By Alexander G. Markovsky, NEWSMAX 22 February 2022 12:23 PM
Atlantic Magazine recently wrote about Vladamir Putin, “He is threatening to invade Ukraine because he wants democracy to fail.” This opinion has been shared by a remarkable array of experts.
The idea that Putin is afraid of Ukrainian democracy is absurd. Regretfully, Ukraine has been a tragic setback for America’s democratic aspirations in the region.
Since Ukraine got its independence, the Ukrainian people have not shared American commitments to democracy. Indeed, they found it difficult to elect leaders who recognize the importance of democracy other than as a means to achieve their personal enrichment.
The defining characteristics of Ukraine are chaos, uncertainty, instability and theft of the state treasury and natural resources. It is a failed state rotten with incompetence and endemic corruption.
If Ukraine is supposed to serve as an exemplar of Western democracy, Putin should preserve Ukraine as visual material and ‘jealously guard” it.
It is not about democracy or Ukraine; Ukraine is an American pawn and isn’t even at the table.
Could it be about NATO? Moscow has warned for a long time that the eastward expansion of NATO threatens Russia’s security.
NATO should anticipate that it would eventually lead to confrontation with Russia. But when it came, NATO was unprepared for it.
Prosperous members of NATO have devoted their resources to the welfare state and neglected military capabilities. Disarmed and dependent on Russia for energy and natural resources, they could not pose a geopolitical threat to anybody.
Instead, they have delegated their defense to the United States.
If it is not about NATO, then it must be the continuation of the United States’ “the Thirty Years War.” In 1998, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright outlined the U.S. policies: “If we have to use force, it is because we are America; we are the indispensable nation. We stand tall, and we see further than other countries into the future.”
Since 1991 the United States vision of the future included wars in Yugoslavia, Lebanon, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Yemen, and now the U.S. policies are instigating the war in Ukraine.
The arrogance of “seeing further than other countries” brought America into a period of its “Time of Troubles.” Overextended and overcommitted, it is now a debt nation that unravels from inside. Its values and historical heritage are under assault and crumbling.
The national consensus bricked down, the polarization of society is at the levels not seen since the Civil War.
Drug cartels control American borders. The country is no longer energy independent. The government is woefully incompetent, and the president is ineffective.
Unable to deal with domestic problems, the administration seeks turmoil abroad to divert attention from the host of failures before the mid-term elections.
At the opposite end is Russia. Putin sees an opening to exploit America’s vulnerabilities and improve Russia’s geopolitical position. If Putin wanted to lay low American pride, he could not choose a better time.
So it is about Russia, after all. Despite a vulnerable economy and geopolitical insolation, Russia has transformed itself from a cause into a state capable of being influenced by calculations of risks and rewards.
Putin put up the “greatest” military show on Earth in a stunning display of history reversal. It aimed to show America that with a defense budget of less than 10% of the American, Russia has built a modern army and achieved near parity in the land-based conventional forces.
Moreover, he sends a strong message that Russia is re-emerging as a great power to be reckoned with.
Exhausted during 30 years of wars, America has no capabilities and no will to confront Russia effectively. Indeed, all that America has to offer are the threats of economic sanctions.
That can only embolden Putin, who learned in KGB that “threats are a weapon of weak against weaklings.”
It is becoming exceedingly apparent that America is no longer a supranational sovereign that can impose order. Undeniably, the balance of power in Europe has been recalibrated as a fact.
If we are to keep peace in Europe, it will soon become necessary to recalibrate it as a system. A new European order, similar to the Treaty of Westphalia is to be developed without feckless NATO and belligerent and arrogant the United States.
The new European order should be based on Wilsonian principles of self-determination for the nations of Europe. The principle should apply to the people of Crimea and Eastern Ukraine just as they were applied to Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Scotland, the Falkland Islands and Cyprus.
As far as America is concerned, when Demosthenes asked what was to be done about the decline of Athens, he replied, “I will give what I believe is the fairest and truest answer — don’t do what you are doing now.”
