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Putin talks Trump, Musk: Five things to know about the address on September 12, 2023 at 9:26 pm
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the country’s Eastern Economic Forum Tuesday and used the opportunity to comment on a bevy of topics from former President’s Trump 2024 chances to Elon Musk to the 2024 Olympics.
Here’s what you need to know from his speech.
Putin backing Trump “witch hunt” claims
Putin came to the defense of former President Trump and his legal troubles, saying the charges against him are politically motivated and signal the “rottenness” of the U.S. political system.
“Everything that’s happening with Trump is politically motivated persecution of one’s political rival, that’s what it is,” Putin said. “And it’s being done before the eyes of the U.S. public and the whole world. They’ve simply exposed their internal problems.”
But he also sees no changes on the horizon for U.S.-Russia relations, no matter the outcome of the 2024 election.
“There will be no fundamental changes in the Russian direction in U.S. foreign policy, no matter who is elected president,” he said. “The U.S. authorities perceive Russia as an existential enemy.”
Trump’s legal battles have filled his campaign schedule with court dates, but have not appeared to significantly hurt his chances at the GOP nomination for president. He remains the favorite for Republicans to take on Biden next November.
Elon Musk is “an outstanding person”
The Russian president had complimentary words for tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who has come into controversy recently as excerpts of an upcoming biography confirmed that Musk limited Ukraine’s ability to use Starlink satellite internet during an offensive against Russian forces last year.
Putin called Musk “an outstanding person” and “an active, talented businessman,” though he did not directly refer to the Starlink controversy.
The incident has brought Musk criticism from senior Ukrainian government officials. Musk claimed he made the decision to limit Starlink access because he did not want to be responsible for the war’s consequences.
Ukraine peace talks not expected any time soon
Putin said he does not expect the war in Ukraine to end soon and signaled that he would not be in favor of a ceasefire that he said could help Ukraine recover and rearm its forces.
Any potential end to the war would require peace talks, which Ukraine has refused to hold, citing Russia’s rejection of its demands, including the cession of all formerly Ukrainian land back to Ukraine.
Once Ukraine is willing to propose different requirements, Putin said peace negotiations could be considered.
“Then we shall see,” he said.
Ukraine is in the midst of a counteroffensive in the country’s eastern region, which has reportedly broken through Russia’s initial lines in recent days.
The war, which has now lasted for more than a year and a half, has destroyed countless villages and cities throughout eastern Ukraine and killed nearly 500,000 soldiers on both sides, the U.S. has estimated.
Military experts have estimated that there could be less than two months left before winter weather forces the fighting to stop for the year.
Russia’s alternative to the Olympics
Putin also used the stage to poke fun at the Olympics, which will hold its 2024 games in Paris next summer.
Russia has been excluded from the Olympics in recent years due to doping scandals among its teams. Russian athletes competed under a neutral banner dubbed the “Russian Olympic Committee” in the 2020 and 2022 games.
Putin announced the return of the Friendship Games, a rival to the Olympics which was originally run in 1984 by the Soviet Union after Soviet-bloc states boycotted the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
The new Friendship Games will be “within the BRICS framework,” Putin said, referring to the loose economic and diplomatic alliance between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
The Russian alternative games will be held next fall, after the Paris Olympics, and will “kill today’s international structures,” Putin said.
He also took the opportunity to criticize the International Olympic Committee, which he said was bringing politics into a sporting event intended to unite countries.
“The International Olympic Committee itself, they are distorting the original idea of Pierre de Coubertin — sport should be outside of politics. It should not divide, but unite people,“ he said.
Soviet intervention in Hungary, Czechoslovakia was a “mistake”
Putin also reflected on Soviet history, saying that military interventions during anti-Soviet unrest in Budapest and Prague during the heart of the Cold War were mistakes.
“We have long recognized that this element of Soviet policy was a mistake and led only to tensions in relations,” Putin said.
The 1956 Hungarian Uprising lasted just 12 days and ended when the Soviet Union invaded the country, killing an estimated 3,000 civilians. The 1968 Prague Spring was a similar liberalization movement, which was crushed by military force a decade later.
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the country’s Eastern Economic Forum Tuesday and used the opportunity to comment on a bevy of topics from former President’s Trump 2024 chances to Elon Musk to the 2024 Olympics. Here’s what you need to know from his speech. Putin backing Trump “witch hunt” claims Putin came to the defense…
Business
Donald Trump Wins 2024 USA Election
Based on the election results, Donald Trump has indeed won the 2024 U.S. presidential election, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. Here’s an analysis of the key statistics and implications:
Electoral College Victory
Donald Trump has secured the presidency by winning crucial battleground states and flipping some key states that were previously held by Democrats. The final Electoral College tally is still being determined, but Trump has surpassed the 270 electoral votes needed to win.
Battleground State Performance
Trump’s victory was largely secured by winning several critical swing states:
- Wisconsin: Trump’s win here was pivotal in securing his path to victory.
- Pennsylvania: This state flipped back to Republican control.
- Georgia: Another key state that Trump managed to win back.
- Michigan: Trump successfully flipped this traditionally Democratic stronghold.
Popular Vote and Voter Priorities
While the final popular vote tally is still being calculated, exit polls provide insight into voter priorities:
- Economy and democracy were top concerns for voters.
