Dear friends,
While I did not reply to any comments, I have read them very carefully. I have also received a lot of emails and, again, I read all of them very carefully. I also consulted with my family, a few very trusted friends and advisors and I have prayed for God to allow me to discern His will and I have taken the following decisions:
First, I will shut down the blog no later than at the end of February.
Second, for a host of reasons, I cannot transfer the blog to any one person or group of trusted people. This sounds like a great idea until you look at tons of details and it becomes an impossible one.
Third, yes, I would like to keep the entire archive of the blog available somewhere on the Internet.
However,
I do not want to maintain any association with either the archive itself or the people who would be hosting it. Simply put, I don’t want to be involved in maintaining it.
Finally, I will keep paying and owning the domain name thesaker.is but this will be the only financial commitment I am willing to make. However, I am willing to point this domain name to any IP address hosting the archive of the blog should one be made available (that would be my only personal involvement in the maintenance of this archive).
These are my main conclusions and decisions so far.
Now a few points and questions to all of you, my dear Saker community:
First, while I don’t have the energy to seek out a possible archive, I am open to suggestions. Ideally, I would prefer an archive with the following characteristics:
- It would be preferable to have it hosted on servers located in Zone B (outside the Empire)
- It would be preferable if the blog’s archive could be hosted by groups/entity/corporation/etc. with some disposable money (as opposed to a single well-intentioned individual). Simply put: hosting a large archive on a server and maintaining it requires both 1) skilled personnel and 2) money to pay for the costs.
If anybody reading these words has any suggestions or wants to offer to host the archive, please contact me at either vineyardsaker@gmail.com (preferred) or TheSaker@protonmail.ch (backup if needed).
By the way, I will keep these two emails even after I close down the blog, so if you need to contact me, you will have these two emails as options.
Next, the issue of my guest authors:
- I will still post some articles until the final shutdown at the end of February, however, I will only post articles by former contributors giving them a last chance to share something with the rest of us (my apologies to new authors!!!)
- I am thinking about one possible solution for our guest authors, but I won’t mention it until I have all the facts aligned and it seems viable to me. Please give me some time to sort through a few options :-)
Finally,
I will not write any analyses of the current events. However, I will do two things:
- I will keep you all informed by posting updates here.
- I will make a few more personal posts in which I will share with you some things I feel like addressing before shutting down the blog forever (at least until some semblance of sanity has returned to our poor planet, and I am not holding my breath…). I also have a few messages I want to direct to some specific groups and that will be the chance for me to do so. In fact, there are a few things I never addressed on the blog which I want to address before bowing out and leaving the stage.
That’s it for me now.
Well, one more request: please post as many comments as you want, but please only email me if your email is related to the shutdown of the blog (I am swamped with emails and they take a lot of time to read, nevermind reply to).
And, I almost forgot: IF you are interested in this, I would be willing to record one video replying to any questions you might have about geopolitics, the war, music and even personal questions. I would, of course, choose the questions and only reply to those which I find appropriate, but that would be something I could do during the next few weeks if there is an interest in it. So, if you are interested, please do EMAIL me (do not ask in the comments section please) and please make SURE to include “Q&A with Andrei” in the subject line of your email.
Okay, now I think I am done on my side.
Your turn: thoughts/suggestions/complaints?
Hugs and cheers
Andrei
Hi Saker – when you say you will keep posting updates – do you mean until Feb ? Or continue on blogging but not on geopolitics.
Geesh.
Yup, until the end of Feb. After that, I will stop that too.
Hugs
Great sadness losing the Vineyard. It is a vital asset to what must be hundreds of thousands of people of good will and thoughtfulness around the globe.
I am shocked at this news. I always hoped your ‘retirement’ would leave the Vineyard in good managing hands rather than shutting it down.
There is a depository of wisdom and highly relevant facts, data that is precious and would be historically.
And the dynamic of the Vineyard was not just the Saker but the powerful voices of many others, authors and commenters.
Shutting the Vineyard is losing a powerful weapon of Truth in this crucial moment of Clashing Civilizations.
It reduces Russian and Iranian/Persian voices who have a very hard time being heard in the West.
I might be so brash and bold, Saker, that you almost have no right to do this, though you are the owner.
I need more time to process this coming loss.
We all loose the platform, your critical thinking, a guide to many cultures, a place for our small voice, and a shield and weapon against the satanic, evil, fascist tyranny that has spread across the globe as ideological virus of the devil.
This is a sad, sad day.
I hope our friendship will continue, Andrei.
You got it Bernie, our friendship will continue.
And yes, believe me, this was no easy decision but now I know that it was the right and only one.
