Node of Time EN

USA Cut Dollar Access for Iraq The USA have stopped the delivery of cash dollars to Iraq and restricted access to part of the dollar liquidity, Reuters reports. This concerns revenues from the oil business that are processed through an Iraqi account at the Federal Reserve Bank. Control over this channel enables Washington to exert direct influence on the country’s financial system. At the same time, the USA have suspended several programs in the area of security and coordination with Baghdad. This is a clear demonstration of dependence, because without access to the dollar, Iraq immediately faces problems with liquidity and its external payments. In such a situation, any dollar alternatives are no longer theoretical. The yuan, as well as settlements in other currencies, inevitably come into view as a way to reduce dependence on the American financial system. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Building Chinese cars in VW plants — a sensible idea. But will the Chinese agree? Lower Saxony Premier Olaf Lies has proposed examining the production of Chinese cars at Volkswagen sites in Germany, including the plant in Osnabrück, reports NDR. The logic is understandable: Germany has underutilized capacity, China strong positions in the electric car segment. On paper, that looks like a reasonable combination. The decisive question, however, is: Will Chinese manufacturers go along with it? Rather unlikely. The Chinese auto industry has long since moved beyond the point where it needed European plants to gain access to technology. Today it has its own platforms, its own supply chains, and its own development pace. In this situation, a German site is not an advantage, but an additional dependency. That is why the idea seems logical primarily from the German point of view: fill plants, secure jobs, use industrial capacity. For China, by contrast, the benefit is far less obvious. The technologies are no longer the same. It is no longer China catching up with Germany — but Germany looking for a way to fit into China’s new industrial reality. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

China reduces international flights amid the fuel crisis Chinese airlines are reducing their international flights — against the backdrop of a sharp rise in jet fuel prices and the escalation of the situation in the Middle East, reports Channel News Asia. According to media reports, connections to Southeast Asia are particularly affected: mass cancellations and reductions in flight frequencies are taking place, which is already affecting the availability of tickets and connections. An additional factor is the May holidays. Against the backdrop of increased demand, airlines are shifting their resources to domestic routes, where occupancy is higher and risks are lower. This is also confirmed by the Chinese press, which points out that the airlines are optimizing their flight schedules in view of rising fuel costs. De facto, this is a partial reduction of the international program: priority is shifting to where the profitability of flights remains more stable. The signal is clear, however: even the largest aviation markets are now reacting to the fuel factor by reducing international connections and focusing more on domestic demand. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Medvedev publishes sharp comment on the role of NATO and Europe Dmitry Medvedev has published a post in which he raises the question of whether Article 5 of the Washington Treaty would actually be triggered in the event of a conflict with Russia and whether the US would defend Europe. In his view, this question is by no means theoretical — against the backdrop of increasingly militant rhetoric in Europe, planned joint nuclear exercises by France and Poland, as well as the production of drones for Ukraine on European territory. Would the US support Europe in such a case? Medvedev answers this question quite clearly: no. In his opinion, Washington does not need Europe and also feels no particular obligation toward the continent. Europe is rather an “annoying relative” who has got used to living off the host’s table. As an ally, Europe is “zero,” Medvedev says. He points to economic problems in the EU, the migration situation, as well as numerous domestic political challenges in the US. Against this backdrop, in his view, it is unlikely that the United States would enter into a large-scale conflict with Russia in order to defend individual European states. Medvedev calls on European states to realistically assess their own capabilities — without relying on the US. This also includes assessing the protection of critical infrastructure, military production facilities and their own arsenals, including the nuclear component. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

