Thursday, March 20, 2014

Russian Crimea Step Through Ukraine

There are various perceptions of recent events in the Ukraine region.  The intents of Vladimir Putin are viewed as skewed toward the side of tyranny.  Putin dresses it up as some kind of compassion toward the overwhelming masses in Crimea who wish to rejoin the fold of Russia.  In any case tensions are escalating between Russia and the United States.  To pour salt on the wound it doesn't help the U.S. cause with the weak persona that President Obama dances on behalf of the United States of America.

For those that know my writings it is evident that I have already written my thoughts on this subject and even produced a fifteen minute video.  That was just prior to the Crimea vote which the European Union and the United States disavows, and which Putin poses as a dowry to the beloved people of Crimea.  I needed a fresh perspective.  I needed a perspective through the eyes of those very close to the situation.  I needed to see through their eyes instead of through the lens of our media in the western world.
Pre-Crimea Vote Blog Post
I am blessed to have a working relationship with a particular community within Slovakia.  As you may know Slovakia borders Ukraine.  They are a wonderful people with warm hearts and an unwavering sense of hospitality.  I became curious as to the level of anxiety that they may have with the possible encroachment of the Russian military right on their doorstep.  As a precursor into that thought I entertained the scenario of a mighty Canadian or Mexican army (both of which doesn't exist) preparing to unilaterally annex by force the lands of the United States of America.  Obviously, this is different because the Russian military is mighty and real.  The threat of a risen tyrant from that source has ever been present throughout Europe.

I've asked this citizen what their thoughts were of Putin's intent given their proximity to Ukraine.  I believe that the distance from a focal point is undeniably relative to the perception of that point.  I expected their fears to exceed in intensity and on a different level than ours in the United States.  As I awaited this person's response to my inquiry I perceived over the next few days the pages of history, of armies overrunning countries and wondered if history through irony is repeating itself.

The first sentence received was the question we are all asking.  What country is next?  Obviously, especially in Slovakia this must weigh on their minds heavily.  Remember, many of these bordering countries claimed their independence in 1991.  In the larger picture that's not a long time.  In fact, many of these countries, though may not be communist, do still have strong political ties and views consistent with socialist policies.  These countries are still fragile in an area of the world with constantly shifting powers at play.  What country is next and how will it affect the people and infrastructure of that country?  I'm not advancing the personal idea that Vladimir Putin is pursuing to acquire key former republics of the Union Soviet Socialist Republics but these questions need to be pondered over and seriously considered.

As a disclaimer the thoughts received from Slovakia came from only one person.  In addition to the statement previously discussed it was believed that NATO and the western allies would probably not act on further aggression into Ukraine.  This would essentially be using Ukraine as a political pawn or an appeasement in thwarting possible war.  There is the belief that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) can be relied on by new European Union countries.  If this trust proves untrue it is believed that it would be the end of Europe as it is known today.

It is evident that the NATO alliance is key.  The leadership and strength of the United States is key.  These two components, mainly leaning toward the latter, are essential in suppressing tyrannical actions but those who hold no core belief in international policy.  A hallmark of this belief is when action is taken against a country whom you already have power over.  Russia supplies much of Europe with natural gas and has enriched it's stronghold over those countries' infrastructure.  If you were the Russian President with this power, yet needed the abundant resources and food produced in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, it would be awful tempting to move in and claim lordship over those lands.  The danger lies in that mindset, will and who dares to act on it in these modern times.

There are those who believe that this is another step toward a cataclysmic "end times" scenario.  Some see Russia's Putin as desperately obsessed with reacquiring those lost Republics in order to reinstitute the USSR.  As throughout history and especially in the first half of the 20th century countries can and do fall like dominoes.  Will the unthinkable of so many years finally become the inevitable?  Will the two major world powers finally flex in the battle as Babylon?

But.....  Shall we take a different path, quiet the mind and listen to the promptings of sound decision.  In our decaying moral state do we have the qualified men and women in high places of influence that are willing to stand up for what's right?  Will they face evil and opposition even among their own countrymen in order to avoid war and restore order and peace?  We still have so much to accomplish and the potential and prosperity of man increases accordingly to the proper decisions we make for the good of all mankind.

The wolves are circling and the response I've received from Slovakia bear out to me that concern is rising in the shadow of a monster whom they've already encountered before not too long ago.

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