Trump may not be Putin's puppet, but he sure acts that way. Putin didn't even have to tie the strings on the Trump marionette.
For me, the real question is what does Putin have on Trump? I will bet the answer is something ridiculously trivial, but it certainly has Trump tied in knots.
8
Putin masterfully pulls Trump's strings. So much so that Trump believes he is acting independently. -- Oh if he only had a brain.
12
“Trump is God’s gift that keeps on giving..."
Says it all, doesn't it? I don't know whether Trump actually colluded with Moscow. He's an idiot but he's not completely insane. That would constitute treason.
However, it's clear that he's both temperamentally and intellectually unfit to conduct foreign policy. His woeful ignorance of geo-politics has become a danger to national security. One would have thought that his Republican enablers in Congress would have recognized that their "Leader" is simply not competent. Despite a few mumbles, they continue to obediently do his bidding. And if Ginzberg resigns for health reasons, watch how they'll close ranks in order to vote in another reactionary judge. The point here is don't listen to their public handwringing. Watch what they actually do in practice.
It's a revolting display of moral cowardice by the conservatives.
10
What's so sad in this is that our country could have still been great. Our checks and balances could have worked and could have proven we are the great country that we've always been, but alas, our Republican politicians have allowed this to happen. They've allowed FOX News to twist the truth, and they've allowed a chaotic idiot to sit in the White House, while they do nothing. The GOP own this mess we're in and I'm not sure we're ever going to be able to recover from this unless we put laws in place to prevent it from ever happening again. Our Checks and Balances failed.
8
Many (probably all) of the cited analists in the article have a long history of making negative comments about Putin. That applies also to analists like Frolov whose use of the word "we" might suggest that he provides the Russian point of view.
What gets lost is that Russia sees the US before all as a spoiler. It believes that the US organized the Ukrainian "maidan revolution" just to annoy Russia and it believes that the main role of the US in Syria is destabilizing the situation - not fighting ISIS.
5
"For Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, President Trump is a foreign policy gift" - can someone explain to me why in the world do you Americans buy that? It's pure brainwashing - once you take a look at the facts it becomes obvious. The US-Russia relations have been at their lowest low since Trump was elected. The risks of a global war have never been so high. Russia has been put under the toughest sanctions and you still buy what your media tell you. Let me say how I perceive this - Putin only sees Trump as someone who might be willing to improve bilateral relations but cannot do that due to domestic pressure. Is it so bad, though, to have good relations?
As far as the elections are concerned - I have no idea whether some Russian services actually bought any political ads on Facebook or not. Probably, they did. But at the same time the US government organisations have been doing the same thing here in Russia for years and years - influencing our public opinion. Does this mean America undermines Russia's democracy and Russia should put the US under sanctions? Why on Earth can't other countries do what the US can and does? Just because they are poorer and weaker? But shouldn't all have equal rights? American NGOs were doing whatever they wanted in Russia for decades - messing with our media, politics, even education. Promoting what they wanted. What right did they have to do that?
4
I've used to joke that the conservatives were right when they claimed Ronald Reagan took down one of the two superpowers that existed when he came into office. They were just wrong about which one.
It's no longer a joke.
6
Does fulfilling a large, powerful and agressive enemy nation's Christmas wish list constitute high crimes and misdemeanors?
What about leaving now-demonized European allies open to attack from Russia, Israel and the UK's American-controlled nuclear missiles, without NATO support?
How Constitutional is it for a U.S. President to cede power to Russia in the Middle East? ISIS may not have the wherewithal to fly themselves to the U.S. and terrorize, but Russia could help them.
I do not know if utterly abandoning one's country, allies and U.S. interests to the forces of Russia, and maybe China, is an impeachable offense. It seems it would be.
It's a shame blatant disinterest in one's job, the law and the American people is not.
2
The real problem is that the American politicians stick to this nationalist rhetorics and refuse to respect other countries' needs. They are so confident that the US knows it better and is the world's leader, "America first", that they forget about everyone else. Money and fear is what your rule is based on, and fear often comes first. The world is afraid of you, but fear is not something a true leader should be proud of.
When a couple of days ago Putin referred to Trump as "Donald", everyone here was щгекфпув because that was "disrespectful" and he should have used the words "President Trump" or "Mr President". However, I remember multiple times when the US presidents referred to Russian presidents by their first names - Boris or Vladimir. And I do not remember anyone in the US media or the commenters expressing their anger and saying that it was disrespectful towards the elected presidents of another state.
You are the largest democracy in the world, but don't you undermine your own democracy yourselves with your behaviour? You teach other countries to respect the law, but you invade other countries all the time without any *legal* grounds. You keep talking about freedom of speech, but have broad corporate censorship. Many mainstream media journalists have to keep their mouths shut on what they really think, unless they want to lose their jobs. The comments sections are censored and often decline comments for no obvious reason. Is that democracy?
5
Putin saw Trump's 2016 presidential candidacy as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He realized that he could use the Trump family's avarice, lust for power, and utter lack of ethics to neutralize the United States as a barrier to his global ambitions. Consequently he went all-in on a Trump 2016 win.
I cannot think of a single occasion in the history of the world when one country's efforts to subvert a global adversary have been so spectacularly rewarded.
6
And my wife attacks me for my criticism of her BFF that voted for the Grifter. Like him, she is thinking about a positive return on investment! I just read a reference to "Active Measures" the documentary that is now on my queue. I will wait for her to go visit her BFF and then I will move it up to NO. 1. He says his base will revolt if he is impeached. There will be a revolt if the Mueller report is not made public.
3
Russians, beware of Getting Your Wishes. Trump is the tasty dish which will eventually poison Russian interests and get Russians killed in foreign adventures.
The Pottery Barn Rule Applies. Russia Broke Syria, now Russia owns the conflict. Eventually it will have to fight a ground war, so far avoided, to hold its access to the warm water port of Latakia.
1
How did our government officials allow this to happen? If Mrs. Clinton called Mr. Trump Putin’s Puppet before the election, she already had first hand knowledge of the deception. While it has taken two years for some of the deception to spill out to the American public, there has to be a better excuse than “we didn’t want public chaos on our hands by declaring Mr. Trump illegitimate.” Moving forward, we have to tighten our internal controls to ensure nothing like this happens again. Unfortunately, there is more to come as there is nothing hidden the Lord won’t reveal. I just pray Mr. Trump did not sell our country out for a dollar as the Bible tells us, “the love of money is the root of all evil.”
2
It is the hallmark of an authoritarian system wherein the powers that be try to prevent anyone finding out what everyone knows. Everyone knows Afghanistan, -in our longest running war, -is a lost cause. Everyone knows the Syrian War is over. Everyone knows Russia is no threat. But Trump's critics and disloyal opposition have become hysterical that their propaganda and incessant and mendacious war-mongering have been exposed for what it is by Trump's "crazy" moves.
3
Because smiling smirking Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin regularly and routinely sends his foes to mental institutions, hospitals, prisons, urns and coffins, Donald Trump has reason to fear him.
Moreover, Putin knows what Trump is hiding from the American people in his personal and family income tax returns and business records.
Putin knows all of the evidence of any Trump Organization campaign collusion, collaboration, conspiracy, coordination and cooperation with Russian military intelligence aka GRU, Russian domestic intelligence aka FSB and Russian foreign intelligence aka SVR in order for Trump to get elected President.
Putin knows what Trump is hiding from the American people in his mental and physical health care records, diagnoses and medications.
Putin knows what is true in the former British MI-6 spy Christopher Steele dossier on Trump.
Putin knows how Ivana and Melania Trump immigrated and were naturalized in America.
