Putin’s biggest failure | The Vineyard of the Saker

This article was written for the Unz Review http://www.unz.com/tsaker/putins-biggest-failure/

Whatever happens in the future, Putin has already secured his place in history as one of the greatest Russian leaders ever. Not only did he succeed in literally resurrecting Russia as a country, but in a little over a decade he brought her back as a world power capable of successfully challenging the AngloZionist Empire. The Russian people have clearly recognized this feat and, according to numerous polls, they are giving him an amazing 90% support rate. And yet, there is one crucial problem which Putin has failed to tackle: the real reason behind the apparent inability of the Kremlin to meaningfully reform the Russian economy.

As I have described it in the past many times, when Putin came to power in 1999-2000 he inherited a system completely designed and controlled by the USA. During the Eltsin years, Russian ministers had much less power than western ‘advisers’ who turned Russia into a US colony. In fact, during the 1990s, Russia was at least as controlled by the USA as Europe and the Ukraine are today. And the results were truly catastrophic: Russia was plundered from her natural wealth, billions of dollars were stolen and hidden in western offshore accounts, the Russian industry was destroyed, a unprecedented wave of violence, corruption and poverty drowned the entire country in misery and the Russian Federation almost broke up into many small statelets. It was, by any measure, an absolute nightmare, a horror comparable to a major war. Russia was about to explode and something had to be done.

Two remaining centers of power, the oligarchs and the ex-KGB, were forced to seek a solution to this crisis and they came up with the idea of sharing power: the former would be represented by Dmitrii Medvedev and the latter by Vladimir Putin. Both sides believed that they would keep the other side in check and that this combination of big money and big muscle would yield a sufficient degree of stability.

I call the group behind Medvedev the “Atlantic Integrationists” and the people behind Putin the “Eurasian Sovereignists”. The former wants Russia to be accepted by the West as an equal partner and fully integration Russia into the AngloZionist Empire, while the latter want to fully “sovereignize” Russia and then create a multi-polar international system with the help of China and the other BRICS countries.

What the Atlantic Integrationists did not expect is that Putin would slowly but surely begin to squeeze them out of power: first he cracked down on the most notorious oligarchs such as Berezovskii and Khodorkovskii, then he began cracking down on the local oligarchs, gubernatorial mafias, ethnic mobsters, corrupt industry officials, etc. Putin restored the “vertical [axis]of power” and crushed the Wahabi insurgents in Chechnia. Putin even carefully set up the circumstances needed to get rid of some of the worst ministers such as Serdiukov and Kudrin. But what Putin has so far failed to do is to

Reform the Russian political system
Replace the 5^th columnists in and around the Kremlin
Reform the Russian economy

The current Russian Constitution and system of government is a pure product of the US ‘advisors’ which, after the bloody crackdown against the opposition in 1993, allowed Boris Eltsin to run the country until 1999. It is paradoxical that the West now speaks of a despotic presidency about Putin when all he did is inherit a western-designed political system. The problem for Putin today is that it makes no sense to replace some of the worst people in power as long as the system remains unchanged. But the main obstacle to a reform of the political system is the resistance of the pro-Western 5^th columnists in and around the Kremlin. They also the ones who are still forcing a set of “Washington consensus” kind of policies upon Russia even though it is obvious that the consequences for Russia are extremely bad, even disastrous. There is no doubt that Putin understands that, but he has been unable, at least so far, to break out of this dynamic.

So who are these 5^th columnists?

I have selected nine of the names most often mentioned by Russian analysts. These are (in no particular order):

Former First Deputy Prime Minister Anatolii Chubais, First Deputy Governor of the Russian Central Bank Ksenia Iudaeva, Deputy Prime Minister Arkadii Dvorkovich, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, Governor of the Russian Central Bank Elvira Nabiullina, former Minister of Finance Alexei Kudrin, Minister of Economic Development, Alexei Uliukaev, Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov and Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev.

The Russian 5th column: Chubais, Iudaeva, Dvorkovich, Shuvalov, Nabiullina, Kudrin, Uliukaev, Siluanov, Medvedev

This is, of course, only a partial list – the real list is longer and runs deeper in the Russian power structure. The people on this list range from dangerous ideologues like Kudrin or Chubais, to mediocre and unimaginative people, like Siluanov or Nabiullina. And none of them would, by him or herself, represent much of a threat to Putin. But as a group and in the current political system they are a formidable foe which has kept Putin in check. I do believe, however, that a purge is being prepared.

One of the possible signs of a purge to come is the fact that the Russian media, both the blogosphere and the big corporate media, is now very critical of the economic policies of the government of Prime Minister Medvedev. Most Russian economists agree that the real reason for the current economic crisis in Russia is not the falling price of oil or, even less so, the western sanctions, but the misguided decisions of the Russian Central Bank (such as floating the Ruble or keeping the interest rates high) and the lack of governmental action to support a real reform and development of the Russian economy. What is especially interesting is that vocal opponents of the current 5^th column now get plenty of air time in the Russian media, including state owned VGTRK. Leading opponents of the current economic policies, such as Sergei Glazev, Mikhail Deliagin or Mikhail Khazin are now interviewed at length and given all the time needed to absolutely blast the economic policies of the Medvedev government. And yet, Putin is still taking no visible action. In fact, in his latest yearly address he as even praised the work of the Russian Central Bank. So what is going on here?

First, and to those exposed to the western propaganda, this might be difficult to imagine, but Putin is constrained simply by the rule of law. He cannot just send some special forces and have all these folks arrested on some kind of charge of corruption, malfeasance or sabotage. Many in Russia very much regret that, but this is fact of life.

In theory, Putin could simply fire the entire (or part) of the government and appoint a different Governor to the Central Bank. But the problem with that is that it would trigger an extremely violent reaction from the West. Mikhail Deliagin recently declared that if Putin did this, the West’s reaction would be even more violent than after the Crimean reunification with Russia. Is he right? Maybe. But I personally believe that Putin is not only concerned about the reaction of the West, but also from the Russian elites, particularly those well off, who generally already intensely dislike Putin and who would see such a purge as an attack on their personal and vital interests. The combination of US subversion and local big money definitely has the ability to create some kind of crisis in Russia. This is, I think, by far the biggest threat Putin his facing. But here is also can observe a paradoxical dynamic:

One one hand, Russia and the West have been in an open confrontation ever since Russian prevented the USA from attacking Syria. The Ukrainian crisis only made things worse. Add to this the dropped prices on oil and the western sanctions and you could say that Putin now, more then ever, needs to avoid anything which could make the crisis even worse.

But on the other hand, this argument can be flipped around by saying that considering how bad the tensions already are and considering that the West has already done all it can to harm Russia, is this not the perfect time to finally clean house and get right of the 5^th column? Really – how much worse can things really get?

Only Putin knows the answer to this simply because only he has all the facts. All we can do is observe that the popular discontent with the “economic block” of the government and with the Central Bank is most definitely growing and growing fast, and that the Kremlin is doing nothing to inhibit or suppress such feelings. We can also notice that while most Russians are angry, disgusted and frustrated with the economic policies of the Medvedev government, Putin’s personal popularity is still sky high in spite of the fact that the Russian economy most definitely took a hit, even if it was much smaller than what the AngloZionist Empire had hoped for.

My strictly personal explanation for what is happening is this: Putin is deliberately letting things get worse because he knows that the popular anger will not be directed at him, but only at his enemies. Think of it, is that not exactly what the Russian security services did in the 1990s? Did they not allow the crisis in Russia to reach its paroxysm before pushing Putin into power and then ruthlessly cracking down on the oligarchs? Did Putin not wait until the Wahabis in Chechnia actually attacked Dagestan before unleashing the Russian military? Did the Russians not let Saakashvili attack South Ossetia before basically destroying his entire military? Did Putin now wait until a full-scale Ukronazi attack on the Donbass before opening up the “voentorg” (military supplies) and the “northern wind” (dispatch of volunteers) spigots? Putin’s critiques would say that no, not at all, Putin got surprised, he was sleeping on the job, and he had to react, but his reaction was too little too late and that when he had to take action it was only to fix a situation which had turned into a disaster. My answer to these critiques is simple: so what happened at the end? Did Putin not get exactly what he wanted each time?

I believe that Putin is acutely aware that his real power basis is not primarily the Russian military or the security services, but the Russian people. This, in turn, means that for him to take any action, especially any dangerous action, he must secure an almost unconditional level of support from the Russian people. That, in turn, means that he can only take such risky action if and when the crisis is evident for all to see and that the Russian people are willing to have him take a risk and, if needed, pay the consequences. This is exactly what we saw in the case of the reunification of Crimea or the current Russian military intervention in Syria: the Russian people are concerned, they are suffering the consequences of the decision of Putin to take action, but they accept it because they believe that there is no other option.

So there you have it. Either Putin is sleeping on the job, is caught off-guard by each crisis and reacts too late, or Putin deliberately lets a situation worsen until a full-scale crisis is evident at which point he acts with the full knowledge that the Russian people fully support him and while blame him neither for the crisis, nor for the price of decidedly dealing with you.

Pick the version which seems more plausible to you.

What is certain is that so far Putin has failed to deal with the 5^th column near and inside the Kremlin and that the situation is rapidly worsening. The recent move by Kudrin to try to get back into the government was a rather transparent use of the pro-5^th column media in Russia (and abroad) and it predictably failed. But this shows an increasing self-confidence, or even arrogance, of the Atlantic Integrationists. Something in bound to happen, probably in the near future.

The Saker

JJ on January 25, 2016 · at 4:09 pm EST/EDT

Stratfor: Don’t Count on a Revolution or Coup in Russia
Translated by Ollie Richardson for Fort Russ
25th January, 2016

Pravda

The West believes that the sharp drop in oil prices combined with Western economic sanctions imposed after the annexation of Crimea, and its support for separatists in Eastern Ukraine, would cause such economic and social unrest in Russia that could threaten the government of President Vladimir Putin. This is not the right view of the situation, said the expert of Stratfor Agency, Steven Hall.

According to him, in defense of this concept, commentators cite the recent protests (particularly the Russian protests of truckers, who opposed the increase in fees), anti-Putin rhetoric from the Russian opposition bloggers and even an open investigation into the murder of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.

The problem is that the authors analyze Putin, the Kremlin and the events in Russia with overly Western positions. In fact, the power of Putin in Russia and his reputation among Russians remains consistently strong despite the circumstances that could end the political career of the majority of Western leaders.

Hall emphasizes that the power of Putin “is not derived from the people he governs, as it does in Western democracies. In his management of the country Putin relies to a much greater degree on coercive methods. Some experts wish to exaggerate the importance of Putin’s previous career in the KGB, but it’s certainly not the only experience in Russian intelligence that has made Putin who he is. Meanwhile, the experience in the KGB, or the FSB, or any other security services in Russia, imposes a certain view of the world”.

And in general, Hall notes, Putin doesn’t care how Russians express their discontent, namely, demonstrations, protests and so on, and these manifestations of discontent affect his decision. Western commentators and reporters sometimes called the protests harbingers of change or indicators of dissatisfaction, but it is worth reminding that Russia behind the scenes watches the protests very carefully and the Russian security services do a great job to control them.

Meanwhile, Putin “even sees some merit in allowing such protests to take place, because it allows him to create the appearance of democracy in Russia, which appears as a place where opposition forces are allowed to freely express themselves. It can be very helpful in such international forums like the UN, the EU and so on.”

Hall also highlighted the misconception that, if economic conditions in Russia will continue to worsen, discontent and anxiety of the Russians will reach a level that will threaten the current status quo. “When the Russian government explains the causes of economic hardships in the nationalist vein, and accuses external forces, such as the EU and the US, the need to tolerate and deal with the deficit becomes almost a national sport and a national pride”, said the expert. Therefore, it does not pose a threat to the authorities.

“As mentioned above, even if the level of his popularity was substantially reduced, Putin will still have his intelligence agencies that will help him to retain power,” writes the expert. As a reminder, as was written on Politonline.ru in May last year, Russian businessmen have admitted that most people trust the President of Russia Vladimir Putin (68%). Within the rating of trust were the army with 30%, complete the top three representatives of business colleagues trusted by 27% of top managers. The survey was conducted by the Agency “Contact”.

Also, a previously conducted a poll showed that more Russians endorse the work of the police, and trust them. There was also an increased number of those wishing to become law enforcement officers.

The Russians trust the President, the army and the Church, according to the conclusion of experts of “Levada-center”. A recent survey showed that most Russians trust the President (80%), army (64%) and churches (53%). The increase in the credibility of the army (11%) and police (8%) was significantly.

Actually, the “Russian conservative turn that began after Putin returned to the Kremlin in March 2012 was probably closer to the worldview of the Russian conservative and Patriotic majority, than the majority of Western governments are willing to admit”, states Dal Santo in The National Interest.

“But the liberal majority, who are waiting for the West’s release, simply does not exist. The problem with the Russian liberals is the same, which has always been the problems of the Russian revolutionaries: they look down on the rest of the country and believe people are fools,” said the Director of the Moscow Institute Carnegie Dmitri Trenin.

And the Runet, which is traditionally considered the fiefdom of liberal thinkers, too, somehow does not contribute to the “democratization” of youth. The Washington Post released data of huge number of those who are agree with the necessity of control over extremism in social network. But a liberal expert, Fedor Krasheninnikov, bitterly noted that the majority of the Internet support the authorities, and Crimea and is not going to be the capital of a revolution. All of this destroys the myth of the opposition that “the government support is maintained by money, trolls and the career-minded”, by saying the support of the state is honest and free.

“It’s important to admit: the Internet in Russia is no longer a citadel for the opposition,” – upset liberals.’

————————————–
well maybe useful to understand ‘some” of these viewpoints………..

286 Comments

Straight-Bat on January 24, 2016 · at 4:30 am EST/EDT

Many of what anybody can call as “Putin’s failure” are actually “Putin tried, but 5th column resisted” kind of things … the article in FortRuss is a good eye-opener:

http://fortruss.blogspot.in/2016/01/sabotage-of-presidential-decrees-grant.html

This article is very timely. President Putin has to take bold decisions on economic front, which, if necessary, should start with a thorough purge of the Liberal virus that is still alive in Russian society.
- RR on January 25, 2016 · at 3:48 am EST/EDT
  
  Yep that is the one. Really, Putin’s economic reforms have been 100% successful. Putin will have to become a Hurrah Patriot to implement the rest under Emergency Powers.
  RR
- Veritas on January 25, 2016 · at 10:13 pm EST/EDT
  
  Another article calling out the Fifth column:
  
  http://russia-insider.com/en/business/liberal-economic-policies-devour-russia-cancer/ri12409
  
  Looks like thngs are brewing in Russia…..
  - MD on January 26, 2016 · at 12:59 am EST/EDT
    
    When I pointed out facts like the ones described in this article a few weeks ago, there were several posters jumping at my throat and calling me a troll. That’s because I showed signs of critical thinking and asked logical questions like what is doing a person as Chubais (who is responsible for the indirect death of millions of Russians after the so called shock therapy from the 90’s) and another questions about why Russia is so desperate in selling raw natural resources instead of trying to process them to get higher value products ?
    This should still be a key question that I would like Putin to answer.
    
    I would also like to challenge V. Putin to a session in which he should present what is his perception of world finances and for how much longer will he play dumb ? Because, really, millions can understand the Ponzi dollar scam at this point …
  - Straight-Bat on January 26, 2016 · at 10:49 am EST/EDT
    
    Veritas,
    During 1990s Russian (and Ukrainian) power was with the 5th Column !
    Let us wait for 2 – 4 years more to see that the remaining strength of the 5th Column gets destroyed by Putin and his comrades.
    (If Putin fails in removing their hold over Russian economy, these bunch of Traitors will again come back to power in 2020s – and, after that there won’t be a State called Russia, there will be many Russian Regions).
Jim of Olym on January 24, 2016 · at 4:42 am EST/EDT

I sure hope you are right, Saker! I think Putin is pretty smart, clever, and devious at times. More so that most of the politicians elsewhere. If I spoke Russian I would think of moving there rather than here. Interesting times we have now, eh?
remi on January 24, 2016 · at 5:12 am EST/EDT

Who is in power?
Who controls the money supply?
- Anonymous on January 24, 2016 · at 2:44 pm EST/EDT
  
  Yeah, and who controls the controllers?
  And, what can you do about them?
  - Knight on January 25, 2016 · at 12:32 am EST/EDT
    
    Mobs with pitchforks and torches is the traditional solution.
    - Uncle Bob 1 on January 25, 2016 · at 12:22 pm EST/EDT
      
      Might I add,ropes and lampposts,as the needed touch. But since its Winter,it may need to wait until Spring.
      - Anonymous on January 25, 2016 · at 4:48 pm EST/EDT
        
        If this is really just a joke, then this is very sick “stalinist” humor.
        Seems lampposts and ropes for hanging were favorites of “fascists” and “nazis” too?
        No wonder many Ukrainians see little if any difference between Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s USSR
        at least in terms of practical concrete implementations and behavior.
        
        Uncle Bob 1 on January 25, 2016 · at 10:36 pm EST/EDT
        
        And so how do you feel about “pitchforks” and “torches”. If that’s more to your “tender feelings” I’m ok with that as well. You may not have guessed it yet. But I’m not a neo-liberal “PC” supporter. I don’t have a problem with battling force with force.It’s the kind of neo-liberal “PC” thinking that has destabilized and subverted the World in the years since WWII. And the concern about “PC” thinking that has allowed the US to become the hegemon they are today. I reject all of that. If you don’t like it you are free to not read or comment on my posts.You may not like that. Because your “democratic freedom” to bash my posts is one of the very few “rights” the empire has left to their supporters. And that is only because they don’t see that “right” as any kind of threat to them. If they did,they would strip you of that right too.
        
        Mulga Mumblebrain on January 29, 2016 · at 2:37 am EST/EDT
        
        Bob, Anonymous is probably a good Western ubermensch and much prefers drone-missiles and economic sanctions to do his dirty work for him.
        
        Nussiminen on January 29, 2016 · at 7:13 pm EST/EDT
        
        Mulga, as fitting for a ‘Westish’-speaking imbecile, this Anonymous tells us:
        
        “No wonder many Ukrainians see little if any difference between Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s USSR”
        
        Verdict: Silly beyond laughable. The Ukro-trash holds Nazi Germany and its Ukro proxies in conspicuously high regard while Stalin and the USSR that he led are pure anathema to them. Same with today’s corresponding actors, in case it has escaped anybody. Merkel and her EU have got the admiring offal they deserve.
        
        Purple Library Guy on January 25, 2016 · at 10:51 pm EST/EDT
        
        Well, Stalin I won’t get into. But in general, the important distinction to me is not whether a political group kills, but who and why. If you kill the oppressed to fatten the cats on top, it’s different from if you kill the oppressors to gain some justice for those at the bottom.
    - Roger the Shrubber on February 14, 2016 · at 4:36 pm EST/EDT
      
      Lol :)
- MD on January 24, 2016 · at 4:15 pm EST/EDT
  
  For the ones who understand a little bit of the world finances, watch the dynamics of countries buying US treasury bonds (shiny pieces of papers giving you an yield that’s below any other economic activity, which you can do instead; it’s a sure way to stagnate your country’s development and become hostage to the US-FED policies; well, unless you are an economic power-house like China, who does it only to maintain the status-quo in the finances, witing for the right moment to dump that toilet paper).
  The numbers from there, will give you a little bit of insight on what’s going on behind the scenes. Russia started dropping them until the middle of 2015, after which they started buying up again. Compare that with other countries to get an idea …
  
  I’m curious who in Russia takes the decision to buy US-bonds and what is the motivation ? Is it a phone-call received through a very secured line or after one of those regular visits to BIS in Basel ?
  
  http://ticdata.treasury.gov/Publish/mfh.txt
  - RR on January 25, 2016 · at 3:50 am EST/EDT
    
    Yes, seems America can only live with 10% growth in China’s GDP a year or go belly up for some reason. 6.7% is not good enough for them.
    RR
  - TRM on January 25, 2016 · at 10:49 pm EST/EDT
    
    A bet on deflation happening in the USA would be my guess. That is the only thing that would make sense to me. If the USA has inflation the Fed/Treasury just uses that to pay off a big chunk of what they owe you. Deflation works the other way against them. That is why the Fed/Treasury (and all their talking head media trolls) are warning about the threat of deflation and trying to re-inflate the bubble.
- MD on January 24, 2016 · at 4:25 pm EST/EDT
  
  Here you can see the yields offered by the US-bonds. Basically, if you hold those shiny pieces of papers for 5 years, you will be the “proud owner” of 1.73% extra money :-). Meanwhile, the inflation at 3-4% per year, means your money has 15-20% less value. Great business thinking …. :-). This is one of the mechanism through which countries around the world are extorted by a central cabal of banksters.
  
  https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=yield
  - Serbian girl on January 24, 2016 · at 7:38 pm EST/EDT
    
    Hi MD,
    Don’t worry, the de-dollarization trend is not being reversed: The treasury.gov link is great to see which central bank is buying US treasuries, but it does not show the proportion of USTs relative to other assets.
    
    The amount of US treasuries in the Central Bank of Russia has actually decreased in proportion to its gold holdings. In 2015, the central bank of Russia added more than 1000 tons of gold. It might be expected that they rebalance the proportion of their new gold purchases with a minor new purchase of US treasuries, especially since they are seeking to boost the value of their total reserves
    
    If you look at China’s treasuries, they are stable, but in proportion to their gold (China has been buying tons of gold) the proportion of UST has greatly decreased.
    
    http://tass.ru/en/economy/836079
    http://tass.ru/en/opinions/775408
    
    Looking at the treasury.gov link, even in absolute term, the Russian central bank has been a net seller of US assets, reducing its treasuries from USD 108 bn to USD 88 bn.
    - MD on January 24, 2016 · at 9:15 pm EST/EDT
      
      China is a completely different beast when compared to Russia. The intertwined interests of China and US are much deeper than many readers from here can imagine. China will not shake the “international financial boat” until it doesn’t suck up all that it can from US. They gain much more from getting high tech technology from US, than from losing on keeping 1.2 trillions stuck in treasuries. I only speculate that Russia buying US treasuries again might be a sign of some sort of agreement behind the scenes. And this must be reinforced by paying a little bit of “protection tax” to uncle Sam and his banking kabal, like all other “obeying” countries of the world (it might be some temporary winning for the so called Atlanticists, who knows; see also the big asset swaps between BASF of Germany and Gazprom, that signifies Russia gets some entrenchment in the European gas markets through control of distribution hubs).
      - RR on January 25, 2016 · at 3:54 am EST/EDT
        
        Maybe it is to pay off some of the long term debt Russian corporations are facing and that will be the end of it.
        RR
    - LJ on January 27, 2016 · at 1:01 am EST/EDT
      
      Anybody know if Russia TAKES DELIVERY of its purchased gold? This seems to be very important.
      - Serbian girl on January 27, 2016 · at 12:14 pm EST/EDT
        
        Good question, yes they do. 2/3 of Russia’s gold is stored in Moscow the rest is in St. Petersburg.
        This is not a situation like in the west where US provides storage for European gold and won’t give it back .
        Details on storage.http://www.emgoldex.com/gold-news/read.php?nid=735&ln=en
  - Charles Fasola on January 24, 2016 · at 7:55 pm EST/EDT
    
    Though you are not telling the entire story and are simplifying the reasons why other nations do and must at times purchase US Treasuries, it is the means by which empire finances it never ending wars, interventions, and MIC.
  - MD on January 25, 2016 · at 1:31 am EST/EDT
    
    Here is a very clear piece of information, so that everyone can understand how the game is played.
    
