especially the last 20 minutes for a picture of the possible future we all have in the West.
All historical avenues for regeneration have been closed off by this neo-liberal system. Like a Russian Khinzal hypersonic it's now in its death dive from the peak of its apogee. A period like the 1930's awaits dominated by gangsterism and anarchy. No Western alternative and socialist political formation with the promise and ability exists to escape it.
Let's hope the baton of civilisation passes to wiser heads in the Global South.
Your blog thoughts are echoed by increasing numbers of people.
He probably built Wagner with the idea that it would serve as a unit/corporation like Blackwater, never anticipating a situation like Bakhmut.
I would also suggest this to understand what happened on the flanks of Bakhmut. If you can get past Balck's anti-Russian sentiments, it explains Prigozhin luring them in, the initial retreats, the high casualties Ukraine experienced and the deaths of the two colonels:
Generals Balck and Von Mellenthin on Tactics: Implications for NATO military Doctrine
CHIR RIVER, 1943: The Corps comprised two divisions at this time: 336th Infantry Division and the newly-arriving 11th Panzer Division from O.K.H. reserve. Both were in reasonably good shape, and commanded by men who understood the task in front of them, and who worked well together. 11th Panzer’s commander. General Balck was one of the finest panzer commanders of the war; resourceful, bold, an intuitive master of panzer tactics. He was fortunate at this juncture to find in General Lucht an infantry commander who understood well the principles of mobile defense. The infantry would guard the ‘front-door’, and if occasionally forced to admit an intruder, would endeavor to shut the door behind him. Inside the house 11th Panzer would play the ‘avenger’ role, seeking out the intruder and destroying or ejecting him.
"...which means Putin, who has spent two decades trying to shake up and modernize the Russian military. "
Because I get some terrible estimates of the Russian military from such as Roloslavsky and even from Telegram posts I find for myself and from such as: https://t.me/sanya_florida/8622
So if that was/is true then that's good news.
Perhaps (despite Rolo) Putin IS on the right side and perhaps something will be/is being done.
Quote of the day: "The only difference between Prigozhin’s friends in prison and a lot of people in government and business at the time was probably tattoos."
A wonderful summation Julian. Reading Prof Hudson's latest tome now about the fall of Rome through avarice and elite corruption, as a civilisational model carried through by the West, and now in terminal decline. Ukraine seems to be the catalyst for the rapid and absolute destruction of our current Western hegemon and all its moral values, and the rise of an Eastern one, but given that dominant power-relations seem to be the core of all of human history it doesnt promise a brighter future, just a different one.
So far the best article on Prigozhin and his behavior. Congratulaion!
minor quibble: "Henry Hudson writes ... ". I think you mean Michael Hudson.
check out this
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2023/05/ukraines-neoliberalism-on-steroids-europes-economic-suicide.html
especially the last 20 minutes for a picture of the possible future we all have in the West.
All historical avenues for regeneration have been closed off by this neo-liberal system. Like a Russian Khinzal hypersonic it's now in its death dive from the peak of its apogee. A period like the 1930's awaits dominated by gangsterism and anarchy. No Western alternative and socialist political formation with the promise and ability exists to escape it.
Let's hope the baton of civilisation passes to wiser heads in the Global South.
Your blog thoughts are echoed by increasing numbers of people.
"I always found Plato a bore. " Try looking at it from a metaphysical perspective, takes on a new and somewhat deeper meaning.
As to the article, enjoyed it. Does seem that Putin is using Prigozhin to stir the pot, otherwise he wouldn't still be there, wheels within wheels.
Julian.
I just came over after seeing your post on Larry Johnson's blog. I think you nailed the issue with Prigozhin:
SOLDIERING HAS ONE GREAT TRAP:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpv6g0gz0Gc&t=115s
He probably built Wagner with the idea that it would serve as a unit/corporation like Blackwater, never anticipating a situation like Bakhmut.
I would also suggest this to understand what happened on the flanks of Bakhmut. If you can get past Balck's anti-Russian sentiments, it explains Prigozhin luring them in, the initial retreats, the high casualties Ukraine experienced and the deaths of the two colonels:
Generals Balck and Von Mellenthin on Tactics: Implications for NATO military Doctrine
CHIR RIVER, 1943: The Corps comprised two divisions at this time: 336th Infantry Division and the newly-arriving 11th Panzer Division from O.K.H. reserve. Both were in reasonably good shape, and commanded by men who understood the task in front of them, and who worked well together. 11th Panzer’s commander. General Balck was one of the finest panzer commanders of the war; resourceful, bold, an intuitive master of panzer tactics. He was fortunate at this juncture to find in General Lucht an infantry commander who understood well the principles of mobile defense. The infantry would guard the ‘front-door’, and if occasionally forced to admit an intruder, would endeavor to shut the door behind him. Inside the house 11th Panzer would play the ‘avenger’ role, seeking out the intruder and destroying or ejecting him.
https://indianstrategicknowledgeonline.com/web/GENRAL%20BLACK%20AND%20VON%20MELLINTHIN%20TACICS%20IMPLICATIONS%20FOR%20NATO%20MILITARY%20DOCTRINE.pdf
You can read more about that type of defense if you google "elastic defense" or "mobile defense", etc.
I enjoyed your article immensely and appreciate the research you put in... and will bookmark your substack for future visits!
Thanks !!!
what hit me most was this bit:
"...which means Putin, who has spent two decades trying to shake up and modernize the Russian military. "
Because I get some terrible estimates of the Russian military from such as Roloslavsky and even from Telegram posts I find for myself and from such as: https://t.me/sanya_florida/8622
So if that was/is true then that's good news.
Perhaps (despite Rolo) Putin IS on the right side and perhaps something will be/is being done.
Thank you Julian.
It was a pleasure reading my article from another excellent perspective 👍
Quote of the day: "The only difference between Prigozhin’s friends in prison and a lot of people in government and business at the time was probably tattoos."
Wow. This connects a lot of previously missing dots.
This really pulls it all together, I think more than anything I've read up to now.
A wonderful summation Julian. Reading Prof Hudson's latest tome now about the fall of Rome through avarice and elite corruption, as a civilisational model carried through by the West, and now in terminal decline. Ukraine seems to be the catalyst for the rapid and absolute destruction of our current Western hegemon and all its moral values, and the rise of an Eastern one, but given that dominant power-relations seem to be the core of all of human history it doesnt promise a brighter future, just a different one.
Thanks Julian , another brilliant posting !
Why do you say that Putin is a half-Jew? Neither his mother nor his father were Jews.