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The Dwarf Leading the Giant

EDITORIAL | Are World Leaders Dumb, Stupid, Sociopaths, or Psychopaths, or All of the Above (Part 9)?

By Abraham A. van Kempen
1 August 2025

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A Centrifuge of Ambiguities

Is Mr. Trump tossing and spinning everyone into a centrifuge of ambiguities—a swirl of uncertainties? Is he the grand master of illusions, smoke and mirrors—what is, is not. What is not, is? Is there a method behind the madness? Why?

Let’s see what comes out of the wash.

Don’t let the Trump rhetoric drive you insane. It might cause brain damage. Stay focused, tune out the noise, and take a moment to connect the dots. Stay calm. Think!

Mr. Trump resents the EU's contemptuous use of American blood and treasure to enforce Eurocentric policies. The Make-American-Great-Again President will not follow in the footsteps of the clowns and fools pretending to govern Europe and lead the world. He wants out. Under President Trump, the United States will no longer serve as Europe’s lackey or punching bag–whipping boy –, doing Europe’s dirty work.

Europe, the dwarf, has long led the US, the giant, to conform and comply with European neo-colonialism obsessions. There are many neo-colonialists or Neocons on both sides of the Atlantic who sing to the tune of empire:

               What is mine is mine. What is yours is mine also.
               It’s either my way or the highway.
               If you don’t do it my way, you’re dead meat.

During his campaign, Mr. Trump boldly asserted he could end the war within 24 hours of taking office. Europe rejected this, favoring a divided, defeated, and disillusioned Russia to be split like Yugoslavia, with puppet leaders ruling in the Kremlin. Trump countered by questioning why Napoleon and Hitler failed to invade and conquer Russia, implying even they couldn't break through the heart of the world's largest country, which spans 11 time zones, surpasses Western Europe in size, and houses 150 million Russians from 167 different ethnic groups. He also emphasized, "Russia has nuclear weapons.”

Still, Europe persisted in its course, demonstrating that Europeans held the authority, not the ‘new kid on the block,’ the elected leader of the Free World, purportedly the most powerful person on the planet, the U.S. President whom the European leadership despised, denigrated, and demonized. They effectively told Mr. Trump to fly a kite – mind his own business. At that moment, he was powerless — even his Neocon supporters in Washington, D.C., sided against him.

Only one other world leader has faced greater demonization by the Collective West than Mr. Trump: Mr. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. Similar to Mr. Trump, the West desires him dead if possible, or jailed for life, strictly for political expedience. This is what makes the two leaders strange bedfellows, seemingly cut from the same cloth, and (still) alive to talk about it, unlike the deposed Shah of Iran, Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi, and others.

I invite you to watch Prof. Glenn Diesen’s engaging interview with Alex Krainer, who was born in Croatia. Alex and I are on the same wavelength. We share the same views and convictions. I don’t know anyone else who, like me, recognizes that the EU leadership has rebuffed the United States as second fiddle. I promise you, it will be an eye-opener.

George Beebe’s interview will offer reassurance. He presents himself as objective, staying neutral throughout the interview. George is neither on the right nor on the left. As a former CIA analyst specializing in Russian affairs, he possesses more in-depth knowledge than most about Russia's relationship with the European Union and the United States. He knows what he’s talking about.

Meanwhile, Col. Douglas MacGregor, PhD., holds firm opinions, but his genuine love for country is evident. He speaks confidently, backed by encyclopedic knowledge.

Feel free to scroll down this edition—there are plenty of engaging video podcasts and interesting articles waiting for you to explore.

A breaking point, the turning point, is on the horizon. What will a sustainable peace look like?

Since March 2022, we've gone beyond simply repeating the talking points from all sides of the conflict. We employ comprehensive and multifaceted methods to provide detailed analytical insights, enabling us to gain a deeper understanding.

We recognize that a temporary, superficial, and expedient cease-fire will only result in the conflict resurfacing later.

Starting next week, we’ll examine how the EU-US/NATO versus Russia state of affairs might finally become open to resolution. Contrary to Western propaganda, Russia is in the driver’s seat and will dictate the terms. Despite the rhetoric, Mr. Trump realizes the reality. The Kremlin is open to reaching a permanent working relationship. All parties must swallow some bitter pills.

