Knocking At The Gate

Beton (Бетон). (2022). "Kyiv Calling." [Authorized cover version of "London Calling" by The Clash.)

      Alireza Karimi Moghaddam. (2022). "Colors vs. War." Artist page on Javali Design Via Instagram

Writing in The Atlantic , Derek Thompson interviews Paul Poast, a professor of foreign policy and war at the University of Chicago. They discuss the possible resolutions for the Ukraine crisis: What makes this a very scary scenario—what makes a war between the great powers more likely than it’s been in 80 years—is that Putin might feel at some point like his back is against the wall and he has no other options, so he lashes out in desperation. In our discipline, we call this “gambling for resurrection.” You’re worried you are going to be deposed, and the only way to save yourself is to take a high-risk gamble. Otto von Bismarck in the 19th century called it “committing suicide for fear of death.” Full interview here.

  Ivan Turetsky. (2019). "Fiery Touch." Oil and acrylic on canvas. 145 x 128 cm (57⅛ x 50⅜ in.) Acquired directly from the artist, Lviv, Ukraine Offered by James Butterwick Gallery, London. https://www.jamesbutterwick.com/artworks/fiery-touch/

Annie Applebaum writes in The Atlantic on how history can catch up with us: Ukraine is now under brutal attack, with tens of thousands of Russian troops moving through its eastern provinces, along its northern border and its southern coast. For like the Russian czars before him—like Stalin, like Lenin—Putin also perceives Ukrainianness as a threat. Not a military threat, but an ideological threat.  Full essay here.