Category Archives: News & Views

RUSSIAN INFILTRATION OF U.S. CONSERVATIVES

RUSSIAN INFILTRATION OF U.S. CONSERVATIVES
Part 2
This part of the series discusses the transformatino of the @Heritage
Foundation from a Reaganesque organization to a Kremlin apologist organization.
The relationship between Heritage and Hungary started with a meeting of Kevin Roberts and Viktor Orban on November 29, 2022. The Hungarian media reported that they agreed of family values and the importance of religion. It seems clear that Orban used his “social agenda” to find common grounds with Heritage. Orban argues that this social agenda is why he is unpopular in Western Europe (ignoring the real issues).
Poland engaged in the same objections to EU immigration policy and it much more religious as a country, but is among the strongest supporters of Ukraine. Hungary objected to military aid to Ukraine and also is spending less than 1% of its GDP on defense (one of the freeloaders that conservatives, even Heritage folks, have criticized). But Hungary has strong relationship with Russia.
Of course, Hungary is among the bottom third of countries in Europe on religious faith and this has nothing to do with Orban’s brand problem.
Pew Research:
% of people who say they attend church weekly: US 36%, Hungary 9%, Russia 9%.
Pray daily: US 55%, Hungary 16%, Russia 18%
Say religion is very important to them: US 53%, Hungary 14%, Russia 16%.
By March 2023, Heritage and the Danube Institute (chiefly owned by the Hungarian government) signed sa cooperation agreement.

Heritage Foundation and Danube Institute Sign Landmark Cooperation Agreement


Prior to that agreement, the #HeritageFoundation was taking an aggressively pro-Ulkrainian stance.
“In the months leading up to the vote on the Ukraine aid bill, Heritage’s policy experts argued in favor of an aggressive American role in the conflict, including huge amounts of aid.” NYT, May 27, 2023. https://heritage.org/defense/heritage-explains/the-path-forward-ukraine…
One of their fellows posted on twitter and was ordered to delete it:
https://web.archive.org/web/20220511011610/https://twitter.com/lukedcoffey/status/1524196553438728192

After that Hungarian deal, #HeritageFoundation completely flips its position on Ukraine, actually opposing U.S. aid. “Jessica Anderson, the executive director of Heritage’s lobbying operation, released a searing statement — its headline blaring “Ukraine Aid Package Puts America Last” — that framed the measure as reckless and ill-considered.” NYT, May 27, 2023. Then comes the Heritage ad buy in August 2023. What communications did they have on this with the Hungarian Government through the Danube Institute or otherwise? Orban has been an unspoken supporter of Russia in the Ukraine war, repeating many common Kremlin propaganda lines that wwere repeated in the Heritage ad. It seems to be no coincidence.
This is especially suspicious since Heritage’s defense policy chief adviser was bypassed on the op ed and ad buy. He resigned in protest. Did Heritage staff from Hungary participate in the Ukraine material? https://nationalreview.com/2023/08/heritages-top-defense-expert-to-exit-over-ukraine-stance/…
Hungary is accused of supporting Russia and opposes sanctions of Russia. See Part 1. Orban has been vehemently demanding ceasefire in Ukraine in August 2023. He has called countries that sent aid to Ukraine “warmongers.”
https://euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/hungarys-orban-vows-to-maintain-russia-ties/…
@Heritage
has flipped in position 180 degrees to echo many of Orban’s own comments, while dumping of all of advisors who previously supported aid. This is probably not a coincidence.
Heritage has briefed the Freedom Caucus (many of whose members voted to oppose vote) as well as Senator Hawley from Missouri and Governor Ron DeSantis, who based much of his position on Heritage briefings. Hawley has security clearances did he know of the connection to the Hungarian Government? https://nytimes.com/2022/05/27/us/politics/ukraine-aid-heritage-foundation.html… Is Heritage Foundation registered under FARA as an agent of the Hungarian Government? [on-line search found none].They have been advocating policies to US decision-makers. Do any of their staff have security clearances? Why was the Roberts’ op ed piece published without the normal internal review at Heritage? Did the Danube Institute review it in advance? The Hungarian Government?
@RonDeSantis
and all Republicans should be running as far away from @Heritage
as possible, especially on Ukraine issues. This pattern of inside influencing is exactly the typical Russian game plan. Knowlingly staying involved with them after this connection is known is not a smart move and might be very seriously problematic. Republicans at least should fact check what they have been told by Heritage since its recruitment by Hungary.
For detailed description of the recent Heritage Ukraine position and its misleading contents: https://twitter.com/randymot4/status/1695405958455853505?s=20
Part 3 with discuss Tucker Carlson.

