E77: Is Europe a vassal of the US? With Yanis Varoufakis, Julijana Zita, Erik Edman and more!

Speaking during an official visit to China, Emmanuel Macron said that Europe should chart its own course and be a 'third pole' in world affairs between Washington and Beijing - and not be a vassal to either as the New Cold War threatens to escalate. Unsurprisingly, his comments have caused unease among many European leaders, for whom unquestioned alignment with Washington is the only way.
Is Europe today “a vassal” of the US? And if we were to chart our own course, what should that look like?
We’ll explore these questions in detail - including how they relate to DiEM25’s campaign for a New Non-Aligned Movement - and take your questions and comments. Tune in!
0:00 [Introduction] Mehran Khalili
1:28 Yanis Varoufakis
22:07 Maja Pelevic
28:48 Amir Kiyaei
31:38 Questions and comments from the chat
32:04 Panos Stenos
36:27 Julijana Zita
42:31 Questions and comments from the chat
42:53 Defne Dalkara
48:10 Danae Stratou
50:31 Judith Meyer
53:05 Questions and comments from the chat
53:30 Yanis Varoufakis
1:03:44 [Conclusion] Mehran Khalili
SUPPORT US
---------------------
Join DiEM25: diem25.org/join​
Donate to DiEM25: diem25.org/donate
Subscribe: / diem25official
#Europe #USA #Macron

[Tigger Hanson]

Thanks for inviting Professor Varoufakis to give the talk. I was born in Taiwan and would like to share with you about the change of Taiwan in the last 15 years: During 2008 and 2016, people in Taiwan and China have been very friendly. The tourist industry and the trade benefitted Taiwan tremendously. Both sides shared a agreement (i.e., The 1992 Consensus) that people from both sides were Chinese even though they have different systems and they made the “One China” interpretations in their own ways (OCI). However, there is always a group of people in Taiwan refuse to admit that their ancestors were Chinese and they chose whatever ways to undermine the eventual unification of the China and Taiwan. In 2016, this group or Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the election by spreading the hatred of China and again in 2020 by exploiting the fear of Hong Kong’s riot. Just like the 70,000,000 Americans voted for Trump, many Taiwanese voted for DPP. The elected president tore up The 1992 Consensus and started cutting all ties with China including changing the official Chinese history books for students. After Trump was elected president, he accepted the congratulation phone call from Taiwan’s president, which breaks the US-China tradition since 1979. For president Trump, Taiwan is the best dagger he can use to attack China. He increased the weapon sales to Taiwan along with the trade wars and tech wars against China. After the outbreak of COVID-19, Trump grew desperate and blamed China on spreading the virus as the main strategy of his re-election. He sent the high level officials from US to Taiwan to provoke China and he sent aircraft carriers to the South China Sea some 7000 miles away from USA. Can you imagine if China sends their aircraft carriers to Hawaii? In the meantime, Taiwan’s DPP seized the opportunity to lean on Trump to attack China. For example, they cut off the mask supply to China in January 2020 and they refuse to bring the Taiwanese in Wuhan back to the island. They spread lies that WHO failed to heed warning from DPP and demanded the resignation of Tedros. They also require that anyone from China will have to be quarantined for 14 days even when the virus in Wuhan had been under control. The Taiwan president kept calling WuHan Virus to provoke her base just like Trump until this month. And, DPP made no effort to reject Trump’s request to move some TSM’s production to Arizona and ban semiconductor sales to Huawei. In case you don’t know, TSM is considered the silicon shield of Taiwan since it is a national treasure that China would not want to destroy. It is hard to blame the people in China that they felt betrayed since DPP used the huge trade surplus with China to buy weapons from USA. If Biden really wants to see a peaceful Taiwan Strait, he should demand Taiwan to re-adopt The 1992 Consensus. Since China declared that Chinese (China) would not attack Chinese(Taiwan), Taiwan Strait can remain peaceful. P.S., Taiwan, in late 2020, shut down a major TV station (CTI News equivalent to Fox or CNN in the USA) which supported the opposing party. It is no longer a democratic country as you might think.

[benny nackholm]

Thank you for your comment now i understand more about the situation in Taiwan lets pray there never will be a war in taiwan. Its already enough with this Ukraine Russian shitshow that could have ended if USA and NATO and the arms seller wouldnt have been dead set on prolong this tragedy. Let it never happen to Taiwan and China

[Philip Wong]

The US relies on its allies for political cover to legitimize its wars. Most US allies are effectively client states of the US, as they have agreed to host US military bases and contribute to the upkeep of US troops on their territory. The US operates a protection racket, offering to consider protecting its allies from their enemies, in return, they (except for France) buy weapons from the US. If an ally does not have any enemies, the US will even create one for them. This tactic ensures that the US maintains its position as the world's leading arms dealer and is always one step ahead of potential rivals. The US spy agencies, including the CIA, NSA, DIA, FBI, DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis, NGA, NRO, INR, DEA Office of National Security Intelligence, INSCOM, ONI, and AFISRA, are constantly on the lookout for any threats. The US monitors its allies, enemies, and even its own citizens, as it considers all other countries as enemies or potential enemies. All of its European allies are now significantly weakened by the US, and not one of them dares to complain. Deliberately destroying another country's vital infrastructure is an act of war under international law. The US bombed NordStream 1 and 2, yet Germany remained silent. Cowed countries stay silent when their economy and infrastructure are damaged by another country. Yes, Europe (except for France) are vassal of the US, some allies are more enthusiastic than others.

[John M]

Exactly. Well said

[Christel Wilk]

Absolutely spot on.

