To Paraphrase Churchill: Turkey Right Now Is a Riddle Wrapped in A Mystery Inside and Enigma

=By= John Chuckman

Erdogan and Putin. Russian Government site.

Whose coup? Who let the cat out of the bag, and why? Does this let Russia one up the US, or did Russia just buy good relations vis a vis Turkey? There is so much insanity in the so-called US “intelligence” world that there may actually be no answers to the above questions. – Editor

Events in Turkey just become stranger with each passing day.

We now have Middle Eastern and Persian sources, cited by Russian and German papers, that Russia’s security agencies overheard helicopter radio transmissions by the coup participants, and President Putin warned Erdogan about what was happening, likely saving his skin.

If true, this would help explain the apparent ineptness of the coup forces. My first hypothesis explaining this ineptness plus other peculiarities of the coup was that the plotters were unwittingly working in a dark operation run by Turkish security forces, intended to make them fail while flushing them out and giving Erdogan a free hand.

This possibility of Russian advance warning put together with Erdogan’s own belief that the coup originated in America should yield some serious geopolitical shifts in the region.

We could have an even stronger rapprochement between Turkey and Russia than was already underway, a rapprochement, by the way, which could well have helped tip the United States into giving a wink and a nod (and of course, as always, some cash) to Turkish rebel forces.

But that would not be the only reason for America’s supporting a coup. The truth is, from the American point of view, Erdogan’s erratic behavior – shooting down a Russian war plane, firing artillery into Syria at American Kurdish allies, blackmailing Europe over large numbers of refugees resident in Turkish camps, and still other matters – over the last few years has added uncertainty and potential instability to a strategically important region.

Even if the United States were not involved in the coup, although right now Turkey’s government appears to believe firmly that it was, Putin’s warning would add a powerful positive element to Russian-Turkish relations.

Just as America’s failure to warn Erdogan adds a new negative element to Turkish-American relations. After all, no one is better equipped for international communication interception than the NSA. If the United States were not involved, why didn’t it warn Erdogan? Either way, the outcome is negative for Turkish-American relations.

One of the strongest suggestions for American involvement is the fact that Turkish jets, for bombing and fuel supplies, took off from the İncirlik Airbase during the coup. This airbase is Turkish, but has many Americans resident, including some high-level ones since there is not only a sizable air force stationed there but an estimated fifty thermonuclear bombs. The Turkish commander, Gen. Bekir Ercan Van, was in daily contact with the Americans and sought asylum in the United States before he was arrested by Turkey.

If it is true that Putin warned Erdogan, this would also be the second time Putin has blunted the success of a major American-inspired coup, as he very much did in Ukraine.

Seems as though poor old America, for all its grossly swollen and over-paid security services, just cannot run a good coup anymore.

Putin is disliked by Washington’s establishment precisely because he successfully blunted a huge and costly operation in Ukraine, so disliked that NATO has been pushed dangerously into something resembling the terrifying preparations for Hitler’s Operation Barbarossa in Eastern Europe, 1941.

And, of course, Putin also has thwarted the American effort to overthrow President Assad with paid and supplied proxy forces of mercenaries and religious maniacs. Interestingly, Erdogan has been a key player there. French intelligence has just estimated that even now about a hundred thugs cross the border from Turkey into Syria each week.

If Putin has now also stopped a Turkish adventure, the hissing in Washington will likely become much louder.

A new relationship between Turkey and Russia offers a lot of possibilities, none of them favorable from America’s point of view, the restart of the Turkish Stream natural gas project being just one.

And if Europe speaks up or acts too strongly against Erdogan’s counter-coup measures, there’s always the possibility of a new release of refugees from Turkish camps, something which could genuinely destabilize the EU after so many other recent woes. And smooth control of the EU has been one of America’s chief policy objectives for years.

Of course, we should remember that Churchill’s famous quote originally applied to Russia in the days of Stalin. It does not apply to contemporary Russia, and Putin’s deft moves have made some of America’s clumsy efforts at re-ordering the world rather make it resemble Stalin in international affairs.

