The Friday Edition

Our Friday News Analysis | What the World Reads Now!

January 16, 2026

Helping to Heal a Broken Humanity (Part 67)

The Hague, 16 January 2026 | If you know of a decisive story, tell the world! We're still searching.

EDITORIAL | “The Best Way to Predict the Future is to Create It" (Part 31)

EDITORIAL | Here We Go Again

By Abraham A. van Kempen
16 January 2026

People ask me, “What’s your take on …. as though I know?

Last week, I warned that Venezuela could become another Vietnam, Iraq, Libya, or Yugoslavia and experience a similar failed regime change. Many people are preoccupied with their own lives and aren’t fully informed about current events. Even fewer understand the reasons behind the unfolding situations. Soon, when the body bags come home, we’ll see yellow ribbons all over the land; for what?

Are we out of our minds?

And now, I’m expected to write a blurb about Iran, Greenland, NATO, Russia, and China in 500 words or fewer – how many hot spots are there anyway?

What I know is that the Trump administration is focusing on the upcoming midterm elections, hoping President Trump will perform well and possibly gain a few more percentage points. President Trump is aware that many Americans are concerned about the national debt and its economic effects. It’s natural that the U.S. aims to expand its influence across the Americas, where opportunities appear promising. I’m impressed by Washington's efforts to work with the current Venezuelan government to overhaul oil production, though Exxon and Chevron remain skeptical. To succeed, the United States must work with, not against, the people of the Americas.

Good luck!

Since 2008, the EU-US/NATO have focused a lot on actions like attacking, invading, cripling, defeating, and dividing the Russian Federation. There are even ideas about splitting Russia into multiple countries—at least three or four, and possibly up to 17 in the best-case scenario. Meanwhile, the propaganda machine worked tirelessly to convince the citizens of the Collective West that the opposite was true: that Russia intended to attack, invade, and occupy all of Western Europe—similar to the United States' actions to homogenize Venezuela in its image with bigger plans to dominate and control the entire Western Hemisphere, especially Greenland.

And most people in the Collective West were sucked into this grand party line. As Mark Twain said: “It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.” Another Mark Twain quote: “Patriotism is loving your country all the time, and your government … when it deserves it.”

What about Iran? I admire the Iranian people for their kindness, graciousness, and generosity, and I love their food. Similar to 88 percent of Iran's 91 million residents, I despise the mullahs. They have hijacked Iran, misleading the population with religious dogmas. The people get only crumbs, while the mullahs enjoy lives of luxury in palatial mansions. But how can Iranians kick out the mullahs when 91 million can’t agree on a common strategy? They stubbornly cling to their own opinions and ideas. President Trump could summon the Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force, and even the CIA; however, without a well-defined strategy, the attempt at regime change is likely to fail again.

I doubt Shah Reza Pahlavi can emerge as Iran’s version of Mandela. Iranians don’t fully trust the Pavlavi family. If the son of the Shah deposed in 1979, cannot unite Iranians, then who can? Moreover, there's the possibility that the mullahs are capable of launching thousands of missiles, potentially causing destruction across the Middle East, including Israel. And perhaps, the Iranian people might even side with the mullahs to fight Western imperialism, ending up choosing the lesser of two evils.

And nothing is more absurd than Greenland. Who wants Greenland, but the indigenous people of Greenland, but neither the Danes nor the Trump Administration asks them. So what about Greenland? Denmark suggests that the United States, Denmark, and NATO should work together to militarize Greenland to counter our common enemies, Russia and China.

Are Russia and China enemies of the US and Denmark? But isn’t it the US that intends to invade, occupy, and take – steal, kill, and destroy – Greenland from Denmark?

I’m confused. Are you? Russia and China are enemies of Denmark, yet the US plans to take Greenland from Denmark. Who are the enemies?

Here are a few more Mark Twain quotes:

“Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it.”
“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”
“No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot.”

So, here we go again.

