Whenever possible, I try to triangulate to the truth of an issue, searching for expertise from a number of sources and, over time, deciding which sources establish a track record of accurate analysis.

Here are a series of short radio interviews with various expertise on matters relevant to the Ukraine War crisis. The radio interviewer studied Soviet government and politics in college, and is a Libertarian.

Dan Hoffman was a 3 time CIA station chief. Although he doesn't officially confirm it, other sources claim he was stationed in Moscow. Among the things discussed, he talks about why Ukraine should matter to the U.S.

@ 13 minute interview
2-22-22 interview


Jed Babbin is a former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense. He believes that once President Putin made the decision to invade Ukraine, he initiated a countdown clock and must accomplish his goals before the 2024 US Presidential election and will continue his advance into the Baltic countries, with a %90 chance he will attack Estonia next.

@ 19 minute interview
2-24-22 interview


Benjamin Friedman is the Director Director of Policy for Defense Priorities. He has concerns that the West will take sanctions against Russia too far, and it will feel the need to respond with escalation.

@ 15 minute interview
2-24-22 interview


Rebekah Koffler was born and raised in the USSR, migrated to the US, and served as an intelligence officer specializing as a Russian Doctrine & Strategy specialist. She has delivered classified briefings to top U.S. military commanders, NATO ministers, the directors of the CIA and DIA, the White House National Security Council, and senior congressional staff.

Leaving government service, she now works as a writer, commentator, and national security consultant, and her first book, Putin’s Playbook: Russia’s Secret Plan to Defeat America, was released last Summer.

Dennis Prager interviewed her, but the interview was interrupted to cover President Biden's comments, and unfortunately the Prager team only released the last portion of the interview that was resumed, after the President spoke.

Among her interesting comments, she noted that after the fall of the USSR and Communism, corruption and chaos replaced it, and many of the common average Russian citizens view democracy and free market capitalism as equally chaotic and unpredictable.

last 4 minutes of longer interview
2-24-22 interview

About Rebekah

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Modern Day Savage,

quote:

Originally posted by werzjon229:
Russian warship, go f*** yourselves': Final words of Ukrainian border guards protecting Snake Island

CNN

The Ukrainian military has given its first account of explosions that rocked western Kyiv in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Military Law Enforcement Service of Ukraine said that country's the military "destroyed a column of equipment of the occupiers" in the Beresteiska district in Kyiv.

"According to preliminary information, it is about 2 cars, 2 trucks with ammunition, and also with the help of NLAW anti-tank missiles an enemy tank was destroyed," said the service.
CNN has not been able to independently verify this account.

The United Kingdom supplied NLAW anti-tank missiles to Ukraine in the weeks before Russia invaded.

[Note: Twitter Tweet and hyperlinks at linked website article.]

----------------------




Business brisk at Kyiv gun shops as Ukrainians rush to buy arms

Threat of invasion, and draft law giving Ukrainians permission to carry firearms, leads to long queues inside weapons stores

Luke Harding in Kyiv
Wed 23 Feb 2022 11.36 EST

Ukrainians are buying guns, ammunition and sniper rifles ahead of a possible Russian invasion, with long queues inside weapons stores on Wednesday.

With a state of emergency set to be unveiled, the country’s parliament approved a draft law that gives Ukrainians permission to carry firearms. Previously they were forbidden from leaving home with lethal weapons.

Most Ukrainians – boys and girls – learn how to shoot at school. About 400,000 people are estimated to have combat experience, following Vladimir Putin’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and the Moscow-supported armed uprising in the east.

But the threat in recent days of a possible attack on Kyiv has caused an unprecedented rush to buy arms. Gun shops have sold out of some weapons, such as AR-10 and AR-15 assault rifles, with business now exceptionally busy.

“Of course I’m worried about the situation,” Dariia Olexandrivna said, speaking in the basement Praporshyk gun store, in central Kyiv’s Pushkin street. “I’m hoping for the best but preparing for everything.”

Olexandrivna said she and her husband began taking shooting lessons six months ago, when tensions with Moscow grew. They owned two handguns. She had come to buy 400 rubber bullets. “I saw Putin’s speech on Monday. I think he’s stupid enough to do it. He hates Ukrainian people,” she said.