Alexander G. Markovsky is a scholar of Marxism and a senior fellow at the London Center for Policy Research, a conservative think tank that examines national security, energy, and other public policy issues. He is the author of “Liberal Bolshevism: America Did Not Defeat Communism, She Adopted It.” Read Alexander G. Markovsky’s Reports — More Here.
@Michael
gobsmacked! 😀
Hi, Sebastien.
Are you surprized? The ICC is binding in the EU, Japan, Korea, ANZ, Canada, Latin America and several dozen former European colonies. Notable non-ratifying countries include India, China, the US, Russia, Indonesia, Pakistan, etc., which are big enough to thumb their noses at international opinion. Smaller countries, like Israel and Sudan, either have not signed on or pull out of the deal when they feel threatened by court decisions.
The recent indictments against Dictator Putin are essentially an “unwelcome mat” to let him know he’s not welcome in the West anymore. I consider their decision to be stupid and dangerous (i.e. about par for the course in today’s diplomatic atmosphere). Not much to see here.
@Michael
You’ve got that backwards. Everything Ukraine and the US publish is propaganda. Not so for Macgregor.
https://news.yahoo.com/700-russian-invaders-21-tanks-103600712.html
“The Ukrainian military keeps a meticulous running count of Russian manpower and war machine losses, based on battlefield reports from combat units. According to the latest figures, during the course of the full-scale invasion, Russia has lost over 164,000 soldiers, 3,532 tanks, 205 warplanes, and 290 military helicopters.”
MacGregor and Ritter are Russian propagandists. Throughout history, casualty figures have varied widely according to source. You’ve been consistently reporting only one side; I presented the other.
https://english.nv.ua/nation/russia-retaliates-against-icc-over-putin-arrest-warrant-50311996.html
https://english.nv.ua/nation/ukrainian-pilots-can-master-f-16-jets-within-six-months-50312024.html
https://english.nv.ua/nation/ukrainian-orthodox-church-appeals-to-zelenskyy-to-halt-eviction-from-kyiv-pechersk-lavra-50312062.html
New Voice of Ukraine website
https://english.nv.ua/nation/ukraine-denies-reports-about-losing-100-000-soldiers-kia-news-50312037.html
@Ted
@Michael
I am not sure where Michael found these numbers reported, but the original source is none other that paragon of honest reporting, The New Voice of Ukraine, (link).
Using political narratives as substantive reports is why America’s authority is dwindling around the world. Great nations fall when ignoring the limits of reality, and when reality bites, it is the people of those great nations who will feel the consequences most acutely. This is why honest analysis, and not the New Voice of Ukraine, should be sought when considering where things stand. Reality is a powerful force which can only be navigated with success by recognizing the truth as being true, and propaganda as being just more fake news. Failing to even attempt to accomplish such a task as this is why America is losing the war in Ukraine, as was always destined to occur. She isn’t prepared for a long extensive land based war in the middle of eastern Europe, and she hasn’t been since before she shipped her economy overseas and focused her military towards fighting wars against third world armies. Of course, this isn’t an American reality, and it isn’t a Russian reality. It is just reality as it stands, and distinguishing such facts from the Snake Island fake news should not label someone pro Russia any more than it should label them as pro American. It’s simply a matter of seeing things for what they are rather than for what someone might care to claim, against all reason and evidence to the contrary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrbv40ENU_o
@Michael
Why are you disparaging Markovsky while being unable to draw a single inaccuracy or false assertion from the fate which he is boldly and accurately described as would occur 13months ago. In fact, he was only able to do so because his assessments were based on reality and not political narratives to which the West have tied their fate, which is why they are failing again.
Honest analysis and forecasting is essential to making any informed decision well informed about what is being decided. The unfortunate fact is that the US leadership has based their policy on political analysis which is always biased and therefore led to a biased expectations of the consequences to those policies – in other words, their policy was, as Albright the war criminal suggested, based upon the notion that they have no need to be bothered with considering the consequences of doing whatever they want to do, being the ‘indespensible’ nation as she describes it. No nation is so secure as to be able to long withstand such reckless policies, though the past thirty years has been a long tale of how such a reckless policy could progressively lead to the world’s acknowledged hegemon being unseated by her own efforts.
