Dear CCI Friends,

Vladimir Pozner, Russia’s foremost independent news commentator, was interviewed by Jim Garrison of Humanity Rising this past week in a lengthy session. Since you may be pressed for time, we are including only the remarks by Pozner directly. Please watch the whole interview when you have time at: 

Summit on Ukraine I: Overview of the War

For Pozner’s specific commentary, skip to 16:40 to view.

Known to not be fond of Putin in the past, Pozner gives an amazing assessment of both Putin and the Ukraine war that most Americans haven’t heard. In case you haven’t followed Pozner’s history, a few words about what has made his assessments so respected around the world.

Pozner’s Russian father was a top filmmaker in Hollywood in 1947 during the post-war frenzy to purge the US of “influences” of USSR. His father was blackballed and forced to leave the United States with his French wife and two young sons, one being Vladimir Pozner. Arriving in the USSR, Pozner had to somehow fit in to survive. Out of this experience was formed the Pozner the world has now come to know and greatly respect. He’s a truth teller and a searcher for ways to create a more just world. He has done this through weekly television programs and is now the most trusted Russian voice across the former USSR and also around the world.

I met Pozner in 1983 on my first trip to the Soviet Union. We became friends and colleagues. When I got in trouble, he bailed me out. When I was sued in St. Petersburg, he flew to sit in court advising me how to win my suit. With him sitting there, the legal matters took care of themselves. I trust his assessments totally. Pozner and Putin are two totally different personalities; hence Pozner hasn’t identified with Putin at all … he has been standoffish regarding Putin.

Listen to Pozner’s assessment of the background of this raging Ukraine war and Putin’s attempts to find ways to deal with the crises he sees ahead.

Sharon Tennison
Center for Citizen Initiatives

Your short comments to us at CCI will be appreciated. Please limit them to 20 words.

Dear CCI Friends,

Here is a recent interview with Tulsi Gabbard which we find thought provoking. Please give us your thoughts/opinions on her position.

Center for Citizen Initiatives

Dear CCI friends,

One of our new CCI Board Members, Krishen Mehta, has written an amazing analysis of the rise of the “Global South.” It is rapidly shifting our planet’s power politics. A Multipolar world is replacing the former Unipolar hemisphere in which we in the United States have been the sole lead nation. How will this affect us? Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated by our new CCI Board.

Sharon Tennison
Paula Day
Sylvia Demarest
Pamela Tetarenko
Krishen Mehta

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Dear CCI Friends and Colleagues,

We are bombarded with shocking news from all directions these days. Processing it all is critical. We hope you find the following article by Craig Murray helpful and thought provoking.

Center for Citizen Initiatives

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Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As we exit this difficult and stressful year we must look ahead with hope for a brighter future. Fortunately, we have many brilliant hearts and minds focused on how we make such a future possible for our world.

The late William Polk had a full and illustrious career studying and helping to steer a wise and just foreign policy for the United States  – including serving on JFK’s three-man crisis management team during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Speaking to graduating students at Bennington College almost fifteen years ago, he articulated an analysis of where we stand in the world that is as precisely accurate today as it was then. (When he speaks of “neoconservatives,” add “neoliberals,” and when he references Afghanistan and Iraq, add Ukraine, and the speech could have been written for 2023 graduates.)

Most importantly, he gave his audience members hope and assurance that they held the power to move our country toward a better future in their hands.

We hope you can take a little time to consider this wise man’s appraisal of our country. And it is our hope for all of us that we can truly take to heart his empowering notion that the future is ours to create.

Happy New Year to You All!

Center for Citizen Initiatives

William Polk: Talk at Bennington College students and faculty on September 15, 2008