The American Conservative split over Ukraine.

Conservative European perspective on Tucker/Heritage/CPAC

Had Tucker Carlson, CPAC and Heritage Foundation wanted to partner up with a new democratic Eastern European country devoted to conservative principles that was successful and very pro-American they could have picked Poland (one of our strongest – if not strongest – allies). Instead they picked Hungary – economically struggling and with a close relationship to Russia. The dark horse in Europe.
Was that decision to go with Hungary and promote Viktor Orban based of the work of Tucker’s father? Did Heritage decide to go seek a Hungarian institute to team with or did the idea come to them?
I fear that my party has been led down a rocky road that ends up going over a cliff. Time to change direction. #ViktorOrban #TuckerCarlson #HeritageFloundation #CPAC

Heritage, it seems, did an especially hard pivot, and is in a feud with one of their former members: https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/a-reply-to-the-heritage-foundations-smears/

Why Heritage Foundation Flipped to be Pro-Russia
The #HeritageFoundation as late as October 2022 was taking an aggressively pro-Ulkrainian stance. “In the months leading up to the vote on the Ukraine aid bill, Heritage’s policy experts argued in favor of an aggressive American role in the conflict, including huge amounts of aid.” NYT, May 27, 2023.
https://heritage.org/defense/heritage-explains/the-path-forward-ukraine
In March 2023, @Heritage
made a deal with the Danube Institute, owned by the Hungarian Government, i.e. Viktor Orban. Did they receive funding from Hungary? What exactly changed hands?

Heritage Foundation and Danube Institute Sign Landmark Cooperation Agreement


After that date, #HeritageFoundation completely flips its position on Ukraine, actually opposing U.S. aid. “Jessica Anderson, the executive director of Heritage’s lobbying operation, released a searing statement — its headline blaring “Ukraine Aid Package Puts America Last” — that framed the measure as reckless and ill-considered.” NYT, May 27, 2023. Then comes the Heritage ad buy in August 2023.
What communications did they have on this with the Hungarian Government through the Danube Institute or otherwise?
Orban has been an unspoken supporter of Russia in the Ukraine war, repeating many common Kremlin propaganda lines. It seems to be no coincidence that @Heritage
has now picked up many of the same themes. This is especially suspicious since Heritage did not change its defense policy chief adviser. He was bypassed on the op ed and ad buy. Did Heritage staff from Hungary participate in the Ukraine material?

Heritage’s Top Defense Expert to Exit over Ukraine Stance


Hungary is accused of supporting Russia and opposes sanctions of Russia. Does Orban have financial connections to the Kremlin that may extend beyond his government’s energy dealings?

Hungary’s Orbán vows to maintain Russia ties


@Heritage
has flipped in position 180 degrees to echo many of Orban’s own comments. This is probably not a coincidence.
Heritage has briefed the Freedom Caucus (many of whose members voted to oppose vote) as well as Senator Hawley from Missouri and Governor Ron DeSantis, who based much of his position on Heritage briefings. Hawley has security clearances did he know of the connection to the Hungarian Government?

Is Heritage Foundation registered under FARA as an agent of the Hungarian Government? [on-line search foiund none].They have been advocating policies to US decision-makers. Do any of their staff have security clearances? Why was the Roberts’ op ed piece published without the normal internal review at Heritage? Did the Danube Institute review it in advance? The Hungarian Government?
@RonDeSantis
and all Republicans should be running as far away from @Heritage
as possible, especially on Ukraine issues. This pattern of inside influencing is exactly the typical Russian game plan. Knowlingly staying involved with them after this connection is known is not a smart move and might be very seriously problematic.

