What next? A story about Saddam? (Didn't Trump say something about him too?)
2
Obviously the Kremlin is learning from Clinton School Of Crisis Management....
3
Ugly comment and a lie. And you know darn well how outrageous that is, but many, many of us know how low Trump will go.
29
Yes maybe it was a bit TOO much.. sorry. But, with the news about recent unusual deaths -- Seth Rich for example -- it's the first thought that crossed my mind.....
2
Bill Browder's book "Red Notice" is a very involving, heartfelt book about Mr. Magnitsky and what motivates Mr. Browder to bring justice for his deceased lawyer to this day.
9
The U.S. Congress cares more about dollars than ethics, they'll bow down to Putin as soon as they can make a profit on it.
9
One has to believe that all Russians love their country for what they had to suffer, but Mother Russia keeps having monster babies for heads of state. What is going on with love and hate in Russia!
5
This article also shows how financial penalties are the main pressure point to be applied in reigning in rogue government behavior.
It is simply astonishing that the world's banking and money supply are not required to be absolutely transparent so that all criminal activity has no legitimate means of money laundering, and no safe haven for their criminal proceeds.
Who would object to complete transparency in banking? Only criminals who have something to hide.
It is simply astonishing that the world's banking and money supply are not required to be absolutely transparent so that all criminal activity has no legitimate means of money laundering, and no safe haven for their criminal proceeds.
Who would object to complete transparency in banking? Only criminals who have something to hide.
12
It's almost irresponsible for the NYT to publish this. Should Trump become president you have given him a playbook.
3
At least here in the U.S., the administration primarily uses the IRS to go after political enemies.
4
That's a lie, Norm. In the scandal you reference, it was proven that the IRS investigated more liberal political entities than conservative ones.
19
Forget "Who lost China?" - that sad drivel that helped launch the Red Scare and McCarthy, the real question that everyone in DC and the media should be asking is "Who lost Russia?" For it was the US that did nothing after the end of the Cold War to ensure the former Soviet Union transitioned to a free and democratic society. This is what happens when a government that falsely equates "markets" with "freedom" makes decisions. And the end result was not democracy and a regulated economy, but Mafia capitalism, run by a former KGB member. Thanks a bunch, Washington.
11
There is nothing US could or can do about it "to ensure the former Soviet Union transitioned to a free and democratic society". It's like ensuring Mexican drug cartels integrate into the global economy and start paying taxes.
7
Putin is a thug...in the same mold as Stalin and Lenin. Instead of banging a shoe on the table he sets about in the medieval tradition of killing anyone opposed to him. Fortunately, one day, he will die and all those he killed will meet him at the gates to Hell and watch him pushed through to an eternity of torment while they laugh and enjoy his misery.
So what's new in Russia today? Nothing. The world is a dangerous place. And the thugs of the world are enjoying their ascendancy.
So what's new in Russia today? Nothing. The world is a dangerous place. And the thugs of the world are enjoying their ascendancy.
12
That's very true: a thug and a bloody murderer. I am very concerned with explainers and apologists for him in American political class, including Mr. Trump (and some other prominent names). I cannot help but question their motives.
12
It comes down to this folks: there are areas located in North America, Europe, some Asian nations that adopted western values and a form of government, as well as some "down under nations" located in the Pacific where free speech, individual civil liberties, gender equality, and the rule of law are primary goals to be achieved. The vast majority of people live in areas where brutal control and fear govern. In other words, these still people live in the middle ages. Overpopulation, climate change and failed economies of dictatorships have triggered a massive movement of people from the middle ages into the first world nations. If we want to protect the democratic values and principles we embrace, liberal societies need to replace their current immigration laws with a merit-based immigration test coupled with strong enforcement. If not, civil chaos and Kremlin like governments will control the world.
5
Thank God for Trump's presidential candidacy, so Democrats and left-wind publications can finally see the evil face of Putin. Just 4 short years ago they vilified Romney for saying Russia is the biggest geopolitical threat facing America. How quickly has all of that been forgotten.
9
Seems I remember W saying Putin was his "Soulmate"?
6
“I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy. We had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul; a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country. I got a little bit aroused, you know, down there!"
4
Not to pick nits, but:
"Other countries, notably Israel and the United States, pursue targeted killings, but in a strict counterterrorism context."
I'd bet that Fidel Castro, for one notable example, would beg to disagree.
"Other countries, notably Israel and the United States, pursue targeted killings, but in a strict counterterrorism context."
I'd bet that Fidel Castro, for one notable example, would beg to disagree.
7
Back to Darkness at Noon. Putin, like Stalin, will eliminate any and all opponents anywhere in the world. He is an evil, cold fish and our leaders need to understand him as such, not think they can have friendly relations with him. The only thing he understands is power. But he is wily and crafty, has a pretty good idea of when the US is puffing and huffing but won't take real action, and is willing to take risks and push things to the edge. We need to be very cold and objective in dealing with him.
13
I await with delight the day that someone assassinates Putin. The fact that Trump associates himself with such a treacherous beast lets us know that Trump would essentially surrender the U.S. to Russian control.
11
It is inevitable, too. Very few mafia bosses have ended their lives peacefully in their beds surrounded by loving family and friends. At some point, when it ceases to be personal and becomes strictly about business they get eliminated and then no one mentions their names again.
7
To many this article is war-drum-beating, but it helps to keep reminding us who we'll be dealing with one way or other, Trump or Clinton. Fact is, it's hard not to respect Putin otherwise: he's brought Russians a sense of leadership and upward direction that Americans haven't felt since winning the Cold War.
There's a YouTube video with hobby drones swarming over a Siberian ski slope: thousands of young adults are doing a summer downhill in swimsuits. The Brit filming it asks one girl if Russians are naturally that crazy. "Yes, and why not? We are powerful. Everything is a joke." Says a lot.
Of course, it's a whole other story if you happen to be targeted in a drive-by, jailed without cause, or your place mysteriously burns down so some uber-developer gets the land back through the state. But Russia has never been more open to the world and like the West, and Putin's been able to co-manage with the Mafia. Without his iron fist, it's a backslide to the chaos under Yeltsin when they really longed for Uncle Joe. So it's easy to understand Putin's "popularity" where rule-by-thuggery has always been relative.
There's a YouTube video with hobby drones swarming over a Siberian ski slope: thousands of young adults are doing a summer downhill in swimsuits. The Brit filming it asks one girl if Russians are naturally that crazy. "Yes, and why not? We are powerful. Everything is a joke." Says a lot.
Of course, it's a whole other story if you happen to be targeted in a drive-by, jailed without cause, or your place mysteriously burns down so some uber-developer gets the land back through the state. But Russia has never been more open to the world and like the West, and Putin's been able to co-manage with the Mafia. Without his iron fist, it's a backslide to the chaos under Yeltsin when they really longed for Uncle Joe. So it's easy to understand Putin's "popularity" where rule-by-thuggery has always been relative.
6
I began to read the article, became frightened and stopped. Read a few comments, became frightened and stopped. Too frightening for me.
4
I was fine until I read your comment. Now I am frightened. Oh the madness.
4
Ah Russia, a feudal, paranoiac nation that has never grown up. Lives in a world of make believe and has precious little compunction about throwing war and murder about. It's ruled by fear and propaganda. It's not simply culture difference at all, it's a psychologically dysfunctional country. They are their own worst enemy (while projecting all their woes as a result of America (?).
5
Wasn't Putin the man Boy George looked into his eyes and saw the soul of a man that we could be partners with. Chalk up one more up for "The Decider".
7
Trump's new BF and role model...Putin.
3
Good article. It scratches the surface of what has been happening in Russia since the break up of the Soviet Union. Ben Mezrich has written an excellent book entitled 'Once Upon A Time in Russia'. It delves into the murky world of the Russian Oligarchs and their impact on Russian Politics. Ugly scary world over there.
8
This is pretty much what we can look forward to here, if Trump wins by some catastrophic error.
Manafort better watch his step too, best not to annoy Putin after all those deals went down.
Manafort better watch his step too, best not to annoy Putin after all those deals went down.
4
No, Putin is competent. Evil, yes, but competent.
3
That's true Michael, but I meant Trump would emulate him. So we'd have assassinations that were failed and horribly bungled instead, but under Trump assassinations would become state policy, badly done though they'd be.
2
When you jail the members of a young female rock band for speaking out against you, that tells it all.
12
Interesting article but why exactly and how accurate really is not clear to me. What I do find intriguing is that the Olympics in Brazil cam to an end today, a sporting event were Russian and American Athletes, and obviously many other countries, have competed for gold medals, fame, and glory but now while the sportsmen and women are still taking a shower to freshen up and say goodbye this article presents Russia like a political killing and murder field. Too much of a coincidence but why!
5
Russia gets the type of political leadership it demands. So ... eliminate those who demand more and you get ... Putin, who likely will be followed eventually by another Putin, who likely ....
Russians cannot rise above being Russians. Other than cheap vodka, a small handful of authors, musicians, and some ballet dancers, what positive contributions have they made to civilization? I don't see much of a future for Russia ... just more of its past.
Russians cannot rise above being Russians. Other than cheap vodka, a small handful of authors, musicians, and some ballet dancers, what positive contributions have they made to civilization? I don't see much of a future for Russia ... just more of its past.
2
This is the logical conclusion when the majority of the people of a country stop thinking and rely on a strong man dictator to protect them and make them great again....
6
Stephen Bannon must love Putin. What an expeditious way to get rid of the pesty 99%.
2
It's hard to swallow a morality lesson about abuse of power from a country that unilaterally went into another country, without cause, and killed several hundred thousand people - many of them children.
We created a group of people that have no rights whats-so-ever. None. They're called "enemy combatants". Now, who gets to decide who these enemy combatants are that have no rights? The people who created the category in the first place.
If you want to lecture people about abuse, you can't be one the greatest agents of it the world has ever seen.
It's one of the prices you pay for arrogant ignorance.
Thank Bush and the Supreme Court.
We created a group of people that have no rights whats-so-ever. None. They're called "enemy combatants". Now, who gets to decide who these enemy combatants are that have no rights? The people who created the category in the first place.
If you want to lecture people about abuse, you can't be one the greatest agents of it the world has ever seen.
It's one of the prices you pay for arrogant ignorance.
Thank Bush and the Supreme Court.
5
First, these are two very different cases - invading a country vs a government murdering citizens who disagree with their president. Second, the US invasion in Iraq and to a degree Afghanistan have been widely reported on for years and largely condemned. The murder of Russian citizens who speak out against Putin has been touched on at times but I don't routinely see articles like this. The NYTimes has done a great job on reporting on Russia but I suspect they would do the same if an American or British or Canadian president / PM did something similar.
8
I find that I have the capacity for moral indignation at both American jingoism and Russian barbarity.
9
There must be an error here. It says cadmium is deadly to the touch but I have held cadmium balls in my hand used to make cadmium copper alloys. Cadmium is toxic but it is a chronic kidney toxin and takes a long time to develop rather than an acute toxin that would harm you in a short period of time with exposure to small quantities (unless breathing a high concentration of cadmium oxide fume that can cause a serious pulmonary edema in a short period of time). It is primarily absorbed as a fume in the lung rather than ingested.
5
There are some mercury salts that are deadly if you just get a single drop of a concentrated solution of it on your hand. A chemistry researcher died from just that scenario a decade or so ago. The same may be true of cadmium, but, you are correct the metal itself cannot kill you unless, maybe if you coat your whole body in it and leave it for a week.
2
Not an error; rather a deliberate omission of the truth, or ignorance on the part of this breathless reporter, or both.
4
Wow, that's pretty mean waldo. As a former engineer, I guess I am just used to reporters simply not understanding technical subjects. He was probably told that a certain Cadmium Salt can be deadly if applied topically in large enough quantities, and simply thought this meant that cadmium is deadly to the touch.
Never attribute to maliciousness that which can be adequately explained by incompetence.
Never attribute to maliciousness that which can be adequately explained by incompetence.
2
More of Kremlin’s Opponents Are Ending Up Dead. So what? This is not Russia. Have the words, avoid foreign entanglemets lost all their meaning? With Hillary in the White House and John McCain as Chair of the Armed Services Committee, this is spring time for the military interventionists. I suppose we'll start launching drone strikes in Moscow now.
7
Trump's way is Putin's way...
1
After reading Robert K Massie's brilliant biography of Peter the Great many years ago, I have never ceased to be amazed at how little, at the core, things have changed in Russia over the centuries.
9
The methods of achieving and of maintaining power are well known and very, very old in the experience of man, and they are brutal and without any obligations to ethical behavior nor to mercy of any kind. What Putin is doing is no different than what leaders of empires have been recorded as having done for the last 5,000 years. We live n a modern era in which there is generally far more freedom and far less insecurity than in any time in history, and we sometimes think that this should protect us from behavior that has been common in the distant past from brutality in civilized places like Rome to the barbaric tribes which overran Rome (the greatest pre-modern polity in Western history). But every generation is born with the same organic structure as humans who were born a thousand centuries, ago, and they must learn to be modern people before they are grown lest they adopt the behavior of savages and barbarians, which is what has happened in many dark ages throughout human history. To remain an civilized society with modern values we must never take it all for granted, and we must never forget that liberty and democracy require each other to endure. The temptation to let people who seek only power to dominate in our polity is a highly risky inclination which we must all resist.
3
August 21, 2016
The of living is not inclusive of survival anywhere. So be careful in what you believe in or explore....
jja
The of living is not inclusive of survival anywhere. So be careful in what you believe in or explore....
jja
1
What does it take to be a despot:.....perhaps this is why Donald J. Trump
admires Vladimir Putin....
Actually I think Putin is much smarter than Trump....so Trump will lose
the ...I will be the world's most awesome despot challenge..
admires Vladimir Putin....
Actually I think Putin is much smarter than Trump....so Trump will lose
the ...I will be the world's most awesome despot challenge..
2
It's just silly to mess with Vladimir Putin.
3
None of the killings mentioned here have ever been proven to have been committed by the Russian state. It's all too convenient, though, as rank speculation. Some of the US' closest allies, however, are certainly guilty of many crimes and political murders. There's no need to mention those countries names. Our tax monies go to those regimes.
8
To insinuate that Western governments are on the same murderous league as Putin is just nonsense. There have been targeted killings, like Bin Laden, but no mass purge of people critical to the government. We are about to have an election here in the US with a bunch of loonies like Carlson, Cruz and Trump all running around making statements that in Russia would probably see them imprisoned or dead. and Obama will step down at the end of his term and our democracy will move on. Unlike Putin who has managed to stay in power and turned Russia into a massive criminal enterprise.
4
Mind you, sometimes I wish there was a little bit more in the way of consequences for people in this country espousing 'second amendment solutions', but, your point is well made.
1
"... no mass purges..."
Turkey?
Turkey?
1
Such are the risks of producing good vodka.
2
If Mr. Putin's goal is to accomplish his country's ascendancy upon the world stage, then of course image is certainly part of this effort. Whether he or people aligned with him in government would resort to the tactics of princes in eliminating so-called opposition is another matter. In the case of Litvinenko, it may have been his ties to Berezovsky, which did him in, but not necessarily at the hands of the Kremlin. The setting, London, rife with competition for monetary success, with oligarchic Russian riches the prize, perhaps provided the impetus. Litvinenko had traveled to Zion, was likely known to the Mossad, and so could have been eliminated in order to get at Berezovsky's wealth. The nucleid could have come from there rather than Russia. In like manner, competition may be fueling what is happening to these unfortunate people, and scapegoats may abound. The stance of the U.S. in sanctioning hurts a lot of people, not just those named. Posturing as in the cold war to reinforce nuclear might is just so much flatulence. Events call for cooperation, not sanctions.
2
Where in the world would anyone besides Russia or America get their hands on Polonium from? No, it was either the Kremlin or the CIA trying to frame the Kremlin, and, given how many people the Kremlin has killed, I hardly think the CIA needs to frame the Kremlin, particularly when it would cost them a potentially valuable source of information.
1
Polonium is used in the manufacture of fire detectors. And Litvenenko was sponsored by an exiled Russian oligarch with a reputation for murder.
1
Not that I am aware of. Polonium has very few industrial uses primarily due to its extreme toxicity and the difficulty of manufacturing it. You can get tiny amounts of it for research purposes, but these are strictly regulated, at least here in the US.
Now, if Russia is selling smoke detectors with polonium alpha sources, then we may have a bigger problem here than the death of just one dissident.
Now, if Russia is selling smoke detectors with polonium alpha sources, then we may have a bigger problem here than the death of just one dissident.
The Kremlin is essentially a criminal organization, run by gangsters with Putin serving as "Capo di tutti i capi" or "Boss of Bosses."
Ruthlessly exterminating all political opponents or anyone that gets in his say is SOP for Putin, and his corrupting influence taints many organizations in Russia, like the state sponsored doping of Russia's athletes.
The fact that Trump puts Putin on a pedestal as a "strong" leader says much about Trump's lack of judgment and ethics.
Ruthlessly exterminating all political opponents or anyone that gets in his say is SOP for Putin, and his corrupting influence taints many organizations in Russia, like the state sponsored doping of Russia's athletes.
The fact that Trump puts Putin on a pedestal as a "strong" leader says much about Trump's lack of judgment and ethics.
8
Exactly right. He is at the head of a criminal pyramid establishing monopolies within the Russian borders and beyond where everyone is paying money up the chain in exchange for permission to operate and protection. The "within the Russian borders" part works well, but the "beyond" part is somewhat more problematic. This explains his possessive attitudes towards former Soviet republics, and not some fear that NATO will attack Russia. This also explains his actions in Ukraine. No self-respecting mafia boss will tolerate the removal of a friendly mafia boss without his permission. Putin basically acted the way any New York mafia family would if someone took out an allied boss in New Jersey.
1
Nonsense!
Putin is a head of state charged with defending his nation against foreign enemies and their political agents in Russia. He's doing what he has to do. What every ruler has done since time immemorial.
Putin is a head of state charged with defending his nation against foreign enemies and their political agents in Russia. He's doing what he has to do. What every ruler has done since time immemorial.
1
Imagine, if the Canadian PM decided to break with you, quit NATO, cancel NAFTA, refuse to pay its debt et al; would Washington just say "OK, if that's what you want'.
You can't be this naive.
