A more sovereign Germany closer to Russia and China may be the straw that breaks the US hegemon’s back
By Pepe Escobar with permission and first posted at Asia Times
Last week we traced the necessary historical and geopolitical steps to understand Why Russia is driving the West crazy.
And then, last Friday, right before the start of the Year of the Metal Ox, came the bombshell, delivered with customary aplomb by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
In an interview with popular talk show host Vladimir Solovyov – with the full transcript published by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Lavrov said Moscow “must be ready” for a possible “break with the European Union.”
The ominous break would be a direct result of new EU sanctions, particularly those “that create risks for our economy, including in the most sensitive areas.” And then, the Sun Tzu-style clincher: “If you want peace, prepare for war.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, afterwards, made sure to explain that Lavrov was taken out of context: the media, predictably, had seized on a “sensational” headline.
So Lavrov’s full, nuanced answer to a question about rocky EU-Russia relations must be carefully examined:
“We believe we would be ready for this. We are neighbors. Speaking collectively, they are our largest trade and investment partner. Many EU companies operate here; there are hundreds or even thousands of joint ventures. When a business benefits both sides, we will continue. I am sure that we have become fully self-sufficient in the defense sphere. We must also attain the same position in the economy to be able to act accordingly if we see again (we have seen this more than once) that sanctions are imposed in a sphere where they can create risks for our economy, including in the most sensitive areas such as the supply of component parts. We don’t want to be isolated from the world, but we must be prepared for this. If you want peace, prepare for war.”
It’s quite clear that Lavrov is not stating that Russia will unilaterally cut off relations with the EU. The ball is actually in the EU’s court: Moscow is stating that it will not exercise a first-strike option to break relations with the Brussels eurocracy. And that in itself would also be quite different from breaking relations with any of the 27 EU member-states.
The context Peskov referred to is also clear: EU envoy Josep Borrell, after his disastrous trip to Moscow, had raised the issue that Brussels was weighing the imposition of further sanctions. Lavrov’s response was clearly designed to drum some sense into the thick heads of the European Commission (EC), run by notoriously incompetent former German defense minister Ursula von der Leyen and her foreign policy “chief” Borrell.
Earlier this week, Peskov was forced to come back incisively to the volcanic saga: “Regrettably, Brussels keeps talking about sanctions, so does the United States with maniacal persistency. This is something we will never welcome. It is something that we do not like at all.”
Talk about diplomatic euphemism.
So the stage is set for a raucous – to say the least – meeting of EU foreign ministers next Monday, where they will discuss – what else? – possible new sanctions. Those most probably would include travel bans and asset freezes on selected Russians, including people very close to the Kremlin, blamed by the EU to be responsible for the jailing earlier this month of right-wing blogger and convicted fraudster (a scam against Yves Rocher) Alexei Navalny.
The overwhelming majority of Russians see Navalny – with a popularity rate of 2% at best – as a lowly, expendable NATO asset. The meeting next week will pave the way for the summit of member state leaders at the end of March, where the EU could – and that’s the operative word – formally approve new sanctions. That would require a unanimous decision by the EU’s 27 member states.
As it stands, apart from the stridently Russophobic usual suspects – Poland and the Baltics – it doesn’t appear Brussels is aiming to shoot itself in the back.
Remember Leibniz
EU observers obviously have not been observing how Moscow’s pragmatic view of Brussels has evolved in the past few years.
Russia-EU trade will continue, no matter what. The EU badly needs Russian energy; and Russia is willing to sell it, oil and gas, pipelines and all. That’s strictly business. If the EU doesn’t want it – for a basket of reasons – no problem: Russia is developing a steady stream of businesses, energy included, all across East Asia.
The always relevant Valdai Discussion Club, a Moscow-based think tank, for instance, is carefully tracking the trade aspect of the Russia-China strategic partnership:
“US policy will continue to seek a split between China and Russia. Europe remains an important partner for Moscow and Beijing. The situation in Central Asia is stable, but it requires the building up of Russian-Chinese cooperation.”
Putin, laterally, also weighed in on the EU-Russia saga, which is a subtext of that perennial battle between Russia and the West: “As soon as we began to stabilize, to get back to our feet – the policy of deterrence followed immediately… And as we grew stronger, this policy of deterrence was being conducted more and more intensely.”
I hinted last week at the intergalactic-distant possibility of a Berlin-Moscow-Beijing axis
Media and telecoms analyst Peter G. Spengler in a lengthy email to me elegantly qualified it as belonging to Robert Musil’s sense of possibility, as described in his masterpiece The Man Without Qualities.
Peter Spengler also called attention to Leibniz’s Novissima Sinica, and particularly to an essay by Manfred von Boetticher on Leibniz and Russia, represented by Tsar Peter the Great, in which the role of Russia as a bridge between Europe and China is emphasized.
Even though Leibniz, in the end, never met Peter the Great, we learn that “it was always Leibniz’s goal to get practical application for his theoretical findings. Throughout his life, he was looking for a ‘great potentate’ who was open to modern ideas and with whose help he could realize his ideas of a better world. In the age of absolutism, this seemed to be the most promising perspective for a scholar for whom the progress of science and technology as well as the improvement of education and economic conditions were urgent goals.”
“Tsar Peter, who was as powerful as he was open to all new plans and whose personality fascinated him anyway, must therefore have been an extraordinarily interesting contact for Leibniz. Since Western Europe had come into closer contact with China through the Jesuit mission and Leibniz had recognized the importance of the millennia-old Chinese culture, he also saw in Russia the natural link between the European and Chinese cultural spheres, the center of a future synthesis between the Orient and the Occident. With the emerging upheavals in the Russian Empire, his hopes seemed to be fulfilled: Full of expectation, he followed the changes in Russia, as they were emerging under Peter I.”
Yet to evoke Leibniz at this stage is to dream of heavenly spheres. The pedestrian geopolitical reality is that the EU is an Atlanticist institution – de facto subordinated to NATO. Lavrov might want to behave like a Daoist monk, or even pull a Leibniz, but it’s hard when you’re forced to deal with a bunch of dummies.
It’s all about sovereignty
Rabid Atlanticists argue that non-entity Navalny is directly related to Nord Stream 2. Nonsense: Navalny was built (italics mine) by the usual suspects as a battering ram to undermine Nord Stream 2.
The reason is that the pipeline will consolidate Berlin at the core of the EU’s energy policy. And that will be a major factor in the EU’s overall foreign policy – with Germany, at least in theory, exercising more autonomy in relation to the US.
So here’s the “dirty” secret: it’s all a matter of sovereignty. Every geopolitical and geoeconomic player knows who does not want a closer Germany-Russia entente.
Now imagine a hegemonic Germany in Europe forging closer trade and investment ties with not only Russia but also China (and that’s the other “secret” inbuilt in the EU-China trade-investment deal).
So whoever is lodged in the White House, there’s nothing else to expect from the US Deep State apart from the “maniacal” push towards perennial, accumulated sanctions.
The ball is actually in Berlin’s court, much more than in the court of eurocratic nightmare Brussels, where everyone’s future priority amounts to receiving their full, fat retirement pensions tax-free.
Berlin’s strategic priority is more exports – within the EU and most of all to Asia. German industrialists and the business classes know exactly what Nord Stream 2 represents: increasingly assertive German sovereignty guiding the heart of the EU, which translates as increased EU sovereignty.