Enjoy your weekend.

Abraham A. van Kempen

Senior Editor

Building – not burning – the Bridge Foundation, The Hague
A Way to Get to Know Each Other and the Other

Remember! Diplomacy is catalytic—transformative —while military action is cataclysmic—destructive and catastrophic.

When faced with the options to be good, bad, or ugly, let’s build bridges, not burn them. After all, mutual deterrence reigns.

VENEZUELA SUFFERS FROM A CENTURY-LONG CURSE. WILL THE U.S. INHERIT IT?

The country’s biggest problem may not be President Trump.

An oil pump on the shores of Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela.Credit...Kanus/Ullstein bild, via Getty Images

By Nicholas Casey
The New York Times
Jan. 14, 2026

Nicholas Casey is a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine and a former Times bureau chief in Venezuela.

Annotated by Abraham A. van Kempen

In the 1970s, Venezuela's oil wealth spurred growth, with Caracas building a luxury metro and skyscrapers rising across cities as foreign firms benefited. A local phrase, ¡’Tá barato, dame dos!—meaning “It’s cheap, give me two"—became popular.

Not everyone believed the boom would last, but Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonzo, a former Venezuelan oil minister, issued a clear warning. He predicted a collapse due to prosperity:

“Ten or twenty years from now, you'll see: oil will lead us to ruin,” he said. “It is the devil’s excrement. We are drowning in the devil’s excrement.”

Venezuela’s downfall was more dramatic than Pérez Alfonzo expected, despite taking longer to unfold. Over the course of twenty years, the country transitioned from democracy to dictatorship, nationalized foreign assets, clashed with the U.S., but ran out of funds as oil prices fell. The economy collapsed with hyperinflation, millions fled, and American sanctions overwhelmed the nation.

Venezuela’s leaders faced a lose-lose situation. On January 3, Trump ordered Nicolás Maduro’s detention for trial in the U.S. on drug charges. Trump claimed the U.S. would control Venezuela for years. While the approach is unclear—possibly a military threat—he seeks near-complete dominance over Venezuela’s oil, the world's largest.

Venezuela was once a major Latin American power; now, Trump aims to turn it into a vassal state. Historians will debate whether hyperinflation, populists like Hugo Chávez, or America’s imperialist ambitions caused this decline.

But what if all these disasters—dictatorship, inflation, American warships—stem from the same cause? Could it be the “devil’s excrement" Alfonzo mentioned 50+ years ago—the oil meant for prosperity in Venezuela?

The ‘Paradox of Plenty’

I arrived in Venezuela in 2016 to serve as The New York Times bureau chief in Caracas. The country faced severe hardship, with food shortages causing families to wait hours for basic items like coffee and eggs at state stores. Hospitals lacked fundamental supplies.

When I asked my predecessor, Willie Neuman, for a reading recommendation, I expected a Chávez biography, but he recommended Terry Lynn Karl's “The Paradox of Plenty.”

Karl’s book begins in 1973, when OPEC members first set oil prices, marking "the most radical transfer of wealth ever to occur without a war,” as Karl notes. Oil prices rose from $3 to $10 per barrel and later hit $40 in the 1980s. Foreign powers controlled the oil fields for years, but that dominance seemed to decline, with countries from Mexico to Nigeria expected to gain stability, prosperity, and influence.

A member of Venezuela’s National Guard on the shores of the oil-rich Lake Maracaibo in northwestern Venezuela in December 1948.Credit...Getty Images

In Nigeria, the rapid petroleum growth in the 1960s transformed the economy, making it wealthier but also changing its structure. The oil industry dominated the budget and attracted skilled workers. Rising oil prices led to currency appreciation. Agriculture suffered; Nigeria exported cocoa, groundnuts, and palm oil, but neighbors could no longer afford them because of Nigeria's stronger currency.

Please continue reading...

