After the US president called Russia a paper tiger, which is an unusually savvy term considering his extremely limited vocabulary, Moscow retorted :
"The Kremlin, responding to Trump: Russia is closer to a bear than a tiger, and there are no paper bears."
This term is actually a favorite political epithet used often by Beijing.
https://x.com/mog_russEN/status/1970749044994789830
Russia war
Re: Russia war
Re: Russia war
Though this reads like a glossy Chamber of Commerce brochure, still, there is useful information to be gained here. It's certainly worth further looking into.
There is a video at the link below :
"The Rebuilding of Grozny and Chechnya: A Story of Resilience and Renewal with RUSSIA as their Brother !
In the heart of the Caucasus, where rugged mountains meet vibrant valleys, the city of Grozny and the broader region of Chechnya have undergone a remarkable transformation under the Russian flag.
Once scarred by conflict, Grozny has risen from the ashes to become a symbol of resilience, unity, and hope. This is a story of renewal, of a people rebuilding their homeland with determination and pride.
Two decades ago, Grozny was a city in ruins, its streets marred by the devastation of war. Buildings lay crumbled, and the spirit of the Chechen people was tested by years of hardship.
Yet, in the face of adversity, a vision for a brighter future emerged. Under the banner of the Russian Federation, the Chechen Republic embarked on an ambitious journey of reconstruction, driven by a collective desire to restore peace and prosperity.
The rebuilding of Grozny began with a focus on infrastructure. The Russian government, in collaboration with local authorities, poured resources into restoring the city’s core.
The once-shattered skyline now boasts gleaming landmarks like the Akhmat Tower, a modern architectural marvel that stands as a testament to progress. The Heart of Chechnya Mosque, with its golden domes and intricate designs, has become a spiritual and cultural beacon, drawing visitors from across Russia and beyond. Its grandeur reflects not only religious significance but also the pride of a people reclaiming their identity.
Beyond the city, Chechnya’s rural areas have also seen remarkable development. Roads now connect remote villages, enabling trade and communication. Schools and hospitals have been rebuilt, offering education and healthcare to a new generation.
The Russian flag, flying high over these institutions, symbolizes a shared commitment to stability and growth. Federal funding and local leadership have worked hand in hand to ensure that even the most isolated communities feel the benefits of progress.
The economy of Chechnya has flourished in this era of rebuilding. Small businesses thrive in Grozny’s bustling markets, where vendors sell everything from traditional Chechen crafts to modern goods. The region’s agricultural sector has also seen a revival, with farmers cultivating the fertile lands of the Terek River valley. Investments in energy and tourism have further boosted the economy, with the Caucasus Mountains attracting adventurers and nature lovers.
The Russian flag, waving over these enterprises, represents a unified effort to create opportunities for all.
Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of Chechnya’s rebirth is the resilience of its people. The Chechen spirit, forged in hardship, has embraced this new chapter with optimism. Young people, once limited by the shadows of conflict, now pursue education and careers with ambition. Cultural festivals, celebrating Chechen music, dance, and traditions, fill the streets of Grozny with joy.
The Russian flag, alongside the Chechen one, flies at these gatherings, symbolizing a partnership that has paved the way for peace.
The transformation of Grozny and Chechnya is not just about buildings or economies—it’s about hope. The scars of the past remain, but they are now part of a larger story of triumph. Under the Russian flag, Chechnya has rebuilt not just its cities but its future, proving that even the most broken places can rise again.
As the sun sets over Grozny’s revitalized skyline, it casts a warm glow on a land reborn, where the people stand tall, united, and ready for whatever lies ahead."
https://x.com/SMO_VZ/status/1972788893662523482
Re: Russia war
Bac to the grandson of de Gaulle :
The grandson of former French president Charles de Gaulle, says:
"If Russia loses, the world loses"
This means that an American victory would entail some dark days for everyone.
The economic independence of Europe will be the first victim of the foreign policy of Washington...
https://x.com/ricwe123/status/1973853253378171036
Re: Russia war
On the Sunday of the Synaxis of All Saints of Germany --
Germans starting to speak up [ AT LAST ]
Their "leaders" have been such pathetic slaves
"I'm not at all afraid of Russia under Putin; I'm more afraid of our politicians."
