“What I don’t get is what does Merkle get out of it?”
Russian/Soviet supremacy on the European continent. Every major political move in the last century has been part of the global chess game between economic systems and central banks.
Once the Islamists topple Europe and all hell breaks loose, decent people will have no option but to welcome the Russians as heros to “protect Christianity” (as in Syria)
eponymous theywant. I think that is just a unintended consequence.