The war in Ukraine was one of the most consequential blunders for the empire because it led to a whole alternative economic system being established. And not only can’t the west weaponize it, it’s also completely opaque to the west removing the advantage western companies had being privy to trade flow data. I recall how for a while there were a whole bunch of articles talking about China’s trade slowing down, and then it turned out that they were based on SWIFT numbers. What was actually happening that China’s trade through the western financial system was being reduced.
The whole aspect of the imperial decline where they continue making wrong decisions based on the assumptions of their own superiority has to be the most hilarious aspect of the whole thing.
Wow, now to get the rest of the Global South on this trajectory. The dollar is cooked.
ETA this gem:
The war in Ukraine was one of the most consequential blunders for the empire because it led to a whole alternative economic system being established. And not only can’t the west weaponize it, it’s also completely opaque to the west removing the advantage western companies had being privy to trade flow data. I recall how for a while there were a whole bunch of articles talking about China’s trade slowing down, and then it turned out that they were based on SWIFT numbers. What was actually happening that China’s trade through the western financial system was being reduced.
It’s genuinely hilarious that the “China slowdown” narrative hinged on incomplete data and imperial hubris. “But the asiatics need us!!! …right?”
The whole aspect of the imperial decline where they continue making wrong decisions based on the assumptions of their own superiority has to be the most hilarious aspect of the whole thing.
If only they weren’t able to inflict so much damage, it would be a real life Monty Python sketch.
“I say, we have the best Navy in the world, don’t we old chap?”
“Indeed we do sir.”
“So fine, we’ve never even sprung a leak!”
“Just as you say sir.”
“Now, what are we going to do about all this bloody kelp and these crustaceans?”
Camera pans out to show a creaky old raft half submerged and covered with seaweed and crabs.
pretty much :)