Some people, crazed extremists no doubt, might regard all that as a way of softening up public opinion for conflict. Reading through the list, it seems more like the ravings of paranoid schizophrenics then it does journalists.

Posted by: MarkU | Apr 5 2021 11:18 utc | 1

This demonizing of Russia is an attempt to portray it as a threat: there is certainly a clash of interests between Russia and the West. But the confrontation being pursued will not lead to the conclusion NATO predicts. Failure to heed the warnings of history is leading us to the nuclear apocalypse.
https://www.ghostsofhistory.wordpress.com/

Posted by: peter mcloughlin | Apr 5 2021 11:19 utc | 2

Have to vote for #106.
No contest, that's the winner.

Posted by: Josh | Apr 5 2021 11:44 utc | 3

How US media weaponizes 'weaponizing'.

Posted by: Tuyzentfloot | Apr 5 2021 11:52 utc | 4

Yeah, little goebbelses of the western liberal establishment aren't too creative.

Posted by: Mao Cheng Ji | Apr 5 2021 12:00 utc | 5

Brilliant, Mr. B. And funny, too. Gracias.

Posted by: j. casey | Apr 5 2021 12:03 utc | 6

Pathetic as this kind of propaganda is...it works. Which is very disturbing.

Posted by: Carl | Apr 5 2021 12:11 utc | 7

Hmm...think this is not off topic.

Even for Reuters their center headline, photo and subtext are over the top.
They no longer make any effort to disguise political opinion as facts
(their sheeple readers won't catch on).

As of this writing the headline is:
Half of Republicans believe false accounts of Capitol riot: Reuters/Ipsos poll
and the subtext is:
Since the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies have pushed false and misleading accounts to downplay the event that left five dead and scores of others wounded. His supporters appear to have listened.

Posted by: librul | Apr 5 2021 12:22 utc | 8

from number 69

He tread water wearing a blissful smile as the organism approached him.
(14 armed killer squid)
Obviously the "vampire Squid" Goldman Sachs has been submersively trying to disrupt Russia.

Posted by: Stonebird | Apr 5 2021 12:26 utc | 9

The last link (#111) is interesting because it involves a member of the political movement of Garry Kasparov.

Asked some weeks ago by IM Levy Rozman, GM Hikaru Nakamura said that he never invited Garry Kasparov to comment on some tournament or to an interview because Garry (they call him "Garry" in the chess world) would probably expect "a bag full of cash" alongside the invitation. Indeed, that's one of the reasons Garry Kasparov rarely participates in any ceremonial tournaments or any commenting job or interview even now, in an era chess has skyrocketed in popularity thanks to the pandemic (the tournaments are online, which are streamed through Twitch and YouTube): it seems "Garry" is charging prohibiting fees for his presence in the chess world.

What does it have anything to do with his and his political movement's ideology (Liberalism)? Well, that's something I've been noticing among the right-wing everywhere in the world, not just Russia. The liberals don't see justice, freedom and equality the way the communists see: to the liberals, all these values are substantiated merely on a social environment that makes the possibility of one individual to be filthy rich. According to them, any society that doesn't allow - even in theory - an individual to be extremely rich is neither free, nor fair, nor equal.

And that's what irritates the Russian (and ex-USSR) liberals so much about the old USSR and what they perceive to be the new Russia ("Neosoviet Russia"): they see it as an artificial ceiling over their heads, an oppressive superstructure that hindered their full individual potential. In Kasparov's mind, he deserved to be a billionaire or at least a multimillionaire just because he's good at chess. The same must be true for the other liberal oligarchs like Navalny and other wannabe billionaires (what in the USA they call "frustrated billionaires") of the liberal movements: in their vision, the USSR stole from them.

I'm sure the same logic must operate in Latin America, albeit with another narrative (that they had the bad luck to be born in a wasteland). That's why I think the ex-Warsaw Pact and ex-USSR liberals are more sanguine, more hysterical, more obvious, more militant and more angry than their colleagues in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

--//--

More Russia-related news for your pastime:

Kudrin considers it possible to halve poverty before 2030

Create the problem, sell the solution. That's the neoliberal motto.

Kudrin now promises to halve in a decade what the USSR had already eradicated many decades ago. And what socialist China - with 10 times the population - eradicated this year.

As Engels once said, we have to start all over again.

All over the fuck again.

--//--

Maxim Shein ("chief investment strategist of BCS World of Investments") gives Russia five years to abandon the USD:

The expert told how much time Russia needs to abandon the dollar

--//--

The Foreign Ministry did not rule out the appearance in Russia of an alternative to SWIFT

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin seems to be trying to make virtue out of a necessity here, since pro-Western Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medveded (who would definitely be against substituting the SWIFT in normal conditions) stated that Russia was being forced to make a "plan B" for its involuntary exist from SWIFT.

I like those proactive policies. You kill two birds with one stone: get a better and updated system and weaken your nemesis.

--//--

Hey, at least Russia is not Ukraine:

Ukrainian "economic miracle", which will be included in textbooks

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has made amendments to the law "On privatization of state and municipal property", which actually unblock auctions (and tempts to write - "pledged") for the sale of large privatization objects.

The head of the State Property Fund (SPF) Dmitry Sennichenko gave birth to a "temporary" post on Facebook on this occasion . Having mentioned twice that this is "a decision for 12 million hryvnias," Sennichenko summed up: "A great success story begins before our eyes. Researchers from all over the world will soon begin to study the phenomenon of the" Ukrainian economic miracle! "

Posted by: vk | Apr 5 2021 12:38 utc | 10

Is there anything that humans have created that has NOT BEEN WEAPONIZED??????????

Posted by: James Cook | Apr 5 2021 13:02 utc | 11

Irresistable force

https://twitter.com/27khv/status/1378798225927380992/photo/1

(From b's first link above)

Posted by: Stonebird | Apr 5 2021 13:02 utc | 12

Why would the CIA be so interested in the ability of North Korea to modify weather? Most probably because the CIA's efforts to pull off a repeat of the flooding in North Korea in 1994-1995 failed and they want to know why.

Aside: Research the CIA's "Operation Popeye" in 1967 Vietnam if you are doubtful of how evil and crazy the CIA is.

Most likely the party involved in foiling the CIA's plot to flood North Korea again and trigger another famine was China and not Russia. Not only does China have extensive experience with cloud seeding, but they are in the proper location to accomplish the task. Cloud seeding is how the Chinese provided clear weather over Beijing for the Olympics in 2008... they seeded air masses farther upwind to make it rain there and dry out the air heading to Beijing. If the air heading towards North Korea (relatively consistent west to east flow there) has already been seeded and much of the moisture in it already precipitated out, then when the CIA's spook planes seed it nearer to the Korean peninsula it will be too dry to squeeze much more rain out of. The CIA would be cockblocked and frustrated and they will naturally want to know why their attempts at genocide failed.

Posted by: William Gruff | Apr 5 2021 13:12 utc | 13

The Western media parrots in action!

Posted by: Virgile | Apr 5 2021 13:14 utc | 14

https://collateralglobal.org/

Our Mission
At Collateral Global, we believe that there is an urgent need to study the consequences of public health measures implemented in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, including the second and third-order effects.
Through commitment to the enduring principles of scientific inquiry, we aim to provide scholarship and research, building an evidence-based understanding of mitigation measures that is both accessible and actionable.

How long until the above site is compromised or McCarthyism-smeared?

Posted by: librul | Apr 5 2021 14:19 utc | 15

Maybe these count. I looked for variations of weaponize in title. These were stories I remember reading and did quick search to retrieve something about them. Great list.

Russians Reportedly Weaponized Black Activism in U.S. During Presidential Election
https://www.diversityinc.com/russians-reportedly-weaponized-black-activism-u-s-presidential-election/

Don’t Let Russia Undermine Trust in Science
Disinformation around genetic editing could set back advances to improve both health and the economy.
https://slate.com/technology/2018/12/russia-science-disinformation-genetic-editing-crispr-social-media.html

Iowa Researchers Accuse Russia of Injecting Anti-GMO Propaganda Into U.S. Media
https://gizmodo.com/iowa-researchers-accuse-russia-of-injecting-anti-gmo-pr-1823364808

Weaponized Health Communication: Twitter Bots and Russian Trolls Amplify the Vaccine Debate
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137759/

Posted by: Erelis | Apr 5 2021 14:37 utc | 16

I am deeply troubled that you conveniently neglected to include another fearsome Russian Super-Dooper Weapon: the children's cartoon Masha and the Bear.

