Dear CCI Friends,

The ramifications of the war on Iran are spreading beyond anyone’s imagination with no end in sight.  Its effects on Russia and on US/Russia relations appear to fall into the category of unintended consequences – perhaps the most tragically common consequence of all wars.

Please consider the following commentaries;  Gilbert Doctorow sees the US/Israeli assassinations in Iran as a possible precursor to similar attacks on Russian leaders while Alexander Mercouris speculates on the Russian support for Iran.  Neither of these gentlemen are prophets but they are both deeply immersed in the study of all information available to the West on these subjects.  Please let us know your assessments.

“Iran War Transforms Ukraine War”

Is There a Power Struggle in the Kremlin?

https://gilbertdoctorow.substack.com/p/last-days-of-the-putin-regime-with

For a possibly positive outlook on the future between Russia and Ukraine, please see the article by Scott Ritter  below.  Could the Russian/Chechen experience show the way to a peaceful, cooperative future for today’s adversaries?

When Combatants Find Reconciliation Impossible

https://scottritter.substack.com/p/how-the-chechen-miracle-kick-started

Very best wishes to all of our CCI friends in these very dark times.

The Directors
Center for Citizen Initiatives

Dear CCI Friends,

The miasma of toxic language continues to pollute our atmosphere.  How do we make sense of the world around us if the language used to describe it is deliberately twisted and manipulated to move us in a particular direction – a direction not necessarily aligned with truth?

The only answer we can discern is this:  be skeptical, think critically and question everything.  Leon Vermeulen makes a succinct case:

“Democracy depends on informed citizens.  When information itself becomes strategically manipulated, that foundation weakens.”

https://leonvermeulen.substack.com/p/when-narratives-outrun-evidence

Please consider.

Sincerely,
The Center for Citizen Initiatives

Dear CCI Friends,

As we watch a new war play out in Iran and the Middle East the tragedy in Ukraine goes on out of our sight.  But it grinds on, people die, and so-called peace negotiators make phone calls.

Actual, concrete proposals for the give and take necessary to make peace happen in Ukraine are few and far between.  Ted Snider and Nicolai N. Petro in the article below provide suggestions on how the parties might take the necessary steps.

“Getting to an agreement to end this terrible war will require difficult choices”

https://original.antiwar.com/ted_snider/2026/02/26/how-to-bring-peace-to-ukraine

Is making peace more difficult than making war?  

The Center for Citizen Initiatives

Dear CCI Friends,

The subject of this week’s post is not new.  We have shared articles in the past on the topic of the ‘official narrative,’ the not-so-subtle context being that an ‘official narrative’ is often a far cry from the truth.  Many of the journalists we highly regard have written extensively on  this troubling fact of modern life.  Propaganda – lies, spin, distortions, what some call “advocacy journalism”  – is becoming an accepted norm.

We have also featured articles and interviews by Professor Glenn Diesen, Norwegian political scientist and political commentator, before.  This week he made a forceful point before the UN Security Council; “the media socially constructs its own reality.”  Please consider the import of his presentation; the fantasy world he describes is the world we live in.

Full Test of Glenn Diesen’s Speech at the UN Security Council

https://glenndiesen.substack.com/p/the-information-dimension-of-the

In a follow-up video, Prof. Diesen provided a detailed timeline of how Ukraine was maneuvered into war.  It is a short and compelling recitation of facts but we know some of our followers will disagree with his conclusions.  

How NATO Sabotaged a Road to Peace

https://glenndiesen.substack.com/p/glenn-diesen-natos-war-of-choice

We welcome your thoughts and responses.

Sincerely,
The Center for Citizen Initiatives

Dear CCI Friends,

Based solely on observations from the sidelines, the world appears to be going mad.  Consider recent assertions from Europe that Alexander Navalny was assassinated by Russians using Ecuadorian frog venom or the Trump administration’s suggestion to Iran that if it would just surrender and demilitarize in advance there wouldn’t have to be a war.  “You can’t make this stuff up” and “Where are the grown ups??” are now the commentariat’s favorite tag lines.

But it is Europe frantically ginning itself up for war with Russia, the hysterical cry of “The Russians are coming, the Russins are coming!”  that is the biggest conundrum. Two astute commentators below give us their views on what one calls ‘mass strategic irrationality.’

“The Mental Harm and Political Danger of Hate Propaganda”

“The European public appears almost numb. Calls from EU member states to explore extending the French nuclear umbrella — and possibly the British one — to create a European nuclear deterrent have produced no mass public reaction. The taboo has eroded. Nuclear weapons are now discussed with the casual language of “capabilities,” “coverage,” and “strategic autonomy.”

The irony is grim. This is not the confidence of a secure society. It is the recklessness of a society that no longer understands risk.”

https://leonvermeulen.substack.com/p/europe-is-sleepwalking-toward-war

Is Europe Capable of Diplomacy?

https://glenndiesen.substack.com/p/ian-proud-economic-reset-with-russia

As always, we look forward to your thoughts.

The Center for Citizen Initiatives