The World Blog by humble servant.

After World War II, the possibility of gaining control over a person’s mind became one of the top pursuits for intelligence services. Amid never-ending spy games, the capacity to make someone tell the full truth during an interrogation, or to wipe out a subject’s personality and impose another – perhaps, a controlled one – became quite attractive to secret services. In 1979, former US State Department officer John Marks published a book called “The Search for the ‘Manchurian Candidate’,” which focused on the CIA's mind-control experiments and is based on agency documents released under the Freedom of Information Act. The term ‘Manchurian Candidate’ emerged from a title of a novel by Richard Condon, first published in 1959, which tells the story of a US soldier brainwashed and turned into an assassin by the Communists. Back then, the fear that America’s rivals might use such techniques was not only a fictional fantasy, but a matter of very serious concern. This is how John Marks...

Former US President George W. Bush made an embarrassing gaffe, perhaps a Freudian slip, when speaking on the importance of democracy and threats to democracy from abroad, and taking aim specifically at Russia. “Russian elections are rigged,” he said. “Political opponents are imprisoned or otherwise eliminated from participating in the electoral process. The result is an absence of checks and balances in Russia and the decision of one man to launch a wholly unjustified and brutal invasion of Iraq. I mean of Ukraine.” Then Bush brushed the mistake aside and said, “Iraq, too,” insinuating that Russia was somehow involved in Iraq – which is obviously not true. In any case, simple mistake or not, it is the most perfect example of the outright hypocrisy of US politicians who call out Russia’s incursion into Ukraine. Bush himself launched an illegal invasion of Iraq in 2003 that resulted in the estimated deaths of over 1 million Iraqis in the first several years alone. George Bush and ...

Saudi Arabia will maintain its extensive trade relations with both Ukraine and Russia, Economy and Planning Minister Faisal Al-Ibrahim said on Tuesday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Speaking to Japan’s Nikkei newspaper, the minister said Western sanctions against Russia are “unilateral” and will remain as such. Al-Ibrahim also praised Moscow’s role in the OPEC+ format, which unites major oil exporters. The minister explained that Riyadh does not plan to increase oil output in order to lower prices, explaining that his country is currently focused on supply stability rather than more volume. He argued that the situation on international energy markets would be “much worse” if not for OPEC’s efforts. The US, the EU and their allies have slapped Moscow with unprecedented sanctions following Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine. The restrictions have targeted Russia’s financial and banking sectors as well as aviation and the space industry. Numerous governmen...

USDA forecasts for consumer food price inflation were increased again this month, with all food prices now seen rising 5% to 6% (4.5% to 5.5% in March) and grocery store prices expected to rise 5% to 6% (4.5% to 5.5% in March) while the forecast increase in restaurant prices was held at 5.5% to 6.5%. Taking the midpoint of USDA’s forecast ranges, all food price inflation would be the highest since it was 5.5% in 2008 with food at home (grocery store) inflation also the highest since 2008 when it was up 6.5% from the prior year. The 20-year average for food price increases at 2.4% for all food, 2.9% for restaurant prices and 2.0% for grocery store prices means the current outlooks are for costs that are at least double those averages. Changes versus Month-Ago Levels The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all food increased 1% from February 2022 to March 2022, and food prices were 8.8% higher than in March 2021. The food-away-from-home (restaurant purchases) CPI was 6.9% higher than March ...

Britain could soon be hit by a bottled beer shortage as glassware production costs soar, according to leading Scottish wholesaler Dunns Food and Drinks. Suppliers are already starting to struggle with a glassware shortage after prices skyrocketed by 80% over the past year due to rising energy costs. “Our wine and spirits suppliers from around the globe are facing ongoing struggles that will have a knock-on effect,” said Julie Dunn, the operations director at the company. “As a result, there could be less variety in the bottled beers we see on UK shelves,” she added. According to Dunn, some brewers may be forced to switch to different containers for their products, which could further push prices up for consumers. “Specialist bottles and glassware hold a very important place in the heritage of the beer industry and I expect that while some breweries will convert to cans to ensure consistent supply, others will look at this as devaluing the brand, so will inevitably pass the additiona...

Vagit Alekperov, who until recently headed Russia’s largest private oil company Lukoil, has said the potential tightening of existing sanctions would have a disastrous impact on Europe as well as Moscow. A European ban on the country’s “impossible to replace” crude would be “the most negative scenario” for all parties, Alekperov said, as quoted by the Financial Times. “By imposing sanctions, Western countries gave a clear signal and declared their position. There is no need to further tighten them,” the billionaire told the media, adding that the EU move to cut off Russian oil imports would be “a shock for everyone.” Last month, Alekperov – reportedly Russia’s 10th-richest person – stepped down as chief executive officer of Russia’s second-largest oil producer Lukoil, a post he held for nearly three decades. The move came after the billionaire was hit by UK and Australian sanctions as part of Western pressure over Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. “It is impossible to replace...

