Dear friends,
Today, thanks again to the absolutely fantastic work of the Russian and Oceania Saker Blog I can share with you a fully translated and subtitled video of a Russian talk show which I find particularly important. Let me explain.
The show in question called “Sunday evening with Vladimir Soloviev” is one of the most watched shows on Russian TV. It airs at prime time, right after the main Sunday evening news. The people invited to this show are typically very well-known public figures and the topics discussed are the hot topics of the day. What I am trying to say here is that this show is a very good reflection of the mood in Russia. I can hear the objection “this is state controlled TV!”. Okay, let’s say it is. But in this case, is it not interesting to see what kind of ideas the state is trying to sell to the general public? Same goes for the “oligarch controlled TV” argument. What are the oligarchs paying for? Finally, if this channel is trying to appeal to the general public, then it shows what the publics wants to hear. In reality, this is a state controlled TV channel, a very “mainstream” and “approved one”, but also a very popular one. The host, Vladimir Soloviev, is a Russian Jew who is very patriotic and who regularly *blasts* Russian “liberals” (in Russia that means pro-US russophobes) and who makes no secret of his disgust for the Ukie junta.
Please watch this very mainstream “state approved” discussion and ask yourself the following questions:
a) If the Kremlin wanted to backstab Novorussia – would it allow such shows on prime time TV?
b) What will happen to Putin if he lets Novorussia be over-run by the Nazi death squads?
c) Do you detect any sign of fatigue, fear, demoralization, surrender or weakness which would indicated to you that “the sanctions are biting” and the Russian public opinion getting weary or otherwise willing to negotiate with the Ukraine, the EU or the USA?
Again, this is very “mainstream”, I could *easily* have found far more “patriotic” or “anti-Nazi” shows. But I wanted to share with you something very “middle of the road”, the tip of a much bigger iceberg. I hope that you will find this interesting.
Kind regards,
The Saker
PS: please press “cc” to see the English subtitles
Credits:
English Transcription & Translation by: VineyardSaker Video Team ->Marina,Katya,GC,Gideon, Denis & S
Editing & Production: Augmented Ether *Oceania Saker*
Dear Saker,
thank you dearly for this piece.
There have been days that it looked so dark from afar, not knowing what is going on.
Indeed, Russia has all the elements that needs to be back on her feet to offer a partnership for most of the world in constructing an alternative to all this maniac-suicidal AZs project, to become a real beacon of light with strong roots on earth, and am sure that billions of human beings on this planet will be most eager to join and participate in this massive rebuilding.
Talent and good will is not scarce, nor in Russia nor in other places where creativity is also subdued or illused.
The AZs world is dying, an alternative is inevitable. We may even thank them for making evident that they are no more.
After all the human spirit is to succeed.
thanks again
Patagonian
Great that they know the problems even better that they understand the way forward.
As a Greek I always wanted CO-OPERATION and not subjugation no matter the origin.
After looking into history I realized that we NEVER were free to decide for our future. Our Central Bank ALWAYS BELONGED TO OUTSIDE POWERS with local administrators, One of the speakers said something along the lines that co-operation is on the cards, I am all for it. The Greeks and I am sure our Neighbours the Serbs will be all for it and I hope the Bulgarians as well.
A lose agreement as allies will put the fear of God into the Westerners. After all we combine all the self sufficiency in these countries , The Greeks always traded with Russia and always benefited, it will be great if things start to change in that direction. At the moment most Greeks and I mean more than 80% conservatively will see cooperation with Russia as a great Counter balance to the WEST. The Greek shipowners only need to measure the benefits and will ditch the West before the Sun rises.
I live in the West and believe me I do not see the benefit in staying here. IF ONLY JUSTICE and fair opportunity for all WAS ALLOWED. Which is not.
I would be in Greece if there was hope in getting out the EU and the natural result out of the Close entanglement with NATO. With our eternal foe Turkey as a member WHO NEEDS ENEMIES outside NATO. It will greatly amuse if come across any Greek and ask. what will he do if Russia and Turkey had a conflict would Greece help its fellow member TURKEY or Germany?
That shows you the idiocy that NATO is an ALLIANCE.
FINANCIALLY Russia has great opportunity to go forward and I am sure if they ask the other countries to join as REAL PARTNERS they can go far in development for body and soul.
I can dream can’t I ???
I have never seen this level of geopolitical analysis on American television. Thank you very much for translating this.
As for the discussion which ensued, I can say that the content seemed to be pre-revealed by logic itself. That is to say, that free from the constraints of propaganda, the flow of speech is more lucid. One cannot say the same for the jagged, jargoned, and circular logic of mainstream Western media. Here, questions are not answered, holes in information are not pursued , and conclusions are reached in advance, rather than after exploration.
In nature, tribes of humans which entered willful denial of reality through self-deception would succumb to the elements. This will describe the current crop of Anglo-Americans. What was once the noble lie for the service of the state has actually come to be believed in America.
Because logic would reveal by itself the entirety of the valid conclusions reached in this discussion from the above video, logic must be what will sustain a people. A few examples of this typical anti-logic follow:
“Michael Brown the store thief and cop assaulter is a hero.”
“The Nazis thought that some music was degenerate, and so do some conservative Christians, so we should really stick it to them and promote music that promotes indiscriminate sex, drug use, and violence”
“The protesters are always right, the rebels always have a just cause”
“All races and women should be accomplishing equally as well as white men in their endeavors”
In America, there has been a sustained assault in schools, in the media, and in the popular culture on logic. See “gangsta” rap, Miley Cyrus’ pop, and MSNBC’s drivel. It hides behind the three monkeys of “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil”
The three monkeys of current anti-logic:
“Anti-racism”
“Anti-sexism”
“Anti-homophobia”
Naturally this psyops only covers the left spectrum, there is additional register for “right-wing” psyops.
You do know that the whole “gay rights” and pussy riot agenda was dreamed up in advance by Project for New American century psyops agents, in order to neutralize American opposition to Russophobia.
