In one of my posts I contrasted the history of Europe’s ruling of its subjects by Monarchs verses the founding of America based on individual liberty. The American Revolution shed the “Divine Right To Rule” here. Current news reports indicate that Russia has massed troops to its west for a possible invasion. For centuries there has been a back and forth cycle of conflicts in Europe. As an example, going as far back as the Napolianic Wars, German states and later a combined Germany, have had bitter breaks with Russia followed by remarkably warm relations. They get along best with a buffer or two between them. The problem is that there are some small countries that pay the price of being buffeted. i.e. Poland/Czechoslavakia.

Also, Russia wanted warmer water ports for its shipping. Think Crimea. Hard to ship much or have a navy only seven months a year. Add to this historical context a Russian dictator who yearns for the days of Soviet Russia’s buffer. (Iron Curtain countries) Now, similar to Hitler in the 30’s, there is talk of helping the native Russians by ancestry residing in Ukraine. And, of course, the alleged horror of the West adavancing east while Russia probes west. Russia has always bristled over NATO. Invasion of Ukraine? How about tossing some fuel of weakness on the situation?

I grew up with the stories and history of World War Two. Munich represented appeasement in my mind. Chamberlain went there for “peace in our time” and Hitler received a green light to take the Sudetenland. Another back and forth piece of European buffer. Surprise, surprise; he didn’t stop there. War followed within a year or so. Today it is reported that more than Ukraine might be considered off limits to the west by Mother Russia. So, to Papa at least, fuel for the fire is a man from Chamberlain’s mold saying we’ll be tough as nails but a small incursion by Russia might be okay. (Wink, Wink? Doing it piecemeal may be okay?) Diplomats are now trying to correct the perception of US weakness. I fear that demonstrated weakness might prompt an invasion. Which could trigger further incursions/demands. Don’t feed the dictator beast.

However, worst case scenario, reeling from an ill-advised show of placation, an unsteady oldster might miscalculate and strike out with force to prove his bona fides. Mistakes can occur in the absence of clear thought. No one wants war. We need to keep NATO strong but do not need to be dragged militarily into Russia’s mischief. We can react with economic power but showing weakness has not helped to this point. I can’t help feeling sympathy for the poor devils potentially caught in-between once again.

BTW: I saw an ad that a movie “Munich” is streaming now. It will be interesting to see if it has a different take on Chamberlain’s trips in pursuit of peace. For decades his attempts were not regarded as worthy. Is eighty-four years long enough for a decent rehab? 1/21/2022