controls to remobilize America’s decayed industrial base in order to begin to produce materials that are in the national interest and which decades of free trade nation stripping have destroyed. Mexico’s President Lopez Obrador recently set a major new precedent for banking in his announced national bank plans for his country, which if successful, would create new mechanisms to finance the long-term infrastructure which Mexico (and all western nations) so desperately needs.
In demonstrating what a real nation does when it is guided by leaders who actually care about their people, President Xi Jinping recently said “China will act prudently from beginning to end and strive for an early and complete victory over the epidemic, so as to provide other countries with confidence in their prevention and control efforts… China is willing to work with Italy to contribute to international cooperation in combating the epidemic and to the construction of a Health Silk Road”
The Four Laws
A recent press release by Executive Intelligence Review provided a four-fold remedy currently in circulation across western governments and very much worth reviewing now:
“1. A system of bank separation must be introduced immediately on a worldwide scale, based exactly on the model of the Glass-Steagall Act signed by President Franklin Roosevelt on June 16, 1933. Commercial banks must be put under Federal protection under this system and completely separated by a firewall from speculative investment banking firms and units, which will no longer have any access to the assets of the commercial banks, nor have the privilege of being saved by taxpayers’ money. The toxic paper of these banks, including their outstanding financial derivatives contracts, must be written off. Legitimate receivables that are connected with the real economy or with pensions and other assets of working people should be classified as valid in the new system as well. Some types of claims for payment must be provisionally frozen and reviewed for validity by Federal institutions.”
“2. A national bank must be founded in each country, in the tradition of Alexander Hamilton or on the model of the German Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (Reconstruction Finance Corporation) after World War II. Their purpose is to supply Federal credit for productive investments that will provide the physical economy with the necessary funds. The issuance of these credits must be guided by the principles of high energy-flux density and an optimal increase of the productivity of productive capacities and the powers of labor, through an emphasis on scientific and technological progress.”
“3. Among the participating countries, a system of fixed parities must be established, and cooperation treaties must be established among sovereign states for the purpose of well-defined infrastructure and development projects. These treaties together represent in fact a New Bretton Woods system as it was intended by Roosevelt, with the explicit intention of providing credit for the industrial development of the developing sector.”
“4. An urgent increase in the productivity of the world economy—to accommodate a world population of presently almost eight billion people —must be facilitated through an international crash program for the realization of thermonuclear fusion power and other advanced technologies, in such fields as optical biophysics and life sciences, in order to find solutions for challenges such as the coronavirus. This increase in productivity must also be enabled through international cooperation in space technology and travel, which can establish the necessary next higher economic platform for the world economy, as this concept has been developed by the economist Lyndon LaRouche.”
If America is going to avoid the fate of Germany in 1932, then Trump should take the opportunity to pull thousands of American troops out of the Middle East under a genuine mobilization to start rebuilding the nation’s health care system, infrastructure and factories. If a major banking reform is initiated as outlined in the above EIR proposal and if western nations heed President Xi Jinping’s brilliant calls for a global “Health Silk Road” then there is reason for great hope even amidst the despair of the current crisis.
Matthew Ehret is the Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Patriot Review , a BRI Expert on Tactical talk, and has authored 3 volumes of ‘Untold History of Canada’ book series. In 2019 he co-founded the Montreal-based Rising Tide Foundation and can be reached at matt.ehret@tutamail.com
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theduran--2020-03-27--COVID19 Crisis Positive Side Effects: End of Dog-Eat-Dog Civilization?

But what does it mean the plague ?
It ’ s life , that ’ s all.
” – Albert Camus , The Plague .
Before the pandemic , our world was already sick .
Profoundly pathological and dysfunctional in our values , personal connections and , first and foremost , our species ’ deadly impact on the natural world and its disequilibration of our host , planet Earth .
But like any enormous collective challenge , it is the way we deal with it that will determine the outcome .
COVID-19 is paradoxically both a silent enemy from within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at work to , in reality , save us collectively from ourselves and therefore avoid the extinction brought along by the climate crisis .
Within weeks , COVID-19 might infect as much as 60 percent of the world ’ s human population .
It will be asymptomatic or non-lethal for most .
Sadly , it will mean death for many , following a path of natural selection .
Like the plague , it ’ s ultimately life as well .
