Ukraine War Update NEWS: Geopolitics News
Table of Contents 📖
"If you want more people to have these babies, then don't give any support to those parents who have been forced to have a baby because you won't allow reproductive rights."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:29⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to another ATP Geopolitics video, indicating it's the third installment in the Ukraine War News Update series for June 26th, 2024. He hints at delving into the geopolitical landscape surrounding the war in Ukraine and briefly touching upon American politics, particularly the upcoming debate between Trump and Biden.
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Mark Rutte to Become NATO Secretary General
🎦 00:29-00:47⏩
Jonathan discusses Mark Rutte, the outgoing Dutch Prime Minister, becoming the new NATO Secretary General in October. He believes this is positive news for Ukraine.
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Austrian Ex-Minister Karen Kneissl's Alleged Kremlin Ties and Spy Scandal
🎦 00:47-05:35⏩
Jonathan covers the controversial Austrian ex-minister, Karen Kneissl, who now resides in Russia. He shows a picture of her dancing with Putin at her wedding in 2018, highlighting it as evidence of her pro-Russian stance. He details Austria's ongoing spy scandal and Kneissl's denial of being a Kremlin agent despite her connections to Putin and her work for Russia Today. He criticizes Kneissl's claim of being forced to flee Austria and seek refuge in Russia, calling it a "very tiresome odyssey." Jonathan expresses his view that she's a Russian puppet, supported by her actions and affiliations.
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Updates on Russian Sabotage and Negotiation Tactics
🎦 05:35-08:06⏩
Jonathan references a fire at a German metal plant, initially suspected to be linked to Russian sabotage but later attributed to a technical fault. He then discusses Russian negotiation tactics, citing insights from a Soviet-era foreign minister that highlight Russia's uncompromising approach. Jonathan draws parallels with his own readings about Putin's inflexible negotiation style, concluding that any forced negotiation would favor Russia. He criticizes those who advocate for appeasement, emphasizing the need for a firm stance against Russia's aggressive actions in Ukraine.
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Russian Propagandist's Threats and Lyudmila Vasilyeva's Courage
🎦 08:06-10:21⏩
Jonathan highlights the extreme rhetoric of Russian propagandist Solovyov, who advocates for wiping Ukrainian cities off the map. He contrasts this with the bravery of 83-year-old Lyudmila Vasilyeva, who criticizes the war and the Russian regime despite the risks. He praises her for speaking out against the transformation of Russia into a North Korea-like state, acknowledging the dangers she faces for her dissent.
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Shooting in Makhachkala, Dagestan
🎦 10:22-11:37⏩
Jonathan reports on a shooting in Makhachkala, Dagestan, involving police officers and armed individuals. He notes the city being on high alert, with security forces searching for the shooters. He mentions Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader, advocating for swift and brutal retaliation, including targeting family members, a response Jonathan deems characteristic of "warlord behaviour."
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Finland to Halt Russian Liquified Natural Gas Imports
🎦 11:37-11:49⏩
Jonathan reports Finland's decision to stop importing Russian liquified natural gas starting in July, aligning with EU sanctions, a move he welcomes.
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Nigel Farage and the Reform Party's Pro-Putin Stance and Russian Connections
🎦 11:49-15:08⏩
Jonathan discusses Nigel Farage and his Reform Party, acknowledging feedback from viewers turned off by the party's pro-Putin stance. He mentions a Reform Party candidate being booed for praising Putin in Salisbury, known for the Novichok attack. He analyzes recent polls suggesting a decline in Reform Party support, attributing it to Farage's overt pro-Putin stance alienating potential voters. Jonathan delves into the Reform Party's simplistic and often unrealistic policy proposals, highlighting the challenges of governing compared to being in opposition. He also reveals a Reform Party donor with Russian assets, further raising concerns about the party's links to Russia.
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US Public Opinion on Aiding Ukraine
🎦 15:08-17:20⏩
Jonathan cites data from the Reagan Ronald Reagan Institute about American public opinion on aiding Ukraine. He finds it surprising that a higher percentage of MAGA Republicans, compared to non-MAGA Republicans, support Ukraine's victory and consider Russia to be losing. However, he is astonished that a small percentage of both groups want Russia to win, questioning their reasoning given Russia's actions. He uses this data point to argue that Trump could attract more centrist voters by taking a stronger pro-Ukraine stance.
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Republican Strategists and a Missed Opportunity on Ukraine
🎦 17:20-19:08⏩
Jonathan critiques Republican strategists for being too focused on fringe ideologies and missing the opportunity to attract voters by adopting a more centrist approach to Ukraine. He uses Adam Kinzinger's endorsement of Biden due to his strong pro-Ukraine stance as evidence of this missed opportunity. He believes Trump could have secured an easy election victory by being more sensible and understanding the centre ground on Ukraine.
