For today, links to reports from Tass, Reuters, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

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Russia suspends its participation in New START treaty – Putin.  From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia is suspending its participation in New START, a strategic arms reduction treaty with the United States, but is not withdrawing from it, President Vladimir Putin said in his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly today: “Russia is suspending its participation in New START. I repeat, not withdrawing from the treaty, no, but merely suspending its participation.” He stressed that . . . READ MORE . . .

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Putin delivers a nuclear warning to the West over Ukraine, by Guy Faulconbridge and Vladimir Soldatkin | Reuters * Putin gives major speech on war in Ukraine * Suspends participation in START nuclear arms treaty * Puts new nuclear weapons on combat duty * Says Russia will resume nuclear tests if U.S. does | MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin today day delivered a nuclear warning to the West over Ukraine, suspending a bilateral nuclear arms control treaty, announcing new strategic systems had been put on combat duty and warning that Moscow could resume nuclear tests. Speaking nearly a year to the day since ordering the invasion of Ukraine, Putin said Russia would achieve its war aims and accused the West of trying to destroy Russia. READ MORE . . .

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Russia suspends only remaining major nuclear treaty with U.S. From AP. Russian President Vladimir Putin gave no sign tday he would change strategy in the Kremlin’s bloody war in Ukraine, and ratcheted up tensions with the West by suspending Moscow’s participation in the last remaining nuclear arms control pact with the U.S. In his long-delayed state-of-the-nation address, Putin cast his country — and Ukraine — as victims of Western double-dealing and said it was Russia, not Ukraine, fighting for its very existence. “We aren’t fighting the Ukrainian people, . . . READ MORE . . .

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Putin addresses his nation as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears the 1-year mark. Reported by Leila Fadel and Charles Maynes | NPR Russian President Putin addresses his nation three days before the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the day after President Biden’s unannounced visit to Ukraine’s capital Kyiv.  Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Biden marks anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with a speech in Warsaw. Reported by Leila Fadel and Asma Khalid | NPR  U.S. President Joe Biden spoke near this same site 11 months ago at the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As the war drags on, he’s back -to boost the morale of NATO and make a plea for the fight to continue. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Biden visits Kyiv and Poland for the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Reported by Asma Khalid | NPR  President Biden is marking the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with a visit to neighboring Poland after a whirlwind secret trip to Kyiv. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Russian strikes on Kherson kill at least 6: Ukrainian Army. From AFP. The Ukrainian army southern command spokesman said Russian strikes today killed at least six people in Kherson. “Just during the bloody dictator Putin’s speech . . . peaceful Kherson residents were injured and killed in the middle of the street, in their homes and at their workplace. At the moment . . . READ MORE . . .

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Biden hears Zelenskyy’s plan for peace with Russia during surprise visit to Kyiv. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR  President Biden visited Kyiv just shy of a year since Russia invaded Ukraine. He spent time with President Zelensky, who called this visit the most important in U.S.-Ukrainian history. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Russia doesn’t need to beg for funds abroad thanks to healthy balance sheet – Putin. From Tass. MOSCOW — “New sources of financing and investment are the most important issue on the agenda for developing economic growth,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his State of the Nation Address today. “Thanks to a strong balance of payments, Russia does not need to borrow abroad, bow down, beg for money and then have a long dialogue about what, how much and on what conditions . . . READ MORE . . .

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy went from comedian to icon of democracy. This is how he did it. Reported by Frank Langfitt | NPR  KYIV — Over the past year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has undergone one of the most dramatic political transformations in modern history. Zelenskyy’s turnaround began the morning of Feb. 24, 2022, as Russian soldiers headed toward Kyiv . . . Click HERE to listen and read.

First, links to reports from Reuters, National Public Radio, the Associated Press, Tass, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. Next, a link to an Australian observer’s views on a largely unreported anti-war demonstration Sunday in Washington, D.C. Then, a link to a news release about March demonstrations. — MCM

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Biden, in Kyiv ahead of war anniversary, vows support as long as needed, by Pavel Polityuk and Max Hunder | Reuters  * U.S. president makes surprise visit to Ukraine * War anniversary seen as motivation for Russian offensive * Zelenskiy says he and Biden discussed long-range weapons * Russia to host high-level visit from China | KYIV—  In an unannounced visit to Kyiv today, U.S. President Joe Biden promised to stand with Ukraine as long as it takes, on a trip timed to upstage the Kremlin ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Biden, in aviator sunglasses, strode side-by-side with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in green battle fatigues, through central Kyiv to a gold-domed cathedral, on a bright winter morning pierced by air raid sirens. READ MORE . . .

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President Biden makes an unannounced trip to Ukraine’s capital. Reported by Leila Fadel, A Martínez and Frank Langfitt | NPR  Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and announced a half a billion dollars of additional assistance to Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Biden says he’ll back Ukraine as long as it takes. But some take aim at the price tag. Reported by Franco Ordoñez | NPR  When President Biden made a secret trip to Ukraine today, he declared that the United States is going to back Ukraine as long as it takes. But after Congress appropriated more than $112 billion in military and economic support in the space of a single year — and with no signs of an end to the conflict — polls show a growing number of Americans feel . . .  Click HERE to listen and read.

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Biden visits Ukraine ahead of war anniversary: ‘Kyiv stands,’ by Evan Vucci, John Leicester, Aamer Madhani and Zeke Miller | AP  KYIV — President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Ukraine today to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a striking gesture of solidarity. He spent more than five hours in the Ukrainian capital, meeting Zelenskyy, honoring the country’s fallen soldiers and meeting with U.S. embassy staff in . . . READ MORE . . .

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One civilian wounded in Russia’s Belgorod region in shelling from Ukrainian territory. From Tass. MOSCOW — One civilian was wounded in the city of Shebekino in Russia’s southern Belgorod region bordering Ukraine as a result of shelling from Ukraine, the region’s governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said today. Also today, a 12-year-old girl was killed when the Russian village of Novaya Tavolzhanka in the Shebekino district came under shelling from the Ukrainian territory. READ MORE . . .

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G7 to hold online meeting with Zelensky on Feb 24: Japan PM. From AFP. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said today he would host an online meeting between Group of Seven leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. “So the G7 leaders can remain united to deal with the invasion of Ukraine, I have decided to host a video conference of the G7 leaders, inviting President Zelensky . . . READ MORE . . .

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Japan PM pledges $5.5 billion in additional Ukraine aid. From AFP. Japan will offer Ukraine fresh financial support worth $5.5 billion, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said today. Japan, this year’s Group of Seven president, has joined Western powers in imposing sanctions on Moscow since the war began on Feb. 24, 2022. It has already provided Ukraine with financial support worth $600 million along with hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of emergency humanitarian assistance, according to . . . READ MORE . . .

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The power-serving myth that anti-war protests make no difference, by Caitlin Johnstone | caitlinjohnstone.com Thousands of people from across the political spectrum gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC to protest US militarism, proxy warfare and nuclear brinkmanship in Ukraine on Sunday. It’s a start. The ANSWER Coalition has a March on Washington scheduled for March 18th for the 20th anniversary of the Iraq invasion demanding “Negotiations not escalation” in Ukraine and . . . READ MORE . . .

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Sat., March 18: National March on Washington: Peace in Ukraine – Stop NATO. News release from the Answer Coaltion. Other actions being organized nationwide March 18-19. A wide range of anti-war organizations are uniting for a powerful weekend of action anchored by a demonstration outside the White House, including . . . READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED

For now, links to reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Tass,  National Public Radio, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

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Biden to discuss more troops in upcoming visit, Polish PM says, by Andy Sullivan and Tyler Clifford | Reuters  “We are in the process of discussion with President Biden’s administration about making their [troop] presence more permanent and increasing them,” Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said today. U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Poland over Feb. 20-22 to . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. says China mulling weapons for Russia in Ukraine war. From AFP. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today that China is considering providing weapons to Russia in its war against Ukraine, warning Beijing that any supplies would “cause a serious problem.” “The concern that we have now . .   READ MORE . . .

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Kiev plotting provocation to accuse Russia of violating Convention on Nuclear Safety – RDM. From Tass. MOSCOW — Kiev is plotting a provocation ahead of the 11th emergency session of United Nations General Assembly to accuse Russia of violating of the Convention on Nuclear Safety, the Russian defense ministry said today. “To carry out this provocation, several containers with radioactive substances have been delivered from a European country to . . . READ MORE . . .

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Why most predictions about the Ukraine war have been proved wrong. Reported by Frank Langfitt | NPR  From a swift Russian victory to fragmentation of the West, most of the big fears and predictions about the war in Ukraine proved wrong. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Prosecuting war crimes in Ukraine. Michael Martin of NPR speaks with Wayne Jordash, a managing partner of the Global Rights Compliancr Foundation  on how investigators have begun to consider the task of prosecuting war crimes in Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and read.

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U.S.: Russia has committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine, by Karl Ritter and Geir Moulson | AP  MUNICH — “Russian forces have pursued a widespread and systemic attack against a civilian population, gruesome acts of murder, torture, rape, and deportation,” U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said, citing “execution-style killings, beatings, and electrocution.” READ MORE . . .

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Russia’s year of war: Purge of critics, surge of nationalism, by Dasha Litvinova | AP  TALLINN, Estonia — Moscow’s nights display few signs of a nation at war. Cheerful crowds packed restaurants and bars in the Sretenka neighborhood on a recent Saturday night, watched by officers marked as “tourist police.” Nearby, a top-hatted guide led about 40 sightseers . . . READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED

First, in a noontime rearrangement of today’s segments, a link to a comprehensive interview with one of the most knowledgeable military observers of the war. Then, a column by the Berkshire Eagle’s foreign affairs writer, who resided as a journalist in both Russia and Ukraine. Then, reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Finally, two more segments of an extensive package from the Greanville Post. — MCM

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Scott Ritter on Ukraine’s future and rage against the war machine controversy. Danny Haiphong of The Left Lens interviews Scott Ritter for nearly two hours about the latter’s views on the past, present and future of the conflict. Click HERE to listen and watch.

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Russia mounts human wave attacks in Ukraine to win ground in time for war’s 1-year anniversary, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle Desperate to provide President Vladimir Putin with battlefield victories by Feb. 24, the one-year anniversary of Russia’s all-out attack on Ukraine, Russian generals are . . . READ MORE . . .

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EU eyes joint arms buying to help Ukraine, by Andrew Gray , John Irish and Sabine Siebold  | Reuters MUNICH — The European Union is urgently exploring ways for its member countries to team up to buy munitions to help Ukraine, following warnings from Kyiv that its forces need more supplies quickly. EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss the idea of joint procurement of 155-millimetre artillery shells – badly needed by Kyiv – at a meeting in Brussels on Monday. READ MORE . . .

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1st class of Ukraine fighters finishes advanced U.S. training, by Tara Copp | AP  ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT — The first class of 635 Ukrainian fighters has finished a five-week advanced U.S. training course in Germany on sophisticated combat skills and armored vehicles that will be critical in the coming spring offensiveagainst the Russians, the Pentagon said Friday. Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said that additional training is already underway at . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia claims capture of a village in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region. From AFP. Russia today claimed to have taken control of a small village near the key city of Kupiansk in the northeastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv.“The settlement of Gryanikovka… was completely liberated,” the defense ministry said in a statement, referring to the Ukrainian village of Gryanykivka by its Russian name.

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NATO chief reveals biggest risk in terms of Ukraine conflict. From Tass. MUNICH — There are no risk-free options in terms of the conflict in Ukraine but the biggest risk of all is if Russia wins, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, addressing the Munich Security Conference today. “Some worry . . . READ MORE . . .

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Banning Seymour Hersh’s ‘offensive’ ideas: Subverting America’s democracy — now! From the Greanville Post It’s obvious by now that Sy Hersh’s bombshell revelations about Nord Stream are being deliberately ignored, derided, and boycotted by the corporate media. Most of the time, as befits their mediocrity and disgusting cravenness, underhandedly. YouTube’s ludicrous and transparently hypocritical maneuver to reduce the reach of the Democracy Now! interview with Hersh (they’re doing that for our benefit (!) they claim) apparently . . . READ MORE . . .

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The truth about the Russian Wagner Group. In an interview with Richard Medhurst, military analyst Scott Ritter differs with the term “mercenaries” as applied to it. Click HERE  to listen and watch.

For now, links to reports by the Associated Press, Reuters, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

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Leaders focus on Ukraine war at Munich Security Conference, by Karl Ritter | AP  MUNICH — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy planned to give the opening address today at a major annual conference on international security policy, where Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was expected to dominate the event. About 40 heads of state and government, as well as politicians and security experts from almost 100 countries, including the United States, Europe and China, were expected to attend the three-day . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine war spurs European demand for U.S. arms, but not big-ticket items, by Mike Stone | Reuters WASHINGTON —  European demand for U.S. weaponry is soaring, but instead of big-ticket items like jets and tanks, shopping lists are focused on cheaper, less-sophisticated items such as shoulder-fired missiles, artillery, and drones that have proven critical to Ukraine’s war efforts. Countries like Poland, Finland and Germany are striking deals to build U.S. weapons in Europe, negotiating new deals . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine would have wiped out Donbass last year, if Russia hadn’t intervened – official. From Tass. MOSCOW — Ukraine would have levelled the Donbass republics a year ago if Russia had not intervened in time by recognizing the Lugansk and the Donetsk People’s Republics and launching its special military operation, Former LPR ambassador to Moscow Rodion Miroshnik said today. “Exactly one year ago, . . . READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED

UFOs and other unsolved mysteries of our time, by Ross Douthat | The New York Times  One of the patterns of our era is what you might call the incomplete reveal. A phenomenon can go from being the subject of crank theories and sub rosa conversations to being more mainstream, but without actually being fully explained or figured out. Or a controversy can  take center stage for a little while, a great deal seems to hang upon the answer, and then isn’t resolved and seems to get forgotten. READ MORE . . .

First, links to reports from New England Public Media, National Public Radio, the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

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‘You can feel the Ukrainian spirit’: Concert brings western Mass. Ukrainians closer to home. Reported by Dusty Christensen | NEPM  A crowd of 800 packed into the Frederick C. Tillis Performance Hall at UMass Amherst to see the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine perform. Perogies and chicken Kyiv croquettes were on the menu Friday evening as VIPs rubbed shoulders in the lobby ahead of the concert. They . . . Click HERE to listen and read..

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Thousands of Russians who oppose the war in Ukraine have settled down in Armenia. Reported by Charles Maynes | NPR  Thousands of Russian exiles opposed to the war in Ukraine have taken up residence in Armenia, a former Soviet republic which offers Russians passport-free admission. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Russia deports thousands of Ukrainian children. Investigators say that’s a war crime. Reported by Deborah Amos | NPR  The Russian government is operating a systematic network of at least 40 child custody centers for thousands of Ukrainian children, a potential war crime, according to a new report by Yale University researchers in a collaboration with the U.S. State Department in a program to hold Russia accountable. The report describes . . . Click HERE to listen and read.

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In the lives of 5 friends, Ukraine’s war story unfolds, by Samya Kullab | AP  BUCHA, Ukraine — In the cemetery where Oleksii Zavadskyi and Yurii Stiahliuk are buried, the women they loved take drags on the men’s favorite brands of cigarettes. Clouds of smoke are exhaled in silence. Interlaced between Anastasiia Okhrimenko’s dainty fingers are Camels. Anna Korostenska lights L&M’s, her hands . . . READ MORE . . .

