The Russian press is reporting a massive military exercise by Russian forces in Western and Central Russia. Sergey Shoigu, Russia’s Defense Minister, claimed that: “The drills are not connected with events in Ukraine at all.” Of course, no one believes Shoigu, and the exercise is regarded as sabre-rattling by Russian President Putin. Anti-government protesters in Ukraine are certainly concerned by the Russian moves, but the important constituency to watch are the Russian supporters in Eastern Ukraine. Will they be encouraged by the Russian moves to push to restore Yanukovich to the Ukrainian Presidency?
US Secretary of State Kerry issued some very strong language when he characterized a possible Russian military move in Ukraine as a “grave mistake.” Kerry is walking a very fine line, trying to convey the strongest US opposition to a possible Russian military action without making a formal commitment by the US to respond militarily. Both the US and Russia are engaged in a very dangerous game.
The situation in Syria has not improved at all for the civilians trapped in the violence of the civil war. The photograph below is from a refugee camp in Yarmouk, south of Damascus. These are civilians lining up to receive humanitarian food supplies.
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