You can't be this naive.
3
The Russian government seems to operate as a crime organization, and apparently has been for hundreds of years. Some tradition.
3
And they are exporting it to the world!
If Israel pursued targeted killings in a "strict counterterrorism context" then they would not kill so many civilians. It would be more appropriate to to say a "strict terrorism context."
6
And say what you will negatively about Putin, but Russia is now solidly on the world's political, economic, and military radar solely because of Putin. Just where was Russia before Putin … on their knees after being a failed communist state!
5
Thnaks Boris, but we always new Russia (previously USSR) was pretty important, what with all the nukes and all.
And Tchaikovsky, and the Bolshoi Theatre, and their rocket engines, without which NASA couldn't lift a mouse off the ground.
So much about that, Oleh.
So much about that, Oleh.
1
My Russian colleagues would tell you that their lives during the decade following the USSR collapse was excruciatingly difficult.
During the Soviet times, the country was very safe and as kids they would roam everywhere. Parents knew it was totally safe and if anyone got lost, someone would take them home. Then suddenly, their world changed. Crime rates went through the roof and gangs flourished. They had to lock the doors and were told not to speak to anyone in the streets.
Pre-collapse, people would know every neighbor in a block of 200-300 flats. That rapidly changed and people stopped going to "gosti" (visiting friends or neighbors). In the USSR neighbors could ordinarily visit without notice. When that changed, people started drinking more than ever and many of their mates at school started taking drugs. Suicide rates increased dramatically.
In the USSR everyone was making about the same amount of money, no matter the job. But now jobs had vanished overnight and hyper-inflation had made money virtually worthless. Skilled engineers had to take taxi driver jobs to survive. Universities degraded into places where the professors could make money by taking bribes from non-attending scholars. Corruption ran from law-enforcement agencies to health care authorities.
Rare when a nation is officially relegated to history's dustbin and is soon able to reinvigorate itself to nearly its former world power status with no concerted foreign economic rebuilding assistance or aid.
During the Soviet times, the country was very safe and as kids they would roam everywhere. Parents knew it was totally safe and if anyone got lost, someone would take them home. Then suddenly, their world changed. Crime rates went through the roof and gangs flourished. They had to lock the doors and were told not to speak to anyone in the streets.
Pre-collapse, people would know every neighbor in a block of 200-300 flats. That rapidly changed and people stopped going to "gosti" (visiting friends or neighbors). In the USSR neighbors could ordinarily visit without notice. When that changed, people started drinking more than ever and many of their mates at school started taking drugs. Suicide rates increased dramatically.
In the USSR everyone was making about the same amount of money, no matter the job. But now jobs had vanished overnight and hyper-inflation had made money virtually worthless. Skilled engineers had to take taxi driver jobs to survive. Universities degraded into places where the professors could make money by taking bribes from non-attending scholars. Corruption ran from law-enforcement agencies to health care authorities.
Rare when a nation is officially relegated to history's dustbin and is soon able to reinvigorate itself to nearly its former world power status with no concerted foreign economic rebuilding assistance or aid.
3
Trumps passive, exaggerated remarks about a relationship with Putin and his contempt for our free press is somewhat alarming. The difference is we have a vibrant Democracy in the United States- If we cower in fear of what a "Trump Presidency" may bring- need we forget we have a Constitution with checks and balances on power? IF elected- Trump would need a majority of both houses and judicial review of our Supreme Court to authorize his policies- whatever they might be. Obama spent 8 years trying to implement things that were inherently good and was stonewalled at every turn. I would like to see Trump try to modify our Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments- Such an attempt would only be met with his impeachment, which is entirely in our power under our Constitution. If by some sort of bizarre fluke of a miracle he is successful - then we have nobody to blame but ourselves for electing the senators who made it possible for him in the first place. In other words, Trump isn't the problem or the monster- We The People are! So get out there, read up on the issues, study our history and participate in the process! VOTE People! Bernie where are you when we need you?
P.S. Thanks a lot NYT for throwing the election in Hillary's favor- cause she won't be any better.
P.S. Thanks a lot NYT for throwing the election in Hillary's favor- cause she won't be any better.
3
How completely muddy this message is. No matter what, there will be a new President the day after the election. Clinton is qualified and experienced. Trump is not. The President is important., and yes Trump is a problem and a monster. And a very good friend of Putin.
Against Russia, Hillary sees Putin for the threat he is which is already better than Trump. Also, her campaign wasn't until last week, run by a man making millions off the suffering caused by Arusha in Ukraine.
Hillary will unleash hell upon the world.
Her train-wreck as Secretary of State is prologue to her future as President. I fear for the world is she's elected.
Her train-wreck as Secretary of State is prologue to her future as President. I fear for the world is she's elected.
1
As professor in chemistry let me assure you that cadmium is not deadly to touch. As a refugee from former Czechoslovakia I believe the rest of your article is correct
6
"Red Notice" by American businessman, Bill Browder, presents a chilling portrait of life in Russia under Putin. Trump and other American leaders should be very very leery of dealing with Putin. This man appears to be a classic psychopath. An a moral ruthless dictator.
5
And Browder is a lying thief, trying to make money of the unfortunate death of poor Magnitsky, crying crocodile tears that he couldn't steal more out of Russia under Yeltsin, than what he did.
Spare me the sympathy, please.
Spare me the sympathy, please.
2
Thanks for the reference, just dowloaded the book!
Read a few more. Browder only tells you what he wants you to know. Not what he really did.
1
I wish political analysts and journalists would pound unhappy facts and not the easy bromides.
Putin is a modern-day Caesar very much in the mold of Augustus or Justinian the Great. To consolidate power and maintain it he routinely disposes of rivals, critics; former allies; real, perceived and imaginary enemies; and anyone who has something that he needs or wants -- just like those ancient rulers did.
His goal is his own personal supremacy inside Russia and outside, so he uses the same methods Augustus and Justinian did, and Antiochus X Eusebes Philopator, Cleopatra VII Philopator or Mithradates the Great did, without a second thought beyond strategic calculations. Those whom he wishes gone from the surface of the Earth are made to disappear in ways that cause no suspicion to fall upon his bloody hands.
No American president does this.
No French president does this.
No English prime minister and no German chancellor (after Hitler, another Augustus) does this.
It is the fundamental difference -- and the fundamental problem -- dealing with Putin. Murder isn't off the table. Putin will wantonly murder anyone who dares stand in his way, and his tentacles can reach out and destroy his targets in a very well-calculated way.
Against a man such as this Donald Trump wouldn't even be a hapless buffoon. He would be completely out of his depth.
Putin is a modern-day Caesar very much in the mold of Augustus or Justinian the Great. To consolidate power and maintain it he routinely disposes of rivals, critics; former allies; real, perceived and imaginary enemies; and anyone who has something that he needs or wants -- just like those ancient rulers did.
His goal is his own personal supremacy inside Russia and outside, so he uses the same methods Augustus and Justinian did, and Antiochus X Eusebes Philopator, Cleopatra VII Philopator or Mithradates the Great did, without a second thought beyond strategic calculations. Those whom he wishes gone from the surface of the Earth are made to disappear in ways that cause no suspicion to fall upon his bloody hands.
No American president does this.
No French president does this.
No English prime minister and no German chancellor (after Hitler, another Augustus) does this.
It is the fundamental difference -- and the fundamental problem -- dealing with Putin. Murder isn't off the table. Putin will wantonly murder anyone who dares stand in his way, and his tentacles can reach out and destroy his targets in a very well-calculated way.
Against a man such as this Donald Trump wouldn't even be a hapless buffoon. He would be completely out of his depth.
12
Trump is a 'useful idiot' as they used to call them.
8
It's worse.
Trump punches down. He bullies, lies pathologically because for him truth is relative -- usually what he says it is at the moment. Whatever it is today, tomorrow it could be something else. You see it in his campaign zigzags, his inconsistency. Backstage, he eviscerates subordinates and rejects advice. As a businessman he often cheated "the little people". He is a creature of commerce, a chiseler.
Putin, on the other hand, is a land shark who takes what he wants or thinks he needs. For example: during the Bush years, at a reception of leading Americans including NFL team owner Bob Kraft, he walked up to Kraft and asked to see his Superbowl ring. Kraft handed it to the dictator expecting to get it back. Putin studied it for a few moments, then put it in his pocket and walked away, shielded by his burly security entourage. Kraft could only watch, speechless.
Two thieves, with different mindsets.
Putin knew exactly what he was doing. The ring's role was purely symbolic. He was sending a message: "I can do anything I want. I don't care about proprieties. And you can't do anything about it -- least of all to stop me".
Putin served in the KGB, learned the political ropes in a lethal profession where the penalty for failure is often personal destruction. Trump, who never served in the military, learned the political ropes in a business career in which legally bribing politicians is the norm. Negotiating with Putin across any table, he wouldn't even be a peasant.
Trump punches down. He bullies, lies pathologically because for him truth is relative -- usually what he says it is at the moment. Whatever it is today, tomorrow it could be something else. You see it in his campaign zigzags, his inconsistency. Backstage, he eviscerates subordinates and rejects advice. As a businessman he often cheated "the little people". He is a creature of commerce, a chiseler.
Putin, on the other hand, is a land shark who takes what he wants or thinks he needs. For example: during the Bush years, at a reception of leading Americans including NFL team owner Bob Kraft, he walked up to Kraft and asked to see his Superbowl ring. Kraft handed it to the dictator expecting to get it back. Putin studied it for a few moments, then put it in his pocket and walked away, shielded by his burly security entourage. Kraft could only watch, speechless.
Two thieves, with different mindsets.
Putin knew exactly what he was doing. The ring's role was purely symbolic. He was sending a message: "I can do anything I want. I don't care about proprieties. And you can't do anything about it -- least of all to stop me".
Putin served in the KGB, learned the political ropes in a lethal profession where the penalty for failure is often personal destruction. Trump, who never served in the military, learned the political ropes in a business career in which legally bribing politicians is the norm. Negotiating with Putin across any table, he wouldn't even be a peasant.
4
Putin is probably involved in these cases of political murder and intimidation. That does not alter the fact that US interfered in the internal affairs of Ukraine and was involved in the 2/2014 coup in Kiev in which they tried to leverage this into taking over the entire country. The fact that the coup occurred while the winter Olympics were going on shows that the coup plotters wanted to accomplish the coup while the eyes of the world were on Sochi. The point being that Putin is probably involved in criminal enterprises but that does alter the fact that Russia has legitimate national security interests in Syria and Ukraine in which the US has chosen to disregard. In the end the USs foreign policy will likely under Hillary Clinton lead to confrontation with Russia in a situation where the Russians have clearly a better position. A recent column called the USs wrong headed dangerous policy toward Russia as Putin paranoia.
8
Yes for sure. Insane to presume to fight the greatest land power on earth deep within the Eurasian land mass.
There is no possibility of a WWII style conflict involving huge infantry, mechanized and armor divisions.
Pre-positioned materiel will either be rapidly exhausted or overrun by advancing Russian forces.
Where is that ARSENAL OF DEMOCRACY now? Ha! And even IF we were capable of rapid development of defense manufacturing on the massive levels of full scale land war getting across the Atlantic will not be easy. Russian submarine forces are at least as capable as any ASW we could project over transatlantic convoys. And from where will this necessary shipping come?
And where would these necessarily vast flotillas unload? Certainly Rotterdam and the rest of the massive port facilities of the Low Countries would be vulnerable to conventional missile and bomb attacks. Would the Dutch or Belgian governments forbid war materiel from being landed knowing that to do so would result in devastation.
Ukraine is the place where Russia was born! Kievan Rus was where the Viking warriors married into Slavic families creating Russia. It was only the Mongol expansion that wrecked Kievan Rus. Moscow became the tax-collector, the middleman between tributaries to the Mongols and the Khans themselves.
There was NEVER A NATIONSTATE called Ukraine. No king of Ukraine. It was as most of eastern Europe divided between the Hapsburg and Russian Empires.
There is no possibility of a WWII style conflict involving huge infantry, mechanized and armor divisions.
Pre-positioned materiel will either be rapidly exhausted or overrun by advancing Russian forces.
Where is that ARSENAL OF DEMOCRACY now? Ha! And even IF we were capable of rapid development of defense manufacturing on the massive levels of full scale land war getting across the Atlantic will not be easy. Russian submarine forces are at least as capable as any ASW we could project over transatlantic convoys. And from where will this necessary shipping come?
And where would these necessarily vast flotillas unload? Certainly Rotterdam and the rest of the massive port facilities of the Low Countries would be vulnerable to conventional missile and bomb attacks. Would the Dutch or Belgian governments forbid war materiel from being landed knowing that to do so would result in devastation.
Ukraine is the place where Russia was born! Kievan Rus was where the Viking warriors married into Slavic families creating Russia. It was only the Mongol expansion that wrecked Kievan Rus. Moscow became the tax-collector, the middleman between tributaries to the Mongols and the Khans themselves.
There was NEVER A NATIONSTATE called Ukraine. No king of Ukraine. It was as most of eastern Europe divided between the Hapsburg and Russian Empires.
2
Curious that so many people living in what you call a non-nationstate that we call Ukraine are willing to stand up to this omnipotent Russia that you claim even the US and Western Europe dare not oppose. There was once a Nixon doctrine for such situations as these: If the people of a nation are willing to fight for their freedom from the Soviet Empire or Communist China, the US should supply the weapons needed for them to do so.-- Why do we not provide lethal aid to the Ukrainians and then let them decide if resistance is futile?
3
I recommend reading a book by Masha Gessen- The Man Without A Face/The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin. The President of Russia is really little more than a low level thug who, through happenstance, rose to power. He has changed little if at all. The fact that "The Donald" has chosen to "associate" with him merely shows how ignorant he is of the world in general.
4
When Russia was the USSR, the self-declared global foe of America and capitalism I bet you and most of your fellow Dems mocked the anti-Communist "right" and consistently tried to thwart our every move to contain them. But now, Russia, a non-ideologic thugocracy attracts your malign attention. Why now?
How were we able to live with the Ukraine an SSR an integral part of the USSR? Unlike Poland, Hungary etc it wasn't merely a tightly controlled sovereign state within the Warsaw Pact, but was actually as Soviet as Texas is American.
How were we able to live with the Ukraine an SSR an integral part of the USSR? Unlike Poland, Hungary etc it wasn't merely a tightly controlled sovereign state within the Warsaw Pact, but was actually as Soviet as Texas is American.
This article omits 2 important poisonings in Russian history: Rasputin and Stalin. Rasputin was poisoned (allegedly) with cyanide. Stalin was likely poisoned with Coumadin, as documented in a prior article in the NY Times:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2003/03/05/world/new-study-supports-idea-stali...
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2003/03/05/world/new-study-supports-idea-stali...
2
Considering this news: I guess there is no wonder that Donald J. Trump remains
loyal to Vladimir Putin....and why...well I guess it has to do with Russian Banks
loaning Trump money to cover his US debts...or something like that..
I really wish the NYTimes has more investigative reporters....on tap...so we
could learn about this conumdrum about Trump and Manafort and ties to Russia.
So...who is NOT on vacation with Barack in Hawaii who might dig a bit deeper.
loyal to Vladimir Putin....and why...well I guess it has to do with Russian Banks
loaning Trump money to cover his US debts...or something like that..
I really wish the NYTimes has more investigative reporters....on tap...so we
could learn about this conumdrum about Trump and Manafort and ties to Russia.
So...who is NOT on vacation with Barack in Hawaii who might dig a bit deeper.
4
More investigative reporters, like Kramer?
I could right this rubbish with one hand any time of the day.
I could right this rubbish with one hand any time of the day.
Claudius wife Agrippina poisoned him so that her son nero could become emperor
does melania know about this ?
5
Perhaps Mr. Kerry would be wise to change his focus of a peace plan from Israel and the Palestinians to the USA and Russia.
2
USSR 2.0 is becoming increasingly active.
3
Trump and his fellow travelers must be licking their chops imagining being able to emulate a man they call 'a leader. '
1
Putins methods are ruthless, but what to what end? They are not the ravings of a lunatic, they are the cold, very cold but calculated equations of a man with a mission. A man who currently believes that his current methods are the best and only way to move his country forward - politically, economically and militarily. Assassinations are but one tool. He pushes every envelope he can get away with - what were the consequences of his and his henchman shooting down a civilian jetliner in Ukraine? Of taking Crimea? Of treating US military assets dangerously and with disrespect? Why wouldn't he eliminate his enemies in any way he chooses? Consequences? It intimidates those who remain and in his mind is for the 'greater good'. Sort of like what you say that we already do when we assassinate our enemies - we kill 'for the greater good'. Are we the only ones that get to define what that means? Bottom line is that until we can figure out a win win situation where we can live in peace with in depth understandings and limits, guaranteeing one anothers security and well being, we will live in mutual intimidation and continue to waste our resources on more and more sophisticated intelligence and weaponry. Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin do not blink. We must not blink but we must see clearly.
2
Yes see clearly. That means recognizing the unpleasant truth that geography is still destiny. Crimea is as Russian as Florida American. Since the time of Katherine the Great Russia inexorably pushed southward towards a Black Sea window.
We should come to an understanding based on realpolitik with Putin. Let the EU defend Ukraine if it wishes. We have no legitimate interests there other than the knee jerk opposition to Russian power.
Our NATO alliance is like what the Kaiser said of his Hapsburg ally in WWI: like being shackled to a corpse. Do you really think France and Germany would risk war with Russia over Ukraine?
Better would be to accept reality, a deal made in private between Trump and Putin could trade our acceptance of geographical reality in the Russian "Near Abroad". We recognize that our Naval presence could not be sustained in the Black Sea and Eastern Baltic in real warfare. Nor could Russian submarine or other platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Shake hands and the deal is done. Now we can cooperate with Moscow and regain stability in Syria, and Iraq. Better relations with America would necessarily diminish Russian ties to Iran. And the Russians understand their demographic fate: Chinese settlers are all ready moving into eastern Siberia. The time has come for us to play the RUSSIAN CARD.
We should come to an understanding based on realpolitik with Putin. Let the EU defend Ukraine if it wishes. We have no legitimate interests there other than the knee jerk opposition to Russian power.
