It also shows up the sheer absurdity of trying to impose the bankrupt logic of country-takeover, one that's essentially
opposite to the overall trend the world population is taking, which is intrinsic co-operation and sharing of resources and technology, fostered by international trade, travel and communication. And having romantic relationships with foreigners, of course. Many of the world's 'leaders' are now totally behind the curve, their governments crippled by internal corruption (including ours), and I would argue this war is as much a smokescreen to cover up their own inadequacies (and maybe allow them to escape justice) as it is about international power-brokerage. They may not even be conscious of it themselves yet.
Putin's essentially a cheap weirdo gangster, like Harry Flowers in the movie
Performance ("He's
funny, innee?"), who has created a 'sanctified mythology of justification' for his criminal activity, which sadly many people have bought into - or at least agreed to tolerate as long as it it benefited them to do so. But he's still a cheap gangster ultimately, and not that smart either. And his 'henchmen', as they always do, will go along with anything he says as long as they don't get shafted next. As Robert Reich pointed out the other day (and many others have before him), the pyramid structure of most autocracies practically
guarantees failure in any large strategic operation that requires accurate communications:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/01/vladimir-putin-ukraine-truth-deniers-bad-decisions
President Xi take note. At least Putin has some flexibility and creativity in his operation - China has none. I suspect some of their latest 'imperial ambitions' are rapidly being reigned in, not least as it's obvious they'll get stuck on the same tar baby that Putin has, and it'll be even worse for them, as they've literally abolished independent thought within their operation. And haven't fought a war in decades. I almost look forward to seeing them try, if it weren't for the fact that it would be another world disaster. Their visiting students can barely negotiate a trolley down an aisle at Aldi without bumping into something or someone, and only speak to local British residents if they absolutely must, not least as the local com party rep, one of their colleagues, will potentially report them if they do.
Seems an awful coincidence that just as the world needs to make the huge leap forward we've always needed, on covid, climate change, cheap energy abundance etc., our leaders are doing everything they can to hold it back - mainly as the nice little nest they've feathered for themselves will probably go up in smoke when they get their collars felt by a 'Citizens Justice Committee', soon, no doubt, to be forming on a street near you