Analysts apply theories to interpret events, to forecast, to influence and even to warn. Behind this is determinism, the theory that all events are inexorable, the result of causations independent of human foible.
Determinists rule our century, we bask in their hubris and ignorance. When their theories fail, a new algorithm applied to fake data is turned to, and the descent into catastrophe, though inexorable to the rational, disappears at the determinists’ other theory, that of denialism.
As we move into February 2020, the tensions, the hate, the anger can be felt around the world. To most, if not all sentient mammals, the idea of governments and institutions as primary actors is at an end. Banditry, hypocrisy and hedonism rule.
The denialists in Washington are tasked with prolonging the fall of the American empire. The determinists view the death throes and call them “trends.”
Rationalists, if they existed, would offer a different view. They might well postulate that the criminally insane have taken over the asylum and all the rest of us can do is buckle up and enjoy the ride.
We will take a few examples, but the real issue is controlling rage. After all, we are only as civilized and abiding as our reptile brains allow, shielded and encased in a structure of laws, of religions, of a narrative that speaks of trust in institutions but drowns us all in rage.
Syria provides several examples. Days ago, residential neighborhoods in Damascus came under missile attack by Israel. VT’s offices there were nearly hit. There are no military facilities nearby. The attack, against one of the best air defense systems in the world, was perpetrated by launching missiles that followed a Russian civilian passenger jet into Damascus airport with 172 onboard.
This isn’t the first time this has been done. From the BBC, September 18, 2018:
“Russia has said Syria shot down one of its military planes – but laid the blame for the deaths of the 15 personnel on board with Israel.
The defence ministry said Israeli jets put the Il-20 plane into the path of Syrian air defence systems on Monday after failing to give Moscow enough warning of a strike on Syrian targets.
The Il-20 disappeared off the radar at about 23:00 local time (20:00 GMT).
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) has expressed “sorrow” over the deaths.”
The most recent Israeli attack, no imaginary Iranians living in this Damascus working class neighborhood, destroyed shops and residences, facts unreported in the Western press. From RT:
“The A320 was landed “at the closest alternative airfield,” the ministry stated. It also said the surprise attack took place around 2am local time, with four Israeli F-16s firing at least eight air-to-surface missiles from outside of Syrian airspace.
Tel Aviv is perfectly aware of civilian flight routes and air activity around Damascus, day and night, and such reckless missions prove that Israeli strategists could not care less about possible civilian casualties, Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said.”
Russia has had great patience with Israel for a very long time and the language used by General Konashenkov is a distinct change from the past. Israel, of course, hides behind the power of the United States, acting with impunity and demonstrating unrestrained gangsterism and bullying, pure schoolyard behavior until someone steps in.
With American policy set by former CIA director Michael Pompeo, a dismal figure at best, both toadying and haughty, all that is left is Russia. Israel is begging for a retaliatory strike from Russia that would lead to a very high risk of war.
As happens almost daily for those who watch international events, why is it always left to Russia to be diplomatic and sensible when confronted with hubris and brutality that escalates almost hourly?
We then move to the OPCW investigation released on February 7, 2020 of the chemical weapons-White Helmets issue in Syria. As most would know, if the western press weren’t totally censored, the US and the “coalition allies” have attacked Syria and sanctioned Syria and Russia based, initially, on Facebook posts by al-Qaeda, and later by an OPCW “study.”
That “study,” based on conjecture, fake testimony and a skewed forensics process, was “ratted out,” a delightful American term, by whistleblowers.
A pattern of documents revealed a conspiracy by the OPCW to fake an investigation against Syria and Russia.
Then, of course, we have the Russian investigation, made possible after the Syrian Arab Army freed areas of the alleged attacks from occupation by terrorists. Witnesses came forward, those included in faked gas attack films, citing White Helmet collusion with Western intelligence agencies and their al Qaeda allies to stage false flag chemical attacks.
It was also revealed in this investigation, which took alleged victims, the medical personnel that supposedly treated them and 40 members of the White Helmets organization that staged the fake attacks to The Hague to testify before the ICC.
Still, despite the overwhelming deluge of facts to the contrary, the OPCW has now chosen to betray reality itself, stating that no whistleblower could be trusted, even if the documentation they supplied proving their allegations was genuine.
In the process, the OPCW has now pushed a nuclear superpower into a corner, essentially bullying the “toughest kid on the block” and believing their will be no consequences.
What is of course “out there” is a declaration that the OPCW, the White Helmets and those that aid them, as not just supporters of terrorism but is guilty of material aid to terrorist groups.
That, of course, opens their membership up for retribution, using the legal basis established by the United States. If Russia were to make the kind of “collateral damage” mistakes that the US made in Pakistan alone, 30,000 innocent civilians might die “acceptably,” using figures supplied by both military experts and Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Conclusion
America is like a child that pushes its parents, breaking windows, killing the family dog, burning down a neighbor’s home and expecting no consequences.
Truth is, the world order, as it has developed in the post-war era, has fostered exactly this mind set, seen by a rationalist as “free will” skewed by a touch of schizophrenia.
Bolstering the determinists is the dissolution of institutions and the “new think” irrelevance of moral relativism.
Behind moral relativism is the concept of justice and retribution. In Washington, no one yet believes the dance will end. When it does end, one thing is clear, no one will be left to explain it all to the determinists, who will, of course, all be dead.
Gordon Duff is a Marine combat veteran of the Vietnam War that has worked on veterans and POW issues for decades and consulted with governments challenged by security issues. He’s a senior editor and chairman of the board of Veterans Today, especially for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook.”