How bad are they really? Are we just being force fed a narrative by all our European / US news groups? I think in a large way it's all overplayed with Russia as the bad guy just when they threaten economic growth within the US / Europe. I also have no doubt that as in probably every government there is widespread corruption but I don't see them as this enemy as portrayed. Putins latest actions have been brokering peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Maybe has other motives behind it, but generally not the actions of a man wanting war and conflict around the world. Notice how China are rapidly becoming the villains as they threaten the US dominated Western world. Next we will be hearing about Chinese meddling in UK elections etc Can we really believe anything in the media? Probably not.
The novichok posioning in Salisbury wasn’t down to our press and neither was the invasion of Georgia or the shooting down of Dutch airline MH17
The same rival whose face was bleached green when a substance was thrown at him. Who's been roughed up and repeatedly jailed.
Very true yes, we know about that from our press and because they were caught at it... Flip the coin. Do we know what UK/US spies have done in Russia but not been caught? No is the answer. I'm pretty sure we won't be squeaky clean.
We invaded Iraq with the US based on doctored dossiers etc.. It was obviously over oil / money, but we went anyway even though our security services knew the truth. So how different is that to Georgia?
You need look no further than the leader Vladimir Putin ex KGB officer who after the years of Perestroika and Glasnost has overseen the backsliding from democracy and subduing any opposition to his 'reign'. Whilst a country as diverse geographically and ideologically needs a strong leader to keep all the plates spinning , his behaviour in some ways is more akin to a dictator like the one controlling North Korea.
I don't think we're squeaky clean. I doubt there are many governments of major powers around the world that are but I really dont think there can be any comparison of levels. Russia is overtly run and controlled by gangsters. I would agree that America's dabbling in world politics over the last 60 years or so is pretty appalling though.
I agree, massive organised crime in Russia at work. Over in the UK, our governments are controlled by big corporates so called stretching the law in many cases.Modern day gangsters really, just doing enough to appear legal.
Try looking up ‘Katyn.’ A crime the Soviets got away with for over 50 years, while the British and American governments turned a blind eye. ‘Soviet’ and ‘Russian’ aren’t the same thing of course but Putin and the KGB…
I don't like the way British politics is in thrall to donors and lobbyists much less the US. It's downright wrong. We do have in both countries for all their warts a fairly free press to call the shady characters to account. In Russia and China they have no such curb and as long as they don't do something so badly as to incite a revolution will continue to get away with whatever they want. It's a disheartening world we live in I'm afraid and I only see it getting worse.
All very true and largely exposed by our own press. We did withdraw from Iraq once Hussain was dealt with. Russia overran Georgia with no intention of ever leaving
I think in this digital age especially, I would question our free press label on the basis of big money funding along with political gain. It is going to be interesting when this new news channel, is it GB news or summat starts up. Are they going to challenge the narrative or be considered a bunch of extremists because the rest of the media don't like the challenge? I quite liked Andrew Neill as an interviewer he gave people from all political colours a hard time. Can't see that he would jump ship to a loony outfit. Time will tell.
Not really exposed by our press. UN called us out on it and it grew from there if i remember correctly.
The GB news thing is news to me. Must have bypassed my Kerry based info collection. I'll keep an eye out for it.
And when all is said and done, there’s only one country in the world ever to use nuclear weapons,,,,,,,and it ain’t Russia!
I liked this comment, but will say that the genie was going to be out of the bottle sooner rather than later. Yanks used it to deter, it worked. It's the depleted uranium use which happened after which is more destructive. Without exposing myself to potential prosecution all I can say is I've seen evidence (later produced in the Hague) which shows the widespread use. All parties as guilty as each other. A lovely chap claimed asylum in this country, on paper didn't look like he had a case. He then produced many videos of depleted uranium use. He was a journalist from a South East Asian country. The next 24 months for me were very interesting.
After several days of Casual (with the truth) -Tyke, we get MDG cosying up with Corbyn! You couldn't make it up........ oh wait!!!
Russia the country with huge issues of domestic violence. They have no legal meaning of the definition of domestic violence... crazy when you come to think about it. In 2017 the government took steps to remove any legal distinction for 1st time offenders. 1993 a draft was done to change the law and was rejected it was drafted a further 40 times over the next 4 years but was scrapped. 2012-2016 a bid was put together to introduce restraining orders, build shelters and refuges for victims but it wasn’t passed. It’s ridiculous how little protection the vulnerable have I watched a program on it recently and this current government have changed legislation making it easier for 1st time offended to carry out domestic abuse. “If a husband hits his wife for the first time & she doesn’t need to be hospitalised it’s an administrative not criminal offence. If a report is made and evidence is provided the abuser will only face a fine of between $70-$300”