As to the spring offensive, it is not yet spring, and yet, it is Russia who is advancing, taking Bakhmut and will likely soon be taking Adviika. By the way, I am curious, was it the Ghost of Kiev that shared the Russian casualties with you? Using such obviously circular reports, from which this no doubt sprang, as the measure of the progress of this war is exactly why Russia is still advancing across what had once been Ukrainian territory. None of this needed to be this way, and yet things are only were they are because those who knew better were ignored to satisfy the desires of those who were powerful enough, and reckless enough, as to think that they had no need to deal with reality as it truly stands. This was true in the 1940’s with the Nazi state, and it is true today with the American hegemony – forgive the comparison, but basing geopolitical actions on false narratives will always have a devastating consequence even for very powerful nations.
By the way, Markovsky is acknowledged and described as a scholar from many sources due to his breath of research and writing, among them Newsmax, Yahoo and Arutz, just to name a few. Also, his analysis was not based upon his knowledge and understanding of Russia alone. Indeed, if his insight were so selective and biased, he would not have been so capable of predicting the why and wherefore of American failures as have come to prove him quite accurately informed. As I noted above, it would have been wise if the US had heeded his warnings, as it would have saved a great many Ukrainian lives as well as the Ukrainian state, but then again, these were always expendable assets for the American elites in their long term policy of seeking regime change in Russia at all costs.
@Mi9chael
Do you have a link for those statistics?
Both Macgregor and Ritter quote much lower numbers and say that at a minimum Ukraine is loosing 5 times as many men as the Russians are.
I just listened to a talk by Macgregor and he quoted the current ration of Ukrainian Casualties to Russian one is 8:1.
There is no way you numbers are close to the truth.
Ted,
You have declared that you consider Markovsky to be a scholar and expert — on Russia, of all things. So, in your eyes, the red fox is the expert to consult on henhouse security. I suppose there’s some merit in that: he would definitely know something about the matter!
While we’re on the subject of an “exhausted” America being able to confront the nuclear-armed “developing nation” that is Russia, let’s just see how they’re doing with their much-heralded “spring offensive”. Here’s the most recent 24-hour tally:
As of March 19, the total losses of the Russian Federation in Ukraine are (loss in previous day in parentheses:
personnel — about 164,910 (+710) people were eliminated;
tanks — 3,532 (+21);
armored combat vehicles — 6,853 (+23);
artillery systems — 2,568 (+8);
multiple rocket launchers — 507 (+1);
air defense means — 268 (+3);
planes — 305 (+0);
helicopters — 290 (+0);
UAVs of the operational-tactical level — 2,159 (+0);
cruise missiles — 907 (+0);
warships/boats — 18 (+0);
automotive equipment and tank trucks — 5,408 (+4);
special equipment — 262 (+3).
Note that this is not even the day of Russia’s greatest daily losses: They lost over 1000 men just a couple of days ago. As for the tanks lost, Russian losses alone so far have been more than for both sides in the WWII Battle of Kursk.
You’ve been characterizing Russia as a “bear” that will overcome the Western alliance of the US, Japan, S. Korea, UK, Germany, France, and many others. That is very imaginative thinking! Considering that Russia is getting bloodied and stopped right now by a country with a third of its population, very imaginative indeed!
We must not forget the other “bear” in the equation, namely the Chinese Panda, led by Winnie the Pooh himself
https://imgs.search.brave.com/fZx4F-vb7OTRboZkoQMH1HlKbSpw1ayyS9K5TW42-4U/rs:fit:900:900:1/g:ce/aHR0cHM6Ly95dDMu/Z2dwaHQuY29tL2Ev/QUFUWEFKeEYwSlMx/NlloM2s0a1JKSEMz/SmVyWURqandCcGZu/S2xDc3V3PXM5MDAt/Yy1rLWMweGZmZmZm/ZmZmLW5vLXJqLW1v
Right now, Putin and Winnie are getting ready to meet, possibly to finalize Muscovy’s articles of submission to its Khan. I don’t know how interested China is in the bombed-out hulk of Ukraine; but I’d bet they’re interested in “safeguarding Muscovy’s resource-rich Far East for them. It seems to me, that this will not be a case of Russia being helped in any way, but rather being crushed into oblivion from two directions.
