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

–   –   –

Putin declares martial law in annexed regions of Ukraine. From AP. MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin declared martial law today in the four regions of Ukraine that Moscow annexed and gave additional emergency powers to the heads of all regions of Russia. Putin didn’t immediately spell out the steps that would be taken . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia says it has launched new strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. From Reuters. Russia has launched new strikes against military and energy targets in Ukraine, the Defence Ministry said in its daily briefing today. It added that “all designated targets were hit”.

–   –   –

Pro-Kremlin administration evacuating from Ukraine’s Kherson City: Official. From AFP. The head of the Russian-controlled region of Kherson in southern Ukraine said today that pro-Kremlin officials were evacuating from the region’s main city but vowed Moscow’s forces would keep fighting. “The entire administration is already moving today,” to the left bank of the Dnieper river . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian forces strike two artillery batteries in Ukraine operation, top brass reports. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces destroyed two Ukrainian artillery batteries and two platoons of Uragan multiple rocket launchers in counter-battery fire in the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported today. “In counter-battery warfare . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Putin declares martial law in Moscow-claimed regions. From the Moscow Times. Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared martial law in four partially occupied regions of Ukraine that Moscow claims to have annexed. Kyiv’s forces . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia tightens Ukraine energy squeeze; launches evacuation, by Hanna Arhirova and Sabra Ayres | AP  KYIV — Russian missile strikes and shelling of energy utilities left more Ukrainian villages, towns and parts of two cities without power today, authorities said, tightening an energy squeeze that threatens misery for millions in winter. A nearly two-week . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukraine says Russia has recently taken out a third of its power stations. Reported by Leila Fadel and Franco Ordoñez | NPR   Ukraine’s president calls Russian drone strikes on critical infrastructure “terrorism.” As winter cold starts to set in, officials are calling on Ukrainians to conserve electricity. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

Ukrainian officials warn people to prep for electricity, water and heating outages. A Martínez of NPR talks with former Ukrainian infrastructure minister Volodymyr Omelyan, as he returns from the frontline. He warns of a humanitarian crisis if critical infrastructure isn’t protected. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

EU faces battle to keep energy prices from tanking economy, by Raf  and Samuel Petrequin | AP  BRUSSELS — European Union leaders enter a crucial stretch this week to make sure runaway energy prices and short supplies don’t further tank their struggling economies and foment unrest. At the same time, they need to keep all 27 members united in their opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Leading up to Thursday’s start of a key summit . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED

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

–   –   –

In Ukraine, trend lines point to escalation, not an endgame. Reported by Greg Myre | NPR  When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, many predicted a short war. Eight months on, each new twist points toward escalation and the notion that this conflict still has a long way to go. One observer notes that the war is as intense as it’s ever been. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

As Russia strikes power plants, Ukrainians brace for winter, by Justin Spike | AP  KIVSHARIVKA, Ukraine — Winter’s bite is coming. . . . Those who haven’t fled from the heavy fighting, regular shelling and months of Russian occupation in eastern Ukraine are desperately trying to figure out how to dig in for the cold months. . . . Authorities are working to gradually restore electricity to the area in the coming days, and provide firewood to residents. Repairs to water and gas infrastructure will come next, according to . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Iran agrees to ship missiles, more drones, to Russia: Report. From Reuters. * Iran to sell more drones, missiles to Russia * West heavily criticises Iran over drones * Tehran under pressure from mass protests | Iran has promised to provide Russia with surface to surface missiles, in addition to more drones, two senior Iranian officials and two Iranian diplomats told Reuters . . . Ukraine has reported a spate of Russian attacks using Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones in recent . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Kyiv says Russian strikes leave over 1,100 Ukraine towns without power. From AFP. KYIV — Kyiv said today that more than 1,100 towns and villages across Ukraine had been left without power after 10 days of Russia strikes that have targeted energy facilities across the country. “For now, 1,162 settlements in . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

MAY. BE CONTINUED

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

–   –   –

Waves of suicide drones strike Ukraine’s capital, 4 killed, by Sabra Ayres, Hanna Arhirova, and Inna Varenytsi | AP  KYIV — Waves of explosives-laden suicide drones struck Ukraine’s capital today, setting buildings ablaze and tearing a hole in one of them. . . . Intense, sustained bursts of gunfire rang out as the Iranian-made Shahed drones buzzed overhead, apparently from soldiers trying to destroy them. Others headed . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian drones hit sunflower oil terminal in Mykolaiv – officials, by Pavel Polityuk | Reuters KYIV — Russian kamikaze drones hit tanks with sunflower oil at one of the terminals in the Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv late on Sunday, the city mayor said today. One of Ukraine’s largest ports, Mykolaiv halted shipments at the start of the Russian invasion, but . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

