The DSR Daily Brief Newsletter – Friday, May 27, 2022

Welcome to the newsletter edition of the ‘The DSR Daily Brief.’ Please be sure to rate and review the podcast – that helps with discoverability. Some notable links referenced in today’s podcast can be viewed here. We invite you to help shape our evolving coverage at daily@thedsrnetwork.com.

Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized Russia’s continued brutal onslaught on Donbas as ‘genocide.’ Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba reiterated his plea for heavy weapons.

Kyiv Independent staff penned a strong response to the now infamous piece by the New York Times editorial board, in case you missed it.

The Americas

An editorial in Defense One called out the fetishization of the ‘[special operating force] warrior aesthetic’ embraced by ‘modern schoolyard killers’ since Columbine. The latest episode of Deep State Radio explored policy remedies for ‘America’s gun disease.’

The State Department has begun rejecting US entry to Afghans sheltered in a Kosovo military base for months.

The US ‘surprised’ Denmark with a $1 billion investment in its Thule Air Base in Greenland. The investment, which may be aimed at bolstering US defense against hypersonic missiles, reportedly circumvented a trilateral agreement with Denmark and Greenland to ‘consult and inform’ on any military operations.

Europe and Central Asia

Following a summit in Denmark, Nordic defense ministers issued a joint statement announcing plans to strengthen their ‘collective defense’ through joint exercises and training. The prime ministers of Denmark, Iceland and Norway also gave Sweden and Finland a security assurance while they await approval for NATO membership. A strong defense in the Baltic sea and High North is crucial, given Russia’s presence in the region.

Yesterday’s closing speech in Davos by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz yielded little in the way of new insight. Some hoped for a firm decision on sending heavy weapons to Ukraine, as we noted yesterday. 

The Indo-Pacific

Despite the release of a Tamil family from immigration detention, following a public outcry, asylum seekers in Australia likely face little reprieve under the new Labor Party administration.

China is the threat US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wants to focus on.

The Middle East and Africa

Thirteen journalists have been detained in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in the latest crackdown on ‘critical voices.’ This marks a further deterioration of press freedom in the country.

Civilian deaths in Mali are surging at the hands of Russian mercenaries. 

DSR Exclusives

For in-depth analysis, check out our sister podcasts on the DSR Network and stay tuned to the DSR Daily podcast for new and evolving stories from around the world. 

The DSR Network Team (Chris Cotnoir, Grant Haver, and Katherine Hill)