Hugs
Andrei
If a US-Russia war is somehow avoided over the next 1-2 years would you consider coming back at that time?
maybe. It is hard to see that far ahead :-)
Saker – if this all blows over – please come back – yer part of my life.
I agree 1,000% but have to respect Saker’s decision, something is wrong though, very wrong, dark times for sure. That said, perhaps you will now have the time to collaborate on some more music projects, hopefully that is still a viable voice of yours. You play so beautifully, a thousand words in each note. God bless you brother and thank you for your time as well as the extremely valuable education/resources you have provided myself and your readers at large.
Hi Andrei,
I am really sad to see this blog disappear. Still, I understand your angle and I fully support you in making such a decision. It is just too much weight to carry on your back alone. I just hope closing the blog is not related to doomsday scenario :). In an era of MSM-fabricated reality, for many of us, The Saker has become a home of sanity, a lighthouse. Truth is, your work has changed many lives on this planet. Thank you for doing that. Many moons ago, I contacted you and offered my help with graphic design, and eventually, I had the honor to design your book covers. Needless to say, if you happen to write a new one, do not hesitate to reach out. God Bless You.
Dalibor
hi
you have been a goto site, for so manny, and for so long.
please continue
last year an unstoppable force has finally encountered an un movable wall.
this time it will be stoped by the good people of this planet.
there is thousands of sane people reading this blog
you are the voice for us you are not alone
you have made a difference to manny willing to look behind the curtain
please reconsider
my regards
bulent
Very sad knowing the Blog is done. Thanks for the great work. The message you send changed my life.
I wish you and your family a very good and fertile life.
César, Júlio.
Good Day Andrei, I was surprised and saddened to read of your plan today, but of course I respect your decision and the reasoning behind it. Ever since the first time that I discovered the site, I have enjoyed the content and enjoyed even more the knowledge that there were people that could make such a site possible. I suppose that there is not much more to say except that I wish you all the best in future and to let you know that I think that you have done an outstanding job.
Sorry to see you go.
MoonOfA started his site when Billmon shut down his comment section (back in 2004).
Perhaps somebody else wants to take over from Andrei and provide a new home for the community ?
Very sad here!
Though we have our differences, this site ihas been a daily go-to for me for some time.
I hope you are keeping your Telegram channel?
Dear Andrei,
You are one of the very few that has put the spot light on Serbian people plight and for that I am eternally grateful.
Afore ye go…possible to provide a list of your contributors as to where they may still be found and we can save would be much appreciated.
As someone who has been reading this for a couple of years now, I think your departure is a tremendous loss to the cause of the free exchange of ideas concerning the geopolitical world we live in today.
While I don’t agree with everything you do, you have been fearless in putting yourself out there with incisive, thoughtful and relevant information and analysis. I have also really appreciated many of your guest columnists here.
I wish you the best, and thank you deeply for your service to the truth and to our common humanity.
I also hope someone might come forward to carry this community forward.
My heart-felt and deepest appreciation, thanks, to brave Saker.
When he first mooted the idea of the shut-down it seemed inevitable. Like Chekhov’s “gun on the wall”.
I am very sorry that the “seeming” has developed to the doing.
We all hoped that the History would be a happier one.
If Saker and our family were physically neighbors, we’d get along…but we’re pretty different… Orthodox and Quaker might dictate some polite distance.
God bless you Andrei!
P
a pair of strange birds,
the saker and the quaker;
different wings, same sky
I like that !
So do I.
The warrior monk
The anoxia sharpshooter
Same song, same plumage
Andrei, do as you must as your conscience and heart dictate. You’ve been a wonderful resource for so many
for so long. All good things come to an end, but the memories remain. Thank you for all you’ve selflessly given. All the best to your family and for your future, in Spirit, D.
This website and you personally, as the Saker whom I’ve only known through this forum, have been invaluable resources in my life. I found here an environment that allowed me to find a way in to posting comments on geopolitical sites, something I’d never tried before but became very adjusted to over the years. This place allowed me to find my way, and my voice. Further, you are truly irreplaceable as an analyst, your viewpoint is unique. That said, I feel strongly that you must be fully supported with your decision to close the blog. It is not right to ask one person to shoulder this kind of workload and burden for an infinite period of time. Someone else will have to step up. It’s as simple as that. Thank you to you and everyone who made the Vineyard of the Saker work for all these years!
Andrei,
Thank you kindly for all your fine work, and I applaud your decision.
Although I am hoping outright war is not coming, it is already here.
America descends into chaos.
The digital reality is both blessing and curse.
One must sleep with oneself, and I am sure you are able to do so , without remorse.
Bless your heart and soul, I will miss all your fine efforts to provide sanity in the world gone mad, and I give thanks for all you have done at great personal cost to yourself.
Please be well and rest assured. One must put the first oxygen mask onto one’s own face
I wouldn’t give the archive to anyone since you never know what happens with it in the long run. It can even be hacked and used in a very wrong way. Nothing will be lost, at least not in a spiritual way. All the content is already above and beyond, used for later generations. Cleaning up is such a wonderful thing to do. Giving the floor to others will bring growth and new depth. Nobody should depend on anyone but themselves. Imagine all the new things coming into life. It’s just there. Wonder.
Greetings to you.
I know that you didn’t take your decision to shut the blog off lightly, so I respect your decision to inform us.
It will be an understatement to say that I am sad to see the end of what, for me, as become a GOTO site in these difficult times, when the censors are overworking themselves to throttle free speech.
I am happy to have been part of The Saker story with my two contributions – My thanks and appreciation preciation.
My best wishes to you and your family.
Best regards,
Femi
Saker, are you leaving because of health issues or because of geopolitical reasons?
I wantee to ask you about the Russian civil war after the Bolshevik revolution.
As i understand the majority were not in the red or white camp. There were also the “Greens” who were not happy with the Reds and Whites. They were ordinary people, farmers. They fought against both the Reds and Whites.
Andrei, I want to thank you for all of the enjoyment this blog has given me over the years.
I really felt that I was part of a community and looked at my fellow commentators as friends.
As a ethnic Russian living in the USA (like yourself), I appreciate the courage it takes to continually tell the truth regarding USA, Russia and its military operation in Ukraine.
Henry David Thereau said Read not the times, read the eternities. In that spirit, it is good that you’re stepping away from world politics. As Jesus said The kingdom of heaven is within.
Nice to see a quote from Thoreau.
My favourite is “For every thousand hacking at the branches of evil, there is only one prepared to strike at the root.”
Andrei struck at the root.
That he did and a direct strike at that!
Dear Saker,
Thank you so much for your great effort in enlightening and explaining our current World – for analyses without peer and a great community.
Music, poetry, religion, art can all serve as reminders of what our World should be – a fellowship of us all. I hope we one day will progress from the stupidest species with a suicide wish to a species working for enjoying our opportunites together. I will always look back at singing in international choirs with 30+ nations from all continents as the natural human condition, where no one would dare hate or condescend.
Best of wishes for the next period of time – it’s been a privelege to visit the saker every other day for a decade!
Ketil
Andrei: Naturally, this is your call and I have to respect that.
But I’m curious, what’s so imperative about the end of February? Have you received some kind of “inside information”? Are you under some sort of external pressure?
Obviously if these are sensitive issues, you need not respond. But if you’re free to elaborate further, I for one would like to know. I guess it’s just the suddenness of the transition from “IF active war breaks out” to “the blog will definitely be shut down” that makes me wonder and ask.
Regardless, my best wishes to you and yours, and to all the Saker’s many “fledglings”.
Andrei, thank you for your invaluable insights throughout the years. I and many others are eternally grateful for your service to us all. I wish you and you family the very best, and I sincerely hope that we have not heard the last from you. All the best.
Hi Andrei
I’m so sorry to hear about your health challenges and the fact that you have had to make the momentous decision to shut down this wonderful site.
I absolutely understand that you must follow your heart on this matter and that your health and family are to be considered far above anything else.
I have said it before and I will say it again – thesaker.is is THE premier geopolitical think-tank/blog on the planet. Nothing else even comes close when it comes to longevity, quality of articles, and the amazing contribution of the highly informed and eclectic commenters who flesh out your own, and of course the many guest writer’s articles.
I consider all of your fears regarding the likely imminent escalation in Ukraine to be absolutely warranted because of the unbelievably appalling nature of basically all western “leadership” (sic) and their crazy gung-ho group-think mentality.
This factor alone makes the situation vastly more volatile than the so-called “Cuban” Missile Crisis. My personal intuition tells me that these western lunatics will go for broke now, simply because they have no plan B. Nor do they have any chance whatsoever of saving face. IOW both sides see the situation as winning at all costs and as essentially an existential war.
Just to add further to the mix, the entire U$ domestic financial meltdown is imminent and parallels the worsening military situation. This presents just another reason for these lunatics to try to kick over the card table.
Furthermore, the petrodollar has already gone up in smoke, which means bye-bye reserve currency status, and of course the taken-for-granted stream of overseas countries sheeplike willingness to purchase US debt.
The emergence of the BRIICS+ bloc is also an existential event that compounds the situation further. Natostan knows this – especially now that they are about to lose all of their influence in their habitual LatAm playground – which incidentally is the home to almost twice the population of the US.