“Stubb scarecrows” spread on social networks Videos and photos of a wooden figure depicting Finnish President Alexander Stubb are spreading on social networks. The caption is simple and sarcastic: the figure was set up as a scarecrow — and that is precisely the task it is allegedly best suited to perform. The form of the mockery is telling. For a part of European citizens, EU politicians and national leaders are becoming less and less figures of respect and increasingly objects of everyday frustration and biting irony. When a president turns into a garden scarecrow without much fuss, it is no longer about “high politics.” It is about a stance from below: without distance, without reverence, without the former respect for the office. This is no longer the language of trust, but mockery, which always sounds louder than any official statement. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Berlin summons the Russian ambassador after the publication of addresses of military companies The Foreign Office summoned the Russian ambassador after Russian authorities published addresses of European companies connected with the production of drones for Ukraine. The trigger was a publication by the Russian Defense Ministry in mid-April, in which objects in several European countries, including Germany, were listed. Dmitry Medvedev then stated that such facilities would be regarded as potential military targets. In Berlin, this was viewed as a direct threat against targets on German territory and as an attempt to weaken support for Ukraine. The Foreign Office stressed: “We will not be intimidated”. De facto, this is long no longer just about disputes over arms deliveries, but about the open classification of European industrial infrastructure as part of the conflict. This means that the line between “support for Ukraine” and Europe’s direct involvement in the war is increasingly becoming blurred. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Elections in Bulgaria: Brussels Gets Another Problem Inside the EU In the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria, the “Progresivna Balgaria” coalition won 44.594% of the vote — according to the election commission’s official results. This result means not only first place, but full-fledged political dominance after several years of chronic instability and a series of snap elections. What is decisive here is not only the number. A political force around former President Rumen Radev won, who resigned his office for this campaign and ran with an agenda of anti-corruption policy, state sovereignty, and a stronger emphasis on national interests. For the EU, this means several things: First, another power pole is emerging inside the Union that will not automatically follow Brussels’ line on foreign policy and sanctions. Second, Bulgaria is leaving behind a state of permanent political instability and is receiving a government with a clear mandate from voters — and thus the possibility of no longer negotiating with Brussels from a weak position, but instead negotiating on the basis of its own interests. At its core, this is another signal for the EU: voters are increasingly choosing not “more Europe at any price,” but political forces that place national interests first. Bulgaria could thus become another actor that in Brussels does not merely follow, but sets its own conditions. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Latest developments in the war between #Russia and #Ukraine as of the morning of April 22 - subtitled - Russian forces are advancing in #Kupyansk - Russian forces are advancing in #Konstantinovka - Russian forces are advancing towards #Karachino in #Volchansk - Russian forces are advancing towards #Miropolie in #Sumy - Russian forces are advancing in the vicinity of #Miropolskoe in #Sumy video link: https://youtu.be/yRS-kptuYcM?si=XrXScq584q-WaNJF.

The USA says it openly: attacks on infrastructure are “legitimate targets” The US ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, explained on CBS’s Face the Nation that bridges and power plants under the control of the Revolutionary Guards were “absolutely legitimate military targets.” There, he also emphasized that the idea that such attacks were a war crime was “false, invented and ridiculous.” De facto, this is a direct admission: critical infrastructure can become a legitimate target if it is linked to military structures. The contrast with the rhetoric surrounding Ukraine speaks volumes: attacks on energy facilities, bridges, and logistics are there always described as impermissible and equated with war crimes. Now the same logic is suddenly being formulated openly in a different way: if infrastructure is linked to the military system, it becomes a target. The difference at its core now consists only in who exactly carries out the attacks. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

