Ukraine War Press Digest, March 14, 2023
The latest Ukraine war news and the best analysis of the war and related topics.
Macgregor, Douglas. "The Gathering Storm - The American Conservative." American Conservative, 13 Mar. 2023, www.theamericanconservative.com/the-gathering-storm/
“Washington’s military strategy to weaken, isolate, or even destroy Russia is a colossal failure, and the failure puts Washington’s proxy war with Russia on a truly dangerous path.”
"The Gathering Storm" argues that the United States is facing an increasingly difficult strategic environment due to the emergence of a new great power competition between China and the United States. The author contends that this competition differs from previous ones in that China is an economic and technological powerhouse with a deep authoritarian streak. The article also discusses the decline of American power relative to China in absolute terms and argues that the United States must revitalize its economy and strengthen its alliances to maintain its position globally. The author also highlights the importance of diplomacy and international institutions in managing this competition but notes that the United States must be prepared to defend its interests and values if necessary.
Khurshudyan, Isabelle, et al. "Ukraine short of skilled troops and munitions as losses, pessimism grow." Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2023, www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/13/ukraine-casualties-pessimism-ammunition-shortage.
After a year of war, Kupol, a lieutenant colonel, said his battalion is unrecognizable. Of about 500 soldiers, roughly 100 were killed in action and another 400 wounded, leading to a complete turnover. Kupol said he was the sole military professional in the battalion, and he described the struggle of leading a unit composed entirely of inexperienced troops.
The article reports on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its toll on the country's military. It highlights the high number of casualties suffered by the Ukrainian military in recent weeks, with many soldiers being killed or injured in combat. The article also discusses the shortage of ammunition and other military supplies that the Ukrainian military faces, exacerbating the situation. The article quotes Ukrainian officials and soldiers expressing pessimism about the prospects for the conflict, with some suggesting that a ceasefire may be necessary to avoid further loss of life. Overall, the article paints a grim picture of the situation in Ukraine and the challenges facing the country's military.
Kelly, Laura. "Congress wants to label Wagner group as a terrorist organization. Why is Biden opposed?" Hill, 13 Mar. 2023, thehill.com/policy/international/3894376-congress-wants-to-label-wagner-group-as-a-terrorist-organization-why-is-biden-opposed.
Expert analyses have tied the Wagner group’s activities to countries including Sudan, Libya, the Central African Republic, Mozambique, Mali, Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Chad. The private security company is often used as a supplement force for those countries’ weak militaries.
“[The State Department] is concerned that if suddenly the FTO designation lands on Wagner, that those governments, where there’s various officials that deal with them [Wagner], that they would all, immediately be blocked from travel to the United States and have their assets seized for coming into contact with the FTO. So that’s the nature of their concern,” the aide said.
The article reports on a debate in Congress over whether to designate the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, as a terrorist organization. The article notes that the Wagner Group has been implicated in various conflicts around the world, including in Ukraine and Syria. The article highlights bipartisan support in Congress for the designation, with lawmakers arguing that it would help hold the group accountable for its actions. However, the article also notes that the Biden administration reportedly opposed the move, with officials concerned about the potential implications for U.S.-Russia relations. The article includes quotes from lawmakers and analysts on both sides of the debate, suggesting that the issue will likely remain contentious in the coming months.
"Wehrbeauftragte Eva Högl: "Der Bundeswehr fehlt es an allem"." ZEIT ONLINE, 13 Mar. 2023, www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2023-03/wehrbeauftragte-eva-hoegl-kritik-ausruestung-jahresbericht.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces , Eva Högl (SPD), criticizes the poor facilities and equipment of the Bundeswehr . "The Bundeswehr lacks everything," Högl told RTL / n-tv. This includes "personal equipment, smaller devices, night vision devices, radios, but also the large device". The soldiers "fight with shortages every day". That hinders the training and the exercises, said Högl.
The article is from the German newspaper Zeit and reports on criticism by the German military ombudsman, Eva Högl, of the equipment and readiness of the German military. Högl's criticism was included in her annual report, in which she highlighted deficiencies in the military's equipment, personnel, and infrastructure. The article notes that Högl's comments come at a time when the German military is facing a number of challenges, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the need to modernize its equipment. The article includes quotes from Högl and other officials on the issue and suggests that the military's readiness will continue to be a topic of debate in Germany in the coming months.
Friedman, Lisa. "How Biden Got From ‘No More Drilling’ to Backing a Huge Project in Alaska." N.Y. Times, 14 Mar. 2023, www.nytimes.com/2023/03/13/climate/willow-biden-oil-climate.html.
“The announcement is nothing more than window dressing,” Ben Jealous, president of the Sierra Club, said in an interview. “If President Biden were sitting here I’d tell him don’t spit on us and tell us that it’s raining, Mr. President.”
The article reports on the Biden administration's decision to allow a major oil drilling project in Alaska's Arctic region, known as the Willow project, to move forward. The article notes that the project had been proposed by ConocoPhillips and would involve the construction of infrastructure for oil and gas exploration in an area of critical wildlife habitat. The article highlights that the decision to allow the project is controversial and runs counter to the administration's broader efforts to address climate change and transition away from fossil fuels. The article includes quotes from administration officials and environmental groups on the decision and suggests that it will likely face legal challenges and criticism from some groups.
Cowley, Stacy, et al. "Regional Banks Slammed by Fear of a Broader Financial Crisis." N.Y. Times, 14 Mar. 2023, www.nytimes.com/2023/03/13/business/regional-bank-stocks.html.
“Schwab has gotten a lot bigger, and the question is: Did they make the same mistakes SVB did?” asked Robert Siegel, a business school lecturer at Stanford.
Schwab released a statement Monday saying it was “well positioned to navigate the current environment,” and called itself “a safe port in a storm.”
The article reports on the challenges that banks of various sizes are facing in the United States due to market turmoil and fears of a broader financial crisis. The article notes that many customers are withdrawing their deposits from banks while investors are selling off bank stocks amid bank runs and financial instability concerns. The article highlights that these challenges are affecting banks of all sizes, including regional banks, and are raising questions about the overall health of the banking system. The article includes analysis and commentary from industry experts on the causes of the market turmoil and the implications for banks and the broader economy.