MUCH has happened in the past two weeks. All Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) are finally banned. Hopefully, that should help empty our communities of communist Chinese infiltrators through the POGOs that fund them and buy influence for their protection and sustained operations. But China's anti-access/area denial, or A2AD, pressure tactics remain unchanged. The economy's looking up, though: inflation is shrinking, El Niño risks are receding and remedial measures have improved the supply of basic commodities. The United States is adding $500 million yearly to our defense budget for five years. Still, governance remains below standard, wracked by division, incompetence and corruption.

In Europe, Ukraine's on the defensive. Its war effort to degrade Russia's invasion forces has weakened due to dwindling warfighting resources. Even so, Ukraine has managed to stage a viable defense. It remains resolute and is now attacking Russian territory. Since it annexed Crimea in 2014, Russia has absorbed staggering losses on the ground and air, and at sea. It has sustained its offensive, despite America's tough sanctions, by obtaining support from Iran, China and North Korea. Ukraine may yet turn the tables on Russia if the West manages to erase its supply backlog and deliver on its promises in a timely manner.