Dear friends,
It’s time for me to give you a quick update on how things are going in our community and how we fit in the general political picture of this end of 2018.
But first, I want to sincerely thank all those who have generously contributed to the recent Fall fundraiser – I want to thank you for the donations you sent, of course, but also for the very moving and kind words of support and encouragement you have sent me (electronically or by snail mail!). Frankly, having an English-language pro-Kremlin blog is not always easy or fun and there are moments when I feel rather discouraged and disgusted by much of what I see. In moments like that I think of those of you who have reached out and expressed appreciation and support for my efforts and that gives me the courage to flush my “mental toilet” and keep on struggling for the values I believe in.
On the down side, I have to honestly tell you that the environment in which our community operates is not getting any better. Sadly, but it is a fact that the continuing trend during 2018 is for many (but not all!) pro-russian websites to fall into very polarized ideological stances in which real analyses (or even any form of nuance) have been replaced by crude “black and white” kind of narratives which simply don’t match the current very complex political reality. Even worse, some sites and authors have clearly adopted techniques pioneered by the National Enquirer and are now resorting to “click-baiting”, primarily by using sensationalist headlines or by spreading unfounded rumors.
Why would they do this?
Simple: for one thing, such sites simply lack good authors capable of writing solid analyses.
Instead, they either grab articles here and there on the Internet (without asking anybody, of course) or, alternatively, they have the one or two paid “in-house” know-it-alls who are presented as “experts” on any and all topics and who are called upon to comment on anything and everything on a daily basis. Since the kind of analyses/commentaries such “experts” produce is inevitably boring, these website eventually have to resort to either click-baiting or bashing perceived competitors (usually both!) all in the hope of getting more attention. And, indeed, it is much harder to write good, solid, analyses or finding expert authors who will write specifically for your website (as all the guest authors at the Saker Blog are doing) than to spread silly rumors or bark-up everybody else.
I can promise you that in spite of these trends, the Saker Community blogs will continue to strive to provide original analyses and commentaries by expert authors who will write them especially for our community. It is precisely because we regularly provide solid analyses and interesting commentaries that we have no need to attack anybody else or use click-baiting titles. In fact, since there are no ads at all on the Saker blog there is no incentive for us to engage is such behavior to begin with. We are quite happy with the number of pages we serve every month (currently typically at around 2M-2.5M each month but with highs over 3M and lows under 2M) but if that number suddenly went up or down it would really have no impact on what we do, how we do it or, most importantly, why we do it.
Yes, we choose to remain totally dependent on spontaneous, voluntary, reader contributions because we firmly believe that this is the only way to remain financially independent and intellectually honest.
In truth, I can reveal something which has always been a priority for me: not to reach as many people as possible, but reach the right type of people: critically thinking people who truly prefer non-ideological and nuanced analyses and people who place moral, spiritual, or ethical values over political expediency or a “right or wrong – my country” kind of mindset. In other words, the Saker blogs are written for the conceptual opposite to what I call the “ideological drones“.
In the meantime, the situation in Russia is not getting any simpler: externally the threats against Russia are multiplying while internally the Atlantic Integrationists are still in firm control of the key financial and economic ministerial portfolios. This reality provides the two ideologically polarized camps an ideal background to engage in their typical behavior of either mindless cheerleading or doom-and-gloom kind of defeatism. Both of these stances are equally wrong and both represent a very real risk for Russia and Putin, especially if they are not challenged and debunked.
Likewise, in the USA a lot of observers have fallen into the “I hate Trump” vs “I support Trump” conceptual trap in which the name of the puppet in the White House appears to be far more important than the real agenda of the puppet’s puppeteers.
I have said it in the past, but I will repeat it again here: in the Saker Community we will continue to focus on values, ideas and policies, not ideologies or personalities and we will continue to do this even if so many of our (now ex-) friends and allies have been drawn into a hopelessly partisan ideological stance.
I will conclude by saying that even though we are certainly going through some difficult and high-risk times, our Community is doing really well. Of course, I am sad that the Oceania Saker Blog has been closed down due to a lack of time of those running it (a problem common to all of us with “real jobs” and families) but I also understand that this kind of situation is inevitable. Right now I have heard of no plans to create further Saker blogs, but I also notice that I get more and more emails from Far East Asia and I would not be surprised if in the not too distant future another Saker Blog popped up somewhere :-)
Make sure to drop by and check out the two websites affiliated the main Saker Blog (the History of the Orthodox People website and the Saker Community website) and please let me know if you have any comments, wishes, criticisms or suggestions by either emailing me directly or posting a comment in the comment section below.
