RUSSOPHOBIA

PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS—Is the Russian government capable of understanding that it is dangerous for Russians, even for members of the Russian government, to come to the US or to go anywhere outside Russia where they can be kidnapped by Washington’s thugs? 
After Washington violated diplomatic immunity and seized control of the Russian consulate in San Francisco and trade offices in New York and Washington, how can the Russians not know that the US is a gangster state?  How does Russia have normal relations with the US gangster state? Is the Russian government incapable of recognizing obvious facts?

The Grayzone’s Aaron Maté and Guest Jefferson Morley provide a textbook example of how an honest political debate should be conducted. Note that it’s clear both sides are highly articulate and intelligent, able to push their viewpoints with clarity and conviction. Still, cogent as Morley is, he keeps talking about “Putin’s interests”, a rather sinister spin on the phrasing, when in reality we are talking about Russia’s interests.  After listening to this exchange, what’s your position?

Pushback with Aaron Maté Stephen F. Cohen argues that cracks are emerging within the NATO-led consensus that has pushed Moscow from the West. Guest: Stephen F. Cohen, professor emeritus of Russian studies at New York University and Princeton University, contributing editor at The Nation, and author of several “War with Russia: From Putin & Ukraine to Trump & Russiagate.”

TONY KEVIN—There are only two kinds of news about Russia now permitted in our mainstream media, including the ABC and SBS: negative news and comment, or silence. Unless a story can be given an anti-Russian sting, it will not be carried at all. Important stories are simply spiked, like last week’s Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, chaired by President Putin and attended by Prime Ministers Abe, Mahathir and Modi, among 8500 participants from 65 countries.

JOHN HELMER—In 2002, celebrating the Moscow Times’ 10th anniversary, then-US Ambassador Alexander Vershbow wrote to commend Sauer’s product for its “marvelous job chronicling Russia’s transformation over the past decade.” He mentioned specifically how the Times had “recorded the dramatic showdown between President Yeltsin and the parliament.” In fact, Sauer and a string of his editorial appointees backed US policy for Russia until Yeltsin was replaced. Since then Sauer has favoured the Russian oligarchs who, openly or secretly, financed the publication.