The "Putin Is Isolated" Meme Officially Dies As Japan Calls For Closer Ties With Russia
One of the great ironies of the Obama administration’s foreign policy record is the extent to which Washington started 2009 with designs on normalizing frosty relations with Russia and started 2015 with the worst US-Russo dynamic since the Cold War.
To be sure, not all of that was Washington’s fault - but most of it was.
Of course the international community probably should have curbed its enthusiasm early on, given that the entire effort got off to a rather inauspicious start when then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented Sergei Lavrov with a big red button that was supposed to say “reset” (a nod to the “resetting” of relations between Washington and Moscow) but which actually said “overcharged” in Russian.
("overcharged")
Six years, one annexed Crimea, a raft of economic sanctions, and one Ukrainian civil war later, and we’re back to Soviet-era politics.
Part and parcel of Washington’s PR and foreign policy strategy over the last three or so years has been to perpetuate the idea that Vladimir Putin is “isolated” on the world stage. This, along with subtle reminders in the media and on the silver screen that America needs to preserve a healthy bit of Russophobia if it is to be safe, has worked domestically, but not internationally.
Russia has strengthened ties with China, kicked off the BRICs bank, cemented an alliance with Iran (another “isolated” state), and worked to de-dollarize everything from oil markets to cross-border financial transactions.
Moscow’s dramatic entry into the Syrian conflict and Russia's common sense approach to ending the years-long affair has resonated with the likes of France and everyone else who understands that the way to fight terror is to kill the terrorists, not arm them.
Indeed, The Kremlin’s successful attempt to wake the world up to the fact that Washington and its regional allies are actually exacerbating the war in Syria by arming rebel groups with questionable motives has gone a long way towards forcing the international community to rethink who the “good” superpower really is.
Now, in what may be the best evidence yet that the “Putin is isolated” meme is officially dead, none other than US ally Japan is ready to “bring Putin in from the cold.”
“Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe is pressing for President Vladimir Putin to be brought in from the cold, saying Russian help is crucial to tackling multiple crises in the Middle East,” FT writes, adding that “Mr Abe said he was willing to go to Moscow as this year’s chair of the Group of Seven advanced economies, or to invite the Russian president to Tokyo.” Here’s more:
Pointing to tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the war in Syria, and the threat of radical Islamism, Mr Abe said: “We need the constructive engagement of Russia.”
The former G8 excluded Russia following its annexation of Crimea and military support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. But while Japan has joined in sweeping economic sanctions, Mr Abe made clear he wants to work with Mr Putin.
“As chair of the G7, I need to seek solutions regarding the stability of the region as well as the whole world,” he said, noting Japan’s ongoing territorial dispute with Russia over the Kuril Islands. “I believe appropriate dialogue with Russia, appropriate dialogue with president Putin is very important.”
As the only Asian nation in the club of rich democracies, Japan prizes its G7 membership, and Mr Abe is determined to make the most of the Ise-Shima summit he will host in May.
This is the kind of talk that will get you blacklisted in Washington and we wonder how long it will be before Abe gets a courtesy call from the Obama to remind Tokyo of the grave "threat" Putin poses to global peace and security.
Or maybe The White House will take a step back and ponder whether decades of foreign policy blunders combined with a misplaced (and highly off-putting) sense of exceptionalism have now left America as the "isolated" superpower.
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Seeing as Canada and Mexico are falling hard in dollar based imports, I wonder how long until both of them decide to start buying oil in Rubles in Russia's new oil bourse.
Dovie'andi se tovya sagain (It's time to toss the dice)
The Daily Economist
Why would Canada or Mexico be buying oil???
Maybe the rest of the world, the Russian Orthodox, Sino/Mandarin, African, Muslim, Hindu, Japanese, and Latin cultures are sick of American cultural dog turds?
Vlad should fast track American innovators who are seeking asylum. Buy some teevee ad space from the american media for Citizen 4 to sell Russia.
Maybe a shot of C4 being chased by some FBI goons for reading and believing in the original constitution while being shot at by some usa negro street gangs. Then pan out hollywood style and see a hook nosed joo holding 2 marionette controllers pulling all the strings.
American innovators can look at rt or rbth and take it from there. If they don't find clues there, maybe they're not good enough innovators to have.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss..
When it does blow, watch them jump into leadership positions on the opposing side. That's how the game has always been played.
Japan would never have tried this without US approval.
This is an attempt to lure Russia away from China, which is in US's interest.
No, far too simple.
The US must be seen in the light of 9/11. The US population may be deluded, but no foreign leadership class is.
9/11 FF means the US government is not at all what we think it is, rapacious evil criminals control us and that can't be good for any foreign country.
This is Japan sending the gentle signals to the world, including anyone still rational in our ruling classes, that the world is aligning atainst the criminal class ruling us. I think we should help that part of the world, and do appreciate Vlad's efforts on our behalf.
But without a tipping-point of Americans -- whose quickening is rapidly accelerating -- none of these events to push-back ZWO deep state would be possible. What the "ruling classes" are seeing and tracking are more US citizens waking up from the bullshit. Even those who aren't fully aware know something is terribly wrong. And they're tired of sending their sons and daughters to wars in the ME for greater Israel and Neo-con wet dreams. You don't have to read ZH to "get it". This has people like Victoria Neuland making surprise trips to Russia. Cause she's scared shitless.
The deep-state cartel is FULL of mid-level foot solders like V.Neuland. As the unraveling begins. The ones at the top won't be saving her ass. There's NO loyalty nor salvation nor redemption in those ranks. And KSA should look closely at what the USG did to former ally's like Hussain and Gaddafi. Those folks were USG assets. Kissinger said "The only thing worse than being an enemy of the US is being it's friend".
Empires weaken from within. Russia, China, Iran and others wouldn't have enough traction otherwise. Americans are realizing their nation has been hijacked by people who are morally INSANE. Tick-tock.
japan has been trying to shed themselves of the zionazis for awhile. they already have a gas pipeline agreement to run a line under the sea to hokkaido. pre sanctions they had a yen swap agreement with iran. they have a yen swap agreement with china.
a little insight. there is a custom in japan that might translate to two-faced. it is unjapanese to be anything but the most gracious, generous host complete with plenty of gratuitous flattery and gifts in public and in private meetings. after the guest leaves, the japanese can be the meanest critics you've ever heard, judging physical features to character all the way to extended family relationships and status. that sets the basis for their relationships. the japanese know this. westerners have always had trouble understanding how this works, as in, i don't understand why i haven't been called back. they treated me like a king and gave every indication they liked the deal. they probably think you are an asshole. lol.
this is where the usa is now. you'll never hear japan say anything bad about the usa inpublic or to their face but their actions say a different thing. they really dislike jews considering them a neccessary evil to deal with because the very idea of chuztpah goes against the foundation of the japanese culture.
Russia is Christian (not the American kosher style) and USA corp is the church of Satan basically. The zio turds in the fed gov are the problem. This is not a return to the old days. Russia has credibility, USA corp not. Death to USA corp. Long live Christian Mother Russia.
Not that Rev. John Hagee "I Love Bibi and Jonathan Pollard" good time "Christianity?"
We saw who stood up to protect Christians in Syria. Russians, Hezbollah, Syrian Army and some Iranians too. They stood up to protect ALL Syrians.
The USA Bush/Clinton/Bush/Obama/Bibi has been murdering hundreds of thousands of Christians in Iraq and Syrian along with millions of non-Christian innocent men, women and children.
Just like Non-Christian Bosehviks from New York City, London and Germany murdered 25 million Christian Russians. I hope the Russian people NEVER forget the evil that murdered their decendants and tried to loot Russia again under Yeltsin. In the end - maybe Yeltsin was a patriot by putting Putin in power.
There are still Christians who read the KJV bible. And NOT that Scofield garbage that idiots like Hagee peddle. While one may argue King James influenced his translation too. Its far superior to other translations used by English speaking Protestants. Yes. It was a travesty that US Christians didn't step-up and speak out to help Christians in the ME. I guess some folks are scared of being called-out as "Christian". So tired of the tribe blowing smoke up my WASP ass.
Septuagint
America no longer understands what Christianity is. (hint, it has something to do with understanding the teachings of Christ)
I guess that Russia should demand that Florida is returned to Spain, Texas, California to Mexico and Hawaii given independence before they even start any talks.
This would be an equivalent of what US is demanding in regard to Crimea in order to normalize relations.
What Putin is actually isolated from is his Yacht in Tuscany because not on international stage.before 2014 Putin was about to give Japanese two islands for pipeline under the ocean now they will have to pay triple
What about Alaska?
Rather than saying Russia annexed Crimea, it would be more accurate to say Crimea succeeded from the coup-installed government of Ukraine.
The correct word usage is discouraged by the UN thought pollice but the correct word is secession.
Not sure about Putin, but Obama (The Faggot) is becoming more isolated by the day. Hoser Likes That
If you think there is anyone good in the US govt you are a dope. Maybe Sen Session and Rep. King of Iowa and a few others but the USA is totally corrupt from top to bottom.
Walter Jones, NC is a decent guy too. And a few others in Congress. Not many. Can count on one hand. Maybe.
When your hand is weak, bluff.
Exhibit A.
Just when you thought that Japan has been brought back firmly into the fold they get naughty again.
Next up Kurile Islands deal
IGNORE!...These Clowns, don't need you and you don't need them! They're your enemies!
past actions are proof enough
I'll take $400 billion worth of Russian debit (through no fault of there own) over $50 trillion worth in U.S. laden derivatives debt any day of the week?..
The Rouble Rules!!!! Next to China, Japan the U.S India and the EU it's got the lowest amount of debt of any one of them and ALL OF THEM COMBINED!!!
P.S.
Way to go Japan. After what "round eye" did to you with Fukushima it's high time 5 years later to turn a new leaf and throw the bums off you r island(s) once and for all.
Show Germany, Italy and Greece the way!!!
Mr. Putin Needs to offer Oil & Gas
to anyone who pays in BRICS currencies
Then the Sun will again rise from East
& there will be Sunset in the West
------------
Russia , pl. be free from Opec
Have ur own policies
Japan has problems. They don't have any resources of their own; they have been in perpetual recession since the 90s; they have an aging population; they have a debt to GDP ratio of 200%. China does not like them and they need the US for protection.
What do they have that Russia possibly wants? Only as an export market for their oil and gas.
High quality consumer goods for the Russian masses.
Putin is doing it all wrong..... he needs to build military bases in 160+ countries and dump kilotons and kilotons of Freedum bombs on countries 1/2 way across the world.
I agree, trying to serve ones nation while preserving the moral high ground is so passé.
Japan is geographically doomed because of Fukushima. Everybody must leave. They are totally defeated by General Electric, but are technologically highly advanced. So they must all move to Russia.
Iran is buying Russian nuclear reactors that will eventually blow up too. The Iranian people are technologically very advanced. And they will have to move to Russia too.