Tag: #slovakia

Overview of Current Global and Regional Aspects Concerning Russia’s War in Ukraine
Part II: Russia and Europe

April 6, 2026

Russia has long engaged in a campaign of disinformation, government and electoral interference and outright sabotage in Europe. It has done so in an attempt to weaken resolve and undermine NATO defensive coordination. The disappointing performance of Russia’s military during the past year and the precarious state of its economy is likely to place greater emphasis upon its need to at least succeed with its malign efforts in Europe at large. It must do so in order that it not expose itself to what it perceives to be even greater vulnerabilities to its west. Much of this is perception more than it is reality, but Russia remains immersed in its own propaganda that the West presents an eternal threat to its existence. The reality, in fact, is that the regime itself, more than the nation it rules, feels threatened and is prepared to take what action is needed to preserve itself whatever the consequences for its people. … More Overview of Current Global and Regional Aspects Concerning Russia’s War in Ukraine Part II: Russia and Europe

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 4) – The Trees and the Forest

March 11, 2024

History is meant to work as an educational tool for those generations to follow. It is meant to provide direction for establishing priorities that will guide the deliberations of leaders. Blunders of the past have often resulted from national grievances that have been propagandized to a feverish level by authoritarian regimes with self-serving agendas. When war has been the result, the outcome has often led to catastrophic defeat for the aggressor and a protracted national shame but not without the inevitability of widespread grief shared by the many nations forced to confront the aggressor. … More Putin’s Odds (Part 4) – The Trees and the Forest