Growing Militarism and Fears of World War

https://www.politico.eu/article/world-war-iii-defense-spending-europe-poll/

Politico is well known as a pro-Atlanticist publication and thus is going to represent a NATO-bias in its reporting. Despite this shortcoming, there's still some good information to be gleaned from time to time.

In this case, the article is neither profound nor surprising but rather affirming what many already sense - the world is heading toward global conflict. Indeed, history may look back and reckon the next world war as having begun in the early 2020's with the conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and now Iran. These wars are becoming ever more related and interconnected and as Donald Trump discovered they are not easily disentangled or disengaged from as so many issues are woven together.

The New Evangelical Ethos in the Age of Bolsonaro and Trump

https://rainforestjournalismfund.org/projects/army-jesus

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/democraciaabierta/rise-narco-militia-pentecostal-brazil-en/

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/10/cpac-argentina-milei-maga-trump-musk

This is disturbing but not at all surprising. And given that within a decade Brazil will likely have the largest Evangelical population on the planet - it's a moment for sober reflection.

The Ukraine War: A Double Windfall for Western Capitalism

https://www.france24.com/en/france/20230109-macron-s-pension-reform-necessary-changes-to-an-unsustainable-system

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50670613

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/macron-boosts-french-military-spending-by-over-a-third-to-transform-army/ar-AA16z12S

This double windfall for capitalism is most clearly demonstrated by recent events in France. President Macron has announced pension reform. He argues (contrary to the numbers) that the present system is unsustainable and as such he wants to raise the minimum retirement age and expand the contribution requirement resulting in lower payouts for some. The money just isn't there, he argues.