Ukraine War Update NEWS: Geopolitical News, No Free Lunch & US Is Not World Police

"The US is not in the business of going around the world, just being nice to everyone for the sake of being nice to everyone or policing everyone for the sake of keeping the world secure. If they are doing that, it's keeping the world secure because it benefits the US to have a secure world economically."

Hello Team

🎦 00:00-01:05⏩

Jonathan kicks off the third part of his Ukraine War News Update for May 2nd, 2024, reflecting on his recent experience voting in local council elections. He expresses a sense of disenfranchisement due to the first-past-the-post voting system, highlighting the lack of impact his vote holds in his predominantly Conservative area. Despite this, he emphasizes the importance of voting as a civic duty.

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Apple Halts Supply of Original Parts to Russia

🎦 01:05-01:47⏩

Jonathan reports that Apple-authorised service centres in Russia have exhausted their stock of genuine components for repairing iPhones and MacBooks. Apple ceased supplying these parts last summer, forcing Russian repair centres to rely on either Chinese-made alternatives or cannibalise older devices to service newer models.

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Debunking Mearsheimer's Claims about Soviet War Crimes

🎦 01:47-03:45⏩

Jonathan addresses a viewer comment (Patrick Fox) concerning John Mearsheimer, a prominent geopolitical realist known for his pro-Russian stance. The viewer challenges Mearsheimer's assertion that the Soviets committed minimal war crimes while battling the Nazis, citing Timothy Snyder's book "Bloodlands" which refutes this claim. The book provides a comprehensive account of atrocities committed by both sides on the Eastern Front during World War II.

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US Imposes New Sanctions Targeting Russia's War Efforts

🎦 03:45-04:25⏩

Jonathan highlights the US's implementation of fresh sanctions targeting nearly 300 entities and individuals in Russia and other countries, including Chinese companies, for their involvement in supporting Moscow's war efforts. He underlines the significance of sanctions as a crucial aspect of the war, emphasizing their role in impeding Russia's ability to sustain its military campaign. Jonathan acknowledges that sanctions might not be flawless but underscores their importance in creating hurdles for Russia's war machine.

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Marjorie Taylor Greene's Move to Oust Mike Johnson & Bipartisan Support for Ukraine Aid

🎦 04:25-07:52⏩

Jonathan delves into US politics, discussing Marjorie Taylor Greene's attempt to remove Mike Johnson from his position. This move stems from Johnson's successful passage of a military aid package for Ukraine. Despite opposition from some Republicans, the package garnered significant bipartisan support, demonstrating a strong consensus within Congress for aiding Ukraine. Jonathan highlights Greene's misjudgment of public sentiment, attributing it to her existence within an online echo chamber that distorts her perception of the American electorate. He suggests that this disconnect might lead to surprises for Greene in future elections as she may not have as much support as she perceives from the broader American public.

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Hakeem Jeffries Pledges Support for Mike Johnson

🎦 07:52-11:02⏩

Jonathan discusses Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, throwing his support behind Speaker Mike Johnson. This decision stems from a desire to maintain functionality in Congress and enable bipartisan progress, a prospect jeopardised by Marjorie Taylor Greene's attempt to oust Johnson. Jeffries explicitly calls out "pro-Putin Republicans" like Greene, highlighting the concerning presence of such a faction within American politics.

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The US: Not the World Police, but Strategic Investors

🎦 11:02-18:06⏩

Jonathan addresses a comment from viewer Lloyd Miller, sparking a discussion about the role of the US in global affairs. He challenges the notion of America as the "world police," arguing instead that the US engages in strategic investment for its benefit. He illustrates this point by comparing US interventions in Iraq (motivated by oil interests) and Zimbabwe (lacking strategic significance). He extends this argument to other nations, including the UK and France, asserting that their foreign policy decisions primarily revolve around strategic self-interest rather than moral obligations. Jonathan acknowledges the moral dimension of aiding Ukraine but emphasises that it's underpinned by strategic imperatives, aligning with the US's broader geopolitical goals against Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. He concludes that understanding this strategic calculus is crucial for comprehending global events.

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US Loan to Ukraine for Wabtec Locomotives

🎦 19:22-23:56⏩

Jonathan talks about the US Export-Import Bank's approval of a $156.6 million loan to Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) for purchasing Wabtec diesel locomotives. He emphasizes that this seemingly charitable act serves US interests by supporting American jobs and boosting the economy while simultaneously providing Ukraine with essential equipment. Jonathan reiterates his point that seemingly altruistic gestures often involve an element of self-interest, drawing parallels with moral reciprocity ("you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours") and even questioning the existence of pure altruism. He suggests that seemingly selfless actions might stem from evolved behaviours that ultimately benefit the giver in some way. Jonathan applies this cynical perspective to international aid, positing that even assistance provided during natural disasters might be influenced by strategic considerations. He argues that nations, operating with limited resources, prioritize their interests when allocating aid.

