Two analyses by Paul Craig Roberts | The Vineyard of the Saker

Note by the Saker: As I have mentioned here, I am currently on a road trip and I have very spotty access to the Internet. The recent Putin-Trump summit has elicited a lot of reactions and I will write an analysis of my own by the time I get back home (somewhere around the 20th-22nd of July). In the meantime, I am posting two more articles by the special permission of Paul Craig Roberts. They were initially posted here

https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2018/07/17/putin-confronts-the-american-dystopia/
https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2018/07/18/america-overrules-trump-no-peace-with-russia/

I don’t necessarily agree with every point made by Paul Craig Roberts, but I do fully share his assessment of the gravity of the situation. In fact, I have a very strong feeling that in spite of the fact that Trump is in reality a very weak man (just look how long it took him to deny having said what he, in fact, did say) the USA seems to be headed for a major constitutional crisis. On this topic, please all see this article by Finian Cunningham originally posted on Sputnik. Until my return, I leave you with Paul Craig Roberts’ latest analyses.

The Saker
——-

Putin Confronts The American Dystopia

We have to hand it to Putin. He is the best that there is. Note the ease with which he mopped up the floor with that idiot Chris Wallace. https://www.rt.com/usa/433447-putin-interview-fox-wallace/

What is wrong with the US media that it cannot produce a second competent journalist as company for Tucker Carlson? Why are America’s remaining good journalists, such as Chris Hedges, now in the alternate media?

All I can say, and Putin probably already knows it, is that there is more going on than presstitutes holding the relationship between Russia and the US hostage to an internal political struggle between the Democratic Party and President Trump. It is not just that the corrupt US media is serving as propagandists for the Democratic Party against President Trump. The presstitutes are serving the interest of the military/security complex, which has ownership interests in the highly concentrated US media, to keep Russia positioned as the enemy that justifies the huge $1,000 billion budget of the military/security complex. Without the “Russian enemy,” what is the justification for such a waste of money when so many real needs go underfunded and unfunded?

In other words, the American media are not only stupid, they are corrupt beyond all measure.

Today at 12:40 Eastern time NPR had a collection of Trump-bashers doing their utmost to prevent the Trump/Putin meeting from leading to a normalizing of relations between the two governments. For example, as every informed person knows, the US intelligence community has most certainly not concluded that Russia interfered in the presidential election. That conclusion was reached by a few hand-picked members of 3 of the 16 intelligence agencies and was expressed not as a proven fact but as “highly likely.” It other words, it was nothing but an orchestrated opinion given by cooperative agents who no doubt expect promotions in return.

Despite this known fact, the NPR propaganda team said that Trump had believed Putin instead of an unanimous US factual intelligence report that proved Russia interfered. The NPR Trump-bashers said that Trump had believed the “thug Putin” and not his own American experts. The NPR Trump-bashers went on to compare Trump’s “siding with Putin” with Trump’s opinion that the Charlottesville violence had contributors from both sides. The NPR Trump-bashers equated Trump’s factual statement about violence from both sides with “siding with the neo-nazis” in Charlottesville.

NPR’s point is that Trump sides with Nazis and Russian thugs and is against Americans.

What Trump said in fact about alleged election interference was that whether there was or was not any election interference, it had no effect as Comey and Rosenstein have admitted, and is certainly not as important as two nuclear powers getting along with one another and avoiding tensions that could result in nuclear war. One would think that even an NPR idiot could understand that.

The Trump-bashing on NPR has gone on all day intermixed with an occasional bashing of Russia for killing Syrian civilians in air attacks on the Washington-supported jihadists that are, as instructed by Washington, trying to hold on to a bit of Syria so that Washington and Israel can restart the war. One wonders at the stupidity of those who give money to NPR so that NPR can lie to them all day long. Like George Orwell foresaw, people are more comfortable with Big Brother’s lies than with the truth.

NPR was once an alternative voice, but it was broken by the George W. Bush regime and has become completely corrupt. NPR still pretends to be “listener-supported,” but in fact is now a commercial station just like every commercial station. NPR tries to disguise this fact by using “with support from” to introduce the paid advertisements from the corporations.

“With support from” is how NPR traditionally acknowledged its philanthropic donors. The real question is: how does NPR hold on to its 501c3 tax-exempt status when it sells commercial advertising? No need for NPR to worry. As long as the presstitute entity serves the ruling elite at the expense of truth, it will retain its illegal tax-exempt status.

It is obvious that the indictments of the 12 Russian intelligence officers immediately prior to the Trump/Putin meeting was intended to harm the meeting and to give the presstitutes more opportunities for more dishonest shots at President Trump. In my day, journalists would have been smart enough and would have had enough integrity to understand that. But Western presstitutes have neither intelligence nor integrity.

How much proof do you want? Here is presstitute Michelle Goldberg writing in the New York Times that “Trump shows the world he’s Putin’s lackey.” The presstitute says she is “staggered by the American president’s slavish and toadying performance.” Apparently Goldberg thinks Trump should have beaten up Putin.

The Washington Post, formerly a newspaper, now a sick joke, alleged that “Trump just colluded with Russia. Openly.”

It is not only the presstitutes. It is the so-called experts, such as Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, a self-important group, financed by the military/security complex, that presides over American foreign policy. Haass, sticking to the official military/security line, declared erroneously: “International order for 4 centuries has been based on non-interference in the internal affairs of others and respect for sovereignty. Russia has violated this norm by seizing Crimea and by interfering in the 2016 US election. We must deal with Putin’s Russia as the rogue state it is.”

What is Haass talking about? What respect for sovereignty does Washington have? Surely Haass is familiar with the ruling neoconservative doctrine of US world hegemony. Surely Haass knows that the orchestrated troubles with Iraq, Libya, Syria, North Korea, Russia, and China are due to Washington’s resentment of their sovereignty. What is Washington’s unilateralism about if Washington respects the sovereignty of countries? Why does Washington want a unipolar world if Washington respects the sovereignty of other countries? It is precisely Russia’s insistence on a multi-polar world that has Russia in the propaganda crosshairs. If Washington respects sovereignty, why does Washington overthrow countries that have it? When Washington accuses Russia of being a threat to world order, Washington means that Russia is a threat to Washington’s world order. Is Haass demonstrating his idiocy or his corruption?

As the American media has conclusively proven that it has no independence but is a mouthpiece for Democrats and corporate interests, it should be nationalized. The American media is so compromised that nationalization would be an improvement.

The armaments industry should also be nationalized. Not only is it a power greater than the elected government, it also is vastly inefficient. The Russian armaments industry with a tiny fraction of the US military budget produces far superior weapons. As President Eisenhower, a Five-Star General, said, the military-industrial complex is a threat to American democracy. Why are the presstitute scum so worried about non-existent Russian interference when the military/security complex is so powerful that it can actually substitute itself for the elected government?

There was a time when the Republican Party represented the interests of business, and the Democratic Party represented the interests of the working class. That kept America in balance. Today there is no balance. Since the Clinton regime, the rich one percent has been getting vastly richer, and the 99 percent has been getting poorer. The middle class is in serious decline.

The Democrats have abandoned the working class, which Democrats now dismiss as “Trump deplorables,” and support instead the divisiveness and hatreds of Identity Politics. At a time when the American people need unity to stand up to warmongering and greed, there is no unity. Races and genders are taught to hate one another. It is everywhere you look.

Compared to the America I was born into, the America of today is fragile and weak. The only effort at unity is to create unity that Russia is the enemy. It is just like George Orwell’s 1984. In other aspects the current American dystopia is worse than the one Orwell described.

Try to find an American public or private institution that is worthy of respect, that is honorable, that respects truth, that is compassionate and strives for justice. What you find in place of compassion and demand for justice are laws that punish if you criticize the Israeli genocide of the Palestinians or leak information showing the felonies committed by the US government. With all of their institutions corrupted, the American people become corrupted as well. Corruption is what the young are born into. They know no different. What future is that for America?

How can Russia, China, Iran, North Korea reach a compromise with a government that does not know the meaning of the word, a government that requires submission and when submission is not given destruction follows as Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Yemen learned.

Who would be so foolish as to trust an agreement with Washington?

Instead of pursuing an agreement with Trump, who is being set up for removal, Putin should be preparing Russia for war.

War is definitely coming.

America Overrules Trump: No Peace With Russia

The governments of Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, if their countries are to survive, must give up their deluded hopes of reaching agreements with the United States. No such possibility exists on terms that the countries can accept.

American foreign policy rests on threat and force. It is guided by the neoconservative doctrine of US hegemony, a doctrine that is inconsistent with accepting the sovereignty of other countries. The only way that Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea can reach an agreement with Washington is to become vassals like the UK, all of Europe, Canada, Japan, and Australia.

The Russians—especially the naive Atlanticist Integrationists—should take note of the extreme hostility, indeed, to the point of insanity, directed at the Helsinki meeting across the entirety of the American political, media, and intellectual scene. Putin is incorrect that US-Russian relations are being held hostage to an internal US political struggle between the two parties. The Republicans are just as insane and just as hostile to President Trump’s effort to improve American-Russian relations as the Democrats, as Donald Jeffries reminds us. https://www.lewrockwell.com/2018/07/donald-jeffries/the-trump-putin-conference/

The American rightwing is just as opposed as the leftwing. Only a few experts, such as Stephen Cohen and Amb. Jack Matlock, President Reagan’s ambassader to the Soviet Union, have spoken out in support of Trump’s attempt to reduce the dangerous tensions between the nuclear powers. Only a few pundits have explained the actual facts and the stakes.

There is no support for Trump’s agenda of peace with Russia in the US foreign policy arena. The president of the Council on Foreign Relations, Richard Haass, spoke for them all when he declared that “We must deal with Putin’s Russia as the rogue state it is.”

Russia is a “ rogue state” simply because Russia does not accept Washington’s overlordship. Not for any other reason.

There is no support even in Trump’s own government for normalizing relations with Russia unless the neoconservative definition of normal relations is used. By normal relations neoconservatives mean a vassal state relationship with Washington. That, and only that, is “normal.” Russia can have normal relations with America only on the basis of this definition of normal. Sooner or later Putin and Lavrov will have to acknowledge this fact.

A lie repeated over and over becomes a fact. That is what has happened to Russiagate. Despite the total absence of any evidence, it is now a fact in America that Putin himself put Trump in the Oval Office. That Trump met with Putin at Helsinki is considered proof that Trump is Putin’s lacky, as the New York Times and many others now assert as self-evident. That Trump stood next to “the murderous thug Putin” and accepted Putin’s word that Russia did not interfere in the election of the US president is regarded as double proof that Trump is in Putin’s pocket and that the Russiagate story is true.

We can see now why neoconservative John Bolton arranged the Helsinki meeting. It set Trump up for political execution by the media and Congress, both controlled by the military/security complex. In the United States there is zero independence, with the exception of Tucker Carlson, in the print and TV media, and zero independence in Congress. These are controlled institutions, and Tucker will not be tolerated much longer.

The lie of Russian interference is now so firmly established that even the Open Letter published in The Nation and signed by luminaries such as Daniel Ellsberg, Noam Chomsky, and Gloria Steinem states: “We must reach common ground to safeguard common interests—taking steps to protect the nation’s elections and to prevent war between the world’s two nuclear superpowers.” Even the most lucid Americans have to accept Russiagate as a fact and regard protecting our elections as important as preventing nuclear war.

There is no meaningful support in the Republican or Democratic party for Trump’s agenda of normalizing US/Russian relations. The combination of a lie made into truth and the power of political campaign combinations from the military/security complex suffice to stifle any support for normalizing relations with Russia. Any US Senator or Representative who supports Trump’s effort to remove Russia from the enemy category will find themselves confronted in their re-election with well-financed opponents declaring them to be traitors who supported Trump’s sell-out of America, while their own campaign contributions dry up.

The American people who are not on the military/security payroll or otherwise dependent on this powerful lobby support peace and elected Trump for that reason, only to discover that a president who stands for peace with Russia is branded a traitor.

It has happened many times before. For example, in his history, The First World War, A. J. P. Taylor explained that all efforts to stop the disastrous war that destroyed Europe were blocked by smearing “as a defeatist, a pacifist, probably a traitor, every advocate of peace, or even of moderation.” As Taylor writes, the “top hats” wanted the money, and the “cloth hats” paid for it with their lives.

What we are experiencing is that democracy is weak and dysfunctional when confronted with powerful lobbies capable of controlling explanations. In America the control over explanations is so complete that the vast majority live in The Matrix.

The Russian media has ignored the American outpouring of hatred and insult against Trump for “selling out America” and has portrayed the Helsinki meeting positively as having established a road to better relations. This Russian view ignores that Trump has no support in the US government or in the media to help him to build this road. The Russian media desperately needs to become familiar with the American response to Trump’s Helsinki meeting with Putin. I have collected together a number of these responses in my recent columns, and the link in this column to Donald Jeffries provides a good sample of the Republicans’ rejection of Trump’s effort to repair the US-Russian relationship.

Just as the World War I British, French, German, and Russian governments could not end the slaughter because they had promised victory and would be discredited, once the Russian government encourages the Russian people that better relations with America are in the making, the Russian government will be locked into delivering the better relations, and this will require the Russian government to give up more than it gains. Russian sovereignty will be part of the price for the agreement.

If the Russians, desperate for Western acceptance, hold on to their delusion that Washington’s hegemony is negotiable, it will not only be at their own peril but also at the peril of all of humanity.

Postscript: The rant in the URL below in Salon, which I suspect is a CIA asset, by a non-entity of no merit or achievement is devoid of fact. But it does stand as an accurate representation of the organized, orchestrated assault in the United States on truth and on those individuals committed to truth, such as Jill Stein and Julian Assange. As the goal is to denigrate Trump, it is not possible to believe the portrayal of the unidentified Republican state senator in the Salon account who lost his faith in Trump simply because Trump did not behave provocatively when he met with Putin. Nevertheless, the portrayal, even if fictional, is accurate in the sense that it represents the controlled explanation that is being fed to the American people and the subject peoples of Washington’s empire. https://www.salon.com/2018/07/18/trump-regret-syndrome-is-spreading-among-republicans-after-helsinki-how-far-will-it-go/

The Russian media desperately needs to accurately translate and publish the Salon article in order for the Russian people to comprehend the impossibility of any agreement with the United States that leaves Russia a sovereign nation. The hatred of Russia that is being generated in America is extraordinary. It can only lead to war.

Throughout the Western World truth and facts have lost their authority. The West lives in lies, and this is the West that confronts the world. It is pathetic to watch Lavrov and Putin continue, time and again, to appeal to facts and to truth when these mean nothing in the West.

Ben Sampson on July 18, 2018 · at 11:58 pm EST/EDT

“The key question, of course, is whether ‘the people’, after a lifetime of dumbing down and misdirection, retain sufficient perspicacity to identify the actual enemies and traitors and whether they have the courage required to do anything about it if they do. Personally, I’m quite doubtful about that.”

this I find an accurate opinion. we have had capitalism for a long time. Roosevelt let it off the hook instead of joining with the unions to end capitalism once and for all. in that sense Roosevelt was a traitor..he saved capitalism.

but the logical extrapolation of systematic capitalism leads right where we are currently and past it to human extinction..not far off from this point. the ordinary people of every country I know are degraded, corrupt to their cores. completely infiltrated by the degradation of capitalist lifestyle. I think its too late for the people to rise. they are totally poisoned

I am a Black man and I am stunned anew everyday by the opposite way Black people are to what we should be by the experience we have lived these past 522 years on the floor of the slaughter-house of European expansion. we love the white man and believe in all his works, live by them, in his houses especially Christianity.