–   –   –

NATO begins nuclear exercises amid Russia war tensions. From AP. BRUSSELS — NATO today began its long-planned annual nuclear exercises in northwestern Europe . . . . Fourteen of NATO’s 30 member countries were due to take part in the exercises, which the military alliance said would involve around 60 aircraft including fighter jets and surveillance and refueling . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

U.S. to send Ukraine more air defense systems after Russia stepped up missile attacks. A Martínez of NPR talks with John Kirby, White House national security coordinator for Strategic Communications, about the Russian bombardments, and expedited U.S. shipments of weapons and equipment.. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

Russia to continue operation in Ukraine despite NATO intervention. From teleSUR. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization de facto got involved in the conflict in Ukraine, but this does not affect the objectives of Russia’s special operation, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday. “NATO has already . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Israel’s intention to supply arms to Ukraine will destroy relations with Russia – Medvedev. From Tass. MOSCOW — Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev warned today that it would be a mistake for Israel to supply weapons to Ukraine. “Israel seems to have decided to supply weapons to the Kiev regime. That would be a very rash . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED

First, a link to a conversation between a trends specialist and a retired U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer and U.N. arms inspector on, among other things, some of the causes and potential consequences of the war. Then, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

–   –   –

Ignorance & fear causing nuclear Armageddon. Trends Journal publisher Gerald Celente and author Scott Ritter talk online.

–   –   –

Ukraine: Rockets strike mayor’s office in occupied Donetsk, by Sabra Ayres | AP  KYIV — Pro-Kremlin officials today blamed Ukraine for a rocket attack that struck the mayor’s office in a key Ukrainian city controlled by the separatists. . . . Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said Russian rockets struck a city across from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, wounding six people. The attacks on both sides . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia says its forces repelled Ukrainian advances in several regions. From Reuters. Russia’s defence ministry said on Sunday its forces had repelled efforts by Ukrainian troops to advance in the Donetsk, Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, inflicting what it described as significant losses against the enemy. The battlefield reports could not immediately be verified. Russia also said it was continuing air strikes on military and energy targets in Ukraine, using . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukrainian refugees are finding home in a small city in southern Brazil. Reported by Jill Langlois | NPR  Numerous refugees from Ukraine are ending up not in Poland, nor Germany, but in a small city in southern Brazil. And many feel right at home there. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED

First, a link to a column in this morning’s Berkshire Eagle by a journalist who lived in Kyiv for six years after being based in Moscow for eight years. Then, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and Tass, Agence France-Presse, and National Public Radio. Finally, from NPR, a link to a look at a revival of concerns about nuclear warfare. — MCM

–   –   –

Bombs strike the playground where my son played, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle Russian President Vladimir Putin bombed my son George’s playground Monday morning. Launched from outside Ukraine, a cruise missile flew hundreds of miles and blew away the swings where George used to play every Saturday. . . . In Kyiv, Monday’s massive explosion blew in windows of . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

11 Russian troops slain at shooting range as fighting rages, by Yesica Fisch and Leo Correa | AP  ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine — At least 11 Russian soldiers were killed today in a shooting incident . . . . The Russian Defense Ministry said two men opened fire at volunteer soldiers during a target practice session in western Russia, killing 11 of them and wounding 15 others before being killed themselves. The ministry called it a terror attack. Russia has . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukraine troops hold key town, Russia fires more missiles, Zelenskiy says, by David Ljunggren | Reuters Ukrainian troops are still holding the strategic eastern town of Bakhmut despite repeated Russian attacks while the situation in the Donbas region remains very difficult, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said today. . . . Fighting is particularly intense in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk provinces bordering Russia. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Solution to Ukraine conflict may be found within a week, it depends on U.S., U.K. – Lukashenko. From Tass. MINSK, Belarusian — The Ukraine conflict may be resolved within a week, and that depends on the United States and the United Kingdom, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview with NBC, excerpts of which were quoted by BelTA news agency today.

