In recent weeks the Neocons, along with certain European allies, have attempted to score a major victory against Russia. In doing so, they found themselves at odds with other geopolitical players who are opposed to the drive to escalate the war on Russia even further. Tom Luongo engaged in a big picture discussion on these issues in the last day or two that I found illuminating. What I’ve done is listen to the podcast and take notes. These notes aren’t comprehensive—for example, a segment re Belarus is omitted—but I think they capture the essentials. This was a discussion, but I’m only including the Luongo portions, in summary/note form—with an insertion. It should prove largely self explanatory. Since these are notes taken from a verbal give and take there may be places where they are a bit sketchy, by overall it should hang together.
The neocon trend represents but one facet to the U.S. that nonetheless has captured and held the commanding heights of U.S. policy-making for decades.
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But who is the ‘useful idiot’ – Prigozhin or the western intelligence services, who now have a prime débacle on their hands (however much they pretend otherwise)? First, their financial war on Russia failed; their attempt at diplomatic isolation has had no success beyond the tight western bloc; the Ukrainian ‘offensive’ has achieved almost nothing; and now their “libidinal excitement at a Russian civil war that was certain to feature ‘Russians … killing Russians” was popped within hours.
Russia and Putin emerge much the stronger. Putin praised the “restraint, cohesion and patriotism” that the Russian people had shown; their “civic solidarity and “high consolidation”; and their “firm line … (in) taking an explicit position of supporting constitutional order”.
This is huge. It is not just that the Prigozhin insurrection was ‘taken seriously’ by the West. It was its’ ‘last Hail Mary’ in respect to Russia. After the failure of its ‘financial war’; the failure of its attempt to drive a wedge between Moscow and Beijing; its failure to coerce the Rest of the World to join sanctioning Russia; and then, the unexpected failure of the Ukrainian ‘offensive’ to make a make breakthrough against the Russian defensive lines, fomenting chaos in Russia became the ‘last chance of last chances’.
It now remains for Europe to admit the error of its ways and act decisively to restore relations with Russia - in short, defying their US masters. Can they, or are they all on some anti-depressant whose side effects are lethargy and indecision?
This is why I included that insert. Clearly MBS has strong views on what constitutes Saudi national interest, and he's not about to be pressured out of pursuing those interests. And he's not the only leader like that out there. Erdogan and others.
Great insights from Tom. To tie in with this, Larry Johnson over at Sonar21 thinks there might be some breaking of ranks at the big Vilnius meeting, with some Euro leaders finding some testicular fortitude for once. I'm not so sure. I think the only way this stops is when the anti-neocon moves that Tom highlights come to final fruition and the likes of Nuland, Sullivan, Blinken and their British lapdogs are kicked out of power forever. I suspect virtually the whole sorry leadership of Europe's nations apart from Orban will need to go too. As for any possible peace talks, after the countless lies he's endured in the past, Putin will continue to negotiate hypersonically.
I would love to see Nuland et.al. removed from the situation at NATO next week. The likelihood is low. Nuland just maneuvered herself into the #2 position at State after Wendy Sherman resigned (hmmmm...). So, she will be 'setting the table' there along with the British soccer hooligans.
The bigger question is Macron and France.... which I'm about to sit down and write about. :)
We'll look forward to that. Lots of theories flying around that there's more to what's happening in France than meets the eye. Public sentiment in Germany, Poland, also reaching a breaking point?
Thanks, Tom, for your wonderful insights. Yes, I wonder what Macron will do? Especially coming off the back of the week of riots. Will he be a true globalist Young Leader and stick to the party line of evermore goodies for Ukraine? Or will he be looking over his shoulder from Vilnius and thinking, "Hey, I need to sort out my own backyard!" As for Nuland, that is disappointing, but there again, the higher she climbs, the more she exposes (I know, thank God that's a figurative image!). Next week should be interesting.
I've never been sure about that, ML. Some say that the Brits and the City of London have some demonic hold on Washington, but I don't see it. My view is that we are just trying to recapture some of our past glory and influence. I think too that the US neocons admire our historically rabid hatred of Russia.
You have a point, especially as the US just nixed Ben Wallace as new NATO head. Re past glory - it now resides in the British people themselves, most assuredly not in their “leaders” - same for US and ditto for France, where I live.
Also consider the mindset of the rioters. Tribal mentality asserts the tribe's authority by demonstrations of strength and defiance. Most of the rioters are African/North African immigrants and their religion is nothing if not tribal. Kill one of us and retribution is the automatic response. Turn the other cheek is antithetical to those who live under the eye for an eye code. The insidious aspect to this is the possibility that there are those who can manipulate their tribal instincts. The tactic was used in Egypt in the Arab Spring uprising there.
Ms. Anna, I always appreciate your thoughts, discoveries and sharing from your resources. You provide access and insight from areas where I find difficulty accessing. Blessings dear lady! (WrH)
Agreed.
Alistair Crooke on July 3:
Prigozhin and the Diminishment of Europe
https://thealtworld.com/alastair_crooke/prigozhin-and-the-diminishment-of-europe
The neocon trend represents but one facet to the U.S. that nonetheless has captured and held the commanding heights of U.S. policy-making for decades.
...