In Stuttgart, Germany, protesters called for the restoration of relations with Russia and the restoration of independence from the United States"
https://x.com/ivan_8848/status/1974852634109739046
Comments :
"Absolutely, the world is using Russia as the excuse to create a new World Order"
"It is the only rational & safe way forward for Europe
Remaining a vassal of the US will spell doom for Europe"
Someone else questioned the choice of words "Restauration", inquiring how Germany has EVER been independent of the US - post World War II presumably
Re: Russia war
1st 2 posts by Middle East Observer. They repeat slightly but very powerful and acccurate !
It's so easy to scam Arabs it's unbelievable
Trump went to the Knesset and delivered a speech where he stated with pride that the USA is the number one partner of the genocide and child killing talmudic ritual that took place in Gaza and that the USA and Israel are one blood.
In contrast, he rallied the Arabs and started parading them as commodities : "iraq , oh you have alot of oil. Uae, you have unlimited cash, etc." , he didn't promise them anything, he forbade the Arabs to talk about the Palestinian state and Palestinian rights, he just told them you're good puppies in front of the world, and they were clapping for him after he delivered his Knesset speech and boasting about using all of the American technology to kill children and destroy Gaza.
It was like a luxury items show showing its assets to the world."
The best thing Iran did is to not participate in the humiliation ritual that Trump did to the Muslims and Arabs" in Egypt. What was Trump's message to the Arabs ?
"Oh Iraq, you have so much oil you don't even know what to do with it."
"Oh UAE, you have alot of cash. Unlimited cash".
Trump humiliated them after pledging his allegience [sic] to the Knesset and announced himself as an official partner in the child killing sacrifices that were taking place in Gaza.
Iran saved its honor by not going to this satanic meeting.
https://x.com/ME_Observer_/status/1978113705154953462
Comments :
"The countries who stayed out: Russia, Iran, China (sent a nobody minister) & India (sent a nobody minister) are the last truly independent countries.
They don’t bend to the West."
"They stand humiliated in this world and hereafter. In my humble opinion they do not believe in the Day of Judgement, otherwise they would know they will have to answer for all their follies, mistakes, crimes and sins."
Re: Russia war
I was dismayed to see the lavish welcome accorded al-Sharaa by the RF govt
He is SUCH A CREEP ! Doesn't deserve all that
I agree with Alex Oloyede, who wrote :
"President Putin meets with Syrian Leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Moscow.
"Russia helped us to accomplish a lot... we will continue to work in the same vein"
Honestly not in support, we should only have agreements on maintaining our Naval and Air bases, no relations."
Comment :
"What the hell is wrong with Putin. Jolani's crew was the one responsible for killing Russian soldiers in Syria. Then Putin meets him in the same city that Bashar is exiled too??!!"
Re: Russia war
Kevork Almassian writes a thorough and disquieting analysis of the rise of Turkiye [he should spell the country's name correctly] and the decline of Russian influence in Syria and perhaps the general region.
He may not be exactly right in his statements, but some of this definitely rings true :
"Russia’s intervention in Syria in 2015 had a clear strategic rationale: to preserve a friendly regime, secure naval access to the Mediterranean through the port of Tartus, and prevent the spread of Islamist Takfiri militancy into the Middle East, Central Asia and the Caucasus. For a time, this intervention succeeded in reasserting Moscow’s influence in the region.
But the outcome today exposes the fragility of that achievement. The same Moscow that justified war to eliminate jihadist extremism now legitimizes the leader of one of its former incarnations. Julani’s self-appointment as president — without elections, without a mandate, and without even the pretense of public legitimacy — has been met in Moscow with diplomatic acceptance.
The contradiction could not be starker. Moscow’s official position on Ukraine rests on a central claim: that President Volodymyr Zelensky is illegitimate because he postponed elections under wartime conditions. Yet the Kremlin now receives Julani, who seized power through a coup and declared himself president by fiat.
By doing so, Russia undermines its own rhetoric on sovereignty and legitimacy. If Zelensky’s democratic delay voids his mandate, how does Julani’s coup confer one?
