Yesterday, when the story broke that the Anglo-Zionists were about to authorize direct American long range missile strikes on Russia (from the territory of Ukraine), I assumed that the purpose of this escalation was to attempt to coerce Russia into acceding to a ceasefire on Anglo-Zionist terms.
NATO clowns aren't afraid of Iran handing over some missiles to Russia - that is just their stupid way to express their desperation - they are just sour because Russia is handing over air defense to Iran.
Why else do you think Iran waited with its retaliation?
This is in Reply to Jeff Martineau's comment below. Which hit a extremely important point.
he said
."....Something never talked about: the massive rise in spirituality/religion in Russia, China, India, Africa and places outside the US and West Europe.......of this massive rise in spirituality. We are simply in denial of it. Thus our own confusion and conflicts......"
My addition to this theme....
The problem is also that that we, the US , are engaged in our own " rise in spirituality/religion"
Yes we are. Sick but true. Because our religion is called "progressive secular humanism.".....with a touch of spirit drinking and a dash of satanism coupled with a retarded, doctrinal, perversion of Christianity.
This New US religion is the complete antithesis to Traditional Christianity or any traditional religion that espouses moral values instead of moral relativism. . It is one of the reasons we go around the world doing horrific things and have become an empire.
So who are we now? It is a long way from:
"Long may our land be bright,
with freedom's Holy light,
protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King"
. ...... to what we have become and what the founders warned us of.......
..............The Picture of Dorian Gray.
But all is not lost. There is hope and it is a hope that does not fade nor will be denied . What Did He say?
"In my Father's house, are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you"
...so there is a place for you, a home... and you will see the Glory of the end.
The Anglo-Zionists have been misinformed. Iran is none of their business. Neither is Russia or anyone else. A-Z's would be jobless, have no need to "freak out," were it not for their ability to enslave US taxpayers. Americans don't want any part of these wars. In 1930s Neutrality Acts were passed then quickly ignored via contrived excuses. The US could simply say from now on, we're neutral. From what I've read, US doesn't want a cease fire, its only goal is to divide Russia into pieces and hand them out to others. US is outraged that Russia dares to exist.
Another factor to consider is Russia's 10% Muslim population. Retaining their loyalty came at a stiff price, so who is more important to Russia? Russian Muslims, or Russian Jews who bugged out to Israel (and elsewhere) in the 70's through 90's?
A skeptic would wonder how many of these refuseniks were really committed to aliyah, and how many were just looking for a way out of the USSR, given that about half of them went to Europe or the USA and never even set foot in Israel. From Russia's perspective, it makes sense to maintain some level of engagement with Russian/Israeli Jews for the obvious reason of influencing Israeli politics, not to mention as a ready source of intelligence.
Another factor in the equation that I haven't seen mentioned in the western media is the role played by the Akhmat Battalion in the liberation of Mariupol. In the West this is represented as a military operation only, while in the Muslim world it is seen as Muslims liberating Christians from Nazis, some of who made the ultimate sacrifice thereby becoming Martyrs. Add this to Russia's defence of Syria and now Iran, and their priorities become a bit clearer.
Another Russia priority, not often mentioned, is the gradual secularization of Islam. This was a forced policy in the USSR, but the approach is more subtle today and largely consists of supporting moderate Muslim elements with Orthodox Christian support, while cracking down hard on Takfiri and Salafi elements, both domestically and abroad.
Back in 2019 Moscow's Grand Mufti predicted that within 15 years, 1/3 of Russia's population would Muslim. Demographics is destiny, or so the idea goes, but that doesn't take account of the host culture, which is arguably just as strong and more influential on young Muslims than the religious precepts of Islam. This is evident today in the popular culture of Tatarstan, which is arguably already more secular than Islamic. No doubt building up Kazan as a major industrial centre has something to do with this - prosperity has a pacifying effect, especially on young people just starting out in life. One thing I've learned over the years of political and social analysis is to look for clues in the popular culture, and you can find clear indicators of the trend in Tatarstan. For example:
Note the Kamaz dump truck. That's no coincidence, Kamaz has its main production centre in Kazan.
