tons of pleasure in our main news stories this hour the crucial battle for syria's commercial capital pits rebels against the regime as fears of a new massacre saw the rising death toll gaining control of aleppo is seen as the key to turning the tables on the eighteen month long will. impede flame is to be lit at its final destination in the british capital within hours but many londoners are feeling left out of the spectacle and instead overwhelmed by traffic and restrictions big corporations sponsoring the event of squeezed out small business and seem to be the only party profiting from the going. u.s. is a top security official goes to the world's largest hacking conference in las vegas a signal some experts say points to washington's new push to befriend those it's been prosecuting for years. about with another summary of fifteen minutes from now in the meantime we talk to history professor jeffrey roberts about the legacy of

the soviet union and the rise of nationalism in a supposedly multicultural europe our in-depth interview next on r.t. . jeffrey roberts professor at university college of course an island thank you very much for being with us today thank you so here in russia there are two dimensionally different takes on sterling some say he was a great guy who won the second world war and he actually gave the country an immense post another state actually he undermined the economy which led to the eventual collapse of the u.s.s.r. what's your take on that when starving dog winston churchill was reported to have

said that stalin found russia with a wooden plow and he left it with atomic bombs and i think that statement you know sums up stalin's achievement achievement was to modernize the soviet union to urbanize is all you can to dust your life to solve it you need to build the foundations of a country that was able to withstand the germany in beijing in ninety four to want to go on twitter patrol russia. and also the foundations for you know the post-war laws of the saudi you to a nuclear superpower you know if russia is still a great country. with an important role to play in the world and enormous potential for the future it's because of the foundations that were laid during started time now having said that of course there could be lots of questions and discussions as to whether or not this modernization of russia had to have been as brutal as it was because of course starred in my modernized russia but with me with the post-war

russia the pre-war russia as well but starting was also responsible for the deaths of millions of people so you can never discuss. about the cost you can have a discussion. about time tips about whether or not different courses of action and events would have been. perhaps more effective than the ones that started stop the pursuit. but nevertheless in the end it's a historical fact that. the soviet union was successfully modernized under stalin albeit one i have a very brutal basis so the cause of the collapse really is to blame and other leaders they came after stalling whether that was because that best to stick to help or to my course is that the system that stalin built them which persisted off to his death ok when he died. some are more brutal aspects the system disappeared

such as the mass terror but sensually it was still started system but i system is a very defective system in many ways and those defects in the end result in the collapse and also the mentality you know that stalin sort of try to establish and soviet union the mentality that he left after his death was also to blame for the collapse at the end of the day you know well it depends what kind of mentality you're talking about you know stalin was a communist believed in in socialism he believed in a communist utopia he believed in the soviet system he believed that the soviet union was a model for the whole the whole world know one doesn't have to agree with his belief or that vision but one has to recognize the power of that region and the power of that which he was very very important in the historical development of the saw you before starting with the life and then subsequently because what happens is go which of comes along and he questions and challenges that traditional soviet

self image and attempts to reform the system inquire radical way and a result that of course is the. eventual collapse of the system talking about sterling as a political figure i guess people in the west mostly know him as a man who lacked pressure to win the second world war so here for us at home there is no doubt that we won the war and without russia second world war would not have been won are there doubts in the west about that and how is there a genuine interest actually in the west to really find out about the role of russia and how it really let the war to be won there are some people in the west who would want to do not just russia but the soviet union's role in winning the second world war well because it's uncomfortable true for them to face up to this all for a terrier socialist communist regime under this dictator stalin was responsible for

tito to defeat a few of our men and in fact was responsible for as opposed to nazis well the the the those kind of people also tend to have the view that there was no great difference between naziism and communism in the style in the we're just as bad as each other but i don't think that would be the most prevalent view of the most prevalent view will be one that would recognize the differences between nazis and communism and the differences between hitler and stalin and hitler was a far more dangerous dictator for the world than starving ever was so i think and i think there is now there is creasing recognition of the soviet role in winning the war and of course there are always people who who want to present a different view present a distorted view of the events of the second world war so you are someone who knows a lot about it and who studied stalin you wouldn't say that at this point in the west there is a deficit of knowledge about stalin and his role and russians role in world war two

there's always a deficit of historical knowledge as deficit of knowledge about the war but not just in the west also in russia. as well. but you know i don't think that deficit is to grow. as i said i think there is now days much much greater recognition of the soviet role in the second recognition of the soviet role in the second world war more recognition than people in russia actually recognize because to what your science me says something russians voicing to me why why don't they recognize our role in when the second world war and i was actually most people most people do particularly since the end of the cold war during the cold war there was this your logical struggle going on of course and. look was an effort by western cold warriors to did no i the reality of the soviet role in defeating nazi germany and their western cold war is to the exist in a still making the same kind of arguments but they're not as widespread and

effective as they used to be yet you think that people from that war are still alive and the memories of that war are still so fresh you'd think that would learn our lesson but then you see these huge national is threatening rising up in europe what's to blame well that that's that's not the extreme right movement in europe ultranationalist in the national general is not a new phenomenon it's not a recent plot no it's true that recently. the political influence of national gnashes of its very strong particularly the more extreme forms has grown in various countries of europe. i think that has mostly to do with the economic and political problems that europe is. facing at the moment which poses a dollar for it to know the whole future of the european union i think is also part of we've thought you know as time goes on the war you know receipts from many

memory becomes a much more distant event and the more time elapses. the more possibilities there offer people to you have to present. distorted accounts. of the war suffering it's partly a function of of the distance we've got to travel from war to partly explains. this development of nationalism out for national mystery nationalism in europe but then because the moment the main reason i mix to do with contemporary politics i knock an economics rock with. history and that's that's not to say that history isn't important of course because there are many many lessons of history which are rather than to the contemporary crisis seem relieved to have faced the worst crisis that here or right now is experiencing if that is to last or get worse that will also. but it would also incite that they rise of more national nationalist sentiment i think there is there is

a great danger if the eurozone collapses the e.u. collapses the most likely. is that they will be replaced by different forms of nationalism. the question is what forms of national somehow extreme and dangerous take on herself i think there are great because that's the historical lesson of what happened before the second world war particularly in the nineteen for that is where you had a similar crisis the world we got from now on the result that cause of the rise of nationalism extreme nationalism into europe and the. emergence of a number of forward terror and fascist. regime so that so the less there is the historical lesson there is that there is a great danger of that development i don't see is by any means being. civil i think the difference between now and then is that democratic culture democratic

institutions are much stronger in europe than they were before the second world war so i'm confident i'm hopeful that european democracy can subodh its current crisis do you think talking of democratic institutions to think that a politician with anti-democratic means could rise to power through those democratic institutes what that that's exactly what happened in the case of hitler didn't it and that's what happened in a number of other countries in europe but before and all for the second world war so it's it's a distinct possibility that it will be a challenge it will be a test of western democracy not just western democracy but european international democracy kind of if you survive the challenge of a kind of nationals in which chemicals for a life in conditions of economic collapse and political disorder could. sticking together as a united europe maybe work as a magic potion against president. i don't think is

a part of the cea. but i sincerely hope that the european union doesn't collapse because for all its faults the european union on what it represents is much much better than the ultra nationalist. or t'other to. who knows what's going to happen. i think it's possible the european union will survive and i hope it does support life and if i were russian if i would russia i would actually be hoping that's the case as well because the collapse and he on the rise of extreme forms of nationalism in europe is going could pose a question if you can challenge for russia which are from upper to thank you very much for this into your.

mind. going to be so much brighter if you want to be a song from finest impression. for instance on t.v. dot com. wealthy british style sun it's time to. market why not. come to. find out what's really happening to the global economy with my stronger for a no holds barred look at the global. financial headlines to cause a report. to

the folks who are in more mouths to feed but where will the food come from can science provide the answers to the future of food under the microscope. the future.