An immensely significant sign has been recently delivered by Berlin with the approval granted for imports of the Sputnik vaccine.
Is Musil’s sense of possibility already in play? It’s too early to tell. The hegemon has unleashed a no-holds-barred hybrid war against Russia since 2014. This war may not be kinetic; roughly, it’s 70% financial and 30% infowar.
A more sovereign Germany closer to Russia and China may be the straw that breaks the hegemon’s back.
“A more sovereign Germany closer to Russia and China……… ”
I would suggest that since in all but name Germany is the “top dog” of the EU and cluster of nations on the Atlantic Peninsula self – named “Europe”, then the institutions who speak in the name of said Europe might be showing signs of being a bit more conciliatory if they are truly seeking some form of sovereignty, free of the dominance of Camp Bondsteel and it’s offshoots. .
Sadly, this is, so far, not the case.
1. NATO ready for peace with Moscow…or confrontation, Stoltenberg claims after ordering funding boost for troops on Russian border.
The article includes the statement “ NATO chiefs said that their pilots had flown at least 350 sorties in response to Russian military maneuvers. “In recent years, we have seen an increased level of Russian military air activity close to the Alliance’s borders,” .
These borders wouldn’t be Russia’s borders would they, by any chance?? ‘
2. Russia slams ‘interference’ from European Court of Human Rights over demands to free jailed opposition figure Alexey Navalny
“ Moscow has rejected a ruling by judges in Strasbourg, who have ordered the immediate release of anti-corruption campaigner Alexey Navalny from a Russian prison, where he is facing a three-and-a-half year sentence for fraud.
In a letter to the opposition figure’s lawyer, Olga Mikhailova, published by his supporters on Wednesday, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) confirmed that it had ruled in his favour.
The day before, the statement says, “a Chamber of Seven judges of the Court decided… to indicate to the Government of Russia… to release the applicant. This measure shall apply with immediate effect.”
The clerks add that the ruling had taken into account “the nature and extent of risk to the applicant’s life… and [was] seen in the light of the overall circumstances of the applicant’s current detention.” Failure to release Navalny, they say, would entail a breach under international law.
Of course, Russia will merely laugh at the latter – but the wording is unbelievable. On what basis do these bobbleheaded dolls believe they have the smallest right to dictate to Russia what her internal policy should be??
These are, of course, the words typical of the leaders of the various Junta’s of Oceania, which we have come across before. However, somehow, they are increasingly brazen. It’s beyond belief that they think they can talk to a sovereign nation, and independent world power, in this tone.
Would they do it anyone else, one wonders?
Again, the difference between the peoples, the nations, and their primary characteristic stands out like a punched throbbing nose.
But it certainly doesn’t seem to indicate much willingness outside of pragmatic business interests in fostering a good relationship with Russia, and loosening their ties to their Franco-Germanic cousins over the Ocean.
Pamela
We have to go back to the 19th century and to Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. The Western bankers did not interfere with his 1871 war against France, after which he unified the German states. They were in fact delighted, wanting to see Germany driven to war against Russia, since their proxy fighter Napoleon failed in the task given to him in 1812. However, Bismarck gives the bankers a nasty shock after he proposes an economic alliance between Germany, Russia and China, knowing perfectly well the foolishness of fighting Russia in the East and having France, Britain and the US looking at Germany from the West (Germany in two world wars was to pay a terrible price for ignoring his warning). The bankers use the erratic Kaiser to remove Bismarck, which he foolishly does. The consequences are well known in Germany losing two world wars.
After 1945 the Anglo-American bankers create the European Union. No, it was not done in 1945. It was, of course, a step by step approach, by which the true intentions were concealed. The current EU is a copy of the American Federation. Both have central banks run by private bankers.
The intent of the EU was to curtail the sovereign status of European states by placing their institutions under EU control. The EU is also the civilian component of NATO. Both have the additional task of marching towards the East, the final goal being the breakup and plunder of Russia. As the late political economist Lyndon LaRouche stated, nothing can save the US dollar than the plunder of Siberia and the Caspian region of Russia. These attempts have failed, making both the EU and NATO very unpopular in Europe.
What do we have now ? We have Germany, the chief power house of Europe looking towards Russia economically, as it needs Russian gas and the Russian market. There is no way it can turn it’s back to Russia in that respect. However, we also have political Germany. It’s a NATO member, forced to have ties to the US. It followed the US in it’s coup d’etat against Yanukovich in 2014, so that NATO could move closer to Russian borders. However, this does not mean that Germany followed the US in 2014 because it had no choice. It, too, had an interest in this, testing Russian resolve and strength regarding a possible implementation of it’s Drang nach Osten policy. It got a reply with the creation of the Donbass republics and with the reunification of Crimea with Russia. It got an additional reply when one of it’s diplomats was expelled after participating in a pro-Navalny demonstration, this demonstration being a pathetic failure. Germany understood that a new Bolshevik Revolution, under a different name, could never again be replicated in Russia, a lesson the US needs to learn. It must also understand that it’s Drang nach Osten policy belongs to the history books.
Russia will now have to be treated with respect. Germany knows it, and the EU knows it. However, the EU, at least for the time being, is powerless to go against Anglo-American bankers. It will follow US policy and in the process see increased dissatisfaction in EU countries, who are beginning to look towards the East. I am presenting a link to the following article:
https://www.rt.com/op-ed/515813-great-atlantic-schism-us-china-europe/
And the conclusion ? The US empire is collapsing, and no doubt Sleepy Joe Biden will give it a helping hand. We now have reports that he is not residing in the White House, with the latest statement being that he will not be meeting any foreign leaders for a period of one month. The task of talking to foreign leaders has been taken over by Kamalla Harris, who is de facto President, as Sleepy Joe cannot handle the job, being senile, if not brain dead.
Germany will take advantage of this collapse of the US empire. It will beef up it’s trade contacts with Russia, while at the same time balancing politically between Washington and Moscow. Political contacts with Russia will increase in due course.
And the EU ? Analysts are split in their conclusions. Some are stating that Germany will depart both the EU and NATO (which will lead to the collapse of the EU), while others are stating that it will depart NATO, while at the same time reorganizing the EU, which will contain northern European states, with the southern ones being expelled. The fact that some 8-10 years ago Germany has been reprinting and stockpiling its marks has, of course, led to all sorts of speculations. Time will tell how things will sort out, bearing in mind that the Anglo-American Atlantic powers will not sit back and watch Bismarck’s dream come true. We are entering interesting times, the finals you might say.
There is one possibility, which I have never heard being aired – maybe because everyone knows / believe it to be impossibly anyway.
But I wonder.
Could the top businessmen of German y stage a coup d’etat there, I wonder?
Seeing where the cretins and human drones who now have power are driving Germany – could there be a desperate attempt to save Germany by seizing power from the Stoltenbergs, the Merkels, and establishing themselves in power ,and then negotiating with Russia??
I dont know, but I do see it as possibly the way out of this mess. And – it wouldn’t be the first time after all.
“cretins and human drones”
Well, certainly some are cretins and drones; and others have barely enough intelligence for “just following orders”. However, some are clever and highly skilled.