Many thanks for everything, hugs and cheers,
The Saker
We all came a long way in the last two years, including youself. Two years ago we were really hoping that Trump might be a breath of fresh air in the “swamp” which he has promising to drain. Unfortunately our hopes were soon dashed as we have realised that he is nothing more than an ignorant, self gratifying baffoon, who has surrounded himself with imbecilic neocons and follows their insane advice. Especially when it comes to US foreign policy. Like most americans he is totally ignorant as to what REALLY goes on the the world outside of their US of A and subsequently, is creating an enviroment of anger and hostility towards his every move. He is, like all of them before him, just a puppet. You have put that in a nutshell. Russia is not facing any crisis with regard to the so-called fifth column adherents or even Atlantic Integrationists in Government. Most of them have been demoted to posts that have no real power to influence anything. President Putin is not stupid, he knows his enemies. Keeping them close allows him to keep an eye on them. But what we are witnessing at present is the west/globalists are thrashing in their death throes, knowing that their days are numbered. Hence all the hysterics, accusations, aggressive posturing and avalanche of Russophobic propaganda. The end for them is coming and they can feel it. As for you, keep the good work- wish there were more like you in this world, and keep well.
Katerina:
Perfect summary of my feelings, only better expressed.
I would throw China into the mix as a “known-unknown” at the present.
God willing, I will see 2 things before I die. The completion of the Sagrada Familia, and the demise of the Hegemon. I’m optimistic on both counts.
Hi Saker, this is “carpenter”. You helped me a few years back by your enormous kindness after I found your site. Sadly, I think I became a pest to you, not realizing how much you had to do and such little time to do it.
But, I wanted to thank you here fir your work and the work if everyone on your site. The writers you currently post have helped me understand things so much more clearly. And even your comment section is educational by many very intelligent people. I especially am thinking of larchmonter445.
So thank you again and please know you are reaching some of us that have very little places to turn for the truth. God bless you Saker and your family.
Like we say in french, « gardez le cap ! »; I really appreciate your site and your philosophical direction is in line with my values also. Every time I open my cell to look geopolitical news, I start with The Saker, the Jesuit Post, RT, Spoutnik News, Reseau Voltaire, The Unz Review, Global Times, Strategic-Culture, The Vatican, etc. You’re my first reference. Quite unteresting. Keep up the excellent work.
“… some sites and authors have clearly adopted techniques pioneered by the National Enquirer and are now resorting to “click-baiting”, primarily by using sensationalist headlines …”
Yes indeed. But it is particularly regrettable that the Russian (de-facto official governmental!) web sites in English language – RT.com and sputniknews.com – have already stooped to exactly the level of National Enquirer and similar tabloids that you describe. One can avoid all the trash therein by going instead to various Russian language sites to get the news (for a good daily survey, one place to start is Война и Мир, http://www.warandpeace.ru/ru/ , for instance; etc., etc.), but it presupposes knowing Russian language.
Recently, female head of RT stated, “we have a hard time finding people to hire.” Maybe that’s because they only hire british spooks.
“ideological drones“? HA HA :D You are too kind, dear saker
Thank you for CHOOSING “not to reach as many people as possible, but reach the right type of people”
Indeed more is not better! Paper and digital mullah is dust in the new world anyway. Will their new master honor their old trick and bloodstained loot?
By the law of 90/10 (not 80/20) which TPTB knows and operate by,
we too, the 10% can change THEIR world.
There is no supposition nor divine law to dictate their world has to be our world, our children’s world and earth’s fate – THINK
What makes their version of fake 10% better than our 10%? Is our god/hearts lesser than theirs?!
Essentially I respect your spirit to fight – this is a fight for consciousness
as in one of the russian forum, an old WWII russian vet answer, ‘Russia is not so much a country, it is a way of thinking and a way of life. Therefore it cannot be conquered, from the outside”
That’s how great master thinkers like Lao Zi (TaoTeChing) and Confucious survived thousand of years of war and silence, in one unbroken lineage of bloodlines and consciousness, to today.
KUDOS to you, sir Saker
Saker My Orthodox Brother,
Keep up the good work and remember that the victory was already won on Mt. Calvary nearly 2000 years ago. For the true Orthodox Christian Warrior death is only the end of this earthly chapter and then we will get our chance to fall down and worship before Christ Himself Our King and Our God.
Sincerely,
JEinCA
Keep up the good work, Saker. Doing the right thing is always victory, no matter if you win or lose. Cheers !
Saker, by saying: “… the name of the puppet in the White House appears to be far more important than the real agenda of the puppet’s puppeteers…”, you have nailed the problem in a head.
The problem people have is, as you say, bigger than just the puppet sitting in the White House.
Thanks for great work.
Keep on this path end everything will be fine, the more people think independently, the more they will discover the value of this blog !
Thank you for the update, Saker, and congratulations on your ongoing success! One topic relating to US/Russia relations that I’d like to see debunked is Alaska. Would you be willing to provide an objective assessment of the possibilities for Alaska, to address the many rumors in circulation?
