Russian-U.S. relations are about to burst into the headlines with gale force.
That’s why I was so focused on this topic in the weeks leading up to the election. And it’s why I made the following two points absolutely clear:
Point #1
Russia is on a long march to war.
(Go here for the evidence.)
It is the first major nation in modern history to invade and annex the territory of another nation, directly threatening the world order that prevailed since the end of World War II.
It has the most pervasive anti-American propaganda machine I’ve ever studied or experienced.
It’s rapidly upgrading its firepower in the Baltic Sea and adding warships armed with long-range cruise missiles.
And in the event of a conflict, it could defeat NATO forces in the Baltic countries within 60 hours or less, according to the RAND Corporation.
Point #2
We’re hearing rumblings of nuclear war.
(The full story is here.)
Russia and the U.S. are rapidly expanding their arsenals of what’s called “tactical nuclear weapons.” Although smaller than the “strategic nuclear weapons” that were the hallmark of the Cold War, they still pack more destructive power than the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
On both sides, the assumption of military strategists has been that these tactical nukes would supposedly not cause “assured mutual destruction.” As a result, they lack the deterrent power that has so far helped prevent nuclear war.
But the fact is, there’s no agreed-upon dividing line between “tactical” and “strategic.” Thus, their deployment could lead to escalation … the use of the larger strategic weapons … and ultimately, assured mutual destruction after all.
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| Kaliningrad, although part of the Russian Federation, has no borders with Russia or even with Russian-allied Belarus. But any missiles that Putin places there are a direct threat to Lithuania and the two other Baltic states, Latvia and Estonia. |
Update: According to the Financial Times, “Russia is putting the ‘nuclear gun’ back on the table” with “the most intense nuclear posturing by Moscow since the Soviet era.”
In just three weeks, Russia has canceled three nuclear deals with the United States.
And it has moved nuclear-capable missiles into Kaliningrad, the Russian Baltic enclave wedged between Poland and Lithuania, threatening the three Baltic states, all members of NATO, even more directly.
Very Dangerous
I take all of this personally. My grandparents were born in what was then Russia. We have dear friends in four corners of that vast country. And every time we’ve gone to visit them, we’ve never experienced anything other than the warmth of their hospitality. The entire concept of war is very dangerous, unthinkable and shocking.
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| Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow, the source of much – but certainly not all – of Putin’s global policy. |
But it is brewing nonetheless. And as in all conflicts, it’s not one-sided. Indeed, many analysts argue that it was effectively NATO that started the new Cold War by expanding eastward to Russia’s border.
We’ll let future historians hash that out. For now, what’s more important is that there’s …
New Hope in Moscow
Trump and Putin now have an opportunity to change course.
Within the first 90 days after Trump’s inauguration, they have a chance to halt the downward spiral in U.S.-Russian relations, avert a massive arms race, save trillions of dollars in military budgets over the next decade, and, most important, reverse the frightening march to war.
I do not say this lightly. This scenario is possible.
One of our sources in Moscow, a person close to Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tells us that decision-makers in the Kremlin are, currently at least, quite open-minded.
They’re as surprised as anyone by Trump’s victory. They don’t know what to expect. They have not yet formulated any particular strategy. And they don’t even have a consensus of opinion overall.
They’re waiting for Trump to make the first move.
Naturally, some in Russia are skeptical of the outcome. But others strongly believe that U.S.-Russian relations can improve dramatically.
It’s a view that’s reflected in new blog posts, interviews and press commentary by some of Russia’s most-respected opinion leaders:
Publicist Evgeny Antonyuk writes: “I can’t recall a higher level of love towards Americans since the first term of Boris Yeltsin’s presidency.”
Russia’s former Minister of Finance, Alexei Kudrin, says Moscow is looking to establish better relations, stressing that “each side has to make certain concessions.”
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Mikhail Aleksandrov, a leading expert at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, believes Trump will pivot from a confrontation with Russia to a confrontation with Iran. Aleksandrov doesn’t like that idea and fears it will fuel new conflicts. But he concedes it might open up opportunities to reduce tensions in Europe.
Overall, despite an undercurrent of lingering skepticism, there has been a major shift in sentiment in Russia: Before the U.S. election, most opinion leaders expressed virtually no hope for restoring relations with the U.S. And they had diminishing expectations of avoiding outright war. Now hope is widespread, strong and genuine.
The bad news is that …
Similar sentiments are not echoed in the United States or Western Europe. Trump seems to be virtually alone in his apparent willingness to make a deal with Putin. Even if he truly wants to move toward better ties, he faces a series of hurdles that he’ll have to overcome from day one:
Hurdle #1
The U.S. media doesn’t get it.
