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Regular_John       October 5, 2008, 16:02

Russia feels powerful re-invigorated by its petro-dollar wealth it now wants to challenge the west and create a “new world order” no doubt with Russia at its centre gathering those who are sick and tired or angry with the west especially those with an axe to grind against the USA.
Medvedev has annoced Russia will be investing countless billions of dollars in both a new guaranteed nuclear deterrent and 21st century equipment for the military all to be in place by 2020.
Russia has now adopted the USA’s policy of by-passing the UN when protecting its own self interests as displayed in recent events in the caucuses. Russia broke international law by invading another nation’s sovereign territory and occupying ports and towns I refer to Georgia “proper” and not the more debatable actions in the breakaway republics.
And all this from a country that “needs” to spend at least a trillion dollars on its largely pathetic infrastructure, by the way this is over twice the amount Russia has accumulated from their carbon based wealth.
I visited Russia for the first time over 10 years ago and was taken-a-back when for periods of time both the electricity and water in my studio flat was shut off I discovered this to be a common occurrence for all (except perhaps the very wealthy or hotel dwellers).
Now in 2008 on my most recent visit what did I discover?... Yes you guessed it, both the electricity and water shut off. Now you would think with all this apparent wealth and re-assurgency of “greatness” they could at least sort out people’s basis utilities.
Another distressing aspect of modern Russia is the treatment of the elderly. Like most countries in the world Russia has a homelessness problem. If you visit London, Paris or Berlin you will find these people they are usually made up of alcoholics, drug addicts, mis-fits and unfortunates with mental health issues but what you “won’t” find is old age pensioners and children on the streets forced there by the lack of money and government assistance. But you will find that this does happen in this so called wealthy great nation of Russia. (RT reported that there are 4 million homeless in Russia and 1 million of these are children) See for yourself the next time you visit the cosmopolitan city of Moscow with its chic Italian and French boutiques and multi millionaires with gold dripping of their designer clothed bodies. Amongst this orgy of wealth and self indulgence you will see elderly men and women rummaging through trash cans trying to eke out an existence (grotesque).
My message to Medvedev is before you embark on your costly never going to work pipe dream of creating a new world order use the wealth so far created to improve Russia’s schools, hospitals, transport systems, utilities and pensions, try bringing millions of your people who have no access to basic sewerage or running water out of the third world (as you promised) before introducing policies that will cost billions and change nothing.NATO will always be able to outspend you and will remain years ahead in technology.
Funny that Russia makes such a “hue and cry” over its citizens abroad and threatens military action to protect them, when it patently couldn’t give“stuff” for the weak and vulnerable living within its own boarders. That’s geo-politics for you.

snoepy       October 5, 2008, 02:46

What you and i are seeing now is just a warning to those who think their problems can be solved by US,when US cannot solve its own problems. I told you in some of my comments that tyrannism which US is exercising is over. The world should not live and depend on one nation of corrupt and war mad policies(USA). Remember this that,not all people you should mingle with. when US mingle with Saakashvili, they got a trouble of $700bil tax payers money to be thrown to hell. US is accusing others of corruption,are you kidding me.Now let us see who is in need of such amount. dependence in US dollar is what brought the world to a standstill. This is only the beginning,because i told you that,by the time God finishes with US,they will keep quiet and stop troubling other people.We need peace,love and happiness and tranquility. US is the biggest threat in our contemporary world today. God said my people Israel and not America,so let them keep silence and give people a chance to live a happy lives.If American people vote for the father of the anti-christ(Mccain),then their economy is going to face the worst collapse ever than what they are seeing now,Because he is a man of war and not of peace.Lean on the infinite God,for he shall never disappoint you.

Democracy Sceptic       October 1, 2008, 21:16

Peter,

Congratulations on your ingenious interpretation of the current USA / NATO – Pakistan relationship. You crafted every nuance of that situation to suit the synopsis that you endeavoured to achieve. However, in my estimation, you lost all credibility when you described Pakistan as a rational state! You should be aware of the dubious political background of the previous regimes and of associated killings of major politicians and others. It may be considered a norm as seen from a Russian perspective, but I believe the recent history of these countries does not entitle them be considered as a rational regimes by any measure of the imagination.

