Q: is Russia part of the West? As in part of the broader Western Civilization? If yes, how do they fit into the full “rebuild,” or “retrieval” the West is going to go through in the coming years? A big part of this is Digital tech, as we see it through AI and so on. This is viewed as fundamental to Russia as well as China, for their own advancement and cultural protection. Also if yes, where does this place China, which is the other major human civilization on the planet? Does it draw China closer, think a kind of “synergy” (not harmony) on how to move forward morally for humans in light of a technology we have never experienced before.
Kissinger’s last book, written with the arms dealer Eric Schmidt, is instructive here: regarding tech and how it does not need humans to operate, what role must humans have, think responsibility, with all countries/peoples now embracing their pre-modern cultures and religions and embracing them with a vengeance we have never experienced?
One of the great ironies of the Ukraine mess is that it is Russia which has, in many ways, emerged as the repository of Western civilizational values. Democracy in Russia is by no means perfect, but in terms of Christianity, the family and traditional values, it is far more representative of our heritage than the gender-confused, Pride-parading West. As for Russia fitting in to our rebuilding, I think you have it the wrong way round, Jeff. We are going to have to eat a lot of humble pie and fit in to THEIR plans.
Just cut Ukraine loose to Russia, all whatever of the EU and NATO, makes Russia Happy.
Unfreeze the frozen funds, fix the pipeline, drop sanctions, Apologize,
and please dont kick our ass. Because Russia is in a Position and Prepared, to open up a can of kick ass every country that conspired to bring them down.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said his country won't accept peacekeeping forces from Nato countries in Ukraine under any peace deal, following high-level talks with the US in Saudi Arabia. "Any appearance by armed forces under some other flag does not change anything. It is of course completely unacceptable," he said.
Maybe the "New" sheriff in town has ideas of his own and a group of critical people behind him to change the dynamics of USA serial dishonest in the foreign policy arena. There is much to be gained by working with Russia rather than the neocon-Zionist deception ploy that seems to be inherent in their DNA which is a huge negative for the USA.
Why is Trump pushing for an early agreement? The reason is that a financial collapse in Europe becomes imminent when the fate of Ukraine is finally acknowledged. Trump needs cooperation in order to prevent the contagion from spreading worldwide. And that means getting Russia (and frankly China/India and the Gulf States) to help soften the impact. Undoubtedly, Trump is offering Russia a retreat of Eastern European missile bases as an inducement to cooperate quickly. But Russia believes that only real pain can heal Europe, so the EU is screwed. The wildcard is all of this is what will the new immigrants do to Europe when the gravy train stops running? Will they leave or burn down the place. Russia doesn't want to deal with the latter.
Good points, Tom. Europe's economic future is dire unless it rebuilds bridges with Russia and the Brics. It isn't just the US that needs an appointment with reality; it's the whole Western world.
Just saw this excerpt from another piece by Scott Ritter at Consortium News called “Trump’s Munich Strategy.” The wily and winning Trump has denied the Euro Deep State a seat at the table - why? -
“The answer is quite clear — because they are an extension of the very establishment elites Trump has declared war on in America today.
These are the European elites who conspired against Trump during his first term, who pined for former President Barack Obama while delaying enacting Trump-mandated reforms in the hope that the American electoral cycle would purge Trump from the American political stage.
These are the people and institutions that doubled down on American warmongering, allowing themselves to sucked into a Ukraine trap that was designed to destroy Russia for America’s exclusive benefit, destroying Europe in the process.
The Europeans, ever the compliant minions, were too blinded by their willingness to serve to see that they were as much the sacrificial lambs as was Ukraine.”
Yes, would that the Euros would have an epiphany and wake up and see that they’ve been used, as have the Ukrainians, and led like lambs to the slaughter…
Will Z be reelected? I’m not sure the Ukrainians will forgive a loser who could have surrendered much earlier and saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers. He should be preparing his get away. I hope Trump revokes his U.S. Visa.
He may be planning to do a runner and hide out in Israel. Would Mossad protect him or will he have an unfortunate accident down the road or simply disappear without a trace and the money he siphoned off will be donated to Kars 4 Kids?
The Poles have been stepping back from the madness recently. They nixxed sending troops. I doubt they'd want to welcome Z into their bosom. Not a good look!
Exciting times. However, if I were Putin, I wouldn't get too carried away. He should spin out the talks and ensure that he gets all of Ukraine east of the Dnieper as well as Odessa.