For the Global South — the audience Moscow most hopes to influence — this is a telling moment. A state that positions itself as the defender of international law and sovereign legitimacy now embraces a warlord who rules without elections.
The geopolitical beneficiaries of this Russian inconsistency are clear. Turkey, long adept at maneuvering between NATO and the region’s Islamist networks, has emerged as the silent architect of Syria’s new reality. Ankara’s sponsorship of “de-escalation zones” in Idlib and its management of opposition factions gave Julani the operational space to consolidate power.
Washington, for its part, achieves through indirection what two decades of intervention could not: a Syrian leadership aligned with Western and Turkish strategic priorities.
One of the most consequential outcomes of the Syrian transition is the accelerated rise of Turkey as a dominant regional power. With the largest standing army in NATO and a leadership unafraid to mix military force with geopolitical ambition, Ankara now stands at the intersection of Middle Eastern and Eurasian realignment.
Syria has become the primary platform for this projection of Turkish influence. By consolidating its presence across Syria, Ankara has transformed what began as a security buffer into a permanent zone of political and economic control. Through its sponsorship of the new Syrian regime under Julani, Turkey effectively commands the flow of trade, energy, and reconstruction contracts between the Mediterranean and the Levant.
This is not the return of empire in a sentimental sense, but in a structural one. Turkey’s policy combines economic integration, military entrenchment, and ideological soft power — a form of modern Ottomanism that extends through diplomacy as much as deployment. The presence of Turkish troops, intelligence networks, and contractors ensures that the Syrian state, under the new regime, will operate within Ankara’s strategic orbit.
But Syria is only one axis of this expansion. The other runs northeast, through the South Caucasus. The emerging corridor across Armenia linking Turkey to Azerbaijan and, through it, to the Turkic republics of Central Asia, represents a historic shift in Eurasian connectivity. This “Zangezur corridor,” long a Turkish aspiration, now offers Ankara direct overland access to the Caspian and beyond.
For Turkey, this means the unbroken projection of influence from the Mediterranean to Central Asia. For NATO, it opens a continuous geopolitical belt connecting Europe’s southeastern flank to the resource-rich heart of Eurasia. And for Russia, it represents a strategic nightmare: the encirclement of its southern periphery by a NATO member state.
Ankara’s advantage lies in coherence. Where Moscow has overextended and Beijing hesitated, Turkey has pursued a multidimensional strategy, combining NATO leverage, energy diplomacy, and cultural affinity across the Turkic world. The corridor through Armenia, supported by Western approval, will cement this advantage. It will make Turkey not only the key regional actor in post-war Syria, but also the indispensable connector between Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, at the expense of Russian and Iranian influence alike.
China’s posture is no less revealing. Despite rhetorical support for sovereignty and non-interference, Beijing has played no meaningful role in stabilizing or rebuilding Syria. Its economic initiatives, such as the Belt and Road, have failed to translate into political influence. In the aftermath of Assad’s ouster, Beijing’s silence underscores its reluctance to confront Western or Turkish dominance in a region it once described as central to its global partnerships.
The result is a vacuum, one that Russia and China jointly helped create through caution, inconsistency, and strategic disengagement.
The Middle East was once presented as the proving ground for the emerging multipolar order, a region where Russia and China could build pragmatic alliances and alternative institutions. That vision has not materialized.
Julani’s self-appointment and Moscow’s acceptance of it represent the disintegration of that claim. Rather than a multipolar balance, Turkey and Israel are expanding their strategic latitude, the U.S. quietly reasserting influence, and Russia is reduced to a reactive player defending its residual footholds.
For Russia, the loss is also reputational. A power that cannot defend its allies, sustain its investments, or uphold its own standards of legitimacy raises questions about its role as an alternative pole in global politics. It becomes, instead, a participant in someone else’s design.
Russia’s recognition of Julani’s self-proclaimed presidency signals that Moscow’s Syria strategy — once the centerpiece of its Middle East resurgence — has reached its endpoint. What began as an assertion of independence from Western hegemony has devolved into a pattern of reactive accommodation.
The handshake in Moscow between Putin and Julani will be remembered as the moment when the promise of a multipolar order began to lose its substance — one pragmatic compromise at a time."
https://x.com/KevorkAlmassian/status/19 ... 5557533945