[Kgaphola Segadimane Bethuel]

Absolutely

[Cass]

I spent some time in Berlin in the 1980s - my impression before going was of Germany as an industrial power fully recovered from the war. Two things particularly shocked me. One was the heavy presence of the British and American military with their very extensive and not very clear roles, parading the streets, having their own quarters, rotating as to who was ' in charge" of remaining Nazi prisoners, border checkpoints etc. The other was the Berufsverbot: a ban on communists from public sector jobs including school and university teaching. What I was not aware of then was how the US had nurtured the very powerful roles of Nazis in the German authorities and in business. The Cold War was hot then behind the scenes, nuclear war was only narrowly escaped, as the west put immense and costly pressure on the USSR of which US missile bases in Germany were a part. I also learned that the EU was primarily a US product as a buffer against communism in Europe. After the USSR was starved out by military cost pressures and by crashing oil prices through the Saudis, US policy switched to "Disaggregation of Europe" with covert operations, culture war, warmaking and bombing of Eastern Europe by NATO four times. More recently, US involvement in the Cambridge Analytica operation which birthed Brexit. The current Ukraine War is as much an economic war against Europe (the main current economic rival to the US ) as it is a proxy war against Russia. The collapse of the EU and European governments to US control is reminiscent of the collapse of the USSR in that both were top down collapses of governance in why the people had no real say and that both had been assiduously prepared by the US and its UK side kick both economically in cutting Europe off affordable energy supplies and softening up and shaping of top layers of governments and the EU. The US is simultaneously waging a trade war grab of European industry and US FDI back to the US. Germany is finished as an industrial power. 3 million people died of deprivation in Russia under the IMF rule in the 1990s, which under US direction inflicted as much deep social damage on Russia as it could devise. The Mafia and worst of the old bureaucracy were put in charge. The US gov. and strategy for global hegemony are clearly stretched now as they are losing support of even clientele governments who can't trust them. But this is only an incipient process. Fundamentally it's a class war of massive scale that is only beginning world wide. Rebuilding the world on socialist foundations and preventing its nuclear destruction is still the only real alternative I can see.

[Herbert Darick]

The EU might have started as a US project, but then the US doesn't want it to become too successful, right?

[Peter Klein]

Isn't a strong EU that's aligned towards the US still a bulwark for American interests? Leaving pesky strategic autonomy aside 😂

[John M]

Very good indeed. This should be published all over the internet. The duplicity of the West knows no bounds

[Jordan Dexter]

Yanis, thank you for presenting a very enlightened and civil narrative of the whole issue. May we hope all will live in peace and the fire poking oligarchs with self interest thousands of miles away be stayed at their place taking care of their own country.

[Adina Haun]

You are so right and thank you for saying it out loud! The American people have not benefitted for all these wars and money printing.Only the elites have grown wealthy at the expense of the ordinary citizen. The screws keep tightening on us. We lack just about everything a decent government provides-health care, infrastructure, education etc. We are treated with contempt by the US political establishment and we need radical change here.

[Alan Tan]

Aptly said!!

[Blackbird]

You need a French Revolution!

[Adina Haun]

@Blackbird asap!

[Garrett Sutherland]

Europe could easily be a superpower if the EU included and cooperated with Russia instead of being footsoldiers for the US against Russia

[Jana Trestikova]

Absolutely true

[Paerigos]

@Jana Trestikova But untill Russia actually acknowledges that Even Lithuania is completely politcaly, economicaly, socialy and in security terms sovereign entity which can decide everything for itself without any "consultations" of russia, then such cooperation is impossible. Russia must finally seize the notion that it has any right to dictate laws, geopolitical orientation, culture of economy to any other nation around it. And that included Ukraine. russia can stuff its polical, social, economic and security model to its ass where Poland, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Ukraine, Moldova or Romania are concerned. neither of those states is anyhow interested in any Russian opinion on how our countries should be run, what language is spoken or who we ally with. It takes two to tango, and Russia simply wont get any cooperation until it acknowledges absolute sovereignty of every single neihbour.

[Ougmass]

Thank you Yanis for your nuanced an insightful analysis.

[kindface]

Judith Meyer's point about the primacy of the English language is one that I've pondered and been most uneasy with for most of my life. I'm from Asia and I grew up in the early years of British colonialism. While it ended just as I began kindergarten, the overbearing influence of the language and all that it entailed barely budged throughout my adult years. The power of that influence can be illustrated by many an idiosyncrasy that I have observed, which is that many of my fellow Asians who have similarly grown up with the English language have no opportunity to contemplate a different global geopolitical narrative other than the western 'liberal' one, simply because of the inaccessibility of literature in other languages. As Meyer has correctly pointed out, this predicament affords the Anglosphere as much an outsized influence in global affairs as the petrodollar does American influence.

[Fritz Kraut]

Nonsense, you find all kind of political literature. Usually there are enough people around who want to listen to the next political insanity. From the nineteenth century alone, whole libraries have been translated in many languages.

[Jimbob Robob]

Love these discussions. Makes Fox News look like schoolkids arguing over the last stale packet of pretzels in the tuck shop...

[James Westley]

Glad this is finally being discussed, Noam Chomsky stated that it was 30 years ago.

[artur]

It does back longer than that. Today it is NATO and the EU, before that it was the Nazis, before that it was Napoleon. The names and uniforms come and go but the evil is the same

[Dr Webster Civet]

Thinking Putin is an idiot is quite dangerous for Europe. Don't underestimate this man and the people around him.

[Bxhfhfbsz Hsnbfbfbs]

Varoufakis has to say it to be not too ostracized in Europe. If he actually means it or not. I mean I also wish Putin had managed well without the invasion. But... I sure know less and have less capable thinking on my side. America is kind or a little bit taking at least chinas economy and it's military capability seriously. But they were totally underestimating Russia. Sure willing to further provoke and let kiev start an offense on eastern donbass and krimea, or building NATO missile facilities, other stuff.

[Peter Joel Shapiro]

Putin is Yanis's shadow figure

[Bxhfhfbsz Hsnbfbfbs]

​@Peter Joel Shapiro explain?

[Denise G- Hill]

How many countries has Russia post USSR interfered invaded/interfered in compared to the US?

[ion popescu]

@Denise G- Hill ... for sure less than USA ... I am from ex-communist country .... I thought that communism was bad ... comparing with what is now in my "democratic" country , the communism was amazing ...

