Image is from this SCMP article.
Much of the analysis below is sourced from Michael Roberts’ great website.
Japan’s ruling parliamentary coalition, consisting of the LDP (purple) and it’s junior coalition partner Komeito (in light pink) have lost their ruling majority. They have ruled post-war Japan for almost its entire history. The LDP is currently led by Shigeru Ishiba after Kishida stood down due to a corruption scandal, and ties to the Unification Church.
While geopolitical factors (over the cold war between the US and China, etc) may have played a role, by far the biggest reason for this result in the poor economic conditions over the past few years. Inflation has risen and real wages have fallen, with little relief for the working class via things like tax reductions. While inequality in Japan is not as extreme as in America, it is still profound, with the top 10% possessing 60% of the wealth, while the bottom 50% possess just 5%.
Shinzo Abe previously tried to boost economic performance through monetary easing and fiscal deficits, while Kishida ran on a “new capitalism” which rejected Abe’s neoliberalism and promised to reduce inequality. Nothing substantial has resulted from all this, however, other than increasing corporate wealth. Innovation continues to fall, and domestic profitability is low, resulting in decreasing investment at home by Japanese corporations. Labour productivity growth has only slightly picked up since the mid-2000s and is falling again. The rate of profit has fallen by half since the 1960s, and Japan has been in a manufacturing recession - or very close to it - since late 2022. In essence: there is no choice but between stagnation or decline.
Please check out the HexAtlas!
The bulletins site is here!
The RSS feed is here.
Last week’s thread is here.
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Sources on the fighting in Palestine against Israel. In general, CW for footage of battles, explosions, dead people, and so on:
UNRWA reports on Israel’s destruction and siege of Gaza and the West Bank.
English-language Palestinian Marxist-Leninist twitter account. Alt here.
English-language twitter account that collates news.
Arab-language twitter account with videos and images of fighting.
English-language (with some Arab retweets) Twitter account based in Lebanon. - Telegram is @IbnRiad.
English-language Palestinian Twitter account which reports on news from the Resistance Axis. - Telegram is @EyesOnSouth.
English-language Twitter account in the same group as the previous two. - Telegram here.
English-language PalestineResist telegram channel.
More telegram channels here for those interested.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Examples of Ukrainian Nazis and fascists
Examples of racism/euro-centrism during the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Sources:
Defense Politics Asia’s youtube channel and their map. Their youtube channel has substantially diminished in quality but the map is still useful.
Moon of Alabama, which tends to have interesting analysis. Avoid the comment section.
Understanding War and the Saker: reactionary sources that have occasional insights on the war.
Alexander Mercouris, who does daily videos on the conflict. While he is a reactionary and surrounds himself with likeminded people, his daily update videos are relatively brainworm-free and good if you don’t want to follow Russian telegram channels to get news. He also co-hosts The Duran, which is more explicitly conservative, racist, sexist, transphobic, anti-communist, etc when guests are invited on, but is just about tolerable when it’s just the two of them if you want a little more analysis.
Simplicius, who publishes on Substack. Like others, his political analysis should be soundly ignored, but his knowledge of weaponry and military strategy is generally quite good.
On the ground: Patrick Lancaster, an independent and very good journalist reporting in the warzone on the separatists’ side.
Unedited videos of Russian/Ukrainian press conferences and speeches.
Pro-Russian Telegram Channels:
Again, CW for anti-LGBT and racist, sexist, etc speech, as well as combat footage.
https://t.me/aleksandr_skif ~ DPR’s former Defense Minister and Colonel in the DPR’s forces. Russian language.
https://t.me/Slavyangrad ~ A few different pro-Russian people gather frequent content for this channel (~100 posts per day), some socialist, but all socially reactionary. If you can only tolerate using one Russian telegram channel, I would recommend this one.
https://t.me/s/levigodman ~ Does daily update posts.
https://t.me/patricklancasternewstoday ~ Patrick Lancaster’s telegram channel.
https://t.me/gonzowarr ~ A big Russian commentator.
https://t.me/rybar ~ One of, if not the, biggest Russian telegram channels focussing on the war out there. Actually quite balanced, maybe even pessimistic about Russia. Produces interesting and useful maps.
https://t.me/epoddubny ~ Russian language.
https://t.me/boris_rozhin ~ Russian language.
https://t.me/mod_russia_en ~ Russian Ministry of Defense. Does daily, if rather bland updates on the number of Ukrainians killed, etc. The figures appear to be approximately accurate; if you want, reduce all numbers by 25% as a ‘propaganda tax’, if you don’t believe them. Does not cover everything, for obvious reasons, and virtually never details Russian losses.
https://t.me/UkraineHumanRightsAbuses ~ Pro-Russian, documents abuses that Ukraine commits.