Will Russia succeed through military means or diplomacy? Are we on the verge of World War III, or are we already in it? Join the discussion with Prof. Glenn Diesen and Prof. Jeffrey Sachs as they explore the potential and challenges of achieving a diplomatic agreement. However, the icing on the cake is the session featuring Norwegian Professor Glenn Diesen, U.S. Professor John Mearsheimer, and British Geopolitical Analyst Alexander Mercouris. You’ll race through their 1-hour and 20-minute session in no time.

Enjoy your weekend.

Abraham

ALEX KRAINER: THE RUSSIA-IRAN PARTNERSHIP & US-EUROPE DIVORCE

Prof. Glenn Diesen with Croatia-born Hedge Fund Manager Alex Krainer

Watch the Video Here (55 minutes, 03 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
05 July 2025

Alex Krainer is a market analyst, author, and former hedge fund manager. He points out that in the contest for Eurasia, Russia and Iran are strengthening their ties, while the US and Europe are drifting apart.

GEORGE BEEBE: ENDING NATO EXPANSION IS REQUIRED FOR PEACE IN UKRAINE

Prof. Glenn Diesen is engaging with CIA Russia Analyst George Beebe.

Watch the Video Here (38 minutes, 07 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
22 July 2025

George Beebe serves as the director of Grand Strategy at the Quincy Institute. He brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as the director of the CIA’s Russia analysis and as a staff advisor on Russia issues to Vice President Cheney.

Beebe shares insights on how Trump's approach toward Russia has evolved, particularly in terms of threats involving weapon shipments and sanctions. 

COL. DOUGLAS MACGREGOR: WHY THE COLLECTIVE WEST HAS LOST
ITS RELEVANCE AND IS FORESHADOWING THE FALL OF THE
AMERICAN EMPIRE - A STUDY IN DECADENCE

Prof. Glenn Diesen is engaging with Col. Douglas MacGregor, PhD.

Watch the Video Here (44 minutes, 23 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
30 July 2025

Douglas MacGregor, a retired Colonel and former advisor to the Secretary of Defense, shares concerns about the current state of the American Empire. He explains that “Washington is hurtling toward a sovereign debt crisis, escalating foreign wars, and potential domestic unrest without a clear path forward. While President Trump did not create these challenges alone, he now bears responsibility for addressing them." MacGregor suggests that these issues are pressing and need careful attention, emphasizing the importance of leadership during these difficult times.

What is the Side of the Story that is Not Yet Decisive? Edited by Abraham A. van Kempen

JEFFREY SACHS: DEATH OF DIPLOMACY – PRELUDE TO WORLD WAR III

Prof. Glenn Diesen with Prof. Jeffrey Sachs

Watch the Video Here (34 minutes, 44 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
29 July 2025

Professor Jeffrey Sachs is a highly respected economics expert known worldwide. He's an advisor to leaders across the globe, a bestselling author, and a passionate advocate for sustainable development.

Professor Sachs reminds us that the world is facing a severe crisis caused by ambitions for dominance, overconfidence, a loss of reason, and the fall of democracy. 

UKRAINE WAR WILL NOW BE RESOLVED ON THE BATTLEFIELD

Prof. Glenn Diesen with U.S. Prof. John Mearsheimer and British Geopolitical Analyst Alexander Mercouris

Watch the Video Here (1 hour, 18 minutes, 39 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
25 July 2025

Editor’s note: These three academicians will keep you spellbound. They’ll race you through the 1 hour, 18 minutes, and 39 seconds in no time. 

JACQUES BAUD: "ISRAEL [ED. AS WE KNOW IT] MAY CEASE TO EXIST"

Prof. Glenn Diesen with Swiss Intelligence Officer Jacques Baud

Watch the Video Here (1 hour, 15 minutes, 30 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
29 July 2025

Colonel Jacques Baud, a former military intelligence analyst in the Swiss Army and an accomplished author, shares his insights on how Israel might have overreached and could face significant challenges as a result.

THE EU CAPITULATES TO AMERICA IN TRADE AGREEMENT

Prof. Glenn Diesen Interviewed by Judge Andrew Napolitano

Watch the Video Here (25 minutes, 18 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
30 July 2025

Ursula von der Leyen surrendered to Trump during the trade negotiations. As a clear example of a dominant master and a submissive vassal, Trump received everything he desired, leaving the EU empty-handed. This not only accelerates the EU’s economic decline and de-industrialization but also weakens internal unity, as the EU’s primary goal is to negotiate collectively from a position of strength.

