Put aside for the moment all of the pressing problems facing our country today, and concentrate on what surely is the jewel of Europe, Ukraine. It is the poorest of the European countries with rampant crime, weak currency, dysfunctional government, wealthy oligarchs and crippling corruption with high rates of disease, poverty and mortality. Yet for the last few weeks, it is the highlight of all the news.

In addition to Jen Psaki from the White House, we have brought back Admiral John Kirby from the Pentagon and resurrected Ed Price from Department of State (both of daily Afghanistan briefings fame) to keep us up to date on day-to-day developments. It was as if Michael Buffer appeared: “Let’s get ready to rumble.” Vladimir Putin has the tanks: President Biden has the sanctions. I’d bet on the tanks.

Here is where I think this is going. Russia has no intention to sack Ukraine. Biden, who had to back off “invasion is imminent,” has overplayed his interest in assuring all of us that Putin’s threat is real. In the end, Putin will order his troops at ease and take his sack full of concessions back to Russia (mission accomplished). Biden will announce to all who will listen that he has diplomatically averted World War III and that diplomacy is alive and well.

Oh, did I neglect to mention, just in time for the 2022 midterm elections (mission accomplished).

Ken Mowl

Derry

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