We went to war (in all but name) when Iraq invaded Kuwait--the stated principle being that (in the modern era) nation states should not resolve their issues by force, particularly by invading and occupying other states. (oh, and oil, don't forget the oil--not that we would let something like that override principle, amiright)?
We went to war (in all but name) when Iraq invaded Kuwait--the stated principle being that (in the modern era) nation states should not resolve their issues by force, particularly by invading and occupying other states. (oh, and oil, don't forget the oil--not that we would let something like that override principle, amiright)?
Ukraine is an independent nation-state. It is in our strategic interest in both the near and long term to be behind the idea that the invasion of sovereign nations to resolve issues is wrong...
EXCEPT, we did the same damn thing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hmmmm.
So how is what Putin is doing any different? If you are going to act against it, you have to be able to be clear about that and you have to basically be honest about that.
You also needed to be building support for such action (and not undercutting your allies) back several years ago... except we kind of know what side Donald seemed to be on at the time.
More importantly (because I believe that Asia is more strategically important and China is a greater threat) we need to be building support for the defense of Taiwan NOW.
Becoming dependent upon Russian energy was always a mistake... but short-sightedness, thy name is human.
I have the sense that standing against this now would be costly... BUT probably not as costly as letting it slide (even with sanctions, etc). But in order to do it, you need the WILL to do it. Can the will for it be built?
WRT Ukraine:
We went to war (in all but name) when Iraq invaded Kuwait--the stated principle being that (in the modern era) nation states should not resolve their issues by force, particularly by invading and occupying other states. (oh, and oil, don't forget the oil--not that we would let something like that override principle, amiright)?
Ukraine is an independent nation-state. It is in our strategic interest in both the near and long term to be behind the idea that the invasion of sovereign nations to resolve issues is wrong...
EXCEPT, we did the same damn thing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hmmmm.
So how is what Putin is doing any different? If you are going to act against it, you have to be able to be clear about that and you have to basically be honest about that.
You also needed to be building support for such action (and not undercutting your allies) back several years ago... except we kind of know what side Donald seemed to be on at the time.
More importantly (because I believe that Asia is more strategically important and China is a greater threat) we need to be building support for the defense of Taiwan NOW.
Becoming dependent upon Russian energy was always a mistake... but short-sightedness, thy name is human.
I have the sense that standing against this now would be costly... BUT probably not as costly as letting it slide (even with sanctions, etc). But in order to do it, you need the WILL to do it. Can the will for it be built?