Death is part of the greater cycle of life .
To make citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an assault on basic human rights , like freedom of movement and assembly , most world leaders have struck an all too familiar patriotic tone .
In France , before the state emergency was proclaimed , President Macron declared six times in a speech watched by 35 million people : “ Nous sommes en guerre !
” This overly dramatic warrior stance in reality gave Commander-in-Chief Macron war powers .
Currently in Europe , which is the epicenter of the pandemic , Italy , Spain and France are under quasi martial law .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ model is quickly spreading elsewhere .
To be a qualified commander-in-chief , however , requires clarity , courage and the foresight to define sound strategies and tactics .
For better or worse , there are very few Napoleon Bonaparte or General de Gaulle in France ’ s history .
Nonetheless the art of war is mostly about planning .
If the COVID-19 crisis is a war , then Commander-in-Chief Macron sent his generals , officers and soldiers to the front line without a clear battle plan , cannons , guns , or even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The incompetence is borderline criminal .
Naturally , the front line officers and soldiers of this war are the doctors and nurses .
They are bravely fighting that war , on behalf of French citizens , with a shortage of masks , COVID-19 test kits , protective suits , face shields , and last but not least , pulmonary respirators .
Italy and Spain are facing the same governmental failures as the death toll rises .
While the COVID-19 global crisis is very much in flux , one can only try to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the speed and almost apocalyptic turn of events , it is challenging to apply rationality to the necessary process of running level-headed case scenarios .
What COVID-19 has already triggered is a near economic collapse of global capitalism in its neoliberal form .
The $ 2 trillion injected by the US government will not be a silver bullet .
With almost all economies at a standstill worldwide , down the line the financial crash unfolding will become known as the Great COVID-19 Depression .
This is a global turning point .
“ Business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option .
At this juncture , one can forecast two possible scenarios .
Option one : The incompetent governments working on the behalf of corporations and the billionaire class could try to tighten their grip on power with authoritarian fascist measures and gang up to impose a global Orwellian Empire world order .
But eventually due to the repression , food shortages , and major climate crisis events , major social unrest would unfold .
This would be revolutionary and chaotic .
Option two : We , as a united humanity , drastically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elements riding along the COVID-19 crisis .
These are the climate crisis carried by its components , which are global warming , social inequality , and overpopulation .
We can already see some positive side effects of the COVID-19 crisis , such as : working remotely , which has already significantly cut pollution by reducing NO2 emissions ; minimizing environmentally armful modes of transportation such as airplanes and cargo ships ; rethinking globalization in terms of manufacturing ; consuming locally and a lot less ; and mainly completely reassessing our relationship with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the climate crisis as a backdrop , I was asking this provocative yet not completely rhetorical question : “ Does Humanity Deserve to be Extinct ?
” Apparently the infinite numbers of viral microorganisms known as SARS-CoV-2 , the agents of COVID-19 , seem to think so .
Collapse Chronicles ’ Sam Michell , pointed out in an interview in December 2019 , that I never answered my own question .
It is perhaps an easier task now .
Yes , a certain aspect of humanity deserves to become extinct .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dog-eat-dog civilization that exploits most people , and rapes and pillages what ’ s left of the natural world , it would be a blessing .
Editor ’ s Notes : Gilbert Mercier is the author ofThe Orwellian Empire .
All Photographs by Thierry Ehrmann .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Authored by Gilbert Mercier, via News Junkie Post…
But what does it mean the plague? It’s life, that’s all.” – Albert Camus, The Plague.
Before the pandemic, our world was already sick. Profoundly pathological and dysfunctional in our values, personal connections and, first and foremost, our species’ deadly impact on the natural world and its disequilibration of our host, planet Earth. But like any enormous collective challenge, it is the way we deal with it that will determine the outcome. COVID-19 is paradoxically both a silent enemy from within, and the implacable soldier of nature at work to, in reality, save us collectively from ourselves and therefore avoid the extinction brought along by the climate crisis. Within weeks, COVID-19 might infect as much as 60 percent of the world’s human population. It will be asymptomatic or non-lethal for most. Sadly, it will mean death for many, following a path of natural selection. Like the plague, it’s ultimately life as well. Death is part of the greater cycle of life.