Note to Commenters
Due to severe hacking attacks in the recent past that brought our site down for up to 11 days with considerable loss of circulation, we exercise extreme caution in the comments we publish, as the comment box has been one of the main arteries to inject malicious code. Because of that comments may not appear immediately, but rest assured that if you are a legitimate commenter your opinion will be published within 24 hours. If your comment fails to appear, and you wish to reach us directly, send us a mail at: editor@greanvillepost.com

We apologize for this inconvenience.

Nauseated by the
vile corporate media?
Had enough of their lies, escapism,
omissions and relentless manipulation?

GET EVEN.
Send a donation to
The Greanville Post–or

SHARE OUR ARTICLES WIDELY!
But be sure to support YOUR media.
If you don’t, who will?

ALL CAPTIONS AND PULL-QUOTES BY THE EDITORS, NOT THE AUTHORS.

Was Putin Behind the Nice, France Terror Attacks?

Alexander Chopov, PhD
War in Ukraine – The Unreported Truth

This is but one example of U.S. media propaganda regarding Russia. In this clip from CNN the guy is claiming that Russia is using mobile crematoriums to burn the evidence (soldier’s remains) of Russia’s presence in Ukraine.

In this edition of the Donbass Truth Channel, Alexander Chopov addresses what has become an almost automatic practice, namely “Putin (Russia) did it.” While it seems to be open season on finger pointing at Russia/Putin, much of the source of that “information” is Ukraine. Now whether Ukraine (Poroshenko) is operating on its own, or whether it was a process started by others (read US and or NATO), or whether it can be laid wholly at the feet of the US (CIA or State Department), the hard truth is that the U.S. seems to take much of it in without question. This seems true virtually across the board from the public to the media to politicians. Whenever we see this much ringing of Pavlov’s bell, people need to be alert that they are being conditioned to respond. In cases like these, it is softening the ground and laying the seeds of support for some sort of military action – likely war.

We invite you to watch another edition of the Donbass Truth Channel,

Putin behind Nice, Brussels, Paris & ALL TERROR ATTACKS EVER! PROOF! MUST SEE (News Flashbang Show)

You can help Dr. Chopov continue to produce these excellent programs with your donation to
http://www.paypal.me/AlexChopov

Alexander Chopov

Alexander Chopov, PhD.

is the Director and Producer of a new YouTube Channel –War in Ukraine – the Unreported Truth (aka The Donbass Truth Channel). The purpose of the channel is to give the people of Donbass an English voice so they can be heard beyond Donbass. Dr. Chopov has a double major in International Affairs from George Washington University, and a doctorate in political science from the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. He interned in the US Congress, and has lived in US for over 10 years studying both American mentality and politics.

=SUBSCRIBE TODAY! NOTHING TO LOSE, EVERYTHING TO GAIN.=
free • safe • invaluable

If you appreciate our articles, do the right thing and let us know by subscribing. It’s free and it implies no obligation to you—ever. We just want to have a way to reach our most loyal readers on important occasions when their input is necessary. In return you get our email newsletter compiling the best of The Greanville Post several times a week.

[email-subscribers namefield=”YES” desc=”” group=”Public”]

Tough Russian Anti-Capitalist Literature

Andre Vltchek
Itinerant Philosopher and Journalist

Editor’s note: This book could easily be drawn from the events of the 1990s when the Russian economy was stripped and crashed (largely by the west), or perhaps 2004 when it was hit again, or perhaps the current environment when the West (mostly U.S.) is once again engaging in economic warfare against Russia. All of this to say that there are ample examples and lives from which to draw both characters and infrastructure for this book, and ample lived examples to be anti-capitalist. A growing number of people are waking up to the reality of capitalism and perhaps books such as R.A.B by Sergei Minaev.

Imagine Moscow being taken over by some international corporate cartel; by a monster which has its own factories and office buildings, security services, private prisons, re-education (‘training’) centers, and its obedient mass media outlets. Imagine that it also has detailed databases on almost everyone who really matters in the capital.

Imagine that human lives suddenly don’t matter. People are only expected to produce and consume; they become fully disposable.