top stories this hour in our t.v. crucial battle for syria's commercial capital pits rebels against the regime as fears of a new massacre assault with the rising death toll gaining control of aleppo is seen as the key to turning the tables in the eighteen month long. in a big flame is to be lit at its final destination in the british capital with within hours but many londoners are feeling left out of the spectacle and instead overwhelmed by traffic and restrictions of big corporations sponsoring the event of squeezed out small business and seem to be the only party profiting from the gangs . and the us is top security official goes to the world's largest hacking conference in las vegas a signal some experts say points to washington's new push to befriend those it's been prosecuting for you. used he would mourn those stories up next though it's all the latest sports news with the union and it's almost time for liftoff in london so

it's a lot a lot of money on a lot of. almost there the thirty of the olympic games are almost upon us more not coming up in just a sec. great to have you with us this is sports of a plenty ahead over the next ten eleven minutes or so including all this. london calling after seven years of planning the twenty twelve olympic games officially begin a little later on friday. hopes and dreams in the run up to the games are teaming up but so be it swimming legend calls to get his thoughts on russia's chances in the pool. back on the greens just four days after winning the british open the big easy himself returns to action in cuba.

where now just over three hours away from the official opening ceremony of the twenty twelve olympic games team russia have sent some four hundred athletes to london with the goal of securing third place or better overall but it's not just on the podium where the country intends to leave its mark. after seven years of planning and at a cost of fourteen billion dollars london is finally ready to stage the biggest show on earth and russia has arrived here with the i'm a finishing third in the medals table the majority of the squad on ice settling into the athletes' village based at the olympic park in the north east of the city that is where the majority of medals will be won and lost over the next two and a half weeks and to give us a flavor of what it's like up there is that you've ample flaked brush aside you know be hoping to try and get around twenty five gold medals and try and seal third place in the middle table over all i mean trying to match the likes of china or usa of a moment just for believe much not realistic but certainly they can hold on to first

place that will be a very good spread all the russians overspent athletes' village just behind me will be five ten thousand sportsman and official stage in the village for the course of the games including the four hundred or so russians will be easy but number two house told me i don't walk around. but we could go so i did as i was very very impressed with the whole setup it was a much improved from beijing years ago there's a lot to face to. face with the president. speaks to the snow storm it's really should enjoy this stay at spokane small but not competing now after the russian athletes have finished their events you might actually see them in the west end of london at either the russia park or it's sort she will to explain more is constantine for top off. during the olympics there will be a little bit of russia in the center of london the queen kindly allow the russians

to host events in one of the royal parks kensington gardens you can go to russia park well last minute preparations are being finished with a chance of meeting one of the russian athletes and just have some fun at concerts and on nothing the russian culture and if it's too hot you can chill out at such a port that presents the next winter olympics there. those of the venue will be able to see preparations for the olympic games watch figure skating shows on the nice rink and explore what the city has to offer so plenty to look forward to but not everyone is happy because some london is all grumbling about the traffic restrictions in the center of the city during the games did they have a point will the dunya has been gauging the mood of the nation. i've come to one of london's most famous places to bulger square by now the way people feel about the upcoming games and some olympic innovations the point is that the cd has gained some special olympic lanes linking olympic venues and making sure athletes and

officials get do dance on time there are also some restrictions to the way roads can be used by common drivers especially in central london. the traffic will be gridlocked in and around central london. they have a really full of well where the traffic going to go as long as you're limping family can get around london can suffer and it will suffer till the twelfth of august so it's very very good it's going to be something which i will never see again i guess and it's we're very lucky so despite some little difficulties that may be the expense of german people being part of the olympics is just priceless while the weather alone is enough to make you cheerful at the moment because after the wettest june on record it's been lovely here in london over the last couple of days and let's hope that continues for the opening ceremony on friday and beyond but whatever happens come rain or shine we will be here to keep you updated on russia's progress over the next seventeen days of competition and our take london.

already getting it there i think the olympic spirit has meanwhile been ringing out across london and indeed beyond big band serving as a conductor for numerous smaller bells rung by locals in the run up today opening ceremony of the thirty summer games london a life with sol and early on today with the crowd starting. at eight twelve am not exactly twelve hours removed from what would be twenty twelve in the twenty four hour format the titles of all the bells project was the brainchild of turner prize winning artist martin creed those songs also heard up the british embassy right here in moscow with official dennis keefe among those three analysts. will have a million foreign visitors in london over the next few weeks coming for the olympic games and for the paralympic games we're hoping and we're expecting i'm already experiencing that this is a wonderful festival of sports and

a wonderful opportunity for people to visit. let's stay with the olympics and move to russia's swimming prospects archie getting the thoughts recently of one of sports greatest so named monster in the way this four time olympic champion sonny cough. i got this positive energy from my favorite movie so i learned you know like i like the star was excellent and as they say the force should be with you and i actually . i was every time i see some little thing speech not maybe. not right i was thinking of. role before the final i saw the clouds in the sky and all the sky became gray and dark and so and i thought ok this is a good site so the force to me and i showed my best. during

this race a lot of my pictures from my life were possibly in front of my eyes it was the most difficult race of my career last couple of laps were very painful and i was you know bowed to the conscious but you know i keep myself going with the thought if i go down to the bottom of the pool so nobody really will greet me after this so i just trying to you know keep some kind of sense of humor some kind of sense of control and i found that i really could control my body hundred percent but at the same time it was extremely. pleasant feeling that i could feel every cell of my body but second feeling was ok probably i will get this feeling again in the next three years because i knew before that it's going to be my last.

you can be wrong in your predictions and. any so i can only say we. can release needs to lean in. the backstroke and. have a good sprint to this so my pollution is the the all going to get into the final ensure their best results this result will be good enough so there will be a medal but i cannot count mental before we get into the boy from one great to another now it may be hard to believe but there are some tennis trophies still missing from roger federer is collection the thirty year old still searching for a limp pick singles gold medal federer who won wimbledon on the same grass courts earlier this month well aware of the pitfalls of the game shorter format if it would have been best of three would have lost third round they can spend because it was down two sets to love so just goes to show that you know obviously about five

minutes or a bad couple of points because of the tournaments i'm aware of that but i do believe winning wimbledon three weeks ago is going to help me was my confidence and my game to really do well here. to football where newly signed russian national team manager fabio capello has taken some parting shots at the country he previously coached the italian saying england would have done better than a quarter final loss up the euro twenty twelve championships how he still been in charge the sixty six year old controversially quipped up post in february after disagreeing with you f.a.'s decision to remove john terry as captain successor roy hodgson then guided the team to euro twenty twelve knockout stages where they lost two finalists italy on penalties overall capello is coaching and forty two times winning twenty eight matches and losing six the best winning percentage of an english coach into wherever russia for won by germany crushing out of the round of

sixteen of the twenty ten world cup on his watch. just four days after winning his second open championship golf or ernie els is back with club in hand on the other side of the atlantic that canadian open getting under way on thursday the big easy though not quite reaching the same form as he did a royal lytham months and finishing his first run to over par that's ten shots off the lead it's american school pearcey who's top of the leaderboard after shooting a course record eight par sixty two. switching to motor sport mclaren's lewis hamilton who set the pace ahead of the hungarian grand prix the two thought was the need world champion fastest in both of friday's practice sessions finishing up just two tenths of a second pace here than. well that was a surprise name in third groups and nephew of the late three time champion urging fellow brazilian fleet the muscles for the quickest overall while ferrari team is on season leader fernando alonso was. switching to two wheels an hour valentino

rossi has been contemplating whether or not to keep the motor running his moto g.p. career the thirty three year old's contract with the county expires at the end of the year rossi a seven time champ and how the disappointing stretch racing for is so much you fracture and yet to win a race since switching stables at the start of the twenty eleven season rossi stating he'll make up his mind for good within the next few weeks. and love is all your sport for whether it's next year or twenty four hour party.

well. science technology innovation all the latest developments from around russia we've got the future covered.