Pro-Ukraine Telegram Channels:
Almost every Western media outlet.
https://discord.gg/projectowl ~ Pro-Ukrainian OSINT Discord.
https://t.me/ice_inii ~ Alleged Ukrainian account with a rather cynical take on the entire thing.
In good news for Cuba, both Claudia Sheinbaum (Mexico) and Lula da Silva (Brazil) begun to prepare their ships to send oil, food and medical aid to Cuba. And it also seems like leftist organization, specially the rural ones, also wants to help with food.
Brazil prepares to help Cubans in the face of blackout - OUL (Portuguese Only)
Article Translated
Chancellor Mauro Vieira is negotiating with the Cuban government for Brazil to help with fuel supplies in the face of the energy crisis on the island, which has left Cuba in the grip of a blackout in recent days. On Monday, in New York, the Brazilian minister met with the head of Cuban diplomacy, Bruno Rodriguez Parrill, to discuss the matter.
The idea is to coordinate the shipment of fuel. Vieira returns to Brazil on Wednesday and intends to coordinate the action, with the involvement of other ministries. The foreign minister also used a debate at the UN on Tuesday to call on the US government to end the sanctions against Cuba.
Chancellor Mauro Vieira is negotiating with the Cuban government for Brazil to help with fuel supplies in the face of the energy crisis on the island, which has left Cuba in the grip of a blackout in recent days. On Monday, in New York, the Brazilian minister met with the head of Cuban diplomacy, Bruno Rodriguez Parrill, to discuss the matter.
The idea is to coordinate the shipment of fuel. Vieira returns to Brazil on Wednesday and intends to coordinate the action, with the involvement of other ministries. The foreign minister also used a debate at the UN on Tuesday to call on the US government to end the sanctions against Cuba.
For him, the rejection of the economic embargo against Cuba is practically an international consensus. Vieira also pointed out that Brazil is following with “great concern the current energy emergency in Cuba, aggravated by the embargo and by the recent passage of Hurricane Oscar, which caused human losses and significant destruction in eastern Cuba”.
“I express Brazil’s full solidarity with the Cuban people and government in these difficult times, and our sincere condolences to the families of the victims,” he said. To help mitigate this situation, he indicated that the Brazilian government “has activated cooperation and assistance measures, seeking solutions for the supply of fuel and food to the Cuban population through various channels”.
Since September, Brazil has supplied 20,000 tons of rice and 3,116 tons of powdered milk, distributed to the Cuban population to help meet their basic food needs. “It is clear that the severe sanctions unjustifiably imposed on Cuba, both by the embargo and by its inclusion on the list of ‘states sponsoring terrorism’, have made this situation even worse,” he said.
“These measures, which already unfairly penalize the Cuban people, now prevent an adequate response to the humanitarian crisis generated by the hurricane,” he insisted. “For all these reasons, we urge the United States to reconsider its policy towards Cuba: lift the sanctions, remove Cuba from the list of states sponsoring terrorism and promote a constructive dialogue based on mutual respect and non-interference,” he added.
President of Mexico analyzes sending fuel to Cuba to alleviate blackouts. - CyberCuba
Article
“It is being seen, assistance was provided to Cuba at one point, and it is being evaluated whether fuel assistance is also necessary, as humanitarian aid, and it is help for the Cuban people,” Claudia Sheinbaum stated at a press conference.
Claudia Sheinbaum, president of Mexico, announced this Wednesday in a press conference that she is considering supplying fuel to Cuba as a measure to mitigate the series of blackouts that have affected the nation following the collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) last Friday.
“It is being considered, assistance was provided to Cuba at one moment and it is being evaluated whether fuel assistance is also necessary, as humanitarian aid, and it is aid to the Cuban people,” the leader remarked.
In 2023, Mexico sent at least 200 million dollars in oil to Cuba, according to estimates from the Energy Institute at the University of Texas, which the EFE agency accessed on September 30 of last year, although Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) denied that it was a donation.
Sheinbaum stated that the current assistance to Cuba has been limited exclusively to “technical support” from the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), highlighting the ongoing funding of the Mexican government to the Cuban regime, both under the administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador and in the current administration.
“We are always going to support, so CFE is in contact through the Foreign Ministry with what the Cuban people require, in order to support them; it is essentially technical assistance,” Sheinbaum emphasized.
More than a third of the island will be without electricity this Wednesday, according to forecasts from the state-owned Unión Eléctrica (UNE) of Cuba, EFE reported.