In Britain, a not insignificant number of British Muslim citizens do not support the USA / NATO / British action in Iraq and Afghanistan. Living in a democracy, such citizens are permitted to voice their belief that the West’s soldiers are murdering their Islamic brothers and sisters in these countries. Much negative criticism also comes from journalists, who like you, have their own perspective of this situation.

However, I do support your view that most Iraquis, Pakistanis and probably most Afghans don’t corroborate the Western Alliance’s objectives. Given the continuing loss of life sustained by the West’s soldiers and my belief that they cannot persuade Islamic nations to convert to western democratic principles, I believe the West should get out of these countries. The West should continue to give essential humanitarian aid directly to the needy (but not money to these untrustworthy governments).

The West should also make it known, that they entrust them to their own ability to develop their own affairs and culture, in consideration of their own religious values. I believe that will ultimately ensure unhappiness and misery for many citizens, especially women, in these countries. However, it will save the West much money and human life and will deny all of those opposing citizens and journalists of their criticism about the West’s occupation or alleged interference in these countries.

Regular_John       September 29, 2008, 18:50

There seems to be no end to the Putin- Chavez love in 3 visits in 2 months now I bet that’s got the neighbours talking.

Still these boys have a lot in common both autocrats presiding over a petro dollar economy with policies that have done nothing to bridge the gap between rich and poor.

Mr Putin loves his good buddy so much that not only does he sell him a billion dollars worth of weapons he even gives him the money to pay for them now that’s bad business but great friendship.

It true to say “birds of a feather certainly do flock together”. I can see the nucleus of a new world order here. Anyone else want to join?..... Hang on the president of Nicaragua on the line.

Regular_John       September 26, 2008, 14:49

Russia economic situation is mirroring the west’s the government have pumped 160 billion into the system to deal with the liquidity problem the same as many other nations globally have had to do this is not a criticism of the Russian government they are acting to protect their financial institutions and to be fare they are not trying to hide the problems they face these are the same shared global issues.

The only person on this planet who is still spinning the line that, and I quote “ Russia is a bystander” is you Mr Lavelle even last week you brushed other the issue of Russia’s economic problems and still maintain the line you were spinning at the end of last year

I know you take the Russian line on every issue regardless but over the issue of the economy your beginning to make yourself look ridicules’. Both to us viewers and even your Russian friends are probably scratching their heads

Sevodnya_Net       September 25, 2008, 12:34

Peter,
You proudly write in your blog that Russia is not isolated from the rest of the world. I am glad to hear that because isolation from the civilised world community is something Russia does not need at present. The fact is, however, that in some respects isolation suits the Kremlin just fine. It's one thing to wring ones hands in public over South Ossetia, becaue we've managed to convince many foolish people in the west that we were on a humanitarian mission there, but one look into our own backyard, and we remind ourselves that we don't want the outside world poking its nose in too much - for example in Ingushetia, where thanks to the heavy-handed "peace keeping" of an untrammelled security apparatus, a nascent insurrection threatens to turn into full scale civil war, which for a country the size of Ingushetia would be devastating.
Perhaps you could do a piece about Ingushetia, to let the world know what is happening there. It would be interesting to see just how you'd spin that one ...

Mogyothwar       September 22, 2008, 14:46

United States wants to encircle Russia or PR of Chinis, instead US is like a mad man encircled by the fire.

It cannot stand to see, Russia, India or China progressing,developing,doing fine in teir economy.

With the policy of my enemy or my foe, with me or against me, US made alot of enemies, losing a lot of friends as well.

I hope American leaders are not following Germany's Adolf Hitler.
How long can US hold axisting friendship with some of its allies?

Will they prepare and ready to secrefice their nation and their people for United States? How much do they have to pay back
to US for WW II?

US is invading Pakistan , another sovereign nation. Is it OK?

Democracy Sceptic       September 21, 2008, 16:52

Peter, this week’s programme, although factual, is once again smug in its supportive stance to the Russian perspective.
Of course the western economy is in disarray arising from the inevitable consequences of the over availability of credit and the subsequent over indebtedness that has arisen from it. Anyone in the West who is over 55 years of age should have had enough life experience of past economic failure to know that the recent banking modus operandi was unsustainable. Unfortunately, western culture does not venerate such a lifetime’s experience, regarding such advice that persons of my age would offer as being "out of step with modern times". Younger men employed in “smart money” corporations wheel and deal in a more aggressive way, with a cut and thrust that has a disregard of the consequences of their actions, as long as they come out of it the right way up!

