Dear CCI Friends,

While we look to tentative peace talks with somewhat hopeful anticipation, the immediate reality of the situation between NATO/EU/Ukraine and Russia is not encouraging.  Very dangerous impulses are playing out daily – and they are off the radar screens of most Americans.

Please see the analyses below from Gilbert Doctorow and Scott Ritter – two Americans with entirely different backgrounds and perspectives – who bring insight and expertise to the matter of the possible catastrophic escalation of the war.  Do we see it coming?

Your thoughts always appreciated.

The Center for Citizen Initiatives

German-Russian History Matters – to the Russians

‘Judging Freedom,’ 29 May edition: How Precarious Is Ukraine?

“Playing With Fire”

https://scottritter.substack.com/p/playing-with-fire

Dear CCI Friends,

Here is a practical note  from the Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity on moving away from war and toward peace in Europe.  May the powers that be recognize and appreciate the source.

Read more on Arms Control: Toward Lasting Peace from Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) 

The Directors
Center for Citizen Initiatives

Dear CCI Friends and Colleagues:

We were saddened to learn this week of the death of Edward Lozansky on April 30, 2025.

Edward was a physicist, a Soviet dissident, a composer, the President of the American University in Moscow (now Moscow International University), a loving husband and father, a dear friend to many and a lifelong advocate for peace.

Our sincere condolences to his wife Tatiana, his children, and his many, many friends around the world.
Remembering Edward Lozansky, Towering Prophet of Sanity, Decency and Peace – Pluralia

The Directors
Center for Citizen Initiatives

Dear CCI Friends, 

Distinguishing reality from creative narrative is a day-to-day challenge in a world of sophisticated, high-powered propaganda.  Fortunately for us, there are many truth warriors out there who are up to the task.

Joe Lauria at Consortium News is, in our opinion, fearless in his insistence on historical accuracy in the face of relentless, ongoing revisionism.  Please let us know if you find any inaccuracies, or misleading spin, in this rather dry recitation of dates, names, and quotes.

“Neo-Nazi Influence in Ukraine”

From Professor Geoffrey Roberts in Britain, by way of writer Eugene Doyle in Wellington, NZ, comes a refreshing look at the seemingly unkillable beast known as ‘Russophobia.’  

“The Courage to Oppose a Dominant Discourse”

https://www.solidarity.co.nz/international-stories/disruption-historians-challenge-russophobic-propaganda

And from Tucker Carlson, an interview with an American journalist who has been reporting from the Russian side of the war in Ukraine for three years.

“The Lone American”

https://tuckercarlson.com/tucker-show-patrick-lancaster

As always, your thoughts and impressions are welcomed and appreciated.

The Directors
Center for Citizen Initiatives

Dear CCI Colleagues,

Edward Lozansky, President of the American University in Moscow, has been focused recently on the upcoming 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.  That focus includes the war time relationship between the Soviet Union and the United States as close allies in the fight to defeat Nazi Germany.  In recognition of that shared struggle and victory, commemorative celebrations of the ‘Spirit of the Elbe’ are being held in multiple locations in Russia now through May 9.

We have to ask, where is the similar celebratory recognition to be seen in the United States or in Europe today?

We consider Edward Lozansky a friend of CCI and we are pleased to share his recent article in Pluralia with you.  We also share his dismay at the obvious lack of respect shown by much of the EU leadership toward the significance of the combined allies’ sacrifices to defeat Nazism. 

“In the latest display of how low the so-called Western values in Europe have deteriorated, the EU leadership is urging the heads of this block’s states against participating in Moscow’s May 9 celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in WWII.”

https://pluralia.com/en/a/toward-a-historic-peace-summit

We send best wishes to all who are celebrating this historic event.

Sincerely,
The Directors
Center for Citizen Initiatives