To begin, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. Then, via Consortium News, links to two analyses from caitlinjohnstone.com and Common Dreams. — MCM
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U.S. to boost military presence in Europe for Russia threat, by Darlene Superville and Zeke Miller | The Associated Press MADRID — President Joe Biden said today that the U.S. will significantly increase its military presence in Europe for the long haul, including by establishing its first permanent presence in Poland, to bolster regional security after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. . . . Biden said “NATO is strong and united” and that steps to be taken during the gathering will “further augment our collective strength.” The White House said Biden’s commitments mean the U.S. will maintain a presence of 100,000 troops in Europe, up 20,000 from the levels before the Ukraine war began, for the “foreseeable . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian missiles rain down on Ukraine as West pledges enduring support, by Pavel Polityuk | Reuters * Battle for Lysychask grinds on * You could be next, Zelenskiy tells NATO leaders * Mykolaiv attack sign of stepped-up Russian offensive * NATO says more weapons in pipeline | KYIV — Russian forces struck targets in the Mykolaiv region of southern Ukraine today and intensified attacks on fronts across the country as NATO members met in Madrid to plan a course of action against the challenge from Moscow. The mayor of Mykolaiv city said a Russian missile strike killed at least three people in a residential building there, while Moscow said its forces had hit what it called a training base for foreign mercenaries in the region. In the east . . . READ MORE . . .
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NATO meets in Madrid for what the alliance calls a transformative summit. Reported by A Martínez and Frank Langfitt | National Public Radio In a last minute deal, Turkey dropped its objections to Finland and Sweden joining the security alliance — all but ensuring NATO’s enlargement in the midst of the war in Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and read.
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NATO will boost military defenses especially on the eastern flank nearest Russia. A Martinez of NPR talks to retired Navy Adm. James Stavridis, a former NATO commander, about measures the security organization can adopt to betteR defend itself against Russian aggression. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.
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Russia is facing a huge geopolitical price for its invasion of Ukraine. Reported by Brian Mann | NPR Russia has won significant ground on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine but a growing number of experts say the growing costs to Moscow’s military, economy and stature far outweigh the gains. Click HERE to listen and read.
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Germany aims to offset living costs and gas demand with discounted public transport. Reported by Rob Schmitz | NPR This summer, one can travel in Germany on public transportation for less than $10 a month. It’s part of a government package to tackle the soaring cost of living by using more public transportation. Click HERE to listen and read.
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NATO Expands, Responding to War Caused by NATO Expansion, by Caitlin Johnstone | caitlinjohnstone.com Turkey’s President Erdogan has officially withdrawn Ankara’s objection to the addition of Finland and Sweden to NATO membership, with the three countries signing a trilateral memorandum at a NATO summit in Madrid. The removal of Erdogan’s objection was reportedly obtained via significant natsec concessions from the other two nations largely geared toward facilitating Turkey’s ongoing conflict with regional Kurdish factions, and it removes . . . READ MORE . . .
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NATO & a War Foretold, by Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies | Common Dreams As NATO holds its summit in Madrid on Tuesday through Thursday this week, the war in Ukraine is taking center stage. During a pre-Summit June 22 talk with Politico, NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg bragged about how well-prepared NATO was for this fight because, he said: “This was an invasion that was predicted, foreseen by our intelligence services.” Stoltenberg was talking about . . . READ MORE . . .
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TO BE CONTINUED