King Charles: Australia's Future as a Republic Rests with Its People

[Social Media]

 

Russia, under Vladimir Putin's leadership, is escalating a global strategy of chaos, carrying out sabotage, arson, and assassination on an unprecedented scale. This aggressive campaign has been driven largely by the GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency. In a rare briefing on October 8, 2023, Ken McCallum, head of Britain’s MI5, warned of this increasing threat, stating, “The GRU in particular is on a sustained mission to generate mayhem on British and European streets.” This wave of destruction, coinciding with Russia’s war in Ukraine, has extended far beyond the battlefield, with European countries bearing the brunt of Moscow's covert operations.

 

Russian subversion in Europe has become markedly more aggressive. Vice-Admiral Nils Andreas Stensones of the Norwegian Intelligence Service described the escalating threat: “The risk level has changed. We see acts of sabotage happening in Europe now.” Sir Richard Moore, the head of MI6, bluntly described Russia’s intelligence agencies as having “gone a bit feral.”

 

From arson in Britain to bomb plots in France, Russian operatives have targeted critical infrastructure and high-profile figures. For example, in April 2023, German authorities arrested two German-Russian nationals suspected of plotting attacks on U.S. military installations on behalf of the GRU. Around the same time, a Russian-Ukrainian man was arrested in Paris after attempting to assemble a bomb, revealing how Russian influence has seeped into all corners of Europe.

 

The summer of 2023 saw other alarming developments. In July, it was revealed that Russian agents plotted to assassinate the head of Germany’s largest arms firm, while Sweden’s Stockholm airport experienced disruptions due to suspected drone surveillance by Russian forces. The United States has also sounded the alarm, with American officials reporting Russian ships scouting underwater cables—a move that signals potential disruptions to critical infrastructure.

 

Russia's interference is not limited to physical violence but extends into virtual realms. Russian cyber-attacks have targeted vital systems, from water plants in the U.S. and Poland to large-scale espionage operations. The GRU’s Unit 29155, notorious for past assassination attempts, has expanded its cyber activities, engaging in systematic sabotage and disinformation campaigns. According to reports from the U.S. and its allies, these cyberattacks aim not only at gathering intelligence but also at undermining the reputations of Western powers and disrupting their economies.

 

Russia's reach extends well beyond Europe. The Kremlin has leveraged its relationships with mercenary groups like the Wagner Group to expand its influence in Africa. Following coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, Russian mercenaries moved in to fill the power vacuum left by Western forces. In the Middle East, Russian agents have reportedly supported the Houthis in Yemen, further complicating the region's already fragile stability. The Kremlin even contemplated arming the Houthis in July 2023, though the plan was scrapped after Saudi Arabia’s intervention.

 

In America, Russia's meddling takes the form of disinformation and election interference. Avril Haines, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, called Russia “the most active foreign threat to our elections,” emphasizing that Russia’s efforts go beyond influencing U.S. policies on Ukraine. Russian disinformation campaigns aim to exploit divisions within American society, with Kremlin-controlled media outlets flooding social media platforms with manipulated narratives designed to undermine trust in democracy.

 

Russia's use of technological tools to spread disinformation has also evolved. Russian propagandists have even utilized artificial intelligence to rewrite legitimate news articles, injecting pro-Russian or anti-Western sentiments into the narratives. In one example, a network known as CopyCop used AI tools like ChatGPT to create modified articles critical of France’s Macron administration.

 

This rising tide of Russian subversion marks a shift in foreign policy, where espionage and sabotage are no longer just tools but central tenets of Putin’s strategy. Historian Sergey Radchenko highlights this shift, explaining that “whereas previously special operations supported foreign policy, today special operations are foreign policy.” This sentiment is echoed by Putin himself, who has openly declared that the world is entering a dangerous and unpredictable era. “We are in for probably the most dangerous, unpredictable and at the same time most important decade since the end of World War II,” Putin said, expressing his belief that the global order is crumbling and must be reshaped—by force if necessary.

 

The West is now grappling with how to counteract Russia’s aggressive moves. Western intelligence agencies have had some success in disrupting Russian operations, particularly by targeting the criminal proxies Russia increasingly relies on. Ken McCallum, the MI5 chief, emphasized that Russia’s growing dependence on criminal networks weakens the professionalism of its operations, making them more vulnerable to disruption.

 

While Russia’s meddling aims to pressure NATO without sparking outright war, the unpredictability of Putin’s regime leaves the future uncertain. Fiona Hill, a former U.S. National Security Council official, warned that Putin is likely to push boundaries further, stating, “Putin is trying to feel those out.” With the world now bracing for further destabilization, the months and years ahead could bring even more dramatic confrontations orchestrated by the Kremlin.

