War Today, Gone Tomorrow...

A week ago, the seemingly unthinkable happened. Donny Chump's puppet master, Vladimir Putin, decided to roll back the world theatre by 30 years and restart another Cold War by moving Russian troops into Ukraine. So far, the Ukrainian people, through courage and a "hometown" advantage, have managed to keep Putin and his soldiers at bay. But it feels like this episode of David & Goliath can only last so long and eventually this much more disadvantaged country will fall to Putin's army - the only question is around how much death and destruction may accompany this fall. 

The US and the EU seem pretty set on avoiding being militarily involved in the conflict, a perspective I understand and support. Were the US to get involved, the entire situation could escalate dangerously and I would fear as to at what point nuclear weapons might come into play. For the rest of the EU, they are mostly underprepared to contribute in any significant militaristic way, at least that is my perception. 

Instead, collectively, they are pressuring Putin and, especially, the Russian people through sanctions, both economic and in lifestyle. Historically sanction have proven ineffective, however in this case, I suspect they may have more influence. The Russian people have led relatively comfortable lives and are seemingly disinterested and disgusted in Putin's pursuit to destroy the Ukraine and/or reunite it's people and property with their own land. And while they may not realize it, through sheer overwhelming numbers they could eventually turn the tide against their dictator's regime. 

Surely there a number of people in power that support Putin, but based on what I've read about his isolationist nature, it seems like he has more in common with a leader like Andrew Cuomo. A man who has been effective, yet brutal in the administration of his power, ruling through fear and failing to make friends or enemies who will support them in their time of need.

Hopefully word gets through to the Russian people, including the soldiers and police whom one may suspect do not want to harm their own people, let alone the Ukrainians. As a collective, if they turned out in huge numbers I have no doubt that they could topple the current government in Russia. Sure, they country would be in disarray for a period of time, but no more so than it was when the Cold War ended.

And it is also possible that someone else of great power within Russia could pull strings to have Putin assassinated. Clearly it's a mindset that is more familiar and comfortable with the Russian populace than it is in most Western countries and not as far-fetched as one may think.