Along the same lines, note the recent changes in Russian immigration policy favouring western 'dissidents' which is kind of stretching the definition since anyone fed up with the direction the west is taking is apparently welcome. As this opportunity is taken advantage of, it will have the effect of offsetting the differences in birth rates.
Secularization is the predominant trend in all cultures today, including Islam. It follows from the enlightenment concept of separation of Church and State, but it's much stronger than that explicit precept since it more accurately represents the true desires of common people, which is not to be pushed around by either element, but to live in peace with one another regardless of one's confession, or lack thereof.
Odessa is the ultimate and obvious goal on the Russian side. The Brits/US know this. Crossing the Dnieper becomes the final tripwire as it cuts off Ukraine to the south, but leaves Ukraine as the problem is not taken by the Russians.
Think of the US debate and what was and was not said regarding Ukraine. Trump is cautious to talk about particular outcomes, which is the normal way of conducting policy and negotiations. But the other side wants to play the TELEVISION game, while no one else is playing that game, certainly not the Russians, Chinese, etc.
The debate shows the real disconnect in the US from the rest of the world and how far behind the US is from where the major players have gone. When Harris said that those she talks to around the world don’t like or trust Trump, she is not lying, but recognizing who those people are matters.
Ukraine has largely been a CIA/MI6/Intel war, not so much the DOD/MOD and such. Thus the claims we are not actually at war.
Putin likely understands, based on your post of yesterday, that Trump may not win/be allowed to become President. He has his own country to be concerned about and he knows he was misled/lied to for years by the West.
Something never talked about: the massive rise in spirituality/religion in Russia, China, India, Africa and places outside the US and West Europe. The ROC rules Russia in the most significant ways. Hinduism rules India. Daoism is the “faith” of the ruling class in China and there are more Catholics in China than people in the US.
Many in Russia, and other places, now believe there is a spiritual war going on, as in Angels doing battle beyond us, and that we are in a spiritual/religious war here as well. Recall from the history of the West that people take these things seriously are willing to die/kill.
Our transition to the DIGITAL Paradigm, is the Cause/Formal Cause of Aristotle, of this massive rise in spirituality. We are simply in denial of it. Thus our own confusion and conflicts. Other parts of the world have officially embraced DIGITAL and are retrieving their Medieval texts and histories, we see this in the parts of the West that are the least in the US/British orbits, like Hungry.
They see DIGITAL technology as a positive that is allowing them to “re-integrate” human souls/body.
All of the places we are at “war” with, are pushing for tech - robots, as a way to, in their view, liberate humans and to rediscover the human as ensouled/created beings, rather than programable, as we still do.
Islam is going down this road, and Israel/Jews are split on this as well.
“Daoism is the “faith” of the ruling class in China and…”
Hmmmm. For some reason I had the impression they are Maoists.
“… there are more Catholics in China than people in the US.”
Not sure about that stat. But while there are a lot of Catholics in China, they are currently suffering under a regime of severe repression and/or domination by the Chinese ”ruling class.” Same goes for Protestants, Falun Gong, etc.
So… no. I would not say China is undergoing some sort of spiritual awakening.
Xi, his wife and family are scholars of Daoism. There are no more Maoists, at least not in ways that we would recognize. The Daoists back in the Medieval era were the ones that promoted technology, but were defeated by the Confucians and Buddhists. Thus no proliferation of books in China as in the West. They see technology today as a way to get to help get to the next cycle in Chinese history. They believe is history cycles, while we look at it quite differently. So they embrace technology while we still fight about it and try to “regulate” it.
It is true that you can’t openly buy Bibles in the bookstores in Beijing, but spirituality and religion are massively on the rise there. Think a kind of return of deep Chinese culture of the Medieval era. They certainly have restrictions on evangelism, largely because of what the Protestant sects and western powers did there from the 1600s onward into the 20th century. They estimate that 70 million Chinese died in the 1800s alone from what the Western powers did within the country, typically under the guise of protestant Christianity.
