I believe the Euros could stand up to Trump if they stood together. Trump is weak. Threaten Trump, stop being afraid of him. And go full steam ahead on giving Zelensky the help it needs militarily and troops. Make Trump the loser by stealing the initiative because the only way Putin will leave Ukraine is if he is forced to.
He is brilliant. I wrote to Marvin Kalb many years ago and asked what I should study to become a journalist. He replied history. So I studied history and journalism in college and graduate school! While I eventually became a lawyer, his advice has enriched my life and work immeasurably.
To me it's hard to imagine this stalemate will break unless the leaders of EU nations, Ukraine's allies, stand up to the US president. Why are they so subservient to someone who is clearly so ill-informed, so unprepared for any diplomatic role, so lacking in respectfulness, so unprincipled?
I so appreciate being able to read Marvin Kalb's commentary on this sub-stack.
One thing I would add is that it would be helpful and I think accurate to substitue "Republican party" for "Trump". Trump may be in front of the camera, but he's only there because the Republican party has chosen to abandon American democracy to allow him to remain in power. Therefore the Republican party is responsible for everything Trump says and does. It should be reported that way.
I don't know how this war will end, but I do know the Republican party has abandoned the Ukrainians, and our European allies. No doubt our European allies know this, but at the moment they have little choice but to try to do whatever they can to pressure the U.S. to continue to sell weapons (the one thing Republicans can agree on).
The naked truth, - Republicans and Putin are allies. There's no partnership possible under these circumstances.
Maybe I am naive but isn’t the UN supposed to be a global organization dedicated to peace? Why are they sitting on their hands in this conflict as well as the others that need cool heads and non partisan involvement?
We need a different scenario. No longer should decisions be made based on United States. The European Union, with so much skin in the "game", should and can become the "new" world order. A possible gambit would be to set up a security agreement for Ukraine such that if Russia, yet again, tries to take Ukraine, the latter would immediately become a NATO and/or a EU country.
Such a sad story for Ukraine. I believe the United States should help with giving, not selling, machines of war useful to Ukraine. I know what NATO says about set boundaries but ....
I believe the Euros could stand up to Trump if they stood together. Trump is weak. Threaten Trump, stop being afraid of him. And go full steam ahead on giving Zelensky the help it needs militarily and troops. Make Trump the loser by stealing the initiative because the only way Putin will leave Ukraine is if he is forced to.
As someone who has followed Marvin Kalb for over sixty years, his vast experience and wisdom remains incredibly welcome.
He is brilliant. I wrote to Marvin Kalb many years ago and asked what I should study to become a journalist. He replied history. So I studied history and journalism in college and graduate school! While I eventually became a lawyer, his advice has enriched my life and work immeasurably.
What an excellent story. Thank you for sharing it.
Marvin Kalb's sage comments over many decades have enriched the lives of all who have listened to him.
To me it's hard to imagine this stalemate will break unless the leaders of EU nations, Ukraine's allies, stand up to the US president. Why are they so subservient to someone who is clearly so ill-informed, so unprepared for any diplomatic role, so lacking in respectfulness, so unprincipled?
Hey I wrote mine, and then read yours... totally agree
Yes, for the life of me I can't understand why they are so "careful" of this man. The only power he really has is what they give him.
Yes. It's EXASPERATING!!
Thank you for your continuing analysis of our worldly happenings.
Thank you for this succinct explanation of the issues.
I so appreciate being able to read Marvin Kalb's commentary on this sub-stack.
One thing I would add is that it would be helpful and I think accurate to substitue "Republican party" for "Trump". Trump may be in front of the camera, but he's only there because the Republican party has chosen to abandon American democracy to allow him to remain in power. Therefore the Republican party is responsible for everything Trump says and does. It should be reported that way.
I don't know how this war will end, but I do know the Republican party has abandoned the Ukrainians, and our European allies. No doubt our European allies know this, but at the moment they have little choice but to try to do whatever they can to pressure the U.S. to continue to sell weapons (the one thing Republicans can agree on).
The naked truth, - Republicans and Putin are allies. There's no partnership possible under these circumstances.
So true. The WH would have nothing without GOP Congress lackeys.
Maybe I am naive but isn’t the UN supposed to be a global organization dedicated to peace? Why are they sitting on their hands in this conflict as well as the others that need cool heads and non partisan involvement?
We need a different scenario. No longer should decisions be made based on United States. The European Union, with so much skin in the "game", should and can become the "new" world order. A possible gambit would be to set up a security agreement for Ukraine such that if Russia, yet again, tries to take Ukraine, the latter would immediately become a NATO and/or a EU country.
Small correction, if you allow me professor Kalb.
The war started in 2014 with the annexation of the Crimea by "little green men". 2022 was the predictable continuation of Putin's assault on Ukraine.
Such a sad story for Ukraine. I believe the United States should help with giving, not selling, machines of war useful to Ukraine. I know what NATO says about set boundaries but ....