REGISTER! Bette’s Speakeasy with Dr. Michael MacKay on the 'Imperial Arrogance' of Russia and the US
Bette members—please register for our Sunday Speakeasy at 11 am Pacific, with political philosopher Dr. Michael MacKay as he explores how Russia and the US 'suffer from imperial arrogance'
***Bette members will find the registration link below the paywall. To join our community Speakeasy and Happy Hour events, please take out a membership and support independent investigative journalism in a time of grave deception.***
“Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014. Russia is the aggressor. It is Russia's war. Until the United States recognizes reality it cannot be a mediator, conduct negotiations or participate in any peace process. It's impossible to ignore Russia's culpability and practice diplomacy.”—Dr. Michael MacKay, political philosopher and geopolitical analyst, for Bette Dangerous, Easter 2025
It’s interesting to reflect back on four years of Bette’s Easter Sunday Speakeasy events — this year, we were joined by Craig Unger; in 2025, Dr. Michael MacKay joined us; and in 2023, we had a democracy pep rally with David Pepper on both Easter and Father’s Day. 2024 was equally memorable: we were joined by the brilliant Ukrainian playwright, Sasha Denisova. Here’s the now vintage invite:
I am proud of this boutique magazine’s legacy and proud that we just keep moving forward.
Sunday, April 19, 11 am, I am bringing back Dr. Michael MacKay, a political philosopher and geopolitical analyst, who has documented Russia’s invasion of Ukraine daily since 2014. I asked him to pick a theme for our event and he said he wants to “explore how both Russia and the United States suffer from imperial arrogance.” As always, I am eager to hear what he has to say. He has taught this community so much in recent years.
Members will find registration details below the paywall, at the bottom of this post.
Michael MacKay has a doctorate in political philosophy from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He was a lecturer in politics at the University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and the director of an Internet access project. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, Michael has been active on social media writing about the war on Twitter at mhmck and now on Bluesky at michaelmackay.
I have collaborated with him on numerous articles, but among my favorites are:
Like many people we have met along the way, he rose to the occasion of delivering news from his unique perspective of having been in Ukraine at historic election moments, while also offering the deep perspective necessary to cut through the noise of the day.
Looking forward to seeing many of you. Keep scrolling to register!
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