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Showing posts with label Ukraine. Show all posts

Key Points

Ukraine Conflict and U.S. Support
- Scott Ritter: Russia remains firm on its "special military operation" goals in Ukraine, including territorial demands, reducing Ukraine’s military, and blocking NATO membership. Russia advances across front lines, targeting infrastructure.
- U.S. is cutting critical munitions (e.g., Patriot missiles, artillery) due to depleted stockpiles, leaving Ukraine vulnerable. Ritter calls Ukraine a "hospice patient" nearing collapse.
- Larry Johnson: U.S. can’t ramp up production for modern warfare, contrasting slow F-35 production (18-24 months) with WWII-era B-24 bombers (18 hours).
Trump-Putin Dialogue
- Ritter: Recent Trump-Putin call focused on re-engagement, Iran, Gaza, and cultural exchanges to counter U.S. Russophobia, not Ukraine specifically. Putin reiterated Russia’s unyielding stance.
- Johnson: Putin’s talks with Trump and Macron tested for softening on Russia’s demands, which remain firm on addressing war’s root causes and new territorial realities.
Iran’s Nuclear Program
- Ritter: Iranian officials (Oct 2024) claimed near nuclear weapons capability, fueling U.S./Israeli fears. Iran’s 60% enriched uranium makes it a threshold state, though no final bomb decision exists.
- Iran agreed (June 2025) to limit enrichment to 3.75% and allow U.S. inspectors, but U.S.-Israeli strikes (June 12-13) disrupted this. Ritter urges Iran to avoid provocative rhetoric; both criticize Israel’s IAEA influence.
- Johnson: Loss of IAEA access blinded Western intelligence on Iran’s program, necessitating Russia’s help to restore inspections.
Israel-Iran Conflict
- Ritter: Iran’s missile strikes (using older missiles) heavily damaged Israeli military/intelligence sites, overwhelming defenses with maneuvering warheads and decoys. Iran reserved advanced hypersonic missiles.
- Johnson: Israel’s small size makes it vulnerable (e.g., one airport loss halts civilian flights), unlike Iran, which absorbs damage due to its size and population.
- Both: Netanyahu’s U.S. visit (post-July 4, 2025) seeks continued support, domestic political leverage, and intelligence restoration. Rumors of B-2 bomber transfers dismissed due to Israel’s history of leaking U.S. tech.
Netanyahu’s Agenda
- Ritter: Netanyahu aims to project U.S. support for his leadership, avoid escalation with Iran, and navigate domestic legal issues, with Trump interfering via sanction threats.
- Johnson: Israel needs IAEA access to rebuild intelligence networks in Iran after exposing operatives.

Richard Wolff & Michael Hudson | Trump's "The Big, Beautiful And The Ugly" | July 3, 2025

Source: Dialogue Works youtube

Alex Krainer | The Collapse Is Accelerating: Ukraine and Israel Out of Moves | July 3, 2025

Source: Dialogue Works youtube

Ray McGovern & John Helmer | Why Are So Many Countries Turning Their Backs on America? | July 2, 2025

Source: Dialogue Works youtube

Patrick Henningsen & Lt Col Danniel Davis | Russia's Taken Luhansk Region/50k Troops Surround Sumy | July 1, 2025

Source: Daniel Davis / Deep Dive youtube

Description:
The discussion focuses on the stark contrast between optimistic public statements from Ukrainian leadership—especially President Volodymyr Zelensky—and the deteriorating situation on the battlefield. Despite claims that Ukraine can still win, recent events on the ground suggest otherwise. Russia has now claimed full control over the Luhansk region, adding to Crimea and parts of Donetsk. Fighting continues in other contested oblasts like Kharkiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro, showing Russia's growing territorial presence.

Commentator Patrick Henningsen emphasizes the symbolic and strategic importance of Luhansk, where anti-Kyiv sentiment and rebellion began after the 2014 Maidan uprising. He argues that this region was heavily defended by Ukraine and NATO forces, and its loss marks a major victory and morale boost for Russia. Henningsen suggests Russia is preparing for a broader summer/fall offensive, with ample trained reserves ready to hold and stabilize newly occupied territories.

The hosts criticize the failure of past diplomatic efforts—like the Minsk Agreements and the peace offer in April 2022—which could have preserved Ukrainian sovereignty over Donetsk and Luhansk in a limited form. They argue these rejections have only led to greater losses for Ukraine.

Zelensky’s rhetoric is portrayed as increasingly disconnected from the ground realities, with comparisons drawn to a "bunker mentality." The West, they argue, ignores the complex history—such as NATO expansion, the Maidan coup, and discrimination against Russian-speaking Ukrainians—and pretends the war started in 2022, omitting the buildup of tensions over years. Henningsen also highlights Russia’s long-standing openness to diplomacy through the Minsk Contact Group, which remains technically active.