During the 2016 campaign, President Trump made it repeatedly clear he intended significant negotiations with Russia on several topics, including cooperation in fighting ISIS, and potentially an outright normalization of ties.
Officials are saying now, however, that Trump is telling top advisers those plans are off, at least temporarily, with some attributing the shift to new advisers who are more broadly anti-Russia, and others suggesting that the non-stop political controversy surrounding US-Russia ties is getting to the administration.
Any rapprochement with Russia has been wildly unpopular with much of the establishment, with European officials railing at Trump for the very idea he’d get along with Russia since long before the inauguration, and Congressional hawks similarly condemning the notion of being anything short of hostile with Russia.
It is noteworthy, however, that Trump went into his term in office knowing how unpopular the idea was with the political leadership, and advocating for it anyhow, and that this suddenly has changed, however temporarily. It’s inevitable that the speculation would be that this is a result of the constant media scandals surrounding Trump’s putative Russian ties, which would be a dangerous reason to back away from rapprochement since Trump continues to maintain total innocence on the matter, and seemingly shouldn’t be letting such allegations drive policy.
That sucks, since his attitude about Russia was one of the very few good things about Trump. I suspect there’s a few power players who think they can control Trump to serve their interests and I think they may be right.
It does seem like the deep state has tired of the Trump novelty and has decided to lay the blackmail folder on the table to get his attention – and I’m very sure that there is a plethora of things that might be inside that folder The Donald probably doesn’t want out in the free world. But, that’s just this old Curmudgeon’s opinion…
Probably the most accurate analysis of all so far. And probably the entire extent of Trump’s phony promise on improved relations with Russia.
It has been said that there is a mechanism that will allow access to Trump’s tax information and it can’t be prevented. I’m not completely sure on what it is but if anybody knows, it would be a useful discussion.
Establishment taming Trump
“For now” may become forever, given the importance of the first 100 days.
The possibility of rapprochement with Russia was one of the main reasons I voted for Trump. This is a dangerous game the ‘establishment’ is playing.
It’s just too soon, given the controversy, a Russia deal would take place after the 100 days, and not until he has earned more space and met with Putin.
Is it too much to expect that he would at least mention the “R” word in his first 100 days? I honestly think he hasn’t but I could be wrong.
And if I’m not mistaken, Raimondo is now promoting US war against Syria, and alongside Russia in fighting ISIS!
I agree with Don. The controversy isn’t going away soon, because the fanatical Russophobes won’t let it go. Trump has to face it head on and at least mention Russia by name. The vast majority of Americans elected him on the premise that he would overhaul America’s foreign policy vis-a-vis Russia and the rest of the world. During his campaign, Trump pledged to repair relations with Russia that his predecessor, Barack Obama, had ruined, as well as putting America first. Even in his Inaugural speech, he made the same pledges to the American people. We who elected him expected him to stand by his pledges .. In fact, we demand that he do so.
The late President John F. Kennedy never shirked from his pledges to the people who had elected him over 55 years ago. He confronted the Deep State, knowing the risks he faced, and gained the respect of nearly the entire world. On 22 November, 1963, nearly the entire world went into mourning when JFK was assassinated .. That’s how much he was loved and respected. He had the courage to stand up to the Military-Industrial Complex (MIC) and the Deep State; and, yes, it cost him his life.
Trump needs to learn from reading books on the JFK Presidency and gather the courage to stand up to these scumbags who are trying to oust him from the White House. He has to go back to the pledges he made to the people and start acting on them.
If you’re saying that Trump mentioned improving relations with Russia in his inaugural address, then you’re wrong.
But I think you’re getting it in saying that Trump has to prove himself and start by mentioning Russia.
Yes, Kennedy did stand by his pledges to some degree. Trump refusing to stand by his pledge on Russia, and people giving him a pass on it, is just fu–ing surreal.
And so, if you call those who oppose Trump scumbags, I have no disagreement with you over that. But let’s make it crystal clear that Trump is the lying scumbag that has brought it on himself.
It’s tearing Trump down and for no reason at all. He wasn’t serious on Russia/US relations.