Putin knows that Russia is an aging shrinking nation of 145 million people.
Putin knows that America annually spends 10x Russia on it's military along with America having a nominal annual GDP that is 15x Russia's.
MAGA!
1
Got to hand it to Mr. Putin he knew exactly what was doing when he “selected” Mr. Trump to be our president. Things could not have worked out better.
3
Putin, that wily schemer and smarter than Trump by several standard deviations, must wake every morning like a 9-year old on Christmas morning.
The Trump nightmare rolls on and he seems to be wrapping up yet another tragic year in fine style.
It astounds me that trump's supporters aren't horrified at his handing over global leadership to the Russians and becoming Putin's little lapdog. And they call themselves "conservatives." In the past, Conservatives would have referred to such people as "traitors."
2
What is beyond frustration and rightful indignation is when you hear from some legal experts say that american people might never see Mueller report, since it's up to his lackey and lapdog Whitaker to decide if he wants to release it.
Does that sound like any semblance of functioning democracy to you.
Completely corrupt active AG should decide if we ever see the report on his boss, who is by all standards is just the agent of Putin's government.
Is this possible, does this means living in a pretense of democratic society, can anyone explain what's going on here.
2
Yet his fans still won't see it. Or they'll make comments like "We're not war with Russia." Anything to not admit they've made a colossal mistake. Initially all Putin cared about was making sure HRC wasn't in the White House. But even he couldn't have planned for a puppet that has worked out so spectacularly.
3
Trump should get paid by Russia for being their Ambassador-at-large. Putin and Trump are a team for promoting America First ....and Russia the World.
Donald Trump, enabled by Congressional Republicans, lost the Cold War.
Trump must be politically neutered through the power of the purse and the iron jaws of the judiciary.
Then the Republican Party must be utterly destroyed as the poster child of gutless, venal and totally corrupt abuse of power; an abomination in a country founded on the principle of government of, by and for the people.
There may (and should) be another conservative party in America's future. But the Republican Party as we see it today is totally beyond redemption. The Trump-McConnell-Ryan GOP and every single elected official supporting it now is hopelessly immoral and corrupt.
They have sold out the United States to Russia for a mess of pottage in single serving bowls...a lobbyist's income, their gold-plated health care and a forever pension.
If America's voters don't rise up in righteous anger, a will for restoring out Constitutional ideals and a hammer in our hand, then we deserve the ignominious fate that awaits us on the trash heap of history.
1
Trump has sold out American foreign policy, isolated our Democratic allies, and undermined our intelligence services for...money. His bottom line. Turkey has two Trump towers on its soil. The Saudis patronize his hotels, resorts, and buy condos all over the globe. They bail out his son in law. Trump has wanted a Trump tower in Moscow for years and has been willing to bribe Putin with a lavish multi million dollar penthouse to get that done. He’s had financial ties to Russian oligarchs for twenty years. Yet, the far right just doesn’t get it. They can’t put 2 and 2 together. I wonder how much he stands to gain from building a border wall...it’s definitely more than votes from his base. When will the GOP wake up? Trump made a unilateral, impulsive decision to pull troops out of Syria and GOP lawmakers seem shocked and surprised. What’s it going to take? A giant mushroom cloud in the Middle East? A global resurgence of Isis with 9-11 style attacks? A global depression? Trump and the GOP compliance is the greatest gift you could give to Putin, Assad, Xi, Isis...the list goes on. Thanks, GOP. You’re a dark, dysfunctional shadow of your former self.
1
But the Times explained to us just two days ago that Trump’s Syria withdrawal was just like
Obama’s withdrawal from Iraq, and that the Democrats would therefore have no ground to object. Who would have possibly guessed that this was a just a matter of Trump doing Putin’s bidding?
In reality, that Trump is a Russian agent has now been entirely evident for 2 1/2 years—evident to everyone except some of those writing for the New York “No Clear Links to Russia” Times.
2
“We need to figure out how, when, to where and in which manner the Americans are leaving,” Dmitri S. Peskov, Mr. Putin’s spokesman, told reporters on Friday. “At this point, this is not clear.”
That's why the rest of the world should pay close attention to "Fox and Friends"!
What is beyond frustration and rightful indignation is when you hear from some legal experts say that american people might never see Mueller report, since it's up to his lackey and lapdog Whitaker to decide if he wants to release it.
Does that sound like any semblance of functioning democracy to you.
Completely corrupt active AG should decide if we ever see the report on his boss, who is by all standards is just the agent of Putin's government.
Is this possible, does this means living in a pretense of democratic society, can anyone explain what the hell is going on here.
What kind of country is that???
After more than 2 years of this endless absurd spectacle and unimaginable torture for american citizens, becoming a joke in the eyes of the world this clown will decide for all of us!
Do I hear it right, tell me it isn't so!!!
1
The last two Republican Presidents in White House have created utter chaos; and now the Republican disaster is nearly completion. National interests were simply abandoned because the Trump Administration practices the arcane art of governance by tweet.
US policy is not recognizable; and we're left with nothing but a madman's vision of a Space Force.
19
It's so simple it's actually genius: do everything you can to see to it that a complete and utter fool is elected leader of your opposing country.
Worked like a charm, Vlad.
212
@Mike
It is insane that so many citizens believe that Russia/Putin had anything to do with the election of Trump.
Of course the NYT, the "liberal establishment and its media are constantly blaming Trump's election on Russia when the Russia social media silliness was an iota compared with the barrage of social media postings by political parties and other US groups.
Israel had far more influence in electing Trump than Russia.
Pulling all troops out of Syria, and Afghanistan would be an extraordinarily sane move, but would take real guts as it goes totally against the military industrial complex, the global elite and its foreign policy establishment and its media.
US military adventurism has created more terrorists, wrecked whole countries, been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands, created millions of refugees that are destabilizing Europe, and made the US less safe and the world more unstable.
This militarism has added nearly six trillion to the debt which is now estimated at 106% of GDP.
in Russia the estimated debt to GDP is one of the lowest worldwide at 15.33% in 2018.
1
Russia goes to extensive and illegal lengths to ensure Trump is elected. The cozy relationship between Trump and the Russians had always been obvious. Under the guise of making America great again, Trump is fulfilling Putin’s objectives of making Russia great while diminishing America’s influence everywhere in the world. Difficult to do anything but accept the conclusion that Trump is a traitor actively and with full knowledge doing the bidding of the Russians.
300
Everyone in the world appears to be puzzled and alarmed about Donald Trump’s bizarre behavior in pushing Secretary James Mattis out the door and Trump’s plan for a unilateral withdrawal of troops from Syria and his dropping of sanctions on Russian companies.
The only people who are not surprised are Trump, his senior advisor, Stephen Miller, his friends at Fox News, and Vladimir Putin. They all use the euphemism “the American president’s attempts to improve relations with Russia” instead of “Donald Trump’s attempts to do the bidding of his handler, Vladimir Putin.”
This has all of the earmarks of an American president who has sold his country down the river in a desperate attempt to hold onto the political power he sees in his core group of supporters and to hold onto the personal riches received and promised from Russians.
It is all so unprecedented in American history, even the vast majority of Americans who are decent and reasonably well-educated have difficulty grasping the treachery of the Trump-created crisis.
356
@sdw It's because the vast Americans don't follow it as closely as we do, so seem to lack the understanding of the seriousness of it, nor do they really seem to care. Sometimes I find myself blaming them almost as much as I blame Trump and the GOP. After all, it's their lack of knowledge and caring that has gotten us into this mess.