–   –   –

In reversal, Musk says SpaceX will continue funding Starlink in Ukraine. From AFP. Elon Musk announced today that his company would continue to pay for Starlink satellite internet in war-torn Ukraine, a day after suggesting he cannot keep funding the project. . . . Musk had said on Friday that . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Young Ukrainians are spreading joy by organizing cleanup parties. Reported by Kat Lonsdorf | NPR  A group of volunteers are spreading joy in Ukraine by organizing cleanup parties. Young Ukrainians blast music and dance as they clean the debris of obliterated homes. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

Opinion: The specter of nuclear Armageddon. By Scott Simon | NPR  For the past generation, the threat of nuclear destruction has been overshadowed by fears of climate catastrophe, global disease outbreaks, terrorism, and the shattering of democracy. But now it looms again. As . . . Click HERE to listen and read.

What begins below was first published in Dan Rather’s column, “Steady,” and was recommended by Andrew Kreig, editor of the Justice Integrity Project. Rather turn out his columns nearly every day in collaboration with Elliot Kirschner. Rather, a correspondent for CBS News for more than 20 years before his tenure of another 20-plus years as anchor of CBS Evening News, lives in retirement in Texas. — MCM

–   –   –

January 6 Wasn’t an Accident

By Dan Rather

“That, my fellow citizens, breaks the republic.”

This was the chilling conclusion of Liz Cheney today at the January 6 hearings over what would have happened if the guardrails of our democracy, exposed for their frailty in 2020, had buckled to an autocrat determined to hold onto power.

And the danger remains. “Without accountability, it all becomes normal, and it will recur,” Cheney warned.

Cheney’s statement is striking in its simplicity and its power. Her audience is her “fellow citizens,” the ones who will be going to the polls in less than a month to decide who should lead this nation going forward. Her fellow Republicans have cast Cheney as a pariah for having the courage to state the truth: that their leader wanted to destroy America as we know it.

What the committee presented today shed a spotlight on the authorship of this historic tragedy. It is Trump who is the playwright, conjuring and casting the roles of those who would act out his destructive intentions. It was he who dreamt up and directed a frontal attack on American democracy. But he couldn’t have done it without his willing accomplices.

Today, we saw footage of members of Congress grappling in real time with a deteriorating situation on January 6 that could have ended with more bloodshed and the decimation of governmental order. We could feel a visceral fear in their actions and words, not only for their own personal safety but for the safety of the nation they had sworn an oath to serve. Those who could have intervened, starting with the president but including his top aides inside the White House, were absent. And that is just as the president wanted it. We heard today evidence that Trump knew he had lost, and he didn’t care what it would take to retain power.

Or are we now so divided that we can no longer be sure? This is the overriding question as our beloved America evolves in the first quarter of the 21st century.

This man who shamelessly pounds his chest with protestations of patriotism, who literally wraps himself in the American flag, who demonizes his political opponents as haters of America, is really the one who views our imperfect experiment in self-governance with disgust. Elections. The rule of law. Peaceful transfers of power. The will of the people. These are the pillars of our nation’s foundation. But for Trump, that’s all just for suckers. He had the presidency, and he didn’t plan on relinquishing it, no matter what the voters or the Constitution said.

January 6 wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t a rally that spun out of control. It was a dangerous and violent storm threatening our nation’s core principles and our whole system of representative democracy. Stop and ponder that. Then remember that it should have been no surprise. The committee has made clear that the plan had been on the radar for weeks. There was plenty of evidence in advance that Trump and his cronies were planning to disregard the verdict of the election if it went against him.

But details and evidence uncovered since have . . . READ MORE . . .

Please find below links to reports from National Public Radio, the Associated Press, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their initials or names. — MCM

–   –   –

Data leak exposes Mexico military corruption, including collusion with drug cartels. Reported by A Martínez and Eyder Peralta | NPR  Mexico is trying to come to terms with a massive data leak that uncovered some of the country’s closest kept secrets — from the health of the president to the corruption among Mexico’s military. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