I mean the Russians have their Orthodoxy and it seems to be having a good effect for them. but no Black man should be in Christianity…with its fake white Jesus, Moses, Abraham, David Solomon..all creations to provide Khazar Jewry with an early historical provenance, legitimacy and Biblical authority they do not have in truth. its all a lie..fake which justifies all that has happened to black people and has captured our hearts and minds to our own devastation. and worse is to come for us I expect if we do not see our way clear to change. but its too late!

I am stunned for example by the quality of cinema that comes out of Nigeria. I thought that with their independence African countries would produce art relevant to our truth in existence, with the purpose of reclaiming our minds, history etc on the way to reforming Africa, restoration of the African human being for the purpose of going forward in independence and success. but Nigerian cinema is full of sexual corruption, deviant sexuality, all manner of social corruptions..total social degradation. and that must be a reflection of Nigerian life, how it is right now otherwise they would not me making such cinema. this makes Africa/Africans worse not better

and in the mix we find that the Israelis dominate Nigeria, literally run that country. is it any wonder that human corruption runs like a river in Nigerian life, as powerful and toxic as the Niger infusing the people with filth, covering them in it?

and of course the Key is Israeli racism towards Black people, which is a horrific thing..intense, complete, limitless..and right out in the open too..the way Israelis treat Black people in Israel itself..and elsewhere. and in the face of all this the Nigerians, the largest ‘independent’ Black country, cannot find the strength to resist Israel and the Jews, are dominated by then despite the clear fact that this can only end badly for them, as the Jews demonstratively, have no love at all for Black people

this is a perfect example of the quality of Black people the world currently, corrupt and in existential frame totally opposed to their own collective global interest, literally working for the enemy against their own best interest..a fully co-opted people who look out for, protect and enrich their genocidal enemy..chaffing at the bit to kill us all off. I mean how many killer diseases the white west has to spread in Black Africa before they smarten up?

so who is to bell capitalism/the capitalists?

certainly not its victims who by experience itself, their victimisation, are constituted to carry out that very job. I mean even Putin is a rabid capitalist, even if a Russian nationalist, bound by laws and principle to effect capitalist policy as he goes which are not going to be in the interest of the ordinary Russians. Capitalism is exploitation and the consequences of that basic are cannot be avoided.

as capitalist Putin is ultimately the enemy of all he claims right now. he is an enemy of the people, who will carry through the capitalist program..which is the same as the Zionist are effecting everywhere. so where is the reform or revolution to come from?

nowhere that’s where! the capitalist are free to carry through the capitalist interest which evolves from here on out of capitalism into some form that secures the capitalist class interest and power to remain on top of society and to shape society into a form capable of carrying and sustaining their power. that is Brave New World..the ultimate expression of capitalist power.

we can see the insanity right in front of our faces in the USA and Israel..the crazed will, determination and intent for capitalist survival at all costs..the survival of the class by any means necessary. we see what they have done all along, the mighty horror of capitalist history in the world. we can see the state of the world brought to deliberate environmental ruin for profit, for social control, to control population growth..all growth for that matter, to control everything and so use everything in the interest of the capitalist class.

capitalism is like human fault and failure of character made systematic as a way of life..a way of life against god as nature of which we are all part, and so against life itself. just look at them rant and rave, roil and riot against the possibility of peace on earth. and now it is out of control and there is nothing to stop it ..all checks and balances neutralized. Zi and the Chinese are capitalist, Putin of course, the Indians..all are capitalists and all the people, those who toil are neutralized so capitalism is off down the hill, racing off to the inferno

the late great human species..a failure of nature so far. is there any chance at all we can come out of it and go on? none that I can see

121 Comments

Anonymous on July 18, 2018 · at 8:16 pm EST/EDT

I do not believe Trump is at all a weak man. Why would he endeavor to do what he has done if that were so? Maybe naive, perhaps, but not giving into the the “deep state ” agenda and the ubiquitous ignorami/lemmings.This article, while I find it to be true, is most demoralizing. Remember, many individuals are well aware of the dishonest propaganda. Sadly, many think NPR is the place to go for good information..those who willfully wish to remain “liberal” as it used to be. I will send some of them this article…
- The Saker on July 18, 2018 · at 8:58 pm EST/EDT
  
  Either he is weak, or he is sclerotic and has major short term memory problems (just kidding)
  
  Look, he says A and then says non-A, and now he did it again:
  
  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44870835
  
  True, Kerry had the same problem (in Moscow A, back in DC non-A)
  And then there was Reagan and all his “memory” issues
  
  Seriously, Trump has a big mouth, he can scream “you are fired!!!!!” on TV shows, but the sad reality is that he is owned by the Neocons. Philip Giraldi is spot on when he calls Trump “Israel’s useful idiot:
  
  https://ahtribune.com/us/israelgate/2369-useful-idiot-trump.html
  
  God willing Trump might eventually realize the danger he is in, grow a spine and some balls, and finally strike at the Neocons. But I am not holding my breath.
  
  My 2cts
  
  The Saker
  - Pass the popcorn... on July 18, 2018 · at 10:30 pm EST/EDT
    
    “Look, he says A and then says non-A, and now he did it again:…”
    
    Strange indeed, but as it is becoming a repeating pattern then there must be some form of internal ‘logic’ or strategy at play. What this logic is exactly is far from clear and runs the risk of needing forms of ‘complexity science’ to comprehend. However, for the world beyond the US borders it appears obvious for what it is: duplicitous misdirection at the least. Trump is clearly not concerned with appearing inconsistent in international contexts. His credibility in foreign eyes will lay mainly on the final outcomes of his ‘war by deceit’ on domestic domains — and mainly focused on the miasma that masquerades as US public media. Why should any non-participant observer take what he says in public any more seriously than a matador’s red cape waving in the media breeze? He appears to be selling rope and they appear unable not to buy it.
    
    Trump is clearly sacrificing any formal claim to orthodox establishment POTUS credibility for some type of super clown-strategy — something that does make some type of binary ‘Joker–Dark Knight’ sense (in the US context) if the underlying assumption applied to the US domestic political situation is a raging lunatic asylum undergoing “Trump Derangement Syndrome”. A recent outburst “Democrats Want Trump’s Helsinki Translator Hauled In Front Of Congress To Testify” (ZH) demonstrates the mad hysteria of the swamp-at-large. It also indicates their levels of desperation. If Trump knows he is at the end of a descending US cycle then he also likely realizes that ‘farce’ is the game show in town.
    
    I don’t pretend to understand his modus operandi. However, I am confident that he is wealthy enough to commission the best strategic advice under (I suspect) the meme of “Chaos Theory”. Nor do I apply any framing lens to understanding the situation-in-focus other than as a therapy-orientated action research project writ large. Boy Bush (et al) pulled off a major coup in the ‘911’ charade which proved nearly 20-years ago the modern American mind had become almost totally subservient to mass suggestion and manipulation. Why should we not assume a similar (but not identical) mass event is in progress?
    
    I reserve my judgement of Trump (as player) until the final (US) act. I DO NOT apply rational thinking theory to madness. An “Act of ferocious farce” trumps the rational logicians, and entertains the crowd — ‘entertainment theory’ applies to the next Mid-Terms session. Putin has been advised and will likely act (read ignore) accordingly. The Democrat/neocons nexus have not, and will not respectively. Hence the heightened hysteria.
    
    One thing is clear: the 21st century ‘gods’ are at work on the 20th century empires.
    - David on July 19, 2018 · at 8:17 am EST/EDT
      
      You said: ““Look, he says A and then says non-A, and now he did it again:…” Strange indeed, but as it is becoming a repeating pattern then there must be some form of internal ‘logic’ or strategy at play”
      
      I believe he is messaging. Usually A is completely truthful but more importantly logical based upon historical facts that can be figured out by those distant from the center by gathering correlating data – He then – since the establishment is lying – with a united front – MSM / MIC / Intel Agencies / Politicians – RINO & Dems – he modifies the disclosure to give them a bone so the attack dissipates. But all know he is telling the truth the first time. Multiple subjects the same pattern. Not by chance – he has to keep the ship afloat and has sharks everywhere . He is doing a yeomans job of fending them off but still getting the message to the supporters and expanding the base. 90% of Republicans now support him and huge % of independents
      
      Take for instance the 12 Russian indictments by Mueller on “hacking” the DNC with no proof provided or the last Russian indictment which the proofs “in court” after the Russian with counsel went to court – Mueller claims national security as the reason for not disclosing the proofs in court. For the establishment that is deemed to be “truth”.
      
      But last November a group of former CIA / NSA intelligence specialists headed by Bill Binney (who created many of the NSA surveillance systems – 20 years ago) said it could “not” be a hack – actually was information distributed by “internal agent” – based upon Mathematics of download speed / timing and read of systems availability at the time of the alleged hack on the east coast of US via USB or equivalent and out the door physically.
      
      This very detailed and documented information was provided in an open letter by all the specialists which Trump has among mountains of other data presumably.
      
      Takes a lot of time to pay attention to this Kabuki Dance – but the Kimono is open and can be seen
      - Katherine on July 19, 2018 · at 1:16 pm EST/EDT
        
        “he modifies the disclosure to give them a bone so the attack dissipates. But all know he is telling the truth the first time. ”
        I think this is possible.
        That the flip-flopping is planned.
        The first time he says what he wants.
        The second time is damage control.
        Kind of like tacking upwind in a strong headwind, when you cannot just set the sails and steer one course; instead the choice of course is constrained:
        A long zig; a short zag, seemingly in the wrong direction); a long zig (gets you a bit farther along toward your goal but the course choices a); a short zag. Etc.
        
        So, Trump keeps doing a big zig and a little zag to shut up critics for a few days; meanwhile he’ll be off on another zig.
        
        There may also be an element of conflict-avoiding spouse—just give the little woman what she wants every now and then and look chagrined and promise not to do it again!!!
        
        Trump is an actor! He is no intellect, and I disagree with most of his policies, but in a sense he is playing the audience like a champ.
        
        Katherine
    - Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 8:04 pm EST/EDT
      
      Seems like a similar thing happened during the Reagan-Gorbachov summit. The two got together and talked and agreed that the world would be better off without nuclear weapons. When Reagan came back and told the Deep State this, that plan was quickly veto’d and the Reagan-Gorbochov plans for a nuclear-free world were abandoned.
      
      What you are obviously seeing is the use of force and pressure. Someone agrees to a good idea in a meeting, then they are told that they can’t possibly do this and that their political career is done if they don’t denounce their own words immediately and that the lives of their sons and daughters will be ruined if they don’t. People who are free to speak their own minds tend to be more consistent. Those that are puppets without power to act are the ones who “mis-speak” and otherwise have their words created by those behind the scenes that hold the power.
    - mark on July 20, 2018 · at 6:56 pm EST/EDT
      
      Ignore the hot air.
      Look at what he actually DOES.
      All the kowtowing to Netanyahu.
      He is clearly intent on the destruction of Iran and Venezuela.
      He may offer Russia some worthless “deal” he has no intention of ever honouring to go along with that.
  - tomo on July 18, 2018 · at 10:32 pm EST/EDT
    
    Americans tend to confuse being brave, strong and determined with being a loud, but mentally very weak bully
  - Anonius on July 19, 2018 · at 10:02 am EST/EDT
    
    S, exactly. Kerry came to my mind as well. He did that song and dance. One thing when he talked to Lavrov and another back in Washington.
  - A123 on July 19, 2018 · at 12:16 pm EST/EDT
    
    Saker,
    
    Trump’s statements form part of a larger strategy to play the Fake Stream Media complex. This is an example of strength not weakness. This analogy may help. Think of a skilled Angler working a large fish. Is the Angler ‘weak’ when he allows the fish to take additional line?
    
    The vast majority of voting citizens (Dem, Rep, and Independent) do not particularly care about Russia. It is a far away place that does not impact their daily lives.
    
    Thus, every day Trump causes Fake Media to grovel before Meuller and cover Russia is a day that makes them more detached from the American voter. More Russia coverage = lower viewership for CNN, MSNBC, etc. And, fewer viewers means less Fake Stream Media impact on his 2020 re-election campaign.
    
    Future evolutions of the Trump Administration playing Fake Stream reporters is likely to include (but not necessarily limited to):
    
    — The hacking passed through Russia internet providers/proxies, but may not have started there.
    — The hackers may have been in Russia, but are private citizens. This is a great angle as it allows Putin and others to take shots at George Soros ‘interfering’ in Ukrainian and Hungarian elections.
    — The hacking was targeted at both sides, but was more effective with the DNC because of their poor security practices. Leads back to DNC Chair, Debbie Wasserman Schultz obstructing criminal investigations, destroying evidence, and threatening police officers.
    - Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 1:18 pm EST/EDT
      
      “Think of a skilled Angler working a large fish. Is the Angler ‘weak’ when he allows the fish to take additional line? ”
      
      This is exactly the direction of my thinking, but I chose a different metaphor, sailing against a headwind.
      
      But the technique of playing/landing a strong, struggling fish with a combination of tension and slack is really very apt.
      
      Katherine
    - Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 1:20 pm EST/EDT
      
      Please. It wasn’t “hacking.” It was a leak.
      Katherine
      - Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 8:09 pm EST/EDT
        
        Absolutely. Back when the emails emerged that showed that the Hillary campaign had colluded to destroy democracy and rig the nomination in her favor, the statements that came along had the language of a Bernie Sanders supporter who was disgusted by all of this and was leaking the proof and the truth out to the world.
        
        The whole “Russia did it” was Hillary’s attempt to divert attention. At that time in the campaign, she was counting on her secret deal with Bernie to bring the Bernie voters back into the fold in order to defeat Trump. She was scared to death that this leak would sink her fantasy of getting one up on Bill by becoming President herself, because if the Bernie voters were upset that they’d been robbed and delluded and if they went to the Green Party or simply stayed home and didn’t vote for Hillary, then Hillary was toast. So, her campaign had to act quickly and use the corrupt and colluding corporate media to promote the story that “Russia did it” to distract from the real story which was that Hillary had illegally cheated to get the nomination.
        
        A123 on July 19, 2018 · at 9:41 pm EST/EDT
        
        Except of course they did stay home and Hillary was burned.
        
        This is the woman who ran “Bingo Eruption Squad” to silence women that had sexual contact (willing or unwilling) with her husband. Of all the people the DNC could pick… it boggles the mind.
        
        The economy improving due to Trump’s policies is helping large chunks of the population in traditionally Democratic minority and youth categories. Without monolithic and unquestioning support from these groups, the Dems are in a lot of trouble.
        _____
        
        Polling in the U.S. is inherently suspect, but these numbers are from open ended, not pick list, responses (1). I like how ZeroHedge summarizes interest in the Russia issue:
        
        … when asked what the most important problem facing the nation is, Russia did not even warrant a 1% – and worse still, it is declining in importance from there.
        
        Let’s look at some other key numbers for main concern, approximate average from the shown 7 polls:
        — 13% Illegal Immigration
        — 5% Healthcare
        — 4% Unemployment
        
        And, these values probably overstate the liberal line as the poll is a random sample not registered or likely voters. (2)
        ______
        
        (1) https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-07-19/gallup-shows-how-much-americans-really-care-about-situation-russia
        
        (2)
        https://news.gallup.com/poll/237389/immigration-surges-top-important-problem-list.aspx?g_source=link_NEWSV9&g_medium=NEWSFEED&g_campaign=item_&g_content=Immigration%2520Surges%2520to%2520Top%2520of%2520Most%2520Important%2520Problem%2520List
        
        Anonymous on July 20, 2018 · at 2:23 am EST/EDT
        
        “The economy improving due to Trump’s policies is helping large chunks of the population in traditionally Democratic minority and youth categories.”
        
