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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Zelensky Wants More Weapons — But Is Ready For A Softer Definition Of “Victory”

The Ukrainian president has begun a tour of Europe to present his “victory plan,” designed to reverse the balance of power with Russia before negotiating. It’s almost like asking for war and peace at the same time.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Blyzniuky, A Dormant Ukrainian Village Revived By Flood Of Donbas Refugees

Since the war broke out in Ukraine more than two years ago, the village of Blyzniuky has welcomed many people displaced by the conflict. Now five times larger than before the invasion, the village is working to integrate its new residents through work opportunities, psychological support and activities for children.

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Economy Russia-Ukraine War

Fozzy, The Ukrainian Supermarkets Resisting The Russian Invader

Founded by four amateur musicians with a passion for rock, Ukraine’s largest holding company, which includes supermarkets and banks, has paid a heavy price for the war. But that has not stopped Fozzy Group from using its economic power to serve its threatened homeland.

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Geopolitics Ideas Russia-Ukraine War

Russia-Ukraine: Here’s How We Can End This War

Calls for negotiation between Russia and Ukraine are growing louder. But peace would require strong security guarantees for the invaded country.

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Eyes on the U.S. Geopolitics special series Trump And The World

Whose World? Watching The U.S. Election From Abroad Is More Disturbing Than Ever

This year’s U.S. presidential candidates cannot ignore foreign policy issues, which are usually absent from the campaign; Ukraine and the Middle East are on the agenda. But while American voters will likely choose their next commander-in-chief based on domestic issues, the rest of the world will suffer the consequences.

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Russia-Ukraine War

What If Putin’s Nuclear Saber-Rattling Was Just A Big Bluff?

What should we make of Vladimir Putin’s “new rules” regarding what constitutes a nuclear aggressor and how Moscow might retaliate? A closer look, especially after another recent failed launch test of the Sarmat missile system, shows the Soviet legacy increasingly appears to be a rusting shell of its former self.

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Eyes on the U.S. Geopolitics

Joe Biden’s Diplomatic Legacy: The Good, The Bad, The Never-Had-A-Chance

Joe Biden delivered his final speech to the UN General Assembly, in the form of a message from a wise old man who has seen dark times before. But while he has re-established a predictable presidency, he still appears hesitant on Ukraine and the Middle East, which tarnishes his record.

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Future Geopolitics

Israel’s Pagers Attack Is A “9/11 Moment” For Digital Security

Even if the exploding Hezbollah pagers was not the first supply chain attack, having thousands of remote, hand-held devices raised terrifying questions that hadn’t been widely considered before, marking a potential turning point in the public’s trust in their electronic devices, and in governments’ ability to protect them.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

One Million Victims In Ukraine? Why Such A Grim Toll Will Only Spur More Death

The Wall Street Journal puts the number of Russian and Ukrainian dead and wounded at one million after two-and-a-half years of war, with more than twice as many Russians dead as Ukrainians. Yet this tragic toll only reinforces both sides to continue to seek victory.

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Geopolitics

Elon Musk’s Morbid Humor, A Metaphor For America

It says a lot about the state of U.S. politics that Elon Musk, a powerful supporter of Donald Trump and owner of the X platform, used that same platform to joke about the killing of the American president and vice president. Will political violence and the reaction to it shape the results of November’s election?

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Occupied Ukraine’s Clandestine School Network: It’s Online, In Ukrainian And Dangerous

A network of Ukrainian teachers, parents and administrators teach online classes to families trapped in Russian-occupied territories. But it comes with serious consequences if they are discovered.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

So Trump Doesn’t Care If Ukraine Wins The War — But What Does Winning Even Mean?

The first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump was an important reminder that the American election will help determine the fate of Ukraine. It did not take long to see which option was better. So much so the moderators had to ask Trump “Do you want Ukraine to win?”

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Putin Has Again Made His Intentions Very Clear — Ukraine’s Allies Must Not Blink

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s brutality and the escalation of Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities should prompt Ukraine’s allies to demonstrate total unity and solidarity against Moscow.

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Geopolitics

The UN Is Dying Before Our Eyes — Can Something Take Its Place?