Future shock: Ban threat for the new Russian superweapon Masha and shows that subverted all our minds
https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/16340356.future-shock-ban-threat-new-russian-superweapon-masha-shows-subverted-minds/

Children’s show is propaganda for Putin, say critics
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/childrens-show-is-propaganda-for-putin-say-critics-j9wxcvslm?region=global&--xx-meta=denied_for_visit%3D0%26visit_number%3D0%26visit_remaining%3D0%26visit_used%3D0&--xx-mvt-opted-out=false&--xx-uuid=bbcdd521f8671d6ea5e55d42f09bbec8&ni-statuscode=acsaz-307

It's obvious that Masha and the Bear is a nefarious Russian plot to steal the precious bodily fluids of our children!

We must be constantly vigilant. The CIA, FBI, MI6, NSA, and Homeland Security must be notified about the Masha Threat. YouTube must censor Masha. And blue check-marked Twitter police must condemn anyone who watches Masha.

Posted by: ak74 | Apr 5 2021 14:41 utc | 17

I can't believe Russia weaponizing Chuck Norris hasn't been claimed, yet.

Posted by: MikeH | Apr 5 2021 14:41 utc | 18

This one didn't have the word 'weaponize', close though: "opening a new front in its spy battles".

accusing the Kremlin of opening a new front in its spy battles with the West amid the worldwide competition to contain the pandemic.
...

American intelligence officials said the Russians were aiming to steal research to develop their own vaccine more quickly, not to sabotage other countries’ efforts. There was likely little immediate damage to global public health, cybersecurity experts said.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/16/us/politics/vaccine-hacking-russia.html

Posted by: librul | Apr 5 2021 14:49 utc | 19

From The Atlantic:
"How Putin Got Into America’s Mind"
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/09/how-putin-got-into-americas-mind/616330/

Russia’s weaponized Zersetzung
...
And although economic sanctions might hurt Russia’s economy, they won’t easily heal the divisions that weaponized decomposition has deepened in America. Putin’s assault on the national soul is working.

Posted by: librul | Apr 5 2021 15:00 utc | 20

So, the word for the weary is ***Weaponize*** .. with an R.

'sigh'

Posted by: polecat | Apr 5 2021 15:07 utc | 21

Next they're weaponizing women's exotic underwear . God help the freemason who turns up at the changing rooms in the wrong attire.

/humor.humour.

Posted by: Fíréan | Apr 5 2021 15:08 utc | 22

Brilliant compilation to illustrate the propaganda war against Russia. The China list won't be far behind as Enemy #1 for Empire is competition.

The simple fact is that WWIII is underway. We can see the slow motion train wreck as it careens off the tracks into the nuclear weapons depot.

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.

Posted by: gottlieb | Apr 5 2021 15:15 utc | 23

The U.S. media is weaponizing ignorance.
The more one absorbs their reporting, the more the brain is reduced to mush.
I can only manage a few hundred works and I become irritated and disoriented.
My hat is off to people who can somehow look at that stuff and remain sane.
Or are they...hmmm...

Posted by: jared | Apr 5 2021 15:26 utc | 24

A major mistake in interpreting the massive parallelism of all these claims is to assume a form of central coordination.
In fact the parallellism is spontaneous once the target has a bad reputation. Centrally organized propaganda can tune the reputation of the target but even that is not essential and it can happen organically. Once the reputation is set however the process has its own momentum. There is a bit more to it than merely the reputation of the target because the positive reputation of those who attack the target also plays. In fact you have to work with a large network of trust relations to get a good picture.
Glenn Greenwald recently linked to an article of Erik Weinstein on Russell Conjugation, how the same events get an entirely different emotional content depending on the reporter. In the long list of links above everyone is using the same spectacles for looking at events, but also for filtering what is relevant , meaningful and worthy of attention.
This is why the NYTimes is still an interesting paper once you know how to read it. But few people can use it that way.

Posted by: Tuyzentfloot | Apr 5 2021 15:36 utc | 25

i'm with ak74... let me know when they weaponize Masha and the Bear.... then we are really in trouble! they have already weaponized karlof1 !!!

Posted by: james | Apr 5 2021 16:17 utc | 26

MikeH,

Don't ya know .. Good Guys wear Black ... Hats!

sorry, I couldn't resist. ';]

Posted by: polecat | Apr 5 2021 16:26 utc | 27

Russia weaponizing vaccine resistance:

Russian trolls blamed for spreading anti-vaccination propaganda

Because vaccine resistance in USA somehow makes Russia safer ... or something.

