This critical insight is one of the missed conclusions from the ongoing war in Ukraine: our enemies are learning how to fight us from the Russians. All the more reason Russia must lose this war. And we must help Ukraine. Soon.

“The sound of ‘Shahed’ drones, a tool of terror, is the same in the skies over the Middle East and Europe. This sound must serve as a wake-up call to the free world.”

—President ⁦Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський⁩ on.ft.com/49vwOaU

As Afghanistan’s return to barbarism following the Western withdrawal reveals, a diminished 🇺🇸 would be a disaster for many nations of the so-called Global South. Just ask the women of Afghanistan. ⁦Sadanand Dhume⁩ wsj.com/articles/meet-…

The fundamental link between the Aukus countries is that they are all liberal democracies, which are determined to prevent the Indo-Pacific from falling under the sway of an authoritarian China, in alliance with a revanchist Russia. on.ft.com/3Jf8Iqb

In the face of Beijing’s defiance of international law in the South China Sea, Pres. Marcos said the Philippines, Japan & 🇺🇸 were “bound by a shared vision” in the Indo-Pacific “linked by a profound respect for democracy, good governance & the rule of law” on.ft.com/3Up05Qt

China is forecast to lose 20% of its workforce in the next 25 years. economist.com/leaders/2024/0… from The Economist

Prime Minister Kishida made a point of reaffirming Japan’s “strong support for Ukraine” in its war against Russia, framing the European conflict in terms of the precedent it could set in Japan’s neighborhood. “Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow.” nytimes.com/2024/04/10/us/…

The Philippines “has realised the futility of submission to China’s demands,” says one expert.

“We seek no conflict with any nation . . .  but we will not be cowed into silence, submission or subservience,” says President Marcos.

⁦Demetri⁩ on.ft.com/3VTw4cG

Pleased to see such strong bipartisan support for Russian patriot Vladimir Kara-Murza. Vladimir’s unjust imprisonment further highlights Putin’s desperate attempts to cling to power.
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/u…

Europe must prepare for potential war, as a full-scale conflict on the continent beyond Ukraine is “no longer a fantasy”, the EU’s chief diplomat has warned.

“Russia threatens Europe… A high-intensity, conventional war in Europe is no longer a fantasy.”
on.ft.com/3xEfLpG

Tokyo understands clearly that a Russian victory in Europe will encourage Chinese imperialism in Asia. wsj.com/articles/japan…

ICYMI: NEW International Republican Institute Ukraine Poll: Strong majorities believe in victory over Russia, support European Union and NATO membership

iri.org/news/iri-ukrai…

Very grateful to International Republican Institute, especially to the Women's Democracy Network, for the #JJK2024 award to our president ELL. Elena Larrinaga .

🙌🙌 This award is for all Cuban #women and all Cubans in the defense of their rights and freedoms.

#Cuba #democracy #liberty

Daniel Twining 🇺🇦

Russia is ready to “swallow” Europe whole, a top Ukrainian commander has warned.
“Use this time wisely,” he says, addressing Kyiv’s Western partners directly. “While Russia is attacking Ukraine, prepare for your own war with Russia.”
yahoo.com/news/prepare-o… via Yahoo News

Online actors linked to the Chinese government are leveraging artificial intelligence to target voters in 🇺🇸 with disinformation, in one of the first campaigns directly tying the use of gen AI tools to a covert state-sponsored online influence operation. wsj.com/politics/natio…

North Korea is a case study in how Russia has gone from a global actor that exercised at least a basic level of responsibility on some issues into a rogue state that makes common cause with the world’s worst regimes. washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/…

From empty promises to greenwashing, the Belt and Road Initiative is leaving an indelible mark on the environment. Read more about the gap between PRC rhetoric and reality in @IRIGlobal's latest report iri.org/resources/envi…

Ukrainians remain determined to win the war against Russia and further align with the West. Learn more from International Republican Institute’s latest poll:
iri.org/news/iri-ukrai…

The reintroduction of a Russian-style foreign agents law almost a year after it was rejected by the Georgian people is an attempt to vilify civil society and is inconsistent with Georgia’s efforts to join the Euro-Atlantic community of democracies.

Tokyo and Manila have discussed deploying Japanese forces in the Philippines as the countries near agreement on several security pacts aimed at boosting regional deterrence against China. on.ft.com/4cI1rfY