Biden Is a Wild Card in the Russia-Ukraine War, Too

This is an edition of Up for Debate, a newsletter by Conor Friedersdorf. On Wednesdays, he rounds up timely conversations and solicits reader responses to one thought-provoking question. Every Friday, he publishes some thoughtful replies. Sign up for the newsletter here.

Question of the Week

The Oscars were this week, so let’s talk about cinema. What’s a film, or a performance in a film, that taught you something, or changed your life in some significant way, or that you simply love?

Alternatively, make your case for the most underrated movie of all time. Or, if you prefer, make a case to Hollywood for the film you most want them to make. I’m here for all your movie takes.

Conversations of Note

As the war in Ukraine grinds on, President Joe Biden made headlines with a speech in Warsaw in which, departing from his scripted remarks, he declared, “For God’s sake,” Russian President Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power.” The White House quickly clarified that he wasn’t calling for regime change. Biden later said that he was expressing the moral outrage he feels.

Fred Kaplan that the gaffe could make the war