This leads to the current psyops on the American public:
“It is fine to provoke a nuclear superpower, and threaten nuclear war. Russian is a bully for “being mean to gay people” and invading Crimea, so we can beat them up, and be nasty to them!” In other words, the homosexuals have been enlisted from the left as advocates of militarism. This is an INCREDIBLE psyops coup, on par with the Ukrainian “Maidan revolution”.
Simply put, anybody to objects to Russophobia in the USA is now subconciously given suspicion as a homophobe, or opposed to “pussy rights/riots.”
(The entire “invading Crimea” discussion has distinctly heterophobic sexual undertones towards “taking helpless female land”)
Remember sleuths, Bernays and Freud set the tone for much of our psycho-sexual “politics” we have here in the good old Anglo-America.
—I think these Russians must in earnest begin to investigate the “Project for a new American Century” (PNAC) instigators, and devise countermeasures against these psyops IMMEDIATELY and with coordinated form. —–
-USA Citizen 44
All they can do is talk. Lots of vague ideas how to make a world a better place.
Russia has little to offer to the world.
Are you joking! even if they offer nothing it will better than what the US offers the world. Vague ideas I don’t think so. I suggest you revisit John Perkins ” confessions of an economic hit man”
It is wonderful to see such refreshing discussion on a tv show.
I selfishly hope that the team will translate more episodes of this show.
“Who controls the money supply controls the world. Governments are only illusions.” Rothschild
There aren’t enough Rubles and Yen to cover all transactions, and shelter the World wealth. India is accepting gold but there isn’t enough gold over there. Federal Reserve Collected (sequestered) the most of the world’s Gold. They are a step ahead.
I just read (on zerohedge) that Saudi Arabia has, for the last few months, released more oil onto the market than the world recession economy can pay for at >$100/barrel, which Russia needs to cover their production costs, thus driving down the price to <$90, in order to break Russia’s economy. Supposedly, they are doing this at
America’s bidding, a further refinement of the economic “war” discussed in that excellent video. Saudi may be able to perform this sacrifice for 2 years. Moonof alabama pointed out that the reduced price is also below the US cost of fracking. Does America export a significant portion of it’s shale oil? How do you think Russia will and should cope with this diabolical strategy? I would suggest increasing their production efficiency, for one thing, diversifying their economy for another, & switching to renewable energy, domestically, but those are all long term projects. Sorry for my naivete.
How do you think Russia will and should cope with the diabolical strategy of releasing more oil onto the market than the recession economy can pay for at >$100/barrel, (which is the price Russia needs to cover its cost of production), thus lowering the sale price to <$90/barrel. Saudi Arabia has been doing this for the past few months at, according to one commentator, the bidding of the Americans in order to break Russia’s economy; a further refinement of the economic “war” discussed in that excellent video. The other blogger believes that Saudi is trying to keep US shale oil off the market – they also have a high cost of production. Saudi supposedly can sustain this sacrifice for 1 to 2 yrs. At any rate, whomever the intended victim(s), it is hurting Russia. I would suggest that the Russians improve their production efficiency, diversify their economy, & switch to renewable energy, domestically, but these are all long term projects. How can they prevent devaluation of the ruble? Pardon my naivete.
Wow, that’s a great discussion. I’m impressed that Russians understand so much … sure can’t say the same for Americans and Canadians. They would not be able to comprehend this much information about the nature of the real deal. The North Americans now are like what the panelists were saying about the drunk Russian population…the tables have turned…the racy life is here in NA,
Great translation…I guess “emission” might mean “investment”..?
Anyway, I’m going to send this to a couple of friends for sure…its worth the 60 minutes.
This was an illuminating discussion, and you would have to look hard to find something equivalent in depth and breadth on European tv. Sure, there was quite a lot of pandering to the audience by exhorting the achievements of the UDSSR and Russia, and the Russian people, but still.
They agreed on Russia being attacked in a non-military way, and they identified Russian weaknesses (e.g. corruption) and strengths. They also discussed possible ways forward and recognized that Russia can’t go it alone.
Most interesting were also the things that wee not being said. It occurred to me that all the achievements and all the measures were discussed in relation to the *male* ones. It was their grandfathers, fathers, and all of the participants were men. Even their discussed health problem, vodka, is much more problematic for men than for women.
I’m neither female nor a feminist, but I wonder how much potential you are wasting if you forget the contributions of 50% of your population.
Thanks for the translation,
HnH
What they are trying to establish, it’s an Orwellian world where the 1% will rule the gentiles. They’ve already partly succeeded.
When we all know the messiah is the sun and is reborn each morning.If ever will there be a messiah, he would annihilate all lives.
Yes you’ve been lied to oB*m*..
Nuke is not an option, it’s a must.
May the last monkey to leave planet Earth, please switch off the light!
“this is state controlled TV!”
This would be a valid worry in the West where the MSM + governments work together to destroy their populations – but in RU the sky-high ratings of VVP show that the people + the government share the same outlook. No worry there.
The debate itself:
Interesting and touching, you can sense their goodwill. They want to reach the soul of the crowds (as Gustave le Bon would have put it in his “Psychologie des foules”) – so far VVP has strongly changed the government, but has he reached the soul of the crowds? Maybe the survival pressure will help. My sincerest wishes of success go to the government and to the Russian people.
Great translation, very interesting for non-RU speakers to witness this honest search for an identity and for a way of life which will be decisive for humanity.
Ann, @9:13
I think “emissions” might mean issuing of currency.
Katherine
Russia seems to be falling back into the Soviet trap. Planned economy, weapons production, 5 year plans, etc.. I’m not sure whether this is due to the perceived urgency, or lack of forethought. To moderator’s credit, he did try to redirect into systemic issues facing RF.
An interesting andd brief article on Malala, the girl shot by the Taliban, and how she was swept up by very recognizable professional western handlers in the aftermath.
http://www.mckinsey.com/careers/our_people_and_values/alumni-a_community_for_life/the_improbable_story_of_malala_and_mckinsey
Chavez was offed (according to Castro himself) for doing a lot less than this.