With few exceptions, the hopeful commentary by Russian opinion leaders that I just told you about is exclusively in Russian for Russian audiences. It is not showing up yet in U.S. news stories or editorials after the election.
That’s understandable. But what’s truly unusual is that both the liberal and conservative media seem to be lined up in lockstep against Putin.
They’re both telling the American public that nothing has changed in Russia. They’re both continuing to pound away at Putin’s past aggressions. And they’re making the argument that the U.S. has absolutely nothing to gain from trying to stop the ramp-up to outright war.
Hurdle #2
Establishment Republicans – and Democrats – are fiercely
opposed to a Trump-Putin deal.
U.S. Senator John McCain, who chairs the Armed Services Committee, says: “We should place as much faith in [Putin’s] statements as any other made by a former KGB agent who has plunged his country into tyranny, murdered his political opponents, invaded his neighbors, threatened America’s allies, and attempted to undermine America’s elections.”
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, also on the Armed Services Committee, agrees, stating: “They’re a bad actor in the world, they need to be reined in.”
Trump’s own running mate is of similar persuasion. During the election campaign, Pence said provocations by Russia need to be met with American strength; suggested that the U.S. should deploy missile-defense shields in Eastern Europe; and directly contradicted Trump by acknowledging evidence of Russian meddling in U.S. politics.
And Obama has just weighed in warning against appeasing Putin with “realpolitik” – supposedly pragmatic deals that overlook America’s and Western Europe’s core values of democracy.
Hurdle #3
Congress is already passing legislation that seeks to limit
future attempts by Trump to reset relations with Russia.
Late last week, Republicans in Congress began moving swiftly to stake out a tough stance against Russia.
They started with a bill imposing mandatory sanctions on anyone who financially, economically or technologically supports Syria’s government in their civil war, including Russians and Iranians. Trump supporters didn’t stand in the way, and the measure was passed unanimously.
Plus, they’re now planning a whole series of similar bills that take direct aim at Russia. They want to get most of this passed before Trump meets Putin. And again, even Trump’s supporters in Congress are not standing in their way.
Hurdle #4
The top brass at the Pentagon are
dead-set against a reset with Russia.
America’s smartest generals witnessed the scene eight years ago when Hillary Clinton, as secretary of state, symbolically hit the reset button with Russia’s foreign minister.
Then they watched in dismay as the reset seemed to open the door to Russia’s war in Georgia, annexation of Crimea, invasions of Eastern Ukraine and bombing campaigns in Syria.
Indeed, it’s this top brass who’s the primary source of that media view, which I told you about a moment ago, that the U.S. and Europe have nothing to gain from a deal with Putin. They feel that, like before, all it will accomplish is to give Putin more latitude to pursue his mission of making Russia great again.
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Millionaire Builds Strange Bunker in Forest The identity of the man who built it…and his prediction of a coming change to our economic system…will shock you. |
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None of these arguments are baseless. But there’s one fundamental point that they’re missing: The West’s economic sanctions have done nothing to stop Russia’s military buildup and incursions. Quite the contrary, they have served as rocket fuel for Putin’s anti-West propaganda machine. The reason: Russians are hurting badly in their pocketbook, and they blame it all on the United States.
What Kind of Deal Is Possible?
It’s too soon to say with any amount of precision. But based on our sources on both sides of the conflict, here’s a general outline:
Trump makes the first move, offering up the possibility, pending agreement by allies, that the West might consider peeling off some economic sanctions, in stages.
Putin reciprocates with commitments, also in stages, to reduce Russia’s intervention in Ukraine, make no further advances in East Europe, reverse its arms buildup in Kaliningrad, and cooperate in Syria by truly avoiding further attacks on U.S.-supported rebel groups.
That then opens the door to restoring nuclear agreements or at least preventing the collapse of arms limitation treaties.
My Advice
First and foremost, follow President Obama’s recommendation to give Trump a chance. Give him the space he needs to help avert what could be the single most dangerous threat to America and to mankind.
Second, never forget February 21, 1972. That’s the day President Richard Nixon became the first U.S. president to visit the People’s Republic of China — the visit that kicked off the largest trade boom in history.
In those days, everyone, myself included, would have told you Nixon was the last person in the world willing or able to accomplish that seemingly impossible feat. But he did. And today, Trump could potentially do something similar.
Third, don’t count on it. As an investor, you can’t bet on hopes. You need to base your portfolio choices on reasonable expectations. And unfortunately, at this juncture, one must recognize that the four hurdles Trump needs to overcome are daunting.
That means no change in the megatrends we’ve been warning you about — the ramp-up of the war cycle, rising gold prices, falling bond prices and more.
Fourth, regardless of any new negotiations between the U.S. and Russia, the United States will continue to step up its investment in military personnel and big-ticket technology. Until we alert you otherwise, that’s also a trend you must assume will continue and accelerate.
