Okay, we are live with Alexander McCurris and joining us today for this show we have with us,

John Helmer and Gilbert Doctoro.

And gentlemen, John Gilbert, before we get started, let's say hello to everyone that is watching us on Rockfin, on Odyssey, on Rumble, and the durand.com.

And a big shout out to everybody that's watching us on YouTube as well.

And hello to our moderators who are helping us moderate this live stream.

Zareel is with us to help out.

And I believe that is it for now, but hopefully more moderators will join us soon.

So Alexander, John Gilbert, before we begin this debate on Putin and the Russian military,

Alexander will be moderating.

If there are any questions, any super chats during the debate,

and you would like to address either John Helmer or Gilbert Doctaro,

just put in the super chat to who you would like to address your question too.

We will answer the questions at the end of the show.

And before we get started, Alexander, before I pass it off to you,

let me read you the information, the bios of

our two guests, John Hilmer and Gilbert Doctor.

John Hilmer has had an unusual career as a U.S. government official, university professor,

and since 1989, the longest serving foreign correspondent in Moscow.

He was in the Carter election campaign of 1976, then the White House and Office of Management

and Budget from 1977 to 1981.

His professorships have been at George Washington University in D.C., University of Exeter,

in the UK and University of Melbourne, Australia.

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