The Chinese are very much becoming a spiritual civilization, one we would not recognize well because of our own secularism and Modern ideas about the separation of body and soul. They are absolutely retrieving their ancient spirituality and culture. Sadly in the West we do not report on this on English nor do we tend to care. Much anti-Chinese/racism/media that keeps us from trying to understand. The potential for conflict is the result.
I agree with you about Russia's intent and likelihood to bring Odessa back into the fold. If the residents of that area were to vote as to whether they want to become a part of the Russian federation, I have a feeling they would be in favor.
Now I think these things while having an insufficient knowledge of Russian history. But...reading Mark's post today and then your comment, caused me to research quick overviews of Odessa and Catherine the Great. Having done that, now I want to learn more. The Empress alone has captured my interest.
Thank you, Mark and Antipodes, for your sparks to broaden my knowledge!
Do you have a source for that, because I find it hard to believe. Possibly it's a mistranslation, which is often done intentionally to discredit Iran, such as with their statements on Israel. As far as I'm aware, Iran only condemns Salafi (Wahhabi) and Takfiri elements within Sunni, as does mainstream Sunni itself. Bear in mind that while Hezbollah is Shia, Hamas is Sunni, and yet they support each other, and Iran supports both, so the division is not as clear as western pundits make it out to be, and in recent years the two have been on a course of reconciliation as a result of recognizing common enemies.
If you're looking for information about Islam, I find it best to use non-western sources as western media almost all have an axe to grind - not surprising given who owns most of them.
<edit>
I forgot the most obvious example. Syria, which is 74% Sunni and only 3% Shia.
-- GEROMAN -- time will tell -  -- @GeromanAT
NATO clowns aren't afraid of Iran handing over some missiles to Russia - that is just their stupid way to express their desperation - they are just sour because Russia is handing over air defense to Iran.
Why else do you think Iran waited with its retaliation?
Because it knows it must be ready for any answer.
This is in Reply to Jeff Martineau's comment below. Which hit a extremely important point.
he said
."....Something never talked about: the massive rise in spirituality/religion in Russia, China, India, Africa and places outside the US and West Europe.......of this massive rise in spirituality. We are simply in denial of it. Thus our own confusion and conflicts......"
My addition to this theme....
The problem is also that that we, the US , are engaged in our own " rise in spirituality/religion"
Yes we are. Sick but true. Because our religion is called "progressive secular humanism.".....with a touch of spirit drinking and a dash of satanism coupled with a retarded, doctrinal, perversion of Christianity.
This New US religion is the complete antithesis to Traditional Christianity or any traditional religion that espouses moral values instead of moral relativism. . It is one of the reasons we go around the world doing horrific things and have become an empire.
So who are we now? It is a long way from:
"Long may our land be bright,
with freedom's Holy light,
protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King"
. ...... to what we have become and what the founders warned us of.......
..............The Picture of Dorian Gray.
But all is not lost. There is hope and it is a hope that does not fade nor will be denied . What Did He say?
"In my Father's house, are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you"
...so there is a place for you, a home... and you will see the Glory of the end.
He will Come again in power and glory.
So in the end..........you win.
Very important to understand this.
When one thinks of Kherson and Odessa, one thinks only of Russia and that's coming from an Irish man.
Kherson was were the Russians built their first great navy ships and is steeped in history.
Putin would be nuts to let this opportunity to return these cities to the motherland fall through his fingers.
The Anglo-Zionists have been misinformed. Iran is none of their business. Neither is Russia or anyone else. A-Z's would be jobless, have no need to "freak out," were it not for their ability to enslave US taxpayers. Americans don't want any part of these wars. In 1930s Neutrality Acts were passed then quickly ignored via contrived excuses. The US could simply say from now on, we're neutral. From what I've read, US doesn't want a cease fire, its only goal is to divide Russia into pieces and hand them out to others. US is outraged that Russia dares to exist.
