NOTE: Nobody reads this blog. But . . .

Here are links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio, and to a discussion from Consortium News; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials. (Scroll up or down for IRAQ, SYRIA, LEBANON, IRAN and ALL OF IT, and down for UKRAINE 6-27-26.) — MCM

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Ukraine’s drone assault ignites major oil refinery in Russia. From AP. KYIV — Ukraine kept up its heavy drone assault on Russia, setting fire to a major oil refinery in the south and killing at least two people, Russian authorities said today. Ukraine has markedly stepped up its long-range attacks on . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.  Click HERE for report from Reuters.

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FROM JUNE 27  A historian analyzes whether Ukraine has a localized advantage in modern combat power. Scott Simon of NPR talks with strategic studies professor Phillips O’Brien of St Andrew’s University in Scotland about whether Ukraine has gained the upper hand in the fight against Russia. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM JUNE 27  The World This Week: ‘Europe and Russia stare at war.’ Joe Lauria, editor-in-chief of Consortium News, hosts former CIA analyst Ray McGovern* and historian Peter Kuznick** of American University. From CN intro: “Europe trash talks war. Putin says Russia is ready. The U.S.-Iran ceasefire breaks down again. And do NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s victories really signal a new direction for Democrats?” Click HERE for video of Saturday.evening’s discussion.

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* Much of McGovern’s focus as a CIA analyst was the Soviet Union and, later, the Russian Federation.

** Kuznick is director of the Nuclear Studies Institute at American University and co-author with Oliver Stone of The Untold History of the United States (2012).