Europe's most wanted man plotted my murder and that of my colleague

Depicting War, Crime, and Fascism in Film

• Long argument over Truffaut’s idea that “there are no anti‑war films.”
• Some say any portrayal of war or violence, even brutal, inevitably contains heroism, sacrifice, or adventure that some viewers will latch onto and thus “glorifies” it.
• Others argue films like Come and See, Grave of the Fireflies, Johnny Got His Gun, The Pianist, Schindler’s List, Threads and Born on the Fourth of July are genuinely anti‑war: they leave most viewers repulsed, not enticed.
• Debate over Saving Private Ryan, Lord of War, Starship Troopers, Full Metal Jacket, Warhammer 40k, and games like Helldivers 2:
  • Intent vs reception diverge; satire or critique can be consumed as straight power fantasy.
  • Violence is inherently stimulating; some people will still be attracted regardless of message.
• One commenter cites harrowing first‑person war accounts (Bosnia) to argue that even “realistic” war films still romanticize compared to the actual, dehumanizing tedium and horror.

Wirecard, Marsalek, and “Spy Movie” Framing

• Several note Marsalek’s story reads like a Guy Ritchie or Bond script: Russian intelligence links, planned hits on journalists, covert escapes, fake plates and sunk boats.
• Concern that a film risks glamorizing him; others note there are already Wirecard-inspired shows and docs.
• Disagreement over calling him a “technological genius”; some say the article itself undercuts that label.
• Clarification that Wirecard’s missing billions largely never existed, rather than being “siphoned off.”

German and Austrian Failures, Bellingcat, and Corruption

• Strong criticism of German authorities for initially targeting FT reporters instead of Wirecard, seen as dysfunction, gullibility, or outright corruption.
• Discussion of Germany’s high‑trust political culture, Russia policy (Nord Stream), and hesitancy to see Moscow as a threat.
• Austria described as saturated with Russian spies and pro‑Kremlin politicians, including parties that allegedly assisted Marsalek’s escape.
• Some skepticism about Bellingcat due to partial NED funding; others defend their track record and note their diversified funding.

Russia, Assassinations, and Despair

• Poisoning and killing of Navalny and other defectors framed as deterrent “messages” to future opponents, not just practical eliminations.
• Emphasis on Putin’s personal vindictiveness and the performative nature of public, deniable killings.
• Deep emotional responses from people with Russian/Eastern European backgrounds:
  • Expressions of despair and even genocidal fantasies against Russia-as-state.
  • Countervoices urging support for Ukraine, patience with history, and hope for post‑Putin change.

European Security and Nuclear Deterrence

• Some optimism that recent European moves (defense integration, relaxing German debt rules for rearmament, talk of extended nuclear umbrellas) show elites finally treating Russia seriously.
• Speculation about future nuclear proliferation: Japan and South Korea seen as most technically ready; Germany, Poland, and others constrained by delivery systems, treaties, and political culture.