VVP does not strike me as the type to get carried away by much of anything. Nor Lavrov. They have decades of broken Western promises. I think Russia will move very very carefully
Nothing would go further toward restoring the credibility of the U.S. than turning Lindsey, Hillary, Vickie Nuland and the rest of the Ugly Warmongering Women of Washington over to Russia for punishment for their crimes against humanity.
I believe Trump is going to blow up everything in a Great Reveal. Can't wait.
Exactly. Trump showed three weakness in his first term: poor judgement of character, a lack of ruthlessness and an inability to stay on course and follow through on his efforts. He's shown already that he's improved his game immensely in the first two areas. Now, he needs to show a laser-like focus on smashing the Deep State so that it will never rise again. With Musk and Vought behind him, I suspect that he won't be diverted this time.
Did you ever hear of Thomas Wictor? He disappeared, but he predicted that the first term was a throwaway, as Trump gathered evidence planted spies and tested loyalties. Then Trump would rope them in and catch them all in the greatest third act in History.
Trump did say, " I caught them all, nobody else could have done that."
I remember him, and yes, Trump had to do a lot of "research" to figure out how to approach this. I think he let the steal happen so his team could prepare.
Takes a long time to turn a big ship around. I'd like to see the Mullahs out of power, but threatening the nation only pushes the people to support the government.
Iran could/should be a great place and a rich country. I'm still willing to let the game play out on that.
Exactly, that's why we need to begin a separation with Israel. If they wish to make trouble for everyone in the region let them spend their own blood and treasure pursuing greater Israel. Ending dual citizenship in the USA would also help.
Iran could be a constitutional republic. It should be a rich country if not mismanaged by the idiots currently in charge. Under the Shah their education system was top notch. It could be again. They have resources and are generally an intelligent and industrious people.
The same neocon warmongers who caused the war in Ukraine have actually helped keep the Mullahs in power with their pig headed approach, their sanctions, their aggressive and belligerent attitude.
We could have quietly slipped aid and encouragement to the people and if/when they decided to take heir opportunity, lent covert and maybe even open support. But the neocons don't want peace and prosperity, they want chaos and destruction. They feed off the misery of others.
All true. And yet, shouldn’t all this be left to the Iranian people to resolve? Haven’t we done enough meddling already? It’s out fault the mullahs came to power in the first place.
Yes, in general, but he people of Iran have asked for help a couple times. Guess hey didn't realize neocons only help when they can ruin a place. They probably got lucky being ignored.
For anyone interested, a challenging read on the history of the Persian empire. It sets record straight, as historians have tended to focus more on the Greeks, diminishing Persian culture. Brilliant book.
Always provocative. Assigning a Jew to stir up trouble in Iran. These people are evil. It seems the accusation of Iran funding terror in the middle east loses it's credibility when the USA and Israel along with the UK are funding Terrorism through USAID.
Q: is Russia part of the West? As in part of the broader Western Civilization? If yes, how do they fit into the full “rebuild,” or “retrieval” the West is going to go through in the coming years? A big part of this is Digital tech, as we see it through AI and so on. This is viewed as fundamental to Russia as well as China, for their own advancement and cultural protection. Also if yes, where does this place China, which is the other major human civilization on the planet? Does it draw China closer, think a kind of “synergy” (not harmony) on how to move forward morally for humans in light of a technology we have never experienced before.
Kissinger’s last book, written with the arms dealer Eric Schmidt, is instructive here: regarding tech and how it does not need humans to operate, what role must humans have, think responsibility, with all countries/peoples now embracing their pre-modern cultures and religions and embracing them with a vengeance we have never experienced?
One of the great ironies of the Ukraine mess is that it is Russia which has, in many ways, emerged as the repository of Western civilizational values. Democracy in Russia is by no means perfect, but in terms of Christianity, the family and traditional values, it is far more representative of our heritage than the gender-confused, Pride-parading West. As for Russia fitting in to our rebuilding, I think you have it the wrong way round, Jeff. We are going to have to eat a lot of humble pie and fit in to THEIR plans.
Just cut Ukraine loose to Russia, all whatever of the EU and NATO, makes Russia Happy.
Unfreeze the frozen funds, fix the pipeline, drop sanctions, Apologize,
and please dont kick our ass. Because Russia is in a Position and Prepared, to open up a can of kick ass every country that conspired to bring them down.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said his country won't accept peacekeeping forces from Nato countries in Ukraine under any peace deal, following high-level talks with the US in Saudi Arabia. "Any appearance by armed forces under some other flag does not change anything. It is of course completely unacceptable," he said.
