UKRAINE

SCOTT RITTER—The creation of an impregnable Ukrainian strategic rear is a game-changer. First and foremost, it provides Ukraine with the means to rearm, refit and re-equip its forces to Nato standards without fear of Russian intervention. This not only counters Russia’s stated military objective of “demilitarization” of Ukraine’s forces, but also steels the resolve of the Ukrainian government to reject any settlement that obliges them to embrace neutrality in perpetuity.

The latest (21 May 2022) sitrep on the Ukrainian War by Brian Berletic. Berletic, a former Marine, discusses the strategic significance of the latest deployments and calshes, and also analyses the official reports issued by the US military and allied forces.

Kyiv has turned into quite the hot spot for celebrities – both First Lady Jill Biden and A-list actress Angelina Jolie have popped in recently, and now U2 members Bono and The Edge showed up in one of the city’s subway stations for an impromptu performance of the band’s hits, including Sunday Bloody Sunday. Jimmy and American comedian Kurt Metzger discuss Bono’s dubious history of embracing avatars of neoliberal policy like Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Bill Gates and George W. Bush.

In this series of videos Gonzalo Lira presents an optimistic view of the Russian campaign, dismissing Scott Ritter’s analysis as unwarranted and suspiciously pessimistic. The opinion of critics and observers remains divided.

BRIAN BERLETIC—Ukrainian militants in the Azovstal steelworks have unconditionally surrendered numbering between hundreds (current Red Cross count) to thousands according to Russian sources;
2. Mariupol has been secured by Russia since mid to late-April – Ukraine finally admits however that its “combat operations” have fully ended.