What is the economic rationale behind this? It’s unclear because the real aim was security, keeping the US connected to Europe, and prolonging the war in Ukraine.

BRIAN BERLETIC: U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN THE THAILAND-CAMBODIA CONFLICT

Prof. Glenn Diesen with former U.S. Marine, Author, and International Relations Expert Brian Berletic

Watch the Video Here (30 minutes, 11 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
28 July 2025

Brian Berletic, a former US Marine, author, and international relations expert, shares insights on America's intrusive influence in Thailand and the reasons behind its efforts to stir tensions in the region.

Follow Brian Berletic: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewAtlas 

THEODORE POSTOL: IRAN IS NOW AN UNDECLARED NUCLEAR STATE

Prof. Glenn Diesen with Pentagon Advisor and MIT Professor Theodore Postol

Watch the Video Here (1 hour, 15 minutes, 34 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
24 July 2025

MIT Professor and Pentagon advisor Ted Postol argues that Iran is likely already an undeclared nuclear state. 

KEVORK ALMASSIAN: SYRIA IS DECIMATED TO RESHAPE THE MIDDLE EAST.

Prof. Glenn Diesen with Syrian Political Analyst Kevork Almassian

Watch the Video Here (57 minutes, 57 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
24 July 2025

Kevork Almassian, a passionate political analyst from Syria and the host of Syriana Analysis, shares insights on how Syria is currently undergoing significant changes and discusses the broader goal of reshaping the Middle East. His perspective provides a thoughtful examination of the region's ongoing developments.  

MAX BLUMENTHAL: THE EPSTEIN FILES & RISE OF ANTI-ISRAELI SENTIMENTS IN THE US

Prof. Glenn Diesen with Journalist Max Blumenthal

Watch the Video Here (34 minutes, 40 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
25 July 2025

Max Blumenthal, the editor-in-chief of The Grayzone, is an award-winning journalist and author of several well-known books, including Best-Selling Republican Gomorrah, Goliath, The Fifty-One Day War, and The Management of Savagery. He has created numerous print articles for various publications, as well as many engaging video reports and compelling documentaries, including "Killing Gaza." Blumenthal shares insights on how the Epstein Files have caused a rift within Trump's supporters and have sparked anti-Israeli feelings. 

GUEST EDITORIAL | FROM UNION TO EUNUCH: HOW TRUMP FIXED EU’S SPINE PROBLEM

The Washington-Brussels tariff ‘deal’ amounts to unconditional surrender without a fight.

FILE PHOTO: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. © Omar Havana / Getty Images

By Tarik Cyril Amar, a historian from Germany working at Koç University, Istanbul, on Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe, the history of World War II, the cultural Cold War, and the politics of memory

@tarikcyrilamartarikcyrilamar.substack.comtarikcyrilamar.com

HomeWorld News
30 July 2025

Annotated by Abraham A. van Kempen

In history, some things become clear only in hindsight, like German unification. Good or bad? The jury is still out.

It feels like soon we’ll reflect on another tough postwar situation with regret, pondering that question. But some things are clear from the start. For example, the Gaza crisis involving Israel and the West, even if many experts now act as if they’ve just become aware of it.

Another glaring fact is that the EU has just experienced a disastrous and crippling defeat. As is often the case with America’s European allies, this defeat feels unusual.

Initially, hostility came from an “ally’ and ‘values’ Big Brother, not an enemy. NATO-EU countries scramble to fund the US-backed Ukraine proxy war and build defenses like a ‘drone wall’ against Russia. Washington betrayed its supporters. The EU hindered itself, as Gorka—a European serving US interests—noted, Europe has ‘bent the knee.” Despite setbacks, the EU later expressed gratitude, similar to German leaders submissive to American calls to end Germany’s infrastructure.

Read more
EU ‘bent the knee’ before Trump – White House

We’re discussing the tariff and trade "deal" just made at Turnberry, a Scottish golf resort, between the US, led by President Donald Trump—who owns the resort—and the EU, represented by Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU Commission. Who authorized this isn’t clear. Von der Leyen promised a "geopolitical" EU, but if this is it, it’s suicidal.