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Julian Assange's Espionage Case and Moral Evaluation
🎦 19:08-24:39⏩
Jonathan discusses Julian Assange's legal situation, noting his long confinement and eventual extradition to the US. He acknowledges the diverse opinions on Assange, ranging from admiration for his whistleblowing to condemnation for endangering national security. He shares his nuanced perspective, recognizing the importance of truth while considering the complexities of international relations and the potential for manipulation. This leads him to a philosophical exploration of moral pluralism and the subjective nature of morality. He argues for happiness as the fundamental basis for moral evaluation, acknowledging the imperfections inherent in any moral system. He criticizes Assange's past pro-Russian statements, highlighting the irony of Assange's claim that Russia didn't need WikiLeaks due to its supposed openness and freedom of speech.
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US Sanctions and Biden's Re-election Campaign
🎦 24:39-26:49⏩
Jonathan examines how US sanctions against Russia, Iran, and Venezuela are intertwined with Biden's reelection campaign, particularly the need to balance foreign policy with domestic economic concerns like gas prices. He cites a Wall Street Journal report suggesting the sanctions are weaker than some within the administration desire, attributing it to the potential negative impact on voters. Jonathan acknowledges the dilemma of balancing national interests with electoral pressures, especially during a campaign season. He criticizes Biden for prioritizing fundraising over attending a peace summit, viewing it through the lens of electoral strategy.
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Addressing Viewer Criticism of Economic Commentary and Providing Counterarguments
🎦 26:49-28:12⏩
Jonathan addresses criticism from a viewer who accused him of bias and painted a bleak picture of the US economy under Biden. He systematically debunks the viewer's claims, providing evidence to the contrary, such as statistics on crime rates and inflation. He expresses frustration with the prevalence of disinformation and the resilience of some people's beliefs even when confronted with facts. He emphasizes the importance of evidence-based analysis and highlights the dangers of misinformation.
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Analyzing the US Economy Under Biden
🎦 28:12-31:25⏩
Jonathan provides a more balanced perspective on the US economy under Biden, citing data points from Simon Rosenberg, who argues that Biden has overseen a strong economic recovery post-COVID. He highlights positive indicators like GDP growth, job market strength, record low uninsured rates, new business formation, and stock market performance. He also mentions the rise in wages and wealth formation, acknowledging that inflation remains a concern but pointing out that wages have outpaced inflation in recent periods.
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Perception vs. Reality in Assessing Economic Performance
🎦 31:25-32:29⏩
Jonathan delves into the psychology of economic perception, discussing how public sentiment can lag behind actual economic indicators. He references a podcast that explores the gap between perception and reality regarding inflation, attributing it to people's expectations and psychological biases. He emphasizes the importance of considering both objective data and subjective perceptions when evaluating economic performance.
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Trump's Controversial Stances on Education and Healthcare
🎦 32:29-36:06⏩
Jonathan criticizes Trump's campaign promises, specifically his proposals to cut education funding by half and his stance against vaccine mandates. He questions the logic behind these policies, arguing that reducing education spending while claiming schools will have more money is nonsensical. He expresses concern over Trump's stance on social issues, comparing it to a return to "medieval times." He condemns the lack of support for families impacted by strict abortion laws and other conservative policies. He finds it perplexing that Trump maintains significant support despite these controversial stances.
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Contrasting Democratic and Republican Governance
🎦 36:06-39:08⏩
Jonathan contrasts the Democratic and Republican approaches to governance, arguing that the Democrats have focused on policies that benefit a wider range of Americans, citing examples like healthcare reform, infrastructure investments, and consumer protection measures. He contrasts this with what he perceives as the Republicans' focus on tax cuts for the wealthy and policies that primarily benefit a select few. He expresses deep concern about the direction the US is heading, citing examples like the erosion of church-state separation, the rise of Christian nationalism, and attacks on democratic institutions. He sees these trends as part of a broader global surge in populism, often fueled by Russian influence.
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Condemning Steve Bannon's Influence
🎦 39:08-40:51⏩
Jonathan specifically calls out Steve Bannon's role in fostering right-wing populist movements in the US and Europe. He argues that Bannon's efforts have contributed to the rise of illiberal and anti-democratic forces globally. He expresses his desire for the upholding of democratic values and the protection of human dignity.
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US Support for the International Criminal Court's Investigation into Russian Officials
🎦 40:51-41:12⏩
Jonathan reports on the US supporting the International Criminal Court's investigation into Russian officials, including Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, for war crimes.
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Addressing Personal Bias
🎦 41:12-42:10⏩
Jonathan acknowledges his personal bias toward pro-democratic values and his critical stance on Donald Trump. He emphasizes that his views are based on reasoned arguments and evidence rather than unfounded opinions. He recognizes that some viewers may disagree with his political views and that's acceptable.
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Wrap Up
🎦 42:10-41:19⏩
Jonathan concludes by reiterating his belief that voting for someone like Donald Trump is detrimental to both US foreign policy and domestic well-being. He thanks his viewers and signs off.
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