Alexander Asmolov: «If the enemy does not exist, we will create the enemy» // «Skazhi Grodeevoy»

At 0:00 Gordeeva opens the interview, followed by Asmolov’s statement at 0:24 that they will do everything to prevent the situation. He discusses the role of elites in Russia at 1:32, the need for a crisis in security ideology at 7:07, and the importance of fear mechanisms at 9:31. At 12:36 he notes a craving for disinformation in the system, and at 15:12 he describes how people have become accustomed to it. He warns that the lack of alternatives is absolute evil at 20:56, and that playing with imaginary sociological statistics is dangerous at 24:44. At 29:03 he observes that the word ‘Russian’ is becoming profanity worldwide, and at 31:36 he says they have created TV‑hating. He links depression to protest at 35:56, and describes collective letters as civic heroism at 40:46. At 43:17 he speaks of economic deenergization as a shock of lifestyle change, and at 44:33 he says a mental civil war is taking place in Russia. He contrasts simple and complex people at 47:51, and questions whether a mental civil war could turn into a real one at 51:56. At 52:59 he says guilt triggers the need for change, and at 56:56 he predicts living in another country soon. Finally, at 58:00 he explains how he deals with fear. The interview is translated into English by Maria.