thanks karl... lavrovs commentary is incisive as usual... i think his response in this was less hostile then in the previous one, but he doesn't mince words...
i appreciate these transcripts and find them far superior to podcasts, with the addition that there is a literary record that can be studied... podcasts just don't cut it for me, although i do watch them, i don't appreciate them as much... thanks for all you do here to keep us informed..
"We need final legal agreements that will fix all the conditions for ensuring the security of the Russian Federation and the legitimate security interests of our neighbors. But in a context that will enshrine the impossibility of violating these agreements in an international legal way."
I totally agree, but... good luck with that! As Lavrov himself explained later, even the Minsk agreements, signed at the highest level, were trampled upon. So, what else can you do, if some of the signatories of a written agreement refuses to uphold it and implement it?
No wonder the interviewer segues with the second question: "Given this attitude of Western politicians, is it possible to solve any serious international problems at all? At the moment, diplomacy as an instrument of foreign policy is still active in international life?"
Well, as discussed, the Atlanticist security arrangement is dead, meaning NATO, and something else must be put in its place. So, to ensure there’re no violations, NATO—meaning the Outlaw US Empire—will need to be banished from Eurasia. Of course, that may take quite some time, meaning the SMO will continue until such a point is reached. That’s how I read the coffee grounds. Russia’s domestic economic plan will continue to make Russia stronger, and its international arrangements will make it stronger and safer in that realm. The Empire will continue to decline because of its malgovernance and associated economic problems, which Trump will likely exacerbate. So, geopolitically, the power gap between the Empire’s Bloc and BRICS will continue to widen. And what we’re seeing now is NATO’s slow dissolution as its economic and political base erodes away due to the Empire’s colonization of Europe.
It's what it is, an existential war of annihilation where one or the other system will survive, and this is a situation that the power within the west has created. China has now cut supply of critical mineral inputs to chip manufacture and is applying these sanctions as the US does by preventing third party circumvention, see Inside China Business https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m93jV4h692w. As the US/UK step up terrorism it looks that there will come a painful response.
Snipping off critical material supply chains will greatly harm US industry while Chinese chip and other high-tech production and innovation continues apace. As Wolff is on a roll saying: The declining Outlaw US Empire is in denial that it’s declining. He was solo today with Nima so he could take his time to make his points, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8rzdW0qOTI
In American textbooks, the heroic founding of the state is emphasized, with minimal attention given to colonization, slavery, and the genocide of indigenous peoples. The same pattern can be seen in European educational materials, where uncomfortable truths about colonialism and exploitation are often downplayed or ignored.
isn’t the education system itself as much of a lie as the one propagated by the mainstream media? If this form of schooling is the foundation upon which future generations are built, it doesn’t bode well for critical thinking or an honest understanding of history.
Compounding this issue is the fact that the audience for alternative platforms like Substack often skews older. Many of these readers, like myself, are part of the so-called "grey or silver generation." We have lived long lives, filled with experiences that allow us to measure propaganda against reality. But does the younger generation have the same chance to develop this kind of discernment?
In the West and in Russia, population growth is slowing, and younger generations are becoming a smaller portion of society. Are the writings and reflections we share today destined to become like the Dead Sea Scrolls—buried and forgotten in a vast sea of information? While blogs and podcasts may attract a somewhat younger audience, the majority of people are overwhelmed and misled by algorithm-driven news and the "Big Lie" perpetuated by mainstream media.
The monopolization of visibility and control over information dissemination by a few powerful entities makes it increasingly difficult for truth to break through. Is there still a chance that honest narratives can escape this digital labyrinth?
I am grateful to have found your Substack, but I often feel how challenging it is to influence even those in my immediate circle. Apologies for this Gloomy thoughts in these dark days.
Hard to deny your observations. The propaganda’s been happening for decades, and in some cases like Christianity for many centuries. The hope is the Global Majority component of Humanity will overcome the West’s lies and create a new global paradigm. Yes, that will take time and many of us grey-beards won’t live to see it happen. But like the sages of yore, we must continue to tell the truths we know to those younger.
I’m probably a bit slow, but I’ve only just noticed the uses of the terms ‘friends’ and ‘colleagues’. The latter term absolutely drips contempt. Although that might just be a projection on my part. Then there appears to be a third category, “… ‘Western representatives’ who are committed to an equal dialogue, a search for a balance of interests, and mutually beneficial agreements.”
Well worth the read - both the report and your comments.
Oh and WRT the French copy writer: who Ms Zarakharova generously referred to as a journalist; what an example of someone who appears to have sold their self-respect for a job title.
thanks karl... lavrovs commentary is incisive as usual... i think his response in this was less hostile then in the previous one, but he doesn't mince words...
i appreciate these transcripts and find them far superior to podcasts, with the addition that there is a literary record that can be studied... podcasts just don't cut it for me, although i do watch them, i don't appreciate them as much... thanks for all you do here to keep us informed..
"We need final legal agreements that will fix all the conditions for ensuring the security of the Russian Federation and the legitimate security interests of our neighbors. But in a context that will enshrine the impossibility of violating these agreements in an international legal way."
I totally agree, but... good luck with that! As Lavrov himself explained later, even the Minsk agreements, signed at the highest level, were trampled upon. So, what else can you do, if some of the signatories of a written agreement refuses to uphold it and implement it?
No wonder the interviewer segues with the second question: "Given this attitude of Western politicians, is it possible to solve any serious international problems at all? At the moment, diplomacy as an instrument of foreign policy is still active in international life?"
Well, as discussed, the Atlanticist security arrangement is dead, meaning NATO, and something else must be put in its place. So, to ensure there’re no violations, NATO—meaning the Outlaw US Empire—will need to be banished from Eurasia. Of course, that may take quite some time, meaning the SMO will continue until such a point is reached. That’s how I read the coffee grounds. Russia’s domestic economic plan will continue to make Russia stronger, and its international arrangements will make it stronger and safer in that realm. The Empire will continue to decline because of its malgovernance and associated economic problems, which Trump will likely exacerbate. So, geopolitically, the power gap between the Empire’s Bloc and BRICS will continue to widen. And what we’re seeing now is NATO’s slow dissolution as its economic and political base erodes away due to the Empire’s colonization of Europe.
It's what it is, an existential war of annihilation where one or the other system will survive, and this is a situation that the power within the west has created. China has now cut supply of critical mineral inputs to chip manufacture and is applying these sanctions as the US does by preventing third party circumvention, see Inside China Business https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m93jV4h692w. As the US/UK step up terrorism it looks that there will come a painful response.
China has built and is now building more of a type of naval vessel that will be tasked to take Taiwan—the 075 and 076 project amphibious assault ships, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202412/1325853.shtml
This article has a good photo of the ship that looks a lot like a WW2 Jeep Aircraft carrier used by USN in Pacific and for convoy escort duty in Atlantic. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202412/1325810.shtml
This last item has China’s defense ministry denouncing the new Outlaw US Empire military budget. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202412/1325796.shtml
Snipping off critical material supply chains will greatly harm US industry while Chinese chip and other high-tech production and innovation continues apace. As Wolff is on a roll saying: The declining Outlaw US Empire is in denial that it’s declining. He was solo today with Nima so he could take his time to make his points, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8rzdW0qOTI
Thank you Karl,
In American textbooks, the heroic founding of the state is emphasized, with minimal attention given to colonization, slavery, and the genocide of indigenous peoples. The same pattern can be seen in European educational materials, where uncomfortable truths about colonialism and exploitation are often downplayed or ignored.
isn’t the education system itself as much of a lie as the one propagated by the mainstream media? If this form of schooling is the foundation upon which future generations are built, it doesn’t bode well for critical thinking or an honest understanding of history.
Compounding this issue is the fact that the audience for alternative platforms like Substack often skews older. Many of these readers, like myself, are part of the so-called "grey or silver generation." We have lived long lives, filled with experiences that allow us to measure propaganda against reality. But does the younger generation have the same chance to develop this kind of discernment?
In the West and in Russia, population growth is slowing, and younger generations are becoming a smaller portion of society. Are the writings and reflections we share today destined to become like the Dead Sea Scrolls—buried and forgotten in a vast sea of information? While blogs and podcasts may attract a somewhat younger audience, the majority of people are overwhelmed and misled by algorithm-driven news and the "Big Lie" perpetuated by mainstream media.
The monopolization of visibility and control over information dissemination by a few powerful entities makes it increasingly difficult for truth to break through. Is there still a chance that honest narratives can escape this digital labyrinth?
I am grateful to have found your Substack, but I often feel how challenging it is to influence even those in my immediate circle. Apologies for this Gloomy thoughts in these dark days.
Hard to deny your observations. The propaganda’s been happening for decades, and in some cases like Christianity for many centuries. The hope is the Global Majority component of Humanity will overcome the West’s lies and create a new global paradigm. Yes, that will take time and many of us grey-beards won’t live to see it happen. But like the sages of yore, we must continue to tell the truths we know to those younger.
I’m probably a bit slow, but I’ve only just noticed the uses of the terms ‘friends’ and ‘colleagues’. The latter term absolutely drips contempt. Although that might just be a projection on my part. Then there appears to be a third category, “… ‘Western representatives’ who are committed to an equal dialogue, a search for a balance of interests, and mutually beneficial agreements.”
Well worth the read - both the report and your comments.
Oh and WRT the French copy writer: who Ms Zarakharova generously referred to as a journalist; what an example of someone who appears to have sold their self-respect for a job title.
Thanks Karl!