As the causes of U.S. inflation grow, so do the dangers, by Christopher Rugaber | AP  WASHINGTON — What keeps driving inflation so high? The answer, it seems, is nearly everything. Supply chain snarls and parts shortages inflated the cost of factory goods when the economy rocketed out of the pandemic recession two years ago. Then it was . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Argentine executives expect already sky-high inflation to go higher, by Jorge Otaola | Reuters BUENOS AIRES — Argentina’s surging inflation will just keep rising, according to the vast majority of executives surveyed in a poll released on Thursday, even though consumer prices are already on pace to end this year in triple digits. The government of President Alberto Fernandez . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Veteran baseball broadcaster Jaime Jarrin says goodbye. Reported by A Martínez | NPR  For more than 60 years, Jaime Jarrin has been the Spanish-language voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was instrumental in bringing more Latino fans to the game. Now he’s saying goodbye. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

Hydro-Quebec subsidiary buys 13 dams in New England. From AP. MONTREAL — A Hydro-Quebec subsidiary is buying a company that operates 13 hydropower generating stations in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, strengthening its relationship with New England. The $2 billion purchase of Great River Hydro LLC and the dams that produce 589 megawatts of electricity will provide Hydro-Quebec with the largest hydropower operation in New England, officials said Wednesday. Hydro-Quebec has a long relationship with New England, providing . . . READ MORE . . .

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

–   –   –

Putin: Call-up of Russian reservists to finish in 2 weeks, by Sabra Ayres | AP  KYIV — Russian President Vladimir Putin said today he expects a mobilization of army reservists he ordered to bolster his country’s troops in Ukraine to reach the targeted number of recruits in two weeks, a milestone that would allow him to end the hugely unpopular call-up. He said 222,000 of the 300,000 reservists the Russian Defense Ministry set as a goal have been mobilized; a total of 33,000 of them are already in military units, and 16,000 are involved in combat. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

After the Crimean bridge attack, there are plenty of theories but few real answers. Reported by Julian Hayda | NPR  KYIV — Nearly a week after an explosion damaged a vital bridge in Crimea, Russian and Ukrainian authorities are still trading accusations and offering competing theories as to what and who caused the blast. But definitive answers remain elusive. On Wednesday, Russia’s Federal Security Service arrested eight men alleged to have taken part . . . Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

U.N. General Assembly votes to condemn Russia’s annexations in Ukraine. Reported by Erika Ryan, Ashley Brown and Mary Louise Kelly | NPR  Mary Louise Kelly talks with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield following a vote Wednesday by the U.N. General Assembly to condemn Russia’s annexations in Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

UN resolution against Russia is ‘diplomatic terror,’ Lavrov says. From teleSUR. Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday that the approval by the United Nations General Assembly of a resolution against Russia on Wednesday condemning the referendums held in Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson was reached by intimidating developing countries. “The methods . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

The British military is giving Ukrainian civilians a crash course in soldiering. Reported by Frank Langfitt | NPR  The United Kingdom has provided more military instruction than nearly any other country — putting nearly 6,000 Ukrainian civilians through basic training in recent months. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

Musk says SpaceX cannot fund Ukraine’s vital Starlink internet indefinitely. From Reuters. WASHINGTON — Elon Musk said today his rocket company SpaceX cannot indefinitely fund its Starlink internet service in Ukraine, which has helped the country’s civilians and military stay online during the war with Russia. . . . The billionaire has been in online fights with Ukrainian officials over a peace plan he put forward which Ukraine says . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Kremlin says its goals in Ukraine can be achieved through talks. From Reuters. LONDON — Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying on Thursday that the goals of Moscow’s “special military operation” in Ukraine were unchanged, but that they could be achieved through negotiations. The comments to the Russian newspaper Izvestia were the latest in a series of statements this week stressing Moscow’s openness to talks — a change . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Putin says more ‘massive’ strikes against Ukraine not necessary ‘for now.’ From AFP. ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN — Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that he does not plan more “massive” strikes against Ukraine “for now” and that the  Kremlin’s aim was not to “destroy” the pro-Western country. “There is no need now for massive strikes,” he said. “There are other tasks. For now. And then it will be clear. . . . We do not set ourselves the task of destroying Ukraine.” READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED

Presented here, via Consortium News, is the beginning of a forensic analysis by a close observer of evidence regarding the explosions in September that damaged the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines connecting Russia and Germany. — MCM

–   –   –

Pipelines v. U.S.A.

By Scott Ritter | Consortium News

Circumstantial evidence, just like direct proof, can be used to prove the elements of a crime, the existence or completion of certain acts and the intent or mental state of a defendant. Generally speaking, a prosecutor, to obtain a conviction, needs to show beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant committed a certain act and that the defendant acted with specific intent.