[ChuChi Yang]

I stuck through it and I love everything Julijana talked about! ❤

[John Adam]

It was a very good discussion with multi-angled views. I agree with most of Yanis's analysis except the characterisation of Putin as a mere idiot. The Serbian lady was good and gave a reminder of non-alignment as a concept which arose in the days of Nasser, Nehru and Tito. I did not know 'Third World' meant non-aligned. Europe has to think of a non-aligned movement where it acts as bridge for reconciling power poles. That is a much better role than to be condemned to the status of 'vassal state in perpetuity'. The German ladies were also good, and pointing out that English language has given the American another tool like the dollar for domination, was something I had not thought of. When Yanis calls Putin an idiot, he is trivialising. The threat to Russia from the US was greater than the threat the US can create for China using Tiawan. The reality is the US pushed for NATO expansion into Ukraine; if Ukraine had got into NATO, the US would have got naval bases there and shut off the Russian Black Sea fleet from the Black Sea. There was no way Russia would allow that. Putin has said in the final calculation, for Russia it was better to quell the US's plan for Ukraine now, because if Ukraine became a member, Russia would have to fight a nuclear war later to stop the US. In 2008, European leaders like Sarkozy and Merkel opposed NATO expansion to Ukraine, but Bush twisted their arms - this is what happens if you are a vassal, even if you are called an ally and partner. It is due to Putin that multi-polarity has returned, and the world has started to challenge the US's core asset, the dollar. Putin started a chain reaction on the dollar that cannot be put back. The EU should have not endorsed the US led view that Ukraine joining NATO is a sacred 'defence of sovereignty' and there was no space for Ukraine being neutral. Putin has said even after the war started that Russia does not object to Ukraine joining the EU as that is an economic alliance. After the war started, the EU should not have just joined the sanctions mania, but should have pressed for negotiations early - it should have backed Turkey, and not the US and UK. Now, Ukraine has lost too much, and negotiations will be on Russian terms. The biggest loser of the war (besides Ukraine) is the EU.

[Johleb Y]

It was a sad but very educational conversation. I truly appreciate you all. 🙏❤️🙏

[Wes Urry]

I compared his appearance to Voltimort from Harry Potter... Since then there were people who worked very hard to whipe his nose off of his face... He would look like Votimort without a nose.. I am glad to see him spitting fire like he usually does and I am glad to see him happy with his nose...

[Tom Katin]

Wow! This is great! I have not heard this kind of progressive thinking from any other European Media. Please keep up the great work that you are doing.

[POME Biosolutions]

Not only a vassal but a hostage

[swee chen]

Suffering the "Stockholm" Syndrome.

[Roja Janeman]

They were happy when they leeched off of other poor countries together. Committed mass ethnocide/genocides. But when the top dog amongst them wanted more, and targeted them, which they should’ve seen coming, now they’re all whining 😂😂😂 Karma!!

[Manash Mahanta]

100%

[Craig Wilson]

Great discussion. Yanis, You've shed some light on the current hamstrung position of Europe as iT stands today. If the European countries don't like being serfs under the complete control of the European Union oligarchy then why don't those European countries who want their independence revolt against the EU and demand their independence like the 13 colonies in early America did in 1776 against the British empire. I don't see a future for European workers and their culture and society when the citizens are controlled and at the mercy of wealthy unscrupulous buccaneers, captives to a renegade ship on the verge of mutiny. Give me liberty or give me death. Patrick Henry.

[C C]

Problem is european not educated enough

[JJvH]

The same reason why Americans don't revolt against their corrupt government. Media brainwashes people to be pro-government. And that is what the people think is the truth. Revolters are never honestly covered by the media. This is why I think getting an honest media is the first and only step needed to gather sympathy.

[Ruby G. Edwards]

Language creates cultures the core plan of colonisation in most countries across the world. Neo colonisation has been masqueraded through Hollywood and music. I absolutely agree with Judith Meyer's thoughts on language and as an African... deliberation on this matter has been taking place for us to decide on a language we can all speak to understand each other as a continent the benefit of our continent's internal affairs. Thanks to all the speakers very interesting food for thought & mind broadening.

[Voltaire Kegode]

For us here in East Africa, Swahili is the language, and growing.

[Louis Tan]

The answer is "No". The EU is not a US "Vassal". The EU is a US "Serf"

[displacednaija]

That's some scary shite 😷

[Rick Fogle]

good way to describe!

[santsuma]

@ Lopuius Tan... 100% agree with your comment.

[Steel Remains]

Or a pee-on. Tarantino's bar story from "Desperado" comes to mind...

[Flo Ria]

Thank you for this video. You have put into words what for me is a recurring malaise about the geopolitical situation of Europe and my home, Germany. What I notice lately/years is that German corporations are going to the US and/or moving their fabrics to the east of Europe. Daimler, VW, BASF and now Viessmann (hidden champion). The German and French people do not look through such rose-colored glasses on the US as the Baltic states doing... Maybe the European South and North are closer than thought. what worries me very much is the thought of the baltic states, in cooperation with ukraine, becoming the "new" vessels of the u.s. and thus making europe much more unstable.

[Got Milk]

Im so glad to have landed in this conversation; helps me have a more-open and refreshed awareness on the perspective of progressive European people.

[Chris Wong]

The BRICS group - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - is expected to increase their share of the global economy to nearly 35% by 2028, Bloomberg reported on Monday. According to the outlet's calculations based on the latest IMF data, this year, the BRICS countries will contribute 32.1% of the world's growth, compared to the G7's 29.9%.

[Notme]

I do like Yanis’s analysis, the point about Putin being a criminal without acknowledging NATO’s actions forcing Russians actions and not elaborating about the western “WAR PIGS” was slightly disappointing.

[GT N]

I think he is trying to hedge his bets by pleasing both sides.

[Seawolfinblue]

But Varoufakis is not against capitalism and its institutions.

[Musa Musashi]

He's well within the boundaries of the imperialistic western machine: controlled opposition at most.

[Julius Onyz U]

Thanks to all who contributed to this discussion. One thing that is obvious in this life is that, "Nothing Last Forever." Ancient history from various countries and cultures tend to reveal that "Change" is the only constant." Change is coming, not every one will be alive to witness these changes, even though it has already begun, and this forum is part of the change.

[Mary Matthews]

Always interesting to hear a new perspective, an educated perspective.

[fazaelma]

Julijana I really like your takes... I'm born in the 80ies in western Germany and living in France I have to say there is really a cultural difference between how frenchies perceive American influence and Germans do.

[Darko Luketic]

You have said exactly nothing

[MR PONDS DEMOLITION]

I wish the European can hear your talk, thank you Yanis.

