Description:
Trump is going nuclear on Russia, but Putin has just called his bluff after a humiliating US defeat to China.Geopolitical analyst Pepe Escobar joins to break down the bombshell victories achieved by Russia and China over Trump's nuclear escalations, as well as the next phase in the empire of chaos's war on BRICS.
Description:
Carl Zha has an incredible conversation with legendary journalist Pepe Escobar, fresh off the road from a groundbreaking trip across China's Xinjiang region. We traveled the modern Silk Road, from the high-tech capital of Urumqi to the ancient oasis of Kashgar, and what we witnessed completely shatters the Western media narrative.
In this episode, Pepe contrasts his travels in Xinjiang from 25 years ago with the reality on the ground today. We discuss the mind-boggling modernization, the seamless integration of ethnic groups, the truth behind the "redevelopment" of Kashgar's old city, and the shocking scale of the Belt and Road Initiative's infrastructure. This is a firsthand, on-the-ground account you won't get anywhere else.
TIMESTAMPS: Key Topics Discussed
(00:00) - Introduction to Pepe Escobar, the "OG" Foreign Correspondent
(01:45) - Pepe's Career: From Asia Times to Being Smeared as a "CCP Agent"
(06:50) - The Mission: Documenting the New Silk Road in Xinjiang
(08:45) - First Impressions: The "Enormous Shock" of Modern Xinjiang
(11:30) - The Karakoram Highway & China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
(13:45) - Crossing the Taklamakan Desert: A Modern Engineering Marvel
(16:10) - The Reality of Kashgar: From Segregated City to Integrated Hub
(19:30) - An Emotional Moment: Showing Locals Footage of Their City from 1998
(22:45) - People-to-People Exchange: Han Chinese, Uyghurs, and Others Living & Working Together
(25:15) - The Tourism Boom: Driven Domestically, Missing Westerners Due to "Demonization"
(29:00) - On the Ground Security: Facial Recognition, Polite Police, and the Real Story
(33:45) - The Upcoming Documentary: A "Multipolar" BRICS Production
(37:20) - Plans for Part 2: Focusing on Northern Xinjiang and Central Asian Borders
(41:50) - Xinjiang as a High-Tech & Green Energy Hub
(47:10) - The Power of Long-Term Planning: 5-Year Plans vs. Western Short-Termism
(52:30) - The "Asian Century" is Already Here: The Vibe of Development vs. Western Decline
(58:00) - China's Offer to the Global South vs. The Washington Consensus
(01:01:30) - How to Follow Pepe Escobar's Work
Description:
BREAKING: Israel has already blown up Trump's peace deal as China's devastating move on rare-earths shakes the US Military. Geopolitical analyst Pepe Escobar joins to discuss trump's humiliating display in Israel at the signing of his Gaza peace deal, Russia rearming Iran for the next war, and China's game changing move on rare earth minerals sends the US trade war into free fall. Mark Sleboda joins after to review the biggest stories on the Ukraine conflict, the build up to war with Iran and Venezuela, and much more.
Description:
They told you one story about Xinjiang. Pepe Escobar went to see for himself. What he found was not oppression, but an economic and technological boom that will leave you speechless.
In this latest episode of Counter Currents, Pepe takes us on a journey across China's new Silk Road, revealing:
• The truth about development and life in Xinjiang.
How China built a highway with Wi-Fi across a deadly desert.
• Why Chinese brands are now BETTER than Western ones.
• The end of American dominance and the rise of a new world.
Forget everything you think you know. Watch to see the real China.
Timeline:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Pepe Escobar’s Trip to China
00:01:19 - Journey Planning and Reflections
00:02:44 - Xi Jinping's Influence and Modernization
00:03:05 - Tianjin Summit and Major Events
00:05:07 - Silk Road Journey Begins in Xi'an
00:06:20 - China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
00:10:18 - Exploration of Xinjiang’s Silk Road
00:11:06 - Modernization in Remote Areas of Xinjiang
00:13:56 - Crossing the Taklamakan Desert
00:15:05 - Lost Tribe of the Taklamakan and Uyghur Life
00:17:15 - Modernization and Infrastructure in Xinjiang
00:27:11 - Energy Hub of China
00:29:31 - Economic Transformation of China and Belt and Road
00:48:28 - Chinese Meritocracy and Central Planning
00:51:21 - Technology Leadership and National Development
00:56:17 - Decline of Western Influence
00:59:16 - The Future of Global Relations
01:02:34 - Final Thoughts on China's Development and US Relations
Description:
Putin & China just dropped a huge BRICS bombshell on Trump says geopolitical analyst Pepe Escobar, and it's devastating the US dollar in unexpected ways. Trump's war on BRICS just backfired and everything is about to change.
