From http://middleeastobserver.net/international-axis-emerging-due-to-us-sanctions-tv-report/
Description:
A short segment on Al Mayadeen TV illustrating the most important strategic agreements between states increasingly being targeted by American sanctions.
Source: Al Mayadeen News (YouTube)
Date: 21 July, 2020
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Transcript:
Every time Washington tries to tighten the screws on states by imposing sanctions on them, these states in turn come together and integrate deeper by forming alliances or concluding strategic agreements that open new windows for their economies which are reeling under sanctions.
Among the most important agreements of this nature are those signed between Iran and Iraq, most notable of which are the joint oilfield agreements between the two countries; the establishment of the Tehran-Damascus highway via Iraq; and various trade exchange agreements.
Some of these agreements could transform the balance of power, such as the strategic cooperation agreement between Beijing and Tehran which entails China investing hundreds of billions of dollars (in Iran), making the two countries partners in confronting American pressure.
As for Russia and Iran, they have taken serious steps in the way of strengthening cooperation in various political, economic and military fields, as well as cooperation in foreign affair files.
On the other side, Russia and China concluded a bilateral cooperation agreement in 2001, which consolidates the existing strategic partnership between the two countries since the end of the 1990s, in addition to agreements aimed at reinforcing economic relations between the two countries.
Moscow, which stood by Damascus since the war on Syria began, are brought together by an agreement signed by the defence ministries of both states in 1994, in addition to several trade agreements, and the signing of an agreement to reconstruct Syrian infrastructure destroyed by war.
We need a strong Russia to counter US and China. Maybe a few more countries can join top tier but unlikely. Germany, Japan, India, all with serious deficit in reaching that level. So as usual, we rely on the strength, moral integrity of the Russia people in this difficult time.
China is not our enemy. It’s merely wiping the floor with us economically. America would rather wave its chubby little fists and scweam than try to compete.
I have looked on Saker website for a long time but with the disgusting coup attempt in Belarus, I have to start commenting now. Mr Navalny has drank some funny tea before a flight and is laying half dead in hospital. One thing these pro-western activists need to remember is that they are often more use to their masters dead than alive.
Poison Navalny and then blame it on the Kremlin and use as a excuse for more anti Russian newspaper headlines, sanctions, NATO bases next to Russia etc. A stratergy so easy to see through yet so many do not. If I was that Belarus opposition woman I would be very worried and avoid drinking any beverages in public.
Seems more likely that Navalny bit himself and got sick.
Yes, failed US agents are more useful dead than alive, like Nemtsov.
The two CIA mottoes are “We lie, we cheat,we steal” and “Dead men tell no tales.”
The US is arranging things in the ME to reduce its profile of troops while increasing its hegemony.
Aligning the UAE and other Arabs with Israel is perfect counterweight to the Axis Iran commands and tries to lead.
The coordination of Russia and China has a long way to go to challenge US power. Their primary cooperation is to defend Eurasia, sovereignty and to forge a new currency so the US dollar no longer dominates the globe.
Their strategy is built on expanding development, assisting defenses, and being reliable partners. This contrasts with the US strategy of blocking development, destroying nation-states, and double-dealing every “ally” or vassal.
The test of the “challenge” remains Syria. You might also attach Lebanon to that zone of conflict. The US insists on preventing Syrian retaking all its territory and obstructs any International aid to rebuild the destroyed nation.
Russia and China must succeed in Syria and Lebanon. If they do, the hegemony of the US-Israel is broken.
I am sure China provides various forms of support in Syria – logistical and otherwise but why has it not put boots on the ground there like Russia has. Even some basic military presence like Chinese military police would be a huge morale boost to everyone involved and a powerful message to the world that China will support the side of right. Considering the current tensions China is facing you would think they would want some real practice for their military.
I see China as the good cop and Russia as the bad cop. China pulls the economic weight whilst Russia does the dirty work. This seems like a solid plan to me.