Take Merkel, for example. Skills to hoodwink the voters, to herd the cretins and drones, and the other clevers and skilled. Just watch her! But watch also the video wherein she waks through, and refuses to respond to, a crowd of reporters, demanding to know about Sam evesdropping her cellphone … head down, shoulders hunched, a beaten dog.
And the photograph at one of the oligarch get-togethers. In the foreground, Obama sitting on a park-bench, man-spread, arms draped across the length of the back of the bench .. the guy has amazingly long arms and legs! And Merkel, straight out of a hollywood movie, head bent forward, hands clasped in prayer, begging the mafia don, not to make her go back to the thug who will beat her to death.
Merkel is not a cretin, nor a drone. She is owned.
@ Otter
Went looking for the pic you described and among the images including “park bench” found thus little nugget!
€^Alexei Navalny sits on a park bench in Berlin, after being discharged from hospital. Pic: @navalny/
And this: https://news.sky.com/story/alexei-navalny-visited-by-angela-merkel-in-berlin-hospital-12084364
“”Alexei Navalny visited by Angela Merkel in Berlin hospital
Alexei Navalny says he is “very grateful” to have had “a private meeting and conversation” with Germany’s Angela Merkel.
German chancellor Angela Merkel visited Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a Berlin hospital where he was recovering after being poisoned with Novichok, her spokesman has revealed.
Mrs Merkel visited Mr Navalny in a “personal” capacity, Steffen Seibert told a news conference on Monday.
He did not say when or for how long the pair met, but Mr Nalvany said he was “very grateful” she had come to see him.””
And yes, the Merkel Obama park bench pic is a study. Thanks
Only Merkel is owned? The whole Western leadership is owned by the same “money printers”. As long as the latter control money/credit supply & the electoral/democracy of the West stay as they are, no chance of any betterment. LaRouche’s assessment was right on: without dismembring & plundering Russia the West´s path is but to decadence & loss of significant welfare & social stirs.
Owned. As anyone else succeeding her. It all comes down to the big boss and I see not a slightest chance of a change for that matter.
Now, “the Stoltenbergs” … or the one ‘Vidkun’ Stoltenberg.
A reputation as fiery student radical. Umm, check out Mario Savio. It is amazing how many fiery student radicals found places in the establishment, or simply the mundane economy … often proudly promoting their experience as speakers or organizers … the one of a thousand faces running in front.
We don’t need to speculate. They may have been turned. They may have simply managed to stay in front of the television cameras. The undercover cop is the one who knows where to get a truckload of fertilizer. The handler is the one who knows how to feed sound-bites to the dummy. The dummy does not need to be dumb or evil. It just needs to be comfortable.
“Otter” (Actually “Ottar ~ the otter”) told one English king he lived as the Northernmost Norseman and traded with the Bjarmlanders south of the White Sea.
Stoltzenberg on the other hand, stems from North German mercenary helot family and was the only premier of Norway never to mention that the Red Army of the USSR liberated half of Northern Norway from the Nazi Germans during 1944 and 1945 and within a month after Germany was beaten and Berlin had fallen, all these Red Army battalions had basically marched back to the Kola Peninsula , Murmansk and Arkangels.
What e difference!
“Vidkun” doesnt fit for Stoltenberg. The Norwegian traitor Vidkun Quisling never declared war against the Soviet Union (Norwegian Nazis jouned German SS regiments, the Qvisling administration did not.
So Stutterburg of Nato spy family and snitch ancestry was worse than Vidkun Quisling in his non-provoked hateful attacks on the Soviet inheritor-state of Russia.
Finally, the “businessmen of German”.
Businessmen, and banksters, do not stage coups. They invest in those with charisma, public faces, connections, and successful “organizations”. Remembering that you and I are not German under-class and probably don’t know what “charisma” means in this context … is there anybody with German charisma? Perhaps in AfD?
If such a person exists, there are two huge problems :
Germany has for 75 years, until recently, been denied access to the primary document, “Mein Kampf”. Certainly, those with the wealth, or will, could acquire a copy. However, it must needs be handled and, especially, studied discretely … even the American translation. And any attempt to contact and conspire with likely sympathizers would surely be detected by the hegemon.
The empire’s legions are strongly and comfortably installed in their castrae, on the German soil, and in the German population. And in Merkel. And in Stoltenberg.
Remember Chubby Checker, ‘Tsena, Tsena’? Can the legionaires use only the proffered Tsenas? Or can they bother any German woman (or child)? Are the legions shunned, or are they neighbors?
To be sure, there WILL be a New Teutoburg Forest. But the New Arminius must be extraordinarily clever, and lucky too.
Are you saying that everyone that oppose the hegemon must read “Mein Kampf” and have it like a lighthouse?
LOL
It’s not so much that merkel is ‘owned’. Germany is an occupied country, literally.
As to navalny: he’s lucky to be in protective custody. As he becomes increasingly worthless to the ‘west’ as a person, he becomes more valuable as a corpse. W/out Russian protection, his chips would probably have already been cashed in, for him, a la nemtsov.
Re:
If you want to drill deeper into the history of the formation of the EU, I suggest you read Joseph P. Farrell’s “The Third Way, The Nazi International, European Union and Corporate Fascism.”
In it he traces what he asserts is the influence of the “Madrid Circular,” a document circulated in 1950 by the German Geopolitical Center in Madrid which outlines a plan to create what looks remarkably like what was actually created in the following decades: a cartelized EU industrial sector ruled by an unelected bureaucracy accompanied by an elected parliament with no actual power. The legal structures were anticipated by Germans in the 1940s who continued to hold high office after the war and sat at the table drafting the structure underpinning the EU.
pogohere
The idea of a united Europe with one center of power is nothing new. You could say it goes back to the days of the banker controlled Napoleon, to be picked up by the banker controlled Hitler. The Nazis around Hitler never grasped the fact that Hitler was not one of them, being controlled by outside forces. Their idea, of course, is that Europe should be controlled by Germany, and it’s unlikely that Germany will ever give up the idea, depending on the power of Russia. As for the actual creation of the current EU, it went like this:
In 1946 the Council on Foreign Relations decides to create a “United Europe”, ie. the European Union. A step by step approach is applied, as after Hitlers New World Order, Europe was in no mood for another “association”. The bankers therefore use war hero General George Marshall to introduce “The European Recovery Program”, which quickly becomes known as “The Marshall Plan”. A total of 17 billion dollars of bribery money is offered to Europe as a loan on condition Europe creates an 18 member “Organization for European Economic Cooperation”, which ostensibly was a supervising body whose aim was to ensure that the money was not misappropriated, but which in reality was as administrative body for the future European Union. Only 15 % of the 17 billion dollars was payed back to the US, which generously “forgets” the rest.
In 1957 the Organization creates the Common Market, which leads to the creation of the European Union in 1993 and the mess in which Europe has found its self today.
Since the US empire is slowly collapsing, Germany will try to increase it’s influence in the EU, either controlling the entire EU as it exists today, or creating a smaller version, made up of northern EU countries. We shall see what will really happen.
Bobbleheads! Love it!
But why don’t the bobbleheads take a principled stand on Julian Assange?
I sure wish the Russians would come back with that one, too. “How dare you arrogantly instruct Russia in its ethical responsibilities while Julian Assange is rotting in an English prison for telling the truth.”
