I just watched Activatica’s exposé on the disappeared from occupied Ukraine, and it has hardened my attitude towards Russia. Russia should be condemned as a state sponsor of terror. The war in Ukraine is an intelligently organized genocide of civil society, supported by all levers and levels of government. Russia is following the same playbook it followed in Chechnya and Syria, where tens of thousands met mass graves. The same is happening now in Ukraine. The civilized world cannot afford to turn a blind eye. All of occupied Ukraine must be liberated.
I may have read that Russia might be using China-manufactured drones in Ukraine. If that information is verified, that could once again, introduce another layer of complexity in this conflict and put China in a different geopolitical predicament. It has been very careful as with every conflict to maintain a certain level of neutrality. May be no longer.
Ukraine needs laser weapons,like the u.k.'s 'dragonfire'-as to the texas floods-a perfect confluence of topograpy,exreme rainfall,climate change,and human shortsightedness-there's plenty of blame to go around
Richard, Are you familiar with David Shulman’s writing in the New York Review of Books concerning the West Bank settler violence? His pieces, while reporting heartbreaking events, have always held a somewhat hopeful tone. That is, until his latest essay in the current issue, in which you can hear his hope starting to run dry. I wish more people were reading him. Latest piece is here: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2025/07/24/netanyahus-war-david-shulman/
I've been wary of Mr. Hegseth, our Defense Secretary. He seemed like a bit of a disciplined puppy when the video showed him sitting next to Trump in their "cabinet meeting." Whatever their situation is, I for one would sure like to know the present state of our munitions. Both in storage and in the field. I'm sure it is a closely guarded secret. But add up the Israel conflicts, the Houthis engagements, etc., and so-called precision munitions take a lot longer to make than they do to use.
Good morning Richard. See you often on Morning Joe but I am a new subscriber here on Substack. So much to be alarmed and upset since Trump was reelected.
I had the honor of hearing VP Harris speak here in Kalamazoo Michigan along with Michelle Obama and it was an electrifying experience! I thought for sure she would win.
Most upsetting for me are the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. If Trump really wants a Nobel Peace prize he better get moving!
I vote for you, Mr. Haas, to lead the administration!!
I was just thinking that! I don’t even care what party Mr. Haas supports. He is knowledgeable, thoughtful and compassionate.
I just watched Activatica’s exposé on the disappeared from occupied Ukraine, and it has hardened my attitude towards Russia. Russia should be condemned as a state sponsor of terror. The war in Ukraine is an intelligently organized genocide of civil society, supported by all levers and levels of government. Russia is following the same playbook it followed in Chechnya and Syria, where tens of thousands met mass graves. The same is happening now in Ukraine. The civilized world cannot afford to turn a blind eye. All of occupied Ukraine must be liberated.
https://youtu.be/_K9Vy2AWGAg?si=u19bhyTHCuOQUMhM
I may have read that Russia might be using China-manufactured drones in Ukraine. If that information is verified, that could once again, introduce another layer of complexity in this conflict and put China in a different geopolitical predicament. It has been very careful as with every conflict to maintain a certain level of neutrality. May be no longer.
“Trump clearly underestimated the ability and will of Ukraine and its president to hold out”
Indeed, as Eisenhower did President Rhee of South Korea (himself as newly elected Republican President).
Lessons from a 1986 essay that could still be emulated: https://edwardmdruce.substack.com/p/an-immortal-essay Professor Stephen Kotkin called this archival piece “an immortal essay”.
Ukraine needs laser weapons,like the u.k.'s 'dragonfire'-as to the texas floods-a perfect confluence of topograpy,exreme rainfall,climate change,and human shortsightedness-there's plenty of blame to go around
Richard, Are you familiar with David Shulman’s writing in the New York Review of Books concerning the West Bank settler violence? His pieces, while reporting heartbreaking events, have always held a somewhat hopeful tone. That is, until his latest essay in the current issue, in which you can hear his hope starting to run dry. I wish more people were reading him. Latest piece is here: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2025/07/24/netanyahus-war-david-shulman/
I've been wary of Mr. Hegseth, our Defense Secretary. He seemed like a bit of a disciplined puppy when the video showed him sitting next to Trump in their "cabinet meeting." Whatever their situation is, I for one would sure like to know the present state of our munitions. Both in storage and in the field. I'm sure it is a closely guarded secret. But add up the Israel conflicts, the Houthis engagements, etc., and so-called precision munitions take a lot longer to make than they do to use.
Good morning Richard. See you often on Morning Joe but I am a new subscriber here on Substack. So much to be alarmed and upset since Trump was reelected.
I had the honor of hearing VP Harris speak here in Kalamazoo Michigan along with Michelle Obama and it was an electrifying experience! I thought for sure she would win.
Most upsetting for me are the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. If Trump really wants a Nobel Peace prize he better get moving!