“Nous sommes en guerre!” | “We are at war!” – Emmanuel Macron
To make citizens accept lockdown confinement measures and what is an assault on basic human rights, like freedom of movement and assembly, most world leaders have struck an all too familiar patriotic tone. In France, before the state emergency was proclaimed, President Macron declared six times in a speech watched by 35 million people: “Nous sommes en guerre!” This overly dramatic warrior stance in reality gave Commander-in-Chief Macron war powers. Currently in Europe, which is the epicenter of the pandemic, Italy, Spain and France are under quasi martial law. Just like COVID-19, this authoritarian repressive model is quickly spreading elsewhere.
To be a qualified commander-in-chief, however, requires clarity, courage and the foresight to define sound strategies and tactics. For better or worse, there are very few Napoleon Bonaparte or General de Gaulle in France’s history. Nonetheless the art of war is mostly about planning. If the COVID-19 crisis is a war, then Commander-in-Chief Macron sent his generals, officers and soldiers to the front line without a clear battle plan, cannons, guns, or even ammunition. The failure is blatant. The incompetence is borderline criminal. Naturally, the front line officers and soldiers of this war are the doctors and nurses. They are bravely fighting that war, on behalf of French citizens, with a shortage of masks, COVID-19 test kits, protective suits, face shields, and last but not least, pulmonary respirators. Italy and Spain are facing the same governmental failures as the death toll rises.
Capitalism’s systemic collapse?
While the COVID-19 global crisis is very much in flux, one can only try to make informed projections about its outcome. Considering the speed and almost apocalyptic turn of events, it is challenging to apply rationality to the necessary process of running level-headed case scenarios. What COVID-19 has already triggered is a near economic collapse of global capitalism in its neoliberal form. The $2 trillion injected by the US government will not be a silver bullet. With almost all economies at a standstill worldwide, down the line the financial crash unfolding will become known as the Great COVID-19 Depression. This is a global turning point. “Business as usual” is no longer an option. At this juncture, one can forecast two possible scenarios.
Option one: The incompetent governments working on the behalf of corporations and the billionaire class could try to tighten their grip on power with authoritarian fascist measures and gang up to impose a global Orwellian Empire world order. But eventually due to the repression, food shortages, and major climate crisis events, major social unrest would unfold. This would be revolutionary and chaotic.
Option two: We, as a united humanity, drastically change our ways by addressing the macro elements riding along the COVID-19 crisis. These are the climate crisis carried by its components, which are global warming, social inequality, and overpopulation. We can already see some positive side effects of the COVID-19 crisis, such as: working remotely, which has already significantly cut pollution by reducing NO2 emissions; minimizing environmentally armful modes of transportation such as airplanes and cargo ships; rethinking globalization in terms of manufacturing; consuming locally and a lot less; and mainly completely reassessing our relationship with the natural world.
“Alea iacta est” | “The die is cast” – Julius Cesar
Back in July 2018, with the climate crisis as a backdrop, I was asking this provocative yet not completely rhetorical question: “Does Humanity Deserve to be Extinct?” Apparently the infinite numbers of viral microorganisms known as SARS-CoV-2, the agents of COVID-19, seem to think so. Collapse Chronicles’ Sam Michell, pointed out in an interview in December 2019, that I never answered my own question. It is perhaps an easier task now. Yes, a certain aspect of humanity deserves to become extinct. If COVID-19 could kill our currently cruel, dog-eat-dog civilization that exploits most people, and rapes and pillages what’s left of the natural world, it would be a blessing.
Editor’s Notes: Gilbert Mercier is the author ofThe Orwellian Empire. All Photographs by Thierry Ehrmann.
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theduran--2020-03-27--Putin Front Runs QE, Proposes Taxing Investment Outflows

Russia is going to be a destination for safe-haven flows in the post-COVID-19 world .
It will be due to its vast savings , prudent fiscal policy and maneuver room available in monetary policy .
The biggest reason , however , for why I think Russia looks attractive to foreign investors is simply because of its political stability .
Putin deftly proposed to devolve power out of the presidency and reorganize both his cabinet and the current government before the outbreak .
And while the final vote on these changes has been delayed because of COVID-19 they will very likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis in Russia is over .
The same can not be said for Russia ’ s neighbors in Europe , where the response has been both heavy-handed and inadequate to stem the tide against the virus .