It was a bloody affair, but we can’t call it the “Battle of Turnberry” because there was no fight before the EU went down. The real story is an economic massacre. After months of negotiations, seven trips to Washington, and over 100 hours of talks by trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic, the EU received nothing but defeat. While Trump listed concessions Europeans made, von der Leyen got nothing. This isn't a deal; it's unconditional surrender without a fight.

The US will impose 15% tariffs on most EU imports, including cars, with exceptions. The 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum stay. US companies can sell in the EU at nearly zero tariffs, making access easier.

To show its appreciation for such a fair and balanced "deal," the EU added some extras as if there’s no tomorrow, similar to late-night TV sales pitches. But instead of the slogan being "order now and...," it’s more like "ruin us immediately and receive an extra $1.35 trillion to make us poorer and you even richer!”

That $1.35 trillion includes two EU promises to Washington: $600 billion, which EU companies will invest in the US, and $750 billion of costly American LNG to support European industry.

Read more
US tariffs to cost German car giants over €10bn – study

Meanwhile, Trump is making concessions to China, a sovereign and powerful country that, unlike the EU, has pushed back against US pressure. The recent EU-China summit in Beijing highlighted the EU's continued arrogant stance of hectoring China, especially to divide Beijing and Moscow. China, meanwhile, remains firm, as it's understandable why it wouldn't change its position.

The absurdity is obvious despite quarrels over details. Between Team Trump and Team von der Leyen, both egomaniacs, there was no one to oversee these issues. von der Leyen, with aristocratic nonchalance, never checked if she had the right or means to promise $1.35 trillion, which only certain companies could provide. Hint: she does not.

But what does it all mean? Here are three take-away points:

First, we must agree with war advocates like Anne Applebaum and Timothy Snyder that appeasement in Europe exists. But it's not towards Russia, which has been provoked, fought needlessly, and denied a fair hearing. Instead, Europeans appease the US, their ruthless hegemon and worst enemy, by permitting actions like blowing up Nord Stream and the Turnberry Fiasco.

Look at the weak efforts to sell this exploitative pact with Washington to the European public: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, recently praised at home for merely avoiding humiliation at the Trump White House, has thanked EU negotiators, especially Sefcovic and von der Leyen, praising the "deal" for avoiding a worse outcome and offering "stability." Likewise, von der Leyen praised herself for providing "certainty in uncertain times.”

Read more
Trump ate von der Leyen for breakfast – Orban

What a channeling of Neville Chamberlain, the British premier known for appeasement with Hitler! Dear Tim Snyder: It’s always 1938 for you. Here’s a full re-enactment: “Certainty for our time!” von der Leyen shouted, raising her thumb at the American leader’s golf club Berghof in Scotland.

Second, the new German “Fuhrungsmacht” (leadership with extra oomph) is rarely recognized. The catch, Berlin, is that claiming leadership in Europe and simultaneously selling out to the US isn’t sustainable. People don’t like being led by traitors.

Two Germans, von der Leyen and Merz, will be most associated with the Turnberry Fiasco, shaping Germany not as a leader but as submissive, risking self-harm. Their collaboration rhetoric—"We betray your interests to prevent worse, be grateful!"—will likely fail or only briefly succeed. Ultimately, De Gaulles win, not Petains.

Third, there's a difference between a trade war and economic warfare. Merz may claim a trade war with the US was avoided, but we can't be sure. If the EU had stood firm—having the means and plans—there might not have been a trade war or it could have ended quickly with a better EU outcome. China proves this.

Read more
Trump’s tariffs to cost global economy $2 trillion – Bloomberg

One thing is clear: ongoing economic warfare by the US against European vassals continues, with Europe's economy suffering and not resisting. Despite submission to impoverishment and deindustrialization, the American economy's decline has worsened.

In an ideal world, Europeans would see sense: rebel against the EU Commission, remove Ursula von der Leyen and her team, and disavow their “deal.”

They would cease intervening in America’s proxy war in Russia, cut ties with the corrupt Kiev regime, and normalize relations with Russia and China. Essentially, they would seek partners to free themselves from an American overlord who dominates and devastates its allies.