Doubts about mRNA vaccines? You must be a Putin bot.

!!

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Apr 5 2021 16:55 utc | 28

The Russians, along with the Chinese, have apparently weaponized the protests of British citizens against overreaching Police legislation.

"The disruption being caused through “Kill the Bill” protests in UK is an effort by the Sino-Russian alliance to destroy trust and confidence in political and institutional systems, in a bid to leave society demoralised and feeling powerless against events."
https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/china-russia-use-social-media-fuel-protests-uk

Posted by: jayc | Apr 5 2021 16:58 utc | 29

Alexander Mercouris
Paris-Berlin Oppose Ukrainian Offensive, Call on Kiev to De-Escalate

Posted by: Norwegian | Apr 5 2021 17:12 utc | 30

Surely Harry and Megan must have been weaponized by that dreadful Putin! Stands to reason. Doesn't it?

Posted by: foolisholdman | Apr 5 2021 17:25 utc | 31

Different adversary - but apparently the evil Chinese are weaponizing Covid restrictions:

"Hong Kong, China – Restaurant owners are compelled by authorities to subject their customers to contact tracing. Teachers are ordered to be tested for COVID-19 regularly once school resumes in person after Easter. Any time more than four protesters stand together, they risk stiff fines by police for violating social distancing regulations.

These are the new realities of life in Hong Kong."

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/3/hold-hong-kong-covid-lockdown

Posted by: jayc | Apr 5 2021 17:31 utc | 32

"Hong Kong, China – Restaurant owners are compelled by authorities to subject their customers to contact tracing. "

Eat at home. This is wrong no matter who does it.

Posted by: Norwegian | Apr 5 2021 17:51 utc | 33

The link with the Giant Squid of No. 41 doesn`t work. Is it the same squid as in No. 69?

Posted by: m | Apr 5 2021 18:01 utc | 34

As the Heydrich character says in the Wannsee Conference movie, "Das ist die Sprachregelung".

Posted by: lysias | Apr 5 2021 18:58 utc | 35

"...amid the worldwide competition to contain the pandemic." (from librul's NYT quote above). they mean, trying to contain the epidemic to countries like Cuba, VZ, Iran, NK, Syria, etc. "3 feet in the classroom" is not an effort to contain a goddam thing.

this country is dead. the fucking Inslee budget in the state of WA devotes an additional 5 million a year or whatever to some capitalism creation called "gambling addiction." with 125 million a year expected to come from the expansion of the good kind of gambling, esp on the lands of First Nations. not even to mention the "dreams sold here" state lottery, used to fund "education."

"the ax is laid to the root of the tree." swing hard, please. kill it and DNR. the dying sperm, the dying fish, the toxic air, the suicidal diabetic children, all screaming: kill the USG. bury capitalism.

Posted by: jason | Apr 5 2021 19:01 utc | 36

Looking for something in wikipedia, I discover that in 1961, the first manned spaceflight was...«a propaganda victory».

There's no hope!

Posted by: Ana Q | Apr 5 2021 19:19 utc | 37

We need to keep in mind one thing: That which The West accuses Russia of, they are actually committing themselves.

Nearly all of the 'weaponisations' that we are reading about above, The West is actually DOING. The hypocracy is incredible. But we need to look at this hypocrisy, because in all instances the propaganda is being directed at YOU! You / Us / Me in The West. We are the target of this propaganda. In many instances it is MILITARY ORGANISTIONS that are targeting civilians with lies and misinformation. WE are being attacked by military organisations.

I think enough is enough on The West. It's disgraceful that military organisations are allowed to target civilians with BLATANT propaganda. It's time to fight back.

Thank you for sharing.

Posted by: Trauma2000 | Apr 5 2021 19:56 utc | 38

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/gayle-tzemach-lemmon-americas-partner-isis-fight-seeking-clarity


Russia Amerika weaponized YPG & ISIS

Posted by: Bernard F. | Apr 5 2021 19:56 utc | 39

Russia France weaponized Covid-19 vaccine

"We are facing a new type of world war, dealing with the actions of Russia and China trying to gain influence through the supply of vaccines,"

Emmanuel Macron 26.03.2021

Posted by: Bernard F. | Apr 5 2021 20:23 utc | 40

Russia recently took out the gold, silver and bronze models in the women's figure-skating at the recent world figure-skating championships in Stockholm. Oddly though this news was ignored by most of the global MSM which could have had a ball claiming that the Russians had weaponised attractive young female honey-pot figure skaters in alluring outfits.

