John Chuckman
COMMENT POSTED TO AN ARTICLE IN RUSSIA INSIDER (REPEATED FROM THE HILL)
“MANAGING RUSSIA’S DISSOLUTION: TRUTH OR DESIRE?”
'At the start of the year, The Hill, a leading US political newspaper and website published in Washington, D.C., as if setting the year’s agenda put out an article entitled “Managing Russia’s dissolution”'
Terrible stuff to be publishing.
But “The Hill” is not a particularly highly-regarded publication by thoughtful people.
I don't look at it often, but from what I've seen, it is just one more of many American Right-wing publications, always in defense of “the American way” and the empire which serves to impose that on people who are not Americans.
The only useful purpose served here, it seems to me, is to remind Russians of how much hatred there is for their country in Washington.
And it doesn't matter whether it’s the Right, as here or with someone like the late John McCain or Lindsey Graham, or America's so-called Left, as with Hillary Clinton or Joe Biden or Chuck Schumer.
America’s establishment - the total political spectrum in two parties who actually differ not a jot when it comes to major foreign affairs - just hates having competitors or rivals in anything. And they cannot stand the idea that there is one nation on earth literally capable of making American civilisation disappear.
Especially now that they are working so fiercely towards the goal of literally dominating the planet, as they once did in the 1950s. Russia represents a stumbling block, “a threat," regardless of how peaceful and open and reasonable its policies have been.
The Neocons, an informal “party” of highly influential government people, drive this strongly, always with an eye to the idea of Israel's security being best served by an aggressive United States. I’m sure Israel’s government shares that view in private, despite the fact that Russia and Israel maintain good relations with each other.
So, there is an unresolvable problem that goes to the heart of all this hatred for Russia, from Russia-gate to this article in The Hill, and that is, Russia, by its mere existence, is seen as a force hostile to major American interests.
I say “unresolvable” because this problem lies in the realm of the irrational. Normal diplomatic efforts, and Putin and his team are superb at them, just cannot solve problems of paranoia and narcissism. America’s ruling class – its establishment or Dark State, as some call it – is convinced that it is entitled to dominate. It completely accepts the idea of its own exceptionalism. It’s much resembles the Old Testament notion of “God’s chosen people.” Try as you might, you cannot convince otherwise someone believing in such intellectual rubbish.
So, I do believe there is a fairly long and difficult road ahead. Eventually, conditions will change, and the new forces arising internationally which embrace multi-polar and respectful relationships will come to dominate, simply because they represent so many rising nations.
In the meantime, Putin’s approach is the right one. Display your reasonableness and willingness to cooperate but make it clear that there are boundaries which must be respected. All while pursuing the other opportunities for partnership which become available.
The United States, through its present extremes, is literally weakening the foundations of many international relationships it has long taken for granted. It is assisting in the birth of a new world order without intending at all to do so.
And just a last thought for Russians. I see a good deal of Russian publications, and I think there is far too much faith in the unsound idea that Trump is reasonable and is working in the best interests of the two states. No, Trump is a coward who was frightened out of his mind about losing his job. He threw all his energy into placating the forces that opposed him.
He has become a Neocon's Neocon and a flag-hugging supporter of the establishment’s goals. He is actually very dangerous because he has a combination of bullying and weakness and immense ego and no principles. Be very careful about regarding him as the least friendly to Russia. He is only friendly to himself and is ready to serve energetically the forces which appeared to threaten him. A contemptible man, really.
