What We're Watching: Putin's invisible red lines

April 21, 2021

Live broadcast of Russian President Putin's annual address to Federal Assembly

Vladimir Gerdo/TASS

Russian president Vladimir Putin on Wednesday threatened an "asymmetrical, rapid, and harsh" response for anyone that dares to cross a "red line" with Russia.

What's the red line? Putin says he'll decide on a case-by-case basis. And the cases at the moment are growing: the US has sanctioned Russia over cyber crimes; Putin critic Alexei Navalny is near death in a Russian prison; the Czechs say Russia blew up a Czech munitions depot; and as many as 120,000 Russian troops are reported to be massing along Russia's border with Eastern Ukraine.

Which is to say: there's potentially a Sol Lewitt's-worth of red lines to ponder now.

What We're Watching: Putin's invisible red lines

GZEROMEDIA

More from GZERO Media

Israel, Iran, and the US went to war. Now what happens?

Just weeks after Israel launched a war against Iran, and after President Trump greenlit US airstrikes, all sides seemed eager to claim victory—or at least “mission accomplished.” A ceasefire is holding. But what was achieved?

Iran was the clear loser of its war with Israel and the US. So, what happens next?

In the latest episode of GZERO World, Ian Bremmer sits down with seasoned New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman to unpack the geopolitical fallout from Iran’s stunning defeat in a 12-day war against Israel and the US—and what it means for Gaza, Trump, and the region’s future.

Tread on me (softly)

As Independence Day approaches, President Trump is delighted to learn that one of America's most ferocious revolutionaries has... mellowed out. #PUPPETREGIME

Explainer: Why did the US cut off critical military support for Ukraine this week?

Here’s a short guide to making sense of why the US cut shipments of Patriot interceptor missiles to Kyiv and how it could affect the course of the Russia-Ukraine war.

HARD NUMBERS: Indonesian ferry sinks, Mercosur discusses long-stalled EU deal, Liverpool striker dies in car accident, French air traffic controllers walk off the job

GZEROMEDIA

You vs. the News: A Weekly News Quiz

Think you know what's going on around the world? Here's your chance to prove it.

The Graphic Truth: Iran has a rial big problem

What We're Watching: House folds on Trump bill, Beijing lashes out at US-Vietnam deal, Nigerian opposition unites

What's next for Iran, with Thomas L. Friedman

On the latest episode of the GZERO World podcast, Ian Bremmer sits down with New York Times columnist Thomas L Friedman to unpack Iran’s stunning defeat and what it means for Netanyahu, Trump, and the path forward in Gaza.

Why Mamdani’s win matters

Zohran Mamdani was a long shot. But the 33-year-old democratic socialist state assemblyman flew past former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s name recognition and money advantage to win the Democratic primary for New York mayor last week.

What We're Watching: Putin's invisible red lines

GZEROMEDIA

Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

More from GZERO Media

Just weeks after Israel launched a war against Iran, and after President Trump greenlit US airstrikes, all sides seemed eager to claim victory—or at least “mission accomplished.” A ceasefire is holding. But what was achieved?

In the latest episode of GZERO World, Ian Bremmer sits down with seasoned New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman to unpack the geopolitical fallout from Iran’s stunning defeat in a 12-day war against Israel and the US—and what it means for Gaza, Trump, and the region’s future.

As Independence Day approaches, President Trump is delighted to learn that one of America's most ferocious revolutionaries has... mellowed out. #PUPPETREGIME

Here’s a short guide to making sense of why the US cut shipments of Patriot interceptor missiles to Kyiv and how it could affect the course of the Russia-Ukraine war.

GZEROMEDIA

Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

Think you know what's going on around the world? Here's your chance to prove it.

On the latest episode of the GZERO World podcast, Ian Bremmer sits down with New York Times columnist Thomas L Friedman to unpack Iran’s stunning defeat and what it means for Netanyahu, Trump, and the path forward in Gaza.

Zohran Mamdani was a long shot. But the 33-year-old democratic socialist state assemblyman flew past former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s name recognition and money advantage to win the Democratic primary for New York mayor last week.