Russia is not coming from a long historical position of capitalism. Its capitalistic culture and entrepreneurialism is still making its way down the nursery slopes. The underpinning force of its burgeoning success is the production of oil and gas. It has not been thus far the innovator of superior technology that has eclipsed the USA, Japan or Germany etc. It has not resulted from the superior capabilities of Vladamir Putin and his puppet Dmitry Medvedev. Even the worst of political management could not have interfered with the potential for Russia’s economy to advance against a growing world gas and oil price. Indeed, as in the West, the really smart guys are not the ones in politics, but are the oligarch type personalities who are becoming billionaires, whilst the common man still struggles on as before to eke out a living throughout the world.
What would have been the aftermath of the post Soviet economy without hydrocarbons?

I a similar vein, when you make comment of Georgia’s and the Ukraine’s apparent lack of political stability, you always elude from the fact that they are historically immature democracies that are still evolving from the vacuum created by the implosion of Soviet dictatorship. I cannot anticipate what would have been the result upon my country’s politics and economy, had a neighbouring state had so much dominance, and also culturally, by allowing it’s citizens to reside amongst the ethnic population in significantly large ratios. Is it surprising that these countries face difficulties and often look to the West (perhaps erroneously) for some salvation.
Look at any former Soviet occupied country and there is an aftermath orientated problem to a greater or lesser degree. In some of those former Soviet states where their recovery has been faster and complete separation has been gained, the losers are the ethnic Russians born within those States. Their status has been eroded and they are fast becoming second class citizens (especially in the Asian States).

Peter, I understand that you are being paid to produce a desired synopsis focussed on a snapshot of today’s news. But it is unfair comment when not well linked to the causation of that current scenario.

Mogyothwar       September 19, 2008, 14:42

There will be a great show on earth soon. It won't surprise if that is going to be greatest show on earth.

While the west is exploring the space,where no man have gone before, Russi is exploration the Arctic sea bed. It pays off, and it is not as expensive as exploration of the space, moon or other planets, it is lucrative.

There are many stories , but this one is my story I made this up. It is not even a story its more like what I see. or think about the West.

The West US + EU is like a big snake , a Burmese pathon, or South America anaconda.

It swallows its pray on the whole, inch by inch, alive .

Russia and China is too big to swallow, but small countries might believe that the snake swalloe them, because it loves them so dearly. They will have no time to rethink, let alone to reaised, when their head goes into the stomach of the snake. It all will be too late.

Thus the small countries are jumping from the pan into the fire.

That is what EU is doing. NATO may have Turkey in its club, but only in the military wing. Not in any other wing, log way to go yet , Turkey is only sizable Muslim country in the NATO which is not in the EU.

Other small little countries of break away republic of U.S.S.R. are not full members yet in EU or NATO.

These small little countries are like
secreficial lambs or goats to be secreficed when necessary and in time.

Does not their so called leaders know that?

Russia is not blind, nor stupid. Russia knows exactly what US or EU is trying to do. China is not sleeping either.

Regular_John       September 14, 2008, 15:07

Mr Lavelle you stated that the original 6 point plan brokered by the president of France was floored and it did not satisfy any of the side’s: breakaway republics, Russia, Georgia and the EU. I strongly disagree with your rather dismissive evaluation.

It was Russia who unilaterally walked away from the plan and decided on another course of action. The two points they failed to implement was firstly the withdrawal of Russian forces from positions deep inside Georgia the port of Poti for instance. And the final and most important point they failed to implement. Was that there would be all party talks to decide the future of the breakaway republics.

Russia gambled on more countries recognising the breakaway republics which never happened and also that a Russian military presence within Georgia especially at the port of Poti would deter the Americans from landing their warships this also failed

Because of the above miscalculations and the extremely negative effects on the Russian economy Russia had no choice but to revisit the 6 point plan. The original withdrawal part has now been implemented but the last and most important discussions part is off the table as Russia has now recognised the republics dooming them to international isolation identical to northern Cyprus a situation that has been on going for 35 years.

