Posted on 03/06/2022 3:53:32 PM PST by AdmSmith
2018 lecture in Finnish (subtitled in English), given by Martti Kari, a former Colonel working in military intelligence, with expertise in Russian “strategic culture”, and who is now at the university. Here he is explaining why Russians think and behave so differently from us in the West, which gives us some ways of guessing what they might do in the future. This has, for me, shed much light on the motivation behind the Ukrainian invasion and so much else that Russia has done.
Finland, of course, borders Russia, and at various points in history has been part of Russia, fought with Russia, and invaded by Russia. They held off the Russians in the brutal 1939 Winter War, when they invented the Molotov Cocktail, and have, of course, deep knowledge of their bellicose neighbor.
Here are my summary notes if you need to get back to the demands of work, doomscrolling or the exigencies of CNN.
3:09 Russia has many layers, which he will enumerate. The foundation of Russian society is Slavic culture. The Slavic people are seen as one, Russians are the most numerous and greatest of the Slavic people, and Slavic unity must be defended.
This describes how Russia think, and why they do what they do.
Oh, please.
I’ve been to Russia 4 times.
They are fully human.
They are not an alien species.
I adopted three children in Russia.
The only real difference is that they are more cynical and less gullible than Americans.
Some of the points:
* Democracy is equal to Chaos
* Autocracy is superior to Chaos and Mayhem.
* A strong leader eliminates Chaos
* Total domination is granted to the sole leader
* Cruelty and corruption are part of his privilege
This gives good insight into Putin. It is also very clear that this is also how our elites view the world. They also don’t believe the people should be free to make their own decisions.
When people say the Deep State is opposed to Putinism, they are incorrect. The Deep State only wants Putinism to come to America, with them in charge.
I note that one of the Russian VBloggers I follow, Sergey Baklykov, was arrested in St Peterburg today while filming some demonstrations, apparently he was released and will soon be live to talk about it in about a half an hour from now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsQQjK5txBw
🎵"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss🎵 ".
CC
More like Xi ism. Far greater infiltration of the West than the Soviets ever had.
Watched about 20 minutes and saved it. Lots of good stuff there. Thanks
Watch the video it gives a very good understanding of the Russian culture especially about the concept of враньё.
If you read my earlier posts you may guess that I have been there several times as well.
Their cultures stinks and they steal. Here in Alaska they sign up for every social freebie including the food box even though they are working and have a nice house.
Yep.
Not this American.
How is that different from a lot of Americans?
I know a LOT of people in the Slavic Baptist community, and they’re hard working, freedom loving people.
The houses I visited were clean enough to eat off the floor.
I look at it this way, Putin is like the world’s crappiest neighbor, who thinks he has the right to other people’s land. I’ll admit there are some narratives that I find peculiar, but don’t we all have that? The Ukrainians are Slavic, so are a whole bunch of newish NATO members. Its s Slav that put it to me this way, he loves Slavic food, dance, culture, “but maybe Russians aren’t so good at running things.”
Perhaps overlooked is this summary of Putin’s replacements, taken from the lecture:
Possible Putin 2024 replacements
Aleksei Djuminc, Russian Hero award for rescuing Yanukovych in 2014 from Fascists in Ukraine (Putin’s Nazis)
A Major General and Deputy Minister of Defense. Like in chess, Djumic has been ‘castled’ in Tula district near Moskva to wait until 2024 - has hard track record so he can be seen as someone to save the Russian people. Was good goal keeper for Putin’s hockey team - which is where the puck goes when Putin shoots, an allegory. Knows the boyar game well (oligarch thievery rules).
Jevgeni Zinitsev, Minister of Emergency Situations, Minister of Emergency Situations is always one who saves Russians from disasters and will receive Russian Hero title; KGB, FSB, FSO credentials - a man of the system, close to Putin.
Putin’s power began to decline in 2018 as he’s seen to be responsible for the problems of the Russian people - military not so much. Most important is well being of the people. 20 million below Russian poverty line, 22% can only afford essentials. Olga Koltsova in 2018 - “Either those in power are aware of the mood and are listening to the people or some kind of explosions will rise up. When the lid of the boiler is closed very tight, it will eventually fly into the air.” (this is the chaos Russians fear).
I stand corrected.
They are more cynical and less gullible than MOST Americans.
I had a diplomat friend. Worked in Moscow. The Russians are a paranoid nation.
But that is in case that Putin will transfer the power, it is very likely that something drastic will happen soon.
In Europe and America
There’s a growing feeling of hysteria
Conditioned to respond to all the threats
In the rhetorical speeches of the Soviets
Mr. Khrushchev said we will bury you
I don’t subscribe to this point of view
It would be such an ignorant thing to do
If the Russians love their children too
Sting
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