Unpacking Ukraine: Misconceptions and Realities

In this week’s Gaslit Nation, Andrea and Terrell answer listeners’ questions about Syria, Ukraine, and Georgia–and urgent lessons for us here at home. 

Take a look at what’s happening in countries like Georgia and Syria—resistance movements are growing against oppressive, authoritarian regimes backed by Russia. It’s a struggle for freedom and self-determination, and it’s all part of the same global fight. Americans can’t keep pretending that foreign conflicts are somehow detached from our own issues. What’s happening abroad affects us too, whether we like it or not.

In Georgia, for example, the situation mirrors what’s happening in Ukraine: ordinary citizens are pushing back against corrupt governments and trying to secure their future with the European Union. Meanwhile, in Syria, a surprise push by a rebel alliance has liberated several key areas from Assad’s brutal dictatorship, propped up by Russia and Iran. Assad and his family fled to Russia, joining Ukraine’s Trump, Viktor Yanukovych. 

The left needs to take a long, hard look at the atrocities Russia is committing—not just in Ukraine, but around the world. And let’s not forget that Ukrainians are fighting for their own agency, their right to choose their future, in a way that should inspire us all. 

This week’s bonus show, for subscribers at the Truth-teller ($5/month) level and higher, answers questions from our listeners at the Democracy Defender ($10/month) and higher, and looks at the potential for Trump to start an actual war with Mexico. To hear all bonus shows, be sure to subscribe! 

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Show Notes:

Red Lines: Documentary on Syria: https://iwonder.com/titles/red-lines-ad98aab62542ea8d524fed6dd51fcb76

Philip Obaji Jr.: 

https://www.thedailybeast.com/why-putins-private-army-ordered-soldiers-to-torture-me/

Warnings from Syria: https://gaslitnation.libsyn.com/warnings-from-syria-on-how-to-stop-putin-in-ukraine

In sweeping advance, rebels control parts of Sryia

https://www.npr.org/2024/12/01/nx-s1-5211885/in-sweeping-advance-rebels-control-parts-of-sryia

Who Are the Rebels Leading the Offensive in Syria? The group now advancing, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, says it wants to replace the Assad government with one inspired by Islamic principles. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/world/middleeast/syria-rebels-hts-who-what.html

Trump Orders Withdrawal of U.S. Troops From Northern Syria https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/13/us/politics/mark-esper-syria-kurds-turkey.html

Commentary The US will become ‘minority white’ in 2045, Census projects

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-us-will-become-minority-white-in-2045-census-projects/

Donald Trump Has 'Obligations' to Those Who Brought Him to Power—Putin Ally

https://www.newsweek.com/vladimir-putin-nikolai-patrushev-donald-trump-russia-1984360

Why Six Countries Account for Most Migrants at the U.S.-Mexico Border Migrants and displaced people from across the world are arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border in droves. More than half come from six Latin American countries, where worsening violence, poverty, and other factors are pushing them to leave. https://www.cfr.org/article/why-six-countries-account-most-migrants-us-mexico-border

Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People--And the Fight to Resist It https://bookshop.org/p/books/minority-rule-ari-berman/19994801?ean=9780374600211

If Anyone Can Save the Democrats, It’s Ben Wikler https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/opinion/ben-wikler-dnc-chair.html