    While Central Bank of Russia, under the wise leadership of Nabiullina, sends the hard gained dollars (from selling oil) straight back to US-FED coffers at 2% yield for 7 years, the eurobonds issued by Russian corporations are forced to pay 3 times more yield (6.6%):
    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-06/norilsk-nickel-revives-russia-eurobond-sales-with-benchmark-note
    
    Why doesn’t Central Bank of Russia use the dollars to help the Russian companies ?
    Because critical financial decisions are still take outside Russia by the international financial mafia.
    
    I have a question for anyone who finished 4 years of basic algebra in school. Let’s say you had some money and a farm. Would you place your money for 7 years in a bank at 2% interest and then go to another bank and borrow the same amount of money for 6.6% interest to keep running your farm ??? Who will cover the difference ???
    
    Maybe Nabiullina and all the other heads of National Central Banks, that keep sending the money of their countries back to US-FED can explain us the magic of doing this kind of business. Or this is a rather an international racketeering scheme, that the likes of “Al Capone or Meyer Lansky never even dreamed of being able to pull off” (I kind of quoted general Smedley Butler) ???
    
    This is one of the scheme on how national economic collapse is engineered and this is why Putin might start to lose support if he doesn’t realize what is going on under his nose.
- Charles Fasola on January 24, 2016 · at 7:40 pm EST/EDT
  
  Exactly. Those who control the perogative of money creation control the government. Russia must reform and take control of its Central Bank.
- MD on January 24, 2016 · at 7:44 pm EST/EDT
  
  If anyone has patience an time, you can read publicly available documents and connect the dots.
  Start with this document, for example (there is a lot of sophisticated verbage in there with the purpose of confusing, but don’t give up):
  http://www.cbr.ru/eng/publ/ondkp/on_15-eng.pdf
  
  Look for the keyword “Basel” and you will fish out these phrases:
  
  “The Bank of Russia is also introducing a new liquidity supply mechanism (‘liquidity lines’) for
  banks, which sets liquidity coverage ratios in line with the requirements of Basel III.”
  
  “Contractual committed liquidity facility of a central bank Contractual committed liquidity facility of a central bank is a refinancing instrument which allows (according to the Basel III methodology) to expand the volume of high-quality liquid assets in jurisdictions that do not have sufficient liquid assets. This instrument does not comprise regular credit facilities. Contractual credit facility is an explicit agreement meeting the following requirements: the term of the committed liquidity facility must exceed 30 days; the contract must be irrevocable; a fee for the facility must be charged regardless of the amount drawn down.”
  
  Eventually, you will have to read a lot about Basel-3. It will not be easy to understand, but here is my take in a nutshell: all Central Banks in the world (except Iran, North Korea) need to comply with Basel-3 when providing liquidity in their national economies. Because of this, they need to hold foreign reserves (US dollars and lately Euros).
  “SMART Countries” like US, can just go to the FED with a new piece of paper called US-Treasury bond, and they will receive freshly printed dollars. That’s because they made up this game and the associated rules.
  “SUCKER Countries” like Russia, need to sell oil, natural gas and whatever else in order to obtain US dollars and Euros. Based on how much of these foreign reserves they have accumulated, they can inject proportional liquidity in their economy (to help it grow). If they inject more than the foreign reserves they hold, they will need to devalue the national currency. However, no other countries that play in the game are going to buy their national currency, because it is not an international reserve.
  Other countries, like China, pretend to be obeying the Basel rules, but since they understand the scam behind, they don’t give a dead rat about how much extra they print.
  
  As of now, in terms of finances, Putin’s hands are behind and about to be chopped. All the improvements achieved during a decade in the Russian economy, will vanish soon (food inflation was back to 10% in 2015, and who knows what 2016 will bring with oil below 40$). The shock will have long time consequences, because that’s what shocks do: in a very short period of time, consequences that will last for much longer periods are achieved (read the Shock Therapy by Naomi Klein). That is what took place in 1998, and some Russians are still not fully recovered after that shock.
  
  On a different note, many of the rules in Basel-3 are good for a FIAT system (like, for example, increasing the fractional requirements from 2.5% to 7% in order to prevent too much speculation). But if you have no rules about how much money the FED and ECB can print for their cronies, then all bets are off. And the little countries at the end of the receiving chain of freshly printed money will be forever in the role of SUCKER countries (they will receive small quantities at high interest rates).
  
  This is how the world of today is. A big financial racket with roots coming from more than 6000 years ago … the babylonian financials (temples, clay tablets, priests … for the ones who know …).
  
  Study the history of BIS bank in Basel and you will understand what is going on in the world of finances.
  - Lumi on January 27, 2016 · at 11:14 pm EST/EDT
    
    » “SMART Countries” like US, can just go to the FED with a new piece of paper called US-Treasury bond, and they will receive freshly printed dollars. «
    
    Thanks, MD. Let me try and wrap up my limited and possibly flawed understanding.
    
    So in a nutshell, dumb countries, in order to be admitted to do business within the efficient international trade framework (set up by London & New York), need to have dollars to make purchases and need to store dollars to comply with Basel 3. Countries holding surplus dollars (beyond what they’re required to hold as per Basel 3) may swap them against US Treasury Bonds.
    
    Both dollars and USTBs are created ex nihilo, one by the U.S. Treasury, the other by the Federal Reserve. Within the U.S., these two institutions ceremoniously and meticulously swap these papers of nothingness. A silly sleight of hand to obscure the phoniness of the whole business.
    
    Other countries, of course, need to sell real goods in order to obtain dollars (and possibly purchase USTBs). And Basel 3, or some other such system rules, requires them to only issue their national currency in proportion to the amount of USD (and possibly USTBs) they’re holding. (With the EUR having shown up as an alternative to the USD a couple years ago.) So other countries cannot perform the magic silly bond versus currency swap nonsense that the U.S. performs. They must work instead.
    
    It’s a silly racket. (If I understand it correctly.) Why does it work? Why don’t countries resort to goold old bartering like good old Hitler did, thus bypassing London and New York? Is that too inefficient? Frowned upon? Does it increase the likelihood of bad things happening to your merchant ships or national economy?
    
    The system gives the U.S. a free ride while everyone else has to work to help the U.S. maintain this system (via the extremely costly military). Which is sort of circular. Why does it work?
    - MD on January 28, 2016 · at 10:23 pm EST/EDT
      
      The system works because most people masquerading as heads of Central National Banks (CNB) are well covered traitors. Some of them are also members of various clubs and societies full of BS (like Knights of Malta, Club of Rome …). They are almost untouchable. Constitutions of many countries have been changed in order to protect these CNB heads. I also checked the rules for Central Bank of Russia and it’s quite difficult for Putin to get rid of Nabiullina using the legal methods.
      These puppet heads talk using all kind of sophisticated verbage and terms (prepared at their Basel headquarter) such that 99% of population understands nothing and thinks that it’s better to let them do whatever, or else we will have financial disaster. And these guys will use financial crises to scare politicians and population, followed by advancing their hidden agenda.
      If any country figures out the game and tries to escape from the Basel system, that country will be targeted for covered or in plain view destruction. People can learn a lot by reading the history related to central banks in USA during the 19th century. Andrew Jackson managed to keep the finances of the country out of the reach of these “vipers”, but eventually USA succumbed compltely in 1913. Read the book called “The creature from Jekyll Island” and look for the books of Eustace Mullins.
- MD on January 24, 2016 · at 8:40 pm EST/EDT
  
  When you have free time for 3-4 hours, watch this really intelligent Russian ex-general (sadly, he died a few years ago). You will understand a lot about the world and some events in Russia. His name is Konstantin Petrov.
  
  At some point, but many years ago, I did read or watched a testimony from him about going to V. Putin in 2008 (or around) with a plan to save Russia, which included getting rid of the 5th column in a single quick move. Apparently, Putin didn’t take him seriously (or didn’t have enough power to execute the plan). I’ll try to find that testimony again.
  
  Part1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtl7Zt_SU68&feature=iv&src_vid=3Jk_WM90NME&annotation_id=annotation_766304
  
  Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jk_WM90NME
  
  Here might be an entire collection of articles from KP: http://pravdu.ru/en/lessons/petrov/
  - Nils on January 25, 2016 · at 6:11 am EST/EDT
    
    Wow – what a great reference. His talks spans a large number of topics.
    - MD on January 25, 2016 · at 1:37 pm EST/EDT
      
      What’s more amazing, is the time when he recorded these videos, more than 8 years, when there was very little and hard to find information on the net about the topics of who controls the money supply in the world and who rules behind the scenes. When I first viewed them, I was also amazed, since I was still gathering information.
      He even talks about who financed Hitler in ww2. He also covers briefly the Central Bank of Russia mentioning that it was not controlled by the government.
      What’s kind of interesting is that he talks somewhere about presenting all this information to Putin.
      
      I say Konstantin Petrov’s videos deserve to be published here (despite some accusations about being pagan and blaming Christianity for some stuff). And maybe some other videos that are only in Russian can be translated. Who knows what extra information he had.
      
      Also, another good video is of a different guy is this one:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuf9d3sci-w&list=PLqBiROD2E3JGX0fBKbKHMkwQ-RjuuUgNU
      
      These can definitely open the eyes of millions of poeple …
      - Nils on January 25, 2016 · at 7:16 pm EST/EDT
        
        Starting at 1:02:30, Petrov get’s into Put-in, Yeltsin and the political government.
        
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_50617&feature=iv&src_vid=rtl7Zt_SU68&v=3Jk_WM90NME
        
        Of course, all his talks deserve review but that’s a good place for a quick stop.
      - Internal Exile USA on January 26, 2016 · at 4:03 am EST/EDT
        
        Mind-blowing resources in all above posts, MD. Many thanks.
        
        NewLiesForOld on January 29, 2016 · at 7:52 pm EST/EDT
        
        “I did read or watched a testimony from him about going to V. Putin in 2008 (or around) with a plan to save Russia, which included getting rid of the 5th column in a single quick move. Apparently, Putin didn’t take him seriously (or didn’t have enough power to execute the plan). I’ll try to find that testimony again.” – MD
        
        Please do try to find that testimony; it could be an important piece of evidence for those who attempt to determine Putin’s ultimate allegiances.
        
        I watched the entire two-part lecture last night. Thank you very much for making us aware of it. If I recall correctly, in the video it’s suggested that Shoigu was the mafia’s chosen successor to Putin (the “mafia” is his name for the globalist oligarchy). Did he have anything to say about Glaziev? I can’t remember.
        
        The lecture itself could be a wonderful teaching tool for awakening the general public. I’ve never seen the system of global control explained so perfectly (including a detailed solution to the problem, which is very rare in such videos), and in a way which is so easy to understand! Some of the metaphors used are simply brilliant. He even explains the difference between the real and potentially disastrous issue of “sustainable development”, and the mafia’s version of “sustainable development” (which is intended to solve two things: their problems with maintaining control and the real problem of avoiding a civilisational collapse).
        
        It’s only a shame that the lectures are quite poorly translated from Russian. Also, unfortunately it also becomes clear that the ex-general was an apologist for Stalin, which is a great shame considering his (the general’s) obvious intellect/knowledge-base. I wish that the Stalinist nonsense wasn’t present in an otherwise enlightening video, because it’s like watching somebody deliver a wonderful speech, only for this person to declare their love for Hitler halfway through: many people will automatically stop listening to the sensible elements of the speech, because they will associate those thoughts/ideas with support for a mass murdering lunatic. Throughout time immemorial, cruel tyrants have fought to be independent of what the general calls the “mafia” — Saddam Hussein and Kim Jong Un being more recent examples of this phenomenon — but this doesn’t mean that those cruel tyrants are the heroes of our story.
        
        Still, I hope that other lectures can be translated into English at some point.
        
        MD on January 31, 2016 · at 3:25 am EST/EDT
        
        I posted a few hours ago one more link related to Konstantin Petrov mentioning he presented this kind of information to Putin. I also had some other links about the US-FED and the Bolshevik revolution. The post never showed up. Did it get lost by any chance ? I have cleared everything that has been here for the last 7 hours, and nothing has been deleted. Can you try reposting it? mod PS
        
        Debugger on February 02, 2016 · at 8:22 pm EST/EDT
        
        About Stalin, think for the moment, everybody knows that Putin is one of best head of state in world. But according to western media, he is blamed in every way. If Russia will be unable to keep the West at the bay, in near future Putin will be pictured as a monster.
        Unfortunatelly this is what happened to Stalin.
        
        Regards,
        Debugger
        
        voltaire1964 on April 22, 2016 · at 9:21 pm EST/EDT
        
        Very true. Following the English translation of the videos is somewhat challenging, but Mr. Petrov is very thorough and interesting in all his remarks.
      - Leliah on February 03, 2016 · at 3:24 pm EST/EDT
        
        @MD – Thank You!
        
        Remember John Heartfield (born Helmut Herzfeld i Germany 1891) and his political art.
        
        For example Hitler recieving money from the banksters “Millionen stehen hinter mir” (Millions stand behind me):
        
        https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7a/Heartfield_Hitler_Salute.jpg&imgrefurl=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Heartfield&h=590&w=450&tbnid=6XQWQ_voytfPCM:&docid=7F4i1zW_vYJHtM&ei=7xyyVrmUEMvr-QHPvpOQAg&tbm=isch
        
        and read about John Heartfield (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Heartfield
        
        For the antifascist (and anticolonial) struggle in 1930 and later he was an important person.
        
        I think his art is ugly but it was hard times fighting the nazis.
Vor Milinasik on January 24, 2016 · at 5:27 am EST/EDT

Timing is of the essence here, it always was, as the ‘Putin project’ – or ex-KGB Siloviki operation – has been an extremely delicate sequence of sophisticate manoeuvres over 15 years. Any person who argues that Putin is sleeping on the job is what we Serbs refer to as a ‘dilettante,’ an amateur know nothing. Putin could not have pulled off all the various manoeuvres he has over the years without long-term strategic planning, the return of Crimea was a case in point, that entire operation had to have been planned long in advance with a great degree of inter-agency coordination to conduct it so smoothly & swiftly. Putin is clearly not sleeping on the job & his entire operation has some serious muscle behind it, but the most crucial factor that insulates Putin from a serious coup attempt is public support. The 5th column will not risk a Venezuela type scenario back in the early 2000s, when Chavez was restored to power by popular mass mobilisation organised & coordinated by loyal elements within the military. Putin’s management of that 5th column however has been a gradual encroachment, without risking destabilising the country which they are more than able & willing to carry out, mainly through the use of finance. Finance is the key, Russia’s reliance on the Western European market for oil & gas exports is the main factor that has kept Putin’s hands tied where they are concerned. Hence the importance of the import substitution programme & crucially diversification of gas export target markets (see China, but not only China). With the Power of Siberia-2 pipeline going live, I think any time now, the revenue stream from China will being the process of reducing Russia’s reliance on the West Europe market & their leverage & influence in Russia will decline – which will directly impact upon the 5th column. There is also the issue of Russia’s holding of US Dollars and Bonds, & continued reliance on the Dollar for oil training, this is a complex issue that I will not go into here, suffice to say it is hugely problematic & is the major reason why the Central Bank still remains under Wall St control. There is no doubt however, that Putin is acutely aware of the problem & the dangers & that his circle have already devised a strategy for financial independence. When that happens all ties with Washington will be broken & the 5 column smashed. This will no doubt take place in tandem with a major confrontation with the US that Washington instigates, at some point in the future. I think we all know that is coming. It is not that Putin’s governance lacks flaws & is perfect, it is far from perfect, but considering the odds & the scale of the problem he inherited in 2000, there is no question that he & his circle know what they are doing & are doing what is necessary to secure Russia’s sovereignty, security & long term prosperity.
- george argyris on January 24, 2016 · at 3:02 pm EST/EDT
  
  Very well said comment. I may add that Putin is a very prudent strategist and always acts at the right moment. I have the feeling that he acquires good knowledge of each matter that he wants to resolve. He acts as a philosopher for every problem that he is facing. His restrain and patience are tremendous.
- MD on January 24, 2016 · at 3:44 pm EST/EDT
  
  Central Bank of Russia (CBR) is not under Wall Street control, but under control of Bank of International Settlements from Basel (and Wall Street, is also under their control). Somewhere, in the document describing describing how the CBR functions, there is a rule that forces it to hold foreign reserves (mainly US dollars, and that’s where confusion about Wall Street controlling it). Extra national currency can be issued either if US reserves increase or if the value of ruble falls. Because of this rule, the hands of Putin are tied up behind his back (from a financial perspective), no matter what. The damage done by Niabiulina (clearly a tool in the hands of BIS, like any other head of Central Banks around the world) in the last 2-3 years is so big that it can only be repaired by really shock measures now or else, by decades of slow measures. If taking slow measures, Putin will be dead, by the time any positive effects will be visible. And Russia will go through another demographic decline. This is why lately I started to doubt what Putin is doing, doesn’t make sense because these are the last moments when he can still act and repair the damage. Wait another year and it can be proven mathematically that nothing can be saved anymore.
  - Vor Milinasik on January 25, 2016 · at 2:13 am EST/EDT
    
    “Central Bank of Russia (CBR) is not under Wall Street control, but under control of Bank of International Settlements from Basel (and Wall Street, is also under their control).”
    
    I would not labor the point, but Russia’s Central Bank is absolutely controlled by Wall Street. How? The Bank for International Settlements is a consortium of central banks, the most powerful being the US Federal Reserve, which in turn is a consortium of private banks, private banks that are Wall Street based. When talking about control in the domain of finance, we are talking ultimately about ownership, & ownership in finance always goes back to Wall St & the City of London. As for who owns the banks, that’s a whole different discussion & I wouldn’t get into Rothschild & Rockefeller cliches, for these people are exponents & therefore not the real power behind the scenes.
    - abcd... on January 25, 2016 · at 3:27 am EST/EDT
      
      Very good summation.
    - MD on January 25, 2016 · at 4:22 am EST/EDT
      
      Both banks are ultimately owned or controlled behind the scenes by very old banking families, so it’s not that important what the official document on display says. If those old banking families are the templars, the jesuits, the venetians, the khazars … it’s a different topic … or if they mixed with the old nobility of Europe. What matters if that they are not held accountable to nations which they say they represent. In fact, their policies create crises on purpose (such that a few can benefit) and they also extort nations (like in the example I presented a few posts above).
- RMM on January 24, 2016 · at 4:16 pm EST/EDT
  
  “…when Chavez was restored to power by popular mass mobilisation organised & coordinated by loyal elements within the military.”
  Apparently Chavez’ restoration was not without some help from Russia:
  Military analyst Victoria Legranova on the 2002 coup:
  “When Hugo Chavez was on the verge of losing power, and it was not clear what it would lead to, Vladimir Putin established a contact and did not let it happen.” http://www.pravdareport.com/world/americas/23-07-2014/128126-cuba_russia_usa-0/#sthash.dUxpQiZc.dpuf
  - Vor Milinasik on January 25, 2016 · at 3:08 am EST/EDT
    
    This is possible, for sure, but I would not claim to know. I do know that quite early into Putin’s original first term as president of Russia, early 2000s, they began supplying increased quantities of arms to Venezuela, including some sophisticated weaponry as well as aircraft. It’s an interesting subject, because not much is known about Russia’s foreign relations on the covert end, the work of SVR & so forth, & how this has assisted Russia in developing itself as a more independent state since Putin first came to power. I suspect it is far more significant than we know, but I am no expert on this. Another interesting matter to watch is what Russia will do – if we can at all detect what they do – about the possible ouster of the Maduro government in Venezuela & destruction of the Bolivarian revolution. I think Russia has a strong interest to do what it can to ensure this Atlanticist plot does not succeed.
    - Uncle Bob 1 on January 25, 2016 · at 12:44 pm EST/EDT
      
      I don’t really think there is anything Putin can do about that. If anyone can help with that its China if they will (money is the key there). But the ones to save Venezuela, or not, are the Venezuelans themselves. They surely must know what the US is doing. And the way to prevent it is clear as well. Its a matter of the “will” to do it. Yanukovich,and some others didn’t have that will. And they are now dead or in exile. Its not clear yet if Maduro and the Venezuelan government does or not.
      - Vor Milinasik on January 25, 2016 · at 6:00 pm EST/EDT
        
        I agree, I doubt Russia can do much or will if Venezuela itself is ready to capitulate. If it is not however, but has difficulties in mounting a defense for whatever reason, then if I were a foreign policy adviser to the Russian government, I would suggest assisting where possible. Why? Well, it would be in line with Russia’s new national security policy of promoting multi-polarity in the world. For that, it is extremely important that the Chavez/Bolivarian project in Venezuela does not fail. Having said that though, if the Maduro government is totally infiltrated & compromised internally, as I suspect it is – as with Yanukovich in Ukraine – there is nothing Russia can do or should do. In my opinion of course.
- NZ Watcher on January 24, 2016 · at 7:08 pm EST/EDT
  
  This is one of the biggest enjoys for me Re “The Saker” site.
  It has a following of intelligent people with GREAT input and knowledge – most of which is based on “common sense/logic”
  Keep it up guys/gals – stay with it
- RR on January 25, 2016 · at 4:02 am EST/EDT
  
  Russia will soon open it’s own oil bourse. They can trade in any currency they like.
  RR
- Anonius on January 25, 2016 · at 5:39 pm EST/EDT
  
  Well said,
  
  I am convinced that the last thing Putin wants is: to reintroduce Dictatorship of any kind. He is already accused of that by the “underground”. Besides, I am pretty sure that his primary objective was to take control of the military and it’s industry as well as the “Space Industry”. Anyone who followed Russian Evolution since he came to power well see it very clearly, as he is making small steps but moving forward.
  - Uncle Bob 1 on January 25, 2016 · at 10:53 pm EST/EDT
    
    Would you say that the US or Britain was a “dictatorship” during WWII. Lets leave aside any feelings about the class systems of those days in those countries. And their economic systems. And concentrate solely on how those countries of those days viewed themselves. In time of war and national survival. Intelligent nations realize that they must control their 5th column elements among them. And those two countries passed emergency laws curtailing the rights of their pro-nazi groups to work against their own countries and support Hitler. Russia today is under attack by the US and the West in general. They use the freedoms in Russia to protect their 5th column supporters. Those who are willing to betray their own nation and support her enemies. In circumstances like that any adequate nation (as the US and Britain did against Hitler) would limit the ability of their internal traitors to do harm to the survival of their state. Those not willing or able to,end up like Ukraine.And sometimes even worse.
Larchmonter445 on January 24, 2016 · at 5:33 am EST/EDT

Saker,

Logic is on your side. For it is illogical to examine history and not see that 1. he always acts with the full, exact legal authority of the Constitution and the government process; 2. he always catches the opponent at a point where they are fully exposed, committed in a direction from which they cannot retreat, so he can destroy them with his countermove.

Politics is on your side. He does not command the government. It resists his plans and orders because it can. As you point out, the Liberals are in position in depth. Rooting them all out would take all his energy. He has wars to fight and defenses to build. The game is rigged against reform. The only path is to allow the Liberals to do deep damage that only they can do, then excise them in depth with the full rage of the public behind the purge.

Timing is on your side. Putin has impeccable strategic timing for his boldest moves. He delivers the fatal strike, whatever form it takes, and accomplishes his strategic goal. So, if he hasn’t moved, it was not the correct time. When he moves, it will be the perfect time. The allies of his all know this, in the military, in the Intel services, in the government ministries loyal to him. He is the Tsar and they trust him.

Finally, the action he takes will model the government he leaves behind when his days are done. He wants most of all to leave a very stable, reliable, growing nation with the Rule of Law, a Constitution, an obedient military and a happy people. He does not blow up the fabric of government or the economy in order to achieve the purge of Liberals. He pursues the least damaging way to rid Russia of its internal enemies.

So, he looks to be an enigma or a weakling, but he waits, poised in a careful pose, calculating the precise moment to strike. He is a decisive, judicious leader.

His critics are loud and fast and always wrong.
- Grieved on January 24, 2016 · at 8:35 am EST/EDT
  
  Larchmonter, I was going to offer a carefully considered comment, then I read yours and I don’t think it can be bettered – you’re correct in every word. Putin has that incredibly rare quality, the patience to win.
  
  I don’t think Putin knows quite when anything will happen. But I do think that he and his team could hear a leaf falling at a thousand meters, so finely are they attuned to everything that moves and doesn’t move – and so completely do they have all eventualities allowed for.
  
  As to Saker’s final sentence, it’s hard to say if the US is acting with more brazen arrogance or not. It would be just as easy to parse it as desperation, or even dull ignorance. One thing for sure, the US is not the driver of the strategy. Spastic tactical expressions at best, I think. And theater. The US is very deeply trapped in its use of theater – its greatest weakness being the need to sustain a narrative for its domestic population.
  
  Each day the west gets weaker, and expends a little more of its energy that cannot be renewed. Each day Russia gets stronger against all her opponents, including the 5th column.
  - Larchmonter445 on January 24, 2016 · at 3:13 pm EST/EDT
    
    Grieved,
    
    The past is repeating itself in the hubris of Ashton Carter SOD. It is like McNamara is back in the saddle. He wins his wars on maps and in meetings. All he needs is more time, more troops and more war. This bozo ideologue is a very dangerous new element in the Pentagon. He feeds egos with the worst, bogus irrationality.
    
    He is moving a division of paratroopers to Iraq, the 101st. We all know this is to control Iraq, not to win Mosul. He won’t get to send them into the fight. Obama forbids that. So, what are they there for? To block the Shiites and to encourage the Sunni Iraq forces to be expended in useless tactics.
    
    And they are there as tripwire to keep Russia from helping the Iraqi effort.
    
    More war is the American agenda until Trump takes office. His poll numbers are skyrocketing in Iowa and he could win this whole thing sooner. That will give him opportunity to act long before he takes office. Eisenhower spoke (threatened to nuke them) to North Korea before he was sworn in. North Korean then signed the truce agreement. President-elects have power, and candidates that are certain to win have influence.
    
    I pray every day for Trump’s safety.
    
    Meanwhile, Putin has plans for all the contingencies. It would be #1 on his list of American moves to screw up the Syria progress and to make Iraq into a decade of hell, as the US has made for the better half of two decades in Afghanistan. Logic says that is what dying, decaying Hegemons do—chaos making.
    
    Putin’s challenge is to keep Russia safe and the world from a wider,deeper war.
    
    He’s the right man for the job. The only man.
    
    Pray for him, too. And for those who don’t pray, meditate, perhaps.
    - Anonymous on January 25, 2016 · at 10:00 pm EST/EDT
      
      My feeling is that there is a split in the US administration and the neo-cons, to whom former Pentagon weapons-procurer Carter answers, are being sidelined.
      
      A look by John Helmer at the very obvious stub Nuland got from Sergey Lavrov at a recent meeting:
      
      http://russia-insider.com/en/lavrovs-nuland-signal-slap-surkov/ri12398
- Anonymous on January 24, 2016 · at 9:25 am EST/EDT
  
  Forget the titling of this little clip — a great metaphor for Putin’s one-punch policy style compared to western neocon foreign policy gymnastics.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=matyl6Qus-s
- Natorist for money on January 24, 2016 · at 4:07 pm EST/EDT
  
  Just one question, why does the Natoists’ media not attack Medvedev but only Putin?
  Medvedev is the prime minister,
  - Anonymous on January 24, 2016 · at 10:56 pm EST/EDT
    
    He’s their puppet-to-be. They would have to create a new one if they ever could win.
    
    Putin is their until 2024. We will see big changes 2017-18 in time for the election.
Nussiminen on January 24, 2016 · at 5:43 am EST/EDT

Q: Who is Anatolii Medvedev ? :-)

Indeed, Putin’s power base is the Russian people. Consequently, the Zionazis don’t have the ‘Maidan’ option available which is very good. Neither Pussy Riot, nor the violent death of Boris Nemtsov posed any threats to stability whatsoever. This, in turn, shows that purging Russia of The Enemy Within shouldn’t be delayed any longer. Unless Russia starts promoting ‘regime change’ against the fascist West — that would serve it damn right indeed — her Zionazi enemies will rage and fume non-stop regardless.

Ultimately, what it all comes down to is that, thanks to the neoliberal plague, the West is now in such a stage of decay, rot, and squalor that smashing and looting Russia and China has become imperative. The West has always been 100% murderous, greedy, and parasitic but neoliberalism has deliberately trashed the manufacturing and fiscal basis of the imperialist heartland, leaving rape and pillage abroad as the West’s only way of sustaining itself. On this basis, it’s very easy to understand “the Russian threat” in the eyes of the Zionazis. And they are absolutely correct — their class consciousness and class instincts surely haven’t weakened.

As total lawlessness approaches, the gangster mentality of the Zionazis shows itself more clearly and with ever less restraint. Very little is left of bourgeois democracy in general and bourgeois legality in particular. Putin, being the stickler for the latter that he is, had better understand what kind of “justice” will be meted out in their vile kangaroo court in the Hague against himself and all the loyal members of his government in case of a Russian defeat. This should be the ultimate case for an immediate showdown with the 5th column.
- Mulga Mumblebrain on January 24, 2016 · at 8:10 am EST/EDT
  
  Nussiminen, I agree. The state of the West, the grotesque and ever worsening inequality, the huge and growing indebtedness, the spread of grotesque poverty and the reduction of work to a series of low-paid, precarious, menial jobs, the arrogance of the parasite elites, the imposition of vicious social sadism directed at the burgeoning under-classes etc, all point to a coming crisis. To avert the return of the tumbrils the parasites have forged a security state of perpetual surveillance, repressive ‘anti-terrorism’ laws that can be turned on any group requiring suppression, and legions of Government and private goons, many trained as death-squads in Iraq, Afghanistan, Chicago and elsewhere. Much of this repressive apparatus (a nice little earner) is Israeli, which they have perfected in crushing the human laboratory rats of Gaza and the West Bank.
  As well as a threat, this social collapse is an opportunity for the parasites. As we see in Germany, the flood of refugees unleashed by Turkey working for the West, is being used to foment a Rightwing surge, reminiscent of the elite’s cultivation of the Nazis in the 1920s and 1930s. Other states, like poor, miserable, priest-ridden, Poland, are careering towards open fascism, and the EU is wracked by hatred and animosities, national and class, thought buried long ago. Much of this, of course, is the result of US policy to tame Europe and keep it totally subservient, and Israeli vengeance for EU moves like pushing for Palestinian statehood. And much is simply the working out in the world of the psychopath’s unquenchable hatred of others and wish to do them ill. Personally, I’ve seen this coming since Gorbachev surrendered back in the 1980s, and insanely put his trust in the decency and trustworthiness of the West and its psychopathic elite. Those are hereditary and innate psychopaths, promoted by a psychopathic system that is inherently anti-human and omnicidal and that has always been heading towards a confrontation with a humanity that they despise and, frankly, have long plotted to eliminate. That, I fear is the ultimate and growing danger-that the global elite will choose genocide to protect their power and wealth. Sharing it with humanity is out of the question.
  - Nussiminen on January 24, 2016 · at 7:37 pm EST/EDT
    
    “/…/ the global elite will choose genocide to protect their power and wealth. Sharing it with humanity is out of the question.”
    
    Mulga, that’s an all but scientific assessment of the ruling Zionazi Oligarchy, saturated with greed, arrogance, and simply violent hatred. At the risk of sounding like a cynic, I do believe some countries and peoples actually deserve the wrath of these satanists. “Priest-ridden Poland” (beautifully put!) springs to mind immediately.
    
    Anyway, what is abundantly clear is that the grovelling Western middle classes and labour aristocracies are increasingly becoming mere disposable trash. Still, their access to unproductive credit and with it ever increasing levels of indebtedness allow them to maintain their consumerist egos and illusions a little longer, but this is absolutely untenable. The Zionazi satanists themselves don’t really care anymore. Proof: The refugee crisis with Third World people suddenly entering the EU legally en masse is, in fact, a truly monumental development — a watershed in history. For the first time ever, the Zionazis have broken the supreme taboo which always served as the very basis of their legitimacy and prestige: From now on, imperialist wars will be waged in order to wreak havoc also on Whitey’s Heimat. The populist Right across the West capitalizes upon this ‘nasty betrayal’.
    - Mulga Mumblebrain on January 25, 2016 · at 3:03 am EST/EDT
      
      Nussiminen, I think that the Zionazis probably don’t need the Europeans any more. Their Fifth Columns control the UK, France and Germany, and they wield considerable power even in basket-cases like Greece. They have extracted as much guilt-money from Europeans as reparation for the Nazi crimes (while the Gypsies and Soviets got NOTHING)as possible. They looted Russia and the former USSR under Yeltsin and company, but there could be rich pickings if Putin is removed, from breaking up Russia. But Europe is pretty much over, so it can be destroyed, in revenge for the crimes of the Nazis and others down through the centuries, and current crimes like recognising the Palestinians as human beings and criticising Israel’s periodic holy slaughters.
      I have read an interesting piece from the LA Times, by a Jewish academic called Perlmutter (you can find it under ‘Samson Option’ in Wikipedia)where he recommended a nuclear winter caused by Israeli nukes, to punish humanity for the European protests at the Israeli slaughter of Palestinians during the al-Aqsa Intifada. It makes chilling reading, and reminds one of Tacitus’s observation that, of all the peoples of the Roman Empire, the Jews stood out for their hatred of others not of their own ilk.
    - RR on January 25, 2016 · at 4:47 am EST/EDT
      
      If our historical experience is any indication-and that is what science is based on experience and replication, they will burn up the planet before giving up their privileges.
      RR
      - Uncle Bob 1 on January 27, 2016 · at 8:38 pm EST/EDT
        
        Yes,its best to never forget the meaning of Masada to the zionists. Every year the army new inductee’s are taken there to swear loyalty to the zionist state. In case anyone doesn’t know, Masada was a fortress held by Zealots against the Romans. Rather than surrender they killed their own women and children and then killed all themselves. That in a “nutshell” is a glimpse of zionist thinking.
From Aztlan... on January 24, 2016 · at 5:49 am EST/EDT

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, that is the ancient axiom that seems to be in play.
I have mentioned in other threads that the Clinton era Axiom would be the one to keep an eye on,
“Its the economy, stupid”. The sanctions are hurting since plenty of small businesses have gone bankrupt, the small middle class that was being created has taken a heavy blow.
The economic system has safeguards for the most vulnerable, namely the elderly pensioners, who have become the backbone to the strong support that Putin enjoys, and that is being reflected on the pride and respect that the young have for them, and for Putin.
For the 5th column, they have to decide how much they want their Atlantic dream, how bad they want to be welcomed in the inner circles of Manhatan and DC., how doctrinaire they are willing to be.
Kudrin is the finest example, inside Russia, he just can’t let go of his past delights with power.
The 5th column sees Russia with disdain, witness the recent words of Herman Greff, Head of Russia’s State Bank, SBerbank, largest in the Federation, at the Gaidar Forum he opened up and called Russia a “Loser of a country”. That is what lies at the heart of a 5th columnist, a great disdain for their own land, for their own people.
Greff’s words were quickly discredited since he was in charge of the Ministry of Economy during the boom times of $100 doillar Oil, and nothing was done to diversify the economy, he just enjoyed the ride. Sberbank, is riddled with corruption.
Chubais was rewarded with Rusnano, one of the great High Tech projects of the Russian economy,
budget in the billions of rubles, and little to show for it. He was First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, and responsible of the surge of the oligarchical class through the privatization of State assets. Much can be said about each of these characters.
Khodorkovsky has placed himself at the helm of the 5th column, during the upcoming elections his organization will fund oponents to Putin with a Million dollars each just for campaigning. The People’s Freedom Party, Parnas, who will have the 5th column machine at its disposal, the sock puppet inside Russia is Nikhail Kasyanov, another character who yearns fpr the goold old days of the ’90s. They have only one problem, they have been soundly defeated last year, unable to garner more that 2% of the vote in regional elections. They enjoy the full backing of the US, through their embassy and consulates.
They hold the power at the Banking Institutions, they are encrusted in all levels of the Government aparatus, and a great deal of the corruption that Russia suffers occurs at their behest, by comission or omision. While this is the non/parlamentarian opposition, in Parliament there is a strong representation that holds back many of Putin’s reforms.

There is a great deal of work to be done, will there be time to accomplish what is needed.
First and foremost a New, Russian Constitution. Not the playbook dictated by Washington to Yeltsin.
- zweistein on January 24, 2016 · at 11:36 am EST/EDT
  
  ” Khodorkovsky has placed himself at the helm of the 5th column”
  
  That is why Putin let him run. Khodorkovsky will ruin everything.
California Bob on January 24, 2016 · at 5:49 am EST/EDT

From my American persective, Putin seems to be a top-notch man who is effectively representing the people of Russia and their society in world affairs. If only we Americans had people like him in our government instead of toadies for the oligarchic collective. The international elite don’t care about the people of individual nations, whether they be Russians, Americans, or whatever.
BTW on January 24, 2016 · at 5:57 am EST/EDT

“the former would be represented by Anatolii Medvedev”

Certainly not Anatolii [Анатолий; also transliterated Anatoly], but Dmitri – Дмитрий Анатольевич Медведев.

Anatolii was Dmitri’s father, Анатолий Афанасьевич Медведев, the late chemical engineering professor at the Leningrad Technical Institute.
Arthur G. Brina on January 24, 2016 · at 6:00 am EST/EDT

Thoughtful and insightful. Totally agree.

Time is running out for Putin. 4 years…5 years at most. Can he afford to leave this unfinished masterpiece to someone else to complete? Or must he hurry and take risks at the end, which he would not have considered at the beginning.

This is a great man at a turning point of history. I hope that he has nurtured 12 apostles, and 70 disciples to carry on to the next generation.
Mulga Mumblebrain on January 24, 2016 · at 6:20 am EST/EDT

I rather doubt that the Atlantic Integrationists can really believe that they will be treated as equals by the Western Zionazi oligarchy. Their role, if they gain power, would be akin to that of the Filipino elite, or the Latin American compradore regimes. In any case the country is to be smashed into pieces, so they would be kings and queens (both types) of radically lesser vassal states.
The so-called ‘independent’ Central Banks are the prime instruments of Imperial control through the coercive, utterly undemocratic and compulsory imposition of the lunatic idiocies of Free Market neo-liberalism. These imbecilities everywhere and always favour the rich, and the parasites of the financial parasitocracy in particular, at the expense of the 99% of ‘useless eaters’ and the habitability of the planet for our species. If Putin does not crush these compradores, and do away with the Washington Consensus-controlled financial Fifth Column, it’s only a matter of time before they pull off a Colour Revolution, or he suffers the same fate as Chavez.
- Peter AU on January 24, 2016 · at 8:48 am EST/EDT
  
  I take it your Australian with mulga in your name. Here in oz our intelligence agencies loyalties seem to be to the US. I believe they are terminally compromised.
  In Russia, it seems the intelligence agencies loyalty is to Russia. therein lays the difference.
  With the backing of the Russian security apparatus, Putin will win out over the 5th column.
  - GrandmaR on January 24, 2016 · at 11:14 pm EST/EDT
    
    Peter, thanks the little clue. Now I know about one more thing.
    
    http://anpsa.org.au/APOL16/dec99-5.html
  - Mulga Mumblebrain on January 25, 2016 · at 3:13 am EST/EDT
    
    Peter, Mulga Mumblebrain is a character in the late, great, Frank Hardy’s comic novel ‘The Outcasts of Foolgarah’. He is a retired pugilist, and a night-soil, ‘black can’ collector. He is my role model in all things. It’s not just the Australian Intelligence Services whose first loyalty is to the Boss in Mordor-on-the-Potomac. The same is true of the business, political, MSM and military elites. The removal of Whitlam by long-term CIA ‘asset’, John Kerr, in 1975, supervised by coup-master and Indonesian genocide supervisor Marshall Green, as the result of the elevation of Jim Cairns to Deputy Prime Ministership, was the absolute end of Australian independence. We are nothing but an appendage, now.
    - Eimar on January 25, 2016 · at 4:51 pm EST/EDT
      
      Mulga,
      
      I have a lot of friends and some relatives Down Under.
      
      They are generally disturbed at the kow-towing to US imperialism, itself a mutant offshoot of the Anglo-Saxon variant.
      
      However, it has a large immigrant Asian population, yet to make a significant impact politically. But that may come with time, so suggesting a pivot to China, or at least Asia.
      
      It will be interesting to see if Oz becomes a battleground for competing orientations.
      
      Meanwhile, my ultimate desert island novel is by Tasmanian author, Richard Flannagan.
      
      ‘Gould’s Book of Fish.’
      
      If you haven’t read it, you are in for the most fantastic literary ride of your life.
      
      I would say it is the Australian ‘Crime and Punishment.’
      
      And there’s no greater praise than that.
- Nussiminen on January 24, 2016 · at 8:51 pm EST/EDT
  
  “I rather doubt that the Atlantic Integrationists can really believe that they will be treated as equals by the Western Zionazi oligarchy.”
  
  Agreed. At bottom, I don’t believe they have any other priorities than sheer personal enrichment. Consequently, they align themselves with powers that would be very ready to bribe them handsomely in exchange for committing high treason. Take away the bribery and you’d be left with a pathetically minuscule coterie of hard-core ideologically motivated “Atlantic Integrationists” — the latter most likely aping/pandering to various reactionary Western Leftist stripes.
  
  “If Putin does not crush these compradores, and does away with the Washington Consensus-controlled financial Fifth Column, it’s only a matter of time before they pull off a Colour Revolution, or he suffers the same fate as Chavez.”
Uncle Bob 1 on January 24, 2016 · at 6:32 am EST/EDT

That is an interesting article,with no clear answer to your question. Certainly,if he does purge them soon. Then he was as you said,waiting for the right time. But if not then the answer is much murkier.I think you nailed it though on the cause. And really,if he is just waiting. That has a tradition in Russian (Soviet ) history. That is exactly what Stalin did before beginning the purges (I’m not suggesting Putin is Stalin ,preparing firing squads and gulags.Though for some of the 5th column…well..,sorry,I digress.).But instead,that I’m sure the process of waiting and getting the people themselves to call for the purges is a known tactic from those days. And with the anger as high as it is against the 5th column. I doubt getting the people to make that call would be very difficult. From what I see,many already are.

I’m not sure though how much more he would have to wait. With 90% approval,and the military and security services on your side. Who else is there. I agree with you that now there isn’t much more the West can do if he does purge them (of course I mean firing them from their positions). I don’t see what support inside Russia (except from the 5th column itself) that they have. But on the other hand I think waiting too long is risky. Yes,right now no one is blaming Putin. But if things “really” get bad. Its possible that with a well funded propaganda campaign.That could change. There is a fine line he needs to walk between waiting,and waiting too long.
- Anonymous on January 24, 2016 · at 12:04 pm EST/EDT
  
  “(of course I mean firing them from their positions)”
  
  What happened to
  
  “the only way to achieve change is violence?”
  - Uncle Bob 1 on January 24, 2016 · at 3:58 pm EST/EDT
    
    That was for a particular situation. And from the “outside looking in”.When you are “in the inside looking out”. You have many more options available to you (as Putin does).
- Anonymous on January 24, 2016 · at 12:07 pm EST/EDT
  
  Uncle Bob 1
  
  Totally agree with you,there is a short frame-time to act,if in case of Syria there was a Red Line put on the table,much more has to be in Russia.Certainly now Putin has a huge popularity not only in his country but abroad as well.That means,not only the Russian people are waiting (and those in Donbass and Ukraine) but many others in Europe and around the world.If we accept the idea that Mr.Putin is very well aware of what is doing,waiting till the right time has come to act,it does mean also that the whole situation will have to go from bad to worst before any action is taken.What does it also mean exactly ? a worsening military escalation in Syria – with NATO intervention – a military escalation on Donbass,more sanctions,more degradation and devaluation of the Russian ruble ?
  - ioan on January 24, 2016 · at 2:39 pm EST/EDT
    
    the Anonymous from above it’s me ioan
  - Uncle Bob 1 on January 24, 2016 · at 4:06 pm EST/EDT
    
    That’s a good question. But I think in the article he was referring to economic problems.I know when Stalin acted. It was to forestall economic disputes and to eliminate other centers of rival power. And because he thought the USSR’s enemies were subverting some leaders in the country. As I said I see a similarity in the tactic (if that is what Putin is doing ,”waiting”),of waiting for the “people” to demand he act.Similarity in the “tactic”,but not in the methods used.
Sergey on January 24, 2016 · at 6:38 am EST/EDT

Saker’s is an extraordinarily lucid and informed analysis, going to the heart of the situation in Russia.

