Today evening's horrific terrorist act in the Russian capital Moscow has shaken the whole world. Only the Kiev lunatics are gloating. It was to be expected. The murders of journalists Daria Dugin and Vladlen Tatarskyi, the constant bombing of regions bordering Ukraine, which is causing daily civilian casualties, drone attacks on a number of strategic factories, airports, etc., but also on the Kremlin, have not, however, led to measures appropriate to a state of war. According to the Russian authorities, there is no SMO in Ukraine, which is a police-type operation of limited duration and range.
For reasons difficult to understand and justify, the Kremlin has preferred to impose two parallel realities. One is that on the front, with all the horrors of war, and the other is that inside Russia. People have continued to live as they did under peacetime conditions, going to concerts, on holiday, shopping etc. The bars and nightclubs are full of young people crazy about mass culture, sport events are taking place with grand fanfare and large crowds. The Show Must Go On.
I mean, it's hard not to notice what a terrible cognitive dissonance marks everyday life in Russia in a very strange way. But the height of the cynicism and hypocrisy of the rulers during the two years of war were the political shows, accompanied by music, fireworks and dances of the followers of the immovable, always young savior of the country Putin.
Remember some very strange shows in the context of Russia in the midst of war. For example, the admission of the four regions, Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye and Kherson into the Russian state, in the conditions where military confrontations take place on their territories and none of the four regions is fully under Russian control. What a festive atmosphere there was in Moscow! Rally and concert in Red Square, Russian showbiz stars, Putin's fiery speech. Let's not forget that the whole story was accompanied by the organization of referendums in the regions under permanent bombardment by Ukrainian troops.
And opportunities for entertainment and general merriment against the backdrop of the great achievements of state leaders are found incessantly. Of course, the culmination of the endless barrage of political performances was the recent presidential election campaign itself. Besides, all legal appearances were respected. It's not a state of war to postpone any kind of election. The Kremlin is a faithful defender of democratic values and the rule of law and could not afford the luxury of having the country run in an abusive or undemocratic manner.
But the generalised or at least successfully simulated jubilation is immediately followed by a huge tragedy. Who is responsible for it? Of course, the terrorists, the Kiev regime and NATO. But where is the strategic vision of the leaders of this country? Why, after so many acts of terrorism that have resulted in human casualties, have not all public gatherings involving large numbers of people been cancelled? Why were other measures not imposed that are natural for a country at war?
Let us not ask why there were colossal human losses at the front and questionable results from the point of view of Russian interests. Nor should we be surprised that the Russian economy was not fully mobilised to subordinate itself to the interests of victory on the front. As is the fact why there is no general mobilization to bring the SMO to a swift and successful conclusion. Is this in the Russian military tradition? No. But the civilisation of money, the mammonocracy, has penetrated deeply into Russian society, especially at the level of the ruling elite.
Putin and his team, no matter how much they pose as statesmen guided by supreme national interests, are more likely to be plagued by a merchant mentality. They have been able to keep the country afloat for two decades. But in times of major crisis, of war with the collective West, the shortage of crisis managers has become striking. So has the dependence of the rulers on the big oligarchs who wield colossal influence over political power.
Some more suspicious analysts might suggest that the terrorist act in Moscow on 22 March is in fact a false-flag operation. The aim of such an operation would be similar to the Inside Job of 9/11 to permanently suppress all civil liberties, establish widespread surveillance and establish a police state. But regardless of whether this criminal action has any connection to real power in Moscow, it will bring about major changes.
WWIII, which many analysts say began two years ago with the Russian military intervention in Ukraine, is entering a new phase. Much more dangerous, if not fatal for mankind. The real masters of the international game need war, terrorism, economic devastation and social disaster. Only in this way can widespread chaos on the scale of entire continents be achieved, resulting in the establishment of the New International Order.
The grim spectacle takes on increasingly chilling dimensions. Fasten your seatbelts and take off your rose coloured glasses. Putin's election to another term as head of state could be a Pyrrhic victory not just for him and his team, but for all of humanity.