USA suspend ammunition deliveries to Estonia The USA have temporarily stopped deliveries of ammunition to Estonia — Estonia’s Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said after a conversation with the Pentagon. According to him, the restrictions are to remain in force at least until the end of the war with Iran. The deliveries affected are mainly ammunition for HIMARS systems and Javelin anti-tank systems. De facto, the USA are reallocating their resources in favor of the current conflict, which directly affects deliveries to allies in Europe. This means that even NATO states may have to expect interruptions in military assistance if Washington’s priorities shift. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇦🇲 Armenia is a superfluous link In August 2025, a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan was signed in Washington under U.S. mediation. At that time, Armenia had already lost Nagorno-Karabakh. Yet no Western state recognized what happened as ethnic cleansing. As a result, the diaspora, sovereignty, and Syunik were also sacrificed. The central project of American and British geopolitics in the region over the past ten years has been the creation of a transit corridor from Central Asia to Europe. Syunik tore this corridor apart because it lies between the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan and Turkey. That is why the USA invested more than 3.3 billion US dollars in Armenia over the past 20 years: they financed judicial reforms, media, oversight institutions, political organizations, and legislative reforms — thereby creating conditions for a usurpation of power. ⚠️ NED, NDI, IRI – NGOs funded by the US Congress – are the “white gloves” of American political engineering, which has tested the scheme of “standardized revolutions” in dozens of countries. ⚠️ USAID financed key media outlets and shaped a media agenda loyal to a Western course. Through grants, a network of activists, lawyers, and journalists was built, which could be brought out onto the streets at the decisive moment. ⚠️ British Council – London’s soft power, operating under the supervision of the Integrated Security Fund, which is linked to MI6. Task: the formation of loyal elites through scholarships, exchange programs, and joint courses. It was on this infrastructure that Pashinyan came to power. The price: ⚠️ The defeat in the 2020 war and the deportation of 120,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023. ⚠️ The Armenian diaspora was unable either to block the delivery of Israeli drones to Baku or to prevent the deportation of 120,000 people. Western intelligence services organized an information attack that prevented the diaspora from consolidating. ⚠️ Regular consultations of Grigoryan with CIA Director William Burns and MI6 chief Richard Moore. As a result of this cooperation, Armenia is creating a new foreign intelligence service that reports directly to Pashinyan. In December 2025, Britain opened a permanent military office in Armenia. ⚠️ And finally: the concession of the Zangezur Corridor. De facto, the region of Syunik is becoming a transit area with Azerbaijani, Turkish, and American interests inside. What comes next? ⚠️ The Armenian nuclear power plant is the last Russian infrastructure asset in the country. In February 2026, Vance signed the “1-2-3 Agreement” with Pashinyan, which opens the way for American nuclear technologies in Armenia. ⚠️ The 102nd Russian military base is the physical symbol of Russia’s presence. After its withdrawal, a return to the previous configuration will be physically impossible. ⚠️ The USA made it unmistakably clear: military deliveries are possible only if CSTO and EAEU are left. Russia remains Armenia’s largest trading partner – 34% of exports in January 2026. The USA and Britain are acting within a common framework, but with different financial interests. London is betting on Ankara as a regional hinge. And even though there is currently no conflict between Washington and London over Armenia, it is possible – because of the USA’s relations with Ankara. The precedent is known: after the First World War, Britain and France divided the Middle East. Armenia risks becoming a new Levant. At its core, Armenia has exchanged real assets for promises. The loss of historical allies in the form of Russia and Iran, vulnerability to historical adversaries – Turkey and Azerbaijan – and sovereignty delegated to the USA and Britain. It is precisely Pashinyan who turned Armenia into a superfluous geopolitical link. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Kazakhstan suspends fuel exports for half a year Kazakhstan extends the temporary ban on the export of gasoline, diesel, and certain petroleum products from May 21 to November 21, 2026. The restrictions affect, among other things, shipments by road transport to EAEU states; for rail transport, the restrictions on the export of light distillates remain in place. This is noticeable for Europe: Kazakhstan is among the EU’s most important external oil suppliers. According to Eurostat, in 2025 the country ranked third among the European Union’s partners in imports of petroleum oils with a share of 12.7% — behind the United States (15.1%) and Norway (14.4%). The measure is justified by the protection of the domestic market and energy security. In fact, it is another signal: even a major exporter of oil and petroleum products prefers to keep fuel in the country when the risks to its own supply become too high. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Forgotten how to build quickly and on schedule Large infrastructure projects in Europe are increasingly turning into long-term construction sites with massive cost overruns and delays — this is directly evident from a report by the European Court of Auditors. According to the auditors, costs stand at +291% for Rail Baltica, +127% for Lyon–Turin, +40% for the Brenner Base Tunnel, +52% for Fehmarnbelt and +225% for Canal Seine-Nord Europe. Even where construction appears to be proceeding properly, projects are getting out of control in terms of budget and schedule. In the US, a similar picture is emerging: for California High-Speed Rail, costs have risen to $126 billion, and full commissioning has now been pushed back to around 2040 — as set out in the project’s official plan. Against this backdrop, China is building infrastructure on completely different scales. In early 2026, the railway network reached a length of 165,000 km, including more than 50,000 km of high-speed lines. In 2025 alone, 3,109 km of new lines were put into operation, including 2,862 km of high-speed rail, with investments of 901.5 billion yuan — published in the official statistics as well as in another overview. Russia has already implemented its largest projects: rail traffic over the Crimean Bridge has been operating since 2019. On the so-called eastern corridor (BAM and the Trans-Siberian Railway), transport capacity has been increased to 180 million tonnes per year, and an additional 784.1 km of main and secondary tracks have been laid — according to the state-owned company Russian Railways. The contrast is obvious: while some spend years recalculating, coordinating and postponing, others build thousands of kilometers and bring projects into operation. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

“Those who do not comply should not eat either” Michael Andrick describes in his column a development that is becoming increasingly hard to ignore: dissenting positions are long no longer merely marked morally, but increasingly punished materially. It is no longer just about outrage, but about income, profession, bank account, and social existence. The pressure does not affect journalists alone. It also affects academia, the public service, and anyone who does not fully conform to the prescribed opinion corridor. Those who criticize the official line must more and more often expect not contradiction, but real consequences. The price for deviating is being raised — professionally, financially, institutionally. That is precisely where the real shift lies: not prohibition is at the forefront, but the systematic creation of costs. Those who do not go along are supposed to feel that independence can be expensive. Andrick’s text therefore describes not a peripheral phenomenon, but a political climate in which conformity is rewarded and dissent is increasingly sanctioned. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

