BRICS Rising in Kazan

Plus, taking big swings.

October 24, 2024

The Flag

Good morning and Happy Thursday! Here are the Flag’s Top Five stories that should be on your radar to start the day:

  • US: John Kelly comes out swinging against Trump, says he fits 'fascist' definition (ABC News)

  • World: Officials say North Korea has sent troops to Russia. What would that mean for the war with Ukraine? (AP)

  • Business: What we know about the McDonald’s E. coli outbreak investigation (CNN)

  • Technology: Apple’s first iOS 18.2 beta adds more AI features and ChatGPT integration (The Verge)

  • Sports: Chiefs trade for DeAndre Hopkins from Titans, per source: Why it makes sense for Kansas City. (The Athletic)

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POWERED BY MONEY

Imagine your HVAC goes kaput at the coldest time of the year. Did you know a new one could cost up to $15,000? Homeownership comes with surprises, but unexpected appliance breakdowns shouldn’t break the bank. Good thing a home warranty can protect your essential appliances and systems from costly repairs, keeping your wallet happy and your home running smoothly. Check out our home warranty options and safeguard your budget today.

Left: Trump's Mass Deportation Plan Is a Moral Abomination, Moira Donegan, The Guardian

Right: Voters Aren't Buying That Trump Is a 'Threat to Democracy', Jonathan Turley, New York Post

Right: Harris Stands By Big Lie That Biden Was Fit for Presidency, Kylee Griswold, The Federalist

Right: In a Struggling Town, Musk Discusses 'Purpose', Salena Zito, Washington Examiner

BRICS

BRICS Rising in Kazan

Today’s Top Story: Beginning on Tuesday, Putin hosted leaders from 30 countries at the BRICS Summit in the Russian city of Kazan, challenging Western dominance and rebuking U.S. isolation of Russia.

Reporting from the Left: Putin hosts Global South leaders at BRICS summit meant to counterbalance Western clout (AP)

Reporting from the Right: BRICS Summit in Russia to Address Weakening U.S. Dollar, Stopping Israel, and Welcoming More Members (Breitbart)

LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Putin Isn’t Alone

The Top Argument From The Left: The West wants Putin isolated. A major summit he’s hosting shows he’s far from alone, Simone McCarthy, CNN: “Set to be by far the largest international gathering the Russian president has hosted since the start of the war in February 2022, the gathering of BRICS and other countries this week spotlights a growing convergence of nations who hope to see a shift in the global balance of power and – in the case of some, like Moscow, Beijing and Tehran – directly counter the United States-led West. It’s this latter message that Putin – and close partner and most powerful BRICS country leader Xi – will project in the coming days: it’s the West that stands isolated in the world with its sanctions and alliances, while a ‘global majority’ of countries support their bid to challenge American global leadership. … In remarks to reporters Friday, Putin hailed the growing economic and political clout of BRICS countries as an ‘undeniable fact’ and said that if BRICS and interested countries work together, they ‘will be a substantial element of the new world order’ – though he denied the group was an ‘anti-Western alliance.’ Putin’s messaging this week will be all the more poignant as the meeting comes just days ahead of the US elections, where a potential victory for former President Donald Trump could see the US shift its staunch support of Ukraine and strain Washington’s ties with its traditional allies more broadly.”

Honorable Mention #2: The growing tension within the BRICS, Ishaan Tharoor, The Washington Post.

RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Several Global Dynamics at Play

The Top Argument From The Right: Russia hosts BRICS summit amid geopolitical turmoil, Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner: “[The summit] comes amid significant geopolitical turmoil, including Russia’s war with Ukraine. Most recently, the BRICS expanded again to include the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia. This year’s summit is expected to include more than 30 countries. Russia assumed the BRICS presidency on Jan. 1, 2024. The slogan for its chairmanship is “Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security.” One of Russia’s objectives this year is to promote ‘the entire range of partnership and cooperation within the framework of the association on three key tracks — politics and security, the economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian ties.’ …the leaders in attendance will announce a new blueprint for BRICS that will ‘inject new impetus into a multipolar world, facilitate economic globalization and democratization of international relations, and open up a new chapter for the solidarity and development of the Global South.’ Of particular note, there will also be discussions on developing a BRICS payment platform and ‘BRICS Bridge,’ according to multiple reports. These fiscal objectives are expected to align with the vision of Russia’s leadership for this year.”

Honorable Mention #2: Will India abandon the Western bloc? Francis Pike, The Spectator.

FLAG THIS

American Influence Waning

A Pew Research Center survey from 2022 shows that 47% of U.S. adults believe the United States' global influence has weakened in recent years, while only 20% say it has grown stronger, and 32% think it has remained the same. In contrast, 67% of Americans think China’s influence is increasing, with 20% saying it is stable and just 10% believing it is weakening. These figures highlight a growing perception that China is gaining ground in global influence compared to the U.S. (Pew Research Center).

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WATERCOOLER

Barrel Over, Indigenous Ingenuity, Leech Intelligence

On This Day in 1901, a 63-year-old schoolteacher named Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to successfully take the plunge over Niagara Falls in a barrel.

Harvard Business Review: How to Spot an Incompetent Leader

Today I learned leeches have 32 brains.

POWERED BY MONEY

Imagine your HVAC goes kaput on the coldest time of the year. Did you know a new one could cost up to $15,000? Homeownership comes with surprises, but unexpected appliance breakdowns shouldn’t break the bank. Good thing a home warranty can protect your essential appliances and systems from costly repairs, keeping your wallet happy and your home running smoothly. Check out our home warranty options and safeguard your budget today.

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