Mark MacKinnon
@markmackinnon.bsky.social
Senior International Correspondent for The Globe and Mail, Canada's national newspaper. Now based in London, after stops in Moscow, Beijing and the Middle East. Author of The New Cold War (the book, not the thing).
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Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
Russia signals it could reject modified US peace plan for Ukraine on.ft.com/4ocMo2n
Russia signals it could reject modified US peace plan for Ukraine
Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov suggests Moscow would walk away from proposal that differs substantially from Alaska talks
on.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Russia signals it could reject modified US peace plan for Ukraine on.ft.com/4ocMo2n
Will Hezbollah respond to the Israel's latest assassination of one of its leaders?
"This latest attack, far from insignificant, adds to a series of blows the party has absorbed. Its forced passivity now leaves it in a precarious, if not embarrassing, position."
"This latest attack, far from insignificant, adds to a series of blows the party has absorbed. Its forced passivity now leaves it in a precarious, if not embarrassing, position."
Will Hezbollah respond to Israel's assassination of Tabataba'i?
Hezbollah considers response options after Israel's assassination of Tabataba'i, weighing military retaliation amid internal divisions and political ramifications.
today.lorientlejour.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Will Hezbollah respond to the Israel's latest assassination of one of its leaders?
"This latest attack, far from insignificant, adds to a series of blows the party has absorbed. Its forced passivity now leaves it in a precarious, if not embarrassing, position."
"This latest attack, far from insignificant, adds to a series of blows the party has absorbed. Its forced passivity now leaves it in a precarious, if not embarrassing, position."
Giant gaps between the Witkoff-Dmitriev “peace plan” for Ukraine, which was unacceptable to Kyiv, and a new European draft, which the Kremlin won’t discuss, make it clear the war is unlikely to end soon.
My analysis
My analysis
Duelling peace plans show relief for Ukraine remains a long way off
Britain, France and Germany’s proposal aims to fill gaps in 28-point U.S.-Russian plan
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Giant gaps between the Witkoff-Dmitriev “peace plan” for Ukraine, which was unacceptable to Kyiv, and a new European draft, which the Kremlin won’t discuss, make it clear the war is unlikely to end soon.
My analysis
My analysis
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
Israel's military has bombed Beirut for the first time since June, claiming to target a Hezbollah member in the southern suburb of Dahiyeh.
It's the latest violation of a ceasefire Israel signed with Hezbollah a year ago, which Israel has broken with near-daily attacks on southern Lebanon.
It's the latest violation of a ceasefire Israel signed with Hezbollah a year ago, which Israel has broken with near-daily attacks on southern Lebanon.
November 23, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Israel's military has bombed Beirut for the first time since June, claiming to target a Hezbollah member in the southern suburb of Dahiyeh.
It's the latest violation of a ceasefire Israel signed with Hezbollah a year ago, which Israel has broken with near-daily attacks on southern Lebanon.
It's the latest violation of a ceasefire Israel signed with Hezbollah a year ago, which Israel has broken with near-daily attacks on southern Lebanon.
"Moscow seeks unconditional surrender, not a mediated compromise, and certainly not subordination to Trump’s oversight."
Former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev on why he thinks the Witkoff-Dmitriev "peace plan" is doomed to fail...
Former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev on why he thinks the Witkoff-Dmitriev "peace plan" is doomed to fail...
Trump’s Peace Plan Favors Russia. Putin Still Won’t Accept It. - The Moscow Times
Opinion | The Ukraine war peace plan proposed by the Trump administration has, unsurprisingly, triggered a storm of reactions across the press, social media and among experts.
www.themoscowtimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:23 AM
"Moscow seeks unconditional surrender, not a mediated compromise, and certainly not subordination to Trump’s oversight."
Former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev on why he thinks the Witkoff-Dmitriev "peace plan" is doomed to fail...
Former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev on why he thinks the Witkoff-Dmitriev "peace plan" is doomed to fail...
When I interviewed @olgaborisovauk.bsky.social about the Naoko/Stoptime case last week she predicted that by repeatedly re-arresting them, the Kremlin was trying to pressure the band into leaving "as soon as there's a gap between this arrest and the next one."
They reportedly left Russia on Sunday.
They reportedly left Russia on Sunday.
Наоко и гитарист Stoptime Александр Орлов освободились после «карусельных» арестов и покинули Россию
Певица уличной группы Stoptime Диана Логинова (Наоко) и гитарист группы Александр Орлов покинули Россию после освобожден...
zona.media
November 24, 2025 at 9:13 AM
When I interviewed @olgaborisovauk.bsky.social about the Naoko/Stoptime case last week she predicted that by repeatedly re-arresting them, the Kremlin was trying to pressure the band into leaving "as soon as there's a gap between this arrest and the next one."
They reportedly left Russia on Sunday.
