🇷🇺🇺🇲 March 30, 1867 - Russia signs a deal to sell Alaska to the US
In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, an event often termed "Seward’s Folly" after Secretary of State William H. Seward. This acquisition was met with skepticism in the U.S., as many viewed Alaska as a barren wasteland. However, the purchase strategically reduced British influence in North America and added a vast resource-rich territory to the U.S.
Why did Russia sell?
Russia sold Alaska due to financial and military strains, particularly after the Crimean War, and to prevent potential British acquisition through Canada.
The impact of the purchase
The deal significantly influenced U.S. economic development and foreign policy. The discovery of gold in the late 1890s and later oil validated the strategic foresight of the purchase. Alaska has since played a key role in America’s economic and strategic positioning, especially during the 1970s oil crises.
The purchase of Alaska, initially mocked, has proven to be a visionary move, demonstrating the importance of strategic thinking in foreign policy and national growth.
In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, an event often termed "Seward’s Folly" after Secretary of State William H. Seward. This acquisition was met with skepticism in the U.S., as many viewed Alaska as a barren wasteland. However, the purchase strategically reduced British influence in North America and added a vast resource-rich territory to the U.S.
Why did Russia sell?
Russia sold Alaska due to financial and military strains, particularly after the Crimean War, and to prevent potential British acquisition through Canada.
The impact of the purchase
The deal significantly influenced U.S. economic development and foreign policy. The discovery of gold in the late 1890s and later oil validated the strategic foresight of the purchase. Alaska has since played a key role in America’s economic and strategic positioning, especially during the 1970s oil crises.
The purchase of Alaska, initially mocked, has proven to be a visionary move, demonstrating the importance of strategic thinking in foreign policy and national growth.
Forwarded from Constantine's Notebook
🇸🇴🇹🇷 - A Turkish-made Bayraktar Akıncı drone has been spotted at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, as Turkey sends military aid to counter the Al-Shabaab offensive.
GIW Trump voters:
Anonymous Poll
24%
I want Trump to bomb Iran
40%
I don’t want Trump to bomb Iran
14%
Makes no difference to me
21%
I didn’t vote for Trump
Greenland’s new Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated that the U.S. will not get the island.
Trump said that the U.S. “will get Greenland.” Let me be clear: the U.S. will not get it. We do not belong to others. We decide our own future.
He added that Greenlanders should not fear Trump’s statements, but respond to them “calmly, with dignity, and in unity.”
Trump said that the U.S. “will get Greenland.” Let me be clear: the U.S. will not get it. We do not belong to others. We decide our own future.
He added that Greenlanders should not fear Trump’s statements, but respond to them “calmly, with dignity, and in unity.”
🇫🇷 - Tomorrow, Marine Le Pen will know whether she is barred from running for presidency in 2027.
Global Intel Watch
🇫🇷 - Tomorrow, Marine Le Pen will know whether she is barred from running for presidency in 2027.
🇫🇷 - Many things can happen if she is prevented from running:
She could retire from politics, after decades in the business, and let another party member run in 2027.
The group in the parliament could bring down the government in a vote of no confidence as a retaliation.
Macron could call new legislative/parliamentary elections in September.
Macron could pardon her, since in exchange she has enabled a centrist liberal to gain access to the Constitutional Council, as Macron wished.
As for potential demonstrations/protests, I'm sorry, but that's not happening. The French are taking to the streets over the price of gas and the retirement age, not because a politician has ended up in prison.
All those possibilities are interlinked, meaning the government may fall and then this would trigger new elections in September, or, the pardon could be issued in exchange of keeping the government alive until 2027.
She could retire from politics, after decades in the business, and let another party member run in 2027.
The group in the parliament could bring down the government in a vote of no confidence as a retaliation.
Macron could call new legislative/parliamentary elections in September.
Macron could pardon her, since in exchange she has enabled a centrist liberal to gain access to the Constitutional Council, as Macron wished.
As for potential demonstrations/protests, I'm sorry, but that's not happening. The French are taking to the streets over the price of gas and the retirement age, not because a politician has ended up in prison.
All those possibilities are interlinked, meaning the government may fall and then this would trigger new elections in September, or, the pardon could be issued in exchange of keeping the government alive until 2027.
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🇷🇺 A gunman in Murmansk, Russia (not far away from Norway and Finland) opened fire on three police vehicles.
According to Baza, an unidentified individual opened fire from the roof of building No. 10 on Kolsky Avenue at two patrol police crews. In addition, a traffic police vehicle was also shot at. There are likely bullet holes in a civilian car as well, though this information is still being verified. According to preliminary reports, there are no casualties.
The type of weapon used by the shooter is being identified.
A "Zagorsk" security protocol has been initiated. The building from which the shooter is firing has been sealed off. Special forces are attempting to detain the man.
