Strategic Culture – Feb 1, 2025
Diplomacy is the art of making politics work, and this week, we certainly saw an edifying example of that when senior U.S. and Russian representatives met in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
The meeting was convened only five days after the breakthrough phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin last week. As noted in our editorial last week, Trump took the crucial first step toward ending the three-year conflict in Ukraine – a proxy war between the U.S.-led NATO military bloc and Russia, which was threatening to spiral into a catastrophic nuclear war.
So, meeting in Saudi Arabia on the American side were Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and President Trump’s special envoy Steven Witkoff. Witkoff had gone to Moscow in previous weeks and was well-received. He seems to have brought a new and positive dynamism to the American side.
Russia was represented by its seasoned Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as well as Yury Ushakov, who is an international affairs aide to President Putin, and Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s Direct Investment Fund. The latter’s inclusion portended that the agenda was much bigger than achieving a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and indicated an ambitious reset in the geopolitical and geoeconomic relations between Washington and Moscow.
The discussions lasted for four and a half hours. Both sides later and separately expressed mutual satisfaction with the talks as constructive, wide-ranging, and detailed.
Thus, the high-level meeting is a promising start to a long overdue process of engagement to not only bring about a peaceful end to the violence in Ukraine but to restore a normal and productive relationship between the world’s two biggest nuclear powers.
It should be noted that this was the first official meeting between the U.S. and Russia in more than three years. That void in communications was deplorable and was largely due to the irrational, ideological hostility from the American side.
Trump, to his immense credit, has broken through the frozen relationship, delivering on his election campaign promise to re-engage with Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine and restore normal bilateral relations.
For his part, Putin has consistently said he is willing to engage in diplomacy with a respectful American counterpart.
Russia had offered a diplomatic way to avoid conflict back in December 2021, but that offer was rejected out of hand by the Biden administration and European NATO allies, as eloquently pointed out by Roger Waters in testimony to the UN Security Council this week.
The same can be said for the Minsk Accords (tenth anniversary this week), the Istanbul agreement (March 2022), the INF Treaty (Trump unilaterally tore that up), the ABM Treaty (Bush Jr ditched in 2003), and the longer betrayal of post-Cold War detente (under Bush Sr and Clinton), and so on.
A lot of trust must, therefore, be restored because of the incorrigible history of American bad faith and treachery in its dealings with Russia and the Soviet Union.
A historic summit is now on the cards for Trump and Putin, although no date or location has been finalized.
In the meantime, the U.S. and Russian sides are to appoint envoys to deal with a wide range of issues in agreeing on a sustainable peace settlement.
Foreign Minister Lavrov spoke favorably about the Riyadh encounter, saying that both sides not only listened but also understood each other.
That is a key point. For too long, the American side has not listened to nor understood Russia’s national security concerns. In particular, Russia’s repeated concern over the relentless and aggressive expansion of NATO toward its borders.
Russia has made its terms crystal clear on what the end of the conflict in Ukraine entails. Among the terms, there can be no membership of NATO for Ukraine, and there must be a comprehensive security treaty for Europe.
The considered and respectful response of the American negotiators this week indicates that the Trump administration is genuine about resolving the conflict with Russia and understands the deep historical background. In an editorial on January 31, we expressed doubt about Trump’s ability to do that. To his credit, however, he is proving our reservation to have been misplaced, at least so far.
It’s too early to get into the detailed terms of an agreement and how they can be implemented. At this stage, the essential achievement is the demonstration of diplomacy and politics working.
A major part of the discussions in Riyadh involved restoring normal ambassadorial missions and diplomatic communications. That realm of normal functioning in inter-governmental communications was sabotaged under the Biden and Obama administrations over the past decade due to spurious claims made against Russia (the Russian election interference hoax, for example). All those obstacles have to be removed for diplomacy to proceed and succeed. At least, the American side is now realizing – and tacitly admitting – how destructive its policies had been.