Imagine that the once greatly educated Russia with its legendary artists and philosophers is gradually getting reduced to an unimaginably primitive level. Suddenly, there is US pop trash flying about everywhere, and the greatest entertainment for the masses comes from watching countless television ‘reality shows’, including those that graphically depict, candidly, how both men and women are shitting and pissing in the capital’s public toilets.

That’s what you get when reading a witty, provocative and thoroughly outrageous novel by Sergei Minaev, called “R.A.B.”; 521 pages of it!

In all his novels, including “Soulless”, “The Telki”, “Media Sapiens” and “R.A.B.”, Minaev masterfully depicts the perpetual crimes committed by corporate culture and its mainstream media. Brutally and candidly he describes an apocalyptic society constructed on the soulless, merciless and murderous principles of the modern Western-style capitalist system.

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n such a world, nothing is sacred anymore. The ‘elites’ are having great fun hunting on the outskirts of the city, not for some animals, but for homeless people living in abandoned pipelines (“R.A.B.”). A US mainstream television news channel, together with its local counterpart, manage to trigger a military conflict between Georgia and Russia, after hiring several combat helicopters and retired soldiers, killing real people, just in order to increase their ratings. And several terrorist attacks in Moscow are being paid for and staged by other big media conglomerates (“Media Sapiens”).

Minaev is not crying; he is definitely far from being a ‘bleeding heart’. He is tough and cynical. His characters are mostly ruthless super-yuppies from Moscow, go-getters, living a fast life, taking drugs, partying in luxury clubs, having sex literally with everything that moves (“Soulless”).

But they get burned, destroyed, brought to near suicide.

They have no ideology, no political views. They laugh at, they insult everything and everybody, but deep inside they are actually suffering from a horrible void, from emptiness. In those rare moments of honesty, they admit to each other and to themselves, that they are actually still longing for at least ‘something pure and decent’, uncorrupted by the global market-fundamentalist regime and its ‘values’ and ‘culture’.

***

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n R.A.B. Minaev goes much further. His yuppies (paradoxically, the mid and upper-level managers) start a rebellion against the system. They go on strike, march through the streets, and build barricades. They begin demanding social justice. They burn down their own offices.

They do it after their Russian toy-producing company (and other companies all over the city) gets swallowed by a US-based multi-national corporation, which immediately begins dismantling all social benefits, while injecting uncertainty and fear into the workplace. A multi-national also opens a horrid toy factory on the outskirts of Moscow, which then employs desperate immigrants from the Central Asian republics.

While Limonov and Minaev sell millions of copies of their books at home, their work is virtually unknown in the West. I found no English translations when searching on Amazon.com, and elsewhere.

The privately-owned mass media outlets first confront the protesters, and then follow up with pro-corporate propaganda and in the end the corporate security services and the army. Many people disappear. Others are locked up in the offices and secret prisons of the corporations, and tortured. Those who survive become ‘unemployable’, their names permanently on the blacklist.

But what does Minaev really call for? Is it a true revolution?

Yes and no. He does not believe that in the countries that have been conquered by market fundamentalism and by unbridled consumerism, a ‘real revolution’ is possible. He does not think that the people there have any ideals or any zeal left. At the same time, at least some of his characters are clearly unwilling to surrender.

It is chilling to read R.A.B. while at the same time those ‘rebellions’ in Greece, France, Spain and the U.K. are taking place.

One of the main characters of R.A.B. confronts the demonstrators: It is not a revolution! You are all parts of the system. You just want a better deal for yourself. Through this rebellion, you are actually negotiating with the cartel of the corporations. If you get what you are asking for, you’ll happily remain where you are and carry on as if nothing happened.

***

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]hen Minaev does exactly what no Western writer would dare to do. He begins to argue that to destroy the system, there has to be an armed struggle. Otherwise no real change could ever be achieved.

The suppressed rebellion of the yuppies eventually triggers a much a wider movement, and soon there are real battles raging in several provincial capitals.

