Thursday, December 30, 2021

Biden-Putin call

A full diplomatic break? Decoding Thursday's Biden-Putin phone call. Russia apparently threatened to cut relations should the U.S. impose new sanctions over Ukraine.



Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Russia as a great power, Hong Kong's latest victim

Why Russia is a great power even though its economy is limited. Vladimir Putin exerts coercive pressure and economic inducement in ways that make the world pay notice.

China's latest attack on Hong Kong free speech offers a window into Xi Jinping's insecurities. Beijing is determined to stamp out impure thinking in the former British colony.



Monday, December 27, 2021

Putin Nazis

Referencing Soviet no retreat order, Russia warns West to retreat or face Ukraine war. Sergey Lavrov and Vladimir Putin are painting the current crisis as an heir to the showdown with the Nazis.



Thursday, December 23, 2021

Intel Uyghurs

Intel takes a stand for genocide. The U.S. tech giant has made clear where its values lie. Atop China's mountain of genocide.



Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Casus belli, Xi Omicron

Vladimir Putin offers his casus belli for Ukraine attack. The Russian leader described an ardent American enemy putting hypersonic missiles in Ukraine, and ready to launch terrorist-chemical attacks.

Xi's 'destiny' leadership faces battle with Omicron. The Chinese president has ventured much on his ability to provide order and benefit to China. The Covid-19 variant may greatly undermine his strategy.



Monday, December 20, 2021

Lithuania and Poland

Signaling deep concern, Lithuania and Poland break with US on Ukraine. The two eastern facing allies recognize that Biden's appeasement is deeply dangerous.



Friday, December 17, 2021

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Biden year 1 foreign policy

The White House's imaginary foreign policy successes. The Biden administration has a very rosy view of its first foreign policy year in office.



Wednesday, December 15, 2021

GOP action on Ukraine

Republicans boost lethal support for Ukraine. The new legislation from Senate Republicans would provide immediate supplies of arms to Ukraine, and Nord Stream 2 sanctions in response to any renewed Russian offensive.



Tuesday, December 14, 2021

KGB games, Putin's escalation, UAE China

How Vladimir Putin has seized the strategic initiative on Ukraine. Putin is playing KGB games while Biden vacillates between rhetoric and inaction.

Sensing the West's hesitation, Putin escalates in Europe. The Russian leader is taking inspiration from the utter failure of Western powers to identify the countermeasures any invasion of Ukraine will meet.

The UAE puts China first and gives Macron his AUKUS revenge. The U.S. cannot sell F-35s to the UAE if it insists on deferring to China.



Monday, December 13, 2021

Minsk II

Biden helps make Minsk II mincemeat out of Ukraine. The Russians have gambled that the president will blink. And he is blinking.



Thursday, December 9, 2021

Pakistan-China, EU boycott?, NS2 x2

Welcome to Pakistan, colony of the People's Republic of China. Imran Khan has embraced a poodle policy. He has earned his pats on the head.

Why the EU won't go for a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Put simply, the EU cares about car exports, not genocide.

From Wednesday...

Biden to "accommodate" Putin as Germany says Nord Stream 2 progressing on schedule. The White House isn't exactly broadcasting strength.

Why Nord Stream 2 is not "leverage" for the West. It's leverage for Russia. Plain and simple.



Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Bush Havana Syndrome? Nord Stream II

Was George W. Bush a 2007 victim of Russia-induced 'Havana Syndrome'? The similarity between symptoms experienced by members of the U.S. delegation to the 2007 G8 summit and more recent victims of Havana Syndrome are striking.

No, Jake Sullivan, Nord Stream II is not "leverage" for the West. It is, instead, clearly leverage for Russia.



Monday, December 6, 2021

Russia-Ukraine, Biden Olympics

Why Russia may attack Ukraine before Christmas. There are political and specific military rationales that might lead Putin to prefer an earlier offensive.

Biden takes necessary moral action over Olympics. The Chinese Communist Party requires challenge for its genocidal excesses.



Friday, December 3, 2021

Iran negotiations

Britain and France must give Iran a deadline. The Islamic Republic is playing for time in the nuclear negotiations.



Thursday, December 2, 2021

Putin goes for NATO jugular, Biden damages transatlantic security

On NATO expansion, Putin goes for the jugular. Russia is demanding that the U.S. sign up to a legally binding commitment not to expand NATO. Oh, and not to respond to Russia's INF treaty breach

Biden damages transatlantic security, showing subservience to Germany. Why on Earth is Biden putting a poor ally before the interests of valuable - and under threat - allies.



Wednesday, December 1, 2021

FONOPs and wolf warriors, NS2 sanctions package, WTA

UK Foreign Affairs Chairman: China's wolf warrior diplomacy is its own worst enemy. Tom Tugendhat believes that a 12-mile transit of Chinese artificial islands is becoming more likely.

Senators should support James Risch's Nord Stream II sanctions. The alternate sanctions package offered by Bob Menendez would not sufficiently deter Russia.

WTA refuses to dance to IOC waltz. Tennis association is suspending China tournaments.