The EU needs to take more responsibility for its security and compensate for the shortfalls that have been underlined by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the bloc’s foreign affairs chief, Josep Borell has warned. “The most obvious example” of such shortfalls are “the depleted stockpiles resulting from the military support we provided to Ukraine” Borrell wrote in his blog on Sunday. But there were many others “inherited from past budget cuts and underinvestment,” he added. According to Borrell, combined defense spending, across the bloc, has increased by only 20% from 1999 to 2021, compared to 66% for the US, 292% for Russia and 592% for China. The events in Ukraine have resulted in “a tectonic shift of the European security landscape,” the diplomat insisted. “Now it is clear that Europe is in danger.” In such circumstances, “the EU needs to take on more responsibility for its own security,” which would require creating “modern and interoperable European armed forces, look...

Wheat prices have surged to record highs over the past two months as major producers like Russia, Kazakhstan and India scrapped exports to protect their domestic markets. This has sparked fears of food insecurity and hunger around the world. According to experts who spoke to Russia’s Izvestia newspaper, since the beginning of the year the cost of wheat has risen in price by more than 60%. They say the surge was caused by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which provide nearly a third of the globe’s wheat exports. In the 2021-2022 season that began in July last year, Russian suppliers accounted for 16% of global wheat exports, and Ukrainian producers accounted for 10%. But due to the conflict both countries banned wheat exports. In February Russia restricted the export of all grains (wheat, rye, barley and corn) outside the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) until June 30. Meanwhile, Ukraine has shut its only remaining port in Odessa. Anti-Russia sanctions forced international com...

The global food system, already weakened by pandemic-related shocks and the energy crisis, is expected to be severely impacted by the conflict in Ukraine and Western sanctions against Moscow, The Economist reports. “Ukraine’s exports of grain and oilseeds have mostly stopped and Russia’s are threatened,” the report states. According to the magazine, the two nations supply 12% of “traded calories.” Earlier this week, wheat prices – up 53% since the start of 2022 – reportedly soared by further 6% shortly after India prohibited all exports of the vital food commodity with immediate effect because of an alarming heatwave. In the 2021-2022 season, which began in July last year, Russian suppliers accounted for 16% of global wheat exports, and Ukrainian producers accounted for 10%. However, the conflict forced both nations to ban exports of the grain. In February, Russia restricted the export of wheat, rye, barley and corn outside the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) until June 30. Meanwh...

An international naval coalition should be put together to ensure ships carrying Ukrainian grain can leave Black Sea ports amid an alleged Russian blockade of the coastline, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has suggested. Landsbergis proposed the idea during talks with UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in London on Monday, he explained to the Guardian in an interview. Truss reportedly voiced Britain’s support, in principle, for such a coalition. Russia has denied that it’s imposing a naval blockade on Ukraine, calling the reports “speculation,” and insisting that Kiev itself has caused logistical problems for shipping by planting mines in its own ports. But according to the Lithuanian foreign minister, “a coalition of the willing – countries with significant naval power” is required to protect shipping routes in the Black Sea from Russia. This naval escort operation should not involve NATO, Landsbergis said. “This would be a non-military humanitarian mission and is n...

A Russian artillery strike has destroyed a battery of US-supplied 155mm towed M777 howitzers used by the Ukrainian military, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Monday. The ministry released a video showing Russian self-propelled 152mm 2S5 Giatsint-S artillery guns in action. It didn't specify the location, but described the strike as a “counterbattery mission.” Last Wednesday, the Russian military reported destroying a battery of M777 howitzers near the village of Podgornoe. The Russian army used strike drones to force their opponents to seek cover in a small forest and followed up with a heavy artillery strike to finish them off, the Defense Ministry said. It released drone footage of the Ukrainian forces under fire as evidence. The US has reportedly donated to Ukraine 90 artillery systems of the M777 type, over 140,000 155mm shells and some 70 trucks to tow the guns. Smaller batches have been offered by US allies Canada and Australia. Some Ukraine watchers were expectin...

Over the past two years, a new billionaire has popped up about every 30 hours as moguls from the pharma, food, energy and tech industries reaped the rewards of a “rigged” economic system, Oxfam reported on Monday. With commodity prices skyrocketing, 263 million more people will crash into extreme poverty this year, unless the windfall is redistributed, the charity warned, directing the message to a gathering of the ultra-rich in the Swiss resort of Davos. The release of the Oxfam report titled “Profiting from Pain” was timed with the first World Economic Forum to be held face-to-face since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Oxfam called on the wealthy and powerful individuals gathering this week in Switzerland to choose whether they wanted to be “proxies for the billionaire class who plunder their economies” or act in the interest of humankind. “The extremely rich and powerful are profiting from pain and suffering. This is unconscionable,” Gabriela Bucher, Executive Director of Oxfam Inte...

