Invasion of Ukraine: Some Context Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

Air Date 3/4/2022
Today we take a look at the history of Ukraine as a Soviet state, war-torn state, famished state, westernizing state, energy-exploring state, annexed state, and invaded state. We also look at the role of the west and NATO as well as Putin's history and possible motivations.
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Transcript
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SHOW NOTES
Ch. 1: The real and imagined history of Ukraine - Today Explained - Air Date 2-25-22
Vladimir Putin says Ukraine isn’t a country. He’s wrong.
Ch. 2: Timothy Snyder ─ Ukraine and Russia in a Fracturing Europe - Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs - Air Date 5-3-16
Timothy Snyder is the Bird White Housum Professor of History at Yale University, specializing in the history of central and eastern Europe.
Ch. 3: From spy to president: The rise of Vladimir Putin - Vox - Air Date 3-23-17
Putin’s intent on pushing back against the Western world order... and it appears to be working.
Ch. 4: What Russia And Putin Actually Want With Ukraine - AJ+ - Air Date 2-17-22
Troops are being deployed, harsh words have been said, and there is potential for an all-out war.
Ch. 5: Journalist Andrew Cockburn & Historian Timothy Snyder on Ukraine, Russia, NATO Expansion & Sanctions - Democracy Now - Air Date 3-1-22
Snyder says the focus on NATO ignores the agency of leaders in Ukraine and elsewhere who have the right to seek their own arrangements.
Ch. 6: Is the West to Blame for Russia's Invasion? (no) - TLDR News - Air Date 2-27-22
Some have suggested that the West is the blame for Russia's invasion into Ukraine, we'll explain that argument and why it's fundamentally wrong.
Ch. 7: Why Russia is Invading Ukraine - RealLifeLore - Air Date 2-26-22
Explaining the oil interests in Ukraine that may be a motivating factor to Russia.
Ch. 8: America, Russia, and Ukraine's Far-Right - The Gravel Institute - Air Date 2-18-22
This video is about American funding for the Azov Battalion. It explicitly condemns Russian propaganda that Ukraine is a "neo-Nazi country."
Ch. 9: Putin's Bogus Claim To "Denazify" Ukraine - The Mehdi Hasan Show - Air Date 2-25-22
Steven Pifer, the former ambassador to Ukraine under Bill Clinton, and Jason Stanley, author of “How Fascism Works,” join Mehdi Hasan to discuss the Russian propaganda narrative.
MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)
Ch. 10: A Young Country With An Old History - WorldAffairs - Air Date 1-31-22
Historians Katherine Younger and Emily Channell-Justice tell Ray Suarez the story of modern Ukraine, and why embracing Western values has made Ukraine a threat to Vladimir Putin.
Ch. 11: Ukraine: Questions for the Anti-War Movement - Empire Files - Air Date 2-27-22
An analysis of Putin's anti-communist speech
Ch. 12: The Crimean War, Putin, and the War Over Reality - The Muckrake Podcast - Air Date 3-1-22
Jared Yates Sexton traces how the New World Order conspiracy theory led to this mess.
FINAL COMMENTS
Ch. 13: Final comments on why you should probably listen to all that again
TAKE ACTION!
Ways to Help Ukrainians, Protest War, Etc. (*Please always do your own research before giving*): 
CODEPINK Global Day of Action, Sunday, March 6th: "Stop the War in Ukraine. Russian Troops Out. No to NATO expansion." (CODEPINK)
Support Ukraine's Independent Media Organizations and Journalists (Campaign endorsed by The Kyiv Independent)
Here’s How You Can Help LGBTQ+ and Black Ukrainian Refugees (Self)
25 Meaningful Ways You Can Help Ukraine (GlobalCitizen)
Linkt.ree of Resources/Ways to Help Ukrainians Curated by the nonprofit @RazomforUkraine (Razom for Ukraine)
Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 
SHOW IMAGE:
Description: A blue and yellow Ukrainian flag is waved in the air in front of a cloudy sky above a protest to show solidarity with Ukrainians. 
Credit: Amanda Hoffman, February 2022 
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