Another important concession to Russia:
”This needs to be a permanent end to the war, and not a temporary end, as we’ve seen in the past,” Waltz told a press conference in Riyadh.
Haven’t we heard this before from the USA? What is so different about this time that makes it believable? That’s the problem..
Maybe the "New" sheriff in town has ideas of his own and a group of critical people behind him to change the dynamics of USA serial dishonest in the foreign policy arena. There is much to be gained by working with Russia rather than the neocon-Zionist deception ploy that seems to be inherent in their DNA which is a huge negative for the USA.
Why is Trump pushing for an early agreement? The reason is that a financial collapse in Europe becomes imminent when the fate of Ukraine is finally acknowledged. Trump needs cooperation in order to prevent the contagion from spreading worldwide. And that means getting Russia (and frankly China/India and the Gulf States) to help soften the impact. Undoubtedly, Trump is offering Russia a retreat of Eastern European missile bases as an inducement to cooperate quickly. But Russia believes that only real pain can heal Europe, so the EU is screwed. The wildcard is all of this is what will the new immigrants do to Europe when the gravy train stops running? Will they leave or burn down the place. Russia doesn't want to deal with the latter.
Good points, Tom. Europe's economic future is dire unless it rebuilds bridges with Russia and the Brics. It isn't just the US that needs an appointment with reality; it's the whole Western world.
The plot thickens!
Just saw this excerpt from another piece by Scott Ritter at Consortium News called “Trump’s Munich Strategy.” The wily and winning Trump has denied the Euro Deep State a seat at the table - why? -
“The answer is quite clear — because they are an extension of the very establishment elites Trump has declared war on in America today.
These are the European elites who conspired against Trump during his first term, who pined for former President Barack Obama while delaying enacting Trump-mandated reforms in the hope that the American electoral cycle would purge Trump from the American political stage.
These are the people and institutions that doubled down on American warmongering, allowing themselves to sucked into a Ukraine trap that was designed to destroy Russia for America’s exclusive benefit, destroying Europe in the process.
The Europeans, ever the compliant minions, were too blinded by their willingness to serve to see that they were as much the sacrificial lambs as was Ukraine.”
https://consortiumnews.com/2025/02/17/scott-ritter-trumps-munich-strategy/
Lavrov had some very tough words for them, about accountability for outrageous actions.
In addition, Orban has just issued a warning to the DOGE-ed NGOs and assorted Soros spawn washing up in Brussells:
https://x.com/PM_ViktorOrban/status/1891788592730476821
Times they are a-changing in the Old Country!
They're coming back to mama. The EU is where these scumbags belong.
The changes can’t come soon enough!
Yes, would that the Euros would have an epiphany and wake up and see that they’ve been used, as have the Ukrainians, and led like lambs to the slaughter…
The German election results will be interesting. At least half of Germany wants change.
Will Z be reelected? I’m not sure the Ukrainians will forgive a loser who could have surrendered much earlier and saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers. He should be preparing his get away. I hope Trump revokes his U.S. Visa.
He was voted in last time to bring PEACE between Russia and Ukraine, so you could say - okay, it's a stretcher - that he failed in that respect.
...and puts him under investigation for corruption and, or, on a sanctions list..
He may be planning to do a runner and hide out in Israel. Would Mossad protect him or will he have an unfortunate accident down the road or simply disappear without a trace and the money he siphoned off will be donated to Kars 4 Kids?
Yep. Israel is the best bet and the perfect home for him. I don't think he'd be welcome in Miami anymore.
Another alternative might be Poland. I wonder how he might get on there.
The Poles have been stepping back from the madness recently. They nixxed sending troops. I doubt they'd want to welcome Z into their bosom. Not a good look!
I'm assuming some sort of Ukraine referendum will come about which will say 1) continue the war or 2) have elections.
Glenn Diesen @Glenn_Diesen
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggests that the sanctions are a result of the conflict, and could therefore be removed once the conflict is over.
Exciting times. However, if I were Putin, I wouldn't get too carried away. He should spin out the talks and ensure that he gets all of Ukraine east of the Dnieper as well as Odessa.
What about Club Kiev?
That too, probably
VVP does not strike me as the type to get carried away by much of anything. Nor Lavrov. They have decades of broken Western promises. I think Russia will move very very carefully
Nothing would go further toward restoring the credibility of the U.S. than turning Lindsey, Hillary, Vickie Nuland and the rest of the Ugly Warmongering Women of Washington over to Russia for punishment for their crimes against humanity.
