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Welcome back to Political Misfits on Radio Sputnik, where we bring you news, politics and culture - without the red and blue treatment. I am John Kiriakou here with Michelle Witte.
Big changes are afoot in Ukraine, as President Volodymyr Zelensky plans a major cabinet shuffle. We learned last week that Zelensky planned to sack Defense Minister Valery Zaluzhny. But now he intends to make wholesale changes. The question, though, is how this is supposed to help Ukraine on the battlefield, where the problem is not necessarily who is sitting in the cabinet room, so much as it is what’s happening on the battlefield and in the halls of Congress and the conference rooms of NATO. And if you’re Ukrainian, none of that is good. // Meanwhile, things are very active in the Middle East. Secretary of State Tony Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia this morning to discuss the tentative deal between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Qatar, to release additional hostages. MSNBC is reporting that Blinken will also raise suspended diplomatic recognition talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which were called off in the immediate aftermath of October 7. Perhaps more importantly this morning, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the US would continue attacking sites across the Middle East in retaliation for an attack by alleged Iranian proxies that killed three American soldiers in Jordan. The US already has killed dozens of people, including civilians, in attacks in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
Zelensky Hints at Major Shake-Up of Ukraine’s Government - The New York Times
World Court says it will hear part of Russia-Ukraine genocide case | Reuters
US intelligence officials estimate Tehran does not have full control of its proxy groups - POLITICO
We’re joined by international affairs and security analyst Mark Sleboda.
Questions:
Thanks for joining us, Mark. Let’s start with Ukraine. I want to begin with the most obvious question. What’s happening on the ground in the east? Why are the Ukrainians compelled to make such drastic changes?
We’ve watched the feud between Zelensky and Zaluzhny for a long time. They don’t like each other. They don’t trust each other. Who has the upper hand here? If Zaluzhny goes, are there really going to be notable changes?
The Russians two days ago had something of a victory at the International Court of Justice, where the body agreed to hear a Ukrainian complaint, but said it would not consider the 1948 Genocide Convention. Tell us about that.
Turning to the Middle East, Mark, Tony Blinken is in Saudi Arabia today to meet with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. But Hamas is not the only thing on the agenda. Blinken is apparently trying to restart talks between the Saudis and the Israelis on diplomatic relations and exchanging embassies. This seems to be seriously ill-timed. What do you think of the idea? Do you think the Saudis have any interest in walking away from the Palestinians right now? Why would Blinken even bring this up?
Jake Sullivan said that the US would continue to bomb the Middle East after already having killed dozens of people in the past several days. What does Washington hope to accomplish here, especially in light of recent reporting that Tehran actually doesn’t have control over these so-called proxy groups?
Kataib Hezbollah and the Iranians have both said that they do not intend to retaliate against the US. Does that spell the end of this round of attacks?
Zaluzhny Poses with Right Sector Commander & Bandera https://t.me/SputnikInt/48946
State Dept says US actively pursuing the creation of a Palestinian state | Reuters
If US needs China in Red Sea, it should talk to China nicely: Global Times editorial - Global Times
Zaluzhny Threatens to Turn Banderite Wolves on Zelensky, Ukraine Military Sitrep, US Hints at Plan to Recognise Palestinian State in Return for Peace in Middle East, US Insecurity Whac-A-Mole, more...