The Three Things for the week of Aug. 8, courtesy of The Corners magazine (episode 3)

Welcome back to The Three Things with Preston Smith, which covers politics, current affairs, crime, spy/intrigue and all things in between in Central Europe. Each section of the Three Things runs approximately 15-20 minutes, and we have provided markers to help you get where you need to go. This week’s topics include: 6:05 The FIRST THING: the War in Ukraine Update. This week we’ll talk about the worrying Russian offensive in Kupiansk and Svatove, the Ukrainian counters near Bakhmut and north (probably) of Staromaiske and the Ukrainians success in breach the first line of defense in the south… somewhere. Again, the next two weeks are crucial. 19:41 The SECOND THING: from the update we will jump right into former US military Col. Ray Wojcik. If you would like to hear what the US and EU should be doing—and also get a sober (and perhaps refreshingly optimistic take on the Ukrainian outlook), this is your man. 46:42 The THIRD THING: The Polish Christian Joy Foundation has sent