Two of the medallists were Anna Shcherbakova (gold) and, in a comeback career move, Elizabeta Tuktamysheva (silver).

Posted by: Jen | Apr 5 2021 20:42 utc | 41

I can't believe Russia weaponizing Chuck Norris hasn't been claimed, yet.

Posted by: MikeH | Apr 5 2021 14:41 utc | 18

Vlad and Chuck negotiated the VC MAD Pact. Vlad doesn't weaponize Chuck, Chuck doesn't weaponize Vlad.

Where I live, I believe Vlad has weaponized snow. 82cm on the ground and snowing again today. Vlad, unlike Khrushchev has buried us here in the Yukon.

Posted by: Tom | Apr 5 2021 21:05 utc | 42

@ Norwegian (30)

Hopefully Mercouris is right.

Posted by: MarkU | Apr 5 2021 21:37 utc | 43

Gotta love it! Conclusive proof of the Imperial "Free and Independent" press. ;-)

Posted by: Michael | Apr 5 2021 21:54 utc | 44

Howdy people. I think Russians have weaponized word 'weaponized' because presence in headlines represents most useful mechanism to map current extent of Mockingbird 2 operations.

Posted by: theyreeverywhere | Apr 5 2021 21:55 utc | 45

classical psychological projection by the weaponized narrative enablers of the worst Empire in all human history, as we stand at 90 Seconds to Midnight on the very precipice of nuclear war and ecological catastrophe, and the engine of the Armageddon Express starts to go off the cliff....

but LOOK, over there!!

....it's all russia's and putin's fault

Posted by: michaelj72 | Apr 5 2021 23:02 utc | 46

I have two parakeets that I have been trying to weaponize for the better part of a month. But it appears to be totally hopeless. If Mr. Putin happens to read this blog for some weaponistic purpose, would you please offer me some of your invaluable advice? Please?

Posted by: blues | Apr 5 2021 23:18 utc | 47

Norwegian #33

That contact tracing applies in Australia now. Commerce as usual and the coffee is fine.

It only applies when there is a continuous daily detection - even one triggers the rule. All is good, no Galicia brigade at the door. Yet.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Apr 5 2021 23:21 utc | 48

I think weaponized sheep is the winner, with incompetence a close second.
Jen, can you please tell me where one can watch the skating? Or perhaps, well we would call them re-runs in the ancient history days - perhaps utoobs?
I see tantalizing hints on RT, but no real films.
The russian skaters (from what I saw last year) are truly amazing. Thanks.

Posted by: Miss Lacy | Apr 6 2021 0:05 utc | 49

Edward Bernays would be amazed..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bernays

Posted by: vetinLA | Apr 6 2021 0:18 utc | 50

Norwegian @ 33:

If the system used by restaurants and cafes in HK is similar to what we have in Australia, then they are required at least to provide a method by which their customers can be contacted and advised if someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 has also visited the eateries within 14 days of the customers having visited the establishments. That way those customers can know if they need to isolate and limit their contacts with others.

The contact tracing is also supposed to help government authorities know how quickly the disease is or is not spreading so they only have to lockdown certain neighbourhoods or areas where there may be a cluster developing, instead of locking down an entire city or a state or even a whole country.

Also you need to be careful reading Al Jazeera articles: Al Jazeera is definitely not a fan of Russia or China.

"... And among those chafing at the government’s response, like restaurant owners and their customers, a form of grassroots resistance was forged.

Instead of asking their customers to scan the health department’s QR code and transmit their location, some owners have designed an alternative code that feeds into a Googleform which will be erased every 31 days, the period for which businesses are required by authorities to retain the data ..."

That action by the restaurant owners is not exactly grassroots resistance if the authorities have already approved the Googleform and the erasures.

The one thing the Al Jazeera article missed (deliberately perhaps?) is that COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxing in Hong Kong since February 2021 at least.

Posted by: Jen | Apr 6 2021 0:35 utc | 51

Around ten years ago, I called this “Dog Putin ate my homework syndrome”. It is not only propaganda against an economic, political and even soul competitor (last resort of real Christianity is Russia), it is not even just a projection (“killer Putin”, as Putin himself explained). Its primary purpose is to tell you why you are living worse than 20 years ago, why your children will live even worse than you now if they remain in this lost cause of deeply corrupt and rotten so called countries. It is an excuse for everything that is wrong - it is all because Putin and Xi weaponised it.