And given the extreme fragility of the European banking system the response on the financial side both fiscally and through monetary policy will destroy what little confidence exists there .
When no less than former ECB President Mario Draghi is writing in the Financial Times to justify dropping the fiduciary equivalent of a nuclear bomb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desperate .
You only bring out the big guns when things are ready for substantive change .
Read Draghi ’ s words carefully and you ’ ll notice the only time he references the past is to justify , what else , war spending .
There is no other way to fight this fight .
We must print all the money in the world and destroy the futures of our grand children in order to save ourselves today .
It ’ s typical apocalyptic rhetoric from someone who was the architect of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first place .
Draghi actively destroyed not only real capital and real wealth with negative interest rates he destroyed the sovereign debt market in Europe by buying up whole swaths of it .
Christine Lagarde came in this morning to continue Draghi ’ s work , pushing down European bond yields after the U.S. Senate approved the biggest stimulus package in our history .
And into this mess Russia will also be spending money .
Most of this was money already earmarked for this year .
Putin is no Austro-libertarian or anything .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Russia .
And that ’ s why , at the same time , he ’ s looking to shore up Russia ’ s tax reciepts by shifting some of the tax burden to those looking to take advantage of what are now very high real rates of return on Russian capital .
Putin is putting a 15 % tax ( or tariff ) on dividends paid to foreign entities as a way to front run the influx of capital fleeing the destruction that ’ s happening around Russia .
I was contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this and here ’ s what I had to say : “ Putin is trying to get in front of capital outflow in the case of a wider global recession since Russian companies are more likely to weather that storm better than in a lot of other countries ” , the analyst says .
Luongo underscores that the Russian president has recently put an emphasis on the concept that companies which “ benefitted from the state ’ s assistance should be held to account for bettering Russia ” .
Likewise , “ international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back that assistance ” , he notes .
According to Luongo , the Kremlin is “ also trying to ensure that Russia as a destination for capital fleeing the chaos in the West doesn ’ t become a kind of ‘ high-yield ’ slush fund ” .
“ Russia is about to spend a lot of money in support of its economy and Putin understands that as the West struggles Russia will be seen as an emerging safe haven ” , he adds .
“ And this tariff on dividends is a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tariffs ” .
With oil at or below $ 30 per barrel there is now a much bigger hole in Russia ’ s budget as tariffs from domestic oil and gas producers will likely drop to near zero .
Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov expects a shortfall of RUB 3 trillion next year ( ~ $ 38.7 billion ) .
So , some of that money can be made up elsewhere and taxing foreign investors looking for easy 10-12 % real yields makes sense .
Currently Russian 10 year government bonds trade around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue falling back to its longer-term run rate since yield curves in the West are getting crushed right now thanks to QE and further financial repression .
when most western economies are going to be contracting between 5-10 % for the next couple of quarters the potential real yields for investors is very tasty .
And it makes sense for Putin to want to 1 ) slow that down and 2 ) offset the lost oil revenues .
Into this market the Bank of Russia could easily sell into demand and recoup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the back end through this tariff without having to lower rates to over-stimulate the Russian domestic markets .
But , these are all secondary effects .
The main effect is to protect the domestic economy from capital inflow that does nothing to assist the development of Russia ’ s non-oil economy .
As all those new trillions in bailout money come in to blow a bubble in Russian assets and take all the money right back out again when a slightly better deal comes along .
I ’ m no fan of tariffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ printing a move like this makes sense , especially now that you are public enemy # 1 for having helped precipitate the crash overseas in the first place .
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The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Authored by Tom Luongo via Gold, Goats, ‘n Guns:
Russia is going to be a destination for safe-haven flows in the post-COVID-19 world. It will be due to its vast savings, prudent fiscal policy and maneuver room available in monetary policy.
The biggest reason, however, for why I think Russia looks attractive to foreign investors is simply because of its political stability. Putin deftly proposed to devolve power out of the presidency and reorganize both his cabinet and the current government before the outbreak.
And while the final vote on these changes has been delayed because of COVID-19 they will very likely pass without incident when the worst of the crisis in Russia is over.
The same cannot be said for Russia’s neighbors in Europe, where the response has been both heavy-handed and inadequate to stem the tide against the virus.