11
I feel like we've moved into a heightened danger zone the past couple of weeks. If republican senators aren't willing to due their constitutional duty, then I'm guessing the next option would be a military coup? Not ideal, but something has to give.
11
I notice how you put all the clickbait quotes at the beginning and the caveats at the end.
1
I'm not seeing what you're saying. 1) The last quote is equally bad if not more than the others as 2) clickbait usually is in the headline since folks often don't read 3) with clickbait the headline is usually an exaggerated or false depiction of what's in the article. If anything, the reverse is true here. The quotes strongly support the headline, and if anything, strengthen it.
For anyone who doesn't understand how Trump supporters can stomach and even celebrate his lap-dog like relationship with Russia/Putin, listen carefully to
episode #121 of the podcast "Waking up with Sam Harris".
It is enlightening, chilling, and heartening all at the same time, and will give you important, maybe even critical, new insight into America's right wing.
1
Putin's Puppet of the United States. PPOTUS.
9
Putin's the genius. Shel Adelson and Bibi are his dupes. Putin brilliantly conned rich right-wing Jewish donors into paying to nominate and elect Trump for him. Putin, Assange, and the hackers did their part, and Shel and AIPAC did theirs. Since Trump's son-in-law, daughter, and grandkids are all Jewish, not to mention Trump's ability as a con man, it was natural for Shel, Bibi, and Likud to be such suckers, and so easily and cheaply won over by merely moving the embassy to Jerusalem. Useful idiots. Now Trump's withdrawal from Syria has let the Russian cat out of the bag, hasn't it? Trump is not only Putin's hand-puppet, he's also de facto the best friend Iran has ever had, doing much more in Syria for the Mullahs in their rivalry with Israel than Obama's Iran Deal ever did. Notice that while the Russians are gleefully toasting their and Iran's triumph over Israel with their puppet in the White House' help, Bibi and Israel have not uttered a peep. They are committed to Trump, and so politically dependent on his base, that they can't afford to criticize him. So all they can do is bite their tongues and face the fact that Trump has handed Iran a superhighway to Lebanon and Hezbollah's rocket-launchers, not to mention to the Golan Heights, and the subversion of Jordan on the side. No wonder the savvy neocons--as opposed to Trump and Putin's rich Jewish suckers--have hated Trump from Day 1, done everything they could to stop him, and now do all in their power to bring him down.
1
Trump's going to bed with tyrants throughout the world; but it seems to have a special love for Russia (and Turkey), from the private businesses he concocted there, now magnified by his crude attempt to use the presidency for further gains, ripping the U.S. as a mercenary; he could care less about Alliances and prior obligations internationally. And having an ultra thin skin, he is unable to tolerate even the most constructive criticism to his stupid ideas and unhinged actions, to hell the support promised to some of our most faithful, and courageous Allies (and the Kurds come to mind). Trump is totally ignorant of the fact that the U.S.'s well being in the world depends on the persistent and coordinated help from friends and allies. He is betraying it full speed, against expert advice. What a fool, an arrogant fool. How can he stand himself?
3
Trump your secrets are safe with me ,now just destroy NATO and I will deposit 500 million in your Panama acct as we agreed to at Helsinki.
11
Is there still any question that our "president" is a Russian operative?
19
What more does this country need to see in order to know that Donald Trump has betrayed the United States, and given every advantage to a hostile foreign power, namely Russia.
Even a royal idiot can comprehend this – and while the press is hunting for evidence for this sometimes what is most obvious , sonetimes what is staring you straight on in the face is the truth. It's time to corroborate what we all know intuitively and logically – that Donald Trump has betrayed the United States . He is a traitor , and he has come as close as any United States government official has come to committing treason.
14
We take you now live to the Kremlin. Kislyak: "Vlad, you are genius!! I have to pinch myself myself every morning to make sure I am not dreaming! How did you know this would work?" Putin: "It was easy, Sergei! Like taking piroshki from baby! Never underestimate the greed of Trump or the gullibility of Americans. Like their saying goes, a sucker is born every minute, haha!" Lavrov: " And we get our free condominiums in Trump Tower Moscow, da? " Putin: "You can have the one right under my penthouse, Sergei." (All clink glasses and down vodka shots.)
9
I don't know if Trump is actually in the pay of Putin, being blackmailed by him or is just an idiot about world affairs. Quite possibly all three.
It doesn't really matter which; the effect is the same. American world power is being dismantled from within.
20
Comrade Trump does not act impulsively but for the glory of Russia.
9
Trump’s love for Putin has damaged the Republican Party irreputably and only time will tell if America will recover from the damage this Putinesque fool had wrought.
7
Any chance someone at Fox might see this and wake up?
6
Trump's words say, "America first!" Trump's actions say, "Russia first."
9
Trump's largess is Putin's (and other despots) glee. Stupidity in all it's glory! If there was any dounbt before -about the U.S. being the laughingstock of the world-, now it's a certainty!
7
I hope you’re thrilled with your vote for Putin, Stein voters. Today it is paying off with big dividends. May I remind you that Jill Stein was groomed and financed by Vladimir Putin to play you all for big suckers and you played your roles so well. May I also remind you of the long-known evidence of her traitorous embrace of Putin in this widely circulated photograph of Stein dining with not only Putin but also that other American traitor, Michael Flynn.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/why-are-senate-russia-investigators-interested-jill-stein-n831261
Since you all clearly love Putin so much, why don’t you just leave this country, fully embrace Russia once and for all, and leave the rest of us adults to clean up the colossal mess you tantrumming Stein and Trump-loving toddlers have created? Putin’s arms are wide open.
9
@left coast finch Agreed. Jill Stein and her relationship with the Kremlin is a little under-covered.
1
Truly, we now see, trump is the Manchurian Candidate.
Hey republicans, how about impeaching this traitor before he obliterates the world? It's on you and, believe me, we're taking names and will remember what you did. Same for you, Fox "news".
Country over party, NOW.
12
Trump is not being blackmailed. He is a simpleton who is responding to hypnotism, possibly by his wife who was born in the Soviet Union.
1
Who says Trump doesn't honor his agreements...Helsinki!
5
With respect to withdrawing troops from Syria: I concur with Senator Graham. Trump has lost his mind and no longer can act in the interests of these United States of America. He must - MUST - be removed from office either by way of impeachment for high treason or by way of the 25th Amendment - lacking capacity.
The most obvious evidence of Trump's incapacity is his insistence on shutting down the government of these United States of America over the silliness and nonsense of wall - a wall that Trump promised would be financed by Mexico. We knew it was a lie then and it is still a lie. Forget the lie. It is the shutting down of the government which calls for Trump to be investigated for high treason - HIGH TREASON.
12
"Over all, there is also concern that Mr. Trump is a little too erratic. For now, his decisions are tilting in Mr. Putin’s favor, but there is also concern that they also could move in the other direction with equal speed."
The key words here are 'decisions tilting in Mr. Putin's favour'...sitting here watching from the outside (albeit a tad too close to the US for my liking), I have to wonder how much more is needed to demonstrate that your president is one very obedient Russian puppet.
6
“Donald’s right,” says his handler. It is long past time to face the obvious, the American President is a Russian asset, long groomed and installed by Russia. Donald lays it out in the Art of a Deal. Donald was invited by the Russian Ambassador to the U.S. to visit Russia in 1987 to explore a Trump Hotel in Moscow and he has been chasing that elusive hotel ever since and right through his candidacy in June, 2016.
In 1987, right after his Russian visit, Donald starts throwing up trial balloons about running for the presidency. Also beginning in 1987, Donald starts taking out large newspaper ads espousing his dystopian vision, much like his inaugural address: the country is in shambles and our allies, particularly then, Korea, Japan, and Saudi Arabia were taking advantage of the U.S. It wasn’t a far reach to 2016, and the present: Korea and NATO are taking advantage of the U.S.