        Back in the real world://fortune.com/2018/03/15/us-national-debt-trump-tax-cuts/
        
        “Trump’s heady economic potion, however, is masking misguided policies that could leave those same businesses with a severe hangover from today’s celebration. The U.S. government’s huge and growing budget deficits have become gargantuan enough to threaten the great American growth machine. And Trump’s policies to date—a combination of deep tax cuts and sharp spending increases—are shortening the fuse on that fiscal time bomb, by dramatically widening the already unsustainable gap between revenues and outlays. On our current course, we’re headed for a morass of punitive taxes, puny growth, and stagnant incomes for workers—a future that’s the precise opposite of what Trump champions.”
        
        A123 on July 20, 2018 · at 7:49 am EST/EDT
        
        The only way out of the pit dug by prior administrations is to get the private sector moving forward at a good clip. Strong corporate payrolls & earnings yield tax revenue, and strong employment reduces government outlays for welfare and other ‘safety net’ programs. The Trump plan is beginning to work. His growth initiatives are now providing record cash collections to the U.S. Treasury (1).
        
        Once we get past the midterms hopefully Trump will be able to eliminate more of the useless spending and excessive regulation put in by Obama.
        _________
        
        (1) https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2018/05/09/boom-trump-tax-cuts-lead-to-largest-ever-monthly-budget-surplus-n2476725
        
        Little Black Duck on July 20, 2018 · at 3:44 am EST/EDT
        
        Lets not forget that they murdered the hacker suspect long ago.
        His name was Seth Rich.
  - Antoni on July 19, 2018 · at 5:04 pm EST/EDT
    
    Trump get order direct from Tel-Aviv. No US president was so deeply under Zionist control as Trump and no one done for Israel more then zio-Trump.
    
    The bigger part of Russian politics is also under zionists control.
  - Seb on July 19, 2018 · at 7:35 pm EST/EDT
    
    Has he actually said “A”, though?
    
    As far as I recall, in that press conference he said “President Putin stronlgy denied it [meddling in our elections].” I don’t think he ever said it [meddling] didn’t happen.
    
    In any case, I believe this whole meddling story is a huge fad meant to distract from the important stuff. Huge waste of time and energy.
    - Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 8:35 pm EST/EDT
      
      Actually, there was meddling. Trump knows about it because he was in the room, and Putin has good intelligence agencies so he knows it too. It was published in the press a few months ago, so even if it was a secret before then, then Putin and the rest of the world already knows by now.
      
      The problem for the American media is that it was the wrong countries and the wrong actors who were doing the meddling. It was not Russia. However, the stories in the media were about Israel Saudi Arabia meeting with candidate Trump. They promised to help his election with money and other services, and Trump promised to support them once elected.
      
      Its not easy to find on the internet these days, but I did find this article that points in the direction.
      https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/05/19/562293/Trump-Jr-met-with-Persian-Gulf-Arab-Israeli-figure-ahead-of-his-deads-2016-victory
      
      Of course, this is the ‘wrong’ collusion, so it has since been dropped, ignored and buried.
  - Mulga Mumblebrain on July 20, 2018 · at 5:21 am EST/EDT
    
    Trump is a megalomaniac and gargantuan narcissist. That he might do some good is not beyond the bounds of possibility.
- Boris Kazlov on July 24, 2018 · at 1:32 pm EST/EDT
  
  “This article, while I find it to be true, is most demoralizing”, truth does not have to please your feelings
Arvy on July 18, 2018 · at 8:24 pm EST/EDT

“What we are experiencing is that democracy is weak and dysfunctional when confronted with powerful lobbies capable of controlling explanations.”

What you are experiencing, dear friend, is capitalism’s inevitably incompatible and destructive corruption of any attempt at truly democratic governance of, by and for ‘the people’ and the desperate attempts of the ‘one-percenters’ and their media allies to misdirect the blame for outcomes onto anyone other than themselves. Any scapegoat will do for most purposes. However, ‘the people’ themselves have been long-accustomed to Russia’s portrayal as the chief culprit whenever such distractions are needed and ragtag bands of terrorists alone simply aren’t sufficient justification for trillion-dollar ‘defence’ budgets.

The key question, of course, is whether ‘the people’, after a lifetime of dumbing down and misdirection, retain sufficient perspicacity to identify the actual enemies and traitors and whether they have the courage required to do anything about it if they do. Personally, I’m quite doubtful about that.
- Snow Leopard on July 18, 2018 · at 9:01 pm EST/EDT
  
  The American people identifying their real enemies can only come when the suffering and pressure from economic meltdown gives them no other option. Coming soon to a theater near you.
  - Rob from Canada on July 18, 2018 · at 10:32 pm EST/EDT
    
    Real soon. I can tell by looking at a long-term chart of 30-year T-Bond yields that the US bond bull market that has been ongoing since 1980 is over.
    
    http://schrts.co/ME3YvG
    
    It means that the world will no longer finance US trade and budget deficits. Means they’ll print money and create a lot of inflation to solve their debt problems.
    
    Those idiot Washington & Wall Street whores deserve a Russian Order of Friendship Medal from Putin as a reward losing ColdWar2.
    
    Game Over for the MIC, they didn’t want to reform themselves after Vietnam and now they will finally bankrupt America.
    
    http://chuckspinney.blogspot.com/p/pentagon-labyrinth.html
    - Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 7:47 am EST/EDT
      
      “Those idiot Washington & Wall Street whores”
      
      Hardly idiots Rob – they are laughing all the way to their banks. I posted this link elsewhere after you mentioned the true nature of the $200 trillion debt https://truthout.org/articles/wall-street-confidence-trick-the-interest-rate-swaps-that-are-bankrupting-local-governments/:
      
      “But even sophisticated players could have found themselves on the wrong side of this sort of manipulated bet. Satyajit Das gives the example of Harvard University’s bad swap deals under the presidency of Larry Summers, who had fought against derivatives regulation as Treasury Secretary in 1999. There could hardly be more sophisticated players than Summers and Harvard University. But then who could have anticipated, when the Fed funds rate was at 5 percent, that the Fed would push it nearly to zero? When the game is rigged, even the most experienced gamblers can lose their shirts.”
      
      Is their any reason to suppose the new host (e.g. Russia) cannot be similarly plundered?
      - Rob from Canada on July 19, 2018 · at 4:16 pm EST/EDT
        
        Any value in psychopathic values/having a high need for will to power?
        
        If the Russian people learn from America’s mistakes and don’t allow the level of legalized bribery/political engineering that America has. Goldman Sachs and Lockheed Martin have perfected corruption in the US. I don’t think Russians have the same level of get-rich quick mentality that many Americans have.
        
        How much do Russians follow the Russian Trading System Index and the DOW?
        
        Anonymous on July 20, 2018 · at 1:07 am EST/EDT
        
        “If the Russian people learn from America’s mistakes”
        
        Rob, the Russian people already have the same sort of parasitic problem – it is ongoing. The theft of the public assets of the USSR by the Oligarchs may not be quite as large as the US deficit you have identified, massive nevertheless e.g. https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2014/12/18/how-he-and-his-cronies-stole-russia/
        
        “Dawisha takes Freeland’s realization one step further. She is arguing, in effect, that even before those nefarious rules were written, the system had already been rigged to favor particular people and interest groups. No “even playing field” was ever created in Russia, and the power of competitive markets was never unleashed. Nobody became rich by building a better mousetrap or by pulling himself up by his bootstraps. Instead, those who succeeded did so thanks to favors granted by—or stolen from—the state. And when the dust settled, Vladimir Putin emerged as king of the thieves.”
        
        Can you provide any further useful links to support the true $200 Trillion deficit Interest Rate Swap position?
      - Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 8:14 pm EST/EDT
        
        The advantage Russia has is that they’ve been recently plundered by these very same Wall Street super-predators. The whole awful history of the Yeltsin years and the arrival of the “Harvard boys” and their “Shock Therapy” is fresh in Russia’s mind. I’m convinced one of the reasons why Putin is so popular in Russia now is that he’s led the recovery out of those dark days and that many Russians are grateful for this, and there is no way they’d support going back.
        
        juliania on July 21, 2018 · at 8:45 pm EST/EDT
        
        Yes indeed. And it is why he understands the situation Trump is in. And has even now expressed that he wanted Trump to win.
  - tomo on July 18, 2018 · at 10:36 pm EST/EDT
    
    I doubt they will do that. they are like those stingy people with money, obsessed with saving who live like poor people all their lives and then suddenly when they retire they just keep living the same way as poor people regardless of the huge amount of money they saved.
    Besides – let’s not forget that during those LA riots in early 90s – the protesters were burning their own neighborhoods – not Bel Air or Palisades.
    I think these days they are even less organized and less intelligent
    - Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 8:49 pm EST/EDT
      
      Actually they were mostly burning the businesses that were constantly ripping them off. If you live in a poor area of an American city and don’t have a car, you are stuck shopping at business that price gouge you. If you can get a ride to a real store, then you can get decent prices. But if you have to shop at the stores that are there precisely to rip off poor people who don’t have other options, you pay twice as much. Those are the stores that got burned down.
      
      Of course, if you get your news from the MSM, you got this message about how “those people” are “burning their own neighborhoods”. Like most of what’s on the MSM, it was a great deal less than accurate.
  - Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 9:31 pm EST/EDT
    
    Yeh, right…
    
    “What do we want: revolution; When do we want it? … Right after this bong, Dude!”
    - Roman on July 22, 2018 · at 10:36 pm EST/EDT
      
      Thanks to Operation MK Ultra
- Ben Sampson on July 18, 2018 · at 11:58 pm EST/EDT
  
  “The key question, of course, is whether ‘the people’, after a lifetime of dumbing down and misdirection, retain sufficient perspicacity to identify the actual enemies and traitors and whether they have the courage required to do anything about it if they do. Personally, I’m quite doubtful about that.”
  
  this I find an accurate opinion. we have had capitalism for a long time. Roosevelt let it off the hook instead of joining with the unions to end capitalism once and for all. in that sense Roosevelt was a traitor..he saved capitalism.
  
  but the logical extrapolation of systematic capitalism leads right where we are currently and past it to human extinction..not far off from this point. the ordinary people of every country I know are degraded, corrupt to their cores. completely infiltrated by the degradation of capitalist lifestyle. I think its too late for the people to rise. they are totally poisoned
  
  I am a Black man and I am stunned anew everyday by the opposite way Black people are to what we should be by the experience we have lived these past 522 years on the floor of the slaughter-house of European expansion. we love the white man and believe in all his works, live by them, in his houses especially Christianity.
  
  I mean the Russians have their Orthodoxy and it seems to be having a good effect for them. but no Black man should be in Christianity…with its fake white Jesus, Moses, Abraham, David Solomon..all creations to provide Khazar Jewry with an early historical provenance, legitimacy and Biblical authority they do not have in truth. its all a lie..fake which justifies all that has happened to black people and has captured our hearts and minds to our own devastation. and worse is to come for us I expect if we do not see our way clear to change. but its too late!
  
  I am stunned for example by the quality of cinema that comes out of Nigeria. I thought that with their independence African countries would produce art relevant to our truth in existence, with the purpose of reclaiming our minds, history etc on the way to reforming Africa, restoration of the African human being for the purpose of going forward in independence and success. but Nigerian cinema is full of sexual corruption, deviant sexuality, all manner of social corruptions..total social degradation. and that must be a reflection of Nigerian life, how it is right now otherwise they would not me making such cinema. this makes Africa/Africans worse not better
  
  and in the mix we find that the Israelis dominate Nigeria, literally run that country. is it any wonder that human corruption runs like a river in Nigerian life, as powerful and toxic as the Niger infusing the people with filth, covering them in it?
  
  and of course the Key is Israeli racism towards Black people, which is a horrific thing..intense, complete, limitless..and right out in the open too..the way Israelis treat Black people in Israel itself..and elsewhere. and in the face of all this the Nigerians, the largest ‘independent’ Black country, cannot find the strength to resist Israel and the Jews, are dominated by then despite the clear fact that this can only end badly for them, as the Jews demonstratively, have no love at all for Black people
  
  this is a perfect example of the quality of Black people the world currently, corrupt and in existential frame totally opposed to their own collective global interest, literally working for the enemy against their own best interest..a fully co-opted people who look out for, protect and enrich their genocidal enemy..chaffing at the bit to kill us all off. I mean how many killer diseases the white west has to spread in Black Africa before they smarten up?
  
  so who is to bell capitalism/the capitalists?
  
  certainly not its victims who by experience itself, their victimisation, are constituted to carry out that very job. I mean even Putin is a rabid capitalist, even if a Russian nationalist, bound by laws and principle to effect capitalist policy as he goes which are not going to be in the interest of the ordinary Russians. Capitalism is exploitation and the consequences of that basic are cannot be avoided.
  
  as capitalist Putin is ultimately the enemy of all he claims right now. he is an enemy of the people, who will carry through the capitalist program..which is the same as the Zionist are effecting everywhere. so where is the reform or revolution to come from?
  
  nowhere that’s where! the capitalist are free to carry through the capitalist interest which evolves from here on out of capitalism into some form that secures the capitalist class interest and power to remain on top of society and to shape society into a form capable of carrying and sustaining their power. that is Brave New World..the ultimate expression of capitalist power.
  
  we can see the insanity right in front of our faces in the USA and Israel..the crazed will, determination and intent for capitalist survival at all costs..the survival of the class by any means necessary. we see what they have done all along, the mighty horror of capitalist history in the world. we can see the state of the world brought to deliberate environmental ruin for profit, for social control, to control population growth..all growth for that matter, to control everything and so use everything in the interest of the capitalist class.
  
  capitalism is like human fault and failure of character made systematic as a way of life..a way of life against god as nature of which we are all part, and so against life itself. just look at them rant and rave, roil and riot against the possibility of peace on earth. and now it is out of control and there is nothing to stop it ..all checks and balances neutralized. Zi and the Chinese are capitalist, Putin of course, the Indians..all are capitalists and all the people, those who toil are neutralized so capitalism is off down the hill, racing off to the inferno
  
  the late great human species..a failure of nature so far. is there any chance at all we can come out of it and go on? none that I can see
  - Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 12:55 am EST/EDT
    
    “I mean the Russians have their Orthodoxy and it seems to be having a good effect for them. but no Black man should be in Christianity…with its fake white Jesus, Moses, Abraham, David Solomon..all creations to provide Khazar Jewry with an early historical provenance, legitimacy and Biblical authority they do not have in truth. its all a lie..fake which justifies all that has happened to black people and has captured our hearts and minds to our own devastation. and worse is to come for us I expect if we do not see our way clear to change. but its too late!”
    