And given the extreme fragility of the European banking system the response on the financial side both fiscally and through monetary policy will destroy what little confidence exists there.
When no less than former ECB President Mario Draghi is writing in the Financial Times to justify dropping the fiduciary equivalent of a nuclear bomb on Europe, you know things are desperate.
You only bring out the big guns when things are ready for substantive change.
Read Draghi’s words carefully and you’ll notice the only time he references the past is to justify, what else, war spending. There is no other way to fight this fight.
We must print all the money in the world and destroy the futures of our grand children in order to save ourselves today. It’s typical apocalyptic rhetoric from someone who was the architect of the current system’s fragility in the first place.
Draghi actively destroyed not only real capital and real wealth with negative interest rates he destroyed the sovereign debt market in Europe by buying up whole swaths of it.
Christine Lagarde came in this morning to continue Draghi’s work, pushing down European bond yields after the U.S. Senate approved the biggest stimulus package in our history.
And into this mess Russia will also be spending money. Most of this was money already earmarked for this year. Putin is no Austro-libertarian or anything. There’s going to be stimulus in Russia.
And that’s why, at the same time, he’s looking to shore up Russia’s tax reciepts by shifting some of the tax burden to those looking to take advantage of what are now very high real rates of return on Russian capital.
Putin is putting a 15% tax (or tariff) on dividends paid to foreign entities as a way to front run the influx of capital fleeing the destruction that’s happening around Russia.
I was contacted for a comment by Sputnik News on this and here’s what I had to say:
“Putin is trying to get in front of capital outflow in the case of a wider global recession since Russian companies are more likely to weather that storm better than in a lot of other countries”, the analyst says. Luongo underscores that the Russian president has recently put an emphasis on the concept that companies which “benefitted from the state’s assistance should be held to account for bettering Russia”. Likewise, “international investors should be on the hook paying back that assistance”, he notes. According to Luongo, the Kremlin is “also trying to ensure that Russia as a destination for capital fleeing the chaos in the West doesn’t become a kind of ‘high-yield’ slush fund”. “Russia is about to spend a lot of money in support of its economy and Putin understands that as the West struggles Russia will be seen as an emerging safe haven”, he adds. “And this tariff on dividends is a way of attenuating that and offsetting lower oil tariffs”.
With oil at or below $30 per barrel there is now a much bigger hole in Russia’s budget as tariffs from domestic oil and gas producers will likely drop to near zero. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov expects a shortfall of RUB 3 trillion next year (~$38.7 billion).
So, some of that money can be made up elsewhere and taxing foreign investors looking for easy 10-12% real yields makes sense. Currently Russian 10 year government bonds trade around 7%. That number is likely to continue falling back to its longer-term run rate since yield curves in the West are getting crushed right now thanks to QE and further financial repression.
when most western economies are going to be contracting between 5-10% for the next couple of quarters the potential real yields for investors is very tasty. And it makes sense for Putin to want to 1) slow that down and 2) offset the lost oil revenues.
Into this market the Bank of Russia could easily sell into demand and recoup a lot of its coupon payments on the back end through this tariff without having to lower rates to over-stimulate the Russian domestic markets.
But, these are all secondary effects. The main effect is to protect the domestic economy from capital inflow that does nothing to assist the development of Russia’s non-oil economy.
As all those new trillions in bailout money come in to blow a bubble in Russian assets and take all the money right back out again when a slightly better deal comes along.
I’m no fan of tariffs but in a world of unlimited money printing a move like this makes sense, especially now that you are public enemy #1 for having helped precipitate the crash overseas in the first place.
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theduran--2020-03-27--Peak of U.S.’s Coronavirus Crisis Could Be Now.

At 20:50 UTC and 4:50 PM EST on Thursday March 26th , America overtook China as having the largest number of confirmed cases of coronavirus-19 , at 81,896 total cases , as a result of having added 13,685 new cases thus far that day .
Soon after , Reuters headlined “ U.S .
has most coronavirus cases in world ” and reported that , “ The number of U.S. coronavirus infections climbed above 82,000 on Thursday.
” However , that wasn ’ t the end of the day .
By the day ’ s end , America had soared past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17,166 new cases on that day .