Fear not, though! The Ayatollah will come to your rescue, supplying you with so-so drone technology in exchange for your latest aircraft! Oh, joy and happiness — and as a real sweetener in the deal, you’ll get sucked into the middle of an Iran-Israeli war, this time a war for keeps!
I don’t think it would be wise for any country, to hitch its wagon to the Russian horse. It would probably make a little more sense to “team up” under the yoke of China — they have lots of bribe money with which to reward their tributaries. There’s a caveat there too, though, in that China’s economy is dependent on the United States and its allies.
I’m not cheering for any side: They’re all rushing headlong to Armageddon, and it’s a good time to keep out of the way.
Good article .
@Peloni
Your comment is beautifully written.
As for Markovsky, I am in awe of his breadth of knowledge, not just about Russia but also about the US and the classics.
Remember he was educated in the USSR where he studied such matters.
Is anyone supposed to take him seriously?
As for,
What a silly question! Most of the country has been sitting around for the past two years, while our president poops in his pants and our generals try on wigs, fake boobs and high heels. That’s not the sort of thing that “exhausts” a country. Most Americans are biding their time, waiting for the idiots to evacuate Washington, DC. I think many Russians may be doing the same, concerning their leaders in Moskva.
A real gem plucked from the eve of the expansion of the conflict which began in 2014 when the US overthrew the Ukrainian govt. It is almost like Markovsky peeked into the future to hopelessly warn, like Cassandra, of all that would soon come to pass. Someone should have listened to him. Actually, someone such as Markovsky should have been advising the US, offering an honest, and clear description of the impossible situation in which the US was placing itself over the past decade. Instead of such a valued frank and honest analysis as Markovsky offers here, Washington was, and remains to be, advised by political analysts, sycophants whose well browned noses are the limit of their input into any given situation.
As exemplified by the statement quoted from that War Criminal Albright, the item which stood tallest in America has been the braid of arrogance and incompetence which has come to exemplify American leadership over these past three decades. Indeed, the smelting of arrogance and incompetence has led to the collapse of America’s most important element IMO, the consent of the governed. Everything stems from this single principle, and nothing great, important or even useful can long survive the absence of this single guiding light which did make America the indispensable nation.
Having lost the guidance of the people to judge their own path and direct their govts goals, however, America has become just another bully on the block, suffering from the rule of tyrants dispensing the mock justice of Stalin’s Moscow Trials, both to her own people and to people living on foreign shores.
I look forward to the day when the American people wrest back control of their govt gone rogue, but until that day, the only thing which makes America indispensable is to exemplify what Franklin meant when he stated “A Republic, if you can keep it.”
In one of my all-time favorite shows, the famous satirical Japanese medical drama, “Dr. X,” which ran for 8 seasons from October 2012 to December 2021, the cat’s name is Ben Casey.
@Tanna The brief ensuing detente was crucially important as it made for some very entertaining television.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0521316/
@Tanna
I’m behind on my reading. but thing about this!
When President J.F. Kennedy told Russia to remove the nukes form Cuba or else, do you think that the soon to follow war would have been justified? What if Russia had not backed off and pulled their weapons from Cuba?
We have the same thing now in Ukraine, the Budapest agreement was broken. Ukraine should have remained neutral. It was good enough for Sweden until just the last few days. makes one wonder who is pulling the strings of these Puppet nations.
I keep hearing this canard. But what NATO expansion eastward threatens is Russia’s ability to reconquer eastern Europe. That anyone would buy into Russia’s claim that their security is threatened is beyond gullible.
That being said, I know not to trust every narrative coming from our media. Some things have already been debunked about the war. We’ve been here before with the china virus.