May 10, 2024: Evil League of Evil = “Axis of Upheaval”

In which, it’s time to think holistically about America’s enemies, the Gaza ceasefire did indeed fall through, and we’re talking recession again.

Evil League of Evil = “Axis of Upheaval”

This last year or two, I’ve taken to referring to the China-Russia-Iran-North Korea group as the Evil League of Evil, but the foreign policy “blob” in DC really has visions of World War II grandeur shaping its lexicon, and it's given us the unoriginal, but descriptive “Axis of Upheaval” to describe that same group of nations. Going forward, I will likely be using the two terms interchangeably as they do have a similar ring to them, but I greatly prefer my term. All that being said, the Evil League of Upheaval… hey, now… or, maybe, the Upheaval League of Evil? Yeah? Yeah?

Well, the group was certainly up to tricks this week that fell right in line with my 2024 “predictions” Deep File.

Called it! Putin wins

As anticipated, Vladimir Putin entered his fifth term of office as Russia’s president this last week and took the opportunity to once again draw contrasts between Russia’s vision for the world and perceived Western visions, and to hammer Ukrainian targets with missile strikes.

With a so-called peace conference in Switzerland on the horizon for next month, I highly doubt Putin will attend, though a Russian delegation may attend if only to push for recognition of Russian gains on the ground in Ukraine. Something that European countries like France and Poland are seriously considering taking a stronger hand in helping to reverse. After all, Russia’s already been accepting outside boots on the ground.

Called it! China levels up disinformation

While Russia actively battles the US and European nations in Ukraine, China is continuing to play the role of the mastermind in the background, watching and waiting for its opportunity to strike at either Taiwan or US interests in the Indo-Pacific region, and even closer to home. Meanwhile, China is willing to use its diplomatic and economic clout to drive wedges in Europe and solidify support for Russia in eastern Europe and  the Balkans.

China also appears to be readying its disinformation campaign both for deployment in the US election cycle, but also in support of its allies currently engaged in anti-Western conflict - Russia in Ukraine and Iran in the Middle East.