Nicholas Casey is a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine. He has spent a decade as a foreign correspondent in Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and wrote about national politics during the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign.

‘IRAN, VENEZUELA, AND GREENLAND HAVE WHAT TRUMP WANTS’ – RETIRED US AIR FORCE COMMAND CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT

Watch the Video Here (46 minutes, 26 seconds)

Host Rick Sanchez
RT’s Sanchez Effect
13 January 2025

In this episode of RT’s Sanchez Effect, Rick examines how the EU has reversed its stance.

Member states often back US regime-change efforts and heightened tensions, including ongoing protests in Iran. However, when it comes to territory within their own domain, like Greenland, the EU suddenly opposes ‘neocolonial aggression’.

Rick is joined by Dennis Fritz, author and a retired US Air Force senior NCO, who published ‘Deadly Betrayal: The Truth about Why the United States Invaded Iraq’.

Fritz states EU politicians wouldn’t openly oppose Trump because they all answer to Washington’s elite. He emphasizes that these US actions are driven not by national security or democracy, but by control over natural resources.

Despite the hundreds of thousands killed in the ‘war on terror,’ no lessons have been learned.

Nonetheless, Fritz remains hopeful that future generations can end Washington’s war-mongering and prioritize their own people’s well-being. We discuss this and much more.

What is the Side of the Story that is Not Yet Decisive? Edited and annotated by Abraham A. van Kempen

SEYED M. MARANDI: VIOLENT RIOTS & A MASSIVE WAR COMING

Seyed Mohammad Marandi is a professor at Tehran University and a former advisor to Iran's Nuclear Negotiation Team. Prof. Marandi discusses violent riots, pro-government rallies, and the massive war with the US and Israel on the horizon.

Prof. Diesen’s discussion with Prof. Marandi emphasizes:

Iran's substantial missile capabilities and underground military infrastructure underline its capacity for rapid retaliation against external threats.
It highlights the risk of widespread conflict involving Iran and its regional allies if war occurs, predicting that such a conflict would severely impact Western economies.
The conversation also acknowledges the role of external actors in shaping Western policy toward Iran and ends with thanks for the guest's valuable insights and participation.

Watch the Video Here (46 Minutes, 21 Seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
12 January 2025

Iran's Internal Unrest, Foreign Interference, and Geopolitical Tensions: An In-Depth Discussion

Welcome back. Today, we are joined by Professor Saeed Mohamed Marandi from Tehran University and a former adviser to Iran's nuclear negotiations. Despite internet issues, he has made great efforts to join this interview, highlighting ongoing unrest and restrictions in Iran.

Patterns of Unrest and Foreign Influence

Let's examine how change efforts develop, especially in Iran. They often start with economic measures like sanctions and information campaigns, then use public frustration to spark protests. These protests may be portrayed internationally as efforts for freedom, but this creates a false dilemma: support freedom or support sanctions and intervention. These actions tend to serve external strategic interests rather than local needs, causing damage as seen in the Arab Spring and similar movements.

Current Situation in Tehran: Domestic Grievances and Unrest

Professor Marandi notes that Western predictions of Iran's imminent collapse are unfounded, highlighting the government's strong popular support and its upholding of the constitution. Recent protests, sparked by a currency decline influenced by external factors, were peaceful gatherings mainly by worried business owners, initially avoiding violence or police clashes.

On the second day, organized groups infiltrated protests, escalating into violent riots that caused damage and casualties, attacking law enforcement, medical personnel, and civilians. They carried out targeted killings and burned buses, ambulances, and fire engines. Officials called these disturbances unprecedented.

The Role of Media and Psychological Warfare

Professor Marandi highlights that Western media is selective about Iran coverage, often ignoring the rioters' violence or the size of the pro-government protests. He mentions a large, well-funded Persian-language network outside Iran that exceeds Iranian state media in reach, using TV, social media, and bots to conduct psychological operations aimed at worsening Iran's economic and social issues.

