USA: Ukraine Crises: Biden's Bold Gamble Might Just Save Ukraine {Opinion}

The Ukraine War is only a week old, so it's far too soon to make any judgements about its outcome.One thing is clear, though: Russian President Vladimir Putin badly miscalculated. He is facing two tactical surprises at the moment that may prove to have dire consequences.

Putin was clearly not prepared for the fight that the Ukrainians have put up to his invading forces. It's the only explanation for the logistical failures and enormous reported losses (even discounting for the obvious exaggerations): The Russian Army expected to meet a Ukrainian opposition similar to what it saw in Donbas in 2015 or even in Crimea in 2014.

But the Ukrainians have spent the past eight years learning the lessons of those earlier defeats. They have built a diplomatic network of support they didn't have a decade ago, and they have purchased arms and developed tactics to make the most of the weapons they have been able to obtain.

Read more at: Biden's Bold Gamble Might Just Save Ukraine | Opinion

Syria: The Obama gamble : Give Assad two choices: the negotiating table or bombed to the stone age - by RM

President Obama

It is very difficult to imagine that the US Congress will resolve the Syria issue in a couple of days of debate.

The House will be inclined to write and debate its own resolutions, several committees will be dying to hold hearings, and most members will want to take time on the floor to explain their positions, etc, etc.

While the local politicians are discussing Syria you can be sure the White House staff will also be making their pitch to US and friendly foreign political leaders.

Obama's gamble has already had one important success, no matter how the cards finally fall in place, it has shifted the emphasis and control of the Syrian debate back into the hands of the President.

It has also given the Obama Administration more time, which, without doubt, will eventually leave Mr. Assad with only two choices, either he immediately shows up at the negotiating table and makes a deal, or he gets bombed into the stone age.  Its a gamble, but certainly a brilliant one.

EU-Digest