When I see such things in alt media, since I do not consume the swill from the main sewerage media, I get that sinking feeling that I live in a wrong place, a place without a future.

I do not care who the “authorities” denigrate, Russia, China, they are even to me. I only wish they would do something to reduce the problems of our own societies instead of always blaming someone else. Because as long as the rulers and their sewerage media sycophants keep pointing fingers at Russia and China nothing will change for the better here where I am.

Posted by: Kiza | Apr 6 2021 1:18 utc | 52

Jen @ 50

You mention a Googleform? in HK?

Google is not accesible in China. Baidu only.

Posted by: CarlD | Apr 6 2021 1:33 utc | 53

My hearing aids play the Red Flag when they turn on.
My Win10 pc plays the Internationale just show Gates that the Ruskies have his code.

My iPhone needs the hammer and sickle swipe on the dot matrix encryption pad.

Those Ruskies have a wicked sense of humor.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Apr 6 2021 1:34 utc | 54

Very revealing list.

Provides a fairly comprehensive list of what the West itself has been trying to do to Russia.

Case of projection.

Posted by: jiri | Apr 6 2021 2:26 utc | 55

Any propaganda works if the people know they will never suffer the consequences of war.

The idea, all the way from Saddam Hussein, that we can influence the USA public to stop their govt waging war on us, is misplaced.

I used to believe it too. I dont believe anymore. I dont believe the USA govt needs to strain themselves to get the citizens behind them to put up blockades/sanctions or launch cruise missiles.

Some still think this or that event will be used to "sanction russia", "attack iran" etc.

(The "more sanctions coming" part is weird. As though Russia today prospers at the pleasure of the West)

The only thing that stops an attack on Iran is hard cold realities of thousands of dead US Marines and destitution at home once the oil terminals are blown up. Same vs Russia.

Still bloggers write stuff to try to convince the Anerican public.

Only thing that convinces any person/society is the consequences for actions.

But mark my words: West was beaten on 2020-01-08. Payment soon to Russia for going along with the c19. Iran got some of its payment with that 25yr agreement.

Posted by: chola3 | Apr 6 2021 3:15 utc | 56

Carl D @ 52:

It's still "One Country / Two Systems" in China / Hongkong as far as I can tell. If Googleforms are not available in Hongkong, maybe you need to tell The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Posted by: Jen | Apr 6 2021 3:28 utc | 57

"Because as long as the rulers and their sewerage media sycophants keep pointing fingers at Russia and China nothing will change for the better here where I am."

Posted by: Kiza | Apr 6 2021 1:18 utc | 51

Absolutely Kiza, damn shame, but expect no change, and no disappointment will arise. The new feudalism has arrived.

Posted by: vetinLA | Apr 6 2021 3:39 utc | 58

Below is a link to the latest Alastair Crooke piece at Strategic Culture and the take away quote

How Russia Weaponized China

The take away ending quote
"
For the EU, the Chinese entry into global politics is more problematic. It was trying to leverage its own ‘strategic autonomy’ by erecting European values as the gateway to inclusion into its market and trade partnership. China effectively is telling the world to reject any such hegemonic imposition of alien values and rights.

The EU is stranded in the midst. Unlike the U.S., it is precluded from printing the money with which to resurrect its virus-blighted economy. It desperately needs trade and investment. Its biggest trading partner, and its tech well-spring, however, has just told the EU (as the U.S.), to give up on its moralising discourse. At the same time, Europe’s ‘security partner’ has just demanded the opposite – that the EU strengthens it. What’s to be done? Sit back, and watch … (with fingers crossed that no one does something extremely stupid).
"

Posted by: psychohistorian | Apr 6 2021 4:30 utc | 59

Trying to wade through the muck that passes as news today IS a fools errand.
Long time reader of MOA, followed Paveway long ago.
B, keep this site alive and let me know how to contribute.

Posted by: Kassandra | Apr 6 2021 6:58 utc | 60

It was an interesting demonstration of the circularity of belief mechanisms at work when people adopted ideas like

"Putin did not really intervene in our elections, he was much more devious. He made us think he did intervene and that way caused us to undermine ourselves! That is how devilish he is and we were even more right than we thought about that!"

