Permission Granted?
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Updated Resources - July 19, 2023
"Crimean bridge. December 21, 2019." by Rosavtodor is licensed under CC BY 4.0
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Kyiv Independent: Newsfeed
Novaya Gazeta Europe: Newsfeed
The Insider: Newsfeed
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Vladimir Putin visited the Moscow office of Yandex, Russia’s leading internet service company. September 21 2017. (kremlin.ru, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
WHAT'S ON OUR MIND
Ukraine bombs the Russian bridge to Crimea, limiting transit of military vehicles; Russia bombs Odesa in retaliation; UK sanctions Russia over 'relocation' of Ukrainian children; Russia terminates the Ukraine grain deal; and NATO delays Ukrainian membership. In a week of intense military and political activity, and the consequent volleying of blame and anger, this week's collection has us contemplating 'permission' - who grants it, who takes it and how is it used to demonstrate power?
The Kyiv Post discusses Ukraine's bombing of the Kerch Strait bridge in Crimea and Russia's subsequent retaliation for the 'terrorist' attack which Ukraine defends as self-protective. From The Conversation, a review suggests that the lack of consequences for Prigozhin suggests that the rule of law is broken in Russia. Hanna Notte clarifies Russia's nuclear stance and highlights US impotency in changing it in a piece from War on the Rocks. Meduza probes Putin's domestic policy czar's designs to further concentrate Russian state control over the internet through the sale of Yandex's remaining assets.
In other news, Ukraine's tech sector thrives with great resilience, as reported in Wired. Find also personal stories from Russia.Post and The Wilson Center on vacations in the fraught Crimea and living on the front lines of the war.
In the Overview, a broad look at the security future of Europe and in Videos, fear about the Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor. In the arts the Moscow Times presents "Art is Our Weapon" on the art of Russians in exile and AP highlights the Ukrainian women coping with loss through painting.
Find these stories and more on today’s resource page.
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STATEMENT
Track Two: An Institute for Citizen Diplomacy stands in opposition to the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. We have many friends in both countries and we stand with the people of Ukraine and Russia. We deplore their suffering.
Track Two does not believe violent conflict or war are valid means to push political agendas. Today, threats to our existence from nuclear arms, climate catastrophes, diseases and cyberattacks are intensifying, and we do not believe any country should resort to violence. All people, of all nations, have a right to peace, meaningful work, shelter and food. Much collective work must be done to ensure our children and grandchildren can live full lives in a habitable world.
We believe there are humane and diplomatic avenues to coexistence that must be explored to mutual benefit. Let's arrive at these with deliberation so that we can continue work essential to preventing the end of life on this planet.
More than ever, it is incumbent upon all of us to be acutely aware of the disinformation campaigns orbiting the globe, and offer support to those who need it most. To that end, we've compiled a selection of resources from our team and network as we follow this crisis closely.