The energy crisis has intensified since August, and before the total collapse on Friday, supply cuts had already reached historic levels, with maximum impact rates between 41% and 51%.
The blackouts are primarily caused by the scarcity of fuel, resulting from the lack of foreign currency for its importation, and by the constant failures in the old thermal power plants in the country, which have been in operation for more than four decades and suffer from a chronic investment deficit.
Sheinbaum, who assumed the presidency on October 1, has stated on other occasions that her country “always provides humanitarian aid” and that “Mexico has always been against the blockade, except for some presidents during the neoliberal period who decided they had a different stance.”
The Government of Mexico announced on Monday its willingness to provide technical support to Cuba, following the massive blackout that left the island without electricity since Friday.
The offer, communicated by the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, includes assistance from the CFE, which replaces the Mexican Electricians’ Union “Luz y Fuerza del Centro,” an old ally of the Cuban regime.
I read in some media that this would be a joint operation with Brazil and Mexico, but others say it will be done separately. In any case, Cuba will receive aid
if i were claudia sheinbaum i would simply use the capitalists’ newfound love for “nearshoring” to do a little dengism (somebody who knows about material conditions in mexico please tell me why this wouldnt work)
Death to America
the one to doom posts the reverse bloom
ancient plinky proverb
https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/article/us-threatens-arms-sales-to-israel-over-unrwa-ban-96qbgssr8 U.S. threatens arms sales to Israel over UNRWA ban
Yeah the guys who defunded the UNRWA will surely follow through. At this point they’re just taking the piss
I keep seeing Ukraine has 100 000 soldiers going AWOL ir deserting but like with a lot of sensational headlines in this conflict like the constant “russia/ukraine is collapsing” I take it with a grain of salt
Date set for Danish Arms Export Trial
A Danish court is set to hear a case in February 2025 over the legality of Danish arms exports to the illegal zionist entity. Four human rights organizations—Amnesty International, Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke, Oxfam Denmark, and Al-Haq—have sued Denmark, seeking to halt arms exports that they argue may contribute to war crimes in Gaza. The case will address two major questions: whether the organizations have a “legal interest” allowing them to bring the lawsuit and whether Danish arms exports to the illegal zionist entity should be suspended during the trial.
The plaintiffs argue that Denmark risks violating international arms export laws by allowing companies like Terma to supply parts for zionist F-35 fighter jets via the United States, parts which are potentially used in the Gaza conflict and that they have legal interest since they are taken with protecting human rights and they have staff in Gaza. The case marks the first of its kind in Denmark, with the outcome potentially impacting Danish arms export policies.
- Source: Arbejderen, October 30th 2024
https://xcancel.com/RealPeltierHQ/status/1851348146955366410
LEONARD PELTIER HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED
Monday October 28, 2024 Leonard Peltier was hospitalized. It is imperative that Leonard Peltier receive an emergency medical transfer to a facility such as FMC Rochester.
Leonard’s attorneys have submitted an urgent medical transfer request based upon the medical analysis of the independent medical physician who visits Leonard regularly at USP Coleman I. His attorneys have also repeatedly warned the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) of the very risks which caused Leonard’s hospitalization, but have been ignored. As USP Coleman I can not appropriately address Leonard’s medical needs, Leonard should be transferred to a medical facility equipped to meet his medical needs. A medical transfer to FMC Rochester not only ensures adequate medical care, but proximity to Leonard’s homelands and family, which is consistent with BOP policy.
Enough is enough. Mere apologies are insufficient. On World Political Prisoner Day, tomorrow, Wednesday, October 30th, the Committee encourage Leonard’s supporters and all justice loving people to contact Senators Jon Ossoff and Amy Klobuchar, who serve on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, and demand that Leonard Peltier receive an urgent medical transfer. If your senator is on the Judiciary Committee please contact them. A full list can be found at freeleonardpeltiernow.org on the Donate/Act Now page. Act now.
Inter-imperialist rivalry time:
https://xcancel.com/african_stream/status/1851176429121142976However, the US Africa Command head, Michael Langley, sent a letter to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stating Benin may be working to strengthen its military relationship with France, especially in the border zone near Burkina Faso and Niger. The French ambassador to Benin replied that the United States had no right to comment on French bases in Benin.
Interesting analysis of Iran’s political (and soon to be military) response to the Zionist attack (CW: Looking through his Twitter, apparently he’s some cringe patsoc. But the tweets are interesting enough.):
https://xcancel.com/FORTRESSMAXXING/status/1851226851529588739But then, Khamenei, being the intelligent strategist that he is, made a speech in front of family members of martyrs & using only 60 words on the topic of Israel & the attack, said that Iran must retaliate, but he leaves the nature of the retaliation up to state/military official
Even the editors of Ayatollah Khamenei’s official website presented the speech in such a way as to make it seem like he was saying don’t retaliate. But if you listen to the speech, it’s very clear that he is giving orders for a retaliation.
