Putin criticizes Western elites
On August 17, 2022, at the 10th Moscow International Security Conference, Vladimir Putin boldly accused Western elites of numerous transgressions against the nations and peoples of the World. Here is an excerpt from his speech.
“… the Western globalist elites, who provoke chaos, fanning long-standing and new conflicts and pursuing the so-called containment policy, which in fact amounts to the subversion of any alternative, sovereign development options. Thus, they are doing all they can to keep hold onto the hegemony and power that are slipping from their hands; they are attempting to retain countries and peoples in the grip of what is essentially a neo-colonial order. Their hegemony means stagnation for the rest of the world and for the entire civilization; it means obscurantism, cancellation of culture, and neoliberal totalitarianism.
They are using all expedients. The United States and its vassals grossly interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states by staging provocations, organizing coups, or inciting civil wars. By threats, blackmail, and pressure, they are trying to force independent states to submit to their will and follow rules that are alien to them. This is being done with just one aim in view, which is to preserve their domination, the centuries-old model that enables them to sponge on everything in the world. But a model of this sort can only be retained by force.”
These are extremely serious accusations coming from the leader of a very powerful nation.
How should his statements be interpreted? Is he threatening other nations?
Russia asserts the right to self-defense
If you read Putin's entire speech he describes the decades of aggressive actions by the United States and NATO against Russia. Russia has been backed into a corner and forced to fight for its sovereignty and, ultimately, its very existence.
Putin's words are not a threat. They are a declaration of independence and a call for the free nations of the world to band together for mutual protection against ongoing attacks.
Claiming the humanitarian high ground
Putin, through no fault of his own, now finds himself to be the champion of independence, freedom, and goodwill for the free nations of the World. He never asked for this job, nor has he done much to earn the title. But, he is the winner — by default.
Western elites apply military, economic, technological, medical, and many other types of attacks against other nations and also against their own citizens. Western nations are declining into an immoral and economic hell hole.
In comparison, Putin looks more and more like a radiant saint.
Will there be a stampede of nations to join Russia and its goal of sovereignty?
The most powerful military strategy
War strategies have been evolving for thousands of years. Military experts have identified four or five generations of evolution. Each generation is more complex and powerful than the previous. You can read about the generations of warfare on Wikipedia. There is a competition between military experts to define each generation. But most agree that social engineering is the most advanced and powerful weapon in modern hybrid warfare because technology now connects everyone in the world.
And what is social engineering? Don't be confused by tricksters. The word “social” is the key to understanding this weapon. And be warned that there are numerous social engineering tools/weapons. But the most powerful is the social act of getting as many people as possible to join you and fight on your side.
When Putin declared Russia will help nations keep their sovereignty, he grasped the most powerful weapon in this hybrid war. He has claimed the ethical and moral high ground and invited others to join him.
Meanwhile, the Western elites babble about their successes and make many promises. But the horrendous ruin they bring down upon their own citizens screams much louder. The Western social contract is not only repulsive. It is a death wish.
Assassinating Putin won't change Russian policy
Western politicians and elites have been calling Russia a terrorist state and suggesting the removal of Putin. These are serious threats, considering the backdrop of the recent assassinations of Shinzo Abe (Prime Minister of Japan) and Ayman Also-Zawahiri (al Qaeda terrorist leader).
Furthermore, there are claims Putin is terminally ill and may soon disappear from the World stage.
Putin is aware of these attempts to discredit him. That is why he arranged for Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Defense Minister, to give an important speech at the 10th Moscow International Security Conference. The length and content of Shoigu's speech demonstrated that he is ready, willing, and able to execute Russian policies should anything happen to Putin.
Putin shatters the Overton window
This quote from Wikipedia explains the Overton window. “The Overton window is the range of policies politically acceptable to the mainstream population at a given time. It is also known as the window of discourse.”
Well, Putin has just shattered the Overton window. He has initiated open international discussions about the US and Western elites promoting chaos, destruction, and servitude. His accusations can't be hidden and ignored. Plus, Putin must now follow through with supporting comments and actions.
News flash from Forbes, "Russia Says Putin Will Be Part Of G20 Summit—Setting Stage For Showdown With Western Leaders.” Zelinsky is also expected to attend. The meeting is in Indonesia on November 15 and 16.
We are certainly living in interesting times.
If you know what will happen at the G20 Summit, please tell us in a comment on my substack.
Now that the subject of Western crimes and purposes has been breached, anyone and everyone can and should discuss the issues.
In the eyes of many post-colonial nations, Putin's stance represents the ultimate freedom: self-determination. Western elites are now so bad even many among their own peoples wish to be free of them too.
This is their fault. It was their game to lose, and they have lost. Putin's motives are irrelevant, he's saying the things our elites refuse to say or even acknowledge. Nothing 'elite' about them anymore, they're just thieves and technocratic wannabes with delusions of global control. They will not be missed.
@Peter Warne, you stated that ".. critics of the West aren't put in jail for what they write or say.." -- but what about the case of Wikileaks and Julian Assange? To quote Craig Murray,
"Assange democratised information and gave real power to the people for a while, worldwide. He revealed US war crimes. For that his life is destroyed. Neither law nor truth have anything to do with it."
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2021/06/fbi-fabrication-against-assange-falls-apart/