Driven by concerns about the potential impact of Donald Trump’s presidency on the war in Ukraine, Poland is seeking to build an alliance with Britain. Prime Minister Donald Tusk is set to meet with key figures including Sir Keir Starmer and President Macron to discuss the matter. These concerns stem from recent actions by Trump, including his son’s taunting of President Zelensky on social media and reports of a phone call with President Putin urging him to de-escalate the conflict. Despite the Kremlin’s denial, these actions have fueled apprehension in Poland about a potential Western sell-out of Ukraine under Trump’s leadership.
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Following a pause due to the pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine, Russia plans to resume major public sector layoffs in 2024. This initiative, aiming to cut 10% of staff in territorial branches of federal agencies by 2025, seeks to free up funds to increase salaries for remaining employees. The goal is to reduce the workforce in these branches by approximately 40,000 people, or 0.5% of the country’s overall workforce. While some agencies may achieve this through unfilled positions, the move could result in higher salaries for those remaining, reaching up to 80,000 rubles per month. Notably, employees in Russia-installed administrations in occupied Ukrainian territories will be exempt from these layoffs.
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Ksenia Karelina, a US-Russian citizen, has been sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony for “high treason” after donating $51.80 to a pro-Ukraine charity. Her appeal against the sentence, issued in August and condemned by the US as “vindictive cruelty,” was rejected by a Russian court on Monday. The 32-year-old ballet dancer and spa worker was arrested in January 2024 during a visit to her family in Russia. Karelina is one of several US citizens and dual citizens imprisoned in Russia, prompting accusations from Washington that Moscow is holding them for potential exchange with Russians convicted abroad.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia has deployed nearly 50,000 troops to Kursk, the region where Ukraine launched a successful counteroffensive in the summer. Despite this, Ukrainian troops continue to hold back the Russian advance. This comes as reports surface of North Korean troops joining the conflict, with Ukrainian sources claiming North Korean soldiers are already engaging in combat operations. This development follows Russia’s signing of a mutual defense treaty with North Korea, further solidifying the alliance between the two nations. Meanwhile, Ukraine faces the added challenge of a potential second Trump presidency, which could drastically alter the course of the war.
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Our findings show that while Arab American voters in Dearborn, Michigan, favored Trump over Harris, they ultimately rejected both candidates, with a significant portion instead voting for Stein. This outcome, similar to our national poll, suggests a widespread dissatisfaction with both major party candidates. The Harris campaign’s decision to exclude Arab and Palestinian voices from the DNC and the Democrats’ messaging, particularly Bill Clinton’s controversial remarks on the Israel-Gaza conflict, likely contributed to this voter sentiment. Trump, meanwhile, successfully capitalized on these missteps, appealing to Arab American voters who remember the Cheney family’s history of supporting policies seen as harmful to their community.
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Russia is mounting a major offensive in the Kursk region, aiming to reclaim territory seized by Ukraine in a surprise incursion last August. Tens of thousands of Russian troops, including North Korean soldiers, are participating in the offensive, which has been anticipated for weeks. This comes as the two sides have exchanged an intense wave of drone attacks, resulting in civilian casualties. The offensive’s timing is significant, as it coincides with the election of Donald Trump, whose stance on the war and potential negotiations with Russia and Ukraine remains uncertain. The situation in Kursk is expected to be a key bargaining chip in any future peace negotiations.
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With Donald Trump’s inauguration looming, French and British leaders are set to meet in Paris on November 11th to urge the Biden administration to allow Ukraine to launch deep strikes inside Russia using Western weapons. This push, driven by the desire to solidify Biden’s foreign policy legacy before the change in administration, comes amid concerns about Trump’s less resolute stance on Ukraine, which has been marked by calls for a quick end to the conflict, potentially involving Ukrainian concessions. Despite Ukraine’s repeated requests for permission to utilize weapons such as ATACMs and Storm Shadows, the Biden administration has yet to approve such actions. This summit represents a last-ditch effort to secure approval before Trump assumes office.
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The Washington Post reported that President-elect Donald Trump had a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 7th, during which they discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Kremlin has vehemently denied this report, calling it “pure fiction” and “completely untrue.” The alleged conversation occurred shortly after Trump’s election victory and amidst speculation about his foreign policy approach. The Washington Post claimed the call included discussions about de-escalation in Ukraine and the significance of U.S. military presence in Europe, while Trump reportedly expressed interest in resolving the conflict.
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On November 11th, Ukraine reported a record high of 1,770 Russian casualties in a single day, surpassing the previous record of 1,740 set on May 13th. This brings the total number of Russian casualties to 710,660, according to Ukraine’s General Staff. While the Kremlin remains silent on troop losses, Western officials have confirmed October as the deadliest month for Russian forces, with estimates ranging from 1,354 to 1,500 casualties per day. Despite suffering record losses, Russian forces have made significant territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, particularly in Donetsk Oblast, putting pressure on Ukrainian defenses and prompting concerns about a potential escalation.
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Recent estimates from British officials indicate that Russian forces suffered an average of 1,500 casualties per day in October, marking the highest monthly figure since the war began. This surge in losses, which may be contributing to Russia’s deployment of North Korean troops, has resulted in significant territorial gains for Russia, particularly in southern Donetsk Oblast. Despite these setbacks for Ukraine, our unwavering support for Kyiv will continue “as long as it takes,” ensuring their ability to defend their territory and achieve victory.
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John Q. Hosedrinker