    Never ceases to amaze me how this religion thing controls the mass mind. If the negro race had any balls they would launch a massive class action on the perpetrators of the BS Bible related narratives surrounding the “Son of Ham” crap which underpin much of the racism and historic slavery mentioned.
    - chimmy on July 19, 2018 · at 6:47 am EST/EDT
      
      The notion that Ham was black and cursed was part of the Talmud, not Christianity(see Michael Hoffman Judaism’s strange Gods p222ff) –at least not in the beginning — heck St. Augustine was a “person of color,” And yes, such beliefs have infected some “christians.”
      - Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 8:00 am EST/EDT
        
        Is that in the same fashion as the Pope considering the jews as “elder brothers” http://www.vatican.va/jubilee_2000/magazine/documents/ju_mag_01111997_p-42x_en.html ?
        
        chimmy on July 19, 2018 · at 6:00 pm EST/EDT
        
        Not really– just the notion of “choseness”/racialism versus universality or catholicity if you will.
  - Victor on July 19, 2018 · at 2:03 am EST/EDT
    
    “the late great human species..a failure of nature so far. is there any chance at all we can come out of it and go on? none that I can see”
    
    You are correct. And you are correct in your assessment of capitalism and its impact on the world. Human democratic institutions are an 18th century Jewish-spawned farce. They are critically flawed in that money rules over elections, and real power is wielded not by the masses but but a select few ‘capitalists’.
    
    Jesus said it clearly and profoundly: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Jesus notes the binary choice – God or money. You simply can not serve both. The world today is approaching the summation of all history and a confirmation of Jesus’ statement. Mankind is clearly and inevitably choosing money over God – wherever you see it in the world. Those who put faith in China, or Russia, or America or the EU to provide the path to ultimate peace in the world will find the effort fruitless as the world hurls itself towards a one world government (corporation-ruled) and a one world religion (Judaism) and a one world God – Mammon.
    
    In the end we will all realise too late that there is only one power that can stop it – God’s direct intervention – which will come sooner than we all expect.
    - Anonymous on July 20, 2018 · at 2:46 am EST/EDT
      
      “In the end”
      
      It’s called the Last Judgment. Since the outcome, on a name by name basis, is, allegedly, pre-known by the Almighty it, sort of, begs the question, why no intervention before the rot first set in.
- Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 8:45 pm EST/EDT
  
  The American people correctly identified one enemy and traitor in Hillary, and made sure she didn’t get the Presidency.
  
  The American people have been voting against these wars since 2008. Polls before that showed they wanted the wars to end.
  
  I stood by the side of the road at an Occupy Wall Street encampment holding a sign that Wall Street was the problem, and I got only positive shouts and honks in reply. I’d stood by the side of the road with anti-war signs during Afghan and Iraq invasions, and got some support but also cursed out and bottles thrown at us. But Occupy Wall Street was different. You could tell that most people responded well to the message that Wall Street was the problem. Most had probably lost jobs when Wall Street bought the company, or had their house foreclosed on, or some other non-positive interaction with the Wall Street bankers who’s constant message is that we must suffer so they can be richer. Thus, identifying Wall Street as the enemies and traitors was very popular position.
  
  Those who notice the use of words carefully might have noticed how the words “Wall Street” were quickly removed from the name “Occupy Wall Street”. Most often now its referred to (if at all) as “Occupy” or “the Occupy Movement” but the fact that Wall Street was identified as the enemy and that this created a great ground swell in response has been quickly edited out of the story.
  
  Don’t try to judge America by watching CNN. A lot of America doesn’t trust CNN. And CNN lies. If you go by what’s in the MSM, you get a very fake picture of America and Americans.
  - juliania on July 21, 2018 · at 9:07 pm EST/EDT
    
    Indeed, had USians been subservient to the media, Hillary would have been elected. They weren’t! They elected the most improbable candidate, the maverick, the clown – because he wasn’t Hillary! And now, look at Bernie Sanders – he was the false prophet meant to lead us all down the garden path until he swore allegiance to Hillary and we were supposed to follow suit. We didn’t!
    
    This war (and it is a war) against an elected president is unprecedented in my lifetime. Sure, there’s always backstabbing from those who lost, a plan to obstruct, but this is outright war, and they don’t even bother to hide it. Good! More will come over to the side of sanity, peace, diplomacy. As people like Bernie spout the neolib line do we follow, are we confused? No! The scales fall from our eyes, and we shun the syncophants, shake their dust from our sandals.
    
    Occupy Wall Street had as its logo a ballerina dancing atop Wall Street’s ferocious bull. That was brilliant; that’s who they were. No, they are not forgotten.
Isabella on July 18, 2018 · at 9:35 pm EST/EDT

“It is pathetic to watch Lavrov and Putin continue, time and again, to appeal to facts and to truth when these mean nothing in the West.”

I have read similar such sneering attacks i.e. “pathetic” from PCR directed at President Putin – mainly, occasionally Lavrov, as here – over and over and over.

What I have never read, once, is his suggestion as to what Putin and Lavrov should do about the evil country he helped to create via his support of Reagan.

What, Mr. Roberts, do you want Putin and Lavrov to do?

One thing that should be highlighted is that we can only judge people on what we can see, and past history. Both of these tell us that both Putin and Lavrov understand what they are dealing with very well – much better than does PCR.
However, we don’t know what they are doing in addition to the surface, visible, actions. After all, since probably 2002, Russia, under Putins’ direct orders and direction, was making missiles to which America has no response – none what so ever. Saker has pointed out, in a recent article, knowledge of 2 more, which President Putin didn’t even mention publically yet.
So while PCR was castigating Putin for being “naive” and “pathetic” and believing the liars in Washington, unbeknownst to him, or anyone else. Putin was ensuring that soon, the idea of a military war would be finished. American war mongers can yell and scream all they want, but American military superiority is over, and they know it.
But I dont see Mr. Roberts referring to this.
Perhaps Mr. Putin actually does know what he is doing Mr. Roberts – better than anyone else.
- middle of no where on July 18, 2018 · at 11:14 pm EST/EDT
  
  isabella- i agree. Name calling is really pathetic considering the disparity in stature between PCR and Putin/Lavrov.
- Auslander on July 18, 2018 · at 11:42 pm EST/EDT
  
  Here’s a little piece of info I was typing for this sight last evening when this site went down.
  
  Regardless of who thinks what, it is publicly acknowledged in this AO, the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces, that the Kinzhal missile system is deployed and in service. This little fact means that Foggy Bottom and Five Points in US are aware of this deployment.
  
  I have said since President Putin announced on 01 March of this year that all those new weapons mentioned in his speech were already in service, otherwise he would not have mentioned them, he is not one for bravado. If Kinzhal is in service, so are the other systems, in my opinion.
  
  This brings to a head the question of will there be war with US. Sadly now, I think yes, and it’s not going to be pretty.
  
  Auslander
  - Isabella on July 19, 2018 · at 3:01 am EST/EDT
    
    “This brings to a head the question of will there be war with US. Sadly now, I think yes, and it’s not going to be pretty.”
    
    I feel very conflicted on this one Auslander. On the one hand, the new weapons it’s clear Russia not only has, but mostly has in service, have pretty well annihilated America as a military Hegemonic power.
    
    Putin has also said, and his actions since he took power have supported his statement, that Russia will not again fight to defend herself on her own soil. She will take the battle to the aggressors homeland. This, in fact, is exactly what the videos’ made to illustrate his March speech showed – missiles leaving Russia and raining down on America. Moreover, Chechnya, Georgia / South Ossetia / Syria also show that Putin will take the battle to the aggressor.
    
    Thus one would think that American with their fingers on war buttons would remove hand, shove hands in pockets, and shrug.
    
    But the only thing that counter that, which I also agree seems possible, is if they truly are as insane as they appear. Certainly the language used by the worst of them following the Putin – Trump meeting indicates a fair degree of insanity of the schizophrenic kind – and inability to discern reality and differentiate it from your own generated illusions / delusions.
    
    Are they really that mad, that they can overlook that Russia has the weapons to wipe out America and has stated that, “back to the wall” she will use them?
    
    Can you think of any other circumstance which would lead the world to war?
    - Victor on July 19, 2018 · at 7:17 am EST/EDT
      
      I really do not believe that the American leadership is out to do war against Russia or China. What is happening today is clearly the implementation of the so-called ‘hybrid war’ strategy of the US elite. Keep pressure on Russia and China and Iran on multiple fronts – military, economic, political. Use threats, bullying, severe economic sanctions, military projection on a global and regional basis to present overwhelming potential force to the enemy, use military ‘exercises’ near their borders, use paid jihadi mercenaries to infiltrate countries who do not co-operate with an objective to de-stabilise, and on and on. Wear them down over time. Make them use their resources for weapons to prevent them making life better for their own citizens. The ultimate objective is to destabilise to the point that their populations become so distraught that they turn against their governments, install new leaders who will work with the US Empire rather than against. As a by-product of the hybrid war, defence spending is increased and the war machine takes its profits.
      
      I believe this is all intentional. But I do not believe it will work as under such conditions people have a tendency to collectively ‘circle the wagons’ in support of their government, and will undergo extreme sacrifice in the face of such threats to their existence. America’s hybrid wars will in the end cause more nationalism across the globe as national entities rise up to defend themselves (it is already happening) against these threats and the resulting damage to local societies and cultures by war and economic migrants, and will reveal the evil of the elite as they get caught in their ensuing false flags and lies as is happening today.
      - Robert on July 19, 2018 · at 7:20 pm EST/EDT
        
        Spot on Victor. US/NATO policy in a nutshell. It tends to wear out their own citizens also, who are not into all this elite neo-con warmongering. Lots of Americans/Westerners are really really tired of it all…Need to keep educating friends and neighbors so that we can change things with our collective mind-set so we can just have work and raise our children and spread our collective goodness.
        
        Nils on July 20, 2018 · at 12:17 pm EST/EDT
        
        Nationalism is another component of the hybrid war. The Eurasian bloc is experiencing growing interconnectedness, through rail lines, shipping ports, etc, from the planned Silk Road initiative and other regional blocs.
        
        How do you combat this? Promote nationalism and disentaglement, while at the same time disruption social cohesion as Victor alluded to. Moreover, they plan to dump the EU as a hedge against Eurasian integration – better to let each state squabble and experience political incohesion for a while than to provide Russia and China a unified trading partner.
- Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 1:10 am EST/EDT
  
  Could it be that PCR gives signs of the same affliction that affected Reagan?
  Ozymandias
- carlusjr on July 19, 2018 · at 6:45 am EST/EDT
  
  “Are they really that mad, that they can overlook that Russia has the weapons to wipe out America and has stated that, “back to the wall” she will use them?”
  
  Yes they are. And that is what PCR is saying. It is obvious to him and to me and it should be obvious to anyone who has followed geopolitics. Yet Putin and Lavrov continue to negotiate as though they have “partners” in negotiation. They don’t. So PCR is correct in his evaluation of Putin and Lavrov, that they are now, essentially, delusional with regard to having any honest negotiations with the US and its puppet allies.
  - B.F. on July 19, 2018 · at 7:10 am EST/EDT
    
    carlusjr
    I am afraid that you are very, very wrong. Neither Putin nor Lavrov are delusional. They are both professionals. The US is a reality, at least for now. They have to negotiate with it. And they are doing it in a smart way. The US has applied a thugs approach to Russia, while Russia responds calmly, in a dignified way. And who do you think has achieved points on the international scene ? Who has the greater esteem ? Russia, who else.
    - Serg on July 19, 2018 · at 7:41 am EST/EDT
      
      Exactly my thoughts. It all comes down to what the hell are they supposed to be doing instead? That’s the question PCR and those agreeing with him do not answer, nor ask, apparently.
      
      Should they make everything even worse by adapting a hostile approach, cutting off all communication? This would create a tense atmosphere of uncertainty, running the danger of misinterpretation and misunderstanding which can lead to unintended hot conflict in a heartbeat.
      
      What other option is there? Trying to dictate terms and thereby provoking a misguided “demonstration” of power by the americans? Leading, again, to possible hot conflict?
      
      No their approach is the absolute best they could be doing. Let me cite anecdotal evidence of this in action. NATO tells all its member states to fear Russia and to treat them as if an enemy. When Italy suffered multiple natural disasters from floods to earthquakes, the EU told them to get lost, they won’t get any help from Brussels because they are over budget… Let us leave the inhuman, disgusting way they treat their own allies for another discussion at another time and look at what Russia did instead. They sent help in the form of equipment and personnel and saved a lot of lives. So the people who NATO calls the “enemy” are lending a helping hand while the supposed “allies” are leaving people to die beneath the rubble. This wasn’t lost on journalists and pundits who got on TV in Italy at the time asking what the hell that moron Renzi is doing sending military units to the Russian border.
      
      I believe this incident and many others like it, along with the nonsensical yet very damaging sanctions, which ripped Italian businesses a new one for no reason whatsoever, are responsible for the current anti-EU, pro-Russia coalition which got into power recently. You can see this everywhere.
      
      In essence, that is what Washington is whining about when they cry about Russia “destabilizing the Western world.” Stable, as Chomsky says, simply means under Washingtons control. They just aren’t saying that “Russia is being nice and people begin to notice how shitty we are in contrast.” Destabilizing is negative, it invokes certain images in the listener, though not the ones they actually mean.
      - Isabella on July 19, 2018 · at 3:47 pm EST/EDT
        
        I agree with you Serg – and in fact, here’s something you may find interesting. I dont know if you know Dmitry Orlov, or have read at his site, but if not, I’d give him a try also. In addition to the Saker, he presents some intelligent analysis.
        This last is a gem. Orlov started off by offering his site as a publisher, mostly of works that wouldn’t get published elsewhere. This relates to something learned from that exercise.
        
        Very interesting information – what he shows is not only how incredibly powerful a certain low leverage Hedge Fund manager is, but there is a mystery about this power. From where does it come?? Moreover, he shows that President Putin knows all about it – and in the Press session following the meeting he had with President Trump, went so far as to go public about some aspects of it. I refer, of course, to the Browder – Magnitsky Act mystery and the US$400 thou. donated to the Clinton campaign fund via US Intelligence assets.
        
        This is something that should be spread as far and wide as we can, because there’s no doubt at all that the Powers that Be are going to do all in their power to stiffle it and make it go away.
        But – the “naive, pathetic” Putin, as we know from observing his past actions, doesn’t “go away”. In fact the reverse. He hangs on like a bulldog to a rare steak, and never, ever, lets go.
        It’s could get very interesting.
        
        As the link is to patreon, which is a member only site, it may not work. If not, just go to cluborlov.blogspot.com you will find it there as his latest column.
        
        https://www.patreon.com/posts/calling-deep-20168662?utm_medium=post_notification_email&utm_source=post_link&utm_campaign=patron_engagement&token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWRpc19rZXkiOiJpbnN0YW50LWFjY2VzczpiNmM4ZDk5OS0yNDRhLTQwZTAtOTRlMC1lYWZjNWM3NTczMDMifQ.Mul-NbXoWe0XHSjZqV_Anec1PO2VRj6WF0qeTHS-0gM
Anonymous on July 18, 2018 · at 9:50 pm EST/EDT

PCR continues to think of Russians as apprentices in politics who ‘desperately’ need his advice.
vot tak on July 18, 2018 · at 10:35 pm EST/EDT

Isabella

“One thing that should be highlighted is that we can only judge people on what we can see, and past history. Both of these tell us that both Putin and Lavrov understand what they are dealing with very well – much better than does PCR.”

Anonymous

“PCR continues to think of Russians as apprentices in politics who ‘desperately’ need his advice.”

