IMF: Pakistan loses up to 6.5% of GDP to corruption as elite capture strangles growth
Trump’s 28-point Ukraine peace plan in full
I’ll add more interesting links; I have more of a zero-tolerance approach so low-signal, overwrought comments will either be deleted, edited or their author’s privileges revoked.
when I saw the reporting around IMF and ‘6.5’, my mind instantly went back to the discussion I had with Furqaan on this.
All governance systems have ‘leakage’ and corruption is arguably both a bug and a feature. Challenge is to not allow the tail to wag the dog.
high signal comment – thank you
“Trump’s Ukraine peace plan is a gift to Putin” by Kenneth Roth
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/22/trump-ukraine-peace-plan-gift-to-putin
Trump the peacemaker..
The author is Kenneth Roth. That says a lot. Look up his wiki page.
Trump finally on 22 October imposed significant sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, seriously compromising Putin’s ability to finance his invasion
Wishful thinking. Much like Bidens ruble will be rubble. Russia natural resources are some of the biggest in the world. Even better a readily marketable resource oil. India may back out, but China can step in and refine and sell diesel.
It is about Ukraine’s democracy – and Putin’s desire to snuff it out so it no longer serves
Ukraine is no Democracy, just like claims of Israel being a Democracy. It is an extremely corrupt kleptocracy. Despite huge Soviet built Infrastructure and natural resources it is as poor as Sri Lanka (USD 5,300 GDP/capita)
This whole war was a project of Regime Change Karen aka Victoria Nuland. Started with the Maiden Revolution 2014. The goal destabilize Russia and grab its resources.
Anyway this whole article is one sided. Trying to push for more war. Trump wants to disentangle and not have another huge expense
Europe can go it alone. But they dont have the money. Nor do they want to commit their young to be killed.
As far as I understand it, the main issues are Ukraine being asked to cede territory (the rest of the Donbas) that Russia has not been able to win on the battlefield. Ukraine also cannot join NATO. Ukraine is supposed to hold elections within 100 days of a ceasefire.
This plan is basically demanding that Ukraine capitulate.
Russia basically doesn’t recognize the independent identity of Ukraine as a sovereign nation. This is like if India decides not to recognize Pakistan as a sovereign nation and claim that we are part of “Akhand Bharat”. Of course, Pakistan has nuclear weapons (so did Ukraine until they gave them up).
The problem is that one way or another whatever Russia wants including Eastern Ukraine Russia will annex.
Like I said this was US regime change operation of the US. The US made sure they installed a pawn, Zelensky. When the going got bad (cost) Trump has abandoned Ukraine.
There were couple of Peace proposals from Russia. But Europe and UK blocked them and Ukraine continues to pay the price.
Ukraine needs money and people to fight the war. Europe is not going to give that.,
exactly Great Power machinations being thwarted
Trump the peacemaker
Chomsky, 96, had also reportedly acknowledged receiving about $270,000 from an account linked to Epstein while sorting the disbursement of common funds relating to the first of his two marriages, though the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor has insisted not “one penny” came directly from the infamous financier.
https://www.brownpundits.com/2025/11/21/open-thread-29/#comment-122339
I was shocked to learn that Chomsky had written a letter of support for Epstein in 2017.
so am I
The highlight (watch the video)
whether Mamdani still considers Trump to be a “fascist”. Mamdani, cheeks flushed, began to respond, but Trump jumped in again. “That’s OK,” the president said, jovially tapping Mamdani’s arm and telling him it was “easier” to just say yes, which Mamdani did.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/21/trump-mamdani-white-house-key-moments
wow this is very interesting – a broad church
“Can Iran reinvent itself? A fragile charm offensive meets mounting internal strain”
By Patrick Wintour
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/24/iran-turmoil-trump-june-bombing-build-its-soft-power
Interesting piece