[Daniel Fabre]

as a brazilian i am always amused to consider what was europe in the 16th century, all the conquest, etc. and the situation of servitude to Us nowadays, who would at that time imagine this situation and how fast it could turn to be so. But Yanis as a greek remembers me that ancient Greece also had it "overseas" expantion, and in the end, became a colony of its old colony, south Italy and later the roman domination. In both cases a special colony, sure

[maria jose mello fulfule]

Perfect...sad

[ThisRedCat]

Very insightful. History has rhythm..Rome was Greeces Colony . Same as USA was to Britain

[R P]

Maybe the US will have the same fate one day

[පැරකුම්බා]

Guess some knew..... its simple fundamentals, one goes up must come down..

[Charles Deco]

@Daniel Fabre , I recently got exposed to this same idea that the european situation is very similar to the the ancient greece ( that also used to be very productive culturally but to vainglorious to realise their own situation and ultimately becoming a colony ). Just by simple curiosity , where have you been exposed to this idea?

[Krzysztof Falkowski]

If Putin is a criminal and an idiot, what would you do differently if you were in Putin's shoes?

[Dee Vee]

EXACTLY. There are a lot of people like Yanis who say they are against Putin's actions (Ukraine war) because it makes them come across as a pacifist. But they NEVER elaborate what they'd do instead. And no, simply speculating that Russia should have continued to attempt negotiation, after 8 years of violation by NATO, is dillusional bullshit. It's easy for these armchair leaders of nations to say these things when they are not responsable for national security and not held accountable for fatal consequences from wrong policies.

[Alex Plummer]

True, it’s a bit rich to say its an idiotic move but doesn’t say the same about the actions that lead to the war…….

[IndependentThought]

What would you have done, if you were in Hitler's shoes in 1939? Exactly.

[sven hanson]

@IndependentThought Well, when it comes to Hitler we know the result, so I guess I would not have started the war, that would be big number one. The second would be to get an appointment with Freud and deal with my shit instead on instead of throwing it around in a childish brutal fit.

[zakariye yahye]

“The Ukrainians are Really tough. The Russians are Really tough. And NATO (the Collective West and the European Union) is Really filthy Rich. That's all the ingredients you need for an Endless war in Europe.” - Brian Eno

[Bill Bianchi]

Excellent discussion, crucial topics. Thanks

[Alvin]

Usually, I agree with Yanis Varoufakis but when he faulted Russia's President for the SMO without suggesting what alternative Putin could have pursued, Mr Varoufakis showed me that the judgment of the keenest geopolitical commentators can not always be trusted.

[The Other Angle]

Ditto. I would like to ask him if he would have permitted the genocide of the ethnic Russians in the Donbass.

[Silver Surfer]

I agree. Yanis later acknowledged that NATO (really, the US) provoked the Russian "invasion" by arming Ukraine, bombing ethnic Russians in the Donbass, overthrowing its government and actively inviting Ukraine into NATO, actions which constituted an existential threat to Russia and all of which were done in spite of Russia's diplomatic efforts to stop these acts. Yet somehow Yanis blames Putin for taking responsible defensive actions to defend Russia's sovereignty. Yanis also blames Putin for the fact that the Nordstream pipeline was destroyed, even though the US clearly destroyed the pipeline and European politicians have taken no action against the US for doing so.

[Martin O Neill]

@The Other Angle Yes that’s a question that’s never discussed.

[Sakis Kotisis]

It's funny that the discussion revolves around a bipolar future world (US / China), which is itself a completely US-centric view! Whereas China and Russia are aiming for a multi-polar world. The only question for EU nations is whether they'll create another such pole (along with Russia, China, India, etc.) or just follow one of the others.

[Plato's Beard]

Great comment 💯

[Nicole S]

@sakis kotisis I get your point but Russia and Brazil have no real power if they are not backed by China. Does Brazil even have a real navy or nuclear weapons? You can argue the Arab nations can be an Arab centric power center and India with their population. That’s all I see in the near term. As far as Europe goes I see them as an economic block, but until they are actually able to and willing to pay for their own security they will remain a vassal of the US for the near term or Russia’s vassal for their energy needs. It’s up to them to choose their own poison.

[andy99ish]

@Nicole S I agree with much of what you say save one major issue: You seem to vastly exaggerate the significance of military power. Remember that the largest and most costly military of the world, the US, withdrew from the Iraq and fled from Afghanistan. And before from Vietnam. And before that did not win in Korea. Neither did its might did not deter Russia from invading the Ukraine. On the other hand China is expanding its global political influence without one shot fired.

[zakariye yahye]

“The less emphasis the Western media places on Bakhmut's strategic importance, the more important it is to Russia. Why would the Ukrainians fight so hard for it if it wasn't that important? It has devolved into a meat grinder, in their own words. If it wasn't that important, they could have given up and launched a counterattack to retake other more important Russian-occupied cities.” - Douglas Macgregor

[R P]

What a fabulous discussion

[Stacey Colangelo]

So much intelligence in one room. If this is a snapshot of how average young European think, then I’m optimistic about the future.

[Marc Baxter]

It’s not. This is the intellectual 0.1%

[Pelau Benson]

A very great and Educational discussion..Thanks!👍

[David Kelly]

Thanks for this brilliant video, look forward to more

[Adriano Sverko]

Great format, great guests.

[Stavros Karageorgis]

Very nice discussion. Thank you!

[sharon wilson]

I M GETTING CALLS GLASGOW NO CHANGES NCA DATA BTSHAMBLES NEWCASTLE FC IAN LEMON NYP SYP WYP #GMP , , 😊

[sharon wilson]

Z CARS

[DiEM25]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[HarveyMillstone]

I don't know exactly why, but I fell in love with Maja Pelević while listening to her presentation. I want so much for a more sane world than this current one dominated by the US, China and Russia and it will be because of people involved with Diem25 and Maja that we archive that goal. Much love and respect to all of you 🧡❤️🧡❤️

[santsuma]

@ HarveyMillstone... Which of Maja's presentations are you referring to?

[Read Think]

Yanis a great idealist... the reality is that the oligarchs, Fortune 500 companies, CEO's, MBA's and industrial military complex throughout the west speak one language, deal in one currency, and compete in one dominating system. All petty national differences just make it easier for them to dominate. Fortress North America is supreme at this point in time.

[Musa Musashi]

So supreme as was the Titanic on the verge of its sinking.

