Crimea

Ukraine Traded Nukes for Worthless Security Guarantees—Now the US Wants Its Minerals Too

Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 9:36 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Ukraine faces a grim choice: accept Trump’s extortionate deal, handing over $500 billion in critical minerals in exchange for meaningless security guarantees, or refuse and risk losing Western support — only to face another Russian invasion anyway when those promises prove worthless. Either way, history warns that guarantees without real enforcement are just preludes to… Read more.

Ukraine Is Taking Fight to Russia — in Crimea. But Crimea Is Still in Ukraine

Friday, August 12, 2022 at 6:19 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Much is being made about explosions that sent Russians scurrying from their beach cabanas on the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea on Tuesday. Ukraine claims they resulted from the derring-do of its Special Forces — who infiltrated behind enemy lines and blew up a Russian military airbase. But red-faced Russia insists the explosions resulted from nothing… Read more.

Obama Tries to Rally Europeans to Stand Up to Putin. But…

Thursday, March 27, 2014 at 8:44 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

I’m not going to insult your intelligence by delineating the obvious symmetries/analogies any further. I’m merely imploring Western leaders—who might eventually have to play Churchill and FDR to Putin’s Hitler—to show that you’ve learned from history by standing up to this bully if he even attempts to take Crimea… Don’t stand by and let him… Read more.

Resentment as Much as Ambition Moved Putin to Take Crimea

Monday, March 24, 2014 at 6:43 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

President Vladimir Putin attempted to justify Russia’s annexation of Crimea in a rambling and defiant national address last week. This quote pretty much sums it up: They are constantly trying to sweep us into a corner… But there is a limit to everything. And with Ukraine, our Western partners have crossed the line, playing the… Read more.

World Condemns Russia; China Abstains

Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 12:51 PM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

The 15-member UN Security Council voted moments ago on a resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Crimea and declaring tomorrow’s scheduled referendum to ratify its annexation of this region of Ukraine invalid and a flagrant violation of international law. Unsurprisingly, 13 members, led by the United States, voted in favor of the resolution; one member, Russia, voted… Read more.

Checkmated on Crimea, Obama Plays for Rest of Ukraine

Friday, March 7, 2014 at 7:38 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

To all intents and purposes Crimea is now a part of Russia. All that remains is for the United States and Europe to negotiate a way to contain President Putin’s pan-Russian ambitions so that Ukrainians can govern what remains of their country (especially in the East) without undue interference. Their strategy of containment might work… Read more.