Russia is Closing in on Pokrovsk. Here's Why that Matters. And More.

In the five weeks since Ukraine launched its surprising Persian into Russia's K ursk blast, the narrative surrounding the war has been transformed. Prior to the 6th of August, the media was awash with doom and gloom stories and pessimism about Ukraine's chances.

To use a recent political analogy, the coverage of Ukraine's pre-Kursk war effort was like the coverage of the last weeks of Joe Biden's presidential campaign, anxiety shot through with a streak of despair.

The coverage since Kursk, on the other hand, has been annuluous to the media's reaction after Harris became the nominee. A mixture of thankful disbelief and joy. Yet, in both cases, the shift say more about how the media latches onto narratives than anything fundamental.