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Putin To Western Elites: Play-Time Is Over
Most people in the English-speaking parts of the world missed Putin's speech at the Valdai conference in Sochi a few days ago, and, chances are, those of you who have heard of the speech didn't get a chance to read it, and missed its importance. Western media did their best to ignore it or to twist its meaning. Regardless of what you think or don't think of Putin (like the sun and the moon, he does not exist for you to cultivate an opinion) this is probably the most important political speech since Churchill's “Iron Curtain” speech of March 5, 1946.
In this speech, Putin abruptly changed the rules of the game. Previously, the game of international politics was played as follows: politicians made public pronouncements, for the sake of maintaining a pleasant fiction of national sovereignty, but they were strictly for show and had nothing to do with the substance of international politics; in the meantime, they engaged in secret back-room negotiations, in which the actual deals were hammered out. Previously, Putin tried to play this game, expecting only that Russia be treated as an equal. But these hopes have been dashed, and at this conference he declared the game to be over, explicitly violating Western taboo by speaking directly to the people over the heads of elite clans and political leaders.
The Russian blogger chipstone summarized the most salient points from Putin speech as follows:
1. Russia will no longer play games and engage in back-room negotiations over trifles. But Russia is prepared for serious conversations and agreements, if these are conducive to collective security, are based on fairness and take into account the interests of each side.
2. All systems of global collective security now lie in ruins. There are no longer any international security guarantees at all. And the entity that destroyed them has a name: The United States of America.
3. The builders of the New World Order have failed, having built a sand castle. Whether or not a new world order of any sort is to be built is not just Russia's decision, but it is a decision that will not be made without Russia.
4. Russia favors a conservative approach to introducing innovations into the social order, but is not opposed to investigating and discussing such innovations, to see if introducing any of them might be justified.
5. Russia has no intention of going fishing in the murky waters created by America's ever-expanding “empire of chaos,” and has no interest in building a new empire of her own (this is unnecessary; Russia's challenges lie in developing her already vast territory). Neither is Russia willing to act as a savior of the world, as she had in the past.
6. Russia will not attempt to reformat the world in her own image, but neither will she allow anyone to reformat her in their image. Russia will not close herself off from the world, but anyone who tries to close her off from the world will be sure to reap a whirlwind.
7. Russia does not wish for the chaos to spread, does not want war, and has no intention of starting one. However, today Russia sees the outbreak of global war as almost inevitable, is prepared for it, and is continuing to prepare for it. Russia does not war—nor does she fear it.
8. Russia does not intend to take an active role in thwarting those who are still attempting to construct their New World Order - until their efforts start to impinge on Russia's key interests. Russia would prefer to stand by and watch them give themselves as many lumps as their poor heads can take. But those who manage to drag Russia into this process, through disregard for her interests, will be taught the true meaning of pain.
9. In her external, and, even more so, internal politics, Russia's power will rely not on the elites and their back-room dealing, but on the will of the people.
To these nine points I would like to add a tenth:
10. There is still a chance to construct a new world order that will avoid a world war. This new world order must of necessity include the United States—but can only do so on the same terms as everyone else: subject to international law and international agreements; refraining from all unilateral action; in full respect of the sovereignty of other nations.
To sum it all up:
play-time is over. Children, put away your toys. Now is the time for the adults to make decisions. Russia is ready for this; is the world?
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Still open in my brower from days ago..... Was going to listen to it again. Here's the link:
Putin speech at Valdai Discussion Club - VIDEO
http://rt.com/news/198924-putin-valdai-speech-president/
SOOO Russia's boss is basically saying world war is imminent.
now that is some confounding checker flavoring, huh Barry?
"
ought to be shot." England's little colony in Dublin was not to be out-done in fervour or fever by its mighty mother. Red-white-andblue bunting flaunted a gaudy farewell to the dust-coloured troops when they marched away ; Kipling's songs were on every loyal lip ; badges were sported in every loyal button hole. Fond mothers dressed their little boys in khaki, much to the envy of Bernard, who, forgetful of purple-striped shirts and silver-rimmed shields, tormented his mother into getting the like for him. But by the time he had got it the craze had died out, and finding himself alone and conspicious he soon returned to his sailor suit. Later on his father gave him a badge with a photograph of Queen Victoria Wasted island Eimar O Duffy. (1919)EU NOT GOING TO FREEZE THIS WINTER
DONT POKE THE BEAR,
I just finished reading the Putin speech and it is concilatory not inflamatory. Read it for yourself. The headline for this article was conceived by someone who has been strongly influenced by the Global Media Lie Maachine, which Putin himself does call out in this speech. I was really impressed most by the way Putin handled the hostile questions posed by certain western oriented indviduals at the end of his speech. There isn't one western leader capable of even coming close to the way he handled those questions, His grasp of all salient details of the complex situations in Crimea and Ukraine and straight forward logic of his detailed responses is truly remarkable. He is the real deal, and his own man, not a telepromter scripted bufoon.
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/10/25/vladimir-putin-leader-moral-w...
get the dumb youngins ready to be thrown to the machine.
their fate is already decided.
cue the flag-sucking nationalism in 3,2,1...
Putin/Putin 2016 This dictator actually murders his country's journalists.
Oh! shit I thought I was on RT.
My bad :)
Maybe we can get M. Hastings to write a story about that.
Updated list of murdered American journalists.
Andrew Breitbart, Gary Webb, Michael Hastings, Serena Shim, Michael Ruppert, Phillip Marshall, William Cooper
Some more dead Americans who knew too much.
Whistleblower Deaths Connected To 9/11
The MSM calls Russia a lawless rogue state when the real rogue state can be found on the Patomac.
Is it possible we could get a gratuitous video of the uber-competent martial arts expert Vlad flipping a docile, hapless victim to the mat?
C'mon! :-)
Wow ... You got it bad pal. Did you catch your woman (or perhaps your boyfriend) rubbing one off to a shirtless picture of Vlad?
