Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine isn't working out the way he expected. At all.
And for those who know their history, here's a nice tweak at Russia today.
If the future world order is one of lopsided multipolarity and if such orders are more war-prone, then there is some reason to worry. But multipolarity might not be that bad for the United States, provided it recognizes the implications and adjusts its foreign policy appropriately.
For starters, letâs recognize that unipolarity wasnât that great for the United States, and especially not for those unfortunate countries that got the brunt of U.S. attention in recent decades. The unipolar era included the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, two expensive and ultimately unsuccessful U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, some ill-advised regime changes that led to failed states, a financial crisis that altered U.S. domestic politics dramatically, and the emergence of an increasingly ambitious China whose rise was partly facilitated by the United Statesâ own actions. But the United States hasnât learned much from the experience, given that it is still listening to the strategic geniuses whose actions squandered Washingtonâs Cold War triumph and hastened unipolarityâs end. The only restraint on a unipolar powerâs actions is self-restraint, and self-restraint is not something a crusader nation such as the United States does very well.
Have you heard this yet?
What happens when communism breaks out in Russia? - Nothing for a long time, and then corpses run out.
No, really!
Turns out:
In Russia, you can't donate your corpse to science so easily. Physicians are trained on imported bodies, often from the United States. But now there are trade sanctions and imported bodies are in short supply.
You can't make this up!
For those who don't know the reference, iIt's an old joke from the Cold War.
What happens when communism breaks out in the Sahara? Nothing for a long time, then the sand becomes scarce. *tush*
At what point does it dawn on Putin that his unbelievably inept military is getting an ass-whupping for the ages? At what point does he get forcibly removed from office because of the damage he is doing to his country?
I guarantee you he's hesitant to take in the view from any upper-floor window.
At what point does it dawn on Putin that his unbelievably inept military is getting an ass-whupping for the ages? At what point does he get forcibly removed from office because of the damage he is doing to his country?
Synder's contribution here is absolutely marvellous.
Also worthy to note China's complete deafness to Synder's main point.
The concluding remarks (from about 2:00:00 onwards) are fantastic. The Russian delegation basically has no response, mumbling, we'll find a way to get back to you later.