The insights you share with us are very heartening, Diane, in that they expose the dirty underbelly of societies that - on the surface - appear to be fearsome threats to free societies. But, despite all the poorly structured and ultimately collapsing economic projects and domestic "bankruptcies" that they and their clients end up with, China has acquired a stranglehold on the targeted nations......if not the people than the corrupt leaders who are now beholden to them. And that may be considered a "silent" invasion and victory. As you correctly note, the Chinese are not flexible in adjusting their terms to accommodate their clients because occupying powers seldom concern themselves with the well-being of the nations they occupy. Financial controls from a distance may work well enough to achieve their goals through the governments they corrupted.....without having to support standing occupying armies and incur open opposition from the populace. Consider how effectively the Russians have "enjoyed" the benefits of occupation in Crimea and Donbas without having to station their troops there. It is enough that they control those areas through the governments they corrupt.
Or consider the recent revelation of dozens of former high-level French officials who are pro-Putin and countering Macron's efforts to increase support for Ukraine. Or Trump and his crazies who are doing the Kremlin's bidding and frustrating the president and the majority of Congress from helping Ukraine. How much did that cost the Kremlin? Compromising videos? Envelopes filled with cash? Loans through third-party banks to keep businesses afloat? A celebrated standing in Russia and global notoriety to those who would otherwise be viewed as twits? A security force to guard an unpopular regime?
There are as many ways to invade, occupy, and control countries as there are ways to "skin a cat" {? :-)}
Let us hope and pray that the Chinese have simply made some very bad financial mistakes and that their house of cards will collapse on them......but perhaps not.
While reading this I realized it was much more than commentary on economics and international relations. It is a description of how power and money interact with human nature to show how greed among the powerful is a fundamental fly in the ointment of relationships between people and nations. It clarifies the need for competent regulation to keep the players focused on the success of the endeavour rather than on their own personal advantage. It's a lesson that the rich and powerful have been trying to put behind a screen of political hogwash.
Superb article. Under all of this is greed and let's not underestimate greed as the driving force behind MAGA led by a criminal in the arms of dictator Putin. America at its worst
I worked in Kenya where China paid for new railway lines Mombasa to Uganda and Kenya now can't pay back loan
Am watching china’s middle class: those not zillionaires but the vast numbers who bear the brunt of the slowdown and if unrest may cause Xi to start making errors of judgement. Empires stumble when problems become too complex and arise on too many fronts..
Outstanding work!!! “Western” leadership is clearly incapable of recognizing that a militarily powerful and increasingly stressed China, a megalomaniac like Putin with his legions of acolyte's, and a planet filled with “nations” controlled by them or emulating them puts “us” in a soup that will be consumed sooner rather than later!! Europe has been overrun with a migrant issue that is eating them from the inside and we in North America continue to decay being too ignorant to preserve and build on what America’s founders envisioned…. Your brilliant summary of the world around us should be truly frightening to anyone who reads it… let’s hope it is “consumed” by those in a position to LEAD!!!
very disturbing info. A world without Hope - how do you 'fix' and or 'turn ' this around when poverty & greed prevail creating the 'perfect' storm for corruption to grow in so many countries.
So informative Diane, you keep on raising the bar. China's BRI project has made politicians in most of those countries exceedingly rich (including preferred contractors) at the expense of their nations. China has them in a stranglehold. Let's hope the IMF, World Bank or Western democracies don't financially support those countries only to help them service and repay their debt to China. Countries / Lenders will need to follow the money to ensure they are appropriately utilized. No wonder Trump wants to join in on the fun with his corrupt idols like Putin, XI, Orban, Kim Jong Un and alike. Could this be the beginning of a worldwide financial crisis? In the early 80's billions were written off by banks who lent money to South American countries. The net effect was lower taxable corporate earnings that forced governments to increase personal tax rates to offset the decrease in general revenues. Where's Robin Hood when you need him?
Enlightening as always. Its always astounding how pride and greed continue their Belt-way to destruction. Lets hope the debtor nations have enough courageous leaders to at least halt the carnage.
