IDIOTIZED PUBLICS

PG—This extensive discussion centers on the complex geopolitical dynamics shaping the current global order, particularly focusing on China, Russia, Iran, and their strategic responses to Western imperialism led by the United States. The conversation critiques Western interventionist policies, contrasts them with China’s non-interventionist approach, and analyzes how these differing strategies impact conflict zones like Palestine, Syria, and Xinjiang. The speakers explore the historical and cultural reasons behind China’s policy of non-interference, its long-term strategic vision, and the challenges posed by Western attempts to destabilize Eurasian powers.

A key theme is the evolving alliances among Eurasian powers, including the imminent military pact between Iran and Russia, and the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia aimed at establishing a new security architecture to counter Western dominance. The dialogue also delves into regional issues such as the situation in Xinjiang, emphasizing China’s extensive surveillance and counter-terrorism efforts, and the geopolitical significance of mutual defense treaties connecting Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea.

FPTV—Laith Marouf & Hadi Hotait travel to the town of Naqoura, the last Lebanese village on the Mediterranean Sea before the borders of Occupied Palestine. The town survived the war almost unscathed, but after the “ceasefire” came into effect, the Zionists in a frenzy of unadulterated satanism bulldozed or blew up almost all standing structures. The two talked to locals about the reconstruction efforts, spoke to fishermen about their plight, and visited the historic Roman water-walls on the limestone beachfront.

WSWS—The veteran, award-winning actor was fired shortly afterward. “I was not given a hearing with Netflix. My request to meet one-on-one with the actress was denied. The directors and the producer stopped answering my emails and phone calls. Within 30 minutes of my firing, a letter went out to cast and crew and a full press release was sent immediately,” he writes.

In a telling aside, Langella recalls that he had been warned by his producer that he couldn’t “joke” or “compliment” or “touch. It’s a new order.” Advice from Langella’s managers and lawyers suggested he not “play the victim.” “Don’t sue. They’ll dig into your past.” “Sign the NDA [non-disclosure agreement], take the money and run.” “Do the talk shows, show contrition, feign humility. Say you’ve learned a lot.” In other words, Langella adds, “Apologize. Apologize. Apologize.”

In the fevered atmosphere stoked by the #MeToo frenzy, allegations become “fact.” No sooner did Langella’s firing occur than his name was being dragged through the mud.

GN—The speakers trace the historical roots of capitalism as a system of exploitation and wage slavery, emphasizing the continuity of class exploitation from slavery through feudal serfdom to modern capitalism. They critique the divisive tactics employed by ruling classes, such as fomenting anti-immigrant sentiment and culture wars, to distract and divide the working class, preventing unified resistance against systemic oppression. The legacy of the Soviet Union is discussed as a foundation for Russia’s current political economy, particularly its partial retention of planned economy mechanisms and agricultural self-sufficiency, enabling it to withstand Western sanctions and economic warfare.

A significant portion of the dialogue critiques Zionism as a construct of British imperialism, designed to suppress Arab national liberation and serve Western imperialist interests, with Israel functioning as a brutal settler-colonial state.

PATRICK LAWRENCE—After the Soviet Union’s collapse we had the Russia-as-junior-partner years, when the inebriated Boris Yeltsin stood aside while Western capital raped the formidable remains of the Soviet economy. And then to the Putin years. What we live through now would amount to a third Red Scare, apart from the fact that Russia is no longer Red.

Looked at another way, U.S.–Russian relations are back where they more or less started. “Putin’s Russia,” as the phrase goes, is again America’s great Other, and by easy extension the West’s, just as it was two centuries back. Then as now, the project is to “make Russia great again,” as we might put it; then as now the West drifts into irrational reaction in response to the emergence of a nation of another civilizational tradition.

There is no missing the fungibility inherent in the U.S. stance toward Russia over the years, decades, and centuries — the extent, I mean, to which it is changeable according to changing geopolitical circumstances. It is not merely possible that the reigning Russophobia of our time will at some point pass. History’s lesson is that this is probable — maybe even inevitable.