Author Archives: Jack
Stupid Stuff: Hillary Clinton on Syria
Former Secretary of State Clinton remarked in her interview with Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic that President Obama’s admonition not to do stupid stuff “is not an organizing principle.” Quite true. But then, the opinion she expressed regarding Obama’s early … Continue reading
Viktor Hryhorov’s Painting “Independence Day”
As Ukraine approaches a fateful election next Sunday, I have been drawn to contemplate one of the most moving and thoughtful paintings in our collection. The painting pictured above is by Viktor Hryhorov (Grigorov–Григоров). Rebecca and I purchased it from … Continue reading
Chas Freeman on Unforseen Complexities in the World
Ambassador Chas Freeman delivered a speech today in Victoria, B.C., with a brilliant analysis of changes in the world that have caught American policy makers, and must media pundits, by surprise. I would call attention especially to his observation, “The … Continue reading
NATO EXPANSION: WAS THERE A PROMISE?
The Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda asked me to write an article on what was said regarding NATO expansion during the negotiations concerning German unification in 1990. I submitted the following: This is not a simple question since much was said … Continue reading
Russia’s Media Distortions Are Dangerous for Russia
I have been told that some of my comments on this blog have been taken out of context by some Russian media and presented as if I were justifying current Russian policy toward Ukraine. I do not have time to … Continue reading
Russia Should Leave Crimea in Ukraine
Pavel Koshkin, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Russia Direct, has asked me the following question: “Today Crimea’s parliament have voted for its accession to Russia as a subject of the federation and scheduled this issue for a referendum on March 16. How … Continue reading
Ukraine: Ethnicity, Language, and Attitude Toward Russia
Among the many questions in the current debate about the crisis in Ukraine, that of ethnicity, language and attitude toward Russia has drawn great heat but cast very little light on the actual situation. Simplistic arguments thrown about in the … Continue reading
Obama’s Confrontation over Ukraine Has Increased Putin’s Support at Home
I received the following comments on yesterday’s essay from a Russian-speaking American now resident in Moscow. They include some important points about Russian opinion and on the impact of the Ukrainian events on politics in Russia itself. Each of the … Continue reading
Ukraine: The Price of Internal Division
With all of the reports coming out of Ukraine, Moscow, Washington, and European capitals, the mutual accusations, the knee-jerk speculation, and—not least—the hysterical language of some observers, bordering on the apocalyptic, it is difficult to keep in mind the long-term … Continue reading
Ukraine and the United States
Implications of Victoria Nuland’s Candid Remark As a friend and admirer of both Russian and Ukrainian peoples and culture, I have been following the dramatic events in Kyiv since November with both sympathy for the Ukrainian protesters and concern that … Continue reading