Just a heads up. I am finishing up a rather important project right now. Tonight and tomorrow the blogging will be very light .... but when I do blog the focus will be on the escalating crisis in Ukraine.
Update: Saturday May 3, 2014 (11:00 EST): Wrapped up in meetings for the entire day. Blogging will return tomorrow Sunday morning.
As to what is happening in Ukraine .... here is a brief summary.
The military have attacked and occupied the central square of of the eastern Ukraine city of Kramatorsk. Tanks have been used by the Ukraine army, but resistance is reported widespread. Heavy casualties are also being reported, as well as widespread destruction. RT is reporting 10 killed. It appears that the Ukraine military is now focused on smaller targets .... rather than the bigger cities.
Ukraine's anti-terror chief is now saying that the country is in a state of war.
Odessa is still tense after yesterday's fighting that left 46 people dead. People are in a state of shock. I have been told that this is a more the lull before the storm. We shall see.
Russia has largely remained silent on what they may do. I know that they have no appetite to directly intervene using military force .... to do so would mean that they would own the mess and be responsible for cleaning it up. But calls are growing from Russians in Ukraine and from Russians in Russia that they must intervene. If the violence escalates to what we saw in Odessa yesterday and it persists for a number of weeks .... this will probably become the case .... but I do not see that happening now.
As to what is my take on the situation .... when a government has to use tanks and force to suppress it's own citizens .... and is unable to control the situation .... they have lost legitimacy. In eastern Ukraine the government has lost legitimacy .... and through it's actions have only galvanized the population to seek independence from Kiev ... whether through the ballot box and/or force.
A month ago I was hopeful that a negotiated settlement and/or compromise would be reached between the interim government in Kiev and with those in eastern Ukraine who still wanted to be a part of Ukraine. No more now. With the exception of Ukrainian nationalists in eastern Ukraine .... the mass majority have given up on the interim government in Kiev.
In my own case .... I have seen how this crisis has impacted my family, friends, and acquaintances who live in Ukraine .... especially in the east. When I asked them last month on what was their opinion on the crisis .... they were all neutral with their main worry being the economy, having work and being paid, pensions, and whether or not their children can be educated in Russian. This CNN post from only a few days ago accurately summed up the situation. But today .... there is nothing but pure anger and fear.
Long time reader first time poster. Your my number one site for news. Keep up the great work and prayers to your family in Ukraine.
ReplyDeletei like ur site i know your very busy man but i do think you should be up dating bit more on whats really going on in ukraine crises people need to know whats really going on keep up good work hope your family and friends are safe from scum bag usa nazis
ReplyDeleteIm getting SICK and tired of the US being involved in things they should'nt be involved in. They meddle in Ukraine and then blame eveyone but themselves.
DeleteI hope justice does its job one day.
You can do something about it salim.....move to Russia and take up arms. Russia has a spotless history in its treatment on non-slavs, or even Slavs for that matter. I am sure you would feel welcomed. I will not just assume you are musilm.....but if you are, it will be perfect , they love Muslims in Russia. i am sure you would be most welcomed , treated with respect and find the true justice you seek. What are you waiting for Salim? .....the internet will still be here after you and your Russian brothers save the planet from us wretched Americans.
DeleteWait........what?
DeleteFirst of all, yes im a muslim but i ain't a russian.
Second of all, i dont hate you "wretched americans", i hate USA polictically, i dont hate the americans that live there. I understand why you hav misunderstood me, i didnt make myself clear.
There are 100 of thousands of american muslims, so why would i hate americans.
I know you are not Russian. You misunderstood me also ...my point was, go spend some time in Russia and let me know if they are your ally or treat you as a brother. They might....I have never traveled to Russia but have met and partied the night away with quite a few. I rather enjoyed those folks , but tolerance and respect for Muslims did not seem to be a value they possessed
DeleteI also have issue from time to time with American policy and politics but I ask you this....Do you think if the USA pulled back from using our imperial soft power around the globe , that no one else would fill that void? Do you think the Russians or Chinese would not eventually use the same tactics to serve their interest? Do you think they need resources less ? Do you think the Chinese would hesitate to occupy middle eastern land when the oil dries up , or long before.
DeleteI have watched countless hours of video from the last month of pro-russians , smashing non+ aggressive riot police with rocks bats . i have seen a weak 20 year old Ukrainian boy ,with a vision of a new Ukraine get his head stomped in by the "pro-russians". See , they have this thing called video ..... If you watch it , you can see what's going on. Turns out in Odessa ...real citizens of Ukraine's decided they would not be bullied by Russians from across the boarder. There is video from all day in Odessa , all you have to do is watch to see whom the aggressor was ....until they got roasted of course . while it was horrific to see those Russians burnt up and hanging out of windows....they made the bed they lied in
ReplyDelete