individual,

I think you missed my point. I also did state who exactly in the west is responsible.

Canem,
He writes as an learned academic and is difficult to read.

So far I've found him to be readable Ipso Fatso as a matter of fact :) - more than some- but thanks for the warning.

Keith/Ima_etc,

I've written several times on these pages about the new ruling class that has taken over much of the western world and particularly the Anglosphere. These people are variously called the managerial class or the credentialled class (ie credentialled but not educated).

That this class now rules and rules in its own interests is hardly controversial these days, at least among conservative and libertarian (small 'c'; small 'l') circles.

Much of western society is now geared to the interests of this class. Production has been sent off-shore chasing lower prices while those whose jobs are destroyed are ridiculed as 'deplorables' and 'clingers' and told to learn to code (although coding is also sent off-shore).

It is instructive that, during the recent covid hysteria, the managerial class got through with their power and wealth enhanced (not a single public servant lost a single day's pay) while the underclass suffered lockdown, lost wages, lost jobs and lost self-esteem. When the Canadian truckers tried to protest and fight back, the entire weight of the modern state was levelled against them. Similarly, dissent in Australia was ruthlessly suppressed.

While these new arrangements have been good for the new ruling class, that's not so for the nations they now rule. Economies are unravelling, new international rivals are rampant, war after war has been launched and lost.

Quite how this gets unwoven is unclear. Trump (contra your claims) was the opponent of this class and the champion of the deplorables. As such, again the levers of the state were launched against him (FBI, DOJ, CIA, legacy media) and ultimately overwhelmed his presidency. Perhaps a Trump 2.0 will have more success. In Australia, both parties are the creatures of this new managerial class and there is no prospect of anyone opposing them in the near future. Things are getting bad but they'll need to get much worse before the Australian credentialled class are seriously challenged.

Graham,

I'd certainly agree that the Putin/Xi axis detected weakness in the west, exemplified by Biden, but also apparent in the Afghanistan withdrawal disaster. While the west has shown unexpected firmness in response to the invasion this has mainly been led by those East European states that best know Russia, not to mention Zelinskky and his bravery.

Still the war and its aftermath will have repercussions for the world economy and therefore Australia. Oil and wheat prices are the most obvious, but also further pressures on the supply chain. We also see European countries finally realising Trump was right and deciding to increase military spending and reduce imports of cheaper gas. This will necessarily mean less spending power for their populations.

Australia enters the crisis in bad shape having mortgaged the future for temporary sugar-hits. The government thinks it'll have achieved something if the budget forecasts debts just short of $1 Trillion....sheeesh.

Inflation in the US can only be addressed by higher interest rates. This will pressure the Aussie Dollar and cause us to raise rates at a time when we can least afford it. Stand-by for a crisis in the housing market.

Chickens are coming home to roost and they're all arriving at once.

As to energy, as I might have mentioned once or twice before (smile) I have no fear of CO2 and therefore prefer that we go full coal. But that battle has been lost and, therefore, I concur nuclear is the next best bet.

It is said that we always do the right thing....after trying everything else. I fear things will have to get very much worse before the penny drops for the electorate.

before the penny drops for the electorate.
mhaze,
The electorate will drop before the Penny !