The insights you share with us are very heartening, Diane, in that they expose the dirty underbelly of societies that - on the surface - appear to be fearsome threats to free societies. But, despite all the poorly structured and ultimately collapsing economic projects and domestic "bankruptcies" that they and their clients end up with, China has acquired a stranglehold on the targeted nations......if not the people than the corrupt leaders who are now beholden to them. And that may be considered a "silent" invasion and victory. As you correctly note, the Chinese are not flexible in adjusting their terms to accommodate their clients because occupying powers seldom concern themselves with the well-being of the nations they occupy. Financial controls from a distance may work well enough to achieve their goals through the governments they corrupted.....without having to support standing occupying armies and incur open opposition from the populace. Consider how effectively the Russians have "enjoyed" the benefits of occupation in Crimea and Donbas without having to station their troops there. It is enough that they control those areas through the governments they corrupt.
Or consider the recent revelation of dozens of former high-level French officials who are pro-Putin and countering Macron's efforts to increase support for Ukraine. Or Trump and his crazies who are doing the Kremlin's bidding and frustrating the president and the majority of Congress from helping Ukraine. How much did that cost the Kremlin? Compromising videos? Envelopes filled with cash? Loans through third-party banks to keep businesses afloat? A celebrated standing in Russia and global notoriety to those who would otherwise be viewed as twits? A security force to guard an unpopular regime?
There are as many ways to invade, occupy, and control countries as there are ways to "skin a cat" {? :-)}
Let us hope and pray that the Chinese have simply made some very bad financial mistakes and that their house of cards will collapse on them......but perhaps not.
While reading this I realized it was much more than commentary on economics and international relations. It is a description of how power and money interact with human nature to show how greed among the powerful is a fundamental fly in the ointment of relationships between people and nations. It clarifies the need for competent regulation to keep the players focused on the success of the endeavour rather than on their own personal advantage. It's a lesson that the rich and powerful have been trying to put behind a screen of political hogwash.
This article is why I consider you an excellent researcher/writer. No colourization.
Thank you very much for that compliment.
Superb article. Under all of this is greed and let's not underestimate greed as the driving force behind MAGA led by a criminal in the arms of dictator Putin. America at its worst
I worked in Kenya where China paid for new railway lines Mombasa to Uganda and Kenya now can't pay back loan
Excellent thank you
Am watching china’s middle class: those not zillionaires but the vast numbers who bear the brunt of the slowdown and if unrest may cause Xi to start making errors of judgement. Empires stumble when problems become too complex and arise on too many fronts..
Outstanding work!!! “Western” leadership is clearly incapable of recognizing that a militarily powerful and increasingly stressed China, a megalomaniac like Putin with his legions of acolyte's, and a planet filled with “nations” controlled by them or emulating them puts “us” in a soup that will be consumed sooner rather than later!! Europe has been overrun with a migrant issue that is eating them from the inside and we in North America continue to decay being too ignorant to preserve and build on what America’s founders envisioned…. Your brilliant summary of the world around us should be truly frightening to anyone who reads it… let’s hope it is “consumed” by those in a position to LEAD!!!
very disturbing info. A world without Hope - how do you 'fix' and or 'turn ' this around when poverty & greed prevail creating the 'perfect' storm for corruption to grow in so many countries.
So informative Diane, you keep on raising the bar. China's BRI project has made politicians in most of those countries exceedingly rich (including preferred contractors) at the expense of their nations. China has them in a stranglehold. Let's hope the IMF, World Bank or Western democracies don't financially support those countries only to help them service and repay their debt to China. Countries / Lenders will need to follow the money to ensure they are appropriately utilized. No wonder Trump wants to join in on the fun with his corrupt idols like Putin, XI, Orban, Kim Jong Un and alike. Could this be the beginning of a worldwide financial crisis? In the early 80's billions were written off by banks who lent money to South American countries. The net effect was lower taxable corporate earnings that forced governments to increase personal tax rates to offset the decrease in general revenues. Where's Robin Hood when you need him?
Excellent report Diane. Thank you.
Thank You for making sense of all this senselessness. Sharing.
one can hope
Enlightening as always. Its always astounding how pride and greed continue their Belt-way to destruction. Lets hope the debtor nations have enough courageous leaders to at least halt the carnage.
love it