Katherine
A further warning from Putin
NOVO-OGARYOVO, February 17. /TASS/. Russia will not allow foreign meddling in its parliamentary elections, nor will it turn a blind eye to any assault on its sovereignty, President Vladimir Putin emphasized at a meeting with parliamentary faction leaders on Wednesday. “This choice [by the people] must be protected from any meddling attempts from overseas. We cannot afford to and we will not permit any attacks on the sovereignty of Russia or on the right of the people to be masters of their own land.
Been quite a few articles recent re various external bodies media etc sticking their nose into Russian affairs ….eg from stalker zone especially re Navalny(dances bears investigation stoo)..latest proof of UK FCO strategies for regime change revealed by anonymous as posted by moon alabama…investigations by eg rt today into external eg EU funding for media in Russia.
ECHR saying release Navalny. Reading recent press interview by Soloviev with Lavrov….with Finnish Foreign Minister and answers to press questions..well worth a read
https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/4574102
Extract….”EU has consistently destroyed all the mechanisms without exception that were based on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, including the biannual summits and annual meetings between the Russian Government and the European commissioners and presidents of the European Commission, projects to form four common spaces, over 20 sector-specific dialogues and almost every other more or less important contact, as well as the Partnership and Cooperation Council’s annual meetings with the Russian Foreign Minister and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. These meetings were supposed to be used to conduct a full review of all areas of cooperation between Russia and the EU. To reiterate, all of that has been destroyed. Not by us, mind you. Our contacts with the EU as an organisation have become sporadic. We discuss isolated issues without systematic analysis; issues such as hydrocarbon distribution, and the fact is that the EU is interested in holding these meetings only to cover up for Ukraine’s irresponsible leaders….”
..MFA Skripal time line…. Lavrovs disgust with Germanic politicians ,state organisations and politicking very apparent. His phrase that EU is a ” kingdom of twisted mirrors” seems very aposite
All seems to be building up to some kind of crescendo.
I agree with JJ. I think Pepe is engaging in some wishful thinking here, Germany is not preparing to get out from US/central bank ownership, probably just the opposite.
Germany wants Russian gas, NS2, but only from a subservient Russia who does not oppose the West’s urge to expand at the expense of Russian interests into the east. They want Russian gas but only from a Russia that is broken up, exploited and put in her place (as untermensch) by the West.
The by Russia foiled West’s regime change attempt in Belarus motivated German authorities to punish Russia and play along with the Navalny hoax.
Very true. And, speaking of Belarus, the Western degenerates seem to have found another ”regime critic” there now that the Tikhanovskaya plaything is past her sell-by date: Viktor Babariko whom the pesky dictator Lukashenko has thrown into the slammer for 15 years on trumped-up charges. According to — yes — Wikipedia, Babariko is a ”Belarusian banker, philanthropist, public and opposition political figure”. Hence, now it’s not just the angelic Analny Navalny who has the West’s Liberal Imperialist Establishment crying and weeping out of deepest concern and compassion.
Bottom line: Russia should ditch the Euro-trash and let them freeze or go bankrupt as they pay exorbitant sums of money for ”Freedom gas” and, of course, keep the Navalny scum locked up. At the same time, Belarus should join the Russian Federation. The West’s ”leaders” and their silly noises are great fun when they are genuine, driven by real pain.
EHRC = Soros controlled. This has been publicized a while ago that most of them are being payed by Soros.
European Parliament has about 260 MEPs working for Soros thus payed by Soros.
EU is the political wing of NATO and is IMO still there to continue the Bolshevik project turning Europe into a communist EUSSR.
That is to say:
IMO the people in Europe do not take it any longer and go to the streets to demonstrate and show their anger and fustration about what EU and how their country’s psychopatic leaders are ruling the country.
EU at the moment has the right Hauptman at the right time and the wrong direction to let implode European Union and EU.
Simply back to the nation-state, there will be peace, trade and good friendship with each other, again.
IMO, Bismarck said: Never make war with Russia, only have and keep good relations! He knew Russia and Germany must work together peacefully making the world a better place.
Bismarck who knew Russia and Russians first hand and being a statesman, explained to the hotheads who believed that they would knock down Russia why they could not, and not out of any sympathy for Russia (which he had not), but by a correct appraisal of the forces in balance:
”The result of a war (against Russia) would never result in the destruction of the main power of Russia, which rests upon millions of Russians of the Greek [Orthodox] confession. Even if separated by treaty, these would just as soon reunite, like the parts of a splattered drop of mercury.
This indestructible empire of the Russian nation, made strong through its climate, its vast spaces and its resiliency…would after its defeat remain our sworn opponent thirsting for revenge, exactly like France now is in the West…the “smashing” of a nationality by 3 great powers has not happened in connection with the Poles in 100 years.
The vitality of the Russian will be no less; in my opinion we would do well to treat them as a basic danger against which we maintain protective dikes, but which we cannot eliminate from the world.
By attacking Russia we would only further consolidate it; by waiting we could possibly witness their internal decay and decomposition before we experience their attack, and that even sooner, the less we hinder them by threats from plunging deeper into the Orient”.
“Do not expect that once taken advantage of Russia’s weakness, you will receive dividends forever. Russians always come for their money. And when they come – they will not rely on the Jesuit agreement you signed, that supposedly justify your actions. They are not worth the paper it is written. Therefore, with the Russians you should use fair play or no play. “
IMO you’re giving too much credit to the “people in europe”.
Most couldnt care less about geopolitics, and have no idea about hidden motivations or how they are used as tools by hidden interest.
Panen et circenses. Keep them ocupied with enough bread to survive the day and most will lay low with their heads down weathering the storm.
The only positive thing is that most of them also dont have stomach for war, maybe the only thing that could drive any kind of protests.
“European Parliament has about 260 MEPs working for Soros thus payed by Soros.”
Thanks for this reminder.
I recall reading about this but I cannot recall the source.
It was solid info, though.
Katherine
dave
What you have written has been true up to this month, more or less. Yes, Germany would gladly see the US empire collapse, as well as see Russia broken up and plundered. However, even the biggest Russian hater must have realized by now that a new Bolshevik Revolution, instigated under a different name, would be impossible. Proof of this lies in the pro-Navalny demonstrations, which saw virtually no support from ordinary Russian citizens, with the last ones seeing just a bunch of kids and teenagers. Russia is reality, and I think Germany is beginning to accept this. However, the Anglo-American bankers will never accept Russia as it is, preferring it broken up and plundered. In due course they, too, will have to accept reality. After that I would not be surprised if Britain, France and perhaps the US (if it still exists) will start reminding Russia of their alliances from the two world wars. The Russian response is going to be interesting.
@B.F. Germany would not like to see the US empire collapse, Germany would loose their military backing for their pet project the 4th Reich (EU) and the expansion of it which can only be done backed by military force, because the expansion destabilizes the region and angers the Big Bear neighbor in the east (Russia).
Germany is like a beaten dog (bitch). Too frightened to bolt away. Too weak to snarl at its tormentor. So it barks at neighbors, but it is meaningless noise.
Its ass will freeze to ice crystals if it continues to be the whipped cur accepting vassalage as national destiny.
Germany just needs leaders. But then don’t all the Western sops.
Lets us look at the US.
1 the largest gap between rich and poor more than any historical king and queen.