[Bruce Elniski]

Please make sure that your guests introduce themselves and their nationality both at the start and the finish of their dialog. Many thanks for your efforts to understand the world! Greetings from snowy Lethbridge Alberta Canada!!

[Wade French]

Why would that matter?

[kindface]

Janis' point about the indigenous people of Taiwan is a brilliant one.

[Steven Muzik]

His take on China is terrifying. China took over Hong Kong and all their freedoms are being taken away now. Now he seems to want the same for Taiwan.

[amelia C]

Also, for your information, Hong Kong people do not have “democracy” under the the colonial master UK. It was only until UK about to hand Hong Kong back to China that they suddenly feel a need to get democracy for Hong Kong people from China. I remember there is a video on KZbin that shows Lee Kuan Yew(the late Singapore prime minister) laugh on the Chris Patten’s(the last governor) face over this issue.

[Nayana Adikari]

I agree with your suggestion Maja. It must be remade the nonalignment movement. But none of the third world doesn't start the first step. If we need a peaceful world for the small countries that must be an alternative solution.

[Paul Collins]

Yanis makes so many excellent points and does so with a very wide vocab, I find myself having to look up words in my first language that Yanis is using in his second (or third?) language. However my only disagreement is in his estimation of Putin. My view is that Putin is no idiot and is extremely clever, probably an intellectual equal to Yanis. I do not believe that Russia is caught in a US trap, in fact I think that it is more accurate to say that Ukraine and US are caught in Russia's trap, time will tell. Whether Putin is a criminal is more difficult, there are certainly provisions within international law to allow Russia to invade Ukraine for the purposes of protecting ethnic Russians in eastern Ukraine. Plus war crimes are very common and never prosecuted or even mentioned unless the Defendant is Russian e.g. the use of nuclear weapons in Japan at the end of WWII was undeniably a war crime, so was the shooting of civilians from a US helicopter which was exposed by Julian Assange and look what happened to him. So it is best not to ever mention war crimes as that is the only fair way to behave if we are not going to treat all Defendants to the same fair process.

[Ron Odendaal]

As a outsider from Africa it is a relief to know that there is a programme where people can still give there free opinions. What to me is very interesting is the opinion that was given about the non alignment organisation that can start again and that we must endeavour to the enstranglement that the USA have upon europe as well as Africa too loosen ourselves from it. We have been a subject of colonalisation for so long and fought so hard for our freedom. Now it feels as if we are either a colony of USA or China or Russia. Non alignment will work for us if we truly want to be free. Thank you for a informative programme. I am subscribed. Ronnie Odendaal. Durban. S.A

[Harshit Purohit]

It was a great discussion. But, I just want to make a point. Julijana (Really sorry for misspelling if I am not correct) asked about the BRICS countries making a common currency not about the Remninbi wanting to gain a better international currency status. I think Yanis misheard. I liked to hear about Remninbi but I also want to hear about BRICS countries' common currency too. Also, kudos for 116k. Would love to see Diem's ideas reach more and more people.

[Harshit Purohit]

@O S Cool, thanks man for the suggestion. I'll watch it.

[Chris Wong]

Just happen reported: The BRICS group - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - is expected to increase their share of the global economy to nearly 35% by 2028, Bloomberg reported on Monday. According to the outlet's calculations based on the latest IMF data, this year, the BRICS countries will contribute 32.1% of the world's growth, compared to the G7's 29.9%.

[Graciela Gomez]

Juliana Zita, George Carlin, the late, great American comic satirist, said that "The reason they call it The American Dream is because you have to be asleep to believe it."

[Read Think]

That is the playbook. The dream can be better than reality. A few, and that is one in a million, even win the lottery, the wheel of fortune.

[Andrew Lim]

But they did told you it's just a dream, you can't blame them if you wanna treat a dream as reality. 😁

[Иван Мартыненко]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

[Adina Haun]

Love Carlin who also said “it’s a big club and you’re not in it.”

[Jacanaestrada]

Nice that Judith made the point of Esperanto! The best solution for the European language and cultural problem! Tre bone dirite....tre neatendite aŭdi pri Eo tie

[Rub Bis]

Thank you Yanis for bringing up the indigenous in Taiwan. Thank you.

[s c]

Doubtful of Yanis had visited China Mainland and/or Taiwan frequently. Rather impressed by Yanis on his knowledge and vision about the historical background, and current issue and future possibility between the two places.

[Enzo BR]

41:47 of course we will, American hegemony is done 👍🏻🤗 ‼️ hugs from Brazil and reminding every nation in this globe is important, every countries deserves be successful but USA don’t think that, they want war and they want to control others.

[Horase Fu]

Actually, a bit of obscure piece of history: one of the first ideas of some form of 'European unification' during/after WWII was quite poignantly expressed by a peculiar thinker caller Dimitrije MiItrinovic. Some archaic and unconventionally-treated concepts used in his book aside, its somewhat strangely familiar when it comes to what was projected as the intention & idea of said union, but also a bit more realistic - to have a bunch of countries who don't agree on individual points, but still meeting each others' interests mid-way for the safety and well-being of all. Its a sad state of things to see such rich history, culture and potential being wasted and even worse - the freedoms of said people sold, their future forfeited for the sake of cliques at the expense of everybody.

[Daniel Sassoon SOS]

I find myself agreeing with Prof Varoufakis most of the time, at least in terms of diagnostic of the problems we face. Indeed his analysis on Taiwan is very accurate, his analogy with with Crete is relevant. But Crimea and the populations east of the Dnieper have been Russian for longer than the existence of the USA. While most of the populations West of Dnieper were part of the Austro Hungarian empire until the 1st WW. L'viv was called Lemberg until a few years ago...

[Lam Par]

Hopefully this latest 'Vassal' revelation can serve as a rude awakening for American relationship with EU> .

[john lee]

A HUGE fan of Yanis Varoufakis!

[Gordon Pritchard]

Yeah so am I but I respectfully say that Yanis is wrong on this point about Putin warmest regards Gordo

[Damir Jelaska]

What a brilliant analysis of the recent global geopolitics! Yanis is a prophet of Humanity!