My sentiments exactly.
- Serg on July 19, 2018 · at 1:01 am EST/EDT
  
  I had my redpill moment almost exactly 2 years ago now. Have read many books since, more than I have in my entire life before then and I still have a lot of must read books on my list. However, even on such a small list, multiple books, by multiple different authors from different counties even, have described American diplomats and politicians as living in their own bubble. Their view of the world does not match up to reality, which leads to the stupid decisions we’ve all come to expect from US foreign policy. The set of variables they operate on is fundamentally flawed and unrealistic. Case and point, PCR.
  
  It’s ridiculous to me that he still thinks Putin is some kind of naive little schoolboy. Like Isabella wrote above, what did he expect Putin and Lavrov to do? I think what PCR is missing is a serious consideration of the thought process of the Russian side. I think he just looks at the statements and public behavior and draws his flawed conclusions, without considering that maybe they aren’t an open book. It’s a very shallow analysis.
  
  I suspect a few different reasons behind it, none of which paint the US or analysts like PCR in a flattering light and some I myself would consider to be offensive and insulting, so I’m not going to go into detail because it’s my own, unproven point of view. I will say this though, the concept of exceptionalism is dangerous.
  - B.F. on July 19, 2018 · at 7:15 am EST/EDT
    
    Serg
    You are correct. Dr Paul Craig Roberts is an excellent analyst as far as analyzing the activities of Washington and NATO. However, he is not accurate when it comes to Russia and it’s internal and foreign policies. He does not live in Russia and relies on questionable sources, which lead him to make exaggerated conclusions, and the same are not exactly accurate.
- tamlin on July 19, 2018 · at 9:11 am EST/EDT
  
  And both of you are wrong. And both of you are being ungracious. PCR is not giving advice, and he is not lecturing Putin. He warns constantly against trusting US offers or friendly overtures. He stresses the perfidy of the US, and fears Putin will be drawn in by false promises. Ideally he wants Putin to give up trying to placate or appease the west, because in his view the west will never give Putin what he is seeking. PCR may be underestimating Putin’s perspicacity but his concerns are genuine and his advice is heartfelt. He admires Putin and doesnt want to see him inadvertently compromised by seeking or trusting agreements with Washington which is adamantly opposed to him. PCR believes that any detente Putin might think he is achieving with the US will always be later betrayed. PCR doesnt think Putin understands how implacable and treacherous the US is. And while PCR might be wrong about Putin’s understanding in this matter, he himself worked in the high echelons of the Reagan administration and can legitimately claim to understand how Washington works.
  - Serg on July 19, 2018 · at 10:09 am EST/EDT
    
    PCR and you forget that Putin has been dealing with the West for most of his life. I don’t see him being overly optimistic. He is buying gold like he’s hooked on the stuff. He’s been selling US debt, reducing it by over 90% in just a few short years. He’s been gradually stopping using the dollar in trade with other countries. The Russians developed alternatives for Swift, the IMF, even the Internet. You look at all this and say, yep, Putin is one naive SOB for not refusing dialogue, even if it seems pointless on the face of it?
    
    Vladimir Putin and Xi Jingping have been preparing for the imminent collapse of the US and the entire West with it. But guess what? It has not happened yet! The US is still very powerful, still capable of inflicting enormous damage to the entire planet. So yeah, they will meet, they will discuss, they will sign minor agreements. Keep up appearances until the financial crash of the century rocks the world, and there is no if, only when, and soon. In what universe that means Vladimir Putin has turned into a moron, who is ready to sell his country for a pat on the back from the Angelo Saxons, is lost on me. Because that is what this and many other articles PCR wrote are either suggesting or flat out saying.
    
    It really is a condescending tone PCR is using here, especially since there is no truth to it, I My view.
    - B.F. on July 19, 2018 · at 10:43 am EST/EDT
      
      Serg
      You are correct. Both Russia and China have been purchasing gold for years. The Russians also have their own gold mines, and they are indeed selling US debt. Both Russia and China know what will happen to the US dollar, which is printed backed by nothing. They are preparing for the day, after which both will introduce gold backed currencies.
  - B.F. on July 19, 2018 · at 11:55 am EST/EDT
    
    tamlin
    As I have written before, Dr Roberts is an excellent analyst as far as Washington’s and NATO policies go towards Russia. However, he does not live in Russia and relies on his sources to give him a clear picture of Russia’s internal and foreign policies. The result is that he exaggerates the power of both NGO’s and Atlanticists in Russia, warning against a possible color revolution. It will never happen, and Russia has expelled quite a number of NGO’s.
    
    When it comes to Vladimir Putin, Dr Roberts knows that he is ex KGB. However, he forgets that Putin was in the upper echelons of the KGB, and that he is highly trained and experienced. In simple words, he is no fool. He understands the international situation perfectly, as he does the US domestic situation.
    
    Putin, aided by Lavrov and Shoigu, has performed brilliantly. He applied the old army tactic known as “the defensive offensive”. What this means is that he concentrated on Russia’s infrastructure and military, reforming and building up both. The results are evident. The mere fact that sanctions did more good than harm to Russia are proof of Putin’s achievements. The military has been professionalized, becoming a deadly force. It’s doctrine is based on defense, backed by high tech. However, it can perform outside Russia, as proved in Syria. On the international field he concentrated on China, and both created international economic organizations which have become centers of attraction for sovereign states. The US, on the other hand, continued with its globalist imperial policy, wasting a heap of money and creating more enemies, even among it’s European “allies”. It has accumulated the largest foreign and domestic debt in the world and the dollar is not only being printed backed by nothing, it is being discarded by countries. Putins “defensive offensive” strategy is paying off well. While Russia and China were concentrating on their infrastructure, the US is slowly beginning to resemble a third world country (I am still waiting to see what Trump intends to do about Americas decaying infrastructure). Patience is both a Russian and Chinese virtue. This virtue will in the end be handsomely rewarded.
    - Anonymous on July 20, 2018 · at 1:31 am EST/EDT
      
      History is witness that any attempt to destroy Russia only strengthened her. In 1876 the Romanian great poet and journalist Mihail Eminescu wrote: “When victorious in battles she grew, when defeated she did not lose anything or very little. That was because in Russia things are done slowly, without any jumps; no lost battle made her lose from sight the target she set a thousand years ago, she does look [at the world] with the same eyes she had at the foundation of her gigantic power”.
      Russia is under the ‘Protective Veil (Pokrov) of the Mother of God’.
      - B.F. on July 20, 2018 · at 3:28 am EST/EDT
        
        Anonymous
        That is true. The west does not understand the Russian mentality. Both Russians and Chinese have patience.
        As for the US, the “winner take all mentality”, based on arrogance, will be the ruin of the US.
sherlock_holmes on July 19, 2018 · at 12:55 am EST/EDT

When I see what’s going on,mostly in the Western world ,I remember a famous song:

Where have all the flowers gone !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI3QVsW30j0

And we can easily replace the word soldiers with politicians,journalists,sane people,etc.

” This brings to a head the question of will there be war with US. Sadly now, I think yes, and it’s not going to be pretty ” … Auslander

The war won’t be only with US,but Europe ( NATO ) too. And later China.

There is a very good book about the reasons for wars,who are gonna win or lose them ( from God’s point of view )…it is written by our Saint Nicholas Velimirovici: War and the Bible. I couldn’t find it in english,maybe you can find it in russian. I have it in my mother tongue.
- ioan on July 19, 2018 · at 7:59 am EST/EDT
  
  I have a Velimirovici book : “Thoughts about Bad and Good” in romanian, from 1939. I posted in the past some translated passges in the Cafe.
Taras 77 on July 19, 2018 · at 1:29 am EST/EDT

My own conspiracy theory about trump undoing his stmts in helsinki is as follows:
–
-someone or someones has him completely by the balls and is dictating his zio con stmts and policies:
e.g.
-he complletely reversed course almost from day 1 from his campaign promises-some say adelson or other rabid zio cons have him under control to the point whereby he has and is bringing in rabid zio cons into the admin; he has applied zio con talking points, etc vis a vis iran, ignoring mattis, et al; he ha s adopted pro israel positions to the extreme, etc, etc
-some thought the helsinki move was a stroke of genius, i agree, and was very pleased that he was finally challenging the mindless russiagate of domestic politics. He returns to his handlers in wash dee cee and almost immediately starts to reverse his helsinki rhetoric-obvious to me that his handlers got to him and applied the standard leverage, family threats, debt, blackmail, ??? (rumors that the rothchild hold on him back from the days of his bankruptcy keep cropping up) anyway, whatever, the damage is done as his recanting some of his bolder helsinki statements.

my 2 cents
- juliania on July 21, 2018 · at 8:21 pm EST/EDT
  
  As has been explained by several posters on this thread, that is what Trump must do if he is to succeed, and I do believe, even though I did not vote for him, that he wants to succeed. There is a Chinese proverb that I can’t state accurately that praises the grass, the ordinary grass, because when a storm comes it bends in the wind. That is what Trump is doing, and I am sure it doesn’t change his resolve. He will bend, he will say what he needs to say, because that allows him to survive. And he will act the clown, he will confuse us all, because that allows him to survive.
  
  The forces arrayed against him are not all-powerful, but they are powerful. This is a strategy, and I believe Putin knows it. I am hopeful that just as Trump has made concessions to the powerful, he is at the same time committed to the course. And what the course is, is patience. It’s a slender thread, this presidency but at the very least we ought to acknowledge Trump’s bravery.
  
  I think of FDR’s solution to the crisis he faced during the Depression years. You just throw everything you’ve got at the problem and see what works. It mightn’t even be a conscious plan, a chess play, but even going on instinct as I think Trump is doing is far better than standing straight and tall in the face of the tumult. He has to do what works for him. Not what any purist would recommend, but these are not pure times. These are dangerous times.
  
  You bend, like the grass. When you have to, you bend. In more ways than one, the ball is in his court, and it’s not a bad thing that he handed it on to his family, to his son. Whatever Trump may be, he is not a warmonger, and the people did a good thing when they elected him.
Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 1:36 am EST/EDT

And novichock 3.0,here we go again…once again perfect timing which shows a coordination between CIA and MI6.Expect another false flag soon(syria idlib,ukraine,russia,salesbury,9/11 redux ??)Then more sanctions etc same old scenario(lack of creativity)

UK investigators believe they identified Skripal attack suspects – Press Association source.

Investigators in the UK believe they have identified a number of suspects in the March poisoning of ex-double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, the Press Association reports, citing an unnamed source.

The investigators reportedly believe that “Russians” are involved in the attack after they analyzed CCTV footage.

“Investigators believe they have identified the suspected perpetrators of the Novichok attack through CCTV and have cross-checked this with records of people who entered the country around that time. They [the investigators] are sure they [the suspects] are Russian,” the Press Association said citing “a source with knowledge of the investigation.”

READ MORE: Leak at Porton Down lab may be behind UK nerve-agent poisonings – Russian embassy

The news comes around two weeks after a British man and woman in their 40s were hospitalized following “suspected exposure to an unknown substance” in the town of Amesbury, around 12km from Salisbury.

The substance was later identified as the same nerve agent that was used against Sergei Skripal and his daughter in March.

https://www.rt.com/uk/433654-skripal-suspects-press-association/
sherlock_holmes on July 19, 2018 · at 2:15 am EST/EDT

Proverb: In the land of the blind ( Deep State ), the one-eyed man is king ( President )

Ain’t curios that only the president Donald Trump plays the script of peace ?

2 or 3 more successful Helsinki alike meetings and the US will trigger the war when the president comes back home.
( for now only the Circus and The ESCAPE Act
https://sputniknews.com/us/201807181066480692-us-law-sanction-russia-energy-projects/ )

To copy Saker: ” I don’t necessarily agree with every point made by Paul Craig Roberts, but I do fully share his assessment of the gravity of the situation. ”

Right!
_smr on July 19, 2018 · at 3:29 am EST/EDT

Trickster Trump plays them all. The Left, the Right, the Cons, and the Nuts. He has to. Unlike Putin, who has a rock-solid power base rooted in the military-security complex, Jewish Mafia swamp creature Trump is in a far more precarious situation. The faction of the Mafia – military-security as well – that has chosen him as their polit-tool, is far less powerful than Putin’s backers.

Only by playing the court jester – a role that he plays with gusto and utmost ease – can Trump distract and disorient the freak army of autistic-militant apparatchiks, the Elders of Zion are sending his way, wave after wave.

Considering the circumstances, Trump is doing great, far greater than anyone could have anticipated.

Remember: The trickster, thriving while constantly making a fool of himself, committing more blunders and mistakes than the laws of nature officially allow, is a very tricky target. Even for self-delusional masters of the universe. Haha.
Ano on July 19, 2018 · at 4:10 am EST/EDT

Someone that supports the vile “state of israel” has to be corrupt.
- sean the leprchaun on July 19, 2018 · at 8:35 am EST/EDT
  
  President Putin, on record, supports the Apartheid State’s security, he’s corrupt? And please, stop calling it by the name that should never, ever, be spoken. That gives it revelance. It’s the Apartheid State, as Eire again has made very clear, a spade is a spade.
B.F. on July 19, 2018 · at 5:25 am EST/EDT

Another excellent article by Dr Paul Craig Roberts. However, he is again giving too much credence to the Atlanticists in Russia who, while present, are not as powerful as some people think. Their influence is falling, as Russian public opinion is not only influenced by the foolish sanctions which the US imposed against Russia, but also by the situation in Ukraine, which is not only plundered by Poroshenko and his oligarchs, but also by Western corporations. Such a situation existed in Russia under Yeltsin, and no ordinary Russian wants a return to that.

When it comes to the Russian media, it has, as far as I have seen, reported what it has seen. It also reported the anti-Trump reactions of the US elite. I cannot agree with Dr Roberts assessment that Russia now has to deliver once a “successful” meeting has been concluded. Russia does not have to deliver anything, as compared to the US, which has to.

Dr Roberts states that “war is definitely coming”. This is a very dangerous conclusion and one that is debatable. What kind of war is coming ?

A conventional war is out of the question. Russian military doctrine is based on defense, and Russia has enough men and high tech to defeat any NATO incursion into Russia. In fact some two years ago the Pentagon admitted that in case of a conventional war, NATO would be defeated. Worse for Washington, on whom can the Pentagon rely in Europe to wage a conventional war against Russia ? The Baltic states ? Poland ? Even many Poles are unhappy that Poland could find itself waging war against Russia, which no doubt would see combat activities on Polish territory. In fact two unnecessary world wars were fought in Europe and there is no mood for World War Three. I have my doubts if the Pentagon and the neocons in the US have grasped this fact.

This leaves the nuclear option. I know there are crazies on Wall Street who watched too many Hollywood movies and who are under the impression that Russia can be defeated by a sneak attack with minimal losses to the US. I sincerely hope Pentagon generals don’t have such illusions, taking into account current Russian high tech which can bypass Americas nuclear defense systems. We can thus conclude that war is always possible, but quite unlikely, as the consequences would be devastating, especially to the neocons, who would not be able to run away to their hideaways which they have for years been purchasing in foreign countries like New Zealand and Tasmania.

Putin will be in power for six years, until 2024. Can the current negative financial, economic and political situation in the EU and US be maintained for the next six years ? As far as I can see, this is virtually impossible. Something will have to happen, and the question is what.

After Trump met Putin in Helsinki, the neocons in the US accused Trump of talking to a representative of a “rogue state”, which is laughable, as the US is assuming that role with it’s imperial policies. By now it’s perfectly clear that both Washington and the neocons who control the Washington political establishment have lost all sense of reality, living in the glorious past. They are incapable of understanding the current shifts on the international scene, and they are not in Americas favor.