Our NATO alliance is like what the Kaiser said of his Hapsburg ally in WWI: like being shackled to a corpse. Do you really think France and Germany would risk war with Russia over Ukraine?
Better would be to accept reality, a deal made in private between Trump and Putin could trade our acceptance of geographical reality in the Russian "Near Abroad". We recognize that our Naval presence could not be sustained in the Black Sea and Eastern Baltic in real warfare. Nor could Russian submarine or other platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Shake hands and the deal is done. Now we can cooperate with Moscow and regain stability in Syria, and Iraq. Better relations with America would necessarily diminish Russian ties to Iran. And the Russians understand their demographic fate: Chinese settlers are all ready moving into eastern Siberia. The time has come for us to play the RUSSIAN CARD.
5
Why are the murderous actions of a dictator news?
Wouldn't it be refreshing if the NYT was to report on the democratic altruism of a leader instead of fraud, totalitarianism, deceit, murder and oligarchy's? Are there any non-corrupt governments or government officials the NYT could start perhaps a weekly column on?
Wouldn't it be refreshing if the NYT was to report on the democratic altruism of a leader instead of fraud, totalitarianism, deceit, murder and oligarchy's? Are there any non-corrupt governments or government officials the NYT could start perhaps a weekly column on?
3
Good news is no news, GA from Fla. Mr. and Mrs. Smith continue to live happily and uneventfully with their healthy family on Main St. is not news. Mr. Smith murdered his family and burnt their house down is. I'm sure that you can see why.
1
Putin is by no means the worst dictator on the planet, but, he is the dictator with the largest nuclear arsenal. That is why we care.
7
The most intelligent position the US can take is simply to observe Russia. Their end game seems obvious, restoring their past empire. If they don't cause us any harm , we should just watch, don't play Boy Scout, or offer white noise , that our model really cares, what Putin does. Russia, China and the US have their priorities. These three powers start wars, bailout of of messy situations, and seize geography, or at the least use influence to control geography, as suites their individual model.
3
If only we still lived in a world where that was possible. Poland has plenty of nuclear plants, and could develop a nuclear weapons program quite quickly. Giving Russia free-reign in eastern Europe is just a recipe for nuclear proliferation, and will increase the the likelihood of nuclear war, not decrease it.
Regardless, Putin's stalemate in eastern Ukraine has shown that he is unable to recreate the Russian Empire even when the west does not interfere (or at least minimally interferes). All he can do is sow discord. He seems quite adept at that.
Regardless, Putin's stalemate in eastern Ukraine has shown that he is unable to recreate the Russian Empire even when the west does not interfere (or at least minimally interferes). All he can do is sow discord. He seems quite adept at that.
2
Where is this 'recreation of a lost empire' coming from?
Putin once said (true) that the dismemberment of the Soviet Union was a tragedy.
If you think of it, it was. Breaking up a federation always has its negative consequences. Look at Yugoslavia; or going back to 1920, the Austro-Hungarian empire.
For better, or worse, those 16 republics and a multiplicity of ethnicities, religions, languages formed a cohesive entity. Reforming it would have been great; dismantling it was a mistake.
The Russia today - they're better off without the others.
Putin once said (true) that the dismemberment of the Soviet Union was a tragedy.
If you think of it, it was. Breaking up a federation always has its negative consequences. Look at Yugoslavia; or going back to 1920, the Austro-Hungarian empire.
For better, or worse, those 16 republics and a multiplicity of ethnicities, religions, languages formed a cohesive entity. Reforming it would have been great; dismantling it was a mistake.
The Russia today - they're better off without the others.
4
Funny thing. The trade between Russia and Ukraine actually grew in 2015.
Go figure.
Go figure.
2
The enemies of this vile, despicable coward are not so much the opposition he so desperately fears, but truth itself. Those who attempt to kill or intimidate journalists, war correspondents, whistle-blowers, etc. imagine silencing the messenger silences truth, but truth has a way of willing out over time, and Putin will join the historical list of despised and vilified leaders unfit for a civilized world. He may as well shoot his own reflection in the mirror, for the truth of his own image is what his opposition is showing him.
7
Trump/Putin. Enough said.
4
That monster, Putin - the ambitious, ruthless, autocratic psycho- is turning out to be almost as awful as Stalin -of course, there aren't 40-50 million people dying in Russia - but the way these random, seemingly unstoppable - COWARDLY -murders by poison - a method of murder that is usually thought of as a "woman's murder weapon" or something like that. And, the more these gorillas working for the Kremlin keep on murdering anyone who hasn't even "done anything", but who is in a position where they could spill the beans about some nefarious Russian project -they get killed too. This sounds more like a country run by the mafia, not any sort of "statesmen" (yeah -hahahaha!!) - actually, these Russian goons are more ruthless & less discriminatory as to collateral damage than the real mafia- at least the US mafia - the Sicilians are vicious!
2
Wanna know what really happened? Speak to Paulie.
1
It seems this article is based 1000% on spin.. Our Media Is a master at spinning distortions into the minds of the willing! Noting all these bellicose comments blathering on about enemies of the past! All supporting the meme that "WE are Good & THEY are Evil !
I have worked for the Broadcast Media for 25 years+ & also the Whitehouse. MY ADVICE: Our population needs to realize they are being played like fools by our own Government & Media ! The public needs to STOP acting like Children & Lemmings and remove their tunnel vision goggles to gain Full Global perspective of the world around them! >Hint: you won't do that by watching more MainStream Media Spin! Currently: Our Citizens are manipulated like pawns all to build control ~ creating a false slanted narrative in the minds of the public> The Reality is: We (The USA) make Putin & every other leader on the planet look like novices when it comes to bloody hands & body counts! And that the USA disappears people everyday globally. But That never makes into Our Headlines! Neither do..US Schools that teach torture & murder> "School of the America's" WHINSEC [ http:ow.ly/WvTCd ] funded by US Tax Payers with a Long bloody histories of graduates sent into countries to destroy Real Democracies! As a direct result: The US Empires Body Count compared to Putin & every country globally remains unsurpassed! That is NOT something WE should be proud of! As a people We need to Stop believing the Spin Lies our media dishes out to us!
I have worked for the Broadcast Media for 25 years+ & also the Whitehouse. MY ADVICE: Our population needs to realize they are being played like fools by our own Government & Media ! The public needs to STOP acting like Children & Lemmings and remove their tunnel vision goggles to gain Full Global perspective of the world around them! >Hint: you won't do that by watching more MainStream Media Spin! Currently: Our Citizens are manipulated like pawns all to build control ~ creating a false slanted narrative in the minds of the public> The Reality is: We (The USA) make Putin & every other leader on the planet look like novices when it comes to bloody hands & body counts! And that the USA disappears people everyday globally. But That never makes into Our Headlines! Neither do..US Schools that teach torture & murder> "School of the America's" WHINSEC [ http:ow.ly/WvTCd ] funded by US Tax Payers with a Long bloody histories of graduates sent into countries to destroy Real Democracies! As a direct result: The US Empires Body Count compared to Putin & every country globally remains unsurpassed! That is NOT something WE should be proud of! As a people We need to Stop believing the Spin Lies our media dishes out to us!
12
It's not spin.
The NYT is the unofficial/undeclared voice of the establishment in Washington. And what the establishment wants is confrontation with Russia.
The string of anti-Putin/anti-Russian propaganda is merely a way to prepare the American masses for the hard conflict ahead (i.e. following Hillary's coronation).
The NYT is the unofficial/undeclared voice of the establishment in Washington. And what the establishment wants is confrontation with Russia.
The string of anti-Putin/anti-Russian propaganda is merely a way to prepare the American masses for the hard conflict ahead (i.e. following Hillary's coronation).
4
Andrew Kramer's article discusses poisonings all the way back to 1978, which seems a little far to go, but there is much more. If anyone is interested, here is a chronology I developed of suspected regime poisonings 1921-2008. http://shoeone.blogspot.com/2016/08/notable-poisonings-in-soviet-union-a...
4
I'm sure you have a chronology on American political assassinations at home and abroad.
Start with Lincoln, continue with McKinley, Kennedy (2 of them), Martin Luther King, just to name a few.
The only difference is that in the US the weapon of choice is not a poison, but a gun.
Speaking of guns: do you have any stats on how many people are shot dead in a year in Russia?
Start with Lincoln, continue with McKinley, Kennedy (2 of them), Martin Luther King, just to name a few.
The only difference is that in the US the weapon of choice is not a poison, but a gun.
Speaking of guns: do you have any stats on how many people are shot dead in a year in Russia?
The URL got chopped off (at least in the NYT iPad app). Here's a shortened URL: http://goo.gl/M9OIrz
waldo, how is the Neva River in August? Swimmable?
1
When you poison someone with polonium-210, it leaves only one explanation as to the source of the killing---a national state with the access to the highest levels of state technology. You can't find this stuff in a medicine cabinet, under a kitchen sink or at the hardware store. It can only come from the core of a nuclear reactor and is so lethal, so toxic that it can only be handled by with very sophisticated labs and personnel. I am amazed that it did not kill everyone in that restaurant and the assassin himself.
The polonium-210 hit was a very public hit and a VERY public warning. And it says everything that you need to know about Putin's Russia. Terror and thuggery are the order of the day. Dissent will be obliterated. (Just remember the amount of state power that was brought down on an all-girl band.)
And now we have a presidential candidate that admires Putin. Need I say more?
The polonium-210 hit was a very public hit and a VERY public warning. And it says everything that you need to know about Putin's Russia. Terror and thuggery are the order of the day. Dissent will be obliterated. (Just remember the amount of state power that was brought down on an all-girl band.)
And now we have a presidential candidate that admires Putin. Need I say more?
21
gee, i wish that polonium stuff had been around when they were making bond movies
For the umpteenth time: what Trump said (and was taken out of context) that he considers Putin a strong leader and he said it in comparison to Obama, against whose legacy he's running.
Can you put 2 and 2 together?
Can you put 2 and 2 together?
2
We don't need to have confrontation with Russia.
The fact that Trump wants to mend fences with Russia and China appeals to me; it pre-disposes me to support his candidacy.
The fact that Trump wants to mend fences with Russia and China appeals to me; it pre-disposes me to support his candidacy.
1
The American elites assassinate, destabilize and wage endless wars abroad to grow their global power.
The Russian elites assassinate their internal adversaries to consolidate and grow their power at home.
Overall, I think the Russians snuff out far fewer lives and inflict far less long-lasting collateral damage.
The Russian elites assassinate their internal adversaries to consolidate and grow their power at home.
Overall, I think the Russians snuff out far fewer lives and inflict far less long-lasting collateral damage.
11
Does that argument hold up in terms of destruction and chaos per dollar of GDP?
1
No doubt America kills more people than Russia given our numerous middle-eastern wars, but, there is no way we assassinate more of our own people than Russia does. I will leave it to others to dissect the moral implications of this.
1
Have you been watching the recent news about russian bombings in Syria?
While small minds and spoiled little boys play Games of Thrones, the real issue is how to value and produce the necessary petroleum production to transition to a renewable-energy economy, within a carbon budget, and return capital to investors for orderly re-investment in post-petroleum technologies.
The present petroleum price war is counterproductive to the long term interests of the people of this planet. It is melting down Venezuela, impoverishing ordinary Russians, and perpetuating use of inefficient and polluting technologies.
The present petroleum price war is counterproductive to the long term interests of the people of this planet. It is melting down Venezuela, impoverishing ordinary Russians, and perpetuating use of inefficient and polluting technologies.
You forgot to mention the shooting death of journalist Anna Politkovskaya in 2006 in an elevator of her Moscow apartment block. She was the author of Putin's Russia: Life in a Failing Democracy.
4
Poltikovskaya and Nemtsov of course are victims; but mathematically speaking it's absolutely nothing, compared to the 30,000 people shot dead annually in the United States.
Look in the mirror first, before you criticise others.
Look in the mirror first, before you criticise others.
1
You are suggesting we compare state initiated assassinations with random gun violence. Perhaps we should include death by lightning to ensure the comparison is statistically complete?
3
And the US is considering a candidate for president who admires the perpetrator of all this. Our country has truly lost its mind.
8
The author's claim that the US authorities only do such assassinations against terrorism-related targets is unfortunately completely false, as the Church Committee investigation revealed.
And it hasn't stopped. In a revised edition to his book New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, John Perkins details how he almost died after a "freelance journalist" who had been badgering him for an interview took him to lunch during Perkins' scheduled book tour. (Perkins was supposed to speak at the UN the next day.)
A couple of hours after the lunch, Perkins suffered massive internal bleeding, losing about half the blood in his body and going into shock.
Perkins, who had had a colonoscopy exam a short time earlier and been found in fine health, spent two weeks in the hospital and lost over 70% of his large intestine. The "freelance journalist" disappeared.
This is not to say that the US authorities were behind an attempted murder of Perkins. "Plausible deniability" was maintained, as in the Russian episodes, and Perkins' book details the operations of corporate actors as well as official ones.
But it is only one of recent suspicious deaths, especially of opponents of the US empire in Latin America. None of them were remotely linked to "terrorism," no matter how loose the definition.
And it hasn't stopped. In a revised edition to his book New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, John Perkins details how he almost died after a "freelance journalist" who had been badgering him for an interview took him to lunch during Perkins' scheduled book tour. (Perkins was supposed to speak at the UN the next day.)
A couple of hours after the lunch, Perkins suffered massive internal bleeding, losing about half the blood in his body and going into shock.
Perkins, who had had a colonoscopy exam a short time earlier and been found in fine health, spent two weeks in the hospital and lost over 70% of his large intestine. The "freelance journalist" disappeared.
This is not to say that the US authorities were behind an attempted murder of Perkins. "Plausible deniability" was maintained, as in the Russian episodes, and Perkins' book details the operations of corporate actors as well as official ones.
But it is only one of recent suspicious deaths, especially of opponents of the US empire in Latin America. None of them were remotely linked to "terrorism," no matter how loose the definition.
3
That's why Trump is such an admirer of Putin. He likes how Putin takes care of the opposition. He would do it himself if he could and who knows, if he's elected he just might.
7
Trump and Putin are gestapo types. Imagine if Trump is elected there will likely be the free flow of plutonium poison everywhere. Those who oppose should not leave their vodka unattended.
4
thats why i only drink grain alcohol and rainwater, mandrake
2
Do you even know what Gestapo (and not gestapo) is?
1
Please enlighten me on the meaning of (Gestapo) you must be the one who coined the word.
There are many reasons why Trump is unfit to lead the USA, not the least of which is his tacit support for and approval of Putin. That is unless that support and approval extend only as far as admiration and respect for another who lives in the real world, as opposed to the one that liberals and progressives desire to live in. Dreams, hopes and aspirations can inform a vision for the future, but are no reasonable way to deal with the Kims, Assads, Putins and Rouhanis of the world.
As an aside, Browder's book, Red Notice, provides riveting depth into modern Russia's modus operandi.
As an aside, Browder's book, Red Notice, provides riveting depth into modern Russia's modus operandi.
3
All of these psychotics believe they are instruments of God.
3
Little Adolf had big dreams. It seems as if Little Putin dreams big, too.
The difference that in a war with the West, Russia would be decimated. With its population of less than 150 million. The USA has over 350 million and a nuclear arsenal that actually hits its targets. Little Putin knows this, the reason why his wars are by proxy or subterfuge.
Don't underestimate Donald Trump's buddy. Little Putin is Stalin in a silk suit.
The difference that in a war with the West, Russia would be decimated. With its population of less than 150 million. The USA has over 350 million and a nuclear arsenal that actually hits its targets. Little Putin knows this, the reason why his wars are by proxy or subterfuge.
Don't underestimate Donald Trump's buddy. Little Putin is Stalin in a silk suit.
2
Nobody wins a nuclear war. It really doesn't matter where Russia's missiles land, we will all be dead in a few days. Putin is crazy, but I doubt he is crazy enough to destroy all multicellular life on the planet. Trump on the other hand...
6
General "Buck" Turgidson: Mr. President, I'm not saying we wouldn't get our hair mussed. But I do say no more than ten to twenty million killed, tops. Uh, depending on the breaks.
dr strangelove
1
The United States never attacked a country that could hit back.
There is a reason they didn't do it during the Cold War and even less now.
You are either hopelessly naive, or hopelessly stupid to think, that in a nuclear exchange, there is a winner.
There is a reason they didn't do it during the Cold War and even less now.
You are either hopelessly naive, or hopelessly stupid to think, that in a nuclear exchange, there is a winner.
1
I think the world can't totter on as usual. Global love is unlikely in a (far) future situation where there's flood, fire, famine (hunger), overpopulation, matched by less resources, including for many places, water. Dictators like Putin know this, and are preparing for a future dystopia where the strongest will emerge triumphant to rule over what we have left - hence the current expansionist ambitions. Oh, wait...Too dystopian?
1
Coincidentally and appropriately, "From Russia, With Love" was on the TV last night, poison-tipped shoe daggers and all. Of course, Sean "Bond, James Bond" Connery avoided the attempts on his lower torso, from ankle to nether areas by a most unlovely agent wearing sensible matron shoes. Fortunately for James, a chair with which to pin the dastardly damsel against the wall a safe distance away was near at hand. Carrying one around all the time for self defense purposes might be a bit awkward. That she was working for SPECTRE and not SMERSH is irrelevant. Fifty years and things haven't changed a bit.
Trump has all but formally named Putin to a cabinet position. Of course it would have to be in a "kitchen cabinet" rather than the official upper case "C" Cabinet, and I think putting Putin in food prep is probably not a "smashing" idea (see the movie for the choice of words).
We needn't worry that Trump, if elected, would institute Putinic poisoning policies. He is not smart enough, and even though he has said frequently, often, and repeatedly that he will hire "the best," his demonstrated ability to do that, using his campaign team as a study in this area, has fallen a bit short of his boast.
Trump has all but formally named Putin to a cabinet position. Of course it would have to be in a "kitchen cabinet" rather than the official upper case "C" Cabinet, and I think putting Putin in food prep is probably not a "smashing" idea (see the movie for the choice of words).
We needn't worry that Trump, if elected, would institute Putinic poisoning policies. He is not smart enough, and even though he has said frequently, often, and repeatedly that he will hire "the best," his demonstrated ability to do that, using his campaign team as a study in this area, has fallen a bit short of his boast.