The foreign-backed Opposition and channels like BBC Persian and Iran International are now shocked as well, saying that this must be a sign that Ayatollah Khamenei is suffering from “ill health” and has “lost his mind.”
Immediately after the speech, New York Times published an article saying Khamenei is “about to die”, giving his enemies (both implicit & explicit) in Iran an excuse to kill him and get away with it. Aka Westophiles implement a similar action as to what likely happened to Raisi.
Opposition channels are even analysing his speech saying “you can hear impending death in Khamenei’s voice”. They’re essentially calling for his assassination now.
This is also why Israel called for a second series of strikes, in retribution for the attempt on Netanyahu’s life. They basically want to kill Khamenei. And these strikes that they want to conduct would be pre-emptive strikes for the strikes that Khamenei has ordered.
Once again, it has become clear as day that the only man truly defending Iran’s sovereignty and the achievements of the Islamic Revolution in the post-Khomeini era is Ayatollah Khamenei. His enemies have finally had enough and now it seems like they’re going to try to kill him.
By the way, important but unreported news: the “Society of Teachers and Scholars of the Qom Seminary”, an organisation close to the Reformist movement, published a statement the other day saying that the only way to achieve peace in Palestine is to implement a two-state solution.
They also state that Iran must recognize the State of Israel. This is the first time in the history of the Islamic Republic that this has happened with an official organization. Previously only a few house arrested politicians (like former reformist president Khatami) said this.
Omfg so many liberals on the metro going to Kamala’s speech. I went to the hockey game instead. Go Rangers!
Wow. Amber is even more a piece of shit than I thought: Amber A’Lee Frost: Vulgarity and the Dirtbag Left | Doomscroll
Transphobic, ageist, ableist (already knew this one), liberal/reactionary/climate-denial (thinks the Black Panthers were stupid/ineffective, shits on mutual aid, thinks anarchists are just propertarians, mostly shits on anti-imperialism, and her stance on revolution is that you should shut up and accept another New Deal (laughs)), etc. Like, people have memed about her a lot, but I’m not sure how much folks realize how actually bad she is when she gets the full spotlight.
There’s a twitter account that organizes and posts photos and screenshots of Israeli soldiers and their social media posts admitting to war crimes. I’m surprised it hasn’t been banned yet.
Some news from Gaza, Lebanon, and the Donbass.
Palestinian resistance forces eliminated four members of the ‘elite’ Zionist “Refaim” sniper unit in northern Gaza: https://thecradle.co/articles/gaza-resistance-kills-four-israeli-soldiers-from-elite-sniper-unit
Lebanese resistance forces destroyed a Zionist Merkava tank near El Hamames along the border: https://tass.com/world/1863801
Recent video footage of Russian forces having fully liberated the small DPR city of Selidovo: https://odysee.com/@RT:fd/Selidovo:2
Shit I missed a Zionazi dunking session… but y’all I gotta say not a single 
? Oh well next time…Lithuania Holds 2nd Round of Parliamentary Elections - Telesur English
Article
A total of 126 candidates from 11 parties are competing in this round, with two candidates contesting in each constituency. On Sunday, the second round of Lithuania’s parliamentary elections started to elect 63 members of the Seimas, Lithuania’s parliament, for a four-year term, according to the Central Electoral Commission (VRK).
In the first round, 78 out of 141 Seimas members were elected, with the second round now focusing on filling the remaining 63 seats. In 8 out of 71 single-member constituencies, winners were determined in the first round.
During the first round, 70 of the Seimas seats were won by six parties. The opposition Lithuanian Social Democratic Party secured 18 seats, followed closely by the ruling Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats with 17 seats. The Dawn of the Nemunas party placed third with 14 seats.
Three additional parties, the Union of Democrats “For Lithuania,” the Liberal Movement of the Republic of Lithuania, and the Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union, also gained representation in the Seimas.
A total of 126 candidates from 11 parties are competing in the second round, with two candidates contesting in each constituency.
The candidate with the highest number of votes in a single-mandate constituency, regardless of voter turnout, is declared elected in the run-off. If both candidates receive the same number of votes, the one who garnered more votes in the first round will win the seat.
In this country bordering the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus, around two million people are expected to vote. The Social Democrats of Vilija Blinkevičiūtė are also expected to win the election.
