Ukraine War Update NEWS: Geopolitical News
Table of Contents 📖
"This should be headline news, national news in America, especially on the back of a vote. In fact, this should have been headline news ahead of the vote. This should be like, by the way, guys, just in case you're doubting who Russia are, we've just had a wastewater treatment plant cyber hacked, which is, in my opinion, a form of overt warfare. That's the same as bombing it."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:18⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to another ATP Geopolitics video - a Ukraine War Update. He addresses comments telling him to avoid American politics, arguing that it's crucial to understand the wider geopolitical landscape. He stresses the significance of US support for Ukraine and the impact of shifting US political opinion on future aid packages. He vows to continue analysing US politics, highlighting the importance of considering diverse viewpoints.
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EU considers sanctions against companies supplying Russia with weapons technology
🎦 01:35-02:27⏩
The EU is considering sanctions against foreign companies supplying Russia with weapons technology, targeting companies providing technology like navigation systems for missiles. Jonathan is surprised that these companies were not sanctioned earlier, two years into the war, but acknowledges that tracking the supply chains for weapons components can be complex.
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Pro-Kremlin oligarch's yacht to be auctioned to support Ukraine
🎦 02:27-04:38⏩
A Dutch auction house will sell the seized yacht of a pro-Kremlin oligarch, with the proceeds going to Ukraine. Jonathan notes that this is a turning point, potentially setting a precedent for similar seizures. He questions whether buyers would be at risk from elements of the Russian state if they were to purchase the yacht, and reflects on the high cost of maintaining such assets.
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France proposes new EU sanctions targeting Russian disinformation
🎦 04:38-05:27⏩
France is urging the EU to implement new sanctions targeting Russian disinformation and election interference globally. Jonathan strongly supports this proposal, emphasizing the critical need to combat disinformation in the ongoing information war, and the threat posed by growing autocracies.
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North Korean economic delegation visits Iran
🎦 05:27-07:03⏩
A North Korean economic delegation is visiting Iran for the first official talks in five years, signaling increased cooperation between the two nations. Jonathan highlights the strengthening ties between Iran and Russia, North Korea and Russia, and China's role in this emerging alliance. He believes this development is concerning and may be driving increased Western defence spending. Jonathan believes that the West needs to work together to combat these actors to protect democracy.
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Sri Lanka seeks to join BRICS
🎦 07:03-09:26⏩
Sri Lanka is looking to join BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). Jonathan acknowledges that while many believe BRICS is insignificant and unlikely to challenge the US dollar, he urges caution, arguing that such movements can gain momentum. He highlights China's growing global influence, exemplified by Sri Lanka's reliance on Chinese loans for infrastructure projects and subsequent default, resulting in China's control over a Sri Lankan port. Jonathan sees this as part of a larger trend of China strategically expanding its influence. He cautions that allowing this movement to grow unchecked could lead to an autocratic hegemony, challenging democratic values.
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Russian hackers target US wastewater treatment plant
🎦 09:26-10:18⏩
Hackers targeted a wastewater treatment plant in Indiana, with a Russia-linked group claiming responsibility. Jonathan argues that this should be major news, highlighting it as an act of overt warfare comparable to a bombing. He believes this incident underscores the need for the US to take Russia seriously.
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Russian media criticises US House Speaker Mike Johnson
🎦 10:18-11:27⏩
Jonathan discusses how Russian media has turned on US House Speaker Mike Johnson, using insults like "total scatterbrain" after his approval of the $61 billion aid package for Ukraine. This change in stance highlights how Russia views US politicians based on their usefulness to the Kremlin's agenda, now praising Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has been critical of Ukraine aid, and Donald Trump.
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Trump's stance on Ukraine aid and its implications
🎦 11:27-16:55⏩
Jonathan discusses Trump's praise for Mike Johnson after the Ukraine aid vote, suggesting Trump is in a difficult position because he needs to appease both the pro-Ukraine and the anti-Ukraine factions within the Republican party. Jonathan highlights two key factors influencing Mike Johnson's decision to support Ukraine aid: intelligence reports about the situation in Ukraine and a visit by Ukrainian church members who appealed to his Christian faith. He delves into the psychology of persuasion, noting that shared in-group membership, in this case, religious affiliation, can make individuals more receptive to arguments. Jonathan believes that the combination of intelligence briefings and the emotional appeal from Ukrainian Christians likely swayed Mike Johnson's stance on the issue.
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Global Engagement Center (GEC) and the fight against disinformation
🎦 16:55-19:25⏩
Jonathan discusses the GEC (Global Engagement Center), a US agency tasked with countering foreign disinformation, which is facing funding challenges. A clip from an interview with Special Envoy James Rubin is played, where he addresses criticism about the GEC's communication with social media companies, emphasizing that the GEC only shares information about Russian and Chinese disinformation tactics and does not censor content or make judgments about truth. Jonathan agrees that the accusations against the GEC are likely influenced by disinformation campaigns. He believes that organizations like the GEC need proper funding to effectively counter disinformation.
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Analysis of the Republican Party and its future
🎦 19:25-31:06⏩
Jonathan analyses an article featuring an anonymous senior Republican figure's perspective on the GOP and Ukraine. This individual believes that the Republican Party needs a coherent foreign policy that recognizes global threats and deals with them appropriately. They are concerned about the influence of Donald Trump, stating that a functioning Republican Party is essential to prevent a "new dark age" led by Putin or Xi. The article suggests that a third of the Republican Party would not support Trump in a competitive primary, another third would vote Republican regardless of the candidate, and the final third are strong Trump supporters. This division within the party raises questions about the viability of Trump's MAGA movement in the long term. The anonymous Republican is optimistic that a candidate with views more aligned with traditional Republican values, like John McCain or Nikki Haley, could potentially win over the party in the future. He reveals that Speaker Johnson's change of heart regarding Ukraine was driven by intelligence reports about the deteriorating situation on the front lines. When asked about Trump's stance on Ukraine, he states that Trump despises war but admires Putin's leadership style and resents Ukraine's leadership for their perceived support of Biden. He believes that Trump would likely pressure Ukraine into a land-for-peace deal with Russia, portraying himself as a peacemaker. Jonathan questions whether all Nikki Haley voters will ultimately vote for Trump, suggesting that some may choose a third-party candidate or even Biden. He uses the example of the 2008 election, where many Hillary Clinton supporters eventually voted for Obama despite initial reluctance. Jonathan observes that Trump's best chance of winning the presidency lies in appealing to moderate voters, but his current actions are hindering that possibility.
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Wrap up
🎦 31:06-31:28⏩
Jonathan ends the video by saying that he needs to prepare for a chat with Jake Bro.
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