Eww, that hurt. That's gonna leave a mark. Maybe AP will go away now?
you poor, dumb, unfortunate, patwit.
Putin is the foremost leader in the whole wide world.
And you're too exceptional to see it.
fuuuuuuck if you need me I'll be in my back yard digging a hole to hide in.
Vlad says:
"America and Europe, you've caused capital to flee from my country, my currency and oil to fall precipitously, and now Mother Russia is on the cusp of recession and central bank interest rate hikes!
I'm going to fix you! I'm going to huff and I'm going to puff and...well, okay, not much else...."
I could reply but its not worth the effort. Dickhead.
I don't get why some of you get so worked up over people admiring Putin for not putting up with the US. Russia is a statists dream... I sure don't want to live there. I really don't care how Russia handles their own affairs as long as they don't hurt me and my own.
There is a saying: "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." The US has already declared we citizens as the enemy. If Putin is going to be the enemy of the US, until Russia decides to cause harm to me, I can't help but be root'n for Putin as well.
The global racketeers and their henchmen made Vlad an offer he couldn't refuse......he refused.
The petrodollar and it's enforcement mechanisms (global banking & energy transport networks and western/NATO militaries) appear to be waning. Interesting times ahead.
A few years back, responding to viceral reaction of the Russian Embassy to the story where high ranked drunken Russkie diplomat run over and killed a pedestrian in Ottawa the Globe and Mail made a passing reference to Russia characterising it as a "pile of dung wrapped in a cabbage leaf".
What we're whitnessing is an unwrapping.
Who gives a crap, the market is up big time. That means everything is perfect and we are safe w the FED able to protect us and allow us to never work and more TV game. Big games this weekend, probably watch 24 hours of football. Love this country.
Russia is a very capable country, to think otherwise is folly. Think of this, during WWII Russia was invaded by massive German armies yet they managed to move their industrial base to the east, manufacture war material and also fight the German armies all at the SAME time. NO other nation faced those daunting tasks, yet the Russians managed to prevail and defeat the Germans, in part of course due to the brutal Russian winter but largely through a brave, courageous and determined effort...
......But mostly through the Lend/Lease program through which the U.S. provided Russia the equipment and ammunition with which to fight/occupy the Germans, while we built-up our military resources in Britain, pushed the Germans out of Africa, and fought the Japanese in the Pacific.
Can you imagine Obola and his incompetent cabal successfully executing a strategy like that .
I would like to see the evidence for this. As I understand events in WW11 Russia was instumental in defeating the German army. America just tidyed up the European end of things. I have never heard of this "lend /Lease" arrangement. Sounds like a used car salesman sold some tanks to Russia and that was the defining act of WW11
Sun Tzu
"Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective."
Has anyone considered that both sides of this "so-called path to global war" are working the middle i.e. all the rest of the worlds population to herd them toward their desired end state?
Like for instance eliminating a large percentage of world population and the institution of global government?
Yes, Putin/USA are teh same..same NWO bullshit.
Wow
That's exactly the way Obama appears.
You think?
Nah.
Why is this rhetorical pablum even being discussed here at ZH? What happened to fight club and intelligent discussion? This Putin worship makes me want to puke.
If you want to make this believable, you need a slim blond in a short skirt with a low cut blouse and big tits to tell us all about it.
I think the "Putin Worship" as you call it is a natural response to someone who is prepared to stand up to an immoral, greedy agressive regime that has dominated the world with little thought for anyone's wellbeing but its own. It may make you sick but that is because you have probably been a beneficiary of the regime and are an egotistical dupe who regards having a broader outlook than looking after your own best interest as horror of horrors socialism. Why don't you look deeper and learn that looking after your brothers is looking after yourself.
Most, at ZH, know our government is run by traitorously, corrupt murderers. He's no saint but, if Putin is as bad as that, we do not know it.
.
I remember the 'big' school yard bully push hard against the kid from the reserve who did not talk much. The big bully had many allies who were just smaller bullies. The kid from the reserve never gave an inch, always keeping his head up, never saying a word during the taunting and insults. Finally one day in mid winter the reserve kid who's name is Ronnie asked the big bully "Why" in an assertive tone, Big Bully (Darren) said that he just did not like him, Ronnie then said, "What is in it for you?" The crowd of students and the other Bullies noticed that Ronnie was not backing down from Darren and for those of us who witnessed the conversation knew the answer was that Big Bully Darren just want to project his power, to cause fear in everyone for the purpose of later manipulation and we knew instinctively that Ronnie was confronting Darren in a very serious way. After a long pause of silence Darren tried to shove Ronnie one more time, it was pure folly, this was the end for Darren. Darren took a beating from the smaller more determined Ronnie, it was the kind of school yard beat down that one never forgets, it was one sided from the start to the end, it was skill and fearlessness on Ronnie's part. That fight changed the dynamic of the school yard, from that day forward Ronnie was highly respected by all the students, he talked more often in class and we listened and we learned a lot from Ronnie. The school yard bullies were never the same, from that day on everyone new the truth, Big Bullies are hollow inside.
Great post. Thank you
We have at least 2 bullies world wide - US oligarch regime and Putin oligarch regime. One of them currentley is stronger than other. Why should anyone cheer for any of those bullies?
Iraq
Afganistan
Libya
Syria
Ukraine
And you ask why? Go fuck yourself.
This is progress. The self-identified Baltic Nazi is changing his tune. His demonize Putin approach is an obvious failure, so now, in search of some bit of traction, he's going for 'Lets demonize both parties.'
Wait til Vicky Knoodleman shows up in his hood handing out cookies, the gold goes to New York and the IMF grabs him by the throat. See what he's singing then.
We cheer in order to confuse you. (j/k)
Sounds like somebody is butthurt over the collapse in oil prices.
eagle vs bear and dragon
no matter who wins
you lose
Dragon brings eagle down
Bear finishes eagle off.