It was significant too that Steven Witkoff – a career businessman – and the Russian economics chief Kirill Dmitriev were participants in the Riyadh discussions. Both sides talked about economic cooperation between the United States and Russia. That necessarily means the U.S. side revoking its illegitimate sanctions on Russia, including barriers to international banking.
Trump and Putin are the central interlocutors. For his part, Trump has shown the basic decency to respect Putin as an equal and to bring the war in Ukraine to an end. Trump also wants to halt the wider geopolitical hostility toward Russia. The envoys he has appointed seem capable of implementing his aims.
For Putin’s part, he has a depth of historical and intellectual understanding to ensure that the terms of the peace will be honorable and viable, not just with regard to Russia and Ukraine but on what the United States needs to do in order to re-engage with Russia and the rest of the world as a law-abiding power and not as an imperialist rogue state as it has been for decades.
To that end, the puppet regime in Kiev and the NATO vassals of Europe are irrelevant.
Trump has rightfully shown contempt for the Kiev regime and the European lackeys. It was entirely appropriate that these non-entities were not involved at this early stage of peace diplomacy. Ukraine needs to elect a legitimate president, and at some later stage, the Europeans can be consulted about lifting their stupid sanctions on Russia.
Next week, the British and French leaders are invited to Washington to hear more about Trump’s peace diplomacy.
Russia has categorically ruled out any European NATO troops being deployed in Ukraine under the guise of peacekeepers. Trump needs to tell the European minions not to have any illusions about their importance and certainly to back off on any military adventures. Russophobes like the EU’s Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas and NATO’s Dutch courage clown Mark Rutte should also be ignored. Their contributions are wholly counterproductive and beneath contempt.
If the direct and earnest talks this week in Saudi Arabia are sustained, then it bodes well for the U.S. and Russian sides to stay engaged for eventually achieving a grand bargain on Ukraine and for world peace. The crucial paradigm shift has come about because of a fundamental, positive change in attitude on the American side for showing respect toward Russia. Respect and listening are two paramount ingredients in diplomacy that have long been absent in American politicians.
President Trump has surprisingly delivered – so far. But can he succeed against the nefarious deeper forces of U.S. imperialism, which surely do not want peace with Russia or the world?
London’s hidden underground silver vaults with more than 30 shops that survived a direct hit from a bomb
Story by Shumaila Iftikhar & Ines Santos • 2h • 2 min Beneath a nondescript building on Chancery Lane lies one of London’s best-kept secrets. The entrance at 53-64 Chancery Lane may look unassuming, but step inside, and you’ll find yourself in the historic London Silver Vaults.
There is a security guard at the door, but the vaults are open to the public and completely free to enter. Just go down some stairs, and you’ll be met with a door straight out of a heist movie. Inside, more than 30 silver traders run family-owned businesses, selling everything from jewellery to tableware. The vaults officially opened as a shopping centre in 1953 after surviving a direct hit during the Blitz in 1940.
My father used to make for the silver vaults, as a christian they were not technically allowed to buy from him, so they would screw him right down on prices, the man who ran the vaults was Sammie Buckler
after him came the grandfather if singer bonnie langford
During the war in the blackouts Mad Frankie Fraser said on TV they would break into londons big houses
steal what they could while the owners were in the safe under ground tunnels and silver ware etc would be sold to the jews through jewish fences called Harry Etting and Abe Levy, the not so valuables would be sold in petticoat lane, a jew would open a suitcase on the pavement and if the police came a watcher at the roads end would let them know with a signal and the jew would pun off with his suitcase
the langfords were well known for buying stolen goods
St Patrics day this year march 17 the planned highlight
was to be the government migrant dumping and general racism
in ireland and across irish communities in the UK
But police have been gazumping this with spiying activity etc to stop it
Government is just not listening no one wants more migrants
no one wants our involvement in helping israel bomb arab villages
and no one wants these huge tax rises
In the UK st georges day parades are banned as being racist
Here we see a travesty of the facts. I will say one caveat. We don’t know what Russia will do, or what they will concede, and I say concede, because the way these talks have been set up, and the crap that’s coming out, the Russians have already conceded a lot.
