Imagine for one moment that your home town or village was geographically located—through a combination of fate and the decisions of your ancestors—in one of the most hotly contested border areas in the world. You would undoubtedly feel fierce loyalty and kinship to the region and its inhabitants—your own land and people. If the overwhelming force of a neighboring once-empire was bearing down on you and yours, imagine the combined feelings of defiance, outrage, fear, and determination that would be be waging a war unto itself inside of your mind.
Ukrainians in the eastern part of that country, on the border between the Russian-dominated breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, and the portions of Ukraine still under the control of the democratically-elected national government of Ukraine, currently face the dire circumstances described above. They are not the first in history to be staring down the guns of war on the front lines, seemingly helpless to stand in the way of an overwhelming aggressor.
Related: 5-Minute Summary: What’s going on in Ukraine?
The Poles did so in 1939. Koreans between the two warring states on that peninsula have suffered similarly for years, and peoples in disputed border areas going back to the start of nation-states, and even before, have all faced down those encroaching armies.
Disputed border areas are the literal no man’s land of human existence. They are peppered with trenches, land mines, barbed wire, and grimly determined, heavily-armed forces facing off across small swathes of land that separate rival political entities and peoples. They eventually become almost uninhabitable for civilians due to the risk of remaining in such a fraught place, sometimes for years or decades at a time. Ukraine’s eastern portions have been in such a situation since 2014, when Russia first invaded the breakaway regions of the country. The disputed border then shifted westward, to where it remains today in the current crisis.
Now Ukrainians wait warily to see what Russia will do to their country, and whether or not the rest of the world will come to their aid should Russia push deeper into Ukraine. They face the dreaded uncertainty of all people who stare down the reality of a military invasion. What will become of their livelihood? Their prosperity? Their security? Who will rule them, and how? Will they be rounded up if they fail to demonstrate the requisite loyalty and fealty to the new overlords? All of these questions no doubt preoccupy Ukrainians today.
Related: The origin of America’s security obligations to Ukraine
From the vantage point of the safety and security of a country like the United States—buffered on two sides by the world’s largest oceans and on the other two sides by countries with no remaining territorial claims on U.S. lands—it is likely hard to fathom the anxiety faced by Ukrainians in the east of that country. It has been a long time since a country’s sovereign borders were altered by an invading army, and that lack of palpable memory no doubt dulls the sense of national indignation that other countries the world over should feel at Russia’s aggression.
It has simply been too long since the world suffered at the hands of empires that sought expansion through force. The memory of the resulting chaos, political instability, and geopolitical flux that led to so many wars in the past has seemingly receded into the back of our collective consciousness. Political leaders and national security officials in European governments and the United States are attempting to forestall such chaos, but the populations of those nations do not seem to feel the acute anxiety of Russia’s moves.
Related: How false flag operations work and Russia’s history of using them
Here in the United States, we seem to be, at most, feeling a tempered disapproval in some quarters, and an outright lack of outrage at all at Russian aggression in others.
Sadly, the current geopolitical crisis in the east of Europe possibly presages more future crises down the road. What is to say that Russia will stop in the east of Ukraine if it fails to face any meaningful consequences for its current actions? Or what will China think vis-a-vis Taiwan if Russia is allowed to move into a neighboring sovereign state without punishment? China already sees Taiwan as part of its own country, such that an aggressive move into Taiwan could be explained away as an act below the threshold of Russia’s (unpunished) incursion.
It is possible that the world is moving into a more politically dangerous time, one akin to the geopolitical environment in pre-World War I Europe. If today’s leaders do not make Russia’s aggression painful for it, and allow Vladimir Putin to change Europe’s borders at will, then those memories of political chaos and geopolitical struggle are going to come barreling recklessly back into the forefront of our collective minds. That will be because we will have entered a far more dangerous world for all of us, one in which force determines borders and might rules the world. International institutions and laws that have governed the post-World War II world will fall away, and we will all once again face the uncertainty of a world regularly at war between nation-states.
No one should want such an outcome and today’s leaders must prevent such a return to a less stable world, no matter the cost.
My husband and I have been married for over 10 years. We met when I was 18 and he was 21. We’ve been through a lot emotionally together. There were several HUGE fights and painful situations in our marriage, but we always seemed to come out stronger on the other side. Out of the blue my husband just sprung the divorce talk on me, I was totally depressed until I found the Dr.Todd website online and I ordered a Love spell. You won’t believe my husband called me at the exact time this spell caster finished his spell work in 24hours. I was totally amazed! He is wonderful and his spells work so fast. His contact: manifestspellcast @ g mail. com…
Hello, my name is Freeman. I found a new and secure way to invest and make profit which I will like to share with you, you can check it out and also share with your friends and family.
Have you heard of MARKETPLUS247 . COM ? I was talking with a friend who also tried out this platform few weeks back, made about 20000 extra profit after a short period of 3weeks. We talked about it initially, while his funds where in growth and I advised him against being scammed because I did not believe. Right now I am proud to tell you that Marketplus247 . Com has saved me my cash and helped me make an extra profit almost as much as my savings. Marketplus247 . Com has indeed proven to be safe and secure. Check out the website for option and instructions towards the process of investment. Take a step pf faith and you will not regret it.
