"Narishkin seems to think the West can rejoin Humanity and become part of the Multipolar World if it evolves and develops a new identity..."
I think so too. However it's unclear if Mr. Narishkin thinks that change is likely, or if it will be a relatively peaceful evolution. Based on both history and current events I'm not hopeful. It just doesn't appear to be in the Collective West's DNA.
Western civilization flourished due to its predatory nature, both among its constituents and most importantly it's colonization of the world. The current apex predators, the USA and its vassals, are utterly convinced of their own superiority. At best they will have to be dragged kicking and screaming towards a new world order. More likely, they will fight tooth and nail to remain at the top. Because once you've assumed and grown accustomed to the role of Emperor, nothing else will ever be good enough.
I hope I'm wrong. Perhaps the western powers will have an awakening and acknowledge their rightful place as equals within the greater humanity. That however seems unlikely given what we see today.
Attrition is what we’ll see if no nukes fly. Erosion would be another apt term. The Empire’s already put both UK and Europe on that road. If you get to the end of the Council Meeting, you’ll read what order Putin places Russia’s tasks in.
I think Narishkin answered your question (" However it's unclear if Mr. Narishkin thinks that change is likely, or if it will be a relatively peaceful evolution") for you. He said the Balts, then the East Europeans, and then even the Germans will be forced to fight the "terrible Russian bear".
And I think so too. Recently NATO has sent a ton of armored vehicles to Poland, which I think is the staging for a NATO force of 'peacekeepers' to enter eastern Ukraine. Hope I'm wrong, but the indispensable ones aren't going to roll over and play nice anytime soon. Syria and the west's orgasmic joy at supporting re-branded sex-slavers and head-choppers should put paid to any notion of moral realignment.
IMO, 2025 is when the current phase of WW3 goes kinetic. I just don't see how we can avoid it given that this is existential for both sides.
I understand your POV, but I’m more optimistic given the rate of erosion happening to the core power areas of the Outlaw US Empire. It’s important to listen attentively when Richard Wolff talks about the Empire in decline and the reasons why that’s so. Historical knowledge isn’t an asset of those running the Empire. They’re doing an inverted Fukuyama: Reliving History.
Not to dispute your forecast because I don't know the future, but there is at least a flicker of hope. While Ukraine is existential for Russia, it's not so for the USA. Nor is the Middle East for that matter. America could lose both, withdraw to its borders, and do just fine for centuries to come. True, the loss of its standing in the world would greatly annoy those in power. But they can console themselves with a continued belief in their inherent superiority, even if the rest of the world moves on.
WW3 on the other hand would be existential for the Collective West. In fact they have the most to lose. It's no big deal for Washington if an Oreshnik falls in Ukraine. But if they land on Wall Street, it's game over for America.
Two things drive the USA: ideology and commerce. They are deeply intertwined of course. But of the two, it's the latter that America will give up last. As there's no commerce to be had in WW3, just the opposite in fact, I would expect the USA to continue with its current MO of stoking smaller conflicts around the globe rather than bring about the end of mankind.
It's not much to look forward to, but perhaps its not entirely bleak.
A good read, thanks. As another 1955er I appreciate being in the same ‘pod’ so to speak. It was an enlightening interview with Mr. Narishkin.
The ‘Great Game’ illusion, as revealed by Alexander Mercouris after studying archives in Russia post USSR, appears to demonstrate a total absence of even the notion of a ‘Great Game’ being played between pre USSR Russia and t’ British empire by the State authorities. However, the USA appears to have become infected by that British delusion. So that Mr. Narishkin could say, “…. the post-Soviet space remains a priority area for attacks by American and British special services.”
The irony of “A multipolar world, of course, should include both the United States and Europe, provided that they have equal rights with others” was particularly sweet.
And then there were statements such as, “… responsible, managerial work has always required and continues to require full concentration of effort and attention”, that merely reflect basic and universal common sense. Unfortunately, as far as I can see, that does not reflect the behaviour code of the managerial caste here in the Collective Wa$te or Outlaw American empire.
PS; loved the ‘inverted Fukuyama’ phrase, which brings to mind the aphorism “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” – George Santayana, The Life of Reason, 1905. Not the first or the last to recognise the importance of discerning the difference between change of form from change of content.
Great comment! Russia went about its business never knowing the British fetish that Russia coveted South Asia and the internal angst that generated. It seems that “Scout” produces at least one if not more worthy articles in every quarterly publication. I need to get a program that translates pdfs, which is the format its published in. I also want voice translation for videos.
"Narishkin seems to think the West can rejoin Humanity and become part of the Multipolar World if it evolves and develops a new identity..."
I think so too. However it's unclear if Mr. Narishkin thinks that change is likely, or if it will be a relatively peaceful evolution. Based on both history and current events I'm not hopeful. It just doesn't appear to be in the Collective West's DNA.
Western civilization flourished due to its predatory nature, both among its constituents and most importantly it's colonization of the world. The current apex predators, the USA and its vassals, are utterly convinced of their own superiority. At best they will have to be dragged kicking and screaming towards a new world order. More likely, they will fight tooth and nail to remain at the top. Because once you've assumed and grown accustomed to the role of Emperor, nothing else will ever be good enough.
I hope I'm wrong. Perhaps the western powers will have an awakening and acknowledge their rightful place as equals within the greater humanity. That however seems unlikely given what we see today.
Attrition is what we’ll see if no nukes fly. Erosion would be another apt term. The Empire’s already put both UK and Europe on that road. If you get to the end of the Council Meeting, you’ll read what order Putin places Russia’s tasks in.
I think Narishkin answered your question (" However it's unclear if Mr. Narishkin thinks that change is likely, or if it will be a relatively peaceful evolution") for you. He said the Balts, then the East Europeans, and then even the Germans will be forced to fight the "terrible Russian bear".
And I think so too. Recently NATO has sent a ton of armored vehicles to Poland, which I think is the staging for a NATO force of 'peacekeepers' to enter eastern Ukraine. Hope I'm wrong, but the indispensable ones aren't going to roll over and play nice anytime soon. Syria and the west's orgasmic joy at supporting re-branded sex-slavers and head-choppers should put paid to any notion of moral realignment.
IMO, 2025 is when the current phase of WW3 goes kinetic. I just don't see how we can avoid it given that this is existential for both sides.
I understand your POV, but I’m more optimistic given the rate of erosion happening to the core power areas of the Outlaw US Empire. It’s important to listen attentively when Richard Wolff talks about the Empire in decline and the reasons why that’s so. Historical knowledge isn’t an asset of those running the Empire. They’re doing an inverted Fukuyama: Reliving History.
Not to dispute your forecast because I don't know the future, but there is at least a flicker of hope. While Ukraine is existential for Russia, it's not so for the USA. Nor is the Middle East for that matter. America could lose both, withdraw to its borders, and do just fine for centuries to come. True, the loss of its standing in the world would greatly annoy those in power. But they can console themselves with a continued belief in their inherent superiority, even if the rest of the world moves on.
WW3 on the other hand would be existential for the Collective West. In fact they have the most to lose. It's no big deal for Washington if an Oreshnik falls in Ukraine. But if they land on Wall Street, it's game over for America.
Two things drive the USA: ideology and commerce. They are deeply intertwined of course. But of the two, it's the latter that America will give up last. As there's no commerce to be had in WW3, just the opposite in fact, I would expect the USA to continue with its current MO of stoking smaller conflicts around the globe rather than bring about the end of mankind.
It's not much to look forward to, but perhaps its not entirely bleak.
I’ve argued along similar lines often.
A good read, thanks. As another 1955er I appreciate being in the same ‘pod’ so to speak. It was an enlightening interview with Mr. Narishkin.
The ‘Great Game’ illusion, as revealed by Alexander Mercouris after studying archives in Russia post USSR, appears to demonstrate a total absence of even the notion of a ‘Great Game’ being played between pre USSR Russia and t’ British empire by the State authorities. However, the USA appears to have become infected by that British delusion. So that Mr. Narishkin could say, “…. the post-Soviet space remains a priority area for attacks by American and British special services.”
The irony of “A multipolar world, of course, should include both the United States and Europe, provided that they have equal rights with others” was particularly sweet.
And then there were statements such as, “… responsible, managerial work has always required and continues to require full concentration of effort and attention”, that merely reflect basic and universal common sense. Unfortunately, as far as I can see, that does not reflect the behaviour code of the managerial caste here in the Collective Wa$te or Outlaw American empire.
PS; loved the ‘inverted Fukuyama’ phrase, which brings to mind the aphorism “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” – George Santayana, The Life of Reason, 1905. Not the first or the last to recognise the importance of discerning the difference between change of form from change of content.
Great comment! Russia went about its business never knowing the British fetish that Russia coveted South Asia and the internal angst that generated. It seems that “Scout” produces at least one if not more worthy articles in every quarterly publication. I need to get a program that translates pdfs, which is the format its published in. I also want voice translation for videos.
Cheers. I hope Santa Claus can deliver those things.
;o)
I'm playing Father Frost again, so it's all up to me!
Original document, at svr.gov.ru:
http://svr.gov.ru/smi/2024/12/direktor-svr-rossii-sergey-naryshkin-razvedka-eto-sama-zhizn.htm
Scout itself:
http://svr.gov.ru/zhurnal-razvedchik.htm