Venezuelan Calls for OPEC to Respond to Sliding Oil Prices
OPECOPEC – Venezuela Relationsvenezuela
Z.C. Dutka (VA) : Venezuelan foreign minister Rafael Ramirez alerted press Friday that his cabinet has “received instructions from the president to request an extraordinary OPEC meeting.” Ramirez was the head of state-owned petroleum corporation PDVSA until a September cabinet shakeup.
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is not due to meet until November 27, but Venezuela’s urgency stems from the benchmark value of Brent crude, which has fallen steadily in recent months to reach US$86.17 today, the lowest its been in four years.
http://nsnbc.me/2014/10/15/venezuelan-calls-opec-respond-sliding-oil-prices/
One refrain that I hear from all the Russians you bring us in contact with is that the United States economy is a sham and that paper money has no value.
Disabuse yourself and as many Russians as you can of this nonsense. It is simply not true. It is a naive mistake.
oh, you academy: how do yu really know that 86/bbl is below russian production costs?? And there are no us/brit companies on the trail?
The fracking output is either cost efficient or not – no third option. And it is the american BET, no matter if exported or not.
The indian experienced diplomat Badrakummar thinks the game of the Saudi rotten regime is quite different one.And is temporary.
And btw can it bepolitically played alone by Ryad?
Pls put one thing into your american teleguided heads: if the US could ever maintain these world projects indefinitely they would NOT be cutting their Q.E in small continuous proportions and would NOT have need of say, 80 COVERT dirty CIA operations at a time in dozens different countries. It´s desperation for decline.
And the guy who said that russia is getting back to the USSR trap is another star spangled dreamer.
oh, you academy: how do yu really know that 86/bbl is below russian production costs?? And there are no us/brit companies on the trail?
The fracking output is either cost efficient or not – no third option. And it is the american BET, no matter if exported or not.
The indian experienced diplomat Badrakummar thinks the game of the Saudi rotten regime is quite different one.And is temporary.
And btw can it bepolitically played alone by Ryad?
Pls put one thing into your american teleguided heads: if the US could ever maintain these world projects indefinitely they would NOT be cutting their Q.E in small continuous proportions and would NOT have need of say, 80 COVERT dirty CIA operations at a time in dozens different countries. It´s desperation for decline.
And the guy who said that russia is getting back to the USSR trap is another star spangled dreamer.
Once again, the Russian government felt it owed somebody an explanation for the latest movement of troops, this time away from the border.
I will have to call this spade as I see it, by its first name. I hope I don’t get censored for it. People like me are sometimes being told that I we are misreading Russia, that there is a big cultural gap we are not aware of, that what we perceive as borderline servile behaviour is not necessarily so, etc.
I don’t believe it.
Russia is supposed to be an independent country and some kind of world power, at least in military terms.
But it sure as hell is not behaving as one. Even for most of us who have no ties to Russia and no real dog in this fight, it is a painful spectacle to see the series of contortions it keeps exhibiting in its ever increasing efforts to please the world’s Masters.
A real independent world power moves its troops (within its own borders) wherever and whenever it wants without feeling it owes anybody an explanation.
A real independent world power, when a coup is orchestrated at its very doorstep, threatening to install right there an enemy outpost of hate-filled Russophobe neo-nazis — intervenes decisively.
And a real independent world power, when its own flesh and blood are being slaughtered everyday, for months on end, in their own historical territory, right next door — intervenes decisively.
Instead, Russia’s timorous attitude has reached the point where it feels obliged to offer constant explanations about the location of its own troops within its own borders.
Instead, this supposedly independent world power has felt compelled to make its own parliament officially and loudly withdraw the right of its President to send the army to defend its own people.
Its own people, who are being murdered in an obvious genocidal campaign of artillery fire deliberately aimed at residential areas in cities and villages in order to terrorize the population into leaving. All of which fits the definition of genocide. A genocidal campaign that has gone on for months.
Because the bitter truth is that this supposedly independent world power is constantly acting as if begging to be forgiven. Forgiven for the unspeakable offense of listening to the wishes of the overwhelming majority of the people of Crimea, who wanted to be part of Russia again. And every time it gets slapped with some new sanction or insult by Western leaders, it turns the other cheek and says “we remain open to dialogue” or some similarly pathetic conciliatory line.
I am not saying Russia needs to behave like a blowhard braggart. Far from it. What I am saying is that its current behavior can only be read as downright craven. It is pathetic to watch. Sorry to have to say it.
One gets the impression that whoever really calls the shots in Russia is by now deeply regretting the Crimea operation. They cannot give it back now, of course (the military and the public would not stand for that level of outrage). But I suspect the big fat shots regret that decision very much.
Be that as it may, the humiliating behavior is obvious and really painful to watch. And there is no need to sugarcoat it with elaborate explanations about “cultural differences.” I’ve read a considerable amount of Russian literature, including of the Soviet period, and never got the impression that Russians’ sense of pride is very different from other European peoples. It isn’t.
I just try to find the occams’ razor – the simplest explanation for the US hostility toward Russia, and the truth is the one thing nobody – maybe even in Russia, can really openly discuss. The US has a shadow government of cliques and – sorry to say the nasty forbidden word, but US and Israeli Zionists hate Russia and Iran and Syria because these block their strategic vision for the Middle East. Hezbollah actually threw them out of Lebanon, for which they are hated. Russia is the former home of many Zionists and considered anti Israel, an this new triple entente must be crushed. Russia depends on oil revenue and crashing the price of oil will hurt both Russia and Iran- so we get our toads in Saudi Arabia to pump oil like crazy in access of what can be consumed. This Israeli centric reason is the simplest explanation I can find for this new cold war.
We need a transcript, thanks for
the background info on the show,
as far as trade, there is no reason
why countries should not trade
to benefit each other, Russia seems
to have red tape barriers in place,
exporting resources and buying
consumer goods does not make an
economy, Russia does not know this ?
Value needs to be added to resources in Russia then exported
or at the very least purchased by
Russians, this is how you build your country, no reason why entrepreneurs cannot do this for
every industry in Russia and become
self sufficient. No reason.
