Some heavy reading is required to grasp what I write about today. Are you ready?
This is a tricky time in world history. We need to know what is going on, what is actually going on, what is really going on, in order to make any sense of it. In other words it is not appropriate now to mince words or to obscure important matters. Or to shield ourselves from the naked truth – whether that disturbs or rearranges that which we consider to be grounded thinking.
I want to introduce here an article just published on RT, ostensibly about the need for Russia to break the back of Europe. This is not some low-brow rant of some forgettable nobody, writing in some darkened room. It is the work of none other than “Professor Sergey Karaganov, honorary chairman of Russia’s Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, and academic supervisor at the School of International Economics and Foreign Affairs Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Moscow“. That is how RT describes the author of the piece. It is translated from the original Russian language of course, and in strong terms it develops the thought of the absolute inevitability of the need for a Nuclear solution to the current dilemma of peace in Eastern Europe. I tend to agree with that sentiment, and the words of RT in expressing it as bluntly as possible. But, are these the words of the author or those of some sub-editor in RT?
I want to make it clear that these are mostly not a direct translation of the words of the author, and the tone of the piece is rather different, if my understanding is correct, from those of the author. RT readily admits – “This article was first published by the magazine Profile and was translated and edited by the RT team.”
As a result, I will provide links to both the RT version and to the original, a more robustly authentic one – verified by being published on more that one alternative link and also separately translated. Take your pick, or read both and compare.
Several important ideas stand out.
- Russia must stand strong and not be diverted in any way until Europe is rendered inert and no longer recognised as a world power.
- The US must be driven out of Europe, also hurt on its own lands and overseas installations in order to induce appropriate reformation of its self-image, adjust to localising its plans, and become used to reduced influence abroad.
- Russia must not, under any circumstances, succumb to US demands to separate its partnership alliance with China. [RT does not mention China at all. I wonder why? China is mentioned three times in the original article – which is considerably longer.]
As a juxtaposition, the final statement in the RT version is:
The stakes are clear: This is not just a battle for Russia’s future, but for the survival of human civilization as we know it.
…true but, in the original, and not at all the final conclusion…
But most importantly, we need to understand that we cannot and do not have the right to show indecision before the country, our people and humanity. At stake is not only the fate of Russia, but also of human civilization in its current form.
Links to the two articles…
Sergey Karaganov: Russia must help overthrow Western Europe’s dangerous political elites – RT – Jan 27, 2024
Breaking the back of Europe: what should be Russia’s policy towards the West – Profile – Jan 25, 2024
You be the judge. RT is bold and assertive, but incomplete. The original, even through translation, provides a more satisfactory, reasoned, and complete version of impending and necessary events.
I also do not like being treated as a mushroom – with only edited highlights on important matters.
Not Something Else 
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