Konstantin Kukushkin

Check out the latest article on Forbes.com written by prominent business journalist Courtney Fingar (https://lnkd.in/deMcSFc7), which analyzes recent trade figures to shed light on the situation of the efficiency of the Biden and Trump administrations. The analysis leverages original micro-data, including non-aggregated data reported by individual countries, allowing for a detailed examination of trade flows between nations. This granular approach helps to highlight the impact of trade policies implemented under the two administrations, providing deeper insights into how these policies have shaped trade dynamics between the US and China. For more trade data visit GTAIC webpage (https://gtaic.ai/) #Trump #Biden #USChina #tradewars #GlobalTradeAlgorithmicIntelligenceCenter #FingarDirectInvestment #CourtneyFingar

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Jordan Seidhorn’s experience with government types telling him he’d be arrested if he dared try to rescue Mike Coffey—after rescuing Coffey’s wife Susan—gives us a good practical definition of fascism, courtesy of Lake Lure Town Manager Olvia Stewman: ***** STEWMAN: “The personal aircraft that landed was not only unauthorized but also, they provided no notification that they were coming. And that did pose a potential risk to ongoing operations with search and rescue. And then, you know, also just wasn’t safe for them to be there as regular citizens, especially since we didn’t know who they were or what they were doing there. We had multiple national, local and state resources. That includes the National Guard, NCHART (North Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team), SCHART, we had the Coast Guard, state troopers, and then there may have been more, as well. So, they were completing their operations. And you know, in order to do that there, they were not authorizing private aircraft at that time. Any aircraft that would have – that should have gone through there should have gone through incident command as well. I just wanted to note that.” ***** https://lnkd.in/gWQRAuBN This is the fascistic mindset. This is the authoritarian mindset. Not coincidentally, it is the bureaucrat’s mindset. The only operative question to be answered is whether or not this or that government agency provided “authorization”. In the fascistic world of bureaucrats, people do not act unless and until government authorizes them to do so. All moral questions thus devolve to a simple question of “who authorized you to do this?” Having had a number of operational leadership roles over the years, several in crisis situations, I can tell you that there is a viable and functional alternative: embrace volunteerism. You don’t need to command, you merely need to coordinate. You don’t need to restrict, you get to empower. We do not need to wonder if there will be volunteers willing to help in a crisis. That question has been answered—as it is answered in every crisis—in the affirmative. People do want to help. People do give a damn. All the “leader” in that situation needs to do is provide coordination. Someone to say “we’ve got three helicopters in that area already, can you fly over here instead?” There is literally nothing except this fascistic obsession with authority among bureaucrats that prevents government agencies from leveraging that volunteerism to get people rescued and get resources where they need to be going. This is why FEMA is failing in North Carolina. They are wasting their best resource: the caring people all around them who genuinely want to help.