The only allies on which Washington can “rely”, or thinks it can “rely”, are in Europe, and Europe is not impressed with what it has seen in the US during the past few years. Worse, it has become a victim of Washington’s imperial decrees, which for Europe was a nasty shock.

Analysts have since last year been predicting that a rift will occur between European and US elites, as economics always comes before politics. By the second half of 2016, EU countries had already lost 100 billion euros in trade with Russia. Nobody in Western Europe is prepared any more to commit economic, political and military suicide for the benefit of Wall Street and it’s globalist interests. Worse for Washington, the World Cup in football was a spectacular PR success for Putin, with the world both discovering and becoming interested in Russia. No previous event – the Sochi Winter Olympics being the exception – broke the psychological barriers which existed when Russia is in question, which will now certainly become one of the worlds chief tourist destinations. Even Boers from South Africa are thinking of emigrating to the country. A delegation arrived in Russia to evaluate the possibilities.

What conclusion can be drawn ? Only one. The neocons in the US better begin dismantling their globalist empire before the same starts to collapse and the US finds itself all alone in the world. As many have commented, things in the world are changing as never before, and both Washington and Wall Street are having trouble understanding this, finding themselves in a psychological zomby situation of failing top grasp the international situation and not knowing what to do. They better start learning before they end up all alone in the world.
- ChristineG on July 19, 2018 · at 6:49 am EST/EDT
  
  “US better begin dismantling their globalist empire”
  
  Absolutely. And that’s what Trump is doing, all the while befuddling everyone with his antics. And for the moment, no war. Not with North Korea, not with Iran, not with Syria, not with Russia. Let’s keep it that way.
- mark on July 20, 2018 · at 7:43 pm EST/EDT
  
  BF – I think you’re wrong on the likelihood of war (all caps is against the blog rules.I fixed it for you this time,MOD.) .
  Western leadership is the worst in history. Arrogant, venal, irredeemably corrupt, ignorant and ideologically driven. They will believe whatever suits their prejudices and ideology. All rational arguments and contrary facts are simply swept aside.
  Look at the rabid hostility that is now in place. Anyone who so much as talks to or shakes the hand of a Russian official is automatically a traitor.
  Look at the venomous threats from senior military officers about sending Russians home in body bags – and the bombing of Syrian troops by out of control military officers to sabotage agreements made by their political leadership not 24 hours previously. These people are not real military officers – they are political hacks like Breedlove and Mattis. And political decision making in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria etc. has been delegated to these people.
  Look at the statements they and their neocon backers and servile MSM constantly spew out. Russia is a joke. Its economy is tiny. Its military budget is 8% of NATO. The Russian armed forces are a joke – little better than a criminal gang. Russians are desperately yearning to throw off the yoke of the corrupt, murderous, evil thug dictator Putin. Russia is a pushover.
  
  It’s the same as in 1941. German leadership then was probably a lot better than what we have now. People like Hermann Goring argued against the invasion of Russia. The operation was too risky, German forces were not strong enough. A lot of very capable military officers made similar arguments. But ideology and wishful thinking prevailed. The Russians were sub human, their army was a joke that would collapse like a pack of cards. The war would be over in six weeks. “We only have to kick in the front door and the whole rotten structure will come crashing down.” – Hitler. There are a lot of similarities to 1941 – except that Russia is now in a far worse situation than it was 70 years ago.
  - B.F. on July 21, 2018 · at 12:48 pm EST/EDT
    
    mark
    Your last sentence cannot be accepted, because 70 years ago Russia was part of the Soviet Union. In what way is Russia “in a far worse situation” ?
    - ioan on July 21, 2018 · at 2:58 pm EST/EDT
      
      I think that mark is referring to the tactical depth of SU (Russia) in 1941 which included the eastern part of Poland, the Baltic states, whole of Ukraine, Bessarabia and today’s Moldova.
      (Sorry for my intervention)
Rob on July 19, 2018 · at 6:36 am EST/EDT

“I don’t necessarily agree with every point made by Paul Craig Roberts, but I do fully share his assessment of the gravity of the situation.”
I fully agree with the Saker on this. Moreover, PCR made an interesting point that hadn’t crossed my mind before:

“We can see now why neoconservative John Bolton arranged the Helsinki meeting. It set Trump up for political execution by the media and Congress, both controlled by the military/security complex.”

‘Political’ execution? I wonder. Trump is not so innocent, he grew up in a construction world with a lot of mafiosi. We may have a lot of opinions on him, but my guess is that he is very intelligent. Will that prevail in the snake pit of Washington? Time will tell.
But I fear the tables are set for his assassination. What will they do this time? A patsy (JFK, RK, MLK) is so sixties and will raise too many questions.

My guess? E.g. they will shoot down Airforce One with an Iranian rocket from a submarine (‘our intelligence data conceal that it was highly likely an Iranian submarine’) or something like that. Remember MH17 above the Ukraine, plan going horribly wrong? Something spectacular. They need war to prevent the slow but total collapse.

But I sincerely hope that I am dead wrong.

Just my 2cts.

Cheers, Rob

NB: Thanks for sharing these intelligent articles of PCR. I know that I can read them on his own site, but here we can also discuss about it.
- Marcel Leutenegger on July 19, 2018 · at 2:56 pm EST/EDT
  
  Let me drop in my 2cts to this one.
  
  Suppose Donald Trump would be assassinated (in a false flag or else), the US establishment would have zero credit for war because it got what it desperately wanted, even going so far as calling for outright murder. Thus, if Donald Trump would be assassinated, the international response should be condolences and – if accusations would be made, ever – a bold point-blank statement that a grateful acknowledgment and a handsome reward is expected for “finishing the job”.
  
  Clearly, the US establishments’ behavior is stupid beyond belief and beyond repair.
ioan on July 19, 2018 · at 7:32 am EST/EDT

I concur with the Saker when he said that Trump is weak. Yes he is, after two years acting as President of US, he is still weak, he cannot confront those within who are against him, every time he did try that, he finished retracting his own words as a docile little dog. He didn’t succeed in scaring the EU either, today the EU mass media is laughing at Trump vis-a-vis of his meeting with Putin, repeating the same nonsense as the CNN and Co. What that does mean ? it means that all are in the same pocket – I suppose you know who’s pocket. So there we are, the Nazis and Putin fans are the same – according to the MSM – which means – in their eyes – that Putin’s Russia is the same as Germany under Hitler…can you imagine now the hand behind these allegations ? Well, that goes further, insinuating that Trump is also a Nazi, who just cannot escape from his loyalty towards Putin because the latter has “something” about him, something compromising…wow, the Hollywood mind in action. But let’s leave Trump where he is, their main problem is not Trump but Putin and Russia. Probably the entire establishment has been prepared for this meeting, gathered steam to blow it up right after, adding to that steam the anger fed by Putin’s quite excellent and well timed revelations.How on earth could they swallow that ? never ! and as they did always, they went in attack modus, arresting a “new Russian spy” !!! Watching carefully the interview of Putin given to Fox News, some readers commented in saying : ” Putin is a real state man being so calm at those provoking and insolent questions” (approximate quotation from my part) Now imagine when he will not be so patient any more, cause everybody can see after so many years, there is a constant in provoking him. Once the cup of water will crash, there will come a day when Russia will not tolerate any more the outrageous lies, provocations of all kind, interference, sanctions and humiliations on grand scale. The west is now behaving like a classroom with bad pupils until the teacher will come in with a stick.
Roacheforque on July 19, 2018 · at 7:36 am EST/EDT

“Democrat” and “Republican” are irrelevant. The divide is between the ruling class 1% (and their virtue signaling wanna be’s) and everyone else. It is a disguised class struggle wearing the masks of a thousand diversions. I do agree with most of what PCR says (and yes, NPR is a farce). I have written about this before.

Thank you readers of the Saker (and Saker) for your vigilance and small but meaningful celebration of sanity:

https://roacheforque.blogspot.com/search?q=class+struggle
Nonlinear equation on July 19, 2018 · at 8:38 am EST/EDT

——-
1) To call the President of Russia of the last school of foreign intelligence of the USSR, the person who pulled the country out of hell and the deepest ass, brought it to the international arena, returned it reputation, bringing at the same time the whole neoconservative world to horror. It all looks like reading, at least silly and already looks like a mental disorder. With all respect.
2) I already wrote that Putin gave Trump, while symbolically passing the ball. This is all a basic test. The way trump will behave with these will be clear who he is.
3) The first results of the meeting have already appeared: the Israeli Parliament, has tightened the President’s capabilities in declaring war. The Golan heights are being brought into line with UN security Council resolution 497. The demilitarized zone will have UN forces. This deprives Israel of the possibility of air strikes on Syria = Israel is completely excluded from the Syrian conflict.
4) I Advise you to listen very carefully to Putin’s speech today, in front of foreign ambassadors, everything is said there, about all “unfriendly” forces within the United States, and that cooperation with this state will be built on this fact.
5) also suggest to visit the YouTube channel of the Ministry of defence of the Russian Federation and see everything that they showed today, and the ones shown today in parallel with Putin’s speech is all not just because it is that in America no one questions remains in order to understand with whom they are dealing.

Read less of these articles friends, analyze the performances and sent signals, events that occur every day, and then you will have more understanding of what is really happening. But this is, with all due respect, hate speech and some kind of psychological fit.
Black Sea Monster on July 19, 2018 · at 9:59 am EST/EDT

Now Sputnik reports Trump looks to a second Summit with Putin. Now I may change mind, Trump might not just be a puppet of the Military Industrial Cult, but a true indepenent force. He wants to change the world order. Its hard to see why he would be so desperate to be so friendly with Putin if hes just a neo con asset. It is almost as if he is destroying USA hegomon status from within, for the benefit of the rest of the world….Howerver he is just one man against the whole spectrum of internal USA forces which want war against Russia.

USA Oil, and Military and Finance interets are going to lose big time very soon, thanks to Trumps policies. Thats why they wanted hilary to win so much. Tariffs, isolationism and chaos in Nato/EU spell the end of the American world order. USA manufacturing and agriculture will crash .In Europe now almost everyone except poland and ukraine are anti USA. USA will have go back to just being a isoloated state with mass internal divisions like it was in 1800s.
So to use trumpist language, the world will WIN and USA will lose. Germany is getting cheap Russia gas for the next few decade. China is changing from making cheap stuff for the usa, into a high tech, high wage economy. Africa is growing faster economically than anyone predicted. The Arab states look to Russia as mediator. At home- Orthodox Romania and Orthodox Russia will be allies.
- Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 9:24 pm EST/EDT
  
  Trump has consistently followed policies that have raised the price of oil, which always raises the profits of the US oil companies at the expense of US citizens.
  
  Trump has consistently favored massive increases in ‘defense’ budgets especially in areas of more weapons systems and more contract for the US MIC. Plus Trump acts like salesman-in-chief hawking American weapons and the whole bit with NATO is telling them to spend more money on defense and buy more American weapons.
  
  Wall Street has done very well under Trump, and has insiders in place running the economy in the Trump administration.
Matthiew on July 19, 2018 · at 10:06 am EST/EDT

“It is pathetic to watch Lavrov and Putin continue, time and again, to appeal to facts and to truth when these mean nothing in the West.”

The last sentence says it all. As PCR suspects, Putin is in fact a good friend of the west and he had always been. However he is a true friend only of one western fan club called Yankee Doodle. He his against the so called House of Royals (aka City of London), thus all attacks coming from that direction all of a sudden start making sense. NYT and WP referenced above by PCR are well known “perception management” tools of the House of Royals, so it makes sense that they attack Trump-Putin meeting (also same for French publications like Paris Match or Le Point, or German der Spiegel). BTW, I think the meeting between these two stage actors was just symbolic, indicating that the great war between the two western clans will intensify, Russia being firmly embedded on one side. Nothing more or less. All has been spoken and agreed upon long before this meeting behind closed doors already. The thing that I don’t agree with PCR is that he believes that Russian admin is naively believing US and continue to be partners. IMO, there is no such thing as nativity in international geopolitics, there is either collusion or animosity. There is no naivety in Russian Foreign Policy execution. Both current US and RF admins follow a well planned and choreographed scheme. Whether it will be successful or not is yet to be seen.
Tomsk on July 19, 2018 · at 11:42 am EST/EDT

“There is no meaningful support in either the Republican or Democratic party for Trump’s agenda of normalizing US /Russia relations”

Right – so clearly the citizenry cannot vote for an anti-war party, there isn’t one.

If as many now believe, the US is heading towards a coup and the removal of Trump, the opposition to this state of affairs must come from the American people themselves. Their “2 party” system has morphed into a fascist insurrection against what little democratic power they had.
Trump had 65 million votes.
These are the people who need to come out and stand up against what is happening not least for the most self centred of reasons, ie if this coup happens, the incoming regime will very likely start a war with Russia.
Ralph on July 19, 2018 · at 12:59 pm EST/EDT

Why doesn’t PCR understand that the MSM is owned by corporations, why does he expect honesty and truth from them, instead of a lying narrative against those who oppose their plans, which are aligned with the MIC and also almost all major entities of Deep State satanic corruption? Isn’t the MSM (in the USA, but also elsewhere in the West) now almost consolidated in 6 major companies, 5 – at least are controlled by you know who.

Doesn’t anybody realise the tremendous pressure Trump is under??? How would YOU like his job? And how would you compare to Pres Trump? Under the circumstances, I think he has done very well.

If there is to be any criticism, people should direct their energy at the presstitutes and sick people like haass – prick their bubble and make them – via e-mail – feel some exposure and negativity.

At least give Trump credit for having a private meeting with Putin.
- Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 9:19 pm EST/EDT
  
  I almost cracked up when PCR complained about the concentration of American media, because that happened when PCR was on the inside of US government.
  
  PCR was the Ast. Sec of Treasury under Ronald Reagan. And it was Reagan who took off all of the controls that said for the good of democracy the media should not be concentrated. There used to be rules limiting how many newspapers, tv stations or radio stations one person or corporation could own. There also used to be something called The Fairness Doctrine which had concepts like ‘equal time’.
  
  Reagan destroyed all of this. Reagan took eliminated the rules that forbid the consoldation of American media into just a handful of companies. And Reagan destroyed the Fairness Doctrine.
  
  So the America I grew up in had strict rules on this stuff. Much of the media was locally owned by independent businesses. They used to keep their editorials strictly seperate from the ‘news’. The local TV would come on at the end of the news broadcast and if the owner or news director wanted to say something it was clearly labeled as an Editorial. There was an Equal Time rule, so if a station presented the views and opinions of one political party, they had to give equal time at least to their two-party opponents. It was legallly impossible for MSNBC to do the Democratic point of view 24/7 and for FOX to do the Republican point of view 24/7. Both would have been required to give equal time to the other party to counter their statements. Thus, American citizens were used to hearing debate from both sides no matter which channel they favored for their news.
  
  All of this was destroyed by Reagan while PCR was in the government. This directly led to the current situation where a few corporations control the vast majority of what is seen, and when most of it is blatantly slanted broadcasts towards one party or the other.
  
  Thank you Reagan for doing your part to destroy America!
  