The dao gives us great insight into what happens when a hegemon keeps trying to control everything.
but why has it not put boots on the ground there like Russia has. Even some basic military presence like Chinese military police would be a huge morale boost to everyone involved and a powerful message to the world that China will support the side of right.
While it is true that Beijing has a vital interest ensuring the destruction of the Uighur terrorist division in Syria, I believe there are multiple reasons why Beijing has not committed military forces to Syria:
1) Beijing has its hands full trying to secure the Western Pacific against the USA+Japan+Australia+India+South Korea+Taiwan separatist axis. If Beijing fails at this, the Russian Far East will easily fall as well.
2) Logistics. Even today Russian power projection capabilities are still world class, second only to USA, and still exceed the power projection abilities of China. Furthermore, Syria is far closer to Russia than it is to China, thus protecting the supply lines is far easier for Russia, than for China.
Suppose Beijing sent troops to Syria; while there is no doubt China would enjoy rights of free passage through Eurasia & Iran, are Russian parts compatible with Chinese equipment? Can Chinese rifles still use Russian modern ammunition? Do J-11s or J-16s have enough compatibility with Su-30s or Su-35s to use their parts & munitions? If yes, then China can essentially buy Russian supplies in bulk and easily deploy to Syria. If no, then China must maintain ~6,000km supply lines that can be easily threatened by Uncle Scam; or 8,000km+ using airlifts, which is likely beyond China’s current abilities; or 8,000km+ sealift that would require China to dedicate a big portion of its navy just to escort. This would drain its ability to defend the homeland, which is constantly threatened by Uncle Scam’s so-called “Freedom of Navigation” operations.
3) Global Public Opinion. Like it or not, Uncle Scam is still a media superpower that has successfully convinced a huge number of people that China is at fault for Covid-19, in addition to being hegemonic. In the absence of a UN mandate, a large Chinese deployment to Syria will likely be perceived as confirmation of “corrupt CCP hegemony.”
4) Financial. Even if China has world’s largest economy (by PPP), much of China is still underdeveloped. Furthermore, China’s economy is under relentless assault by Uncle Scam & associates. A large scale deployment to Syria, therefore would drain China’s treasury of precious resources needed to fortify the Chinese economy against Uncle Scam’s machinations.
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All of that being said, it would be great for the Chinese & Russian militaries to have interoperability to the point where J-20s & other Chinese aircraft can fire Kinzhal cruise missiles & use Iz-30 engines, or Su-57s & Su-35s can fire PL-15 air-to-air missiles. I also agree with your sentiment that Moscow & Beijing should simply ignore Western public opinion, because they can do nothing right in Western eyes.
“… the Axis Iran commands and tries to lead”.
An unfortunate choice of words; especially the capitalisation of “Axis”.
Indeed! Invokes Bushy and his insipid “axis of evil” drivel. Pot, kettle, black.
@Tom Welsh, @disaffected
Did you read the title of the article? Have you heard Nasrallah’s speeches?
Have you read the words of Soleimani?
How about the statements of the FM of Iran?
All use the term Axis of Resistance.
“About the resistance, Sayyed Nasrallah explained that “the resistance axis does not have the choice to engage in a classic war against the enemy, it rather depends on draining it and taking advantage of time. Our aim is to resist, not to get in a war, but Trump and Netanyahu might push the region towards war, and the axis of resistance should be always ready for that… The war aims at hitting the resistance axis, and this axis must change this threat into an opportunity.” https://www.english.almanar.com.lb/419967
It’s okay to profess your ignorance of the facts. Just don’t accuse me of misuse.
MOA’s “b” capitalizes the term: https://www.moonofalabama.org/2020/01/the-axis-of-resistance-announces-the-project-that-will-avenge-qassem-soleimani/comments/page/2/
EJ Magnier uses the term and capitalizes it: A close companion of Major General Qassim Soleimani, to whom he spoke hours before boarding the plane that took him from Damascus to Baghdad, told me: “The nobleman died. Palestine above all has lost Hajj Qassem (Soleimani). He was the “King” of the Axis of the Resistance and its leader. He was assassinated and this is exactly what he was hoping to reach in this life (Martyrdom). However, this axis will live and will not die. No doubt, the Axis of the Resistance needs to review its policy and regenerate itself to correct its path. This was what Hajj Qassim was complaining about and planning to work on and strategizing about in his last hours. ” https://ejmagnier.com/2020/01/05/fragmentation-in-the-axis-of-resistance-led-to-soleimanis-death/
Basta? I could go on for hours and reams. No apology necessary.