Hello, my name is Susan Tinnin from Virginia, I never thought i could believe in love again ever since my fiancé broke up with me and left me alone with our two kids. After three months of our separation i came across this great spell caster when i was doing some research with my computer. Dr Marabul have really make me realized that great men like him still exist. There is no need of you searching for any other spell caster as i am here to recommend you to this great man who have help so many people online using his great power to restore relationship and solve every problem that has come to him. I never believe on this and i still went online in search of this same man until i fine that he has help so many people, that was when i was convinced to contact this great man and he told me exactly what i should do to get my ex back and i can tell you that i and my ex husband just get married two week back and that is why i am here to thank this great man for restoring my broken relationship. You can contact Dr Marabul on marabulspellcaster@gmail.com or whatsapp him on +2207835430.
Thanks for this masterpiece of work, Fru. I’m bending my brain working on an article on Crimea and an overall better understanding of the regions involved and the complexity of the relationships at play.
There is a great deal to be impressed with in this article.
with honor,
geo sends
A few months ago, I felt so depressed, I got frustrated with bad credits, but then I contacted HACK VANISH by phone: +1 (7 4 7) 2 9 3 – 8 5 1 4 and email: HACK VANISH (@) GMAIL. COM. I found out about hack vanish services through positive reviews read on some credit blogs, in a blink of an eye this great hacker restored my credit score from 509 to 784 in all 3 major credit bureaus, they got removed evictions and foreclosures, my LexisNexis and Chex system was repaired respectively, a few days later I received an email confirming the approval of my mortgage loan, it was quite surprising because I never thought it was possible. Today, I can confidently say that 2021 was a banner year for my husband and I as we now own a new house and a new SUV courtesy of HACK VANISH, I would definitely recommend him to anyone in need of a genuine Hacker.
I’ve been searching for help on how to get my ex lover back that broke up with me years ago.. I was traumatized by the break up and nearly wanted to commit suicide but I thank God that I got the contact of Dr Ikpeajie the spiritual father that helped me to get back my ex lover after much searching of help from different places. When I got in touch with Dr Ikpeajie, I explained everything to him to he gave me his words of encouragement and told me that he was going to prepare a spell for me that will help me get back my ex lover within 48 hours and I believed in his words for I was referred to him by a friend who he helped and right now, my ex lover is back and we are living happily together to get married next month. If you need any assistance whatsoever like getting cured from sickness/diseases, getting pregnant E.T.C. Then, I suggest that you get in touch with Dr Ikpeajie now through his WhatsApp him on Email:drikpeajieherbalhome@yahoo.com or whatsapp :+254778109549 I’m forever grateful to you.
I Need A Real Spell Caster To Help Me Bring Back My Ex Lover Urgently 2022, WhatsApp +1(419)359-4367 He Is The Best Spell Caster Online And His Result Is 100% Guaranteed.
My Husband broke up with me after 9years of relationship. It started from small misunderstandings after which he told me that it would be good to take a break, which I think turned into a breakup. He no longer looks for me, he blocked my number and people said they saw him with another woman, this brought tears to my eyes because we are about to marry, I searched for help when I came across this spiritual man called PRIEST OSAS who have helped many people having relationship problem, I talked with him about my situation and he described to me the process to get back with my lover, I followed his instructions and today I’m happy because my man came back after 5 months of breakup and we are happily married now. If you need the help of a spell caster for any kind of relationship problem contact PRIEST OSAS for a lasting solution. EMAIL: Unsurpassed.solution@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +1 (419) 359 4367
“one in which force determines borders and might rules the world”
This actually happened 20 years earlier when NATO decided to dismember Yugoslavia and give statehood to Kosovo and no, it’s not a unique case no matter how much people would like it to be.
You don’t get to plant the wind and complain about the whirlwind.
All thanks to Mr Anderson for helping with my profits and making my fifth withdrawal possible. I’m here to share an amazing life changing opportunity with you. its called Bitcoin / Forex trading options. it is a highly lucrative business which can earn you as much as $2,570 in a week from an initial investment of just $200. I am living proof of this great business opportunity. If anyone is interested in trading on bitcoin or any cryptocurrency and want a successful trade without losing notify Mr Anderson now.Whatsapp: (+447883246472 )
Email: tdameritrade077@gmail.com
Most people get into a marriage with high and full spirits. They know full well what they are getting into and accept this with an open heart. While you may say that there is a lot of hype in marriages especially on the days leading up to the wedding day, it can get a bit frustrating to have a misunderstanding in your relationship. I have been through hell with my husband for a very long time. With the help of the great spell caster, I was able to resolve my marriage issue and now I finally find happiness in my marriage. For anyone going through any kind of relationship issue or you like to get back with your ex, I will suggest getting in touch with the best relationship advice specialist that will bring happiness back into your home. You can get in touch with The Great Dr.Jumba relationship and affair advisor
wiccalovespelltools @ gmail. com . He is always ready to help people and bring back happiness into your life.
Ann K.
From Austin Texas