When Washington Realized Russia Was Actually Invading Ukraine

[Bev54]

I came across this article from Politico while reading Empty Wheel and she provided a link to it. Interviews with intelligence officials about how they prepared for and informed Ukraine and European allies that Russia was going to invade. It also confirms what we already know, that Joe Biden was the right person in the presidency and he appointed the right people in their jobs. Several of Russia's spies have been disbanded in Europe over the past year.

It is a very interesting read and I have also put the link to the Empty Wheel article.

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/02/24/russia-ukraine-war-oral-history-00083757


https://www.emptywheel.net/2023/02/26/the-biden-administration-staved-off-russias-first-round-of-infowar-on-ukraine-but-how-about-the-second/

[WheelWalker]

1. Kicked and recommended

[Karadeniz]

2. I read the whole thing... what a big effing deal we lead!

[Bev54]

3. Yes it is!!

[WVreaper]

4. READ THIS ARTICLE!

It is an amazing piece of history. This is the way diplomacy is supposed to work. This is the way that government bureaucrats are supposed to work. People doing the jobs that they are supposed to do.
As I read the article, i kept flipping back to the former guy. It was/is a situation that the former guy could have never dealt with. It would have required rational thought. We are so fortunate that Biden is in charge. If it had been TFG in charge, Ukraine would now be under Russian control without a doubt. And now we have a House Intelligence Committee more focused on the weaponization of the DOJ than the needed weaponization of Ukraine. The Republican party has become a ship of fools, a ship of treasonous fools.

[Sky Jewels]

6. Yep, not only would Trump not have done anything to prevent it,

he was working closely with his Master Vlad to facilitate the invasion. It was planned for what they thought would be Trump's second term -- which they were confident they could make happen by hook or by crook or by coup d'etat.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

10. I'll second that! Reporting at its best: In their own words!

[crickets]

5. More grateful than ever to have Biden and his team in charge.

Also loving this new foreign policy tactic of preempting disinformation, and doing it in a way that protects the methods and sources of intel. Both Russia and China have felt the wind leave their sails because of it recently. GOOD.

We're currently enjoying the benefit of long institutional experience and a steady hand. The level of skill and professionalism required for this type of foreign policy finesse would be tough for any serious administration, and is completely beyond the understanding of the former buffoon and his circle of sycophants.

Speaking of long institutional experience, I dearly hope Joe does run for a second term. We could use the continuity and stability of four more years of his leadership. If he feels up to it (and he certainly seems to be) then I am behind him 1000%.

Both links are a great read. Highly recommended!

WaPo article linked by Marcy Wheeler:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/17/russia-spies-europe-arrests/
No paywall: https://archive.md/4PT84

eta WaPo article linked by Politico:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/russia-ukraine-invasion/2021/12/03/98a3760e-546b-11ec-8769-2f4ecdf7a2ad_story.html
No paywall: https://archive.md/mDfOe

[Bev54]

7. Thank you for the non paywall links.

[dalton99a]

8. +1

[Hermit-The-Prog]

9. Traitortrump would have accepted Putin's word and left everyone unprepared.