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👉 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟑 𝐄𝐏 𝟗 - 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟒𝐭𝐡 @ 𝟗 𝐚𝐦 𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝟒𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 The race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump proceeds on a continuous knife edge, meaning the votes of the undecided are vitally important to each candidate. Even if every Democrat voter studiously falls in line this November, Kamala’s flip-flopping could be her undoing among independents, and could therefore lose her the presidency. Kamala Harris visited the US/Mexico border, arguably to blunt her opponent's criticisms that she's weak on illegal immigration. The visit however is being called performative considering her tenure as the 'Border Czar' under Joe Biden's administration, and many are pointing out that this could be yet another example of inconsistency in her policies. Donald Trump responded to her visit with an expected personal attack; calling her 'mentally impaired'. 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭 Israel has both astounded and horrified the world with a lethal attack on Hezbollah fighters, by surreptitiously planting explosives in their pagers and other electronic devices, but the scale of the destruction of their rocket-firing foe has fueled the ongoing debate on proportional response. Israel’s pager attack took everyone by surprise, and over the last 48 hours, almost the entire command structure of Hezbollah has been killed; including Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. It is reported that many were killed in the attack, as well as thousands being injured, but in the broader geopolitical sense, the operation has brought the states of Israel and Lebanon close to war. Officials around the world openly worry that this next step could trigger a full-blown regional war. 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐫 𝟑 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 With Israel's invasion of Gaza approaching its one-year anniversary, tensions in the Middle East now appear close to spilling over into Lebanon. Iran is Hezbollah's key backer and any conflict between Lebanon and Israel would likely set off a chain reaction along the "complex web of alliances and rivalries" across the Middle East. Any direct conflicts between Iran and Israel could then see the US brought directly into the fighting. The US and UK are "increasingly concerned" that Russia is sharing secret information and technology with Iran which could "bring it closer to being able to build nuclear weapons, in exchange for Tehran providing Moscow with ballistic missiles for its war in Ukraine. The US must increase defense spending to Cold War levels if it is to deal with the growing threat posed by China, Iran, Russia and North Korea, the latest Commission on the National Defense Strategy report has warned. 𝐒𝐢𝐝 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐞. #podcast #america #unitedstates #podcasts #podcastshow #politics #unitedstatesofamerica #donaldtrump #middleeast #kamalaharris #trump #china #russia #israel #lebanon #palestine #war #podcasting

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The American people have spoken, and Donald J. Trump will again be the president of the United States. As patriots, we wish President Trump well, because his success is now our country’s success. Willingness to accept the outcome of free and fair elections—even an outcome one finds deeply unsettling—is an essential ingredient for a functioning democracy. Still, goodwill should not be mistaken for naïveté. President Trump cannot claim the benefit of the doubt, as he might have in November 2016, when he was untested as a public official. And we cannot plead ignorance. We witnessed how President Trump ran roughshod over the very principles we are now appealing to: the rule of law, the integrity of elections, and the peaceful transfer of power. On the international stage, we saw how he embraced dictators and subordinated American national interests to his personal political vendettas. To blindly hope that President Trump will somehow be different this time around when all evidence points to the contrary would be a dereliction of our duty as active citizens. We at the Renew Democracy Initiative believe that all public servants—whether Republicans or Democrats, President Trump, President Biden, or Vice President Harris—should be fairly scrutinized by their constituents. We will be closely monitoring the next president’s policies in that spirit. It’s easy to look back and despair. Today, many Americans—and millions of people the world over, who look to the United States for leadership and inspiration—need reassurance. When it is not forthcoming from our leaders, it is up to ordinary citizens to step in. Here is what we at RDI can promise you: We will redouble our efforts to amplify the voices of political dissidents, whose insights are more valuable than ever. We will recommit to supplying direct material aid to Ukraine and working with legislators of both parties to ensure the fight against authoritarian aggression remains an American priority, regardless of who occupies the Oval Office. And we will never stop fighting for our democratic institutions at home and for our allies in the free world. #Democracy #Elections2024 #Dissidents

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AMERICA NEEDS TO BE REMINDED OF THIS BREACH OF TRUST DURING THE FIRST TRUMP PRESIDENCY. Veteran Housing Corp reminds America and its veterans of a previous attempt by TRUMP associates to get access to veterans' medical records and confidential personal information to monetize the same. ASK YOURSELF: Is this what veterans and other Americans can look forward to with a second Trump administration? Is everything Trump and his associates do motivated by MONEY? https://lnkd.in/erxHGpNQ #politicsandlaw

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When your dog thinks it’s humble, but is it really? 🐕Get your Wise Words by TRUMP notebook today and fill it with actual humble wisdom. ✍️ Grab yours now at www.wisewordsbytrump.com #HumbleDog #WiseWordsBook #TrumpQuotes #BlankPages #BuyNow #FunnyDogMemes