Despite efforts, massive nationwide protests supporting the government and the constitution occurred, with millions participating. Professor Marandi argues that these demonstrate the legitimacy and resilience of the Islamic Republic, in contrast to Western views.

Foreign Intelligence and Organization of Unrest

The interview explains that foreign intelligence agencies, including Israel and the US, are involved in stirring unrest in Iran, citing officials like Mike Pompeo as proof. Professor Marandi adds that the government shutdown of the internet disrupted violent groups, which relied heavily on external support.

Individuals detained during unrest were often found armed and involved in orchestrating violence, similar to tactics in other conflicts. The rapid disbanding of protests after the internet shutdown emphasizes these groups' dependence on external factors.

Geopolitical Context and Western Policy Objectives

The discussion covers Western geopolitical aims with Iran. U.S. officials' statements about the ground are seen as inaccurate, revealing a gap between real events and Western policy. Professor Marandi says the main goal is to weaken Iran’s deterrence, including its missile program and regional alliances, justified as promoting democracy and human rights.

He claims external actors aim to fragment and destabilize Iran to achieve their geopolitical goals, not to promote reform or freedom.

The "Woman, Life, Freedom" Movement and Media Narratives

Professor Marandi states that in cases like Mahsa Amini's death, Western media conducted psychological warfare through misrepresentation and stirring public sentiment. Despite protests and infiltrations, Iran's strong government and public support have consistently prevented regime change.

Western Double Standards and the Notion of Open Societies

The critique points out Western claims of supporting open societies, showing how Iran manages protests differently from Western nations' suppression of pro-Palestinian or anti-genocide protests. Professor Marandi says recent events reveal Western democracy and a free press are illusions, as Western media often ignore or misrepresent Iran's developments.

Potential for Military Escalation and Iran’s Defensive Capability

The discussion concludes with concerns about imminent military conflict. Professor Marandi suggests unrest and violence were staged to justify foreign intervention. He highlights Iran's missile and drone capabilities and underground military facilities, warning that any attack could lead to a strong retaliation with global economic repercussions.

He highlights regional dynamics, noting that Iran's nearby allies could get involved if war erupts, making military action more complicated and risky than in past conflicts.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The interview concludes with thanks to Professor Marandi for sharing his insights and for his efforts to participate despite substantial logistical difficulties. The conversation highlights the complexity of Iran's current situation, the strong influence of foreign actors, and the serious risks of further escalation.

THE TRILLION DOLLAR WAR MACHINE (W/ WILLIAM D. HARTUNG) | THE CHRIS HEDGES REPORT

The military-industrial-complex has grown into a monster so powerful that even its earliest critics likely never foresaw its evolution. In the age of Big Tech's rising power, can anything stop it?

Watch the Video Here (48 Minutes, 27 Seconds)

Host Chris Hedges
Substack.com
1 January 2026

This interview is also available on podcast platforms and Rumble.

The military-industrial complex (MIC) channels large tax revenues into 'defensive' infrastructure, mainly benefiting private manufacturing. Operating within an interconnected system, it promotes war and higher budgets through psychological operations and behind-the-scenes dealings. Since Eisenhower warned of its influence in 1961, the MIC has grown vastly in power and reach.

Political scientist William D. Hartung discusses his and Ben Freeman’s book, The Trillion Dollar War Machine, on The Chris Hedges Report. The book examines the MIC's rise amid Silicon Valley’s growing radicalism, integration into military infrastructure, and Trump's chaotic foreign policy.

These technology elites promote automated warfare, domestic surveillance, and the merging of the corporate and public sectors. They exemplify how Western capital has expanded since Eisenhower’s warning — fostering a corporate state focused on profit through warfare and reliance on often imperfect products in both realms.

Under the Trump administration, the trillion-dollar military complex continues to expand, and Hartung warns that this pursuit of dominance will harm the country.

