Ghost of Truth

EU: Debt acceleration ahead!

Ghost of Truth — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 10:42:42 GMT

EU: Debt acceleration ahead!

Eyes on the debt in the eurozone! The withdrawal of the USA from the financing of the Ukraine disaster gives the eurocommies exactly the opportunity they have been waiting for a long time to create panic, stir up fear of war and communitize the sovereign debt of the European Union. For legal reasons, this has not been possible until now, but it should now be easy to get rid of it as the mainstream press once again succeeds in manipulating public opinion.

Since the lockdown policy, the eurozone economy has been in recession only surviving through massive expansion of the state sector and credit-financed artificial demand for dubious projects such as the green transformation. And the sad attempt by German politicians to declare the planned 500 billion euros in new debt for the defense budget as a so-called special fund in order to deceive the public about the state of the state's finances is nothing but a ridiculous camouflage. We know from the history of economies that countries with a government debt ratio of over 80% can no longer escape the debt trap without default! The eurozone has long since crossed this demarcation line. Under the new Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Germany, which in the past has been fiscally very conservative, at least in comparison to its European partners, is now also falling into the well visible debt trap. At least for those of us who still have one or two functioning brain cells, this debt trap cannot be overlooked. But politicians are known to be a special breed of people with the experience and learning horizon of fruit flies.

Especially in fiat economies, war has always been the scapegoat in the past to keep the debt printer running hot. It is the fatal failure of science that throughout the 20th century and to this day it has not succeeded in exposing the Keynesian delusion of the feasible global control of complex economies for what it is: a pseudo-scientific childish belief that played into the hands of socialists and central planners.

This pseudo-academic religion, this offset of crude macroeconomic theories, gives politicians precisely the tools they need to centralize political power and influence the individual economy. The media sector is also to blame for this debacle, as Keynesianism has never had to face real criticism in the public sphere. It seems to have been almost forgotten that the centralization of decision-making processes, to the exclusion of decentralized pricing, is the decisive criterion for the failure of complex systems.

The current debates of the European Union's top politicians, which revolve exclusively around the way in which debt is accelerated and no longer around the consolidation of public finances, also shows wonderfully that the players within this stabilized argumentative matrix are no longer able to change their perspective. In short: Europe is largely incapable of reform and is intellectually blocking itself!

And the market's reaction is not long in coming: interest rates on German government bonds are already rising while inflation rates in Europe are picking up speed again, which will probably soon prompt the powerful central planners at the European Central Bank to introduce some form of yield curve control so as not to abandon the ailing public finances of the eurozone countries which is likely to pose a massive threat to the already ailing euro. Against the backdrop of the severity of the fiscal crisis, all the talk about a moderate interest rate run in the eurozone is completely self-evident. Credit must be made cheaper again in the eurozone in order to prevent the collapse of the zombie economy that has been systematically bred since the days of the last financial crisis and on which many millions of jobs depend, the social foundations of the old continent the last argumentative bastion of the central planners in Brussels and the European capitals.

The Eurozone debt crisis is entering the next round, the attempt to further escalate the war in Ukraine is being morally charged by Russia's panic in the media and over half a billion Europeans are facing an economic fiasco. And we haven't even talked about what will happen if tax revenues implode and Europe's golden calf, the various social insurance schemes, collapse underfunded. At a certain point, we enter the endgame of the Fiatponzi.

#eu #europe #ukraine #russia #debtcrisis #news #geopolitics #bitcoin #nostr #grownostr #fiatponzi

Europe's Struggle For Russian Reparations…

Ghost of Truth — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 11:36:23 GMT

Europe's Struggle For Russian Reparations And Collaterals

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's expulsion from the White House was the bizarre highlight of an even more bizarre political week in Washington, which saw numerous visitors from the European Union as guests of Donald Trump. Alongside the Frenchman Macron and his English counterpart Starmer, Zelensky was also there once again - and the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is also expected to visit the White House shortly to put forward what is really at stake in the Ukraine conflict: the continued funding of the money pump! !

