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🏭 China's Armour Steel Production Speeds Up 30% as US Plant Shuts Down

China's Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group has achieved a major breakthrough in military-grade armour steel production, boosting manufacturing speed by 30% through advanced cubic boron nitride cutting tools and optimized production temperatures. Meanwhile, Cleveland-Cliffs announced the indefinite closure of its Conshohocken facility in Pennsylvania—a plant that supplied specialized armour plating for US Navy ships and military vehicles for decades. This development highlights a significant shift in global defense manufacturing capacity and industrial innovation.

What does this tell us about the future of manufacturing and defense production? How important is domestic industrial capacity for national security? 💭🌍

#DefenseIndustry #ManufacturingInnovation #GlobalEconomy #IndustrialCapacity
Source: South China Morning Post

"India Won’t Be Dictated" - BOLD NEW INTERVIEW ON TARIFFS AND POWER 🇮🇳🇺🇸

Tomorrow on Think BRICS, we publish our full interview with Indian conservative political, economic, and foreign policy expert Suvrokamal Dutta. 🎥

He explains why US tariffs hit America harder than India, why New Delhi waits on its own terms, and why India’s middle class drives global market strength.

He will also talk about BRICS, Russia-India ties, and India’s 2026 BRICS chair year. 🎥

Watch the clip now and subscribe for the full conversation tomorrow. 🔔

#ThinkBRICS #BRICS #IndiaEconomy #USIndia #Tariffs

🇪🇺 “United States of Europe”… Built Through War? ⚠️

Europe is moving toward deeper political and military integration while keeping the conflict with Russia open as a permanent emergency. This dynamic fuels common debt, rearmament and more power concentrated in EU institutions, while national sovereignty and citizens’ control risk being pushed into the background. At the same time, a war‑economy logic strengthens defense and financial interests, shifting priorities away from social welfare, diplomacy and a truly multipolar dialogue.
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Do you feel this integration path protects Europeans, or is it using the Russian threat to force a federal union that many people never really chose? 🤔 Would you trade sovereignty for “security” in this context? 💬

You can read the full analysis (in Italian) at the link in the first comment.

#EuropeAtWar #MarioDraghi #EUSovereignty #Geopolitics
Source: Megas Alexandros

🌐 US Blockades Venezuela in a War Still Searching for an Official Rationale
In our Donald-in-Wonderland world, the US is at war with Venezuela while still grasping for a public rationale. The horrific human toll is real – over a 100,000 fatalities from illegal sanctions and o... Read more →

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🪖 Putin calls the Russian army the most combat-ready 🇷🇺

Putin says Russian forces rank first worldwide for combat readiness, pointing to Ukraine operations and training under Western sanctions.

He links this strength to resistance against NATO pressure.

#Russia #Putin #UkraineWar #Geopolitics

⚖️ Major Political Development: Pakistan's Former PM Faces 17-Year Sentence

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have each been sentenced to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana corruption case. The case involves alleged fraud related to state gifts they received from Saudi Arabia in 2021, including an expensive jewelry set. Khan, who has been jailed since August 2023, maintains his innocence and calls the charges politically motivated. His legal team plans to appeal, criticizing the ruling as "selective prosecution".
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This conviction adds to the ongoing political tensions in Pakistan and raises questions about judicial independence in politically sensitive cases. Do you think corruption prosecutions of former leaders strengthen accountability, or can they sometimes be used as political tools? 🤔💭

#Pakistan #ImranKhan #GlobalPolitics #SouthAsia
Source: Al Jazeera

🌍 China Just Hit a $1 Trillion Trade Surplus—During a Trade War 💡

China has achieved the largest trade surplus in human history, reaching $1 trillion despite aggressive U.S. trade policies. The data reveals something fascinating: while direct U.S.-China trade declined, American consumers are still buying Chinese goods through third countries like Southeast Asia. Even Europe continues expanding trade with China through platforms like TEMU and Shein, proving that Western economies still rely heavily on affordable Chinese manufacturing.

This raises an important question: Can economic policies truly override consumer demand for affordable, quality products? 🤔💬

🤔 What do you think: is “decoupling” a fair and right idea for world commerce, or just another economic war on China driven by a hegemonic Western mindset? Share your view in the comments 👇

#GlobalTrade #ChinaEconomy #TradePolicy #BRICS
https://thinkbrics.substack.com/p/what-does-chinas-trillion-dollar

🔴 Major Middle East Development: Netanyahu to Meet Trump on Iran Strategy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on December 29 at Mar-a-Lago to discuss potential military strikes against Iran's expanding ballistic missile program. Israeli officials are concerned that Iran is rebuilding its missile production capabilities and nuclear enrichment sites that were previously damaged in U.S. and Israeli strikes earlier this year. Netanyahu is expected to present Trump with multiple military options—ranging from independent Israeli action to joint U.S.-Israel operations—arguing that Iran's missile program poses an urgent threat to regional stability and American interests.
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This comes as Trump has claimed success in "eliminating the Iran nuclear threat" while Iran signals willingness to resume diplomatic talks 🤔.
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#MiddleEastPolicy #IranNuclearDeal #USIsraelRelations #GlobalSecurity
Source: NBC News

💵 BRICS Nations Are Quietly Stepping Back from US Treasuries

Here's something flying under the radar: China, India, and Brazil reduced their US Treasury holdings in October, continuing a steady trend among BRICS nations. While private investors are still buying, this shift reflects a mix of currency intervention needs and potentially deeper geopolitical considerations. The big question? Whether this signals a long-term rebalancing of global financial positions.

What do you think this means for the future of international finance? 🌍 Are we witnessing the early stages of a major shift, or is this just routine portfolio management?