The hope lies in Saker’s conclusion: Something in bound to happen, probably in the near future.
- elsi on January 24, 2016 · at 12:59 pm EST/EDT
  
  Yes, when I have read this analysis and I’ve read that sentence, I could not but remember something said here while ago by the so called by me “friend senior strategist ” ( one commentator who seems truly informed about what is cooked in The Kremlin and who does not write here some time ago, perhaps tired of moderation….):
  
  He said, more or less,: “the speed vector of trascendence is increasing by minute, and when transcendence occurs seat belts may prove ineffective”…….
  - Eimar on January 25, 2016 · at 5:12 pm EST/EDT
    
    My favourite psychopath, George Soros is definitely worried.
    
    Putin was all he talked about at the recent Davos clusterf**k. (Pardon the crudity of the analogy, but that’s all these ‘meets’ pretty much amount too.)
    
    Yes, they are worried.
    
    And George never saw the loss of MSM control over the political narrative coming – big failure for Soros and his cabal.
    
    Syria really shocked them.
    
    Now with Xi putting a torch to graft in China, and promoting a return to Confucian values, China too is slipping from the grasp of the international oligarchy .
    
    Yeah, seatbelts – particularly rooted in the virtual economy (i.e. speculation) won’t help.
Mayeaux Wren on January 24, 2016 · at 6:46 am EST/EDT

Good analysis. I’m thinking we could call Putin’s technique here ‘ropesmanship’. Imagine it as a combination of ‘brinksmanship’ and ‘giving them enough rope’. Thus Putin is a master of knowing just how much rope his enemies need to give themselves before they’re in the perfect position for him to trip the lever.
WizOz on January 24, 2016 · at 6:57 am EST/EDT

@ Putin is deliberately letting things get worse because he knows that the popular anger will not be directed at him, but only at his enemies

I tend to agree with this point of view. The 5th column must be let to make the first wrong moves. The West helps (stupidly?) by suggesting in permanence that the “oligarchs” concoct the downfall of Putin as a result of the worsening of the economic situation. They have to make some gross blunders and I think that there would be in the domain of national security. Another article at FortRuss seems to suggest that something is in the air:
“An article by publicist Andrei Piontkovsky, calling for secession of Chechnya, was posted on the website of radio station “Echo of Moscow” on Saturday. In his publication Piontkovsky calls for “immediate release” of Chechnya from Russia….
Lawyer Ilya Craft commented on the publication of Ruposters Piontkovsky: “Article 280.1 of the criminal code establishes responsibility for public calls for actions aimed at violating the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation. Part two of this article prescribes punishment in the form of 5 years in prison for such appeals, this is committed using the mass media.
In my opinion, in his statements Piontkovsky has all the signs of appeal under that article: clearly indicated the need for granting Chechnya independence and separation from Russia.
Responsibility for such actions lies not only with the author but also the editors of the media who have placed these calls – including revocation of the license of the media”.
http://fortruss.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/echo-of-moscow-publishes-appeal-for.html

Stalin waited years until he caught the ‘Trotsky gang’ red-handed.
- Uncle Bob 1 on January 24, 2016 · at 4:12 pm EST/EDT
  
  I read that too. As clear a call for treason as can be imagined. That alone,should be enough to use to “hang them” (only a metaphor. But get your tail in a twist,Anon).
ws on January 24, 2016 · at 7:26 am EST/EDT

great analysis
Peter AU on January 24, 2016 · at 8:10 am EST/EDT

And I thought you were a military analyst Saker. Cuts through the fog.
A pity Putin is merely the undisputed champion of geo-politics (according to me) rather than being a god.
I watched a number of youtube videos on Fedor Emelianenko (considered the undisputed champion of MMA) the other day and although he fights in the MMA arena whereas Putin fights in the the geo-political arena, both appeared very similar.
A few times Emelianenko lost his bouts, sometime he took hard beatings before winning, but most often he won.
In a world of tatt’s, steroids and showmanship, Emelianenko stood out as a normal person.
In geo-politics, sometimes Putin will lose, sometimes he will take a beating before winning, but generally he will win.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n68t7GGLiQ (Emelianenko)
Mastadon on January 24, 2016 · at 8:30 am EST/EDT

Russia must get out of the Bank of International settlements, Basel.

Take control of its own currency for its own benefit.
- tx_progressive on January 25, 2016 · at 2:54 am EST/EDT
  
  Wouldn’t getting out of Basel mean that the rouble would no longer be freely convertible with other currencies? I don’t see how Russia could afford that until it is nearly completely self-sufficient. The low rouble and sanctions are providing the necessary incentives to becoming self-sufficient, but Russia still needs to import a quarter of its food, for example.
Paul II on January 24, 2016 · at 9:18 am EST/EDT

re: “So there you have it. Either Putin is sleeping on the job, is caught off-guard by each crisis and reacts too late, or Putin deliberately lets a situation worsen until a full-scale crisis is evident at which point he acts with the full knowledge that the Russian people fully support him and while blame him neither for the crisis, nor for the price of decidedly dealing with you.”

This is skipping the other possibility: Putin wanted gradual reform and even hoped that liberal economics could more-or-less work, but was stymied and disappointed. So now it is time to take action. This isn’t the same as being caught off-guard; it is giving people like Medvedev the benefit of the doubt. Multiple times.

In any case, this was a good article, and the topic is quite important. Economics makes and breaks countries, and may be the actual strategy the Western Empire is trying to use to defeat Russia in this case, not, say, ISIL or the Right Sector.
- Anonymous on January 24, 2016 · at 6:07 pm EST/EDT
  
  I am also thinking, whether earlier established personal friendships that Putin might have with some of these people influence his actions, to the point of taking precedence over other considerations.
  
  Just a thought. Although certainly not outside of the possible.
  - Eimar on January 25, 2016 · at 5:22 pm EST/EDT
    
    My favourite psychopath, George Soros is definitely worried.
    
    Putin was all he talked about at the recent Davos clusterf**k. (Pardon the crudity of the analogy, but that’s all these ‘meets’ pretty much amount too.)
    
    Yes, they are worried.
    
    And George never saw the loss of MSM control over the political narrative coming – big failure for Soros and his cabal.
    
    Syria really shocked them.
    
    Now with Xi putting a torch to graft in China, and promoting a return to Confucian values, China too is slipping from the grasp of the international oligarchy .
    
    Yeah, seatbelts – particularly rooted in the virtual economy (i.e. speculation) won’t help.
Anonymous on January 24, 2016 · at 9:21 am EST/EDT

I’m not so sure floating the Ruble was such a bad move. Could it not have been used by hostile forces to blow through Russia’s reserves? How does Russia lose? Is oil not priced in dollars? Wouldn’t it work as a counterweight to the oil price? Would it not also discourage imports and encourage domestic growth?
And then of course there’s the inevitable collapse of the US dollar that will bring down a lot of other currencies with it. The Ruble can now ride the wave rather than sinking along with it. At least that’s how this ignorant fool sees it. Maybe i’m wrong, I usually am.
- JJ on January 24, 2016 · at 1:12 pm EST/EDT
  
  Rus got a lot lot more back from Mistral due to rouble devaluation..,
Wikispooks on January 24, 2016 · at 9:27 am EST/EDT

When it comes to the crunch issues of geo-politics, the standards of this site content in general and Saker articles in particular, really are absolutley outstanding. This one pushes the bar even higher. Incredibly insightful stuff – and the same goes for much of the commentary.

Thank once again.
Wim on January 24, 2016 · at 10:01 am EST/EDT

The US did Putin a great favor by driving down the ruble before the fall of the oil price. A devaluation was necessary in the face of the falling oil price and this way they saved Putin from responsibility for taking an unpopular decision. Look at the ballooning budget gaps in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Venezuela to get an impression what would have happened without devaluation.

In my opinion the main challenges Russia is facing are the devaluation and corruption:
– The devaluation may have been necessary but it is a big challenge to make it work in the right way. Import substitution and an increase in non-oil exports will only happen very slowly without active government support. And there is a risk of foreign companies buying Russian companies on the cheap.
– Corruption is still a serious problem in Russia. This is a heritage from the communist system. Not that the communist system was inherently bad, but it had a different set of values in which capitalist markets were seen as bad. This leaves many people without a compass now on how capitalism should work in Russia and that opens the door for corruption. I don’t think there is a quick fix for this: one has to plug holes until a new generation grows up with a different view of the world.

Is this 5th column really such a problem? I doubt it. Sure, when they were in power they would have a quite different policy and quite likely that would turn out badly. But the question is how much damage they are doing now.

I challenge the Saker to come up with a detailed description of how Russia would look without this 5th column. What policies would be different and how? In this article he only very shortly mentions alternatives to what happens now.
- Anonymous on January 24, 2016 · at 12:32 pm EST/EDT
  
  many things are looking different from outside than from inside.put is a joke : george and john are good friends and one day,john went to george knocking at his window.george ran out from his bed so to see what’s happend: hi george,says john,somebody is f…ing you wife!,just look trough the window ! meanwhile john got in the house than in the bed and take action…george,had just observed that indeed,from outside it’s looking as somebody is fu…ing his wife.
  sorry,for this joke
  - teranam13 on January 24, 2016 · at 4:42 pm EST/EDT
    
    re: joke by anonymous 12:32– First, your apology is accepted. Second, is this a metaphoric attempt to contribute to the discussion? Is John supposed to be Putin? and the wife the Russian people? Or is a cigar just a cigar albeit a foul tasting one?
  - RR on January 25, 2016 · at 4:44 am EST/EDT
    
    That was Eric Clapton actually…poor taste in any case.
    RR
Il Discobolo on January 24, 2016 · at 10:38 am EST/EDT

The fear of the “Empire” that Putin could now finally get rid of the “Atlantic Integrationists” in Russia is so big that now they start to speak of the possibility to remove the sanctions… (declaration by Kerry few days ago: “…Sanctions against Russia could be lifted in months …”).
Jaro on January 24, 2016 · at 10:40 am EST/EDT

Is it just me, or does Ms. Elvira Nibiullina looks a tad like an individual who goes by the name: Victoria Nuland, aka Mother Evil?
- Oscar on January 24, 2016 · at 11:18 am EST/EDT
  
  Not agree. Nuland looks really creepy, scary. Niabulina looks more like my sons elementary school teacher.
- Anonymous on January 24, 2016 · at 1:20 pm EST/EDT
  
  I don’t believe that woman is bad: she just sees no alternative to what is viewed as the standard model.
Ewan on January 24, 2016 · at 10:42 am EST/EDT

What political reforms (other than a purge)? What economic reforms (other than a fixed exchange rate – and why that?)?
Liz on January 24, 2016 · at 11:09 am EST/EDT

So is it just me, or does US really have Russia in a stranglehold? I mean, Russia cannot allow Donbass to fall, to do so would mean the end of Russia and the end of humanity as we would all be enslaved by the globalists, but at the same time Russia cannot win in Donbass, they cannot force Kiev to forfill the minsk 2 agreement, and they cannot force USA to force Kiev to forfill it, also the oil prices are crashing and Russia is stuck it cannot go anywhere, and meanwhile it would be total legally for USA to transfer 3000 MBTs and all kinds of modern weaponry to Ukraine to take on not only Donbass but Russia itself. Russia could do nothing about it if that is what USA chose to do.

Meanwhile the sanctions remain, keep expanding, the oil prices fall and may remain low for a decade. And there is no way out execpt for Kiev to accept the Minsk 2 agreement, which they of course wont as it would mean the end of the Kiev government because popular discontent would be directed against the government then and not towards Russia.
- GrandmaR on January 24, 2016 · at 10:29 pm EST/EDT
  
  Dear Liz,
  
  I think it’s just you.
  - Liz on January 24, 2016 · at 11:34 pm EST/EDT
    
    That is sad, because I am pretty sure I am correct.
    
    This Donbass affair could destroy Russia, Russia cannot disconnect without the approval of USA or Kiev or both. And meanwhile she bleeds economically from needing to feed and fund LDPR, not to mention from the sannctions caused by the active Donbass conflict.
    - Straight-Bat on January 25, 2016 · at 10:28 am EST/EDT
      
      ” it would be total legally for USA to transfer 3000 MBTs and all kinds of modern weaponry to Ukraine to take on not only Donbass but Russia itself. ” >>
      
      So after 2 years of Dobass affair, this is your conclusion ?
      Do you really feel that, while USA transfer MBTs and other modern weaponry to Ukraine, Russia will look with amazement? You need to read about weaponry & war – approach of USA & Russia.
      
      ” This Donbass affair could destroy Russia, Russia cannot disconnect without the approval of USA or Kiev or both ” >>
      
      You need to modify your statement as “This Donbass affair could destroy Ukraine. Ukraine cannot disconnect without the approval of Russia.”
      - Liz on January 25, 2016 · at 11:18 am EST/EDT
        
        “Russia will look with amazement? ”
        
        -What else are you suggestion Russia do?
        
        “Ukraine cannot disconnect without the approval of Russia.””
        
        -No, Russia cannot be disconnected from Donbass without the approval of Ukraine, this conflict is not costing USA anything. it is Russia that wants peace and USA that wants war. It is USA that can influence the Kiev government and Russia that has no influence. It is Russia that pays for Donbass by sanctions and by paying pensions and welfare and such.
    - Uncle Bob 1 on January 25, 2016 · at 11:50 am EST/EDT
      
      I don’t really know what the Russian government feels “deep down” about that. But I do know what millions of Russia’s people feel about that. They don’t want fascists and the West (many times the same thing) to control Ukraine. You don’t “throw family”. And Ukraine is the closest thing to family Russia has. In many cases actually literally family.So it would horrify me. And lead me to believe Russia would be finished as a nation,if they were to do that.The bad results from it would make the Western sanctions look like child’s play.Having such a related nation controlled by your enemy would mirror (but even worse) the relations between India and Pakistan. Relations that at any given moment could (and have) led to wars.No matter how difficult it would be, and is, to win in Ukraine,losing there would be far worse.Not just for Ukraine and her peoples. But for Russia as well.If someone was to say “if you give up on Ukraine,the sanctions come off.And everything goes back to as before”. The only correct answer would be “no”. Any other answer would show the government wasn’t adequate to govern Russia.And be the guardian of her people.So while I don’t know the governments feelings on the matter. I think they need to seriously contemplate the issue. And be sure not to make the wrong choice.
      - Liz on January 25, 2016 · at 3:26 pm EST/EDT
        
        I don’t see Donbass getting broad autonomy inside Ukraine as a betrayl of Donbass, do you? And if such, what would you want and what do you expect Russia to do?
        
        Uncle Bob 1 on January 25, 2016 · at 10:22 pm EST/EDT
        
        The key is the “broad autonomy”. And do you see that really happening. What would,from what we know of the junta,make you think they will agree with that. And what would you call “broad autonomy”? The latest I hear is that they said as soon as a “real ceasefire” takes hold. And that Donbass “cancels the election results they had in November”. After those are done they will move in the Rada for “de-centralization” in Donbass. The problems with that are several. First,the junta totally controls whether there is a ceasefire or not. If they stop shooting there will be a ceasefire. They don’t,so there isn’t one. Second,the cancellation of the November elections means the will of the people of Donbass is meaningless. And it leaves the region without a government.Third,what kind of “autonomy” is “meant” by “de-centralization”. They don’t say. And its more than doubtful they mean “broad autonomy” by that term. Until they “spell out,exactly” what they mean. The people of Donbass would be fools to agree to rejoin Ukraine.
        
        LJ on January 28, 2016 · at 7:13 pm EST/EDT
        
        UB1 and Liz: my guess on Putin et. al. regarding the Donbass, is that he made a decision in early 2014 that there would be no annexation of any part of Ukraine except Crimea. In fact, I could even conjecture that the RF view of Ukraine was that it was a lost cause and that if it went over to the US/NATO orbit, then the annexation of Crimea would be justified. In other words, Putin is fighting a rear guard action, and still is for that matter.
        
        I think the surprise in The Plan was the uprising in the Donbass led by Strelkov. The RF is trying to use the LDPR as kind of buffer to play for more time as US/NATO seeks to close in for the kill. It is to Russia’s advantage to stay away from supporting any more war, while all the stars are aligned to support another invasion by Kiev. The hope would be to draw Russia into open support of the Donbass and possible annexation. Yes, many here would be pleased about that, but it would strengthen a US move to extend sanctions and other initiatives. In this scenario, the Donbass wins, but Russia loses.
        
        Regarding Putin, I think his best strategy from his perspectrive is to play for time without doing anything drastic like removing the 5th column. The consequences would be too severe. I think he is closer to the 5th column than what many here would like to admit. I see him as some kind of hybrid between the Atlanticists and the Eurasian Sovereignists certainly tilting toward the latter.
        
        The Empire believes it is playing the winning hand. My guess is that Putin hopes to finesse his way into allowing Russia to be a part of the global economy without being a vassal state to The Empire. The current mindset is to have Putin’s head on a pike. Anything less would be defeat.
        
        We live in very dangerous times.
zweistein on January 24, 2016 · at 11:32 am EST/EDT

Great article & great comments. Thanks, everyone!
JJ on January 24, 2016 · at 12:28 pm EST/EDT

Note fifth columnists still at work????
Article today fortrusss reporting a call for Checnya should seccede from rus to avoid a 3rd chech,/rus war

Although calls to affect the integrity of rus are against the criminal code……
Eric on January 24, 2016 · at 1:36 pm EST/EDT

We all know that Putin is very popular. However, when I was in Moscow, and when I have met some young people traveling, they seem less supportive. One woman in her late 20’s who was born when Russia was collapsing told me her family often did not have enough to eat. After Putin, of course it turned around, but she is still pro USA and anti Putin, and I met others like her.

On the other hand, what about the people in the pictures? What do the polls say, especially about Medvedev? Chubais? and what do the polls say about the Central Bank.

Even in the USA, there is a faction that wants to get rid of the Federal Reserve, but it is marginalized? Despite it being at the heart of the problem.

Seems like, if these people’s record is clear, especially Medvedev and Chubais and the Central Bank itself, Putin would have a clear mandate to deal with them, right?
- Uncle Bob 1 on January 25, 2016 · at 12:11 am EST/EDT
  
  It depends on “who” you talk to in Russia (and any country as well). If you talk with 5th column “Americanized” elements Worldwide they will always side with the West over their own country. That is the results of years of Western propaganda put out Worldwide. I see it in many societies. The “Westernization/Americanization” of the young of the elite classes in those countries is a real danger to them.It needs to be investigated,exposed,explained to the people what is going on.And then combated “vigorously” . In Russia and Worldwide,there is a battle for the “souls” of the young. And only constant action can reverse the West’s propaganda efforts.We saw the success the West obtained in Ukraine,where they co-joined that, war on the young people,with fascism.It led to maidan and the fascist RS.And to where getting a European Visa is more important to them than their own nation. The West see’s that as an “infectious” cocktail to use as a weapon. And they like the results. So that’s why I constantly talk about how the “education” system for the young must be reformed. And the danger of the Western/US threat realized and defeated. No country is safe from that threat. They are working on subverting the young,the elite and middle class young especially. And also the lumpen impressionable among the poor,and Worldwide. Nations that ignore,or refuse to see, and battle that threat,will end up losing their sovereignty.Mostly, even without, a shot being fired.
  - Mulga Mumblebrain on January 25, 2016 · at 3:24 am EST/EDT
    
    Uncle Bob, the USA and ‘Americanism’ will always have adherents in every country because humanity is varied. For the same reason every society will have wife-beaters, child-molesters and thieves. Americanism is simply a form of psychopathy where greed, egomania and a love of violence are manifested in varying degrees of severity. I’ve known many pro-Americans in this country, and many are thus because stupid and brainwashed by Hollywood and TV, and are totally ignorant of real US history and society today. They worship a false, idealised, ‘America’. Most of the rest are nastier types who understand that the USA really embodies greed and misanthropy, and a predatory way of life where other people are enemies, competition, suckers or prey.
    - alan on January 25, 2016 · at 4:30 am EST/EDT
      
      It’s a little more than that. Most non-US people dont really know much details about the US, except what they see on TVs, Movies and of course MSM. Thus it is very easy for such people to have a totally flawed (but positive) views of the US. Even for new immigrants, it usually take a few years before they realized the “truths” or “reality” in the US.
    - Uncle Bob 1 on January 25, 2016 · at 12:54 pm EST/EDT
      
      Yes they will. And that’s why its so important to always be vigilant for that. Its like any other infectious disease. Medical services are always on the lookout for outbreaks of them. And must be quick to treat them. That’s the only way at present to protect their societies from them. Education,and truthful information are the best “vaccines” against those outbreaks.We see what happened in Ukraine when the government did nothing for 23 years to control the disease.
elsi on January 24, 2016 · at 1:44 pm EST/EDT

Great analysis Saker, as usual, and it was time to get together in a box, with pictures to identify and associate the names, the entire 5th column in the government. Now it is missing an equivalent picture with the 5th column oligarchs that are around The Kremlin …. Let’s see who is encouraged enough…..

All these people have face of tension and some, like Nabiullina, even of suffering, as if she would be always looking over her shoulder to see if someone chase her…….. Kudrin has the face to be full of hatred, as if he did not have the time to steal enough…..). Chubais has the face of resignation, as if his destination in Rusnano would take inevitably to his nanomelting……

Curiously, or not so much, some of these, who were in the forefront rows during the Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly of Comrade Putin, they were twitching expression when Mr. President said that “unproductive land would be confiscated”, which led to the applause, more or less general, except in this rows of seats, where Medvedev and Dvorkovich were……I wonder who they were those elder gentlemen with faces of circumstances shooted by the camera in the beginning and who were unknown for me…..Perhaps some oligarchs?……).

See for yourself, between minute 30´ and 36´:

http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/50864/videos
- Vor Milinasik on January 24, 2016 · at 3:59 pm EST/EDT
  
  There is no question that the 5th column represents a mortal danger to Russia & still has the capacity to destroy the country, basically by taking power & dissolving the state, which it would do if it could. For Putin, it is a matter of very delicate balance, he has had to allow the 5th column to exist & function in order to prevent a full-frontal Atlanticist assault – which could be executed in many varied forms, such as the economic/financial offensive that is currently underway. Assuming direct government control of the financial sector, the Central Bank and the media is literally the mother of all internal battles, this is the confrontation that is going to set Russia on a completely different footing for the future & decide the country & nation’s fate for the next century or more.
  It is precisely because this is such a major issue that we can assume that the measures taken will be highly sophisticated, totally unpredictable & quite unconventional. It is clear to me for example, & probably to the 5th column, that calls by Glaziev, Federov etc. for exertion of control over the Central Bank & monetary/fiscal policy is a distraction to actually divert their attention away from the measures that will be taken. The fact that the 5th column knows this is a distraction will not prevent them from panicking & responding irrationally all the same, for them any talk of regulation – even when insincere – is like heresy & invokes a gut reaction. But the idea of financial controls is being circulated & clearly events will move in that direction, but in ways we may not expect. So we could speculate on what Putin will do, to me that would be pointless, clearly Russia’s finances needed to be brought under direct government control, he has said as much himself in the past & it will almost certainly be done at an opportune time & in an unconventional manner. Washington/Wall Street’s response will be spasmodic, total hysteria, this is what will overturn the barrel for them & place them on a direct war footing. So it would not be a bad idea that the US be drawn into a quagmire where their armed forces are pinned down in another ground war/occupation scenario first – say like, Syraq. It looks like this is what is going to happen. Certain measures have to be taken in tandem with other processes & initiatives, this is what makes for competence in the field of strategy & tactics. This is a war, Putin knows it, the 5th column knows it, & one or the other will be totally eliminated at some point. When it is over, it may not be a precise replay of Stalin’s battle with Trotsky’s subversion, but I suspect there will be bodies to bury.
  The question as to what would Russia look like without a 5th column, well Russia would look like a sovereign independent country in charge of its own political & economic decision making & development. I would guess that a truly independent Russia would rapidly develop to become the most advanced & prosperous country in human history, with a formidable state coordinated economy at the macro level & a small thriving private sector of small firms at the micro level – a mixed economy basically, which is neither a radical idea or ideologically skewed one way or the other. Putin has recently commented on the danger of ideology, Russia does not need it, but Russia does need a philosophy, an ethos, which is something else entirely. This is the ‘conceptual power’ or ‘conceptual governance’ that Viktor Efimov has talked about, without it, a state cannot survive for any amount of time.
  - lb on January 24, 2016 · at 7:49 pm EST/EDT
    
    @Vor and of course Saker who put this issue up for discussion:
    
    many thanks for your insights.. truly priceless
- teranam13 on January 24, 2016 · at 4:37 pm EST/EDT
  
  Thanks elsi good research.
Robert on January 24, 2016 · at 2:38 pm EST/EDT

The West badly needs remarkable statesmen such President Putin to flush out the cancerous self serving elites that are destroying the fabric of European society.

I fear though that the West will first have to implode under a mountain of ‘printed’ debt from the banking elite before ‘The people’ take to the streets and hang the thieves from lots of lamp posts..
Paul II on January 24, 2016 · at 3:08 pm EST/EDT

Has the economic crisis weakened the hand of the pro-Western, neoliberal faction? I seem to recall an article from John Helmer saying that a lot more big businesses now depend on the state for financing and favors. Helmer seemed to think it was a significant move to the “national interest” direction.
Peter J.Antonsen on January 24, 2016 · at 3:10 pm EST/EDT

“What is certain is that so far Putin has failed to deal with the 5th column near and inside the Kremlin and that the situation is rapidly worsening. The recent move by Kudrin to try to get back into the government was a rather transparent use of the pro-5th column media in Russia (and abroad) and it predictably failed. But this shows an increasing self-confidence, or even arrogance, of the Atlantic Integrationists. Something in bound to happen, probably in the near future.”

The Saker

If we translate the Saker’s well informed analysis to ‘Old English,’ what is suggested is the need for a partial, or a completion, or a renovation of a Socialist Revolution in Russia. Renovation lies at the heart of the -Permanent Revolution- which is the involvement of each new generation of the citizenry, of America, Russia, China, any Nation, in the process of continual Rebirth of healthy happy confident empowered children in a prosperous moral world.

With advocacy of Nationalizing the State Bank, citizens also controlling the other Banks, re industrializing Russia, a smile appeared on the face of the other Vladimir, the one in the mausoleum. The Marxist rulers of the Soviet Union were not completely incorrect. The Marxist dream was incomplete. Many of their economic initiatives bore some promise, and achieved some success; however, on the vital stage of Human Political Interrelations, they failed utterly.

The Saker continues:

“My strictly personal explanation for what is happening is this: Putin is deliberately letting things get worse because he knows that the popular anger will not be directed at him, but only at his enemies. Think of it, is that not exactly what the Russian security services did in the 1990s? Did they not allow the crisis in Russia to reach its paroxysm before pushing Putin into power and then ruthlessly cracking down on the oligarchs?”

Is the current Vladimir (Putin), actively following a policy of “letting things get worse”? Is that true? I doubt not The Saker. But, is that a wise policy? Nevertheless, that may be the policy. Is not the conventional behavior, one of – waiting for things to get better, (and not allowing them to get worse)? One understands the perception of the Russian Leaders’ strategy of letting the imperialists throw the first punch (they have been doing just that for hundreds of years), and then, countering. Either way, we will know soon, if The Saker is correct. “Something in bound to happen, probably in the near future.”

After reading the Saker, and the comments that followed, I wonder if the Fifth Columnists within Russia, and the Zionist American Oligarchs, from without, know what the Saker, (and the rest of the Forumers), know? What will happen in the near future? What will they do? They are doing quite a bit – as we speak.

The Saker asks the Question:

“But on the other hand, this argument can be flipped around by saying that considering how bad the tensions already are and considering that the West has already done all it can to harm Russia, is this not the perfect time to finally clean house and get right of the 5th column? Really – how much worse can things really get?”

There is much wisdom in the Saker: he asks the tough questions.

We must not lose the VISION!

For the Democratic Republics!

PJA
- Anonymous on January 24, 2016 · at 5:07 pm EST/EDT
  
  My cry is f*** the Natoists
- RR on January 25, 2016 · at 4:30 am EST/EDT
  
  If you believe that then you would believe he let the Russian bomber get hit and the Civilian plane get shot down in the Sinai and the Ukraine coup happen as well. Either that or his administration is totally incompetent. Rather, Putin is only in control of what he can control and takes every possible opportunity to increase that control for the benefit of the Russian people while taking care not to injure innocent parties, such as civilians in any country.
  RR
teranam13 on January 24, 2016 · at 4:01 pm EST/EDT

Russian 5th column: Putin is a master of timing and has not made one mistake yet ever since Odessa when things were made terribly clear what was at stake. If he had any doubts, the MH 17 based character assassination of him would have made it clear and it did. Yes, his base is the Russian people–their strength, character and willingness to go the extra mile–this he cemented with the amazing group celebration in May of the WWII sacrifice of the elders for this present generation.

His role on the planet is to bring social/spiritual change perhaps unwittingly like what followed in the wake of Napoleon and his career path. Like Napoleon he will never, ever give up but unlike Napoleon he is at depth a very spiritual man and as long as he stays true, he will have extra help from high sources. Watch for strange coincidences and fortuitous happenings and unexpected allies..( the rats will jump ship but others will shake off the haze of mental addictions to the Western paradyme.)

There is so much that we are not privy to…but more will be revealed. What we need to do especially on this blogsite is to practice discrimination. Rumors and foggy thinking will become our downfall and the forces of chaos really want the death of the human race so they want us to push ourselves into that fearful corner of mutual self destruction.

Putin knows better.
Anonymous on January 24, 2016 · at 4:36 pm EST/EDT

First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov.

Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny has accused a top government official of hiding his ownership of a London apartment valued at $18 million dollars, dwarfing the civil servant’s declared income.

Navalny, an anticorruption crusader, posted a British land registry document on his website on July 23 showing that First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov last year transferred ownership of the apartment to a company he controls with his wife.

Navalny wrote that the apartment was listed at 11.44 million pounds ($18 million), far exceeding the $900,000 in income declared last year by Shuvalov and his wife.

In his 2014 declaration of income and assets, Shuvalov declared the rental of a house in Austria as well as a 483-square-meter apartment in London.
- Nussiminen on January 24, 2016 · at 6:15 pm EST/EDT
  
  “Navalny, an anticorruption crusader /…/ “
  
  Nice try by yet another of our notorious anonymice to spread the MSM gospel around here. Here is a far more convincing account of whose “crusade” he forms part of.
- Uncle Bob 1 on January 25, 2016 · at 11:16 pm EST/EDT
  
  Whether Igor Shuvalov,is or isn’t corrupt. And being a politician that is an even bet. Navalny,is as far from just being an altruistic, “anticorruption crusader” as can be. He is the number one 5th column stooge working for the US in Russia. His job is to destabilize Russia. And dig up as much dirt as possible to serve that purpose.During WWII he would have been called a “Quisling” or “Hiwis”.And by all rights, he should suffer their ultimate fate as well.
JJ on January 24, 2016 · at 5:03 pm EST/EDT

Tass reports VP to attend a plenary session of the All Russia Peoples Front where such issues as corruption,implementation of presidential decrees, hecreated this and currently is its president.
Rublev on January 24, 2016 · at 5:19 pm EST/EDT

Just recently and after a long time of doubts, I have decided that VP is an agent in a seemingly never-ending hegelian labyrinth. It’s not easy to give up hope, but if truth and only truth is the real goal of a real seeker, it is often unavoidable… :(
I’m not sure, whether VP is bought, blackmailed or converted. I even do not care, though some hint into the “bought” scenario via stolen IMF funds: http://www.alt-market.com/articles/2074-russia-is-dominated-by-global-banks-too
Why should not the false East-West dialectic continue till this very day? I assume, that it’s already almost mainstream knowledge, that the USSR was nurtured by the West in order to replace the fallen Nazi-threat (see: http://www.amazon.com/Psychological-Warfare-New-World-Order/dp/0932367232/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1453653638&sr=1-1&keywords=servando+gonzalez) Ask general Patton (RIP)…
For example, if it has been possible for more than 50 years to hide Fidel as an CIA agent (http://www.amazon.com/Fidel-Castro-Bogotazo-Mundial-Spanish/dp/0932367100/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1453655252&sr=1-6), isn’t the realm of possibility already huge enough for being hyper-suspecting of anything?
And lets acts, not words, speak. VP is not opposing the globalists at IMF, UN etc., but on the contrary, is calling to strenghten these internationalists’ tools of global enslavement. On the other hand, if BRICs really wanted to replace current word order, why would China beg the Yuan to be implemented in SDR basket?
And why would zio-nazi Forbes honour it’s most hated enemy twice a “most powerful person” award – 2014 & 2015?
To sum up – I’ve stopped looking for a human mesiah in any shape and form.
My love towards Russian people and their beautiful & rich culture remains unshaken. I just pray for them a little more…

PS: If actions of the future will be convincing enough, I am open to get re-converted and start believing again in VP as a real & honest evil fighter. Till then, blessings to all…
- ioan on January 24, 2016 · at 6:34 pm EST/EDT
  
  As a matter of facts,there are many “real acts” or taken proofs by VP in the years behind us,I will not recapitulate that because somebody did it on this site in much profound manner.If you have doubts,is no wonder,so I do and others as well but let’s hope for better.
- Anonymous on January 25, 2016 · at 7:14 am EST/EDT
  
  Speaking of false/controlled opposition, the Globalist/Internationalist bogeyman that you rail against is a favorite propaganda meme that many American apologists promote in order to divert attention from the real threat–their own American Empire.
  
  So-called globalist institutions like the IMF, UN, etc. act as an international mask/proxy for the American Empire to hide behind–and give “internatonal” legitimacy to America-driven agendas.
  
  This is akin to America’s infamous Coalition of the Willing that it used as a political cover to launch its invasion against Iraq in 2003.
  
  There’s one thing about America: it loves to disguise its agendas behind proxies and political cut outs.
  - Rublev on January 25, 2016 · at 12:13 pm EST/EDT
    
    In the way I currently understand the “big picture”, the US is destined to fall (bankcruptcy, civil war, natural disaster etc. & any combination of these) in order for the globalist’s Phoenix to rise from the ashes. And the rise of Russia & China is an important step to offer “fair & multipolar” substitution for the old world order. Whether this step will be the final one, in order to get to the NWO, or there will still remain another “upgrade(s)” to be done – I do not know. I just feel the wind blowing into certain direction and can hear Hegel laughing in the grave…
    - Eimar on January 25, 2016 · at 5:52 pm EST/EDT
      
      @Rublev,
      
      Hegel was an epistemologist, not an ideologue.
      
      The thesis-antithesis-synthesis dynamic simply explains how solutions can be arrived at through argument – an approach with limitless applications.
      
      Your opinion seems to assume VVP has no agency, and so no will to confront the current deeply destructive political behaviour of the transnational elites.
      
      I say you are wrong – his UN speech was no ‘actor’s’ script.
      
      It was his own.
    - Anonymous on January 25, 2016 · at 7:09 pm EST/EDT
      
      You seem to have quite crystal ball and perhaps even psychic abilities to see the future. But this meme about America’s “collapse” is another favored hobbyhorse of American shills. It essentially attempts to stand reality on its head by portraying America as a ‘victim’ in some hypothetical future–while conveniently sweeping under the rug America’s actual crimes in the present and past.
      
      The agenda behind this meme is to cast blame for America’s imperial atrocities onto a contrived external scapegoat that is secretly controlling the virtuous Americans, who of course are innocent as a newborn babe and have no blood on their hands.
      
      As for the “New World Order,” American shills also overlook the reality that this very idea is yet another political cover and euphemism for the American Empire and its ambitions to subjugate the planet.
      
      The New World Order is an American World Order in all but name. It is an updated version of America’s Manifest Destiny ideology with global ambitions.
      - Peter J.Antonsen on January 27, 2016 · at 3:13 pm EST/EDT
        
        “The New World Order is an American World Order in all but name. It is an updated version of America’s Manifest Destiny ideology with global ambitions.”
        
        Very well thought out and written.
        
        It would be lovely if you would identify yourself, if only by a nom de plum.
    - Rublev on January 25, 2016 · at 8:54 pm EST/EDT
      
      @Eimar
      Any idea or thing can be taken and distilled/perverted far away from the original intentions and context.
      As I hinted at the beginning, I just recently decided that VP is most likely part of the enemies’ big scheme. This way things make currently more sense to me. But I will be more than glad convinced again back into having a kind of a human hero again (even never a perfect one).
      But when I can see totally manipulated geopolitics, economy, history, education, science and reality as such, I cannot deprive my pessimism to have a reasonable arguments…
      
      @Anon
      I don’t care about the names (NWO or American Order or whatever) and I am refusing a guilt by association fallacy. In my understanding, most populations where hijacked by the Elite, after their sovereignty and nationhood have been/are being destroyed and their brains successfully drained & washed. No arrogancy here, just desperation. As a European, I even do not care, whether we, or American people deserve that. When facing Evil in such dimensions and complexity, I am rightfully outraged the more I am uncovering it and trying to understand it in the whole context.
      On top, you are referring to USA as the head of the Hydra. Some suggest and history leads more towards London. But not forgeting, that the globalists give a sh*t about nationality. If something, they rather swear on blood & genes…
      - Anonymous on January 26, 2016 · at 9:42 pm EST/EDT
        
        It’s not guilt by assocation. It’s guilt by deception. And there are few greater deception among the Controlled Opposition than their globalist/NWO meme.
        
        America’s legion of propagandists simply cannot admit that their bete noire of the “New World Order” is merely NewSpeak for global American Empire–an Anglo Saxon Rome in “globalist” clothing.
        
        Thus, American regime rulers have been pushing this New World Order idea for decades, if not longer. Woodrow Wilson, for instance, advocated a New World Order in the World War 1 era. More recently, George Bush Sr. proclaimed a similar vision of a New World Order in the context of America’s Operation Desert Slaughter war against Iraq in the early 1990s–heradling the birth of American unipolar domination after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
        
        Obscuring the primacy of the American Empire in this topic is not “uncovering evil”: That is disguising and aiding evil.
        
        Rublev on January 27, 2016 · at 5:35 am EST/EDT
        
        Got your point, and will give it a thought. I will run a mental simulation based on your premise, and will see, if the puzzles of facts and hints around us will make better sense to me.
        In the world of deceptions and deformed mirrors, one has often a trippy feeling…
        Cheers
JJ on January 24, 2016 · at 5:23 pm EST/EDT

Russia insider carries an article from Kayrov Jan 23….those opposition who take money from abroad to politically act against VP and Rus are traitors and should be dealt with………
Aivazovsky on January 24, 2016 · at 5:50 pm EST/EDT

Dear All, having read The Saker for quite some time, always appreciating the uncompromising striving for consciousness, I have to say that this article takes matters to yet another level.

This is indeed the question we all want answered: is there a realistic chance that Putin or some other entity could actually reverse the overarching rapid fall into the abyss that has been bestowed upon our civilization by the AZ Empire?

As much as I would like to be an optimist, I still have some doubts. They are mainly spiritual and psychological in nature, but also reflect a certain sense of jadedness and cynicism.

First, is it likely that Putin would have been allowed to raise to this elevated position without the implicit support from the Empire?

Second, does not the Empire in fact desperately need conflict and military tension to keep the debt circus rolling and the attention of the masses away from their Ponzi games, thus making Putin a convenient enemy figure?

In essence, the old question then arises again: is Putin controlled opposition? If not, what are his chances of actually derailing the Empire on their path towards total domination?

The decline of the collective and spiritual values of the West seems irreversible, the rot pounded home daily by a thousand sources of media and commerce – and likely things will get much worse in this regard before they can get any better.

The heart of darkness lies in usury, psychopathic narcissism and fear. From this perspective, disconnecting the Russian central bank from BIS, dismissing the bankers, printing government money, selling oil and other commodities for Rubles or gold, using a replacement for SWIFT, having an electronic warfare system that can knock out gps/Aegis, etc, etc, is just the beginning.

We are looking at the need for a spiritual and psychological renaissance, the rejection of capitalism and most of the tenets of the “science” of economics with it. Growth and usury has to go. Most of the focus on discord and conflict and as the impetus to kindle jealousy and hate for commercial reasons are further targets.

Maybe Dugin has some of the answers, maybe not, but again the true tasks are spiritual and psychological in nature, and has their origins in all of us.

Hopefully Putin or someone else can rekindle a new sense of hope also in this regard, it is sorely needed…
- mundanomaniac on January 24, 2016 · at 6:48 pm EST/EDT
  
  One should never forget, Vladimir Vladimirovich spent four years, from 2008 to 2002 in the shoes of Medwediev. He knows the apparatus for full. From his webside we know, he is sitting down with leading officials of the Russian Federation each day, as like enlighted caliphs in the golden time of the abbasides have done.
  Saker tells in his book, the Russian Czar defended the Russian people from the elite until 17. century.
  
  Putin with birthday in Libra on October 7th was born, when Sun called the children with an abundance of balance into life. To me Putin does his best in watching and dealing with the enemy, like a successful czar, knowing, the best within human reach is dealing with the devil to Gods conditions.
  
  As for the central-banks: to me the problem is what appears to me as the “Washington Consensus”, saying: “a Dollar has to be earned to be invested – (except by the US).
  
  So as the devil reigning the lower truths, the heavenly hero has to deal with him to scrap him and every political manager has daily to deal with the devil. Therefore caveat with the illusion connected with the tool “purgances”.
  
  As for Putins present conditions: since his 63th birthday last fall he has entered a new for seven- years-realm: the Aquarius-realm of the unexpected. And all of his surprises are bound to come out of the peripheries. Only after he’s been celebrating his 70th he will do the center.
  
  http://astromundanediary.blogspot.de/2015/10/vladimir-putins-mothers-blessed-lap-63.html
Hadeed Ajmal Khan on January 24, 2016 · at 6:51 pm EST/EDT

@saker,what violent reaction are you talking about?or in other words,what is the west going to do if putin got rid of all those “atlantic integrationists”?
- Indeed on January 24, 2016 · at 7:03 pm EST/EDT
  
  A good question.
  - NZ Watcher on January 24, 2016 · at 7:13 pm EST/EDT
    
    The powers to be would not have to do anything new – other than wind up the “spin doctors” with their evil Media empire.
    Tip more poison into the shallow brained western society gullibility and replace the foot sitting on top of Russia/Putin with an even BIGGER one.
    - lb on January 24, 2016 · at 7:32 pm EST/EDT
      
      @NZ watcher
      
      as a new measure, the west could ban teddy bears from shop floors
      
      which can backfire
  - lb on January 24, 2016 · at 7:28 pm EST/EDT
    
    rather, what could thay do other than what they are already doing?
    
    they are already pumping these characters with money and what not. depriving them of that provosion can only deal a blow to russian western “partners”, not russian overwhelming supporting public
    
    i.e. the real concern is what happens in russia as a consenquence. it’s how the russians would react, not the west..it’s my take on this issue anyway.
    - Uncle Bob 1 on January 25, 2016 · at 1:02 pm EST/EDT
      
      I’m not sure how the Russian elite would react (though the patriotic ones would be pleased). But for the Russian “people”. From the countless posts I’ve seen from average Russians,they would be overjoyed. And Putin’s approval numbers might actually go up (as hard as that seems to be possible).
- Paul II on January 25, 2016 · at 5:02 am EST/EDT
  
  Build a Berlin Wall, perhaps? Cut off equipment sales and, of course, prevent the Russian elite from visiting their money and villas in the West. The sanctions so far were not that serious, but more of a political maneuver to try to get the Russian establishment to fight amongst themselves and to say that a Putin-led future will be bad for them, whereas a subservient Russia leads to visa-free travel to the EU, and joining the ranks of the elitists of Europe, which they seem to crave.
  
  In a sense, the war so far has been over the hearts of the Russian elite. Do they want to take Putin’s path or a Western one?
Dennis James Leary on January 24, 2016 · at 7:26 pm EST/EDT

Thanks. Judging by my own emotional reaction, I think this is the best I’ve yet to read from the Saker. It is a sort of catharsis resulting in laughter and release of tension. I usually read through all the comments first before commenting myself, probably out of fear and timidity. But in this case, I’m just going to trust my body’s visceral response.

It’s so real, so dangerous, so dramatic and so provocative that I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. It’s epic poetry of the highest order, like Shakespeare or Dylan, IMO.

I’ll come back here after reading the comments, in other words the check and balance of a community of minds, to see if I was real and in balance myself.

In the meantime, what started out as a beautiful, sunny day here in S. Cal, although a bit dull, has morphed into a lot of fun, thanks to vigorous vineyard spirits.

And I do agree that Putin is the best thing that’s happened since crackerjacks, as we used to say in the Wicked West’s Midwest just east of the Mississippi along the northern reaches of Highway 61.
- NZ Watcher on January 24, 2016 · at 7:38 pm EST/EDT
  
  Stay warm DJ
  I just commented above – how this site has become a wealth of great posting – on the back of GREAT balanced articles etc.
- mundanomaniac on January 25, 2016 · at 9:12 pm EST/EDT
  
  I’m glad, witnessing your spirit Dennis James, elucidated by Saker it was the same recently
  to me and is this time. Saker is not information, he gives living spirit, in my old years I’m happy to experience that. It’s a double since 2014 tragic moments – Putin, Lavrow … and – the Saker and you, and …
  I liked the ‘crackerjacks’ and this whiff of your land. (My wife recently read nearly the entire oeuvre of John Steinbeck).
Arjun Quest on January 24, 2016 · at 7:53 pm EST/EDT

Just shooting form the hip here………..but if Putin’s wants the Russian People on his side more efficiently, why not stack the media with his people and strategically begin to spew out anti 5th column articles, turning up the intensity until a majority of the Russian People scream for an immediate end to the 5th Columnists.