Two weeks ago she packed the car with clothes, medicines, food, water and extra shoes. “My two children speak only Ukrainian. They don’t speak any Russian. If it’s no longer safe for us we will leave,” she said. Where would she go? “The west of the country, somewhere,” she replied.

Over the past 24 hours the Ukrainian government has taken enhanced security measures, having previously downplayed the likelihood of conflict. Restrictions on movement, mass gatherings, political meetings, and concerts and sports matches, are being proposed.


Guns for sale at a Kyiv shop. Photograph: Chris McGrath/Getty Images

In a speech on Tuesday, the president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, announced the mobilisation of reserves – beginning with 36,000 people, with veterans recalled to active duty. He also told Ukrainian citizens to leave Russia.

Dmytro Skatrovsky said he had not been notified by text but had turned up anyway outside the Svyatoshynskyi recruitment centre, in western Kyiv. He spent three years in the army and took part in the 2014 battle to evict separatists from the port city of Mariupol, he said.

“I’ve bought two sniper complexes with good optics,” he added. “I’ve also ordered a drone on Amazon. It hasn’t turned up yet.” Skatrovsky said a group of friends had chipped in to get the rifles – at a cost of $10,000 (£7,370). US contacts had paid $2,300 for the drone, he said.

The Ukrainian military gave veterans guns, but the process was slow and bureaucratic, he explained. “We can win against Russia. This isn’t 2014,” he said. “We have heavy weapons, thanks to US and UK. If they come we will shoot at them from every window.”

Territorial defence courses, where ordinary citizens can learn to shoot are heavily oversubscribed. Buying a gun is legal so long as it more than 80cm in length, with weapons freely available.

Police confirm Ukrainians are buying large amounts of ammunition. In February alone 10,000 firearms were registered. Overall, the country has more than 700,000 legal gun owners, the Kyiv defence reporter Illia Ponomarenko tweeted on Wednesday.

At the Stvol gun store around a dozen men were waiting patiently in front of a glass counter. The shop sells rifles, pistols, knives, and camping gear, as well as cumbersome safes and a medium-sized brass model of a wild boar. The owner said he had been told not to speak.

One customer, Zhenya Nedashkvskyi, said he had dropped in to buy a pump action shotgun. “It won’t stop the Russians,” he admitted. “I want to protect my house from looters. The situation has become hot. It could get worse.”

Nedashkvskyi said he would like to protect his elderly parents who live in the city of Smila in the Cherkasy region, about 200km (124 miles) south of the capital. He said he had his eye on a Turkish-made Veryon model, costing 17,520 Ukrainian hryvnia – about $600. “I’ll get that or similar,” he said.

Ukraine’s former defence minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk said guns had long been part of national culture. “People are not storming petrol stations or stores but they are buying weapons to protect themselves. That’s a good sign.”


Ukrainians attend an open military training session in Kyiv. Photograph: Sergei Chuzavkov/Sopa Images/Rex/Shutterstock

He added: It shows that the country is not scared. The nation is ready to fight, if it needs to.”

A few shoppers, however, said they were not worried about the situation or the prospect of a looming Kremlin offensive. Alex – a 23-year-old casino manager, who declined to give his second name – said he was buying a sniper file for his father, a keen hunter.

“I’m still calm,” he said. He added: “Guns are popular in Ukraine. We all get classes at school on how to shoot. My father has a big collection of weapons already. The rifle is a gift for him.”

Asked what would happen if Russian troops did turn up, he said: “I think our people will shoot back.”

The Ukrainian Interior Ministry has warned civilians in the capital Kyiv that fighting is taking place on the streets.

In a Facebook post Saturday, the ministry said:

"Active fighting is taking place on the streets of our city. Please stay calm and be as careful as possible!
If you're in the shelter, don't leave it now.
If you are at home -- do not go close to the windows, do not go to the balconies. Hide indoors, for example in the bathroom, and cover yourself with something that will prevent injury from bullet fragments.
If you hear sirens ("Air Alarm" signal) -- go immediately to the nearest shelter!"

quote:

Originally posted by SIGnified:
How is China’s move a surprise?

We’ve known for at least a year (if not far longer), that China can certainly consume all of Russia’s key commodities oil, natgas and wheat, then provide all financing and backing (credit).

Step 2 …

Next shoe?

