Whither Ukraine’s counteroffensive?
The Western media is speculating that it may come by late May. The chances of Ukraine making some sort of “breakthrough” in the 950-km long Russian frontline cannot be ruled out but a Russian counteroffensive is all but certain to follow.
China shifts gear on Ukraine mediation
The Chinese readout of Xi-Zelensky conversation on phone exudes a positive tone. The Chinese President may have hinted that Zelensky can still win by a nose if only the risky, senseless idea of a “counteroffensive.”
Ukraine: Stalemate in an attritional war?
What neocons in the US are yet to grasp is that they failed to subjugate Russia despite the humiliations poured on its national honor, history and enviously rich culture. Why would Russia normalize with states that appropriated its sovereign wealth and imposed such draconian sanctions to bleed and weaken its economy
China, Russia circle wagons in Asia-Pacific
Such cooperation demonstrates a high level of trust and requires a possible integration of Russian and Chinese systems
OPEC: Saudis aren’t afraid of US anymore
The surprise OPEC+ reduction consolidates the Saudi-Russian energy alliance, by aligning their production levels and placing them on equal footing. It is a slap in the face for the US
Moscow calls out US’ rules-based order in Europe
As with the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, the Russian decision on tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus is retaliatory, drawing attention to the US missiles stationed close to its borders
US is stirring up Syrian cauldron
The specter that is haunting Washington is that the stabilization of Syria following Assad’s normalization with the Arab countries and with Turkey will inexorably coalesce into a Syrian settlement that completely marginalizes the “collective West”
Free will trumps determinism in Gulf politics
Evidently, the regional states are tapping the “feel-good” generated by the Saudi-Iranian deal. There are signs of an overall easing of tensions