ORESHNIK HYPERSONIC MISSILE LAUNCH: ESCALATION POINT – ANALYZING THE U.S.-RUSSIA BRINKMANSHIP FROM THE DIESEN-JOHNSON INTERVIEW

A Former CIA Analyst's Perspective on Failed Negotiations, Strategic Provocations, and the Launch of the Oreshnik Missile

End of Negotiations & Oreshnik Launch: Analysis of US-Russia Brinkmanship

In a revealing interview, former CIA analyst Larry Johnson examines the serious deterioration of U.S.-Russia relations. He states that recent U.S. actions—such as the drone attack on Putin’s residence and maritime piracy—are seen in Moscow as intentional escalations aimed at Russia’s nuclear command.

Johnson discusses Russia’s “cautious escalation” response, the strategic deployment of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, and why he considers negotiations to be a “dead end.” This analysis looks at the possibility of a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.

By Paulo Fernando de Barros
The Boreal Times
11 January 2026

LARRY JOHNSON: END OF NEGOTIATIONS & LAUNCH OF ORESHNIK

Larry Johnson, a former CIA intelligence analyst and staff member at the US State Department's Office of Counterterrorism, discusses provocations, the end of negotiations, and the launch of the Oreshnik.

Watch the Video Here (51 Minutes, 08 Seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
10 January 2026

Oreshnik hypersonic missile launch | The US-Russia geopolitical tension is at its most dangerous since the Cold War. Analyst Glenn Diesen and ex-CIA analyst Larry Johnson offer a stark, insider’s view of this deterioration.

The conversation discusses provocations ending diplomatic talks, culminating in Russia’s launch of its Oreshnik hypersonic missile. Johnson sees a Washington perceived by Moscow as outside international law, prompting measured yet severe retaliation. The core issue is the collapse of managed competition, replaced by a “law of the jungle” in which might makes right, risking a direct NATO-Russia conflict.

The Provocation Nexus: From Kyiv to the Kremlin

The interview details how Russia shifted from feeling wronged to preparing for defense after key events, especially the December 28 drone attack on Putin’s residence. Johnson notes that this attack, unlike earlier ones, provoked Moscow's intense fury, partly due to reports of a nuclear command center nearby. This transformed the incident from a simple attack to a nuclear threat, crossing a red line.

Johnson links the pattern to the June 2025 attack on Russia’s Engels air base and attacks on radars, viewing them as coordinated efforts to weaken Russia’s defenses, not random acts. Moscow sees the U.S. seizure of a Russian tanker as piracy, questioning whether the U.S. respects international law. Moscow’s conclusion: no.

The Russian Response: Cautious Escalation and the Signal of the Oreshnik

Johnson states Russia views certain provocations as existential threats and responds with 'cautious escalation.' Its first move was a major but conventional attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, damaging half of its stored natural gas and key substations as winter neared. This aims to weaken Ukraine's military and societal resilience without expanding the war—at least for now.

The Oreshnik missile deployment marked the culmination of the strategy. Johnson notes Russia warned the U.S. 2-3 hours before the launch, counter to reports. This was done to prevent misunderstandings about nuclear attacks and to highlight military power.

The Oreshnik, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead but launched without one, signals a warning to NATO that Russia can strike Europe with impunity due to hypersonic glide vehicles. It also shows that Russia’s restraint is limited, implying that if NATO escalates, Russia may retaliate.

The Death of Negotiations and the “Law of the Jungle”

Johnson’s analysis focuses on diplomatic failure, describing negotiations as a "dead end" and claiming the U.S. has given up on meaningful engagement. He points to the lack of key diplomatic steps—no ambassador in Moscow, no direct flights, and the seizure of Russian diplomatic property—as evidence that Washington isn't pursuing dialogue.

This signifies a fundamental shift in global order. Johnson notes some U.S. officials reject international law, adopting a "might makes right" mindset. He warns that this reverts the world to a "law of the jungle," where security relies solely on brute strength and willingness to use it.

