The Ukraine Endgame

In principle, and not just in principle, wars are about occupying territory. 

And yet, one suspects that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine surpasses territorial acquisition.  This war is being fought in the media; it can properly be considered a propaganda war.

Now, what with the appearance of Winston Churchill’s reincarnation before the American Congress, we are being led to believe that the brave Ukrainians have mostly defeated the invading Russian hordes. No matter what else, the message coming from President Velensky and the American media is that the war is just about over and that we have won. 

When we say we, we do not just mean the cause of liberal democracy or even the Western alliance. We also mean, as David Brooks so eloquently put it, that the Biden administration has emerged triumphant. So much of the renewed esteem people are being told to feel for senile old Joe depends on a certain outcome in Ukraine that we can be forgiven if we believe that perhaps the news is being spun to make them look good-- better yet, to shut down naysayers and critics.

The simple fact that dissent is not tolerated tells us something. It feels like the flip side of the new woke culture, the one that cancels any opposing political opinion.

The Biden performance has been so miserable that media cheerleaders are stepping forth to mount their defense of our enfeebled president. Why Washington Post columnist Jonathan Capehart even wrote a column extolling the greatness of Kamala Harris today.

War games are one thing. Mind games are quite another. Inflating the ego of a rather small man from Kyiv will have consequences. Given the state of the Valensky ego, one does not see how the man can compromise. One does not see how he can sue for peace or open a negotiation where he would be obliged to compromise. The larger his ego the more likely is to go for broke, as he in fact is ruling a broken country, a country largely reduced to rubble.

The spectacle before the United States Congress was not a step toward peace. It was another step toward further war. 

The situation, as much as we know anything about it, looks good for the Ukrainians today. Their victories are celebrated in the press-- as a vindication of the Biden presidency.

And yet, be careful what you wish for. Like it or not, Putin cannot lose the war. And he and his allies have many other fronts to engage-- as in Asia. So we end up with two opponents, neither of whom can be seen to be losing, which gives us a series of rather dire prospects going forward.

Have a nice day!