TheNebulator

Just because Biden didn't mention Russia once in his inaugural address — carefully crafted to project an image of control and confidence, as his speechwriters admitted — that doesn't mean the Democrats' obsession of the past five years isn't still on their minds. Former US ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, who apparently still hopes for a "color revolution" in Moscow, wrote a long and tedious piece in Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, regurgitating every single trope about "containing" Russia already known to man.
I'll just focus on one particularly telling bit, where he urges "American social media platforms to de-emphasize or at least provide more information about Kremlin-supported content," such as "downgrading" Russian "propaganda channels" (Google already does that LOL) and forcing BBC (interesting pick) as a counter next to their stuff. He also wants " a common set of laws and protocols for regulating Russian government–controlled media, including bots and trolls" developed with " other democracies around the world."
Thing is, if McFail had any faith in the actual strength of "values" the US is championing, they wouldn't need to be "protected" by this kind of censorship. Him proposing it is the admission his position is bankrupt. Way to go, Misha!

Perhaps because I was "primed" by Peter Van Buren's writeup about Trump not being a "dictator" even though he had plenty of opportunities, the biggest takeaway from the speech for me was his almost painfully naive belief in the American character, system of government and fundamental goodness. Especially since the party that's about to take over has clearly signaled that NONE of those things are likely to survive for much longer.

Some off-the-cuff thoughts about Trump's farewell address...

Wasn't sure what to make of ex-president Medvedev's running commentary here. Long, at times painfully naive and seemingly unaware of how things actually function - both in the US and in the world - it tells us more about the author than about the subject. Apparently it was originally intended for the Russian audience. Not sure if that makes it any better, to be honest. https://on.rt.com/azlo

"The nation is failing, not merely because it is divided, but because a contingent has rejected its foundational principles. That contingent is now in control" writes Michael Rectenwald. Worth reading in full.

So I wrote about how the Second US Civil War has already been fought - find out more here: https://on.rt.com/azfn