  Me, I was the protester in the streets and writing letters to Congress pleading with them not to do this. PCR probably gave me the finger from a window in the Treasury building.
  - Barry on July 20, 2018 · at 4:01 pm EST/EDT
    
    Yes! Accurate and well written. Additionally, prior to Reagan’s destruction of the Equal Time Rule, it was forbidden for anyone in a station’s broadcast news department to entertain or be entertained by a sponsor, or even be seen in their company. As well as ending objective news coverage, it ushered in “news” as entertainment for higher ratings and increased profits. The era of Edward R. Murrow, Walter Kronkheit, Eric Severeid, and a few more is long gone. PBS the Public Broadcast System at one time seemed to try for some objectivity. That ended when PBS lost 90% of it’s government funding and accepted corporate funding instead.
Katherine on July 19, 2018 · at 1:04 pm EST/EDT

Regarding Trump’s “hostage tape” (as per Tucker Carlson), is it possible that this whole scenario was planned in advance?
That Trump decided in advance that he would just say what he wanted in Helsinki and then say whatever was demanded when he got home to the USA?
Sort of like a husband saying, “yes, dear,, right you are” rather than arguing?

Katherine
- Rob on July 20, 2018 · at 10:51 am EST/EDT
  
  “Sort of like a husband saying, “yes, dear,, right you are” rather than arguing?”
  LOL, quite recognizable, and perhaps the best description I have read so far…
  
  It wouldn’t surprise me that he informed Putin on beforehand.
  
  Denial afterwards to hush things up. An example of my own area: during the last NATO summit in Brussels, our drinktator Jean-Claude Juncker could barely stand on his feet. Afterwards he denied in having an alcohol problem (stories from Brussels declare that when he asks for a glass of water, he gets gin), but has “health problems with his back”.
  
  Well, see for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oecvYFq_wi0
  
  OMG.
  
  Cheers Rob
JJ on July 19, 2018 · at 2:50 pm EST/EDT

Nothing changes…White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Wednesday that Moscow continues to pose a threat to the US electoral system.

“We believe the threat still exists, which is why we are taking steps to prevent it,” the White House spokeswoman said, AFP reported.
- Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 9:08 pm EST/EDT
  
  Both the Republicans and Democrats already have rigged the American political system. They each are successful in rigging it in different places, but both do it. Chicago is famous for its Democratic machine and crooked elections. And in some Ohio counties in the close 2004 election, well over 100% of registered voters voted for Bush. (In America, they try to keep the vote down by forcing voters to ‘register’ a month or more than the election. Therefore, it should be impossible to see results like in some of the Ohio counties that said 110 or 120% of registered voters voted for Bush who barely won Ohio and that barely got him passed Kerry.)
  
  Much of it involves the voting machines, which is somewhat well known. What isn’t well known is that the vote counting computers are a better place to rig an election. American vote, then they expect to go home and see the results on the 10 oclock news. The computers whirl and spin and then produce the results that are read on the 10 oclock news, but no one knows if they are accurate. Recounts are fought against and often rigged. For example, in the above Ohio example, the voting machine company was found to have put up signs in election offices saying which precincts were to be randomly selected in case of a required recount. In other words, they left three precincts untampered so they could be recounted and found as accurate in case a recount was required.
  
  Hillary’s reaction to the 2016 election to me always seemed like one of shock as she thought “Wait, we stole that election ourselves!”
  
  The Republicans and Democrats are in fear that someone else might get into their game and rig the elections so they aren’t rigged the way the Republicans or Democrats want them to go. But, unless the Russians buy a voting machine and vote counting company, they are likely on the outside looking in.
RATM on July 19, 2018 · at 6:54 pm EST/EDT

“Putin should be preparing Russia for war.”

… Putin already prepared Russia for war.

——————

“War is definitely coming.” (PCR)

“My fellow Americans, I’m pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”
– Ronald Reagan (August 11, 1984)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv13ZnkpWos

————-

this next comment is taken from
http://cluborlov.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-importance-of-looking-dangerous.html
(bold parts done by me)

Francisco said…

This post had the valuable effect of eventually calming me down, as I was getting more than a bit agitated about what was going on, especially after seeing those Trump braggadocio tweets yesterday. The calming effect occurred when I remembered something I had read a few years ago in a declassified document from 1995, titled “Essentials of Post-Cold War Deterrence,” prepared by the United States Strategic Command. At a certain point in this report, they outline the advantages of cultivating an irrational image for the United States, where certain elements might be perceived to be “out of control”, which of course ties in well with the “importance of looking dangerous” that you are talking about. This part seems to expand on the possibilities of a quote attributed to John Foster Dulles in the 1950s, when he supposedly said or wrote:
“The ability to get to the verge without getting into the war is the necessary art. If you’re scared to go to the brink, you’re lost.”

Now here is the quote, and a link to the full Strategic Command declassified document. This part appears on page 7. The whole document is an example of modern Machiavellian thought, and proves that the US planners are far from being irrational creatures, though they explore the advantages of projecting an image of irrationality as a means to ampify fear in their adversaries.

[…] Because of the value that comes from the ambiguity of what the U.S. may do to an adversary if the acts we seek to deter are carried out, it hurts to portray ourselves as too fully rational and cool-headed. The fact that some elements may appear to be potentially “out of control” can be beneficial to creating and reinforcing fears and doubts in the minds of an adversary’s decision makers. This essential sense of fear is the working force of deterrence. That the US may become irrational and vindictive if its vital interests are attacked should be part of the national persona we project to all adversaries.[…]

Essentials of Post-Cold War Deterrence
United States Strategic Command (Stratcom)
http://nukestrat.com/us/stratcom/SAGessentials.PDF

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018 AT 10:39:00 AM EDT

—————————————-

“Fear mongering is a business model” (RATM)
- vot tak on July 19, 2018 · at 11:06 pm EST/EDT
  
  RATM
  
  Yeah, the out of control psycho trick: we gotta compromise to him like mad! Give him what he wants. Or else we are all doomed to his uncontrollable rages!
  
  It’s old trick, and not very clever. The Russians see through it, obviously. And having secured the necessary groundwork for their security against this raging queen, are transferring development resources now to civilian projects and rejuvenation.
  
  To me the question here is not whether PCR’s hyperbole is relevant, it’s obviously not, but where it comes from. Is he actually that naive, himself, or is he part of the psywar effort?
  - eagle eye on July 20, 2018 · at 4:56 am EST/EDT
    
    A very good question.
    
    Looking at who he has been associating with over the bulk of his career I think the later is probably the better bet.
  - RATM on July 20, 2018 · at 6:48 am EST/EDT
    
    @vot tak
    
    “is he part of the psywar effort”
    
    Yes. No doubt about it.
    
    And all of it financed by reader clicks and donations.
    So I asked TheSaker to spare us from further PCR articles
    or at least put that “Essentials of Post-Cold War Deterrence”
    page 7 as an addendum to the articles.
    
    Lets see what TheSaker will decide.
  - Harry_Red on July 20, 2018 · at 7:17 pm EST/EDT
    
    Just because you believe someone has some irrational or exaggerated ideas does not make them part of a psywar.
    
    He could be exaggerating due to a genuine fear of what he believe is to come or possibly using exaggeration to grab people’s attention to be aware and think of what could happen.
    
    Take what you think is rational, logic and useful…..and discard the rest that you are not interested in.
Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 7:59 pm EST/EDT

“extreme hostility, indeed, to the point of insanity, directed at the Helsinki meeting across the entirety of the American political, media, and intellectual scene.”

To be accurate, a phrase needs to be added to make it read “…. American political, media and intellectual scene as presented in the corporate media

There are American politicians who are not a part of this. But, one cannot find them on TV, and it is extremely hard for them to compete in America’s rigged elections because the corporate media won’t let them present their views. There is also media that does not agree with this, but they don’t have corporate sponsers and you won’t find them on the major channels. And there is an intellectual scene that does not support this, but one does not see that on TV and we are at risk of seeing those on the right join those on the left in being booted out of the universities for having views different from the corporations.
Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 8:58 pm EST/EDT

I think most of the American media have seen the Godfather movie too many times, so they expected Trump to do a Michael Corleone move and hide a pistol in the toilet and then use it to shoot Putin on the spot.

By and large, if you are trying to figure out America, organized crime is a pretty good model. “What would the Mafia do?” is a question that gives an accurate prediction in many cases.
- Anonymous on July 19, 2018 · at 10:12 pm EST/EDT
  
  The ‘Mafia’ is called Kosher Nostra or Undzer Shtik (Yiddish: אונדזער שטיק‎).
Bro 93 on July 19, 2018 · at 11:35 pm EST/EDT

World War III is a frightful idea but I kind of agree with the Orlov article Grandma R posted over in the Moveable Feast Café:

/moveable-feast-cafe-2018-07-19/#comment-542697

Basically, the future tenses used by PCR and most commenters here should maybe be corrected, and put in the past tense.

“Newsflash! World War III Finally Over!”

https://cluborlov.blogspot.com/2018/07/newsflash-world-war-iii-finally-over.html#more

Not that complacency is ever a good idea. I always advocate keeping powder dry, in preparation of some lunatic doing something insane……but I think that would be World War IV….not III…..which the lunatics had some chance of winning in the nineties…..but were too busy gloating and socking away billions and trillions ………….and celebrating too early.

Now, an increasing number of Americans are seriously after their hides, despite all the handwringing from PCR…………….. who acts as though he were the only courageous realist in the whole of the land…………….and their chances of pulling off a WW IV Triumph of the Shrill………………..are much less than their dicey chances had Hitlery even been elected.

And they “can’t take it”.

What we are witnessing is the collective psychological hysterical meltdown of a class of criminal psychopaths and their sycophants who do not understand these realities….but DO understand quite well that unless their Shrill Will Triumphs very soon……They Could All Hang With Hitlery …in the case of the psychopathic criminals…….OR, in the case of the sycophants…..They Will Soon Lose Their Grip and Mentally, Psychologically ,,,,,and Financially (that worries them the most….LOL…) Implode.

At a minimum Trumps knows all of this and is very carefully trying to manage the Coastal Sanctuaries of the USA Insane Asylum…..hoping that an army of counsellors will be able to prevent the blue pilled patients in the asylum from destroying themselves or harming others……when their meds (MSM, Hollywood Entertainment, Sexual Fantasies, Professional Sports, Social Media “likes” etc…..).are withdrawn and some of them are finally able…..some years, hence…..to comprehend how close they came to taking the whole world to thermonuclear hell…..with them. Meanwhile DC is still a far more dangerous place for him than any part of Russia is for Vladimir Putin.

It’s true that his much weaker circumstances are disconcerting. However he is handling them quite deceptively well and the fact of his having stayed alive since Nov 2016 does show that he, and his country still have a fighting chance at surviving The Fall of the ANGLO- American Empire.
- vot tak on July 20, 2018 · at 12:18 am EST/EDT
  
  Actually, b93, Orlov doesn’t present trump as the “great white hope” who sees through the psywar and plans to save us from the overlords. Orlov’s article is very good, and is in no way supportive of trump, which is one of the reasons why it is so good.
  - Bro 93 on July 20, 2018 · at 1:16 am EST/EDT
    
    That could be! After all, Dmitri is on Team Russia. So it would not be that appropriate for him to praise the Captain of Team America….which has been acting very divided….and kinda crazy.
    
    The Captain of Team Russia, however, did pass the ball to the Captain of Team America.
    
    https://youtu.be/4wLtD4p9p9w
    
    Let the fact that neither captain, while leading his own Team, as he must, intends to eliminate the other, sink in.
    
    As they have a Satanic Enemy in Common….it is kind of 4-D Che……er Soccer……and the 4 Major Powers of the World….need each other to cast the Satanic NWO to Hell….and GONE!
    
    (I’m not gonna get into the numbers……..11 on soccer team……12 Russians “indicted”……….. ’cause that might upset an Internal Friend……..and I don’t even get it yet myself…..I’m still working on Great Falls and who the Clowns are that are going to be taking them. LOL.
    
    https://youtu.be/-ws2B4zve24
    
    Personally, I can’t see any good reason to go to Montana (not many voters there…but lots of pronged horned antelope) other than using the venue town in some kind of message to the Deep State…….or Team America……or both.
    - vot tak on July 20, 2018 · at 2:42 am EST/EDT
      
      B93
      
      There is no team america, trump is the captain of the american chapter of team israel’s fan club. It’s his lifetime dream come true. He is in hog heaven.
      - Anonymous on July 20, 2018 · at 3:10 am EST/EDT
        
        “There is no team america”
        
        True, but related to what Antoni said above i.e. “The bigger part of Russian politics is also under zionists control.”
        
        Have you any idea yet? /israel-u-s-prepare-for-further-attacks-on-syria/#comment-523231
        
        Quote
        
        But the Southfront report does beg the obvious question – why, for the Israeli led strike, did the Russian military not provide the SADF with the access to operational data from its technical reconnaissance net ahead of the encounter?
        
        Any idea who the ziogay protaganists were this time around?
        
        End Quote
        
        vot tak on July 20, 2018 · at 8:17 am EST/EDT
        
        US Rushes to Withdraw White Helmets as Syrian Army Advances in South – Reports
        
        https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201807201066533562-white-helmets-south-syria-evacuation/
        
        What about moving the white helmets to Oxfordshire, davey? What do you think?
mark hadath on July 20, 2018 · at 1:34 am EST/EDT

These are really fascinating posts. I understand perfectly Saker’s skepticism but I do think Trump is executing a plan as well. He is chipping away at his adversary’s in a two steps forward one step back type of pattern. Sometimes he falls back two or three steps, but the net gains are still positive.

His efforts at better relations with NK and Russia are positive as his renewal/rebirth of protectionism. He is fighting against globalization. He is forcing his adversaries to more radical, controversial positions and actions that will make them lose support among the silent majority.

He may still fail, the man has an ego and very little in he way of allies, but he is putting up a good fight.

But I believe his big contribution is stalling for time. We have four extra years for the emergence toward a multi polar world and if he wins another election that could be eight. This time could prove to be utterly invaluable in ways we can’t even imagine yet.
- Bro 93 on July 20, 2018 · at 2:23 am EST/EDT
  
  That’s all true, mark, and he’s not as alone as PCR seems to imply. Although I appreciate his vigilance, this insider and whistle blower (Scott Bennett) is a bit more confidence inspiring:
  
  Sputnik interviewed Scott Bennet, former US Army officer and wistleblower on Russian President
  Vladimir Putin idea to bring US investigators to Russia which he presented after his meeting with
  Donald Trump in Helsinki, Finland.
  
  When asked about his take on the summit Bennett was full of praise saying that “from a
  military intelligence position and I think it was an absolute victory, I think it was a wonderful success, I
  think it had tremendous positive reverberations in every direction, and I was really ecstatic because of
  the chemistry that President Trump and President Putin had. The invitation of President Putin to bring
  the special counsel, Robert Mueller, and his team over to Russia to do very thorough forensic
  investigations and questioning of the 12 suspects indicted, which we know would prove there was no
  collusion, there was no activity, the charges would fall apart, but its calling of the bluff, and I thought it
  was a brilliant tactic by President Putin, and I was glad to see President Trump was very supportive of
  that, and I was very glad to see President Trump and Putin on the same page essentially to say there
  was no Russian collusion, there was no hacking, this was all a hoax, it was a witch hunt, it was a
  complete fraud by the Democrats to create this boogie man patriot of the Soviet Union, when we all
  know the Soviet Union ended, and we have Russia and the Russian Federation, and the Russian
  Orthodox people in the country, which no one in America has any desire to have a conflict with and no
  one fears, and I think the World Cup proved that to, so the American people have a desire to have an
  affection and a relationship with Russia.”
  