The end of the novel is open. The main character of R.A.B. is destroyed. He loses the love of his life (in desperation she commits suicide); he has no job, no money and no place to go. But he is still alive. Russia is still alive. It is obvious that no matter what, it will never accept this monstrous system that was forced on it by the West.

***

It all may sound like an insane fantasy, but in fact what Minaev writes about is not too far from the nightmares that Russia was descending into right after Gorbachev allowed the country (USSR) to fall apart, and then Yeltsin introduced unbridled privatization and gave unprecedented concessions to foreign corporations. During that period, Russia went through something that could be easily described as a social genocide. Life expectancy dropped to the levels of war-torn countries in Africa. Lawlessness ruled. All ideals were ridiculed and spat at. A big number of Russian intellectuals were bought and organized by the West into countless NGO’s. The lowest grade of Western pop and entertainment torpedoed Russian culture. During those dark days, the West finally succeeded in bringing Russia to its knees.

Not even two decades later, a new Russia is once again proud, strong and confident.

It rose to its feet, it began successfully producing again, and it underwent a tremendous and positive social transformation.

Just one week ago I returned from the Russian Far East, from the cities of Vladivostok, Khabarovsk and Petropavlovsk Kamchatski. Wherever I went, I witnessed new and impressive infrastructure. I encountered a confident, hard working nation, which was working hard to restore at least some of the socialist structures and benefits that it used to enjoy in the past.

The new, present-day Russia is much closer to China; much more impressed by the Chinese system, than by what it was forced to adopt in the past; during the “pro-Western era” which is now generally considered to be synonymous to a national disaster.

Russian writers played an important role in describing the horrors of the Gorbachev/Yeltsin years, and of the brutal global economic, political and ‘cultural’ regime injected by the West to all the corners of the Planet. From an outrageous Eduard Limonov’s novel “It’s Me, Eddie” to Minaev’s “R.A.B.”, Russian literature has been daring, insulting, direct and brutally honest.

While Limonov and Minaev sell millions of copies of their books at home, their work is virtually unknown in the West. I found no English translations when searching on Amazon.com, and elsewhere.

In his New York-based “Eddie”, Limonov is calling openly for terrorist acts against the Western regime, while some of Minaev’s characters also believe in an armed struggle, although of more conventional type.

Nothing is spared. When the US toy-producing corporation demands a special tax from its employees in Russia, for “helping out those poor children in the Third World”, the main character of R.A.B. thinks: “well, they can now use that money to buy coffins for children they employ and kill in Indonesia or Thailand”. When the tax goes slightly up, he comments: “now they will have enough funds to dig at least a few mass graves”.

All this is simply too outrageous for Western readers. Or more precisely, the ‘book business’ most likely ‘thinks’ that it is.

The fact remains that despite what is constantly repeated by Western propaganda, those who read Russian can clearly see and appreciate that Russian literature is actually much more free, daring and rebellious than its counterpart in the West.

When several Russian bestselling novelists are calling openly for combat against the global regime (the same regime which is, until now, at least partially, controlling the economy of their country), one has no choice but to be impressed by the level of freedom in the country which allows such work to be published and then promoted.

But in the West, you would never know any of this, unless you spoke Russian. It is because in the West (and in its ‘client’ states and colonies) you are being extremely well ‘protected’ from such uncomfortable (and the regime would even say ‘dangerous’) thoughts!

Andre Vltchek
Philosopher, novelist, filmmaker and investigative journalist. He covered wars and conflicts in dozens of countries. His latest books are: “Exposing Lies Of The Empire” and “Fighting Against Western Imperialism”. Discussion with Noam Chomsky: On Western Terrorism. Point of No Return is his critically acclaimed political novel. Oceania – a book on Western imperialism in the South Pacific. His provocative book about Indonesia: “Indonesia – The Archipelago of Fear”. Andre is making films for teleSUR and Press TV. After living for many years in Latin America and Oceania, Vltchek presently resides and works in East Asia and the Middle East. He can be reached through his website or his Twitter.

NOTE: ALL IMAGE CAPTIONS, PULL QUOTES AND COMMENTARY BY THE EDITORS, NOT THE AUTHORS

=SUBSCRIBE TODAY! NOTHING TO LOSE, EVERYTHING TO GAIN.=
free • safe • invaluable

If you appreciate our articles, do the right thing and let us know by subscribing. It’s free and it implies no obligation to you—ever. We just want to have a way to reach our most loyal readers on important occasions when their input is necessary. In return you get our email newsletter compiling the best of The Greanville Post several times a week.

[email-subscribers namefield=”YES” desc=”” group=”Public”]

=By= Bruno S. Sergi

Putin and Renzi. Source: Kremlin,)

The sanctions the EU has placed on Russia are causing economic hardship to a number of states within the EU. This is a backlash that was likely not expected when the EU implemented trade sanctions. Brexit merely exaggerates the situation as the falling pound weakens the economy across the EU. Now there is interest by some EU countries to reopen independent trade with Russia. Italy has a particular interest in doing so. -rw

During the recent visit to Russia, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the XX-th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. This visit was crucial for the future development of close and friendly relations between Russia and Italy, especially after the so-called Brexit, which caused the political and economic turmoil in the European Union. The Brexit will have implications “for the UK and Europe as a whole, and for us it will ultimately have an impact,” Vladimir Putin said.

The European Union continues to persevere sanctions against Russia, which two years ago ‘answered’ with measures banning the import of agro products (51 categories) such as fresh food, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meat, fish and seafood, etc. These measures were confirmed on June 29 (officially beginning from next August 6, 2016), and will remain in force until December 31, 2017. The counter-sanctions are supported by other protectionist measures, making the Russian public authority to acquire leathers, products of light industry or medical devices from domestic producers.

According to CONFINDUSTRIA (General Confederation of Italian Industry) data, during the first year of the embargo the export of Italian agri-foods fell by 36 percent in comparison with the previous year. Other countries have suffered the same consequences. In fact, France, Germany, the UK and Spain respectively lost 38, 29, 24 and 46 percent, but Denmark, Finland and Ireland suffered most. Overall Italian exports fell by 25.2 percent in 2015, falling from 9.5 billion in 2014 to 7.1 billion euros in 2015. According to SACE estimates, further reduction to 6.5 billion euros is expected in 2016. According to Coldiretti, Europe’s largest agricultural professional organization, the “trade war” against Russia generated a backlash to the Italian exports, amounted in 600 million euros during the last two years. However, in five years prior to the sanctions, the Italian agri-food sector more than doubled its exports to Russia (+ 112%). At the same time cars, clothes and many other products that represent the best of Made in Italy, have suffered heavy setbacks.

In the light of the above-mentioned data and, first of all, of the possible economic consequences from the so-called Brexit, Matteo Renzi said in St. Petersburg that he did not allow the automatic extension of economic sanctions against Russia. However, nothing has changed. Brussels decided to extend these sanctions against Russia until January 2017. The German chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated the need to extend these measures until Moscow respect the Minsk Protocol. In any case inside the European Union, in addition to Italy, other member states also indicated their support for the removal of sanctions. Considering the current political difficulties experienced by the European Union, Italy can play a very effective role in supporting a radical review of the European policy towards Russia. The data show that the sanctions, introduced in 2014, did not have any success, except causing serious economic consequences for both sides. So when Rome will really intervene in favor of Russia? Italy has already established strong relationship with Russian economic and business circles and, according to statement by Matteo Renzi, “[…] we are here to build bridges […]”). The growing interest of Italy to corroborate relations with Moscow is evident. Renzi has also stated that “we are very fond of our Made in Italy”, and indeed he could not say other words given the very high quality that distinguishes the Italian production. However, the most interesting was the other statement by Matteo Renzi, that “we like the idea of Made with Italy”. Although this is not an innovative statement, it captures the sense of the need to strengthen cooperation with Russia, especially with the purpose of co-production with Russian entrepreneurs, who over the years have demonstrated the capacity to “import” synergistically Italian techniques and specializations.