I recently read an article which stuck with me on a Flemish 'eminence grise' (Jan Balliauw)on Russia which commented on the European turnabout over the Sputnik vaccine(in dutch): yes we misjudged the Russian vaccine but it is the fault of the Russians and the bastards are cheering now! And he goes on to the main theme by emphasizing the Russians can't be trusted.

Posted by: Tuyzentfloot | Apr 6 2021 7:57 utc | 61

Turkey/EU agreements are being renewed. Van der Leyen and Michel going to meet Erdo these days in a truly "Munich" moment. Erdo will get another 6 billions to keep parking and indoctrinate the Syrians refugees including the mercenariat option when needed.
A successful "weaponization", to say the least.

Posted by: Mina | Apr 6 2021 8:11 utc | 62

@Jen | Apr 6 2021 0:35 utc | 50

It is beyond question that such a "system" is overly hysterical, to say the least. Show me the proof that there is a need to cancel democracy and human rights for something that does not affect 99.9% if anyone at all. And if you do, why not lock everybody in because of traffic accidents, violent crime or actual diseases such as malaria, dengue fever or whatever.

I question the motives for what is going on: that is to say: I do not accept that people's health is the driving factor behind this. Show me the proof that what is claimed is actually happening and if so also show me the proof that the intrusive technology is actually meaningful. In my view this is conditioning the people to accept personal surveillance on a level that goes far beyond 1984, and it is infinitely more scary than "covid".

Posted by: Norwegian | Apr 6 2021 8:36 utc | 63

HowRussia Amerika+France+UK+++ weaponized
"the Great Syrian Democratic Revolution"

How much longer can people still insist that there is a Syrian revolution, when the most powerful group is not only friendly to the West, but an “asset”?

Posted by: Bernard F. | Apr 6 2021 9:13 utc | 64

@ Mina | Apr 6 2021 8:11 utc | 61

Since 1947 1830, "We" subsidize colonisation

Posted by: Bernard F. | Apr 6 2021 9:18 utc | 65

Norwegian @ 62:

In Australia, the minimum that restaurants, cafes, other dining establishments, other private retail establishments and places where large numbers of people might gather can do is provide a way in which customers and patrons can be notified that they may have come in contact with someone who has COVID-19 or who has tested positive for COVID-19. But most of these places cannot compel people to leave their contact details (usually mobile phone numbers) with them.

In cases where places do compel people to leave their mobile phone details for the purposes of contact tracing, people have the option of going somewhere else that does not insist on their leaving their contact details behind.

The system used in Hong Kong dining places appears to be similar to the system used in Australia: by law, these establishments must provide methods by which people can be contacted if they become sites of infection. They either encourage people to download a contact-tracing app or ask people to write their details down on paper forms. Customers have the option also of not going out at all and eating at home, which is difficult to do in a culture where dining out in public with friends and family is expected and where most people live in small apartments so they prefer to entertain others by taking them out to restaurants and cafes.

Some restaurants and cafes in HK have also refused to take people's contact details and have opted to serve takeaway meals only.

Theoretically this system would reduce the need for blanket lockdowns of an entire city or a larger administrative unit such as a state or province, or even country. In Sydney, the NSW government used contact tracing to determine that a cluster of COVID-19 cases was limited mainly to the northeast side of the metropolitan area and this part of Sydney was subjected to lockdown. Traffic access to the area (population: about 250,000) was blocked by police. The lockdown lasted about 21 days and included New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. During this period people living in the affected area couldn't leave it but were allowed to leave their homes for exercise, essential shopping and getting takeaway meals within the area.

The issue that Al Jazeera brings up is an issue of compulsion and creeping authoritarian rule (based on stereotypes about China and the Chinese government) but it uses a poor example to demonstrate what it wants its readers to believe. It turns out that the HK govt is not forcing all dining establishments to use its contact-tracing app but is giving them a choice. Al Jazeera should have done better research.

Posted by: Jen | Apr 6 2021 12:10 utc | 66

@Jen | Apr 6 2021 12:10 utc | 65

I don't care about Al Jazeera. You did not relate to what I posted, but never mind.

Posted by: Norwegian | Apr 6 2021 12:43 utc | 67

Norwegian @Apr6 8:36 #62:

Show me the proof that there is a need to cancel democracy and human rights for something that does not affect 99.9% ...