Maybe that is what is happening. If not, IMHO, that would be a missed opportunity and a shame.
From Aztlan... on January 24, 2016 · at 8:27 pm EST/EDT

Thr ruble devaluation is hurting, but look at the other side of the coin, Russian goods are dirt cheap.
A beautiful mink coat, perfect for this winter for $200.00 US dlls, the wife is enchanted. Excellent Russian workmanship, bought in Moscow from the factory.
What got me disjointed is that the pelts are from, wait for it, the USA and Denmark.
That is the true essence of the fifth column in Russia. A country of great resources that was turned into a vassal. A limitless potential in forestry, agriculture, mining, animal husbandry, and great technological sources of learning and production, industrial giant, great human ingenuity resourcefulness. And forced to import pelts to create the necessities of life in an extreme arctic environment. Just one example. shall we talk about diapers, cheese, tomatoes?
That is the creation of the 5th column, stiffling production, creativity, choking native ingenuity in order to adhere to “Western Standards”, (ask Ukraine about that).
Hard to get loans in rubles, easy to hang yourself with dollar loans, and it is happening as we speak. It gets as basic as that, down at the mortal human level.
These times are showing the true colors of the top echelons, there is no hiding behind the Bonanza years all its easy riches, there is no trickle down economies at work. And the true worth of every person is showing. Those who live with the Hollywood, Park Avenue mirage, and those who are willing to work for a rich and fair Russia. for all its children.
- J on January 25, 2016 · at 12:22 am EST/EDT
  
  Aztlan, we are working to a rich and fair World for all its children. Not just Russia but we feel that Russia is at the vanguard of this transformation. That is why we watch, observe and comment on her. Far from the shining light on the Hill that is supposedly the USA, we see more from that hill the eye from Mt Doom with the NSA being the digital Eye.
  
  IT is also up to us to work in concert with each other, throughout various nations and regions to help in the transformation and liberation of Humanity. To observe is not enough. As the age old saying goes, “Think Globally, Act Locally.’
Ann on January 24, 2016 · at 9:18 pm EST/EDT

Hi Saker, thanks so much for the great analysis….I can hardly wait to get your book…I’m going to read it while I’m concentrating on my new job and not going onto the internet every day…

Lots of love to everyone here…and I’ll be back !!

Ann
Anonymous on January 24, 2016 · at 9:44 pm EST/EDT

Putin could at least take some notes on how Turkey is going about reforming their Constitution.

Speaking at his party’s second ordinary congress on Sunday, Demirtaş emphasized that despite the fact that the HDP has radically different ideas from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) about the principles to be included in the new constitution, such as the definition of equality and justice, his political party will take its place in the planned commission.

A previous Constitutional Reconciliation Commission was dissolved in late 2013 by the AK Party, killing hopes for the creation of a new constitution.
http://www.todayszaman.com/national_hdp-to-take-part-in-commission-to-create-new-constitution-hdp-leader-says_410491.html
Anonymous on January 24, 2016 · at 9:58 pm EST/EDT

No matter how bad things get in any of the aspects under consideration, it is always a safe bet to say they could get worse. Therefore, if Putin does nothing to improve them, one can always apply Cunning Principle number 1, namely: he is just waiting for things to get a little worse, and then he will act with the complete certainty he will not be opposed, because things are so bad. In this manner, whatever he does or refrains from doing, can be rationalized as part of his shrewd long term vision.
I find this unconvincing because it is excedingly convenient as an explanation.
- MD on January 25, 2016 · at 2:19 am EST/EDT
  
  Excellent post.
- Rachotilko on January 25, 2016 · at 2:27 pm EST/EDT
  
  Are you not ashamed of yourself ? Who do you think will benefit from your overindulgence in critical thinking ? Enemies !
- zweistein on January 25, 2016 · at 3:11 pm EST/EDT
  
  ” Did Putin not wait until the Wahabis in Chechnia actually attacked Dagestan before unleashing the Russian military? ”
  
  Check
  
  ” Did the Russians not let Saakashvili attack South Ossetia before basically destroying his entire military? ”
  
  Check
  
  ” Did Putin now wait until a full-scale Ukronazi attack on the Donbass before opening up the “voentorg” (military supplies) and the “northern wind” (dispatch of volunteers) spigots? ”
  
  Check
  
  ” Did they not allow the crisis in Russia to reach its paroxysm before pushing Putin into power and then ruthlessly cracking down on the oligarchs? ”
  
  I don’t think so.
  
  That would be far, far too risky. Nobody could have foreseen that Putin would do the impossible – bringing Russia back from the edge.
  
  On a side note: What Putin did was exactly not ‘ruthlessly’ cracking down on the oligarchs. He told them basically to do whatever they want, but to stay out of politics. That is not ruthless, that is Putin!
Frankie P on January 24, 2016 · at 11:58 pm EST/EDT

There’s one point I wish the saker would explain, perhaps elaborate on. It seems to me that presenting these following statements draws a clear line between the oligarchs and the plunderers, when I feel that there was significant overlap. After all, Eltsin was very close to the oligarchs, and he enabled their plundering of the Russian wealth. Berezovsky was a constant in the President Eltsin’s inner circle, and I understand that he was even very close to Eltsin’s family. I’m not an expert on this, but simple logic tells me that separating the plunderers from the oligarchs like the following statements do make the oligarchs seem rational reactionaries who even contributed to solving the problem of the plundering. Weren’t they knee-deep in it themselves? I appreciate the saker’s comments.

Frankie P

“Russia was plundered from her natural wealth, billions of dollars were stolen and hidden in western offshore accounts, the Russian industry was destroyed, a unprecedented wave of violence, corruption and poverty drowned the entire country in misery and the Russian Federation almost broke up into many small statelets.”

“Two remaining centers of power, the oligarchs and the ex-KGB, were forced to seek a solution to this crisis and they came up with the idea of sharing power: the former would be represented by Dmitrii Medvedev and the latter by Vladimir Putin.”
wooverine on January 25, 2016 · at 12:16 am EST/EDT

I’d suggest that the real reasons for the struggles of the Russian economy have less to do with Putin’s failure or “5th columnists” and more to do with its lack of legal and especially cultural support for entrepreneurialism.
- Mulga Mumblebrain on January 25, 2016 · at 3:31 am EST/EDT
  
  ‘Entrepreneurialism’ is a mealy-mouthed euphemism for parasitism.
  - Ewan on January 25, 2016 · at 10:29 am EST/EDT
    
    Entrepreneurs are the very opposite of parasites. Every economy needs them. Otherwise planet earth would still be sparsely populated with hunter gatherers (which itself might be no bad thing).
Sesu on January 25, 2016 · at 12:30 am EST/EDT

Fascinating how a leader who does what the people want has over time build a 90% popularity rating with the people.

In America, this is of course un-heard of. On both sides of the equation. American ‘leaders’ consistently oppose policies supported by majorities of the public One relevant example is the way the Congress doesn’t want to touch a constitutionally required vote on the Syrian war with a ten foot pole. They heard very loudly from ‘the people’ the last time they considered such a vote. And, a group of Ivy league political scientist wrote a report a year or two ago that described how the American people have no say whatsoever on policy outcomes. And, not surprisingly, not one of these ‘American leaders’ could ever get anywhere near 90% approval ratings. Funny how constantly opposing the wishes of ‘the people’ fails to make one popular.
- abcd... on January 25, 2016 · at 3:16 am EST/EDT
  
  [sarcasm] Although it should be common sense, your explanation being so self-evident at the very least on the surface, the many “virtual wise-men” here and all over the internet would attribute Putin’s popularity to getting lucky with high energy prices during most of his years as a leader – but wait, the energy prices have been crashing for a year and a half and his support went EVEN higher…. etc., etc. lol
Dennis James Leary on January 25, 2016 · at 12:53 am EST/EDT

I read the comments up to here which I enjoyed and learned from.

Following Elsi’s link I watched the whole of Putin’s talk to the government, watching the body and emotion language she mentioned. Takes a woman to read below the lines.

The modern state is a beast to manage which Putin excels at. He threw quite a few goodies to Medvedev and company, probably to soften the blows coming. So much power radiates from a united Russia with a strong man as leader.

I resonated most with Aivazovsky’s post at 5:50 pm which would expand the scope of the conversation.

Putin is a transitional figure. What comes after him is critical. All the growth and competition talk is disturbing, as if we’ve never heard of cancer and unsustainability. Yet, Russia has to fight fire with fire until the game is won so Putin keeps one foot in the fire and one in water, the old and new age so to speak.

Also disturbing was the talk of yanking children age 3-7 out of a nature environment where they really learn something into schools run Western style to produce obedient robots. Another concession to Medvedex and company I suppose. Train the children in Western habits.

We need another Tolstoy but one not so damaged by the patrix complex. Someone whose roots are in our original love culture and has the skills to talk turkey to a deranged world.

The future is with small, independent communities with a strong and moral central government to watch over them like a saker her vineyard.

I assume our creators were extremely powerful lovers of peace and all things small since they made such a small planet to experiment with. Since we are therefore lovers in potentia and by association we need to get over our bigness kick quick or the experiment that is us will fail.

Putin needs to break the logjam of empire and set us free to be who we were meant to be. If it’s true that he is a triple agent, a true bred Russian selling his services to the empire so that he could return to Russia with all the empires tricks well learned, then he should be the man to get the job done.

Thanks, vineyard, also for a job well done.

It’s a little difficult but I think Dylan is walking the Russian road here:

Relationships of ownership
They whisper in the wings
To those condemned to act accordingly
And wait for succeeding kings
And I will try to harmonize with songs
The lonesome sparrow sings
There are no kings inside the Gates of Eden
vot tak on January 25, 2016 · at 3:21 am EST/EDT

Well, if Putin was failing, the Jewish owned/run zio-gay media wouldn’t be so hysterically shrill every time his name gets mentioned. :D

One of Saker’s better essays.
- Nussiminen on January 25, 2016 · at 5:44 am EST/EDT
  
  The zio-gay media screams because they are butt-hurt as of 16 years :-)
  - Ewan on January 25, 2016 · at 7:25 pm EST/EDT
    
    … I’m sorry, but was the guidance going to be forthcoming? – because the answer isn’t at all obvious.
    - TR-moderation on January 25, 2016 · at 8:39 pm EST/EDT
      
      Your comments have been sent to The Saker.
RR on January 25, 2016 · at 3:43 am EST/EDT

I would call Putin’s economic reforms to date as a success as 64% of his decrees have been enacted. The reason the rest were ignored is because of the law that allowed them to be. So his a partial victory, not yet complete. Not a failure at all. A 100% success within the limits of the law. His other decrees can be enacted only if he declares Emergency Powers. He may use these and this information has already been published. Sorry I do not have a link to the story.
Some of us here have recognized that Russia was mobilizing for war and advocated putting the economy on a war footing since the Junta was installed in Ukraine. I think we are referred to as Hurrah patriots or something. It all comes to pass in any case, Mr. Putin has things well in hand on all fronts considering all the countries involved in the economic attacks and military threats Russia is facing. Good to see Choppers and tanks in Syria along with Special Forces and Marines. The SAA should be well trained on the s-300 now and should be able to take care of their own airspace-NATO will not be able to declare war, at least legally, if Syria demands foreign fighters on it’s land, sea or air. This will not cause a nuclear attack on Russia-one would hope. In Ukraine, what is left of it when they are not killing their former country men in the East, are busy killing each other and either way will disintegrate or be disintegrated if they continue with their hari kari suicide policy of not adhering to the Minsk agreement. De-Dollarization continues and the BRICS are being more integrated with every breath we take. My greatest fear, besides global nuclear conflagration, is that we lose our connections with sources inside Russia and that greater censorship within and between nations in the world become more controlled. As far as I know, the carrier pigeon was wiped out precisely for purposes of war so that option is out. Lastly, Putin offering safe harbor to European Jews (eliminating Israels claim that they are the only refuge available) and China’s offering aid to Palestine and a call for return to the 1967 borders is another example of BRICS working in tandem. Israeli response was to bomb a “Hamas” stronghold for missing the target.
Cheers,
RR
Cheers,
RR
Joey on January 25, 2016 · at 4:02 am EST/EDT

Once again, “politics is the art of the possible”-said many times.
back2freedom on January 25, 2016 · at 5:15 am EST/EDT

WOW!
Mr. Saker, you just destroyed your entire reputation with a single essay. I am not a hater, you can read my comments, I have almost an obsession with Putin, and as eastern european I feel proud of Russia even though I myself am not russian.
BUT.
You, Mr. Saker, are COMPLETELY INCOMPETENT in the matters of Economy. You should completely refrain from further writing in this direction, if you want to preserve some kind of credibility.
Let me give you some pointers. Just pointers, – i am not going to argue with you, or that other Socialist – Mr. Anonymous – whom I want to recommend never to comment on economics either.
1. Russia CANNOT maintain a peg to the dollar. Not because pegging to the dollar is stupid, but because Russia does not have the reserves to do it, and would be stupid to burn all reserves in a couple of year, only to abandon it later WITH HUMILIATION, and with all reserves lost. China has some 3 trillion USD in reserves, and they couldn’t maintain the peg, look what happened there. Exactly how do you even imagine Russia can do this?
2. Interest rates ARE NOT HIGH ENOUGH. Do you know how inflation works? Have you seen Russian inflation recently? Even USA had to raise rates when they had inflation in the 70s. Vaulker jacked them all the way to 18.5% in 1980. What do you think will happen to inflation if russia drops interest rates to 5%? And where will the Central Bank find the money to lend at those rates? Print rubles? And cause more inflation?? If you have 20% inflation in the country, and can borrow at 5% from the central bank, you can borrow 100 billion rubles, buy gold or whatever other asset, then sell it later, return the rubles and keep the profit. It is called NEGATIVE REAL INTEREST RATES.
3. This whole business of US designing the whole russian economy in the 90s, that Putin ‘inherited’… That is laughable. You are a rational man. How can this be done in 10 years? Redo entire Russian economy and political system?? Even US had the power to do that, and I am sure they had the desire, these things take forever. But the more important point here is, that if you were to be right, and Putin inherited a US created economy and political system, then if it so easy and fast to do it he shouldn’t have any problems to mold it again to his own liking.
- Ted on January 25, 2016 · at 4:29 pm EST/EDT
  
  Monetarism is a trap. There are alternatives to monetarism that eventually must be chosen when you are in fact, in a deadly struggle for national survival against foreign and domestic foes. Sovereign credit must be extended to those areas of national productive potential that have the means to extinguish the debt, long term. Never acting on that reality means defeat through being immobilized in the short term traps of monetarist logic.
  
  If I were Putin or Saker, I’d give Glazyev a chance before resigning myself to your advice.
  - Ewan on January 25, 2016 · at 5:37 pm EST/EDT
    
    Could you say what you mean by “monetarism”?
    - Ted on January 26, 2016 · at 3:33 am EST/EDT
      
      Monetarism: A school of thought that regulation of money supply and interest rates are the be-all and end-all of economy, while neglecting the more important matters such as increases in the productive powers of the labor force through higher energy flux density productive processes .in industry, transportation and agriculture through scientific discovery and its applications in newer and higher technology.
      
      The Tennessee Valley Authority, the Apollo Moon Shot, the Three Gorges Dam and south to north water management in China, were not contributions of monetarism.
      
      Volcker’s interest rates “higher than Jimmy Carter’s IQ” are an example of monetarism. Inflation was reduced, but considerable harm was done to industry, agriculture, and small business in the process, and the USA began its accelerated slide into “post-industrialism” and parasitism in that era of the seventies and eighties.
      
      The One Belt One Road policy is not monetarist. It is dirigist, designed to create large scale physical change, not quick financial gain for a few mega speculators, while the mass of people are going nowhere in terms of increases in their productive powers or betterment of the technology, infrastructure, education, medical care, etc at their disposal.
      - Ewan on January 26, 2016 · at 9:28 am EST/EDT
        
        No, I don’t think that is quite right. Monetarism is the proposition that inflation is a monetary phenomenon and the way to stop inflation and deflation disrupting the real economy is for the monetary authority to manage the money supply to avoid the creation of too much or too little. I think there is a subsidiary proposition or premiss that the real economy is self-righting, in other words, it adjusts to real shocks. It is probably usually advocated therefore by those who have some faith in the working of markets. The damage done by Volcker’s disinflation was in large part probably caused by the speed of adjustment. There is nothing in monetarism insists that a disinflation has to be abrupt rather than gradual.
        
        Ted on January 27, 2016 · at 4:19 am EST/EDT
        
        I won’t quibble on some of those monetary matters you raise, Ewan, except to say that money is generally over emphasized in monetarist “economics”, and the real economy becomes an afterthought.and suffers from neglect all too often.
        
        I think we could both agree that it is necessary to give attention to the money supply.
        
        What I am trying to get at is that it is not sufficient to ONLY do that, in order to have a soundly developing national economy.
        
        Also, there is the matter of provable INTENT. As a member of David Rockefeller’s Trilateral Commission, I do not believe that Volcker did not intend the damage done, nor that in hindsight he regretted the “speed of the adjustment” as you put it. Remember, the internal Trilateral policy papers then called for the “controlled disintegration” of the US economy!!!
        
        The monetarist policy of Paul Volcker was not a well-intentioned policy where honest error was made. It was a deliberately evil policy of stripping out of the real economy of the US its “engine of growth” characteristics it had gained from FDR and JFK’s policies and converting it into a parasitical center of speculation, usury, and colonial wars and looting of the underdeveloped sector, on the British Empire, City of London model.
        
        Remember, when Japan in the late 1970’s wanted to invest their surplus of balance of payments from international trade into ports, industrial complexes, nuclear energy, etc in Mexico and Trilateral Commission member Zbigniew Brezinski, Carter’s national security director violently rejected the idea of a “Japan south of our border”?
        
        Volcker had conscious imperial INTENT behind his monetarist policy. Inflation caused by money printing for the Vietnam war, the policy of his Council on Foreign Relations and CIA predecessors gave him the excuse for that intended “controlled disintegration” hidden behind the ruse of “reining in inflation”, the inflation those same Anglo-American elites ( that he served and still serves…….) caused by assassinating JFK, terminating the space exploration science driver (which returned 13 times its invest…..non-inflationary!!, and printing money hand over fist to “fight communism” in Vietnam (wildly inflationary….) . Keep an eye on the over-arching imperial intent and ask yourself if Volcker was serving the interests of the American people and their neighbors in the hemisphere, OR the Anglo-American oligarchy’s long range New World Order policy, with his “monetarism”.
        
        Neither Russia, nor any other country that aspires to sovereign development of its economy ought to imbibe the poison of Volcker’s monetarism, or Greenspan’s, or Yellen’s nor believe that Milton Friedman’s monetarism is the only way, and that “these things take forever”, as back2freedom (freedom???) put it. Forever???? Really??? Lincoln had the trans-continental railways mostly built by the time he was assassinated. He initiated the project during the civil war, less than a handful of years earlier. That was dirigist economics, not monetarism. And THAT example of the Union victory in the Civil War, emerging in 1865 more physically developed than in 1860 (when Lincoln was elected) served as a model for nation builders in Germany, Japan, Russia (Sergei Witte, trans Siberian railroad) and even China until the last years of the nineteenth century, until Edward the 7th of Britain had Bismarck removed from power in Germany and set the world on course for WW I, and WWII. And where we still are today. Without any Lincoln in sight. Except for maybe in Russia. And possibly China.
        
        Ewan on January 27, 2016 · at 10:46 am EST/EDT
        
        The “monetary matters” are what qualify any economic theory as monetarist. The term seems to be used as a portmanteau term for any economic policy advocated by a right-wing politician. No economic theory that has been called monetarist plays down the real economy. Indeed, the argument is that sound money allows the real economy to work more efficiently.
        
        The neoliberal project of the post-War years is too large to be helpfully analysed as the workings of any one think tank or not-so-secret society. And in any state, the Establishment evolves without the need for much conscious conspiracy, except in deceiving the public and fighting internal battles. It has been US policy since forever to make the world safe for free enterprise.
        
        Lincoln was indeed the railway magnates’ go-to attorney. They profited mightily. The Civil War resulted in the concentration of power in Washington. And the power thus concentrated continued to be at the service of particular economic interests.
        
        You’re right that there is an argument to be had about how far government should control the economy. I don’t know the answer. It’s clear, I think, that the current welfare state for corporations is toxic. It’s also clear that central planning didn’t work. Somewhere in between? How we get from here to there, I don’t know.
        
        Ted on January 29, 2016 · at 3:52 am EST/EDT
        
        True. Lincoln’s state of Illinois was one of the leading, most economically developed states in the US due to rail infrastructure, one of the earliest states to apply the new transport technology very widely, prior to the Civil War, when Lincoln practiced both law and politics there.
        
        To quote one Lincoln biography, “He likened his politics to ‘an old woman’s dance’—‘short and sweet’. He stood for three simple ideas: a national bank, a protective tariff, and a system for internal improvements.”
        
        One last thing, for now. You said, “You’re right that there is an argument to be had about how far government should control the economy.”
        
        Well if “we the people” are the government, theoretically, the fact is, we aren’t controlling the economy AT ALL.
        
        So, I’d put it a little differently: “How far should private central banking control the money of a nation and own its government?” is the way I’d put it.
        
        And I would answer, “Ideally, 0%.
        
        Now it is near 100% in the US in both categories, in the service of oligarchy and to the injury of the population, who have let their government completely get away from really being “theirs” at all.
        
        I’ve got a rough idea of how we get from here to there, Let’s discuss and debate later in a newer thread. But I will say one thing: the absolute prerequisite is the restoration of Glass-Steagall law, enacted under FDR in 1933 and repealed under Clinton in 1999. That’s the necessary first step. Shut the Wall St casino down. No more privatized gains for the mega banks and socialization of their losses by tax payer bailouts and bail-ins. Nothing can be done until that nonsense is ended. But Glass Steagall restoration alone is insufficient without many follow up steps, to rebuild the physical economy.
        
        Ewan on January 29, 2016 · at 10:23 am EST/EDT
        
        The admiration for Abraham Lincoln is a puzzle. In war, he trashed the Constitution. In peace, he pushed mercantilism for robber barons. But we’re not going to agree.
        
