#Western ‘dictator envy’ ignores strengths of democracy

#Western ‘dictator envy’ ignores strengths of democracy

“Western ‘dictator envy’ ignores strengths of democracy” Some Western leaders envy dictators’ powers. President Donald Trump said, when North Korea’s Kim Jong-un speaks, “his people sit up at attention. I want my people to do the same.” President Barack Obama told reporters it would be so much easier to be the president of China. Canada’s…

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#Arm the Ukrainians now and other commentary

#Arm the Ukrainians now and other commentary

“Arm the Ukrainians now and other commentary” From the right: Arm the Ukrainians Now “Optimists believe that a fully equipped Ukrainian army could halt Russia’s advance and drive its army back to the pre-Feb. 24 line of demarcation,” writes William Galston at The Wall Street Journal. And though “recent Russian successes” are “tempting policy analysts…

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#Ukraine votes to restrict Russian books, music

#Ukraine votes to restrict Russian books, music

“Ukraine votes to restrict Russian books, music” Ukraine is closing the book on scores of Russian authors and turning a deaf ear to its foe’s music, too. The Ukrainian parliament Sunday approved a law that stops the printing of books by Russian citizens unless they give up their Russian passport and become Ukraine citizens. The…

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#Volodymyr Zelensky leaves Kyiv to visit Mykolaiv, Ukraine

#Volodymyr Zelensky leaves Kyiv to visit Mykolaiv, Ukraine

“Volodymyr Zelensky leaves Kyiv to visit Mykolaiv, Ukraine” President Volodymyr Zelensky got a first-hand look at the destruction in the frontline southern port city of Mykolaiv, a rare trip for the Ukrainian leader outside the capital of Kyiv, according to reports. Zelensky’s office posted a video on Telegram of the visit to the city of…

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#French, German, Italian leaders arrive in Kyiv

#French, German, Italian leaders arrive in Kyiv

“French, German, Italian leaders arrive in Kyiv” PARIS — The leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Romania arrived in Kyiv on Thursday in an apparent show of collective European support for Ukraine as it tries to resist Russia’s invasion. The French president’s office said President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Premier Mario…

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#Russia drops missiles on Kyiv for first time in weeks

#Russia drops missiles on Kyiv for first time in weeks

“Russia drops missiles on Kyiv for first time in weeks” KYIV, June 5 (Reuters) – Russia struck Ukraine’s capital Kyiv with missiles early on Sunday for the first time in more than a month, while Ukrainian officials said a counter-attack on the main battlefield in the east had retaken half of the city of Sievierodonetsk….

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#Ex-ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul slams Biden for rejecting Ukraine missile request

#Ex-ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul slams Biden for rejecting Ukraine missile request

“Ex-ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul slams Biden for rejecting Ukraine missile request” The US ambassador to Russia under President Obama slammed President Biden on Sunday for his refusal to provide Ukraine with an advanced missile system that can reach Moscow. Ex-ambassador Michael McFaul, who is also an MSNBC analyst, called Biden’s approach “a losing strategy”…

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#Zelensky says Putin ‘does not fully understand’ his own war

#Zelensky says Putin ‘does not fully understand’ his own war

“Zelensky says Putin ‘does not fully understand’ his own war” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that the Kremlin is not “serious” about negotiation efforts to end the war — and blasted Russian leader Vladimir Putin as living in an “alternative reality.” Speaking through a translator, Zelensky told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, who interviewed him from…

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