Don, here is your dilemma. You are FORCED to agree with the goal of changing foreign policy, on the promises made to electorate, on the need to repair relationships with Russia — but you in fact DO NOT AGREE WITH THAT. So, your cover is to say that Trump never said it, that electorate never heard it, that we all just imagined it, that he said it may be once, and never after election, that he is a lying scumbag — and that he has brought all this Russia hysteria onto himself. Nice trick, Don.
You cannot profess that you agree with what Trump voters are saying, what Trump voters are expecting from him — and then say that it NEVER HAPPENED, AND THAT ALL TRUMP VOTERS ARE DELUDED.
in fact, the only thing I can conclude from your salto mortale, — is that you are Hillary supporter — and are looking for a legitimate way to declare Trump a scumbag.
I will let you know that he may need to learn fast how to be a scumbag, as the ones he is now confronted are many leagues above him. Just listen to MSNBC to hear the howl of lies and fury of the egos bruised. We do not know what will it take to get to the bottom of the cesspit of our foreign policy, replete with the stench of death money, and the stench of egos that need to be assuaged.
But spare me your deceitful story of being antiwar, and having any appreciation of Trump’s promise to his voters to fix our trillion dollar disasters of foreign policy, and make the money work for America.. You do not agree with Trump’s foreign policy promise to voters — and that is fine. But do not PRETEND that you do not know of any, and then proceed to call Trump names. For what? What did he do to disappoint you? You never cared for his foreign policy, so if you think he abandoned voters, then — rejoice! Why are you spending so much time trying to convince his voters that the foreign policy we expect NEVER EXISTED EXCEPT IN OUR IMAGINATION., You know you are wrong, but I do not understand what is your satisfaction in all of this?
Dear Bianca, I have the courage and the convictions in what I say about Trump to keep me saying it. And so far, nothing has come out to show that I’m wrong. At best, one Trump stooge has tried to say that Trump mentioned Russia in his inauguration speech. And second best is you claims that he’s mentioned it sometime after his campaign speech.
It seems to me that it would be reasonable to expect the ignorant clown to mention it again at least once?? Don’t you think so?
It is interesting. Deep state is everywher, even where you do not suspect it. Notice how
no matter what happens — it is Truml’s fault? So, inuendos about his and his associates “ties” to Russia have been freely flowing, with or without those few words of reservation about the accuracy of assertions. And then if Trump tones down plans for cooperation — then, it has to be TRUMP”S fault. After all — if innocent, why change policy? Let us say that he just does not wish to rub it into their face — why not? He said in his speech that he wants to make enemies into friends, and did not use word “Russia”, why not?.
So the game of unnamed officials, continue. And everyone repeating their rubbish like it is a gospel. But both parties have to make Trump say something AGAINST RUSSIA. Or else, their beloved deep state has NOT won. For now, the ABSENCE of anti-Russia hysteria flowing out of White House is still deep state loss. So, they will continue. Those that control the media and who knows what else — are not happy with any letdown of Russiophobia.
Trump already caused damage to their objectives by waking up a good chunk of American population to the anti-Russia scam. Deep State is sufficiently scared — and are planting trolls into Infowars reader comments. They are so easily spotted — as their rhetoric sounds like something out of 20th century Cold War script.
Trump will be blackmailed — just give them time. It is all Republican’s fault. They should have stopped the entire nonsense at the very beginning. DNC refusal to let FBI examine the presumably hacked servers should have been the end of it. The result should have been — toss the matter out. How dare DNC and Democrats raise the entire matter to the level if national crisis — and not allow FBI to investigate? CIA does not have the expertise of FBI in the matter, and then for all of them to go along with the “investigation” conducted by ONE individual, a close friend and business associate of Hillary and many in Obama’s administration. The convaluted relationship between his company and CIA are an amazing revolving door of associates and employees. But Republicans — knowing full well ridiculous nature of “hacking” accusations, went along with DNC, ignored FBI, and pretended like the story warrants further action!! An utter shame.
This all in the end will be in the hands of voters. And it will not be pretty.
