Putin’s Taunt: What Are You Going To Do About It?

On a somber day, Chris, Melanie, and Zack ponder the implications of the war in Ukraine. What, if any, lessons should we take away from the inability to deter Vladimir Putin from attacking Ukraine? With the war now raging, what measures should be employed to help the Ukrainians and complicate Russian war aims — and what should be held back? What are the escalation risks? Are broad-based economic sanctions likely to be effective, and under what circumstances might they be lifted? And what does the post-Ukraine world look like, especially in terms of Europe’s defense posture?

A grievance for the second show in a row toward Vladimir Putin (obviously), and to those in the Twitterverse attempting to use the crisis as an opportunity to score ideological points. Melanie scolds those Republicans who attended a white nationalist conference and talks about what they mean for of House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy. A hearty attaboy to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who has shown remarkable courage and resolve under pressure, to Kenya’s ambassador to the United Nations, Martin Kimani, for an inspiring speech criticizing Russia’s attempt to redraw borders by force, and to international sports leagues for shunning Russia.

Episode Reading:

Rohith Nair, “Russia stripped of major events as invasion of Ukraine intensifies,” Reuters, February 25, 2022.

Amb. Martin Kimani, “Statement to an Emergency Session of the UNSC on the Situation in Ukraine,” February 22, 2022.

Catherine Rampell, “Marjorie Taylor Greene Wants to Be Judged By Her Own Words? Challenge Accepted,” Washington Post, February 28, 2022.

Patricia Cohen and Stanley Reed, “Why the Toughest Sanctions on Russia are the Hardest for Europe to Wield,” New York Times, February 25, 2022.

Melissa Eddy, “In Foreign Policy U-Turn, German Ups Military Spending, Arms Ukraine,” New York Times, February 27, 2022.

Image: Kremlin