NATO GANGSTERISM

As the U.S./NATO proxy war in Ukraine against Russia rages, the imperialist establishment is increasingly united behind a strategy of escalation. Brian and Eugene Puryear trace the development of this increasingly hostile approach over the years and decades; and review the most important recent military, economic and political developments in the conflict. Eugene Puryear is the host of the BreakThrough News podcast The Punch Out, and co-host of the BT live video show The Freedom Side.

Finally, we wonder if the Russian Federation will continue to tolerate the aggressive statements and actions of anti-Russian representatives of the mercenary US-installed elites in Bulgaria and Greece? If the Bulgarian and Greek elites were cleansed of those who will ‘do anything for a million dollars’ and their countries turned back into pro-Russian territories, it would mean that all of the Eastern half of Europe could at last return to being a pro-Russian, NATO-free buffer zone. This zone would of course include Hungary as well as Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, that is, most of ex-Yugoslavia, where most people and some of the governing classes are pro-Russian anyway.

Bruce Gagnon discusses the danger of Sweden and Finland joining NATO; the $40B gift to Ukraine is almost as large as Russia’s entire military budget of about $60B. And, we compared the US economy to the Russian economy: a “Tale of Two Countries.” 

Reports have emerged that Scandinavian nations Finland and Sweden plan to break with their centuries-long tradition of neutrality to pursue membership in NATO. If the applications are successful, will this latest increase in NATO’s ranks create an increased deterrent to further war with Russia, or will it bring the world ever-closer to World War III? Jimmy and The Grayzone’s Aaron Maté (https://mate.substack.com) discuss the possibilities – and the dangers – of an ever-growing NATO on Russia’s doorstep.

Update on Russian operations in Ukraine for April 15, 2022:
1. Russian guided-missile cruiser Moskva sinks after a fire and explosion on board, Ukraine claims it was the result of “2 Neptune cruise missiles but provided no evidence;
2. The cruiser’s loss will have a minimum impact strategically;
3. Pentagon admits Russia is “shaping the battlefield;”
4. The US is sending weapons Ukraine is unfamiliar with, affording them only “days” of training when weeks or even months are required to use these systems effectively;
5. Ukraine is carrying out non-strategic attacks on Russian territory, resulting in Russia ramping up more aggressive target selection for Ukraine’s command and control.