The U.S has the world ’ s steepest rate of increase in the number of cases , as I documented on March 22nd , under the headline “ Coronavirus Cases Soaring Much Faster in U.S. Than in Other Countries ” .
It still remains so .
17,166 new cases is the largest-ever daily increase of confirmed coronavirus-19 cases in any country .
The previous largest-ever national increase was China ’ s on 12 February 2020 , when their total cases rose from 44,653 on February 11th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was a daily increase of 14,108 new cases .
The next day , the 13th , was 63,851 , an increase of only 5,090 .
From there on , the daily increases went lower and lower , and so the total has not yet gone above 82,000 .
If America duplicates China ’ s experience on February 12th , then America has started to get control of its coronavirus-19 crisis , as China did on February 11th .
Until America is reducing the daily increase in new cases , America hasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem under control .
By the end of the day on March 27th , China won ’ t even be # 2 in the number of proven coronavirus-19 infections — it ’ ll be # 3 , behind U.S. ( which by then could be considerably over 10,000 cases higher than China ) , and the new # 2 , Italy ( which ended March 26 with 80,589 cases ) .
Italy is already the biggest center of caronavirus-19 deaths : a total of 8,215 on March 26th , as opposed to # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China at 3,292 , # 4 Iran at 2,234 , # 5 France at 1,696 , and # 6 U.S. at 1,295 .
Here , the world ’ s worst-performing countries are listed , in order , from the largest to the smallest number of coronavirus-19 cases , at the end of the records-breaking day on March 26th — but China ’ s period as having been the worst because it was the first , is now over , and now America is the worst simply because it is performing the worst , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently soaring past all the others , in what might turn out to be a national race for self-destruction ( unless it reverses within a few days , and heads down again in new cases ) : Investigative historian Eric Zuesse is the author , most recently , of They ’ re Not Even Close : The Democratic vs. Republican Economic Records , 1910-2010 , and of CHRIST ’ S VENTRILOQUISTS : The Event that Created Christianity .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Eric Zuesse
At 20:50 UTC and 4:50 PM EST on Thursday March 26th, America overtook China as having the largest number of confirmed cases of coronavirus-19, at 81,896 total cases, as a result of having added 13,685 new cases thus far that day.
Soon after, Reuters headlined “U.S. has most coronavirus cases in world” and reported that, “The number of U.S. coronavirus infections climbed above 82,000 on Thursday.” However, that wasn’t the end of the day.
By the day’s end, America had soared past China, to 85,377 cases, and 17,166 new cases on that day.
The U.S has the world’s steepest rate of increase in the number of cases, as I documented on March 22nd, under the headline “Coronavirus Cases Soaring Much Faster in U.S. Than in Other Countries”. It still remains so.
17,166 new cases is the largest-ever daily increase of confirmed coronavirus-19 cases in any country. The previous largest-ever national increase was China’s on 12 February 2020, when their total cases rose from 44,653 on February 11th, to 58,761 on February 12th, which was a daily increase of 14,108 new cases. The next day, the 13th, was 63,851, an increase of only 5,090. From there on, the daily increases went lower and lower, and so the total has not yet gone above 82,000.
If America duplicates China’s experience on February 12th, then America has started to get control of its coronavirus-19 crisis, as China did on February 11th.
Until America is reducing the daily increase in new cases, America hasn’t yet started to get its coronavirus-19 problem under control.
By the end of the day on March 27th, China won’t even be #2 in the number of proven coronavirus-19 infections — it’ll be #3, behind U.S. (which by then could be considerably over 10,000 cases higher than China), and the new #2, Italy (which ended March 26 with 80,589 cases).
Italy is already the biggest center of caronavirus-19 deaths: a total of 8,215 on March 26th, as opposed to #2 Spain at 4,365, #3 China at 3,292, #4 Iran at 2,234, #5 France at 1,696, and #6 U.S. at 1,295.
Here, the world’s worst-performing countries are listed, in order, from the largest to the smallest number of coronavirus-19 cases, at the end of the records-breaking day on March 26th — but China’s period as having been the worst because it was the first, is now over, and now America is the worst simply because it is performing the worst, at the present time, and is currently soaring past all the others, in what might turn out to be a national race for self-destruction (unless it reverses within a few days, and heads down again in new cases):
https://archive.is/YUjeh
—————
Investigative historian Eric Zuesse is the author, most recently, of They’re Not Even Close: The Democratic vs. Republican Economic Records, 1910-2010, and of CHRIST’S VENTRILOQUISTS: The Event that Created Christianity.