All in all a perfect storm has developed with the luny-tunes left with no escape avenue. This makes them tremendously dangerous and completely unpredictable. Sadly, independently I have come to the very same dire conclusion as you have Andrei.
My sincere and heartfelt wishes to you my friend
Col
Best wishes Saker.
It is a bewildering world and not in a good sense. It helps to separate oneself from it every now and then. What we are today experiencing is the current result of infinite past acts. You’ve done your part to right the ship and you have in many ways you will never realize. Bon voyage, my friend…
The blog ending on end of February would be kind of a symbolic way to go out, I suppose. Its a great, great pity though and is going to be so missed by so many whom have learned so much from here.
Best wishes noble one, for you and your family! Hope for the best, but expect the worst… there is a lot to happen and idk exactly where all my pacifism ideas for the world will lead me and the ones I love. But at least we are awake in the big picture, and nothing is set on stone for the future.
Good luck and good health in all your future endeavors. I hope you can find a host, as much of the information is very valuable. It will be a sad day when this blog is gone. The very first site visit.
Though I’ve been a reader of Saker’s blog for a number of years, this is my first time posting here. Probably my last too. Deeply saddened to hear of Andrei’s decision to close this wonderful and informative blog. I’m based in the UK and – as many of you undoubtedly know – our media is now completely dysfunctional and even worse than useless. It is actually extremely dangerous.
There are a small of number of websites and blogs from independent analysts, commentators and journalists that I’ve been getting my daily news from the last few years and Saker’s vineyard has become one of my most trusted sources.
The loss of this blog is a huge blow to the many of us in the West who are earnestly seeking fresh and truthful perspectives on geopolitics. But it sounds like you’ve made peace with your decision and that it is for the best in terms of your family and your own health.
As someone else has suggested, it would be wonderful if you could leave a home page that contains links to where we may still find the various wonderful guest commentators you’ve featured on the Vineyard.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Andrei, I am shocked and saddened that you are closing the blog. I first discovered the saker in 2014 when the coup took place in Ukraine. I understand your situation, and you must do what is right for you and your family.
The world is on the brink of nuclear annihilation, and too many people don’ t even care. Just thank you for everything – education, poetry, music and the authors who have contributed so much.
Blessings to you and your family.
likewise – that’s when I found Saker too – and it was like – finally – sanity –
Incredible piece of unwanted news. This is a source of invaluable knowledge and an irreplaceable arrow in the quiver of the sane but it is your call, Saker. It saddens me greatly. I wish you all the best.
Best wishes to you and yours, and thanks for the effort.
Thanks Saker.
p.s. What Larch said.
This blog had become one of the places of sanity, away from mental torture on planetary scare we have witnessed past two decades. There will be youtube mainly, but people who excel in art of writing don’t necessarily excel in art of speech. So we must hunt around for the written word.
It must have been a very serious and practical reason you came to this conclusion.
God Bless!
Sad day i must say,but it must have been very difficult at times for several reasons running the Blog,i will miss it and the many fine posters,good luck to you and your family going forward,and thanks for the memory.
Oh dear, grand news. Yes. Taking care of oneself, family, cultivating relationships that will sustain you for the grand finale. I get it, and as much as I lament your closing act, I totally, unequivocally support you and you decision. With fond memories, I bid you farewell. Holding the light, the Christ Consciousness is rising. God Speed my dear pal, contributors, the back end peoples. May we continue to be blessed, perhaps we shall find each other on alternate forums.
I shall miss your calm appraisals, and ability to translate source material into my language.
And I shall miss your Christian perspective, although it is a different ‘flavor’ than my Presbyterian upbringing, it is clearly Christian.
Cheers, good luck, stay safe, and I hope we meet again.
—
A
Andrei,I can’t bring myself to believe that we will go to WWIII .My faith in our future , humanity is very bright and enlightened .Humanity is going through the dark night of the soul right now and it be that way . Tomorrow the bright sunshine will be there for all of us .Take heart , because you are an essential part of voyage that we are all embarked upon . This is the first time that I post but I have been following your writings for many years .My best regards to you and you family .All will be well.
As the RF & Allied Forces victories become more difficult to suppress in d’uh MSM, the resulting butthurt bile and spew will increase many-fold.
There will be an uptick in harassment of bloggers and commenters who dare speak anything resembling truthiness, in fact, harbingers of truth will be persona non grata throughout western police states.
They may act buffoonish, lack social skills and have zero empathy for/with those who vote them into office, however, thankfully, they’re 1sr degree cowards who love their privileged lives, even if that means ruling over a smaller Empire/Herd (with their occasional inbred blood lust sacrifice sorties into the Jungle – Dr, Livingstone, err, Strangelove I presume ).