Apparently, cracks are appearing between Russia and China. One wonders how viable their “strategic partnership” is in the long term.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3098398/could-russia-side-us-and-india-against-china
@Obsequious
“Apparently, cracks are appearing between Russia and China. One wonders how viable their “strategic partnership” is in the long term.”
Are you serious ?
India is an oceanic power isolated from continental Eurasia by Mountains and Religious difference.
India will never be a Russian & continental ally.
China and Russia are natural allies.
India is a natural AZ rimland ally.
Obviously Russia is edging her bet by keeping good relation with India and maintaining India on the backburner.
But that only it. Edging.
India being an AZ ally finds some interests in maintaining competition. But that is only it. Edging.
While I would agree that it’s in the interests of Russia and China to maintain good relations given that they’re both superpowers and they share a long border, I think it’s a stretch to refer to them as natural allies. The fact is, Russia is a white country and it has always been an overriding goal of theirs to be accepted into the club of white nations dominated by the West. Further, there are unresolved historical grievances and ongoing conflicts/competition simmering just below the surface between Russia and China that, if anything, it would be more appropriate to regard them as natural enemies.
@ Obsequious
“The fact is, Russia is a white country and it has always been an overriding goal of theirs to be accepted into the club of white nations dominated by the West.”
What western white nations are you speaking about ? Please wake up. That does not exist anymore.
Maybe you mean the former western nations ?
The western white countries are past history.
The so called progressive in the west are quitte happy with such situation.
They call for the so called “inclusive” society where all trace of original whiteness is erased.
See what happens in statues in western countries ?
Need to explain what is happening ?
The white west as you call it, lost technology supremacy and demography supremacy.
As for the moral aspect.
The west is secularized and lost all religious appeal with the fall of christianity. (At least in western Europe)
To make a long story short.
White people make as many chilidren as Japanese.
The population is collapsing. Only non white immigration and birth rate sustain and replace native population.
You can see the chart 2.
https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/total-population-outlook-from-unstat-3/assessment-1
The West is decadent and entering its civilizational death bed as an ethnic “white” and culturally European Christian civilization.
It is well known that western countries such as France, US or UK would be minority white countries before the next decades. And will be non Christian countries in case of France and UK.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3265633/amp/Over-babies-born-UK-no-longer-white-British.html
https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/26/muslim-majority-in-france-projected-in-40-years/
As of today it is well known in France that more than 30% birth rate is non white. More than 50%non white in Paris and region.
Just for you to know. It is expected in the coming 15 years alone that the Black African population grows 300 millions. Close to the whole western European population.
What do you think will happen ?
@Larch
“The US is arranging things in the ME to reduce its profile of troops while increasing its hegemony.
Aligning the UAE and other Arabs with Israel is perfect counterweight to the Axis Iran commands and tries to lead.”
Not convincing argument.
What this new configuration does change compared to current arrangement ?
The Arrogance powerbase and pivot in the Arab world is KSA.
KSA is being weakened with the resistance proxy war in Yemen.
US leaving the region would greatly weaken KSA no matter what.
The Arrogance political center is in Israel. War has been and still is being waged in Syria. US pull out would greatly weaken Israel no matter what.
Again… what the US brokered Arab Israel new arrangement would change in strategic term ?
The US are stuck in the ME.
The whole point is that the US need a strategic agreement with Iran.
And Iran always said there will never be negociation regarding Iran allies and regional policies.
Whereas Trump wanna pull out troops.
That is the root cause of Trump JCPOA position.
Whether Trump position is realisticor not is another story.