2 A decreasing standard of living for 80 percent of the population.
3 a congress that is so removed from the people that they indulge in petty gamesmanship.
4 Political leaders that approach senility yet are merely puppets of the few remaining middle class who are shit scared they also may be thrown under the bus.and a military on a promise that costs more and more every year as the infrastructure of the country suffers.
So what will happen … any history book written in any language by any country in any era will give you the answer. Sadly the beheading of the perps is no longer in fashion. Yet the burning at the stake of the opposition is still in force…. if only literally.
Forget about Europe, Australia, New Zealand etc they are merely blackmailed purchasers of high priced outdated weaponry.
”So the stage is set for a raucous – to say the least – meeting of EU foreign ministers next Monday, where they will discuss – what else? – possible new sanctions. Those most probably would include travel bans and asset freezes on selected Russians, including people very close to the Kremlin /…/ ”
Amusingly, these folks are so blinded that they don’t hesitate to turn on what would otherwise be their dependable assets: businessmen and unpatriotic Russian politicians. Sort of an ”asset freeze” indeed, LOL. By contrast, Russia’s vast majority is not affected much. Do the West’s brilliant planners imagine that the Russians would stage a Maidan based upon the fate of the least popular among Russia’s upper crust — due to Western deliberations at that?
Excellent article, Pepe!
If this dynamic between Germany, Russia, and China plays well, it could be a hard knock on US Hegemony. Or, it might have lasting consequences for the US. We can’t determine that right now. The US Financial power is heavily integrated in China, in Western Europe and elsewhere.
But what will even greater German Sovereignty do to the Southern Nations of Greece, Italy and Spain? The maniacal “euro” currency has decimated many of those nations.
Italy still has the industrial/productive power to outdistance even France, but it has been hemmed in by the EU and German structure.
It all sounds promising for “Europe” but not as long as Germany & The EU remains a “mainstay” on Italy and others.
Neither Russia nor Germany need each other. Germany has plenty of energy in the form of coal and Russia has lots of other customers for her gas.
With Brexit, Germany will now replace/ has replaced/ the UK as the US- Zionist main Trojan horse.
Germany is already bullying any country that dares to step out of line (Hungary, Italy) and has been ruthlessly using financial asphyxiation to bring wayward countries back into the fold (Merkel, Schauble with Greece).
The approval of the Sputnik V vaccine is not a sign of rapprochement with the Russia, but rather an act of desperation as the mighty EU has made a mess of their Covid response and vaccine rollout.
Finally, the EU have been willing participants in the US-Zionist criminal enterprise. (Germany in the Balkans, France & Italy in Libya, UK in Iraq). Before joining up with the east, they will have to atone for their crimes, politicians need to be put on trial etc.
Russia and China should insist: only a sincere and repentant EU can be accepted for any lasting commercial & political alliance. This is the only way to definitively “break the Hegemon’s back” as Pepe puts it.
I disagree that “neither Russia nor Germany need each other”, in the sense that while Russia indeed does not need Germany, we in Germany do need some sort of friendly understanding with Russia, to say the least.
I agree, that for that to be realistic, the many wrongs committed by us also towards Russia and Serbia must first be recognized, rectified, and yes, atoned for, in the way that this is possible. For that to happen, we first need a complete change of mindset on the German side.
With a chancellor that has only a while ago received a prize named after the father of the EU, Coudenhove-Kalergi, and therefore does not believe in the sovereignty of any nation state, let alone Germany, there is no realistic chance of that to happen any time soon!
So in the final analysis I am in agreement with you, without a complete replacement of German and western European and atlanticist elites or a change in their attitudes, there will no change for the better!
Russia is right in what they are doing at present.
Thank you for your input, Gregor.. It is rare to read the opinion of a German citizen on any of these english-language sites..
Dobar dan,
1. Germany is not an idependent country. It is occupied by the US since the end of WWII.
2. After WWII the U.S created two proxies, one in Asia and one in Europe to serve the U.S economic and political domination system.
3. After WWII Germany has been subjected to a thorough brain washing which defines the East as a threat, the US as a protector and the support of Israel as a national historic-moral duty.
4.Within the political elite only the atlanticist view is tolerated.
5. The world is changing with the demise of the empire and there is a view that Germany could take over the lead in Europe on a more autonomous European path. I do not think so, after seeing the pathetic and ridiculous Navalny issue. Germany is deeply embeded in the Anglo-American matrix.
6. I do agree with you that Germany has to be judged for what they did in Yugoslavia and many other countries.
7. Russia will do well without Germany.
8. Germany has no future without the resources of the East.
Cheers from France.
Well commented…everyone else has missed this issue: there is an agreement… signed by Germany post-war, which gives sovereignty for 99 years to the US. So there is no point in any current speculation about Germany possibly aiming to regain its sovereignty in the next years, one way or another. It has no wiggle-room geopolitically and German politicians can try now and again to assert German sovereignty but are quickly brought back into line by their US Deep State Handlers. Remember, NATO exists to keep Germany down, the US in and the Russians out…. The US Military has strong separate ambassadorial contacts with each Laender President, to influence and report back on any issues, developments and trends which might negatively affect the relationship between Germany and the US.
Lets see what happens in around 2044…maybe by then the US economy has collapsed and Germany will be free to choose its own destiny without any further ability of the US to exert any influence through NATO…
I think to be realistic, we must get to brass tackks
German “decision makers” are bribed and threatened to do X, Y, Z.
They could be kicked out of office but will retire as weatlthy bunch.
I don’t see any change. I suppose nor does Russia so preparing for continuing stupidity.
‘And that in itself would be quite different from breaking relations with any of the 27 EU nation states’
The crucial dimension that, I think, is missing here is the hiatus between economic and political interests driving Europe in opposite directions. European industry and agriculture has suffered the consequences of the political class which is heavily infested with Atlanticist and associated ideologues. We know clearly enough that the Soros backed EU parliamentary cadre is in sync with the spook managed intelligence agencies and media and many other bureaucratic institutions. They all respond to the same North Atlantic signals. But again European industry has to foot the bill and pay for their policies by loosing markets and other lost opportunities. And here we have the characteristic opposition between finance and industrial capital. Years ago the two interests moved in the same direction; now they move apart. As they do so the anti Russia talk becomes more shrill. It makes sense, no? I take it that Russia’s interest is in allowing the EU overclass to foul their nest in anticipation of the member states having to take remedial action. This is not to say that industrial interests are particularly Russia friendly. No. Their interest is in market share. Their sentimentality is altogether invested in the bottom line. But that is as it should be. Doing business with such people is clean; there is no bad aftertaste. But industry is only half of the economy. The dominant half, finance, is very much guided by the trans Atlantic leading strings. It appears to me that the political stronghold of finance capital is the EU while nation states like Germany are much more concerned with policies that affect their industrial base.