 

Based on a report from The Economist 2024-10-16

 

 

 

[gargamon]

But Trump is his boy, so he can't be that bad, can he?

[Tug]

1 hour ago, gargamon said:

But Trump is his boy, so he can't be that bad, can he?

It’s frightening to be sure personally I think trump wants to destroy our democracy and try to have a kleptocracy like they have in Russia.

[gargamon]

15 minutes ago, Tug said:

It’s frightening to be sure personally I think trump wants to destroy our democracy and try to have a kleptocracy like they have in Russia.

Trump dreams about being a kleptocrat like Putin. Too bad for Trump all the kleptrocrats see him as a barely useful idiot without the intelligence to accomplish anything.

[neeray]

Imbecile 1, Trump Senior, is endeavouring to establish a Kleptocracy so that as his dementia worsens, Imbecile 2, Don Junior, can take over the mess that Imbecile 1 created and Imbecile 2 will become leader of USA for life. Hmm

[Presnock]

Just don't under estimate the power he holds over the MAGA ites!  but even KH with her lackluster history maintains an even poll count for whatever that means.  But even if he loses the vote, he and his followers will never accept that defeat and then the true destruction of the US democracy will unfold IMHO anyway.  He even admits to talking privately with Putin after he left the presidency and we are already aware that he held "private" talks with Putin without any record allowed during his presidency yet people still think that he is pro-American instead of pro-Russian even when he campaigns and states that very fact.  I as an American, former military, civil servant, etc sure as hell do not support him in the very least.  I also do not believe that KH would make a good president.  She will only be the pawn most likely of the rich and powerful DEMs.  Again IMHO. 

[AndreasHG]

It's the same story over and over again: Russia cannot compete with the rest of the world in terms of economic development, scientific achievements, creation of high added value products, and therefore it devotes itself to doing what it does best: destroying what other countries have created. 

 

Europe feels being in the crosshair, but it's not alone. Russia is actively campaigning against malaria vaccination, directly causing the death of thousands of Africans (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/14/world/africa/russia-africa-disinformation-malaria-.html). Russia cannot compete when it comes to medical research. The only things Russia exports to Africa are weapons and mercenaries. 

Since 2022, Russia has sponsored 80 documented disinformation campaigns in 22 African countries, according to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies. And it's the tip of the iceberg.

 

All this happens under the careless watch of Russian citizens, who shamelessly spend their holidays in Thailand, regardless of the damage that their regime causes to the world wellbeing and to disadvantaged communities. 

 

And the vaunted Thai neutrality takes on the appearance, everyday ever more, of complicity with a criminal regime.

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by AndreasHG

[This Guy]

"Putin’s Global Plot Escalation of Chaos through Sabotage, Arson, and Assassination"
So Mr. Putin is using the U.S.A's playbook then? Seems reasonable, oh that's right, hypocrisy.

 

[Sorted2024]

Funny way to Spell Biden 

[john donson]

let's see how bad he is, after trump becomes president and cuts off all the tax payer's money that make zelenski and his entourage mega rich and US congress off course, that either get free stock or bribes to play war games...

[AndreasHG]

1 hour ago, This Guy said:

So Mr. Putin is using the U.S.A's playbook then? Seems reasonable, oh that's right, hypocrisy.

 

Indeed: but 75 years later, when the world seemed to have finally turned page, competition is based on economic advancements and not upon size of the landmass upon which an empire rules. 

Today, in the XXI century, Russia and China fight following a XIX century playbook: What can possibly go wrong for Putin and Xi Jinping, and for the poor Russians and Chineses they drag in the sinkhole with them?

 

[harryviking]

As I see it, Russia has declared war against the West! Maybe it is time to beef up the fight against the worlds worst Mafia leader, PUTIN!! NATO should give Russia the last warning and go in to Ukraine and wipe out all Russians inside of the country! Stop this bully from taking on the world and think he can get away with it!! 

[Thingamabob]

7 hours ago, gargamon said:

But Trump is his boy, so he can't be that bad, can he?

Pathetic.

[Hermes Live]

I would be careful quoting The Economist, known for its leftist views on all things. Where is the proof about Russia's involvement in the cyber attack in the US on the water system?

 

In regard to all the other points mentioned in The Economist, of course they would blame Russia after all they are the enemy. I'm not supporting Russia but I am supporting unbiased reporting.