But let us not forget Soros plans — he is mad, his undermining of governments around the world — exposed and ridiculed. And by none else but US president — so he cannot now pretend out there that he REPRESENTS the wishes of our government. I am afraid — knowing how the tentacles of his groups operate, that he will find a way to cause crisis. It can be done easily by starting violence — as has been done on countless occasions, taking advantage of peacefull protests.
Given the characters Soros is collecting for the upcoming Women’s march — it would be wise to tell all ftiends and colleagues to stay away from the event. And after that — crisis upon a crisis — to get Trump supporters to surrender. The question is, can they?
Oil and gas industry cannot. They are absorbing debts from fracking, knowing full well that a rise in interest rate will expose the edifice. Years ago, Tillerson testified to Congress in a closed session that fracking is making them lose money. He said “.. we are losing out shirts, we are swimming in red ink.”. Without access to global sources of oil and gas — American energy industry is idling and will suffer permanent damage. Wars in oil producing regions — all started by US, sanctions on Iran and Russia, anarchy in Libya and chaos in Nigeria, out squeeze on Venezuela, chaos in South Sudan. Our total reliance on Gulf — resulted in a symbiotic relationship, the one that favors Saudi model of theocracy to secular states, and thus the rise of Islamic cults.
All of this indicates that in this country, oil and gas industry needs to get out from the encirclement. And in not too distant future, rise of interest rates will expose fracking viability, and all the environmental troubles will be brought up by the cheering masses.
The bottom line — US will be hostage to environmental issues, and trillions poured in another scam, the green industries. With no REAL scientific advances on the horizon, money poured into green energies should bring about a scienntific breakthrough.
With Gulf oil under control, what can go wrong for the plotters? Like a shake up in royal line up in Desert Kingdom. Like a larger war to block Bab al Mandeb, and Saudi shipments to Asia. Like higher level of hostility between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Like many other things.
Our lesdership in both parties is not up to serious global challenge. They like children see the world in their preffered shape. But it is shifting — and Soros obsession with Trump, as well as bi-partisan joyfull Russia bashing — will not stop the unrecognizable patterns and shifting of global geopolitics. The more they try to stop Trump from peeking out in the real world – the more time they waste. The shifting of geopolitical tectonic plates continues — and those that are presumably against isolation — are ironically the ones isolating US in the bubble of its own making.
Four people/organizations always get blamed for everything:
If the party holding the White House is a Republican, Democrats will blame the Kochs and the president, while Republicans will blame Soros.
If the party holding the White House is a Democrat, Republicans will blame Soros and the president, while Democrats will blame the Kochs.
Congress will also get blamed for everything, with each party’s supporters blaming the other party for either misrule or obstructionism.
With Trump, the blame worm may end up turning a little give his own longstanding business connections with Soros and his apparent dislike for the Kochs.
Thomas, Raimondo’s lates piece has a very interesting first paragraph and so I thought something was about to happen.
But then I got a distinct impression that he was getting very close to cheerleading US forces going into Syria and fighting in cooperation with Russian forces to eliminate ISIS.
Did you read that into it too? I have a lot of problems with that idea but the immediate one is accepting that ISIS has now become the terrorist enemy for Justin.
No, I didn’t draw that conclusion at all. Quite the opposite in fact.
Thanks. I was wondering if it was just me. I’ll read it again maybe and see if I can interpret it some other way.
Another question: What was it that motivated Jason Ditz to write this one? Anything in particular or just a combination of a lot of things? Albeit, I’m not aware of where he gets his ideas? His own head I hope?
And gotta love Jason’s choice of that stock photo of Trump. I don’t think it’s accidental at all. Do you?
Jason reports the news.
Yeah I know but sometimes we wonder what the source of Jason’s news is? I think sometimes Jason might make up his own stories too. And he does a good job of it because he’s very seldom challenged on them.
So I just was wondering about this one but you don’t seem to want to talk about it. I think I’ll see if I can contact the boss of the site to see if she’s receptive to answering the question.
There would have to be a question to ask before the question could be answered.
Jason writes news stories based on his activity monitoring various news sources. He does question the credibility of sources that seem to bear questioning, and point out conflicts between versions, but the bottom line is that he’s generally reporting, not commenting. His agenda, to use the word you like so much, is to get as much fact as possible together for the readers. That’s why his stuff is in the news section rather than in the commentary section.
