Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- February 10, 2022

Image: Reuters 

 Lawrence J. Korb and L Steve Cimbala, National Interest: Invading Ukraine Will Not Meet Russia’s Expectations 

A major war in Ukraine will leave Russia more isolated politically and more damaged militarily, with forces already strained by deployments elsewhere to deter threats in the Caucasus, Central Asia, Syria, and on the Chinese border. 

Has the Cold War returned with a vengeance? 

Some expert commentators seem to think so. Russia’s mobilization of over 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders this winter has led the United States and some allied NATO countries to threaten economic and political sanctions, including those specifically against the Kremlin’s leadership. 

Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and destabilization of eastern Ukraine since then has created uncertainty as to how far President Vladimir Putin might be willing to go, either in the way of scaled-up political pressure backed by military power, or in the worst extreme, an actual large-scale invasion with ambitious objectives, including possible regime change in Kiev.  

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- February 10, 2022 

Is Russia preparing to invade Ukraine and what does Putin want? -- Paul Kirby, BBC News  

As NATO Support Strengthens, Has Putin Miscalculated Over Ukraine? -- VOA  

Ukraine tensions: Can diplomacy prevent war? -- James Landale, BBC  

Has weeklong diplomacy made war in Ukraine any less likely? -- Nick Connolly, DW  

NATO or Bust: Why Do Ukraine’s Leaders Dismiss Neutrality as a Security Strategy? -- Serhiy Kudelia, Russia Matters  

The American public deserves to know what US troops are doing in Europe -- Al-Monitor

Inside the mind of Vladimir Putin -- Kate Laycock, DW 

 Putin-Xi Manifesto Signals Start of New Era -- James Crabtree, Nikkei 

Building a Constructive U.S.-Russia Relationship -- John Herbst, National Interest 

 Paralysed By Iran And Oil: One Year Into President Biden’s Disastrous Middle East Policies -- Tilak Doshi, Forbes  

Iran says US must make 'political' decision to rejoin deal -- Al-Monitor  

How will UAE respond to Houthi attacks? -- Abubakr Al-Shamahi, Al Jazeera  

Burundi's Vicious Crackdown Never Ended -- Mausi Segun, Foreign Affairs  

World's Top Oil Trader Sees Higher Prices -- Tsvetana Paraskova, Oil Price  

The United States Is Ignoring Latin America. China Isn’t. -- Joe Bauer, National Interest  

As vaccine protests gum up Ottawa, Canada wonders, ‘How did this happen?’ -- Sara Miller Llana, CSM  

Beijing Winter Olympics becomes microcosm of world’s rivalries and mistrust -- Washington Post