64 Looking Forward One of the problems with so much money being spent from the federal government without legislative authority, accounting, or oversight, is that significant covert operations can be funded and the people who control these secret trillions are free to operate outside the law with impunity. Until we cut off the money flow by requiring that federal financial resources be spent in accor- dance with the law, expect the “op metabolism” to continue to increase. If someone could create an “op free” neighbor- hood, it will be a valuable piece of real estate. Perhaps the leaders of #MeTo have suggested to you and me how we might use transparency to create such places. Story #4: The BRICS Build Independent Systems “Many analysts believe that the international system is sliding towards multi-polarity, a world in which no single great power is in a position to dominate its peers. But among those who subscribe to this view, there is some debate over just how the coming multi-polar order will operate.” – PETER HARRIS For several years, The Saker has joined us quar- terly on the Solari Report to cover the shift from a unipolar world dominated by the United States to a multi-polar world in which a number of powerful states and players compete and coop- erate in a more complex balance of power. The Saker will be joining us again in 2018. These are discussions you don’t want to miss. The BRICS nations have been organizing indi- vidually and collectively for years to build greater financial independence from the United States, the G-7 and their global institutions such as the IMF and World Bank. This last year was marked by significant progress with China and Russia taking numerous concrete steps both in partner- ship and with the BRICS nations. As the world adjusted to the surprise of the Trump victory in November 2016, China’s Xi Jinping stepped into the globalist shoes at Davos and assured the world that China would contin- ue its commitment to globalization. • President Xi’s Speech at Davos As one of his first acts in office, President Trump cancelled America’s participation in the Transpa- cific Partnership. China looked for opportunities to reorganize trade in the Pacific region. • China Eyes Opportunity as US Pulls out of Transpacific Partnership In March, in response to pressure from the US, the SWIFT system cut off remaining North Ko- rean banks. The message was clear – the SWIFT system could be used to compromise national sovereignty. • SWIFT messaging system cuts off remaining North Korean banks In March, the Bank of Russia announced it had opened a representative office in Beijing. • Bank of Russia opens Beijing office In September, the US threatened China that it would be cut from SWIFT if China violated the North Korean sanctions. • US Threatens to Cut Off China From SWIFT If It Ignores North Korea Sanctions In October, China announced the launch of a yuan-rubble payment system and a plan to price oil in yuan using a gold-backed futures contract in Shanghai. Russia announced the creation of a CryptoRubble. IV. NEWS TRENDS & STORIES