The withdrawal of the USA from the financing of the Ukraine project has startled them all and has made Europeans aware of their own economic and military impotence these days. The high point of this awakening was the fact that the USA is negotiating exclusively with Russia and no longer even reserves a seat at the cat's table for the Europeans when it comes to the European issue of Ukraine.

Trump has thus revealed that all the sabre-rattling by the Europeans in the Russia affair, all the sanctions packages were nothing more than the barking of a disabled dog that is no longer even able to adequately stake out its original territory.

In this context, the question of how to deal with the Russian assets frozen by the European Union, especially those of the Russian Central Bank, is raised time and again. As an economic background, it is important to know that the European Union has immense liquidity problems, especially in its banking sector and in view of the problems in the eurozone and the immense distortions in the common currency; they need new collateral in order to be able to create new credit.

And this is exactly where the Russian assets come into play. the expropriation, which I will describe in more detail below, comprises around 235 billion dollars in assets, which the European Union would very much like to use as the initial financing for so-called Eurobonds, the common financing of the European Union's immense mountain of debt, in order to buy itself a few more years and remain liquid. Similar ideas also apply to Russian reparations payments in the event of Moscow's defeat, which would above all help the Bank of England, one of the main guarantors of Ukraine's national debt, to get back on its feet.

It is precisely these kinds of mind games that keep resonating in the Europeans' attempts to escalate the Russian war. In order to achieve this goal, London in particular had firmly counted on the military intervention of the Americans, who have now done a 180 degree turnaround, leaving the Europeans naked.

To emphasize this turnaround once again, Selensky was expelled from the White House. It can therefore be assumed that the issue of Russian assets will be raised again in the coming days and weeks. Finally, let's take a look at the structure of these assets.

Overview of Frozen Assets

The EU has imposed sanctions in response to Russia’s actions, particularly following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. These sanctions include asset freezes targeting both Russian state entities (such as the Central Bank of Russia) and private individuals or companies (e.g., oligarchs and sanctioned entities).

The frozen assets fall into two main categories:

State-owned assets, primarily reserves of the Central Bank of Russia.

Private assets, belonging to individuals and entities listed under EU sanctions.

1. Central Bank of Russia Assets

Total Value: Approximately €210 billion (around $215 billion USD, depending on exchange rates) of Russian Central Bank reserves have been immobilized in the EU as of mid-2023, with updates suggesting this figure has remained stable or slightly adjusted by 2025.

Nature of Assets: These are primarily financial reserves held in foreign currencies, securities, and other liquid instruments. Most of these assets are managed by central securities depositories (CSDs) like Euroclear in Belgium, which holds the largest share.

Location: The majority is held in Belgium, with smaller portions distributed across other EU countries such as Germany, France, and Luxembourg.

Legal Status: These assets are "immobilized" rather than confiscated, meaning they cannot be accessed or managed by Russia but remain in place pending further legal or political decisions. The EU has begun using the extraordinary profits (e.g., interest) from these assets, estimated at €2.5–3 billion annually, to support Ukraine as of May 2024.

2. Private Assets of Individuals and Entities

Total Value: As of late 2022, the EU had frozen €17.5 billion worth of assets belonging to Russian oligarchs, individuals, and companies. Earlier figures from June 2022 cited €12.5 billion, indicating a significant increase over time. Posts on X and other sources suggest that by 2025, the total value of frozen private assets may exceed €20 billion, though no official update confirms this precisely as of March 1, 2025.

Number of Targets: Over 1,350 individuals and entities are subject to asset freezes, including oligarchs, government officials, and companies linked to Russia’s war efforts.

Types of Assets:

Real Estate: Luxury properties such as villas, mansions, and apartments across EU countries, particularly in France, Italy, Spain, and Cyprus. Examples include properties owned by oligarchs like Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.

Yachts: High-profile seizures include superyachts like the Dilbar (owned by Usmanov, seized in Germany) and the Amore Vero (linked to Igor Sechin, seized in France). These vessels are often valued in the tens or hundreds of millions of euros.