None of this will happen. The failed attempt to remove von der Leyen suggests that real change in Europe is unlikely, and the EU may be doomed; it should therefore be reconsidered. Europe’s elites, who seem to serve the US over Europeans, must lose power. In 1916, a Russian politician questioned whether government failures were due to stupidity or treason. Later that year, Russia’s regime fell. Europeans need to consider whether their leaders are failing due to stupidity or treason.

TEHRAN’S NEW WAR PLAN: BUILD AN ANTI-NATO

At the SCO summit, Iran laid the groundwork for a Eurasian security bloc – and the West panicked

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, 4th left, arrives to attend a meeting of Chinese President Xi Jinping with foreign ministers and heads of standing bodies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Beijing, China. © Sputnik / Russian Foreign Ministry

By Farhad Ibragimov – lecturer at the Faculty of Economics at RUDN University, visiting lecturer at the Institute of Social Sciences of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration

@farhadibragim

HomeWorld News
27 July 2025

Annotated by Abraham A. van Kempen

What if the next global security pact was made in Beijing with Iran instead of Brussels or Washington?

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' meeting in China, Iran clearly indicated it sees the organization as a possible counter to NATO, marking a shift from a Western-led order to an Eurasian one. The SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting in China saw Iran clearly indicate that it views the organization as a potential counter to NATO, marking a shift from a Western-led order to an Eurasian one.

The summit showed strong resilience of Eurasian cooperation amid global turbulence. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended, meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping, highlighting Moscow-Beijing ties. Lavrov also held bilateral talks with China, Pakistan, India, and Iran's foreign ministers, focusing on diplomatic solutions to Iran's nuclear issue and deepening strategic ties.

The Iranian side used the platform purposefully. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, appreciated the SCO’s solidarity amid Israeli aggression and emphasized that Iran views the organization as a practical tool for regional unity and global influence, not just a symbolic one.

Read more
Israel will wipe Palestine off the map – but will it stop there?

A platform that works, despite the skeptics

India’s full participation contradicted Western predictions that tensions would paralyze the SCO. New Delhi reaffirmed its commitment, showing that unlike NATO's strict central authority, the SCO can accommodate diverse interests and build consensus.

Russia views the SCO as central to its Eurasian strategy, serving as a balancing force that links China, South Asia, Central Asia, and Iran. Its pragmatic, multi-vector approach aims to establish a new geopolitical balance.

Iran’s Strategic Breakout

Abbas Araghchi’s speech at the summit was central, boldly criticizing Israeli and American actions. He cited the UN Charter, condemned attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, and referenced UN Security Council Resolution 487. His message: Western aggression lacks legal justification, regardless of narrative control.

But beyond condemnation, Araghchi provided a clear plan to bolster the SCO for collective security and sovereignty.

• A collective security organization designed to address external threats such as aggression, sabotage, and terrorism.
• A permanent system for documenting and countering subversive activities.
• A Center for Sanctions Resistance aimed at protecting member economies from unilateral Western sanctions.
• A Shanghai Security Forum focused on defense and intelligence coordination.
• Enhancing cultural and media collaboration to address cognitive and information warfare.

These are not just rhetorical gestures but blueprints for transforming institutions. Iran is implementing a new security doctrine based on multipolarity, mutual defense, and resisting hybrid threats.

Read more
Türkiye’s mediation isn’t about peace. It’s about power.

SCO versus NATO: Two models, two futures

While NATO is organized around a strict hierarchy led by Washington, the SCO reflects a post-hegemonic perspective, emphasizing sovereignty, equality, and cultural diversity. Its member countries comprise over 40 percent of the world's population, possess large industrial resources, and collectively seek to move beyond unipolar dominance.

Tehran’s clear strategy is that the SCO provides more than just geopolitical protection; it serves as a platform to promote a new global approach centered on strategic independence rather than reliance.

Araghchi’s initiatives indicate Tehran is preparing for the long term. The summit likely included discussions—both formal and informal—about strengthening SCO institutionalism or reevaluating its mandate.

Araghchi clarified that the SCO is strengthening globally and needs a more active, independent, structured role, implying institutional realignment.

The West Reacts – As Expected.

The Western response was swift. Days after Iran’s proposals, the EU imposed sanctions on eight individuals and one organization over alleged human rights violations. Israel faced no new penalties.

