Michael Holtz

Mar 2, 2025 | thepreamble.com | Michael Holtz |Robert Pushkar |Cathy Newman |Julia Webster Ayuso

Welcome — I’m glad you’re here. Let’s get you caught up on what happened this week. On the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, European capitals lit up with Ukrainian blue and yellow. Meanwhile, at the United Nations, America voted against a resolution condemning Russian aggression. The symbolism was unmistakable – and profoundly alarming to Europe. America had quite literally switched sides. JD and Usha Vance got together in law school and later married.

Jan 18, 2025 | rsn.org | Michael Holtz

Donald Trump has promised to bring a swift end to the war in Ukraine, but Russian troops have already booby-trapped the country with thousands of mines that will take years to remove. Last summer, I followed Matthew O’Callaghan, a field officer for the humanitarian mine-clearance organization the HALO Trust, along a narrow line of trees in the flat, open countryside of northeastern Ukraine, about thirty miles outside the city of Kharkiv.

Jan 17, 2025 | businessandamerica.com | Michael Holtz

An OZM-72 is what’s known as a bounding fragmentation mine. When someone makes contact with a trip wire, it triggers a pint-glass-size metal cannister to shoot into the air and explode in a hail of shrapnel that can kill someone standing as far as eighty feet away. OZMs are among the deadliest mines that Russian forces have used in Ukraine since Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of the country, in February of 2022. They’re also among the most dangerous to clear.

Jan 17, 2025 | newyorker.com | Michael Holtz

Last summer, I followed Matthew O’Callaghan, a field officer for the humanitarian mine-clearance organization the HALO Trust, along a narrow line of trees in the flat, open countryside of northeastern Ukraine, about thirty miles outside the city of Kharkiv. We stopped in front of a patch of overgrown grass that was cordoned off with red-and-white tape. O’Callaghan pointed down at a green metal stake.

Oct 16, 2024 | dgamazingexperiences.com | Michael Holtz

Japan is more than a stopover and Tokyo is more than a global business center. It’s highly recommended to take a deep dive instead of the short stays that are typical. SmartFlyer advisors have been there and seen all the options so you can be assured that they match the most memorable itinerary to your interests and preference. This 14-day itinerary is meant as an inspiration that we can design for you and your traveling companions.