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What could be more normal than a fool ’ s bargain ?
Flashmag ! Issue 158 March 2025
Trump ’ s proposed deal would see Ukraine use its minerals to repay military aid received from the US , an approach similar to the 2007 Sino-Congolese agreement between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC ). This agreement gave Chinese companies access to mineral resources in exchange for investment in infrastructure . However , it has also been criticized for leading to exorbitant indebtedness . In the Ukrainian context , such an arrangement could limit Ukraine ’ s ability to manage its resources in a way that supports sustainable economic development , and turn Ukraine into an indebted and over-exploited Third World country like the DRC .
At the same time , areas reserved for the state , such as space exploration , are being privatized , to the delight of the oligarchs who now benefit from colossal contracts with governments . The rise of private arms and mercenary companies also testifies to the impact of oligarchic interests on contemporary conflicts . The intervention of oligarchies , often motivated by profit , raises concerns about the ethics of modern warfare and the lack of regulation in the military-industrial sector , a situation that continues to worsen over the years .
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