I believe Trump is going to blow up everything in a Great Reveal. Can't wait.
Can't they be sent off to a convent somewhere like in the old days?
In the old days witches like these were burned at the stake.
Can we send Fauci too?
Fauci has a date with a bag full of sand fleas over his head.
With beagles tying the knot.
I'd like to see the slo-mo film of that event.
I think that Hegseth and Vance's recent speeches are other examples of the US meeting some prerequisites before Russia will sit down with them.
I wonder what Nudelman, Kagan, Milley et al are up to these days? We should drag them out to hear what they have to say.
I bet they are furiously googling "Rico", "Defense lawyer", "countries without U.S. extradition treaties."
And "manufacturers of brown undergarments"
hahahaha!
“…turning Lindsey, Hillary, Vickie Nuland and the rest of the Ugly Warmongering Women of Washington over to Russia…”
I see what you did there. 😂
"Ugly Warmongering Women of Washington". Sounds like an early Star Trek episode!
I think that the exposure and dismantling of USAID was a show of good faith on the part of the US that we are serious.
A very good first step. To be honest, more than I ever expected. But now I want more!
Exactly. Trump showed three weakness in his first term: poor judgement of character, a lack of ruthlessness and an inability to stay on course and follow through on his efforts. He's shown already that he's improved his game immensely in the first two areas. Now, he needs to show a laser-like focus on smashing the Deep State so that it will never rise again. With Musk and Vought behind him, I suspect that he won't be diverted this time.
Also this time Stephen Miller is really doing amazing work too. Trump's got quite the team.
Did you ever hear of Thomas Wictor? He disappeared, but he predicted that the first term was a throwaway, as Trump gathered evidence planted spies and tested loyalties. Then Trump would rope them in and catch them all in the greatest third act in History.
Trump did say, " I caught them all, nobody else could have done that."
Wictor might just be proven right. we will see.
I remember him. He was the world's expert on flamethrowers.
I remember him, and yes, Trump had to do a lot of "research" to figure out how to approach this. I think he let the steal happen so his team could prepare.
Wictor had a talent for story telling. Could make a trip to the drive through at McDonalds into a gripping novel.
Takes a long time to turn a big ship around. I'd like to see the Mullahs out of power, but threatening the nation only pushes the people to support the government.
Iran could/should be a great place and a rich country. I'm still willing to let the game play out on that.
Exactly, that's why we need to begin a separation with Israel. If they wish to make trouble for everyone in the region let them spend their own blood and treasure pursuing greater Israel. Ending dual citizenship in the USA would also help.
USAID sounds good about now...
Iran could be a constitutional republic. It should be a rich country if not mismanaged by the idiots currently in charge. Under the Shah their education system was top notch. It could be again. They have resources and are generally an intelligent and industrious people.
The same neocon warmongers who caused the war in Ukraine have actually helped keep the Mullahs in power with their pig headed approach, their sanctions, their aggressive and belligerent attitude.
We could have quietly slipped aid and encouragement to the people and if/when they decided to take heir opportunity, lent covert and maybe even open support. But the neocons don't want peace and prosperity, they want chaos and destruction. They feed off the misery of others.
All true. And yet, shouldn’t all this be left to the Iranian people to resolve? Haven’t we done enough meddling already? It’s out fault the mullahs came to power in the first place.
Yes, in general, but he people of Iran have asked for help a couple times. Guess hey didn't realize neocons only help when they can ruin a place. They probably got lucky being ignored.
Clintons could have done something good for humanity, if only they weren't /Clintons.
For anyone interested, a challenging read on the history of the Persian empire. It sets record straight, as historians have tended to focus more on the Greeks, diminishing Persian culture. Brilliant book.
https://www.amazon.com/Persians-Great-Kings-Lloyd-Llewellyn-Jones-ebook/dp/B09BN3BSXF
Always provocative. Assigning a Jew to stir up trouble in Iran. These people are evil. It seems the accusation of Iran funding terror in the middle east loses it's credibility when the USA and Israel along with the UK are funding Terrorism through USAID.
All quite amazing!
Russia still needs to take Odessa under its domains.
Thank you Mark for your great summaries and analysis!
Agreed, HL. I have no doubt that Putin and Lavrov won't be swept off their feet by current events and that Odessa will be Russian again.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when Lavrov personally briefs Putin on his assessment and observations of the US delegation.
What's Russian for "Keep 'em talking and head for the big river"?
I suspect we might very well see it in action soon!
Touché! History in the making.