A 156-YEAR-OLD MISTAKE QUESTION: Russia-China exercises near Alaska spook the US, but do they have a reason to worry?

🇷🇺 To be clear, there is no Russian foreign policy objective to take Alaska back - but a legal basis could be construed. The agreement between Russia and the US on the Purchase in 1867 is not technically valid, due to Washington repeatedly violating its provisions.

🇺🇸 The US had promised Russian nationals there (10,000 people, including Russian-speaking Inuit Alaskans) guarantees of “the enjoyment of freedom, property rights and the practice of faith.” But after a short time, all Russian-language schools were closed, and teachers punished for educating in Russian.

In 1927, the US authorities proclaimed the American Orthodox Church as the official church in Alaska (which is considered schismatic by the Russian Orthodox Church.) So given the US predisposition not to honor treaties they enter into - why should anybody else? 🧐

Subscribe @IntelRepublic

⚡️Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, now official Spokesperson in the West for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, says Russians aren't human.

And that's generally what propagandists do, they use ad hominem attacks instead of logic and reason to present the opposing perspective.

Subscribe @IntelRepublic

DOMESTIC CAR SALES SKYROCKET: Car sales in Russia nearly tripled in July compared to the same period last year, as the domestic automobile industry recovers from the impact of Western sanctions.

🇷🇺 The Russian LADA was the top-selling brand, at a 163% increase from last year. It is followed by Chinese car brands Chery, Geely & Haval.

The Russian car industry, which was heavily reliant on foreign investment and equipment, suffered a crisis last year due to the exodus of giants like Ford and Volkswagen.

🇰🇷🇨🇳 Korean brands such as Kia continue to sell well on average, but Chinese automakers have embarked on a major expansion in the Russian market and are expected to reach a 60% market share of total sales this year.

Subscribe @IntelRepublic