For Russia, led by Putin, whom Johnson describes as a lawyer valuing legal frameworks, this destabilizes, undermining agreements and future commitments, leaving military readiness as the only option. Johnson argues that this U.S. stance paradoxically speeds NATO's fragmentation, with European allies doubting the reliability of American leadership, especially over actions like seizing the Russian tanker.

The Gathering Storm: Pathways to a Wider War

The interview concludes by highlighting risky paths that could escalate the standoff into a larger conflict. Johnson identifies two main “pots of gunpowder.”

NATO-Russia Miscalculation: Johnson predicts that Russia might respond with formal warnings, such as threatening lethal force if U.S. reconnaissance aircraft operate near its borders or attempt to board Russian-flagged vessels. If the U.S. pushes these limits, a direct military confrontation could follow.

A U.S./Israel Strike on Iran: Johnson notes Russia's closer military ties with Iran. An attack on Iran could quickly involve Russia, risking a broader Middle Eastern conflict.

Johnson predicts a swift decline for Ukraine on the battlefield, highlighting severe manpower shortages amid a Russian force now totaling 1.5 million troops. He warns of the upcoming encirclement of major cities such as Zaporizhzhia and Sumy. However, the final phase in Ukraine won't mean peace; there's a risk that NATO, in desperation and losing its proxy, might escalate directly, or that Russia, feeling victorious, could retaliate aggressively against countries like Germany supporting Ukraine. Johnson laments that the Western memory of war's warnings has faded, replaced by a dangerous illusion that conflicts "happen to other people far away.”

Share your thoughts in the comments, and explore more insights on our Journal and Magazine. Please consider becoming a subscriber. Thank you: https://borealtimes.org/subscriptions– Follow The Boreal Times on social media. Join the Oslo Meet by connecting experiences and uniting solutions: https://oslomeet.org

2025: A YEAR OF INTERREGNUM

Joakim Andersen presents a sober yet visionary overview of the metapolitical and metacultural shifts of 2025 and the potential for new developments in 2026.

By Joakim Andersen
ARKTOS JOURNAL
12 January 2026

The year 2025 has concluded, reaffirming that we remain in a period of transition. The old systems are breaking down, and the new order is still only visible in glimpses, creating more opportunities to influence the future than during stable times. Consequently, many conflicts now carry an existential weight, both within countries and globally; the victor at the end of this interregnum will have the chance to establish a lasting order.

2025 was chaotic, but a few broader trends emerged. One relates to the internal conflict within the American Empire, while the other involves metapolitical and metacultural changes. The distinction between these two is somewhat arbitrary.

The Conflict in the American Empire

Since World War II, Western Europe, parts of Asia, and Latin America have been seen as roles of the American Empire, acting as American satrapies. Developments in core regions influence semi-peripheral and peripheral areas, shaping economic policies and cultural trends such as “woke.” European thinkers like Jean Thiriart and Jordis von Lohausen have acknowledged US conflicts and called for a free Europe. Meanwhile, the geopolitical center remains a dominant rival, wealthy in cultural and financial resources.

We observe hidden conflicts within the empire becoming visible. These tensions can be viewed from a historical-materialist perspective, referencing thinkers like Marx, Kotkin, and Samuel Francis, or through a religious history lens, seeing modern heresy as a catalyst, similar to Voegen, Nietzsche, and Yarvin's ideas on liberalism, 1968, and woke movements. These views largely converge; certain sociopolitical groups are naturally drawn—due to their biotypes and social existence—toward what is now called woke heresy (see Dutton, Wolfe, Lawrence). An alliance among powerful capital actors, intellectuals, managers, middle classes, clergy, and minority allies has formed, effectively 'hacking' the Western social structure by opening borders to new voters supported by tax revenue. Future historians will likely see this as a shameful betrayal and deceit, though that judgment is premature.