  Bennet fully agreed with Sputnik on the effect of the which hunt being aimed at preventing
  Trump from meeting Putin but added: “ I think President Putin did a wonderful job by exposing the fact
  that $400 million was stolen from Russia by (Bill) Browder and the Hermitage Capital group that he
  ran and given to Hillary Clintons campaign; thats criminal, its campaign finance illegalities, and that
  needs to be prosecuted and it was wonderful that President Putin brought that to the attention of the
  American people.”
  
  Bennet also fully agreed that the indictment of 12 Russians by Mueller was a set up calling it a
  “deception operation, it was intended to pull the American people away from looking at the summit
  and to try, once again, and invent this false narrative ….”
  
  His best comment was on the British intelligence role:
  
  “We see the British were up to their neck in this with the GCHQ secret memos that describe on August 28, 2016, President Obama requesting that President Trumps Trump Tower be surveyed and be listened to and be observed for intelligence violations, thats in the British memo, and its very powerful because it shows President Obama was lying and that Susan Rice actually requested the British to continue surveillance on Trump on August 28, 2016, so Rosenstein‘s indictment of 12 Russians is absolutely false, its probably going to
  fall apart, as the other cases have, and the Russians need to form an aggressive defense and challenge
  everything, challenge the whole deep state, because their agenda is to try and impeach Trump with this
  fabulous lie and keep Americans in the dark, on their toes, unknowing, keep them scared, keep them
  fearful, make them think Russia is going to invade Alaska, and that the Soviet Union and communism
  never did go away, and that is going to rise up and conquer America. Thats the propaganda, thats the
  fear, thats the deception, but its like putting seed on cement, its not going to take root, the American
  publics hearts and minds are not receptive to that, they dont believe it, they have no natural disliking
  of Russia and thats why you had people voting for him.”
  
  Sorry, late at night. That’s from a contact who has access to an internal briefing and emailed it to me. I don’t have the Sputnik interview of Scott Bennett……but he is one of the people PCR ought to be working with.
  
  Here ya go, Scott Bennett, Phd, US Army Retired
  
  https://youtu.be/FLsd-8ncCfc
  
  This is not a game and these veterans that were set up as cannon fodder and Fall Guys….are not “playin”.
  
  Finally!
- juliania on July 21, 2018 · at 8:30 pm EST/EDT
  
  Well said. I expressed similar thoughts below, but you have said it better. Trump is fighting the fight as Trump, and we might be a lot confused but this is why he was elected, in spite of all the duplicity in the electoral process – it means he is the man the US citizenry needs for this time and I agree – he has an ego suited to what he is doing and what he needs to do.
JJ on July 20, 2018 · at 5:46 am EST/EDT

https://sputniknews.com/world/201807201066529208-pompeo-russia-affairs/

Pompeo saying “likely” Russia will interfere in usa elections and domestic affairs for years….is he implying DT is not up to confronting VP and should be replaced ( despite all that money spent on usa intelligence services oooppss)…or confirming DT has been brought under control by his use of would to would not thingy…..
- Anonymous on July 21, 2018 · at 3:37 am EST/EDT
  
  It sounds more that the expectation is that Trumps’ base would win the mid-term elections.
jadez on July 20, 2018 · at 6:52 am EST/EDT

lolo..everyone in the comments just so sure of what is being said/going on…..can write 5 paragraphs telling so….yet none of them have spent a minute reading about who Trump is and what he knows..how he acts etc.

well listen..the man is totally incapable of paying attention beyond a few minutes…has never read a book in his life…will not read a single page of daily briefings …prefers spending ALL his time watching tv.

he has zero knowledge of anything let alone world affairs…but…he is capable of speaking to his base..because like them he IS a racist..bigot…etc and speaks their language while putting front and center the types who get support at stormfront.

daily polling by bannon fed him the right words…while campaigning and now at rallies where nothing matters but reiteration of his racist themes.

he takes orders from isreal regarding foreign policy and more likely the only substantive thing discussed beyond witnesses…was how isreal wants to destroy Iran….seeking the help of Russia.

the point being he has no secret plan..is not playing some master spy game……(try reading what foreign leaders think about his intelligence/ability)….and is harming relationships all around the world…with allies who are now looking for alternative markets defying sanctions and threats as related to Russia and Iran….

do you really believe any other president would not have imposed trade tariffs under the corporate insistence had they wanted them?
that one example how his ignorance is already harming american business and food growers…see PA. farmers already being harmed….

so…keep guessing and inventing after all…why have the info if not the theory…but all there is to know about Trump is already obvious…the rest?…can not be any better.
rgl on July 20, 2018 · at 12:17 pm EST/EDT

I *think* I understand … Russiagate can not *be allowed* to subside. Were it be allowed to do so, a very great many questions would be raised wrt ‘how we got here’. Those questions would expose the corruption PCR very correctly alludes to.

Serious questions would have the capacity to expose numerous political entities to criminal investigation, and likely extended visits to the crowbar hotel.

Hillary Clinton would be pilloried. As would her husband. As would Dubya, Cheney, Rice, Powell and a host of others. In short the entire US body politic would be exposed to the light of day. This, of course, in their minds, simply cannot be allowed to happen. It would greatly accelerate the US’ implosion that *will* occur at some time in the future, simply because an uber-corrupt state cannot survive. It simply cannot.

Even if ordinary Americans are forbade from knowing the gitmo that is the US prison (for profit) system, the one who rule, do. And they do not relish the prospect of learning first hand.

That’s my take, anyway …
Paul Glumaz on July 20, 2018 · at 12:21 pm EST/EDT

Dear Paul. As usual your pessimism about the American people not backing Trump all the way misses the fact that Trump is the aggressor and the deep state, the media, the neo-liberal establishment both internationally and domestically are in retreat. The tide is turning toward a new paradigm. For 70 years the paranoid brainwashing about the enemy menace, or the fear of being associated with the “enemy” has controlled U.S. politics. Trump and Putin are breaking that, which they must, if the drift to nuclear war is going to stop.
mark on July 20, 2018 · at 6:53 pm EST/EDT

PCR is entirely right in his analysis.
The visceral hatred of Russia and the hysterical propaganda campaign of the abject western MSM will not change. They will only get worse. There will be more Skripals, more convenient MH17s, as and when required.
Russia, and by extension, China, Iran, DPRK, Venezuela, and other countries in the Neocon cross hairs, cannot negotiate with the US. They need to understand that the US is simply intent on their destruction and react accordingly.
At best, America’s word is totally worthless. NATO expansion, the Iran JCPOA, the ABM Treaty, and countless other examples, show that the US and its EU satraps cannot be trusted. This will not change.
The illegal sanctions imposed on Russia (and 40% of the rest of humanity) will not be lifted. They never are. Cuba has been under US sanctions for 60 years, Iran for 40.
The US needs to be treated as the utterly vile, implacable, hate filled enemy it is. You cannot negotiate normally with a state intent on your destruction, which has destroyed so many other nations which have refused to submit to its will.
Russia should have broken off all diplomatic relations with the US the day after its diplomatic premises and diplomats’ homes were invaded, including contact at foreign minister or presidential level.
It should have ended the joint space programme, closed down the NATO supply route to Afghanistan, and sanctioned exports of nuclear fuel, titanium, rare earth, and rocket engines.
It should have frozen all repayment of loans to western banks, with the money being placed in a blocked Moscow bank account.
It should have ended all cooperation with the EU, NATO, and withdrawn from the ICC and EHCR.
There should have been a far more vigorous response to Washington’s EU satraps and Japan for sanction. No more discussions with Japan over the Kuriles. Impose meaningful counter sanctions to ban imports from those countries of food, tobacco, alcohol, clothing, cars, motor cycles, watches, jewellery, cosmetics, perfume, aircraft from those countries. Inflict some real pain. Impose a real cost. Produce those goods at home or import them from friendly countries like China, India, Iran, South America, S. Korea.
Advise all Russian citizens not to travel to western countries where they are likely to be harassed or subjected to judicial persecution on trumped up charges. If Russian diplomats are treated as they have been, ordinary Russians cannot expect any better. They should not travel to western countries for educational or recreational purposes or any other reason. They should not hold any assets in western countries, which are liable to confiscation on specious grounds. Assets belonging to private Iranian citizens have been seized on the absurd pretext that Iran was responsible for 9/11. All assets, bank accounts, property, bond holdings, equity holdings, businesses, should be liquidated as soon as possible from all western countries and repatriated, or moved somewhere they cannot be seized.
Above all, the Russian leadership should prepare its people for war. Stop using diplomatic language to western “partners” and “colleagues.” They will respond with vigour and resolution to firm and realistic leadership. And stop trying to curry favour with the US and its satraps at the UN and elsewhere. Russia routinely endorses and facilitates US economic strangulation and economic warfare against Iran, Iraq, DPRK. Why? In the case of Iraq, this led to the deaths of 500,000 children under 5 from 1991 – 2003. Russia rubber stamped the destruction of Yugoslavia and Libya. This needs to stop – when Iran/ DPRK/ Venezuela have been destroyed, Russia will be next in the cross hairs.
Any American who so much as talks to or shakes the hand of a Russian official is immediately accused of treason. You cannot negotiate with such a country.
- The Real History on July 21, 2018 · at 1:30 am EST/EDT
  
  Agreed! Moreover, I’d say that the Russophobic hatred has been going on for at least last 500 years (some would say much longer), and it just changing its appearances and center of gravity; sometimes it is Germany, France, Sweden, Vatican…and sometimes it is England, etc. This will never go away. I’m absolutely sure that Putin and his team are well aware of this. All these negotiations are just a way to stall the enemy while rebuilding Russia’s strength. So far, it is working.
djole on July 21, 2018 · at 6:53 am EST/EDT

First of all I apologize for my bad English, but I presume that many of the good authors are not covering the basics. Putin is not a man of important decisions, but rather trained manager. PR face at the moment. Manager who cares primarily about investment interests of capitalists. He cares not to provoke Jewish middle eastern and German, Chinese interests in creating plans of new masonic block of Euroasia. Russians must sustain. For western people , Jews, Chinese he is the right man at his position, but the Russians will soon put him in an army uniform or change him. He has been fighting against corruption for twenty years and as a result, he is moving away from JR party on his elections. A few ministers were charged publicly for a corruption. Medvedev is again in a driving seat. 5th and 6th colons are still there. They have not locked them up yet because of the relations with international organizations. Sanctions close the main import lobbies, but they reorganize themselves again. So one way or another, nothing from Russian interests will be resolved without war and military administration. Let’s see the essense. Central Asia, Caucasus , Balkan, Eastern Europe. First they are buying time for pipes to keep secure their buyers. China and southeast Asia will be next Family nest of slave working force which is paying taxes the same way as Americans did so far. Possible war with the North Korea was just a Putin-Trump Jewish agreement to scare kabalistic forces, nothing else. The same as trade war with China which is pushing China towards Russia. Not the other way round. War will stregthen the state administration, which will put internal criminals in jail or execute them. War that will cutt off other countries as main suppliers of raw materials and energents to China and Europe. War will correct Central Asian communistic borders with the Turks. The Russians have a full right to put flag over lands till Serdaria River and not to negotiate worse terms. So far they were respecting communistic borders not only because of the Russian people security, but also due to a peace agreement with transitional period business. However, real security will not be guaranteed without one big cleansing. Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan and Tajikistan are still in CSTO, but for how long. They are not making noice as long as the business with Turkey is going on. Russians would need to offer Tajiks as a Sogdniak people a settlement in a Kazahk steps to protect the Russian belly. The rest will balance the Turkish force on a border to Kashmir. Most of them are genetically similar to Armenians and North Caucasus people. The Kirgis had been „golden red“ or white nomads before Mongols came. Cleansing of the field is possible only till the Chinese army strenghtens and their investments in this region are not so huge. A few more years maybe. Furthermore, the Russians purpously left open borders to China to be present in the middle Asia. The Chinese do not trust the Russians or anybody, so they are using the moment to build up competitive structures for the Russian part of the silk road replacement. They are probably waiting for the Siberian Forece pipe to be finished. The Russians should close it up by cleaning of Kuhistani Badakhshan Region and build a direct connection with Indian Kashmir border. Besides Chinese, Pakistani and Indian influence, the Kashmir can stay under a direct influence of Dardic people. Moreover the Russians should use their communist ties and negotiate Uzbeks to create a bigger Uzbekistan with all the others under their control. Parts of surrounding lands with a Turkic minority will be the reason, why the Uzbeks will talk to the Russians. Including Turkish teritorries in Afganistan. The Taliban question wil be solved by offering Pakistan the Pashtun lands. The Pashtuns are good fighters of dinaridic origin but uncontrolled because of an islamistic fanatism.
In a Caucasus region the Russians will probably need to create a borderline with the Kurds, as it was in a past during Hittitic-Huric times. Military intervention to pontic lands and Trabzon region as a former seat of a Konstantinopole administration should happen through Colhosic parts, cutting Iberians out off the Black Sea. The Turks will avoid bigger reactions, otherwise they will be completly destroyed. They know this and therefore Erdogan took complete power to be sure that everything goes as smoothly as it can. Puting Syria under control is just a part of such wider plan. Azerbeidjzan will also be divided with Iran and Baku pipes under control. Door will be open for creation of a Caucas republic of mixed nations for easier Russian control. Support of Kurdistan regions is also unavoidable in order to fight and weaken the Turkish power in the region and to prevent Kaspian – Turkic transversale. It is already happening by Trump USA and European fear of Turkish association. The Saudis are getting closer to the Russians, the Americans are no longer a reliable partner so war between Saudis and Iran will solve Israel worries and do the rest on oil-gas market where Russian production will be respected. Bankers will earn money, MIC will sell like never before and continue to sell after the next crush, with two big US competitors on the field, Russia and China. The US economy will again be safe. Only Europe will fall apart and eliminate German influence. It will be divided again. Germany will never be a part of the bigger Russian zone, but rahter will form a smaller union of western European vasals without England. However, the war is coming to the Baltic states and Romania, after the security for German-French buyers is regulated by a the Northern Stream 2 pipes. Old colonistic Europeans have already given up hands from neighbouring balast, only London Vatican kabalists, who are using them as Intermare line, have not yet. They are scared of Jewish influence and interests with Trump on board. They are looking at Israel only as a part of their globalistic game plans, and the Israelis know that. Israel serves as a bait. During Trump era, a deal like Jalta is possible. Whether the EUrope will fight will muslims depends on the Russians. For Americans and Israelis this would be a good choice. The Russians are preventing migrant influx to their buyers, however, all Balkan countries except Serbia are in NATO, so maybe a „steel bath“ will make them think again. Europe already pull the money from Balkan states. When the war starts Europe will be expelled from Balkan like they were always before. People dont belive them because they see that they are using them only as a cheep labour and military force.
ioan on July 21, 2018 · at 12:16 pm EST/EDT

For my part I always read PCR’s articles with great pleasure, doing that for many years, before I came here on this blog. There are points where I don’t agree with him but that doesn’t mean that I must rush to attack his writings, his thoughts. I still consider that his thoughts are led by his sincere need for a constructive criticism. Indifferent if you like him or not, all of you read his articles with great interest, do you not ? The differences of opinions are the essence of this blog, man, it would very boring to have the same ideas and views, other thoughts being ridiculed or prohibited like in a communist party meeting…that was the main cause they failed by the way. Let the river flow, let the people make their show…you don’t have to bow. We have the means to make our point and that’s great ! Whatever PCR’s political background or maybe because of that accumulated experience from within, he has thoughts which are very interesting, debatable, though here we are to add our views. Great folks you are, and good friends !