The global economy is facing “its biggest test since the Second World War”, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund said at the start of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Kristalina Georgieva said the conflict in Ukraine has “compounded the Covid-19 pandemic – a crisis upon a crisis – devastating lives, dragging down growth, and pushing up inflation.” “Add to this sharply increased volatility in financial markets and the continuing threat of climate change, and we face a potential confluence of calamities,” she warned. The IMF chief highlighted the impact of soaring food and energy prices on households worldwide, saying the crisis is creating huge problems for “highly-indebted vulnerable countries” which will need debt restructuring. Georgieva urged rich countries to lower trade barriers, help nations in debt distress, and improve cross-border payment systems. The IMF warning comes amid fears of a global recession, with Chinese production falling sharply due to ...

There is a small window of opportunity to wind down the armed conflict in Ukraine and find a peace settlement, former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger has told a gathering of Western elites in Davos, Switzerland. Beyond that, Russia may break from, the rest of, Europe for good and become a permanent ally of China, he said on Monday during a speech at the World Economic Forum. “Negotiations on peace need to begin in the next two months or so, [before the conflict] creates upheavals and tensions that will not be easily overcome,” the 98-year-old veteran diplomat said of the crisis. The outcome will determine the rest of Europe’s relationships with Russia and Ukraine alike, he said. “Ideally, the dividing line should return to the status quo ante,” he said. “I believe pursuing the war beyond that point would turn it not into a war about the freedom of Ukraine, which had been undertaken with great cohesion by NATO, but into a war against Russia itself,” he added. Kissinger is a pr...

The president of the European Commission has said that EU nations continue to buy Russian oil, despite pledging to fully cut energy dependence on Moscow, to prevent it from selling crude elsewhere at a steeper price. The explanation came after MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski pressured Ursula von der Leyen on why the EU didn’t impose a full embargo, during an interview on Monday. Von der Leyen assured Brzezinski that the long-term goal of the bloc was to stop buying Russian fossil fuels and replace them with alternatives like renewables or US-supplied liquified natural gas. She said Russian President Vladimir Putin had made a blunder when he ordered an attack against Ukraine, since he “lost his best client, [the] Europe[an Union].” “We will never come back,” she said. The TV host wondered if a full embargo on oil trade with Russia would be “the most effective way to impose upon [Putin] that he has committed a strategic failure”. Von der Leyen said the EU had to find “the right balance”...

The stand-off between Russia and the Western nations, which has been developing since 2014, escalated into an active confrontation with the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, back in late February. In other words, the Great Game has ceased to be a game. It has become total war, though a hybrid one so far, since the armed conflict in Ukraine is not of a full-scale nature at present. However, the danger of it intensifying towards a direct collision not only exists, but is increasing. The challenge Russia is facing has no equivalents in our history. It’s not just that we have neither allies nor even potential partners left in the West. Frequent comparisons with the Cold War of the mid and late 20th century are inaccurate and rather disorienting. In terms of globalization and new technology, the modern form of confrontation is not only of a larger scale than the previous one, it is also much more intense. Ultimately, the main field of the ongoing battle is located inside...

British wholesale gas prices rose on Monday due to a reduction in shipments from Norway after the major supplier suffered unplanned outages at its giant natural gas field. UK gas for immediate delivery jumped by 59 pence to 135 pence per therm by 08:09 GMT, its highest level since May 3. The day-ahead price was 25 pence higher at 134 pence/therm. Norwegian flows via the Langeled pipeline have fallen to 38 million cubic meters (mcm) per day due to outages, Reuters data showed. There was an unplanned outage at the Troll field, which is impacting 17 mcm/day of flows. Smaller disruptions have also been reported at several other Norwegian facilities. Norwegian gas system manager Gassco said on Sunday that the nation’s Hammerfest LNG plant is expected to restart on May 27, four days later than previously planned. The UK depends on imports to cover its energy demand. Norway is the single biggest supplier of gas to the country, covering over 60% of its total demand. The Norwegian outages...

Russia’s currency has hit its strongest level against the euro since June 2015 as more European companies appear to be complying with Moscow’s demand that natural gas imports should be paid for in rubles. On Monday, the ruble was trading at 58.80 to the euro and 57.40 against the dollar on the Moscow Exchange as of 14:20 GMT. Experts note that capital controls, collapsing imports and surging energy prices have made the ruble about 20% stronger than before the sanctions. Many European gas buyers are complying with President Vladimir Putin’s demand by opening foreign-currency and ruble accounts with Gazprombank to transfer funds for conversion. Around half of Gazprom’s more than 50 foreign clients have already opened such accounts, according to Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. “Pressure on the dollar and euro will increase as more buyers of gas open special accounts,” said George Vaschenko, head of the Russian stock market operations department at Freedom Finance, as quoted by...