Fifth, putting some money in select defense companies is still a very solid strategy. It’s far premature to second-guess those investments.
Good luck and God bless!
Martin
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Dr. Weiss founded Weiss Research in 1971 and has dedicated his entire career to helping millions of average investors find truly safe havens and investments. He is Chairman of the Weiss Group, which includes Weiss Research and Weiss Ratings, the nation’s leading independent rating agency accepting no fees from rated companies. His last three books have all been New York Times Bestsellers and his most recent title is The Ultimate Money Guide for Bubbles, Busts, Recession and Depression.
{ 53 comments }
Russia is not interested in going to war with anybody . Read Eric Margolis ! Lawrence Wilkerson . Raymond Mc Govern . They know what they are taliking about .
This is the third time I have read in your columns about this so called “russian invasion”. It never happened. There were never any Russian troops in Ukraine, and the troops stationed in Crimeas had been there since the ’80s minding the naval base. The people of Crimea, who are Russian, begged Russia to take them back in the face of brutal assaults by the Kiev army and air force. Read Robert Parry at consortium news. You are buying into propaganda and it is a lie. Russia is only building its defenses in response to US unwarranted aggression and NATO missiles stationed on their borders. If Russia placed missiles on the Texas border, what do you think the US would do? Sit there and do nothing? Please get a grip
Bearly Hugs for a grit of reason. It is vain business – to persuade dolts in what you type. The one SHORT argument i have – look at world map – find russia – big? And stuffed with whatever can be wished (resources). Find Bungladesh – it is not so easy, a spot to the right of India. Little? Now comprehend that population of russia is smaller than that of this dwarfish bungladesh. Why to attempt at old degraded “europe” – or degenerate “ukraine” or “poland” or the hapless hysterical baltic kittens? or whatever? To take them in the tow – to nourish and pet – again??? no go
“those who have ears – may listen” – eastern wisdom. Meaning in fact – those not amenable to reason – are doomed, by own device.
LEANNA , YOU ARE CORRECT . THE WAR HAWKS CANNOT WAIT TO RAMP UP THE MILITARY- INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX . IT PRODUCES WEALTH AND EMPLOYMENT AND ULTIMATLY WAR. WAR WITH RUSSIA WOULD COST US AT LEAST 3,000,000 DEATHS . we have more to fear from the neo-cons than the Russians .
This article seems to me to be spot-on and I hope Trump is intelligent enough to accept its reasoning.
Of course it’s NATO who started the present confrontation by allowing the Baltic States and Poland to join.
There is a stupid tendency to regard Putin’s Russia as successor to the Soviets which of course it isn’t: it is a reaction against them.
Yes, Putin is an ex-KGB man. But so were all the possible successors to the Soviets – there was noone else and this should always be borne in mind.
There is even a revival in the Russian Orthodox Church. In the Orthodox cathedral in Estonia there is an icon dedicated to Nicholas II and his children whom the Soviets assassinated. I have seen it.
Trump should ditch all his anti-Russian baggage. This will annoy the British and other Europeans who seem tied to a strategy which does not seem able to identify the real enemies.
Dear Martin.
I was born and lived many years on the Warsaw Pact territory & am familiar with the world’s prevailing politics.
Please correct me if I am wrong but I don’t know such perverse empire like the USA which murders millions, uprooting countries in quest for the world’s dominance.
Please let us know what wrong Vietnam (USA murdered at least 2 millions), Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq (USA murdered about 1 million and counting), Libya, Ukraine, Syria did to USA.
Only then you copy/paste the USA propaganda sources which, by the way, admitted to prostitute to the “Deep State’s” guidance during the last presidential election.
Good luck, Martin.
I still anticipate that a Trump administration is less likely to lead us to war with Russia than a Clinton administration would have been. However, I think the problems that come around with war will be occurring in places we don’t currently expect them to. I would be more concerned about the fact that Europe is going to break apart than whether Russia wants to annex Ukraine.
Thanks for your analysis of US-Kremlin relations. It was very helpful. We simply pray for return of the “peace party.”
If I could add, it seems that the war industry cannot prosper without enemies, and the posture of “my way or no way” keeps us well supplied.
