A note on my recent writings
A lot of what I’ve written lately on the conflict in Eastern Europe was written more from a “realist” foreign policy perspective, studying the reasons for the actions of states in geopolitics. I made this decision in the face of overwhelming propaganda in the US surrounding this conflict.
What is happening right now in Ukraine is not entirely a black and white issue. There are many complex issues surrounding what is happening in the geopolitical situation. Americans, seemingly ignorant of the history, are resistant to the idea of studying our history, of what led to this situation. In a mass hysteria, we’re reacting in absurdly anti-Russian, even Russophobic, fashion, from emptying vodka bottles to boycotting Tolstoy and Tchaikovsky.
I felt it was important to provide an alternative to this. It is important that we understand how NATO expansionism created security concerns for the Russian state. It’s important that we oppose anti-Russian bigotry and moral panic. It’s important we not swallow propaganda from any side, but particularly from NATO, as we are precariously close to nuclear war that could end human life as we know it. We need to understand the nuance of the situation if we are to build a lasting peace in Europe.
That being said…
This invasion is an act of imperialism by the Russian state, led by Putin and his oligarch sponsors. Whatever legitimate security concerns Russia had, whatever role NATO had in creating the conditions for Putin, this invasion sits entirely at the feet of that dictator. He’s not a madman, but he is rather villainous; he is utilizing this opportunity to expand his sphere of influence by force. While there are absolutely disreputable actors in the Ukrainian resistance, particularly groups like the Azov Battalion, it is important that we support the Ukrainian people in fighting back against their local empire.
I stand with both the Ukrainian and Russian people. I stand with the Ukrainians who are fighting back against the rolling tanks of imperialism. I stand with the Russian people who are risking imprisonment or worse as part of the anti-war movement.
I was reminded of the responsibility of the Left internationally by going to a virtual assembly of the Transnational Social Strike. It brought speakers from both Ukraine and Russia, along with the UK, Poland, Georgia, and other nations. Thoughtful, courageous, engaged socialists, feminists, anti-war activists, and radicals came together to speak freely and forcefully about the issues we face. How we find common ground, but centered around opposing this war and resisting this invasion.
I know my posts have focused more on the alarming hawkish nature of what propaganda we’re getting in the United States, and I don’t regret that. But I also think a moment should be taken to center the opposition to Russia’s capitalist imperialism. While we need to have nuance to build a longer peace after this conflict, centering the human lives of Ukrainians, who have been geopolitical pawns since the end of the Cold War, is important.