Thanks for the show, it’s great,
and we need a transcript to spread
around.
As far as $100 dollar a barrel oil,
Russia should never have relied on
this for their future, the price is
artificially high due to the wars
and oil being taken off line by wars,
Russia benefited from this and should
have made preparations, the free market does not determine the price
of oil, anyone that does not know this
by now is not paying attention.
A countries resources should be
treated as a bonus not staple.
@anonymous:Once again, the Russian government felt it owed somebody an explanation for the latest movement of troops, this time away from the border.
I have explained this. Many times. Over and over again. Sometimes I wonder if posts like this one are designed to wear me down or make me lose faith in my efforts. Even insults are easier to cope with that this kind of stuff.
Thank God for other posts.
The Saker
A teensy bit off-topic, Saker, but very interesting: an unusually insightful, fact-filled article from a western MSM source (The Atlantic), summarizing all the dumb decisions Washington has made since the 1990’s that have now triggered a new cold war with Russia.
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/09/russia-west-united-states-past-future-conflict/380533/?single_page=true
I know the real reason why Putin moved the troops back. Today, Yatsenyuk (appropriately wearing a black shirt) and Geletey viewing a section of the new high tech extremely secure fence on the border with Russia. Putin had no choice but to move the troops back. He feared many would die laughing looking at it.
@Yonatan:Bwahaha, thanks, I needed the laugh, I feel better now :-)
@Seamus: interesting, thanks a lot
“Once again, the Russian government felt it owed somebody an explanation for the latest movement of troops, this time away from the border.”
RU /is/ indeed a world power – otherwise it could not presently resist the Empire of Lies. But IMO the current debates are not so much about facts but rather about the basic emotions/self-understanding of the Russian soul: they have for generations looked at the West as a culture they wanted to follow and become part of (and in their shoes and with their history I would probably have done the same). But now they are increasingly aware that the AZ “values” are just propaganda and that the elder brother that they wanted to follow is actually their deadly enemy. I feel that this situation is somewhat akin to that of an adolescent who is growing up: discarding your role models and defining your own values (you are quite alone now) is a matter of deep and gradual emotional adjustment and it will take some time – a few years maybe. But so far RU’s survival reactions have been quite ok and I for one do not feel the slightest doubt that (if humanity survives) they will find their way and become an important planetary culture in their own right – maybe even an integrating culture that the world could follow.
Just my 2 cts
Dear The Saker,
I read today that the Italians were trying to arrange a meeting on Friday morning on the sidelines of the ASEM summit between Pres Putin and Merkel, Hollande, Poroshenko (ok makes sense so far) Von rump, Barosso (hmm – these non-entities) and David Cameron (what!).
I sat there thinking why Cameron – what does Ukraine have to do with the UK and what influence does this idiot have? Then it dawned on me – he is there for US interests and is a pompous git. Just look at what he told China about HK today :0….
Is Poroshenko so scared to meet one on one since Minsk? Are Merkel and Hollande not enough for him – he needs another 3 on his side? He sure does!
Anyway, it will be interesting to see if this format goes ahead….
Rgds,
Veritas
Bloomberg’s turn to pile on and mock putin.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-14/putin-loses-his-best-friend-expensive-oil.html
By Jake Rudnitsky and Henry Meyer Oct 15, 2014 10:05 AM CT
Oct. 15 (Bloomberg) — RBC Capital Markets Chief Commodities Strategist Helima Croft discusses the price of oil on “Bloomberg Surveillance.” (Source: Bloomberg)
Related
Falling Energy Prices Hurt Russia
Corrections May Become More Severe: Citi’s Wieting
The decline in oil prices may be depriving Russian President Vladimir Putin of his biggest ally.
Oil has been the key to Putin’s grip on power since he took over from Boris Yeltsin in 2000, fueling a booming economy that grew 7 percent on average from 2000 to 2008.
Now, with economic growth slipping close to zero, Russia is reeling from sanctions by the U.S. and the European Union over its land grab in Ukraine, and from a ruble
Don’t let them wear you down, Saker. Putin is just practicing sophisticated diplomacy, and a lot of Americans no longer know what that is, because our own government hasn’t practiced it in ages.
At least since the end of the cold war, US Govt. has relied chiefly on threats, ultimatums, and wanton disregard for any international that stands in its way. It appears that a whole generation of Americans have come of age believing that this is how a country properly shows ‘toughness’. If they lose respect for Putin, it’s because their idea of an effective statesman is that of a reckless bully.
“Russia is supposed to be an independent country and some kind of world power, at least in military terms.
But it sure as hell is not behaving as one. Even for most of us who have no ties to Russia and no real dog in this fight, it is a painful spectacle to see the series of contortions it keeps exhibiting in its ever increasing efforts to please the world’s Masters.
A real independent world power moves its troops (within its own borders) wherever and whenever it wants without feeling it owes anybody an explanation.
A real independent world power, when a coup is orchestrated at its very doorstep, threatening to install right there an enemy outpost of hate-filled Russophobe neo-nazis — intervenes decisively.
And a real independent world power, when its own flesh and blood are being slaughtered everyday, for months on end, in their own historical territory, right next door — intervenes decisively.
Instead, Russia’s timorous attitude has reached the point where it feels obliged to offer constant explanations about the location of its own troops within its own borders.
Instead, this supposedly independent world power has felt compelled to make its own parliament officially and loudly withdraw the right of its President to send the army to defend its own people.
Its own people, who are being murdered in an obvious genocidal campaign of artillery fire deliberately aimed at residential areas in cities and villages in order to terrorize the population into leaving. All of which fits the definition of genocide. A genocidal campaign that has gone on for months.
Because the bitter truth is that this supposedly independent world power is constantly acting as if begging to be forgiven. Forgiven for the unspeakable offense of listening to the wishes of the overwhelming majority of the people of Crimea, who wanted to be part of Russia again. And every time it gets slapped with some new sanction or insult by Western leaders, it turns the other cheek and says “we remain open to dialogue” or some similarly pathetic conciliatory line.
