EJ, have you read
With Fire and Sword? (wiki link in blue)
Subversion and class warfare is an ancient Russian government strategy through centuries, for example in the case of the Cossacks who are central to the above book, though this occurred some time after the book's setting IIRC. Though I am no expert, I've read somewhere that Russia supported wealthier landowners against the poor and possibly vice versa, though I can't recall specifically if the latter was the case though it seems quite probable as it makes the strategy more effective to inflame both groups. The result is that through this weakening many free bands/hosts were dispersed, destroyed and many others made into generations of slaves under arms for the Russian central power. Even now there are Russian Cossack battallions fighting in Ukraine, where Wagner has taken credit for their very limited and sparse successes in territorial gains. Being slaves, there is not much they can do about this at this time without being destroyed.
Here is something related. It appears there may be an international conservative (extremist, or Putinist is more fair than labelling conservatism in general as such) cabal that is sympathetic to Putinism and I guess child torture chambers. Here are two recent articles, chosen for being recent:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/14/us/politics/extremism-republicans.html(important to note the moderates actually from NY may not have known the shit they were walking into but still a foolish thing to do in hindsight I bet)
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/15/technology/russia-state-tv-ukraine-war.htmlFor a counter example, I read in an article that US banks are betting that the Federal Reserve will back down in the face of a recession in regards to interest rates. I do not feel that this is part of my theorized cabal, but instead reflects financial self-interest. This does not preclude cooperation with the cabal if it serves the interest in interest rates, but I do not think it is worthy of including in the cabal theory.
In regards to banks, I feel this is a bad strategy being floated in an article I read. If the Federal Reserve brakes it's policy too early, inflation may persist. If banks are found culpable at all by the public in starting a recession, Occupy Wallstreet 2 begins, though perhaps with a more conducive name to attract fellow youthful peasants such as myself, but who lean conservative in addition to moderate and liberal. My advice would be to support the Fed in lowering inflation so that the interest rates are lowered naturally and not through pressure, without contributing to a recession at the least, and if possible attempting to use the whole superpower of finance status thing to counter recession. As EJ above has indirectly pointed out, perhaps the risk is not worth the return in the long term to do otherwise. I would also suggest that if interest rates do not tame inflation, the government(s) may have to find ways to implement some kind of broad price control scheme, as I have read at least one noted economist suggest inflation is being driven by increasing profit seeking rather than cost increases. This isn't very good for anyone unless the alternative is worse.