Putin aims to cripple civilian targets

+ social security gets a bump US Edition - Today's top story: Crippling civilian infrastructure has long been part of Russian generals' playbook – Putin is merely expanding that approach [View in browser]( US Edition | 14 October 2022 [The Conversation]( Ukraine cities have taken a fresh battering in recent days. Seemingly angered by the destruction of a bridge connecting Crimea to Russia and frustrated by military setbacks, Russian President Vladimir Putin has turned to targeting civilian infrastructure: power plants, railway stations, ports and dams. American University military strategist Benjamin Jensen explains that this tack has been [part of Russian generals’ playbook for more than a generation](. “The belief is that hitting key infrastructure and creating prolonged blackouts, alongside disruptions to the ability to travel and transport goods, make political leaders and the population less willing to resist an attacking force,” he writes. Worryingly, Jensen expects things to only get worse. Also today: - [Inmates talk about their experiences in solitary confinement]( - [Calculating the economic toll of Hurricane Ian]( - [Can drug treatments help the liver regenerate?]( Matt Williams Senior Breaking News and International Editor Ukrainian firefighters battling flames at a power station hit by Russian missiles. Serhii Mykhalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images [Crippling civilian infrastructure has long been part of Russian generals’ playbook – Putin is merely expanding that approach]( Benjamin Jensen, American University School of International Service In the face of Russian military setbacks at the hands of a dogged opposition army, Russian President Vladimir Putin is focusing on targets that will put psychological pressure on the Ukrainian nation. Economy + Business - [Soaring inflation prompts biggest Social Security cost-of-living boost since 1981 – 6 questions answered]( John W. Diamond, Rice University Social Security is increasing benefits by 8.7%, beginning in January 2023, to offset the surging cost of living in the US. - [How the costs of disasters like Hurricane Ian are calculated – and why it takes so long to add them up]( Adam Rose, University of Southern California A recovery expert explains what these estimates include and what could be done to make disasters less costly. Ethics + Religion - [We talked to 100 people about their experiences in solitary confinement – this is what we learned]( Angela Hattery, University of Delaware; Earl Smith, University of Delaware Every day, tens of thousands of American prisoners are locked up in solitary confinement. This is how that looks for those behind bars, and those guarding them. - [Evangelical college students often feel misunderstood – what helps boost understanding between students of all faiths?]( Matthew J. Mayhew, The Ohio State University; Christa Winkler, Mississippi State University; Musbah Shaheen, The Ohio State University College can be a time to interact with people with different worldviews, but meaningful exchanges often require intent. Arts + Culture - [With the movie ‘Till,’ Mamie Till-Mobley’s quest to educate the world about her son’s lynching marches on]( Brandon M. Erby, University of Kentucky She eventually decided to become a public school teacher so she could influence a new generation of Americans. Science + Technology - [Helping the liver regenerate itself could give patients with end-stage liver disease a treatment option besides waiting for a transplant]( Satdarshan Monga, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Liver transplant waitlists can range from 30 days to over five years. Developing treatments that spur liver regeneration could help reduce demand for scarce organs. Education - [Does tutoring work? An education economist examines the evidence on whether it’s effective]( Susanna Loeb, Brown University Billions of dollars are being spent on tutoring in the US. Will it be enough to help schoolchildren make up for pandemic learning loss? An education economist weighs in. Politics + Society - [The right to vote is not in the Constitution]( Morgan Marietta, UMass Lowell The framers of the Constitution never mentioned a right to vote. They didn’t forget. They intentionally left it out. The Conversation Quiz 🧠- Here’s the first question of [this week’s edition:]( What was a major factor in many Indigenous communities in the U.S. losing their languages? - A. Boarding schools - B. Elders refusing to teach children - C. A philosophy of “leaving the past in the past” - D. The Pony Express [Test your knowledge]( From our international editions - [#MeToo in space: We must address the potential for sexual harassment and assault away from Earth]( - [740,000km of fishing line and 14 billion hooks: we reveal just how much fishing gear is lost at sea each year]( - [Angela Lansbury – a storied career sure to touch people for years to come]( - - 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](