16 Comments

Western Civilization has a major fail on its hands. To allow a full blown invasion under the guise of a bald faced lie means modernity has been lost. We de evolve by letting this travesty continue.

Expand full comment

As the World dithers , Ukraine withers.

What is World waiting for?

Expand full comment

Excellent article. Let's hope the West comes to the Ukraine's aide as soon as possible with a Big Bang offensive. There is no option but to defeat Putin now. We are all doomed if that happens. This is a repeat of Hitler taking over Europe in 1939.

Expand full comment

Diane - you MUST forward your analysis to the head of Nato immediately Jens Stoltenberg - he is the one person *(as well as Poland's Pres) who has the power to rally his members & get ready to deal Putin the final blow. You are RIGHT about the creep & slow decision making by Biden. Most call it 'drip drip drip' & frankly THAT is costing UKR lives & destruction that RU has created in all countries it invades. PLEASE forward your article - Please -

Expand full comment

To me the key take away is your perspective on Putins end game as being inexorable destruction of Ukraine...Ukrainians fight for land, he wants to erase Ukraine from history..the dynamics of western support are hardly uniform across the countries involved- the US can do more, and what has been done is magnified in headline by inflated accounting but it’s still huge..Poland, Chech rep have done enormous proportionate amounts of support..Germany is haunted by the past, internally split and has to accept the Merkel regime was either stupid or complicit with Russia, or simply basked in adulation and took easy paths..long range equipment, aircraft..absent this sort of support Ukraine is destined to a grinding slow erosion and won’t be able to take the initiative ..however- January has been a big month for new support so perhaps there is hope

Expand full comment

Biden was around during Vietnam's putrid "don't get the other side mad" fear of escalation.

Overwhelming force is always required in war.

Expand full comment

Thank you Diane, I totally, the West must be all in. It's an NIMBY war where the West is fighting using Ukraine like a Pinata (to defend territory and democracy) where Putin is not wearing a blindfold and the audience is. Lets not forget the damage Putin caused in Syria and now a devastating earthquake has simply added to a humanitarian problem. Putin must be stopped, NOW.

Expand full comment

cannot disagree with a thing. right on.

Expand full comment

Timid Joe Biden must channel his old friend John McCain and take charge. His hyper-caution is giving Russian forces the momentum. It’s sickening to read in ‘The Kiev Independent’ day after day the litany of damage of Ukrainian cities caused by Russian missiles. I don’t know how NATO leaders can sleep at night knowing that they could do so much more to help Ukraine end this slaughter.

Expand full comment

Also, terrific newsletter Diane. Your voice is important in this battle. Thank you.

Expand full comment

Excellent thank you

Expand full comment

Great article!! But I don’t know how we get this message through to President Biden. He is slow walking this war, and all we will have is a devastated Ukraine, like the landscape in Mariupol!! His advisors are all timid, and almost as though afraid of Putin.

I wonder how many F-16’s are sitting retired in the Arizona desert for sale to an approved buyer? AMARG even keeps them in shape and retrofits them if required. I wonder how much one used F-16 costs to buy?? I bet Lockheed Martin would be glad to sell some refurbished models to Ukraine as well, if asked (see Wiki article below).

So why does the private sector have to go out and try to do this? Why wouldn’t the US govt just get this done?? There must be strong interests out there not on the side of Ukraine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Dynamics_F-16_Fighting_Falcon

Expand full comment

I am left with one question..the same question I have upon reading Prof Snyder ..”ok, so what can I do about it?” It’s a bit of preaching to the converted and a necessary sermon, but the analysis and backward looks only underline the need for action ..but how do we move forward?

Expand full comment

up to our leaders and pressure on them. plus the Red Cross for humanitarian assistance

Expand full comment

And, how ... DO ... we rid the world of Putin ?

Expand full comment

Exactly….but Putin is but a pustule…need find way to clear the underlying tissue and his kind won’t thrive …it’s maybe a segue but I think there is common cause across political chasms…stand aside from the charged terminology of progressives and far right, and the common thread is really feelings of injustice..can that be nurtured …we can’t expect leadership from above…so how can we find our “Jan Hus” for the time?

Expand full comment