I wonder if John Bolton has any concern about who calls Trump’s unmonitored iPhone. ‘Well done Donald.’ Most everything Donald has done as President plays to Russia’s interest, not the U.S. or its allies.
Besides the Art of a Deal, Luke Harding pieces this theory together in a well sourced manner in his book, Collusion. Trump is a master of propaganda: repeat a lie often enough and people will believe it. Trump’s base is his propaganda base which is why they continue to support him in the face of their own harm. Ask the soybean farmers how they are fairing.
This can only end badly.
10
During the Cold War the fear of a Russian spy embedded within the highest echelons of the US government was real. No doubt US authorities were on the look out for a highly intelligent, suave, and personable individual with multiple connections.
However, the best spies in reality are those one would never suspect.
Cue Mr Trump, a boorish, coarse, essentially uneducated, far-from-suave blowhard who just happens to have multiple connections, and just cannot be as dumb as his spelling, speech and tweets suggest.
Mr Trump could be the ultimate Russian spy; hiding in plain sight.
3
I am amazed that most republicans keep doubling down on a really bad mistake. What is wrong with these people. I am hopeful that Pence as a career politician will be wonderful compared to individual #1
2
You get what you pay for. Putin is outwitting and out smarting and out strategizing Trump over and over again. It is now up to Congress to do the right thing. To put America first. Trump needs to turn in his access card to the White House.
5
From the campaign debate - “No puppet! No puppet!” - well, it seems so after all.
3
It will fall on the billionaires and Wall Street to save the country,(and themselves). They will have to explain to the Republican senators that no donations,(from whatever money is left) will be going to them unless Donald Trump is impeached and convicted. So self interest on all sides should solve our immediate problem. Of course, then Mike Pence's involvement in cover up should next be investigated.
3
Vlad's kompromat on Donald is really working out well for Russia. My question, is how far does it extend into the GOP and its leadership whose silence is deafening on the subjects of collusion and treason?
7
The comments I scrolled through castigate Trump.
But it is the Republican majority in both houses of Congress that are at least equally guilty. And I do believe the Dems in Congress were excessively polite and even submissive. I would have come out with weekly lists of Trump actions worthy of investigation. I wouldn't speak impeachment but the actions named would fall into the categories of abuse of power, conflict of interest, emoluments clause, obstruction of justice. It was the press that has kept us informed these past two years, not the Congressional Dems.
I don't blame Trump; it is useless unless our outrage influences Trump's base or the Republicans to show Trump the exit door now. It's been obvious for some time that Trump is increasingly emotionally and intellectually impaired. Criticism doesn't work for the impaired; they need help. They need to be put in safe environments in which they cannot harm themselves or others. It's ridiculous to keep them in positions of power and just cast blame and insults on them. I'm not being facetious; it's the DMV model. if impaired, DMV nullifies the license. Could it be anything less with an impaired President? What is the 25th amendment for if we don't use it when it's needed? In case of fire, break glass.
4
Why, why why didn’t Joe Biden run.
3
Yeah well, Manafort ran a Putin stooge for leader of Ukraine, Yanukovych, and he made Putin proud as well. But traitors are not the most loved of people, and he was chased out of Ukraine, and now lives in Russia.
Not saying Trump will run away, for the Republicans are far, far less courageous than the Ukrainians, but sooner or later, the fact we have a traitor in the White House running things for our enemy will be common knowledge.
Though, as I remember we let the traitor Nixon run things for a long time, and even reelected him, thanks to his campaign to keep the Vietnam War going, killing thousands of Americans along the way...so who knows what the future holds.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
3
Every member of the GOP who does not actively resist this White House is complicit in the betrayal of our country.
8
Who cares about Russia? Trump does exactly what he promised - to end military American involvement in Middle East and to end Afghan quagmire. That has to be done, that what American people want, that what I voted for. Pure and simple. I do not believe generals - they always one step away from turning point. That what they were saying during Vietnam war, that what they have been saying for many years about Afghanistan. Enough.
3
Trump is our Boris Yeltsin and Russia is laughing as he dismantles our country, our alliances and the post-war order. Republicans must be so proud.
3
Big pay off for NRA operation and an tremendous redemption for the break off of the Soviet Union with the investment of 30 million US dollar .
2
It is blatantly obvious that Donald is a quisling - a Benedict Arnold. I am not convinced that it's the result of a bungled fumbling ignorant policy. I am feeling peril around us, and we must rise up as one people concerned for America's - and the world's future - and depose this horrid excuse for a leader quickly.
3
Apparently, kompromat pays off pretty well.
2
The article starts with how Trump does Russia's bidding and then moves on to "but not really."
2
Trump is a traitor!
36
Of course there is glee. Glee at seeing the country who supplied weapons to the Mujahideen to fight Russia being hounded out of Afghanistan by the same rebels. The only difference is Russia saw the writing on the wall after only 10 years.
12
Collusion in action! Trump enacts Russian policy goals. How can anyone really think this is by chance. Putin can't hide his glee! The Kurds, our allies in Syria, will be slaughtered by Turkey. Another shameful week in the US.
37
A President who owes Money or Political favors to Russia would continue to make decisions that cause Russia to cheer for him. The propensity to please Putin after every off-the-record conversation is so obvious and easy to figure. We have a President who is ‘Compromised’ and beholden to authoritarianism. We have a President who makes decisions from a dark place regardless of how those decisions will contribute to the demise of our reputation or democracy. We have a President who the Christian Right has endorsed through its silence and they continue to lay the price with the departure of the young and people of color from their churches as the veil has been taken off and many see them and they now see themselves for who they are. Syria is just another opportunity for us to see what incompetence flows from the Trump Administration and that with the silence of his base.
18
I am old enough to recall the contretemps between the Truman administration and Congress in 1949 over "Who lost China?" I guess there is no doubt about "Who lost Russia? almost seventy years later.
5
Donald Trump is a Russian asset. There is no question that since 2013 when he went to Russia for the Miss Universe pageant he was compromised. He is not on our side - he's on Team Putin.
17
Can there any longer be any doubt that Trump is a Russian tool? It is now painfully obvious for all to see. Will Congress wait until our nation is irrevocably in the toilet before they act upon 25th Amendment solutions? That time, it would seem, is NOW!
11
Why do establishment Liberals want a military confrontation with Russia? Their rank and file base wants a raise in the minimum wage, Medicare for all and free college tuition. But the Party's corporate backers are opposed to these measures. Therefore--instead of long-overdue social reforms--you will give the public hysterical fear and hatred of Russia like the 1950s. The press will as usual go along for the ride . . . . Before the US bombs, invades and occupies a country, with the attendant slaughter of countless innocent civilians, the American media make us feel okay about it--by reducing the people of that country to one leader who is demonized continually as the epitome of evil. As the bellicose comments here show, this psychological ploy still works beautifully. . . .
8
„God‘s gift that keeps on giving [to Russia].” Said by Vladimir Fodorov, who in March 2001 had to leave the USA upon the arrest of Robert Hanssen, whom Mr. Fodorov had handled.
(Mr. Hanssen was a veteran CIA agent of 20 years, who had feloniously transferred to the Russians information that not only was of vital interest to the U.S. national interest, but which betrayal had compromised the identity to Russia of many persons who had cooperated with U.S. intelligence. These persons were put to death by Russian intelligence.)
For the life of me, I cannot at all see why the Republicans are continuously duped by Mr. Trump.
