I wrote a thinky for ASB today. It’s free, but comments are only for paid up members. Comments here, of course, are a goddamn free for all. That’s ultimately what the invasion of Ukraine means. Not just a reordering of security architectures or rule-based orders. It means a return to our Hobbesian past, to the state of nature that has obtained for most of human history, where the strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.
Can we talk about Ukraine's superhero president redefining leadership for the world? I've never been so invested in a politician's ongoing safety and health 😭
JB, you mention President Xi and Taiwan. Surely the Chinese gangstacrats are watching the outcome here and will adjust their plans accordingly? Nibbling away at the South China Sea, various atolls and reefs. For us downunder, surely this is the more menacing threat (aside from Lord Putin throwing nuclear threats around today). Frankly, I am concerned about China's expansion plans more than Ukraine. In saying that, standing up strongly with Ukraine will benefit us in China's scheming.
Grand designs and plans will be put on hold for a generation. It will cause a reshuffling of economic priorities for Europe for sure. The wolf is ALWAYS at the door
Putin’s already won, hasn’t he. We’re just flapping our gums and wagging our fingers at this point. The last 75 years might be an aberration, not an evolved new norm.
Still trying to decide if giving up my twitter account was a good or bad thing this month with this stuff happening. Left because i was sick of the food reminiscences (someone waxed lyrical about wedges, chilli and sour cream and it was the straw that broke me. Closed it down on the spot in disgust), come back because shit is going down? This little corner of the internet has some form talking about this type of thing though. I'll hold off logging back in just that little bit longer....
Can we talk about Ukraine's superhero president redefining leadership for the world? I've never been so invested in a politician's ongoing safety and health 😭
JB, you mention President Xi and Taiwan. Surely the Chinese gangstacrats are watching the outcome here and will adjust their plans accordingly? Nibbling away at the South China Sea, various atolls and reefs. For us downunder, surely this is the more menacing threat (aside from Lord Putin throwing nuclear threats around today). Frankly, I am concerned about China's expansion plans more than Ukraine. In saying that, standing up strongly with Ukraine will benefit us in China's scheming.
Baltic States are next.
Grand designs and plans will be put on hold for a generation. It will cause a reshuffling of economic priorities for Europe for sure. The wolf is ALWAYS at the door
Putin’s already won, hasn’t he. We’re just flapping our gums and wagging our fingers at this point. The last 75 years might be an aberration, not an evolved new norm.
Still trying to decide if giving up my twitter account was a good or bad thing this month with this stuff happening. Left because i was sick of the food reminiscences (someone waxed lyrical about wedges, chilli and sour cream and it was the straw that broke me. Closed it down on the spot in disgust), come back because shit is going down? This little corner of the internet has some form talking about this type of thing though. I'll hold off logging back in just that little bit longer....
Great article. This week has seemed like July, 1914 and August, 1939, like being in a car wreck when everything happens in slow motion.
No one believed Mein Kampf ,but Hitler showed us and now it is Putin’s turn.