The Obama administration made another calculus. Assuming that risk of war were too high and proliferation needed to be dealt with in priority. In the same time it is Obama administration that proceeded with the Syrian terrorist proxy war.
Whereas Trump is against such alliance with Daesh.
Both Obama and Trump administration were ready to cut the US loss in ME and were trying to contain the Axis of resistance at low US budget and military lives cost.
Only the tactical approach is different.
The Israel Arab agreement will change nothing.
your ideas seem on point. usa is occupied nation by Z. its foreign policy and military are obvious to that occupation. other nations not so obvious like china and russia . theatrical domestic disputes, squabbles amongst cousins for shekels. but be realistic at night away from the cameras they are all buddies politely talking in the BIS IMF chatam house et al family as daddy banker reads the scripts off like at davos. if Netanyahu can brag that israel is the second eye of the 5 eyes. its very possible that when ziggy brezinski and patrick bergy (shadownet ) state wikileaks is israeli intelligence leaks, theres a lot of LARPing called geo politics. red/ blue team is irrelevant .
Your counter-argument is gibberish.
Your analysis of Trump’s JCPOA move is non-sensical.
He pulled out to cripple the deal, to demonize Iran, to collect a new alliance of Arabs to confront Iran.
And he always wanted to snap back the original sanctions on Iran.
You don’t know what the words strategic and tactical mean.
I do not understand why Putin putting up with the crazy turkey pasha Erdogan, one meeting would be enough for Erdogan to get the hell out of Syria .
Does Putin have an agenda keep the war going in Syria ?
Certainly his military is capable of destroying the crazy rebels in Adlib , northeast Syria and the entire clan of ISIS in the Syrian desert .
Get serious Presidents Putin as well as Mr Assad .
One Syrian life or one Russian life would be enough to raise hell against the Syrian country invaders .
Erdogan is not as crazy as you imagine and Putin (the master strategist) knows that very well. I wish them both well!
The US is suicidal, no need to resist us… Just keep giving Americans wealth, we will use it to destroy ourselves through overindulgence. Resisting Americans gives us some fighting spirit and incentive to be anything other than completely retarded…
There is no need for unnatural alliances between ideologically opposite countries; the ideological compromise of allying with militant atheists is probably more harmful to Shias than the material harm that would be caused by being stubbornly independent. Wrong beliefs are highly contagious. You shouldn’t do deals with some countries just like you don’t have sex with people who have AIDS.
Israel is so underpopulated compared to Muslim and Arab countries. Probably the people of Egypt could defeat Israel just by walking over there and refusing to leave. What would they do with all those corpses? It’s just a matter of willpower. Arabs don’t care enough about Palestine to sacrifice their lives, just like Iranians don’t care enough about Uyghuristan to even mention the subject.
The Muslim world has already outdone the US by remaining more focused on long-term prosperity, Paradise, and China has already destroyed itself more than the US ever could. Hezbollah and Iran will fight bravely against some of the aggressive infidels, Alhamdulillah, but where in the Quran are Muslims permitted to kill each other? Get y’all priorities straight!
It’s amazing how some people know everything, what a wonderful feeling that must be, the ego bursting with profundity and a serious mission to elucidate lesser mortals….
The problem is that life is both multi dimensional and faceted, highly complex my dear Watson, and not always easy to fathom at a moments notice from an armchair.
To begin with only, China has an extraordinary and prodigal history going back 3,000 years, whereas Russia’s history is highly compressed in time, and will play out significantly in the future.
From a geographic perspective, China is mountainous with a far smaller landmass than Russia, and way, way more people ! Russia is a vast country that is largely part of Europe, though this doesn’t appeal much to people here, it is however so.
We’re all on a journey on earth, and here to learn. This report was very interesting, thank you Saker for including !
“Russia is a vast country that is largely part of Europe, though this doesn’t appeal much to people here, it is however so.”
It is so is a statement of the absolute, a concrete reality brooking no argument.
Can you supply evidence and a concrete basis for this statement?? Oh, and have you ever been to Russia and tried informing of them of your view of their reality??