Recent Posts

Coming to terms with the nuclear risks of the Ukraine war

The US and Russia both have integrated doomsday weapons into conventional war plans. The risk is low but it isn’t zero. If you are frightened by the current crisis in Ukraine, you are having a rational response. We are closer to war between the two largest nuclear-armed states than we …

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Now is not the time to demand bigger military budgets

The hawks are already trying to exploit the Russian invasion, saying a shortfall in spending is leaving us vulnerable. Not true. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a growing chorus of pundits and policy analysts have been advocating for large increases in America’s enormous budget for national defense, on …

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Ukraine: What Russia wants, what the West can do

For those who understand Moscow’s establishment and view of their country’s vital interests, none of this should be a surprise. The illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine has shocked the West and many ordinary Russians. But for those who understand the Russian establishment and its view of Russia’s vital interests, it …

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