Ever since President Erdogan sent in 10,000 troops to forestall the annihilation of the Syrian opposition in north-western Syria, he has faced the very present danger that his men would come into direct collision with Russia, Assad's protector. Erdogan is now paying the price for sidling up to the Russians, placing orders for military aircraft … Continue reading War with Russia? Turkey’s Dilemma, Russian Unease

Among those closest to Mikhail Gorbachev when he was in charge of the Soviet Union (1985-1991) was Alexander Yakovlev. Portrayed as the evil genius behind the collapse of the Soviet Union, he is often cited by Russians as an agent of Western Intelligence, apparently recruited when on exchange in 1958-1959 and studying at Columbia University … Continue reading Alexander Yakovlev and the KGB

So much has been made of Donald Trump as a favourite of the Russians. We were assured on great authority - of someone sensibly "let go" by British Intelligence some years past who relied upon highly dubious Russian sources - that Trump was in the grip of blackmail from Moscow and could trade off American … Continue reading Mr Bloomberg: Russia’s Alternative to Trump?

The United States is taking sanctions against the Russian oil company Rosneft, of which the United Kingdom's British Petroleum owns 20%. The Americans have been ratcheting up financial and economic sanctions against the Maduro Government for quite some time. They now accuse the Russians of colluding with the Venezuelans in the sale of Venezuelan oil, … Continue reading Russia Slams U.S. Hypocrisy: What’s Yours is Mine and What’s Mine is My Own

Moscow's commitment to Assad of Syria continues to complicate an international situation that has worked wholly to Russian disadvantage since the reckless, populist seizure of the Crimea in 2014. The West did not cave in as anticipated. And this was just the beginning of a series of decisions reached in Moscow that completely misjudged the … Continue reading The Turks Arrive in Moscow for Talks

The Russians are back at home in Cuba for the long term. Foreign Minister Lavrov visited on 10 February. Promises of financial aid amounting to a million Euros are in the air. Not much perhaps, but symbolic of a return to the good old days. The deep water port of Cienfuegos (plumbing 600 metres) is … Continue reading Cuba’s Second Home for the Russian Navy

It is interesting that opposition to President Putin's constitutional changes  propose only very recently is now aired in the mainstream newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta under the title "Changes in the interests of the majority?" - 10.02.2020 20:24:00 Поправки в интересах большинства? Версия для печати Обсудить на форуме Социальные пункты закона об изменении Конституции выглядят как прикрытие для … Continue reading Russian Opposition to Putin’s Constitutional Changes

The resignation of the head of the CDU, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, comes as a great relief to Moscow as she is hostile to the Russian régime. But this was not the reason for what amounts to a palace coup at the CDU. The resignation was precipitated by Chancellor Merkel, who, in her high-handed manner, interfered in … Continue reading Germany Drifting Russia’s Way

Two days ago the Russian press reported an operation by Afghan special forces against insurgents, only a few of whom were actually Afghans; the others being Pakistanis. Nezavisimaya gazeta also stated on good authority that the notorious ISI,  secret military intelligence, in Pakistan that has been the bane of Afghanistan since the Soviet withdrawal at … Continue reading Pakistan Unites Terror Groups in Afghanistan

President Erdogan of Turkey signed a deal with the Russians on 12 January for a cease-fire, relieving Idlib of its siege by Assad, Iran and Russia in fulfilment of the understanding reached in September 2018. The cease-fire has been blatantly breached. Erdogan is infuriated. He declared that Turkish patience "is at an end." There are … Continue reading Russia Double-Crosses Turkey