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Putin sends a mixed message on U.S. election, hedging his bets

27 Comments
By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

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Covering all bases but Putin would very much prefer another 4 years of Trump.  Then he would have the US just where he wants them - weakened, disorganised and irrevocably split into two warring camps.  Classic divide and rule.  Trump wins, Russia wins.

11 ( +16 / -5 )

While Putin again denied meddling in the U.S. election, U.S. intelligence officials believe Russia is using a variety of measures to denigrate Biden and that individuals linked to the Kremlin are boosting Trump’s reelection bid.

Once again ex-KGB special agent Putin is parroting the old Soviet mantra 'Can't prove it! Can't prove it'. 

Individuals can believe what 'western' intelligence agencies and bi-partisan US Congress committees have reported, which is RUSSIANS CONTINUE TO MEDDLE in US politics to aid Trump and his Republicans. 

Or individuals can believe what the various Kremlin troll armies aided by ‘western’ pro-Trump/pro-Russia useful I’s continue to post on social media, using one of their favorite terms 'hoax'.  

Or, of course, believe any of hundreds of other things, including nothing at all.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

During the Cold War the US shook hands with China to take on the Soviets after the Sino-Soviet split. Today the US should shake hands with Russia (on a few matters at least) to isolate China. In any case, Russia-China is an alliance of convenience, Putin is too smart to trust the CCP -

https://eurasiantimes.com/after-india-why-is-moscow-deploying-thousands-of-soldiers-near-russia-china-border/

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/geopolitics/article/2100228/chinese-russian-far-east-geopolitical-time-bomb
-8 ( +2 / -10 )

@EvilBuddha

Today the US should shake hands with Russia (on a few matters at least) to isolate China

I can't see Russia doing that. That would be hedging against their best interest and future. America has been in decline for well over 50 years. The internet boom and the aftermath of it has helped to mask it; however, foreseeable fiscal dominance will and is shifting towards Asia and Africa with China leading the way. Not just China, but look at the rise of multiple African nations and lesser mentioned Asian countries such as Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand. The fall of England and Rome were not instant. Therefore, the fall of America will not be also, but that decline has been happening for some time.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I can't see Russia doing that. That would be hedging against their best interest and future. America has been in decline for well over 50 years. The internet boom and the aftermath of it has helped to mask it; however, foreseeable fiscal dominance will and is shifting towards Asia and Africa with China leading the way. Not just China, but look at the rise of multiple African nations and lesser mentioned Asian countries such as Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand. The fall of England and Rome were not instant. Therefore, the fall of America will not be also, but that decline has been happening for some time.

I have been hearing this nonsense about "America in decline" most of my long adult life. It's a load of hooey. In the late 1980s and early 1990s everyone who claimed to know anything was absolutely and positively certain Japan was about to eclipse the US as the worlds number one economy. I have a number of books on this subject from back then, stuff I read during grad school when the US / Japan economic conflict was at its height. Before that it was the USSR that was oh so powerful and about to displace the US on top. Then in the mid 2000s everyone who knew anything was absolutely certain the BRICs, Brazil, Russia, India and China would displace the US. Laughable. But that was the received wisdom of those who claimed to know. The US was finished don't you know. It wasn't and isn't.

China is at its peak now. It's demographics ensure its stagnation and probable decline. China isn't a nation of immigrants like the US. It's low fertility rate ensures a rapidly aging population and an overall decline in numbers. The working age population peaked in 2014 and has declined ever since. The resilience of the US is vastly under appreciated. While the native fertility rate isn't much higher than China's immigration keeps the population relatively young and vigorous, and that keeps the economy strong. Nobody wants to immigrate to China. It's a police state. If any nation is doomed it is China. Not the US. In fifty years the Chinese dragon will look pretty toothless and meek. The goal must be to contain their aggression and try to avoid a war until their decline makes it impossible for them to challenge the west any longer.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

During the Cold War the US shook hands with China to take on the Soviets after the Sino-Soviet split. Today the US should shake hands with Russia (on a few matters at least) to isolate China. In any case, Russia-China is an alliance of convenience, Putin is too smart to trust the CCP

The US now greatly regrets that handshake. It is not a mistake anyone alive today wishes to repeat.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@Desert Tortise

have been hearing this nonsense about "America in decline" most of my long adult life. It's a load of hooey.

Like many empires before it, the US has spread itself too thin. Here are signs that have been gradually increasing since the 70's and 80's. US unable to continue or keep up with foreign commitment. Requiring more and more from their defended territories and allies.

Continuous drop in median wealth, education, health, internet access, life satisfaction and infrastructure. While seeing an increase in areas such children in poverty, people below the poverty line, and wealth leaving the country by the 1%

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@SimondB

Then he would have the US just where he wants them - weakened, disorganised and irrevocably split

U.S. was "weakened, disorganised and irrevocably split" well before the advent of Trump. He is just the result of America's problems, not the reason of them. And Americans won't be able to fix their country if they keep blaming Bond-films-like supervillains for the problems of their own making.

