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Is Ukraine on the Edge of Defeat?

KYIV, UKRAINE - MARCH 11, 2022 - President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pictured during his regular address to the nation, Kyiv, capital of Ukraine. The head of state said that everyone was gaining glory for Ukr... KYIV, UKRAINE - MARCH 11, 2022 - President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pictured during his regular address to the nation, Kyiv, capital of Ukraine. The head of state said that everyone was gaining glory for Ukraine in his or her place. The custom-size photo is courtesy of the press service of the Office of the President of Ukraine. (Photo credit should read UKRINFORM/ Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images) MORE LESS

By Josh Marshall

March 30, 2022 2:45 p.m.

THE BACKCHANNEL

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For years I’ve been corresponding with TPM Reader BF. He’s in the national security world, whereas I’m just an outside observer. He’s prone to intense responses to events whereas I’m characterologically more cautious. But this is his field not mine. So in recent days I was struck to see that he thinks I have the Ukraine situation totally wrong and that notwithstanding its battlefield embarrassments and mishaps Putin is on the verge of getting everything he wants and Ukraine is on the verge of what amounts to surrender.

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