Former President Trump once again pushed his wild claim that Russia invaded Ukraine because of a “rigged election” during his speech at CPAC on Saturday night.
Continue reading “Trump Again Pushes Wild Claim Of Russia Invasion Happening Because Of A ‘Rigged Election’”Red Zone
We have two big developments this morning. The first is that in a televised exchange with his top military leaders, President Putin ordered the country’s strategic nuclear forces on alert in response to Western sanctions and what he called “threatening statements” from leaders in Europe. That means as little and as much you think. It underscores that while the punishing sanctions unveiled yesterday are merited this is nevertheless a spectacularly dangerous international crisis. Not just dangerous in Ukraine but for the whole world. At the same time, Russia and Ukraine have agreed to hold peace talks near the border with Belarus. They are talks without preconditions.
Continue reading “Red Zone”Seeing Through the Fog
One curious feature of social media is that we actually have lots of detailed and close up imagery and information about particular military engagements. But it remains hard, at least for me, to get a clear view of the overall picture of what is happening right now in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian government has released a number of figures about alleged Russian combat fatalities, which are very high. But it’s hard to know what to make of those numbers. Combat armies have a notoriously hard time estimating their adversaries’ casualties and fatalities. And the Ukrainians, involved in an existential battle, have plenty of very understandable incentives to make those numbers high.
Continue reading “Seeing Through the Fog”Who To Follow
I’ve had a number of TPM Readers ask me via email today who they should be following on Twitter for real time updates. This is the list I’m following on Twitter. It’s a mix of just under a hundred reporters, diplomats, heads of state and region experts I put together and am following.
Today’s Biggest Developments In Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is grinding into its fourth day.
Continue reading “Today’s Biggest Developments In Ukraine”Has Turkey Shut Down Black Sea Access For Russian Warships?
President Zelensky is saying publicly that Turkey has agreed to shut down transit to the Black Sea for Russian warships.
Apparently Zelensky and Erdoğan spoke by phone today. So far as I can tell, Erdoğan has not confirmed this potentially important news.
Continue reading “Has Turkey Shut Down Black Sea Access For Russian Warships?”Judicial Review With TPM’s Kate Riga: Habemus SCOTUS Nominee
In our first installment of The Judicial Review video series, TPM reporter Kate Riga breaks down the latest SCOTUS news: President Joe Biden nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court Friday.
Zelensky Vows To Stay In Kyiv As Russia Presses Advance
The second day of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine saw Ukrainian forces continue to fight across the country. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday morning that he would stay in Kyiv with his family, warning that Russian special forces had entered the city. Reports emerged from around the country of Russian forces shelling residential neighborhoods.
Western nations have thus far issued sanctions on Russia aimed at blocking exports of high-tech materials, like modified computer chips and software, and at the country’s largest lenders, albeit with some crucial exceptions.
NATO states, including the U.S., Poland, and France, have said that they will continue to provide arms to the Ukrainian military, raising questions of potential inadvertent escalation.
But throughout it all, the Ukrainians and their leadership have continued to fight back against Russian advances. We’ll be following throughout the war’s second day.
Ukraine’s Cool Indifference Turned To Desperation In A Matter Of Hours
After eight years of war, many Ukrainians thought Russia’s saber-rattling over the past few months was nothing new.
There had been many build-ups of Russian forces along the border before. But since early 2015, none of them had turned into anything. And, besides, even the 2014 and 2015 incursions took place in the country’s far east, supporting a supposed separatist movement that everyone knew to be a Russian cutout.
Continue reading “Ukraine’s Cool Indifference Turned To Desperation In A Matter Of Hours”Biden Nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson To Supreme Court
President Joe Biden is preparing to nominate federal Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. The announcement is expected Friday afternoon, per CNN. Biden will also be juggling the war in Ukraine, and is scheduled to meet virtually with fellow NATO heads of state first thing in the morning.