[C Matthew]

Varoufaki's analysis as you stated applies to recent geopolitics. His analysis and belief about the Ukraine war is that the USA benefits big time but for Russia it's some kind of immoral act. He failed to even mention how this war and the west's reaction has emboldened countries previously bullied by the USA to seek de-dollarization. Many analysts believe that it has started and could succeed. Such an event will drastically reduce USA hegemony and loosen it's grip on the world's economy and financial institutions. This will undoubtly benefit russia and the rest of the world but especially China. In my view Varoufaki's view on this issue is very short sighted because the tables could easily turn following the sanctions on Russia and the perceived benefits short lived. Russia and China on the other hand could benefit in the long-term. In this case the Ukraine war and its negative consequences on Russia will be outweighed by longterm benefits. So what is so prophetic about what Varoufakis discussed? He seems only capable of analysing history and economics but he is no geopolitical analyst.

[Damir Jelaska]

@C Matthew Prothetic is the Yanis' ultimate idea emerging from the lecture presented Europe must slip out from the mortal embrace of the US self-interest hegemony. The global de-dollarization was not the theme of the presentation but it understands- because Yanis Yaroufakis had spoken about it before any other prominent economist or politician: at least ten years ago. He is a prophet also for his fight to bring to life the UN Declaration of Human Rights, and especially for equal opportunity of any human bean for (free) education, for equality in general, for no exploitation, no starvation, no wars, no imperialism, and most important- for the corporations and other institutions owned by employees with the principal "one employee - one share".

[Accountant The]

@Damir Jelaska Well stated!! 👍

[Adam Faou]

Admiration is fine and YV earns this, but it's foolish to put anyone on a pedestal, as I'm sure YV would agree. He bends his analysis to fit his beliefs rather than adapt his beliefs to an objective analysis. For a start, he doesn't substantiate his claim that Putin is stupid.. The claim that he responded to a provocation ignores what would have happened if he had withheld support from Donetsk and Lugansk. Certainly this would have required acquiescence to the Bamdera Nazu revisionists and US puppets in Kiev and Lviv. He also doesn't explain how a response to the criminal act of the 2104 coup is itself criminal. In that respect, his arguments unfortunately start to resemble a university Marxist debating society (i.e. one that isn't rooted in reality)

[Damir Jelaska]

@Adam Faou YV didn't substantiate Putin's stupidity in this video but did in his previous discussions: the stupidity arises from allowing the US and Ukrainian nazist to carry out the coup in 1914; the other stupidity is an open and brutal aggression to Ukraine instead helping the Donetsk and Lugansk people to separate and threaten Ukraine not to join NATO. YV is the prophet of a new just world with real equity and freedom, without exploration, starvation, racism, imperialism, capitalism, and without wars - a world with equal opportunity for everybody.

[CityofGardeners Sg]

With regards to the indigenous peoples of Taiwan, they were long extermited during the days of Japanese occupation of Taiwan. The Japanese wanted to exploit the timber resources. They made used of the long feuds between the hill tribes of Taiwan so that they went into wars with each other. The last remaining tribes were then killed off. By the time Chiang Kai Shek landed in Taiwan, the indigenous peoples were a tiny percentage of what they used to be before Japan colonised Taiwan. One can see the dates of construction of many gigantic Japanese temples happened just after colonisation of Taiwan.

[Truth above ALL]

Incredible convo - the US is the inspiration of most countries by film music our wealth (even tho it’s held by the 10%) the American dream u need to b asleep to believe in & I c this everywhere I travel even in regions we destabilised

[Wade French]

It is ridiculous to say that the US wealth is held by 10%. To give an idea of the level of wealth here you have to understand that to be in the top 1% globally a person only has to make 32,500 USD per year. Almost every American is a 1%er globally. The kind of wealth that the top 10% of Americans have is insane, but pretending that the American Middle Class isn't also wealthy is also silly. Americans don't think they are wealthy because they don't travel the world (only 40% of Americans even have a passport) for comparison, and because they compare themselves to the top 10% here. I have travelled. Americans are by any stretch of the imagination wealthy. Even the Middle Class.

[Earth+]

Maybe the first step of creating an independent EU is to establish independent information sources (such as this panel discussion) so people could be informed. Media creates the narrative.

[zakariye yahye]

“Whoever has Truth on their side, God is with them.” - Alexander Nevsky

[igs igsolutions]

Great discussion. Salute.

[Petrescu Sorin]

I don't think Macron took Ursula with him and I don't think he intended it either. from what I understood, Ursula did this independently of Macron's will, she traveled separately and was also without an invitation from China.

[James Rowlands]

Yes, this was definitely the case. Her 'welcome' there spoke volumes.

[Musa Musashi]

She went to try stick some patches on what is left of a crumbling, suicidal UE.

[Adriana Gomes]

I appreciated very much Judith speach about the dominance of English language. And she remembered all of us the need of a neutral speach as esperanto.

[Alberto Monteiro de Castro]

Yanis completly wrong about Putin by judging him through his ideological lents.

[The Only]

He is totally wrong, maybe he doesn’t want to go hard on Nato.

[Tina Tang]

Europe needs to create a proper political structure with France in the lead and Germany as the deputy.

[A DEK]

American here. Hooray for Juliana’s view…for us too. We are in this together.

[jaye see]

Nobody's in anything together, they never were. I hope you were being sarcastic when you wrote Hooray?

[Joe Jackson]

​@jaye see lol stay mad serf

[MsOpineminded]

On language, in Indonesia, the independence govt wisely chose a minority language (Malay) to be the basis for Bahasa Indonesia unifying the 13,000+++ Islands. They deliberately did not choose Javanese which is the majority language for the young nation so there would not be a sense of overlordship. Esperento may be a good option to supplant English if Anglo world continues to coerce and capture European mind sets. Otherwise what;s the alternative? Minority language, maybe Dutch?😄

[hshebfjgjdbdjrkdn]

Doesnt make sense, that would just support minority dominance

[N miss]

Dutch is too similar to German

[S-jr Grаviтоshка]

Due to the fact that the United States restricts entry to participants, refuses to issue visas, it is worth moving the headquarters of the organization to another place - to Europe.☝️

[Ivan]

I didn't hear Defne before, I really liked her intervention.

[Iryna Sakharchuk]

Europe has great potential but has inadequate political class

[Kah Ho Wong]

In recent history, the common Anglo Saxon slang term "West" meant Western Europe, not including anything south or East of the Scandinavian & Baltic Nations and Orient.

