Putin's absurd, angry spectacle will be a turning point in his long reign  —  This was a supreme leader marshalling his minions for a decision that will change the security architecture in Europe and may well lead to horrific war  —  Sitting alone at a desk in a grand, columned Kremlin room …

What we can expect after Putin's conquest of Ukraine  —  Let's assume for a moment that Vladimir Putin succeeds in gaining full control of Ukraine, as he shows every intention of doing.  What are the strategic and geopolitical consequences?  —  The first will be a new front line of conflict in Central Europe.

The West has a ‘united’ but failing Ukraine strategy  —  The United States and its European allies just spent three days celebrating their unity in opposing Russia's presumptive invasion of Ukraine — and promising to punish Moscow after an attack.  But that unity comes as little comfort to the Ukrainians, who are bracing for war.

Putin's Right-Wing Shills  —  And why they matter.  —  Flashback to July, 2018.  —  After the summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, this is what I wrote for the now-deceased Weekly Standard: … Consider this the context of today's news.

Putin's made-for-TV security debate gives him answers he wants to hear on Ukraine  —  Russia's president lines up state officials to repeat arguments for recognising Kyiv's eastern separatist regions  —  For Vladimir Putin's extraordinary meeting with his top security officials on Monday …