End of the dollar and the new world order

Or, China double crosses Russia

CNN

The bulk of Russian forces are now only 18.6 miles (30 kilometers) from the center of Kyiv, the British Ministry of Defence said Saturday.

It also warned Russia that casualties are “likely to be heavy and greater than anticipated or acknowledged by the Kremlin.”

According to the latest intelligence update from the ministry, "Russia has yet to gain control of the airspace over Ukraine greatly reducing the effectiveness of the Russian Air Force."

It said that "Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to put up staunch resistance across the country."

Defiant president: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told citizens the capital Kyiv was still under their control and "fighting continues," in his latest video message on Saturday.

Earlier, explosions in Ukraine were heard as the country's Interior Ministry warned of "active fighting" in the capital.

The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, is imposing a curfew from Saturday evening that will run from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. "for more effective defense of the capital and the security of its inhabitants."

The curfew will continue until the morning of February 28.

"All civilians on the street during the curfew will be considered as members of the enemy's sabotage and reconnaissance groups.

"Please treat the situation with understanding and do not go outside."



Fox:

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday turned down an offer from the U.S. to help him evacuate the country.

“The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride,” the 44-year-old leader said, according to a senior American intelligence official with direct knowledge of the conversation.

Zelenskyy has vowed to stay in Kyiv even though he believes he is Russia's "target number one." Saturday morning he filmed himself on his phone on the streets of Kyiv, saying "I am here. We will be defending our country, because our strength is in our truth."

Wow. Turkey has blocked passage of any Russian ships into the Black Sea. That's a big deal.

This war ain't going quite the way Ivan expected it to go.

A reminder: The Ukraine surrendered their nukes for a guarantee of peace…

How has that worked out?

Buck Fiden!

This picture is both romantic and bellicose at the same time.

Quote from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

"I need ammunition, not a ride,”



I like his words!

According to my Russian on-line friend, Putin offered Zelenskyy "a way to surrender" and he essentially told Putin GFY.

Now this is a leader and a Patriot!! Can’t see old Joe even considering to stay and fight for our country.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
Wow. Turkey has blocked passage of any Russian ships into the Black Sea. That's a big deal.

This war ain't going quite the way Ivan expected it to go.

No or, not yet... Got a link to this? We need links for any sort of claims

So far, no closure:
Turkey says it cannot stop returning Russian warships from accessing Black Sea

Ukraine Calls on Turkey to Bar Russian Warships From Black Sea

Russia-Ukraine war: Turkey denies closing Black Sea to Russian warships

With Turkey being a part of NATO I doubt that they would make that move.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
This picture is both romantic and bellicose at the same time.

That picture says a thousand words.

what BS

Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Host Norah O’Donnell asked, “Russia’s economy’s fueled by gas, and the U.S. is a consumer. So, would the U.S. consider cutting off oil and gas purchases from Russia?”

Blinken responded, “Well, what we’re doing, Norah, across the board, is making sure that we inflict maximum pain on Russia for what President Putin has done, while minimizing any of the pain to us.”

“We’re in full coordination with other countries, both consumers and producers alike, to minimize any impact that this may have on energy prices and on gasoline.”

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

after they jacked gas up 50%, they want to "minimize" impact

Too bad most of western Europe has disarmed their citizens. An armed populace can serious impede better equipped invaders. If the Ukrainians manage to win, or to create a guerrilla stalemate that eventually leads Russia to withdraw, "Remember Ukraine" shall be the words said to anti-gunners worldwide.

It's heartening to see people willing to take up arms to defend their country despite the odds.

quote:

Originally posted by sdy:
what BS

Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Host Norah O’Donnell asked, “Russia’s economy’s fueled by gas, and the U.S. is a consumer. So, would the U.S. consider cutting off oil and gas purchases from Russia?”

Blinken responded, “Well, what we’re doing, Norah, across the board, is making sure that we inflict maximum pain on Russia for what President Putin has done, while minimizing any of the pain to us.”

“We’re in full coordination with other countries, both consumers and producers alike, to minimize any impact that this may have on energy prices and on gasoline.”

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

after they jacked gas up 50%, they want to "minimize" impact

In other words:

“It is time for us to do what we have been doing, and that time is every day. Every day, it is time for us to agree that there are things and tools that are available to us to slow this thing down.”