First and second, links to Associated Press and Reuters reports, both linked to others. Third, from Popular Resistance, a look at how a 1997 book by Zbigniew Brzezinski offers clues to U.S. policy and actions in the third decade of the 21st century. — MCM

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Russia hits rail, fuel facilities in attacks deep in Ukraine, by David Keyton | The Associated Press KYIV — Russia unleashed a string of attacks against Ukrainian rail and fuel facilities today, striking crucial infrastructure far from the front line of its eastern offensive, which Britain said has yet to achieve a significant breakthrough. Meanwhile, two fires were reported at oil facilities in western Russia. It was not clear what caused the blazes. . . . [T]op American officials pledged more help to [Ukraine]. In meetings with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday, the American secretaries of state and defense said Washington had approved a $165 million sale of ammunition . . .  along with more than $300 million in foreign military financing. READ MORE . . .

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U.S. to reopen Kyiv embassy soon, says Russia has failed in war aims, by Pavel Polityuk and Natalia Zinets | Reuters * Washington pledges $713 mln in military aid * Russia demands Washington stop sending arms * U.S. diplomats to return to Ukraine in sign of support * Huge fire hits Russian fuel depot near border | KYIV — The United States will reopen its embassy in Ukraine soon, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today after he and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Kyiv, promising more military aid and hailing the fight against Russia’s invasion. Both men said the fact they were able to come to Kyiv was proof of Ukraine’s tenacity in forcing Moscow to abandon an assault on the capital last month. “What you’ve done in repelling the Russians in the battle of Kyiv is extraordinary and  . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine is a pawn on the grand chessboard, by Rick Sterling | Popular Resistance / Educate! Zbigniew Brzezinski’s book The Grand Chessboard was published 25 years ago. . . . As the conflict in Ukraine evolves, with the potential of escalating into world war, we can see where this policy leads and how crucial it is to re-evaluate. . . . The basic premise of The Grand Chessboard is outlined in the introduction: * With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States is the sole global power * Europe and Asia (Eurasia) together have the largest land area, population and economy * U.S. must control Eurasia and prevent another country from challenging U.S. dominance. Brzezinski sums up the situation: “America is now the only global superpower, and Eurasia is the globe’s central arena.” He adds . . . READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED