By Ross Douthat
Sure, it works in practice, (click here) but does it work in theory? Over the years I’ve heard this parody of academic pomposity put in the lips of various targets, from French intellectuals to University of Chicago economists. Lately, though, I’ve begun thinking it myself — about the hawkish side in the debate over the Ukraine War, whose practical policies have so far achieved favorable results but whose deeper theories of the conflict still seem implausible, unworkable or dangerous.
I was not a Ukraine hawk before the war came. I felt the United States had overextended itself with its half-open door to NATO membership, and that eastern Ukraine, at least, wasn’t defensible against Russian aggression without a full-scale American military commitment. Sending arms to Kyiv probably made sense, but as a means of eventually bogging down a Russian incursion, not stopping it outright. And a Ukrainian collapse, of the kind we saw from our client government in Afghanistan, seemed within the realm of possibility....
This isn't a moment to appauld all the Ukrainian soldiers or those that have perished in defense of their country just long enough for millions of citizens to have escaped death, this is time to reassess the war and where it goes from here. Russia is an enemy. Russia is committing genocide. We are witnessing a ruthless Russian ruler that sees no value in human life. Putin is completely rejecting all that is democracy and Western economy.
I hope everyone realizes that this is about Western economy as much as anything else. Ukraine wanted to be a neutral country and enjoying vibrant economic ties to both Russia and Europe. Putin wasn't about to allow Ukraine to exist and surrender to the ambitions of Ukrainians to be free and economically strong. Putin has completely rejected Western democracy and it's subsequent economy and Middle Class.
This war isn't an option. It isn't about JUST providing safe havens for the Ukrainians away from Russian bombs. This is about a country out of control, completely disconnected from reality and powerful enough to cause real problems in the world for the rest of Putin's life. And. Perhaps. Beyond his death. Our countries are not Putin's pawns, they need to be RE-STRENGTHENED as they were before the generous movement of peaceful economy between all nations. Putin is rejecting all of it and doesn't care how long it takes, but, NATO will fall and then onto the USA and Canada if not sooner.
None of this is an academic exercise. This is real and it is happening and the world has a madman to deal with. Wall Street is welcome to be a partner. I suggest they make the changes they need to as they need to because this bozo is real.