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theduran--2020-03-26--Accelerating Albania and North Macedonia Membership EU Tries to Save Face amidst Coronavirus Debacle

Submitted by InfoBrics , authored by Paul Antonopoulos , Research Fellow at the Center for Syncretic Studies… The European Union ’ s decision to open negotiations with Northern Macedonia and Albania is a propaganda act from Brussels that attempts to reassure members of the Union that countries , even in the midst of the epidemic , want to become members of the organization .
This is a cheap propaganda trick that attempts to restore confidence in the European Union at a time when it has completely failed to deal with the coronavirus pandemic that has shown weakness in the alliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambassador to the EU , said earlier this month that “ the coronavirus crisis is a test of the EU ’ s cohesiveness and credibility — one that can only be passed through genuine , concrete solidarity .
Europe must act according to the principle of mutual defense and help those members whose security is under threat.
” With nearly 60,000 people confirmed infected and over 7,500 deaths , the European Union has failed in this test as no member states came to the aid of Italy and instead looked inwardly towards their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s cohesiveness was exposed as a fantasy when days ago member state Poland closed its airspace to a Russian plane delivering aid to fellow European Union member Italy , forcing the aircraft to take an alternate route that is 1,000 kilometers longer .
Essentially the European Union that is currently the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic has exposed why the Union is dysfunctional and without any solidarity .
It has shown a huge gap between words and action .
The European Union as an example of the liberal world order endlessly spoke of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They promoted the idea of efficiency but proven they are actually ineffective .
In short , the announcement to progress the European Union membership of Albania and North Macedonia is a cheap propaganda gimmick for Brussels at a time when it is under heavy scrutiny for showing a lack of solidarity and assistance to Italy , raising questions to the credibility of the organization .
It is negotiating in a way that has never existed , utterly undefined , with a big question mark as to what will be .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 27 members , which Reuters had access to , the hope of membership for the two Western Balkans countries has often been shattered in recent years due to the scepticism expressed , primarily by the Netherlands and France , as they correctly highlight that both countries are highly corrupt .
However , the start date of the negotiations is not specified and will be subsequently determined when the European Commission prepares the framework for the negotiations .
Michael Roth , Germany ’ s state secretary for European affairs , wrote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Tirana+Skopje , it ’ s well deserved , ” after the agreement was reached during a videoconference .
This was followed by European Union Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi also going to Twitter , saying that he is “ very pleased that EU member states today reached political agreement on opening of accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia .
I wholeheartedly congratulate both countries .
This also sends a loud and clear message to Western Balkans : your future is in EU.
” North Macedonia is unlikely to face resistance in joining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being rapidly ascended into NATO after it resolved its name issue with Greece .
However , the accession is not yet a guaranteed for Albania as Greece raises concerns on the rights and treatment of the Greek minority in occupied Northern Epirus in southern Albania .
Approximately 200,000 Greeks of Northern Epirus face daily discrimination with Albanian authorities removing bilingual road signs that display Greek , the confiscation of property belonging to Greeks , and Albanian police even murdering a Greek in a shootout as they removed a Greek flag from a cemetery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On these grounds , Greece may veto Albania ’ s accession , but this is likely to be a temporary measure as the Greek political establishment always eventually capitulate to the demands of Brussels and Germany .
Once this issue is resolved , it is likely that Albania with North Macedonia will be accelerated into the European Union , and this will prove necessary as the bloc wants to maintain the illusion that it is not in disarray in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic .
This begs the questions though on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ascend into the European Union after seeing the alliance ’ s treatment of its own long-time member states like Italy .
Albania has always been a pro-Western state , owing to the Western world its existence , its occupation of Northern Epirus , and its indirect occupation of Kosovo .
It is therefore unsurprising that it wants to be further integrated into the Western world .
North Macedonia since the very beginning of its foundations with the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the early 1990 ’ s wanted to join the European Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so because of the name dispute with Greece .
With this issue resolved , it now has a clear path towards the bloc .