Big Loss Andrei, especially with victory on the horizon. What that victory will look like in my neighbourhood doesn’t bode well, but hey-ho, a decade of inner reflection amid suffering will be good for the soul; this, immediately after the carnage of civil unrest and violent protest.
Andrei of The Saker, you’ve distinguished yourself, even among peers and should feel proud of your achievements, which should be cast in stone for research purposes when the dark forces make another attempt to enslave Russia/Zone B.
To any friends I’ve made here, let me know where you’re going to post as I’m now homeless.
Andrei My Brother,
I know you and I haven’t always seen eye to eye over the years, but I just want you to know you will be missed. Your site I’ve visited daily since 2014. I have a great respect for you, your expertise and opinions. God bless you and your family. From the heart I wish you and yours nothing but the best.
Sincerely,
Jamie
Ah, Saker, what a good run it’s been.
I first found you in 2014 during the fog of all that mess, a very intense time. You were one of the very few sources for sanity and analysis of Maidan and Ukraine.
I always admired the thing you said, that it was just a blog, and that it was your blog, and if people didn’t like that, well…
And when the blogger has to hang up his spurs, it would seem churlish to ask for more of the free gift of all those years – it seems vastly more graceful for any reader to remember all the good times you provided us. And this I always shall.
I often think of a great line from the movie American Gangster but never had a chance to use it until now:
“Quitting while you’re ahead, is not the same as quitting.”
And that is how I will always think of you too – as someone wise enough to listen to his body and his heart and his family, and to give up a practice that was bringing diminishing returns, that was becoming counter-productive to his life.
My friends in Turkey told me often that they have a saying there: “You have one life. Live it if you can.”
And so farewell, Saker, and God speed in your continuing adventure.
~~
ps…and thanks for all the fish!!!
I have not been a Neil Young fan but this past year I kicked my allotted three score and ten into touch. For everything under the sun…there comes a time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TeLSgncU_4
You will be missed!!
While I’m very saddened with your decision, I completely understand.
Live long and prosper.
I do hope to see familiar names of commenters and contributors at the other suggested sites you posted before.
You can lurk on these other sites without jeopardizing your residency here, and probably occasionally post a comment.
Thanks for years of hosting this blog.
I was often at loggerheads with the religious motivations and undertones of the blog, but always valued the insights into military and strategic issues.
I am a nihilistic atheist at my core and despite the orthodox roots of the saker and some other guest writers, I am quite sad to see this valuable source of information vanish.
The best for you, A.R. and may you survive the coming turbulent times.
I can understand the tremendous pressure you need to bear to maintain this blog. I enjoy the time here so much and shall miss you guys.
Thankyou Andrei for your work over the last few years. This site has been a beacon of truth that I have visited often for a number of years. Your site gave some visibility to a friend’s youtube channel which was censored; his views jumped from very few to over 10 thousand thanks to your cafe.
You have done well and may God steer you in the right direction. He is a strong tower and those who run to him get protection. May he protect your sanity in these satanic times.
godspeed. and thank you. both a thousand times.
Благоденственное и мирное житие, здравие же и спасение и во всем благое поспешнее, подаждь Господи, рабом Твоим, Андрею со сродники, и сохрани их, на многая лета!
Многая Лета, Многая Лета, Многая Лета!
Многая Лета, Многая Лета, Многая Лета!
Многая Лета, Многая Лета, МНОГАЯ ЛЕТА!!!
A prosperous and peaceful life, health and salvation, and in all good haste, give, Lord, Thy servants, Andrei and relatives, and save them for many years!
Many Years, Many Years, Many Years!
Many Years, Many Years, Many Years!
Many Years, Many Years, MANY YEARS!!!
I can only make the following deduction: If Andrei thought there would be a nuclear exchange, he would go to Russia.
And if he went to Russia, he would be able to continue his blog.
Therefore, he does not believe there is imminent danger of a nuclear exchange.
Nonetheless, he is being pressed by an irresistible force: When a brave and principled person talks things over with his family, then its basically down to fundamentals: Love and war.
A terrible loss – a submarine in the desert for over a decade, but we know that all truth will be stripped from us in one way or another, at some time or other until we are just listening to silence. And if we don’t want to listen to silence we will have to listen to the mad noise echoing from the other cells on the block. We know, deep down, that blogs like this cannot and will not be tolerated. Nothing changes, only the means of delivery. So this has a feeling of inevitability about it. And I have a feeling of my own denial thinking for a moment it could be any other way. Next will be MoA, I guess. I am also amazed the GrayZone is still up.
@Shyaku
You said… “If Andrei thought there would be a nuclear exchange, he would go to Russia.”
With all due respect, I disagree. If they start lobbing nucs and it gets out of control, there will be nowhere in the northern hemisphere that will be safe.
I expect we will all be at huge risk down here in the Antipodes as well.
I greatly respect your response.
Florida is a hot bed of military activity – a Poseidon (unit of distance) away.
While Russia seems to have huge expanses of potential survivability including even the Moscow metro.
Nonetheless, I would agree that this is all conjecture on my part.
Take care, Shyaku
“there will be nowhere in the northern hemisphere that will be safe”
A single volcanic eruption once wiped out summer globally. Where do you think would be “safe” if most of the industrial centers and large cities of the northern hemisphere were set to burning, possibly for weeks on end?
So many fabulous guest authors! One of favorites has been Jorges. If he’s reading this post from Andrei I’d like to know if he posts elsewhere. I’d love to continue reading his writings.
Godspeed Andrei.
An archive would be great, but I can’t see it happening, because it would need the same kind of tech support as an active website. The Empire has been trying to crush this blog for years and without anyone at the helm that would likely be a lot easier. I’m not bothered about finding good geopolitical analysis as it can be obtained from other sources, albeit not quite as good as Saker. What concerns me are those guest contributors whose articles have genuine value, but who are not published journalists, like Batiuska and Francis Lee. I will really miss their contributions if an alternative forum cannot be found for them.
Thank you very much for the excellent work and insight Mr. Saker.
I found the Vineyard about a year or so ago and really enjoyed the ride.
I wish all the best and will very much miss your point of view.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Yours,
Fernando.
Dear Mr. Andrei,, THANK YOU,, for being a grounded voice of sanity and reasoned truth in an insane world.. Is it bad aliens, or Satan???.. nothing else can display the level of evil that has taken over.. We live on an incredibly beautiful dot in an unfathomably huge universe. It’s the CREATOR’s choice to give us free will, so we would come to HIM,,,and a soul that is promised eternity. Why some people choose evil, power, and control is beyond me. I hope Your faith keeps You from fear. Love is always the answer,, Joe (from a tiny city in KANSAS (between the ‘N’ & the ‘S’), and probably the only Saker reader in hundreds of square miles)(ha ha).
Truly, Many Thanks,, I will pray for Your health. Your voice will be missed..
News that this blog will be discontinued—cease to be—at the end of February is a shock.
I don’t have much to add to what others have written.
Andrei R. has done yoeman service running this blog, which for many has been virtually the only place to go to find out what is really going on amid the fog of the long run-up to this war.
The current war, and the even bigger and wider one shaping up just over our horizon.
Feels kind of like up shit creek without an oar.
Best wishes for a speedy resolution of all health issues. Leb wohl.
I cannot tell you how sad I am to hear this. Reading your analyses was educational and healing to me.
Discussions in the comments…were amazing…and I will miss them very much.
You have hinted that the blog might shut down, so not a complete surprise but still devastating news.
All I can say is thank you for everything and sending you much love Andrei.
Saddened to hear of your decision, but one must do what one must do. As for the future of your archive, there’s a website that compiles everything called The Internet Archive which probably already holds numerous articles you’ve published. Indeed, a quick search reveals it houses some of your podcasts. That’s my suggestion.
I do hope you’ll continue to write and allow others to publish, but I have no idea how much distance you want to put between your family and your political views.
I’ll continue to read what’s produced until it ends. I do wish you and your family all the best and hope your future soars like a saker.
Farewell Andrei, your efforts won’t be forgotten. Things beyond our control started to unravel, and in comparison with energies involved, writings on any blog now makes insignificant contribution. What
thoughts of thousands of us matters, when lives of billions are affected by forces beyond control? Do not feel bad, you’ve done your part valiantly. For now, characters of different skillset and attitude will take over. Stay well during the storm, hopefully we’ll read each other again, in the better World.
Utmost respect,
Blackring
Wishing you and your family all the best, thank you for providing this opportunity to hang out. The comments section was always good for a laugh and troll spotting/hunting.
Hopefully, you will have time to check out The Postil Magazine https://www.thepostil.com/
As for music, Bob Dylan’s 1963 Masters Of War perfectly sums up the MIC racket. Black Sabbath’s War Pigs, Edwin Starr’s War (What is it good for?) and quoting Pink Floyd’s Dogs Of War
“Invisible transfers, long distance calls,
Hollow laughter in marble halls
Steps have been taken, a silent uproar
Has unleashed the dogs of war
You can’t stop what has begun
Signed, sealed, they deliver oblivion
We all have a dark side, to say the least
And dealing in death is the nature of the beast”
Stay safe, Andrei.
Just to add a few other points that I would be extremely remise not to mention.
