World War Roundup #3
Round n round it goes, where it'll stop, nobody knows
Note: Due to the scheduling of articles on The Daily Beagle, this information is likely 12-24 hours out of date.
1. Europe’s Coming Coal Crisis
In what is the most amusing self-own, in order to sanction Russian Oil and Gas, the EU switched to… Russian Coal. Yes, you read that right. As reported by Politico, Poland and Germany are the most affected.
The problem is that the EU will soon be deprived of its biggest supplier: The bloc slapped sanctions on Russian coal in April, forbidding further imports starting August 10.
2. US Navy Update
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) near Taiwan
USS Tripoli (LHA-7) near Taiwan with Marine F-35B Lighting II Joint Strike Fighters
USS America (LHA-6) in port in Sasebo, Japan
Reported by the US Navy backed USNI (United States Naval Institute).
3. Economically Crippled Germany Says It Will Help Taiwan If China Attacks
We’re not sure how, exactly. Reported by Australian ABC news backed ZeroHedge, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock declared “in case of aggression from China, Germany will help Taiwan”.
4. Hong Kong Slips Into A “Technical Recession”
The Daily Star reports that Hong Kong has slipped into a “technical recession”. We don’t know what it means either.
5. Russian Supreme Court Designates Azov Battalion As Terrorists
Reported by Russian-backed TASS:
"To satisfy the administrative motion of the prosecutor general and to recognize the Ukrainian paramilitary unit Azov as a terrorist organization, banning its activities on the territory of the Russian Federation," the judge read out the decision.
6. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov To Visit Myanmar August 3rd
Reported by Russian-backed TASS:
"Pressing international and regional issues will also be considered," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman added.
This is likely an expansion of Lavrov’s earlier visits attempting to win over more regional allies and economic benefits for Russia in light of the sanctions over the Ukraine war.
7. First Dry Cargo Ship With Ukrainian Grain Arrives In Istanbul
Reported, again, by TASS:
The Sierra Leone-flagged Razoni dry cargo ship, which was the first to leave with a grain cargo from a Ukrainian port as part of the ‘food deal’, is due to arrive in Istanbul on August 2, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Monday.
8. Russia Signs Bill Expanding Shipbuilding Activities In Response to US/NATO Maritime Threats
Russia’s new Maritime Doctrine stipulates developing the shipbuilding industry in the Far East, in particular, for building aircraft carriers
9. Spain Refuses To Send Tanks To Ukraine, Citing State Of Tanks
Reported by Russian government financed Russia Today:
Spain cannot send its Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine because they have not been used for years and might be dangerous for operators, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles told reporters on Tuesday.
It’s unclear if this is just an excuse by Spain not to send their tanks to Ukraine, or if the Spanish really did fail to properly maintain their own tank armada. Either way, not a good look.
10. German Crematoriums To Fall Into Trouble Over Gas
As reported by Russian government financed Russia Today, German crematoriums are now forced to decide between stopping cremations, or risking lowering the temperature of the cremation, due to the shortage and costs of gas over the German sanctions on Russian gas.
11. Germany Withholds Aid From Ukraine
Reported by Ukrainian site Ukrainska Pravda, they claim that Ihor Zhovkva, diplomatic advisor to the President of Ukraine and deputy head of the Office of the President, declared Germany and other EU countries are blocking the second tranche of micro-financial assistance, worth €8 billion.
This follows on from our report that Germany was likely to ditch aid to Ukraine over gas fears.
12. Intel Slava Z Talks About China Having A “Trump Card”
Russian Government backed Intel Slava Z stated that:
Now in the hands of Beijing there is a trump card that will soon be used and the United States will not be able to oppose this in the international arena. […]
They also declare that China will try to cut-off Taiwan, with an economic blockade, no-fly zone, restriction of boat traffic, and what appears to be cyber warfare:
[…] the economic blockade of Taiwan, including the creation of a partially no-fly zone, as well as the restriction of maritime traffic, followed by cyber and information impact on the island
This follows on the heels of an earlier message by Intel Slava Z, where they state sanctions on Taiwan have already started:
The PRC has already announced sanctions against two funds in Taiwan for separatism, and has also suspended the export and import of a number of goods
This is backed up further by a Bloomberg report that the Chinese company CATL have declared they will not supply EV (electric vehicle) batteries to Tesla and Ford because of Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
Intel Slava Z also declared China had halted the import of some fruit and fish from Taiwan. This follows on, again, from an even earlier Intel Slava Z comment that if China does not opt to back down, it will likely go after the US politically and economically:
If China does not back down and starts an open political and economic confrontation with the United States, this will ease the pressure on Russia. “There won’t be enough Himars for everyone”
It does look like China will try to wage economic warfare on the US, which, as The Daily Beagle reported, China is on the verge of economic collapse and to bail on them anyway.
14. China Looks To Buy Deep Water Port In Solomon Islands
Reported by the Falun Gong supporting Epoch Times, they have highlighted a Chinese-owned state firm - China Forestry Group Corp. - is looking to buy a Deep Water Port in the Solomon Islands, which is located near to Australia and New Zealand:
Why is the mention of a “deep water” port important? It’s required for vessels with a heavy water displacement (read: a deep hull that sinks deep into the water). This can either mean cargo ships carrying heavy loads - required for construction works and similarly - or it could mean heavy water displacement military navy vessels.
The Solomon Islands’ government maintain close ties with the CCP, having formed a Solomon Islands-China pact previously.
The move, in The Daily Beagle’s mind, looks aggressive. It is likely a part of earlier Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) efforts by China to expand their economical power.
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