        On money and banking, we can agree to some extent. Glass-Steagall would be a start. Given the nature of banking and the crucial role it plays in the economy, there would still be the problem that banks are there to take risks and “we the people” will want to step in if they fail.
        
        It is also counter-productive to close down Wall Street. Financial markets facilitate the working of the real economy. Again, there is the problem of incentives – it shouldn’t pay bankers to take excessive risks, as is now the case.
        
        In a market economy, it is not crucial whether money is issued by private banks only or whether there is also a central bank. A central bank backed by government is one way to ensure against banking collapse, but, again, there is the problem of incentives.
        
        It is all very well to say that you know how to get from here to there (quite a claim). The problem is surely that the entrenched interests, that is, those with the power, are unlikely to agree.
        
        Ted on January 30, 2016 · at 8:03 am EST/EDT
        
        No puzzle. The constitution survived, as did the Union.That’s the big picture. Why sweat the small stuff? Most people understand that. In many parts of the world. Leo Tolstoy, for example.
        
        Here’s a very moving interview with Tolstoy, near the end of his life. The interviewer says: “In 1908, in a wild and remote area of the North Caucasus, Leo Tolstoy, the greatest writer of the age, was the guest of a tribal chief “living far away from civilized life in the mountains.” Gathering his family and neighbors, the chief asked Tolstoy to tell stories about the famous men of history.”
        
        Full interview with Leo Tolstoy:
        
        http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/31/leo-tolstoy-s-love-letter-to-lincoln.html
        
        Lincoln pushed mercantilism that benefited “robber barrons”? Specifics, please. I googled some nonsense that calls railroads and canals ( which are internal improvements that the “market” of small, greedy little persons of little social vision would never get around to building….) “boondoggles”. Certainly not boondoggles to those west of the Appalachians, who required such to get their products and crops to eastern seaboard markets, and quickly at low cost around their own Mid west/Great Lakes region. How about benefiting nearly everyone in Illinois and surrounding areas? That’s the reality, which somehow offends the pure “market” theorists of the Austrian School type. They hate anything BIG, and dirigist, where a lot of people cooperate in the interest of the larger public good, including their own smaller individual interest. You know, those types will hate China’s One Belt One Road policy too! It’s huge and their economic minds are small. They can’t “dig” HUGE at all.
        
        I think of Kadyrov and others like him in the Russian Federation, The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, etc. What is in their grasp for their people in a generation or so if this fight is won and relate back to that report by Leo Tolstoy in the North Caucasus in 1908, and that tribal chief that lived a century earlier.
        
        Ewan on January 30, 2016 · at 2:16 pm EST/EDT
        
        Ted
        The moderator is delicately hinting it’s time to stop. I’ll be rude and ignore the hint just one more time.
        
        “Internal improvements” = public subsidy and private (Northern) profit. “Protective tariffs” = profit for producers (Northern) at the expense of consumers. “A national Bank” = inflationary funding of (Republican) patronage.
        
        In what sense does the Constitution survive when the President threatens to arrest the Chief Justice? The “union” you say survived was a new centralized government where previously there had been federated states. (Is there a single sentence in the Gettysburg address that is true? There seems a general tendency to assume that because slavery was an abomination the Yankees must have been an all-round Good Thing.)
        
        By the way, the tribes Tolstoy regaled with tales were probably recently subjugated by the Tsarist Empire, or next in line.
        
        The more interesting question, and, as you suggest, probably for another time, is what you think the alternative to my rather (very) wimpish social democratic capitalism and how you think we get to it from the current rampant corporate capitalism, given how entrenched the moneyed interest and how atomized the rest of us.
        
        I’ll let you have the final word, if you wish. And, moderator, I promise no come-back.
      - Rick on January 29, 2016 · at 7:46 pm EST/EDT
        
        Volcker destroyed American small business with his monetarism. The purpose, of course, was to deliver the economy totally into the hands of the big banks.
        
        Ted on January 31, 2016 · at 1:09 am EST/EDT
        
        Correct, Rick. Ewan, we’ll end it here, I agree. . See how far you get resisting Empire with no internal improvements. Production should have priority over consumption.Those that built the US understood that. Those that consumed it didn’t care. We consume everything today in the USA. What do we produce?A lot less than we consume. How did that happen? A majority did not identify with the primacy of production, and identified themselves as consumers (as you appear to) and let it slip away. I find your equalities (x = y) simple and ideological, and mostly untrue. Untruth makes for defeat. I hope you don’t want that, and I thank you for keeping it civil. Maybe another time, a little more.
  - Serbian girl on January 26, 2016 · at 1:06 am EST/EDT
    
    Actually, Putin did ask for Glazyev’s advice.. but he quickly shelved it…
    
    http://sputniknews.com/business/20150915/1026993814/russia-economics-reform.html#ixzz3yJCe3Kxw
- Dennis James Leary on January 26, 2016 · at 2:19 am EST/EDT
  
  A thought provoking comment, although pretty strong language re the Saker.
  
  1. Regarding pegging a currency to something, it should be to real goods, like gold, cars, energy, food items, services and well, everything we use. With computers we should be able to do this. Pegging to something as insubstantial as the dollar makes no sense; nor does just floating it.
  
  Along with that, a strong moral government should control the currency.
  
  2. Regarding interest rates, we should not have interest at all. Money should be stable and based on need, not greed.
  
  3. A strong government led by moral and competent leaders could craft an economy that is just and fair.
- Guglielmo Tell on February 08, 2016 · at 11:53 pm EST/EDT
  
  Well, “back2freedom”, your name speaks for you. Same as mine does for me.
  First of all, it is the most typical – and the most despicable – tactic of the 5th Columnists: to discard other side’s arguments as “incompetent”, “mad” or “ridicule” so to present themselves as “the only ones” who “actually understand” how things “work”. Thus the discussion is allowed ONLY within oligarchs’ terms – in other words, pro-Western totalitarianism. And more exactly, pro-Western oligarchs’ whose power is disguised as false wisdom and is not to be questioned. That was the ideological reign of the 90s, promoted especially in Yeltsin’s Russia.
  I am a Marxist, not in Stalinist sense though, but i’ll never allow anybody to reject my arguments JUST because of this. So, don’t waste your breath nor fingers if you plan to do so.
  1) I agree with The Saker’s assessment of Putin’s mistake as disclosed in 3 points, but I couldn’t find mention to the peg in the article. Did you take from this other guy’s comment. Pegging Ruble to the US dollar is indeed stupid, but it is not socialist, all the opposite, it is pro-Western oligarchs.
  2) First of all here – and laugh it out if you are an outcrying neoliberal – inflation is a SOCIAL phenomenon, not just “technical”, and I think Milton Friedman knew it when he wrote the opposite. He was lying on purpose same W. W. Rostow writing about his “5 stages of development”. To stop, to fight or to control the inflation – from MY Marxist perspective – You need to dig at least 2 things out of their graves: to regulate wealth (which is about to become the first issue in American elections this year) and to restore (partial) protectionism. The world could restore the gold pattern – and Russia could do great here in opposition to pegging the Ruble to dollar – but I here are a few articles saying Qaddhafi was punished for this idea exactly with allowance of Russian 5th Columnist Medvedev
  (http://www.infowars.com/libya-was-invaded-to-prevent-pan-african-currency/
  http://www.infowars.com/gaddafi-was-killed-to-stop-pan-african-currency/
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_gold_dinar
  http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/World_News_3/article_7886.shtml
  http://www.thenewamerican.com/economy/markets/item/4630-gadhafi-s-gold-money-plan-would-have-devastated-dollar
  http://russia-insider.com/en/2015/01/28/2871 ).
  3) Yes, it IS possible and I totally agree with The Saker here.
  Which leads me to point the most notable (to me) flaw of the article. It is not JUST Russia – it is the whole (Third) World – the resources. Yes, Russia is resources-rich, but it’s the same kind of domination all over the world (http://www.opednews.com/articles/Paraguay-A-History-Lesson-by-Guglielmo-Tell-130609-677.html#comment440165 – The Saker’s not intended sequel http://www.vineyardsaker.co.nz/2015/07/29/they-say-paraguay-is-in-africa-mosaic-of-horror-by-andre-vltchek/#comment-137154 ):
  Venezuela, Ukraine, Syria is all the same basic screenplay which the The Banksters’ Reich applies to the whole world (http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Nuremberg-Trial-for-US-F-by-Jay-Janson-American-Foreign-Policy_Capitalism-Over-Humanity_Genocide-151212-515.html ). “Exceptionalism” – be it Russian, American or any other shapes the economic policy IDEOLOGICALLY and it is the main obstacle – the biggest MENTAL barrier – for humanity to find a way to co-exist in peace.
Ewan on January 25, 2016 · at 10:32 am EST/EDT

It was a serious question. I thought the article was going to be about the grand strategy it mentioned, in politics and economics. It was in fact about tactics. Where is the grand strategy set out? What is the political system to look like? And the economy?
- Paul II on January 25, 2016 · at 3:20 pm EST/EDT
  
  This is one of the big questions with the Eurasianist movement. It seems a lot clearer about what it is opposed to, which is the Anglo-American system, than what it wants to achieve. Even basic questions, such as “Do you want to see the EU exist?” seem unclear. Sure, they may say that is because they just want an EU that is European, as opposed to Anglo-American, but that begs several questions. One being that the real enemy is finance capital, not really DC. So what is your policy towards the domination of Wall Street and the City of London? What kind of economy are you imagining in a Eurasianist world? Another question is if it is actually honest about certain goals. So, for example, many argue that Russian Eurasianists wanted to lure Turkey out of NATO and the Western embrace with the lure of Asian money. But Turkey and Russia have very different strategic interests in many places. Perhaps the argument about Turkey was actually just to do some business and not the idea that Turkey and Russia could live together in harmony. Not that this is bad, but it means that the stated Eurasianist goal was misleading.
Anonymous on January 25, 2016 · at 11:18 am EST/EDT

Quality commenting on Saker’s blog at all times – especially on this thread – what a wealth of ideas, knowledge and analysis, truly worthy of Appreciation. Thanks to all.
JJ on January 25, 2016 · at 11:36 am EST/EDT

STAVROPOL, January 25. /TASS/. The Kremlin has a positive attitude towards setting up new parties in Russia, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, commenting on reports about plans of business ombudsman Boris Titov to set up the party of business. “The creation of political parties within the limits of the legislation is encouraged, the party diversity and competition between political parties is something that is supported. Of course, the platform on which the party will conduct its work, the line, the ideology of the party are important,” Peskov said. READ ALSO Russia’s non-systemic opposition to field single list of candidates in 2016 polls Kosher Russia party to be created in Russia Kremlin says Putin will continue dialogue with Russian non-parliamentary parties Last session of State Duma’s convocation: tough decisions vs populism He added that “the whole issue of party construction and development of the country’s political system was quite positive.” Chief of staff of business ombudsman Boris Titov and vice-president of the Business Russia all-Russian public organization Tatyana Marchenko told TASS that Titov was going to lead the list of the right-wing party at the State Duma elections to be held in September. “Currently negotiations are underway with several parties, I will not name them now, perhaps, that would be wrong, but all of these are right-wing parties,” she said. Titov has served as Commissioner for Entrepreneurs’ Rights since June 2012. Besides, he is the co-chairman of Business Russia. He also owns the Abrau Durso winemaking company together with his son Pavel Titov.

More:
http://tass.ru/en/politics/851916

hope we hear more from the russias peoples front thingy going on this week
Uncle Bob 1 on January 25, 2016 · at 12:19 pm EST/EDT

There are a couple of stories floating around I’ve read. One from a Russian source,is posted by several Russian friends. Personally,I think it may be a “tabloid” type story. And not be true. Even thought,I’ve suggested the course of action in the story. The Russian government has shown no inclination to do it. And I doubt they are now. The article says they are going to block payments of debts to countries that sanction Russia.

http://novo24.ru/doc/103361_pytin_nanosit_otvetnyy_ydar_i_nokaytiryet_obamy_otkazom_ot_dollara.html

The second one is that in Chechnya a crowd of 700,000 people demonstrated in a pro-Putin and pro-Kadyrov march. I’m not sure what to make of that. There are a couple of theories I have on that. One,is it connected to the 5th columnist the other day saying that Chechnya should be “released” from Russia. Breaking the Federation up. And was that itself part of a Western plot against Russia. Second theory,is this part of the long awaited purging of the traitor 5th column. Showing the peoples outrage over the traitor’s call to break up the Federation. And it being used as a reason to finally take action. Or is it totally something different. And if so,what.I doubt it was just Kadyrov,wanting to get people to have some exercise with a nice walk in the middle of winter.There must be more to the story that isn’t being talked about (yet).The story that a bunch of worthless traitors in Moscow are trying to undermine the relations between the Federal government and Chechen Republican government (for the West’s purposes) may very well be true. And if so,it might be the moment has actually arrived for the needed purge. The very last thing Russia needs is more trouble in the Caucasus caused by 5th column traitors. It may be “root and branch” time has arrived. We can only hope so.
zweistein on January 25, 2016 · at 3:50 pm EST/EDT

“Putin’s biggest failure”

As long as the dollar hegemony exists, the 5th column in Russia will exist. This is a given.

Only perennial juveniles like Hitler would be foolish enough to stage a frontal assault on the 5th column and therefore on the Global Dollar Mafia – and thus bringing harm to himself, but more importantly, harming Russia, maybe for ages to come!

I of course agree that all the points Saker mentions have to be dealt with urgently to restore Russia’s full sovereignty. But if you are David fighting Goliath – the Zionists – you have to pick your battles very wisely.
JJ on January 25, 2016 · at 4:09 pm EST/EDT

Stratfor: Don’t Count on a Revolution or Coup in Russia
Translated by Ollie Richardson for Fort Russ
25th January, 2016

Pravda

The West believes that the sharp drop in oil prices combined with Western economic sanctions imposed after the annexation of Crimea, and its support for separatists in Eastern Ukraine, would cause such economic and social unrest in Russia that could threaten the government of President Vladimir Putin. This is not the right view of the situation, said the expert of Stratfor Agency, Steven Hall.

According to him, in defense of this concept, commentators cite the recent protests (particularly the Russian protests of truckers, who opposed the increase in fees), anti-Putin rhetoric from the Russian opposition bloggers and even an open investigation into the murder of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.

The problem is that the authors analyze Putin, the Kremlin and the events in Russia with overly Western positions. In fact, the power of Putin in Russia and his reputation among Russians remains consistently strong despite the circumstances that could end the political career of the majority of Western leaders.

Hall emphasizes that the power of Putin “is not derived from the people he governs, as it does in Western democracies. In his management of the country Putin relies to a much greater degree on coercive methods. Some experts wish to exaggerate the importance of Putin’s previous career in the KGB, but it’s certainly not the only experience in Russian intelligence that has made Putin who he is. Meanwhile, the experience in the KGB, or the FSB, or any other security services in Russia, imposes a certain view of the world”.

And in general, Hall notes, Putin doesn’t care how Russians express their discontent, namely, demonstrations, protests and so on, and these manifestations of discontent affect his decision. Western commentators and reporters sometimes called the protests harbingers of change or indicators of dissatisfaction, but it is worth reminding that Russia behind the scenes watches the protests very carefully and the Russian security services do a great job to control them.

Meanwhile, Putin “even sees some merit in allowing such protests to take place, because it allows him to create the appearance of democracy in Russia, which appears as a place where opposition forces are allowed to freely express themselves. It can be very helpful in such international forums like the UN, the EU and so on.”

Hall also highlighted the misconception that, if economic conditions in Russia will continue to worsen, discontent and anxiety of the Russians will reach a level that will threaten the current status quo. “When the Russian government explains the causes of economic hardships in the nationalist vein, and accuses external forces, such as the EU and the US, the need to tolerate and deal with the deficit becomes almost a national sport and a national pride”, said the expert. Therefore, it does not pose a threat to the authorities.

“As mentioned above, even if the level of his popularity was substantially reduced, Putin will still have his intelligence agencies that will help him to retain power,” writes the expert. As a reminder, as was written on Politonline.ru in May last year, Russian businessmen have admitted that most people trust the President of Russia Vladimir Putin (68%). Within the rating of trust were the army with 30%, complete the top three representatives of business colleagues trusted by 27% of top managers. The survey was conducted by the Agency “Contact”.

Also, a previously conducted a poll showed that more Russians endorse the work of the police, and trust them. There was also an increased number of those wishing to become law enforcement officers.

The Russians trust the President, the army and the Church, according to the conclusion of experts of “Levada-center”. A recent survey showed that most Russians trust the President (80%), army (64%) and churches (53%). The increase in the credibility of the army (11%) and police (8%) was significantly.

Actually, the “Russian conservative turn that began after Putin returned to the Kremlin in March 2012 was probably closer to the worldview of the Russian conservative and Patriotic majority, than the majority of Western governments are willing to admit”, states Dal Santo in The National Interest.

“But the liberal majority, who are waiting for the West’s release, simply does not exist. The problem with the Russian liberals is the same, which has always been the problems of the Russian revolutionaries: they look down on the rest of the country and believe people are fools,” said the Director of the Moscow Institute Carnegie Dmitri Trenin.

And the Runet, which is traditionally considered the fiefdom of liberal thinkers, too, somehow does not contribute to the “democratization” of youth. The Washington Post released data of huge number of those who are agree with the necessity of control over extremism in social network. But a liberal expert, Fedor Krasheninnikov, bitterly noted that the majority of the Internet support the authorities, and Crimea and is not going to be the capital of a revolution. All of this destroys the myth of the opposition that “the government support is maintained by money, trolls and the career-minded”, by saying the support of the state is honest and free.

“It’s important to admit: the Internet in Russia is no longer a citadel for the opposition,” – upset liberals.’

————————————–
well maybe useful to understand ‘some” of these viewpoints………..
- Uncle Bob 1 on January 25, 2016 · at 9:20 pm EST/EDT
  
  It is good to read them.We on the outside can only understand what we see. Or what people on the inside tell us. So hearing more about the peoples “true” feelings is always important.
Alex Kurtz on January 25, 2016 · at 5:05 pm EST/EDT

What the Atlantic Integrationists don’t understand is no matter how much they try to integrate, the Western leaders will still think they are vodka infused savages who dance with bears in the streets. The west does not respect them nor will they ever. The people in those photos above would be hot dog venders within 12 months if NATO were given the keys to Russia today.

Only Putin can keep Russians from being enslaved by the west.
Robert Murillo on January 25, 2016 · at 6:23 pm EST/EDT

To me, none of the two versions given is correct although it is true that those problems might exist inside Russia; but what I do know is that “it is easy to criticize from the outside than to be there in the center of the problem” Putin always has done what International Law demands, something which the West has never done… he wants to be inside of the law and like he once said: “Every problem is different and the solution has to adjusted accordingly”. Putin is a 100% patriot whether the 5th columnist members are parasites of the system and leaching the country and her people. Another problem not mentioned in the article is that Russia has always been seen as a demonic nation worldwide following the West’s propaganda and hence Russia must overcome that idea people worldwide has about Russia and that is not easy as we are dealing with people of different backgrounds and walks of life. Remember the saying: “One step at a time!”
speakeezy on January 25, 2016 · at 8:00 pm EST/EDT

Excellent analysis. As a European, I feel strongly that we need Russia. Russia is attached to the European continent. Our histories run parallel and are integrated with the Russian people. I throw my hat in the ring with Putin against the insane geopolitics of Kissinger, Wolfowitz, Brezinkski, Bush, Cheyney and yes Clinton and the rest that have deliberately created so much division, war and misery in pursuit of US hegemony and control. Time to send these lunatics back to their asylum!
- NewLiesForOld on January 26, 2016 · at 8:25 pm EST/EDT
  
  Something I learned from this interesting site is that Putin and Kissinger “…are ‘old friends’ who have met 8 or 10 times over the years, once dining at Mr. Kissinger’s home in New York…”
  
  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/20/world/europe/henry-kissinger-to-meet-with-vladimir-putin-in-russia.html?_r=0
  
  That’s the link to the New York Times story about the Putin/Kissinger alleged friendship, separate from the blog post which made me aware of it. The other site has some bizarre theories about the global elite trying to set up a post-WW3 theocracy, with Putin playing the role of “false messiah” for the devout of the Abrahamic religions, or something like that. I don’t believe that theory because I have more faith in the average person’s ability to see through something so ridiculous, but seeing the quasi-messianic hero worship of Putin in the alt-media community (including here), I can see how some Putinists might be vulnerable to that kind of nonsense. I still think the idea is bunk, mind you, but it’s no more irrational than religion itself, so I’m still willing to listen to that person’s fascinating thoughts, just as I’m still willing to listen to Saker’s faith-infused, but otherwise insightful analysis.
  
  Just to be sure though. Nobody here thinks Putin is actually Jesus, do they? I hope not.
  
  Anyway, what I’m more interested in finding out is why he’s hanging out at home with his supposed “old friend” Henry Kissinger. Anybody have a good answer to that question, besides the usual “well he has to play the game for now…”?
  
  Overall, my thoughts echo those of “Rublev” on the previous page: I’ve become very suspicious that the “Putin/Russia/China/BRICS as saviour” concept is just another deception being pushed on us by the same global elites, but I still hope for that idea to be conclusively proven wrong. The more I’ve read of Antony Sutton’s work, the more cynical I’ve become, unfortunately.
  - Veritas on January 26, 2016 · at 8:50 pm EST/EDT
    
    The NY Times is not a paper I would hold up much to – a msm rag. Putin talks to everyone – he knows who is who. Putin also went to the Bushes home. I mean if the leader of a country meets people over the years doesn’t mean they are a double crossing insider.
    
    Russians talk to everyone – even their enemies. You are new here – your post seems to vie on the side of twisting information and trying to make it something else – sadly it wont work – most commenters here are switched on and can make up their own minds of what is going on. I suppose if all else fails – say they are on the side of the unipolar world…….
    - NewLiesForOld on January 26, 2016 · at 9:45 pm EST/EDT
      
      Not a paid troll, just a cynical arsehole. Please accept my apologies for insulting people here and their religions. Obviously I’m atheist (agnostic/ignostic, actually), but still respect everyone’s right to believe whatever they want, as long as it doesn’t interfere with other people too much. I’m in a dreadful mood and wish I’d worded things differently, sorry.
      
      Also, I must have messed up with the hyperlink tags. This is the broken link.
      
      http://redefininggod.com/2015/11/lets-cut-the-crap-vladimir-putin-is-helping-usher-in-the-globalist-new-world-order/
      
      There’s some more stuff about Putin’s comments on 9/11 and asking the question Russia doesn’t expose the lies; there’s other stuff about the origin of the term “BRICs” in a Goldman Sachs paper and asking questions about that too, etc.
      