Tehran’s efforts to transform the SCO into a proactive, action-ready group are perceived by Brussels and Washington as a challenge to the existing order. As the SCO becomes more unified and active, increasing pressure is expected.

But that pressure proves Iran’s point: the rules-based order is now power-based. For Iran, sovereignty comes through multilateral defiance and self-defined integration.

The Stakes Ahead

Iran is not improvising; it aims to co-architect a post-Western security order, shaping an international system where no bloc can dominate through sanctions, information warfare, or coercive diplomacy.

This strategy impacts beyond Tehran. If the SCO adopts Iran’s proposals and institutionalizes them, it could mark the first true 21st-century alternative to NATO.

The West might see this as mere fantasy, but in Eurasia, the future is already taking shape. And this time, it’s not unfolding in English.

TULSI GABBARD HAS CEMENTED HERSELF A PLACE IN HISTORY

The US national security advisor has ultimately reached a point where her truths can no longer be dismissed.

FILE PHOTO: Tulsi Gabbard. © Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Robert Bridge is an American writer and journalist. He is the author of 'Midnight in the American Empire,' How Corporations and Their Political Servants are Destroying the American Dream.

@Robert_Bridge

HomeWorld News
29 July 2025

Annotated by Abraham A. van Kempen

Recent evidence suggests Russia did not interfere in the 2016 election, countering accusations that former President Barack Obama committed treason by rigging the election and staging Russiagate.

National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, armed with a declassified 2020 House Intelligence report, attacked Obama last week during a White House press briefing.

Her follow-up message on X directly addresses an administration that no longer tolerates Democratic accusations of “Russian collusion.”

She stated that the “Obama administration created the January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment, knowing it was false, and propagated the lie that Vladimir Putin and the Russian government assisted President Trump in winning the 2016 election.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt endorsed Gabbard’s statement, saying: “There was no collusion, no corruption, except on the part of Barack Obama and the weaponized intelligence agencies at the time.”

It appears some Washington insiders are now aligned with the Kremlin’s view during Russiagate’s peak lunacy. Russian President Vladimir Putin didn't prefer any US candidate and was willing to work with either; a sign of the changing US-Russia relationship, which quickly deteriorated due to Politics as Usual.

Read more
‘Russiagate’, revenge, and the rotten core of US power

In 2016, following Trump's victory as the Republican candidate that surprised Washington DC, President Barack Obama reacted with a controversial and assertive move. Before solid evidence of Russian interference was confirmed, he took steps to strain US-Russia relations — removing Russian diplomats, confiscating Russian assets, and imposing sanctions on Russian officials and entities. This was part of a relentless political witch-hunt that largely distracted Donald Trump from other issues during his early presidency, with Russia-related matters dominating the agenda.

Just seven months into Trump’s first term, the FBI launched a counterintelligence investigation into whether Trump and his campaign colluded with Vladimir Putin in 2016. After nearly three years, the 2019 investigation found no evidence of conspiracy between Trump and Russia. However, rumors of a Trump-Putin plot, fueled by Democrats, kept spreading.

Tulsi Gabbard's revelations are crucial, likely the final nail in the Russiagate deception. They are so damaging that there are talks on Capitol Hill of Obama and his intelligence team facing treason charges, risking a civil war. But I digress.

Amid various antics, the House committee stated that "One small, vague, and unverifiable fragment from a subpar report is the only classified information claiming Putin ‘aspired’ to help Trump win." It further claimed that the intelligence report either ignored or cherry-picked reliable intelligence, which in some cases contradicted the conclusion that Putin aimed to elect Trump.

Please continue reading

ANALYSIS | WORLD WAR III HAS ALREADY BEGUN

In the West’s eyes, Russia must be destroyed. That leaves us no choice.

© Getty Images / Getty Images

By Dmitry Trenin, a research professor at the Higher School of Economics and a lead research fellow at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations. He is also a member of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC).

RIAC

HomeWorld News
14 July 2025

Annotated by Abraham A. van Kempen

Many speak of humanity heading towards World War III, imagining 20th-century-style events. But war evolves and won't start with a Barbarossa invasion or a nuclear standoff. The new world war is already underway—just not everyone recognizes it.