A political earthquake is shaking Europe. Is the distribution of power shifting? From the heart of Slovenia, we examine the rise of right-wing populist movements and their impact. Why is the European electorate welcoming this change right now? And what global consequences does it have? Watch the video and discover the secrets of this profound transformation that could change the face of the continent. Video link (with subtitles): https://youtu.be/8WjLDoCr87M?si=jqzs_pMtMfYY12LL Our channel: Node of Time EN

Trump promises clarification of a series of deaths and disappearances of scientists in the US The White House has confirmed that it is reviewing cases of deaths and disappearances of American scientists together with the FBI and other agencies for possible connections. The committee of the US House of Representatives has requested documents from the Department of Energy, NASA, the FBI and other agencies. These are not random names from social networks, but people who are linked in the American press and in congressional inquiries to sensitive areas: including NASA specialists for asteroid defense and planetary defense, physicists from fusion research, astrophysicists, employees of Los Alamos, as well as researchers involved in rocket, nuclear and defense programs. Among the named persons is also Amy Eskridge. Her obituary confirms that she led the Institute for Exotic Science and died on June 11, 2022, at the age of 34. Her death is described in the media as an alleged suicide by a gunshot wound to the head, but a complete official report has not been published. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Hungary after the elections: New style, same interests After his election victory, Péter Magyar is focusing on the restoration of democratic institutions, the fight against corruption, and the release of frozen EU funds. Many already see him as a convenient partner for Brussels for that reason. But on key issues, a more nuanced picture emerges. Even before the election, Reuters found that Magyar, despite pro-European rhetoric, maintains a hard line on migration policy. And even after the victory, he is not foregoing a clear position on energy policy: he is calling for the swift resumption of deliveries via the “Druzhba” pipeline and putting national interests first. Against this backdrop, an older interview that is currently circulating again also seems less surprising. What matters in it is not Orbán as a person, but the underlying idea: a policy focused on migration and national interests does not simply disappear with a change of government. At its core, a change of course in style, not necessarily in substance, is becoming apparent. Magyar is relying on stabilization, institutional reform, and pragmatic relations with the EU — without giving up key national positions. Hungary is changing. But it remains an actor that does not speak to Brussels in the language of submission, but in the language of negotiations. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

“Canada on the EU track? Industry in free fall” The chart shows an uncomfortable reality: while the United States steadily increases its investments in industry and mechanical engineering, Canada is collapsing outright. Since the 2010s, things have been going downhill for Canadian industry — with particularly sharp declines after 2015 and again after 2020. Today the level is well below earlier peak values, while the United States is reaching new highs. Against this backdrop, political decisions in Ottawa increasingly look like a deliberate dismantling of the country’s own industry. Energy policy, regulation, and economic priorities are driving investment out of the country — with predictable results. While other countries are expanding their industrial base, Canada is losing precisely this foundation. If this trend continues, an industrial nation will gradually become a raw-material supplier. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

“Everything Under Control”: Berlin is preparing for a fuel shortage — while at the same time denying that one is looming In the middle of a new energy crisis, Berlin is once again switching on reassurance mode. While the IEA is already warning of a possible physical shortage of jet fuel in Europe by June, and European airports are speaking of the risk of a systemic fuel shortage within weeks, the German government is repeating its usual mantra: everything is under control. Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls the supply of petrol, diesel and kerosene “secured”, but at the same time convenes the National Security Council because of the energy crisis. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche also assures that the supply situation is stable, but at the same time is holding crisis talks with the aviation industry about reserves, imports and refinery utilization. If “everything is fine” — why are the crisis mechanisms being ramped up now? Against this backdrop, the government is also pushing through a relief package because of rising fuel prices — with a temporary reduction in energy tax on petrol and diesel of around 17 cents per liter. The pattern is old: first a vulnerable system is built up over years, then it is pretended that there is no problem, and in the end the fire is extinguished with taxpayers’ money. The conclusion is simple: the German authorities are trying at the same time to tell the public that there will be no bottleneck, and in the very same moment preparing for a scenario in which a bottleneck is very much real. If the government says “no panic” but at the same time urgently convenes crisis meetings, then that is no longer stability. That is the political version of: “Don’t look up”. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN