When some people think of Ohio they think Taft. Others think of “Burn On, Big River.” In a better world they may someday think Kucinich. The message linked below is an announcement dated Jan. 24 of this year. More from the sender are accessible by clicking on the link. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, are HERE and HERE.) — MCM
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Statement of Dennis J. Kucinich
The moment is crucial. America is at the threshold of . . . READ MORE . . .
For today, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
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Israel keeps pressure on last two refugee cities, kills 18, health officials say, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Ibraheem Abu Mustafa | Reuters DOHA / GAZA — Israeli air strikes killed 18 Palestinians in Rafah and Deir Al-Balah, Gaza health officials said today, in the last two Gaza Strip cities where troops had not been deployed, adding to residents’ fears Israel would expand its ground operation. They said . . . READ MORE . . .
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Hamas deploys police, distributes funds in sign of resurgence in Gaza areas Israeli troops have left, by Najib Jobain and Samy Magdy | AP RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Hamas has begun deploying police forces and making partial salary payments to some of its civil servants in Gaza City in recent days, resurfacing in areas from which Israel had withdrawn the bulk of its troops a month ago, four residents and a senior official in the militant group said today. Signs of . . . READ MORE . . .
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The U.S. hit over 85 Iran-linked targets in retaliatory strikes. Reported by Scott Simon and Tom Bowman | NPR The U.S. says it has struck more than 85 targets at seven facilities used by Iran or Iran-allied groups in Iraq and Syria. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Former U.S. ambassador to Lebanon on the significance of the retaliatory strikes. Scott Simon of NPR speaks with Jeffrey Feltman about the American response in the widening Middle East conflict. He’s a former U.S. ambassador to Lebanon who went on to work in mediation at the U.N. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Russia says U.S. ‘sowing chaos and destruction’ in Middle East. From AFP. The statement from Russia’s foreign ministry came today after Washington launched retaliatory air strikes against Iran backed groups in Iraq and Syria. “Washington, confident . . . READ MORE . . .
For today, links to reports from the Washington Post, the Kyiv Post, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Independent, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
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Ukraine informs White House about decision to fire top general, by John Hudson | The Washington Post The government of Ukraine has informed the White House that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided to fire his top military commander, Gen. Valery Zalushny, in what would be . . . READ MORE . . .
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White House reportedly notified, but Kyiv officially denies Zaluzhny dismissal rumors. From Kyiv Post. In a further twist to an ongoing headline story in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration has reportedly informed the White House of its intention to dismiss Valery Zaluzhny, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, The Washington Post reported on Friday. READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine’s SBU hits Russia’s Volgograd oil refinery in drone attack, source says. From Reuters. KYIV — Two Ukrainian drones struck a primary oil processing facility at the Volgograd oil refinery in southern Russia today in an operation conducted by the SBU security service, a Ukrainian source said. Local authorities in Russia said earlier . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine says downed 9 of 14 Russian drones overnight. From AFP. Ukraine’s air force said today it downed nine out of 14 drones launched by Russia over southern and central regions overnight. Kyiv said most of the drones were directed at . . . READ MORE . . .
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Military says Crimean airfield attack damaged 3 Russian warplanes. From the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine damaged at least three Russian military aircraft at the Belbek military airfield near Sevastopol in occupied Crimea, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat confirmed Friday. A military source said . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukrainian forces lose up to 1,825 servicemen, six tanks in Krasny Liman area. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia’s battlegroup Center has occupied more advantageous positions in the Krasny Liman area, repelling 19 Ukrainian attacks and wiping out up to 1,825 enemy servicemen over the week, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Also . . . READ MORE . . .
For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio, and to an article of commentary via Popular Resistance from Scheer Post; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
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Hamas says it’s studying Gaza cease-fire proposal, but appears to rule out key provisions, by Bassam Mroue and Samy Magdy | AP BEIRUT — Hamas officials said today that the group is studying a proposed cease-fire dealthat would include prolonged pauses in fighting in Gaza and swaps of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, but at the same time appeared to rule out some of its key components. A senior Hamas . . . READ MORE . . .
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Backs to the wall, Gazans fear Israeli assault on last refuge, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Mohammed Salem | Reuters GAZA — Israeli forces today shelled the outskirts of the last refuge on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip, where the displaced, penned against the border fence in their . . . READ MORE . . .
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What does Hamas have left? Reported by Greg Myre | NPR Hamas has lost thousands of fighters and apparently its ability to carry out large-scale rocket attacks. But Israel remains a long way from its stated goal of destroying the militant group. Click HERE to listen and read.
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Palestinians desperately need food aid. How did the war in Gaza make food political? Reported by Eyder Peralta | NPR Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of using food deprivation as a weapon of war while other humanitarian organizations warn the risk of famine in Gaza is growing. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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White House will sanction Israeli settlers in the West Bank who attack Palestinians. Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR President Biden has issued an executive order targeting Israeli settlers who have attacked Palestinians in the West Bank. The measure could lead to the freezing of their bank accounts and assets. Click HERE to listen and read.
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The silence of the damned, by Chris Hedges | Scheer Post / Popular Resistance There is no effective health care system left in Gaza. Infants are dying. Children are having their limbs amputated without anesthesia. Thousands of cancer patients and those in need of dialysis . . . READ MORE . . .
For today, links to reports from Agence France-Presse and CNN, and to commentary by a Substack writer, by the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces for CNN, and from the Kyiv Post; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for today is HERE.) — MCM
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Russian drone attack in Ukraine leaves 40,000 without power. From AFP. Ukraine said today that tens of thousands of people were without power after a barrage of two dozen Russian drones damaged energy infrastructure in the central part of the country. The overnight attack . . . READ MORE . . .
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Two Swiss Chuch Aid staff killed in Ukraine: Statement. From AFP. Two workers with Swiss Church Aid were killed Thursday in an attack in southeastern Ukraine and other staff members were wounded, the non-governmental organisation said today. “A group . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM JAN. 31 Zelensky set to announce dismissal of Ukraine’s top commander within days as rift grows over war, source says, by Victoria Butenko, Daria Tarasova-Markina and Andrew Carey | CNN KYIV — Ukraine’s popular army chief Valery Zaluzhny was called to a meeting at the president’s office on Monday and told he was being fired, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN, following . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB 1 The president vs. the general, by Seymour M. Hersh | seymourhersh.substack.com It’s suddenly a tabloid war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is reported to have demanded that General Valery Zaluzhny, the battle-scarred and much respected commander of Ukraine’s armed forces, resign. Zaluzhny has . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 1 (Written before this week.) The design of war has changed, by Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi | CNN The Second World War drew to a close almost 80 years ago, but its legacy in defining the strategic vision of war persists to this day. Whatever remarkable advances there have been in aviation, missile technology and . . . READ MORE . . .
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Rethinking warfare — On Zaluzhny’s CNN column, by Alisa Orlova | Kyiv Post In his column for CNN, Valerii Zaluzhny, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, shares his vision for a new strategy against Russia. Acknowledging . . . READ MORE . . .