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Tens of thousands of new Russian troops are forcing Ukrainian soldiers to pull back. Reported by Steve Inskeep and Tom Bowman | NPR  Russia throws new conscripts into battle — beginning a winter offensive in Ukraine. Ukrainians plan their own offensive soon. Can either side avoid a stalemate? Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Russia strikes across Ukraine as push for embattled Bakhmut grinds on, by Max Hunder and Pavel Polityuk | Reuters  * Ukraine says it shoots down 16 of 32 Russian missiles * Russian offensive against eastern city Bakhmut churns on * NATO to keep ramping up military aid for Kyiv * Zelenskiy targets spring offensive against invasion | KYIV — Russia battered Ukraine with multiple missile strikes on Thursday as its troops sought to advance in the east, Kyiv said, while Western allies pledged to keep military aid flowing for an intended Ukrainian spring counter-offensive. Following a pattern . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian Wagner chief eyes Bakhmut capture by April. From AFP. The head of Russian mercenary outfit Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has said that Russian forces could capture the embattled city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine “in March or in April”. He said progress would depend on whether “the adversary sends reserves” and blasted Russia’s “monstrous military bureaucracy” for its failure to . . . READ MORE . . .

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Lukashenko: Belarus will fight together with Russia only in case of aggression. From Tass. MINSK — Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko today declared Belarus’s readiness to fight together with Russia from its own territory only in case of aggression against his country, the BelTA news agency reports. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED

First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, from the Unz Review, a link to another piece of commentary on the Feb. 8  article by investigative reporter Seymour Hersh titled “How America took out the Nord Stream pipeline.” — MCM

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Ukraine aid support softens in the U.S.: AP-NORC Poll, by Aamer Madhani and Emily Swanson | AP  WASHINGTON — Support among the American public for providing Ukraine weaponry and direct economic assistance has softened, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Forty-eight percent say they favor the U.S. providing weapons to Ukraine, with 29% opposed and 22% saying they’re neither in favor nor opposed. In May 2022, less than three months into the war, . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia declares battlefield gains as Ukraine urges faster military aid, by Pavel Polityuk | Reuters  * Russia says Ukrainian forces retreated in Luhansk * Eastern city of Bakhmut prepares for Russian assault * Zelenskiy urges allies to speed up military aid * NATO says more artillery rounds produced for Kyiv * EU’s Borrell slams countries for not sending tanks | KYIV — Russia said today today it had broken through two fortified Ukrainian defence lines on the eastern front, as Kyiv described conditions there as difficult and Western allies announced more military aid, including increased supplies of artillery rounds. The Russian Defence Ministry said the Ukrainians had retreated in the face of Russian attacks in the Luhansk region, although it gave no details and . . . READ MORE . . .  

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UN appeals for $5.6 billion for aid to Ukraine in 2023. From AFP. GENEVA — The United Nations said today that $5.6 billion was needed to provide humanitarian aid in Ukraine and to the millions who have fled the war-ravaged country. Nearly a year after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UN estimated that 21.8 million Ukrainians were now in need of humanitarian . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian air defenses intercept eight U.S.-made HIMARS rockets in Ukraine operation. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian air defense forces destroyed 11 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and eight rockets of U.S.-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems over the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported today. “In the past 24 hours, . . . READ MORE . . .

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Seymour Hersh: Standing upright in a sea of lies, by Ron Unz  | The Unz Review Our political landscape is completely flooded by a massive tide of official propaganda. Therefore, it’s hardly surprising that the few visible points of surviving dissent are often found among those individuals who had previously represented the highest peaks  . . . Click HERE to read and listen.

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TO BE CONTINUED

Dear Visitor,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqNugYbZX7E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLjPTHMe3OI

Love,

Mark Channing Miller

First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Tass, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, the Moscow Times, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, a link to another look at investigative reporter Seymour Hersh’s article titled “How America took out the Nord Stream pipeline.”  Finally today, links to one GlobalResearch contributor’s take on the war and a Newsweek writer’s cautionary article about whom and what to believe in reported tolls of combat dead and wounded. — MCM

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Ukraine seeks warplanes at NATO talks, allies fret over ammo, by Lorne Cook | AP  BRUSSELS — Ukraine today renewed its appeal to Western countries for fighter jets to help frustrate Moscow’s invasion, but the United States and its NATO allies and partners are more concerned about Kyiv’s needs for large amounts of ammunition as . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ban on access to Artyomovsk may be prelude to withdrawal of Ukrainian troops – NYT. From Tass. NEW YORK — The ban on civilian and volunteer access to Artyomovsk (known as Bakhmut in Ukraine) imposed by Kiev on Monday could be a prelude to a Ukrainian withdrawal from the city, the New York Times reported. According to the newspaper, . . . READ MORE . . .

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Moscow’s decades-old gas ties with Europe lie in ruins, by Vladimir Soldatkin | Reuters  * Initial 1970 deal with Germany was ‘contract of the century’ * Remains to be seen if Chinese deals can be as lucrative * Reuters analysis forecasts Gazprom revenues to decline this year * Initial 1970 deal with Germany was ‘contract of the century’ * Remains to be seen if Chinese deals can be as lucrative * Reuters analysis forecasts Gazprom revenues to decline this year * This content was produced in Russia where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in Ukraine | NOVY URENGOY, Russia — Meticulously crafted over decades as a major revenue stream for the Kremlin, Moscow’s gas trade with Europe is unlikely to recover from the ravages of military conflict. After President Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation” in Ukraine began . . . READ MORE . . .

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Norway to donate eight Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine: gov’t. From AFP. Norway’s government said today it would donate eight of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, joining a slew . . . READ MORE . . .

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Elite Russian marine unit ‘nearly destroyed’ near Ukraine’s Vuhledar. From The Moscow Times. The elite 5,000-strong 155th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade has been “nearly destroyed” after up to 300 marines per day were killed in Russia’s assault on the eastern Ukraine coal-mining town Vuhledar, Russian media reported Monday, relying in part on comments by the Ukrainian defense forces to Politico. A surviving marine . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. defense chief highlights need to integrate support for Ukraine, From Tass. BRUSSELS — NATO needs to integrate and synchronize its support for Kiev, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said at a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels today. “Our goal isn’t just . . . READ MORE  . . .

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Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the U.S. has changed its laws on prosecuting war crimes. Reported by Deborah Amos | NPR  The U.S. has new laws that could make it easier to prosecute war crimes in other countries — something spurred by the war in Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and read.

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What Hersh got wrong, by Mike Whitney | The Unz Review There’s something not-quite-right about Sy Hersh’s report on the destruction of Nord Stream 2. There are a number of inconsistencies in the piece that lead me to believe that Hersh was less interested in presenting ‘the unvarnished truth’ than relaying a version of events that advance a particular agenda. That is not to say that I don’t appreciate what the author has done. I do. In fact, I think it would be impossible to overstate the significance . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia is taking on all of NATO plus Ukraine, by Kim Petersen | Global Research It is difficult for the person-on-the-street to get a proper handle on what is happening in a war. Regarding the current fighting between Russia and Ukraine, the monopoly media in the “West” has often pointed to Ukraine winning. Other independent sources will state the opposite. Who should one believe? Beware. The aphorism “Fool me once, . . . READ MORE . . .

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Fact check: Have over 150K Ukraine troops been killed in Russia conflict? by Tom Norton | Newsweek  Estimating the number of those killed in combat as the war in Ukraine drags into nearly a year of conflict continues to be an imperfect science. The war dead are likely to remain undercounted until fighting ends. One claim . . . READ MORE . . .