“
Sadly i agree.
Russia had an important window of oppurtunity to react towards the us hostile coup in ukraine in february-march.
IF Russia had reacted then, then they would have been able to argue for their invasion to kiev. (Afterall they even had an agreement with ukraine to protect it from foreign threats/medling). And the legal president did give green light for russian help.
But by waiting, usa and kiev coup gov has been able to cementize the coup as “legit” government.
Dangerous thing.
And now any hostilities towards that coup gov, is argued by west as terrorists.
And usa are able to push for endless rounds of sanctions (completly what usa wanted from day1. Ukr coup was always about destabilizing russia and prepare for a future war/civil war inside russia. (West-Ukraine people has been brainwashed for 20years with very hatefull anti-russia propaganda). This propaganda is now spreading bigtime to the rest of ukraine. (Media-controll and illegal political laws).
So Russia should have reacted from the get go (i can only assume that either there were disloyal/dumb advisors, very naivity or that russia got so greedy that they wanted to cement crimea as russian first (without the rest).
Putin may be a good chessplayer.
But a great player will always loose when playing by the rules, when your opponents cheats big time!.
And usa has always cheated.
History speaks for itself, usa has always just thought about itself. Backstabing their allies endless times to get what usa wants.
The worst kind of friend/ally one can have. (Who needs enemies with such friends).
But they have almost full controll now over infrastructure (seift, visa/mastercard,internet root servers, etc etc etc). Very dangerous.
So in a way its good that this danger have comed to the surface, while russia and others still have some chances of getting out of usas claws.
I thought that ad hominem attacks (silly ones at that) were not tolerated on this blog. Oh, well.
Two points
RF is currently holding a weak hand. Sanctions, even though relatively mild, are having an impact. Full sanctions would hurt, a lot. So, RF is being “nice”, until it disentangles from the current “partnerships” and regains some of the former strength.
The expectation is that something “big” will happen by 2017 (Hurricane Hillary?).
Regarding the price of oil:
Barring a full bore meltdown, comparable to or worse than 2008, the current price will not last
for more than 6 months.
The really bad news is that Syria will get toasted unless RF draws the line.
Regards
Quote Russia is supposed to be an independent country and some kind of world power, at least in military terms.
But it sure as hell is not behaving as one. Even for most of us who have no ties to Russia and no real dog in this fight, it is a painful spectacle to see the series of contortions it keeps exhibiting in its ever increasing efforts to please the world’s Masters.
A real independent world power moves its troops (within its own borders) wherever and whenever it wants without feeling it owes anybody an explanation.”
Exactly!!;
Isn’t it odd how the same people who l
ook to BBC, CBC, NPR and other public broadcasters for their superior coverage (damned with faint praise) think no word of truth can ever be heard from Russian public media?
BORDER FENCE:
If a tank went through it, there would be a hole, though. Or a section rough-welded back into place.
Finally something they could photograph.
Cass
Thanks to the ones who translated this video. How wonderful that we can be a part of the audience so to speak.
Sharon
Hold the whining about the pain Russia will suffer from sliding oil prices, courtesy of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia are liars on their proven reserves –from way back when. Their oil fields have been in decline for years – no capacity to pump more. In any event, SA needs the $100/bb revenues to keep their population calmed.
Sliding oil prices has more to do with a manipulated strong dollar coupled with depressed global economies. End game below $85/bbl fracking for U.S. energy independence and other expensive extractions become unprofitable.
Lower prices will not be forever. Russia has enough financial reserves to weather the hiatus.
Platts:A falling dollar helps boost oil demand, as greenback-denominated commodities, such as crude, become less expensive for holders of other currencies, [.]Crude prices should rise in 2015 relative to current levels, the analysts said. They forecast Brent crude at $98/b and NYMEX crude at $90/b on average.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mr. Putin’s interview in Serbia: West should realize that sanctions pressure against Russia only complicate dialogue
“if the key urge is to isolate our country, then this is a totally absurd, delusive goal.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mr. Sinclair asks: Who was sanctioned? EU or Russia?
EU risks €40bn hemorrhage from Russia sanctions in 2014 – Foreign Minister
@Anonymous 19:49. Agree with everything said except guilt over Crimea. I think Putin regrets not protecting Russians against genocide. I think this is why Russia’s “allies” are lukewarm in the UN.
I wish Putin would read up on the battle of Kurukshreta in the Bhagavad Gita where Arjuna is convinced by Krishna to fight his brethren, not for a kingdom but for the betterment of mankind. These too are epic times.
Part one;
Some commentators wonder if it is a good idea to produce Russian goods that are not competitive on the global market. I want to remind everybody how our modern economy was born in western, central and northern Europe. At first, we had small local economies. Small farmers, hunters and fishermen, whereof many were independent to a large extent. Eventually the farmers formed communities and exchanged goods and services. A certain specialization gave us smiths, tailors, carpenters and shoemakers. In the bronze age, we got regional economies and some international trade, but the base, the many small farmers and craftsmen, was the same, though we got more centralized regional powers under religious and political authorities. Remember, we were tribal. The individual was part of the collective and there were slaves.
Christianity changed everything. The tribal idea was replaced with the Christian village and a more authoritarian society. We got stronger regional economies and eventually truly national economies and more international trade. Where are we in time? That is a matter of debate and depends on which country we look at, so I will just say we were all there in the 19th century.
In the 20th century, we got a truly global economy and saw the local, regional and national economies suffer, as they still do. Unemployment on the countryside was a problem in France as early as in the 1970s. I well remember the sentiments. I got firsthand reports. Big money has taken over and the foundation of the economy is being eroded. How come local economies survived for millennia with primitive tools and hard labour? How was it possible to survive in Canada, Russia and northern Scandinavia? In the African desert? The answer is that local economies live a life of their own. They are more or less insulated from other local economies. Everybody adapts to the price levels. I talk of the price of a good or a service in terms of other goods and services, money is just a helpful tool. So and so many sacks of potatoes for a small fishingboat, for example. Some work more, some work less, some learn a new profession. Before the US became one big Walmart, local economies did much better, though many of them were uncompetitive on the global market.
When the local and regional bases erode, the economy has no foundation and without it, it will implode. Most of you know we are getting poorer every year. We can’t make a living on derivatives and cheap labour in China. We have an economy in order to live and, if we want to live, we must go back to basics.
Part two:
Some American economists succeedeed in starting local economies in Montana and Alaska in the 1990s. After one year, everybody in the poor village had a fridge. Next year, they had secondhand cars. The trick is to get people to exchange goods and services locally. Take initiative. Money should roll and roll fast. A local currency can often do the trick and such a currency was introduced in a European village years ago. It started with the need to repair the old church bridge! Children got “points” for running small errands and old women got points for babysitting, knitting and much more, you know how fantastic old women can be. The school teacher oversaw the neighbours tax reports and got points. Older children picked potatoes, painted houses and cut wood. The points could be exchanged for other goods and services. In the end, the farmers came with their tractors and the bridge was repaired, but the end result was much more remarkable than a repaired church bridge. The facelift of the whole village made everybody proud. Now you know why our rulers hate local currencies.
Russia urgently needs to restart local and regional economies and there are ways to do that, though the old USSR made people passive and had them waiting for help from the top. Russia also needs to build up its national economy, producing goods and services, which not necessarily need to compete om the global market. Never again must Russia rely on imported computer chips and software. Never. Perfection is wonderful, but when you are in trouble, it is better to settle for good enough and that may be a winning solution.
I will give you an example. My rich neighbour, a money maker, installed a _very_ expensive central heating device. I insulated the ceiling, the floor and the windows with my own hands. Then I bought an oldfashioned and cheap heater and placed big stones around it to accumulate heat. With longer than necessary pipes releasing a lot of heat, I got a better result than my neighbour for a fraction of his costs. Instead of one big and expensive central solution, a couple of small solutions on the margin can be superior. I tell my children never to forget that.
After all that has happened, all the insults, we can never go back to what we had in 2013. Russia will do all it can to become as selfsufficient as possible. It is a good idea to rebuild the local, regional and national economies in this large country and restrain certain parts of the global economy, while being an important global player. Russia can do it.
Around 2020, we will see how the global economy and international relations have changed. The US/UK and its colonies in the EU will yet again realize that what they did in 2014 was counterproductive. How come some nobody like me can see all the wars since 1999 have been counterproductive, but our rulers do not? There is less intelligence at the top than among all the imperial subjects of the Empire. There is more sense on this blog than in the media.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-10-15/putin-warns-nuclear-power-consequences-if-attempts-blackmail-russia-dont-stop
From my second favorite blog /s
For all you Putin is a wimp crowd (mea culpa, I used to be one of you), is the above proof that he isn’t servile
In reggae there is a saying, don’t mistake my kindness for weakness
Obama in Kobani is an international disgrace. The world sees that. I believe Putin has the ATC tapes on MH17 and is holding a trump card
The world sees the Empire for Chaos for what is it. If Pol pot Shenko is overthrown or Kiev voids the ceasefire, his “inaction” or direct action will be seen as giving the West every chance to stand down and negotiate or reap the whirlwind
The problem for Ukraine is that nobody wants to bail out Nazis from their economic problems. Not the west, and not Russia, so de facto, de-nazification has to happen before any real foreign investment can resume. The question is how long will it take for the citizenry to figure this out and do something about it so they can get on with their lives.
It’s just not worth it for Russia to invade and be the “international pariah” trying to “re-create the Soviet Union”. Better to let Ukraine be the pariah with its mass graves (which the Nazis would love to blame on “Putler”) until the people decide to clean house on their own. If Russia needs to “look tough,” then set up a Simon Wiesanthal type center to bring ukrnazi killer pariahs to justice.
Russia has interests and the West has interests. Of course we can never be sure if these are national interests or oligarchical interests. If Russia lets the Ukraine be the Ukraine whose interests are served?
Hebrew Is Now the Second Official Language In the Ukraine!
http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2014/10/hebrew-is-now-the-second-official-language-in-the-ukraine-3038564.html
Blame it on last week’s visit by the Cookie Monster
Icky Vicky
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-10-14/meanwhile-kiev
Is this a coup? Or Nazis just trying to stay warm?
Saker !
When I read a post like the one you commented about….Russian troops being moved and some alibi needed…
What i thought when I read that anonymous comment was that “this guy has never been on this blog before”…
I guess I’m just naive.
The thing I felt when reading Seamus’s article from the Altantsist was when the author said, talking about he new cold war…”There’s no way to turn back”
Well, of course there’s a way to turn back…just back up…I mean the states of course…
This is actually what the whole discussion on the video is about…
The fact that no matter what Russia does, the sTates will keep advancing in a threatening manner…it makes me so mad that the beauracrapts risk all of our lives doing this…in Washitington.
I just read this on Veterans Today. “Hebrew is being made the second official language in Kiev, and several thousand language teachers will be coming to Ukraine to teach youngsters. Someone is planning way ahead.”
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2014/10/15/the-west-is-isil-to-e-ukraine-and-syria/
Does anyone know if this is true or not? Thanks. pcz
Yes, the link about Saudi Arabia said that in 2005 It was deceptively estimating its output at 9 million barrels/day. In 2013 the presumably diminishing wells were effusing an estimated 12.7 mbl/day. Someone is either misunderestimating, or misoverestimating the Saudi supply. The 3 Russian oil cos. also disparaged by the link, Gazprom- 8.1, Rosneft-4.6, & Lukoil- 2.3mbl/day, combined, either in reality or fictively outproduce Aramco. The price will probably go back up around the holiday season but may not stay high. Why is Syria allowing the US to bomb their refineries, etc.? Was there a world coup? Is the West’s pal Rouhani’s days as pres numbered? Putin! When Tony Abbott attempts to knock you down, beware of Polonium!