Because of recent political difficulties the European Union cannot do without a dialogue and stronger economic cooperation with the Kremlin. Russia in the meantime is strengthening its role in the Eurasian Economic Union and the SCO, which a few days ago gave the green light to the membership of India and Pakistan. Therefore, the closeness between the leaders of Italy and Russia and, above all, the hopefully growing political role of the Italian prime minister in Europe, are valid premises to raise Matteo Renzi’s voice in Brussels, urging a decisive end of the “commercial war” against Russia. It should not be ruled out that soon the EU will “change course”, and from the beginning of 2017 it will review its position regarding Russia, given that the trade sanctions so far did not resolve the problem of war in the Eastern Ukraine and the uncertainty that surrounds it, with no chances, in my opinion, in the near future. Economic sanctions, desired by the West in 2014, have caused considerable backlash among Western producers, who have lost market shares in Russia and either did not serve to help the Russian system to make it more efficient and productive. I believe that the trade sanctions cannot change for the better the overall situation both in Ukraine and in the bilateral relations between Russia and the West. Therefore, I repeat, they are harmful for all actors in the field, especially for consumers, and those who do business. It would be better to separate the commercial aspects and investment issues from the clear need to reopen a strong and ambitious political dialogue between Moscow and Brussels.

In Russia, the victory of the “Leave” in the UK has been regarded as a defeat for the European Union, which could open up favorable scenarios for Moscow. Alexei Pushkov, head of the State Duma Committee for International Affairs, said that “Cameron drank from a mug with the inscription “In” threatened Putin and irreversible choice. But anti-Putin card is not played. The British are not afraid.” In addition, current Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin tweeted, that “without Britain in the European Union will have no one so zealously uphold the sanctions against us.” This is precisely one of big reasons why the Russians welcomed the Brexit, interpreted as a symptom of the weakness of the European Union. The UK outside the EU will allow Russia to play this card furthermore.

In sum, Russia could take advantage of the “difficulties” in the EU, thus being able to develop some pressure on Brussels to suspend or at least revise the trade sanctions policy adopted in 2014. The role of the Italian Prime Minister Renzi in this unexpected new European context will help the EU to take the most appropriate decisions in the name of mutual interests, considering the trade scenario and international policy.

Bruno S. Sergi, Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies – Harvard University (USA) and University of Messina (Italy).

Source: Valdai Discussion Clubs.

We apologize for this inconvenience.

Nauseated by the
vile corporate media?
Had enough of their lies, escapism,
omissions and relentless manipulation?

GET EVEN.
Send a donation to
The Greanville Post–or

SHARE OUR ARTICLES WIDELY!
But be sure to support YOUR media.
If you don’t, who will?

ALL CAPTIONS AND PULL-QUOTES BY THE EDITORS, NOT THE AUTHORS.

To Paraphrase Churchill: Turkey Right Now Is a Riddle Wrapped in A Mystery Inside and Enigma

Was Putin Behind the Nice, France Terror Attacks?

Putin behind Nice, Brussels, Paris & ALL TERROR ATTACKS EVER! PROOF! MUST SEE (News Flashbang Show)

You can help Dr. Chopov continue to produce these excellent programs with your donation to
http://www.paypal.me/AlexChopov

Tough Russian Anti-Capitalist Literature

Matteo Renzi, Sanctions and EU after Brexit

Why War Between NATO and Russia is Inevitable in 2017!

To Paraphrase Churchill: Turkey Right Now Is a Riddle Wrapped in A Mystery Inside and Enigma

Was Putin Behind the Nice, France Terror Attacks?

Putin behind Nice, Brussels, Paris & ALL TERROR ATTACKS EVER! PROOF! MUST SEE (News Flashbang Show)

You can help Dr. Chopov continue to produce these excellent programs with your donation to http://www.paypal.me/AlexChopov

Tough Russian Anti-Capitalist Literature

Matteo Renzi, Sanctions and EU after Brexit

Why War Between NATO and Russia is Inevitable in 2017!

You can help Dr. Chopov continue to produce these excellent programs with your donation to
http://www.paypal.me/AlexChopov