      Why Russia doesn’t expose 9/11 is a really good question to ask, isn’t it? There are always immediate answers to that too, along the lines of the Western public wouldn’t believe it, or it’s not the right time yet (like all the other obvious moves that it’s apparently not the right time for chess master Putin to make.) None of those answers really satisfy me though, when it comes to 9/11, because the lies are so bloody obvious and the whole thing would fall apart so quickly if push came to shove — but then you can say: “Oh, well Putin doesn’t want to start World War III over exposing 9/11”. There’s always an answer to everything, and to be honest, I’m not sure what to believe. I’m only bringing these issues up because they trouble me and I’d actually like them to be shot down as stupid, by someone much more clever and knowledgeable.
      
      I don’t want to live in a world where everyone’s in on the conspiracy: who would want that?
      - Anonymous on January 28, 2016 · at 1:49 am EST/EDT
        
        New for Old’s link above featuring Preston James Phd proclaiming Putin to be imperfect, therefore nothing but an actor in in the globalists’ plans for the New World Order, is full of very imperfect things Putin has done and said that would disturb most of the Vineyard community. I recommend reading it as a toughening up exercise.
        
        As for Preston James, Phd I don’t know how he himself would stand up under his own perfection standards! Nor who or what he purports is the “real deal” and so superior to Putin. In my book, his smug criticism, from the safe confines of academia and the blogosphere, of a bona fide top player in power politics (that Putin demonstrably is) does not convince me that there is any better alternative for Russia or a multi-polar world, than VV Putin, at this time.
        
        NewLiesForOld on January 28, 2016 · at 5:57 pm EST/EDT
        
        You’ve gotten things mixed up: Preston James is the columnist for Veteran’s Today, not the writer of the blog I linked to (that’s somebody who just calls himself “Ken”). James’ VT article is just one of the things being highlighted, as part of a non-VT piece. I have nothing to do with Ken or that site, by the way. I think his focus on bible prophecy stuff is very odd and I don’t buy the idea that there’s this elite masterplan to install a theocratic NWO, because I think the developed world is far too educated for anybody to take a scenario where the “messiah returns” seriously; no matter how many black budget “UFO” fireworks were thrown into the mix, to dazzle people.
        
        He says some very strange things, along with some rather profound analysis on the long-term goals of the Western elites: I sometimes wonder whether he’s deliberately muddying the waters, so that anybody who talks up the more sensible ideas will be tarred and feathered as a bible prophecy nutcase, or a Jew-hater (he’s taken to referring to “the Jews” a lot lately, rather than something more specific, such as “the Zionists”, which concerns me…)
        
        He also calls Saker a “globalist mouthpiece”, or something like that, which is an accusation that I frown on. The fact that people like me are allowed to post things that could undermine the narrative tells me that the Saker is on the side of truth, regardless of whether his world view is right or wrong.
        
        I really hope that opponents of the “unipolar world order” are playing a long game, with that strategy accounting for the aspects of Russo-Chinese strategy, which appear to play right into the hands of the globalists. As I said: I really don’t want to believe that everyone is in on some vast conspiracy, which is why I’ve been hawking this person’s site, both here and at Moon of Alabama. I want the vast conspiracy idea to face a robust challenge, to find out that truth.
        
        I suggest that if you guys are not aware of Professor Sutton’s work, you check out his Wikipedia page, which is a good summary of his conclusions. There’s even a Brzezinski quote from the 70s, giving credence to Sutton’s claims.
        
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antony_C._Sutton
        
        It’s my knowledge of Sutton’s work and also of the Golitsyn/Angleton affair, which makes me consider Ken’s theory about the Rockefeller-type globalists having scripted the rise of the BRICS, followed by the demise of the USA. Anybody who doesn’t know about Golitsyn should read up on that subject too, in my humble opinion.
        
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatoliy_Golitsyn
        
        If you combine Sutton’s work with Golitsyn’s claims, you might even consider that the McCarthy-era Communist witch-hunts as being reasonable, rather than hysterical; I don’t know. Perhaps the anti-communists were right to see the US establishment as being riddled with people who had deep ties to the Soviet Union, but they misinterpreted those ties as being evidence of a communist plot to take over the West from within, instead of considering it as evidence for both sides being controlled by the same rich elites.
        
        Still, I don’t consider it likely that the last 100 years of history transpired exactly according to the designs of Darth Rothschild; that’s way too far-fetched for my liking. Also, even if the same rich elites have attempted to control both sides, it doesn’t mean they’ve been 100% successful. Saker’s world view includes the idea that Putin is leading the faction to reclaim Russia’s sovereignty, and I hope that true, even though I’m not particularly a fan of Putin or Russia.
        
        It’s true that a Goldman Sachs economist coined the term “BRICs” though, just as it’s true that internal policy papers within the Western-led global financial architecture seem to favour the emergence of the NDB and AIIB, rather than opposing it. What does all of this mean? I don’t know; that’s why I’m hoping for someone much cleverer to figure it all out.
  - zweistein on January 27, 2016 · at 9:31 am EST/EDT
    
    ” Nobody here thinks Putin is actually Jesus, do they?”
    
    Jesus is fiction. Putin is real.
    
    I hope that answers your question.
    - Ewan on January 27, 2016 · at 3:14 pm EST/EDT
      
      “Jesus is fiction” – whatwherewhenhow…what?
      - Anonymous on January 28, 2016 · at 3:04 am EST/EDT
        
        Z: Jesus is fiction E: –whatwherewhenhow….what?
        
        I recently read CHRIST’S VENTRILOQUISTS by Eric Zuesse. Zweistein might like it, Ewan might not. Although Zuesse contradicts Zweistein, and insists that Jesus is provably an historical person, Zuesse probably offends most Christian sensibilities, by his detailed proof that Paul invented Christianity, not Jesus, who was, until the day of his death, a Jewish Rabbi, and not the founder of Christianity.
        
        . Zuesse’s thesis, from the application “legal/forensic methodology” is that Paul and his followers (who never met Jesus) pulled off a coup against James, Peter, and the others in Jesus’ Jewish sect that had known and followed Jesus’ teachings and that Paul won, and invented a new religion that would have appalled Jesus himself.
        
        Zuesse does not deny that Christianity has been and still is the most widespread religious component of human civilization. However, he proves, utilizing modern legal/forensic methodology, as in a court of law, beyond my modest means of refutation, that Jesus was a real person, but Paul’s Christian religion is Paul’s own invention, and that Jesus himself would denounce it as a fiction.
        
        Ewan on January 28, 2016 · at 9:37 am EST/EDT
        
        Sounds like one version of the standard historical account of how Christianity emerged.
Byzantines on January 25, 2016 · at 8:14 pm EST/EDT

Putin must change the Russian constitution with referendum ,to be the real leader of Russia nation .With nation the army and FSB with him has nothing to afraid.Some hundreds oligarchs and some few thousands liberals are not Russia.
MEJ on January 25, 2016 · at 8:25 pm EST/EDT

Russia still needs a supply of Treasuries or other dollar-denominated investments because she still has deals with countries that use dollars. The American empire is crumbling and the dollar will eventually cease to be the global trade currency, but right now it is still accepted and sometimes demanded. So Russia can reduce its use of dollars but cannot yet go ‘cold turkey’ and stop at once.

For similar reasons, I think Putin is wise to keep some people in his government who can speak with the West. Just don’t let them give away the home territory. Kudrin might, but he is an advisor now and not in the government. Plus he pushed for the reserve accounts to form a buffer between Russia and the currency warfare now being waged by Western financial interests. That saved Russia’s bacon in 2008 and again last year.
William Manning on January 25, 2016 · at 9:36 pm EST/EDT

The final call on whatever action is taken is Mr. Putin’s but I can’t help but think what a brilliant team he has put together. They have out-strategized their opponents again and again. Many of those occasions have been for me edge-of-your-seat breathtaking.

Compared to him, I watched an interview with former Secretary Gates who related a story about Barack Obama announcing to his National Security Council (which now numbers 450 people!) that he could do their job better than they. Gates lamented the danger of a leader thinking that he was the smartest man in the room–to say nothing of basing your decisions on the advice of 39 year olds. Where, Gates asked, were the wise men.
elsi on January 25, 2016 · at 11:33 pm EST/EDT

“Putin explains his remarks about Vladimir Lenin”.

http://tass.ru/en/politics/852069

(…) Speaking at an inter-regional forum of the All-Russia People’s Front Putin recalled that Lenin had a fundamental discussion with Stalin over the principles a future state should rest upon. Stalin’s ideas were rejected and the country was built on ideas implying the possibility of secession of constituent territories. “That right [to secession] was the delayed action mine planted under our statehood. This is what caused the country’s eventual breakup,” Putin said(….)

(….) Putin said that he himself had been a member of the Communist Party and an officer of the Soviet security service, the KGB, which some propagandists used to refer to as an armed outpost of the Communist Party. He said he had joined the Communist party not because it was a must.

(…) I cannot say that I was a hardline advocate of the Communist ideology,” he said. “Yet my attitude to all this was very delicate,” Putin recalled, adding he had never been a career party functionary, but just a rank-and-file member. “In contrast to many functionaries I did not throw my membership card away or burn it in public. I still keep it at home.”
Putin acknowledged that he liked Communist and Socialist ideas “very much” and that he still liked them. What senior citizens still remember as the Moral Code of the Builder of Communism (a set of codified moral rules every Communist Party member in the Soviet Union was supposed to follow) looked very much like the Bible in terms of ideological content, but “the practical embodiment of these wonderful ideas in our country was very far from what the Utopian socialists had proclaimed.”(…)

(…) Putin was critical of the Soviet Union’s economic policies. At the same time he recognized that the planned economy managed to mobilize resources and address problems in the health service, in education and in the defense industry.(…)

Well, then, just like me, Vladímir Vladímirovich Tovarishch, what I like and fight for is the Communist and Socialist ideas and I have not even had a Communist Party card nor I have never said that all was perfect in the USSR.
Glad to see that you, as did Comrade Stalin, also disagree to a certain extent with Comrade Lenin. Me too.

I knew it,….. deep in my heart…… :)

Love you all, Я хочу здоровье и сила!
- Straight-Bat on January 26, 2016 · at 11:09 am EST/EDT
  
  elsi,
  It is important to note that, Stalin and now, Putin are objecting to Lenin’s point in the constitution (about right to secession) from a Statist philosophy – being the leader of a ‘State’, they had/have to focus on how a constitution can help in growing and perpetuating the power of the ‘State’.
  Lenin was the path-breaking leader in the true Marxist Socialist revolutionary ideals for whom “State” itself was an instrument of exploitation of poor – he made a ‘blunder’ by adding ‘right to secession’ from a pure ideological standpoint. All over the world, when Political Science is taught, every lecturer mentions the uniqueness of USSR constitution and the reasons behind that. While Lenin and his followers thought that, they will expand the ideology globally to create many more USSR, the AngloZionist Hegemon utlised the constitutional weakness to broke up the first experimental soviet.
  - elsi on January 26, 2016 · at 9:47 pm EST/EDT
    
    “All over the world, when Political Science is taught, every lecturer mentions the uniqueness of USSR constitution and the reasons behind that.”
    
    Any link about this? As I am not a Political Science student, although I would like, I am very interested in knowing those uniqueness……
    
    Thanks in advance, comarde Straight-Bat!
    - Straight-Bat on January 27, 2016 · at 3:14 pm EST/EDT
      
      elsi,
      yes, there is a strong link of how the ideological base of the constitution of Russian SFSR (in 1918) and later, constitution of USSR (in 1924) differed from that of a constitution of a “State” / “Nation-State”.
      Apart from right to secession, two other uniqueness, what I understand, refers to leadership of the working class (theoretically defined as proletariat), and upholding the forms of social property.
      Another very interesting specialty is each autonomous republic (within USSR) had its own Constitution considering the specialties of that autonomous region. To best of my knowledge, these are unique aspects, and the primary reason of these type of special aspects was “ideology”.
eimar on January 26, 2016 · at 2:23 am EST/EDT

Great find Elsi!

Well, he did say his heart belonged to the old (ideal) of the Soviet, but that his brain accepted capitalism.

Though I still think private property (unlike Proudhon) is not theft, I think there should be size and function limits. That’s where the Soviet ideal still has a strong role to play.

Now – didn’t VVP say something (ominous ?;) about ‘unproductive land’ in Russia?

Those with notions of landlordism have been put on notice..:)
Robin Gaura on January 26, 2016 · at 5:02 am EST/EDT

I watched a russian analyst on you tube talking about how every russian company, state owned or private must be audited every year. There are only 6 major auditing firms which do this, and they are all US or European. He says they send all of their data to the US. It sounds like an outrageous setup. Even the defense contractors have all of their business data sent to western security organizations! And these same firms had a major part in dismantling the Ukrainian economy.
It will be interesting to see the new monetary institutions being established by the BRICS. I hope they don´t just copy the insanity of the western models.
- MD on January 26, 2016 · at 10:21 am EST/EDT
  
  Do you have a link ? If the story about auditing is real, then Russia might become a neo-colony again.
  - Robin Gaura on January 26, 2016 · at 2:17 pm EST/EDT
    
    Sorry, I don´t. I think auditing is important to determine investment directions, assess the value and stability of the company, determine taxation, etc. But the major auditing companies in the west are just corrupt. They are expert looters, hooked in with global finance.
    The impression I get is that the economic invasion and looting of Russia after 1991 was very well planned. The international financial sector has done this over and over with Yugoslavia, and so many other countries, they know how to sort of invade any system, change the rules of the economic game, and make usury and theft legal. It seems like they have invaded the russian economy like a mycelium, weaving through the fabric of business. The analyst was saying, why can´t Russians do their own audits? Apparently, constitutional changes, and legal changes have to be made to stop the western financial parasites.
    I think its interesting that VV Putin sat at a dinner with Jill Stein of the Green Party in Moscow after the paris climate show. He at least mentioned that he agrees with some US politicians.
    I think the only way forward to a just and equitable world is through public banking, with web based transparency to avoid fraud and corruption. The work of Ellen Brown, Bill Black, and Michael Hudson really shows how the current depression and suffering in so many countries is a result of financial fraud, huge systemic fraud.
    Just as its hard to kill a fungal invasion without killing the body, so, I´m sure that righting the economic system of Russia has many factors and players. It would be interesting to have more insights posted on this site by economists, as so much of the current warfare is over currencies and financial control.
    - mmiriww on January 26, 2016 · at 4:24 pm EST/EDT
      
      I saw this woman who was pumped by Goldman sachs into buying internet companies at a zillion PE well because they had no profits and hardly any sales.. Yet they threw billions into funds like its a new paradigm. I saw she had a chip, always talking like she knew what the hell nonsense that spewed out of her mouth made sense to the idiots.. Goldman had put her on a pedestal.. And those like her because they were so good as fleecing the public.. Commerce one which was selling for over $300 a share was pumped like it was the next big thing and guess what, it was.. but commerce one was eventually sold for like 25 million or so because that was what the company was worth.. Even though they had raised billions and people ran off with their own billions.. So a 25 mil $ company ended up costing like 10 billion.. And you want economists to come and tell you what? What Greece is feeling well, Goldman set up the Greek financing.. I think their lottery was supposed to bring in 25 billion.. I would be surprised if it bought in 25 million..
      
      See in the US, you are great and right, if you are doing god’s work.. IE fleecing everyone else and bringing in money.. Money is GOD.. Because in god we trust… Being wrong means you just aint bringing in enough money. As simple as that. I do wonder, if there is anyone in the US who don’t think money is god.. except for the very small minority kooks and tin foil hatters or religious nut cases who don’t even have a tv and such.
      
      What’s worse is the entire world now wants to be American. It is hard to not be like that. Far more difficult than you can imagine. And I don’t mean want to look American, but to act American.
      Even the Japanese who for the longest time had a sense of honor. Although if caught instead of taking a knife to the belly they just resign.. That’s what happened to honor..
      
      if 50 bucks for an injun scalp was easy money.. well why not.. $5000 for a Russian scalp.. far out man..
      
      Oh about auditing, don’t call Arthur Anderson.. They did books for most major companies including Enron. So its funny you are not in compliance without an okay from a US based accounting firm.. Arthur did have over a dozen private jets flying their wiz around the world.. For almost a centaury they were the standard to measure American Exceptionalism..
    - Serbian girl on January 27, 2016 · at 12:23 pm EST/EDT
      
      No longer the case.
      
      Foreign auditors/ consulting companies are banned from providing services to Russian-State owned companies. Same in China.
      
      https://www.rt.com/politics/204719-russian-audit-foreign-ban/
Ara on January 26, 2016 · at 5:23 am EST/EDT

The problem with a non-protestant mindset is that, it can be as genius as the Saker, and then as dumb as a central planning thinking socialist, like this article. Putin’s failure? Hardly. One man has never fixed a country all by himself, and even a group of men can’t fix a country all by themselves. He went as far as he could, and the russian economy has prospered as much as it could. The difference between the Protestant West and the rest of the world is that, a non-protestant country’s economy has a ceiling, and it’s a ceiling that’s made of iron and not glass. The populations in these countries are not creative, hence the failure of Skolkovo. It’s a purely materialistic thinking and some rational push, but that’s as much as they can go. Blaming Putin for the slowdown of russian economic development is Communist thinking, like, blaming the government for lack of progress. Russians are not a Protestant nation, therefore, they don’t have any concept of self-governance, creativity, strong desire for growth, self-dependence, concentrated thinking. People’s hatred of the western abominations and their love for the simplicity of the russian soul blinds them from seeing reality as it is. Let’s beware of idealism and call a spade a spade as painful as it may be.
- Anonymous on January 26, 2016 · at 6:02 am EST/EDT
  
  LOL. Your precious Protestants–espeically the White Anglo Saxon Protestants and Jews–are responsible creating the monstrousity known as American capitalism and its Wall Street financial parasites. See the 2008 Wall Street meltdown or the Washington Consensus for examples.
  
  Godforsaken Protestants and their Jew friends don’t have any leg to stand own lecturing the world about economics. They are nothing more than glorified leeches.
- Uncle Bob 1 on January 26, 2016 · at 8:11 am EST/EDT
  
  If that comment wasn’t insulting to all non-Protestants I’d be just laughing at it. But its historically inaccurate as well. It was something that came from the British in the 18th and 19th Centuries and used to attack the Irish with. The British forgot how they obtained that advantage over Ireland by hobbling Ireland’s ability to industrialize and trade in the World. But long before that the richest countries,the ones that actually started modern World trade in Europe were the Italians (almost all Catholic),the Portuguese and Spanish (almost all Catholic),the Low Countries (at that time almost all Catholic). And the South Germans (almost all Catholic). Even today the mostly Catholic countries of Belgium,Luxembourg,and Austria,either surpass,or are neck and neck with their Protestant fellow states. All three of them have higher per capita incomes than most Protestant countries.
  
  But even leaving aside the Protestant-Catholic divide. We see China,the Worlds greatest economy (and rising even higher). Japan,one of the Worlds greatest economies (not Protestant). Richer than any Protestant nation except the US. Where even there,states mostly Protestant like Alabama,Georgia,trail behind some states that are mostly not Protestant.What makes a countries economy prosper isn’t their Religion. But a myriad of other things,their educational level,resource base,size of population,and the creativity of their people,etc,etc,. If we were to use “Religion” as a basis for wealth levels for a group of people. We’d be naming the Jewish faith (certainly not Protestant) in that. Jews as a religious group are richer per capita than any other. So basically,except for old fashioned Protestant “feel good” propaganda,your comment has no fact to it.
- eimar on January 27, 2016 · at 12:13 am EST/EDT
  
  @Ara,
  
  I’m sure I am not the only poster who finds your comment ‘exceptionally’ funny..lol
- Nussiminen on January 27, 2016 · at 8:58 pm EST/EDT
  
  Ara, you sound more like a Liberal than a Protestant: An obnoxious, noisy buffoon. Be that as it may; submitting chauvinist blog barfs certainly doesn’t testify to any strong desire to growth, let alone creativity.
mmiriww on January 26, 2016 · at 7:11 am EST/EDT

One thing that Russia and China is doing right is buying all the gold they can. Neither sells any gold produced in the country and buy as much as they can from outside.. When the empire is betting on debt to create wealth and run their army, Both Russia and China are accumulating Gold like there might be a problem with the financial system of the world. This is a backup as no western governments hold much gold. It has all been loaned out many times over. The Bricks hold as much gold as the rest of the entire planet does maybe a lot more. This is not widely talked about because if more people believed that Gold is wealth as it has been since history began then there might be a problem with wealth created by double entry book keeping and backed up by nothing.
KarlosDJX on January 26, 2016 · at 10:56 am EST/EDT

Well, how is that Medvedev photo is in the 5th column? What’s that column mean than?

—If Ksenia Sobchak is to be believed ( a big if indeed), actually he is going to be the future (and not just the former) president

http://karlosdjx.blogspot.com/2016/01/ksenia-sobchak-told-about-new-castling.html
Petri Krohn on January 26, 2016 · at 5:24 pm EST/EDT

Quoting Moon of Alabama: Libya: The Imperial Violence Keeps Giving

The UNSC resolution is the reason why then Russian President Medvedev was not allowed to run for a second term. Now President Putin – then as Prime Minister only responsible for interior politics – said that as he read the UNSC resolution he found holes in its wording a whole army could march through. Medvedev had made a huge mistake by allowing it to pass. That he had to go is the only good positive result of the NATO attack on Libya.

One more example of Putin using a crisis for his and Russia’s benefit. Was it worth sacrificing Libya, if it would help sideline Medvedev?
- mmiriww on January 27, 2016 · at 5:52 am EST/EDT
  
  It was not just sacrificing Libya but the entire African continent. Libya’s investment in African poverty eradication was substantial. Once Libya was advanced enough to be a modern country, actually far ahead of any other modern country around it including Italy. They wanted to create an African union where they used local currency and gold to trade. It would have bypassed all the European colonial powers and their pillaging of the African continent. Could not let that happen… Now that Africa is again a basket case.. Just look, the US is in all the countries there and terrorists are running rampant kidnapping girls and torturing politicians and now basically again begging the world bank for money.
  
  I am sure Russians would say it was worth it since it made Putin place Russia back on the world scene.. but the number of people in Africa would say it was a sad day in history..
  
  I posted that map of the UN voting with the US.. Russia and China were at the top except for the US vassals and pissboys.. No one has the right to question the loyalties of Egypt, Iran, India or some small countries who has systematically opposed ANY imperial ambitions of the west. Just last 5 years don’t count.. Might have made a difference in the last 50 years.
  https://twitter.com/intlspectator/status/690972331364122628
Bill Warrick on January 26, 2016 · at 9:16 pm EST/EDT

Eric Zuesse has just reported that Lavrov agreed for the Saudi terrorists Alloush and Al-Zoubi to be at the so-called “Peace negotiations”. That seems far worse. I would hope that Assad would refuse to talk with them.