For Russia, the pre-war period ended in 2014; for China, 2017; for Iran, 2023. Since then, modern, diffuse warfare has intensified. This is not a new Cold War. Since 2022, the West’s campaign against Russia has become more decisive, increasing the risk of direct nuclear confrontation with NATO over Ukraine. Trump’s potential return in 2025 posed a brief chance to avoid conflict, but hawks in the US and Europe pushed us close again.

This war involves the US and allies against China and Russia, centered on the future balance of power. The West views China's rise and Russia's resurgence as threats, responding with economic and ideological countermeasures to halt this shift.

The West faces a survival war, geopolitically and ideologically. Western globalism, economically, politically, and culturally, resists alternative civilizational models. US and Western European elites aim to maintain dominance, viewing diverse worldviews, civilizational autonomy, and sovereignty not as options but as threats.

This explains the West’s response severity. Biden told Lula he wanted to “destroy” Russia, revealing the truth behind euphemisms like “strategic defeat.” Western-backed Israel demonstrated this doctrine in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. In June, a similar strategy targeted Russian airfields, with reports of US and British involvement. To Western planners, Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea form a single axis, shaping military planning.

Read more
Dmitry Trenin: Why the next world order will be armed with nukes

Compromise is no longer part of the game. What we’re seeing are not temporary crises but rolling conflicts. Eastern Europe and the Middle East are current flashpoints. A third, East Asia (especially Taiwan), has long been identified. Russia is involved in Ukraine, has stakes in the Middle East, and may join the Pacific.

The war now centers on destabilization, not occupation, aiming to cause internal disorder through economic sabotage, social unrest, and psychological fatigue. The West’s plan for Russia is to induce gradual internal collapse, not battlefield defeat.

Their tactics are wide-ranging and intense. Drone strikes focus on infrastructure and nuclear sites. Political assassinations are now part of the strategy. Journalists, negotiators, scientists, and their families are all at risk. Residential areas, schools, and hospitals are intentionally targeted. This truly is a form of total war.

This is rooted in dehumanization, portraying Russians as subhuman enemies. Western societies are manipulated through control, censorship, and revisionism to justify the war. Questioners are labeled traitors.

Meanwhile, the West exploits its adversaries' open systems. Russia, once a non-interventionist power, now defends itself, but this must come to an end these days. As enemies coordinate attacks, we must break their unity. The European Union isn't a monolith; Hungary, Slovakia, and southern Europe oppose escalation. These fractures must widen.

Western strength lies in unity among its elites and their ideological control over their populations. But this unity is not invulnerable. The Trump administration presents tactical opportunities. His return has already reduced US involvement in Ukraine.

Yet Trumpism should not be romanticized. The American elite remains largely hostile to Russia. There will be no new détente.

Read more
Fyodor Lukyanov: The West mocked BRICS for years, but now it’s paying attention

The war in Ukraine is becoming a war between Western Europe and Russia. British and French missiles have already struck Russian targets. NATO intelligence is embedded in Ukrainian operations. EU countries are training Ukrainian forces and planning attacks together. Ukraine is just a tool. Brussels is preparing for a wider war.

What we must ask is: Is Western Europe preparing to defend or attack? Many of its leaders have lost their strategic judgment. But the hostility is real. The goal is no longer containment, but to “solve the Russian question” once and for all. Any illusion that business as usual will return must be discarded.

We are in for a long war. It will not end like in 1945, nor settle into Cold War coexistence. The decades ahead will be turbulent. Russia must fight for its rightful place in a new world order.

So, what must we do?

First of all, we must strengthen our home front. We need mobilization, but not the rigid models of the Soviet past. We need smart, adaptive mobilization across all sectors – economic, technological, and demographic. Russia’s political leadership is a strategic asset. It must remain steady and visionary.

We must promote internal unity, social justice, and patriotism. Every citizen must feel the stakes. We must align our fiscal, industrial, and technological policy with the realities of a long-term war. Fertility policy and migration control must reverse our demographic decline.

Secondly, we must consolidate our external alliances. Belarus is a strong ally in the west. North Korea has shown reliability in the east. But we lack a similar partner in the south. This gap must be addressed.

Read more
Dmitry Trenin: The West’s war on Russia will go beyond Ukraine

The Israel-Iran war offers important lessons. Our adversaries coordinate tightly. We must do the same. Not by copying NATO, but by forging our own model of strategic cooperation.