According to Baza, an unidentified individual opened fire from the roof of building No. 10 on Kolsky Avenue at two patrol police crews. In addition, a traffic police vehicle was also shot at. There are likely bullet holes in a civilian car as well, though this information is still being verified. According to preliminary reports, there are no casualties.
The type of weapon used by the shooter is being identified.
A "Zagorsk" security protocol has been initiated. The building from which the shooter is firing has been sealed off. Special forces are attempting to detain the man.
This media is not supported in your browser
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
🇷🇺 Several people have reportedly been injured as a result of the shooting in Murmansk, according to eyewitnesses cited by SHOT.
Security forces are currently unable to reach the roof of the apartment building where the shooter is located, as access is blocked by a hatch. According to local residents, the nine-story dormitory has two exits to the roof, both of which are blocked; access is only possible via a vertical ladder. The last sounds of gunfire were heard by nearby residents about 10 minutes ago.
Update: the shooter has been wounded, arrested and is now being transported to a hospital. His motives remain unclear.
Security forces are currently unable to reach the roof of the apartment building where the shooter is located, as access is blocked by a hatch. According to local residents, the nine-story dormitory has two exits to the roof, both of which are blocked; access is only possible via a vertical ladder. The last sounds of gunfire were heard by nearby residents about 10 minutes ago.
Update: the shooter has been wounded, arrested and is now being transported to a hospital. His motives remain unclear.
🇦🇲 - Pashinyan's ruling Civil Contract party faced a decisive rejection in Armenia's second-largest city during the elections. A total of 47,454 voters participated, representing 42.66% of eligible voters. Local media reported mysterious power outages, violations, and arrests throughout the process.
Forwarded from Constantine's Notebook
🇦🇲 - Armenian opposition forces secured a collective victory in the Gyumri municipal elections with 50.36% of the vote, while the ruling Civil Contract party received 36.39%.
TRUMP’S LIBERATION DAY EXPLAINED (also called by me Trump’s Big April Fish):
📑Tariffs Expand: New reciprocal tariffs hit imports worth trillions, targeting countries like the “Dirty 15” (e.g., China, EU) with high trade barriers; Canada/Mexico exemptions end, 25% rates kick in.
📈Prices Rise: Everyday goods—cars, electronics, food—get pricier as tariffs boost costs; inflation jumps (0.5%+), GDP dips (0.4%).
🧑🏭Jobs & Markets: Over 300,000 U.S. jobs at risk despite manufacturing hopes; stock markets swing wildly based on tariff details.
🇪🇺Global Backlash: EU slaps $28B in U.S. exports (April 13), others retaliate; supply chains reroute, costs climb.
💵Deals & Revenue: Some nations negotiate lower tariffs pre-deadline; U.S. gains $1.5T over a decade for potential tax cuts.
🇺🇸Trump’s Spin: Calls it a tough but needed fix to “liberate” U.S. from trade rip-offs; Congress may resist if fallout grows.
📑Tariffs Expand: New reciprocal tariffs hit imports worth trillions, targeting countries like the “Dirty 15” (e.g., China, EU) with high trade barriers; Canada/Mexico exemptions end, 25% rates kick in.
📈Prices Rise: Everyday goods—cars, electronics, food—get pricier as tariffs boost costs; inflation jumps (0.5%+), GDP dips (0.4%).
🧑🏭Jobs & Markets: Over 300,000 U.S. jobs at risk despite manufacturing hopes; stock markets swing wildly based on tariff details.
🇪🇺Global Backlash: EU slaps $28B in U.S. exports (April 13), others retaliate; supply chains reroute, costs climb.
💵Deals & Revenue: Some nations negotiate lower tariffs pre-deadline; U.S. gains $1.5T over a decade for potential tax cuts.
🇺🇸Trump’s Spin: Calls it a tough but needed fix to “liberate” U.S. from trade rip-offs; Congress may resist if fallout grows.
Global Intel Watch
🇫🇷 - Tomorrow, Marine Le Pen will know whether she is barred from running for presidency in 2027.
🇫🇷 - Marine Le Pen found guilty of embezzling European Parliament funds.
Global Intel Watch
🇫🇷 - Marine Le Pen found guilty of embezzling European Parliament funds.
🇫🇷 - Note that the actual sentence is not yet known. For now she’s just guilty.
Global Intel Watch
🇫🇷 - Note that the actual sentence is not yet known. For now she’s just guilty.
🇫🇷 - Sentences to be known shortly.
Forwarded from Constantine's Notebook
🇫🇷🇷🇺 - The Kremlin denounces a "violation of democratic norms".
🇫🇷 - This is the end of Le Pen’s political career, there is no recovery from that.
Forwarded from Constantine's Notebook
🇫🇷 - Marine Le Pen will address the people at 8 p.m. on national TV.