Welcome to the new “democratic norms” in the industrialized west as Germany seizes the private assets of Russian owned energy company Rosneft; because oil refining is critical to fuel prices and German has just realized their vulnerability.
Within this new Build Back Better system, driven by the policies of western nations, it appears things are changing quickly. Democracy or capitalism in Germany is now quickly dispatched, as socialism -state control- becomes the priority.
Heck, I’m old enough to remember when everyone decried China’s authoritarian economic model for doing the exact same thing as Germany (a few months ago). But, well, we must pretend not to notice these things comrades….
(Reuters) – BERLIN, Sept 16 (Reuters) – Germany took control of a major Russian-owned oil refinery on Friday, risking retaliation from Moscow as Berlin strives to shore up energy supplies and meet its European Union commitment to eliminate Russian oil imports by the end of the year.
The economy ministry said it was putting a unit of Russian oil firm Rosneft (ROSN.MM) under the trusteeship of the industry regulator and taking over the business’ Schwedt refinery, which supplies 90% of Berlin’s fuel.
“This is a far-reaching energy policy decision to protect our country,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz told a news conference to present the government’s plans to put the Schwedt refinery under the control of the Federal Network Agency regulator. (read more)
Who knew economic security was national security?
Now, let’s start talking about USA food exports, shall we?
Also, I’ll take “Things That Won’t End Well” for $1000, Alex.
My guess is that Germany will reach it’s goal of zero Russian gas well before the end of the year.
WTF?!?
Berlin is the testicles of the West, every time I want the West to scream, I squeeze on Berlin.
Nikita Khrushchev
He had a way with words, didn’t he
He also said, “Politicians are the same the world over. They promise to build bridges, even where there are no rivers.”
The post war world order of the last 75 years is coming apart.
Sundance, with all respect and appreciation, the snarkiness I see creeping into your painstaking work may mitigate the frustrations of the moment but in the end will diminish your impact. Please refrain, and edt out throwaways like, “Who knew economic security was national security?…Also, I’ll take “Things That Won’t End Well” for $1000, Alex.”
I am of the opposite opinion. I love the snarky one-liners that Sundance throws into his analysis.
It may diminish the impact for you, as you are a true believer with high standards of dignity. But what of our lamentable middle of the road waffler .. He doesnt want to be on the side of the ones who are the butt of the jokes. This is a useful persuasive technique, IMHO.
That’s Sundance’s journalistic style whereas your style might be in the factory repair manual style.
Russian control is also state control
We’re all living on borrowed time, as they say.