But who is the ‘useful idiot’ – Prigozhin or the western intelligence services, who now have a prime débacle on their hands (however much they pretend otherwise)? First, their financial war on Russia failed; their attempt at diplomatic isolation has had no success beyond the tight western bloc; the Ukrainian ‘offensive’ has achieved almost nothing; and now their “libidinal excitement at a Russian civil war that was certain to feature ‘Russians … killing Russians” was popped within hours.
Russia and Putin emerge much the stronger. Putin praised the “restraint, cohesion and patriotism” that the Russian people had shown; their “civic solidarity and “high consolidation”; and their “firm line … (in) taking an explicit position of supporting constitutional order”.
"But who is the useful idiot... Prigozhin or the western intelligence serves"... Either way, how about the impact on the Ukrainian people.
Alistair Crooke on July 1:
The Prigozhin Convoy: ‘Everything Changes; Everything Remains the Same’
https://thealtworld.com/alastair_crooke/the-prigozhin-convoy-everything-changes-everything-remains-the-same
Conclusion:
This is huge. It is not just that the Prigozhin insurrection was ‘taken seriously’ by the West. It was its’ ‘last Hail Mary’ in respect to Russia. After the failure of its ‘financial war’; the failure of its attempt to drive a wedge between Moscow and Beijing; its failure to coerce the Rest of the World to join sanctioning Russia; and then, the unexpected failure of the Ukrainian ‘offensive’ to make a make breakthrough against the Russian defensive lines, fomenting chaos in Russia became the ‘last chance of last chances’.
It now remains for Europe to admit the error of its ways and act decisively to restore relations with Russia - in short, defying their US masters. Can they, or are they all on some anti-depressant whose side effects are lethargy and indecision?
Fully agree - I just hope the resisters win out over the supine in Europe. As you say, there are some reasons to be optimistic.
Love Tom!
Recent news re: OPEC...
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/saudi-arabia-says-new-oil-cuts-show-teamwork-with-russia-is-strong-2023-07-05/
Mixed bag of analysis too...
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/07/opec-saudi-arabia-defends-oil-cuts-russia-despite-mild-market-reaction
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-03/opec-output-steady-as-group-seeks-to-shore-up-fragile-market
This is why I included that insert. Clearly MBS has strong views on what constitutes Saudi national interest, and he's not about to be pressured out of pursuing those interests. And he's not the only leader like that out there. Erdogan and others.
Yep. Interesting dichotomy for sure. Popcorn and cherry coke kinda stuff.
Great insights from Tom. To tie in with this, Larry Johnson over at Sonar21 thinks there might be some breaking of ranks at the big Vilnius meeting, with some Euro leaders finding some testicular fortitude for once. I'm not so sure. I think the only way this stops is when the anti-neocon moves that Tom highlights come to final fruition and the likes of Nuland, Sullivan, Blinken and their British lapdogs are kicked out of power forever. I suspect virtually the whole sorry leadership of Europe's nations apart from Orban will need to go too. As for any possible peace talks, after the countless lies he's endured in the past, Putin will continue to negotiate hypersonically.
I would love to see Nuland et.al. removed from the situation at NATO next week. The likelihood is low. Nuland just maneuvered herself into the #2 position at State after Wendy Sherman resigned (hmmmm...). So, she will be 'setting the table' there along with the British soccer hooligans.
The bigger question is Macron and France.... which I'm about to sit down and write about. :)
Thank you all for the kind words, FYI.
We'll look forward to that. Lots of theories flying around that there's more to what's happening in France than meets the eye. Public sentiment in Germany, Poland, also reaching a breaking point?
Thanks, Tom, for your wonderful insights. Yes, I wonder what Macron will do? Especially coming off the back of the week of riots. Will he be a true globalist Young Leader and stick to the party line of evermore goodies for Ukraine? Or will he be looking over his shoulder from Vilnius and thinking, "Hey, I need to sort out my own backyard!" As for Nuland, that is disappointing, but there again, the higher she climbs, the more she exposes (I know, thank God that's a figurative image!). Next week should be interesting.
British lapdogs - or British overlords?!
I've never been sure about that, ML. Some say that the Brits and the City of London have some demonic hold on Washington, but I don't see it. My view is that we are just trying to recapture some of our past glory and influence. I think too that the US neocons admire our historically rabid hatred of Russia.
You have a point, especially as the US just nixed Ben Wallace as new NATO head. Re past glory - it now resides in the British people themselves, most assuredly not in their “leaders” - same for US and ditto for France, where I live.
Highly recommend Alex Krainer's piece on France. https://alexkrainer.substack.com/p/france-under-attack
Also consider the mindset of the rioters. Tribal mentality asserts the tribe's authority by demonstrations of strength and defiance. Most of the rioters are African/North African immigrants and their religion is nothing if not tribal. Kill one of us and retribution is the automatic response. Turn the other cheek is antithetical to those who live under the eye for an eye code. The insidious aspect to this is the possibility that there are those who can manipulate their tribal instincts. The tactic was used in Egypt in the Arab Spring uprising there.
Ms. Anna, I always appreciate your thoughts, discoveries and sharing from your resources. You provide access and insight from areas where I find difficulty accessing. Blessings dear lady! (WrH)