6
Humans change. But Putin's regression back to Soviet era, seems to spell doom and gloom, if the latest spate of casualties of journalists is any of a few prognosticators. It is disconcerting for a free person that China and Russia continue to tread on the paths of suppression of freedom, and democracy-defying deeds, for a number of decades, if not centuries. Somebody ought to teach them a litany of lessons, in some form or the other.
Another pernicious set of signs are their belligerent behaviors towards its smaller and weaker neighbors, and if this trend persists, the freedom-loving nations may find themselves entangled in fighting one proxy war or the other.
Besides, liquidating the journalists, Putin's pugilistic pursuits in Syria are posing serious threats to peaceful existence of many including tiny tykes. If unchecked, these 2 countries may, wittingly or unwittingly, push the world towards cusps of stygian stages, contributing mini-world wars of sorts. Let's all beware of these tenebrific times and do something about, even if it means some clandestine activities of our own.
Another pernicious set of signs are their belligerent behaviors towards its smaller and weaker neighbors, and if this trend persists, the freedom-loving nations may find themselves entangled in fighting one proxy war or the other.
Besides, liquidating the journalists, Putin's pugilistic pursuits in Syria are posing serious threats to peaceful existence of many including tiny tykes. If unchecked, these 2 countries may, wittingly or unwittingly, push the world towards cusps of stygian stages, contributing mini-world wars of sorts. Let's all beware of these tenebrific times and do something about, even if it means some clandestine activities of our own.
2
" It is disconcerting for a free person"
I assume you refer to yourself.
But if you think you are free, all it shows that you have been totally brainwashed.
Too bad.
I assume you refer to yourself.
But if you think you are free, all it shows that you have been totally brainwashed.
Too bad.
2
It appears that those in the know of the planning behind the hybrid war in Ukraine have also died under mysterious circumstances. General Igor Sergun, head of Russia's military intelligence agency was aged 58, and died unexpectedly in Lebanon in early January, 2016. Several other deaths of prominent, similarly placed individuals in the months before and after raise questions whether they knew information whose disclosure could have been as damaging as the Magnitsky affair or the other incidents referenced in the article. Then there is the question of Nemtsov. Also, the scores of journalists.
2
Do we know while Manafort was said to create bad optics for Trump with his Ukraine connections, his son-in-law and daughter were in Crimea with Wendi Dang Murdoch, Rupert's ex, who said to be dating Putin?
Now that is more typically trashable talk, but in this case I think it's very interesting.
Now that is more typically trashable talk, but in this case I think it's very interesting.
3
It was hardly possible to make a decent honest living in Russia when my smuggler great grandfather emigrated from it in the 1870s. What has changed?
2
A lot, make an effort to visit, the propaganda we have in US media will be become more than clear. I was there this summer and was stunned how well Russia is doing. I'm originally from USSR and I've never seen Russians that happy
1
Was there ever a time that killing your opponents was not the favored method of political gamesmanship in Russia? Maybe for a year or two in the 90s, but that is only because everyone was too busy trying to get enough to eat to bother with the natural byzantine model of Russian government.
Russia is an interesting country. It never really left the 19th century. Even the US managed it eventually, and we are very loathe to change.
Russia is an interesting country. It never really left the 19th century. Even the US managed it eventually, and we are very loathe to change.
2
killing ones political opponents has been a time honored tradition for 10, 000 years
1
Not saying the poisonings were just bad drug reactions, suggesting the elements in those that worked badly are so similar to drugs used routinely, this is a great way to get away with murder.
I just wanted to mention my brother took part in a NHS study in which they were testing unintended effects of medications which induce panic attacks. They gave him a erectile disfunction drug that nearly knocked him for a heart attack. There was a statin drug that kicked back, too, so I'd look into unintended effects from commonly prescribed drugs for those unexplained poisonings.
1
Sure, I believe that Russia kills people who work against the governing power players. I also suspect that the same thing happens in the US. I'd like to see the Times do a piece on all of the activists and anti-government/anti-secrecy/anti-corporate-America activists that have died under suspicious causes, or even by organ failures (if kidney failure and heart failure are indeed suspicious), and ambiguously accuse Washington of each of these deaths.
While Russia may kill, this article accuse the Kremlin of the death of any opposition figure of less than 60 years old. Come on. This is yet another piece that accuses the Kremlin of actions that our own government most likely participates in. If you don't think the US assassinates and then lies about it, you probably don't think enough.
I'm getting sick and tired of the Cold War revival and the mass media hysteria reminiscent of the McCarthy era. Just my two cents.
While Russia may kill, this article accuse the Kremlin of the death of any opposition figure of less than 60 years old. Come on. This is yet another piece that accuses the Kremlin of actions that our own government most likely participates in. If you don't think the US assassinates and then lies about it, you probably don't think enough.
I'm getting sick and tired of the Cold War revival and the mass media hysteria reminiscent of the McCarthy era. Just my two cents.
5
I haven't been to Russia but one of my kids has, and his report of a trip there less than ten years ago is both sad and scary. No doubt many of us (who aren't people of color, confined to prison, or racked by poverty) have significantly more freedom and opportunity here in the US on all kinds of levels -- but to believe that our government does not engage in some of the same activities Putin's people do is just naive. There are some who still question whether Paul Wellstone's plane crash death was really accidental. I'm one of them.
1
I am struck by the many comments about how, "Putin just defending his country," and "it's only poison, at least not drones," and "Obama black President just as bad," and "Stalin founded Gulag, so this not so bad," and "if American complained we kill him too," because I honestly would have thought the Russian government taught its shills and flacks better English.
Seriously, guys, you gots to get beyond the Boris and Natasha dialogue.
Seriously, guys, you gots to get beyond the Boris and Natasha dialogue.
71
Sadly some of them really are Americans. There is no ideology too crazy that at least a few Americans aren't for it. It is what makes living in America so interesting... and so frustrating.
1
"They did it first!" is the instinctive universal excuse of all fascists.
1
On my way to the coast to find cooler weather yesterday I passed by many-a Trump sign in fields and even some roadside businesses. Just think about it, support for a man who admires Putin. That's how strong ignorance and hate are.
People will follow a hateful clown like that just because they isolate themselves off from a world where they could be part of the solution. Instead they have picked the easy route and that is blame. Blame the poor, blame the different, blame the positive. It's easier than working towards a shared goal.
Trump/Putin, dictators for a new retro world.
MAKE THE WORLD TERRIBLE AGAIN!
People will follow a hateful clown like that just because they isolate themselves off from a world where they could be part of the solution. Instead they have picked the easy route and that is blame. Blame the poor, blame the different, blame the positive. It's easier than working towards a shared goal.
Trump/Putin, dictators for a new retro world.
MAKE THE WORLD TERRIBLE AGAIN!
24
I would say that it is more a sign of how complete the epistemic closure on the right has become. These people really do not know that Trump is a dangerous clown because they willingly live in a bubble.
2
Why is USA so concerned about Russia affairs? Fear, lol?
80% of Russians support Putin, 10% of Americans support corrupted congress. Strange, right?
80% of Russians support Putin, 10% of Americans support corrupted congress. Strange, right?
3
I suspect military-industrial complex really excited about new cold war. Putin doesn't really have internal opposition, not because he kill them all, but because majority of Russians support him. Life in Russia is better that it has been in the last 100 years.
2
Yes, it is strange, but probably not in the way you mean it. It is very strange that Putin maintains 80% approval when his policies have been so terrible for Russia. It is almost as if he is controlling the information that the people have access to.
6
Not so much fear as disgust for a thuggish regime that militarily bullies its weaker neighbors and employs political murder to stay in power.
And we have an American presidential candidate that has repeatedly praised Putin. Donald Trump is a disgrace and embarrassment to our country and it's values
22
Here's a detailed list of journalists murdered in Russia.
https://cpj.org/killed/europe/russia/
"Freedom of expression" is pure poison to Vladimir Putin's staged democracy and mafiosa government.
Donald Trump, who adores the corrupt 'leadership' of Vladimir, also doesn't care for the press and characterized the press in June 2016 as "dishonest," "not good people," sleazy, and among the worst human beings he has ever met.
Donald Trump has often referred to reporters as "scum," "slime," and "disgusting" during his campaign rallies.
Nixon kept a list of his press 'enemies'.
Putin and Company kill the press.
Donald Trump admires their behaviors and would like to burn down the 1st Amendment while elevating the 2nd Amendment to first place.
Donald Trump is a clear and present danger to freedom...and a clear and present jackpot for Russian-style jackboot thuggery, totalitarianism and authoritarianism.
Death to democracy and the freedom of expression that sustains it !
Vladimir Putin-Donald Trump 2016
https://cpj.org/killed/europe/russia/
"Freedom of expression" is pure poison to Vladimir Putin's staged democracy and mafiosa government.
Donald Trump, who adores the corrupt 'leadership' of Vladimir, also doesn't care for the press and characterized the press in June 2016 as "dishonest," "not good people," sleazy, and among the worst human beings he has ever met.
Donald Trump has often referred to reporters as "scum," "slime," and "disgusting" during his campaign rallies.
Nixon kept a list of his press 'enemies'.
Putin and Company kill the press.
Donald Trump admires their behaviors and would like to burn down the 1st Amendment while elevating the 2nd Amendment to first place.
Donald Trump is a clear and present danger to freedom...and a clear and present jackpot for Russian-style jackboot thuggery, totalitarianism and authoritarianism.
Death to democracy and the freedom of expression that sustains it !
Vladimir Putin-Donald Trump 2016
134
Poor Russia! Permanently stuck in 500 years of autocratic rule by nutcase dictators. Whether a tsar or a president, the end result is always the same.
25
There are parts of the world, where American style 'democray' just doesn't fly.
Start there.
Start there.
If this were fiction we would put it down as too far-fetched.
7
You know what the big problem is in telling fantasy and reality apart?
They're both ridiculous.
dr who
Small fry compared to Stalin's Great Terror
3
Unless you are the one getting poisoned by Putin and his thugs.
Finally! We have found real WMD - in Russia! No, the satellites did not find slow moving trucks with WMD in them. The Russians are smart, really, really smart. Paul Manafort and Trump better take their security seriously. So should our Country. We Americans should make sure, Hillary Clinton wins in November. And this time make an exception - please don't brief both the Candidates.
7
As several people here have stated: Putin is KGB. Period. I have studied Russian history for over 30 years and I have always been fascinated by the actions of Beria, Stalin, and the modern KGB. Putin, like all KGB members were indoctrinated at an early age and therefore has that ideology embedded in his psyche and soul.
Why would any reasonable person believe that he would be a different man simply because the Soviet Union fell and the KGB has been disbanded? He and his KGB colleagues are now in charge and nothing has changed. Period.
Why would any reasonable person believe that he would be a different man simply because the Soviet Union fell and the KGB has been disbanded? He and his KGB colleagues are now in charge and nothing has changed. Period.
34
The difference here is that the current KGB loves money and material comforts more than ideology of World communism. Hence, the mafia-style organized money stealing accompanied by the mafia-style elimination of "inconvenient" persons. The classic KGB would rather organize mass terror and incarceration of the political enemies to keep power.
12
The difference between Trump's thuggery and Putin's is that Putin controls the power of the state and Trump has yet to achieve his coup d'etat for the regime change he is trying to sell the American voters. If he succeeds he and Putin will be joined at the wallet,
17
Putin is a democratically elected leader who is embracing Executive power. Everything he does is on behalf of the people,
3
So was and did Hitler.
16
"Embracing?" More like, "Abusing."
5
Really? Ruining his country's economy because of his wounded pride, that's helping the people?
1
It strikes me there is a big difference between killing avowed enemies of the United States (ISIS, Taliban) and dissidents, threats and similar to Putin's reign.
Apart from the fact the US enemies are engaged in war against our country, another difference (my understanding) is the protocols in place and criteria met before the US kills an identified enemy. Maybe I am Pollyanna but I believe this and that is far different than the finger placed on the side of the nose and eyes tilted by thugs.
Yes, we need to maintain a moral footing. But we can't shrink from calling a reign of terror what it is.
Apart from the fact the US enemies are engaged in war against our country, another difference (my understanding) is the protocols in place and criteria met before the US kills an identified enemy. Maybe I am Pollyanna but I believe this and that is far different than the finger placed on the side of the nose and eyes tilted by thugs.
Yes, we need to maintain a moral footing. But we can't shrink from calling a reign of terror what it is.
91
Killing is wrong.
If a political opponent is murdered, it is wrong.
If a country that has done nothing against yours is being bombed by you, it is also wrong.
It's that simple.
Killing is wrong.
If a political opponent is murdered, it is wrong.
If a country that has done nothing against yours is being bombed by you, it is also wrong.
It's that simple.
Killing is wrong.
1
This is not new or news. We know this. It reminds me of an Onion headline.
3
putin is sure a strong leader.
1
Putin's a madman, like Trump. The only difference being Trump will be the one getting played by Putin if he becomes president.
12
madman, madman, that word is so overused
they called hitler a madman
they called genghis khan a madman
they called pol pot a mad man
they called trump a mad man
see ?
The German government is now asking all households to stock up on food for at least 10 days and water for at least 5 days. This is the first time since the 80's it has called for something like that. One might say the era of "perestroika" and "glasnost" is over and we are back in the "good old days" of Joe Stalin and Nikita Khrushchev, with Vladimir Putin as their political and mental lovechild.
The Russkis will not stop in Ukraine, oh no! They will try to get their empire (USSR) back and expand it into the West. Poland will be next, at which point NATO will get involved and a nuclear war (maybe limited) will happen. Why else would the German government - in "peacetime" - ask it's citizens to stock up?
And to have a "successful" war the first thing you need to to is to silence all critics. These political killings are just the beginning. Putin will create a crisis of some sort (false flag attack) and then open up concentration camps for the dissidents. That's when I will know it's time to uproot and disappear into the jungles of South America, maybe the safest place on earth in these circumstances.
See you all there, 12 o'clock after the war, at the third big tree after entering the jungle :-)
The Russkis will not stop in Ukraine, oh no! They will try to get their empire (USSR) back and expand it into the West. Poland will be next, at which point NATO will get involved and a nuclear war (maybe limited) will happen. Why else would the German government - in "peacetime" - ask it's citizens to stock up?
And to have a "successful" war the first thing you need to to is to silence all critics. These political killings are just the beginning. Putin will create a crisis of some sort (false flag attack) and then open up concentration camps for the dissidents. That's when I will know it's time to uproot and disappear into the jungles of South America, maybe the safest place on earth in these circumstances.
See you all there, 12 o'clock after the war, at the third big tree after entering the jungle :-)
10
and a 5 year supply of beer
Louis XIV used to say "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." The Russians have changed the equation a bit: Just poison your enemies, its much easier and far more permanent. This is not new, however. Things like this have gone on throughout all of recorded history, and probably long before that.
6
Republicans in Congress are getting set to investigate Hillary Clinton once again over her emails. Yet not one of these esteemed statesmen can lift a finger to start an investigation or even to publicly excoriate Trump for his statements and associations with regard to Putin. At the same time, we have at least 40% of voters voters who have been polled who still support Trump, even after all the revelations concerning his contacts with Russia. I weep for my country.
22
Interesting opening line, obviously meant to grab your attention:
"From a certain perspective, certainly the Kremlin’s, Vladimir Kara-Murza’s behavior in Washington could be seen as treasonous, a brazen betrayal of his homeland."
Now imagine the shoe on the other foot: imagine, that a US legislator, a member of congress, maybe a senator would travel to Moscow and openly ask the Kremlin to aggressively intervene in the affairs of the US, beg for sanctions and any other means against its government.
What would you consider this, if not treason?
True opposition howeevr doesn't exist and when it comes to foreign policy
"From a certain perspective, certainly the Kremlin’s, Vladimir Kara-Murza’s behavior in Washington could be seen as treasonous, a brazen betrayal of his homeland."
Now imagine the shoe on the other foot: imagine, that a US legislator, a member of congress, maybe a senator would travel to Moscow and openly ask the Kremlin to aggressively intervene in the affairs of the US, beg for sanctions and any other means against its government.
What would you consider this, if not treason?
True opposition howeevr doesn't exist and when it comes to foreign policy
4
What is Stalin supposed to have said? "No man, no problem," or something similar?
4
Amazing to give so much attention to the wickedness of the secret Soviet death machine while we essentially ignore the death and disenfranchisement machine that the USA started with the invasion of Iraq and continues to perpetuate across the Middle East. Each and every American is responsible for the killing of thousands and especially the dislocation of 100s of thousands of people from their homes but we go about our daily business as if it's their problem not ours. What we need instead of articles about the Soviets is daily articles about the people's lives the USA is ruining each and every day in the Middle East. Each and everyday until we step up and take responsibility for our actions.
5
Just like the Russians do ... their generous support of Assad ... who has no problems murdering innocents by any means available ... no matter how horrific. Putin and Assad see human beings in the same way .... their share the same value system. An attack on Assad is an attack on Putin ... and Trump admires Putin leadership .... and, we now know how much the Putin Government loves and supports Trump.
Unfortunately, the morons Bush/Cheney are responsible for the mess in the Middle East caused by the destabilization created by 2 unjust wars. There is no putting it back in the bottle now. In fact that deceitful, manipulative, self absorbed Cheney should be tried for treason as he was the key force behind this tragedy.
Having said that, you are wrong, we should also be focused on Putin as he destabilizes Eastern Europe.
Having said that, you are wrong, we should also be focused on Putin as he destabilizes Eastern Europe.
1
Putin has been at the helm for almost 17 years. Who did 'he' destabilise in Eastern Europe during his tenure?
Seriously.
('Ukraine' doesn't count; nor does Georgia which isn't even in Europe).
Who else?
Seriously.
('Ukraine' doesn't count; nor does Georgia which isn't even in Europe).
Who else?
1
In the manner of a distracted citizen I've read about and wondered at what seemed to be murders. Thank you for putting them together. "Seems madam? Nay it is". And horrifying that this would be going on. Putin should be isolated and quarantined like the bacillus he is.
4
The headline should read: "More of PUTIN'S Opponents Are Ending Up Dead". Putin, the former KGB Colonel is a cold blooded killer.
And it's worth remembering this when Donald Trump, who mercilessly strikes back at anyone whom he perceives as having slighted him, expresses his admiration for Vladimir Putin. What would a man like Trump do if given access to real power?
