16.02.1918, Vilnius:

Julian Borger, Guardian:

The speech was part of what seems to be a very deliberate policy of this administration to think out loud about the crisis, consistently briefing its worse fears, even if it means aggravating its allies in Kyiv. The logic seems to be: we don’t know for sure what Putin will do, but we do know he likes to control the narrative, and spring the surprises. So why not create an environment of worst-case predictions, in which the only way the Russian leader can surprise the west is to opt for peace.

Biden’s concluding declaration – “If we do not stand for freedom where it is at risk today, we’ll surely pay a steeper price tomorrow” – is likely to be greeted with grim mirth in Kyiv, in the wake of the US embassy’s evacuation and the retreat of American diplomats to the western end of the country. But the US has kept up arms supplies, and is reportedly making arrangements to keep the weapons flowing to an Ukrainian insurgency if it comes to that.

This administration is well aware that it has been portrayed as weak for the manner in which it left Afghanistan.

But Biden had long ago lost faith in the US mission there, whereas he believes wholeheartedly in Nato. He used the word “sacrosanct” to describe America’s obligation to its allies.

One of the beauties of the Internet is the ease with which one can search for articles which contain terms like „Biden Afghanistan sacrosanct“.

BBC:

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken the unprecedented step of invoking the Emergencies Act to crack down on anti-vaccine mandate protests.

Mr Trudeau said the scope of the measures would be „time-limited“, „reasonable and proportionate“ and would not see the military deployed.

With no need for a court order, banks will be able freeze personal accounts of anyone linked with the protests.

Hundreds of demonstrators remain in Canada’s capital city.

…

„This is about keeping Canadians safe, protecting people’s jobs,“ Mr Trudeau told a news conference on Monday.

He said the police would be given „more tools“ to imprison or fine protesters and protect critical infrastructure.

Mr Trudeau told reporters the legislation would be applied temporarily and in a highly specific manner.

…

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said at Monday’s news conference that banks would be able freeze personal accounts of anyone linked with the protests without any need for a court order.

Vehicle insurance of anyone involved with the demonstrations can also be suspended, she added.

Ms Freeland said they were broadening Canada’s „Terrorist Financing“ rules to cover cryptocurrencies and crowdfunding platforms, as part of the effort.

„It’s all about following the money,“ she said.

She spoke after hackers released details of what they said were 93,000 donations for the truckers totalling $8.4m (£6.2m) to the crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo.

The Emergencies Act, passed in 1988, requires a high legal bar to be invoked. It may only be used in an „urgent and critical situation“ that „seriously endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians“. Lawful protests do not qualify.

Speaking on Monday, Canada’s Justice Minister David Lametti argued these conditions had been met.

But the Canadian Civil Liberties Association disagreed, warning that the move „threatens our democracy and our civil liberties“.

Lauren Gambino, Guardian:

“If you are trying to distance yourself from Biden, you’re doing it wrong,” said Lanae Erickson, senior vice-president at the moderate thinktank Third Way.

Many of the most fiercely contested House races are anchored in the suburbs, which powered the party’s victories during the Trump years but where Democrats have struggled recently.

Erickson said Biden remains the party’s best spokesman. A visit from him, she continued, telegraphs to swing voters that “this is the party of Joe Biden, it’s not the party of Bernie Sanders, and that’s what we’re offering when it comes to November”.