NOW THIS IS FIGHT CLUB, I'm even hearing some ZH old timers struggling with this. just when I thought I was out you keep pulling me back in.
NWO conspiracy theory from Putin? Whocouldnode it was another conspiracy fact all along?
Did we get to vote on a whether we even wanted a New World Order? Cause I don't remember that part. And we're supposed to fight WWIII against Russia and China shortly on behalf of establishing a world dictatorship over ourselves?
I don't think so....
I always suspected that this business of "iP .." and apple, all very expensive and little white thing was fagot.
hehe.
Anybody who continues using the products of the faggot-led company is either an idiot or a anal worshipping dick.
If they don't fire this self-serving abomination, they deserve to suffer a consumer backlash. I can promise you that not everybody who uses their products also loves getting ass-fucked. If they boycott, the company goes down in flames.
Putin may be a badass but I'm putting my money on Goldman Sachs. They'll bleed him dry.
Goldman S are part of the $US cabal that have enslaved the western world and much of the rest of the world too. All power to Russia who appear to be much more moral in their apptroach than the USA and their puppets
Are they the ones that had to sell their headquarters to the Chinese ?
Goldmans suck has a great future ......bankrupt soon
The correct name is Goldman "Hail Satan" Sachs.
Russia has good jogging weather too. As I jog along the Santa Monica Coast I look out over the ocean and I say, that's not Hawaii that's Russia but I think it is China so I look a little more to the north and I might be looking at Alaska but it seems like I would like to jog to there across the water if I had my Jesus slippers which I haven't designed yet on and something to eat with me for the journey. But anyhow, everyone hates the NWO and that's a good thing.
You, Americans can flounder, complaining that President Rousseff is Brazil.
May try to kill Putin, Dilma or others, but you can not have an informed population that knows the great injustices and massacres - on account of oil - that his government did.
No, my American partners - as Putin calls them - are part of my most major motherfuckers!
You have much blood on their hands, the blood of innocent people.
You and what you subsidize, that territorial bickering that is Israel.
I am not Muslim, I'm just a Brazilian citizen clarified, and like many in this great country and other BRICS know.
Some years fiat dollar dominance does not overlap more than 2,000 years of gold coin, it is basic in customary law.
:-)
Impressive, a lot more than that shot for brains in the Hore House. I do believe he means business, and is prepared to backup that business.
Don't worry ... Obama will set him straight
Ha Ha, I knew something was going on. They all must have went 'Huh?" when Putin said that. I have been to Moscow, the regular people there are no different than anyone else any where in the world. It is interesting to see how we, meaning humanity, are/is the same all over the world. What if there were to be no more financial slavery and spiritual slavery in the world any more?
[A]s you probably know, the Ebola scare does not have an impact that the Cabal was hoping for and all their attempts to create a global war are also falling apart.
You obtain chief status yet dirty belly?
"Imagine there's no countries....
Nothing to kill or die for?"
The New World Order is failing . Anything they try is a disaster . Thinks about the endless wars in Afghanistan and Iraq . Even a retarded person would know that the USA failed . Think about failed epidemic that they tried to propagate . AIDS , SARS ( genetically designed to target Asian ) , Various versions of Flu epidemics and nonw ebola . Whoever dectates the NWO policies , lets face it , is a retarded person . The NWO will never happen , too many idiots in command !
America is being led by sissies (Obama) and "men" like Hillary, Nancy, Kerry, Susan, Valerie, et al.
Russia and China have leaders who don't wear lipstick; their leaders are real men who are concerned and committed to their countries.
Believe me, Barry's all man by western standards. He wears Chrome Special Edition and is crisp like linen sheets, even in summer heat.
Mr Putin is like a Martian in a loincloth. Foreign, lethal, timeless, a little too revealing.
Wasn't Julius Cesar a switch hitter?
Chinese leaders may not wear noticeable lipstick but hair dye is de rigueur.
->>> Free market based on individualism, individual freedom & rights
->>> Putin, US, etc. oligarch regime rule based on collectivism, freedom & rights taken away
Your condescending and ignorant and let me tell you why. Most ZH'rs clearly understand that Putin is NO saint but many Americans do see a "leader" in Russia that is willing to stand up to the plutocracy and challenge the kleptocrats with the rule of law. Most ZH'er are reasonably well educated and understand that government is inherently corrupt and it is only to a matter of degree if we compare various national governments against our own. What that said, the American plutocracy runs the US government and we the people are tired of it and we are tired of the government and many corporations ignoring the rule of law in this country and getting away with it. We are tired of the corruption on Wall Street, we are tired of the MSM propaganda that spew lies. Furthermore, most ZH'ers are sick and tired of our rights being trashed by the NSA, IRS and many other TLA agencies. All Americans who invest in the markets understand that there is no such thing as a "free market" and that rugged individualism and individual rights and freedoms are a fantasy, a propaganda. The TSA will grab your testicles for the fun of it, the IRS or local cops will rob you and call it civil forfeiture because they can, the cops can and will search you without probable cause, there is no free speech because we use self censorship because we are the most watched/spied on people in history, there is no free press because it is censored by the stock holders, board of directors, advertisers and the other vested interests. Lastly we are not deluded about Russia, the Russian government or the leader who is always temporary, WE do see the good, the bad and the ugly in Russia. In the end, we Americans want and deserve better and we hope that anyone who is capable of challenging our inverted totalitarian system can bring about positive change, we want to be optimistic in a difficult situation.
1.) First of all Putin regime works for the elite / oligarchs / military complex, etc. So we are speaking here about two evils. Why should I side any of them? Putin regime makes laws by it's self and then rules by them - that doesn't mean that those laws ar just.
2.) "he Russian government or the leader who is always temporary" In what way it's temporary?
"Putin previously served as President from 2000 to 2008, and as Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012. During his last term as Prime Minister, he was also the Chairman of United Russia, the ruling party."
The elite in Russia is playing a game: President -> Prime minister - > President -> etc.
3.) The fact that US citizens are rules by oligarchy is true, as fact that Russian citizens are rules by Putin oligarchs is true - so why do you think that battle between to oligarch regime will some how is better for the people? I think we need real opposition to both oligarch regimes.
ahhh what's your point?
Instead in America the land of the free to be a slave , the president is chosen by puppete masters . Think about Obongo .Known CIA creation . Mother CIA , Adoptive father CIA cooperator , Granpa' CIA . In Amerika the puppet masters love dinasties of spies . parents spies , children spies and the story goes on .
What about Bush Senior ? You slave children of the Amerika have only to vote any of the chosen one for you . Your fake democracy is based on oligarchs that finance
canddates chosen by the puppet masters . To be a candidate you must find people able to support you not with millions of dollars but with billions !
Is this democracy ? If it is believe me i fly at night with a broom !
I'm speaking about Putin regime and how it oppreses not only their people in Russia, stealth their wealt and gives away to oligarchs in order to stay in control, but also invades other countries.
Funny manner of speaking, as your words describe the regime in Vichy DC.
You are not fooling anyone, viedorklis. It is clear that your resentment for Putin and Russia is due to your nostalgia for the days of Big Poppa Commie. You fondly remember life as it was in the Latvian SSR and dream of a return to that system.
Putin and the Russian people are moving forward into a better future, leaving behind those good old days for which you yearn. This makes your butt hurt with much pain.
Problem is, we all want someone, else, to challenge "our inverted system".
The inferred question is, when are we going to do something directly to challenge our inverted system? The government has a monopoly on violence and this prevents change but not entirely. Also, the things I mentioned in my earlier post, they watch us closely etc.... Things will change eventually, change usually happens when people are hungry, literally hungry, then we will find people in the street and people promoting solutions, until then it will be a time of mild discontent, dissolution and a slow race to the bottom.
Excellent summary. Certainly reflects my view.
Once again this site has demonstrated that it is Putin oligarch regime asset for propoganda purposes.
I will repeat this post because in my opinion it’s important to open eyes those who have good intention in their heart but have been misled by elite / regimes of different sides. How I see things is I look at what government is doing – looking at its work, methods and results. And from there it’s basically two sides: those who work in good of common people and protect their individual rights & freedoms, and those who manipulate their people take their rights away and work for elite benefits. Now you look from that perspective and you are going around in so called “alternative media” as this (which actually is not alternative at all – but about that little later) than I’m sure you are aware about US oligarch regime crimes and that they are not working for the people. What you are lacking in information at some sites is about other elites / regimes / oligarchs and how they treat their people. So because of this lack of information you can be easily manipulated to think that there is only one evil elite that rules west and others can be looked at as opposition to this evil – so automatically they are the good guys VS evil west. Well it’s not so at all. If you go back to what I started and those criteria how I divide governments – than you will realize that for example Putin oligarch regime, China elite regime – is not working for their people and is not protecting their individual rights and freedoms. They use the same tactics, the same crimes, the same manipulation in order to gain their elite more power more wealth and hides it under different banners. I’ post links about Putin regime in the end – check them out.
This manipulation with your mind is possible using different kind of channels that you think is alternative media – when actually it’s Putin regime asset for brainwashing you. Also US oligarch regime has their alternative media to brainwash you. So it’s really hard to stay focus and not to get lost in this war over your mind. But those criteria I posted can help you.
What Putin regime assets as RT, Zerohedge (because obviously it is Putin regime asset as you will not be able to find any criticism towards from this site towards actions Putin regime do to their people by limiting their freedoms, by internet censorship and of course will stay in line with Putin regime lies that they are not invading Ukraine - when there is evidence
about Putin regime tanks in Ukraine that are not in any country army but only in Russian) does is they are mixing truth with lies. You know – you have to add some sugar for bitter poison. They are well aware about US oligarch crimes and they are well aware that MSM is hiding them from people in west and they are well aware that people in west is seeking the truth that exposes these crimes – so what they do is this – they expose US oligarch regime crimes for what you are so interested in and in this way they are taking your attention and confidence to this source so that you trust them and thank them for bringing truth. And what they do then is they add their Putin regime lies that you automatically accept as truth because they were saying truth about US oligarch regime crimes (not always though). So this is the way they mix truth with lies in order to make you think from their perspective. If they add more paid trolls than mostly this scheme will work and people will live under Putin regime brainwashing machine. So now you know. Now it’s a choice for you to think this trough and start looking at information more with critical thinking. Yes, world is not so simple as we think.
Here are some links to look at and think of if you are cheering for Putin regime:
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2014/07/05/russia-internet-censorship-laws-crackdown/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russias-putin-signs-law-extending-kremlins-grip-over-media/2014/10/15/6d9e8b2c-546b-11e4-809b-8cc0a295c773_story.html
http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-ad-ban-hurts-television/25449900.html
http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/04/24/russia-worst-human-rights-climate-post-soviet-era
http://www.forbes.com/sites/paulroderickgregory/2014/04/12/russian-tv-caught-red-handed-same-guy-same-demonstration-but-three-different-people-spy-bystander-heroic-surgeon/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkaVIIOE9ys
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/6a2b93aac55c40c9a1b0b0bcc11a07d9/russia-gives-approval-sanctions-compensation
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/russias-rosneft-asks-48-billion-state-wealth-fund-sanctions-bite-1471332
.
Quit this trolling.
I wouldn't call it trolling. We live in a world of disinformation. I am willing to read through a bit of it to hear a different perspective. He should shorten it up a bit though.
So, zero hedge... Let's just take out Putin w a polonium handshake.
Am beginning to think this whole site is just a front for the Russian Security services bureau.
Das propaganda.
The only thing Russian about this fight club is nikogo ne zhalko. Pity nobody.
Despite the love from Zerohedge, Putin is in trouble.
Given the incredibly dismal track record of Zerohedge on virtually every dimension (see Jim Rogers, Marc Faber, Eric Sprott, Charles Biderman, etc.), this article is a great contra-indicator. Read between the lines of Putin's message. It's actually a kind of desperate capitulation.
If Zerohedge promotes it, it’s going down. Go long Putin? Yea, right, short him… that’s where the money will be... you can take this to the bank.
+1
On the other hand, Putin enjoys high levels of popularity among Russian people.
It seem that you are happy with the daily dose of CIA propaganda at CNNN and other MSM
This is how Putin regime helps THEIR people AKA elite:
Russia looks to compensate its sanctioned elitehttp://bigstory.ap.org/article/6a2b93aac55c40c9a1b0b0bcc11a07d9/russia-g...
Russian oil giant Rosneft sought financial aid of $49 billion (over 2 trillion rubles) from the Russian government’s National Welfare Fund
http://foreignpolicynews.org/2014/10/24/rosneft-seeks-49-billion-russian...
This Putin oligarch corrupt regime will go down:
hanks to western sanctions and the Kremlin’s bans on foreign imports, Russia’s economic prospects look gloomy. In September, inflation reached a three-year peak, and could exceed 8 percent by the end of the year. Sliding crude oil prices, growth stagnation, capital flight, and the recent devaluation of Russia's sovereign debt to the second-lowest investment-grade rating leave little room for optimism. The current climate will ultimately increase social instability—indeed, it is already showing signs of doing so. And despite the arrogant speech Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered at the Valdai Discussion Club, an invite-only gathering of prominent journalists and policymakers held in Sochi last week, he has real reasons to worry.
It’s trivial to point out that Russia, ranking 127 out of 177 countries in Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, is an extremely corrupt country (in fact, TI estimates likely understate the reality). Putin’s kleptocratic system, brilliantly described by Karen Dawisha in a new book (which Cambridge University Press refused to publish earlier this year), has redistributed hydrocarbon profits in exchange to both the so-called core elites (people from the closest pro-Putin circles) and mass constituencies (through pay increases for public sector employees who constitute about 70% of Russia’s middle class, ISRAS estimates) in exchange for unquestioned loyalty. As various kleptocratic schemes evolved under Putin’s rule in the last decade, Russia has fallen about 50 places on the CPI index.
Putin’s main problem is that the system he built up is almost entirely based on material reimbursement. Personalistic regimes like the one he has built sustain the loyalty of their supporters almost entirely through access to material rewards, and they are extremely vulnerable to economic catastrophe. Unlike other political systems, neopatrimonial states have no alternative methods of ensuring support. In institutionalized autocratic systems like China, loyalty can be exchanged for partial power-sharing; in ideological systems like the USSR, moral commitment to ideological values and ideals may sustain elite loyalty. But in a political system built on corruption, the redistribution of capital is the primary method of getting and keeping political support.
For most of the previous decade, the Kremlin enjoyed a continuously expanding economy and increasing resource inflows; Putin had no problem buying the loyalty of the elites while maintaining the support of the Russian populace. So long as the economy was soaring, average Russians remained loyal to the authorities. But things started to change as early as 2011, when Boris Nemtsov, a Russian opposition leader, remarked, “Everyone is unhappy with Putin, save perhaps his closest friends.”
With shrinking financial resources, Putin is no longer able to satisfy both his base and the elites. Now there are signs Russia’s richest and most powerful citizens might be asking for more in exchange for their loyalty. Earlier this year, Putin announced that $14 billion would be allocated to fund three infrastructure projects, two of them by Russian Railways (owned by Vladimir Yakunin, another “longtime friend” of Putin’s). In May, Putin supported the Bank Rossiya, allegedly owned by Putin’s own Ozero Cooperative. After the bank suffered from the western sanctions earlier this year, Putin immediately granted the Bank the right to service payments on Russia's $36 billion wholesale electricity market, a huge business, worth 2 percent of Russia’s GDP (hence ensuring the Bank with up to $112 million annually from commission charges alone). In the meantime, more close friends of Putin are seeking support.
Putin had to make a choice, and it’s no surprise that he chose the elites over the people. A good illustration is the so-called ‘Rotenberg law’ currently making its way through the State Duma. The bill was submitted to Duma in September, right after one of Putin’s “longtime friends,” Arkady Rotenberg, had four of his Italian villas (he owns at least five) seized as a result of EU sanctions. The bill seeks to provide financial compensation from the state budget to Russian companies and citizens hit by western sanctions. The Rotenberg law illustrates exactly how Putin prioritizes keeping Russia’s wealthiest content, at the expense of average citizens: amidst a gradually worsening economic situation the pension funds of elderly Russians were appropriated to fill in the budget holes to prop up Putin’s old friends. Likewise, in the current 2015 budget draft which unrealistically assumes oil trades at $96 a barrel for 2015, the salaries of public sector employees will be indexed below the inflation level.
Some observers may argue that Putin’s actions of padding his closest circle’s pockets is nothing new. After all, that’s what the Russian government did after the 2008 crisis, when it also bailed out state-supported banks for $230 billion. But back then the economic situation was markedly different. Now, the Kremlin is hustling to maintain the loyalty of its only remaining support group. The predatory behavior of kleptocratic elites, and their complete dependence on the continued financial inflow from corrupt acquisitions, is why they have been known to abandon leaders as soon as their resources are endangered with such speed. Take Viktor Yanukovych, the former president of Ukraine, who was ousted immediately after the EU and the U.S. threatened to freeze the foreign assets of Ukrainian elites. The same crisis is now reverberating within Russia.
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/120037/tumbling-russian-economy-will-...
you mate, are full of sh*t, from a land that is a pimple on the a##hole of a gnat that is a microcosm for all that you accuse others of being. wake up before the nazis roll over you again.
viedoklis_lv, I'm sure that after reading your tripe, Putin is quaking in his boots at having been exposed by you. All those truths you quote are surely too much for any corrupt oligarch to bear.
And "Poroshenko", the criminal Western fascist puppet will send you a bag of chocolate swastikas.
Keep on trolling.
Ummmm, excuse me Mr. Gov Mouthpiece, but how many US citizens (who aren't black dependents of the State) will stand in a long line just to pay good money for a Obama t-shirt? Yeah......that's what I thought.
Any room in this new world for someone who does not want to be led, wants to be left alone, and states fealty to no one, no nation, and no government?
I thought not...
Interestingly enough, the real answer to your question is - yes.
Previously, the game of international politics was played as follows: USA says what to do and everybody listen
Now russia said we will not listen to USA anymore
takeover of Crimea (without asking for permission ) is an example of that
Russia did not 'take over' Crimea - the people of Crimea asked to be re-joined to Russia.
This is all about women ......you see the different types of women that are found in the different blocks around the world represent the political capacities of each block.
Western womens with their plasticized overly made up looks are at first found attractive and after the clothes come off and the goods bared it is found that all is not up to expectations. Then They begin their relentless demands (almost immediately) and they are quickly pushed away. This is representative of Western politics as well.
Russian women on the other hand are extremely attractive and it is easy to fall in love with their exotic ways and their unparallelled beauty. Hence you are duly impressed when the clothes come off and you usually fall in love to a deeper extent. THen as they too have caucasian blood they become impatient and the duly fillet you from your funds and life (the timeline is usually three years longer). Russian politics will play out the same and whilst all of this is romantic at this stage Vlad will (if he gets the chance) screw everyone just as much as the west would.
Asian women (in this context we will have to use china as the governing generalisation) on the other hand are very passive and discrete in their ways. They are also very beautiful and alluring in their manners. Only after years of association and usually with a child /or children and some decent assets (usually in her name) will she begin to flex her muscle. And because she has become so intertwined in your life you will not know the exit out of tapestry and she will master you and what you have left.
In essence USA has had three kids to China and the majority of its assets in its name....China is still being demure and passive and is waiting her time......when it comes US will have no where to run. She will flex her muscles to such and extent that the pigeon shit that will cover US whilst its trys to sleep on the park bench of reality will be the closest thing to a duvet it will be able to afford.
All in all the we all get f**ked......just make sure you enjoy the ride.
FTF
Awesome illustration and spot on IMO...
Yes, play time is over. Mr's M calls this one a "machine gun mouth". There is also a "cannon mouth" version. These women can go at one another like you would not believe. Mom and daughter go like that around here but I have only some clue. Get out of the way.
Since we owe China, and others, trillion$, is it possible they could dispossess Americans of our lands and properties?
Try lending money to the local gangster and see if you can repossess his house and land or any property.
Were you clowns born yesterday?
There is NO doubt for anyone who fogs a mirror.
Mr Putin is a statesman & has clearly stated the facts.
The USA is Fucked & while this is known to the denzins of Zerohedge -most Yanks just dont get it.
Interesting times indeed - no time for platitudes !
Except if/when the shit hits the fan for real, gold and natural resources win the day, screw Goldman.
Modern Russia is a primitive cleptocratic oligarchy completely dependant on oil and gas. I wish Putin cared more for his fellow citizens who live in proverbal slums outside and even inside Russian cities (I can provide anyone interested with a couple of pictures made 50 miles from Moscow in a town with a population of about 70,000).
re Modern Russia is a primitive cleptocratic oligarchy completely dependant on oil and gas.
THIS, my friends, is a classic case of Pyschological Projection - where one accuses the "other" of one's own failings... in this case, the USSA being a primitive cleptocratic oligarchy completely dependEnt on fraud & corruption - backstopped by a surveillance police-state at home and unending aggression abroad.
Really? What is so complicated about Russia? Isn't it's economy primitive? Isn't it corrupt and cleptocratic? That probably doesn't make USSA an ideal state but Russia in no better and even worse (at least for its citizens because the standard of liveng here is waaay lower)
That probably doesn't make USSA an ideal state but Russia in no better and even worse (at least for its citizens because the standard of liveng here is waaay lower)
Russia digs up resources, say gas, and sells it and with its proceeds has to pay for the State, oligarchs etc and then some of it trickles down to the general population, which is obviously not enough as shown by their standard of living.
USSA used to dig out resurces, and sold them and also these resources were collateralised and financialised multiples of times. USSA also collateralises and financialises ALL the resources produced anywhere on the planet, multiples of times via the Petrodollar arrangement and Wall Street. So naturally USSA had plenty to go around for the State, oligarchs (I know you dont use this term for free world businessmen) and still quite handsome left over to trickle down to the populace. Hence the US citizens enjoyed a better standard of living.
Russia, and indeed most of the developing and undeveloped countries of the world, generally do not (can not) rely upon the suction power of Empire and tremendous debt obligations to live beyond their means. When America and its vassal states finally collapse under the weight of their debt, then you will see how most of the world really lives for yourselves. Your standard of living is based almost entirely upon debt and pilfered global resources. You might say that the standard of living is something that the West has earned magically through its 'superior' economic system, but you would be wrong.
Under Putin the average Russian's standard of living has increased something like 3x from the days of the US-sponsored Russian oligarchs (who really weren't Russians at all but almost entirely Jews). This is the basis of his true support - his voters' base. And don't judge Russians by the wealth they produce (or not), nor judge their happiness by the same measure as we do - judge them by their moral character and cultural values which are far superior to those of the West.
"Under Putin the average Russian's standard of living has increased something like 3x from the days of the US-sponsored Russian oligarchs" It's a very interesting concept: when my standard of living improves I thank Putin. When my standard of living collpases I blame USA. Don't you think that even a monkey could do good with all that money Russia was suddendly blessed with due to rise in oil price? And so down it will go when prices collapse
15 Years of Putin
http://ozziesaffa.blogspot.com/2014/06/15-years-of-putin-rule-in-one-inf...
Want some photos of places within miles of Bathhouse Barry's place in Chicago? Those Russian places may look luxurious in comparison.
U reminded me how much the USA is dependent on oil and gas.
Shut up ZH.
Things ain't so just because you have posted a headline and some analysis.
Those 8 points are no diffrent than Putin posing barechested riding a horse.
Putin is a gas salesman. You can slap him, fuck him, spit on him but every time you offer to buy some gas from him, he will come around with a smile like a good little bitch.
Those macho photoshoots are just to help his ego and keep his image.
Incase you guys wandered (like myself) how can Porky and the Weasel can disrespect Putin (allegedly a very powerful man in the world) like they do and get away with it, well wander no more. They have him all figured out.
Looking back, this thing is fully choreographed ever since that leaked video of Obama saying "I'll have more flxibility after the elections," it kinda makes sense now.
You are so full of shit it is oozing out of all of your facial orifaces...
Did I wake you up for your sweet cosy slumber?
New Whore Launder
Thank God we have Hillary waiting in the wings, to guide us thru these difficult times.
You choose a Zionist war criminal as your leader ? Are you mentally sane ?
Look up the definition of Cunt. You will find Hitlary's picture there....
Disagree - Cunts are useful
Hilary is not a problem
Putin is not a problem
Hilary & Putin = Big Problem
If Hilary get elected while Putin is in power, i'm moving to New Zealand......no-one gives a fuck about New Zealand and they have no war valuable resources, should be far enough away from the radiation fall out. All the sheep should provide enough food and warmth to survive the nucleur winter.
In fact now that I think about it, given Russia's gas and energy based economy isn't a nucluer winter good for their economy?
I am not even sure how to comment on this speal by Putin. In the free for all that insued as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union he is far from any sort of saint. If the world were being run by a mafia like contingent then I suppose I would want someone with his experience. However it is a true reflection of how most westerners feel about their own represetatives. When a guy like this takes over the stage as a `leader`you know that you are primarily leaderless.
I suspect that like putin, people are tired of the games played by Washington and London. They are tired of the Oligarchs getting wealthier while their own life style erodes. They are tired of having leaders that only know how to pander and lie. They are tired of lack of opportunity and likely most of all `faith`of the future given who is in power is not a strong point with most westerners. However like I said earlier with my post about Hilary Clinto, to do nothing during your vote time is also not a good idea. You can throw these idiots out and you should.
Cheers!
You hit upon the fundamental weakness of representative democracy, a weakness the US oligarchy has clearly managed well.
You are being given the choice of Idiot 1 or Idiot 2. How do you vote the idiots out?
Please take tHis comment as a gift of friendship........vote nothing changes.....DON'T vote everything changes.
How?
Will they tremble because of your lack of approval?
Quit and go home?
Get out of your dream world.
Newspeak at it's finest there. INGSOC would be proud.
It's very easy - vote every single incumbent out, in every election until we see noticeable change.
Get involved at a local level. If you've got the cash and the gumption, prop up good people.
Fight the criminal elements within our country.
Thank Snowden and Assange. Regardless of how you may feel about their methodology, think how much worse off we'd be without someone fighting to get out the real truth. Don't criminalize or marginalize him because he may have broken the law to expose people destroying our nation, and the world.
But, get involved and always vote out the incumbent until you see one who has proved to be a humble public servant (i.e. Ron Paul).
Yes, you may get Idiot #2 in every election, but they'll only get 2, 4 or 6 years in office to rob us blind. More likely, we get Criminal Narcissist #2, but they don't get enough time to get their gangsters entrenched in the fold of government.
Work towards a new Constitutional Convention.
I know, these ideas are over-simplified and show naïveté, but it is the best short-term alternative.
Putin regime goons such as this clown that is known actor in Russia - came to Ukraine and is shooting at Ukranians as he laugh with rethoric question "Truce? ha ha ha!"
http://youtu.be/lSWtxWp0zrU
And as you can see - he is wearing Press sign on his helmet (see back side).
Such a pathetic criminal!
Question.
Since you seem to be big on self determination and human rights and all...
Why not let the Russian speaking East Ukranians simply get the divorce they want? They don't wish to be become beggars at the EU table. It's their territory, they live and work there. Why should they be forced into a union they don't want by people that don't live there?
Simple question.
1.) If it's done in open democratic referendum with year of time for discussions and with international observers and without Putin regime goons who are pointing and contolling population under gun - yes, it coud be voted by the peope who live there and are Ukranian citizens. But not when population is occupied by criminals from Russia.
2.) Majority of so called "seperatists" are from Russia - mainly soldiers
http://youtu.be/HsjL2GwKq0M
3.) These ukranians lives in east Ukraine -Mariupol- what do you have to say about them?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PILstC9SfoY
I agree.
Political unions and dis-unions are never seamless and satisfactory to everyone but killing the opponents of either side until one side wins by attrition is a less viable answer to establish territorial boundaries.
Do Ukrainians really want to use the same methods as the Soviets used to control a population that doesn't want to be ruled by them?
All of so-called Latvian commenters are dropout students from NYU.
Am I wrong to say that Putin had left the Ukraine alone pretty much 100% until the US and EU started closing on their membership in NATO and/or the EU?
Wouldn't you find it a threat if Russia was trying to get Italy or Spain to join the Organization of Russian Controlled States?
How about a different POV. USA should give Russia the respect it deserves and include them as equal partners. Russia did save the EU countries from Germany during WWI and WWII and Russia kept the Ottoman empire at bay during the 1800's. The west and particulary the USA needs a real partner to counter the up and coming Chinese empire.
This is how they saved us!
http://youtu.be/oVZjyyAE-78
By killing inoccent people & other for years oppresing them!
Your Ukie friends are indisputably shelling civillians, a war crime.
Badself - I have trouble disagreeing with you. Despite the fact that Putin might be the head thug in a nation of oligarchs, there is no disputing his nation's history, strategic location in both the world and in the balance of power throughout it.
Your negative votes, and dissenter below, seem transfixed on Russia and Putin being classic 'bad actors'. If we fail to work with these bad actors, we'd have to immediately halt all trade with China and return to treating them as we've treated Cuba over more than the past half century.
In addition, any true student of the realities of both history and the news must admit that the United States has acted as the ultimate 'bad actor' on the international scene for the past 50 years. Whether one is a Republican, Democrat or Independent, some introspection will result in the realization that we have consistently backed the most criminal regime of the past 100 years, Israel. We've allowed our foreign policy to be dictated by Israeli's and it has brought about many if not most of the problems we've faced as a county. Doubting that would be the same as saying we were the only country voting for the truth when we've vetoed dozens and dozens of UN condemnations of Israeli policies and actions. Every one of those votes would have passed without a single dissenter, and possibly only one or two 'no votes.'
The issue of Russia's handling of the Ukraine has also been brought to the forefront here. But, we were the initial troublemaker in the Ukraine and I believe it has become common knowledge worldwide that we worked to rile up tensions on both sides in an effort to cause a civil war, but Russia has simply acted more or less overtly to protect their interests. Putin has now said that he will continue to protect his national interests.
Why do we meddle in satellite states that were part of the former USSR, when it only serves to upset the balance of power and Russia's sense of safety? Why are we poking the bear? Also, why are we providing the Israeli's all the bullets, missiles, tanks, etc, that are used to kill and maim the residents of an illegally occupied territory? Why do we continue to rate Iran's chance of obtaining a nuclear weapon in the future as one of the biggest threats to world peace? I read a great article that summed up the past 30 years of Iranian history in the eyes of the US and it was entitled, "Iran is very close to getting the atomic bomb, and has been since 1980." I think Israel, and her neighbors are more than able to prevent them from getting the bomb, especially since Israel is sitting on a minimum of 80 nukes/ICBMs
Finally, our best bet would be to stay the fuck away from any New World Order. We have our own. It's called the United States and iits Constitution. If were to simply live by it and under it and enjoy all the benefits a peace loving republic could offer its citizens, Putin would be an ally, as we'd have no beef with him, nor him with us.
Think before you vote next week. We're on the precipice of catastrophe. Get rid of the warmongers, Zionists and Obama-ists as best you can.
Finally, our best bet would be to stay the fuck away from any New World Order. We have our own. It's called the United States and iits Constitution.
Reality is that the US Constitution has become virtually meaningless; hardly even receiving lip service any longer.
"This new world order must of necessity include the United States—but can only do so on the same terms as everyone else: subject to international law and international agreements."
This is the end game - the US must bow down to the United Nations and surrender our own sovereignty. Putin is the other half of the Hegelian dialectic that leads us to synthesis with the globalist organizations.
That's mighty white of you Putin.
if Putin has balls why doesn't he , buy every future contract he can find in the Comex and ask for delivery? Surely he can buy enough to bust it and embarrass the US when gold doubles and triples?
Why? See MFG and PFG. The banksters just tip the Comex table over when things aren't going their way. Then they payoff in more freshly printed fiat, which is the opposite of what you are trying to get when you stand for delivery. The Comex is a bad joke.
Nice to see that the propaganda trolls are hard at work.
The whole speech is worth reading, mere bullet points do not do it justice.
After reading, I imagine that he is making the DC drama queens quite incontinent!
Who Cares!
At least he he gives a shit about his country. Our idiots damn sure don't.
With crude at $80 amd likely headed to as low as $70, Russia will be blowing their budget much like the West. Unfortunately, Russia can no longer support the Ruble, and is in more need of hard currency than ever before. As a politician, Putin is a bit tone deaf with regards to the financial crisis he has ahead. He's just lashing out now in the hope he can gain some hand before things get more desperate. I know a lot of ZH posters whom adore Putin will disagree, and that's OK. Check back in 6 months.
Wonderful summarization by Mr. Orlov.
And I thoroughly agree that Putin's speech is the most important thus far in this Century and knowing what we already know about Churchill as historical fact it far eclipses anything his imperialist designs could have rendered at the close of WWII.
Question remains.
Will American be stupid enough to start another one just as they did in 1941 in the most vain attempt to dominate what it obviously no longer can? Or will the three most important words on that cherished document that the founders of this Country gave us that has been erased from our collective memories out of choice by a central bank that Putin speaks so eloquently to in this speech remind us of our greater past and the burden it carries in all our contradiction that we can start over again only if we possess the desire and the will to change?
Did Putin just break the 1st rule of fight club?
Every time I read one of Putin's speeches, I'm ashamed again to be an American.
The internet has replaced the mainstream media for enough people that the elites are no longer in control. Here is how the transition can occur through a lawful process: https://s3.amazonaws.com/khudes/Twitter10.31.14.pdf
not interested in summaries of what putin said, prefer his own words... putin is facing major internal problems and lower oil prices amplify them. he is in no position to dictate or demand ANYTHING... HIS MILITARY FLEXING probably scares europe who are in no position to oppose him without the ussa.... and who trusts Obola..?? tell vlad I'll be more flexible... So ussa should focus on building gas export terminals that can supply europe and let vlad play with himself... This speech is a sign of weakness not strength because the oligharchs will dispose of clad if things get really bad.. and he knows that. He is almost desperate.. His economy will falll apart before any compromise is reached.. take a good look at vlad... he may not be around too much longer.
"Neither is Russia willing to act as a savior of the world, as she had in the past."
I seem to have forgotten - when was this?
However, Mr. Putin is certainly wrong about at least one thing. His country has a brilliant future in the salvation of the world - soon after sufficient numbers of the faithful and of the hierarchy of what was once "The Church" finally obey the instructions that the world received at Fatima in 1917 and Tuy in 1929.
Stalingrad, Kursk, etc just for starters.
Before that, Napoleon.
A lot more than the Latvian Loony Tooners.
Leading italics, disables the vote script. Can't upvote you.
Thanks. I try to remember.
It's the thought that counts.