Heritage Foundation and Danube Institute Sign Landmark Cooperation Agreement

For detailed description of the recent Heritage Ukraine position and its misleading contents:
https://twitter.com/randymot4/stat

Russian Statements about the Use of Chemical Weapons in Azovstal

https://www.mk.ru/politics/2022/04/11/basurin-predlozhil-brat-azovstal-khimicheskimi-voyskami.html

Представитель народной милиции ДНР Эдуард Басурин сообщил о сложностях штурма завода “Азовсталь” в Мариуполе, где находятся 3-4 тысячи участников украинских добровольческих батальонов. В этой связи он предложил обратиться за помощью к “химическим войскам”.

“Там подземные этажи, поэтому брать данный объект штурмом смысла не имеет”, – объяснил Басурин в эфире Первого канала, добавив, что это может привести к гибели большого количества солдат наступающей стороны, а противник потерь практически не понесет.

В связи этим Басурин предложил разобраться с блокировкой завода и найти все входы и выходы.

“А после этого уже обратиться, я думаю, к химическим войскам, которые найдут способ, как выкурить кротов из своих нор”, – отметил представитель народной милиции ДНР.

Он затруднился назвать точную цифру бойцов украинской стороны, которые находятся на заводе, но предположил, что их может быть от трех до четырех тысяч человек.

“Поверьте, для хорошо укрепленного района это большая цифра”, – заметил Басурин.

True Believer from Zaporizhia Region Discovers “Banderivtsi” are not the problem

She is in hysterics after watching Russian soldiers rape and shoot children.

—–
This is evidenced by a telephone conversation intercepted by the SSU between a militant of the so-called DNR (whose unit is now stationed in Kherson region) and his relative who lives in Tarasivka villiage, Zaporizhia region.
Influenced by Russian propaganda, the woman had a different image of ‘liberators’, but the reality is shocking.
‘Seryozha, come here and see what’s happening here! I’m not telling you some bullsh*t! I always believed you! I believed, as you explained to me about the Banderites – I hated them. Now, who should I hate?’ the woman asks her nephew.
She does not know how to protect her 14- and 10-year-old granddaughters from the ‘liberators’. ‘We give them sausages, and they break into houses, rape children and shoot in the legs,’ the woman cries. ‘What should I do? They walk around the village, ask where the young girls are and offer diesel for them…’
The relative advises: ‘If there is an opportunity – go somewhere. To the rear, somewhere to the city.’
—–

Russia organized both sides of a Texas mosque protest in 2016

Russian actors organized both anti-Islam and pro-Islam protests in the same location at the same time on May 21, 2016, using separate Facebook pages operated from a so-called troll farm in St. Petersburg, the Senate Intelligence Committee disclosed on Wednesday.

A Facebook page named Heart of Texas, whose link to Russia was first reported by Business Insider, organized a rally at noon on May 21 at the Islamic Da’wah Center in Houston to “Stop Islamization of Texas.” The account paid to promote the event, which was viewed by about 12,000 people, said the committee’s chairman, Sen. Richard Burr.

Another Russia-linked account, United Muslims of America, organized a counterprotest — a “Save Islamic Knowledge” rally.

https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-trolls-senate-intelligence-committee-hearing-2017-11

Senate Intelligence Committee found that Black Americans were the largest demographic group targeted by Russia

Senate Intelligence Committee found that Black Americans were the largest demographic group targeted by Russia in its 2016 election efforts, a tactic that continued into the 2020 election.”
Like: ‘Blacks, Stay home.’ ‘No need 2 vote 4 Hillary Clinton.’

https://www.justsecurity.org/86424/the-april-2023-indictment-for-russian-election-interference-and-threats-to-u-s-democracy/

Hinkle went from radical leftist to radical right wing.

Exactly the type whom the Kremlin seems to attract. As long as you’re radical, they can work with you.

Howard Zinn book.
Bernie Mural.
End the Military Industrial Complex.