Description:
BRICS 2025 Summit delivers shocking revelations as Pepe Escobar exposes how the BRICS 2025 summit exceeded all expectations despite initial skepticism. In this exclusive BRICS news analysis, renowned geopolitical expert Pepe Escobar breaks down the major developments from the BRICS Summit 2025 in Rio, revealing how Russia's announcement about the New Development Bank (NDB) bypassing SWIFT represents the most significant de-dollarization move yet.
Discover why Lula's leadership surprised everyone, how Modi's strategic partnership with Brazil positions India as the next BRICS chair, and the real reasons behind Xi Jinping's absence. Escobar reveals exclusive insights from BRICS Business Council meetings, the emergence of a BRICS media alliance, and how BRICS partners like Malaysia and Iran are reshaping global geopolitics.
Learn about BRICS expansion strategies, the critical role of Southeast Asia and ASEAN integration, and how the Global South is building parallel financial systems. This BRICS summit analysis covers everything from Indonesia's growing influence to the formation of alternative payment mechanisms that challenge Western dominance.
Get the inside story on BRICS trade developments, media platform initiatives, and why Trump's immediate tariff response proves BRICS 2025 highlights represent a genuine threat to dollar hegemony.
This BRICS 2025 analysis doesn't include detailed technical specifications of new payment systems, specific investment figures for China-Brazil projects, or comprehensive coverage of all BRICS partners' individual policies. We don't explore internal NDB restructuring processes, detailed ASEAN member country positions, or extensive analysis of Iran-Indonesia bilateral relations outside the BRICS framework.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction and welcome to Think BRICS
00:45 - Reflections on the BRICS Summit in Rio and early skepticism
01:35 - Success of the summit and key pre-summit engagements
02:53 - BRICS Business Day and global participation
04:00 - Discussions on BRICS investment and networking
05:15 - Major announcement: NDB to bypass SWIFT
06:42 - The role of Dilma Rousseff and NDB challenges
08:05 - Importance of the Rio Declaration and its geopolitical impact
09:10 - De-dollarization and BRICS economic strategy
10:33 - Lula’s renewed leadership role at BRICS
12:46 - Anwar Ibrahim’s impactful speech and ASEAN connection
13:55 - Malaysia’s diplomatic leadership in ASEAN
16:16 - Key takeaways: Trade in national currencies and geopolitical coordination
17:12 - Hybrid war threats and regional destabilization
18:33 - Leadership dynamics: Anwar Ibrahim’s role and BRICS unity
19:30 - Proposal for an intra-BRICS media alliance
21:01 - Guancha, Sputnik, and Brazil247 media collaboration
22:30 - The need for decentralized media across the Global South
23:00 - Examples of BRICS-aligned media initiatives
24:10 - Audience reach of Guancha and Think BRICS' growth
25:25 - NDB’s second golden decade and expansion plans
26:30 - Importance of NDB’s visibility and future growth
27:45 - Reflections on the Rio summit’s improvisational success
28:56 - On Xi Jinping's absence and Modi’s central role
30:35 - Xi’s strategy and Brazil-India cooperation
31:48 - Major Chinese investments in Brazil are already underway
34:42 - India’s growing influence in BRICS and global outreach
36:28 - BRICS support for Iran and final declaration diplomacy
38:15 - Iran’s vocal participation and united BRICS stance
38:55 - Tensions between India and China within BRICS
39:55 - The importance of Iran and Indonesia as key BRICS members
40:55 - Looking ahead to India’s BRICS chairmanship
42:45 - Conclusion and future outlook
If you find value in the content provided on this site, I would greatly appreciate your support through donations to help sustain my efforts in delivering carefully curated, independent news since 2010.
