EIR’s Exchange with Russian Presidential Advisor Anton Kobyakov

The following is a close paraphrase of the exchange between Russian presidential advisor Anton Kobyakov and EIR’s Sébastien Périmony and Helen Borodina, at the Kazan BRICS summit on Oct. 24.

Périmony: Even if the BRICS is not anti-West, the West is currently anti-BRICS. If this does not change, we have the risk of nuclear war in the conflicts occurring in Ukraine and the Middle East, and a perpetuation of sanctions. Do you think the BRICS process will change the outlook of the Anglo-American elites, to participate positively in developing a new security and development architecture, as called for by Helga Zepp-LaRouche of the Schiller Institute?

Kobyakov: We hope the Anglo-American elites will respond positively. But we have a doctrine of nuclear deterrence. When the Pax Americana ends, we hope that the whole world does not go down with it. We are openly saying that we have to be careful in what we say and be responsible in what we do and say.

Borodina: Do you think the BRICS process will deter Israel from launching a strike on Iran that could cause regional and global conflict?

Kobyakov: My thought is that Jews are people with common sense. They have been building their country on the basis of ethnicity, after what happened during World War II. We do not approve of what is happening in the Gaza Strip. We think half or more of Israel does not approve of this action. The question is what will they do? Will they keep their statehood, their sovereignty? Since you ask this question representing a U.S.A. media outlet, I think the U.S. is also questioning whether Israel is on the right track. Maybe after hearing the speeches during the BRICS meetings, they will come to their senses. We hope so.

Borodina: Would you join the International Peace Coalition, the initiative of the LaRouche movement in the U.S.A.?

Kobyakov: Is there such a coalition in the U.S.A.? I have not heard about it, but I will definitely look into it.