politics for the 99%

Published on Consortiumnews, by Gilbert Dortorow, Oct 24, 2016.

With Hillary Clinton calling Donald Trump a Russian “puppet” and Trump calling her a “nasty woman,” the third presidential debate descended into personal insults that had special resonance in Russia, as Gilbert Doctorow describes.

In a recent essay, former CIA analyst Paul Pillar pointed to how this year’s presidential race has projected a poor image of U.S. democracy onto the world stage. He put the blame mainly, though not exclusively, at the door of Donald Trump, beginning with the allegations of his sexually assaulting women and ending in his refusal to be bound by the results of the ballot on Nov. 8. This, Pillar remarked, put in question our whole political process and exposed us to ridicule abroad which undermines our soft power … //

… Bemused Unanimity: … //

… Grudging Respect:

This being Russia, one might assume that the deeply negative views of the ongoing presidential election reflect a general hostility toward the U.S. on the part of the presenter and panelists. But nothing of the sort came out from their discussion. To be sure, there was the odd outburst from Zhirinovsky, who repeated a catchy line that he has delivered at other talk shows: essentially that the U.S. is eating Russia’s and the world’s lunch given that it consumes the best 40 percent of what the world produces while it itself accounts for just 20 percent of world GDP … //

… Finally, let us consider the answer that panelists gave to the question the moderator posed, almost rhetorically when he said that neither candidate for the presidency was good news for Russia: what is to be done? The answer came in the last part of the program, when the latest events on the Syrian front came into focus.

The answer was given by a Russian panelist, Vyacheslav Matuzov, president of the society for friendship with Arab countries:

“We have to keep in mind that we are in confrontation with the world’s most powerful nation. Therefore we should not expect some other behavior towards us. If we have decided that we are going to help Syria liberate Aleppo, then we must do this. For that we have not only the Kalibr rockets but also the aircraft carrier Kuznetsov. I think firmness, no steps backward, is one of the most important elements. There is great psychological pressure on us. I don’t know how our leadership will resist this pressure. We should, I think. Our sending our eight ships from the Northern Fleet is a demonstration of our determination.”

To this the moderator interjected: “For the first time in 40 years we have stopped America from implementing its plans. What has happened in Syria is a colossal defeat for Obama. What they cannot forgive is that Russia has completely altered the situation in Syria.”

Matuzov resumed: “There is a distinction between threat and start of war. This is a boundary that everyone is trying to find. We and the Americans are each showing our determination. They are relying more on diplomacy and psychological effect. Our response is what we are now doing [moving in the Russian North Sea Fleet]”

This tough line found instant support from Zhirinovsky: “Let our Northern Fleet enjoy southern climes for a while, and show our might. Hillary in the last debate said their main achievement was the most powerful army. But they have not had any victory against another powerful army. Only against very small countries. This is our big chance. We are doing a noble deed. Armies need a battlefield and we expect to be victorious. Meanwhile, the Syrian army is spoiling for a fight. They can’t wait to raise their flag over all the cities of eastern Syria.”

The final word came from the Israeli Yakov Kedmi: “Putin told [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel and [French President Francois] Hollande let’s discuss the political solution in Syria after the fighting is over. This means he is certain Aleppo will be taken soon, followed by Idlib and the whole of Syria. Then the discussion of the political solution in Syria can begin with the next US president.”

But the problem for the world is what happens when American determination and Russian determination meet head on in the tinder box that is the Syrian civil war.

(full long text).

Links:

Banken: Minus-Zinsen, Extra-Gebühren, 72.35 min, von PolMed2016 am 24. Oktober 2016 … bei Hart aber fair;

Demolition Of Calais ‘Jungle’ Camp Plunges Refugees Into New Uncertainty, on The Huffington Post Australia, by Willa Frej, Oct 24, 2016: thousands of people have no idea where they will end up;

The Economy Is Balanced On A Knife Edge, on The Huffington Post Australia, by Wayne Swan, Oct 24, 2016: Trickledown economics will lead to further inequality and must be soundly rejected;

Clinton’s Slog Deeper into the Big Muddy, on Consortiumnews, by Daniel Lazare, Oct 24, 2016;

Alert Memorandum for Obama warned to defuse tensions with Russia, on Current Concerns, by Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity VIPS, Oct 22, 2016;

US-Mayors warn against increasing danger of war, on Current Concerns, Oct 22, 2016;

Putin in Berlin, Ende der Eiszeit? 45.29 min, von phoenix in der phoenix-Runde vom 19. Okt 2016;

Der grosse Crash – Die Pleite der Lehman Bank, 43.53 min, von Dennis Fuhrmann am 8. Okt 2013;

Niedrigzinsen und Bankenkrise, 45.48 min, von phoenix in der phoenix Runde vom 28. Sept 2016

… and this:

• Alvaro Soler – Sofia, 3.33 min, uploaded by AlvaroSolerVEVO, April 15, 2016 … more in autoplay.