I know for a fact that sites like The Saker have had a monumental effect in helping to bring down the Anglo-American hegemon. None more so than Andrei’s site. He must take great pride and solace in this.
We alway’s knew that the final demise of the hegemon would be a massively dangerous event. This reality has not changed. Control of this was always completely beyond the scope of any strategy. This must not be taken on board as a personal burden by any one of us who fought the good fight.
I also think we tend to underestimate the power of the internet – especially the fact that some of the major blog/think-tanks are read by so many of the world’s most prominent movers and shakers, intellectuals, and ii would hazard a guess, even leaders of countries.
We can all have a voice and a hand in creating the narratives. For the first time in millennia, we play the oligarchs at their own game. Individually and collectively we are all-powerful.
We carry the collective recorded knowledge of humanity in our back pockets – knowledge is empowerment – this is the game changer, and it is precisely why we have these murderous SOBs panicking and on the run – right now!
We must take great pride make our own personal contributions, and celebrate the fact that we were absolutely not the modern-day equivalents of Nazi lieutenants, collaborators, or sycophants.
I firmly believe that 2023 will be remembered as the most important renaissance in the history of our species. We are incredibly privileged to be able to play our part. This was never going to be a “perfect offering”.
I think the great wordsmith Leonard Cohen said this best. Many of you will have already seen this, but I can’t think of a more opportune time to listen to these words once again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8-BT6y_wYg
ANTHEM
Written by Leonard Cohen…
The birds they sang
At the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don’t dwell on what has passed away
Or what is yet to be
Ah, the wars they will be fought again
The holy dove, she will be caught again
Bought and sold, and bought again
The dove is never free
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in
We asked for signs
The signs were sent
The birth betrayed
The marriage spent
Yeah, and the widowhood
Of every government
Signs for all to see
I can’t run no more
With that lawless crowd
While the killers in high places
Say their prayers out loud
But they’ve summoned, they’ve summoned up
A thundercloud
They’re going to hear from me
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in
You can add up the parts
But you won’t have the sum
You can strike up the march
There is no drum
Every heart, every heart
To love will come
But like a refugee
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in
That’s how the light gets in
That’s how the light gets in
One of the memes that I want to push from now on is this one… “It is was it is… Its Murder Most Foul”… taken from the words of another epic wordsmith, Bob Dylan, in his epic 16-minute tribute to JFK.
That was the day that the world changed its trajectory and began its accelerated nosedive into the dark hole we witness today. The killing is no longer one leader at a time, nor 3000 innocents (9/11)… they now kill us literally by the million. This is a macabre escalation which none of us could ever have imagined possible.
I was only 8 years old when JFK was brutally and publically slayed, and it rocked me like no other event – I know why now – this was a spiritual warning to me of what lay in store for humanity if we didn’t deal with these dark forces.
This video, the words, and the simple accompaniment of a violin and piano make the hair stand up on the back of my neck whenever I hear this tribute…
https://vimeo.com/426132984
…just two of the verses…
The day that they killed him, someone said to me, “Son
The age of the Antichrist has just only begun”
Air Force One comin’ in through the gate
Johnson sworn in at 2:38
Let me know when you decide to throw in the towel
It is what it is, and it’s murder most foul
What’s new, pussycat? What’d I say?
I said the soul of nations been torn away
And it’s beginning to go into a slow decay
And that it’s thirty-six hours past Judgment Day
I believe your site has been an absolute game-changer and a gift to humanity. You must celebrate that with great pride Andrei.
I remain hugely optimistic in spite of all the tragedy that is about to unfold – there’s really only one wild card left now – all the cards left in our hand are trumps (no pun intended). The ship set sail for the hegemon long ago.
Take great care Andrei, and all of you awesome Sakerites, its been an absolute privilege to know you
Col
Good day Saker,
Your blog and those that contributed were amazing. Help shed light on the situation at hand for many years. My God bless you and your family always. This blog will be missed
peace
Dear Andrei,
I am a long time reader, but time and distance has less meaning with age. It is more about the journey. I never comment or post on any websites for many reasons. Out of respect for you and your readers I felt I should sign up and post this link I just came across in the last few days. I have no experience using it but it seems like a valuable tool.
https://www.cyotek.com/cyotek-webcopy
Personally I have copied and saved many of your valuable writings among others, for what I do not know. I imagine future archeologist digging up my old hard drive and finding a wealth of knowledge presented by the truth seekers and tellers of our age. There are no accidents. Everything happens precisely on God’s schedule.
May he keep you and your loved ones safe and secure under the watchful eye of the Saker.
I here the cry of the Falcon.
Sailor
First of all: Thank you, thank you, and eternal thanks from the self appointed representative of all your anonymous readers and subscribers whom you obviously don’t know and probably never will, but who have been faithful and diligent in their quest for knowledge and guidance. Your guidance has been invaluable.
It’s not at all surprising to many of us that you have finally come to the conclusion that talk is cheap and only useful to a point. You are very wrong though if you think that you have somehow failed, either yourself, your readers, or humanity. Nothing could be further from the truth.
You serve a shining example of all that is good in the human spirit. Judgement will only be determined in the hereafter. Success in life is determined not by one’s accomplishments, but solely by how hard one tried to do the right thing. By this measure you have excelled. There can be no higher praise than dedicating one’s life to defining the difference between right and wrong. There is no need to say any more about you in this regard.
I came to the conclusion long ago that art transcends all human activity. The intellect is limited. Not so with art.
Rachmaninoff, like so many other artiists, says it all, beautifully.
We may not be able to predict the future of humanity, but I, for one, rest comfortably and confidently knowing, that the power and beauty of the human spirit will prevail.
Your efforts have nurtured and sustained us. God bless you. Do not despair.
Wow! From the tacit conclusion supported by a well thought out underlying analysis I’m sure, sounds like I ought drop the popcorn, and head for the hills….
Well, thank you for all that you have provided over the years, and everything you’ve done.
Enjoy your family and offline time
God Bless
On the subject of music: Scriabin had some musical successors such as Samuel Feinberg, Nikolai Roslavets, Vytautas Bacevicius, Ivan Wyschnegradsky. Do you know of any others? Any living ones?
Hi Andrei – Early morning, after making my first coffee, your blog is the first I read. My world starts with your blog, thereafter MoA, Strategic Culture, Martyanov, Indian Punchline, Naked Capitalism and so on.
I am sad you are giving up, but I respect your decission.
Our side of the world is run by psychopaths and to keep our mental sanity your words (and the words of a few others) are a light of hope and of rational thinking.
I will miss you.
You have managed to gather some excellent contributors. Where can they go to talk to us?
Batiushka with his orthodox fierce truth and others?
Un abrazo hermano y mis mejores deseos para tí y tu familia.
Cheers from the South of France.
Dear Andrei,
When you first mentioned your possible hiatus from the blog a few months ago, I was immensely saddened by the news, I have since come to terms with it. I completely understand your reasoning, and were I in your position I would have done the same, never the less, I will miss your analysis terribly.
RE – Q&A with Andrei
Please give us a deadline, I would like to put some thought into the questions and would hate to miss the opportunity.
All the best,
Cthol
Thank you, Saker.
I also want to thank webmaster Herb, for all his efforts to keep the blog going.
Hello Andrei, damn so I guess I was late to the party so to speak… I first found this blog after the SMO started some time last year. And, I can’t believe things are escalating so quickly. However, I understand why you are doing this and I guess the only thing that is left for me to say is let’s hope for that miracle you talked about in your previous blog-update post of this month to come true.
well, good luck in the times ahead!
I am now very sad. This site is a unique resource, and a community like no other.
I wonder if a ZIP of all posts might be made available, to ensure that it is widely archived.
Thank you for your service to Truth.
Baby please don’t go
Congratulations Saker and thanks for your work through so many years.
This decision was inevitable. All the best to you and contributors and friends in the café.
Slán leat agus beannact Dé
Fare well and God’ blessing
You write “at least until some semblance of sanity has returned to our poor planet”, sanity has just shown its head, things are messy and bloody but zone B is waking up! Too bad we will have to “enjoy” this awakening without you. All, all best to you!
It’s not over ’till it;s over on our beautiful planet Andrei, and sad newsyou bring indeed…. not simply for you and the blog, but the powerful energy that has radiated out towards the world, A commubity is a spiritual thing, and its death, though having a negative effect, will seed and light up to grow elsewhere.
It has to, this is a spiritual war and which we are all in together. Of course this has reflected here also, and battles and crisis have occurred, but this is life, real, genuine powerful life, and will not and cannot be crushed.
Respect to you my Christian brother, for all you have done, and big thanks to all your contributors.
The next four weeks will be interesting…
Hi,
I have enjoyed your blog for 10 years? ,Anyway a long time. I literally read your site every morning whilst getting ready for the day. I will miss it greatly. Your site was a great source of information and you provided a review of many sites and authors that I may.never have seen. Your time was not wasted and I certainly will not forget it.
I understand your position and it is a shame that the free west does not encourage more activity like it.
I wish you well and my thoughts and prayers go to you and your family. Let’s hope that we will see some sensible minds like yourself in the positions of power so that we can stave off the apocalypse.
Best wishes
Nicholas borisovich