When Are you going to stop towing the mainstream media propaganda story that Russia is the aggressor in Ukraine? I’m again surprised by your miss on the facts and I’m sure many comments will follow that will better explain them than I will so I’ll keep it short: Russia went into Ukraine because they had had enough with the US’s manipulations and interference in the region, just like Georgia. The US backed/and finaced a coup in Ukraine to oust the pro Russian gov there and Russia said ENOUGH! they were not going to give up their military port in the Crimea and so reclaimed that area (which was always a part of Russia anyway until Stalin symbolicaly gave it to Ukraine during the Soviet era… The US is the one putting missiles on Russia’s borders and Russia also said ENOUGH!..If a foe of the US (lets say China for example) were to stage a clandestine coup on the Canadian governement to then install a more “friendly” one and then proceed to set up missiles along the Canadian US border…do you think the US would let that happen without a fight??..Well that is what Russia is doing in the Ukraine, protecting itself from a hostile agressive US that has broken the conditions of the Berlin agreement and proceeded east closer and closer to the Russian borders as it is set on world domination…..On the other front, The US were going about there plans to destabilise the entire middle east expecially Syria and Russia also said ENOUGH!….So you’ve got it completely backwards, the US is the agressor here, not Russia.
Trump is our only hope in staving off nuclear war, at least for a while anyway..It was Hillary who was beating the war drum against Russia every chance she had and I’m sure within the first year she would have found a reason to start it..mostly to distract from the coming economic collapse of the western financial system, as the have always done when the dominoes start falling… The Neocons will grasp at every chance they will get to restart the war reteric…Anyway, I’m sure other readers will also set you straight on the fact more clearly than I have done.
Trump’s biggest problem is going to be Congress. No matter what they are saying (politicians always tend to lie to their own advantage), many Republican Congressmen and Women are basically opposed to Trump, and might make de facto alliances with Democrats that could hurt Trump’s chances of achieving whatever goals he may have – internationally, as well as domestically.
Putin will not give up his base in Crimea since it protects his country in the Baltic. It would be like telling the US to give up the base in Japan. Any type of nuclear war is a mistake for all involved. Putin does not want war. He wants his country to rise economically. As you say sanctions only help empower warmongers. Sanctions only hurt the poor and middle class. Putin needs to give his people freedom along the lines that China has in order to achieve economic expansion. He needs to move to technology based economy.
Dr. Wiess, very insightful. But, my personal feeling after several years of experience with investing in Stocks , Bonds and ETF’s (either way) feels like this:
Larry’s projections and models are amazing, yes. However, note that massive manipulation has made them Untradeable with Super Cycle Trader. Time intervals are pushed way out all the time (up to 8 months) Proving that an approach such as Real Wealth, is the only thing that makes sense. Putting a portion of your money in AAA Wiess rated stocks in certain areas, certainly makes sense, but buying stock in military based securities has a Moral downside for me, I just can’t overcome. Mike Larson, while a great study and analyst is having a real hard time in All Weather trader too, but fairing better than most. Safe Money seems to make wealth for trading services, more than anything.. Bottom line to me is: Knowing the end game as Larry and Mike predict, does not mean you can profit from it, on the contrary, it could more possibly cause you to lose more than you bargained for. An approach that ramps up with forecasts seems much more plausible over time. It’s a given, that AWT and SCT services have made me a better trader and given a much better understanding to me on what can and can’t be done.
You say that Russia is the only country to have invaded and annexed territories in our recent history! This is intended to amuse I expect. Never should we forget Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria, nor the interference in affairs of other countries which has been well demonstrated in the words of Victoria Nulands. The US has had a Zionist approach to the world order since the conclusion of World War II, yet Americans never admit to this for some reason. In terms of propaganda, the entire western press has made news coverage an opportunity to spread their NWO slant on all news releases. This propaganda machine was best illustrated in the Federal Election just completed. But the US is not in this alone, Israel has taken annexation to new levels against all international efforts and resolutions delivered through the United Nations.
I would invite a response to my comments.
To solve the march to war problem ,Trump needs to re-negotiate with the arms dealers, getting them to produce something constructive (such as space travel) rather than the means of destroying the planet.
I think Putin is not preparing for war but to the contrary the USA does step by step
encircle Russia with their construct “Nato”! Shall this be seen as as a friendly gesture?
He must look to defend his country against the american hybris. Who has installed the
american politicians as a kind of “World Police” ? They themselves! For what do we have
UN? If the american people is so horrified about Putin’s reactions, why do they not react on the problems in Mexico? Mexico is your neighbor, Russia is 7000Km away! But
there is also a very good friend of the Americans it is Saudi Arabia. I do not remember
that there were any discussions about human rights and democracy in this country.
I agree the occupation of Crimea was more than shady, but is this the problem of
America? Especially with consideration of the geographical gaps in her moral under-
standing. For me the Ukraine problem is a work of the CIA, their snipers and special
forces for “help” in Kiev. I congratulate Putin that he was so clever, that he could not be provoked to fall into that trap. So I see Mr Trump as a wonderful ray of hope.
Wow!!! Really! “It is the first Nation in modern history to invade the territory of another Nation.”
Absolutely, Russia is not an angel either, however, (as compared to someone with over 750 military basis across and all through this riveting Earth’s landscapes ), I would say it is because of Russia that your world is still intact.
As I see it, it all boils down to the demand by Russians to have a buffer zone of neutral and sub-servient countries between them and the significant Nato-countries. That demand would sell the Baltic countries and Poland to Russia. Russia seeks to integrate those economies with theirs. With regard to Ukraine, that country is not a crucial loss to the West, it never was part of it, and Ukraine is a problematic country. The issue is the military solution Russia chose. That is a bad precedence. Ronald reagan had a great strategy- outspend Soviet Union in armament. Russia is running out of funds for development and pensions while it is focusing on armament spending. Low oil price has been extremely beneficial to the western course. Add to it more missile shields and Russia will gradually run out of resources. Would not it be better to maintain good relations with China rather than Russia. Putin thought he had all aces, now it looks less so.
Trump better be careful to protect himself. John F Kennedy was on the path to peaceful relations with the Soviet Union, and making progress, when he was shot in Dallas.
Good point on Kennedy, he pissed them off in Cuba moves.
Martin
Trump if is still alive will not be able to do any think, the elites will come in, or should I say the mafia, or the shadow government will stop him in his tracks.
If your father was alive today he would say a revolution what is needed get rid of these gangsters, with a little hope. Americans wake up?
Dear Doctor WeiB,
i’m half French and German and leave in France, i don’t want to be rude but what’s the point of having a PH.D and righting such a none sense about Russia ? First compare Russia in 1999 and now, basically with Putin it went from being a bankrupt country to a military superpower with almost no debt and a strong middle class, that”s why he is so popular .Second you have not seen any country invade and annex another one since 1945, what about Irak, Libya etc… We in Europe are the first to witness the mess with the disastrous migrant situation, the result of the Bush, Clinton, Obama and Sarkosy foreign interventions.Third just think about it if Mexico or Canada after a pseudo revolution would want to enter the Russian Federation, and some Russian official would support publicly those revolutionary and give them cookies like Victoria Nuland did in Kiev, i guarantee you the Navy seals would already be in Otawa or Mexico. You said you are of Russian origin, so just look at a map and history, the geography of Ukraine makes it a vital part of Russia security zone, it will not, it can”t not be part of Nato, that would be a huge threat to Russia, that’s a red line like Mexico or Canada for the US, Crimea is a Major military base for Russia, thinking that Ukraine would be part of Nato is utter folly and delusion from the West, the looser of course is Ukraine being played by two superpower. The last point i want to make is about propaganda, i read all the time the Russian , Europêan and Us press, the Russian press never criticise the kremlin, but for the rest they basically offer another angle that often is very interesting, the Us and European press is basically a copier coller from the state departement or from the Elyse palace.
Conclusion, when i see Mr Mc Cain Russian hatred, the state department and some us
generals, i get really scared, everyday it’s insults, sanctions, threats, missile shield at russia”s border and so on, its like the us as completely lost it’s mind, i was an exchanged student in Seattle in 1986 and it was not at all like this. Basically since the Iraq war your country and it”s leader have become a danger for the world and what is even more dangerous is that people like you who are supposed to be smart and realist seem to be completely brainwashed, it’s very scary.
My mother is German from Berlin born in 1934, my father a French Hungarian jew and when she was a teenage girl many German where completely out of reality, we know where it led.
I hope you wont be offended by my mail, and by the way i like your financial letter and read with great detail Larry Edelson and Mr Larson recommandations.
Best regards,
Elisabeth Larrieu
ps;sorry for the bad spelling
Dear Mr. Weiss: I am a student of history and I follow foreign affairs and economic affairs closely. The Crimea was once a possession of turkey. Catherine the Great of Russia purchased the Crimea from turkey in 1783. Technically speaking, Crimea is part of Russia. During Stalin’s rule he assigned his successor Khurshev to manage the Ukraine and Crimea. Khurshev proceeded to collectivize the farms located in Ukraine and Crimea.
When Khrushev succeeded Stalin he allowed his successor to manage Ukraine and Crimea. Khrushev was Russian and not Ukrainian. He was born in a small Russian village near the Ukrainian border. I believe it is important to correct the record. Please respond. Regards, Robert Calabro.
This is another great article by Martin Weiss. I admire his honesty and truthfulness.
The Pentagon is staffed with bureaucrats and armchair pension cafeteria line since Obama purged strategic and loyal to American people officer core. So I don’t care what Obama’s desk jockeys think. Trump has to dump these higher pay scale empty uniforms.
Notice how our politicians always seem to act in a way that benefits the military suppliers? Not an accident.
What country does the rest of the world consider the biggest risk to world peace? Russia is not even in the top 4. Israel, which illegally occupies Palestine, is tied for fourth. The winner is……………USA.
Until Americans start getting some truthful information from alternative news, we will continue to spiral down. Democracy Now, The Young Turks, Jimmy Dore, Truthdig, Redacted Tonight, Common Dreams, Global Research and If Americans Knew all give a more truthful presentation of the news. Global Research has done some great analysis of the US propaganda lies.
Hi Martin
I am hopeful that at last we have some grownups at the table. There is nothing wrong with other countries pursuing global stabilization in the free world. Why should we lead continuously and carry the can for all foreign policy issues. At least we are all talking to each other. We need to get our place in order first, so that what is seen and what we project is success at home.
Great analysis of the situation! Unfortunately, like most ‘truisms’ it usually falls on deaf ears…
As to the highly desirable ‘repair’ process, I don’t believe it has a chance, until NATO stops pushing against Russia’s borders…. and that ‘genius’ is not about to stop anytime soon….
It is often said that war is the health of the state!
I’m no expert,,but your analysis seems to be right on. Martin,,thanks for your insights..
While I didn’t vote for Donald Trump, one of the most important contributions he could make would be to successfully forge deep economic ties with Russia. This would go a long way towards reducing military tensions because as the saying goes, you don’t kill you customers. Coupled with the potential for improving economic ties with Iran and the ever reducing dependency on foreign oil for our energy needs, another potential benefit might be the scaling down of proxy wars in the region and finally enable the USA to reduce our costly involvement in the Middle East.
I sincerely hope that Trump and Putin will succeed in conflict resolution. But let us not kid ourselves that the United States is the biggest war monger in the workd, with a neverending thirst for global imperialism. If we are not careful, this will lead to our eventual demise.
i was against kissinger and Nixon s follies !
I would rather work with the Soviet s
our debt can not handle the continued expense of us destabilizing the Mideast
Well said Martin. I agree with you.
My grandparents were also born in Russia but were originally from Germany. Crimea was part of Russian and the US agreed at the fall of E. Germany not to palace any NATO troops east of that point but have poked the bear unnecessarily to justify saying Russia is the bad one and the US is on the higher ground. I beg to differ in that the USA has been and is the trouble maker in eastern Europe and we have no plans for peace there or in the Middle East where we have totally upset dictators who at least allowed more freedoms than the Muslim brotherhood gang that is totally 7th century barbarians.
How can you compare the actions of Russia in Ukraine (have you heard of the provocations of Victoria Nuland?) and Crimea (whose citizens almost unanimously voted to join Russia) with the United States who invaded Russia in 1918 and has tried to colonize the rest of the world both militaristically and economically since.
The Mongol Golden Horde invaded in the 13th century and remained for several centuries, then Napoleon, then Hitler, killing 12 million. And when was the last time Russia invaded Mongolia or Europe or the United States? Is it any wonder Russia doesn’t trust the West?
I urge the Putin bashers to read the neo-con Wolfowitz and to listen to Putin’s speeches on YouTube. You too, Martin.
In last world war (with Hitler) – rusian death toll is officially set at 27 million (not 12) – but some extend the number beyond 50 million. It is for – whether russians want war? -question
Not only was the article revealing and refreshing, the responses reveal a knowledgeable and controversial readership. In leadership Martin Weiss is developing and growing that reflects on his staff that are growing and developing in their own capacities. Superb leadership for the good of all.
The US needs to stop their war in Syria. Trump has said the enemy is ISIS. That makes Russia a potential ally in taking out the ISIS threat to the Middle East.
Dear Dr Weiss,
I have been with you for over thirty years because you and your father who was living at the time, Had it all together” – your man Larson also “has it together”\\You are doing a “service” to all of us since you are a true “independent” – with only one thing “in mind” and that of course is “world peace”
Now with a maniac at the helm in our country – what will happen is practically “out of our hands” and Mr Putin will discover that in time of course!
NO ONE WINS IN A NUCLEAR WAR, ALL HUMAN BEING SUFFER in any war.
HITLER HIT THE DUST OF COURSE; now we have another Hitler looming on the horizon, Mr Donald Trump is NOT A SANE HUMAN BEING, by any standards and the people that voted for him, voted for SELF SERVING purposes, not for the country per se. and they dont mind saying so.
Hitler used the BIG LIE like Trump is using the big lie which I WILL MAKE OUR COUNTRY GREAT AGAIN; HOW CAN A MISFIT, MISCREAT MAKE OUR COUNTRY GREAT AGAIN; WE NEED PEOPLE OF “HONOR TO DO THAT” AND HE CERTAINLY HAS NO “SENSE OF HONOR” NONE WHATSOEVER.
PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR TRUMP WILL REGRET THEIR DECISION, I PREDICT THAT OF COURSE! HE IS NOT AND NEVER WAS :FIR TGE OEIOKE UB GUS BUSINESS AND HE SAID SO WITH PRIDE OF COURSE “THAT IS HOW BUSINESS OPERATES;- BUSINESS DEMANDS THAT PROCEDURE.
HIS FELLOW POLITICIANS OF COURSE DO THE SAME THING HE DOES/DID SINCE THAT IS HOW POLITICS WORKS – ITS A SLIMY BUSINESS RUN BY SLIMY PEOPLE LIKE DONALD TRUMP
again, thank you for “being upfront with your sage advice – you are “unique” in this world of corruption where the name of the game is “man’s inhumanity to man”
Dr. Maurice Rothman PHd Metaphyscian
Red Scare, Strategic Defense Perimeter, Domino Theory, Bomber Gap, Missile Gap and Window of Vulnerability, Mushroom Shaped Cloud, Axis of Evil all warnings sternly issued to fleece the American sheeple and enrich the MIC. Their one common element was they were all false. As Reagan said, Government is the Problem and at least with our inane Foreign Policies since 1945 he was right.
Obama had no experience running anything prior to becoming president (a shill for ACORN aint no job in my book) so following his lead in anything is something Trump will not do. He is hiring the best and brightest and is a pro at dealing with friend and foe. It won^t take him long getting all the destructive people out of the White House (the Muslim Brotherhood & other horrors) & ending the Iran deal and all the other desasters Obama launched. The market is flying because now stifling regulations will be lifted. The rediculous 35% corporate tax will be lowered bringing corporations back & with it jobs. If you were successful in any way Obama made you a target. All this will end. I worry Yellen will target Trump with irrational rate hikes because she is in Obams^s pocket.
It’s very sad so many posters know so little about suffering produced by Russians during more than 50 years of occupation of Eastern Europe. Hungarian revolution in 56, Czechoslovakian invasion in 68, Berlin Wall, bankrupt and corrupt economic system Putin & Russia is just crying over the influenced they lost over the former east Europeans countries. The reason of fear is based on precedent … Why Russia should have a say in a deal between two independent countries ?
(i.e USA – Poland, USA – Baltic countries, USA – Romania)
In regards of Crimea the discussion should not be if Russia has a legitimate claim (i.e. based on history, population etc) … the discussion should be in the way Putin decided to reach his goals using his military power … there are many other countries that may have legitimate claims to other territories, should everyone start a war based on Putin’s logic ? (and by the way, USA did not conquer IRAK, Syria, Vietnam Korea, since USA did not attempt to made them US territories … yes, US tried to influence the political game, like any other colonial power UK, France Spain etc did during the history)
Sooner rather than later, the western values will collide with Russian realities (at the end of the day Putin is an unelected dictator, mocking a democratic process, financed and backed by a corrupt oligarchy, with nostalgia of a big empire)
In the current confrontation between the US and Russia, the US is clearly the agressor. The US is plainly encirling Russia as part of a global geo-political master strategy seemingly lifted straight from the pages of Zbigniew Brzezinski’s 1997 book ‘The Grand Chessboard’.
Putin and Stalin are one in the same. Putin will take pleasure in other people’s demise and indeed will inflict it. Once a KGB bully, always a KGB bully. I fully agree with Senator McCain’s view of Putin the tyrant, opportunist communist!
Martin’s “deal” that the US lifts the sanctions if Russia does what the US wants is really the status quo. Russia has rejected that so Trump will have to come up with something new. The US has to be prepared to accept less than what it currently demands. Expect the warmongers McCain and Graham to oppose. The American people don’t appear to be as inflexible as those Senators so Trump has an opportunity to make a real deal.
The only thing we should do with the Russians is contain them as we have since 1945…. Their ONLY source of income to build up their Armies is their gas and oil (thanks Cheney/bush) which they are selling to Europe. By developing the gas fields off Israel, we could cut off that source of revenue as Europe would willingly buy from Israel (who doesn’t threaten them), than from Russia (who does)…..
I continue to believe Trump and Putin are in the game for the same reasons. They are both patriots in their respective nations first. Putin is a tough guy in a tough country. Sure he killed off some oligarchs. They had become the Russian Mafia and were taking over all of Russia’s industry. Putin gave them the option of getting in line or facing the consequences. Some chose the latter feeling they could out tough Putin. Bad choice. Those “some” are gone now and the rest fell in line. They are Russians, not Americans. They live in a different, tougher world than do Americans who like to look at the world through American glasses. When Khrushchev was asked what he admired most about America, he said, “Your junkyards” and nothing has changed. Some of these war mongers in DC need go talk with Russian people and just “hang out” with them. By that I mean stay away from the 5-star hotels and hang out in the local bars and restaurants and just visit with real people from their “fly-over” land. No suits and ties allowed. They might begin to understand the Russian people, their leaders and what their goals are.
Shalom Sir Larry, Sorry I was cut off.
I meant to say this Timely And Timeless TRUTH:- HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF WITHOUT THE INTERVENTION OF GOD.
Mr. Donald Trump Is basically an opportunist. He possibly will play out the script of Winston Churchill, Magret Thatcher. Roland Reagan and George Bush Jrn.
Time will tell what cosmetic variations, he may add to the avowed history which he has been programmed to repeat.
The love of money is the root of all evil. So says the book of ancient wisdom. However, history has recorded many times that the lack of Money, drives despots to WAR.
The Bible shouts that in the End Time, all types of Mutually Assured Destructive Dynamics shall be unleashed upon us.
Matthew 24, Luke 21 details JESUS’ Prophetic Promises which are now being enacted by political Pundits.
Only those who think Theocratically can gain authentic Discernment of these times.
I was a young student in England when Magret Thatcher took over from James Callaghan. She jerrimanderryed her way into Downing Street. Her husband. a stock trader in the City of London and his colleagues made great fortune. Talk of Inside Trading. This was in 1980.
Then, Mrs. T took off to the Falklands. She made a global Name for herself.
That was over 30 years ago! Today, ask an teen-ager in London, who is Mrs. T!
The answer, you might get, may shock you.
Conclusion, as a corporate analyst, I learned like Daniel in Babylon this Faithful Truth:
History repeats itself without the active Interventions of GOD. This is Sacrosanct!
Why is the US so adamant about challenging Russia? The following makes sense:
“”“russian invasionâ€. It never happened. There were never any Russian troops in Ukraine, and the troops stationed in Crimea had been there since the ’80s minding the naval base. The people of Crimea, who are Russian, begged Russia to take them back in the face of brutal assaults by the Kiev army and air force. Read Robert Parry at consortium news. You are buying into propaganda and it is a lie. Russia is only building its defenses in response to US unwarranted aggression and NATO missiles stationed on their borders. If Russia placed missiles on the Texas border, what do you think the US would do? “” OR CUBA !
I believe that Putin wanted an access road to Crimea. That meant going thru eastern Ukraine, who denied that access. Putin has been fronting oil for years to Ukraine and felt slighted, thus he pushed a road thru to his Naval base.
Establishment Republicans – and Democrats – are fiercely opposed to a Trump-Putin deal. Remember that Donald beat the Establishment Republicans – and Democrats!!! They are inconsequential. Let him make peace, or let the first nuke take out DC and leave the rest of us alone.
It seems the writing is on the wall, with the recruitment of Jill Stein. The NYO-Ayers-Soros-Clinton machine isn’t through with Trump. These are revolutionaries. Just look at the sham riots. Despite his winning a perfectly legal election against an openly hostile media and Republican Party, watch for Hillary Houdini to pull a rabbit out of her hat Jan 6 to the grand elation of the media. If so, regime change will continue in the Middle East, Russia will be pushed to the brink of war, illegal immigration will continue unchecked, and, I’m sad to say, Trump will be powerless to affect any of it.
Martin. I suggest you run a worldwide poll (of your readership) and find out who is thought to be the chief aggresor in the World.
And which nation is hated the most. I very well know the answer .
The USA is financially so far underwater now it can never recover. So whats left – war .
Would be very convenient for the pentagon/banks/zionist lobby
If a country’s destiny is to become a satellite of Russia, the consequence is dire. Just look what Poland, the Baltic countries, Hungary etc experienced. They were assigned a narrow role in supplying Russia with what the politbyro decided. Their economies were extremely undeveloped. Or just look Belarus and Ukraine. Corruption prevailed as it does in Russia.
It is their legitimate wish to integrate with the West.
I note many writers accept the idea that Russia needs a shield. Think from the point of those countries bordering Russia. Russia can place whatever forces next to border and that is considered normal.
Many say that the West is encircling Russia. Putin has said openly many times that they want to restore the old Soviet sphere of influence. There is no doubt that Russia is currently the aggressor. Those countries who do not wish to take a subservient role and and fall back in development want protection.
Russia is great in one thing only- in nuclear and other military capacity. This undeveloped country does not deserve the same role in world politics that the US has.
The population less than half the EU, GDP per capita is miniscule.Putin has reminded the West may times that he can wipe out any country he wishes. I doubt there is no other way than to outspend Russia now that their finances are in a bad shape.
Very good article Martin, why can’t I find your books though in mainstream bookstores in Ireland on this side of the Atlantic. I would love to buy a copy of john Nash’s book too. That’s not sarcasm by the way.