Biden Ukraine

Biden was weak on Ukraine until he was embarrassed into doing more. The U.S. has been slow to lead in support of Ukraine's sovereign defense.

Germany Lithuania, Ukraine no-fly zone

As Germany sides with China over Lithuania, China sides with Russia over Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is turning out to be a real winner for the West.

Ukraine no-fly zone? Think again. The complexity and risk of enforcing a no-fly zone over Ukraine would be extremely significant.

Russia preparations, EU big three

As U.S. delivers formal response to Moscow, Russia prepares for war. Each day brings new steps towards a Russian military confrontation with Ukraine.

For France, Italy, and Germany, European solidarity is a wobbly construct. The European Union's three largest economies don't seem terribly concerned about Russian threats to their allies.

Kaliningrad fuel

In new preparation for war, Russia resupplies Kaliningrad. The unusual at-sea refueling effort reflects Putin's concern that Lithuania may cut off overland supplies to the Russia exclave in the event of a war with Ukraine.

Kyiv embassy

Has the U.S. reinforced its security presence at the Kyiv embassy? If not, why not? Biden is likely fearful Russia will misrepresent any Marine security deployment.

Germany-US relations

Is Germany a reliable U.S. ally? Judged by the interests of the nation versus those of China and Russia, the answer seems quite clearly to be a hard "no."

Abu Dhabi, Havana Syndrome, RF/MW weapons history in Russia, China and Ukraine

U.S. damages credibility by failure to respond to Abu Dhabi attacks. The attacks have punctured the valuable governing model of an important Middle Eastern ally.

From Thursday

With Havana Syndrome report, CIA puts bureaucracy before officers. The report is plainly an effort to absolve senior leaders past and present of ignoring the issue. It's also willfully ignorant of the facts.

Does the CIA have a history problem? Russia had the weapons to conduct RF/MW attacks in the 1990s, so why is the CIA questioning whether that truth?

Will the European Union ask China where it stands on Ukraine? Beijing has been very silent on the crisis in eastern Europe.

Biden-Ukraine, Russian demands, Allies-Ukraine

Why Biden just suggested Putin will invade Ukraine. The U.S. and Britain have detected steps that indicate a major offensive may be imminent.

U.S. makes mistake by not responding to Russia's demands. Washington should make clear what is and what is not acceptable. To do otherwise is to cede a PR opportunity to Putin and to degrade U.S. credibility with allies.

Allies take the lead as Biden refuses to boost Ukraine's defenses. The White House could be doing a lot more, short of war, to support Ukraine. 

Russian economy

Russian economy shudders amid Ukraine war fears. The Russian markets are plummeting over concerns that the West will introduce sanctions following an increasingly likely Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Russia-Ukraine latest

How, adding Belarus front, Vladimir Putin has given himself war plan flexibility. Russia can now conduct an invasion of Ukraine across the range of feasible objectives.

How Russia is preparing for war. In rhetoric and military deployments, Russia is shutting off the routes to a diplomatic compromise.

Russia - Ukraine

Discussing Russia with Emily Jashinsky of the Federalist. We talked about Putin's strategy and the divisions between the U.S. and European allies.

Ukraine latest

Russia unleashes a politics-cyber-camouflage strategy against Ukraine. Moscow ramped up the pressure against its southern neighbor on Friday.

NS2 sanctions, Iran terrorism history

Voting down Nord Stream 2 sanctions, Democrats help Putin and get played by Germany. By their own admission, the Germans have no intention of permanently shutting down the pipeline in the event of a Russian re-invasion of Ukraine.

Jen Psaki's Iran fiction. The White House press secretary needs to read up on the history of Iranian terrorism.

New Russian military deployment, Intel CEO's hypocrisy, Russia's diplomatic strategy

Decoding the new Russian military deployments north of Ukraine. Russia has sent an additional 3,000 combined arms forces to areas in near proximity to Ukraine.

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger offers a lesson in his Communist Chinese "Christian" "Values." Coming from an American who claims to be a servant of God, Intel's policy is pretty astonishing in its hypocrisy.

Did Russia just unveil its diplomatic cover strategy for an invasion of Ukraine? By offering rosier rhetoric at the start of this week's negotiations, Russia may be attempting to divide the West and build domestic support for an attack on Ukraine.

A tale of two China's, Senate Democrats and Putin

A parable of Communist parties in Hong Kong and 13 million people in Xi'an. The moral truth of the Chinese Communist regime is unveiled in two different Coronavirus-related experiences.

Kowtowing to Putin, Chris Murphy and other Senate Democrats offer creative excuses for opposing Nord Stream II sanctions. They do not have the facts on their side.

Scholz-Putin, Kazakhstan-Ukraine

Olaf's Hindenburg, or how the German Chancellor learned to hate the Russian energy bomb. Scholz is being played for an absolute fool.

Kazakhstan protests won't alter Putin's strategic calculus on Ukraine. The Russian leader retains motive and means to launch a new attack.

NS2

Senators should go with Ted Cruz, not Bob Menendez, on Nord Stream 2 sanctions. Time and deterrence are the key factors.

Scholz-Putin

 Kneeling before Russia, Germany's new Chancellor betrays Biden and NATO. Olaf Scholz has made clear where he stands when it comes to addressing Putin's threats. With Putin.