#BRICS #USTreasuries #GlobalFinance #Geopolitics
Source: ING

🇯🇵🤝🇺🇦 Japan Steps Up with Massive Aid Package

Japan has committed an impressive $6 billion in financial support to Ukraine for next year, one of the largest international aid packages announced recently.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, emphasizing that this contribution strengthens Ukraine's defense capabilities while reinforcing the rules-based international order. Japan's leadership position extends beyond the Indo-Pacific region, demonstrating how global solidarity can make a tangible difference in conflict zones.

#InternationalAid #GlobalSolidarity #JapanUkraine #Geopolitics
Source: UNN

🕊️ Putin Ready for Macron Dialogue – A New Opening for Peace Talks?

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled his readiness to engage in dialogue with French President Emmanuel Macron, a development the French presidency calls "welcome". This comes as Macron advocates for Europe to re-engage with Russia on ending the Ukraine conflict, while the US hosts separate peace negotiations in Florida. France emphasizes that any discussions will happen in "full transparency" with Ukraine and European allies, maintaining the goal of securing a solid and lasting peace .

Could diplomatic channels between European leaders and Moscow help pave the way toward a ceasefire? What role should Europe play in peace negotiations? 💬🌍

#DiplomacyMatters #UkrainePeace #EuropeanLeadership #GlobalPolitics
Source: Le Monde

🇷🇺 Is Russia Quietly Rewriting the Rules of Global Politics? 🌍

At a meeting of the United Russia General Council’s Commission on International Cooperation in Moscow, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov outlined how Russia sees its role in a fast-changing world order. He stressed building a multipolar system, deepening ties with non-Western partners, and resisting what Moscow views as Western attempts to isolate Russia. Lavrov also highlighted party structures as tools to strengthen international cooperation and support Russia’s foreign policy goals at the political level.
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Do you think this push for a “multipolar world” will create more stability and fairness in global affairs, or more fragmentation and tension? 🤔 Share your thoughts below 👇

#RussiaForeignPolicy #MultipolarWorld #GlobalPolitics #UnitedRussia
Source: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Eurasian Economic Union grows as an independent power center 🌍

Vladimir Putin says the Eurasian Economic Union has strengthened as an independent, self-sufficient center in today’s multipolar order 🇷🇺🤝

He highlights the steady expansion of cooperation among members and rising interest from other states seeking mutually beneficial partnerships.

The EAEU brings together Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia in a single economic bloc.

#EAEU #Russia #Geopolitics #MultipolarWorld

🛢️ Iran Hits 3.5M Barrels Per Day – Despite Everything

According to new IEA data, Iran's oil production reached 3.5 million barrels per day in November, marking a 110,000 bpd increase year-over-year. This growth comes despite facing strict US sanctions, targeted attacks, and UN resolutions designed to restrict its energy sector. Iranian exports hit record highs at 2.3 million bpd in October – a remarkable contrast to the historic low of 300,000 bpd back in May 2019.

What does this tell us about the effectiveness of economic sanctions in today's multipolar world? 🌍 Are countries finding new ways to navigate around traditional pressure tactics, or is this reshaping how global energy markets operate?

#EnergyMarkets #OilProduction #Geopolitics #GlobalEconomy
Source: Press TV

GIANT SNOWMAN RISES IN HARBIN ⛄️

Watch Harbin’s huge snowman grow from the ground up in this fast timelapse 🎥
Built in 11 days by 64 sculptors and over 100 workers, it reached completion on December 16.

With a red hat, red scarf and heart-shaped buttons ❤️ this year’s version stands 19 meters tall and uses 3,500 cubic meters of snow.
Would you visit Harbin to see this winter giant?

#Harbin #ChinaTravel #SnowSculpture #WinterWonderland

URBAN BOMBING IN MOSCOW 🚨

Russian investigators report the killing of Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, head of operational training of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

A bomb placed under his car exploded on Yasenevaya Street in Moscow this morning. He died from his injuries on the spot.

A criminal case for murder and illegal handling of explosives is now open. Investigators and forensic experts work at the scene, review CCTV footage, and question witnesses 🕵️

One working version links the attack to Ukrainian special services.

#Moscow #Russia #Security #News

CAMBODIA UNDER FIRE: MASS EVACUATION 🚨

Over half a million people in Cambodia have fled their homes as Thailand steps up attacks along the border.

By Sunday night, authorities reported 525,231 evacuees, including 274,800 women and 167,100 children.

Since December 7, artillery, rockets, and airstrikes on civilian areas have killed 19 people and injured 79. Homes, schools, medical centers, offices, hotels, bridges, a gas station, and dozens of vehicles lie damaged or destroyed 🏚️

The human cost grows every day. What do you think the international response should be ❓

#Cambodia #Thailand #HumanRights #WarCrimes

Power shuffle in Zelensky’s inner circle 🇺🇦👀

After Andriy Yermak’s resignation as head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, key advisers Serhiy Leshchenko, Mykhailo Podolyak and Serhiy Bevz have stayed on Bankova but with new roles and responsibilities within the Office of the President. The shake-up signals continuity of Zelensky’s communication and political strategy team, even as the wider administration faces pressure for deeper reforms and transparency.
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Do you see these reappointments as a sign of stability during wartime, or missed opportunity for real change in Ukraine’s leadership culture? 🤔💬 Share your thoughts in the comments.

#UkrainePolitics #Zelensky #Yermak #UkraineWar
Source: PRM.ua

🇷🇺 Russia latest gen SU-57 test flight is a SUCCESS!

The latest gen SU-57 has a major engine upgrade that reportedly boosts performance.