By ANDREW E.
And it's worth remembering this when Donald Trump, who mercilessly strikes back at anyone whom he perceives as having slighted him, expresses his admiration for Vladimir Putin. What would a man like Trump do if given access to real power?
By ANDREW E.
7
We have just begun to comprehend the extent of Putin's ambitions and the extreme ruthlessness he will employ to achieve them.
6
Better inform the Donald these poisons can be secreted in hair care products and administered by attractive immigrants from Eastern Europe.
15
theyre completely scrubbed and disinfected before donny will even look at them
hes a germphobe
Putin knows how to deal with his opposition. He is using some of the old tradecraft learned from his years in the KGB. He is also deft at cooking up sweet deserts for the ego of a certain Mr. Trump. His menu for those who oppose him within Russia however is decidedly less friendly to the digestive track.
8
In February of 1933 my grandfather Knut "Attarparn" Nilsson was at a banquet in the Kremlin with a delegation of foreigners invited to see that there supposedly was no famine going on. This was of course during the Holodomor, and Attarparn had escaped the handlers to walk for himself, and - knowing some Russians that he had learned in SW Alaska - had arrived at the conclusion that Stalin had murdered all the farmers of Ukraine (the world later learned that many were still alive, starving to death in their homes, which they were forbidden to leave during the visit of the foreigners). Apparently the Russians had understood that he had seen through their Potemkin Villages, and poisoned his food. But luckily, he was not on his assigned place, he had switched with his travel companion, who had been assigned a seat close to the regime high shots (he wanted to listen in if he could, since he knew Russian). Half way through the dinner there was commotion at his assigned seat, and they took his friend to a hospital to empty his stomach. This was the last day before returning home to Sweden (they later tried to kill him several times in Sweden, too). He survived, but the leaders of the Danish and Bulgarian communist parties disappeared in Moscow during visits. So this does not have a history of "5 decades"; this has a history of at least 8 decades.
10
I am reading the comments here creating false equivalencies between the conspiracy theories of "Clinton murders" and the state murders being committed by the Russians.
With Trump, Manafort, and this nonsense it's starting to feel like a fifth column creeping among us. Can this be real? The GOP altering their platform to accommodate Russian murderers and thugs. And a GOP nominee suggesting the Baltic states are in play, justifying the invasion of Crimea, and making the claim we could work with the Russians in Syria while they bomb hospitals in rebel held areas...
Has Trump been "recruited" or is he incredibly stupid? When does the first amendment cross the line of treason? All of this and the house republicans are back to emails! What the.....?
With Trump, Manafort, and this nonsense it's starting to feel like a fifth column creeping among us. Can this be real? The GOP altering their platform to accommodate Russian murderers and thugs. And a GOP nominee suggesting the Baltic states are in play, justifying the invasion of Crimea, and making the claim we could work with the Russians in Syria while they bomb hospitals in rebel held areas...
Has Trump been "recruited" or is he incredibly stupid? When does the first amendment cross the line of treason? All of this and the house republicans are back to emails! What the.....?
164
You're talking about the 'Baltic States' as if they were yours.
Ask yourself, why would Russia need them? Economically, they're nothing. Small population, no resources, no worthy infrastructure.
For the US - they're right on Russia's border and that's all that counts.
Get real.
Ask yourself, why would Russia need them? Economically, they're nothing. Small population, no resources, no worthy infrastructure.
For the US - they're right on Russia's border and that's all that counts.
Get real.
2
"Has Trump been "recruited" or is he incredibly stupid?"
Why pose this as a binary choice?
Perhaps he has been "unwittingly recruited"; it's more likely he's being manipulated, whether through flattery or threats to sources of credit, than actively reporting to FSB handlers; and he has certainly demonstrated a lack of wit.
Why pose this as a binary choice?
Perhaps he has been "unwittingly recruited"; it's more likely he's being manipulated, whether through flattery or threats to sources of credit, than actively reporting to FSB handlers; and he has certainly demonstrated a lack of wit.
3
Why would Russia need them?
Well, for starters, they're on the Baltic.
Well, for starters, they're on the Baltic.
1
Trump says he greatly admires Putin's leadership "style," which,of course,includes eliminating opponents through the methods mentioned in the article. Trump says there should be a 2nd Amendment solution to address the "problem" of Hillary Clinton;i.e. someone should shoot her. Trump plays the strongman at his rallies and advocates roughing up protesters there. Trump and Putin are cut from the same cloth,so beware America if Trump takes power.
39
Just like a fictional spy novel. But, truth is often more bizarre than fiction.
16
You can take Stalin out of the Mausoleum but his spirit lives on in the Kremlin, channeled by Vladimir Putin and slavishly copied by Mini-Me followers and adherents, hoping for a slice of the power and prestige. Russia has always been ruled by thugs. Once in a while an educated, reformist tsar comes to the throne, but not often.
26
Is there opposition in the US? Not 2 sides of the same coin (Democrtas and Republicans) but REAL opposition?
I don't think so.
I don't think so.
2
Well, there is some element of truth to that but there is opposition. I am not sure you would recognize it from where you sit ... but, it is there and growing every day ... and, from the youngest of our population, too ... very energized. And, unless Trump is elected ... they would not be beaten, imprisoned on false charges, convicted by a non-independent legal system or poisoned and otherwise murdered as in one country that you might be familiar with.
'where you sit...' cute.
In any event, REAL opposition is a political movement or party with a distinctly different platform and ideology. Not like the Dems and the Reps; scratch the thin veneer on the surface and they're the same.
Especially in foreign policy - which is to maintain and uphold US world hegemony, they're exactly the same.
Bernie Sanders could have become a new force, but he was crushed by the establishment.
In any event, REAL opposition is a political movement or party with a distinctly different platform and ideology. Not like the Dems and the Reps; scratch the thin veneer on the surface and they're the same.
Especially in foreign policy - which is to maintain and uphold US world hegemony, they're exactly the same.
Bernie Sanders could have become a new force, but he was crushed by the establishment.
1
This is deplorable but something that we've long suspected. But other countries have also engaged in extra-judicial murder: Israel, which hunted down and killed the Palestinians who killed the Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics in Munich; Rachel Corrie, accidentally mowed down on purpose by an Israeli tractor-driver; the young Turkish-American student killed by Israeli sailors on the Turkish boat trying to deliver food and medicine to the Palestinians; the United States, which has killed U.S. citizens abroad by drone strikes as well as hundreds of others who were "collateral damage".
Since modern warfare is too costly and dangerous, nations are now using more precise and "surgical techniques' for eliminating troublemakers. It is war by other means.
Since modern warfare is too costly and dangerous, nations are now using more precise and "surgical techniques' for eliminating troublemakers. It is war by other means.
6
Anybody killed by Palestinians? Palestinians killed by Palestinian's?
Kent State
Jackson State
Bonus Army Vets
John F. Kennedy
Jackson State
Bonus Army Vets
John F. Kennedy
3
Glad to see you have no axe to grind, Diogenes. Read the rest of the article.
The key difference between Putin's assassinations and the cases you allude to is that these are deliberate secret police murders of citizens.
The key difference between Putin's assassinations and the cases you allude to is that these are deliberate secret police murders of citizens.
Yes but America has 25% of the world's prisoners with 5% of Earthlings. And 40% of them are black even though only 13.2 % of Americans are black. But for China, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, America would be #1 in both executions and mass incarcerations.
I am more concerned and impacted by what happens in the White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court than the Kremlin. Of the 33,000 Americans who die from gun shot every year nearly 2/3rds are suicides.
Vladimir Putin is no Benjamin Netanyahu nor King Salman nor Abdel Fattah el-Sisi nor Barack Obama.
I am more concerned and impacted by what happens in the White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court than the Kremlin. Of the 33,000 Americans who die from gun shot every year nearly 2/3rds are suicides.
Vladimir Putin is no Benjamin Netanyahu nor King Salman nor Abdel Fattah el-Sisi nor Barack Obama.
9
I don't understand your point. The prison population compared to the total population is irrelevant as those in jail were found guilty of a crime. If you think we need to change drug sentencing laws, that's one thing, but it's incorrect to say that we lock people up arbitrarily.
Russian history seems to be a miasma of pain, dysfunction, and corruption. I for one am quite tired of Russia and Russians, whose main talent seems to be making themselves and all around them miserable.
20
Scan their tragic history, blame less...by 2120 CE few if any Russians or Italians will be extant, thanx to negative fertility-rates & a range of pathologies, but their lands will be inhabited [by climagees]--for a time, until they succumb in turn...our ineluctable fate is likely a rise of 4-5F/9-11C in mean annual temps, rendering agro impossible, & 3D-printed protein might not arrive in time at-scale.
Pretty funny! I know some Russians who would agree with you .... But, Russians are wonderful people ... their governments have been pretty rough ... their is a lot of debate about the "Russian" character traits that may make this possible. Actually, Vladimir Putin has extensive thoughts on the subject (and, has actually publically hinted at it on a few occasions). He so believes it that he actually uses these traits to his advantage to maintain power and control.
Putin was, and remains, a KGB operative. The KGB chose people who were ruthless to work there. He was appointed Prime Minister by Boris Yeltsin in 1999, and later appointed President when Yeltsin resigned at the end of that year. In 2004 he was re-elected President and has been in power in two positions ever since. If he didn't represent his people he would be voted out, but he does, so we had best deal with him carefully.
4
...and Bush sr was CIA Director. What's your point?
3
KGB in English translates to the Committee for State Security. At one time it did all kinds of spying through various permutations. It is not the equivalent of the CIA for Russia. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), the SVR is responsible for intelligence and espionage activities outside the Russian Federation. It works in cooperation with the Russian Glavnoye Razvedyvatel'noye Upravleniye (GRU, Main Intelligence Directorate), which reportedly deployed six times as many spies in foreign countries as the SVR in 1997. My point is that the kind of person who would be a KGB agent is a bit on the ruthless, despotic side, just like President Putin. Was G. H. W. Bush that kind of man? I don't think so.
3
Nice response but, actually, there are many differences between the KGB and the CIA. And, there is a universe of difference between the democratic processes in the US (imperfect though it is) and the process in the Russian Federation. Vladimir could apply those learned techniques that could not easily applied in the US. And, Vladimir's perspectives would be more acceptable in Russia and Bush's CIA perspective would have a harder time here ... well, that was until Trump, very sadly.
1
The EU, USA and other liberal democracies will lose this second cold war since they are naive, unprepared and unwilling to accept the current methods and the extent to which Kremlin is willing and ready to use them in order to rebuild the Soviet empire. Russia plays the hybrid warfare much better and I can already see the EU simulating Neville Chamberlain while Baltics and Ukraine rejoin the Soviet empire. Global politics follows the Darwinian nature and lets weakest players die.
3
'Liberal democracy' is losing, not because of some dreamed up bogus enemy, like Russia, but because of its inability to manage crises, like the most recent 'refugee crisis'.
No wonder, that so-called 'illiberal' movements are gaining ground.
And please, don't bring up poor Chamberlain again; had he not done what he's being accused of, WWII could/would have inflicted even more destruction and suffering.
No wonder, that so-called 'illiberal' movements are gaining ground.
And please, don't bring up poor Chamberlain again; had he not done what he's being accused of, WWII could/would have inflicted even more destruction and suffering.
3
Liberal democracies always look naive and unprepared when confronted by dictators. They did in the 1930's and the 1950's/80's.
I won't lose much sleep over Putin as long as we stay a liberal democracy.
I won't lose much sleep over Putin as long as we stay a liberal democracy.
I love the NYT's strict adherence both to the State Department and the Democratic party's line.Putin continues to be demonized to rationalize the new cold war which may heat up under a Hilary Clinton regime. This article said nothing, proved nothing and is plainly a propaganda piece.
9
No one is going to go to war with Russia. It wold destroy the whole world.
7
You must be willfully blind Simon. If you don't believe the examples given in this story google the victim names for other references. Putin has stolen freedom from the Russian people, clear and simple. And if anything both the Republicans (Bushs) and Democrats (Obama and Clinton) along with Western Europe are to blame. They watched and did absolutely nothing while Putin slowly and skillfully pulled Russia back to the days of Stalin. Really Simon, open your eyes, this is not about the Democratic party or even the US. It is about Western society watching and doing nothing as Putin undid everything that happen in 1991 Russia. It is one of the greatest tragedies of this century.
15
There are none so blind as those who will not see.
At least they should pay for the funerals. The least they could do.
3
Counting bodies of those critical of Putin? Let's see; at the moment there are 93 comments, only two of which mention the number of bodies of those critical of the Clintons.
4
and your list? does it begin with Vince Foster?
Paranoid fantasists like you are found mostly in two places these days: 1) Putin's inner circle and 2) The Trump campaign. What is unclear is exactly how much intentional overlap exists between these two parties.
3
Putin is KGB. It really is that simple.
24
And Bush sr was CIA.
Your point?
Your point?
1
Russian state using the selected killing for long term control of the political directions of its friends and enemies - unlike like USA. US use it as a blunt force for short term strategic gain. Drones will not give any political power to US in the Pakisthan and still Obama use it. Russia controlled India by killing in sixties the Priminister of India and installing Gandhi family to keep India under Rusian control. This damaged the country economically and still today the government machinery is controlled by their legacy. Selected killing of individuals is a very potent tool for strategic interest and Countries still use it.
1
What would Donald the Grifter do with this? Nothing but blame Clinton and Obama. Manafort may know something but he lies and lies again and then runs away.
10
"Ending up dead." That's ominous.
More ominous is that one d.j.t. Would likely endorse this in the u.s.a.
More ominous is that one d.j.t. Would likely endorse this in the u.s.a.
7
The people here saying that the US is exactly like Russia really need to move to Russia and try their oppositional routine under an actual dictator. I think they will be able to spot the difference when some thugs come to their door.
66
It's getting as hard to recognize Putin-bots as it is to spot untraceable poisons.
Trump is an exception.
Trump is an exception.
2
There are a number of Russian oppositions in Russia. Only few of them got killed, all other ones continue with their opposition. Moreover, opposition is not popular in Russia precisely because they are seemed as ones who are ready to betray the country. Remember, outrage on Trump's suggestions that Russians should look for Hilary's emails? Imagine now if Trump would suggested that Russia should introduce sanctions on Hillary? Do you think it will help his popularity?
That doesn't explain the journalists that he kills for investigating corruption.
Article states: "... died after coming in contact with cadmium, which is deadly to the touch."
What? Really? Since when?
While very toxic, it is definitely not deadly to the touch. Indeed, you've been inhaling it all your life - just not enough to do anything.
As to the murders this is the art of paranoid, insecure Russia led by paranoid, insecure Putin. Do not do business with Russia.
What? Really? Since when?
While very toxic, it is definitely not deadly to the touch. Indeed, you've been inhaling it all your life - just not enough to do anything.
As to the murders this is the art of paranoid, insecure Russia led by paranoid, insecure Putin. Do not do business with Russia.
7
Yeah, the dose makes the poison, and you would need to rub it all over your skin to get a lethal dose dermally. Maybe they put it in the moisturizing cream? More likely it was put in the food.
2
And why use inferior poison, when according to the article they have wonderful, hard-to detect poison? Why use anything else?
Well, in the polonium case, it was pretty obvious they wanted to leave no doubt in the minds of others who might betray the motherland just what was in store for them. Also, not all the killings come from the intelligence services. Sometimes it is outsourced to some of Putin's Chechen butchers who lack any concept of subtlety.
The ultimate killing machine of political opponents is North Korea. The Russians pale by comparison.
As for external assignations don't forget to include all the bombings by Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, Al Nusra, and every killing ordered by Iran. The Turks too are good at eliminating political opponents as are the Saudis and their friends and neighbors. In South America in Columbia and other little banana republics including Mexico and Cuba, political opponents all too easily disappear or are found dead at home, hanging from a tree or thrown into a pit with other bodies. Not too forget African countries where murder and assassination are daily national sport.
Mr Kramer, the Russians don't hold a candle to those other nations and organizations. They're amateurs compared to them.
Of course Stalin, Hitler and Mussolini play second to no one. They are still the all time champions of political death and charnel houses. The Spanish Civil War had its share of political deaths too. As did Yugoslavia. Did we forget Pakistan and India or the Philippines? Seems there's a lot of political slaughter.
I'm going to stay out of politics.
As for external assignations don't forget to include all the bombings by Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, Al Nusra, and every killing ordered by Iran. The Turks too are good at eliminating political opponents as are the Saudis and their friends and neighbors. In South America in Columbia and other little banana republics including Mexico and Cuba, political opponents all too easily disappear or are found dead at home, hanging from a tree or thrown into a pit with other bodies. Not too forget African countries where murder and assassination are daily national sport.
Mr Kramer, the Russians don't hold a candle to those other nations and organizations. They're amateurs compared to them.
Of course Stalin, Hitler and Mussolini play second to no one. They are still the all time champions of political death and charnel houses. The Spanish Civil War had its share of political deaths too. As did Yugoslavia. Did we forget Pakistan and India or the Philippines? Seems there's a lot of political slaughter.
I'm going to stay out of politics.
5
Putin is the guy into whose eyes Bush looked and saw his soul. He is the same Putin whom Trump either does or doesn't know but whom, in either case, Donald holds up as a paragon of leadership. Be careful what you eat, Donald.
21
Whether it’s ruled by a czar, a commissar or a president, Russia will always be Russia, a land of surveillance and suspicion, slaves and ideological bullies. Anyone who doubts this should see the great 2013 Russian film “Hard to be a God” by Aleksei German. A Hieronymus Bosch painting brought to life, the film is a “realistic” sci-fi depiction of a brutal Russia isolated from time. Observers from another planet discover a world more or less deliberately stalled in the middle ages, where everyone, not surprisingly, speaks Russian.
8
Even the Russian nobility were serfs to the Tsars.
3
Ha, ha, ha - now sci-fiction is a proof of how bad Russia is. Really? Whatever Russian are, they have the right to choose their own path, even if this path is not to your likening. Why are you irritated that they choose different path? Isn't because you don't mind them to be slaves, you mind that they are not YOUR slaves. And talking about freedom - how about Americans voting for the President who lied to take them to the unnecessary war, that introduce laws that allowed general surveillance, allowed to hold people indefinitely without trial, and allowed to kill people without trial?
