Who ate all the Minsk pies?

A timely analysis of Russian military thinking. Very much a book that does what it says on the tin.

Steve Witkoff. A man with a dubious plan and a Gulfstream jet.

Applying some bargaining theory to negotiations and peace plans.

A quick appraisal of recent political developments in Georgia. And a short postscript on the 28-point plans (now we have two of them).

A few extra thoughts on the dubious peace plan.

On the leaked 28-point 'peace plan' and why it is an insult to Europeans. It's OK to be angry. FREE TO READ

Carlo Masala offers a succinct and engaging future scenario in which NATO responds inadequately to a Russian attack. It is scary because it is highly plausible.

'A big shift' or not? Reading between the lines. THIS POST IS FREE TO READ

Following Vladimir Putin's 'red carpet' treatment in Alaska, it is now Volodomyr Zelenskyy's turn to meet the US president.

A little more about the Trump-Putin Alaska summit happening today. Dashed off over lunch.

Jangled nerves surround Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin's summit in Alaska, with many people fearing Trump will look to sell-out Ukraine. Is the push for peace actually going anywhere?

Trump still likes Putin, even if the Russian president is making life harder for the White House to maintain its stance on Ukraine.

A round up of a week I missed: Operation Spider's Web, the UK Strategic Defence Review, and US meddling in European affairs.

Following Trump and Zelenskyy's meeting in St Peter's Basilica, can we expect quick progress on peace talks?

Donald Trump is 'pissed off' with Vladimir Putin. Is a change of tone coming? Or not?

Putin asks, Putin gets.

Ukraine agreed to plans for a 30-day ceasefire. Vladimir Putin demurred. How can we understand Putin's position?

Will Trump's personal ambitions clash with the architects of US strategy? Is that strategy founded on good premises?

Trying to make sense of the slanging match in the Oval Office yesterday.

Three millennia ago the Egyptian king Rameses II signed a peace treaty with the Hittite Empire after protracted warfare. The two kings inscribed the treaty on a silver plaque. Two versions of the agreement existed thereafter – the Hittite king went away with a text that said the Egyptians had sued for peace, and the Egyptians' copy said the opposite. One might think an event so long ago irrelevant. Donald Trump, however, evidently thinks he is acting in accordance with time h