Eurasianists can see that financial policy is rent seeking and accordingly obliged to impose austerity. And this is increasingly opposed by populist anti EU political forces. For each measure of support for the EU there is at least an equal measure against and intent on restoring nation state sovereignty. It goes to and fro, back and forth, but basically time is on the side of Eurasia because the rentiers can only drive things down and seek to erase all democratic push back to continue their reign at all, a questionable plan. Only industrial capital can sustain any semblance of democratic political culture, and this must accrue to the nation state, the locus of sovereignty. In my view the optimal outcome for both Europe and the revived Asiatic world would be to restore the Confederative character of Europe and thus move away from the Unionist attempts to form a power block. Trans Atlantic management is not viable in the long term. But neither is a German led Fourth Reich. The muddle headed Euros need to come to terms with the Westphalian basis of state sovereignty. Every time a universalistic Reich arose a counter alliance also came into play to defeat it. I think the best days of Europe were back in the days of the old Common Market when each state managed it’s own affairs and taxed the rich. Those were the good old days.
A sense of possibility? I think so. Start with the Nato creed: America in, Russia out, Germany down. Factor in the axiom: ‘things change’. Watch how America recedes, Russia approaches, and Germany gets back on it’s feet. So, not just possible but actual. Last thought: try to imagine something similar happening to Japan, another country that is experiencing Asia’s gravitational pull.
The germans apparently or seemingly have learned the hard way how to avoid and abhorr any further risks.
The risks they merrily took in 1871 in France, in 1914 in European soil and in 1941 in the Soviet Union have made them think twice prior to abandon their bows and reverences to the hegemon.
“Even though Leibniz, in the end, never met Peter the Great, we learn …” from history that Leibnitz met Peter I , ‘Emperor Of All Russia’ , three times: 1711 Torgau, 1712 Karlsbad and finally 1716 (Bad) Pymont.
Source: http://mnemeion.studien-von-zeitfragen.net/Leibniz/LEIBNI_1/leibni_1.HTM
It is fortunate that Pepe introduced Leibniz in discussion. If I remember correctly the role of Leibniz if shaping the Eastern policies of Russia was addressed on this very site by some commenters, but it failed to attract to much attention (perhaps because it was a ‘thesis’ launched by Lyndon La Rouche, the ‘fascist crack-pot’) although it is crucial for understanding the dynamics of ‘Eurasian integration’ and the central role of Russia in it. But coming from an authority like Pepe, it has the chance to be considered more carefully.
The Sino-Russian ‘convergence’ is neither a haphazard, nor an opportunistic ‘happening’ forced by external pressures. It was the result of a long and careful planning initiated by two exceptional personalities, Leibniz, who believed in the destiny of Russia more than many Russians, and Peter the Great, who implemented the practical solutions for the success of the plan.
Leibniz envisaged the full integration of Germany in the scheme. Unfortunately Germany fell, twice, to illusions of grandeur, when she anointed herself as the apex of ‘European Kultur’ and the defender of it against ‘Russian barbarism’. Apparently, Germany is ready to fall again for it (bad habits die hard).
”Germany is like a beaten dog (bitch). Too frightened to bolt away. Too weak to snarl at its tormentor. So it barks at neighbors, but it is meaningless noise.”
you just described Russia and dont even know it.
Russia will loose this Cold war 2. Why? because noone likes someone who
is constantly restrained. It is in human blood to cheer for someone who is stronger and who
BEATS the crap out of his opponents. Putin is denying that to Russia. This human trait
is analog to the craving for freedom (in choice) – like the craving of 80s-Russians for blue jeans and cocacola. You deny it, the populations develops a subtle psychosis that leads to a nihilists end.
Same will happen today.
”you just described Russia and dont even know it. Russia will loose this Cold war 2. Why? because noone likes someone who
is constantly restrained.”
This is what I think could and should be called the PCP = Pissing Contest Perspective, according to which Westerners declare victory to their beloved 1% based upon ”superiority” in terms of vulgarity, condescension, and unabashed lying. The PCP serves to boost Western self-confidence and sense of invincibility, but its adherents are at a total loss explaining or even addressing the decay, rot, and outright dissolution of the West; ditto Russia’s achievements, like her successful cooperation with China or the folding of the putsch in Belarus. Putin and Russia don’t yell, boast, and lie. If such restraint doesn’t impress people who have the PCP outlook — big deal.
Andrei Martyanov writes rather eloquently about the pseudo intellectual nature of Western elite analysis, see http://smoothiex12.blogspot.com/2021/02/untreatable-soft-power-part-2.html :
“American “intellectual class” simply has no clue about Russia, especially modern Russia and will not know about her for a reason of this American intelligentsia being precisely anti-intellectual in the most extreme form. This goes beyond Daniel Larison’s dictum of US elites’ ignorance of the outside world. American “intellectuals” who associate themselves with those “elites” are ignorant too and they are incapable of learning–a defining feature of American elites. It is impossible when one is afflicted by the untreatable disorder or projecting one’s own psychosis, born out of a deadly mix of low cultural level and uncontrollable desire to pontificate on the subjects American “intellectual” has no clue about, onto others. So, the paradigm of looking for the car keys, lost in the dark alley, in the place which is brightly lit “because it is easier to look for them here” unfolds. Or, using even older Russian proverb–the pig will always find a dirt to lay in.”
You may or may not be right about what “people like.”
However, we know perfeclty well from history that deep state elites make a specialty of provocation and creating “incidents” via whatever the more advanced technology (telegrams, planted newspaper stories about atrocities, attacks, whatever) to lure an opponent into making a first move that then inflames the domestic public to want revenge.
Putin/Russia must tread very carefully an din fact it might well be to their advantage to keep annoying the West until the US or Ukraine or some other undisciplined entity commits the “atrocity” and gives Russia the upper hand. Of course there are already a lot of genuine atrocities but because of Western control of the narrative, it is difficult for Russia to take advantage of these. So, Russia is IMHO opinion right not let itself be drawn into a pissing match with the Western skunk.
I think Lavrov is doing fine with his verbal sallies, which must be a bit embarrassing for the West if anyone in the West speaks Russian. I wish there were some reporters with the balls to ask Biden, Blinken, and Nod what they think of the Lavrov’s comments re the EU and the West.
Katherine
It’s interesting to me, that so many commenters ignore recent developments in the US:
– the polarization of the society,
– the dehumanizing and economically counter-productive inequality of income (only exacerbated by the ‘virus’),
– the rolling regime change operation eg ‘Russiagate’ & ‘investigations’ against a democratically-elected President,
– the blatant voter fraud (for those who dont know, US election fraud is so commonplace its actually a tradition!),
– the Capitol protests (not “insurrection” – a political use of language, ie using words as weapons), and
– a second impeachment trial.
When a nation starts to disintegrate – it builds up a momentum – nothing can stop it!
I’m not a psychic – call it a ‘hunch’, intuition or a supersensible impulse (call it what you will) but the leading economies of the EU have ‘sniffed the wind’ and can foresee that within 4 – 5 years, we will no longer be referring to the <united States of America.
Front and center in the minds of eurocrats will be not just their economic security but also their national security. In the absence of the US – who will Europe look to for defense? As their economies continue to implode given lockdowns, vaccine resistance (assuming that it can prevent the transmission of strains of the virus) bureaucrats know full well that if a country does not enjoy economic security it cannot expect national security.