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Did you know that? Trump's rhetoric often fueled racial tensions, including his response to the Black Lives Matter protests, where he referred to protesters as "thugs" and threatened military intervention. See the first comment to order your book now! #richardrucker #trumpdeceitfuldespicabledesperate #trumpbook #politicalreads #ruckerinsights #trumpanalysis #knowledgeispower #mustread

It's concerning to see the shift in Vice President Kamala Harris's stance on fracking, as reported by Fox News (https://buff.ly/4dj5lvw). Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, has been a contentious issue, balancing economic benefits against environmental and health risks. In the face of climate change, the debate over fracking underscores the complex relationship between energy policy, environmental protection, and political dynamics. As an advocate for sustainable solutions, it's essential to recognize that while natural gas from fracking has been instrumental in reducing US carbon emissions by displacing coal, it is not without its drawbacks. The process can lead to groundwater contamination, increased seismic activity, and methane leaks that exacerbate global warming. The transition from Harris's earlier call for a ban to a more moderate position reflects the broader conversation we must have about a just and feasible transition to renewable energy sources. It's imperative to invest in and support clean energy technologies that can meet our needs without the adverse effects of fossil fuel extraction. While political figures navigate the complex landscape of policy, public opinion, and industry pressures, it's crucial for us as a community to stay informed and engaged, pushing for policies that prioritize our planet's health and future generations. The path to a sustainable future is not straightforward, but with innovative technologies and a commitment to change, progress is within reach. #ClimatePolicy #SustainableEnergy #FrackingDebate

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🚨 China's response to the assassination attempt on Trump: Disinformation, propaganda, and control 🚨 In the wake of the July 2024 assassination attempt on former President Trump, China’s propaganda machine swung into action. From conspiracy theories to official statements, China balanced disinformation with fact-based narratives, portraying the US as unstable and chaotic. This strategic move aligns with China’s broader goal of presenting itself as a stable, desirable alternative to US influence. Key Takeaways: 💬 US Portrayed Negatively: State media highlighted themes of gun violence and political chaos in the US. ⁉️ Fact-Based Yet Biased: Xinhua and People’s Daily stuck to facts but framed them with a PRC perspective, projecting neutrality while subtly reinforcing negative US perceptions. 📱Social Media Manipulation: Weibo saw 65 hashtags related to the event, with content moderators manipulating content, balancing between censorship and propaganda. 🔍 Propaganda Trends: Echoing past DFRLab findings, China presented itself as stable and orderly compared to the chaotic US democracy. Dive deeper into how China’s narratives reflect broader geopolitical strategies: https://lnkd.in/ex3RRVEd #Disinformation #TrumpAssassinationAttempt #USChinaRelations #Weibo #DFRLab #DigitalSherlocks

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Based on the information provided in the AI search results, some key weaknesses of the "zero fail" mission approach used by organizations like the Secret Service include: Unrealistic expectations: Achieving absolute perfection or zero failures is inherently challenging, if not impossible, especially in complex and dynamic security environments. Resource constraints: The Secret Service is often described as overstretched and under-resourced, making it difficult to meet the demands of a zero-fail standard. Systemic issues: Chronic mismanagement, understaffing, and a culture of complacency have been identified within the Secret Service, undermining the zero-fail mission. Expanding responsibilities: The agency's mandate has grown significantly over time, straining its ability to maintain the highest standards across all areas. Outdated practices: The Secret Service has struggled to keep pace with evolving threats, often relying on outdated weaponry and training methods. Cultural problems: Issues like excessive drinking, sexual misconduct, and a "frat-boy" culture have compromised the agency's effectiveness and reputation. Leadership-rank disconnect: There is a reported lack of trust between leadership and rank-and-file agents, hindering effective operations. Public scrutiny: High-profile failures and scandals have eroded public confidence in the agency's ability to fulfill its zero-fail mission. These weaknesses suggest that while the zero-fail mission serves as an aspirational goal, it may be more realistic to focus on continuous improvement, adaptability, and addressing systemic issues within the organization.

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