Newly declassified US intelligence documents detail a pattern of assassinations targeting political opponents of Vladimir Putin, primarily in former Soviet republics. These actions range from poisonings, like that of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, to bombings and shootings, implicating both Russian state security services and Chechen operatives under Ramzan Kadyrov. The report cites several high-profile victims, including former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko and Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev, former leader of Ichkeria. US intelligence expresses high confidence in its findings regarding these Kremlin-linked operations.
Read More
In her memoir, *Freedom*, Angela Merkel reflects on her relationship with Donald Trump, initially misjudging him as “completely normal” before recognizing his emotional nature and affinity for authoritarian leaders. She describes Trump’s transactional approach to international relations, contrasting it with her own focus on factual cooperation. Merkel also discusses her interactions with Vladimir Putin, acknowledging some validity in his criticisms while highlighting his manipulative tactics and ultimately his role in the Ukraine invasion. The book covers her political career and includes a belated endorsement of Kamala Harris for president.
Read More
Following recent Russian attacks on Ukraine, EU High Representative Josep Borrell asserts that Vladimir Putin shows no willingness to negotiate peace, instead opting for escalation to achieve his long-standing goals of conquering and subjugating Ukraine. Borrell highlights that Putin’s initial expectation of a swift victory has been disproven by the ongoing conflict, now spanning over 4,000 days since the initial 2014 aggression. He criticizes the EU’s initially insufficient response and warns against further inaction, emphasizing that a lack of response only encourages further Russian escalation. Despite this, the EU has fulfilled its pledge of delivering one million artillery shells to Ukraine.
Read More
Democrats are pushing for federal investigations into Elon Musk’s alleged ties to Vladimir Putin. This call for a probe stems from concerns about potential collusion and influence peddling, raising questions about national security implications. The timing of this request, however, is generating considerable skepticism and frustration. Many feel that the urgency is misplaced, given the apparent inaction on similar concerns throughout previous administrations.
The proposed investigation focuses on alleged contacts between Musk and Putin, raising serious questions about whether these interactions compromised national security or influenced Musk’s business decisions, particularly regarding his actions on Twitter and Tesla. The potential for foreign influence in American businesses, especially from a country like Russia, is seen as a significant threat.… Continue reading
Following reports of Elon Musk’s extensive communications with Russian officials, including Vladimir Putin, Senators Jack Reed and Jeanne Shaheen have demanded a federal investigation. Their letter to the Attorney General and Defense Department Inspector General raises concerns about Musk’s reliability as a government contractor and security clearance holder, citing potential conflicts of interest and national security risks. The senators highlight Musk’s failure to report these contacts, contrasting his behavior with standard protocols for those with high-level security clearances. This call for investigation follows reports of Russian counter-space weapon development and alleged Kremlin propaganda efforts on Musk’s X platform.
Read More
The Kremlin has vehemently denied reports of a phone call between President-elect Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, in which Trump allegedly warned Putin against escalating the war in Ukraine. While Trump’s team declined to comment on the president-elect’s private calls, both the Kremlin and Trump’s communications director have refuted the Washington Post’s claims, labeling them as “pure fiction” and “false information.” Despite the denial, the potential impact of Trump’s policies on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains a significant concern, with various international figures voicing their hopes that the United States will continue to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
Read More
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed concern over the Republican Party’s apparent admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing it as a “homoerotic fascination” with the authoritarian leader. Johnson, a former ally of President-elect Donald Trump, believes this fascination is misplaced, emphasizing Putin’s dangerous and tyrannical nature. He warns that this influence could lead to detrimental policies regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, potentially undermining support for democracy and freedom. Johnson believes a negotiated peace deal with Russia could be disastrous, potentially sacrificing Ukraine’s sovereignty and jeopardizing global security.
Read More
To create an account, users must provide their first and last name, email address, a password meeting specific criteria, and their year of birth, confirming they are at least 18 years old. By clicking “Create Account,” users confirm the accuracy of their information and agree to the Evening Standard’s terms of use, cookie policy, and privacy policy. The platform uses reCAPTCHA for security and is subject to Google’s privacy policy and terms of service.
Read More
Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX and Tesla, has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the past two years, raising national security concerns due to SpaceX’s government contracts. These conversations, reported by The Wall Street Journal, have included discussions about personal matters, business, and geopolitics, including a request from Putin to Musk to deactivate Starlink satellite service over Taiwan. Musk’s relationship with Putin, coupled with his support for Donald Trump and his recent public statements about Ukraine, raise questions about his allegiances and potential influence on U.S. foreign policy. The Kremlin has denied the conversations took place, while the White House, Pentagon, and State Department have declined to comment.
Read More
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.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood