US Demagogues Hype Nonexistent Russian Threat

by Stephen Lendman

Russia bashing is the national pastime, an imperial rage not about to end with Obama's departure - even if Trump intends working cooperatively with Putin. Bipartisan congressional neocons will challenge any rapprochement steps he takes.

Three outgoing administration officials likely had their last say in an official capacity, taking full advantage to bash Russia irresponsibly.

In Davos, Switzerland at the billionaire's ball (aka World Economic Forum), Joe Biden railed against Russia, sidestepping hard truths, blustering Big Lies, disgracefully calling Russia the biggest threat to the international order.

"Under President Putin, Russia is working with every tool available to them to whittle away at the edges of the European project, test the fault lines of western nations and return to a politics defined by spheres of influence," Biden roared.

"With many countries in Europe slated to hold elections this year, we should expect further attempts by Russia to meddle in the democratic process. It will occur again, I promise you. And again the purpose is clear: to collapse the liberal international order."

His remarks were aimed at ordinary Americans and Europeans, Davos participants too savvy to be fooled by misinformation, while supporting its proliferation.

Outgoing war secretary Ashton Carter claimed Russia failed to cooperate with Washington in combating terrorism in Syria. His comments were Ash backwards, like everything he says about Russia.

Its government "defines its interests not only as different from the United States…but as deliberately in opposition to (US interests so) it's very difficult to" cooperate.

Truth is polar opposite. Washington goes out of its way to undermine normal bilateral relations, wanting Moscow as an adversary, not ally.

Will Trump go another way? Will he work cooperatively with Putin? Will he be a responsible leader or another rogue one? These and other vital questions remain unanswered until he's in office.

On Tuesday, Obama's UN envoy Samantha Power addressed the neocon Atlantic Council. She lied calling Russia a "major threat" to America and world order - based on Washington rules she failed to explain.

She ranted about nonexistent Russian "aggressive and destabilizing actions…(T)he United States and our closest partners must come together to prevent Russia from (challenging) our values, our security, our prosperity, and our very way of life…"

"(W)e have seen Russia take one aggressive and destabilizing action after another." Her litany of Big Lies wore thin long ago. Her Russia bashing Security Council Russia tirades won't be missed.

As of Friday, it's Trump's turn for good or ill. Key is curbing America's permanent war policy, cooperating with other nations instead of antagonizing them, combating terrorism instead of supporting it, and seeking peace and stability in a war-torn world.

Is he up to the challenge? We'll soon find out.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.