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China's Assertiveness in the South China Sea

🎦 23:56-29:19⏩

Jonathan shifts focus to China's increasingly assertive behaviour in the South China Sea, highlighting an incident where a Chinese Coast Guard ship used a water cannon against a Filipino vessel, specifically targeting its communication systems. He draws a parallel with a hypothetical scenario involving a French ship attacking a British Coast Guard vessel near Dover, emphasizing the severity of China's actions. He goes on to discuss a separate encounter where a Chinese PLA Navy spy ship was spotted in close proximity to a US Navy amphibious warship (USS Harper's Ferry), underscoring the escalating tensions in the region. He cites Ian Ellis's analysis of China's growing naval presence in the South China Sea, noting their surveillance activities near the Philippines, military exercises around Taiwan, and potential for increased aggression leading up to Taiwan's presidential inauguration. Jonathan then discusses the US's strategic response to China's actions, including the deployment of significant naval assets to the Indo-Pacific region. He refutes Donald Trump's call for South Korea to increase its financial contributions to the US military presence, arguing that the US bases in South Korea serve crucial geopolitical interests for America. He emphasizes that the US military spending in the region is not arbitrary but rather a calculated response to China's rise as a global competitor.

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US-Philippines Military Exercises & China's Response

🎦 29:19-30:18⏩

Jonathan elaborates on the escalating tensions in the South China Sea, detailing a series of events that transpired in March 2024. This includes Chinese vessels swarming Scarborough Shoal and shadowing a survey ship, Chinese military exercises simulating amphibious operations and joint combat patrols, and the recent attack on a Filipino vessel. In response to these provocations, the US and the Philippines launched their annual military exercise, Balikatan 2024. This exercise, involving 17,000 personnel from the US, Philippines, Australia, and France, focuses on high-end coastal defense activities, including counter-landing and sinking exercises. Jonathan emphasizes that the US involvement in these exercises isn't a matter of "police work" but rather a strategic decision to bolster the Philippines' naval capabilities. He underscores that supporting the Philippines aligns with US strategic interests, mirroring the rationale behind aiding Ukraine.

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Protests in Georgia Against "Foreign Agent" Law & Support for Ukraine

🎦 31:40-38:45⏩

Jonathan moves on to discuss the situation in Georgia, where large-scale protests have erupted against a controversial "foreign agent" law. He notes the significance of these protests, considering Georgia's relatively small population of 3.7 million, highlighting the widespread opposition to the law. The protests, primarily concentrated in Tbilisi but also spreading to other cities, reflect a strong anti-Russian sentiment among Georgians. Jonathan draws parallels between Russia's actions in Georgia, including the annexation of territories, and its current aggression in Ukraine. Jonathan highlights the spirit of the Georgian protesters, showcasing instances of their resilience and determination. He points to a particular video where protesters form a rugby-style scrum to resist water cannon fire from the police, noting the historical significance of rugby as a sport in the region, particularly in Georgia, where it was promoted during the Soviet era for its emphasis on physicality and aggression. Jonathan then plays a clip from a female protester, eloquently appealing for international support and sanctions against the Georgian government, drawing attention to the government's disregard for the will of its people who overwhelmingly aspire for closer ties with the EU. The protester emphasizes Georgia's centuries-long struggle against Russian influence and its unwavering desire for freedom.

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Wrap up

🎦 38:45-42:35⏩

Jonathan expresses hope that the protests in Georgia gain momentum, leading to meaningful political change that aligns with the will of the Georgian people - a shift towards the EU and away from Russian influence. He reiterates his earlier point that "there is no such thing as a free lunch," emphasizing that understanding a nation's motivations requires looking beyond superficial explanations and considering the potential returns on investment. Jonathan encourages viewers to question the rationale behind any nation's actions, urging them to identify the underlying objectives and assess whether those actions effectively serve those objectives. He applies this to the situation in Ukraine, suggesting that providing Ukraine with all the necessary support to secure a decisive victory against Russia is not only the morally right thing to do but also the most strategically sound and cost-effective approach in the long term. He criticizes the incremental and hesitant approach taken by some Western nations, arguing that establishing clear objectives and providing unwavering support to Ukraine is crucial for ending the conflict swiftly and decisively.

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