That is interesting about a potential Saker site focused on the Far East. I live in Canada’s Lower Mainland. There is a West Coast “hell no we won’t go”, “stick it to the man” kind of ethos traditionally around here, and repeated attempts to suppress, or contain, that ethos creates some interesting dynamics — as I see it. Among the Chinese community (I’m thinking of Richmond, BC), there seems to be an adaptation to the local culture that takes place, and may be even causing some problems for Mainland China. This influx of Asian immigrants may have been considered as a way to water down the local population with a more submissive mindset, but instead, the Asian community seems to have developed a very Asian variety of “sticking it” and “not going.” I heard a rumor that one of the recent developments is to have Communist party of China members purchase a property in Vancouver, only live in it for the minimal amount of time, no speaking English, no getting involved in the local community. (Of course, this makes it very obvious that there is a problem with foreign ownership.) That’s an unconfirmed rumor. Anyway – interesting times in the Far East (and extreme West.)
I have really learned an lot from you and your writers. The Saker is my second daily site after local news. I have found this place is one of a few I can trust to figure out what my own abhorant government is up to when it comes to Europe, the Middle East and of course Russia. I really am thankful that the name calling of humans of all strips seems to not be here. I have left a few because of this, not just the writers but the readers can be very vitriol. I rarely see that here.
The failure of sites to have good writers is really sad I have given up many over the last few years, please do not leave as this is the only place I can find great writing on these issues.
RT. Was pretty good for wide spread news for awhile but now is starting to look like huffington post, sad
Asia times is my other go to but more the writing is very mixed. So Thankyou and keep it up
I have gained a perspective of the alt. media from visiting here, as well as general knowledge of world affairs and politics — and the international cast of writers adds depth/nuance lacking elsewhere. As far as other news-sites, the “click-bait” analysis is spot-on! The entire “argument” of many “news” articles is capsulated in the opening one-liner, without any corroboration or analysis to follow-up. Zero content! Zero! (What, by correlation, this says about us moderns, as the intended audience, is, ultimately, that we are only some kind of unthinking sound-bite chow-hounds.) I don’t know where else to find reputable “newsworthy” content.
Thank you, Saker, if even for only a small challenge to the “norm”.
” “black and white” kind of narratives which simply don’t match the current very complex political reality.”
Our most supposedly sophisticated news outlets have succumbed to the black/white narrative. And, they lose no opportunity to sneak in allusions to fakery that they have had a hand in establishing as fact.
So, it is tremendously valuable to have a site where analysis looks below the surface and common labels to discover deeper movements. and that also casts a wide net, so as to juxtapose many contrary ways of looking at the world and at the interests of its main players.
Re black and white, conversation yesterday in local thrift shop:
Rob (thrift shop employee, very nice and helpful, chatting with a pal while helping me with bulky item): “So the Russians are going nuts. Did you hear about that fly-by recently of one of our ships? They came in really close, flew right over the ship.”
Pal has nothing to say, so I chirp up: “Where was the ship?”
Rob: “In the ocean.”
Me: “In which ocean?”
Rob: “Ah, the what’s it, the Baltic.”
Me: “That’s right next to Russia.”
Rob: “The ocean is free, our ships can go where they want in international waters.”
Me: “So is the air, and the Russian planes can go where they want in international air space.”
Rob: “NATO rules are that no plane can come closer than [something]”
Me: “Russia is not part of NATO. Russia doesn’t have to follow NATO rules.”
Rob (rolling eyes at pal): “Not one of— Putin is pathetic, an idiot.”
Me (trying to make nice): “It never hurts to try to see the other point of view.”
Rob (as I leave): “USA forever!”
Unh . . .
Saker blog forever!
Katherine
In their effort to appear more tactful and diplomatic rather than firm and combative, Putin and Lavrov allow Shoigu and Medvedev to assume that role. Perhaps the former duet silently share that stance as Russia especially and China to a lesser extent rejoice in their military and technology advances and glow in the wake of expensive errors by Western brainstormers and strategic planners. Their occasional firmness would be better served if they gave greater encouragement to their allies who are in the front lines and sustain heavier punishment. Neither Russia nor China can truly pose as objective neutrals. In reality, they are objective adversaries of the West and should be certain that everyone knows it. Otherwise, they can lose face and create political holes instead of necessary solidarity.
An accurate observation indeed.
Now, concerning why they behave that way, one might speculate that it is due to their acute awareness of the severe constraints under which they operate. All the remarkable military and technology advances of Russia notwithstanding, the overall situation is highly asymmetric. The economic and financial might of the U.S., even though in decline, still dwarfs the Russian one. It is the U.S. who is presently capable of imposing extremely hurtful sanctions on Russia, not the other way round.
Dear Saker,
Moon of Alabama wrote an entry on his site stating that the accusation of Russian “Proud Bear” influence in Brexit was real.
That is kinda unlike MofA to say that – he is very similar in outlook to yourself.
It would be great if you could write a blog entry here, with your insights in this (assuming you have any)