Murder in uniform

Heartbreaking images of Putin’s war in Ukraine are circulating around Russia as well as the rest of the world. If Putin grinds on, the smartphone war may just deliver regime change in Russia rather than Ukraine.

Dumb bombs and rust

The incompetence of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine shows how easily a determined NATO response with modern, motivated and well-led armed forces could have saved millions from Russia’s lumbering reign of terror.

A tale of two thugs

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the military coup in Myanmar 12 months ago appear very different conflicts, but both are calamitous strategic mistakes directed by autocratic leaders who surrounded themselves with yes-men while the world around them changed.

Russia in the dock over war crimes

Russia has displayed its contempt for international law by its murderous invasion of Ukraine, but international courts are already gearing up to bring Russian war criminals to justice, however symbolic their deliberations may be.

A country, not a region – it’s Ukraine not ‘the Ukraine’

Commentators and journalists referring to ‘the Ukraine’ in their coverage of the Russian invasion are falling into the Soviet trap of denying Ukraine the statehood it holds and is fighting against all odds to retain.

Everyone can boycott Russia

Governments, organisations and companies around the world have cut their ties with Putin’s Russia, but ordinary consumers can do their bit by spurning Russian goods and services.

Europe at the crossroads – again

Putin has united a fractious Europe against him, and every day the brave Ukrainian defenders withstand the Russian onslaught, the pressure for Putin to return to the negotiating table ramps up.

Beauty and the beast

Russia cares nothing for international law, the sovereignty of other states, the lives of civilians or the wrath of the rest of the world. It is little surprise therefore that Ukraine’s priceless cultural heritage is becoming yet another victim of its brutal war.

Russia’s nuclear bluster

Vladimir Putin’s threat that NATO intervention to save Ukraine from his clutches would inevitably lead to nuclear war is as hollow as every other statement he makes, but is still proving effective at staying the West’s hand.

Russia’s bloodbath in Ukraine

Russia is suffering a heavy rate of casualties at the hands of determined Ukranian resistance, provoking memories of the Soviet folly in Afghanistan which provoked similar international outrage over 40 years ago.

It’s time for action to save Ukraine

With the situation in Ukraine reaching a critical point, Western democracies must back their rhetoric with action to force the Russian invaders back behind their borders once again.

Nine observations on the war in Ukraine

A week and a half since Russian forces invaded Ukraine, here are nine observations on developments in the worst war in Europe since 1945 – not least that NATO air power could have turned Russia’s long and lumbering convoys into mincemeat.