REPRISE: The language of actions—Russia, the Ukraine, and the response of the West
In looking at the response of the West and other civilized countries to the downing of Malaysian Flight MH17, in all proability by pro-Russian “separatists”…
der spiegel
Munich II: The meeting in Geneva between the U.S., the EU, the Ukraine and Russia
It is a very bad idea for the U.S. and the EU to meet with Russia on April 17 to discuss the Ukraine’s fate, even…
The language of actions: Russia, the Ukraine, and the response of the West
According to NATO, Russia has 35,000 to 40,000 combat-ready troops on its border with the Ukraine, which could be launched into action on as little…
Russia threatens further aggression against the Ukraine: The response of the West has been a bad joke; Putin must be stopped
Updated and revised Let me say quite frankly that it pains our hearts to see what is happening in Ukraine at the moment, see the…
Is Putin like Hitler?
For a strong opinion on why Russian annexation of the Crimea cannot be accepted, see Jana Puglierin, “Wir dürfen die Annexion nicht hinnehmen,” Der Spiegel,…
UKRAINE: Russia military intervention underway in Crimea, in flagrant violation of international law
Developing Background “Ukraine: Russian military interventiom underway or likely, as Putin follows Hitler’s playbook in the Crimea,” The Trenchant Observer, February 27, 2014. “U.S. should…
The Emperor and his vassals: Obama and the Surveillance State
Jakob Augstein, in his column in the German weekly Der Spiegel, has written a penetrating analysis of Obama’s posturing and fine wordsmithing on the issue…
Russian economic pressures and actions to force Ukraine not to ratify EU treaty violate international law principle of non-intervention (Updated November 27, 2013)
UPDATE See “Gescheitertes Abkommen: Merkel hält Ukraine die Tür für EU-Abkommen weiter offen, Der Spiegel, 27 November 2013. Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel hat die Ukraine weiterhin…
Details in U.N. inspectors’ report on chemical weapons massacre at Ghouta point ineluctably to al-Assad (with link to report); more commentary
Developing–check back for updates The text of the UN Chemical Weapons Inspectors’ Report is found below (with link). United Nations Mission to Investigate Allegations of…
Susan Rice and Samantha Power: Can they change Obama’s thinking on Syria? (updated)
For a particularly penetrating analysis of the backgrounds of Susan Rice and Samantha Power, and the chances that they might be able to change Obama’s…