At the time of writing (Nov. 3rd), I’m recovering from technical problems due to a massive power outages in my region. However, this newsletter will go out on time to your mailboxes on Sunday or Monday (depending on your time zone).
So, as I’m getting back on track with what was discussed on our Russian Political Show Большая Игра (The Big Game) in his evening editions hosted by Dmitry Simes, the following topics will be covered in this week newsletter:
Vladimir Putin at the Security Council of the Russian Federation.
Sergey Shoigu in China.
About the unrest at the Makhachkala Airport in Dagestan.
Declarations of Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel.
Revocation of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
1. VLADIMIR PUTIN MEETS WITH THE SECURITY COUNCIL OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
On October 30th, Dmitry Simes introduced his show with the video of the meeting of Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, with the Security Council, the Government, and the leadership of Law Enforcement Agencies of the Russian Federation. His statement was of such importance that it was played in its entirety at the beginning of the show. Therefore, I’m offering the entire transcript of his statement with the link to the original video, here.
Let's talk, of course, about the situation in the Middle East and the issues of ensuring law and order in Russia itself. Let's talk about the protection of the rights of our citizens and public security, civil peace and inter-ethnic harmony, including taking into account external threats.
At a recent meeting with leaders of religious associations, as you know, I have already talked about attempts to use the dramatic situation in the Middle East, other regional conflicts against our country - against Russia, to destabilise and split our multinational and multi-confessional society. For this purpose, a variety of means are used, as we see: lies, provocations, and sophisticated technologies of psychological and information aggression.
I repeat: those behind the conflict in the Middle East, other regional crises, will use their devastating consequences to sow hatred, push people around the world. This is the true selfish goal of such geopolitical puppeteers.
We remember how the current round of the Middle East crisis began - with a terrorist attack against civilians of Israel and other countries on the territory of this state. We also see that instead of punishing criminals and terrorists, unfortunately, they began to take revenge on the principle of collective responsibility. The terrible events that are now taking place in the Gaza Strip, when hundreds of thousands of innocent people are being destroyed indiscriminately, who simply have nowhere to run, nowhere to hide from the bombing, cannot be justified. When you look at bloody children, at dead children, at how women suffer, old people, how doctors die - of course, both fists clench and tears come to your eyes. You can't say otherwise.
But we should not, we have no right and cannot afford to be guided by emotions. We must clearly understand who is really behind the tragedy of the peoples of the Middle East and other regions of the world, who organizes deadly chaos, who benefits from it. Today, in my opinion, it has already become obvious and understandable to everyone - customers act in an open and brazen way.
It is the current ruling elites of the United States and their satellites that are the main beneficiaries of global instability. They extract their bloody rent from it. Their strategy is also obvious. The U.S. as a world superpower - everyone sees it, understands it, even by trends in the world economy - is weakening, losing its position. The American world, with one hegemon, is collapsing, leaving, gradually, but steadily going away into the past.
But the [United] States do not want to put up with it, but on the contrary, they want to preserve, prolong their dominance, their global dictatorship, and in conditions of general chaos it is more convenient to do it, because with the help of such chaos they expect to deter, destabilize competitors, as they put it, their geopolitical opponents, which include our country, but in fact - new centers of world development, sovereign, independent countries that do not want to be humiliated and play the role of lackeys.
Today, Russia is not just actively involved in the formation of a new, more just, multipolar world with equal rights and opportunities for all countries and civilizations. We are not only one of the leaders of this objective historical process, but I will say more, and everyone knows this: for our future, for the principles of a just world order, for the freedom of countries and peoples, Russia is fighting on the battlefield. We fight consistently, and our soldiers and officers, our heroes, lose their comrades.
I repeat again: behind the tragedy of the Palestinians, and behind the massacre in the Middle East as a whole, behind the conflict in Ukraine, behind many other conflicts in the world - in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and so on - are the ruling elites of the United States and their satellites. It's already obvious to everyone. It is they who plant their military bases everywhere, constantly use military force on occasion and without any occasion, send weapons to conflict zones. They also direct funds, including to Ukraine and the Middle East, inciting hatred in the same Ukraine and the Middle East.
Without achieving results on the battlefield, they want to split us, as far as Russia is concerned, from within, weaken and sow confusion. They are also not satisfied with any participation of Russia in solving world and regional problems, including the Middle East settlement. They are not satisfied at all when someone acts or speaks not at their behest. They believe only in their exclusivity, in the fact that they are allowed everything.
They do not need lasting peace in the Holy Land, they need constant chaos in the Middle East, so they discredit those countries that insist on an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, on stopping the bloodshed, are ready to make a real contribution to resolving the crisis, not parasitize it. Even the UN, the clearly expressed position of the world community are subjected to attacks, real harassment and attempts to discredit.
