The situation in Ukraine might be a best-case scenario. We need to remember that Ukraine has been mostly dysfunctional since its independence from the USSR. Its recent history has been a story of poisonings, sudden changes in leadership, and dissatisfaction among the electorate. The recent coup detat has only replaced the most latest unpopular leader with another one, who formerly was head of government with less that 10% approval. At the same time, the Russian government cannot be entirely faulted for wanting a more stable and more popular government in the Crimean peninsula, which is the indispensable home base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet – their only fleet in an ice-free port. On the other hand, Russias sudden takeover of Crimea was the act of thugs, even if there was little overt violence. The images of an army of soldiers in unmarked uniforms is an affront to believers in international law: the laws of war and military legitimacy clearly demand that a fighting force must have distinguishing marks on uniforms and a universally understood hierarchy of command. Since Crimea is the part of Ukraine with the highest portion of ethnic Russians, the takeover by Russia is in fact seen by many in Crimea as a welcome end to the ongoing chaos of Ukraine. There is little dispute even among staunch critics of Russia that the referendum proposed for later this month will result in a vote favoring Russian rule in Crimea. Who can show the need to impose international sanctions, once Russia has proved that the Crimean people prefer to become Russian citizens, rather than endure Ukraines poverty and chaos?
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 08:12:57 +0000
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