Let’s start with some facts. The Nazis wanted (& still do) Russia destroyed. Nothing has changed, apart from the angle of the Nazi attack.
The Russians defeated 3 UKrainian armies, the last two made up of NATO Nazi sheep dipped scum, and mercenaries. The only reason why the US Nazis have changed their angle of attack, is that they can’t afford further direct war, given that their maga expensive toys have failed on the battlefield.
I don’t need to tell you that many NaziTubers are saying, ‘Trump is managing the decline of Amerika, and this is true, when the US struggles to operate 2.5 carriers out of 11, and that Israeli F35 STEALTH jets were sent scurrying back to Joolandia, when Iran locked on to them.
Nazi Amerika understands that they can’t beat the Russians on the battlefield, so they are sucking Putin into a trap, and again, many NaziTubers are also saying this, not that I trust any of them.
What should be happening, is that Putin should be sending Trump his terms for total surrender. The Nazis have brought the world to the brink of a nuclear WW3, and now has decided to desist from the battle, so the Nazis have lost.
Like I say, Putin needs to let the Nazis down gently, but he should still demand terms behind closed doors, and this might happen, but I think Putin is weak.
This is a fact. The Nazis won’t stop until they have removed Putin, or he’s died, and they’ve broken up Russia so the City Crime Cartels can control Russian resources, but more, set conditions on those who want said resources, such as China, India, other BrICS, and those who aspire to be in the BRICS, and free from Nazi tyranny.
The propaganda campaign to make these negotiations look like equals, appear balanced, isn’t only the fake news, but it’s all over the Nazi owned alternative news media.
The best we can hope for, is that Putin is removed, before he gives the Nazis what they want. Nothing has changed, this is still a battle to the death, and if the Nazis win, it is literally the end for human kind.
paul fuller
Chickens could bring the dodo back with help of Jurassic Park-style science
Story by Joe Pinkstone •
The dodo, the passenger pigeon and the Californian condor are either extinct or heading swiftly towards oblivion.
But a new cloning project is hoping to use the humble chicken to revive these birds’ fortunes with Jurassic Park-style science.
The Dodo a bird with a lot of flesh could soon be on our tables
Dr Anna Berenson, a postdoctoral researcher at NYU Langone, has started a five-year project to perfect the process of creating the extinct bird species from a close relative.
In Rusia they have admitted they had the remains of Adolf Hitlers body all along
and have ben cloning it, to bring the day forward when they can put him on trial
this is being funded by several milionaire jews
From a monumental Peace Accord like this more accord should follow.
Two cryptos managed/choreographed by the same JWO syndicate, feigning peace overtures, while working toghether behind the scenes to orchestrate military and economic conflict.
No one doubts the BBC is corrupt
in the late 1930s Lord Victor Rothschild installed several of his ” apostles ”
those homosexual left wing activists at the BBC and
in ww 2 troops knew it as ” bullshit time ”
The very motif over the door is of a man abusing a small child
this statue by Eric Gill who was known to abuse both his children and Neighborhood dogs.
The BBC hid up a host of sex crimes on children, Cliff Richard was assigned to find out why Jill Dando was taking notes on the perpetrators
Jill was shot in 1999 on her own doorstep, the word went out it was a serbian hitman,
a relative in the SAS says they were ordered to do it and then blame it on a patsy
and Barry George a local fantasist fitted the bill well
Kier Starmer as Director of public prosecutions was in charge of the Stephen Lawrence caseand spent 25 milion pounds overs several years to find white boys to charge, the race card over this is played constantly
Did Kier Starmer order the death of Jill Dando ?
as head of public prosecutions he would have been in charge
If he hid up the crimes of Jimmy Savile Stephen Fry Paul Gambacinni etc
why not the killing of Jill Dando, after all
she was killed on his watch
The American trollop, once married to the European Union now wants to marry Russia. But I think America is about to learn, Russia is married to China.