Yes, the link about Saudi Arabia said that in 2005 It was deceptively estimating its output at 9 million barrels/day. In 2013 the presumably diminishing wells were effusing an estimated 12.7 mbl/day. Someone is either misunderestimating, or misoverestimating the Saudi supply.
The 3 Russian oil cos. also disparaged by the link, Gazprom- 8.1, Rosneft-4.6, & Lukoil- 2.3mbl/day, combined, either in reality or fictively outproduce Aramco. The price will probably go back up around the holiday season but may not stay high. Why is Syria allowing the US to bomb their refineries, etc.? Was there a world coup? Is the West’s pal Rouhani’s days as pres numbered? Putin! When Tony Abbott attempts to knock you down, beware of Polonium!
Yes, the link about Saudi Arabia said that in 2005 It was deceptively estimating its output at 9 million barrels/day. In 2013 the presumably diminishing wells were effusing an estimated 12.7 mbl/day. Someone is either misunderestimating, or misoverestimating the Saudi supply. The 3 Russian oil cos. also disparaged by the link, Gazprom- 8.1, Rosneft-4.6, & Lukoil- 2.3mbl/day, combined, either in reality or fictively outproduce Aramco. The price will probably go back up around the holiday season but may not stay high. Why is Syria allowing the US to bomb their refineries, etc.? Was there a world coup? Is the West’s pal Rouhani’s days as pres numbered? Putin! When Tony Abbott attempts to knock you down, beware of Polonium!
To the Saker, Why didn’t you publish my post? Was it the reference to Tony Abbott”s threat to “shirtfront” Putin? The radioactive substance? Feel free to edit those sentences out & publish the rest. Thank you.
An enormous amount of what is going on can be explained by the infinite fury and rage of a small clique of people in Washington, probably most or all of whom are CIA.
These people are insane with anger over the annexation of Crimea and the defeat of the Junta forces. Because of their anger, they are unable to accept it. Because of their anger, Putin must go.
How long will these people’s rage control world events? Probably for at least the next 5 years.
I am following MSM. There is a lot of hate against Russia and Putin. I see that ordinary American people hate Russia so much. Can anyone explain. Why is that?
Those who seek absolute power, even though they seek it to do what they regard as good, are simply demanding the right to enforce their own version of heaven on earth. And let me remind you, they are the very ones who always create the most hellish tyrannies. Absolute power does corrupt, and those who seek it must be suspect and must be opposed. Their mistaken course stems from false notions of equality, ladies and gentlemen. Equality, rightly understood, as our founding fathers understood it, leads to liberty and to the emancipation of creative differences. Wrongly understood, as it has been so tragically in our time, it leads first to conformity and then to despotism.
Barry Goldwater.
Those who seek absolute power, even though they seek it to do what they regard as good, are simply demanding the right to enforce their own version of heaven on earth. And let me remind you, they are the very ones who always create the most hellish tyrannies. Absolute power does corrupt, and those who seek it must be suspect and must be opposed. Their mistaken course stems from false notions of equality, ladies and gentlemen. Equality, rightly understood, as our founding fathers understood it, leads to liberty and to the emancipation of creative differences. Wrongly understood, as it has been so tragically in our time, it leads first to conformity and then to despotism.
Barry Goldwater.
Empire is desperate and has no good option, slashing oil prices in order to hurt Russia it just pumping more money into China coffers, another arch enemy.
Whatever they come up with they are on the losing side.
It looks like there are no good options any more.
Time has come.
@anon 10:00h
“I am following MSM. There is a lot of hate against Russia and Putin. I see that ordinary American people hate Russia so much. Can anyone explain. Why is that? “
Because the hoi polloi only read the MSM and believe them. And that’s not only in the US.
In the west, the cult of hypocrisy is omnipresent and Russia should’ve never looked in that direction for any help or inspiration. The lie worshippers of the western empires mastered only one thing – how to loot. They kept doing it for thousand years under the guise of science, religion, democracy, liberty, culture and whatever other fashionable terminology du jour. Now, the masks have been ripped off and the ugly vampiric skulls are clearly visible. These are reptilian monsters who are guilty of countless mass murders and Russia has nothing to gain by trying to appease them. Time to move forward, build an independent economy, raise children that are truly educated and passionate about their culture, create a cult of self-reliance and personal responsibilities and the rest will be taken care of.
Sorry, but can’t find my yesterday comment. What’s wrong? It was moderated and published on your new blog. Yours
Alexander Tsitrin
An impassioned political conversation between intelligent human beings whose head and heart are not utterly separated like certain psychotic leaders in the west… Absolutely fantastic.
Quite the amazing coincidence of timing–a latvian turncoat sells out right with/after TWO key events (other being the arrival of US tanks in latvia to ‘thwart a russian invasion’)
http://rt.com/uk/196584-efdd-collapse-ukip-crisis/
One of the European Parliament’s most outspoken eurosceptic group has collapsed after a Latvian MEP withdrew her membership. The bloc’s dissolution represents a financial blow to Nigel Farage’s UK Independence Party.
The EFDD’s dissolution comes just days after Farage’s party secured its first parliamentary seat in Britain’s House of Commons. Commenting on the Euroskeptic group’s dissolution, Farage suggested it was symptomatic of strategic political bias.
Re: Anunnaki said…
Obama in Kobani is an international disgrace. The world sees that. I believe Putin has the ATC tapes on MH17 and is holding a trump card
16 OCTOBER, 2014 03:36
I want to make a point – and I hope you take it up Saker.
If this is true at all – and Putin/ Russia has any really incriminating evidence in regards to MH17 that they’re holding back – they really need to get ready to reveal it.
The perfect time to reveal it would have been either after the Dutch Preliminary Report came out (A waste of time whitewash as far as real justice was concerned) or at the UN General Assembly a few weeks back.
Both of these occasions were in September.
That Russia failed to release any really damning evidence – including copies of the MH17 Cockpit Voice Recorders for instance – leads me to believe they actually don’t have any copies.
Else – why hold onto them?
Following that line of thought though, if they are holding onto such incriminating pieces of information – they need to release them in the next 4-6 weeks.
Before Winter.
If they hold off on this incriminating evidence until the Final Dutch Report is released in July next year – they will have missed their chance.
It is entirely possible that the West knows exactly what has happened (Of course they do), and they’re just looking for the perfect time to change their story and absolve the Russians. They won’t do this in 2014.
However – as soon as Winter 2014/15 is over, and the immediate danger of Russia screwing Europe/ Ukraine over during the Winter is in the past – The West IS VERY LIKELY to announce “New Information on MH17” – and point the finger squarely at ELEMENTS of the Ukrainian Regime.
Why would they do this, and why wait? I’ve already explained why they’ll wait.
But reversing course after Winter has many many advantages for the AZ West.
It allows them to finger – ANY & ALL parts of the Ukrainian Regime they find distasteful. It will likely allow Poroshenko to jettison the worst elements of his Government and give himself increased legitimacy (Despite his faults, I find it hard to believe he was in on any plot relating to MH17 at least before it happened).
It will also allow the West to say – hey – we recognised that it was bad apples in Ukraine that shot down MH17 – and now we can move on!
But – we will still keep the sanctions on Russia because they are still stirring up trouble in East Ukraine and they are still occupying Ukrainian territory in Crimea.
Hello – the sanctions were never about MH17 anyway, and in any case – we have now dealt with the MH17 disaster and moved on. It is time Russia moved on as well and vacated Ukraine.
The West will do this and Russia will be left standing high and dry still trying to “get the truth” out about MH17.
Who cares at that point though?
If Russia doesn’t use whatever information it has in regards to MH17 in the next few weeks – I would suggest pre December – they will waste the leverage they currently might have.
I hope they know this. They actually need to be pushing the MH17 issue hard in the next few weeks – APEC Leaders Summit (November 11-12, 2014 -Beijing) and G20 Leaders Summit (November 15-16, 2014 – Brisbane) and using it as part justification for potential actions – like changing the payment regime for Russian Gas & Oil for any countries that have sanctioned Russia. Gold Bullion & Roubles only from now on.
Failure to release any and all information Russia has about the shootdown of MH17 in the next few weeks renders that information useless, and allows the AZ West to execute a pivot early in 2015 that allows them to cleanse the Ukrainian Regime of all their worst elements!
Russia must step up in regards to MH17 in the next 5-6 weeks or risk being played. Again.
Julian said …17 October, 2014 03:22
The prime consideration in strategy is purpose.
If you don’t know purpose you can’t contribute to strategy, or usefully comment upon it.
“Apparently” like the opponents you impute purpose, which is generally a process of mapping inherent prejudments – prejudices – onto the “data”, defined as such.
However useful fools are useful and datastreams useful noise and window dressing.
Patience is generally a virtue, as is silence.
The elephant in the room is whom/what “America” declared war on.
many thanks for the translate and transcript.
Very interesting.
What a pity that we can’t see more editions. I loved the passion and enthusiasm to contribute ideas for the development of their country. Although most are middleaged or more, could be described as a fresh attitude. Nothing to do with the tedious pundits usual in the Spanish television channels, honorable exceptions. I liked the man with the white hair, next to Vladimir, on the left. On all the encouragement away from the revenge towards the US and the convenience of focusing efforts on the development of education, technology, social rights and to be as self-sufficient as possible, that, in a nation as large as Russia, can come close to what is possible. Very important points about the need for the policy to not be a race to the personal enrichment with moderate remuneration commensurate with the post and mandates revocable if it is not fulfilled what has been entrusted. The policy should be a vocation of public service and not the way of becoming an oligarch more.
In any case, all have been great to me, I would go to dinner with them on any given night!
Anyone knows who the guests are and their occupation?
It is not true that have said Obama, that no one wants to go to Russia.
We want to go, on vacation, at the moment. But we found travels to the imperial cities and little more. With the natural spaces Russia has, could not be developed the tourism in rural areas or near large spaces?
When I travel I usually like to do a stay of at least 15-20 days in the country visiting different areas, cities, of course, but also natural parks and learn about the rural life and ethnicity.
Julian, let’s just list a few of the events where the Western MSM and political class simply lie through their teeth, or deny the facts even when they become irrefutable. Pearl Harbor, which the USA provoked and knew was coming. The Korean War. The entire Indochina catastrophe. My Lai, which we were told was ‘the only example’ of US savagery in ‘a noble cause’. ‘Yellow rain’, in Indochina, KAL 007, the KGB plot to kill Wojtyla, the JFK, RFK and MLK hits, Lockerbie, 9/11, Saddam’s WMD, the Iranian nuclear weapons program (they even have to ignore their own NIE reports for this)Russian ‘aggression’ against peaceful Ukrainians yearning for ‘freedom and market values’, and on and on it goes. Russia could provide documentary evidence of the culpability of Ukraine for the MH 17 atrocity and it would simply be denied, vilified as false, then forgotten, all in a day. That’s the way the ruling Western psychopaths like the facts. Tailor-made to fit their insane delusion that they represent virtue. That’s the Biggest Big Lie of them all.
Anonymous 22.34, a Latvian politician these days rents by the hour. No doubt she was offered some recompense for selling out. Meanwhile, under the blows of neo-liberal sado-monetarist austerity, the country shrivels as the young refuse to breed, and those that can flee for greener pastures. And the IMF declares it a ‘success’.
Anonymous Mulga Mumblebrain said…@
18 October, 2014 03:03
Why be so limited in vision.
Surely the Bill of Rights and Constitution have better lasted the travails of time.
Ακαρναν Καππα said…@ 15 October, 2014 01:07
That shows you the idiocy that NATO is an ALLIANCE.
Perhaps your view/analytic criterion is based on a misguided notion that NATO is an alliance of “nation states” instead of part of the alliance of the opponents.
Equality is not a consideration, and anything other than perceived mutual benefit is not usually a pre-requisite in an alliance.
Try not to look at passports or nation states but interests.
This is really great. Could you post a text version of this transcript, it would take maybe 10 minutes to read instead of 40 minutes to watch, that way it will get more readers. Thank you!