Well, if it makes US feel better, a NY Federal Reserve Banker pretended to lead the Red Cross Mission to salvage Russia for the war effort, while he really just managed to haul a lot of booty out of St. Pete's Palace before they shot the Czar.
I bet Putin would love to know where Antoinette's bedroom set went. Look in your own basement, Putin!
I bet Putin would love to know where Antoinette's bedroom set went. Look in your own basement, Putin!
"Other countries, notably Israel and the United States, pursue targeted killings, but in a strict counterterrorism context."
...
I don't want to pretend they're as bad as Russia, because no, not nearly. Not by far. But wow, the sheer... "but when *we* do it it's only for Good resons obvs" ...is kinda hilarious.
...
I don't want to pretend they're as bad as Russia, because no, not nearly. Not by far. But wow, the sheer... "but when *we* do it it's only for Good resons obvs" ...is kinda hilarious.
7
Sanctions should be strengthened. We must figure out a way to get our natural gas to Europe by this winter.
3
Yeah, right.
Putin spent his formative years in the KGB and I think it isn't much of a stretch to imagine that the way you settled disputes in the KGB didn't involve making nasty jokes behind the back of your opponent. That being said, he also has a very, very thin skin. This is not a good combination for an autocrat.
Say what you will about Mao, but at least he was capable of self-criticism. He apparently apologized for killing tens of millions of people with the great leap forward. I cannot imagine Putin apologizing for running over your dog. He would probably have you executed since your dog momentarily obstructed his vehicle.
Say what you will about Mao, but at least he was capable of self-criticism. He apparently apologized for killing tens of millions of people with the great leap forward. I cannot imagine Putin apologizing for running over your dog. He would probably have you executed since your dog momentarily obstructed his vehicle.
4
Given what we see at Republican rallies these days, The DNC and Mr. Soros have been to this school, and graduated with honors.
4
What we see at GOP rallies this year is the late flowering of Dr. Goebbels.
9
Carl Ian Schwartz - "What we see at GOP rallies this year is the late flowering of Dr. Goebbels."
Can we have an example of this please Carl. Of course one that is different than what the DNC does. Perhaps they are they both following the lead of Dr. Goebbels?
Can we have an example of this please Carl. Of course one that is different than what the DNC does. Perhaps they are they both following the lead of Dr. Goebbels?
1
Just like any other Stalinist dictatorship, such as Cuba and China.
2
Americans wind up dead too. Some are pegged as suicides. Others are just auto accidents, sudden heart attacks, tragic illness, spousal retaliation, road rage, arson, falls, boating accidents, home break ins, mugging, gang violence, accidental drowning, natural causes, and political assassination. Does anyone truly believe that America is that different from Russia? We just cover it up better. There are plenty of unsolved deaths of all kinds of people from all walks of life including politics. We also kill people by totally discrediting them on national TV or postings on u-tube or other media. That can be a very painful and slow death. Don't forget too how we lock people up forever and throw away the key. Who needs a gulag? Look how many American generals and admirals have found themselves banished forever into obscurity many with reduced rank because they've become a political liability. Look at how many U.S politicians and government workers are in prison too.
My favorite political assassinations though, the ones I personally believe have been covered up and lied about forever are the deaths of Martin Luther King, Malcom X, and Jack and Robert Kennedy. I will never accept the tall tales told about lone assassins with peculiar personal motivations for those tragic ends. It doesn't make any sense.
If the American political system wants you out of the way your gone. The Russians did not invent political death.
I wonder what Abraham Lincoln would have to say.
My favorite political assassinations though, the ones I personally believe have been covered up and lied about forever are the deaths of Martin Luther King, Malcom X, and Jack and Robert Kennedy. I will never accept the tall tales told about lone assassins with peculiar personal motivations for those tragic ends. It doesn't make any sense.
If the American political system wants you out of the way your gone. The Russians did not invent political death.
I wonder what Abraham Lincoln would have to say.
37
Jay, get some perspective. The US has a democratic culture and a functioning political opposition. Members of the political party out of power don't regularly turn up dead of mysterious causes. Political journalists don't face persistent assassination attempts. There is still a world of difference between the US and Putin's Russia, and if you can't see it, you have swallowed the Kremlin propaganda hook, line, and sinker. It's that simple.
2
I guess we should define "functional political opposition"? One would argue that there is no such thing in America. The political process was hijacked by two political parties that are quite close to each other. Wasn't that the explanation of the recent popularity of Trump and Bernie because they are rare outsiders? And during the turbulent times the opposition figure did end up dead. Martin Luther King, as an example. He was not killed by the Government? But Politkovskaya was not killed by the Government, and yet it doesn't stop speculations that the government was behind the killing
1
Paul Detroit - We have a political culture and a little bit of democracy. Our justice system may seem open but in reality its a closed network. There is always the fear of political assassinations. Why do you think the Secret Service and other security is in place for Presidents, candidates, Supreme Court Justices, and many others? its not just for show. Its for real threats.
I also don't believe any Kremlin propaganda. Nor do believe most American propaganda either. Remember the Viet Nam War? Remember the Pentagon Papers? Remember the secret war in Cambodia and Laos? Our government can't truly be trusted either. Or how about the lead in the water system when under the pretext of saving money the Republicans forced the change to polluted river water then denied testing results and denied assistance. Or what about gerrymandering voting districts to assure that minorities can't elect representatives. Maybe voter registration laws are really there to protect the "sanctity of the vote." Do you believe that? Our democratic government and our politicians are not always truthful, forthright and honest. Take a deeper look Paul.
I also don't believe any Kremlin propaganda. Nor do believe most American propaganda either. Remember the Viet Nam War? Remember the Pentagon Papers? Remember the secret war in Cambodia and Laos? Our government can't truly be trusted either. Or how about the lead in the water system when under the pretext of saving money the Republicans forced the change to polluted river water then denied testing results and denied assistance. Or what about gerrymandering voting districts to assure that minorities can't elect representatives. Maybe voter registration laws are really there to protect the "sanctity of the vote." Do you believe that? Our democratic government and our politicians are not always truthful, forthright and honest. Take a deeper look Paul.
2
George W said "I looked in the man's eyes"... Yea well, he looked in Cheney's eyes, Rumsfeld's eyes, and the scariest of all Paul Wolfowitz's eyes. They are all murderers!
102
So where are the usual Putin empaths and fabricators of false equivalencies who habitually come to his defense? Those who revere egotism over moral character. Those who have viewed the desperate struggles of the people of Ukraine, Chechnya, South Ossettia and Georgia with a detachment that reduces the deepest of human plights to little more than entertaining political board game maneuvers. Has shame finally caught up with you?
12
Where is the banning of Russian gas? Why isn't your side promoting regime change? Hypocrites
Considering Trump''s admiration for Putin, Hillary should be careful of what she injests. I wouldn't put it past him or some second ammendment "supporter".
16
We've read previous articles about how Putin's government has intimidated and imprisoned Russian entrepreneurs to hand over their businesses to Putin's supporters. Now this comprehensive article about how his government intimidates and kills people who present political threat to his control. Next, we will get the definitive article about how Putin's government tried in 2016 to get his dupe Donald Trump elected US President.
But, Russia's economy is in free fall, he maintains control of government through fear but does not have the budget to buy off Russian dissatisfaction, and he will not win the US election. One day he will flee Moscow, maybe to the Peter and Paul Fortress on Zayachy Island and leave Russia in shambles.
But, Russia's economy is in free fall, he maintains control of government through fear but does not have the budget to buy off Russian dissatisfaction, and he will not win the US election. One day he will flee Moscow, maybe to the Peter and Paul Fortress on Zayachy Island and leave Russia in shambles.
8
Yes sir, "As far as leadership, Putin gets an 'A.'" Who said that? "He's a much much better leader than Obama." Who said that?
23
"Other countries, notably Israel and the United States, pursue targeted killings, but in a strict counterterrorism context."
Oh, not as strict as all that, as that lucky survivor Fidel Castro could tell you. Unfortunately, Masoud Alimohammadi, Majid Shahriari, Darioush Rezaeinejad and Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan can't tell you anything. They were Iranian nuclear scientists, and they were all murdered. Neither can Abdulrahman al Awlaki (a sixteen-yer-old American boy, killed by a US drone), nor the distinctly non-terrorist and unarmed passengers on the Mavi Marmara, assassinated by an Israeli squad.
Oh, not as strict as all that, as that lucky survivor Fidel Castro could tell you. Unfortunately, Masoud Alimohammadi, Majid Shahriari, Darioush Rezaeinejad and Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan can't tell you anything. They were Iranian nuclear scientists, and they were all murdered. Neither can Abdulrahman al Awlaki (a sixteen-yer-old American boy, killed by a US drone), nor the distinctly non-terrorist and unarmed passengers on the Mavi Marmara, assassinated by an Israeli squad.
4
"A vote for Trump is a vote for Putin". I really think the Clinton campaign should initiate a slogan in her advertisement.
It's sad that the citizens of Russia should have to endure such repression. But look around the world. Turkey - headed in that direction. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the list goes on.
The United States should limit its friendship and trade to the European Union. Israel? The great friend that has done absolutely nothing for the United States but be on its welfare payroll.
So Putin is terrible and Putin is horrible, but that's life.
One more reason to enjoy the democracy and freedom the United States has to offer, participate in its election process, and accept the results of each election.
The US and most European Nations transfer power to the opponent without turmoil. This election will be different. Look for Trump to stir up anger within his followers and there will be demonstrations and riots following his loss. Now is that really a law and order President?
It's sad that the citizens of Russia should have to endure such repression. But look around the world. Turkey - headed in that direction. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the list goes on.
The United States should limit its friendship and trade to the European Union. Israel? The great friend that has done absolutely nothing for the United States but be on its welfare payroll.
So Putin is terrible and Putin is horrible, but that's life.
One more reason to enjoy the democracy and freedom the United States has to offer, participate in its election process, and accept the results of each election.
The US and most European Nations transfer power to the opponent without turmoil. This election will be different. Look for Trump to stir up anger within his followers and there will be demonstrations and riots following his loss. Now is that really a law and order President?
10
Russia never changes for its leaders. Even for the so-called elected Czar Putin.
4
Putin has killed frequently. His opponents. Syrian people and doctors. Ukrainians. Reporters. The headline could convey a bit more certainty and condemnation to come closer to reality and contribute to the moral outrage, condemnation and criminality that has occurred.
5
Putin, Erdogan, and how the Dictators are all called, they all have free roaming to kill their opponents. Dictatorships do not care about people, its all about might and money. Mr. Trump is in the correct neighborhood with these people.
2
If recent history is any guide, Trump's campaign will quickly pivot and assail the President and Hillary for ignoring the rise of the murderous Putin.
"They've let a mortal enemy loose on the world, a guy who bumps off his enemies with poison, can you believe it. People are saying that Vince Foster was poisoned; I don't know, people say that. It's what I've read. Who else? I don't know but when I'm President, Putin will quake in his boots. No wonder he wants Hillary to win."
See, it's easy. All you need is a straight face.
"They've let a mortal enemy loose on the world, a guy who bumps off his enemies with poison, can you believe it. People are saying that Vince Foster was poisoned; I don't know, people say that. It's what I've read. Who else? I don't know but when I'm President, Putin will quake in his boots. No wonder he wants Hillary to win."
See, it's easy. All you need is a straight face.
9
"Other countries, notably Israel and the United States, pursue targeted killings, but in a strict counterterrorism context. No other major power employs murder as systematically and ruthlessly as Russia does against those seen as betraying its interests abroad."
I simply do not find this persuasive at all. From poor blacks killed and harassed by police in places like Ferguson, Baltimore, Milwaukee, etc. to our endless wars and assassinations all over the world, there is not a bit of difference between Putin and Bush / Obama / Clinton / Trump. All will ruthlessly pursue their own interests and kill their opponents when they see fit. Shame on the Times for pretending otherwise.
I simply do not find this persuasive at all. From poor blacks killed and harassed by police in places like Ferguson, Baltimore, Milwaukee, etc. to our endless wars and assassinations all over the world, there is not a bit of difference between Putin and Bush / Obama / Clinton / Trump. All will ruthlessly pursue their own interests and kill their opponents when they see fit. Shame on the Times for pretending otherwise.
8
Eventually it will back fire so we should not be too concerned. It is the intelligence agencies job to warn them if one is in danger and giving the person the option to leave with our help.
Stalin knocking off Trotsky was and is the
"Gold Standard" for political whacking.
Oh, yes, "plus ca change?"
"Gold Standard" for political whacking.
Oh, yes, "plus ca change?"
11
Awww…and this is the man that Traitor Trump admires.
Putin…a demagogue and murderer.
America…beware Donald J. Trump…a demagogue in the making…and an anathema to everything our Founding Fathers gave us.
Putin…a demagogue and murderer.
America…beware Donald J. Trump…a demagogue in the making…and an anathema to everything our Founding Fathers gave us.
10
For thousands of years, poisoning has been considered a cowardly, mean way of killing, one used by vindictive slaves in antiquity and not too long ago in America. The use of this method to kill one's opponents is obviously one of innumerable indications that Russia will never be a truly great nation, but merely the nation that occupies the greatest portion of the planet's landmass.
4
Silencing opposition voice in democracy is totally unacceptable. But Russia remains a confused state now. It is neither democratic nor communist. Mr.Putin has adopted robust to put Russia back on the world map as a powerful country. He rewrote Russia's constitution to allow a President to stand for elections after his initial two terms. After his first two terms, he never felt shy to serve Russia as Prime Minster. On completion of President Dmitry's term, he again captured power and became President.
Mr.Putin should understand the reality. Russia is not USSR. Times have changed. So are Russian public. Mysterious disappearances and killings will no more help Russia to grow. It will only alienate the Federal Government from the public. Any government that has lost its people's trust have never prospered. Hope Mr.Putin understands this basic concept. Voice of opposition should be loudly heard. If the government has an honest answer, it should present it before citizens and win the trust of countrymen.
Mr.Putin should understand the reality. Russia is not USSR. Times have changed. So are Russian public. Mysterious disappearances and killings will no more help Russia to grow. It will only alienate the Federal Government from the public. Any government that has lost its people's trust have never prospered. Hope Mr.Putin understands this basic concept. Voice of opposition should be loudly heard. If the government has an honest answer, it should present it before citizens and win the trust of countrymen.
5
Russia is a normal western style democracy with a Presidential system. It has a Communist Party that is the second largest Party in Parliament.
It would be advisable not to believe too much of this type of propaganda article.
It would be advisable not to believe too much of this type of propaganda article.
2
That is an extraordinary comment Russia is not a normal western style democracy on so many different levels .... and, this is common knowledge among even the most minimally informed. So, who is the audience this comment is addressed to? What was your purpose of saying this?
2
It's tragic but true that Russian governments have always spent more time killing their own people than they have building a country that supports its citizens. From the time of the tsars to the communist revolution to Stalin's purges, Russians have been subjected to almost constant state-sponsored terrorism, usually carried out on a massive scale, led by the KGB. Russian leaders have always killed more Russians than foreigners ever have. In a country ruled with extreme propaganda, truth-tellers have only one destiny. If holding on to power means killing tens of millions of their own people, Russian leaders have always been willing to go for it. Putin, Mr. KGB himself, is no different.
11
Lets face reality. Russia is ruled by a tightly controlled and highly organized criime syndicate at the top of which Vladmir Putin is the undisputed Godfather. The deadly use of such rare, toxic, and undetectablwe poisons truly illuminates how insidious these killers are. A great insight to the Russian is the film "Eastern Promises", but it is not for the squeamish.
10
But I'm a superstitious man, and if some unlucky accident should befall him, if he should get shot in the head by a police officer, or if he should hang himself in his jail cell, or if he's struck by a bolt of lightning, then I'm going to blame some of the people in this room.
5
Looks like terrorists from CIA taking care of loosing ends.
Not to mention that Kremlin "opposition" is last year snow for average Russian, so killing them wasn't priority, but hey, as long you bash Russia facts doesn't matter.
Article obviously target American population to shape their mind.
Everything can be sold to them.
I don't know should I laugh or roll my eyes.
Here is one European who see through lies of unites states of hypocrisy.
Not to mention that Kremlin "opposition" is last year snow for average Russian, so killing them wasn't priority, but hey, as long you bash Russia facts doesn't matter.
Article obviously target American population to shape their mind.
Everything can be sold to them.
I don't know should I laugh or roll my eyes.
Here is one European who see through lies of unites states of hypocrisy.
4
What's the weather like in Russia today.
10
An interesting aspect of Slavic languages, of which Russian is the most widely spoken, is that they have no articles, such as "the." It is thus fairly easy to detect when an English text was composed by a native speaker of Russian, as the omission of articles, or their incorrect use, quickly betrays an author unaccustomed to them.
15
Exactly my thoughts. It's also easy to spot Turkish speakers for the same reason.
1
Who are those "more" who ending up dead? Politkovskaya had been killed in 2006 and Magnitsky died in jail in 2009. Both has nothing to do with Putin, search in Wiki.
2
Two Russian officials with knowledge of the recent doping scandal... There were others mentioned in the article who were killed in the last few years.
4
Well, I very much respect that you are clear that you are from Saint Petersburg .... That is much better for me. Don't agree with you but .... ok.
1
"A leader of the Russian opposition"? Nominated by himself, it seems. A further attempt to smear Mr. Putin with unsubstantiated accusations. I wonder why nobody is investigating the unexplained deaths of a sizable number of Ukrainean politicians and journalists who supported president Janukowski, all of the of a recent date. Or the shootings on the Maidan square. Or the burning of 60+ persons who fled from an Ukrainean mob into a building that was incinerated with local police at bystanders.
4
Those who are useful idiots with this thug share the blood on his hands - that includes fools like Britain's May and this Trump. It is time the West woke up and realized that Russia has been at war with it for some time now - a continuous never-ending war that has gone on for centuries. One cannot run away from a bully - one must stand up to that type of psychopath - And Mr. Putin that is what you are and that is what your nation is. You, Mr. Putin, are a piece of trash - as for your minions - you are beyond contempt... Incidentally, you can find me... if you wish - in Poland - you lothsome pestilence...