We should also pursue tactical engagement with the Trump administration. If it allows us to weaken the US war effort in Europe, we should take advantage of it. But we must not confuse tactics with strategy. American foreign policy remains fundamentally adversarial.

Fellow European powers, such as Britain, France, and Germany, must be made to understand that they are vulnerable. Their capitals are not immune. The same message should reach Finland, Poland, and the Baltic states. Provocations must be met swiftly and decisively.

If escalation is inevitable, we must consider pre-emptive action, firstly with conventional arms. And if necessary, we must be ready to use ‘special means’, including nuclear weapons, with full awareness of the consequences. Deterrence must be both passive and active.

Our mistake in Ukraine was waiting too long. Delay created the illusion of weakness. That must not be repeated. Victory means breaking the enemy’s plans, not occupying territory.

Finally, we must penetrate the West’s information shield. The battlefield now includes narratives, alliances, and public opinion. Russia must once again learn to engage in others’ domestic politics, not as an aggressor, but as a defender of truth.

The time for illusions is over. We are in a world war. The only path forward is through bold, strategic action.

This article was first published by the magazine Profile and was translated and edited by the RT team.

ISRAEL IS PROCEEDING WITH ANNEXATION, AND THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO STOP IT

Global grassroots organising is the only way to challenge Israel and its plan to legalise the theft of Palestinian land.

A drone view shows burnt farms, after an Israeli settlers attack in Al Mughayyir near Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on May 28, 2025 [File: Mohammed Torokman/Reuters]

By Samer Jaber
Al-Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/7/22/israel-is-proceeding-with-annexation-and-there-is-only-one-way-to-stop-it

29 July 2025

My brother recently sent me a copy of an Israeli military order that was found by farmers on our land and nearby plots in the occupied West Bank. The document, accompanied by a map, states that the land is being seized for military purposes.

It does not specify how long the land will be held and offers the landowners and users only seven days from an upcoming field visit, coordinated between the Israelis and the Palestinian Authority (PA) liaison office, to file an objection with the Israeli army’s legal adviser. This field visit typically serves to demarcate the boundaries of the confiscated land.

From our family’s past experience, confiscation under the guise of “security reasons” often precedes the establishment of a colonial settlement. This happened in 1973 when our family received a similar military order for land along the Jerusalem-Hebron Road. Within a week, a military post was established. Months later, a civilian settlement, Elazar, was erected in the same location.

What’s shocking this time is that this new order has barely made headlines despite the size of the land being slated for confiscation. According to the military order, the area amounts to 5,758 dunums, or more than 5.7 square kilometers (2.2 square miles). The confiscation is not arbitrary. At the centre of this particular area is the outpost of Sde Boaz, which was illegally established on private Palestinian land in 2002. The residents – about 50 families – are not fringe extremists. They’re middle-class professionals, including doctors, engineers, and accountants.

Please continue reading …

Samer B Jaber is a PhD researcher specialising in political economy at Royal Holloway, University of London. He is also a fellow with the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA). He focuses on the Arab world and the Middle East region. 

BUILDING THE BRIDGE! | A WAY TO GET TO KNOW THE OTHER AND ONE ANOTHER

Making a Difference – The Means, Methods, and Mechanism for Many to Move Mountains

Photo Credit: Abraham A. van Kempen, our home away from home on the Dead Sea

By Abraham A. van Kempen
Senior Editor
Updated 19 January 2024

Those who commit to 'healing our broken humanity' build intercultural bridges to learn to know and understand one another and others. Readers who thumb through the Building the Bridge (BTB) pages are not mindless sheep following other mindless sheep. They THINK. They want to be at the forefront of making a difference. They're in search of the bigger picture to expand their horizons. They don't need BTB or anyone else to confirm their biases.

Making a Difference – The Means, Methods, and Mechanism for Many to Move Mountains

Accurate knowledge fosters understanding, dispels prejudice, and sparks a desire to learn more about the subject. Words have an extraordinary power to bring people together, divide them, forge bonds of friendship, or provoke hostility. Modern technology offers unprecedented possibilities for good, fostering harmony and reconciliation. Yet, its misuse can cause untold harm, leading to misunderstandings, prejudices, and conflicts.

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