Another factor to consider is Russia's 10% Muslim population. Retaining their loyalty came at a stiff price, so who is more important to Russia? Russian Muslims, or Russian Jews who bugged out to Israel (and elsewhere) in the 70's through 90's?
A skeptic would wonder how many of these refuseniks were really committed to aliyah, and how many were just looking for a way out of the USSR, given that about half of them went to Europe or the USA and never even set foot in Israel. From Russia's perspective, it makes sense to maintain some level of engagement with Russian/Israeli Jews for the obvious reason of influencing Israeli politics, not to mention as a ready source of intelligence.
Another factor in the equation that I haven't seen mentioned in the western media is the role played by the Akhmat Battalion in the liberation of Mariupol. In the West this is represented as a military operation only, while in the Muslim world it is seen as Muslims liberating Christians from Nazis, some of who made the ultimate sacrifice thereby becoming Martyrs. Add this to Russia's defence of Syria and now Iran, and their priorities become a bit clearer.
Another Russia priority, not often mentioned, is the gradual secularization of Islam. This was a forced policy in the USSR, but the approach is more subtle today and largely consists of supporting moderate Muslim elements with Orthodox Christian support, while cracking down hard on Takfiri and Salafi elements, both domestically and abroad.
Back in 2019 Moscow's Grand Mufti predicted that within 15 years, 1/3 of Russia's population would Muslim. Demographics is destiny, or so the idea goes, but that doesn't take account of the host culture, which is arguably just as strong and more influential on young Muslims than the religious precepts of Islam. This is evident today in the popular culture of Tatarstan, which is arguably already more secular than Islamic. No doubt building up Kazan as a major industrial centre has something to do with this - prosperity has a pacifying effect, especially on young people just starting out in life. One thing I've learned over the years of political and social analysis is to look for clues in the popular culture, and you can find clear indicators of the trend in Tatarstan. For example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVlfWbDyhm8
Note the Kamaz dump truck. That's no coincidence, Kamaz has its main production centre in Kazan.
Along the same lines, note the recent changes in Russian immigration policy favouring western 'dissidents' which is kind of stretching the definition since anyone fed up with the direction the west is taking is apparently welcome. As this opportunity is taken advantage of, it will have the effect of offsetting the differences in birth rates.
Secularization is the predominant trend in all cultures today, including Islam. It follows from the enlightenment concept of separation of Church and State, but it's much stronger than that explicit precept since it more accurately represents the true desires of common people, which is not to be pushed around by either element, but to live in peace with one another regardless of one's confession, or lack thereof.
Russia is going to control the Black Sea, even if it hairlips the Pope.
Odessa is the ultimate and obvious goal on the Russian side. The Brits/US know this. Crossing the Dnieper becomes the final tripwire as it cuts off Ukraine to the south, but leaves Ukraine as the problem is not taken by the Russians.
Think of the US debate and what was and was not said regarding Ukraine. Trump is cautious to talk about particular outcomes, which is the normal way of conducting policy and negotiations. But the other side wants to play the TELEVISION game, while no one else is playing that game, certainly not the Russians, Chinese, etc.
The debate shows the real disconnect in the US from the rest of the world and how far behind the US is from where the major players have gone. When Harris said that those she talks to around the world don’t like or trust Trump, she is not lying, but recognizing who those people are matters.
Ukraine has largely been a CIA/MI6/Intel war, not so much the DOD/MOD and such. Thus the claims we are not actually at war.
Putin likely understands, based on your post of yesterday, that Trump may not win/be allowed to become President. He has his own country to be concerned about and he knows he was misled/lied to for years by the West.
Something never talked about: the massive rise in spirituality/religion in Russia, China, India, Africa and places outside the US and West Europe. The ROC rules Russia in the most significant ways. Hinduism rules India. Daoism is the “faith” of the ruling class in China and there are more Catholics in China than people in the US.
Many in Russia, and other places, now believe there is a spiritual war going on, as in Angels doing battle beyond us, and that we are in a spiritual/religious war here as well. Recall from the history of the West that people take these things seriously are willing to die/kill.
