“Ready for Nuclear War with Ukraine?” by Robert Parry. February 23, 2015.
According to investigative journalist Robert Parry, famous for his coverage of the Iran-Contra scandal, the Ukraine’s new powers in Kiev are “itching for a ‘full-scale war’ with Russia at all costs – even nuclear war.” Arguing that western, particularly American, media has been unfaithful in assessing the full dangers of the conflict, Parry raises the spectre of a new Cold War.
“Ukraine: Time to Step Back from the Brink,” by Andrew Lichterman. February 2015.
Andrew Lichterman, Senior Research analyst for the Western States Legal Foundation, has made a call “to halt and reverse all actions that contribute to [the Ukrainian conflict],” arguing that failing to do so risks renewing Cold War level tensions and nuclear conflict. Paying attention to Eastern Ukrainian and Russian point of views, Lichterman shows how the US has aggravated and even set the foundation for the current crisis. He calls for alternatives to the neoliberal international order and for all countries to “step back from the brink.”
“Review of Frontline Ukraine: Crisis in the Borderlands,” by Jonathan Steele. February 19, 2015.
Jonathan Steele of The Guardian highlights a series of “irresponsible distortions” on the part of the new Ukrainian leadership and reviews Richard Sakwa’s book, Frontline Ukraine, which takes a “cool, balanced, and well sourced” approach to the ongoing conflict. Pointing to three long-simmering crises that directly preceded the current one, he directs his frustration to the EU, western media bias, and to the demonization of Russia and its allies.
Presentation to the National Press Club by Jack Matlock. February 11, 2015.
Jack Matlock, former ambassador to the USSR, adds his voice to those condemning the U.S.’s current policies regarding Russia and the Ukraine – paying particular attention to what he calls the “personalization” of the conflict, which dichotomizes the crisis as one between Russia’s leadership and the West’s. He finishes his address by referring to the US’ collective foreign policy as “autistic” and asks for a re-evaluation of our approach.
“Reagan’s Ambassador to Moscow Says U.S. Suffers from Autistic Foreign Policy,” by Martin Hellman, February 23, 2015.
Martin Hellman, professor emeritus at Stanford University, discusses the speech given by President George H.W. Bush’s Ambassador to the USSR, Jack Matlock, on the U.S.’s current approach to the Ukrainian conflict. Calling American Foreign Policy “autistic,” Matlock is unsparing in his assessment and poignant in his criticism.
“A Dangerous Trend Line,” by Martin Hellman. February 17, 2015.
Professor emeritus and anti-nuclear activist Martin Hellman once more advocates utilizing a cautious risk framework to reduce tensions in the current conflict. He sadly notes however that he and others have been “miserably” unsuccessful amidst rising emotions and hardening intransigence.
“Playing Chicken with Nuclear War,” by Robert Parry. March 3, 2015.
“An unnerving nonchalance has settled over the American side which has become so casual about the risk of cataclysmic war that the West’s propaganda and passions now ignore Russian fears and sensitivities.”
“How Obama’s Aggression in Ukraine Risks Nuclear War,” by Robert Roth. March 6, 2015.
Writing at Counterpunch, Robert Roth explains why continued aggressive tactics by the U.S. and NATO in Ukraine risk resulting in nuclear war with Russia.