The War on Truth in Ukraine

[Commentary] As Russia and the Ukraine leaders revved up their propaganda, the world got another taste of the confusion, uncertainty and distortion of information that have brought this conflict to the brink.

An absence of legitimate authority in eastern Ukraine has left an absence of transparent, agreed-upon facts -- a breeding ground for suspicion and manipulative diplomatic games on the margins of the truth that may yet carry the region to war. Healthy political systems have facts to turn to, because they have trusted sources of authority. Conflicts get resolved peacefully. That is what is missing in Ukraine. The fragmentation of consensus about critical events and the degradation of legitimate political authority are like two apocalyptic horsemen riding together. If there is a hope of escaping this condition, Ukraine must restore legitimacy to its leadership and its facts. It is hard to see how to do this on the brink of civil war, Russian intervention or both.

[Darden is an associate professor at American University]