- Abortion and immigration also played significant roles in voter decision-making.
Congressional Control
The election results extend beyond the presidency:
- Republicans are set to take back the Senate majority, securing at least 51 seats.
- Control of the House of Representatives remains undetermined.
Media Implications
The outcome of this election could be seen as a challenge to mainstream media narratives for several reasons:
- Polling Discrepancies: Many pre-election polls suggested a tight race or even a slight Harris advantage in key states. Trump’s victory, particularly in battleground states, may indicate that polls underestimated his support.
- Narrative Shifts: Throughout the campaign, much of the mainstream media focused on Trump’s legal challenges and controversies. His victory suggests that these issues may not have resonated with voters as much as economic and policy concerns.
- Voter Priorities: The emphasis on issues like the economy and immigration in voter decision-making may indicate a disconnect between media focus and voter concerns.
- Electoral Predictions: Many mainstream outlets were cautious about predicting a Trump victory, even as results began to favor him. This hesitancy could be seen as a reflection of broader media skepticism about Trump’s chances.
- Underestimation of Trump’s Base: The results suggest that Trump’s core support remained strong and potentially grew, despite negative coverage in much of the mainstream media.
It’s important to note that while the election outcome may challenge some media narratives, it doesn’t necessarily invalidate all mainstream reporting. The complex factors influencing voter behavior and the challenges of accurate political forecasting remain subjects of ongoing analysis and debate.
As the dust settles on this historic election, both the media and political analysts will likely engage in extensive reflection on the factors that led to Trump’s victory and the implications for future political coverage and analysis.
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Humans Need Not Apply: The AI Candidate Promising to Disrupt Democracy
The rise of AI Steve, the artificial intelligence candidate running for a seat in the UK Parliament, has sparked a heated debate about the role of AI in governance and the potential disruption it could bring to traditional democratic processes.
Steven Endacott, the human force behind AI Steve, envisions his AI co-pilot as a conduit for direct democracy, enabling constituents to engage with the AI, share concerns, and shape its policy platform through a voting system of “validators.” Endacott has pledged to vote in Parliament according to the AI’s constituent-driven platform, even if it conflicts with his personal views.
Proponents argue that AI Steve can revolutionize politics by bringing more voices into the process and ensuring that policies truly reflect the will of the people. They claim that an AI candidate can engage in up to 10,000 conversations simultaneously, allowing for unprecedented levels of public participation and input.
However, critics raise valid concerns about transparency, accountability, and the potential for AI systems to be manipulated or influenced by their creators, data limitations, or external actors. There are also questions about whether an AI can fully grasp the nuances and human elements involved in complex political issues.
Some argue that AI Steve is merely a clever marketing ploy to garner attention and votes, rather than a genuine effort to “humanize” politics. There are fears that the use of AI in elections could undermine faith in electoral outcomes and democratic processes if voters become aware of potential scams or manipulation.
Beyond the specific case of AI Steve, the rise of AI candidates and the increasing use of AI in political campaigns and elections raise broader questions about the integrity of democratic systems and the need for effective regulations and guidelines.
Anti-democratic actors and authoritarian regimes may seek to exploit AI technologies for censorship, surveillance, and suppressing dissent under the guise of enhancing governance. There are also concerns about the potential for an “AI arms race” between political parties to develop and deploy the most sophisticated AI technologies, further eroding public trust.
As AI tools become more advanced and accessible, upholding electoral integrity will require proactive efforts to establish guardrails, transparency measures, and accountability frameworks around their use in politics. Policymakers, advocates, and citizens must work together to ensure that AI is leveraged as a force for a better and more inclusive democracy, rather than a tool for manipulation or consolidation of power.
The rise of AI candidates like AI Steve serves as a wake-up call for democratic societies to grapple with the implications of artificial intelligence in governance and to strike the right balance between harnessing its potential benefits and mitigating its risks to the democratic process.
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Business
Saudi Arabia Says ‘Thank You, Next’ to the US Dollar
Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering abandoning the US dollar for oil trade settlements, a move that could shake the foundations of the global financial system. For decades, the petrodollar system has propped up the dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency, with Saudi Arabia insisting on dollar payments for its vast oil exports.
However, recent comments from Saudi officials hint at exploring alternatives to the dollar amid growing tensions with the US over various geopolitical issues and the rise of economic powerhouses like China.
Implications of a Petrodollar Shift
If Saudi Arabia abandons the petrodollar, the implications could be significant:
1. Dollar Dominance Eroded: The dollar’s reserve currency status could weaken, potentially leading to a decline in its value.
2. Global Financial Instability: A sudden shift could trigger volatility in global markets as investors adjust portfolios.
3. Geopolitical Realignment: The move could signal Saudi alignment with China and challenge US economic hegemony.
Challenges and Uncertainties
While the prospect is significant, challenges remain:
1. Finding a suitable alternative currency with the dollar’s liquidity and stability.
2. Potential economic disruption for Saudi Arabia and trading partners.
3. Political backlash and strained relations with the US and allies.
As the world watches, it remains uncertain whether Saudi Arabia’s comments signal a negotiating tactic or a profound shift in the global financial order.
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