Agree with Jim Stavridis. Putin’s catastrophic invasion shows Russia’s weaknesses and highlights American strengths in diplomacy, intelligence and arms. Will make China reassess any aggressive plans.

Such a pleasure to hear Amb. Leonard’s take on the importance of Nigeria’s Feb. 25 elections. She is terrific.

With its peace plan for the Ukraine war, Beijing is asserting itself as a potential central player in European security -- probably for the first time ever. Will the plan have legs? fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjdt_6…

Great panel with Tom Nichols and Mark Hertling at Principles First on American Foreign Policy Institutions. My lighthearted into of Tom Nichols at the panel....

For the first time ever, China has become a player in European security. This is big news. Watch this space! wsj.com/articles/ukrai…

Brazil's Lula offers himself as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine war reflecting longstanding Brazilian interests. How to Understand Brazil’s Ukraine Policy - Like it or not, Lula’s stance reflects legitimate misgivings about the global order. foreignpolicy.com/2023/05/18/rus…

Russia’s seizure of Bakhmut after months of fighting and heavy losses = Pyrrhic victory: a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat.

Ukraine moves to encircle Bakhmut after Russia claims victory…A news anchor on Russia’s Channel One called the city’s capture “an event of historic proportions.” Is history getting smaller for Russia? nbcnews.com/news/world/rus…

The Norwegian Refugee Council is the gold standard for humanitarian assistance and a thought leader in the humanitarian sector. Please read the NRC's valuable report on Neglected Crises. nrc.no/countries/nrc-….

Varad Mehta Based on what I’ve seen up close Heath Mayo is a person of tremendous integrity and principle. Varad Mehta’s assertion that Heath Mayo wants Trump around in order to profit from it is without foundation or evidence. Of course, ad hominem attacks are nothing new to Twitter.

Happy 70th birthday to the Pardee School's African Studies Center at Boston University. Outstanding scholarship, topnotch language instruction, leading library and groundbreaking educational outreach on Africa. See the anniversary video: youtube.com/watch?v=MkKV7t…

Fantastic #refugee panel at the Boston Book Festival Saturday #BBF2023. Great joining Muhammad Zaman, Saket Soni, Jake Bittle and Carly Goodman to explore forced displacement, vulnerability, and how people persevere despite adversity. Read their books! bostonbookfest.org/schedule/

Transatlantic diplomacy on edge over Trump-Putin summit. I was glad to join this interesting Al-Jazeera panel with analyst Jessica Berlin and former Latvian diplomat Eldar Mamedov. youtu.be/fjGtKqLof6g?si…