THINK TWICE, STAN

  Strategic Stalemate: The Psychological Dynamics Between Moscow and Washington Putin’s Calculated Consistency President Putin continues to advance a coherent and unchanging message: the root causes of the conflict lie in Western provocation; a durable peace must reflect Russia's strategic interests; and the Special Military Operation is aimed at achieving non-negotiable security goals. His rhetorical posture remains disciplined. The framing may shift from confrontational to constructive in tone, but the substance does not waver. This consistency appears designed to communicate strategic resolve and domestic confidence while subtly pressing the notion that Ukraine is of lower strategic priority to the United States than it is to Russia. Implicit in this approach is a psychological calculation: that Trump - focused more on domestic consolidation and transactional diplomacy - may eventually disengage if the conflict ceases to serve his political interests. Trump’s Evolv...

  A Matter of Time: How Can Russia Secure Control Over Odessa and Nikolaev? Dr. Tszo Fu Q: It is widely acknowledged that Russia seeks to secure its strategic position by denying Ukraine access to the Black Sea. Presently, there is significant concern regarding the future of Odessa and Nikolaev. In your assessment, is the military capture of these cities feasible? What resources and time frame would be required for such an operation? Does Russia possess the necessary capabilities? Alternatively, is there a non-military approach that could enable Russia to take control of Odessa and Nikolaev, and what conditions would facilitate this? In your opinion, what would be the most prudent strategy concerning these cities? A: I have consistently stated that neither the capture of Odessa, Nikolaev, nor even Zhitomir would, on their own, resolve Russia’s broader security challenges. Addressing these challenges, especially over the coming century, requires the complete dissolution of U...

                 The Eurocracy is maintaining an anti-American front, but it is cracking from within. The European establishment is building a wall between Russia and Europe, disregarding both Trump's plans and the will of their own peoples. The main tool they rely on is the good old administrative resource. However, it may simply not be enough. The current confrontation between the Eurocracy and the new American administration is the best illustration that the so-called "collective West" does not actually exist. To be more precise, it existed briefly after the collapse of the Soviet bloc, but only in the minds of globalists. However, the fragile ice of the "end of history" proved to be quite deceptive, and a single wave running beneath it was enough for the West to revert to what it has always been—a continuous struggle between centers of power. In the Middle Ages, it was the struggle between Roman popes and German emperors; during the We...

European politicians behave as if Russia has any reason whatsoever  to listen to them  European states have seriously fallen behind the rest of the world, and even if relations are restored, Russia will face the question: what useful things can it gain from Europe? In his speech to journalists on May 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that "sooner or later, including by relying on the lessons of history and the opinions of our peoples, we will begin to move toward restoring constructive relations with European states." Given the current state of Russia's relations with its Western neighbors, such a statement by the head of state may seem aimed at the distant future—at present, there are simply no grounds to see any signs of adequacy in Europe. The phrase could be interpreted as mere politeness, which is an integral part of Russian foreign policy culture. However, this is not the case. While staying true to themselves, Russians should not prematurely rule out the m...

  A translation Attempt from Russian into English with a Reflective Commentary   “У нас любое действие всегда нолю равно. Системы бессистемные, стандарты нестандартные, пространство неэвклидово. Хрен знает, чьё оно.”                                                                - Тимур Шаов “With us, every action always equals zero. Systems are systemless, standards unstandardized, space is non-Euclidean. Hell knows whose it is.”                                                               -Timur Shaov Refle...

  Between the Bird in the Hand and the Ones in the Bush: Moscow, Washington, and the Future of the Ukrainian Settlement For Moscow, the security concerns related to Ukraine are of fundamental importance. This explains the divergence in approaches. The White House seeks a swift resolution and aims to bring closure. The Kremlin, however, believes that rushing the process would undermine the prospects of a dependable agreement. Today, all eyes are on potential developments in the Ukrainian settlement. The level of diplomatic activity is indeed high, and outward signs suggest it may not be without substance. Yet speculating about which of the leaked plans are real and which are not is a futile exercise. What is clear is that Russia is being asked to choose between a bird in the hand and two in the bush. The catch? Key elements necessary for a sustainable agreement are carried in the beaks of all three birds. Currently, for understandable reasons, everything revolves around territor...