Nord Stream 1 is a multi-national project operated by Swiss-based Nord Stream AG intended to supply some 55 billion cubic meters (bcm) of Russian natural gas annually to Europe by directly transporting it from Russia, through twin 1,224 kilometer-long pipelines laid beneath the Baltic Sea, to a German hub, from which the gas would be distributed to other European consumers.

The first of the twin pipelines was completed in June 2011 and began supplying gas in November 2011. The second was completed in April 2012 and began supplying gas in October 2012. Gazprom, the Russian gas giant, owns 51 percent interest in the Nord Stream 1 pipeline project.

Nord Stream 2 is a near clone of the Nord Stream 1 project, consisting of twin 1,220-kilometer pipelines laid beneath the Baltic Sea connecting Russia to Germany. Started in 2018, it was completed in September 2021. Like Nord Stream 1, the Nord Stream 2 is designed to deliver approximately 55 bcm of natural gas from Russia to Europe through Germany. Nord Stream 2, like Nord Stream 1, is operated by a multinational company in which Gazprom has 51 percent ownership.

Unlike Nord Stream 1, Nord Stream 2 was never allowed to begin supplying gas.

The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines are anathema to U.S. national security policy, which for decades has been sour on the degree to which Russian natural gas dominates the European energy market. This animus was perhaps best captured by a column published in the German newspaper DieWelt in July 2019.

The piece, co-authored by Richard Grenell, Carla Sands, Gordon Sondland (respectively, the U.S. ambassadors to Germany, Denmark and the European Union), was entitled “Europe must retain control of its energy security” and made the argument that the “Nord Stream 2 pipeline will drastically increase Russia’s energy leverage over the EU,” noting that “[s]uch a scenario is dangerous for the bloc and the West as a whole.”

Observing that “a dozen European countries rely on Russia for more than 75 percent of their natural gas needs,” the ambassadors concluded “This makes United States allies and partners vulnerable to having their gas shut off at Moscow’s whim.”

Moreover, the ambassadors claimed . . . READ MORE . . .

First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Tass, and teleSUR; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, a link to a look at the war by a Washington Post columnist. — MCM

–   –   –

Ukraine’s Kyiv area hit by Iranian-made kamikaze drones, by Sabra Ayres | AP  KYIV — Russia’s forces used Iranian-made kamikaze drones to attack Ukraine’s capital and Odesa regions today and slammed other areas with missiles as Moscow punished the country for a fourth day for a truck bomb attack on a landmark Russian bridge. A strike carried out near Makrariv, a small city located 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of Kyiv, destroyed critical infrastructure.  . . . Russia resumed . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian official warns of World War Three if Ukraine joins NATO, by Guy Faulconbridge and Lidia Kelly | Reuters LONDON — If Ukraine is admitted into the U.S.-led NATO military alliance, then the conflict in Ukraine would be guaranteed to escalate into World War Three, a Russian Security Council official was quoted as saying today. Just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin formally proclaimed the annexation of up to 18% of Ukraine on Sept. 30, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a surprise bid for fast-track membership of Nato. . . .“Kyiv is well aware . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Pr0-Russian forces say captured villages near Bakhmut in Donetsk region. From AFP. Russian-backed separatist forces in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine said today they had captured two villages near the industrial city of Bakhmut, posting small gains against Kyiv’s counter-offensive. “A group of DNR and LNR troops — with fire support from the Russian Armed Forces . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia not shying away from contacts with US, but no sane proposals so far, Lavrov says. From Tass. MOSCOW — Moscow is not rejecting any contacts with Washington, but nobody has offered any sensible initiatives so far, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said today. “All these talks that someone is willing to meet us or someone is reluctant to meet us — they [the U.S.] seem to be convincing themselves. We are . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Putin offers additional gas supply to Europe. From teleSUR. Russia is ready to deliver additional volumes of natural gas to the European Union in the autumn-winter period, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday. One of the two branches of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has survived the recent leak incident and Russia is willing . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

How Ukrainians define their enemy: ‘It’s not Putin; it’s Russia,’ by David Ignatius | The Washington Post During a visit to Kyiv last weekend, I kept asking Ukrainians a question that vexes me: Is your war against President Vladimir Putin — or against Russia itself? Nearly every time, I got the same unyielding answer. The enemy is a Russia that must be defeated and transformed. Through Ukrainian eyes, this terrible conflict has become a clash of civilizations. They argue . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED