I

I’ve long refrained from commenting on the Russian-Ukraine conflict.

First off, it’s still a recent development, only two months in the making if we’re to count February 24 as the starting point of open hostilities.. More importantly, however, I wanted to see how the mainstream media might respond to the unfolding events.  

Now that the US foreign policy concerning this conflict has been fully articulated and our media’s stance crystallized—there being no indication that it’s about to change—it’s time to chime in.

II

Let me state from the outset that I’m going to offer an uncomplimentary, dissident account of our involvement in this conflict, including the media’s role in propagating the US official position—a serious cause for concern in its own right. 

If you’re a “patriot,” confirmed in your beliefs that the US can do no wrong or that any critique of its foreign policy borders on treason, this article is not for you. But if you’re willing to consider the possibility that the official narrative leaves much to be desired, by all means, dive right into it.

It’s going to be a rough ride, but I promise a light at the end of the tunnel.

III

“Former NATO Military Analyst Blows the Whistle on West Ukraine Invasion Narrative,” an April 9, 2022 article by Jacques Baud, shall be our starting point. ^[1]

I’ll return to the subject article in future installments. Meanwhile, let me provide you with a brief overview of the alleged causes of the unfolding conflict and the timeline of events that had precipitated it, ^{[2] [3]}  

IV

Last, I must also credit Ms. Caitlin Johnstone, a self-proclaimed “rogue journalist” and the author of the uncompromising blog, CaitlinJohnstone.com, for having provided the inspiration. Since day one, Caitlin has been a relentless critic of the “official narrative,” proving beyond reasonable doubt that it’s in dire need of a major corrective

The credit must also go to Ms. Johnstone’s avid readers and commenters, especially for providing invaluable links to alternative websites. Without access to these websites, this series of articles would not have been possible.   

Endnotes

1. Jacques Baud is a former Colonel of the General Staff and a member of Swiss strategic intelligence, a specialist in Eastern European countries. Trained in the American and British intelligence services, he was the head of doctrine for United Nations peace operations. A United Nations expert for the rule of law and security institutions, he designed and led the first multidimensional United Nations intelligence service in Sudan. He worked for the African Union and took part in the fight against the proliferation of small arms at NATO for 5 years. He was engaged in talks with top Russian military and intelligence officials right after the fall of the USSR. Within NATO, he followed the Ukrainian crisis of 2014 and then participated in programs of assistance to Ukraine. He is the author of several books on intelligence, war, and terrorism, and in particular, Le Détournement published by SIGEST, Govern by fake news: the Navalny affair, and Poutine, master of the game? published by Max Milo.
2. See “EXPLAINER: Why Did Russia Invade Ukraine?” a Feb 24, 2022 article by Elliott Davis Jr., in the US News & World Report, and Putin’s own Feb 24, 2022 speech, ordering “special military operation” for Ukraine.
3. For a timeline of events precipitating and extending this conflict, see “Prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine” and the following article, both from Wikipedia. Also, see the following slideshow, courtesy of US News & World Report. It identifies ten stages that had led to the 2012 conflict:

(i) December 1, 1991: Ukraine Independence Referendum. (After the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine voted for independence. The Ukrainian people overwhelmingly support becoming a sovereign state. Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe by land mass and has a sizable population of ethnic Russians.) For events that had precipitated the referendum, see the following Wiki article.

(ii) December 5, 1994: The Budapest Memorandum. (The Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances was signed in late 1994, following Ukraine’s agreement to transfer all nuclear weapons from the Cold War to the Russian Federation, making Ukraine a non-nuclear power. Prior to this, Ukraine had physical possession of the world’s third-largest nuclear stockpile. Besides Ukraine, other signatories were the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia, each committed to honoring Ukraine’s sovereignty and its rights to its territory.)

(iii) December 2004: Yushchenko victory at the polls over Russian-backed Victor Yanukovich. (A presidential election between Viktor Yushchenko, a western-oriented candidate, and Viktor Yanukovych, supported by Russia, create a massive controversy. Yushchenko was poisoned before the election, but he recovered and was declared a winner. Since the election was perceived as fraudulent. Ukrainians took to the street wearing orange, which was Yushchenko’s campaign color. By December, protestors forced a re-vote, resulting in a victory for Yushchenko.)

(iv) April 3, 2008: NATO’s declaration of “open-door” policy, including Ukraine. (In early April 2008, a NATO summit began with an intense debate about extending a Membership Action Plan (MAP) to Ukraine. In order to gain membership in NATO, a military alliance between 28 European countries and two North American countries dedicated to preserving peace and security in the North Atlantic area, countries must first have a MAP. Putin makes his opposition to Ukrainian membership known to NATO leaders, at one point telling President George W. Bush that Ukraine is “not even a real nation-state.” NATO does not offer Ukraine a MAP.)

(v) November 30, 2013: the Maidan Square events lead to Yanukovich’s fleeing Russia while the new leadership is poised to orient Ukraine toward the EU. (After promising to work toward a relationship with the European Union, President Yanukovych, who ran for president again and won in 2010, changes political direction and begins to orient Ukraine toward Russia. This, coupled with the controversial arrest of political opponent Yulia Tymoshenko, sparks widespread protests about perceived government corruption. There are protests across the country, centering on Maidan Square in Kyiv. At least 130 people, primarily civilians, are killed. Yanukovych flees to Russia, the new leadership commits to orienting Ukraine toward the European Union.)

(vi) February 2014: Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. (Russia seizes Crimea, a Ukrainian peninsula with a predominantly ethnic Russian population, in the aftermath of the Euromaidan protests. Russian troops occupy key sites on the peninsula, wearing military uniforms with Russian insignias removed. The annexation prompts international outrage and is condemned by the United Nations and the European Union.)

(vii) April 21, 2019: Volodymyr Zelenskyy Elected President of Ukraine. (Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a former comedian, overwhelmingly defeated the pro-Russia incumbent Petro Poroshenko in a presidential election. Zelenskyy’s party also wins a majority of seats in the parliament—a first in Ukrainian history. Zelenskyy’s campaign promises include ending the war with Russia and rooting corruption out of the Ukrainian government.)

(viii) December 2021: Putin Demands Security Guarantees. (Early in 2021, Zelenskyy cracked down on pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarchs, including Viktor Medvedchuk, a close friend of Putin. In response, Putin deploys increasing numbers of troops near the Ukrainian border and publishes an article claiming that Russians and Ukrainians are “one people.” By December, thousands of Russian troops are deployed to the borders, and Putin issues demands to NATO and the United States. Among these demands is that Ukraine never be admitted to NATO—a request rejected by the Biden administration.) 

(ix) Feb. 21, 2022: Russia Recognizes Breakaway Ukrainian Regions as Sovereign. (In 2014, the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk broke away from Ukraine, under the leadership of what the Ukrainian government considered “Russian-backed terrorists.” Following the breakdown of relations with NATO and the West in late February, Putin recognized these territories as independent states and sent troops in to “keep the peace.”)

(x) Feb. 24, 2022: Russia Launches Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine. (Days after recognizing the breakaway territories, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The invasion began in the eastern Ukrainian territory of Donbas. Zelenskyy declared martial law in Ukraine and broke diplomatic ties with Russia. Putin’s actions were condemned across the world and within Russia.)