Democracies have responded to the pandemic with measures that many people find onerous and many lies have been spread by some of these people such as: 1)"masks don't work" (they do work but they protect others, not the mask-wearer); 2) "only old people die" (even teens have died); and 3) that the pandemic is a hoax (it's not just the flu!).

Your "... does not affect 99.9% if anyone at all" is just regurgitating nonsense.

Many more-authoritarian countries have actually been more successful in fighting the pandemic. They haven't had to have the long "lockdowns" (a misnomer that exaggerates) that Western democracies have imposed. Among the things that they have done (as temporary emergency measures) is: rigorous contact-tracing, and quarantining the sick and suspected sick.

I would also note that the hypocrisy is astounding:

• People that DEMAND a return to normalcy also argue against the actions that could have returned us to normal much sooner than waiting for experimental vaccines;
• Libertarians that don't complain much about laws like speed limits and the prohibition against yelling "fire!" in a crowed theater are DEMANDING an end to pandemic measures that curtail their liberty;
• Republicans that are pushing for voting ID and accept a police state are DEMANDING that the economy be "opened up".

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Apr 6 2021 14:36 utc | 68

follow-up @Apr 6 2021 14:36 utc | 67

I should add, for the benefit of readers that don't know me, that my criticism of those who are critical of pandemic measures doesn't mean that I'm not skeptical of many things about this pandemic such as:

• USA/Empire desire to stoke hate for China;
• Big Pharma - government ties;
• mRNA tech which has been funded by US Mil for use in biowarfare;
• the immense propaganda spawned by the the above and the sheeple's acceptance of same.

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Apr 6 2021 15:28 utc | 69

The only thing that holds America or the "democratic" West together is an increasingly rabid hatred of Russia and China.

The Western-controlled Free Press and its unhinged accusations against Russia is matched by its equally unhinged torrent of Yellow Peril propaganda against China, as evidenced below:

Why the racism against Asians?, ask fundamentalist sinophobics...
https://nomadicthoughts.blogs.sapo.pt/why-the-racism-against-asians-ask-93263

Simply put, the collective West--led by the America and the Anglosphere--resembles a civilization of paranoid schizophrenics, whose delusional ravings will drive them towards world war--total war.

Needless to say, things will not end well for them.

Posted by: ak74 | Apr 6 2021 16:49 utc | 70

https://www.breitbart.com/environment/2021/04/06/russia-fortifies-ukraine-border-john-kerry-talks-climate-russian-foreign-minister/

This looks very positive. Like Ukraine is not a priority but climate is. This climate obsession might be useful for world peace.

Posted by: Eighthman | Apr 6 2021 20:26 utc | 71

Brings to mind the characterisation:
"They cry out in pain as they strike you."

Posted by: jared | Apr 7 2021 17:10 utc | 72

to jackrabbit #68. Not wishing to be a devil's advocate, but the fact is that Biden's home state, Delaware, already DEMANDS a voter ID, as does Colorado, where the baseballers have moved because they don't approve of a similar DEMAND in Georgia. As well, if you were wanting to fly to Colorado for baseball, Delta airlines would DEMAND an ID in order to board the plane. Just saying.

Posted by: Miss Lacy | Apr 7 2021 20:47 utc | 73

This RT article became the focus of today's Jimmy Dore show on YouTube. A hilarious discussion ensued involving Dore, Greyzone journalist Aaron Mate, and comedian Ron Placone. Ridicule of corporate journalists for about an hour...

Posted by: Jim | Apr 8 2021 3:29 utc | 74

@ak74 #17:

It's obvious that Masha and the Bear is a nefarious Russian plot to steal the precious bodily fluids of our children!

No, no. This seemingly innocuous animation series is chock-full of very subtle neuro-linguistic programming surreptitiously conditioning the defenseless minds of Western children. Decades later, the imprinted program will be activated with a menacing-sounding incantation in what Westerners erroneously believe to be Russian: zhelaniye, zhavoy, zinnadzit, rrrazved, pyech, d’yevet, dobrokachestveni, voftarzhenie na Rodinu, odin, gruzovy kabel. The ensuing chaos will destroy the Western civilization!

@b:

I’m saddened that you haven’t included this stellar piece of reporting by The Verge: “Russia reportedly used Pokémon Go in an effort to inflame racial tensions.” Charizards and slowpokes at each other’s throats—that’s exactly where Putin wants us!

Posted by: S | Apr 8 2021 16:17 utc | 75