This is not to say that the EU will dissolve <in toto – given the influence of the ZOGs of both the UK & France – but its not too fanciful to expect an emerging East-West divide amongst EU member-states, something along the lines of these nations pursuing closer ties with the Eurasian bloc under the aegis of Russia-China-Iran & Turkey:
1 Finland
2 Germany
3 Austria
4 Hungary
5 Italy
6 Serbia, Serbian Orthodox 84.6%
7 Montenegro, Orthodox 72.07%
8 Bosnia & Herzegovina, Islam 51%, Orthodox 30%
9 N. Macedonia, Orthodox 69.6%
10 Greece & Cyprus
11 Estonia
12 Latvia
13 Lithuania
14 Belarus
15 Moldova & Transnistria
16 Novorussiya reunifying with Russia
Note: Roman Catholic Poland (encouraged by The Vatican) will continue to play its historic role of spoiling cooperation between central Europe & Russia and I’ve omitted Ukraine (as its too much of a ‘basket case’) and Switzerland (as its ‘owned’ by international gangster-banksters)
The extent to which the above list formally sign up with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) &/or the global infrastructure development strategy, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) or just do projects on their soil with Chinese finance & Russian tech is still uncertain.
As a reminder by 2013, China was already the top trading partner of these 124 nations around the world, see: https://2oqz471sa19h3vbwa53m33yj-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/china-top-trade-partner-2x-america.png
And lastly, amongst the European peoples themselves there’s a revolutionary spirit developing; in France, a populist, grassroots protest movement for economic justice, the Yellow Vests, (Mouvement des Gilets Jaunes) have been showing the way, the ‘virus’ having only accelerated this spirit.
For some pointers see: Is A Revolutionary Movement Developing in Europe? https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2021/02/16/is-a-revolutionary-movement-developing-in-europe/
PS I’m not entering into the debate around the historic enmity that exists amongst the Slavic nations
I have to comment on your numbers.
“Bosnia & Herzegovina, Islam 51%”
Muslims in Bosnia were a plurality ie. They were the most numerous of the three religions Orthodox, Catholic, Muslim. They were around 40% whereas the other two religions were around 30% each. They never had an absolute majority, and this sudden jump to 51% appears highly suspect.
Take care with numbers from Wikipedia and CIA factbook…(which is where Wikipedia sourced the number)
Thankyou SG
A comment from Otter earlier in thread sent me
down a rabbithole, just clicking links…..
Found this:
TAR-TASS: CANNES, FRANCE. NOVEMBER 3, 2011. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, US president Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron (L- R) talk before a working meeting of G20 leaders in Cannes. (Photo ITAR-TASS / Dmitry Astakhov
Oct 20 Gaddafi was despatched with a bayonet through the anus.
Get a look at Merkel’s face. All leaders are just one CIA manufactured uprising away from a similar fate?
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-itar-tass-cannes-france-november-3-2011-french-president-nicolas-sarkozy-50463867.html
NATO had just done what NATO does…. destroy a viable sovereign nation. Just a decade or so on from it’s handiwork in Serbia.
The core substance of what powers the political relations between countries (Geo-politics) remains too often hidden under a mass of considerations that are grounded in sentimentality and emotions. Under Modernity this hard core substance is without any possible doubt “the reason that is at work within capital” which was foundational to the emergence of Modernity itself and later of rationalism, science, and Geo-politics…
And what is determinant from the perspective of “the reason that is at work within capital” is the possibility to generate further profits. Historically, I mean during its Western phase, the Anglo-sphere was dominant in accumulating profits and because of this very reason it was the center of gravity of the economy-world for a little over two centuries and a half (…, London 1750-1920, New-York 1945-2008). During this age of Western dominance of the economy-world the West never ceased to covet the natural resources present on the Russian territory and because of that the country suffered repeated invasions.
But in 2008 the public bail-out of the privately controlled Western financial system opened a period of transition that started to shift the center of gravity of the economy-world away from New-York, to East-Asia with China at the core.
It is commonly admitted that China’s economic might is soon going to outsize the West. Those who still did not awake to this earthshaking fact better watch Elon Musk state this in this funny video “Elon Musk SHOCKS the Air Force With His Candid Prediction About The Future” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKJ-uS55mhM Musk is not revealing something new. All future economic projections indicate indeed that China is very soon going to dwarf the West in term of economic might. China is indeed approaching a moment that is reminiscent of the kind of economic might that the USA represented just at the close of the 2nd WW. This means that China’s economic attraction on the world is soon going to be irresistible.
And the very cold reality of our present moment is that Western Big Capital holders are not willing to miss the opportunities that the Chinese economy is going to offer … Donald Trump made the mistake not to understand this fact and he paid the price. If my memory does not play tricks on me China just passed the USA as the most sizable trade partner of the EU and German industry is one of the biggest beneficiaries of this new trend. Armed with the knowledge that “the reason that is at work within capital” is the determinant force that shapes the evolution of Modernity it should become evident to all that German capital holders are gradually going to force German political decision makers to align with Beijing and the EU shall be forced to follow the endeavors of its dominant economy which is Germany.
Russia does not dispose of anything that has this kind of inevitability and it is also what ultimately convinced President Putin to steer his country towards China and the East. Both countries are now bound in a symbiotic relationship. They need each other in the short term — to eschew the aggression of the West — to guarantee buyers of its resources in the case of Russia and to guarantee the import of resources in the case of China. Further down the road the economic size of China will be so irresistible that it will simply continue to navigate its own traditional path and the rest of the world will naturally come to recognize the validity of what its animist civilization has to offer…
In light of this context Pepe’s statement that “Russia holds the key to German sovereignty” is simply wishful thinking that is not helpful in gaining a better understanding of our present moment.
This is the essence of America’s imperial global geostrategy, as tacitly admitted by Zbig. Brzezinski in his book, The Grand Chessboard:
“To put it in a terminology that hearkens back to the more brutal age of ancient empires, the three grand imperatives of imperial geostrategy are to prevent collusion and maintain security dependence among the vassals, to keep tributaries pliant and protected, and to keep the barbarians from coming together.”
In terms of Eurasia, America thus must:
Maintain security dependence among its vassals (like Germany).
Keep the barbarians from coming together (like Russia, China, and Iran).
Pox Americana in a nutshell.
More likely that back of U.S hegemony has already been broken. There is no need to doubt that there was serious broke already before Trump. The decline of U.S Empire has been steady process since 2000. Hardly more than 1/4 of its GDP is now based on real economy. Definitely world doesn’t need US. We are better without it.
The United States may never recover from what Covid exposed, a collapsed healthcare infrastructure, and a collapsed economy, an over bloated and inefficient military. Europe in not far behind, and England is right next to the US. Moreover, its endless wars in the Middle East is bleeding the United States Military. Germany has two choices, vassalage to the United States/Nato and drown in fraternity, or Germany can float out of this crisis with Russia and China who clearly have handled the Covid pandemic better than anyone else.
Lavrov was clear that war is always better avoided. But history shows it is hard to avoid, even if the aspiration is for peace. Mankind is still on the treadmill of war, getting off it has proven impossible in the past. But it is imperative we do get off.
https://www.ghostsofhistory.wordpress.com/
Does anyone else wonder if the virus that China along with the CDC delivered to the World, wasn’t the one that the Central Banks had ordered? The Plague along with the currency reset would work a lot better if the Death numbers from Covid were more along the lines of the Spanish Flu, not the common cold.
@Rod
Coming. We havent even started yet.
