Tag: #genocide

A Russian Identity by Order of Putin

September 1, 2023

A national identity is something innate forged in a manner sufficient to provide peoples of diverse origins, and the generations that follow, the opportunity to mold themselves and their nation into a continuing entity that holds to the same principles which gave birth to that nation. Realization of such an identity is often reaffirmed by national tragedy and a subsequent commitment to overcome it by the gathered strength of the nation’s people. It is also realized by a continued commitment by the nation’s leadership to adhere to the principles initially set forth and to speaking truth to these principles before the people. A constitution is meant to be a palpable reminder to a nation and its leadership of this commitment. … More A Russian Identity by Order of Putin

Domestic Putin (Part 2)

August 12, 2023

The perception of performance of a totalitarian regime centers entirely upon its leader. The attributions of success and failure all find their way to that leader ultimately to provide some reckoning as to whether the costs of submission were worth the necessary sacrifice of individual and societal liberties. Given sufficient time, as these attributes accumulate upon the balance sheet of history, a decision is rendered, from the outside and within, of whether history smiles upon that leader and, accordingly, the complicit nation in question, or turns away in disgust. Seen from without, Vladimir Putin’s Russia is acknowledged now by most nations as belligerent and threatening, devoid of humanity, and untrustworthy. From within, with its current trajectory, it is destined to become a failed state, contaminated by an innate and inherent corruption and incapable of adequately delivering the basic services needed for several of its widespread territories. After more than 20 years, Putin’s leadership has brought shame upon Russia and its people and economic circumstances that will continue to haunt the country in succeeding generations. It is time to look at Putin’s Russia from within. … More Domestic Putin (Part 2)

Domestic Putin (Part 1)

August 1, 2023

Over the past century, Russian leaders, excepting one, have sought to present themselves before their own government and their people by how well they waged conflict with the West. Put more bluntly, they have remained dedicated to the notion that military and global territorial dominance over the United States (U.S.) was paramount in their perception of a misguided and grossly overestimated race to the top that too often left behind the welfare of their people. Authoritarian leadership in the guise of a Soviet Communist state with its focus on the growth of its military-industrial might, finally caused the economic demise of their regime and, with it, the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. It will do the same in the current century. … More Domestic Putin (Part 1)

Russian Disinformation and the Inconvenience of Truth – 1941 and 2022

May 10, 2023

This is the scene that has been unfolding for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. It is witness to familiar elements of what we have come to regard as the worst of humanity – indiscriminate destruction of cities, mass executions, kidnapping of children, displacement of millions of civilians, rape, forced prostitution and torture, highlighted recently by the savagery of beheading prisoners. The bare truth underlying this Russian invasion is that it is entirely unjustified. … More Russian Disinformation and the Inconvenience of Truth – 1941 and 2022

The Isolationist Stance of the Uneducated

March 20, 2023

The comments made by some individuals vying for political relevance in the coming presidential race seem to have little to do with the reality of global affairs and more to do with voter appeal. More qualified authorities with a sense of world history, current geopolitical dynamics, military strategy, trade relations, humanitarianism and national identity are better suited for comment than those who merely seek distinction with provocative soundbites that pretend to show wisdom. When an effective global effort is underway in which the United States has taken the lead to address a crisis, American resolve should not be looked upon by the world as time-dependent and its promises restricted to the duration of a single presidential administration. There can be no assurance than that the welfare of the international community, including that of America itself, is under consideration and can remain secure in the long-run. This is particularly the case, when authoritarian regimes figure themselves to have permanency and have intentions of forever securing that state-of-affairs by whatever means available to them despite what history has repeatedly taught us. … More The Isolationist Stance of the Uneducated

To Light a Flame and Keep it Burning

February 21, 2023

A year ago, a war began on a scale not seen since World War II – a presumed “bear versus mouse” scenario was expected to unfold. But things went terribly wrong in short order for the bear. A president and his wife did not flee but stayed at home with their people while a nation came under attack. Ordinary citizens assembled themselves into territorial defenses to defend their villages, towns, and cities. Musicians, dancers, office workers, farmers, housewives and others learned the art of battle, armed themselves accordingly and improvised explosive devices; a partisan movement was reignited, recalling a history long embedded in this country. A military fought back and regained much of what was initially lost. In the course of this very particular year, the country suffered much – lives were lost, children abducted, families displaced. Atrocities were committed – mass executions, rape, torture, destruction of homes, hospitals, and energy resources all for the purpose of appeasing a despot’s desire to restore an empire which history had chosen already to dismiss. … More To Light a Flame and Keep it Burning

The Russian Language of Victimization and the Promotion of Vengeance

January 29, 2023

There has been a very consistent pattern of rhetorical atmospherics among prominent Russian officials promoting the notion that they have been threatened by the encroachment upon their border of the sinful West with its democratic ideals. The rhetoric would not have been alien to Otto von Bismarck 150 years ago when he lamented having to confront Russians with their ‘unpredictable stupidity.’ The messaging, however, has been largely, if not wholly, intended for consumption by the Russian populace which, sadly, either believes the nonsense regurgitated by state media, or is obliged to simply tow-the-line as they have been apt to do for centuries. Putin has made use of an undercurrent of Russian nationalism conflating it with the nation’s spiritual faith, to recall its historic struggle most recently against Nazi Germany. The struggle now, as Putin wishes to have Russia see it, is to save itself from Ukraine, a hitherto unknown bastion of neo-Nazism apparently only known to him, which has also chosen to align itself with the West and its assumed pervasive decadence. The shrill and anger of the delivery is meant to obscure the absurdity of the message but falls short for those who understand its intention. … More The Russian Language of Victimization and the Promotion of Vengeance

Health Care in a Winter War – Ukraine

January 16, 2023

The road to a better health care system for Ukraine will be best accomplished with the removal of Russian forces from its designated sovereign territory. But first the threat of winter must be overcome. Well into its eleventh month, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began a new chapter with the realization that its military campaign has floundered and winter has further hampered its progress. A shift in strategy now has concentrated upon terrorizing the entire nation by undermining its civilian infrastructure and threatening its means of survival in the cold of winter. For a nation entrenched in its desire to emerge ultimately with its sovereignty intact and its language and culture preserved, Ukraine faces a bitter struggle, seemingly to the end. … More Health Care in a Winter War – Ukraine

What Gain by Engagement in this War?

January 5, 2023

The causes of a war often amount to a complicated array of circumstances, misjudgments and intentions of varied priority, some laid out by those with particular biases in the hopes of lessening blame. Yet, on occasion, a perpetrator can be singled out sufficiently to warrant the full measure of scorn that can be afforded. This is Vladimir Putin’s lot and that of Russia for its compliance. The burden of war guilt is a terrible thing as the condemnation that comes with it carries a price, not just economic, but one requiring a moral reckoning within the national conscience. The extent to which this is realized depends upon the degree to which blame is cast upon the leaders and the degree to which they were enabled by the populace, whatever the circumstances. … More What Gain by Engagement in this War?

Crime and Punishment (Part 1)

December 1, 2022

The European Union (EU) recently declared Russia to be a state sponsor of terror. Too often, a crime against humanity, though apparent for all to witness, is not universally condemned. Ulterior motives, less honorable, allow it to continue while the global community remains paralyzed by economic, geopolitical and legal deliberation. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is such a crime. … More Crime and Punishment (Part 1)