The Monocle Daily Is the US-Ukraine security deal ready to be signed? Plus: Republicans face the behaviour of ICE
27 snips
Jan 26, 2026 Joel S Witt, former State Department official and author on North Korea, shares firsthand diplomatic stories. Tom Rivers, seasoned broadcaster with on-the-ground reporting flair, brings vivid reportage. Elisabeth Braw, security and maritime specialist, outlines undersea-cable risks and Baltic tensions. They debate a US-Ukraine security pact, Russia’s intentions, undersea surveillance and shifting political reactions to ICE actions.
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Broadcasting From A Pirate Ship
- Tom Rivers broadcast live from the MV Ross Revenge, Radio Caroline's former pirate ship, over Christmas.
- The vessel now needs funds for dry dock and continues weekend broadcasting as a charity.
Optimism As Negotiation Strategy
- Zelensky is pushing optimistic signals to nudge negotiations and appeal to a US administration that favors optimism.
- Negotiations may produce a near-Minsk map while Ukraine risks exhaustion and territorial concessions.
Negotiations Versus Ongoing Attacks
- Peace talks presume Russia wants a settlement, but Vladimir Putin continues offensive operations and infrastructure attacks.
- That mismatch makes any negotiated compromise fragile and risky for Ukraine.
