I found this article very interesting. It shows the extent to which war ( threat, perceived or actual war) can disintegrate communities and livelihood. The author also shows two conflicting elements; survival or following/enforcing the law. I think the police are reacting in a way that anyone in a war zone would react, that is, go with the majority to survive (regardless of your opinions on the matter). There is need to have a sound political system before the police can effectively do their job.
I'll have to admit that Putin knows what he is doing. Without using the heavy hand of the Russian military, he has been able to manipulate events within Ukraine using propaganda and undercover operations to encourage various regions such as Crimea and Donetsk to declare complete sovereignty and integrate with the Russian Federation. Unlike the old days, Putin has been able to expand the Russia Federation without using brunt force.
However, I disagree with one minor thing in the article. The "war" isn't over yet, but Putin is on track to easily win it. My predictions are that when violence escalates (Putin's hidden hand is behind the some of the violence) and Ukraine nears the brink of civil war, Putin will send in the Russia military to "protect Russian-speaking people." Russian undercover operators have been reported in other countries that border Russia including the Baltic states.
I also agree with the above, Putin is very crafty. I think whether or not the "war" is over depends on future actions to anticipate. While I do not think that the war is over, it is a possibility that it could end with the right steps.
I think it's interesting that Putin has taken a different approach in the other two Southeastern regions that recently held a referendum. Unlike for the Crimea, Putin did not officially recognize these succession votes (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/world/europe/ukraine.html).
I also found this short minute clip of an interview with Henry Kissinger about his opinions on the Ukraine. He seems to think that Putin had not planned to carry out the events that have unfolded these past few months. Kissinger is obviously a controversial figure but still his opinion is interesting.
It is interesting to me that very few leaders in the west even allow the question of self-determination. Is it possible that Russia really does have a legitimate claim on Crimea? Certainly the majority of Crimea are ethnic (see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Crimea) and has been in modern history largely under Russian control. If a fair referendum was held and found that Crimeans supported reintegration with the Russian Federation, should they not be allowed the right of self-determination?
I don't think there are any clear answers here, which is why the US should remain removed unless fulfilling duties as prescribed under NATO and other treaties.
I found this article very interesting. It shows the extent to which war ( threat, perceived or actual war) can disintegrate communities and livelihood. The author also shows two conflicting elements; survival or following/enforcing the law. I think the police are reacting in a way that anyone in a war zone would react, that is, go with the majority to survive (regardless of your opinions on the matter). There is need to have a sound political system before the police can effectively do their job.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to admit that Putin knows what he is doing. Without using the heavy hand of the Russian military, he has been able to manipulate events within Ukraine using propaganda and undercover operations to encourage various regions such as Crimea and Donetsk to declare complete sovereignty and integrate with the Russian Federation. Unlike the old days, Putin has been able to expand the Russia Federation without using brunt force.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I disagree with one minor thing in the article. The "war" isn't over yet, but Putin is on track to easily win it. My predictions are that when violence escalates (Putin's hidden hand is behind the some of the violence) and Ukraine nears the brink of civil war, Putin will send in the Russia military to "protect Russian-speaking people." Russian undercover operators have been reported in other countries that border Russia including the Baltic states.
I also agree with the above, Putin is very crafty. I think whether or not the "war" is over depends on future actions to anticipate. While I do not think that the war is over, it is a possibility that it could end with the right steps.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that Putin has taken a different approach in the other two Southeastern regions that recently held a referendum. Unlike for the Crimea, Putin did not officially recognize these succession votes (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/world/europe/ukraine.html).
ReplyDeleteI also found this short minute clip of an interview with Henry Kissinger about his opinions on the Ukraine. He seems to think that Putin had not planned to carry out the events that have unfolded these past few months. Kissinger is obviously a controversial figure but still his opinion is interesting.
(http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2014/05/10/kissinger-putin-likely-didnt-plan-to-bring-ukraine-situation-to-a-head/)
It is interesting to me that very few leaders in the west even allow the question of self-determination. Is it possible that Russia really does have a legitimate claim on Crimea? Certainly the majority of Crimea are ethnic (see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Crimea) and has been in modern history largely under Russian control. If a fair referendum was held and found that Crimeans supported reintegration with the Russian Federation, should they not be allowed the right of self-determination?
ReplyDeleteI don't think there are any clear answers here, which is why the US should remain removed unless fulfilling duties as prescribed under NATO and other treaties.