29
@Armand Beede
The Republicans are not duped by Trump, they are in bed with him. How do we know that the Russians do not have kompromat on them? The Russians had hacked the RNC, just chose not to release those emails. It seems that the Russians funneled money through the NRA to GOP re-election campaigns. Russian efforts on social media helped Trump and others in the GOP. This is not a Trump problem, this is a GOP problem.
Since 2003, the US has overthrown or tried to overthrow governments in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Egypt, Syria, and Yemen, among others. This foreign policy of endless war destroys countries, kills our soldiers, and deprives our country of needed investments in education, health, infrastructure, science, and social welfare.
So for once Trump is right. Bring the troops home.
And, incidentally, our policy toward Russia since 1992 has been much too aggressive.
9
@Kevin Cahill
Unlike a broken clock, Trump is never right.
4
When the truth is ultimately revealed, one point of view will surely be shocked.
I’m guessing it will consist of the president’s supporters who, until maybe today with General Mattie’s resignation, believed every word he has said.
The general has a loyalty to the country. He should be believed. He has no political objective.
The president appears to have a greater respect for putin and the other thug autocrats.
It’s time for action against our own autocrat and hopefully the military will take the lead and disobey any illegal orders he issues to use military force. And that can be followed by a woke congress.
5
For a long while the talk has been of impeachment, it would seem to me that treason is a more likely outcome here.
13
Who could have imagined that Trump would star in his own, updated version of "Red Dawn." Are there any patriots left in the GOP who will spare our country from his treason?
5
This glee is misplaced and too premature.
Indeed, it would be a glee and even euphoria - if POTUS suddenly recognized Crimea as an integral part of Russia or for that matter made it clear we are done with Ukraine.
Fact of the matter is he has not done so and has said repeatedly that he intends to hold Russia responsible.
So, Russia deeply mired in sanctions and with America becoming a global oil and gas power to rival Russia and our booming economy opposite of that of Russia - if Russians feel glee over 20,000 US soldiers coming home - good for them.
But it ain't gonna solve their problem of isolation.
3
Let's see -
Trump stumps to get get Russia back into the G8 and wants to lift sanctions imposed for illegal annexation of Crimea
Trump denounces NATO and insults Western European allies as first order of foreign policy. Shoves prime minister of Montenegro aside like a thug
Trump imposes tariffs on everyone except Russia
Trump and Putin meet in private conference with no State Dept reps.
Trump takes Putin word over US intelligence agencies at a joint press conference with Putin for the whole world to see
Trump behaves coldly to European leaders but greets Putin warmly and shakes his hand with great fanfare
Trump wants to withdraw from the Arms Treaty, which the Russians are currently in violation of. This will effectively give them a pass. There doesn't appear to be any reason or gain on the US's side in this, just an all around win for Putin
Trump withdraws from Syria declaring Mission Accomplished against ISIS and handing over victory to Assad, who the Russians support
Trump lifts sanctions on Russian oligarch Putin crony aluminium mogul
I haven't imagined all these things transpiring over the 24 months, have I? How can anyone not see that the POTUS is a puppet of Putin's?
This is beyond collusion, it's treason.
High crimes and misdemeanors indeed.
13
Things are not that good in Russia,Price of oil down.Try and name one product that one buys that comes from Russia.Ageing population .With their hacking Russia is not popular in the world.I could go on and on.
Yes, Putin is clearly the master of the President of the USA. But what’s the most outrageous is how he actually gloats about it.
I know President Trump’s followers are so under his spell that they will somehow rationalize things like his wildest lies. Even so, considering the background these people tend to have, I can’t believe that Trump’s subservience to the Russians is OK with them.
2
I really don't understand why "liberal" media has resorted to demonizing Russia and Vladimir Putin. The US not only regularly meddles in elections all over the world, but engages in spectacular overthrows and assassinations. These practices were the specialization of presidents like George H.W. Bush, who after his death was described as a near saint in the pages of the Times. Now, we should all be applauding Trump's withdrawal and de-escalation of two deadly wars which have depleted our national reputation and pride, not to mention billions of our tax dollars. Instead there are relentless criticism and snide,nasty accusations.
It is so sad that objective journalism has been abandoned to hysterical jingoism and war-mongering.
5
@slg57I am certain that you are one of those who was using President Obama's hot mic about improving relations with Russia as bad. Now that the shoe is on the other foot it is "the liberals" fault. That is why we are in the state we are today with a laughing stock at the helm.
4
@Konyeman
Au contraire, sorry to say Obama got us into Syria in the first place. He did so illegally and is responsible for lives lost and a civilization destroyed. I suppose I should have inserted a caveat about how awful Trump's presidency is, to identify what "side" I'm on. Wish we could all be on the side of truth and not personal vindictiveness.
@slg57
As you probably realize, the “ liberal” press has a very long history of warmongering. And liberals attacking Trump from the right— well, many liberal Americans basically share the belief that conservatives have in American exceptionalism. Many people really seem to think we have the right to occupy any country anywhere.
1
Mattis was right to point out that the dictatorial system of Russia is NOT what we are or want to be. If Putin is gleeful, by definition, that must be bad for the US. Good going Donald.
5
Prof. Khrushcheva says Trump is “undermining NATO and Europe for different reasons,” but it’s unclear what those reasons are. That’s it’s so irrational and contrary to US interests is why people are speculating that Putin has something on Trump, or is paying Trump off somehow.
It sounds like conspiracy theory nonsense, and it would be with anyone other than Trump. Trump’s amply demonstrated that not only can he be bought, his purchase price is surprisingly low.
2
Just imagine the howling outrage from the right wing if a President Hillary Clinton had pulled this stunt - capriciously and against all advice pulling troops out of a conflict, thus ceding influence to Russia and getting absolutely nothing in return; abandoning Kurdish allies to the murderous attentions of Erdogan, in order to relieve pressure for the US to confront MBS of Saudi Arabia for the blatant murder of an journalist who wrote for an American newspaper; and so disrespecting and alarming the Secretary of Defense that he resigns, unable to work for the administration any longer. The right wing media would be screaming "Traitor! Off with her head! Impeach now! Lock her up!" So that is how we know that this is exactly what should happen to DJT.
11
Mr. Frolov, the Russian foreign affairs analyst, said “In Trump we trust … to do the right thing."
It's like Chainsaw Massacre meets a Jack Clancy novel.
Internationally horrifying.
2
Trump's only motives are to increase his ego and his bank accounts. His decisions now are not likely related to blackmail but to money. Trump has for some time wanted to expand his business dealings in Russia, Turkey and China. His decisions as President of the United States may well further these personal business interests. Trump is using his office of the Presidency as a gateway to increasing his personal weath. That's illegal. American legal system, do something.
3
"No collusion" nope nope.
1
I don’t get it.
Why aren’t Trump and his enablers just plain traitors to the United States?
90
@Al, you mean there is a chance that they aren't?
3
Well, I guess we should all be so happy that by making "America First," Trump has somehow managed to delight those leaders around the world who most want to see us fail and collapse as a nation.
Who knew that "America First" actually meant "Russia Emboldened?"
13
Most want to believe our leaders are working under the guidance of a plan, a well-thought set of guidelines that seeks to achieve our long and short term goals as an international power and leader of the free world. The scary truth is much of what is occurring today appears more as impulsive, reactive decision-making based upon the isolated mindset of a few, with our President leading the charge. Mr. Trump's game seems to be the selective and intentional disruption of policy driven mostly by a desire to take full credit if he is successful in his antics, and eager to throw blame to others when he is not.