Helicopters and Private Jets: Aircraft owned by sanctioned individuals have been grounded and frozen, such as those linked to Gennady Timchenko and Alexey Mordashov.

Art and Valuables: Paintings, sculptures, and other high-value items, including collections seized from oligarchs’ residences or storage facilities.

Financial Assets: Bank accounts, investments, and shares in EU-based companies controlled by sanctioned persons. For instance, accounts tied to Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman in Alfa Group were frozen in 2022.

Business Holdings: Stakes in EU-based firms or subsidiaries owned by Russian entities, such as those linked to Rostec or Sovcomflot, have been subjected to asset freezes.

Oligarchs’ Assets: By June 2022, €12.5 billion in private assets were reported frozen, doubling from earlier estimates in April. This included yachts, helicopters, and real estate.

Entities: Companies like Sogaz (insurance), Alfa Bank, and Russian Railways faced asset freezes, impacting their financial holdings and operational assets in the EU.

Additional Details

Windfall Profits: Since May 2024, the EU has redirected net profits from immobilized Central Bank assets (e.g., €557 million earned between February and April 2024) to Ukraine, with 90% allocated for military support and 10% for reconstruction.

Updates in 2024-2025: The 15th sanctions package (December 2024) added 54 individuals and 30 entities, further expanding the scope of frozen assets, though specific values for these additions are not yet detailed.

#geopolitics #ukraine #russia #usa #eu #uk #trump #zelenski #bitcoin #nostr #plebchain #news

Germany Votes For Europe's Decline…

Ghost of Truth — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 07:57:27 GMT

Germany Votes For Europe's Decline - A Comment

This time the mainstream was right: the forecasts for the German federal elections had already indicated that the only real opposition party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which was carefully isolated with a cordon sanitaire by the bloc of green socialist unity parties of the Davos mindset, could not make it to a relevant size in the German Bundestag. They have not even cleared the 25% hurdle that would be necessary to initiate committees of inquiry into the various ethical fault lines of the political power circle.

Four out of five Germans have voted for the continuation of Merkel's policy of open borders, growing Islamization, vulgarization of education policy, the overgrowth of inner cities in Germany, increasing regulation of the economy and thus the creeping but slowly accelerating death of the German economy and culture.

They have also, and now it is becoming European, chosen to continue with the Ukraine policy, i.e. they have supported the push by European politicians to build up their own war economy at a time when the Americans are retreating economically from the battlefield and, generally speaking, are returning to a policy of rationality. They have sorted out the infantile climate narrative as the last of the Mohicans, further fueling the zero interest rate policy of the European Central Bank's monetary policy and keeping the gigantic subsidy machine in Brussels running hot, which makes productivity and the efficient allocation of capital in Europe even more impossible. The Germans have earned their right to continue in this way by turning their backs on reality and refusing to recognize that they are geopolitically, economically and culturally isolated and will no longer play the violin in this orchestra of power in which the USA, China and Russia are now rewriting the score - power is moving from the Old Continent to the Pacific, and Europe is powerless in the face of this.

The new Chancellor of Merkel's CDU party, Friedrich Merz, an economics expert proclaimed by the media and pre-selected by the power machine, will forge a green socialist coalition that will consistently continue Germany's crash course with reality. We can already see the consequences of this catastrophe in the German labor market, which shed 200,000 jobs in January alone, in productivity, which has not changed for a decade, while in America, for example, the business cycle is picking up again, Germany is acting like the sinking lead for the European economy.

We can now expect a further centralization of the energy sector, a consistent policy against the interests of Germany's core industries, such as the automotive industry, with gigantic subsidies for wind turbines in forests, with nonsensical projects that destroy the cultural landscape of wind turbines and solar areas. The psychological warfare of the Davos clique continues, the demoralization through an aesthetic architecture of horror will continue to accelerate.

What could happen now? The Europeans will do everything in their power to completely eliminate the Maastricht criteria, to force Community financing through war bonds and to consolidate further political powers in their global government in Brussels. At the same time, an attempt is being made to consolidate the gigantic national debts of the European states of the EU under the umbrella of the European Central Bank in order to gain time to cover new collateral with new credit and drive forward the centralization of the economy.

