Russia Prepares to Annex Occupied Ukraine Despite Outcry
SnopesJUL 2022
Day 218 Roundup: Fourth Leak Reported on Nordstream Pipelines; US to More Than Double Ukraine's HIMARS Capabilities
Image copyright: Danish Defense Command [via AP News]
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
If Russia's role in these pipeline attacks is confirmed, then Europe's energy crisis is entering a new and dangerous phase. If Russia targets Western energy and communication infrastructure under the sea, it could draw the US and NATO into direct conflict with the Russian Navy, raising a host of security concerns.
Pro-Russia narrative
Attempts to pin these attacks on Moscow are typical of Washington's thinking, particularly in light of the fact that US warships were sighted near the location of the blasts a day prior. We have to ask who really benefits the most from attacks on Russian gas routes, particularly in light of Biden commenting that he would "bring an end" to Nord Stream 2.
Metaculus Prediction
According to the Metaculus prediction community, there's a 2% chance any NATO country will trigger Article 5 – its collective defense agreement – before December 31, 2022.
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