3
Vicious right wing extremist are just as dangerous as brutal dictators. They both kill, except death by extremist is slow and
painful. Hatred and demagoguery are also dictatorial.
painful. Hatred and demagoguery are also dictatorial.
4
Russian history has always entailed expansion and then retraction from western territories. I always wanted to give Putin the benefit of the doubt by defining his conflicts with the West as misguided assumptions about Western intentions that could be ameliorated by diplomacy and piecemeal approaches. However it is becoming oblivious that he is a megalomaniac who believes that he is the anointed one to lead Russia to it's predestined glory, Perhaps less diplomacy and more clearly defined consequences for Russian intransigence is in order. You don't negotiate with sociopaths who feast on nebulously stated diplomatic terms. They do understand clearly stated consequences for their behaviors.
7
The leaders of Russia employ a strategy that is also employed by China. They have allowed their citizens to accumulate wealth and prosperity if they are of a means and of an ability to do this. But they have not allowed broad freedoms for their peoples. Any public (and even possibly private) criticism of the leadership in these two countries risks likely reprisals and possible persecution. They have effectively attempted; and to some degree have successfully purchased the submissiveness of their citizens.
2
I can't help but wince at the images of Hillary Clinton seeking a "reset" with Putin, or President Obama assuring Putin of more US flexibility after the 2012 elections. Combined with Trump's unrealistic assessment of Putin's danger, the Russian leader clearly knows he can continue Russian hegemony and political murders on US soil for at least four more years. How feckless we must appear.
6
I detest conspiracy theories, but as this article suggests, when it comes to Russia, it seems that devilish plots are par for the course.
With that in mind, more people should know that Putin rose to power during a series of apartment building bombings attributed to Chechen separatists.
The natural instinct when under attack is to "circle the wagons" and look to someone "strong"... Putin's popularity skyrocketed as his rhetoric against Chechnya dovetailed with the growing fear.
One bombing was interrupted, and some clues seemed to lead to the FSB (the Russian FBI). Lookup "Ryazan incident." I am not leading you to crackpot websites, but solid news sources.
Again, I detest conspiracy theories, but when it comes to Russia and Putin, I really would not be surprised if shady mafia/ KGB types engineered Putin's rise, and use mob thuggery today to retain his grip on power.
With that in mind, more people should know that Putin rose to power during a series of apartment building bombings attributed to Chechen separatists.
The natural instinct when under attack is to "circle the wagons" and look to someone "strong"... Putin's popularity skyrocketed as his rhetoric against Chechnya dovetailed with the growing fear.
One bombing was interrupted, and some clues seemed to lead to the FSB (the Russian FBI). Lookup "Ryazan incident." I am not leading you to crackpot websites, but solid news sources.
Again, I detest conspiracy theories, but when it comes to Russia and Putin, I really would not be surprised if shady mafia/ KGB types engineered Putin's rise, and use mob thuggery today to retain his grip on power.
43
Read Bill Browders book, "Red Notice"
3
If it's true that Anna Politkovskaya was served a "poisoned tea" on an Aeroflot flight in 2004 and Kara-Murza "ingested poison" last year also on a Aeroflot flight, it is no doubt bad publicity for the Russian airline. It looks as though that the "poisoning" didn't aim to kill the two instantly to avoid scrutiny, perhaps to serve as a warning that they shouldn't mess with the Kremlin. Nevertheless it shows that the FSB - successor of the Soviet-era KGB - seems to be the most efficient government organisation in Russia. This is sad, the country has so much resources and its people could be well provided for, if only it thrives and moves forward.
10
To Giuliani: A strong leader.
To Trump: A man I can do business with.
To Republicans: Our next candidate for President?
To Trump: A man I can do business with.
To Republicans: Our next candidate for President?
9
This is a an interview (in Russian) about Magnitsky by a friend of Litvinenko -- it is not rudimentary about B&W!
http://echo.msk.ru/blog/echomsk/1822856-echo/
http://echo.msk.ru/blog/echomsk/1822856-echo/
Sounds like America. Certain leaders opposed to war. Who questioned Vietnam. Leaders who felt the CIA and national security state had gone too far and learned from hard-earned experience. People who were open to detente with the Soviet Union. JFK. RFK. MLK, Jr. Conveniently eliminated. Dozens of witnesses who then themselves died mysterious deaths during the Warren Commission investigation and others a decade later during the House Select Committee on Assassinations investigation. Accidents, suicides, cars run off the road. Ex-CIA chiefs like Bill Colby too, who were a little too cooperative with Congressional investigations (unlike Bush, Sr., who replaced Colby). Newspapers who cooperated with the CIA's Operation Mockingbird and their memo to media assets to weaponize the term "conspiracy theory." The sad thing is here we are 50 years after JFK's assassination and the nation still can't talk honestly about it but just pretends that Russia is the only place where this goes on.
59
No, it really doesn't sound like America. I am baffled as to how you can even imagine that we are anywhere near the same. The very fact that you can say this and not fear retribution is proof that we are nothing like Russia.
21
Litvinenko died a horrific death and the trail leads straight back to the FSB. But I read a lot about his background and he was more than just a Kremlin critic. His background and the type of "criticism" he made could explain why FSB agents might want to murder him.
He was originally an FSB agent, trained in the same academy as Putin. He was, according to the articles I read around his death, assigned to work for/spy on the oligarch Berezovsky. Then reportedly Berezovsky "flipped" him and paid him to write his famous book alleging that his colleagues in the FSB had planned fake terror attacks to alarm the public into the 2nd Chechen War.
Does this sound familiar? In America after 911, I was disgusted by the Truther movement that accused our CIA of blowing up the two towers to get the Patriot Act passed and justify Afghanistan.
The murder did not stop Litvinenko's book. But I do not believe his allegations were true any more than I believe the CIA committed 911. I believe this was concocted by the man who paid Litvinenko to write the book.
It's possible that the FSB itself, as an organization of people who swore an oath of loyalty, killed him for violating that oath.
If a CIA agent publicly accused the CIA of 911, I wonder what the CIA would do.
He was originally an FSB agent, trained in the same academy as Putin. He was, according to the articles I read around his death, assigned to work for/spy on the oligarch Berezovsky. Then reportedly Berezovsky "flipped" him and paid him to write his famous book alleging that his colleagues in the FSB had planned fake terror attacks to alarm the public into the 2nd Chechen War.
Does this sound familiar? In America after 911, I was disgusted by the Truther movement that accused our CIA of blowing up the two towers to get the Patriot Act passed and justify Afghanistan.
The murder did not stop Litvinenko's book. But I do not believe his allegations were true any more than I believe the CIA committed 911. I believe this was concocted by the man who paid Litvinenko to write the book.
It's possible that the FSB itself, as an organization of people who swore an oath of loyalty, killed him for violating that oath.
If a CIA agent publicly accused the CIA of 911, I wonder what the CIA would do.
4
The type of criticism Litvenenko made was right on. Do some basic research about the Russian apartment bombings and the Rayazan incident. this is not a conspiracy theory nor is it remotely akin to the outrage that is the Truthers.
Do a simple Wikipedia reading on this issue at the least. Alexander Litvenenko was speaking to a real outrage committed by the Russian state apparatus against its own people for the benefit of political expediency I.e. Popular support for a 2nd Chechen war.
Do a simple Wikipedia reading on this issue at the least. Alexander Litvenenko was speaking to a real outrage committed by the Russian state apparatus against its own people for the benefit of political expediency I.e. Popular support for a 2nd Chechen war.
4
Why should anyone be surprised? Since Putin was a KGB officer before it turned into the FSB, I’m sure he wants to use every means at his disposal to silence his critics and opposition. For a despot like Putin, assassination is merely another tool to eliminate criticism and instill loyalty in his allies as well as fear in his opponents.
One has to wonder, with his immense admiration of Vladimir Putin, would a “President” Trump use the same tool to silence his opponents and the Press?
One has to wonder, with his immense admiration of Vladimir Putin, would a “President” Trump use the same tool to silence his opponents and the Press?
9
Trump better watch out when he loses.
Putin does not like losers.
Sarcasm or, maybe, not so much sarcasm.
Putin does not like losers.
Sarcasm or, maybe, not so much sarcasm.
6
The more it chnges, the more it remains the same. Czars were already poisoning their enemies of all sorts, political and others, two centuries ago. It seems that Putin has just perfectioned this "art." But, as another reader pointed out, the remainder of the world is the enabler, as we trade, and interact with Russia in all sorts of settings.
2
Not mentioned in this piece was the death of the Moscow head of the Fortune Magazine news bureau.
If you inconvenience the powers that be in either Russia or in Mexico, a permanent solution is sometimes sought by those at the head of government.
It is also common in Russia to have competitors arrested and put in federal prisons for "crimes" that do not exist. As the Russian prisons are rampant with tuberculosis, this can be a death sentence.
If you have ever given any thought to voting for a presidential contender who is a favorite of those in charge in Russia, you might reconsider the validity of your thought process.
If you inconvenience the powers that be in either Russia or in Mexico, a permanent solution is sometimes sought by those at the head of government.
It is also common in Russia to have competitors arrested and put in federal prisons for "crimes" that do not exist. As the Russian prisons are rampant with tuberculosis, this can be a death sentence.
If you have ever given any thought to voting for a presidential contender who is a favorite of those in charge in Russia, you might reconsider the validity of your thought process.
25
This shows that Gorbachev was the best Soviet leader we could have had, and we should have supported him.
8
But we did not. We broke our word to him. We supported the fake democrat but treasonous Yeltsin, hoping to collapse Russia from within, as a reward for their peacefully giving up an empire.
We broke the nuclear treaties, moved NATO up to Russia border while putting missiles on it and all the while saying we never would do that. Then we give asylum to oligarch Russian traitors. We put missiles on their borders, sabotaged their economy (getting the Saudi's to dump oil and thus prices), overturned the last Ukrainian democratic leader (replacing a democratically elected autocrat with a Nuland backed oligarch) and now support Chechen terrorists (as we do Syrian terrorist ala Al Nusrah ISIS) and Nazi's in the Ukraine with 200 UK officers, Blackwater (academe Xe now).
And Gorbachov, though no fan of Putin, rightly backs him on the Ukraine. We sowed the New Cold War for the same reason we continue 'failed' policies in the ME; Israels influence (AIPAC) and money from weapon sales. Failed diplomacy = more money for weapons = success.
On foreign policy Trump is the lesser evil. At least he sees this as a disaster and was willing and gutsy enough to say the truth that GW Bush was a totally failed POTUS and the GOP policies wrong. On this one thing he is right!
Hillary still does not regret destroying Libya and thereby Europe's politics pushed towards neo Nazi policies, flowing from the huge numbers of refugees fleeing the disaster zones (Yemen, Syria, Libya, Iraq) we have created!
We broke the nuclear treaties, moved NATO up to Russia border while putting missiles on it and all the while saying we never would do that. Then we give asylum to oligarch Russian traitors. We put missiles on their borders, sabotaged their economy (getting the Saudi's to dump oil and thus prices), overturned the last Ukrainian democratic leader (replacing a democratically elected autocrat with a Nuland backed oligarch) and now support Chechen terrorists (as we do Syrian terrorist ala Al Nusrah ISIS) and Nazi's in the Ukraine with 200 UK officers, Blackwater (academe Xe now).
And Gorbachov, though no fan of Putin, rightly backs him on the Ukraine. We sowed the New Cold War for the same reason we continue 'failed' policies in the ME; Israels influence (AIPAC) and money from weapon sales. Failed diplomacy = more money for weapons = success.
On foreign policy Trump is the lesser evil. At least he sees this as a disaster and was willing and gutsy enough to say the truth that GW Bush was a totally failed POTUS and the GOP policies wrong. On this one thing he is right!
Hillary still does not regret destroying Libya and thereby Europe's politics pushed towards neo Nazi policies, flowing from the huge numbers of refugees fleeing the disaster zones (Yemen, Syria, Libya, Iraq) we have created!
5
Too bad. The USSR could have been a land of science, medicine, technology, industry, art, literature, music, theater, and education, and a force for peace and democracy, rather than a demonstration of the failure of the free market.
Well, they were first in space. Their expatriate, Sergei Brinn, invented Google. They educated the world. And they published Yakov Perelman's books, which inspired children around the world to become scientists and mathematicians.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHomETco0MI
Well, they were first in space. Their expatriate, Sergei Brinn, invented Google. They educated the world. And they published Yakov Perelman's books, which inspired children around the world to become scientists and mathematicians.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHomETco0MI
1
Political murders as the instrument of state policy could neither be a potent means of achieving desired goals, nor a permanent monopoly of a regime, and soon backfire as the hands holding gun keep changing with each change of the guards.
9
Very true. They will reap the whirlwind. I think their only hope is that of the Marquise de Pompadour: that they should die before the whirlwind comes.
1
Wish that were so. Unfortunately, there is an asymmetry at work. Those of us with moral scruples understand that the ends do not justify the means. Those without scruples find murder a useful tool for eliminating their opposition. Do you not think that the cause of good was injured by the assasinations of King, Gandhi, Rabin? Were Stalin and Mao unsuccessful in cementing their period of rule?
2
The authoritarian systems are particularly vulnerable to such violent action-reaction chains.
It is not over for Mr. Kara Murza. Putin's cronies do not like failure and will try again until they succeed. Just look at Politkovskaya and Berezovsky. The West has to protect its border's against Russia's assassins, they should not be able to operate in civilized countries without impunity. It will only get worse, as the technology will get more advanced. Interestingly, my bet is that Russia and China are cooperating in the research and manufacture of these untraceable poisons, as both of these countries like to rid themselves of political enemies in a quiet way. Hope that CIA and FBI are paying attention.
7
"Other countries, notably Israel and the United States, pursue targeted killings, but in a strict counterterrorism context."
Oh, really? Would Mr. Kramer or anyone at the New York Times like to tell me what the counter-terrorism value was of the drone murder of Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, a U.S. citizen and the 16-year-old son of the previously drone-murdered U.S. citizen Anwal al-Awlaki?
Putin is a despicable, murderous thug and the Russian people seem tragically incapable of putting together a functioning democracy. But since World War II, the number of innocent people around the world killed as a result of U.S. foreign policy dwarves Putin's thuggery. So Times articles like this sadly just seem to say that our murders are better than theirs.
Oh, really? Would Mr. Kramer or anyone at the New York Times like to tell me what the counter-terrorism value was of the drone murder of Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, a U.S. citizen and the 16-year-old son of the previously drone-murdered U.S. citizen Anwal al-Awlaki?
Putin is a despicable, murderous thug and the Russian people seem tragically incapable of putting together a functioning democracy. But since World War II, the number of innocent people around the world killed as a result of U.S. foreign policy dwarves Putin's thuggery. So Times articles like this sadly just seem to say that our murders are better than theirs.
40
You and several readers seem to miss the point that these folks that are being murdered are not terrorists but Russians that disagree publicly in word not deed from Putin's regime. A universe of difference from ISIS terrorists.
17
Our " murders" ARE better than theirs! At least we don't kill American journalists
and politicians who bad mouth Obama. If that were the case all of FOX NEWS would have been buried by now.
and politicians who bad mouth Obama. If that were the case all of FOX NEWS would have been buried by now.
21
...and what would you say to Mitt Romney's "47%" comment, which implied that 150 million fellow Americans are somehow not entitled to the equal protection of the Constitution? These individuals--the poor, the elderly, people of color, and LGBTQ people, should vanish at no cost, according to today's GOP dogma. Two good examples: calling HIV "God's judgment" of homosexual men, and the current GOP Congress's failure to fund zika research/treatment because it wanted to link it to defunding Planned Parenthood's contraception and women's health programs. Meanwhile, Florida had passed the notorious "stand your ground" law which permits people to be judge, jury, and executioner, with a very low burden of proof for their claimed necessity of taking another life.
Would you now vote GOP?
Would you now vote GOP?
5
Torn between wondering if this is what now awaits useless Mancort, or whether Manafort will be enjoying this himself,
3
Erdogan and Putin are exchanging tradecraft. Neither are US allies and should be treated with caution, suspicion, and care.
14
@Knorrfleat Wringbladt
Midwest
Actually Erdogan is an ally and he's no more disreputable than Saudi Arabia or Israel. All three need to be treated with caution and suspicion. In fact Russia was once an ally of the US. You could quite reasonably argue it was the most successful alliance in US history in terms of achieving its primary goals.
Midwest
Actually Erdogan is an ally and he's no more disreputable than Saudi Arabia or Israel. All three need to be treated with caution and suspicion. In fact Russia was once an ally of the US. You could quite reasonably argue it was the most successful alliance in US history in terms of achieving its primary goals.
22
I would put ally in quotations there. We simply agreed to fight against the same enemy, but FDR did not trust Stalin further than he could throw him, and that was not very far.
7
The USA needs and wants a cold war with Russia. It's necessary to use every trick of McCarthyism to make us hate the Russians and demonize them. As the media keeps showing, a lack of hatred for the Russian government comes close to traitorous behavior. We must refer to Putin as a Hitler or Stalin and a frightful dictator, even though he been democratically elected for the whole of the 21st century.
23
OK "Rob" in "Stanford." Putin has done nothing to bring the attitudes you describe upon himself. Pure as the driven snow, I suppose?
8
Well he is a frightful dictator, but that doesn't mean we need to go to war with every frightful dictator in the world. Mugabe is far more terrifying and we have let him run his country and his people into the ground for decades.
2
Ron,
It's not Russians but Putin and his cronies that we must be wary of. He is a totalitarian. His popularity stems from oil money and his power grows as he takes over that sector, aggressively annexes other countries' lands, and stifles all dissent.
Great Russians have been brilliant at voicing dissent and yearning for humanity over the past few hundred years. Several Russian leaders from Nicolas II to Stalin to Putin have been cruel and ruthless in dealing with dissent.
It's not Russians but Putin and his cronies that we must be wary of. He is a totalitarian. His popularity stems from oil money and his power grows as he takes over that sector, aggressively annexes other countries' lands, and stifles all dissent.
Great Russians have been brilliant at voicing dissent and yearning for humanity over the past few hundred years. Several Russian leaders from Nicolas II to Stalin to Putin have been cruel and ruthless in dealing with dissent.
4
Apparently Trump prefers a gun. Not subtle whatsoever. Just like his tacky buildings.
21
The same way as Hilary's critics like Seth Rich (DNC leak), John Ashe, Shawn Lucas & Victor thorn ended up being dead. But why bother ? Hilary-Gooood....Putin- Baaaaaaad.
25
Hillary and Putin are not in the same category.
And yes Hillary....good.
Putin...bad.
And yes Hillary....good.
Putin...bad.
6
11
Hillary is the most investigated person in US history. Either she is some kind of godlike assassin, or she didn't actually have these people killed.
12
What will happen to Trump if he owes money to Putin and his thugs? Is Trump's confusion a sign of poisoning by Putin?
5
States are vastly amoral enterprises. All states. Even the United States.
Assuming that there is some truth in the litany of murders you present, , Andrew Kramer, all I can say is using poison instead of drones creates less collateral damage.
Assuming that there is some truth in the litany of murders you present, , Andrew Kramer, all I can say is using poison instead of drones creates less collateral damage.
64
While I don't like the use of drones or any other way of killing opponents, comparing killing those who would cause and/or have caused harm and death with non-violent people who speak out or take cases to court is a very false and dangerous analogy.
Even if you contend that some of those targeted are legitimate revolutionaries...picking up a gun or any other violent instrument means that the rules of war apply - not the laws that should protect peaceful citizens.
As the US Constitution states "Some truths are self evident..."
Even if you contend that some of those targeted are legitimate revolutionaries...picking up a gun or any other violent instrument means that the rules of war apply - not the laws that should protect peaceful citizens.
As the US Constitution states "Some truths are self evident..."
11
The repugnant false equivalency drawn here is not even close to valid. Bumping off your political opponents as part of holding onto corrupt power is one thing. Collateral damage in a war something entirely different. I'd be interested in why the NYTimes picked it.
6
I'd prefer a thousand lifetimes in the 'amoral enterprise' of the United States to a single day under the murderous degeneracy of ISIL or the Taliban. If you think all State enterprises are equally amoral perhaps you should go try out North Korea for a time.
2
This is why I cringe when I hear one of Trump's operatives say that Hillary Clinton should be shot or imprisoned and when Trump suggests that Second-Amendment types might eliminate her. Even though it is nothing new, that's the way political opponents of Vladimir Putin are handled in Russia. This is especially worrisome when Trump expressed admiration for Putin while denigrating President Obama, hired a campaign chairman who was a paid lobbyist for Russian oligarchs and a dictator and sneakily made changes to the Republican Platform that undermined bi-partisan efforts to provide military assistance to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Trump still talks about his desire to get chummy or kissy-kissy with the thuggish Putin. Birds of a feather...
337
You forget it is not those who oppose Trump who end up dead "mysteriously" but anyone that has dirt on Hillary or no longer of use to her either commits inexplicable and physically impossible to do suicide ( like Vince Foster) or has an odd accident ( like a barbell crushing his neck) Trump may talk odd but it is those around Hillary that die
2
I might add that this year's Republican Platform is as nasty a document as the Nazi Nuremberg Race Laws of 1933-34, which were written to exclude Jews, Gypsies, and others from German economic and social life.
Authoritarians think alike.
Authoritarians think alike.
7
Seems, like Sandy Hook Elementary, Orlando, and the countless mass murders before them have now morphed into everyday non-events in the US, where people can walk the streets with their gun openly visible.
Instead, you flock a dead propaganda horse, simply for one cynical purpose: to make HRC's victory even more certain.
Shame on you NYT.
Instead, you flock a dead propaganda horse, simply for one cynical purpose: to make HRC's victory even more certain.
Shame on you NYT.
Putin is devil incarnate, KGB. Stalin left a legacy of mass murder, and it's still a police state. We should not trade with these thugs.
5
(1) refusal to inflate our own self-estimation; and (2) reticence to assert ourselves for ourselves.
You mean reluctance not reticence. Reticence applies to speech only.
2
I remember the uproar over the "fatwah" declared against Salman Rushdie in 1989. The Brits put him under police protection. Is it time for the U.S. to do the same for Russian dissidents living in the U.S.? Isn't this a form of terrorism, if one can be assassinated no matter where if Mr. Putin deems it politically necessary? How can someone in D.C. be beaten to death by agents of another country? All the spy novel plots coming home to roost.
8
Gelsemium sempervirens is a beautiful and common plant in many gardens of the southern US. In fact, it is the state flower of South Carolina. It is definitely poisonous, but not rare...
1
How appropriate for a state flower for a state whose GOP uses hate to get votes, and gerrymanders.
2
A large percentage of Americans now admire Putin because of the propaganda spread by people such as Steve Bannon and Donald Trump. Apparently they want Trump to be an American Putin, using the same sort of "strong leader" tactics in America.
Trump is promising to eliminate dissent. At the end of his speech on Friday, Trump sounded messianic. "We have a divided country. It's totally divided. The era of division will be replaced with a future of unity, total unity. We will love each other. We will have one country. Everybody will work together,” Trump said. “In my administration, every American will be treated equally, protected equally and honored equally. We will reject bigotry and hatred and oppression in all of its forms and seek a new future built on our common culture and values as one American people.”
How is Trump ever going to achieve such a kumbaya country, when his supporters are nothing if not united in their hatred of over 50% of the country, starting with Democrats and working down through all categories of "those people" ? The only way to achieve such supreme harmony would be to eliminate any dissenting voices.
All Americans should ask what Mr. Trump defines as "common culture and values" before they vote for him, because there will be no space in the United States of Trump and his zealots for anyone who has a different opinion. There is no reason that the ricin wouldn't be in your breakfast in such a nation. You read the New York Times, after all.
Trump is promising to eliminate dissent. At the end of his speech on Friday, Trump sounded messianic. "We have a divided country. It's totally divided. The era of division will be replaced with a future of unity, total unity. We will love each other. We will have one country. Everybody will work together,” Trump said. “In my administration, every American will be treated equally, protected equally and honored equally. We will reject bigotry and hatred and oppression in all of its forms and seek a new future built on our common culture and values as one American people.”
How is Trump ever going to achieve such a kumbaya country, when his supporters are nothing if not united in their hatred of over 50% of the country, starting with Democrats and working down through all categories of "those people" ? The only way to achieve such supreme harmony would be to eliminate any dissenting voices.
All Americans should ask what Mr. Trump defines as "common culture and values" before they vote for him, because there will be no space in the United States of Trump and his zealots for anyone who has a different opinion. There is no reason that the ricin wouldn't be in your breakfast in such a nation. You read the New York Times, after all.
25
Question - since Trump constantly does things to lose voters - and talks about this and that - anyone you know of dead because of him? Same question since Hillary never says anything but people keep ending up dead around her who is the more really dangerous?- Trump not in it to win it but to insure angel of death Clinton does get in to ruin the USA
1
Steve, I've recently learned she was also responsible for killing J.R. Ewing, Bambi and agent Starling's lamb. Hit me back and I'll send you one of my aluminum foil beanies.
4
I haven't seen anyone die around her, must be a Stevie Thing?
2
"More of Kremlin’s Opponents Are Ending Up Dead"
What's amazing about Donald Drumpf admiring Vlad Putin?
They are peas in a pod.
What's amazing about Donald Drumpf admiring Vlad Putin?
They are peas in a pod.
9
As for governments and poisons there are many books to teach you what every government special service knows and what has been done. Any oligarch, from whatever country, can buy expert help to kill anyone they want. In my opinion they tend to accept crude devices because they want to be known as killers without being convicted. Government services have access to more subtle poisons and devices and their technology is far more advanced. If they kill a person and it looks like murder it is because they are sending a message. For example, whoever killed that rocket scientist who was working on long range weapons by electrocution.
1
Democracy in Russia is dead. Putin is the no. 1 threat to the US and the world. He appears intent on re-establishing the Soviet empire using whatever tactics he learned from his days as a KGB lackey, including murder. He is a dangerous, dangerous man.
10
He may still have the requisite weaponry to instigate tumultuous world conflict but lacks the infrastructure, resources, will and knowledge to successfully occupy and "govern" many new "satellites". The Crimean peninsula is one thing, eastern Europe, the Balkans, etc. is another ball game. He'd get what we got in Iraq, but multiplied exponentially. It would cost him more that it cost Russia to turn back the Nazi's and Russia doesn't have that capital to spend any more. He is, however, welcome to jump Kim Jong-un's shark, though I doubt he'd try going up against China, which does have the human capital to spend, and then some.
"Used extensively in the Soviet era, political murders are again playing a prominent role in the Kremlin’s foreign policy, the most brutal instrument in an expanding repertoire of intimidation tactics intended to silence or otherwise intimidate critics at home and abroad." - would be very useful to see at least one prove for this very strong statement.
...and if the KGB or OGPU didn't kill you or send you to Siberia, they also took you out of any book where your name appeared, from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia to magazines and works of fiction.
2
Well, most of all is just accusations, not are proven facts. And these accusations definitely have a political foundation. Litvinenko case is an example. In beginning British shelved the investigation, but when relation with Russia went south, the investigation was dusted off, and the Russian government was declared a culprit. In other murders there is even less proof that the Russian Government involved. With same brush we can blame the British Government for death of weapon expert David Kelly. On the other hand, the claim that other governments are not involved in political murder is not true also. The American Government was implicated in killings of journalists Charles Horman and Frank Terrugi, and is suspected in aiding to killing of Letelier. More recent examples are suspicious suicides of former officials in Ukraine, some of which were clearly staged, and that is not counting the murders of journalists.
3
Let's not forget all those around Hillary that have ended up dead mysteriously that had dirt on or was in the way or a threat to Hillary
3
Whataboutery from a keyboard in St. Petersburg.
1
Bill Browder was a foolish kid when he went into Russia with Safra's backing to speculate on Russian coupons. He's been mouthing of ever since. He's the grandchild of Earl Browder who was, at one time, the head of the Communist party on the US. Like many Browders he is good at math and stupid about governmental machinations and career criminal activities. Browder is lucky to live in England, with the money he made in Russia, and may feel he has a bone to pick with Russia. But he doesn't keep up with the criminal behavior of the exiled Russian oligarchs and he's not very bright considering he's a Browder.
1
Russia and Putin personally as a head of country has every right to treat his own citizen like garbage. If there are 70% of Putin supporters so who we are to contradict to them.
But... But this zoo should be inside the borders of Russia. Europe and USA should be tight and response muscular if this criminal infection spread abroad.
Why we have to live in a state of fear again just because of insane criminal controls nuclear weapons.
But... But this zoo should be inside the borders of Russia. Europe and USA should be tight and response muscular if this criminal infection spread abroad.
Why we have to live in a state of fear again just because of insane criminal controls nuclear weapons.
1
It has already spread abroad and we are enabling it.
As Trump says, Putin is a strong leader! Doesn't he have hundreds of elves writing admiring blogs for him from state offices? I'm sure Mr T will follow his example if the public goes nuts in November.
10
Trump not trying to win so better worry too about what Hillary & Billary will do to the country when she gets to steal from the people again- especially with her ties to foreign "donators" to the Foundation. ANd if yo believe they will stop taking money from those you are more niave then the others voting for either her or Trump -- we need a real alternative to both of them or the country
and middle class are in trouble at least for next 4 years
and middle class are in trouble at least for next 4 years
I feel such horror and sadness for a nation that has brought the world so much great music, art, writers, scientists, thinkers - and yet have had to endure centuries of lunatics leading it.
21
Endure? The majority enjoys it. Putin has more support from the Russian people than any democratically elected ruler in a western country. Russia had many talented people, but it looks like than have entered another zombie period in their history. The Soviet rule lasted 70 years. How long will the next one be and what can be done to wake them up?
1
Little people are feared, but not respected. Big people are remembered for their strength of character, and not feared.
An example of the latter was George Washington, who could have been our king, who exhibited the character to step down after two terms as our President. He remains as our prime example of true greatness, and showed true strength. You either have it or you don't. You can't force it.
Case closed.
An example of the latter was George Washington, who could have been our king, who exhibited the character to step down after two terms as our President. He remains as our prime example of true greatness, and showed true strength. You either have it or you don't. You can't force it.
Case closed.
80
Donald Trump on George Washington: "What a loser."
2
This is why Trump admires Putin. Amazing.
280
And yet how many that have crossed the Clinton clan have mysteriously died now? Seems the Clintons have more in common with Putin than Trump does.
4
And Hillary emulates him.
5
Russia is a dictatorship.
A dictatorship that has very long arms.
As such why is any surprised that they go anywhere in the world
to eliminate anyone they feel is a threat to their dictatorship ?
A dictatorship that has very long arms.
As such why is any surprised that they go anywhere in the world
to eliminate anyone they feel is a threat to their dictatorship ?
218
I am surprised why European countries and USA allow Russia poke around outside Russia borders.
Is obvious. Putin killed Berezovsky, Magnitskiy ... Still untrammelled? No evidences? Cool - there are no limits to terrorize other countries.
Is obvious. Putin killed Berezovsky, Magnitskiy ... Still untrammelled? No evidences? Cool - there are no limits to terrorize other countries.
1
not so much a dictatorship but more of a mafia state
this is what it looks like when mob thugs take over a government
this is what it looks like when mob thugs take over a government
26
And we don't go anywhere in the world to eliminate anyone who is a threat to our empire?
The list of countries where we bomb at will must contain close to 10 or 12 names. Our overseas bases number in the hundreds. How many bases does Putin have in the Western Hemisphere?
The list of countries where we bomb at will must contain close to 10 or 12 names. Our overseas bases number in the hundreds. How many bases does Putin have in the Western Hemisphere?
2
And this is a man who Donald Trump admires. No surprise there.
239
Should we be surprised? And the lack of people responding to this one article can be traced to the fear they spread... this State, of tyranny and dysfunction, should be feared. The world was safer in the cold war. Trust is vanishing exponentially.
57
What exactly is the purpose of this piece? None of this is new. All these things have been widely known for many years now so this is not really a news story. Despite all these facts and many others, the West continues to open its markets to Russian dirty cash, sells them its prime real estate and sits down with them to talk things over. Again, What Is The Utility or Purpose Of This Article?
99
I was educated by this article. Useful to have a summary.
8
I would disagree. The relationship between Putin and Trump is relatively new, no matter what the depth of it is. Is this important? A far as Trump's electability or sense of judgment is concerned, it certainly is.
15
I completely agree! My first response was why does Germany buy Russian gas? Why does UK allow Russians to bank there? And why does the US allow Americans to do business in Russia and for pro Russia parties in other countries? Why have there been no significant actions taken against Russia or Putin?
1
I will refrain from saying anything negative. Way too dangerous.
73
i'm pretty sure the SVR is not interested in murdering internet commenters
however the fear they instill, leading you not to speak, shows why they do what they do
however the fear they instill, leading you not to speak, shows why they do what they do
7
Ah, but vee haf a complete dossier on you......
1
I wish Donald Trump, who famously declared Putin had never poisoned anyone, could be tied to a post and forced to read this article over and over. I happen to think Putin is one tough and nasty dude, one hell bent on recreating the Russian "empire" he had to witness disintegrating as a kid. He is KGB trained and seems to have a decided agenda to pick up all the pieces and eventually recreate the Soviet Union under the banner of mother Russia, with himself as Czar.
No it won't be Communism, but who cares if it's Putinism or whatever he wants to call it, if the goals and tactics are the same?
For those who scoff, "the Russians are coming, the Russians are coming", you may yet live to regret not believing that lightning can strike twice.
No it won't be Communism, but who cares if it's Putinism or whatever he wants to call it, if the goals and tactics are the same?
For those who scoff, "the Russians are coming, the Russians are coming", you may yet live to regret not believing that lightning can strike twice.
398
I wish you could be tied to a post and forced to read the stories of the people that have mysteriously died after crossing Hillary and Bill. I like that you throw Trumps name in like Hillary isn't more like Putin than either candidate.
So let the Russians be Russisns. Haven't we painfully learned just recently in spades you can't change the culture of a country.
You have the ruling class and the peasants. Russians need a strong ruler.
You have the ruling class and the peasants. Russians need a strong ruler.
2
You forget that the U.S. is a democracy. In a democracy, institutions constrain and are more consequential than any individual leader. Trump's opinion toward Putin does not matter and will hardly hold. After all, without the competitive, open, and democratic nominating process, he would not be presidential candidate. He is the politician-to-be who has benefited most from democracy, and should be shrewd enough to respect it.
Thugs. Pure thuggery. This is no moral high road, no special Russian way. This is pure criminality. When Putin falls--and he will fall--all this thuggery will be revealed for what it is. He thinks he can intimidate the West with his preferred candidate Donald J. Trump, but he is wrong. Both will be losers.
358
Manafort should be very careful. He obviously failed his assignment to infiltrate Trump's empire. Putin doesn't like failures.
6
Putin will go down is history as one of humanities worst sociopaths. We were taught to despise Russians during the Cold War. My feelings later turned towards empathetic pity. Now I have contempt for everyday Russians who idolize this monster.
253
You may be right, but it's a tough race to the bottom. I mean look at the contestants he has to beat: Nero, Caligula, Alexander the Great (well, he did kills his own father), Mao (what was that last count, 40 million died?), then there's everyone favorites Hitler, Stalin and Sophia's uncle, El Duce. Then there's that nastily little E. Amin in Africa. Well, he did fulfill his campaign promise to better serve his people: barbecued. Would LBJ qualify? Ask some Viet Nam widows. This is too much fun. And we haven't even gotten to the Persian Empire yet.
8
He is admired and loved not only in Russia but across the globe, I am afraid that Reagan, Bushes, Clintons and rest of moral freak show fighting for 1st place of sociopathy and hypocrisy. You haven't been in Europe lately to ask common people about Putin, don't, your opinion shaped by yellow journalism will shatter, you will not be able to form opinion again.
Putin will go in History as only one who stand on the way of US hegemony, domination and endless wars.
Truly most disgusting government hands down.
Putin will go in History as only one who stand on the way of US hegemony, domination and endless wars.
Truly most disgusting government hands down.
And all the everyday Americans that idolize Trump.
1
When there are no laws, or respect for the law, what can you expect. Everything is entitled, whether the killing be within the country or without. In the end you live and die by your reputation. You cannot escape this, no matter how many body guards you have.
62