They reportedly left Russia on Sunday.
“Putin’s propaganda has lost this generation of people.”
How an 18-year-old street musician became a threat to the Kremlin - in a crackdown that had seen even one of Putin’s former advisors labelled a “foreign agent.”
My report
How an 18-year-old street musician became a threat to the Kremlin - in a crackdown that had seen even one of Putin’s former advisors labelled a “foreign agent.”
My report
In Putin’s Russia, musicians face arrests for protest songs
Teenager’s alleged crimes were in anti-war lyrics she sang publicly at a dangerous moment for dissent
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:21 AM
“Putin’s propaganda has lost this generation of people.”
How an 18-year-old street musician became a threat to the Kremlin - in a crackdown that had seen even one of Putin’s former advisors labelled a “foreign agent.”
My report
How an 18-year-old street musician became a threat to the Kremlin - in a crackdown that had seen even one of Putin’s former advisors labelled a “foreign agent.”
My report
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
The women that brought him to power might be raising their collective eyebrows.
Canada's view on Africa also bears reporting.
Important coverage from the G20 @geoffreyyork.bsky.social
Canada's view on Africa also bears reporting.
Important coverage from the G20 @geoffreyyork.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 1:09 PM
The women that brought him to power might be raising their collective eyebrows.
Canada's view on Africa also bears reporting.
Important coverage from the G20 @geoffreyyork.bsky.social
Canada's view on Africa also bears reporting.
Important coverage from the G20 @geoffreyyork.bsky.social
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Iran president says capital move now a necessity as water crisis deepens
Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has mad...
www.iranintl.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:52 AM
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
Kyiv’s allies insist more work is needed on US-Russian peace plan on.ft.com/486onFL
Kyiv’s allies insist more work is needed on US-Russian peace plan
EU and Nato leaders warn they must be given a voice on the most pivotal moment in the war
on.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Kyiv’s allies insist more work is needed on US-Russian peace plan on.ft.com/486onFL
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
Trump responded to Volodymyr Zelenskyy's concerns about the US" peace plan" by saying the Ukrainian president should either accept the proposal or "keep fighting."
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/22/t...
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/22/t...
Trump says Zelenskyy “should like” peace proposal or “keep fighting”
Donald Trump responded to Volodymyr Zelensky's concerns about the U.S. "peace plan" by saying the Ukrainian president should either accept the proposal or "keep fighting."
euromaidanpress.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Trump responded to Volodymyr Zelenskyy's concerns about the US" peace plan" by saying the Ukrainian president should either accept the proposal or "keep fighting."
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/22/t...
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/22/t...
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
The Witkoff-Dmitriev plan puts Zelensky in a familiar spot. He can accept Moscow’s terms, or Ukraine can keep fighting a war few think it can win.
It’s the same choice Ukrainians faced in February 2022 - so don’t expect the answer from Kyiv to be any different this time.
My analysis
It’s the same choice Ukrainians faced in February 2022 - so don’t expect the answer from Kyiv to be any different this time.
My analysis
U.S. peace plan for Ukraine bears strong resemblance to Putin’s terms
The 28-point proposal finds Zelensky in a vulnerable political position, hurt by a corruption scandal
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
The Witkoff-Dmitriev plan puts Zelensky in a familiar spot. He can accept Moscow’s terms, or Ukraine can keep fighting a war few think it can win.
It’s the same choice Ukrainians faced in February 2022 - so don’t expect the answer from Kyiv to be any different this time.
My analysis
It’s the same choice Ukrainians faced in February 2022 - so don’t expect the answer from Kyiv to be any different this time.
My analysis
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
Israel used widely banned cluster munitions in Lebanon, photos of remnants suggest
Israel used widely banned cluster munitions in Lebanon, photos of remnants suggest
Exclusive: Images are first indication that Israel has used cluster munitions in nearly 20 years
Israel used widely banned cluster munitions in its recent 13-month war in Lebanon, photos of munition remnants in south Lebanon seen by the Guardian suggest.
The images, which have been examined by six different arms experts, appear to show the remnants of two different types of Israeli cluster munitions found in three different locations: south of the Litani River in the forested valleys of Wadi Zibqin, Wadi Barghouz and Wadi Deir Siryan. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Israel used widely banned cluster munitions in Lebanon, photos of remnants suggest
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
'A source in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office said the plan was delivered to Mr. Zelensky only “after Witkoff agreed it with the Russians” and that the White House was now urging Mr. Zelensky to accept it.'
“It's positive only for Russia" - a source in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office tells me Kyiv isn't impressed by the 28-point plan cooked up by Steven Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev.
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
U.S. peace plan calls on Ukraine to give up land, receives negative reaction from Kyiv
Peace plan was drafted by U.S. and Russian officials without any involvement from Kyiv
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:42 PM
'A source in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office said the plan was delivered to Mr. Zelensky only “after Witkoff agreed it with the Russians” and that the White House was now urging Mr. Zelensky to accept it.'
