Russia ignites war

FEBRUARY 26, 2022

GIVE THE GIFT OF CRIKEY | TIP OFF | VIEW IN BROWSER

Russia invaded Ukraine this week, igniting a war that has no short-term end in sight. The reverberations will be felt by many, but there are those that have a lot to gain from the threat of war abroad, especially political leaders during an election campaign — and Morrison is no different.

For one, Bernard Keane writes, it helps voters forget all the things you’ve stuffed up at home (there are almost too many to name in Morrison’s case). And it can help neutralise the threat of anyone inside your party throwing dirt at you (these were also growing, in Morrison’s case). But what does Putin want? It’s not as simple as “security from NATO” as many in the West have claimed.

More locally, Charlie Lewis looked at the NSW government’s decision to shut down the train network and its (failed) attempt to blame the union. And Amber Schultz reports on two new studies out of the UK that shows the blood clotting risk associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine was much lower than reported.

Thanks for reading Crikey.

Have a great weekend,

Georgia Wilkins
News editor

War in Ukraine

‘We cannot sleep’: Ukrainians in Australia jump at the buzz of the phone as fear spreads from Europe

JOSEFINE GANKO 3 minute read

Ukrainians in Australia are newly fearful for loved ones back home.

Why invasion is a crime neither Russia nor its president will pay for

MICHAEL BRADLEY 4 minute read

How an overt criminal act against a sovereign state may go unpunished... and usher in a dangerous new era.

Putin’s war: his rage-filled justification for invading Ukraine

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

Why is Vladimir Putin sending troops into Ukraine? He spelled out his reason in an angry denunciation of Ukraine and the West overnight.

The West must cleanse, atone and redefine itself — and then it can oppose Putin and Xi

PAUL MASON 4 minute read

China and Russia have jointly declared their vision of 21st-century geopolitical power. If the West wants to push back, it needs to get its own house in order.

New tsar’s aggression wrecks the NATO myth for left and foreign policy realists

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

If Vladimir Putin just wants security from NATO, why did he devote thousands of words to justifying Russia's claim to Ukraine?

How I hacked the Walkleys: confessions of a journalism award nominee

CAM WILSON 3 minute read

Writing a Walkley-nominated headline takes an acerbic wit, a trained ear for lyrical language... or perhaps just some obvious puns.

Clotting risk overhyped: studies show AstraZeneca safer than reported

AMBER SCHULTZ 3 minute read

Two new studies have found that the increased risk of blood clots associated with the AZ vaccine affected fewer than 3 in 1 million people.

Jane Caro adds her name to the political candidacy list. Why are women stepping up now?

AMBER SCHULTZ 4 minute read

Jane Caro is the latest woman to add her name to the political candidacy list, running for the Senate with the Reason Party. Why now?

An election looms

War! Who is it good for? Morrison most likely

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine is a great chance for the PM to switch the political narrative from domestic matters to national security.

The terrifying thing about the government’s scare campaign is how badly it was botched

CHRISTOPHER WARREN 3 minute read

The government's scare campaign, including its 'Manchurian candidate' gambit, was clumsily executed and poorly received.

Electoral commission moves to quell voting misinformation campaigns

TOM RAVLIC 2 minute read

The AEC is taking steps to ensure Australia's postal voting system doesn't fall prey to US-style conspiracy theories spread via social media.

Clive Palmer as chaos agent: what does he really want?

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN 4 minute read

In Australian politics, there's no one quite as unique, or as unpredictable, as the roguish chairman of the United Australia Party.

Ukraine crisis, Chinese laser give government more ammunition for khaki election

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN 4 minute read

The Coalition's focus on national security and foreign aggression could result in a potentially toxic and damaging campaign.

Pointless Taylor exiles himself from energy policy

BERNARD KEANE 2 minute read

The early closure of Eraring power station — announced by Origin without consulting the supposed federal energy minister — will mean longer lives for hundreds of people in Sydney and the Hunter Valley.

Happy 21st, Scott. Why Howard’s 2001 playbook lights a path to another election miracle

JOSEFINE GANKO 4 minute read

Back in 2001 John Howard was failing in the polls, had few policy successes, and was looking to capitalise on national security. Sound familiar?

Telegram, loved by conspiracy theorists, now a battleground in Russia-Ukraine conflict

CAM WILSON 3 minute read

The globally popular app is playing a key communications and misinformation role in the unfolding conflict on Ukraine's borders.