As long as Washington thinks it is above everyone else, peace will not be possible. Authentic and lasting peace requires a relationship of equals. The US took advantage of the weakness of the world after World War II to plunder it. The longevity of the Roman Empire was based not only on military power, but also on respect for the laws, and its fall was largely due to its transgression. The US has gone from genocidal barbarism to decadence (also genocidal) without passing through civilization. The fall of his infamous empire will be a blessing to the world.
WRT "Do readers get the impression that prodding Russia to escalate is to try and trap it somehow?"
Any prodding to escalate on the part of the NATO bloc(heads) probably relates to the internal narrative that 'evil Putin wants to conquer [enter country] because of his imperial ambitions', which has been cultivated within the national and cultural territories of the bloc-heads. As such it's not really a trap for Russia. Like most, if not all, of their 'cunning plans' it is mostly based upon persuading their internal populations to fear invasion from an 'evil dictator/autocrat', which will be stimulated by any reaction because it will be 'spun' by the praetorian press pack.
However, the bloc-heads have lost most if not all of their credibility within their respective territories as have their praetorian press packs for a variety of reasons and the next decade, within which two election cycles happen, may be their last chance to do right by their People. If they fail to recognise such a need they might well end up as bloc-sans-heads.
Thank you Karl. This was a good read and my take away is that the Russian Federation does not have diplomatic relations with the USA but rather military negotiations occasionally. On rare ocasion there is some exchange of words between Foreign Ministers but they are barely diplomatic exchanges. Having Blinken around is like attending a morticians reunion with Blinken as the guest of honor/subject for study and continuing professional development.
The inside glimpse of the mechanics of the BRICS system is really valuable for us outsiders to get a view on the enormity of the diplomacy at play. I see it more and more as one of the most sophisticated diplomatic development tools for humanity in the past century. In retrospect the UN formation being another step toward this new BRICS tool for the coming century of independent nations.
Medvedev's words are sobering as I sense some harsh developments in the coming month.
I tried to find the source for the decision made to not add more BRICS members this year but to create an adjunct group of those wanting to join so they can get the "feel" for what transpires. Since its a consensus reaching organization, a bigger BRICS will be somewhat more awkward, and currently there are some decisions that must be made before further growth.
As for the legal POV Medvedev expressed, that's been the line since the outset of major sanctions in 2014. Russia would prefer not to also break its laws to fight back in the sanctions war, but it will make special laws to keep its actions awful from its POV and that of the Global Majority. Too few commentators forget that Russia is seen as the leader in the conflict against Global Hegemony and that as such it needs to set proper examples like no decapitation strikes even if the public figure is no longer legitimate--such precedents shouldn't be set by Russia.
Russia is not giving away its hand but I think if NATO pushes it in Ukraine Russia will draw in allied combatants. If NATO can have a multinational armed force then so can Russia. North Korea may supposedly send men to Russia for construction work, but how would NATO know how many NKs would be mobilized to Russia and for what purpose? It looks like NATO keeps digging itself deeper into the void it can't pull itself out of while Russia keeps one step ahead.
I expressed my POV about the possible DPRK combat engineers and what they might be tasked to do at Simplicius's thread on the topic. Russia does have its own "international brigade" of volunteers from other nations, but it doesn't tout that fact.
Words that remain and resonate:
The enemy : "this foreign policy permissiveness and intoxication with their own impunity"
The trap : "The harder you try to squeeze the spring, the stronger the recoil will be"
I don't believe Russia will allow itself to be trapped, if not by choice.
"We are ready to go all the way."
As long as Washington thinks it is above everyone else, peace will not be possible. Authentic and lasting peace requires a relationship of equals. The US took advantage of the weakness of the world after World War II to plunder it. The longevity of the Roman Empire was based not only on military power, but also on respect for the laws, and its fall was largely due to its transgression. The US has gone from genocidal barbarism to decadence (also genocidal) without passing through civilization. The fall of his infamous empire will be a blessing to the world.
Yes. As an historian, I can imagine how the Outlaw US Empire might be portrayed by 2100. There are already some very good histories being published based on the opening of Soviet archives. Here's one, https://www.thepostil.com/of-collective-security-an-interview-with-michael-jabara-carley/
WRT "Do readers get the impression that prodding Russia to escalate is to try and trap it somehow?"
Any prodding to escalate on the part of the NATO bloc(heads) probably relates to the internal narrative that 'evil Putin wants to conquer [enter country] because of his imperial ambitions', which has been cultivated within the national and cultural territories of the bloc-heads. As such it's not really a trap for Russia. Like most, if not all, of their 'cunning plans' it is mostly based upon persuading their internal populations to fear invasion from an 'evil dictator/autocrat', which will be stimulated by any reaction because it will be 'spun' by the praetorian press pack.
However, the bloc-heads have lost most if not all of their credibility within their respective territories as have their praetorian press packs for a variety of reasons and the next decade, within which two election cycles happen, may be their last chance to do right by their People. If they fail to recognise such a need they might well end up as bloc-sans-heads.
Agreed. I await the results from the next round of European elections to see if the Mutiny will continue.
Thank you Karl. This was a good read and my take away is that the Russian Federation does not have diplomatic relations with the USA but rather military negotiations occasionally. On rare ocasion there is some exchange of words between Foreign Ministers but they are barely diplomatic exchanges. Having Blinken around is like attending a morticians reunion with Blinken as the guest of honor/subject for study and continuing professional development.
The inside glimpse of the mechanics of the BRICS system is really valuable for us outsiders to get a view on the enormity of the diplomacy at play. I see it more and more as one of the most sophisticated diplomatic development tools for humanity in the past century. In retrospect the UN formation being another step toward this new BRICS tool for the coming century of independent nations.
Medvedev's words are sobering as I sense some harsh developments in the coming month.
I tried to find the source for the decision made to not add more BRICS members this year but to create an adjunct group of those wanting to join so they can get the "feel" for what transpires. Since its a consensus reaching organization, a bigger BRICS will be somewhat more awkward, and currently there are some decisions that must be made before further growth.
As for the legal POV Medvedev expressed, that's been the line since the outset of major sanctions in 2014. Russia would prefer not to also break its laws to fight back in the sanctions war, but it will make special laws to keep its actions awful from its POV and that of the Global Majority. Too few commentators forget that Russia is seen as the leader in the conflict against Global Hegemony and that as such it needs to set proper examples like no decapitation strikes even if the public figure is no longer legitimate--such precedents shouldn't be set by Russia.
Russia is not giving away its hand but I think if NATO pushes it in Ukraine Russia will draw in allied combatants. If NATO can have a multinational armed force then so can Russia. North Korea may supposedly send men to Russia for construction work, but how would NATO know how many NKs would be mobilized to Russia and for what purpose? It looks like NATO keeps digging itself deeper into the void it can't pull itself out of while Russia keeps one step ahead.
I expressed my POV about the possible DPRK combat engineers and what they might be tasked to do at Simplicius's thread on the topic. Russia does have its own "international brigade" of volunteers from other nations, but it doesn't tout that fact.