“It's positive only for Russia" - a source in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office tells me Kyiv isn't impressed by the 28-point plan cooked up by Steven Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev.
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
U.S. peace plan calls on Ukraine to give up land, receives negative reaction from Kyiv
Peace plan was drafted by U.S. and Russian officials without any involvement from Kyiv
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:10 PM
“It's positive only for Russia" - a source in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office tells me Kyiv isn't impressed by the 28-point plan cooked up by Steven Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev.
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
"Dmitriev expressed optimism about the deal's chances of success because, unlike past efforts, 'we feel the Russian position is really being heard.'"
🇺🇲🇷🇺 The #Trump administration has been secretly working in consultation with #Russia to draft a new plan to end the war in #Ukraine, U.S. and Russian officials tell Axios.
www.axios.com/2025/11/19/u...
#USA
www.axios.com/2025/11/19/u...
#USA
Scoop: U.S. secretly drafting new plan to end Ukraine war
"We feel the Russian position is really being heard," Russia's envoy told Axios.
www.axios.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:40 PM
"Dmitriev expressed optimism about the deal's chances of success because, unlike past efforts, 'we feel the Russian position is really being heard.'"
Great questions.
The answers are so very dark.
The answers are so very dark.
Reporter: Is it appropriate for your family to do business with Saudi Arabia while you’re president? The us intelligence concluded you orchestrated the murder of a journalist…
Trump: Who are you with?
Reporter: ABC News
Trump: Who are you with?
Reporter: ABC News
November 18, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Great questions.
The answers are so very dark.
The answers are so very dark.
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
When in Canada Hind Kabawat , now Syria's Minister of Social Affairs, participated in The Shoe Project I ran for 12 years. Wrote a great story about her visit to the refugee camp. @markmackinnon.bsky.social theshoeprojectstories.com/stories_sess...
Two in One Shoe Story - The Shoe Project Stories
Summary: Story: More Stories from Toronto 2014
theshoeprojectstories.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:24 PM
When in Canada Hind Kabawat , now Syria's Minister of Social Affairs, participated in The Shoe Project I ran for 12 years. Wrote a great story about her visit to the refugee camp. @markmackinnon.bsky.social theshoeprojectstories.com/stories_sess...
"The good octopus" - a decade after Canada opened its doors to tens of thousands of Syrian refugees, four key members of Syria's postwar government are either citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
Can those ties influence the direction of the new Syria?
My report from Damascus
Can those ties influence the direction of the new Syria?
My report from Damascus
Syrians with close Canadian ties play outsized role in postwar government
Syrian-Canadians in President al-Sharaa’s cabinet say they look to Canada as a model for peaceful, multicultural society
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:22 PM
"The good octopus" - a decade after Canada opened its doors to tens of thousands of Syrian refugees, four key members of Syria's postwar government are either citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
Can those ties influence the direction of the new Syria?
My report from Damascus
Can those ties influence the direction of the new Syria?
My report from Damascus
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
The Trump administration will welcome Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the US this week.
This is the crown prince's first visit since he approved the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and oversaw an unprecedented rights crackdown in Saudi Arabia.
This is the crown prince's first visit since he approved the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and oversaw an unprecedented rights crackdown in Saudi Arabia.
US: Prioritize Rights During Saudi Leader’s Visit
The United States government, including Congress, should address Saudi human rights abuses during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s expected visit to Washington on November 18, 2025.
www.hrw.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:03 PM
The Trump administration will welcome Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the US this week.
This is the crown prince's first visit since he approved the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and oversaw an unprecedented rights crackdown in Saudi Arabia.
This is the crown prince's first visit since he approved the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and oversaw an unprecedented rights crackdown in Saudi Arabia.
"A new tragedy caused once again by the Kremlin."
Nearly four decades later, the widow of the first victim of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster is killed by a Russian drone attack...
kyivindependent.com/natalia-khod...
Nearly four decades later, the widow of the first victim of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster is killed by a Russian drone attack...
kyivindependent.com/natalia-khod...
'A new tragedy caused once again by the Kremlin' — Widow of Chornobyl's first victim killed by Russian attack on Kyiv 39 years later
Nataliia Khodemchuk, the widow of Valerii Khodemchuk, the first victim of the 1986 Chornobyl disaster, died in Kyiv overnight on Nov. 14–15 after suffering severe injuries in a mass Russian attack on ...
kyivindependent.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:03 PM
"A new tragedy caused once again by the Kremlin."
Nearly four decades later, the widow of the first victim of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster is killed by a Russian drone attack...
kyivindependent.com/natalia-khod...
Nearly four decades later, the widow of the first victim of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster is killed by a Russian drone attack...
kyivindependent.com/natalia-khod...