Our transition to the DIGITAL Paradigm, is the Cause/Formal Cause of Aristotle, of this massive rise in spirituality. We are simply in denial of it. Thus our own confusion and conflicts. Other parts of the world have officially embraced DIGITAL and are retrieving their Medieval texts and histories, we see this in the parts of the West that are the least in the US/British orbits, like Hungry.
They see DIGITAL technology as a positive that is allowing them to “re-integrate” human souls/body.
All of the places we are at “war” with, are pushing for tech - robots, as a way to, in their view, liberate humans and to rediscover the human as ensouled/created beings, rather than programable, as we still do.
Islam is going down this road, and Israel/Jews are split on this as well.
“Daoism is the “faith” of the ruling class in China and…”
Hmmmm. For some reason I had the impression they are Maoists.
“… there are more Catholics in China than people in the US.”
Not sure about that stat. But while there are a lot of Catholics in China, they are currently suffering under a regime of severe repression and/or domination by the Chinese ”ruling class.” Same goes for Protestants, Falun Gong, etc.
So… no. I would not say China is undergoing some sort of spiritual awakening.
Xi, his wife and family are scholars of Daoism. There are no more Maoists, at least not in ways that we would recognize. The Daoists back in the Medieval era were the ones that promoted technology, but were defeated by the Confucians and Buddhists. Thus no proliferation of books in China as in the West. They see technology today as a way to get to help get to the next cycle in Chinese history. They believe is history cycles, while we look at it quite differently. So they embrace technology while we still fight about it and try to “regulate” it.
It is true that you can’t openly buy Bibles in the bookstores in Beijing, but spirituality and religion are massively on the rise there. Think a kind of return of deep Chinese culture of the Medieval era. They certainly have restrictions on evangelism, largely because of what the Protestant sects and western powers did there from the 1600s onward into the 20th century. They estimate that 70 million Chinese died in the 1800s alone from what the Western powers did within the country, typically under the guise of protestant Christianity.
The Chinese are very much becoming a spiritual civilization, one we would not recognize well because of our own secularism and Modern ideas about the separation of body and soul. They are absolutely retrieving their ancient spirituality and culture. Sadly in the West we do not report on this on English nor do we tend to care. Much anti-Chinese/racism/media that keeps us from trying to understand. The potential for conflict is the result.
I always thought/think the taking of Odessa would be done. Its people and politics favour Russia moreso than Ukraine.
And strategically, it makes sense to secure the Black Sea as Odessa has been the main area for launching of attacks on Crimea.
I agree with you about Russia's intent and likelihood to bring Odessa back into the fold. If the residents of that area were to vote as to whether they want to become a part of the Russian federation, I have a feeling they would be in favor.
Now I think these things while having an insufficient knowledge of Russian history. But...reading Mark's post today and then your comment, caused me to research quick overviews of Odessa and Catherine the Great. Having done that, now I want to learn more. The Empress alone has captured my interest.
Thank you, Mark and Antipodes, for your sparks to broaden my knowledge!
"...special forces operating now on the west bank of the lower Dnieper—in other words, in the direction of Odessa."
A land attack on Odesa from Kherson direction would be very difficult, with 2 (3?) major river crossings to navigate.
No doubt. It would depend on extensive preparation.
Do you have a source for that, because I find it hard to believe. Possibly it's a mistranslation, which is often done intentionally to discredit Iran, such as with their statements on Israel. As far as I'm aware, Iran only condemns Salafi (Wahhabi) and Takfiri elements within Sunni, as does mainstream Sunni itself. Bear in mind that while Hezbollah is Shia, Hamas is Sunni, and yet they support each other, and Iran supports both, so the division is not as clear as western pundits make it out to be, and in recent years the two have been on a course of reconciliation as a result of recognizing common enemies.
If you're looking for information about Islam, I find it best to use non-western sources as western media almost all have an axe to grind - not surprising given who owns most of them.
<edit>
I forgot the most obvious example. Syria, which is 74% Sunni and only 3% Shia.