It is my belief Russia missed a golden opportunity for the first time since WW2 it seemed that Europeans without American involment were sitting together to end a serious conflict. When Russia humiliated the French president by discarding the original agreement and acting unilaterally you could almost hear the neo cons in the white house saying “we told you so”. Russia had the opportunity to empower Europeans to deal with Europe’s problems and failed….over to you America!!!.

fred       September 12, 2008, 19:52

i saw the report on Iran and a potential attack by USA ...

i disagree !

USA has lost all material and human means to do such , long time ago ...
it is why the Israelis fought with Hezbollah , not so long ago ...
the US knowing just too well that they can't afford a strike on Iran , made a deal with Israel = "you bomb Iran Nuclear Facilities ; we give you all needed data , support and intelligence to destroy Hezbollah"
(the I.A.F. being the only one in region with enough "gutts" , proximity and pilots/hardware to do such a task)

the only thing that went wrong : Intel on Hezbollah was useless , Israelis ended-up into a trap = no way to fulfill the other part of contract !

now we are back to today !
as soon as the US will open an other front (in Iran) public opinion from Germany , France , Canada , etc will pressure their Govt for withdrawal from Afghanistan as opening an other front would make Afghan operations looking like backup for Warmonger plans in other lands ... (i personally think " they did the mess = they clean the mess themselves!" instead of being in Iraq , US soldier should have finished their task in Afghanistan first!if there was any to start with ...)

leaving alone Pakistan (which has Nuke , thanks USA !) next door ... having the need to react (one way or another ?) for not alienating themselves a big (bigger and bigger?) part of their own population ...

definitely : a strike on Iran seems to be very unlikely ...
USA is to be regarded as a dog : the ones barking the most are often the ones biting the less ...!

but who knows ??? let's hope for humanity's sake , they are not this stupid ...

Sevodnya_Net       September 12, 2008, 13:29

Can I just strongly endorse Regular John's request for more divergent views to engage in debate with PL.
To date the closest we seem to have come to this was the interview with Times Foreign editor Richard Beeston a few weeks ago, which had the potential to be very interesting but was cut short after a rather one-sided exchange with a surprised Mr B who clearly hadn't realised what he was letting himself in for!
Having watched many of Peter's broadcasts I know there is a much deeper intelligence at work there than some of the tedious rants on his blog would give one to believe.

The RT Experts forum I already mentioned could be quite interesting, but even better would be to have some face-to-face debates with live people in a studio.

Sevodnya_Net       September 12, 2008, 01:59

RT Expert View is an interesting development. I'll be interested to see how it progresses

Regular_John       September 11, 2008, 18:10

Please Mr Lavelle to make your programme more interesting and credible why not introduce guest who have opinions that differ from your own, then the viewer could hear both sides of the argument and decide which they except its very boring when all RT’s invited guests all have the same point of view. Sorry to say this but sometimes it ends up as a “boot- licking” competition

Personally I think you are a well educated man with a deep knowledge of Russian politics and you are quiet capable of holding your own in this kind of debate.

RT must remember that the Audience they serve are used to open debates and find one sided view points unconvincing and dull.

phillip       September 7, 2008, 11:37

Mr.Peter I'was impressed with your comments about Russia,EU relations.The western countries are blaming Russia for the war but I'can't agree more to what Medvedev said."THERE IS NO COUNTRY THAT WILL STANDBY AND WATCH ITS PEACEKEEPERS GET KILLED AND DO NOTHING."If you remember the French soldiers wipped out Ivory coast airforce after they mistakenily killed French peacekeepers tring to bomb rebel held teritories,Israel military went deep into Lebanon after there soldier were killed none of this two operations drew criticisim the way the Georgian conflict did some may give different opinions but mine is that they were all trying to Inflict greater damage to the opposing force to deter them from even thinking of mounting another attack.I'was perplexed to hear United States officials say that"YOU CANNOT INVADE A COUNTRY IN THE 21ST CENT.AND EXPECT TO GET AWAY WITH IT."Please where are the Europeans to dispute statement,knowing very well what happened in Iraq.Lastly during the kosovo war ethinic cleansing took place in kosovo but if you remember very Nato went all the to bomb Belgrade where the war wasn't taking place so why mouth Russia when you do the same during war time.