6
Syria is a perpetual space for conflict. President Trump has made a difficult but strategic move. It has pleased the eye of one of the major underwriters. Now what do all the parties to the conflict want? The US pull out will make everyone show their hand. Trump is setting the stage for negotiations between the US and Russia, which may have a downward effect.
3
@Jeff Stockwell
Really? Syria wasn't in the past. Now the Kurds are betrayed--for the hundredth time or so since WWI. ISIS prisoners may be released. All of our military sacrifices in the fight to obliterate ISIS may be for naught.
Negotiations? Show the evidence.
3
The Kurds will move to Northern Iraq, their home and an area we have already secured for them. Russia, Iran and Assad will destroy what’s left of ISIS in short order.
1
Solution to all of our problems:
1. Republican leadership in Congress persuades the Cabinet to invoke the relevant clauses of the 25th Amendment. Keep the phony real estate salesman in Florida.
2. Bring Pence into the presidency. General Mattis will stay. Kelly will come back to the WH.
3. Compel the WTO to forcefully address all of the U.S. complaints against predatory Chinese activity. Stop the stupid trade war and relieve the financial markets.
4. Sustain sanctions on Russia and give ordinary Russians hope that post-Putin government will allow Russia to flourish, at last.
5. Let the majority of Republicans who were never Trumpists join in solidarity with Democrats to make America great again.
The greatest deterrent to rightism and nationalism in the world is a U.S. that can be admired everywhere. THAT'S economic leadership, too: governmental excellence.
20
@gary e. davis
"Let the majority of Republicans who were never Trumpists join in solidarity with Democrats to make America great again..."
As a person who grew up in the 20th century, I admire and agree with the sentiment... Unfortunately, as far as I can tell there basically are no such Republicans. Are we just inviting Bob Corker and Jeff Flake out for brunch?
11
What took US to forge since 1776, this draft dodger will destroy in a heartbeat.
61
Do we need any more proof about who Mr. Trump works for, who, in fact elected him? The Kremlin is the answer.
68
Ah, I can picture it well now. The grand opening of the sumptuous, $4 billion, "Trump Grand Hotel and World Casino-Moscow" in 2023, with best buds Vlad and Don jointly performing the momentous ribbon cutting, before an assemblage of the 500 most notable oligarchs. Followed by a grateful presentation to the Russian leader of the gold keys to the 20 room penthouse suite by a beaming Javanka, Don Jr., and Eric. For the international paparazzi, it is expected to be the gilded gala of the century. The vodka will flow like the mighty Volga, and America will finally be Made Great Again!
16
This isn't "collusion"
This is "Yes, Master!"
44
In plain sight the USA is traded away!
33
As the saying goes, "Sometimes the best place to hide is in plain sight." How much more in plain sight can one be then as POTUS or family member of such?
Perhaps we'll find out that Aldrich Ames has competition. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldrich_Ames
1
Guess who is winning 'Employee of the Month' again...
26
Looks like they are making Donald dance.
We knew he was compromised.
Here's our proof.
Nothing is good, nothing is normal, till he's gone.
Gone!!
38
I think Donald should be given credit for asking what is in the U.S. interest, not what is against Russia's. Getting out of Syria and Afghanistan are reasonable enough on their own merits. My main criticism is that he will handle it clumsily, and upset our alliances needlessly.
But Vladimir Putin is nothing if not a creation of the Cold War, and needs an enemy even more that we do. How will he handle it? He could unravel faster than Donald.
7
@Jim1648 Vlad is more interested in exerting what little is left of Russian power. Does that mean we should copy him?
6
Agree that the sour side of this and many other maneuvers is the ‘maltreatment of alliances’. But it is in keeping with how he treats all his connections, creditors, suppliers, laborers, associations, friends and spouses. Disposable , even if, it is not in their or his best interest He cannot help himself in terms of lack of grace and consideration. If he could have tweeted his prior divorces in pre-dawn ecstasy, he most surely would have.
3
Mr. Trump has done more to benefit Russia and harm the United States than Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen put together, and for the same reason, money. If there were any justice, he should join them where they are and for just as long, life sentences without the possibility of parole.
36
I've said this ever since it was clear that there was Russian influence on the campaign and now in the administration that I am surprised that rather than feeling chagrined or embarrassed about be duped by the Russians that Trump and those who believe in his infallibility double down and deny any such thing happened. Is happening.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Those who are conned have a lot invested and don't want to admit to it.
15
MRGA ( Make Russia Great Again). This seems to be the goal of Trump policies. Another reason the Mueller Investigation is essential.
17
So sad to watch my country in chaos, and losing it's status on the world stage. The willful ignorance of everyone who supports Donald is deplorable at best. Our children will pay for it all.
87
This fish stinks from the head on down. To paraphrase one of my favorite bumper sticker from years gone by: The stable genius...is neither.
Also pretty hard to identify a single republican in Congress that I would consider a patriot.
61
Putin may be “gleeful” about Trump’s withdrawal of troops from Syria and Afghanistan, but soon the brutal reality will dawn on him: He will get stuck in – especially – Syria for a long time, without bringing the war “to as rapid a close as he had promised”.
Fighting ISIS will now be his “problem.”
Russia has its naval facility in Tartus on the Mediterranean and the Hmeimim Air Base in southeast Latakia, calling the shots in Syria. But the country needs billions and billions of dollars to be rebuilt, sums that neither Iran nor Russia – Assad’s main backers – are in the position to spare.
China would have been able to help, but it is facing doubts at home about the affordability of Xi Jinping’s Belt-and-Road infrastructure project from China to Europe.
The Sunni Arab states aren’t keen to invest.
Putin had placed hope on Europe, but with the US out of Syria, the prospect of European involvement looks dim.
There are already many cooks in the Afghan kitchen. So the US departure would make little difference, leaving the 21st century “Great Game” to China, India, Iran and Pakistan. The Kremlin is seeking to reach out to the Taliban, many of whom were mujahideens fighting the Soviet forces in the 1980s. But it has little clout over the militants in Afghanistan. Today, Russia’s concern is to curb the flow of drugs and Islamists into Russia.
20
@J. von Hettlingen Russia will do just fine in Syria as long as it has Syrian native people fighting on it's side with the support of other factors like Iran. the Syrian government has lots of intelligence and power backed by the Russian to wipe out what is left of ISIS or the opposition forces who are left with no protection. Weapon and $ coming into Syria will drop to nothing in no time now the USA are out. The kurds will retreat north and make a deal with the Syrian government. Trump gave up Syria to Russia on a golden plate.
2
@J. von Hettlingen: Your comments and analysis
on China, Russia, and the US in the 21st C "Great Game",
were astutely stated and well grounded. Well done.
2
@J. von Hettlingen Between Russia, Iran and Assad, I expect ISIS will cease to exist in less than a month.
2
You would think that when your country's sworn enemy thanks you time, after time, after time, after time for you're foreign policy decisions, you would realize that those decisions are not in the best interest of the nation you lead, unless....
51
Russia may be our competitor and rival but they are not our sworn enemy. The Communists lost.
3
We took care of a lot of Russia's problems to their south. I suppose initially they are pleased but a year from now they may wish they'd never had anything to do with Trump. They will now own the Syria problem along with Ukraine, Georgia, NATO and Afghanistan. Spread thin is putting it mildly.
5
This is called giving aide and comfort to the enemy, or treason.
50
This is sickening and disturbing. Team Trump and congressional Republicans have sold out the country to...Putin.
25
@CraigI'm not sure "sold" is the right word. They seem to be giving it away.
1
My gosh. This is alarming. When will it stop? GOP, are you there??
