I tried Google's Bard in my quest to understand geopolitics and current events, and found its answers vary widely depending on the question put. For example:
Q: What is the history of USA involvement in Ukraine?
The United States has been involved in Ukraine since the country's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The initial focus of U.S. assistance was on economic and political reform, but in recent years, the focus has shifted to security assistance in response to Russia's aggression.
In 1992, the United States signed a bilateral agreement on humanitarian, economic, and technical cooperation with Ukraine. This agreement provided for the provision of food aid, technical assistance, and training to help Ukraine transition to a market economy and democratic government. The United States also provided military assistance to Ukraine, including training and equipment, to help the country build its own defense capabilities.
In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine and began supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine. In response, the United States imposed sanctions on Russia and increased its military assistance to Ukraine. The United States also provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including food, water, and medical supplies.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the United States has provided billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, ammunition, and other equipment. The United States has also provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including food, water, and medical supplies.
The United States is committed to helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression. The United States believes that a strong and independent Ukraine is in the interests of the United States, Europe, and the world.
Here are some of the specific ways in which the United States has been involved in Ukraine:
Economic assistance: The United States has provided billions of dollars in economic assistance to Ukraine since 1991. This assistance has helped to support Ukraine's transition to a market economy, improve its infrastructure, and strengthen its democratic institutions.
Political assistance: The United States has provided training and assistance to Ukrainian political parties, civil society organizations, and the media. This assistance has helped to promote democracy and good governance in Ukraine.
Security assistance: The United States has provided Ukraine with military assistance, including training, equipment, and intelligence. This assistance has helped Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression.
Humanitarian assistance: The United States has provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including food, water, and medical supplies. This assistance has helped to alleviate the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
The United States' involvement in Ukraine is a complex issue with a long history. However, the United States is committed to helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression and build a strong and independent future.
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Having already come across references to "Operation Aerodynamic," I expected some info on that to be included in the above answer. So I asked another question.
Q: When did the CIA begin operations in Ukraine?
The CIA began operations in Ukraine in the late 1940s, shortly after the end of World War II. The agency's initial focus was on gathering intelligence on the Soviet Union and its activities in Ukraine. The CIA also supported Ukrainian nationalist groups who were opposed to Soviet rule.
In the early 1950s, the CIA launched a covert operation called AERODYNAMIC, which aimed to support an insurgency against Soviet rule in Ukraine. The operation was unsuccessful, and the CIA eventually abandoned it.
The CIA continued to operate in Ukraine during the Cold War, but its focus shifted to gathering intelligence on Soviet military and nuclear activities. The agency also supported Ukrainian dissidents who were opposed to Soviet rule.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the CIA's focus in Ukraine shifted to supporting the country's transition to democracy and a market economy. The agency also provided security assistance to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against Russian aggression.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the CIA has increased its intelligence gathering and covert operations in Ukraine. The agency is providing intelligence to Ukrainian forces and helping to coordinate the flow of weapons and other assistance from the United States and its allies.
The CIA's operations in Ukraine are classified, so it is difficult to say definitively what the agency is doing there. However, it is clear that the CIA is playing a significant role in supporting Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.