I’d be surprised if Russia would be interested in a menage a trois…
And anyway, probably would be unacceptable for miss America.
Togoda
“A ménage à trois, a term derived from French, refers to a domestic arrangement involving three individuals engaged in romantic or sexual relationships with one another. This polyamorous setup can take various forms, often including a couple and a third partner, and has gained visibility in contemporary discussions about relationships and sexuality.In a different context, Ménage à Trois is also a popular wine brand known for its unique blends. Established in 1996 by two psychiatric professionals, the brand creatively combines three distinct grape varietals to produce rich and flavorful wines. Their California Red Blend, for instance, features Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, resulting in a silky texture with layers of fruit flavors.Whether in relationships or wine, the concept of a ménage à trois celebrates the beauty of combining different elements to create something harmonious and enjoyable.”
Some good background on Ursula von der Leyen…
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Hal Turner writes and excellent summary on the USA instigated Ukraine war, his figures are low:
Over one million dead soldiers all together, over 600,000 Ukrainians at least out of that million.
Likely three or four times that maimed disfigured and crippled.
25 or more million Ukrainians have left their country. Over half the population!
The country of Ukraine is destroyed and will probably never recover.
https://halturnerradioshow.com/index.php/news-selections/world-news/11-years-ago-today-the-us-eu-lead-a-coup-d-etat-in-ukraine-theyve-been-fighting-ever-since
He fails to mention the primary architect of Maidan is Jewess Victoria Nuland, wife of Robert Kagan, Neocon henchman.
Both Nuland and Kagan should be tried for war crimes. I am hoping that Zelensky and his wife Olena get the Nicolae and Elena Ceaușescu treatment – execution by their own army.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_and_execution_of_Nicolae_and_Elena_Ceau%C8%99escu
Now that would be a nice wave repeat. Just imagine, a dozen soldiers firing into that gay pervert demon Zelensky who massacred Ukraine while that filthy bastard bought up chalets and mansions on US dime. It is now time to kill that little rat bastard, terminate the gay demon with prejudice. Zelensky was one of the worst mass murderers in history.
https://citizenwatchreport.com/ukraines-olena-zelensky-spent-over-1-million-for-cartier-jewelrywhile-her-husband-was-grifting-for-aid-at-the-un/
The following actors should be shot dead for the Ukraine slaughter:
Barak Obama
Hillary Clinton
Victoria Nuland
US Congress bastards who supported it
gay demon Zelenksy and his “wife” (the turdswallow is gay, how is it he has a female wife?)
All the Neocons
All the state department under Obongo
All the CIA boots on the ground and back at Langley
All the USAID personel
ALL RABBIS IN JEW INFESTED AMERIKA
ALL THE ROTHSCHILDS FOR THEIR CENTRAL BANKS WHICH MAKES ALL THIS SHIT POSSIBLE WITH FREE MONEY
In fact we should ask Russia to nuke D.C. and kill them all, to make sure we get them all. What the US government did is bring utter misery and death unto millions of people for no reason other than Jews wanted it.
KILL THEM ALL BY MILITARY EXECUTION
ARREST THEM, LINE THEM UP AGAINST THE WALL, AND SHOOT THEM DEAD ON EASTER SUNDAY
All planned likely for a decade or more for complete dominance in the Middle East. As for ending the war in the Ukraine, if there is still any real killing going on now, the first step ought to be to tell all of the puppets such as Zelensky and Putin to “cease firing” and have the troops stand down, and let fake puppet peace posturing process continue without further bloodshed.
Oh Ho not that f*ckwit carl jones again
what the hell is wrong with him ?