Category: Health Care

Vladimir Putin and the Hill He is Drawn to Die Upon

March 4, 2026

Is Vladimir Putin capable of coming to terms with the mounting concerns over the state-of-affairs in Russia brought about by his war in Ukraine? His predilection for conflict has dominated policy throughout most of his 25 years in leadership beginning with his war in Chechnya (1999 – 2009), and followed by incursion into Georgia (2008), the Donbas War (2014 – 2022), the Syrian Civil War (2015 – 2024), to the invasion of Ukraine (2022 – present). The strategy has maintained Putin’s version of the historic Russian “strong-man” ethos at the helm of Russia’s destiny, one in which the nation’s security comes at the expense of individual freedom. In the process, Putin has ensured for himself the power once possessed by his tsarist ancestors but now with the added benefit of a much more sophisticated internal security apparatus. The problem confronting him in this present moment is the wall he has run into both militarily and economically. The question confronting Russians now must revolve around whether Putin is mentally capable of overcoming his own shortcomings to save the country from ruin. … More Vladimir Putin and the Hill He is Drawn to Die Upon

Populism’s Path toward Authoritarianism: The Weirdness of the West

July 15, 2024

Before we become too enamored with the notion that the Russian state and its governance represents the sort of model for us to emulate and the kind of partnership we must seek in a world increasingly in need of security against the global threats of war, economic collapse, climate change and disease, a timely review of the example set by Russia is in order. Russia’s fate has been so intertwined with the sole aspirations of its resident dictator that it now faces the prospect of not simply military defeat in a poorly conceived attempt to overtake a neighboring sovereign nation but the ignominy of ultimate economic collapse. Rather than avoiding such “foibles” of authoritarian rule, some European and other western nations have been engaged in the idea of following suit with their own versions of populist ideals. Ahead of most other nations in its wild pursuit toward similar autocracy is Viktor Orban’s Hungary, well along in its decline into authoritarian rule, and therefore equally suited for similar scrutiny. … More Populism’s Path toward Authoritarianism: The Weirdness of the West

Putin’s Odds (Part 1) – The Dissonance of War and Economy

January 30, 2024

Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine is beset by a confluence of several factors, some apparent and others not so much, each with their own dynamic and shifting significance. The thing about chaos is its relative unpredictability in acute circumstances. The consequent unpredictability makes it difficult to foresee where and when a point of criticality is reached that will dictate an end to the conflict or determine a clear and inevitable path to that end. … More Putin’s Odds (Part 1) – The Dissonance of War and Economy

Funding a War of Resistance 2022-2024

November 26, 2023

Several members of the United States (U.S.) House of Representatives are opposed to the notion that Ukraine requires their support in its war of resistance against Russia arguing, ostensibly, that enough has been provided to-date, that budget priorities should be directed elsewhere while repeating a narrative, without justification, that the distribution of aid to Ukraine has been mismanaged and much has been wasted in the process. The arguments are disingenuous, no more than contrived political statements that demonstrate a profound ignorance of the global consequences of their proposed inaction. … More Funding a War of Resistance 2022-2024

Domestic Putin (Part 1)

August 1, 2023

Over the past century, Russian leaders, excepting one, have sought to present themselves before their own government and their people by how well they waged conflict with the West. Put more bluntly, they have remained dedicated to the notion that military and global territorial dominance over the United States (U.S.) was paramount in their perception of a misguided and grossly overestimated race to the top that too often left behind the welfare of their people. Authoritarian leadership in the guise of a Soviet Communist state with its focus on the growth of its military-industrial might, finally caused the economic demise of their regime and, with it, the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. It will do the same in the current century. … More Domestic Putin (Part 1)

Health Care in a Winter War – Ukraine

January 16, 2023

The road to a better health care system for Ukraine will be best accomplished with the removal of Russian forces from its designated sovereign territory. But first the threat of winter must be overcome. Well into its eleventh month, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began a new chapter with the realization that its military campaign has floundered and winter has further hampered its progress. A shift in strategy now has concentrated upon terrorizing the entire nation by undermining its civilian infrastructure and threatening its means of survival in the cold of winter. For a nation entrenched in its desire to emerge ultimately with its sovereignty intact and its language and culture preserved, Ukraine faces a bitter struggle, seemingly to the end. … More Health Care in a Winter War – Ukraine

Russia’s War in Ukraine – An Addendum for the Coming Winter

November 18, 2022

Russia’s war upon Ukraine has entered its ninth month since its unprovoked invasion on February 24, 2022. From the beginning, its intentions of terrorizing communities and destroying civilian infrastructure were made clear so that the conflict was not merely to be a limited military incursion and confrontation between combatants but the subjugation of a people. With this strategy came a humanitarian crisis that has become well known, prompted by the massive displacement of civilians within the country and across neighboring borders. … More Russia’s War in Ukraine – An Addendum for the Coming Winter