None-the-less , both states are not even remotely close in an economic or so-called democratic sense to be candidates , but will be fast-tracked to help save face after the European Union ’ s debacle with the coronavirus pandemic .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Submitted by InfoBrics, authored by Paul Antonopoulos, Research Fellow at the Center for Syncretic Studies…
The European Union’s decision to open negotiations with Northern Macedonia and Albania is a propaganda act from Brussels that attempts to reassure members of the Union that countries, even in the midst of the epidemic, want to become members of the organization. This is a cheap propaganda trick that attempts to restore confidence in the European Union at a time when it has completely failed to deal with the coronavirus pandemic that has shown weakness in the alliance.
Maurizio Massari, Italy’s ambassador to the EU, said earlier this month that “the coronavirus crisis is a test of the EU’s cohesiveness and credibility — one that can only be passed through genuine, concrete solidarity. Europe must act according to the principle of mutual defense and help those members whose security is under threat.” With nearly 60,000 people confirmed infected and over 7,500 deaths, the European Union has failed in this test as no member states came to the aid of Italy and instead looked inwardly towards their own borders. The European Union’s cohesiveness was exposed as a fantasy when days ago member state Poland closed its airspace to a Russian plane delivering aid to fellow European Union member Italy, forcing the aircraft to take an alternate route that is 1,000 kilometers longer.
Essentially the European Union that is currently the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic has exposed why the Union is dysfunctional and without any solidarity. It has shown a huge gap between words and action. The European Union as an example of the liberal world order endlessly spoke of humanity but have proven they are inhumane. They promoted the idea of efficiency but proven they are actually ineffective. In short, the announcement to progress the European Union membership of Albania and North Macedonia is a cheap propaganda gimmick for Brussels at a time when it is under heavy scrutiny for showing a lack of solidarity and assistance to Italy, raising questions to the credibility of the organization. It is negotiating in a way that has never existed, utterly undefined, with a big question mark as to what will be.
According to a draft decision signed by the bloc’s 27 members, which Reuters had access to, the hope of membership for the two Western Balkans countries has often been shattered in recent years due to the scepticism expressed, primarily by the Netherlands and France, as they correctly highlight that both countries are highly corrupt. However, the start date of the negotiations is not specified and will be subsequently determined when the European Commission prepares the framework for the negotiations.
Michael Roth, Germany’s state secretary for European affairs, wrote on Twitter on March 24, “Congrats to Tirana+Skopje, it’s well deserved,” after the agreement was reached during a videoconference. This was followed by European Union Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi also going to Twitter, saying that he is “very pleased that EU member states today reached political agreement on opening of accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia. I wholeheartedly congratulate both countries. This also sends a loud and clear message to Western Balkans: your future is in EU.”
North Macedonia is unlikely to face resistance in joining the European Union, and is already being rapidly ascended into NATO after it resolved its name issue with Greece. However, the accession is not yet a guaranteed for Albania as Greece raises concerns on the rights and treatment of the Greek minority in occupied Northern Epirus in southern Albania. Approximately 200,000 Greeks of Northern Epirus face daily discrimination with Albanian authorities removing bilingual road signs that display Greek, the confiscation of property belonging to Greeks, and Albanian police even murdering a Greek in a shootout as they removed a Greek flag from a cemetery, among many other forms of discrimination. On these grounds, Greece may veto Albania’s accession, but this is likely to be a temporary measure as the Greek political establishment always eventually capitulate to the demands of Brussels and Germany. Once this issue is resolved, it is likely that Albania with North Macedonia will be accelerated into the European Union, and this will prove necessary as the bloc wants to maintain the illusion that it is not in disarray in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
This begs the questions though on why Albania and North Macedonia would want to ascend into the European Union after seeing the alliance’s treatment of its own long-time member states like Italy. Albania has always been a pro-Western state, owing to the Western world its existence, its occupation of Northern Epirus, and its indirect occupation of Kosovo. It is therefore unsurprising that it wants to be further integrated into the Western world. North Macedonia since the very beginning of its foundations with the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the early 1990’s wanted to join the European Union and NATO, but was prevented to do so because of the name dispute with Greece. With this issue resolved, it now has a clear path towards the bloc. None-the-less, both states are not even remotely close in an economic or so-called democratic sense to be candidates, but will be fast-tracked to help save face after the European Union’s debacle with the coronavirus pandemic.
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