Things are not looking too good in Eurasia…..Ukraine is at a rapid boil……Russia is strutting around like some game cock……There has been many different types of violence……shooting at planes, attacking government buildings and attack on personnel………Ukraine is responding …..

Tensions in Ukraine are rising dangerously again despite last week’s diplomatic agreement: The country’s acting president has ordered security forces to resume “anti-terror” operations against pro-Russia militants in the country’s east after the tortured bodies of two people allegedly abducted by insurgents were found in the city of Slovyansk, the AP reports. The militants “are beginning to torture and kill Ukrainian patriots,” said Oleksandr Turchynov. “They are impudently rejecting the calls of not only our country but of all the world’s society when they demonstratively mock the decisions taken in Geneva.” One of the victims, he said, was a member of the city council in Slovyansk and a member of his own party. 

The acting prez has his hands full………

• The Ukrainian government appears emboldened by Joe Biden’s visit yesterday, Reuters notes. “We have obtained the support of the United States, that they will not leave us alone with an aggressor,” the deputy prime minister said when announcing the “liquidation of illegal armed groups” in the east. “We hope that in the event of Russian aggression, this help will be more substantive.”
• Slovyansk is emerging as a major flashpoint: Ukrainian defense officials say one of their planes was shot at during a flight over the city. The Antonov-30 was hit by several bullets but landed safely.

• The Pentagon says it is sending hundreds of extra troops to Eastern Europe to reassure allies as the Ukrainian crisis heats up. Companies with around 150 troops are being sent to Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, with the first troops set to arrive today, reports the Wall Street Journal.
• Vice News reporter Simon Ostrovsky is being held hostage by pro-Russia gunmen in Slovyansk, the New York Times reports. He had produced a series of hard-hitting reports from the region in recent weeks. Vice “is aware of the situation and is in contact with the United States State Department and other appropriate government authorities to secure the safety and security of our friend and colleague,” the news organization said in a statement.

The world is losing its calm demeanor with Russia………..but the troubling part of this drama is the newest bit of info coming out……..

The U.S. is sending about 600 ground troops to Eastern Europe this week to “reassure” allies there as Washington resumes its campaign of pressure on Russia over the Ukraine standoff.

About 150 soldiers from the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), based in Italy, are heading to each of four countries — Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia — in rotational deployments that the Pentagon says will be sustained until further notice.

The paratroopers will take weapons and ammunition for “infantry exercises” and be in place by the end of the week, Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby told reporters at the Pentagon. The roughly company-sized units will remain in place for about a month, and then new ones will follow them until at least the end of the year.

The Hawks have gotten their way….American troops will be sent and begin the new role of adventurism….this time in Eurasia…….

While I was writing this breaking news came across my desk………..

Ukraine’s interim President Oleksandr Turchinov is demanding the military immediately launch a new round of attacks against protesters in the eastern two provinces of the country.

Turchinov alleged two bodies were found “brutally tortured” near Slovyansk, a protester-held city, and declared the protesters “have now gone too far” and that the “anti-terrorist” operation needed to be escalated.

He insisted the regions had to be brought back under control of the interim government to “protect” Ukrainian citizens in the area. The Defense Ministry gave no indication when attacks would resume.

Slovyansk was the most recent city attacked by Ukraine’s military, though the offensive quickly stalled and many troops refused orders to attack the protesters, choosing to surrender their arms and vehicles instead.

A new offensive?  If so what part will the US troops be playing in this escalation?

Today I will be pressing a few articles about the possibility of a new world war…..please let me have your thoughts.