Saker,
As a fellow Russian Orthodox Christian I humbly suggest you wait until after ‘otdanie’ of the current major Orthodox FeastDay before posting the icon of the next upcoming FeastDay. The Feast of the Presentation/Meeting of our Lord is not yet over and you already have the Feast of the Annuciation which is a month and a half away posted. In the secular world that is analogous to putting out Christmas decorations right after Halloween. Please consider following Orthodox rubrics when observing Orthodox Feastdays in order to avoid confusion especially among your non-Orthodox/non-Christian readers. Thanks for considering this.
An avid reader
Russia and Germany have no real cause for disagreement other than
A. American pressure on the German side which seeks to prevent the formation of a Berlin/Moscow/Beijing bloc by fueling Russophobia and scaring German companies with threat of sanctions
and
B. Vestigial nationalism borrowed from the period of 1600-1945 when both Russia and Germany had an excess of young men able to fight wars of attrition against each other
Both countries have tiny militaries compared to the past and they have each tried their hand at imperialism and seen it kill millions. Russia and Germany are also rapidly aging countries, which causes countries to skew toward conservative policies and away from the kind of youthful extremism that fueled fascism and bolshevism.
The calculus for Germany at his stage is interesting. I suspect that rather than remaining wholly a vassal of America, Germany will transition to becoming an economic bridge between East and West. Bismarck is probably smiling in his grave knowing that his country can finally supplant England as the preeminent European power
That’s what I’ve been thinking as well the whole time, albeit what I had in mind was more his proposal for a German-Russian-Chinese alliance (hat tip to B.F.) coming to fruition, although your idea isn’t far off.
I thought the days where waging war involved throwing young men at each other are over…?
In any case, Germany can always rely on NATO and its proxies.
This article, combined with Dmitry Orlov’s last one (“Why Trump was bound to fail”), gives some flesh to that “sense of possibility”. Dark times bring bright minds, hegelian.
Worth reading the last contribution of Dimitri Orlov ”Why Trump was bound to fail”
@http://cluborlov.blogspot.com/
Just a few ideas that stand out:
”Russian analysts—the ones I particularly respect, being a very choosy connoisseur of Russian analysts—tend to see Trump as a useful idiot. They are somewhat disappointed that Trump turned out to be insufficiently useful and a bit too much of an idiot”.
”the American nation is a cancerous tumor on the body of our planet, and that the best it can do for the good of humanity is to swiftly commit mass suicide”.
Dimitri promised a continuation of his analysis. Keep an eye.
I wonder why no one sees it, but Germany is waging a very successful war on Russia by attacking and destroying all European countries which have some affinity to Russia.
Yugoslavia – Germany instead to insist on referendum to break the country immediately recognized Croatia and Slovenia, rest is history.
Cyprus – using pretext of the banking crisis, Germany broke the spine of the country.
Greece – the story is known well, but funny tidbit is that there was Merkel organized putch to get rid of Papandreu Jr. when he in the beginning of the crisis told her that he needs to run referendum in order to impose such great obligations on Greece citizens.
Ukraine – “EU” was main driver behind overthrowing of the democratically elected parliament and president.
If someone points to Nord stream as a “independent Germany “ no its is only next step in a war against Russia – becoming sole transit country will remove any leverage Russia can have over Germany eastern neighbors and put them firmly in the German sphere of influence.
to Josef:
Germany – especially under the present CDU-influence – isn’t going to change and do without USA. Even if German business-companies would revolt, nothing would change. Not at the present time.
I think the point is: money.
No other explanation comes to my thought. Same goes to Brussels. If someone looks at how much money had been lost by business companies in the last years the self-inflicted amputation is clear.
The case with North stream is something laughable how Germany acts and which “explanations” are presented to the public.
“If someone points to Nord stream as a “independent Germany “ no its is only next step in a war against Russia – becoming sole transit country will remove any leverage Russia can have over Germany eastern neighbors and put them firmly in the German sphere of influence.”
Hmmm, well Russia certainly was sick and tired of running gas to Europe through its Brotherhood pipeline via Ukraine.
Bypassing the Ukraine was one of the prime reasons for Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2.
Not a lot of optimism around re Donbass …Astana process…..nordstream 2.
According to the below
https://tass.com/pressreview/1257867
Kiev may move to even more aggressive actions…very slow if not stalled talks re Syrian Constitution….Germany talking to USA about mechanisms to stop gas supply should Moscow “pressurise” Kiev in any way-eg not continuing with western demands for Moscow to comply!!!!!
Seems all a bit of a cesspool at the moment to me . A lot more **** floating around in it.
And Moscow is definitely not happy with Ursula v L politicising sputnik vaccine. She is stepping right on the edge?
Hmm, having been dicked about with by Ukraine for years re gas payments and outright theft of gas, I expect that Russia will only sign legally iron-clad agreements with Germany and Europe re gas delivery. I would be really surprised if Russia allowed any chnk in its legal defenses and contracts for renewed secondhand dicking with Russia by Ukraine once gas is flowing in Nord Stream 2 (it is already flowing in Nord Stream 1 AFAIK).
As a technical issue the flow of gas cannot be turned on and off at will because someone in Kiev sneezes.
I should think that any attempt by Germany to “turn off the gas” that comes from Russia and to refuse to pay for contracted-for gas would amount to a casus belli. Also, I doubt that German industrialists and municipal leaders etc. would go for any such brinksmanship stunts with their gas supply. The great advantage of Russian gas, as I see it, is dependability and affordability. Once contracts are signed the Germans would be fools to start pulling Russia’s beard. Because Russia could say, “Eff you, we’ll sell our gas in China and you can get fleeced by the Yanks for their LNG or you can freeze to death for all we care and your investors can lick their wounds” (of course Gazprom would also take a hit).
I don’t think for a moment that the US, deep state or whatever you call it, would ever in a million years allow for any kind of German Russian alliance. Pepe makes it clear as to the reasons, starting with German sovereignty, and by default Europe’s. A German-Russian-Chinese trade alliance would, by the very economic, technologic and political dynamism of these countries, speedily dispatch the importance and finances of the US empire.
He also alludes to Peter Spengler calling attention to Leibniz. All I have to add is this: History is not written in the hypothetical!!
Another thing, Navalni, like Guaido in Venezuela, is not an opposition figure in Russia. He is the enemy. An outstanding bootlicker for the US empire and the west in order to destabilize Russia, as in the deadly dark Yeltsin days.
Vis pacem para bellum, Is It latin too?😁
Suffice to say that in the sole month of january 1945 the Red Army killed 450 000 German soldiers.
How to be independent and sovereign with such memories.
Germany will never ever be sovereign again. Far too dangerous for the neighbours.
Nobody – I say nobody- will ever hesitate to push the red button to nuke Germany out of earth.
I recall Stalin at least was in favor of an independent Germany as far back as 1952. The Anglo-American Allies – having supported Hitler’s quest to destroy Russia early on – were opposed to the idea and created the West-East divide that lasted until 1989. I can only assume at this point that the occupation by NATO was punishment for losing to Russia, considering the goal of NATO – to keep the Americans in, the Russians out and the Germans down.
Sun Tzu-style clincher: “If you want peace, prepare for war.” ??
Si vis pacem, para bellum… SPQR quote IMO …
So here’s the “dirty” secret: it’s all a matter of sovereignty. Every geopolitical and geoeconomic player knows who does not want a closer Germany-Russia entente.