Monday, April 14, 2014

Ukraine and beyond

The news is dark.  

As Russia's war for territorial expansion continues, economist Anders Åslund explains why Putin must win at all costs, and what can be done about it.  I agree.  Incidentally,  Åslund was on the board of directors of EERC-Kyiv when I taught there and I met with him on occasion.  I think a great deal of him.

Those "green men?"  Economist Paul Gregory provides solid evidence that they are indeed Russian troops who have invaded Ukraine.  

And political scientist Alexander Motyl shows why Russia's actions easily qualify as state-sponsored terrorism under U.S. and E.U. law.

These are dark times.  May Putin's schemes come to ruin, and may Ukraine escape bondage to his criminal regime.  Unfortunately, Putin's targets include more than just Ukraine.

From the Baltic Times,

Estonia's Interior Minister tries to reassure people that "it can't happen here," but...

Some of Putin's shills are already calling for parts of Estonia become Russia.

And Latvia claims Russians are already doing advance work looking for Russia supporters.

Here's a thoughtful piece discussing the implications.  If the West does not treat the Budapest Treaty (under which Ukraine surrendered its nuclear weapons in return for security guarantees) as binding, will the NATO agreement be any more solid?  What conclusions will China, Japan, Israel, and others draw if the West allows Putin to invade Ukraine?

Dark times indeed.

Comments: Post a Comment

<< Home

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?