Resistance to the alliance’s policies, especially strict immigration laws, has grown among various population segments in both the core and outskirts of the empire (similar to Gramsci’s 'classi subalterni' and Francis’s post-bourgeois proletariat). This reflects the classic conflict between the people and the ruling class—the populist aspect. Usually, the populace needs elite support to prevail, though not always. What’s different in the American empire is that some elite factions, including capitalists like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, and high-versionists, have shifted toward popular resistance. This coalition is exemplified by Donald Trump, who began a second term as president in January.

Trump embodies conflicting interests, resulting in contradictory politics. By 2025, he recognizes the friend–enemy distinction and actively targets enemies’ resources. He aims to influence new voters through ICE and Stephen Miller, launching initiatives once seen as unattainable during his first term. He also targets institutions like USAID and radicalized universities that sustain the opponent's ideology and activism.

The internal conflict within the empire today parallels the Peloponnesian War, with both sides supported across Greek cities. In the US, Trump wields influence, but the opposition also holds power in the judiciary, media, states, and has an armed presence in Antifa. Europe's situation is more complex, with the European Union and national governments at odds.

Trump and allies campaign against groups, criticizing repression and free speech restrictions. They align more closely with Europe's resistance, creating conflict with the Eurocracy and presenting opportunities and challenges for the European right. Trump is a key ally on free speech and exchange, exemplified by Greenland, though the US-Europe relationship remains undefined.

The opposition's strategies include escalating repression in the EU and Anglosphere, ongoing mass immigration, and a radicalized judiciary. Mamdani's example shows demographic factors behind successes in major cities. The killing of Charlie Kirk and violence targeting ICE suggest we may face increased terrorism like in the 1960s, but with Islamo-leftist traits.

Alongside the empire's internal conflict, there is a struggle between the empire and BRICS countries like Russia, Iran, Venezuela, and China. These nations will be intermittently threatened and manipulated against each other—and possibly against the Eurocracy.

Additionally, MAGA faces internal conflict, with figures like Nicholas Fuentes criticizing Trump’s foreign policy. It’s unclear whether factions can find common ground and form a true political bloc rather than just a coalition of opponents. It’s also unclear if the educated precariat can be integrated into this alliance.

Metapolitics and Metaculture

Metapolitically, the “left” faced setbacks in 2025. Its influence during the woke era relied on fragile media control. When this weakened, support sharply declined as more people felt confident to oppose, realizing they were not alone.

The Overton window shifted on immigration, while trans ideology and body positivity became marginalized. Remigration gained prominence in 2025 amid concerns about population decline and falling birth rates in the West. Along with AI, these issues dominated 2025 discussions and are likely to shape politics in 2026.

2025 has seen scandals challenging the “left’s” role in framing issues, including Elon Musk's debate over grooming gangs in Britain, reports of elder care rapes in Sweden, and a US Somali fraud case. These are collective, inter-ethnic issues, not isolated incidents, with Britons and Americans increasingly understanding this through a game-theoretic view that treats members of collectivist groups as individuals.

In 2025, the divide between the establishment right/bourgeoisie and the authentic right continues to fade. It's often the genuine right shaping the internet and publishing sectors, influencing the bourgeois right, especially in the US, and less in Sweden and Europe. Figures like Nick Land gain prominence; Curtis Yarvin is interviewed by Éléments, and Renaud Camus speaks at conferences. Guillaume Faye predicted we now hold a monopoly on rebel thought; today’s thinkers from this perspective are of higher quality than their opponents.

They are on the defensive, shown by gaslighting on social media at year's end, minimizing anti-white practices (“no one tried to force you to apologize for being white”). In 2025, dissident right ideas like Andrews’s *The Great Feminization* and Savage’s *The Lost Generation* spread into the liberal right.

DE-BANKED

Today, my banking institution of 26 years, Citizens Bank, declared that it was ending its banking relationship with me. My accounts were zeroed out without explanation.

Scott Ritter
Substack.Com
14 January 2026

Today, my banking institution of 26 years, Citizens Bank, declared that it was ending its banking relationship with me. My accounts were zeroed out without explanation. While I may eventually see this money returned to me, the question of why this occurred remains unanswered, raising a whole host of issues related to civil liberties.

I’ve been de-banked.

I recently tried to use my bank-issued debit card. I’ve used this card consistently as my go-to payment method for years.

It was declined.

When my wife went on the online banking app we use for mobile banking, she was shocked to find that both our checking and savings accounts had been zeroed out.

We literally had no money.

My wife called our local branch to find out what the problem was. In the past the bank unilaterally closed the account because of suspicious activity they felt could be linked to possible identity theft. In every case, once we either confirmed or denied the validity of a flagged charge, our account was returned to its normal status.

When we tried to find out what the issue was, the bank said there was no information on file about why the account had been zeroed out, …

Please continue reading …

Hi Bram,

The article compellingly shows how debanking can function as a form of punishment without due process, leaving individuals suddenly cut off from the basic mechanisms of modern life. The lack of transparency, the impossibility of appeal, and the reliance on opaque risk and SAR frameworks raise serious concerns about civil liberties. The text is persuasive and important: even in the absence of criminal wrongdoing, a person can be effectively sanctioned outside the judicial system.

However, the argument is weakened when inference hardens into certainty. While the pattern described makes federal involvement plausible, it is not conclusively proven. Mixing documented facts with emotionally charged historical experiences risks allowing critics to dismiss the broader issue as personal grievance rather than systemic failure.

As an individual, I am deeply worried by how easily a person can be cut off from the financial system. If this can happen to him, it can happen to anyone, and that should concern every citizen.

Hi Bram,

I’ve read the entire article, and it seems that Scott Rider’s bank account was frozen for multiple reasons, all of which appear to be connected to him being targeted by the FBI. As he mentions, keeping all one’s money in bank accounts does pose a risk, since banks or governments can freeze accounts relatively easily.

That said, even if someone maintains cash reserves, it may not always be sufficient if a government or federal institution decides to target an individual. In that sense, a fully digital economy could potentially pose a risk, as citizens could be suppressed by freezing all banking transactions. This is a concern I’ve heard expressed by some of my friends with socialist views as well.

I also recall reading some time ago--and seeing reflected in the movie Oppenheimer--how the US treated Soviet scientists or Soviet nationals, even after granting them US citizenship. They were often scrutinised closely and continuously monitored for any perceived anti-national activity. I don’t have complete information or expertise on this topic, but it does make me wonder whether similar dynamics are now affecting individuals of Russian origin or with Russian lineage in the US. I’m sure you may have more insight into this.

BUILDING THE BRIDGE! | A WAY TO GET TO KNOW THE OTHER AND ONE ANOTHER

Making a Difference – The Means, Methods, and Mechanisms for Many to Move Mountains

Photo Credit: Abraham A. van Kempen, our home away from home on the Dead Sea

By Abraham A. van Kempen
Senior Editor
Updated 19 January 2024

Those who commit to 'healing our broken humanity' build intercultural bridges to learn to know and understand one another and others. Readers who thumb through the Building the Bridge (BTB) pages are not mindless sheep following other mindless sheep. They THINK. They want to be at the forefront of making a difference. They're seeking the bigger picture to expand their horizons. They don't need BTB or anyone else to confirm their biases.

Making a Difference – The Means, Methods, and Mechanisms for Many to Move Mountains

Accurate knowledge fosters understanding, dispels prejudice, and sparks a desire to learn more about the subject. Words have an extraordinary power to bring people together, divide them, forge bonds of friendship, or provoke hostility. Modern technology offers unprecedented possibilities for good, fostering harmony and reconciliation. Yet, its misuse can cause untold harm, leading to misunderstandings, prejudices, and conflicts.

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