The Germans have voted to impose the disaster that they feel and see in their own wallets in their own inner cities, they have now elected a new government that will certainly not survive the next legislative period, no matter what colorful offsets of incompetence and compliance they form their new coalition from. The lost Ukraine war will lead to the next government crisis, then there will be another election, then we will see whether the AFD gains further strength and the Germans may come to the realization that this path is a dead end. For now, however, things will continue to go downhill, with more lost years being written into the balance sheet.

#germany #germanelections #eu #merz #wef #socialism #climatescam #nostr #grownostr #geopolitics #bitcoin #plebchain

Delos: The Strategic Free Port and…

Ghost of Truth — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 10:24:27 GMT

Delos: The Strategic Free Port and Its Impact on Ancient Mediterranean Trade

The tariff policy of the new US administration has brought trade issues back to the center of geopolitical debates. It is an attempt to nationalize economic advantages and it is as old as civilization, as the example of the Greek island of Delos shows.

The island of Delos, nestled in the heart of the Cyclades, was not just a sacred site in Greek mythology - it was a pivotal player in the geopolitical and economic dramas of the ancient Mediterranean. When the Romans declared Delos a free port in 166 BC, they set in motion a series of events that would dramatically alter the trade networks of the era. Here's how this strategic move played out.

Geopolitical Maneuvering
The Roman Senate's decision to free Delos from customs duties was a masterstroke in geopolitical strategy. Post their victory in the Third Macedonian War, Rome's aim was to diminish the influence of rivals like Rhodos, which had been a significant commercial power with its own free port status. By offering Delos as an alternative, Rome not only attracted merchants from across the Mediterranean but also strategically redirected the economic veins of the region away from Rhodos. This was not just about trade; it was about controlling the flow of wealth, influence, and by extension, political power in the Mediterranean.

Economic Repercussions
The immediate effect of Delos becoming a free port was a surge in its economic activity. Merchants, free from the burden of taxes, flocked to Delos, turning it into the busiest trading center of its time. The island saw an influx of goods from all corners of the known world—grain from Egypt, wines from Italy, slaves from the East, and luxury items like perfumes and spices. This economic boom transformed Delos into a cosmopolitan hub, where cultures, languages, and currencies mingled, echoing today's global cities.

However, this prosperity came at a cost. The sudden shift in trade routs led to the decline of other ports, notably Rhodos as mentioned, which lost its economic preeminence almost overnight (it was deeply embedded in the Athenian power structure).
But where's light there's always a rising shadow. Delos's rise was meteoric, but it also sowed the seeds of its own downfall. The sheer volume of wealth attracted piracy and military raids, notably during the Mithridatic Wars when the island was sacked, leading to its eventual decline as trade routes adjusted once again.

The Long-Term Legacy
The transformation of Delos from a religious sanctuary to an economic powerhouse illustrates the interplay between religion, politics, and economics in antiquity. The island's status as a free port not only reshaped trade but also influenced cultural exchanges and the spread of Hellenistic culture, as traders and settlers from various backgrounds came to live and work there.

In a broader sense, the story of Delos highlights how economic policies can serve as weapons in geopolitical strategies. It's a lesson in how quickly fortunes can change in a region where trade routes are the lifelines of power. Delos's history reflects the volatile nature of economic landscapes under the influence of imperial ambitions, a theme that resonates even in today's global trade dynamics.

Delos's brief but intense period as a free port showcases the complexities of ancient geopolitics, where economic might was as crucial as military prowess. To have anticipated the significance of the island of Delos in the eastern Mediterranean as a lever for local power speaks for the geopolitical competence of the Roman aristocracy during the heyday of its republic.

It would turn out that Rome developed the instruments and skills for later empire-building after overcoming the civil war and the internal crisis using examples such as Delos, thus working to create the Europe of the ancient world that would later transition into the Middle Ages.

#Delos #nostr #nostrlearn #bitcoin #history #rome #greece #europe #Geopolitics #culture