The UN Security Council is paralyzed by the major powers, and the General Assembly, which opens today, has no binding power. At a time when conflicts are multiplying around the world, how can global governance be saved? Is it time to scrap the UN and start over?

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War Society

Publishing War: When A Pro-Ukraine Author Refuses A Russian Translation

Russians want to publish a translation of Polish author Szczepan Twardoch’s bestselling novel The King — a confusing development given that the writer has just been awarded for helping Ukraine.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

A Big Shift In NATO’s Message To Ukraine: It’s OK To Strike Inside Russia

Ukraine’s Western Allies, which not too long ago were mired in “war fatigue”, have now begun allowing – and encouraging – Ukraine to strike Russian targets. And use their weapons. Is it time, again, to call Putin’s bluff? It’s a question right now for Washington to answer.

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Geopolitics Ideas Russia-Ukraine War

Saint Vlad: Russia’s War Hawks Have A Faith In Putin That Is Literally Religious

Russia’s pro-war influencers, or so-called ‘Z’-bloggers, have sought to blame those responsible for Ukraine’s breakthrough into the Kursk region. Yet Russian President Vladimir Putin’s name never comes up. Fear of reprisals is only one reason; another is belief in Putin’s infallibility.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Russia’s Negotiation Strategy? Break The Morale Of Ukrainian Civilians

More than 200 Russian missiles and drones rained down on Ukraine in one of the heaviest bombardments since the start of the Russian invasion. A response to the Ukrainian incursion into Russia, and a desire to break Ukrainian morale before possible negotiations.

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Russia-Ukraine War

Putin Or Durov? Who’s Really In Control Of Telegram

The arrest in Paris of Telegram founder Pavel Durov raises a lingering question about who actually controls the Russian messaging and social platform. Some say it’s Vladimir Putin’s most powerful (not-so) secret weapon in the global hybrid war aimed at spreading backward ideology and destabilizing the world.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

On Kursk’s Front Lines, With The Russian Doctors Volunteering In “Hell”

Fighting in the Kursk Oblast — following Ukraine’s incursion into the region — is not abating, and volunteers from across Russia are coming to help: bringing goods and food, evacuating residents and providing medical assistance. Kommersant correspondent Alexander Chernykh visited a makeshift clinic and observed how volunteer doctors are saving wounded soldiers near the front line.

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Geopolitics In The News Russia-Ukraine War

Ukraine’s Surprise Attack On Russian Soil Is Bad Long-Term Strategy

The Ukrainian attack on the strategically important Kursk region has taken Russia’s military and residents by surprise. But experts doubt whether the operation makes sense for Ukraine’s depleted military forces.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Fear Or Futility? Four Young Ukrainians Abroad Explain Why They Won’t Return To Fight

Ukraine wants to bring back young men who have fled abroad as soldiers. Does a man have to fight for his country? Four young Ukrainians living abroad talk about their fears.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Why Russia Is Sending House Cats To The Ukraine War Front Lines

Rodents in the trenches are making life difficult for both Russian and Ukrainian soldiers on both sides, and leading authorities and activists send house cats to the front lines.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

How NATO Just Opened A New Front In The U.S.-China Cold War

In its final communiqué of the Washington summit, NATO severely criticized Chinese support for Russia in Ukraine, drawing a strong reaction from Beijing. China fears that the Transatlantic military alliance is now a tool for the U.S. in its global showdown with China.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

At 75, NATO Faces Existential Questions

As the alliance’s 32 countries celebrate their 75th anniversary at a summit in Washington, uncertainties over the possible reelection of Donald Trump in November, and dark clouds over Europe and France are raising serious questions about NATO’s future.

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Geopolitics Ideas Russia-Ukraine War

Yes, Putin Feels “Strong Enough” To Bomb A Children’s Hospital

After more than two years of war, Russia’s bombing of a children’s hospital in Kyiv on Monday was among the most violent. What does Vladimir Putin aim to achieve with this escalation of horror — which came just 48 hours before the NATO Summit in Washington in the presence of Volodymyr Zelensky?

