Recent Posts

Some Russian oligarchs speak out, cautiously, against war

There have been social media messages calling for peace, an image of a murdered Russian opposition figure, a newspaper editorial demanding President Vladimir Putin “stop this war.” As Russian forces pound Ukraine’s cities, the sentiments might not be surprising. Their source is — they come from rich Russians, including billionaires …

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Iran’s supreme leader blames US for Russia war on Ukraine

Iran’s supreme leader said the United States was the “root cause” of the Ukraine war as he refrained from condemning Russia for the invasion. “Ukraine is a victim to America’s policy of crisis instigation,” declared Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a televised address, as the Russian invasion of …

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Germany, in Historic Reversal, Abandons Pro-Putin Russia Policy

The measures represent a complete reversal of Germany’s post-Cold War Russia policy — which focused on pursuing economic ties rather than confrontation with Moscow — and mark a definitive end to the era of former Chancellor Angela Merkel. “We are living through a watershed era. And that means that the …

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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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Why sanctions on Russia are necessary

Such measures are critical to holding Moscow accountable for its actions — but they are not a longterm fix and must be carefully calibrated. From the beginning of the crisis sanctions have been assumed to be both the central deterrent to Russian aggression, and the critical punishment if it violated …

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