For today, some words from the psychiatrist and author M. Scott Peck (1936 – 2005), first in English as he wrote them in The Road Less Traveled, and then in two other Western languages, Spanish and French. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE.)– MCM
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A life of total dedication to the truth also means a life of willingness to be personally challenged. Accepting and even welcoming challenges to our maps of reality allow us to grow in wisdom and effectiveness. – M. Scott Peck
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Una vida de dedicacción total a la verdad es, en suma, una vida de disposición a ser retado personalmente. Aceptar y hasta acoger bien la oposición a nuestras mapas de realidad nos permitan a crecer en sabiduría y eficacia. – M. Scott Peck
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Une vie de complet dévouement à la vérité siginifie aussi une vie de bonne volonté d’être défié personnellement. Accepter y même accueillir avec plaisir les défis à nos cartes de réalité permettent que nous croissent en sagesse et efficacité. – M. Scott Peck
For today, links to reports from National Public Radio, the Associated Press, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for today and a PECK entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM
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As Israel resumes bombing in the north, thousands of Gazans face desperate conditions. Reported by Eyder Peralta | NPR Southern Gaza has seen the heaviest fighting over the past few weeks. But bombing has restarted in the north and the humanitarian situation has worsened there. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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How do you think about a future when you’re trying to survive the war in Gaza? Leila Fadel of NPR speaks with Palestinian humanitarian Mahmoud Shalabi about resuming work in the north of Gaza, and his hopes for the future. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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FROM JAN. 31 Top US diplomat set to return to the Mideast for 5th time since Gaza conflict began, by Matthew Lee | AP WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to the Middle East later this week on his fifth urgent diplomatic mission since Israel’s war with Hamas began in October, the White House and a State Department official said Wednesday. READ MORE . . .
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Israeli PM says UN agency for Palestinians must close, Israeli warplanes strike Gaza, by Henriette Chacar, Mohammad Salem and Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters JERUSALEM / GAZA / DOHA — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Wednesday for the closure of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency as his forces conducted more air strikes in Gaza amid diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire and release of hostages in the enclave. Israel has accused . . . READ MORE . . .
For today, links to reports from National Public Radio, the Moscow Times, Tass, the Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date and a PECK entry are HERE. and HERE.) — MCM
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Tensions between Ukraine’s president and a top general have boiled over. Reported by Leila Fadel and Joanna Kakissis | NPR There is growing tension between Ukraine’s president and his military chief of staff. If that general loses his job, Ukrainian society could be divided at a crucial time. Click HERE to listen and read.
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Ukraine says destroyed Russian missile boat near occupied Crimea. From the Moscow Times. Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Directorate said today its special forces had destroyed a Russian warship off the coast of occupied Ukraine using a group of waterborne drones. It said the Ivanovets missile corvette was patrolling the Black Sea near Lake Donuzlav in Crimea. READ MORE . . .
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About 45 Ukrainian attacks on Belgorod Region recorded in 24-hour span, governor says. From Tass. MOSCOW — Around 45 unmanned aerial vehicles of the Ukrainian armed forces attacked the Belgorod Region over the past 24 hours, with over 40 shells fired at the borderline region’s towns and villages, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. As a result, a man was injured and four houses, two infrastructure . . . READ MORE . . .
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Putin vows to make military gains in Ukraine as he meets with his campaign staff, by Vladimir Isachenkov | AP MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin vowed Wednesday to push back Ukrainian forces to reduce the threat of attacks on Russian territory as he met with activists running his campaign ahead of the March presidential election. Asked . . . READ MORE . . .
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Zelensky says aid deal demonstrates ‘strong EU unity.’ From AFP, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today hailed a deal reached by the European Union to supply Kyiv with 50 billion euros in aid that was initially blocked by Hungary. “It is . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM JAN. 31 World Court dismisses much of Ukraine’s case against Russia, by Stephanie van den Berg | Reuters THE HAGUE — Judges at the top U.N. court on Wednesday found that Russia violated elements of a U.N. anti-terrorism treaty, but declined to rule on allegations brought by Kyiv that Moscow was responsible for the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014. READ MORE . . .
For today, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from Consortium News and Scheer Post; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date, so far, is HERE.) — MCM
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Israel pounds Gaza, regional tensions high as Hamas studies ceasefire proposal, by Mohammed Salem and Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters GAZA / DOHA —Israeli forces pounded areas in northern and southern Gaza today after Hamas said it had received and was studying a new proposal for a ceasefire and release of hostages held in the Palestinian enclave. The . . . READ MORE . . .
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Israeli forces dressed as civilian women and medics kill 3 militants in a West Bank hospital, by Aref Tufaha, Melanie Lidman and Wafaa Shurafa | AP JENIN, West Bank — Israeli forces disguised as civilian women and medics stormed a hospital Tuesday in the occupied West Bank, killing three Palestinian militants in a dramatic raid that . . . READ MORE . . .
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How close is Qatar to negotiating an end to the fighting between Hamas and Israel? Leila Fadel of NPR talks with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani about brokering a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, and an exchange of hostages and prisoners. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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A Palestinian journalist shares her vision for a post-war Gaza. Leila Fadel of NPR speaks with Palestinian journalist Plestia Alaqad about reporting on the war in Gaza, and her hopes for the future. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Hamas’s official account, etc. – Part 1, by As`ad AbuKhalil | Consortium News Last week, the Information Office of Hamas issued a special document titled “This is our account: Why the Aqsa Deluge.” In it, the movement explains in detail its motives and goals for the operation. The document is not likely to get Western . . . READ MORE . . .
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The Palestinians won in the Hague: So did the rest of us, by Patrick Lawrence | Scheer Post / Popular Resistance Half a dozen years ago I sat in the lobby lounge at the Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan talking at length with Richard Falk, the scholar, lawyer, U.N. rapporteur, and advocate of Palestinian rights. Falk has long been a recognized authority on . . . READ MORE . . .
For today, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, Reuters, the Kyiv Post, and the Kyiv Independent; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date, so far, is HERE.) — MCM
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Russia and Ukraine exchange hundreds of POWs. From AFP. The exchange occurred today, just a week after Moscow said Kyiv had shot down a plane carrying dozens of captured Ukrainian soldiers. Russia’s Defense Ministry said 195 of its soldiers were freed, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said 207 people — both soldiers and civilians — had returned to Ukraine. READ MORE . . .
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Zelenskiy set to replace Ukraine’s top commander Zaluzhny — FT. From Reuters. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is preparing to replace top commander Valery Zaluzhny in what would be the biggest shake-up of its military brass during Russia’s almost two-year-old invasion, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. Zelenskiy offered Valeriy . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine says Russia not handing over alleged POWs’ bodies from crashed plane. From Reuters. A Ukrainian military spy official said on Tuesday that Russia was showing no willingness to return the bodies of dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war Moscow says died in a military plane crash in Belgorod region last week. Kyiv has said Moscow . . . READ MORE . . .
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Putin says U.S. Patriot missile used to shoot down POW plane. From AFP. Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that a U.S.-made Patriot missile was used to shoot down a plane that Moscow says was carrying captured Ukrainian soldiers. A Russian Il-76 cargo plane crashed on Jan. 24 with Russian authorities saying . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine stages new drone attack on Russian oil refinery: Kyiv source. From AFP. Ukraine carried out another drone attack on an oil facility deep inside Russian territory, a military intelligence source in Kyiv told AFP today. Kyiv has . . . READ MORE . . .
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Germany’s Scholz vows to ‘do all’ to secure ‘huge’ EU aid to Ukraine. From AFP. “We will do everything,” Chancellor Olaf Schotz said to the German parliament today, “to ensure that the joint contribution from Europe is so huge that Ukraine can build on it and that . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine’s drone operators race into the future, mostly with overclocked copters, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post Over the past 23 months, in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, hobby drones have gone from a nice-to-have combat tool operated mostly by geeks and usable only for short-range reconnaissance, into a weapons system so critical that deployment of an AFU combat brigade without a dedicated drone unit would be considered . . . READ MORE . . .
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These are the most important Russian ships destroyed by Ukraine, by Dinara Khalilova | The Kyiv Independent One of the most unexpected developments of the full-scale invasion was how many big, expensive Russian ships were taken out by Ukraine, a country that technically has no navy. Around 20% of Russia’s Black Sea fleet has been destroyed as of December 2023, according to . . . READ MORE . . .