16
Moscow may not think Russia is dictating policy to Trump, but I beg to differ. It's clear with every move, that Trump is doing his damnest to kowtow to his "patron," as well as Turkey where he just ensured the deaths of Kurds who were helping him to defeat ISIS.
If Congress doesn't get serious about reining in this rogue president, well, I hope the country survives.
About that, I remain not very confident.
33
Two world leaders with a driven ambition to conquer and rule. Given enough time both may conclude that the proverbial half a loaf is better than none. After all Rome, Genghis Khan, Napoleon and Hitler paid the ultimate price for overreaching. Wild Card: China
Odd as it may seem, it could very well work..maybe a three way????
1
A “gift” implies something freely given. This was bought and paid for. In exactly what way we don’t know quite yet, but hopefully we will soon.
13
When will normal, thinking Americans realize that 1) we have no right to occupy or even be in Syria at all and 2) we were only there to oust the legitimate government of the country, and replace it with al-Qaeda operatives or jihadis working for us and the Saudis. No Syrian wants to live under a hard core religious government. Sorry. The other key element is that Syria was a Russia ally for many, many years. They can be an ally of whomever they choose. It's not our choice. Then again, we supported bin Laden and the Taliban for years, and look how that turned out. It's all been a huge waste of money that could have been spent at home on education, health care and infrastructure. Instead, we got a bloated and rich military industrial complex.
14
@Karekin The writer is drawing from a list of sound bites. The use of the term "legitimate" reveals self-awareness that it's illegitimate input. Syria's regime is so far beyond legitimate that it's weird to see the word used. Even a democratically elected gov't loses legitimacy when it slaughters it's own people, and Syria isn't a democracy. Any awareness of the Obama admin's difficulties in training rebels shows we're not there to empower jihadists. An ally has no duty, as Russia has, to abet mass murder. Bin Laden is irrelevant, and the mil-industrial complex is built on weapons systems for wars, not counter-insurgency.
1
When will Americans wake up and recognize this fulfills the founder's definition of "aid and comfort enemies?" There's tremendous resistance to facing this fact. It doesn't take Mueller any more. It doesn't matter if Trump is blackmailed, or just loves Putin. Republicans have more character. If Trump were Democrat, this would be the final straw. Republicans would demand impeachment.
Let's be clear: this isn't about border walls, right-wing judges, global warming. Those are Republican views, not treason. Treason is the thing the founders knew should take down a king. The founders weren't perfect, all-knowing. They didn't even expect the nation to last many generations. But one thing they were certain of, that they agreed on, was that a President who sided with enemies would destroy it.
There's so much misinformation about constitutional facts. The Electoral College wasn't built to "insulate" the country from it's own bad choices, it sidestepped a parliamentary setup. The second amendment was a sop to Geo. Washington for militias who arrived unarmed. Of course treason isn't just taking up arms; the founders knew policy was just as potent. We can imagine the colonies defeated England on the battlefield; they knew it was French money and support that carried the day.
It doesn't matter whether mistaking a friend for a foe, or a foe for friend, is due to confusion, greed, or dull wits. The President has ultimate power, and this can't continue.
15
@Brian ... who decides whom is a friend and whom is a foe?
Well, this is an amazing coincidence after all the interference in the election. Pure coincidence! No collusion!
14
Putin’s verbalized support for Trump’s Syria decision and condemnation of the decision by our allies should be alarming to even the most conservative Americans. Has Donald Trump become America’s most overt threat to the future of the country?
20
Ask Trump if he considers himself a genius and again he would proudly answer “Yes”.
President Trump had his fingers crossed behind his back while Putin was engaging in a cyber attack against the USA, while Trump's company was doing business the illegally with a sanctioned Russian bank, and while Trump himself was blatantly misleading American voters about his Russian ties.
Character trumps everything (sorry!) so Trump's ostensible and profound perversion implied by the "P tapes" should panic any decent human being concerned with public integrity or national security.
10
Someone in Russia has to realize that this will not end well
for them. The more Trump gives Russia what it wants,the more america and future governments/presidents will withhold from for fear of being accused of the same thing.
16
Individual 1 is right, no collusion just treason. Article 25 is there for a reason!! And that reason, right now, is Trump
74
@TMJ Article 2 will do. Trump has consistently acted in betrayal of our national interests. He conducted and concealed business dealings with foreign powers when running for president. He and his family must be removed from power and jailed.
8
Every action taken by Trump, related to Russia, looks like he has been compromised. And in the GOP controlled Senate... crickets.
59
If Putin and Co. were as clever as they are supposed to be, wouldn't they cool it on the public "glee"?
6
Trump Republicans = Traitors to our country
72
These moves by Trump are actually treasonous. The Moscow tapes are real indeed. I hope something changes soon. Trump is causing real damage now.
86
and the Republicans - not just Trump - are enabling the destruction of the USA and the empowering of Russia.
47
This is all on Senator McConnell. He is the only one left who can stop the destruction of the world order.
24
By surrendering the Middle East to Russia, the U.S. will see some benefits along with the loss of control over our destiny:
--Yielding control of the oil markets to Putin will create an Oiligarchy that will supersede OPEC. While this could prove beneficial to oil producing states in the U.S., consumers could pay a high price for granting Putin total control of world energy supplies. Quasi-Russian agents such as the Kochs and Rex Tillerson will make out like bandits.
--With the loss of U.S. hegemony, Israel will have to work a deal with Putin, convincing him that the two countries share a common interest -- corruption. For Putin, it's all about the Benjamins, and that doesn't mean Benjamin Netanyahu.
--
10
Clearly the “Trump Santa” has filled Putin’s Christmas stocking with geopolitical goodies, like the withdrawal of American troops from Syria, but like many Americans I keep wondering what the “Vlad Santa” is giving Trump in return, or perhaps more accurately promising to keep a lid on.
12
Nineteen men hijack planes, attack the World Trade Center and, seventeen years later, we're still in Afghanistan.
Russian throws a few rubles at some hackers and effectively compromises our election process and buys lots of the GOP at the same time (a two-for-one deal, I guess).
If Osama bin Laden was alive now, he and Putin would be waltzing to "Send in the Clowns", grinning from ear to ear.
My question is: why are Americans so easily played?
26
@A. Jubatus: My question is: Why aren't we Americans in the streets and show these clowns what a true shutdown is.
Trump should no longer be allowed to remain in office.
25th Amendment.
No one is protecting us - not even us.
10
Is it not more obvious,, with each passing day, that Trump is being blackmailed?
93
Can hardly wait for Vlad to tire of the Donald and tell and show the world what he has on him. It'll be a red letter day indeed.
2
'...is doing it for different reasons.' Is he? Or are they just window dressing for following Putin's orders? The quote does not leave a good impression regarding the astuteness of this analyst. The 'reasons' neither make sense nor conform to reality.
4
Republicans own the destruction of the United States of America.
179
Obviously Trump is owned by and/or works for Putin.
So while he can't come out and openly give Putin everything Putin wants, Trump has to come up with some gifts from time to time.
36
And I thought that this country in the 21st Century was committed to endless wars without military goals or rationale political endpoints. Am I wrong? Hopefully we can get back on track and find some other way to waste billions of dollars and young people's lives on global messes having little to do with the actual issues at hand back home in the USA.
5
It took decades before everything about Watergate (including the identity of Deep Throat) was made public. While there are still some unanswered questions, we now have a much better understanding of what happened. It's a complex story with many characters, but at its heart lies arrogance and a lust for power.
