Maks Levin/Reuters
Pro-Russian Protestors In Ukraine Dream Of Soviet Glory Days -- David Patrikarakos, Daily Beast
After the a takeover of public buildings and a “declaration of independence” in major East Ukraine cities, the streets are quiet, but the mood is ugly.
DONETSK, Ukraine—If you stand on Shevchenko Boulevard outside Donetsk City Hall, which was stormed by around a thousand pro-Russian activists on Sunday, you start to question the reality of modern geopolitics. Has the Cold War really ended? The scene is a vista of Soviet flags and iconography; Stalin smirks at me from flags banners; the color red dominates my eye line while the blue and yellow of Ukraine is barely in evidence. Just around the corner a huge bronze statue of Lenin looms over the city’s main square.
I feel like I am in the 1980s as I make my way through the crowds, exploring this latest chapter in the Ukraine crisis that has upset the equanimity of Europe and the United States. “Where are you from?” they demand. “Americanski! Americanski!” A few scream at me. “Nyet, Ya Anglichanin” [No, I am British], I reply with a pre-prepared phrase. This doesn’t really improve things. Several of the younger men around me debate whether they should hit me, which is worrisome because there are only about half a dozen police present, and there are rumours that many have joined the protestors.
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Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials
Support for action on Ukraine is not a matter of geography -- Charles Lang, Washington Post
A Sober Look: It's Time To Stop Romanticizing Russia -- Christian Neef, Spiegel Online
The West’s Financial Arsenal -- Harold James, Project Syndicate
U.S. needs to plan for the day after an Iran deal -- David H. Petraeus and Vance Serchuk, Washington Post
Why refugee influx threatens Lebanon, Jordan stability -- David Schenker, Special to CNN
Britain Didn't Understand Enemy in Helmand -- Mike Martin, Telegraph
A Risk to India’s Nuclear Doctrine -- New York Times editorial
China Might Actually Seize Japanese Islands -- J. Holmes, Foreign Policy
Afghan commander: cross-border Taliban alliance growing stronger -- Maria Golovnina, Reuters
Saving South Sudan from chaos -- Washington Post editorial
Africa’s new Number One -- The Economist
Ebola Virus: A Grim, African Reality -- David Quammen, New York Times
In Libya, Politicians in Fear of Powerful Militias -- Maggie Michael, AP
Why Obama Hit Pause -- Joe Klein, Time
Boston Marathon bombings: What Russia told FBI, or didn't, still at issue -- Mark Clayton, Christian Science Monitor
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