As far as I can tell, this story is Jason’s own idea, because I haven’t found anybody else that has expressed it in that way. Except me and Jason sure as hell doesn’t get his ideas from me. Although in this case, he voiced the idea long after I had voiced it.
I think this story from Jason was an agglomeration of facts that led to the conclusion that Trump is trying to get out of his promise he made for campaign purposes only. An Idea that you refuse to buy into so far.
The story links to the source — Associated Press.
Thomas, I’ll quote the sentence from Raimondo’s piece again:
“”Yes, the Russo-American alliance that Trump’s enemies in Washington despise, and are doing everything in their power to prevent, is now taking shape on the ground in Syria:”
There’s little doubt that Raimonod is trying to say that it’s due to Trump that the US and Russia are cooperating in Syria. What do you think of that idea? I can’t see any connection at all with Trump but I don’t doubt that Raimondo would want to spin it as such.
Now I do wish standards are in place, I almost long for those days. That would give us some sense of continuity.
But there is a feeling that the time/space continuum in US politics is being fractured. The elite of both parties are fuming. Republicans have been the worst — as Democrats behavior is at least understandable. For Republicans to miss the point of DNC denying access to FBI to examine the servers, and then raise the issue of hacking to the level of national crisis — takes a lots of guts. And for Republicans to let it happen, and not toss the alleged hacking right out of the window, instead of giving it all the respect, is more then curious. Curiouser, and curiouser.
What does Trump know, and why are they so FURIOUS with him. And how long will it take before the collective THEY find a way to get him.
For all the usual ritualistic behavior that you so precisely outlined — there is something out of whack.
I have followed many a social unrest planned and executed around the globe by Soros Foundation and the foundation of his alter ego, Fethulah Gulen. With the rising anger, there is a distinct possibility of planned and executed violence. I am very concerned about the idiotic women’s march this March 8th, as such occasions are the best venues for your typical Soros-prompted violence. I am hoping, praying that I am wrong, and hope for the best.. But how many times have we seen it before?
Bianca, why the anger and the loss of hope? Has anything changed that you can point out or is it just that Jason Ditz is suggesting that something has changed?
I would suggest that one thing for sure hasn’t changed and that is that Trump is still the same person he’s always been. Just a phony who knew how to pull the strings on desperate people who had become so desperate that they would accept an obvious con man like Trump.
I would also suggest that it’s time to stop treading water hoping for Trump to produce something good toward our antiwar cause. Enough time has been wasted already and nearly everybody is suggesting that we’ve moved closer to nuclear midnight than further away with Trump.
Or is this always the way it happens Bianca. The aggressor country leads the world to war, based on promises of forcing peace through the end of a gun barrel. There is a great deal of similarity between the psychopath of 80 years ago to the current one.
You are being silly as usual. And Jason Dietz did not do anything that is out of ordinary. This site has been a survivor, and deserves respect.
I respect the site and Jason Ditz but I don’t respect any suggestion that things have been changing since the election on Trump’s promise of relations between the US/Russia.
How could things be changing when Trump hasn’t said a bloody word about it. The point is, things changed after Trump spun his bullh-t and lies in his campaign speech. He never meant it to go any further than that.
But unfortunately, the Dems made it into a thing with Trump and Russia and now he can’t escape it. He’s probably just going to have to eventually come out and say he didn’t mean it. Especially now that even the R’s are shi–ing all over him about it!
Bianca, Trump didn’t ‘tone down’ any ideas of cooperation with Russia. He didn’t say anything that needs to be toned down, since his campaign lies at least. So you’re just making up lies again for Trump.
Jason Ditz: “………….and that this suddenly has changed, however temporarily.
Not quite right Jason, this has been changing since his campaign speech where he mentioned it and has been changed ever since. There’s nothing very sudden about that.
Here you lie again. I just cannot figure out why? Why are you so obsessed with Trump? He made a lots of sense talking about the need for the change in our foreign policy. He was very clear about the need to change idiotic policy on Russia. Before AND after the election. You sound like MSM. When they establish to be THEIR TRUTH, then they repeat it, and repeat — until all the oxygen is taken out of the air, and only their lies remain stuck in vacuum.
But I have no idea why are you trying SO HARD to prove that Trump had not talked about foreign policy issues concerning Russia. It is in his Foreign Policy Strategy. In his speech after elections.
But he is wise not to talk about it any more. MSM is hyperventilating. All he needs is to do things, not talk. Like asking permission of Syrian Government and notifying Russia prior to using US military convoy to deliver humanitarian aid, as well as send the message to all concerned — mainly Turkey, that Manbij is off the limits. But all in good time. After Kurds are let down gently, US will have to make some hard decisions.
So, what is your obsession? That Trump is not sticking into Deep State face his plans? And even if he does not succeed, sooner or later, US will have to face the consequences of disasterous foreign policy. So, still feeling smart? Wait and see. We will surely talk about it later.
Did Trump say something about improving foreign policy with Russia “in his speech after elections”?
Are you lying again or do you have something to quote Trump on saying?
The reason I’m so obsessed about Trump is because he’s a complete phony and a liar and a sick psychopath who has the power to destroy the world. You must get over him as quickly as possible, for your own sake at least. I think you must be horribly embarrassed to even think of all the lies he’s told and all the times he’s been found out on them. It can’t be anything but stubbornness on your part now that keeps you talking him up.
Anyway, let’s hear your proof of him saying something about US/Russia improving relations. Since he became the pres that is. I’ve been trying to force that out of anybody on this site for a week at least!
And now we learn that the ignorant fool who is supposed to be your president is accusing Obama of wiretapping Trump tower!!
Maybe Raimondo will write his next piece explaining how it’s all true? LOL
Probably good idea.
Giant and fat monkey is not good Match.
I think that Jason Ditz has read this:
https://wearechange.org/officials-trump-backing-away-planned-russia-deals/
Oh wait. It was written by Jason Ditz and taken to that site.
Slick Move! Did you see it? If not, rewind the DVR and play it back again. Once you see it, you’ll smile.
Trump’s pitch to the Russians has always been to work together where they had common interests. And Trump made it very clear that he thought ISIS was a common problem that he shared with Putin.
So, today, we see what has always been the logical, first small step of bettering relations with the Russians. A US convoy openly drives into Manjiib, Syria in a deal where the US special forces are working together with the Russians. Like anything in Syria, its complicated, but basically the Russians and the Syrians have been sliding in between the Turkish and Kurdish forces acting as a sort of peace-keeper or buffer zone to prevent that intramural fight from blowing up. And today, the US proudly drove in flying USA flags from their military vehicles and joined with Russian in supporting that operation.
The Trump administration is learning how to play the game. So, they did a nice misdirection of setting up some officials to ‘leak’ to the AP this story about how they are putting off any improving of relations with Russia. They know now that the AP will take off and run with a story from ‘unnamed sources’, so they fed the AP a bit of misdirection to take at least some eyes off the videos coming from Syria showing this first step of US-Russian co-operation.
Nice move!! They certainly got the AP going the wrong way, which has to be at least worth a smile in a White House strategy war room. And it will be interesting to see how much of the pack follows. And if they did it right, they only gave this little tidbit of information to a carefully chosen handful of people, so maybe they learned a bit more about who their leakers are as a bonus prize.
It is hard for Trump to make progress if his “team” is resisting. I am sure the Foreign Secretary will get this done eventually however.
The corrupt establishment news media is fabricating a lie by constant
repetition, in the hope that it will discredit Trump and prevent him
from draining the swamp. The only way he could ever satisfy them is to
start a war with Russia, which is absurd. The Russians love many
aspects of American culture and would make great allies. They have also
learned much about how to cope with corrupt bureaucracies. The Report
from Iron Mountain details the analyses of a government panel which
concludes that war, or a credible substitute for war, is necessary for
governments to maintain power. The real enemy is within — it is the
corrupt, bloated bureaucracy and the massive secret government with
secret budgets fed by the income tax. This is the internal threat that
Eisenhower was talking about in his farewell address.
https://sitsshow.blogspot.com/2017/03/10-trillion-missing-from-pentagon-and-no-one-not-even-the-dod-knows-where-it-is.html