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, like Dostoyevsky, fantasized about Russia taking over India

In The Last Break Southward (1995), Zhirinovsky described his worldview. “Since the 1980s, I have elaborated a geopolitical conception—the last break southward, Russia’s reach to the shores of the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean.” This is “really the solution for the salvation of the Russian nation … It solves all problems and we gain tranquility.”[47] Russia will rule the space “from Kabul to Istanbul.”[48] The United States would feel safer with the Russian rule in the region, since wars there would cease under the Russian rule. Perhaps, some people in Kabul, Teheran, or Ankara would not like it but many people would feel better. “The Persians and Turks would suffer a bit but all the rest would gain.”[49]

The “bells of the Orthodox Church must bell from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean.” And Jerusalem becomes close. It is necessary that “the Christian world reunifies in Jerusalem.” The Palestinian problem can be solved by partial transfer of the Palestinian population to the former territories of Turkey and Iran.[50] The great Russian language and Russian ruble would wield Near Eastern and Central Asian peoples into one Russian citizenship.[51]

***

Dostoyevsky:

Egregious examples arise in his “Diary of a Writer”, a genre-bending collection of fictional and non-fictional sketches produced towards the end of his life, in which he enthused about the then-ongoing Russian conquest of Central Asia. In a passage written in January 1881, he celebrates the Russian army’s victory at Geok-Tepe (now Gokdepe in Turkmenistan), a bloody battle that cemented the empire’s authority in the region. As Olga Maiorova of the University of Michigan notes, in the book Dostoyevsky hopes Russia will continue its conquest into Asia, so that people “all the way to India” might “become convinced of the invincibility of the white tsar”.

Source: https://www.economist.com/culture/2022/10/06/yes-the-russian-literary-canon-is-tainted-by-imperialism

Collection of Russian Propaganda by Kamil Galeev — illustrates why calling them Orcs rings so true.

https://twitter.com/kamilkazani/status/1562438956570284033

Why Russians dislike Gorbachev, but show their respects anyway.

Another fantastic thread by Kamil Galeev.

https://twitter.com/kamilkazani/status/1565348324831789056

Rest In Peace, Yuri Samaniuk

“He died like a knight, with arms in his hands”.

A scout, a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yurii Samaniuk with the call sign “Thirteen” died while fighting in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Recently, Yurii and his comrades-in-arms joined the 78th Special Forces Regiment “Herts”, before that he served in The 93rd Mechanized Brigade “Kholodnyi Yar” and the Ukrainian Volunteer Army. Yuriy has fought in the battles for Kyiv, Kharkiv, Soledar, and Bakhmut.

“The path to victory is difficult and thorny. In the battles for freedom, we lose the most loyal sons of Ukraine,” the regiment where the soldier served said in a statement.

Samaniuk was a well-known free-fighting, hand-to-hand hopak fighter, he liked sports tourism and folk musical instruments, participated in volunteer camps for orphans.

In December 2022, “Thirteen” became a holder of the Order of Courage, 3rd class, for personal courage and selflessness in the defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and loyalty to the military oath. He was also awarded the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s Golden Cross, the Steel Cross of the command of the 93rd Brigade, 2nd degree, and the Honor. Glory. State” medal.

Yurii was an active participant in the Revolution of Dignity, including clashes in the January on Hrushevskoho Street.

Today, the hero said goodbye in Kyiv, and tomorrow and the day after that, his native Vorokhta will say goodbye. Samaniuk is survived by his wife and two young children.

May the warrior’s soul rest in peace!

Photos: danylo.dubchak

! All photos belong to the author and project. You are welcome to share it, but not for commercial purposes.

The material was prepared with the support of the Association “Independent Regional Publishers of Ukraine” as part of the implementation of the Regional Media Support Hub project. The author’s viewpoint does not necessarily coincide with the official position of the partners.

Photos by Danylo Dubchak:

RT @visegrad24: Slovenia was supposed to commemorate the National Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Communist Violence in Slovenia on Ma…

RT @visegrad24: Slovenia was supposed to commemorate the National Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Communist Violence in Slovenia on Ma…

RT @2Russophobic4u: Ah yes, the totally “random” event where 100% of Crimean Tatars mysteriously disappeared from Crimea, up to half of the…

RT @2Russophobic4u: Ah yes, the totally “random” event where 100% of Crimean Tatars mysteriously disappeared from Crimea, up to half of the…