May 9 could be when Russia makes this war official

+ Ukraine's suppliers of guns, ammo, missiles and military drones US Edition - Today's top story: Russia may declare war on Ukraine on May 9 – and use it as a reason to double down on attacks [View in browser]( US Edition | 7 May 2022 [The Conversation]( Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February, setting off waves of brutal attacks. At least 3,280 Ukrainian civilians have died so far. But Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to deny that this is a war. Instead, he says, a “special military operation” is underway. That could change on Monday, May 9, when Russians celebrate a holiday known as [Victory Day](, explains Michael Allen, a Boise State University scholar of international relations. “A declaration of war would allow Russia to mobilize its population to fight a longer war, which Putin initially assumed he would have won by now,” Allen writes. This week we also liked articles about pending [legislation that would protect abortion rights]( nationwide, an emphasis on God’s wrath at a [Noah’s Ark theme park]( and new experiments with [nanoparticle cancer drugs](. Amy Lieberman Politics + Society Editor Russian military cadets rehearse for the Victory Day military parade in St. Petersburg on May 5, 2022. Olga Maltseva/AFP via Getty Images [Russia may declare war on Ukraine on May 9 – and use it as a reason to double down on attacks]( Michael A. Allen, Boise State University Western officials say that Russia may officially declare war on Ukraine on May 9. An international relations expert explains why this day is significant, and why a war declaration would matter. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is among those calling for Roe v. Wade to be codified. Alex Wong/Getty Images [What would it mean to codify Roe into law – and is there any chance of that happening?]( Linda C. McClain, Boston University President Joe Biden has urged lawmakers to act over abortion rights should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade. But is there a route to legislation? A replica of Noah’s Ark at the Ark Encounter theme park in Williamstown, Ky. AP Photo/John Minchillo, File [At a popular evangelical tourist site, the Ark Encounter, the image of a ‘wrathful God’ appeals to millions]( Susan L Trollinger, University of Dayton; William Trollinger, University of Dayton Two scholars of fundamentalism and creationism explain what they found when they visited the Ark Encounter, an evangelical theme park in Kentucky, - [Nanoparticles are the future of medicine – researchers are experimenting with new ways to design tiny particle treatments for cancer]( Duxin Sun, University of Michigan The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines put nanomedicine in the spotlight as a potential way to treat diseases like cancer and HIV. While the field isn’t there yet, better design could help fulfill its promise. - [Ukraine receives weapons support from around the world]( Jordan Cohen, George Mason University An arms trade expert explains the wide variety of military aid nations around the world have sent to Ukraine. - [Abortion right guaranteed by Roe will be replaced by state power if the Supreme Court adopts the leaked Alito opinion]( Morgan Marietta, UMass Lowell If the Supreme Court guts landmark rulings that established a constitutional right to abortion, the legal struggle will shift to statehouses and state courtrooms. - [You’ve likely heard of the brain’s gray matter – here’s why the white matter is important too]( - [The Southwest is on fire, with iconic deserts and towns at risk – 3 reasons the 2022 fire season is so early and intense]( - [Western river compacts were innovative in the 1920s but couldn’t foresee today’s water challenges]( - [Some funders are embracing ‘trust-based philanthropy’ by giving money without lots of obligations]( - [COVID-19 official counts can miss mild cases – here’s how serosurveys that analyze blood for signs of past infection can help]( - [The photographer who fought the Sicilian Mafia for five decades]( - [Fed hopes for ‘soft landing’ for the US economy, but history suggests it won’t be able to prevent a recession]( - More from The Conversation US - Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly emails: [Politics Weekly]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Global Economy & Business]( - - About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](