According to a new report in The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. knew that Ukrainian forces lacked the training and weapons that would be needed to succeed in their counteroffensive, but this did not stop the campaign from going ahead. The report says that Western military officials “hoped Ukrainian courage and resourcefulness would carry the day,” but no matter how brave and resourceful an army may be it cannot go on the offensive and win if it has inadequate supplies and preparation. If Ukraine’s counteroffensive was unlikely to make significant gains and Washington had good reason to...…According to a new report in The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. knew that Ukrainian forces lacked the training and weapons that would be needed to succeed in their counteroffensive, but this did not stop the campaign from going ahead. The report says that Western military officials “hoped Ukrainian courage and resourcefulness would carry the day,” but no matter how brave and resourceful an army may be it cannot go on the offensive and win if it has inadequate supplies and preparation. If Ukraine’s counteroffensive was unlikely to make significant gains and Washington had good reason to...WW…

Since the Russia-Ukraine war began over 20 months ago, Western media has constructed and dutifully hewn to a series of narratives: Volodymyr Zelensky is a war hero and resistance leader akin to Winston Churchill. Ukrainians are eager to volunteer for the war effort while Russians flee conscription. More money and weapons are all the Ukrainians need to retake the territory Russia has annexed. The West’s interests lie in helping them achieve that grand victory rather than in pushing for a ceasefire and negotiated settlement. Facts at odds with these narratives — such as that Ukraine has been...…Since the Russia-Ukraine war began over 20 months ago, Western media has constructed and dutifully hewn to a series of narratives: Volodymyr Zelensky is a war hero and resistance leader akin to Winston Churchill. Ukrainians are eager to volunteer for the war effort while Russians flee conscription. More money and weapons are all the Ukrainians need to retake the territory Russia has annexed. The West’s interests lie in helping them achieve that grand victory rather than in pushing for a ceasefire and negotiated settlement. Facts at odds with these narratives — such as that Ukraine has been...WW…

South Korean students burn an effigy of former president Chun Doo-Hwan during a protest in central city of Seoul on December 2, 1996. Chun had rejected a prosecution summons to appear for questioning over a coup he led and an army massacre the following year that crushed the democratic opposition. (Reuters)…South Korean students burn an effigy of former president Chun Doo-Hwan during a protest in central city of Seoul on December 2, 1996. Chun had rejected a prosecution summons to appear for questioning over a coup he led and an army massacre the following year that crushed the democratic opposition. (Reuters)WW…