Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Where Malefactors Abound
In the crisis over Crimea, there are very few "white hats". Victor Yanukovych,the recently overthrown Russian proxy who was seeking closer ties between the Ukraine and Russia was utterly corrupt, but the nationalist movement that threw him out and seeks a closer confederation with Europe does have among its numbers fascists who Putin has rightly characterized as neo-Nazis. Russia does have longstanding claims to Crimea that are undeniable, yet the manner that Russia used to assert her claims was a reminder of Sudetenland or the Anschluss before World War II, but has not been marked by extreme violence as the old USSR used in Hungary in 1956 and Czechoslovakia in 1968. I certainly do not see Vladimir Putin initiating a September 1939 Danzig moment because it in no way serves his or Russia's interest to spark a wider campaign of conquest. Could conflict expand into a shooting war? Yes, because there are fanatics on each side and one can never rule out miscalculation even by some minor player that could cause tragic escalation. I have more faith in Putin recognizing self-interest than in the West planning careful demarche to restrain Russia. Putin is no nice guy, but I have heard nice guys finish last, and in real world dealings as opposed to conflict resolution classes, Putin projecting strength has so far been decisive.
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2 comments:
Nationalists did not overthrow Yanukovych. There were some Nationalists in the mix; how could anyone keep them out of a popular uprising? Mostly it was everyday citizens who became engaged when the Yanukovych government used brutality and later murder against those who were peacefully demonstrating for redress of grievances. Even then they didn't overthrow him- he chose to leave as did others of his party.
Those members of the Rada who remained, being duly elected and legitimate members of the government, waited for a legal quorum of MP's to gather and then legally impeached Yanukovych, created an interim government from officials who were still serving elected terms, and set elections to happen in May.
Putin wrongly characterized these folks as "neo-Nazis." That is reverting to the old Soviet playbook- label anyone who opposed you as "fascist" It is as meaningless as when the left in the USA call all conservatives "racist." How can you fall for this?
Ukrainians voted for Yanukovych based on his promises to move westward. They had a right to protest. What if the "American Spring" people are shot when they go to demonstrate in May? What if people rise up in greater demonstrations and Obama and many Democrats take their money and run? What if those who remain are able to cobble together a quorum in the Senate and HOR and impeach Obama. Does that give Russia the right to invade us to "protect" the Russian speaking populations scattered around the USA and to annex Alaska because it was once Russian territory?
Mandy, I did not suggests all or even a significant number of those protesting Yanukovych were fascists; though it is undeniable some were. A well-respected Rabbi Hillel Cohen was stabbed March 14 after a synagogue in Zaporizhia was vandalized by what one would have to presume were neo-Nazis, who may be using the cause of Ukrainian independence to further their own ends. I support a sovereign Ukraine free of Russian interference, but know it is not diplomatic niceties but law of the jungle strength that rules the world. Putin is using the iron fist without the velvet glove and Obama and other Western leaders who actually have the power to intercede for the freedom of the Ukraine lack the will and are reduced to doormats.
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