Right now we're in the middle of another Watergate-like moment. We know there's arrogance and a lust for power involved, but it's also highly likely there's corruption that might involve actually treason. Eventually, the truth will out. We'll have a much better understanding of President Trump's involvement with Russia, and whether Russia actually holds kompromat on the President. But even when we have a better picture, there will still be many Americans who won't believe it or just won't care. After all, President Trump's good friend, Roger Stone, loves Nixon so much he had Nixon's face tattooed on his back.
18
As demonstrated by his life, Comrade Trump lacks morals, appreciation for America's founding ideals and values, and loyalty to our allies; the Kurds in this case of the Syrian withdrawal. However, since his autocratic ways, ineptitude, and unethical behavior have turned all Western financial institutions and countries against him, he'll throw those same institutions and countries, including our own, under the bus for the financial and moral support of our sworn enemies.
It's hard to comprehend the obvious, because we've been blessed by leaders here in America that have always strived to do what's best for us and our allies in a pinch. The sad days continue.
13
One could argue that Trump has long promoted an anti-NATO stance and therefore his current foreign policy is solely about "America First" -- not about capitulating to Putin. However, Trump's anti-NATO sentiment first appeared in full-page ads he took out in The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Boston Globe after he returned from an all expenses paid trip to Moscow in 1987. It was at this time Trump also began hinting at a possible run for president. And it was during this trip that Trump first began negotiations on a Trump-branded hotel project (a Trump Tower Moscow, if you will) even touring possible construction sites. In other words, the Russians have been very patiently grooming Trump as an asset for decades.
Now, I know what you're thinking -- how could the Russians possibly have known that in 2016 Trump would win the Presidency? They couldn't know that. They were just doing what they do -- developing assets wherever they could find them -- in the hopes of some sort of payoff in the future. 30 years ago they had no idea that Trump was their golden ticket. They got a little lucky.
But there is even more to this story. Go here for a fascinating Russia/Trump timeline:
https://www.newsandguts.com/trump-russia/
33
Comrade Trump is going to get the "Hero of Russia" medal for his latest obedience to Vladimir Putin. Streets in Moscow we'll be named for Donald Trump. Donald has a place in the Kremlin.
We should all be so proud of Putin's obedient puppet.
44
Why do we have a president who is “God’s gift that keeps on giving”? Why do we have a president who “implements Russia’s negative agenda by default, undermining the U.S.–led world order, U.S. alliances, U.S. credibility as a partner and an ally. All of this on his own"?
I say, just follow the money, Mr. Mueller.
91
@Mark Hugh Miller
Because we have a political party that is so cowardly anc corrupt they won't stop him.
19
Trump should take notes from Putin on a good Return on Investment. Russia spent relatively little money to influence our election and look at the results. 50 years of Cold War spending couldn't come close to these results.
Perhaps if Trump ran his companies like a Russian dictator he wouldn't have so many bankruptcies. Instead he is running our country like he did his companies. Can we file for bankruptcy now?
135
@Adam. He has been taking notes and watching every strong man on the planet. The only people who don’t give a da— are the Republicans in Congress because they are too busy leading with their pride to admit they were wrong about Trump. McConnell himself is starting to look a lot like Beelzebub.
1
Republicans, by enabling Trump, are giving away the store - and all for tax breaks and anti-environment rulings that provide short term benefits for billionaires and major corporations - think Koch Brothers.
Combine that with the fact that Trump is under Putin's thumb, and what have we got?
We have a disaster for ordinary Americans, who need things like clean air and water. We also have major national security issues.
Let's hope the situation improves with the Democrats running the House. Hopefully Mr. Mueller will also uncover enough serious crimes for the GOP to be forced to Dump Trump.
Happy New Year!
56
@pkbormes
Yes Trump is terrible for the country, but I doubt Democrats are much better, they and their over the top libral stands to sell out our country in a different ways isn't that much better. Which party will stand for the whole country instead of small interest groups?
3
Hit the nail on the head. For some tax cuts that increase the net worth of the wealthiest by a considerable bump upwards, they held their noses for now. But, in truth, any elected Republican President would have signed a major tax cut which Congress wrote. You cannot give Trump so much credit/ blame for that. He is incapable of policy thought or sophisticated reading or writing on any topic, so I reject the notion any tax plan was his creation, per se. It is a GOP thing, to which he only recently cottoned. On the other front, Trump does own and flimflam the so-called ‘deplorables’ who lap up his faux populism like chumps.
1
Russia spent a tiny, paltry amount of money to get Trump elected. I think they paid the trolls something on the order of hundreds of thousands. This has got the be the greatest return on investment any government has ever made. Trump is doing for Russia what Russia has never been able to do for themselves, never! All of the money they have spent on weapons, spies, and wars has not yielded this great a result for them.
Russia can't lose even if they get blamed. Their goal is to destabilize the West, especially the US. Let's say Trump gets proved to have conspired to collude with the Russians to throw the election. If that happens, the US is saddled with a corrupt president who cannot be impeached for lack of votes in the Senate. This would greatly destabilize our government, much to the joy of Russia. It looks like Russia has Trump checkmated. We haven't even broached the topic of money laundering. Not yet anyway.
What I want to know is when does the Russian FSB send Trump an honorary membership pin? He certainly deserves one. Heck, send him a medal. Putin can pin it on Trump's lapel. Build the Moscow hotel!
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@Bruce Rozenblit
If Russia's goal is to destabilize the West, then the US goal is to destabilize Russia, isn't it? Now, take a look at what's going on in Ukraine and answer, please, who gains most out of the turmoil? Russia, which has been under sanctions since the Ukrainian coup, with all the refugees, the military conflict on its borders and expanding NATO. Or the US which happily sells natural gas to Ukraine and risks nothing?
Now, don't you think that destabilizing the West makes it unpredictable for Russia? Is it better for Russia to have a stable partner or an unpredictable enemy, whose military budget (the US) is ten times larger? Whose military doctrine, unlike that of Russia's, involves first strike?
So please, stop repeating the media cliches and start thinking on your own.
And no, I am not the troll, I am not paid by FSB, I just happen to be a Russian who's been reading the NYTimes for over 15 years and sometimes express my opinion which may differ from yours.
Gosh, doesn’t this just make you puff up with pride over the bold, patriotic behavior of the Congressional GOP? So courageous: they have surrendered almost every principle that the GOP has stood for and stuck with their great leader. And this despite the 17 investigations of his corruption, conspiracy, fraud, and other crimes and misdemeanors. Congressmen on the GOP side, these must be such proud times for you all.
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It does not have to be backmail. The promise of a Trump tower in Moscow could do it...
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@mary benson
Or it could simply be that he works for them.
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Trump may not get his Trump tower in Moscow, but he certainly will get a monument in his honor in Red Square.
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I think the headlines should read:
"Putin Praises Trumps Withdrawal from Syria"
Say it like it is, loud and clear. Repeat often.
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Here's a future April Fool's Day headline. "Trump Wins Nobel Prize for Peace." The body of the article would read: "In a master stroke, President Donald Trump achieved the goal that has eluded his predecessors -- he simultaneously settled several world crises at once by agreeing to withdraw from Syria and Afghanistan in exchange for Russia's withdrawal from Crimea, Eastern Ukraine and Georgia, and a pledge not seek the military intimidation of NATO allies. In addition, Trump lifted all sanctions on Russia in exchange for Russia's swift handover of all Russians involved in the hacking of the 2016 election for trial in the United States, and a pledge not to do it again. As the numbers of persons surrendering to US authorities are extremely large, Russian caravans numbering several thousand persons will be allowed to pass through the Mexico-US border on their way to trials all over the United States." The April 2 headline: "Never Mind."
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@James
That would be deal-making. We know he is not a deal-maker because he claims he is, his consistent signal that the opposite is true.
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