[JP]

More specifically “West” means White. White means American white and European.

[Kah Ho Wong]

@JP In my memory, referring to a White American or European as "West" would have been rude as they preferred to they called "White" and delineated to swarthy less white europeans. As example White white Europeans were affronted when Japanese were caste Whites unlike Chinese.

[S M]

@Judith, absolutely agree and I would add that it also causes the English speakers to get the wrong idea that they have the richest culture, literature and civilisation. But disagree with the esperanto suggestion. Instead have expert interpreters and translators for every language and let everyone to try to become bilingual or multilingual.

[Khawar Khurshid Ahmed Malik]

I disagree with Yanis and some other participants in several places but this is a wonderful discussion which we need to have more (and more...) of all over Europe, over and over again. How do we defeat the entire Washington cabal, free Europe and rest of the world_____ and the American people _______ from their clutches, dismantle the military industrial complex to divert funds being sucked into it towards our peoples and make a common cause of fight against all tyranny? These are the issues we need to debate constantly.

[Frank Morschner]

An excellent point raised by the German lady about the English language! (50:00)

[John Roberts]

Agree, especially the brainwashing part.

[N miss]

Очень рада, что здравомыслящие люди в Европе существуют. Какой статус у страны, на территории которой есть базы и солдаты другой? Страны, где главу государства прослушивают спецслужбы этой же другой страны? Многие в России так и рассматривают Европу. Ваш Европейский союз очень напоминает СССР, где Россия(Германия) ,Украина (Франция), Азербайджан(Нидерланды) спонсировали другие республики. Единственное, что в России жить было хуже всего, а в Германии пока держат планку, но интересно посмотреть как они, закрыв АЭС, будут развивать зеленую энергетику. Про Эсперанто очень интересная мысль!!!

[Neil Cheesman]

A very good discussion. A question for Yanis. How could the ethnic Russians in the east of Ukraine have been protected from being killed by the Ukrainian government, which reportedly had 80,000 military personnel built up and ready to attack in January/February 2022? The OSCE had reported: "In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 18 and 20 February 2022, the SMM recorded 2,158 ceasefire violations, including 1,100 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 591 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 18 and 20 February, the Mission recorded 1,073 ceasefire violations, including 926 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 975 ceasefire violations in the region."

[Bogdan Anea]

Either disingenuous or not properly formatting your question. Attack what, did they attack something that affected the ethnic Russians?

[Big_Brother_watch]

​@Bogdan AneaOn top of my head, prohibiting the Russian language

[Jack Barry]

@Bogdan Anea February 6, 2022 American mercenaries are behind the attack on Donetsk . American mercenaries are behind the attack on Donetsk. American mercenaries who arrived in Donbas a few months ago are behind the attack on Donetsk the previous afternoon. This is evidenced by the fact that NATO-standard weapons were used during the shelling, moreover, at least two groups of American mercenaries were previously seen in the suburbs of Donetsk, which are under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is known that American mercenaries are taking part in the fighting in the Donbass. At the same time, given that the city was shelled the previous morning using NATO-standard weapons, it is more than likely that members of a private military company from the United States are also behind the attack. According to official data, as a result of a two-hour shelling of Donetsk, there is significant destruction in the Kievsky district of the city. In particular, it is reported about the destruction of warehouses and garages. There is unofficial information about the victims, but this has not received any documentary evidence. Experts note that if information about the attack by American mercenaries on Donetsk is confirmed, Russia may send military assistance to the self-proclaimed republics, since Kiev's current actions violate the terms of the Minsk agreements.

[Bogdan Anea]

@Jack Barry i see

[xiaogeju2011]

51:30 Learning is never a burden, it's a benefit...Learning English gets you ahead and it will create synapses that aren't created for those who don't learn...But I can go with your proposal to learn esperanto.

[Dag]

Yanis considers Russia's invasion of Ukraine a criminal act. It may be so but one has to take into account the eight years of artilliary barrage on the Donbass killing thousands while the world did not act to stop what was becomming a genocide. Russia did not invade untill it was begged by the people of Donbass to act as the Ukrainian army was massing for an invasion which would result in a slaughter they were not strong enough to prevent. That's when Russia acted to prevent that slaughter. Russia had a "duty to protect".

[Wade French]

What you forget is that the only reason that people in the Donbass were fighting in the first place is that Moscow fomented that fight from the beginning. Your idea is bad and has to start there. No Moscow...no fighting in the first place. These are how the KGB type games are played. Russia propaganda certainly works on you.

[Gilgamesch von Uruk]

Russia dreamed of conquering Europe long before the conflict in Donbas started, Dugin for instance. More people died from Russia bombing Donbas during the War, than were killed by Ukraine in the years before. Also the uprising in Donbas was started by Russian assets, which crossed the border.

[Yarpen Zirgin]

@Gilgamesch von Uruk You are making a lot of claims that are baseless or outright lies. First, Russia dreamed of conquering Europe - really? Russia? What do you mean by that?Can you elaborate? Dugin, if he even made this claim, is just one person, and not that popular in Russia until the time Ukrainian terrorists killed his daughter. I am not well familiar with his works, as I do not have time to follow each and every political thinker and publisher in the world, but if you claim he made this assertion, prof is desperately needed. "More people died from Russia bombing Donbas during the War, than were killed by Ukraine in the years before." that is an outright lie. According to OHCHR there were some 6700 civilian deaths from the beginning of the conflict till 05 of Dec 2022, and according to statista some 8000 killed between feb 2022 and april 2023. That is all deaths including civilans killed by AFU. In donbass conflict there were over 11 000 dead on all sides and 87% of those on the side of Donbas "rebels". Either way you simply are spreading lies. "Also the uprising in Donbas was started by Russian assets, which crossed the border." not according to Swiss arms inspector Jacques Baud, who was on the ground at that time, so ignorance or malfeasance on your part???

[JJvH]

​@Yarpen Zirgin 1939

[Moussa Samara]

There was in 2000 an alignment between France and Germany been built and the US messed it up and the European Union came around. I hope they try to form it again

[simonsmatthew]

The point made about the English language was important to hear and very well made. This is a crucial soft power instrument that secures the American hegemony. The economics profession, which is dominated by MIT, is a good example. Ultimately for an economist to make it to the top he has to publish in English language journals. The requirements are stipulated from MIT. This is absolutely crucial in understanding the dominance of neo-classical economics and is related to the rise of neo-liberalism.

