Russian grandmothers, mothers, wives, girlfriends, and daughters, you can stop this war. You need only tell your father, husband, boyfriend, or son – who is a member of Putin’s jackbooted police force – that you intend to be on the frontlines of those protesting his war. He is not going to arrest you and, if… Read more.
Europe
Israel Shuns Ukraine but Begs US to Spare Russian Oligarch?
No less a person than the Jewish president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has accused Russia of perpetrating a “genocide” against the Ukrainian people. This compels unavoidable and untenable analogies with the genocide Germany perpetrated against the Jewish people during World War II. More to the point, though, it demands Israel explain why it is shunning… Read more.
Sanction Putin and the Oligarchs, Not the Russian People
I published a podcast episode on the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 26. I noted the farcical way a manifestly paranoid Russian President Vladimir Putin was trying to assassin proof his life. More to the point, though, I pleaded for Western leaders to sanction Putin and the oligarchs. Because they are the enemy, not… Read more.
Clarion Call for Westerners to Join Fight in Ukraine
Given the universal values at stake, I am dismayed that more Westerners have not joined the fight in Ukraine. I am reminded of the way writers Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell, and Pablo Neruda led the brigade of those who not only sounded that clarion call, but rushed themselves to join the fight for democratic freedom… Read more.
Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Podcast Episode 67: History Repeating Itself in WWII Redux… Related commentaries: Putin humiliates spy chief… Read more.
Putin Humiliates Russia Spy Chief
Donald Trump famously invited TV cameras to watch his cabinet secretaries say what an honor it will be to serve him, the country be damned. Vladimir Putin showed his former puppet yesterday that real strongmen instill fear more than finagle flattery. He invited TV cameras to watch his spy chief and other national security advisers… Read more.
Eyeing Ukraine Has Putin Acting Like a Bully
Russia is now poised for an invasion of Ukraine – just as North Korea has been for an invasion of South Korea for over 50 years. In fact, Russia’s menacing bully, Vladimir Putin, is just like North Korea’s menacing bully, Kim Jong-un … only with lots of oil and more nukes to leverage his mischief… Read more.
No German Weapons for Ukraine Is Pacifism Masquerading as Penance
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock insisted today that Ukraine will not receive any German weapons to defend itself against Russia. She explained that Germany’s role in WWII imposes a special duty to “seek other ways to secure peace.” Of course, it’s self-evident that Germany remains haunted by this past. But this smacks of an ironic form… Read more.
The Plot to Kill Vladimir Putin…?
Putin’s paranoia I laughed at Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron sitting so far apart at a big marble table. It made them look like two wannabe Napoleons. I thought Putin was trying to snub Macron. But then I noticed Putin keeping the same absurd distance from his own foreign minister, Sergey… Read more.
A Little Redemption for Djokovic, ‘No Vaxx’ Djokovic
I “crucified” Novak Djokovic – not just for attempting to flout Australia’s Covid protocols to play in its grand slam last month, but because I thought he was reveling in his celebrity as an anti-vaxxer (like RFK Jr). The facts are still murky; but it’s clear he knew he was gaming the system when he… Read more.