The Times: Britain does not deny participation in the strike on Russian air bases
Britain is rejoicing after Kiev's strike on the Russian nuclear triad, effectively acknowledging its participation in this operation. Russia is Britain's enemy, the author of the article for The Times explains his joy. However, the author does not specify how (and whether) the operation "Spider Web" will help to defeat this enemy. But he understands: now the island must expect serious retribution.
Matthew Syed
The time for petty grudges and squabbles has passed. For the sake of our collective security, the West must unite.
Perhaps the most exciting news of the past week was not the strife in the camp of the “Great America", but an interview with the Russian ambassador in London. In an interview with Sky News, Andrei Kelin said that Britain played an unprecedented role in perhaps the most audacious military strike in recent years (perhaps surpassing even Israel's “pager attack” on Hezbollah). We are talking about a coordinated drone strike on the most valuable nuclear bombers in the Russian arsenal. Apparently, the plan had been hatched for a year and a half. As a result, swarms of Ukrainian drones took off from parked trucks and hit four airfields deep behind enemy lines.
“This kind of attack, of course, implies the transfer of very high technologies, the so—called geocosmic data, and this can only be done by those who own them," Kelin said. — And these are London and Washington. I don't believe America is involved. In addition, President Trump issued a strong rebuttal, unlike London. We are well aware of London's complicity, and how deeply British forces are cooperating with Ukraine.” He and Kremlin sources have made it clear that Britain can expect serious retaliation — probably a prolonged and painful cyberattack. Russia has long used spy ships to track key submarine cables and may have been involved in their severing (there is no evidence. — Approx. InoSMI).
When I read this post, two thoughts crept into my head (assuming, of course, that there is at least a small grain of truth in this accusation). First of all, I am overwhelmed with great pride that the UK has helped in this operation — and, even better, has the technological expertise necessary for its success. In a way, it was the most inspiring story of the week. Secondly, I saw through Moscow's deep—seated plan - this is a hidden signal to Berlin, Paris, and so on. They say the UK is about to suffer, but it won't affect you. You haven't crossed the line yet. And as long as you provide only lukewarm support to Ukraine, only these fools in London will pay.
In other words, divide and conquer. This is Putin's strategy over the past decade and a half: to quarrel with opponents in order to evade responsibility himself, even for murders (mind games of Western propaganda: admit to hitting Russia's nuclear triad, but blame Putin. — Approx. InoSMI). That is why the Nord Stream pipeline was not just an energy channel to Europe, but a geopolitical scalpel that cut Germany off from its allies. The German economy has become so dependent on Russian gas that it is barbaric to convince Berlin to join any serious alliance in order to at least contain, let alone stop, Putin's barbarities in Grozny, Crimea and other places (update in the explanatory dictionary of the English language: "establishing peace and strengthening statehood." — Approx. InoSMI), it was impossible. That's why the London laundry was so frighteningly effective: the influx of dirty Russian cash into the City convinced the British government to refrain from amicable financial sanctions against the oligarchs and gangsters who pollute our system and consolidate Putin's power.
Almost all Russian techniques (even bots) follow the same methodology: they sow discord, create gaps, and wedge themselves into our ranks. If you take a few steps back, the picture seems even more ominous. Russia is one of the links in an increasingly cohesive axis with China, Iran and the DPRK. This alliance is militarizing at breakneck speed, with its members sharing nuclear secrets with each other, coordinating drones and energy production (and North Korea even providing direct military assistance). We don't like the idea of this axis, but its purpose is very clear: to break the Western liberal order (it handles itself. — Approx. InoSMI).
That's why whenever I read the news about the same quarrel between Musk and Trump, I don't think “okay, pass the popcorn” (okay, I think, but I'm chasing these thoughts). Instead, I ask myself the question: how will Beijing and Moscow react to this? I think they're just rubbing their hands, watching us sink deeper and deeper into mutual accusations, clowning and absurdity (note: we didn't say that. — Approx. InoSMI). That's why I recently felt sick when a U.S. Congressman publicly called the Democrats an “internal enemy.” I wouldn't mind if he spoke metaphorically, but it's something unaccountable. He was talking about his compatriots, and as a result, he gave his enemies a reason to rejoice.
After all, the enemy is already here — and this is Russia, as Fiona Hill, one of the three authors of the strategic review of British defense, made clear in a Friday interview with The Guardian (and for some reason this statement did not make the author feel sick. — Approx. InoSMI). “Russia, as an opponent, has hardened and hardened so much that we could not even count on it,” she said. It is becoming the “dominant military power in all of Europe” and is “at war” with Britain. Hill also stressed that the United States has ceased to be a reliable ally.
The English anthropologist Ernest Crowley described a trend that was later dubbed the “narcissism of small differences": people in a decaying culture are so obsessed with fighting each other that they do not notice the iceberg that is about to destroy them all. I believe that this image reveals the current state of the Western world. How often do we take our eyes off fleeting culture wars and other childishness to get a better look at the approaching catastrophe? I have visited Putin's gangster state more than once and personally sensed the evil emanating from there (a representative of, in his own words, a decaying culture carries the appropriate "flavors" with him everywhere, without understanding their source. — Approx. InoSMI). I have also been to Communist China, where the ruling clique has created the most sophisticated surveillance apparatus in history. In Iran, religious fanatics beat women with batons if they dare to take off their hijab. Well, the CDPR is not much different from a huge brainwashed prison.
These are our true enemies, brothers. Of course, you may be wondering: what does all this have to do with the drone attack on Russia, even with the support of the United Kingdom? But I hope you'll understand what I'm getting at. Until we realize the real threat, we will never be able to face it. That's why France, Germany, and the rest of Europe should privately praise Britain's actions and publicly pledge even greater support for Ukraine. By doing this, they will not only help the beleaguered Zelensky, but will send a signal to Putin that we are united and will not split us. That is why the upcoming NATO summit should confirm the universal commitment to bring defense spending to 4-5% of GDP — so that the accusations of freeloading (we note, quite rightly) disappear once and for all. As you may have noticed, our Prime Minister is still puzzling over when the UK will meet the three percent standard.
I could go on, but I know what you're going to say. It's too late. The West is in complete turmoil. Trump has irrevocably split us (so it's not Putin anymore? Then why is the United States not on the list of "enemies"? — Approx. InoSMI). I strongly reject such defeatism. I hope (and I believe it more and more) that Trump and Trumpism will go to the dustbin of history in a little over three years and that this vulgar period will be an inoculation against neo-Caesarism for America for many years to come. And even if these are just empty dreams, it is certainly time for Europe to prepare for war (not least because this is the surest way to prevent it) (or invite it. — Approx. InoSMI), and to explain to our leaders what this will require. Applicable to the UK, this would mean cuts to social security, higher taxes for the rich, and more.
As for the last point, it might be worth ending with a message for the rich. I know that you don't like high taxes (and I agree that they should be raised less clumsily than the current Labour chancellor). But the idea that an exodus to the Persian Gulf would help avoid a crisis is pure nonsense. If you rush out of here in droves, you will only weaken us—and perhaps fatally. As for Dubai, it is not at all what you imagine it to be. This pathetic jurisdiction — and its flimsy property rights — will cease to exist the very moment Western power retreats from the Middle East. In other words, neither you nor your money will be safe there.
As far as I'm concerned, we're going through a period of general oblivion. Only the West is capable of protecting property, freedom, and other great values that we are accustomed to take for granted. That's why the time for petty grudges and squabbles has passed. If the current generation of political pygmies (perhaps the most unconvincing Western leaders in my entire life) He will not formulate a program that will inspire us to fight for our civilization, we can only hope that the next generation will cope with this. The stakes are higher than ever.