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Russia-Ukraine War

Putin’s Kharkiv Escalation Was Another Bluff — What Happens Now?

Vladimir Putin threatened major escalation if Ukraine was allowed to strike into Russian territory with Western weapons. Once the West crossed that red line, the escalation did not happen. The West knows that bluffing is Putin’s favorite way of conducting foreign policy, so why does it keep playing this game?

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Russia-Ukraine War

Kharkiv Diary: Desperately Seeking Normality As Shelling Multiplies

This spring, Kharkiv has been under almost daily shelling. Yet cafes, beauty salons, theaters and shops are still open in Ukraine’s second-largest city, and residents are spending time in parks, jogging and maintaining elements of a normal life.

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Eyes on the U.S. Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

What The Return Of Trump Would Mean For Ukraine, And Beyond

As the U.S. presidential election draws closer, independent Russian-language media Vazhnye Istorii spoke with American politics specialists about the possibility of a second Trump term and what it would mean for the Russia-Ukraine war, traditional U.S. allies and China.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Why The G7 Has Never Looked So Fragile

As the upcoming French and American elections show, the Western democratic model is being put into question — both externally by revisionist powers, and internally.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

A G7 Plan To Aid Ukraine That Preempts Trump — And Le Pen

The G7 countries meeting in Italy are examining a proposed $50 billion loan to Ukraine, a way of preempting possible future obstacles: Trump in the U.S. and the far-right in France. The wildcard is Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

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Geopolitics Israel-Palestine War Russia-Ukraine War

When Comparing The Ukraine And Gaza Wars Makes Sense — And When It Doesn’t

Comparisons between the wars in Europe and the Middle East tell us a lot about the standpoint of those who compare. They also signal to a new world order that has yet to be shaped.

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Geopolitics

Far Right Surge In Europe: A Prelude To Trump’s Victory?

Can the surge of the far right in Europe pave the way for Donald Trump’s victory in the United States in November? Or will a majority of Americans reject a convicted former president running for office? Though political patterns are hard to detect, young voters play an important role in what comes next, writes political scientist Dominique Moïsi in French business daily Les Echos.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Behind Macron’s Calculated Escalation, As France Steps Up Military Aid To Ukraine

French Mirage jets and training of pilots on Ukrainian soil: these two announcements by Emmanuel Macron last night, as his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky was in France for the June 6 ceremonies, mark an increased commitment — to help Ukraine restore the balance of power.

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Russia-Ukraine War

What If Putin Really Was Ready To Negotiate With Ukraine?

Over the past two weeks, Vladimir Putin has stated four times that Russia is ready for peace talks with Ukraine, but that those negotiations would be based on “current realities at the front,” by which he means maintaining occupied territories under his control.

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Russia-Ukraine War

After Zelensky Lashes Out At China, All Eyes Are On Normandy

Two weeks ahead of the Ukraine conference in Switzerland, Volodymyr Zelensky blamed China for sabotaging the meeting at Russia’s behest. Urkaine’s president may use the upcoming D-Day memorial to raise the stakes with his own allies.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Does France’s Macron Have The Clout To Make Putin Budge On Ukraine?

The French president wants to convince Vladimir Putin to halt military deployment around Ukraine. But some in Moscow believe the Russian president is only interested in negotiating with the U.S. about the wider global balance of power.

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Geopolitics Ideas Israel-Palestine War Russia-Ukraine War

Ukraine, Israel And The West: A Dangerous Double Standard On Weapons Supplies

Ukraine is not allowed to attack Russian territory. Israel, on the other hand, has free rein. These are the would-be restrictions of Western weapons in two wars that might seem to have little in common.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Ukraine: Will Kharkiv Become The Symbol Of Western Capitulation?

Russia is on the offensive, bombing the northern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv almost every day. Visiting the city over the weekend, President Zelensky again called for stronger, faster Western aid.

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Russia-Ukraine War

Rings, Orcs And Hope: Searching For Signs Of Tolkien In The Ukraine War

Literary scholar and fiction writer Mykhailo Nazarenko discusses the would-be cast of characters of fantasy writer JRR Tolkien in Ukraine’s war against the Russian invaders.

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