I want to emphasize that in our approaches to the situation in the Middle East, unlike the West, there has never been greed, intrigue and double bottom. We have stated and declare our position openly, and it does not change from year to year. The key to resolving the conflict is the creation of a sovereign, independent Palestinian state, a full-fledged Palestinian state. We have frankly, honestly and repeatedly talked about this to both the Palestinian and Israeli leadership.
I repeat: the truth is that the stronger Russia is, the more united our society will be, the more effectively we will be able to defend both our own national interests and the interests of those peoples who have fallen victim to Western neocolonial politics.
I will emphasize once again: you need to know and understand where the root of evil is, where this very spider, who is trying to entangle the whole planet, the whole world with his web and wants to achieve our strategic defeat on the battlefield, uses people fooled by them for decades on the territory of today's Ukraine. By fighting this enemy in a special military operation, we, once again want to emphasize, strengthen the positions of all those who are fighting for their independence and sovereignty.
The events in Makhachkala last night were inspired, among other things, through social networks, not least from the territory of Ukraine, by the hands of agents of Western special services. In this regard, I want to ask myself: is it possible to help Palestine by trying to attack the Tat people and their families? Tat people, by the way, are a titular nation in Dagestan. It is possible to help Palestine only in the fight against those behind this tragedy. We, Russia, are fighting them in a special military operation, with them - both for ourselves and for those who strive for real, true freedom.
By the way, I never cease to be surprised by both the Kiev regime and their owners overseas. We know that Bandera and other Hitler's henchmen have already been erected on the podium, we know and see how the Ukrainian leadership applauds the Nazis of World War II, who are guilty of the victims of the Holocaust, personally took part in these crimes, and today, under the leadership of their Western patrons, they are trying to inspire pogroms in Russia. By the way, I'm not sure if all the governing circles of the same States know about it. It would be nice for those who care so much about the citizens of Israel to investigate what their special services in Ukraine are doing if they try to inspire pogroms in Russia. Scum, that's all. It's impossible to say otherwise.
But the one who really defends truth and justice, fights evil and oppression, racism and neo-Nazism, which the West encourages, is now fighting at the front - near Donetsk, Avdiivka, on the Dnieper. I repeat: these are our soldiers and officers. The choice of a real man, a real warrior, is to take up arms and get into service with your brothers. To be where the fate of Russia and the whole world is decided, including the future of the Palestinian people.
I want to draw the attention of the heads of all regions, heads of law enforcement agencies and special services to the need for firm, timely and clear actions to protect the constitutional order of Russia, the rights and freedoms of our citizens, inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony.
For Karen Shakhnazarov, Russian Cineast and General Director of the Studio “MOSFILM”, added that “the conflict between Israel and Palestine has nothing to do with religion. A conflict of territory and a conflict of interest, yes. But nothing religious about it”. He, then repeated the words of D. Simes: “a conflict of geopolitical alliances: yes”.
Here, I should add that the religious factor of the conflict should not be overshadowed so that it gives Russia a deeper analysis of the conflict. As explained by Alexander Dugin, Russian political scientist and philosopher, on October 25th, on the program. (click below).
Later on the show, K. Shakhnazarov stated that Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu “has already gone too far. The damages done to the civilian population will never be forgotten. To define who is HAMAS and who is not, is not that simple.”
2. SERGEY SHOIGU IN CHINA
The program on October 30th continued with one of the statements made by Sergey Shoigu, General of the Army Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation during his visit to his Chinese counterpart during the 10th Beijing Xianshan Forum, about the Russian/Chinese relationships.
Here is the segment chosen by our host Dmitry Simes:
“The West is using Ukraine as a battering ram to inflict a 'strategic defeat' on Russia after Moscow took countermeasures to the US-led NATO block's eastward expansion.
Disregarding Russia's legitimate security rights, the White House has persistently pursued the eastward expansion of the NATO block it controls. These aggressive moves have forced us to take countermeasures.
In response, the West has openly taken the course of inflicting a 'strategic defeat' on Russia in the hybrid war unleashed against us. Ukraine was cynically chosen as a battering ram, with its role as a mere expendable material. The US, having completely subjugated the countries of the Western camp, has focussed their military and political resources on the task of preserving its elusive global dominance by any means necessary.
Achieving overwhelming geopolitical and military-strategic superiority, Washington has for years purposefully undermined and destroyed the foundations of international security and strategic stability, including the system of arms control agreements.”
The full declaration can be found here.
On October 31st, Dmitry Simes introduced his show by stating that “the situation at the Makhachkala airport in Dagestan became stable, and that the traffic at least has been restored and normalized.” Then a statement from the Head of the Republic of Dagestan, Sergey Melikov, was played on the air.
Sergey Melikov: “Now a few words for this who participated in the unrest at the airport ‘if you are thinking that your participation will not be subject to sanctions and punishments, you are deeply misled’. No one will be forgiven, video and photo evidence was collected, so nobody will evade accountability.”
What happened in Dagestan was not born by itself, is there a Ukrainian trace about these events, Dmitry Simes has no doubt about it. This is not the first time that attempts have been made to destabilize the situation in Dagestan by inflaming inter-ethnic and inter-religious hatred. Telegram channels that called for unrest are administered from the territory of Ukraine.
Then, the floor was open to Constantin Sivkov, war expert, who gave his following perspective on what occurred in Dagestan:
“There are no bad peoples, there are bad politicians, bad governments, and bad leaders.Therefore, when we see people acting against the politics of Israel in such harsh ways, they are after all acting against their own country in the hands of the enemy […] What we saw in Dagestan, does not come directly from the hands of Ukraine. Ukraine may have been traced through the technology usages. This is a work that was carefully orchestrated by the special operations of the West. Probably the CIA, maybe MI-6…”
4. BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL
On October 31st, the following statement by the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu was presented to the audience and the panel of the show.
Benjamin Netanyahu: “Since Oct. 7, Israel has been at war. Israel did not start this war. Israel did not want this war, but Israel will win this war. In fighting Hamas and the Iranian axis of terror, Israel is fighting the enemies of civilization itself. I want to make clear Israel’s position regarding the cease-fire. Just as the United States would not agree to a cease-fire after the bombing of Pearl Harbor or after the terrorist attack of 9/11, Israel will not agree to a cessation of hostilities with Hamas after the horrific attacks of Oct. 7. Calls for a cease-fire are calls for Israel to surrender to Hamas, to surrender to terrorism, to surrender to barbarism. That will not happen. I hope and pray that civilized nations everywhere will back this fight. Because Israel’s fight is your fight. Because if Hamas and Iran’s axis of evil win, you will be their next target.”
Israel will not stop the fight until a complete victory.
The campaign entered its third phase. The ground operations of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) within the Gaza Strip.
Constantin Sivkov was once again given the floor to offer his analysis:
“The political goal that the Prime Minister of Israel is giving offer to take control of the entire territory Gaza Strip. Territory which covers 370 (km2) square kilometers, with an unprecedented dense population. A population density that large is nowhere else to be found in the world. Therefore, this operation will bring two inevitable outcomes; firstly, a huge amount of casualties among the civilian population, secdonly, a great loss amongst the armed forces of Israel. This will be more difficult that the taking of Mariupol, and of Bakhmut. These cities are much smaller in surface, and did not have the underground system that exists in the Gaza Strip. Therefore it is a very difficult task. In terms of the loss of civilian population, this change the perspective of the Arab and the non-Arab world, to include, but not limited to the countries of Iran, Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt who are against to such methods of warfare employed by Israel. Both IDF and the Prime Minister will face difficult tasks, in terms of military efforts as well as Benjamin Netanyahu foreign policy challenges, while HAMAS may be emboldened.”
5. REVOCATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY
Towards the end of the week, before I lost all connections due to power outage, an important conversation revolves around the revocation by the Russian Federation, signed by President Vladimir Putin, of the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty.
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans all nuclear explosions, whether for military or peaceful purposes. It comprises a preamble, 17 articles, two annexes and a Protocol with two annexes.
Another important text is the Resolution adopted by the States Signatories on 19 November 1996 establishing the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).
For purpose of background information, click “Resolution” above.
Here is the lawful document signed by V. Putin on November 2nd 2023, revoking the ratification of the CTBT.
On November 2nd, Dmitry Simes spoke through Skype with the Russian Ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, about what Simes called a “most likely symbolic position.” From what the Ambassador stated on Channel One with Simes, the following points can be underlined:
“The Russian Federation evaluates the US nuclear capabilities as a whole and will seek compensating potential against the entire sum of US nuclear forces;
The United States violated the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Washington must comply with its provisions if it wants to keep it in force;
Today. there is no basis for a conversation between Russia and the United States on strategic stability. The United States is trying to interfere in the internal affairs of Russia, an example of this was the events in Makhachkala.
US interference in Russian internal affairs will increase as Russian presidential elections approach.
American policy towards Ukraine has failed, no counter-offensive is taking place.
Washington is not ready for a serious conversation with Moscow either on the Ukrainian issue or on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
On November 2, the United States announced new sanctions against Russia, but they do not work, the Russian economy is growing.”
Further, Russian Ambassador said that the United States is waging a frontal attack on Russia.
“We see a frontal attack on Russia from politics and economics to human rights issues. In fact, everywhere there is an attempt to hinder the development of our country, to prevent the growth of the well-being of ordinary people. The task is to hook us, to prick us, and it doesn’t matter that the damage from such actions is much greater for Western states than for Russia.”
I am closing this week newsletter on these last thoughts from the highest diplomatic office of the Russian Federation within the United States about an inevitable escalation and unprecedented scission between the two world powers.