Topic: Grain

Mimi Smith Dvorak recommends the book "The Merchants of Grain," which details how five secretive families control the world's food supply and can trigger famines. The hosts discuss how Donald Trump's background in real estate allowed him to interact with these ultra-wealthy tiers of power. They argue Trump's perspective is unique because he understands the "poor rich" versus those who control global commodities.

An estimated 70,000 Polish farmers participated in nationwide protests, blocking nearly 600 roads to oppose the influx of cheap Ukrainian agricultural products. The European Union's decision to suspend import duties for Ukraine has reportedly undercut family-run farms in Poland and Hungary. Farmers are demanding a return to pre-war quotas and the rejection of EU climate proposals that increase domestic production costs.

The Hong Kong-flagged ship Joseph Schulte successfully reached Istanbul after departing from Odessa, utilizing a new "humanitarian corridor" that hugs the coastlines of NATO members Romania and Bulgaria. This passage occurred despite Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and threats to treat cargo ships as military targets. The successful transit offers a "glimmer of hope" for continued global food security.

The segment features Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, an American transgender spokesperson for the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces, who characterizes Russian soldiers as "not human." Meanwhile, the first cargo ship has departed Odessa via a temporary Black Sea corridor since Russia ended the grain deal. The Hong Kong-flagged vessel had been blocked in port for 17 months, raising questions about its actual cargo.

Diplomats gather in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to discuss President Zelensky's ten-point peace plan, which includes nuclear safety, food security, and the restoration of Ukraine's 1991 borders. Former Ambassador William Taylor suggests the recent Wagner mutiny by Yevgeny Prigozhin has weakened Vladimir Putin's international standing, though Russia remains uninvited to the talks.

President Vladimir Putin hosted the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, where he announced the forgiveness of $23 billion in debt owed by African nations. Putin also pledged free grain shipments to six African countries to counter Western narratives regarding food security following Russia's exit from the Black Sea grain deal. Leaders from Uganda and Zimbabwe expressed support for Russia's strategic interests during the bilateral meetings.

A detailed report from a "boots on the ground" producer outlines the strategic importance of Uganda as a staging ground for Western proxy wars in Central Africa. The analysis links the historical Joseph Kony "Kony 2012" campaign to broader efforts to destabilize Sudan and secure smuggling routes. The segment also covers Vladimir Putin's offer of free grain to six African nations and provides a schedule for upcoming No Agenda listener meetups worldwide.

Russia withdraws from the Black Sea Grain Deal, leading to a spike in global wheat prices and concerns over food security in Africa. President Zelensky and President Erdogan seek to bring Russia back to the negotiating table while Moscow warns that ships heading to Ukrainian ports will be treated as military carriers. Speculation arises that grain shipments may be used to mask weapons transfers.

Russia officially terminated the Black Sea grain agreement on July 17, 2023, citing a failure to implement terms favorable to Russian agricultural exports. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the deal would only be renewed once Russian demands, including reconnection to the SWIFT payment system, are met. The collapse of the deal has raised concerns about global food prices and wheat supplies to developing nations.

Russia is demanding the reconnection of its agricultural bank to the SWIFT payment system and the restoration of the Togliatti-Pivdeny ammonia pipeline in exchange for extending the Black Sea grain deal. The pipeline, essential for global fertilizer production, was reportedly damaged by shelling in the Kharkiv region. The UN is negotiating these terms to prevent a food crisis in African nations.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that six African nations will send a peace mission to Moscow and Kyiv to mediate the conflict. The initiative is driven by Africa's reliance on Ukrainian grain and Russian fertilizer, as the war has caused food prices to skyrocket across the continent. Russia is actively building ties in Africa to counter Western diplomatic pressure.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that training for Ukrainian troops on M1 Abrams tanks will begin soon in Germany. However, tensions are rising among European allies as Poland, Hungary, and other nations have banned the import of Ukrainian grain to protect their local farmers. The influx of cheap agricultural products has led to protests and demands for the European Commission to reinstate tariffs.

A Czech company has reported a 100% increase in the production of inflatable military decoys, including tanks and jet fighters, used to deceive Russian forces in Ukraine. Separately, Russia has agreed to a 60-day extension of the UN-brokered grain export deal. This extension is half the duration of previous agreements but allows for the continued shipment of over 24 million tons of grain to global markets.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and President Zelensky are pushing for the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative before its March 18th expiration. Simultaneously, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell proposed a 1-billion-euro plan for joint ammunition purchasing to replenish Ukrainian stockpiles of 155mm shells. This move signals the European Union's transition into a military procurement entity, utilizing frameworks established during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

The G20 welcomed the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a UN-brokered deal between Russia and Turkey to allow grain exports through the Black Sea. Additionally, leaders discussed the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, which aims to protect 30% of all land and sea by 2030. This "2050 Vision of Living in Harmony with Nature" seeks to restore ecosystems and ensure long-term environmental sustainability.

Russia suspends its participation in the UN-brokered grain export deal following a drone attack on its Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol. Ukraine denies responsibility, while Russia claims British specialists assisted in the operation. The hosts note that 30% of Ukrainian farmland is owned by Western multinationals like Cargill, making the halt in exports a direct hit to American corporate interests.

The FDA has proposed new rules for when manufacturers can use the word "healthy" on food packaging. To qualify, products must contain specific amounts of whole grains, fruits, or vegetables while staying under strict limits for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. The criteria are criticized as being easily gamed by processed food manufacturers.

Less than 24 hours after signing a UN-brokered grain export deal, the Ukrainian port of Odessa was struck by missiles. Ukraine accused Russia of "spitting in the face" of the agreement, while Russian officials initially denied involvement in the strike. The attack threatens the resumption of critical grain shipments intended to alleviate global food shortages.

A Fox News report from Kiev describes efforts to implement an "Amazon-style" logistics system for weapon deliveries to Ukraine. Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions rise over the blockade of Ukrainian ports, with Russia and China calling for "green corridors" to resume grain exports and prevent global famine.

Ukraine's deputy agriculture minister accused Russia of stealing 1.5 million tons of grain from occupied territories. The conflict has disrupted planting and blocked exports from the port of Odessa, leading to fears of a global food crisis. The hosts transition into a discussion on "shrinkflation," using the declining quality and size of Charmin toilet paper as a domestic example of economic pressure.