@PTownsend

the old Soviet mantra 'Can't prove it! Can't prove it'

You write it at every occasion. Still can't prove it, heh?

'western' intelligence agencies and bi-partisan US Congress committees have reported, which is RUSSIANS CONTINUE TO MEDDLE in US politics

Tell it to Mueller, who could not produce anything substantial on the subject. People who believe in Russian meddling have a lot in common with people who believe in the Loch Ness monster.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

When I saw Trump's deflated face and subdued body language as he emerged after a 2-hour secret meeting with the smirking Russian leader in Helsinki, it was clear that the unprepped conman had been well and truly trumped and punked by wily Putin. Few know what Putin has over Trump (besides intelligence), but "kompromat" of a personal and financial nature may well explain Trump's utterly supine behavior and inability to face off with, and face down the Kremlin gnome. How "Putin's puppy" reacts to the Russians' courting of Biden in the few remaining weeks before the election will unlikely reveal any more of their mysterious "bromance". The only thing we know for sure is that chess-playing Putin and the Russians know a checkers-playing chump and loser when they see one.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Putin sends a mixed message on U.S. election, hedging his bets

But there's no doubt he's hoping Biden will win and is looking forward to working with a Biden administration, praising idelogical links between democrats and soviet communism. He even adds "...that the values of the Democrats were similar to those of the Soviet Communist Party..."

https://yournews.com/2020/10/07/1867744/russias-putin-praises-ideological-links-between-democrats-soviet-communism/

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

People who believe in Russian meddling have a lot in common with people who believe in the Loch Ness monster.

All the US intelligence agencies say that the Russians meddled.

Even (ugh) Pompeo said so.

“I am confident that the Russians meddled in this election, as is the entire intelligence community,” Pompeo said. “This threat is real.”

https://time.com/5340060/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-summit-russia-meddling/

And of course, it's not just the US that corrupt Russia has stuck its oar in

Russians almost certainly sought to interfere in the 2019 UK general election through illicitly acquired documents, the government has said.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-53433523

Not forgetting the Scottish independence referendum

https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scottish-independence-russia-attempted-influence-2014-referendum-reveals-report-2919234

2 ( +3 / -1 )

that the values of the Democrats were similar to those of the Soviet Communist Party...

It would be rather uplifting if the Dems actually did appropriate some of the tenets of communism, but this is clearly not the case. The centre right Democrats will win, Biden will probably pardon the criminal Trump, and progress will once again be put on the backburner, in order to maintain the status quo.

Profit over people.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@JJ Jetplane, good thoughts.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

For a short guy who has a penchant for wearing elevator shoes, he sure has a big command over his country and Trump. I wonder what he has over Trump? Merely debts, or something far more incriminating or embarrassing?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

"America has been in decline for well over 50 years."

Must have been quite a behemoth then if it still is the largest economy in the world today and USD is still the world's reserve currency after all the 50 years of decline.

@Desert Tortoise Agree with you on both counts.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/world-s-millionaires-flee-homelands-but-india-and-china-beat-the-trend-119043000738_1.html

If the US was in such a big decline then why do the rich folks from China and other places make a beeline to the US.

"The US now greatly regrets that handshake. It is not a mistake anyone alive today wishes to repeat."

To be fair, the motivations for the opening up of China were as much economic as geopolitical.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Putin hedges his bets...

All the while directing his IRA to attack Biden so his Puppet Trump can be reelected...

But even Putin couldn't believe that Trump would be so stupid and incompetent as to hold a ceremony that was in essence a bio-terror attack inside his own country...

Putin knows its all over - and his army of trolls can't help elect Trump...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@EvilBuddha

Must have been quite a behemoth then if it still is the largest economy in the world today and USD is still the world's reserve currency after all the 50 years of decline.

Both you and @Desert Tortoise raise some good points. But remember. It took a little over 200 years of decline for Rome to finally fall and 77 years for England to fall once their decline started.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

America is substantially bigger than the British Empire in terms of power and influence. That is why a decline won't come quickly. Also, they can reverse course and dominate. However, America's bipartisanship is clearly shooting itself in the foot over and over. Doesn't matter who the President is, the two party system is the biggest threat to America.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The US isn't so much Anti-Russian Federation... just Anti-Putin the life long leader by deceitful methods. If he hadn't become a "DEAR LEADER" with an oligarch "ruling class" the relationship between our countries would be a lot better I think.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Nice pic. Tiny man is angry.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

If you really look twice and in detail....They are in principle both dead already. Only the rest of still many accumulated resources and their number of atomic weapons keeps the U.S. and Russia visible as virtually alive.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Trump collapse in Florida, given Biden the win

1 ( +2 / -1 )

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