[Ivan Gangur]

Do you know why English language is popular? English language has one Mother and 150 fathers 🤫

[sven hanson]

@Ivan Gangur So it's a mongrel language, a street dog's result, interesting....

[String]

3:50 It was 1999, Yannis. With the attack on Yugoslavia, EU signaled their vasal status.

[zakariye yahye]

“Do not expect that Once taking advantage of Russia’s weakness, you will receive dividends forever. Russians have Always come for their money. And when they come - do not rely on an agreement signed by you, you are supposed to justify. Therefore, with the Russians, it is to play fair, or do not play.” - Otto von Bismarck, First Chancellor of Germany.

[Darko Luketic]

Blah blah blah

[Adriano Sverko]

I am a Croatian American and learning languages has never been a burden. We learned Italian from Italian TV and Venetian Croats in the family. I learned English as I grew up. I learned Spanish in high school talking to immigrants. I worked for a swedish co in Budapest and learned both languages. I studied German in college in Albany, NY, and studied in Braunschweig. I live in Mexico today and speak 7 languages, not including that I learn dialect languages from other Balkan states. I am business functional in 7 languages. There are people in my family that only speak 1 language. There are others that speak more languages than me. I don't use these skills at work today, but they make me a good tutor for young people and an effective writer in silicon valley. Maybe even helps me to quickly learn tech concepts and change with the times. Don't allow mind limiting thoughts access to your mental models. You are limitless. Guide your path and journey on this earth with your heart and biggest dreams. What you wish for will come to you. Believe it

[Ro Ki]

So clever but without knowing that you are Jugoslav.

[Patrik Gubeljak]

@Ro Ki pa napisao je da ne broji jezike drugih balkanskih država.

[Abtin Khamoshi]

I don't think Putin is an idiot. But I understand Yanis because he is enraged, and so am I.

[Frank Panetta]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Imnotanalien]

This was an interesting analysis of the relationship between Europe and the U.S. But there are two variables in the equation that I would like to add. The U.S., until recently had an enormous private sector middle class. This was the driver of all the products and wealth in the U.S. And, the U.S. has an enormous infrastructure, including sea vessels to take advantage of world markets. Second, after two devastating wars (I,II), Europe’s young men were killed, those were the men that could have propelled Europe (IF they had chose capitalism) to be a stronger, and more independent EU. They didn’t have a sufficient population, and they didn’t choose capitalism (except Germany). I think those variables are why Europe is struggling now..and IS very dependent on the U.S., for things like military support. The good news for YV is it looks like the evil US middle class has fallen to the Marxist WOKE. They have captured the Federal government and they are finishing off the private sector middle class. But I don’t think YP is going to like this crew either. They are narcissistic, blind, idiots… and they are taking a wrecking ball not only to the US but to the rest of the world. It’s an ugly world right now. And please remember the US corrupt government is not the same as the U.S. people… we love everyone in Europe. I have two neighbors, living in England, who are also working there… and they LOVE it.❤

[clearvision10]

It is an occupied territory when it comes to Germany at least. There are thousands of US troops stationed in Germany. There are some more scattered in different parts of EU as well.

[MercuryZizzz]

EU leaders left their balls in DC.

[Paul Heydarian]

Most of them didn't have any balls to begin with.

[Kristian Skylstad]

Very mature comments.

[Nikos Georgakas]

@Kristian Skylstad Immature but true.

[Grand Wonder]

What balls? Uncle Sam castrated them a long time ago!

[JON]

gained fortunes but lost their humanity

[Bandolero]

Yes we are vassals. More is the pity 😢

[Sophie S]

The reason we cannot be nonaligned is because of aggression against tiny innocent nations who cannot defend themselves, and because "alignment" lends support to the perceived agressor or defender. Civil wars in emerging nations offer open ground for "plundering" by the aggressors, resulting in more polarization.

[simonsmatthew]

Really European integration stopped with eastward expansion of the EU and NATO. When this happened the Franco -German axis weakened. The membership rapidly expanded and much of this was with fiercely pro-US and often quite nationalistic former eastern bloc members. Britain who did not want to see a split in NATO knew this would happen which is why it pushed for rapid EU eastward expansion against French and German objections. The Bush I administration was also wary of the consequences of isolating Russia and weakening Soviet moderates such as Gorbachev. But this all changed with the Clinton Administration. This is the real reason, not the reasons Varoufakis posits (even though he makes some very good points - althoug he uncautiously conflates democracy/freedom and markets -social democrats do not conflate these two things). Anyway the great irony of the EU eastward push is that it led to politically untenable mass migration into the UK, which ultimately strenthened the previously fringe far right (UKIP) and Tory Eurosceptics which led to pressures for a referendum and finally Brexit. So they were pushed out of the club they tried so hard to mould to their desires.

[Glenn Piller]

Great conference people .

[Jean Mathews Wildervanck]

I'm from the Global South and I found this conversation very interesting. In essence I agree: the Global North has become totally beholden to the USA. Really interesting to me was the comment that the Chinese Capitalists would also like to see the Dollar remain the fiat currency of the world as, of course, do the European oligarchs. Now an interesting situation is arising with the US Debt Ceiling deadline approaching. I suppose they will just print more money or are they securing a new source of income via Europe and the Ukraine War?

[HavenCat]

very well said! EU needs to wake up

[Helen Goethals]

Great point, Judith. Time to revisit Esperanto!

[flying Snow]

Macron was right with he's expression regarding the relation between Europe and the US. Mr. Varufakis is a great Politition and human being. We need such bright People and it need the people to understand he's Position and the need to Support him. Thank you much for your Effort and Video !!

[Rex Ko]

The hardest part of 3rd power (Europe) to become a reality in today's world is too many countries in Europe to be closely integrated to become one voice. EU or NATO so far were proven to be a disaster for Europe. IF US influence could be excluded completed out of Europe (including US military bases in Europe) then you could start the talking. Europe countries also need to have international trades to survive so 3rd Power (Europe) could balance it position between USA and China now which was not existed before. One bad news and one good news so far, then who is the leader in Europe that good enough to be a leader that could coordinate the rests of the Europe?